While Ugandans sleep, Amin’s 1971-1979 and Obote II’s Panda Gari returns in Museveni’s dictatorial era, but rebranded as ‘Drone’.

This new drone aims to whisk away Museveni critics, artists, journalists, and common Ugandans who, in one way or another, disagree with President Museveni, who has ruled the country with an iron fist for 40 years. 

While the drone has been around for years, it has only intensified with Museveni’s ageing, when he can hardly counter his critics with debates. 

Under the command of his son, Muhoozi Kaineruga, the Chief of Defence Forces, freedom of expression and democracy altogether have become subtle and such treacherous crimes, and as of now, hundreds of people are either dead or behind bars for disagreeing with or criticising the Museveni regime.

However, the indisputable fact is that President Museveni has undone what his predecessors did, and he deserves all the criticism. Museveni has made democracy and freedom of expression a privilege. His government has tried to annihilate the opposition by murdering politicians and supporters in cold blood, abducting them, and forcing them into exile.

On June 17, the UPDF soldiers abducted Andrew Natumanya, who identifies as Ninye Tabz, a whistleblower, photojournalist, and critic who has repeatedly exposed state corruption, abductions, and extrajudicial activities from Kamwokya and whisked him away in a drone.

Andrew’s abduction comes after the same security organ under the command of Muhoozi abducted Kizza Besigye’s lawyer and the Kampala former lord mayor, Erias Lukwago, who was later charged with misprison of treason under the dysfunctional judiciary. 

Andrew’s whereabouts are yet to be known. But hopefully, he is located by his now-unsettled family or presented before the court by his abductor for a ‘fair trial.'

The abduction predicament, however, reminds us that Museveni’s government is on the brink of falling, and that it will not just go down alone, but with Ugandans, and that no one is safe, including those who support it.