Now that the search for president Museveni’s fourth term in office is on, it is becoming less likely that free and fair elections will be held come election year, 2011. The country is constantly waking up to statements about not giving up state power from a range of the ruling party officials.

The latest is from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) historical and Local government minister, who this morning was quoted in the local daily, saying that the NRM party will not hand over power even if it loses in democratic elections. There will never be democratic elections anyway, since they are organized by same government which still wants to hold state power - same situation like Mugabe regime.

“Our motto remains no change. We either win or they lose” Gen. Otafiire, a bush war veteran is quoted, further adding that NRM fought for power and would not relinquish it to the opposition - making it clear now, the fighting was not to liberate the people or nation the first place.

In just the same week, a man whose name drives shivers down people’s spines noted for his notoriety during last election campaigns, Maj. Kakooza Mutale, while calling for support towards the president’s fourth term bid warned about coup plotters without giving any names. Many opinion leaders suggest this as a move meant to create fear and uncertainty just before the election period.

With everybody’s attention on whatever is happening in Zimbabwe, lets hope that other African leaders are not taking it as an example to vent the same treatment on their citizens just to remain in power.