From LC1 to RDC to any government office, everyone is asking for a "facilitation" to sign your paper.
Bazukulu, in case no one has told you, October 9, 1962, was the first and the last time, when Uganda had a peaceful transfer from one leader to another.
Assisted by the Ssekabaka Sir Edward Mutesa II and his Kabaka Yeka (KY) party, Milton Obote and his Uganda People's Congress (UPC) had won a free and fair general election.
This enabled Obote to make history as the man who received the instrument of government from the outgoing British Protectorate government.
He said 62 years ago today: "Countrymen and friends. At midnight tonight Uganda shall become Independent. We shall have a Uganda flag, a National Anthem and Coat of Arms.
"These will be symbols, but independence does not begin and end with the selection and raising of a flag, the singing of a National Anthem and the display of a Coat of Arms.
"Our independence shall mean great responsibilities for all of us without exception. Collectively, we shall all be responsible to safeguard our independence and to ensure peace and stability within our country.
"Let us remember the best we have received and now inherit from the British administrators. I also ask all to give the missionaries past and present a special praise for the light they brought and do still maintain."
For a while, Obote wielded absolute power over the country, thanks in part to the northern people and Teso-dominated security services bequeathed to him by the British.
Fast forward to 2024, and you find most objective people at home and abroad asking the same question: "Who, if anyone, is ruling Uganda today - Museveni, Muhoozi, or Mr and Ms Corrupt found within and outside every government department?"
Why?
On September 21, the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, declared a "coup" when he announced that civilians should forget about power because it is the army and police, who will rule Uganda after President Museveni.
Everyone, including Members of Parliament, took it as a given, and kept quiet.
Just over a week later, on October 3, Gen Muhoozi demonstrated who was in charge of the country by threatening to expel the US Ambassador William Popp within 72 hours if he did not personally and publicly apologise for insulting President Museveni and Ugandans.
Again, everyone kept quiet!
It took two days before President Museveni finally wrote to the US Ambassador, formally informing him to ignore Gen Muhoozi's expulsion order because it "is not the position of the Government of the Republic of Uganda which has had fruitful bilateral relations with the United States for over 60 years."
The President added, needlessly, "please be reminded that the position of the Government of the Republic of Uganda on international relations is communicated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
But alas! The letter was fake. But the message in it remains poignant just like Gen Mohoozi remains the chief of Uganda People's Defence Forces.
This contradiction in terms will leave the US Ambassador, his employers at the State Department and their allies in European Union and NATO asking the question - 'who, if anyone, is ruling Uganda - Museveni, Muhoozi?'
Step out of the Museveni-Muhoozi shenanigans into the country, and you find everyone and no one in particular in charge of the country.
The Speaker of Parliament and ministers are ordering the arrest anyone, without an arrest warrant.
Real and bogus security officers in police and military uniform are mounting road blocks, and extorting money from drivers and passengers.
The powerful are wining land disputes by deploying military officers on disputed sites.
Unidentifiable armed men in civilian clothes are menacingly welding guns against demonstrating intern doctors, students and journalists, and killing or injuring some.
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From LC1 to RDC to any government office, everyone is asking for a "facilitation" to sign your paper.
From Primary school teachers to university lecturers and Public Service Commissioners, everyone is asking for payment in cash or kind in return for grade or job.
Astonishingly, and Immigration Officer at Entebbe International Airport asked yours sincerely to pay for an "exit" visa. I paid the money into his mobile money account only to get proof of corruption.
Sadly, the IGG have ignored my complaint.
If an immigration officer can ask a Ugandan to pay for an exit visa, what is he doing to allow foreigners to bring in dangerous goods, including weapons and drugs?
Dear poor Bazukulu, at this rate of state collapse, who, if anyone, will ruling Uganda at 72 in 2034?
Dr Ayumo Sam Akaki is a Ugandan citizen
