Ethiopia: International Oromo Lawyers Association (IOLA) – Re: PM Mr. Abiy Ahmed (19.07.2020)

Opinion: Mwenda is prefixed for Mzee [and dissmissing Bobi Wine along the way]

Today on Facebook, the pseudo-intellectual and journalist Andrew Mwenda dropped another hit-piece on the opposition, titled: My Problem with Bobi Wine and his supporters. This is not shocking and this is to be expected. He has written countless of similar texts in concern to Dr. Kizza Besigye. So, his just reformulating it to fit People Power Movement and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine at this point.

We all know he has a “secret love-affair” with the President. That deep down in his heart he has passionate feelings and endearing opinions about him. Mwenda would wish he could join bonds and become a Spokesperson at the State House or get appointed to run the Uganda Media Centre. We all know that, because the Ad revenue of the Independent Magazine isn’t really all that. This is why he writes pieces like this in hope that somewhere along the lines that Museveni notice and gives him a heads-up.

Like for instance this part of his piece, which is such barren of his intellect:

If Bobi Wine became president, he has to reward his riffraff supporters with jobs. But they lack basic skills or experience for professional jobs. He cannot force the private sector to hire them. Neither can he recruit them into the state’s professional jobs. The only place he can hire them is in security services – army, police and intelligence organisations – which are always the dumping grounds of the lumpen supporters in poor countries” (Mwenda, 2020).

What is funny and tragic about this is that the President has hired and feeding the same folks that Mwenda addresses as Riffraff. The same people that Mwenda calls uneducated and lumpen. These are the citizens, who the President has represented for 34 years and not given opportunities too. It shows by all margins wher ethe state has failed and they are pinching the blame on Bobi Wine for elevating the same citizens. It is really a unique trait to undermine the same fellows that has grown up under the regime your defending. Like the President just last year gave a job and title to Jennifer Full Figure and Butchaman, both uneducated ghetto personalities. However, that is not an issue for Mwenda, right? They are skilled for that work, since he brushes that off?

He continues later in the piece:

Now under HE Bobi Wine, these lumpens will be the men and women in charge of Internal Security Organisation, police and army. They will be the ones collecting and analysing intelligence. President Bobi Wine himself will be intellectually handicapped to distinguish fiction from fact, slogans from policy. This is the raw material from which destructive tyrannies have historically been nurtured” (Mwenda, 2020).

It is just like the great mind of Mwenda forgets, that Museveni wasn’t all the well versed in politics. Yes, he gotten a position in Obote’s second cabinet and was a force to be reckoned with as he had a private army. However, Mwenda doesn’t think Bobi Wine can get experts to help him out and willingly want to serve him with advice? Not like the President today has all the brightest mind leading the various ministries and government agencies? They are all loyal subjects and underlings awaiting their pay-checks. The fiction he talks about is the one that only one man can rule and Bobi Wine cannot pick people. Not like the President haven’t picked foolish and ignorant leaders to lead these agencies and utterly failed, right? It is like this man forgetting the ills he wrote against Kayihura and Tumukunde, who both are now gone. They were not magicians, but loyal subjects to their king.

Then it’s the predestined journey Bobi Wine will apparently have:

So I find it difficult to embrace any and every opposition politician simply because they oppose Museveni. Africa has seen so many critics of government coming to power through a wave of populism. Except for a few exceptions, they have turned out to be worse than the ones they removed. Our nations have seen very many changes of government without much change in the quality of governance” (Mwenda, 2020).

Here we see the ever returning Orwellian belief that anyone taking over after a tyrant, have to become a tyrant himself to succeed. The nightmare turning into a genocide. The hero turning into a villain, when the person get into office. Because, there is no way Bobi Wine can turn good, listen to people and try to figure out the game from the office. It is not like Bobi Wine can negotiate or hold talks to secure safer passage of people. He just have to copy the President, burn royal palaces and send kings into exile. That is just what big-men do. Bobi Wine has to comply to that distorted narrative.

Yes, power corrupts, but his associates and his allies has to keep him in check. As well, as legal boundaries and measures to safeguard the public. Which all Presidents should have and not be ruled on the whim like the current affairs. The ones you have no trouble with and the governance that comes out from “high above”. It is just amazing.

Just like the ending of his piece:

It is therefore saddening that Ugandan elites clamouring for Bobi Wine are silent on the lack of values among the forces propelling this upstart in politics. Even worse is the lack of any policy alternative for Uganda. Surely, if opposition to Museveni blinds anyone to the thuggish character of Bobi Wine’s supporters, then this country is headed for disaster” (Mwenda, 2020).

Mwenda surely has the magical eightball, the psychic visions that he sees. That he has the out of body experience, as a village healer and the crystal ball to foresee the future ahead. We don’t need Nostradamus or anyone else. When we have Mwenda! He has seen everything already! He understand everything and everyone.

However, let me get serious again. I’m sure several of people was dismissing Museveni as an upstart too. He wasn’t always the old man, but a young minister and a visionary. Just like Bobi Wine is seen by some today. He became MP quickly and beat the odds. Proven his stamina and his placement in the world. Not someone to easily dismiss and throw under the bus. That is why Mwenda drops this piece today. Just to prove himself to the public, yet again.

It is nevertheless, not a well taken piece, neither is it smart nor have valid points. Only underscore the deep love he have for the current status quo. That he wants it to go as it does, because that suits him and his associates. This is why he speaks ill of Bobi Wine. Mwenda don’t know where he will be, if Museveni is gone. That might end some of those important envelopes and business deals he has in shadows.

Therefore, it is what it is. Neither provoking nor greatness. Just pure nonsense in the ordinary format of Mwenda. Another love story for the President and disgruntled claims, which can be debunked easily. Unless, he shows up at NBS Television with a crystal ball and says he saw the future. Then explained the madness in-front of his eyes. Peace.

Zimbabwe: Chin’ono and Ngariyhume arrested ahead of 31st July protests

If your thinking the space for freedom and liberty is rising to new levels under the new dispensation of ZANU-PF. I have to tell you. Your wrong and its getting worse. As the corruption and inept regime is failing on all standards. Instead of fixing itself, it goes after its critics and trying to make the democratic space even smaller.

That is why the authorities for no other reason, that two voices against oppression was taken into custody. Abducted and detained at unknown locations. We don’t know what has happen to voices of the opposition. Chin’ono’s journalism have the ability to dig deep into scandals and expose the regime. This is hurting the pride of the President and his associates. While Ngariyhume is trying to use peaceful means to demonstrate against the ills of the government. The one that today just arrested him over doing a planned democratic protest.

Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was today arbitrary arrested at his home and his location is now unknown. He gotten abducted and no one knows his whereabouts. They stormed his residence and took him away.

Zimbabwe opposition leader Jacob Ngarivhume (Transform Zimbabwe) has been arrested by state security agents. Ngarivhume has been at the forefront of calling for a citizens protest against corruption by the Zimbabwean government on July31” (Zim Local, 20.07.2020).

We have later gotten information that they are detained at Harare Central Police Station and ZHLR lawyers are there representing them and getting access to them. However, the arbitrary arrests shows the intent of the state. This is stifle the demonstrations and the voice of dissent. These actions happens directly to the ones who expose and who plans to show natural civil disobedience. Just like Union Leaders have been arrested for the same reasons this year. The same with MDC-Alliance leaders too.

The state just continues its oppression and take away liberties for the ones who oppose it. Certainly, the leaders of the ones who wants to demonstrate on the 31st July will be arrested. This is just the beginning. As the state will abduct and ambush the ones who voices their concern about how the state operates.

This here is showing again that President Emmerson Mnangagwa haven’t brought a new dispensation, but just revived the same fashion as in the past, but now wearing a scarf. Peace.

Mali: Declaration du Mouvement des Forces Patriotiques de Gao (19.07.2020)

Opinion: Tinkasimire is finessing the game

People Power is a political club, the NRM is a political party. In People Power, we were just driving an agenda of change, In NRM, there are structures and processes.”Barnabas Tinkasimire

The supposed rebel is mocking the pressure group his participating in, because he wants to show loyalty to the President and the Movement. That is not shocking. He has been open about being a NRM MP and continuing to subscribe to the party. Even as he was put in the charge of co-ordinating for Bunyoro.

Tinkasimire might get some brownie points with the President by stating this to the Press. After having the meeting earlier in the week. Where all NRM Rebel MPs paid respects and kneeled to their king. The protocol the MP talks about. The structure of being blindly loyal to the Old Man with the Hat. Follow his NRM CEC and not questioning his decisions. That is the party Barnabas is so proud off.

The man that is calling People Power a political club is demeaning and downplaying its organization. A pressure group run by Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. It is just like his saying its not sincerely working and they are just playing around. When calling it a club his initially saying its fun and games, while the Movement is serious. That shows how insincere Barnabas is at this point.

Barnabas is saying the NRM is the United Nations, but People Power is the Model United Nations. This should infuriate Bobi Wine and his close associates. That someone he trusted to lead the Bunyoro chapter thinks like this. If he says this now, he should distance himself from Barnabas.

Tinkasimire is showing his true colours. It is a facade what his doing in People Power. If he trusts the structure and process of the NRM. If he does that, what the hell does do in People Power?

That doesn’t make sense. When he wants to act like rebel, but trust the President and his ways. If you find that weird. Your part of the clique and we see the same sort of thing.

Why do you join a club and talk it down? When your already a part of party that your believe in and enjoy the comforts from?

It doesn’t make sense. Unless, he now wants to show loyalty after getting the good graces against after the meeting at the State House last week. That would make sense and shows People Power where his heart is. Especially, he speaks of change, but wants to have process of NRM. That is just foolish at best. Then he wants to blindly follow the “high above” and continue a charade as a “rebel”. I am sure President is happy about that. He has someone who can tell and has his ears to everything happening within People Power.

That is why the Bunyoro role of Tinkasimire should be in question. As he says the PPM isn’t that serious. While praising his party. That’s just a pure insult for the causes that PPM is supposed to be about.

Why are you having people within the Pressure Group who confess their admiration to the party, which your trying to overcome?

That’s Math, which doesn’t add up. 1 +1 = 3 or 1,5 and certainly not 2. If you want change and make difference. To be associated with the likes of Tinkasimire … is just vouching to have Movement friendly people and only uses PPM to get more votes. While he will continue to work for the status quo. A status quo the PPM is supposed to meet head-on. Peace.

Mr. 1986 won’t play fair for 2021 [and the Movement continues to hold rallies]

For the ones thinking social distancing, lockdown measures and COVID-19 isn’t a nice sideshow for a “Scientific” election. Sorry brother, you were wrong. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and its allies can campaign in the villages, towns, give away gear and even occupy churches for rallies.

That is now proven over the last two weeks. Several of ministers has been busy “campaigning” using government programs. Suddenly speaker Kadaga is in her district giving away masks. Minister of Justice Kamuntu holding rally in a church and in a yard. A State Minister for Health Aceng holding a rally in a sub-county in district, where she the flag-bearer in the election. Also, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Tumwebaze held a rally for SAGE too. Minister Kasolo have been holding rallies in the name “Emyooga” too. All of this is happening and we are supposed to believe this all part public official work.

However, the opposition can nearly participate on radio shows. Without the police officers coming barging in. Opposition parties cannot hold press conferences at their offices without being raided. Opposition parties cannot met activists at own party offices up-country without getting their MPs arrested. This is all things that happen in the same window of the Ministers holding rallies.

Meanwhile, we are supposed to cheer and joy for the Movements opportunity to campaign. They are using all tricks of the trade. While the policing of the opposition continues. The opposition cannot do anything without meeting police officers. This is a renewed Public Order Management Act (POMA) just under Presidential Guidelines of Lockdown during COVID-19. Which is supposed to be supported by scientists.

However, the same people who are running the guidelines are breeching it and not begging for mercy. The same folk who are closing venues, churches and public rallies are holding the exact same thing. This is really showing how blind-sided the Movement is.

They are thinking people are so stupid, that they are not understanding or grasping the issues at hand.

This is electioneering before the Elections Road Map and scientific measures that was put in. Therefore, the concern for spreading COVID-19 cannot be that big. When the Ministers are all up in people’s faces and holding rallies. While, they are closing everything else for everyone else. Unless, they are immortal and super-humans, the sort who cannot spread the virus nor be asymptomatic. These MPs and Ministers are so special, that they are above the law and above the fear of the coronavirus.

Everyone else has to be frightened and are in danger. They are not like these people and they are unique, they are special and true VIPs. These folks would usually have the ability to travel abroad for healing. The rest have to go to a hospital with lacking equipment, staff and enough ICU beds. That is just the mere reality.

If the state was worried about the COVID-19. Its high ranking officials wouldn’t campaign on a regular. If the state was holding free and fair elections. The opposition would be able to do internal party works and also prepare for 2021 in a fair manner. However, that is not true. The opposition cannot hold rallies or do their thing. Nevertheless, the Movement can do whatever it want.

That shows the injustice and impunity of the state. They are just misusing their power and reign. It is so obvious, that’s its foolish at best. Peace.

Maldivian Democracy Network: Re: Maldives’ rapid regession from democratic norms (17.07.2020)

Opinion: “Pastor” Kasolo’s prosperity gospel …

Some of you think by only praying, you will go to heaven yet God created all of us in His image. If God created us in his image, why are others rich yet you are poor? God will punish you for embarrassing Him by being poor and you will not go to heaven. Those who think they will only go to heaven by being so prayerful should forget it” – State Minister Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo

I have a feeling the State Minister of Microfinance, Haruna Kasolo should become a pastor. The way his singing a gospel. Kenneth Hagin and Kenneth Copeland would be proud of Kasolo utterance lately. Speaking like a flexing preacher.

Kasolo wants so badly to be a TV Pastor, be the likes of Hagin, Copeland and Hinn. That’s his emulating them while speaking of the relaunched SACCOs, NAADs and OWC under the umbrella of Emyooga.

Just to explain where I’m coming from, Harvard Divinity School defines it like this:

The Prosperity Gospel (PG) is a fast-growing theologically conservative movement frequently associated with Pentecostalism, evangelicalism, and charismatic Christianity that emphasizes believers’ abilities to transcend poverty and/or illness through devotion and positive confession. The PG is popular among impoverished communities, where at best it is considered to offer the poor a means of imagining and reaching for better lives (at times accompanied by sound financial advice), and at worst is criticized as predatory and manipulative, particularly when churches or pastors require heavy tithing” (Harvard Divinity School – Glossary Terms – The Prosperity Gospel).

I feel Kasolo does the same thing. His following the PG to the Tee. He should open up a church somewhere and become a pastor when his time as Minister is over. The church can be named the Wealth Creation Church (WCC) or the Emooyga Baptist Chuch (EBC).

He has already started his journey. As his preaching the prosperity gospel. That the poor has to sow their seeds and tithing to the congregation. Maybe that way he can keep relevance and have a career.

Just to prove my point, Hagin Ministries wrote this: Start where you are. Be faithful to obey the Word by paying your tithes and giving offerings. And be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit when He directs you specifically to give. You can’t out-give God. If you sow seeds bountifully in faith and obedience, you will reap an abundant harvest of blessings!” (Hagin – ‘Investing God’s Way’).

Copeland for instance wrote this: I lost a job and went broke” they’ll say. “That was when the Holy Spirit was finally able to teach me to put God fist in my life. That proves poverty can sometimes be a BLESSING of the LORD”. Such statements sound spiritual, but they are plain wrong. Going broke is never a BLESSING. It’s a curse” (Kenneth Copeland – ‘Project Eden – Filling the earth with the glory of God’, September 2011).

When seeing how Hagin and Copeland writes. It is similar to what Kasolo was saying. The PG Teaching isn’t new, but when a State Minister uses the same language. You know your selling tricks and schemes. When your using the tricks of false prophets. What sort of policy are you selling?

This is snake-oil salesmanship. Kasolo must be so proud.

So when are you becoming a Pastor or a PG Preacher? That is your next career, I suppose. Peace.

South Africa: Appeal to South African Citizens from the Minister of Health Dr. Zweli Mkhize (18.07.2020)

Rwanda: Nsabimana’s testimony doesn’t add up

There are always something shady going on. These sort of affairs that I dwell into here is easily a barrel filled with conspiracies. This being the affairs of the MRCD-UBUMWE, a rebellion out of former rebel groups going together to defeat the Presidency of Kagame and his Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF). Clearly, when they have been able to take one of the faces of this rebellion. They will mock him, torture him and certainly do what they can to hurt his cause.

The Rwandan Authorities is doing the natural thing charging Major Callixte Nsabimana aka Sankara. That they are taking him to court and apprehending him, only makes sense. However, that they are peddling news about his testimony from Court. Which is refuted both by his allies within the militia forged in 2017 with armed rebels from FNL, FDLR, RRM and CNRD.

All of this makes everything so questionable. Yes, I understand that the authorities wants to undermine the efforts of the MRCD, as they want to overthrow Kagame in Kigali. However, the method of releasing these sorts of allegations are counterproductive. Especially, when it only creates diplomatic spats and statements. Which isn’t serving Zambia or Rwanda. It is only making Kigali looking foolish in the eyes of Lusaka.

Just take a look!

The Report from the Court:

The alleged crimes were committed when Nsabimana was the Spokesperson of the ‘National Liberation Forces (FLN)’, an armed terrorist organisation founded by the Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD), a political organisation founded by Paul Rusesabagina, among other members” (…) “When the trial reopened, Nsabimana, who was a self-proclaimed ‘Major’ in FLN accused Zambian President Edgar Lungu of allowing them space to operate in his country to overthrow the Rwandan government” (Edmund Kagire – ‘FLN’s Nsabimana Returns to Court, Alleges Zambian Support’ 13.07.2020, KT Press Rwanda).

MRCD Condemns the lies reported from the trial of Sankara:

The Government of Rwanda exerts all pressure in the form of physical and psychological torture against Major SANKARA to force him to confess at all costs the charges, to incriminate all those who wish to testify in favor of the accused. and to strive to sully the reputation of his political opponents whom he qualifies as terrorists in the pejorative sense! The MRCD – UBUMWE declares itself stunned by this relentlessness of the Rwandan courts which are also working to involve foreign friendly countries in this trial, in particular Zambia and its Head of State Edgar Lungu. The MRCD –UBUMWE takes this opportunity to protest loud and clear against these lies. There is no truth to these allegations at all” (MRCD – ‘CONDAMNATION DES MENSONGES DANS LE PROCÈS du Major Callixte NSABIMANA SANKARA’ 16.07.2020).

Zambia – Testimony not credible:

But Hon. Malanji said he was informed by President Kagame that the allegations are not credible as prior to his arrest, Nsabimana had travelled to five countries that do NOT include Zambia. Hon. Malanji said government will continue to investigate why Nsabimana chose to falsely mention President Edgar Lungu in his court testimony” (Mwebantu – ‘Zambia-Rwanda bilateral ties are sound, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Malanji says’ 17.07.2020).

The reality here is clear. Nsabimana could tell this alleged co-conspirator story for various of reasons. That is to deflect from his own wrong-doings and to hope for a lesser sentence. However, that seems to backfire. When his own outfit, his own militia that he was participating in and defended refutes his testimony. Also, that the Zambian Authorities is responding in disregard to it.

That Lusaka is saying they are not part of this is not shocking. That is expected, no healthy government wants to support and help militias to overthrow regimes in other nations. Unless, they are hoping for a pay-off for the support with time. There seems to very few reasons for Zambia to want to get rid of Kagame. Unless, it would be a ego thing for Lungu. Which seems far-fetched, as Lungu has enough trouble at home to ever consider to cause issues elsewhere.

Another point I will make is that its just weird that this alleged connection is released and spread to the media from the Courts. That the testimony of Nsabimana is all across the continent and the State House of Zambia and Foreign Affairs are addressing it. While, the Rwandan counterparts are not speaking out on it. Like they are hurt that some alleged co-conspirators are willing to undermine Kigali. Which is just by all accounts, made up story and fiction. Seemingly to fit a narrative for the rebel and his cause.

That is why this doesn’t add up. Secondly, the attacks the MRCD have done reportedly on Rwandan soil have come from Burundi, where they crossed the Kibra Forrest in Cibitoka province into Nyungewe Forrest in Ruhengeri district. That is not some lay away base in Zambia, but more influxed and prepared from Burundi.

That’s why I have hard time believing this and yes, there are underlying scepticism from the get-go. Neither, the rebel, the militia major or the ones spreading the news is credible. What is making it even worse. Is that two separate parties, one being the supposed co-conspirator is denying it and the current leadership of militia, which the man who testifies comes from. That is all making it easy to wonder what’s the motives for spreading it in the first place, instead of believing in the allegations. There are enough red-flags for me to even digest it as facts. Peace.