Museveni, the giant of East African politics, must now plan to go home

• His own words: The problem of Africa in general, and Uganda in particular, is not the people but leaders who want to overstay in power

He should start laying the ground for his exit, at least by 2016 as he claims he might. Failure to do so will mean his legacy will crumble as a nation fed up with him seeks alternatives.

The words he uttered at his swearing-in ceremony in 1986 are as true today as they were then: “The problem of Africa in general, and Uganda in particular, is not the people but leaders who want to overstay in power.”

For his own sake and for Uganda’s, Museveni must recognise, as Moi did to his credit in 1991 and in 2002, that there is a time when the best option is retreat.

mmutiga@ke.nationmedia.com