Communique on the Current Human Rights Situation in Zimbabwe and Key Demands to the Government of Zimbabwe, SADC and the African Union (13.08.2020)

Opinion: 10 DP MPs cross to NUP [It’s raining tears in the land of Mao]

The Democratic Party is being totally purged by the National Unity Platform (NUP). The DP have today lost 10 MPs. In the 2016 election the party got 15 MPs. So, there is a total free for all. Norbert Mao has really lost out today. This is the biggest purge in a long while.

Norbert Mao must be screeching and teething as his seeing his top shot MPs … going for Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. NUP has a big big blow to the DP today. This here is like aiming at the heart of the DP. This is the supposed third term for Mao, but his not able to keep his ducks in a row.

We can see how his losing. I saw the three earlier today, but now a few hours later. This is seriously rattling the cage. Bobi Wine can smile to the bank. He has raided a party and gotten their biggest MPs. The likes of Mpuuga, Nambooze, Ssewanyana, Kivumbi and Namayanja. All of these will be flag-bearers who can flex for the party.

Just look here!

DP MPs cross to #PeoplePower’s NUP

Mathias Mpuuga from DP

Joseph Ssewungu DP

Medard Ssegona DP

Betty Nambooze DP

Moses Kasibante Ind

Muwanga Kivumbi DP

Allan Ssewanyana DP

Ssempala Kigozi DP

Ssentongo Robinah DP

Veronica Namaganda DP

Florence Namayanja DP” (Uganda Radio Network, 13.08.2020).

This here is insane. Just imagine that the about 66% of the DP MPs crossed today to NUP. That is major blow. This is like a kill-shot. Yes, the DP can field new flag-bearers. In Masaka, Mpuuga might met Bwanika or Mbidde, but that is not heated competition there. The others are having huge bases where they elected.

We can really see that Bobi Wine has taken over Baganda and the DP caucus there. This without being long in the political sphere. This is depleting the DP party. We can just wonder if others will follow too. As there soon final deadlines for nominations in the parties and the tickets are finalized.

Mao should cry today. Either that or raise havoc. He should be fuming, but understand that acting like a big-shot on NBS Frontline clearly isn’t enough.

Bobi Wine is winning. No doubt. The DP is dying and the umbrella is taking over. Evidently 66% MPs switched to NUP. That’s a train-wreck signal of the DP, but also a sign of strength for the NUP. Bobi Wine can wave a flag tonight. His gotten the bag without doing much today. Peace.

Opinion: I don’t trust Chameleone’s mission in the NUP…

Joseph Mayanja aka Jose Chameleone only last year left the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The man of the President. A man who has participated in rallies and singed songs for the regime for years. Suddenly last year in early July 2019 joined the Democratic Party and Mao gave him the role of Chief Mobilizer.

Today, he was announced as the Lord Mayoral Aspirant for Kampala for the National Unity Platform. Which means that Chameleone have within a year gone from the NRM to DP and final destination NUP.

Gone all red from yellow and for a hot minute green. This man is doing everything. Maybe by the time of 2021 he will try to join FDC. Just so he can say he was blue as well. No, I am just kidding. He will not go there, as he will not challenge incumbent Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. Who has also left the DP for another party.

For Bobi Wine this isn’t a victory. This here isn’t something to celebrate. Even if Bobi Wine is cheering and smiling as he welcomes Chameleone to the team. By all means, this yet another back handed slap at the DP. However, this man is just trying to find a flag to be relevant under. Chameleone doesn’t seem legit.

Nothing about his time in politics seems sincere. He is now red on the outside, but I still believe his yellow on the inside. Sort of like a mango. He should sing songs for Uganda Telecom and Splash. Not be a Lord Mayoral candidate. I cannot think of anything he stands for or cares about. Unless, leeching on whatever that is popping at any given moment.

This man has today gotten an easier ride without really having to struggle to do so. His just getting the umbrella, but without any real cost. Not like Chameleone have really invested time or energy in the DP. It is like everything he does is a publicity stunt.

Chameleone got to go head to head with Lukwago now. The others will not be in the same bracket. His the Ragga Dee of NUP. I don’t see how they will beat the two times Lord Mayor and former MP.

So, he wants to recreate himself again. This time in the vision of NUP and be under the wings of Bobi Wine. Because, he understands that there is little to no wheels helping the road ahead in DP. This is why he fled the scene and became an NUPer today. However, it is not a winning team this here.

Chameleone does this only for selfish reasons. I don’t see this a viable entry. His just using the flag, the party and the swagger of Bobi Wine. This is all just a ploy for him. Shopping the best opposition house to run on. Not because he believes in it, but because it helps his candidacy.

Chameleone have changed his colours so easily. Gone from yellow last year into green. This year gone from green to red. Who wonders what he does next, but don’t expect a magic wand or something unique.

This man will sound like everyone around him. Do what he can to fit in and be like them. However, I doubt he is, because of all the years he was on the payroll of the regime. This is just a another publicity stunt and his hoping the naive is flying high on it. However, I doubt this will help him much against Lukwago, except giving him some sort of credibility as an opposition candidate. Still, people like me doesn’t believe the man. Peace.

The Umbrella swallows three DP MPs

Today, there are three MPs who are announced at National Unity Platform Party Office in Kamwokya. These are Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze, Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana and Rubaga North MP Moses Kasibante. All of these MPs are leaving the Democratic Party and becoming NUP Flag-Bearers in the up-coming 2021 elections.

Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine didn’t even need to join the DP. He got the big-shots and the MPs who are vocally from the party. The DP Block leaders will be happy that Ssewanyana leaves the party. While we know Nambooze haven’t been friendly with Mao of late. Kasibante is seeking a new home and found safety here.

Nambooze have been moving along to elsewhere for a while. She has been part of People’s Government and been close to Besigye. That she now moves to NUP was in the cards. She’s been in Parliament since 2010 for Mukono and have drifted away from DP. We can see that since the 2016 elections. Therefore, today wasn’t a shocker, but was anticipated.

Nambooze have been in too trouble for her stances. Been treated with vile force. House raided, tortured and arrested for her stances. Therefore, she knows the cost of defying the state. Betty knows perfectly well and will continue this part with her change of party.

Ssewanyana, the MP for DP since 2016, the former Sports Editor and Chairman of Katwe United. Who has been arrested, charged and been in to much trouble in his term. A vocal opposition MP. A certain type that makes headlines without even trying. Just by opposing the government and its policies. That’s why this man is the perfect fit for the NUP at this point.

Kasibante have been in Parliament since 2012. Who is a DP MP, but on the pages of the Parliament his registered as Independent. Surely, he has gone more and more away. These are people who has associated themselves with the NUP and People Power.

So that Nambooze, Ssewanyana and Kasibante is all expected at this point. That they would either got to NUP or ANT. These was all individuals who was drifting away from Mao and the DP. They where abandoning the project, one by one.

It is not surprising. This is typical election season, but also a matter of making advances ahead of the polls. This is to score relevance and be part of the right team. They are fleeing DP to get more suction. This is Baganda MPs leaving the DP party.

Norbert Mao knew he would loose Lukwago and Nambooze. That was just a matter of time this time around. That he laso looses Ssweanyana is a loss, but the allies within DP Block will be happy if the rumours are correct. Give way to others to run on the DP ticket in Makindye West. Kasibante leaves Rubaga North and opens for another there too.

They are fleeing a sinking ship… to a party, which is on the rise. Bobi Wine has scored a victory with these folks in his team. While DP is even more weakened. The DP should start to reconsider their methods, as the ones vying for re-elections are abandoning them.

This are all vocal MPs and are people who are popular in their areas. These are not just some random MPs who nobody knows. Nambooze and Kasibante has been defiant for so long. They have suffered for it and now they are becoming NUPs.

This is a blow today for the DP and worth to celebrate for NUP. However, let see how this unfolds in the up-coming elections. Peace.

Ethiopia: A crackdown on protesters in Wolaita zone [and fatalities on the rise]

On the 9th August 2020 in Wolayita zone, 28 leaders was arrested. After that there been running demonstrations. The Wolaita National Movement (WNM) wants an autonomous state in the Federation, just like Sidama got recently.

Certainly, the Prosperity Party and the Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy have not taken this wish kindly. The PM tried to block Sidama as a state. Therefore, doing it here too, would make sense and be a pattern for the Head of State. Also, the erupting violence and the escalation of soldiers killing civilians. While the authorities are saying its the victims fault and the WNM who are working with TPLF and Querro/OLF. Another pattern of the state. While they are sending trucks of soldiers to Sodo and using violence against civilians. This is becoming a repeating story under PM Abiy.

Where people are standing up against injustice and wants recognition, but the Federal Government answers with guns and arrests of its leaders. The same happen in Oromia, as its happening in Wolayita. This is another zone, but the same results. The same innocent civilians ending up as fatalities in the hands of law enforcement and soldiers.

Recent violence in the region:

In another news, Public Relations of the Walayita National Movement (WNM) Andualem Tadesse said government security forces killed 21 civilians and wounded 105 others amid in the Walayita zone of southern Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission said the police used excessive force to disperse the protestors who demanded the release of the zone’s officials. The commission confirmed the death of five people and arrest of 178 people including 26 officials of the zone” (Ezega News – ‘National Army is United, Not Divided, Says Chief of Staff’ 11.08.2020).

Nuso Times today reports that military forces have killed a number of citizens in Sodo, Wolayta and among the dead is a pregnant mother. The death toll has currently risen to 30 with over 179 injured and 56 critically injured” (Ethiopia HRC, 12.08.2020).

TPLF condemns the killing:

Once again, the answer to the people’s questions is kidnapping, arresting leaders who have risen in public demand, persecuting, arresting, and killing forces that believe in legitimate and peaceful politics. The actions taken by the Wolayita people a few days ago, claiming that they will suppress the constitutional demand for self-determination, also stem from this oppressive, unitary dictatorship. He reaffirmed in response to public inquiries that he had been killed, persecuted and arrested” (…) “On this occasion, the TPLF would like to reaffirm our solidarity with the Wolayita and other oppressed peoples in order to immediately put an end to this unconstitutional, anti-democratic and unitary dictatorship’s actions against the Ethiopian people” (TPLF, 11.08.2020).

We are seeing the numbers are rising. This means the possible amounts might run even higher. They are already grim, as the demonstrations came quickly after the arrests of the leaders on the 9th August 2020. Within 3 days there are reports of 30 dead. That is 10 people a day on the watch of the government and with the orders of the same authorities.

This is grim… worrying and should concern people. As the same state killed hundreds during the protests in Oromia during the protests there. Now, the same tactic is used in Wolayita zone, which also wants to become a Federal State too. This is the cost for becoming autonomous, apparently. A deadly wish and the costly protest against the state.

The state have two answers to the ones defying it:

– Arrests, fatalities and injuries

– Blame the victims and hope nobody questions it.

Ethiopia is burning, one zone at the time, apparently. Peace.

Mzee asks for people to wake up, again!

The medicine for poverty is money, enough money” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (12.08.2020)

The republic must have been slumbering for 34 years now. The President is saying this again. Insulting his own citizens, who he has represented his whole adult life. Where he is telling them what to do. However, it is a reason why these schemes his promoting isn’t working for the general public. If they had worked, it wouldn’t be reissued and renamed over the years.

With this in mind, he has steady over the years said his people is sleepy, lazy and eating. They are enjoying the perks, but not working. Today he said the same thing. That they are not participating in work and paid workers. They are informal workers on the outside of the registered work-force. That because of the lack of opportunities and jobs. This is never in question from the President.

Everyone is supposed to be in micro-finance schemes, make things, grow beans and sell blood. There just have to ways to push in a gig economy. That is why the President speaks of Wealth Creation, NAADs, SACCOs and Associations. Instead of development through grander schemes to actually create business opportunities and fiscal growth.

That is why he barks like this:

According to the a 2014 survey over 68% of the households are sleeping. He urges the youth to wake up and take part in meaningful development and stop sleeping” – Museveni (12.08.2020).

Youth, please wake up from the sleep that you are in. Let us stop talking without acting. I am a former youth, so whatever you are telling me, I know it very well” – Museveni (12.08.2020).

He has used these rhetoric before. Instead of actually delivering and making opportunities, which brings fruits. Instead, his giving tokens with help of donors. While his not investing proper infrastructure and policies to make a change.

The President blames others, while have not contributed or made anything substantial. That is why its easier to say the citizens, the youth and society isn’t acting up. When you as the leaders for over three decades haven’t pulled them out. The President knows this, but its easier to blame others, than actually do something about yourself.

The government haven’t had the ability to make a difference, in such a regard that most people could get employed. The NRM and the President have had three decades to set-up a stable economy, have policies and measures for natural growth. Instead of ensuring this, he is making small moves and not long-term fiscal stimuli, neither policies to ensure work. This is handing out small pockets of funds, but not something to generate steady growth. Which have been the sort of action made by this government.

Therefore, the President should not call people out for sleeping, but for his inaction and lack of proper policies. This is why they are sleeping. There is no opportunities or chances to get a job. This is something the President knows, but is brushing over.

Sleep is the curse of death, but saying this again and again to the public. Only shows the President is doing a blame-game. Instead of actually delivering a substantial policy and a robust economy. Where the citizens have the option and can join a workforce. However, at this point of time. There is little to none and that’s why they are “sleeping”. Peace.

RDC: Ministere de la Justice et Garde des Sceaux – Communique de Presse No. 03 (12.08.2020)

Opinion: Tumukunde is in for a rocky ride

Lt. Henry Tumukunde who have recently worked to get a party ticked and failed. Have now come out officially this week as an Independent Candidate. This is not shocking or a big reveal. It is a loss, as the man couldn’t sway fringe parties to let him be the big man ahead of the elections.

Tumukunde who is often praised for this works in government. This man has been a go to guy, but also been sacked for wrecking things. Wants now to be IT. The dude, the grand old man and the chief. At least he wants to look like that.

I am sure his trying to sell himself in the same stature and leading ability like Amama Mbabazi did. While Mbabazi was able to takeover the TDA last time. Tumukunde would be lucky if they ever considered him into the DP Block of Mao. However, that will not happen.

Tumukunde might act like a big shot and talk like a big shot. However, the reality is that his game is smaller than he thinks. People talk that he got support within the NRM. But, wasn’t that the game of Mbabazi too? And that amounted to nearly nothing in the last go around?

Who will think it will be different in 2021, then it was in 2016? They are all blind followers of Museveni. They will not shift their gear, because suddenly one of the big men turns into a renegade. If so, Amama would have a much bigger team with him in the last election.

Tumukunde is playing this one out. It will fail, it is just a matter of how much. We can wonder how he will growl and beg after the polls. How much he will bend his knees and kiss the ring?

That time will tell. The damage and the hurt will depend on how much the man will risk. Nevertheless, expect him to return to the NRM and asking for appointments. He will, because he needs to eat. There will be pictures and there will be stories.

Indeed, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Peace.

Opinion: Just like Mwiru, Kiiza joins the ANTs…

Today, Winne Kiiza finally revealed her split from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Was I surprised? No, it was anticipated. She rise through the party and shown loyalty towards the ideals of Gen. Mugisha Muntu for so long. That is why she was so happy to be able to become the Leader of Opposition after the last General Election. An election the FDC disputed and claimed was rigged, still they accepted the defeat and took the mantle in Parliament.

That was in dark contrast to what Dr. Kizza Besigye would have wanted, but with Muntu at the helm and Kiiza as the partner that happened anyway. So, that she now follows him isn’t surprising. That was in the cards just like when Paul Mwiru revealed that he changed party too.

These two are both people of Muntu and stands by Muntu. They are not people for Besigye or for POA. That is just a mere fact. Nothing wrong with that, but the truths are still the same.

She stepped down recently as the Woman MP for Kasese, as she said she wouldn’t be in Parliament for too long or overstay her welcome. However, now that she changes party, maybe she changed her mind about that too?

I don’t know, but as she has a standing in Kasese. Is good at politicking and finding ways to manoeuvre to relevance. I wouldn’t be shocked if she found or got a flag-bearer position for the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT). That is in the cards and would be further extension of her political career.

Muntu have praised all of her actions and her role, even into the bitter end. Calling her the best Leader of Opposition the Republic ever had. So, that she would join him is so obvious. Because, POA switched her and let her back to the back-benches. Therefore, this is a move of loyalty and of future hopes.

She said last month she wouldn’t go for another term in Parliament. However, with the latest move. She might change her mind and opt out for another one. Don’t be shocked if the posters or the campaigning begins. It would fit like a glove. She a been a politician this long and would pull this one off too.

Seeing, Kiiza representing Kasese in 2021. Why not? That is what she has done all her career, and another wouldn’t make much of difference. Doubt she will settle with being a member of the secretariat of the new formation, the ANT and not play with the big boys. Peace.

Belarus: Massive crackdown on protests after rigged polls [and Lukaschenko don’t want to go]

A President for Life, Alexander Lukaschenko, a Soviet relic who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist for years. Who has been in control of the Republic since 1994. Are now challenging his tired population.

That is why there been gathering protests all across the Republic. As the army, special forces and anti-riot police are in the streets. They are brutally arresting people, following defiant citizens and using force against them. Within 48 hours the state has arrested 3,000 people.

Phone-lines and internet has been blocked. A total media blackout to hide the truth. The opposition have called out the rigging and officials even at some polling station posted the real results. Not the cooked and rigged results, that the state announced, which was 80% of the votes. While the opposition main candidate got squat, this being Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, which together Veronika Tsepkalo and Maria Kolesnikova. All three challenged the dictator and did so head on. While the Presidential candidate had her husband in prison and still after the polls his lingering there.

Even in the midst of it all. The demonstrators are continuing. Tikhanovskaya have fled into exile in Lithuania together with her kids and the campaign manager. A clear sign of how bad the rigging is and what sort of state Belarus is.

Today, the Belsat contributors Pavel Patapau and Ivan Muraviou, they were stopped by the police in Minsk. Their phones searched by the police and they were later detained. Also, TUTBY journalist Stanislau Korshunau was brutally arrested too.

There are another journalists who has gone missing for hours and haven’t been heard of since the first demonstrations on Sunday.

We know that Tikhanovskaya was forced to record a statement asking the public to stop to demonstrate and remain peaceful. This was done before she was allowed to flee the Republic. That is the sort of state Lukaschenko runs.

Let’s be clear, this isn’t a heavy contested election. This was a rigged election and an election stolen. Where one man decided the result and the public was supposed to accept it. However, they are demonstrating against it. They are not accepting the predetermined results manufactured from the state.

The state has already killed a civilian in Minsk. Who knows how many more fatalities has to happen, before things gives. However, we are seeing people are tired of the President and his reign. Belarusians deserves their righteous leaders and not someone who is imposing themselves on them.

That cannot last forever. The President cannot arrest all citizens, neither will all law enforcement have the conscience to brutally assault citizens and detain them for their civil disobedience. We can await the continued purge and wonder when something got to give. Peace.