Former news anchor Denis Duke Woniala has offered a stark interpretation of Uganda’s recent political developments, linking military arrests and media shutdowns to what he describes as a calculated display of power by authorities.
In a statement, Woniala argues that recent actions—particularly the closure of major media outlets and the arrest of opposition figures—are not isolated incidents but part of a broader strategy to shape public perception.
According to him, the goal is to “make them believe” in the absolute authority of those in charge.
His remarks come in the wake of controversial directives attributed to General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, including threats against media houses and political actors that were later carried out.
Woniala suggests that such actions are meant to send deliberate signals to the public, testing the limits of resistance while reinforcing a narrative of control.
“When he tweets that he will close NTV and indeed he does, when he says I’ll arrest Lukwago and it happens, they’re sending signals,” Woniala stated.
He emphasized that the effectiveness of these actions lies not just in execution, but in the public’s reaction—or lack of it.
The former journalist warns that fear plays a central role in this dynamic. He argues that once the public internalizes a sense of powerlessness, it becomes easier for authorities to consolidate control without direct confrontation.
“Once they send fear and no reaction, it works for them,” he noted, adding that belief in such power structures can lead to indirect acceptance over time.
Woniala further linked this pattern to future political transitions, suggesting that sustained displays of authority could influence how citizens respond to leadership changes.
He implied that by the time such a transition occurs, public resistance may already have been neutralized psychologically.
While describing his analysis as “street talk,” Woniala concluded with a cautionary tone, urging citizens to remain alert. His remarks reflect growing concern among sections of the public and political observers over the direction of governance and civil liberties in Uganda.