“I am a consumer of intelligence services, and some individuals in Raila Odinga’s group who don’t know what they are doing. There is a character named Babu Owino who is involved with anti-NRM to incite chaos in Uganda” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (27.08.2024).
Today, the Member of Parliament for Embakasi, Paul Ongili aka Babu Owino has been mentioned by the Ugandan President in his speech to support Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the African Union Chairmanship. It is interesting timing to do so in Kenya and Nairobi.
That the Ugandan President travelled all the way there and said this in public. This isn’t a way of flattery but a public warning. We know that Owino has had messages and been publicly supporting Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. At one point in 2018 there was a memo that was sent, and it said that Owino was “person non-grata” meaning he wasn’t allowed to enter the Republic. That was because he planned to attend one of the concerts held by Bobi Wine.
Since then, Bobi Wine has been in Kenya and they have met each other. There is a public bond here. Babu Owino has a political allegiance with Bobi Wine. That must be the reason for the utterance in public today.
President Museveni prefers people visiting him or doing it accordingly to his whims. The Ugandan President doesn’t want interference or any sort of push-back of any sorts. Babu Owino is a renegade and a calculated man. That’s why his on the side of Bobi Wine.
However, Babu Owino should more fear for the legacy surrounding his actions towards DJ Evolve. As that videotape should haunt him and the move of a gangster is a stain that will be lingering on him forever.
That Owino has a network to Uganda shouldn’t be surprising. Just as Museveni has held close association with Kenyan politicians too. He has met with Ruto for a long time and also held meetings with Odinga. As President he has no trouble interfering or supporting a candidate for that matter. Because he knows the importance of having leaders that he can trust in the region. Something Museveni has done over and over again.
This warning of Museveni will be futile, unless he has evidence. If it is messaging and talking to Bobi Wine. That isn’t enough as evidence or circumstantial at best. It doesn’t prove anything. That’s not like the tape where he hold the smoking gun. Museveni should have that on Owino before speaking in public. Alas, his used to using hearsay to benefit his causes. That’s why he thinks this works here as well.
Nevertheless, Owino is now on the radar of Kampala. That shows his significance already. This is a warning, and everyone should be alerted now. Peace.
MinBane 