From the impact of U.S. foreign policy under Donald Trump to the ongoing M23 rebellion in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the legal struggles faced by Kinyarwanda speakers in Uganda and the controversial trial of Dr Kiiza Besigye, Mbidde offered deep insights into the region's most pressing challenges.
The Trump effect on Africa
Hon. Mbidde characterized Trump's foreign policy as transactional and nationalist. "Trump looks at foreign policy through the lenses of profit and loss," he explains.
He clarified that under Trump's administration, the United States shifted from a philanthropic superpower to a nation prioritizing domestic interests. This shift has had significant consequences on Africa, particularly in public health.
African countries have long relied on U.S. support to combat major health crises like HIV/AIDS. "South Africa had achieved 95% in HIV treatment goals, but Trump's withdrawal of health funding threatens to reverse these gains," Mbidde warned.
He encouraged African nations to consider legal action through U.S. courts to challenge harmful policy changes.
He further urged African nations to adopt a unified approach in global affairs. "African states must prioritize sovereignty and work collectively to counterbalance U.S. influence," he said.
The M23 rebellion, a governance crisis
Turning to the DRC, Mbidde said the resurgence of the M23 rebel group is a crisis rooted in historical grievances. He explained that the conflict stems from the marginalization of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese and the government's failure to honor peace agreements.
"The M23 movement began as a reaction to the government's violation of the 2009 peace agreement," he stated, cautioning against unilateral intervention by any East African nation, warning that it could be misconstrued as supporting rebel factions.
To address the root causes of the conflict, Mbidde proposed either secession or permanent power-sharing. "Peace is not just the absence of war. It is the presence of security and development," he asserted, emphasizing the importance of long-term governance solutions.
Uganda's legal quandary
In his own country, Mbidde discussed the controversial military trial of opposition leader Dr. Kiiza Besigye. While Uganda's UPDF Act permits the court-martial of civilians found using military equipment, he criticized the broader implications for democracy.
"Justice and fairness depend on government goodwill," he remarks, arguing that such trials reflect a worrying trend of political repression.
He called for legal reforms and a truly independent judiciary to protect civil liberties. "The government must decide whether to uphold democratic principles or continue on a path that undermines them," he said.
The legal struggles of Kinyarwanda speakers in Uganda
One of the most pressing issues raised by Dr. Mbidde is the plight of Kinyarwanda speakers in Uganda. Despite being Ugandans by birth, many face discrimination and legal obstacles to citizenship.
He outlines five distinct clusters of Kinyarwanda speakers in Uganda, but only two groups currently qualify for citizenship by birth. The first includes those from historical border regions like Kisoro and Ntungamo, integrated into Uganda during colonial boundary demarcations.
The second group consists of individuals born from intermarriages between Kinyarwanda speakers and recognized Ugandan ethnic communities.
However, three other groups remain excluded which include labor migrants from the 1930s, refugees from the 1950s, and those displaced by the 1994 Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi.
"These people know no other home yet they are denied the fundamental right to belong," Mbidde emphasized.
He criticizes the government's reliance on executive orders to address the issue, arguing that such measures lack legal permanence. "An executive order is not law. Without legal backing, it holds no weight. Advocating for constitutional amendments as the only sustainable solution," he asserted
Mbidde insisted on the idea of African unity and sovereignty. He urged African leaders to prioritize partnerships that benefit the continent and resist being manipulated by global powers. "It is time for Africa to redefine its relationship with global powers," he declares.
Sam K Nkurunziza
