"Rusty Tear Gas Trucks and Dubai Vacations: Gashumba Questions Uganda's Opposition Fitness"

Frank Gashumba's statement suggests a critical view of Uganda's opposition dynamics and their effectiveness in challenging President Museveni's long-standing rule.
His remarks highlight skepticism about the role and achievements of the National Unity Platform (NUP) under Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) in its four years of existence, questioning whether the party has posed a genuine threat to the current regime.
Gashumba contrasts the current status of key opposition figures, noting that Bobi Wine is in Dubai while veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, a founder of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), remains in prison. By posing the question about who among the two has a stronger commitment to unseating Museveni, he appears to imply that Besigye, with his long history of activism and confrontations with the regime, has shown greater determination.
Meanwhile, human rights activist and lawyer Agatha Atuhaire has also raised concerns about the treatment of Dr. Kizza Besigye. In a press conference held yesterday, Atuhaire criticized the illegal trials of Besigye, a civilian, in the military court martial, calling it a violation of his rights and the rule of law.
Her remarks, add to the growing debate about the methods employed by the government to suppress dissent and silence opposition voices.
Gashumba’s observation about "tear gas vehicles rusting in parking" may point to a perception of reduced political protests or government crackdowns, potentially reflecting a lull in opposition activities or diminished momentum.
These developments invite broader questions about the unity and strategy of opposition parties in Uganda, their ability to mobilize mass support, and whether they are effectively challenging Museveni's nearly four-decade rule.
The perceived rivalry between opposition factions, as well as accusations of political infiltration, further complicate the landscape, making the path to genuine political change more challenging.