Opinion: Hon. Kabaziguruka deserves his flowers

The former Member of Parliament, Michael Kabaziguruka deserves credit and accolades for what went down at the Supreme Court today. That he stood tall and persevered through the adversity. A man who has faced legal jeopardy and trouble.

The newly elected MP was facing charges of Treason and was supposed to behind a scheme to assassinate the Head of State, General and President Yoweri Kaguta Musevei. That’s why the authorities and the state tried this case at the General Court Martial of Makindye Barracks. Just like others has been since then.

Hon. Kabaziguruka pushed for it and has waited for. A man who could have given up and given way. No one would have judged him after all these years. Yes, his vindicated today, but the hurt must be alive for the man. As he knows the acts of the state at first hand and tasted the brutality of it. Not like he was walking off easily or even without a touch from it.

He got there because he won over a favoured candidate. The man became an MP and conquered one of the anointed men, Fred Ruhindi. That’s why he faced doom and was in dungeons of the SIU Kireka at one point. As the state schemed on how to prolong the pain and suffering. Making up charges and fabricating allegations to make sure he wouldn’t be released. That’s why he ended up it the General Court Martial. Just so the civilian courts couldn’t touch him or have him under their jurisdiction. That way they could keep him detained and make him a poster-child of the unfortunate who was more popular than the state’s own candidate.

Today’s verdict is a vital one and an important one. Nevertheless, this is just one stepping stone. Hon. Kabaziguruka took us here. Now others has to lead on to take it further. He has taken this journey and allowed for this door to open. Now others have to follow suit and challenge the other discrepancies and misuse of power, which is rampant within the authorities and the law enforcement of the Republic.

That’s why we should cheer for the outcome, because of the significance of it. However, I am not hopeful for the civilians tried in the General Military Courts. No, these are still in legal limbo and will face a continued pursuit of justice and freedom in civilian courts. These people won’t be freed on a whim and the state will make cases for continuing the persecution elsewhere. So, don’t think the political prisoners will be freed because of this verdict. No, if it is adhered too… the state only have to move dockets and chambers, but the game plan will be the same. The game is rigged and Hon. Kabaziguruka knows that well too.

This is why today is a good day, but not the end of the matter. It is just one step. One important step, but not the end. There is a lot more to give. Hon. Kabaziguruka did his part and now others got to step up to clear the courts, yet again. That to stop other practices that is unlawful and breaching with the codes or articles of the constitution. It is about time to end these actions and make them obsolete. However, that won’t happen over night and neither will the political prisoners be released without remedy or justification, which gives the state leverage to do so. These will not be free or at liberty tomorrow. No, they will linger in jeopardy and within the realm of the law. As long as they are in custody. They are endangered and the state can just find new allegations or criminal conspiracy to pin on the victims. That’s what it does… and we have seen that movie before. Peace.

Opinion: The General Court Martial is deemed unfit – but I won’t celebrate to early…

There is breadcrumbs and certainly if the authorities and the state was to abide by the Supreme Court, the civilians on remand and awaiting a proper trial at the General Court Martial. These are now celebrated and expected to get justice. The justice being released and getting their freedom again. However, I wouldn’t run that fast and be jolly.

The Supreme Court did the right thing, but it doesn’t let the buck stop. These cases will be moved civilian courts and the authorities will apprehend and re-arrest the ones that is pending judgment or sentence at the GCM. The ones believing in anything is naive.

The regime isn’t imposing these instruments of power and chambers for fun. They are using any aspect of the law and legalities to ensure the demise of its dissidents. That’s why I have little to no faith in the system. This system is rigged against the individuals caught in it. This is why they will not get justice or the freedom they are supposed to have. They have already lost their liberties and possibly the privileges that an ordinary citizen has. Because they have dared to question, act within the space of opposition politics and been public in their dissent. That’s why they are behind bars and awaiting trial and sentencing at the GCM.

We haven’t seen people being released or civilians being issued paperwork to get off from these cases. No, the state and the authorities will find technicalities and measures to continue the prosecution and persecution for the foreseeable future. They are now under the mercy of authorities and they aren’t forgiving. No, they will use all means and find all tricks of the book, which they will use to throw at these fellow peers.

The ones believing the National Unity Platform activists or supporters behind bars will be released. Nah, it won’t happen. The ones believing Dr. Kizza Besigye or fellow associates of him will be released. Nah, it won’t happen. These are there for a reason and to tell a story to the citizens of who is king. That’s why they are there in the first place and their master won’t release them just like that.

Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe is now famous for his operation at the General Court Martial of Makindye. He is now infamous and will forever be known for his actions within his chambers. The tribunal that acted like a prestigious court…

If I assess things in order. The civilians which are currently in custody. They might possibly get a release, but quickly will be picked up by drone or “Panda Gari” which later schedules them for another civilian court and will prolong the agony. They will either be there within the 48 hours or will be put into safe houses. Only the high profile cases will be put under jurisdiction of well known courts and be on public display. Meanwhile, they will be kept in prison and be under remand. As these “investigations” and such will prolong the agony of the ones who are state property.

That’s why I am not celebrating today’s verdict in the Supreme Court. There is no time for that. The state will use it and find ways of keeping these political prisoners, regardless of the verdict. That is bound what the Supreme Court even said today. It is just moved from entity to another. This is buying the state time and reasons to keep them detained. That’s why I am subtle and clear.

The ones that wants people freed from this torment. They have to target the tormentors and find ways of weakening it. Because right now they can install fear and use the rules of law as a weapon against the ones who dares to challenge its authority. That’s why they are in the slammer to begin with. Peace.

The Silent War: Are the next targets of M23 – Bukavu and Beni?

The takeover of the Mouvement of March 23 (M23) and Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) of the city of Goma is telling. The manner of which the regime of Kigali is playing this one out. As they are trying to be a victim in all of it. Meanwhile, the M23 is continuing its operation and trying to forge the narrative as the saviour of the region. That’s what the Kigali and the ones running this proxy militia is doing.

The M23/AFC aren’t there to save the South Kivu or North Kivu Province. The ones believing this haven’t seen them before. It isn’t the first time M23 has taken over Goma or the last time a Rwandan supported militia has annexed territories in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. They are just operational with a military wing and a political wing. Which is showing they are well prepared and knows the weaknesses of the FARDC and the Wazalendo allies.

The ones in Kigali has support from the likes of General James Kararebe. We shouldn’t be shocked if the ones in Kampala isn’t busy scheming as well. Since we are seeing Andrew Mwenda becoming a spokesperson and a “pan-african” journalist all of sudden. His speaking in tongue and speaking of the blessings of this conflict. Alas, that is disingenuous and we know his The Independent Magazine has been bailed out by Kigali in the past too.

So with that all in mind. There is a bigger play here. That’s why Kigali speaks of dissolving the Forces democratiques de liberation du Rwanda (FDLR), but M23 are playing another game now. They are targeting and consolidating power. Even like in the past, the CNDP even stated the will of invading and conquering Kinshasa. Now M23 are on the same lingo and mojo.

This is a game of getting in control and power. This is a proxy-militia taunting and haunting the government. It is used as a tool ensure the routes of cobalt and other minerals to enter into the Republic of Rwanda. They need those and this is easiest way of access. As the porous borders and lack of morals and operational army are able to destroy the FARDC. That’s what the M23 and their backers are seeing. This is why it has momentum and continuing their warpath.

If the M23 was there to end FDLR. They would have done it in a different way and the leaders of Kigali wouldn’t have played it this way. It isn’t believable that the Kigali are there to save the Kivu provinces. Not like they have come as saviours before and only gone their to pillage and loot in the past.

We should hear sooner or later that the M23 are knocking on the door of Bukavu and days later at Beni. This is where they are going in both directions. That’s to take over and be the leaders of the provinces. That would be a huge victory of the M23 and their insurgency. Just like they were able to take over Goma. It is just to prove to Kinshasa that its powerless in this side of the Republic.

The FARDC and Wazalendo are in trouble and been for some time. Neither are their allies helping them out either. They aren’t capable of containing and stopping the advances of the M23. That’s why we should see M23 within rage of Bukavu. Later we will see Beni…

This is just telling and we should be worried. Everyone is calling for Kinshasa to talk of dialogue, but Kigali and Kampala has to play their part too. They are also involved and kept ex-militants on their territories until they allowed them to cross the borders. That was done when they thought of a positive window for re-engagement and that is showing now. Peace.

Uganda Law Society (ULS): Supreme Court Ruling on Civilian Trials in Military Courts: A Victory for Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law (31.01.2025)

Tchad: Ministere des Armees des Anciens Combattants et des Victimes de Guerre – Communique de l’Etat Major General des Armes (30.01.2025)

RDC: Union pour la Democratie et le Progres Social (UDPS) – Communique No. 003 (30.01.2025)

RDC: Forces Armees Republique Democratique du Congo (FARDC) – Troisieme Zone de Defense Quartier General Avance Coordinnation Scifa – Communique de Presse No. 002 (30.01.2025)

RDC: Coalition des Democrates (CODE) – Declaration du regroupment Politique Coalition Des Democrates, CODE en Sigle (30.01.2025)

South Sudan: Integrity South Sudan Demands Accountability and Transparency at Nimule Border (30.01.2025)

Rwanda: The MLR was just a smokescreen or a ghost…

On the 28^th and 29^th January the insurgency of the Mouvement de la Libération du Rwanda (MLR) or Rwanda Liberation Movement (RLM) supposedly happened in Rwanda. This was the newest rebellion from within. However, it has been crickets.

There been no movement or viable reports within the last 48 hours. The reports of the advances and taking over the airport of Gisenyi is hard to believe now. The Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) haven’t released any information. Neither has there been any sort of reaction to make it believable.

It seems like it was a report made to humiliate the Rwandans, as the M23 was advancing and able to takeover Goma. The M23/AFC which is supported from Rwanda. Therefore, the supposed support of the FARDC was doing the same bidding with the MLR. Nevertheless, there been nothing.

That’s why this is a ghost and a make belief. There has been other militias who has come and conquered. The MLR thing seems like only a make a wish, as they wants this to happen, but they haven’t really appeared.

The disinformation was to hurt Rwanda, as they are viable with their proxy militia within the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are able to annex and takeover territories in the Kivu Provinces. That is hurting Kinshasa, as Kigali and Kampala are able to do this to them.

Now the people wanted to see Kigali hurting too. That is natural, because there been other militias and rebellions against President Paul Kagame. These have come and gone. They haven’t been able to take him down.  That being the RNC, FNL and MRCD. However, the MLR seems like a fever dream, but it is a nightmare.

I don’t see anything and don’t hear anything. It was a hot minute, but now it is a ghost. Therefore, the speculations and the possibilities of it existing are slimming down. The MLR is just “hot air” and a wish of a certain subsection of the internet. However, on the ground and in reality. There would be more information and more intel about it. Alas, there is none and that’s why I know it’s a ghost. Peace.