Kampala, Uganda– Eng. Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS and a prominent Ugandan diplomat and human rights advocate, has issued a heartfelt appeal to President Yoweri Museveni, calling on him to steer Uganda toward a peaceful and democratic transition of power.
In a interview that has drawn attention from political observers across Africa and beyond, Byanyima said: “President Museveni can still turn around the situation. It’s not too late. We need a predictable, transparent democratic process to change leadership in Uganda.”
Byanyima acknowledged the pivotal role Museveni has played in Uganda’s post-conflict recovery, crediting him with helping restore order and stability after decades of political turmoil.
“We have had a historical leader for who has been in power for 40 years. He did great things. He turned this country around when we had horrible elections and a collapsing economy. He challenged that reality, and we followed him. Together, we turned this country around,” she said.
She highlighted key achievements of the early Museveni era, including the creation of a new constitution, the empowerment of local councils (LCs), and the inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in the political process.
“We restored many things. There was no sugar in shops, we brought back the Indian community to return and invest, and revived manufacturing. Many good things happened,” she said.
However, she expressed deep concern over Uganda’s current political gridlock.
“Today, we are back in a political stalemate. My plea to President Museveni is that he rises again, this time, to protect his legacy by leading a peaceful transitional process. Uganda deserves better than violent elections. We do not want to return to 1980,”
Byanyima urged President Museveni to engage constructively with the opposition, calling on him to end the criminalisation of dissent and instead restore Uganda’s commitment to the rule of law and democracy.
“Talk to your opposition, don’t criminalise them. Restore us to the rule of law and the democratic path. Ensure a free and fair election. These things are not hard,” she added.
She warned that the brunt of flawed and violent political processes is borne by Uganda’s youth, the generation with the most to lose.
“The real victims are our young people. They break my heart. When I see thousands including my own nephews and nieces, the young people I know and those on streets expressing frustration on the streets.”
