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Statues, a Strongman's Ego-Massaging Artwork

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Statues, a Strongman's Ego-Massaging Artwork
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From North Korea’s Kim Il-sung to Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, statues have been a hallmark of dictatorial regimes, symbolizing unchallenged authority and eternal leadership.

These monuments are more than artistic creations; they are tools for immortalizing power, shaping public perception, and silencing dissent. Recent proposals in Uganda to honour President Museveni with a statue, championed by his son General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, reflect a global trend where autocratic leaders use statues to solidify their legacy.

Statues serve as constant reminders of a regime’s omnipresence, often positioned in prominent public spaces to ensure citizens never forget who holds power.

Political analysts note that such monuments create an illusion of inseparability between the ruler and the nation, reinforcing the narrative that the leader is indispensable.

This tactic blurs the line between loyalty and psychological control, crafting an image of invulnerability.

In North Korea, for example, Kim Il-sung’s statues dominate public squares, standing as towering symbols of his "eternal leadership."

These monuments, often accompanied by strict rituals of reverence, perpetuate his presence even decades after his death. Iraq’s Saddam Hussein employed similar strategies, erecting grand statues across Baghdad to project power.

The dramatic toppling of his statue in Firdos Square during the 2003 U.S. invasion became a powerful symbol of his regime's fall, showing how statues can also mark the end of an era.

Uganda’s President Museveni, in power since 1986, has become a central figure in the nation’s history.

The recent suggestion by Gen. Muhoozi to erect a statue in his honor echoes this tradition of using monuments to cement a leader’s legacy.

Proponents argue that such statues celebrate Museveni’s role in stabilizing Uganda, while critics see them as glorification of a long-entrenched regime, reinforcing dynastic rule and marginalising opposition voices.

Statues, however, are double-edged. While they serve to glorify leaders, they can also become rallying points for resistance.

Toppled statues often symbolize the collapse of autocratic regimes, transforming instruments of power into icons of protest.

In post-dictatorship societies, these monuments are frequently replaced with tributes to victims of oppression, reshaping national memory.

The enduring appeal of statues to dictators lies in their ability to visually dominate public consciousness and reinforce a singular narrative of leadership. Yet history demonstrates that no statue can safeguard a ruler’s legacy indefinitely.

These monuments may glorify power, but they cannot shield it from the inevitable tide of change.

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