Opinion: The “Protest Vote” is the “Defiance 2.0”

The National Unity Platform (NUP) are planning ahead of the General Elections of 2026 to campaign under the banner of “Protest Vote”. That means the party and their members are participating in the elections. Meanwhile, they are acting as a protest party and making the actions of voting a protest against the “status quo”.

The act of the Protest Vote isn’t anything new. It has been done before, but we can wonder why this is the strategy?

The NUP is planning ahead and is participating in the General Elections. The NUP really has no choice and wants to be part of the political landscape. To do so they have to participate and be an active party within the Republic.

The big problem here is if they boycott they will loose out on elected official positions and possibilities of offices within the Parliament. The Party will lose benefits and being a substantial party. The NUP seems unlikely to risk all of that and still wants to be an actor from within. However, that will only further the legitimacy of the regime.

The NUP is between a hard rock and a hard place. If they partake it in, they are part of the charade and if they boycott… they are losing out monetary gains and needed offices to enlarge the party. That’s why it cannot sustain or be viable outside the current political space.

The Protest Vote is another edition of Defiance. The run-up for 2016 should be studied ahead of 2026. The NUP needs to understand the lessons of the FDC and Dr. Kizza Besigye. So, just so they don’t fall short or even become similar as them. Therefore, Bobi Wine should take note of what Besigye did and what he can do to further the cause. If not… they are just doing the same and hoping for a different result.

I have a hard time seeing the protest vote making a vast difference or being substantial to tarnish or destroy this regime. The NUP is playing within the framework of the state and not outwitting it either. They are being token opposition and allowing the state to continue their majority control of all parts of government. The NUP will never ever win or be the pronounced the victor.

The game is rigged… and there is nowhere or no time the National Resistance Movement (NRM) would risk to lose the power or the instruments of the state. No, they rather bury their enemies and ensure their early demise. That’s what the NRM does and is willing to do so. Unless, the NRM can compromise them and buy them out. Therefore, NUP is playing a game they cannot win and the authorities will be on their tail. A tail they are already monitoring and following non-stop.

It isn’t like the NRM or the Authorities have slowed things down. The NRM will use the law enforcement and the state to attack the NUP. They will forge up charges and cause massive amounts of suffering towards the ones who are associated with the NUP. The NRM will use their power and they will not hesitate to hunt the NUP down.

The Protest Vote can only be powerful or successful, if the people are backing it and not allowing the system to rig. The Protest Vote only matters if they guard the votes and are able to stifle the authorities from operating. The people have to defend their ballot and risk their livelihoods doing so. That’s where plenty of people will stop and go home in silence. They have families and won’t risk their lives against the oppressor.

The Protest Vote can only be a game-changer if the protest itself turns into a revolution. That’s the only way the tyranny and the tyrant will let go. This is when the centre won’t hold and the army won’t save the Head of State. As long as that’s not happening and the risks are to high. People will shun or be afraid to jump. I don’t blame them… they just want to live and breathe. It’s all natural in the sense of things.

If the ballot has extra power. Then the NUP needs to organize and needs to be operative in a manner, which it wasn’t in the previous election. They need to have the manpower, activists and the poll agents that can show up or even be on guard for the foreseeable time during the polls. Alas, that costs and the people has to be trusted to do so.

This is why it’s a gamble… the NUP loses either way at this point. Not because the NUP isn’t popular or have a party worth recognizing. No, they are losing because the game is rigged and the NRM isn’t here to play. Peace.

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Opinion: Mama Janet cannot caution the scars her family has ordered

Through the years, we have done our best to serve the people of Uganda with a clean conscience before God. We serve all the people of Uganda whether we know them personally or not. Are we perfect? No, but what I can say with a clear conscience is that we have always done all that is in our power to do, to help and serve all Ugandans” (Janet Museveni, 08.05.2025).

I’m sure the sacrifices of others was well rested on her as she was living in safety in Sweden. That is lost on all of us. That she after decades of decadence is explaining how the citizens and people should feel about the state of affairs.

The First Lady and Minister should have been silent. It would have been better if she didn’t write this retort to another article. She would have been better of having others answering for her in the Plenary Sessions and cashing in the checks. Because that is what she does on the regular and done less after stopping writing sermons as a pseudo pastor for a hot minute. Now, she is venting and publicly defending the regime.

The First Lady is defending the honour of her family. That is all natural, but the wounds, the damage is already done and the suffering is pinned on citizens. The citizens who dares and are vocal dissidents of this family. Those are the ones that are abducted, beaten, tortured and kept under duress for prolonged time without due diligence or even proper proceedings.

Just read these quotes from her article…

So, I would like to caution young people. It takes much more to build up than it takes to tear down. Many people have sacrificed so much and some even paid the ultimate price for the peace, stability and freedom of our nation” (Janet Museveni, 08.05.2025).

Tread gently on what others has sacrificed so much to attain and recognise that you too have contributions to make, to build our country” (Janet Museveni, 08.05.2025).

This is the voice of the 1986 speaking to Gen Z or Millennials to sit this one out. The First Lady is telling the youths to not address their concerns or be vocal about it. No, they are just supposed to accept this predicament and accept that these bush-war elites are eating of their plate. Meanwhile, they are endangered and possibly scorned so these can rule supreme. They didn’t ask for the 1986 brigades and neither was they supposed to be worried about their future. This is the party of steady progress and securing your future. The FORAS crowd is disembarking on a bumpy journey… that’s for sure.

Mama Janet needs a moment of clarity and a reality check. She should really see and be in the trenches. The entitlement and arrogance of her is just so revealing. That she writes in this manner and expects to praised for it. This here is telling people to chill and accept the punishment of the state. However, she does so in the name of the Lord and the blood of the bush-war is cleaning them all of their sins…

Seriously, when is the Luweero Triangle no longer relevant? When is the “drones” more active than the “Panda Gari’s”? Someone has to ask… Maybe the ghosts of the late are haunting the chambers of the State House. As they hear and cannot rest, as the “false liberation” and betrayal of the cause has been revealed to them in the afterlife. That’s why they still talk about the sacrifices of decades ago and not what the state is actually doing to the citizens today.

A fresh reminder, the one living in entitlement and wealth is telling the intimidated citizens to be cautious. You cannot make this up, but that’s where we are. Peace.

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Opinion: The “Yellow Book” needs a revision

In 2025 the National Resistance Movement should be perfection and be well organized. Their internal elections ahead of the General Elections in 2026 should be the window of their skills, organizational structure and protocol. However, the recent elections are showing the chaos and lack of due diligence.

The NRM and their Yellow Book shows how the powerful government party are disorganized and lacks structure to uphold their own values. As the 18 millions citizens and members aren’t to be found. The Yellow Book is flawed and people are shunned away from the polls. This just shows how badly the party is run.

This isn’t shocking, as the party is incorporated and personalized by the Chairman, the President and the Commander-in-Chief. The Party could have been better and been more professional. However, roles and offices are given to loyalists and people who are cronies of the Head of State. It isn’t run by the best personnel, but instead the ones who praises His Excellency the loudest. That’s why they make up numbers and make the NRM look supreme.

The lack of names in the Yellow Book in these elections only shows how badly the state of the affairs are. The means to an end. The NRM is just a vehicle for Museveni took keep people at bay and be the long arm of his rule. The NRM is just there as a way of legitimacy…. But not for anything else.

The Yellow Book should be correct and in order, as the NRM just merely a month ago or so claimed huge numbers of members. The NRM and the inner-circle was bashing in glory of the amount of members. However, during the polls… there so many people who wasn’t in it and therefore, we can easily see how weak and flawed it all is. They wanted headlines, but didn’t put the work in.

They think they can fake to they make it. Making the NRM great, but they aren’t building or thinking they need to. As they only needs to make articles and make pressers to explain their position. Since the NRM is the majority and the biggest party, they cane easily sell the stories and have the control of the narrative. No one would challenge the President or his party. They will just accept it and allow it all to go down.

The membership and the Yellow Book needs revision. The party needs to consider its approach. Especially, if the party of 40 years wants to be seen as a serious one. Unless, it is only a vehicle for the spectacle of His Excellency and appoint his cronies in association.

This just shows how weak the party is and how the cracks are brewing. The NRM should be disciplined and be organized. However, when the state of the party is in this disarray. You can wonder how it runs other things. They have all the instruments of the state and held the offices for decades. Still, they cannot even manage the Yellow Book properly. That’s shows their disappointing record.

The NRM should know better, but they don’t care as long as the President “anoint” or “blesses” the proceedings. Peace.

Burundi: Rwasa loyalist abducted in Bujumbura

Politically, Jean Marie is a member of the CNL party, loyal to MP Agathon Rwasa, and is among the leaders of his neighborhood. In his daily life, he is a trader at the Kamenge market. According to eyewitnesses, on the evening of May 6, 2025, around 7 p.m., while he was sitting near the place commonly known as “ku kasoko” in Buterere II, a group of police officers accompanied by an Imbonerakure member named Claude, also residing in Buterere II, arrived. The latter pointed Jean Marie out to the police, who immediately arrested him. They began to beat him violently. Shortly after, a motorcycle arrived, and they made him get on it before speeding off to an unknown destination. Information obtained by King Umurundi Freedom (KUF_Asbl) confirms that Jean Marie had been wanted by intelligence services since mass kidnappings of Agathon Rwasa supporters began, particularly in the city of Bujumbura. Upon learning he was being targeted, he stopped going to work for fear of arrest” (King Umurudni Freedom ASBL, 06.05.2025).

It is only a month away from legislative elections in Burundi. That’s why the political climate is important. We are seeing the CNDD-FDD are going after dissidents and silencing critics. It is particularly going after the supporters and loyalists of Agathon Rwasa. As the CNL have already disassociated with him. Therefore, his a lone Opposition leader without a party.

Still, even with that in mind. The Burundian authorities are targeting the opposition and kidnapping them. This is sending a signal and a message ahead of the polls. This is what the CNDD-FDD does and they use the Imbonerakure to do it too. Which means the para-military group and youth organization is working in coordination with the authorities. That shows how the state does it and how dangerous dissent is in Burundi.

President Évariste Ndayishimiye wants to further his consolidation of power and use force to do so. Not like his governing properly and giving the public service delivery. That’s why it’s easier to take away the freedom and liberty of the opposition. Than to actually do your work and serve as a proper head of state. That’s what we are seeing and this man is the picturesque violent oppressor.

The recent abduction of Jean Marie isn’t surprising and he won’t be last. The state will continue to go after the CNL supporters and loyalists of Rwasa. That is something we will see and hear reports of. This is how the state operates and how it intimidates anyone who oppose it. They are all supposed to fall in line and be obey the command of the CNDD-FDD. Therefore, the ones who dares to challenge it is in danger. Peace.

Chapter Four: Statement on Torture, Trial, and continued detention of Mr. Edward Ssebufu, alias Eddie Mutwe (06.05.2025)

Open letter to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (05.05.2025)

Dear General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,

I haven’t written an open letter to you in years. As it has felt like a waste of time and surely this is too. However, these words have to be said and even if only one other person get to read it. Hopefully, those words can matter, aspire and be well said.

As a President for decades, as the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief. Everything is within your fingertips. All power and everything of the state is consolidated in your hands. Your decisions and words are law. We have all seen it and your letters can be used as tools or mechanisms to make a change.

It is weird that you as the President sounds like an Opposition figure. That’s how you seem and we can clearly see the difference between your speeches and the reality on the ground. Your actions and the acts of the state isn’t in accordance with what you seek. Especially, if those words out of your mouth have any meaning or are based on something. It is hard to believe that a man of your stature and significance can boil down to an empty pit of nothingness.

Why?

Because you allow others to compromise you and make a mockery of your rule. You are allowing your son to be a brutal man and usage force on innocent civilians. Do you enjoy the pain and suffering of others? Are you happy to see citizens tortured, detained and scorned by their association? Is that who you are?

Is this the NRA/M liberation and what you have become?

Didn’t you fight Amin for the same reasons? Didn’t you fight Obote for the similar reasons too?

Seriously, didn’t you fight for the peasants and to give them democracy. Instead you are misusing power and targeting civilians who happens to wear red. Meanwhile you would bash in glory if they wear your yellow t-shirt.

The ones who had faith and believed that the “Change of Guard” and the New Vision mattered. Well, we have seen that has been forgotten about. As President all principles and all ethos has been lost. President are you proud of betraying everyone around you and everything you stood for? Are you happy to be remembered for blood, sweat and tears? Is that what it all boiled down to?

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the lives are on the line and the call is upon you. You have amassed it all and you decide in the end. Unless, you cannot discipline your son or inner-circle, but can do it to the future generations to come. The ones that will remember your arrogance, entitlement and usage of force upon them. They will remember how you and your son run a state of terror upon them. That’s what they will remember. These people won’t remember Amin or Obote II government. They will only remember and acknowledge the lessons of Muhoozi and his kind. Is that what you want to be remembered for?

Everything you have done will be written down. Your time and era will be studied as a precaution and a case of the danger of being in power. As they can see how a man changes and becomes a tyrant. That’s who you are and you can change, but that’s possibly to late.

Best regards

Writer of Minbane

Opinion: Today it’s Eddie Mutwe, tomorrow it’s someone else…

“Edward Ssebufu alias Eddie Mutwe, the chief bodyguard to NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, has appeared at Masaka High Court supported by two individuals after he went missing a week ago. Ssebufu is expected to face charges yet to be revealed” (NTV Uganda, 05.05.2025).

This regime is reckless and without any heart. The way it apprehends, abducts and treats its people in their custody. These actions will have ramifications and costs. Today the regime might live happily and without fear. It might live for another day and most likely so. As the power of the guns and consolidated power within the powerful families remains strong. However, the centre will not hold forever and the next of kin knows it.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will be remembered for this. Not only that he betrayed the liberation and the struggle. The old man who fought for certain ideals and causes, he backstabbed them in honour of staying in office, indefinitely. Therefore, the Generation of 1986 won’t salvage the hurt or ease the pain. Instead, it is sufficiently ensuring that on others.

This generation is feeling the pinch. They are tested, pressured and feeling the suffering. As the bush-war elite and the inner-circle are enlarging its pockets. The military presence and need is just showing that the NRM knows they don’t have the popularity or the gravitas within their reach. No, they need the guns and ammo to stay in office.

That’s why the family is entangled in every part of government. There are in-laws, sons and daughters who are all connected. All parts of the Museveni tribe and kin are just a natural part of the state. He has incorporated them and their businesses in connection with the state. Meanwhile, all others linger on the outside.

The President is clinging on to power. That is acknowledged and proven by how long he has persisted to be in office. This is why his son is a General and the Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF). It is just the mere brutality and usage of force which keeps him there. He needs his son to be a brute and idolize naked torment of dissidents. That’s what breathes life to the regime and how it continues to be relevant.

This is why Eddie Mutwe and other opposition characters are going through the ringer. They are touched and facing the law. Even if they only are there because of their association. These people doesn’t have to do anything illegal or even dare to question the powers to be. No, they are there because they are behind the banner of the opposition and speaks up for the oppressed. So, that the oppressed are feeling furthermore oppression. That’s the reality in 2025.

The people who fought in the 1980s are now seeing the same ills and same systemic defaults in government. The ones who risked it all in hope of change. They are seeing the same sort of impunity, misuse of office and blatant disregard of citizens occur on a daily basis. Eddie Mutwe is just one of them and the ones in power doesn’t mind. They bash in the glory of the suffering of others. They gloat of it and is galvanized by doing so.

It is like the blood and the tears of others is the fuel to their fire. That’s what gives the CDF hope and aspiration to keep people in his dungeon. This is what gives him the power and glory. It is who the NRM has become and what they want to be associated with. That’s who the President needs and what he wants to be remembered as.

The pain and suffering are the glue that keeps the NRM alive. The corruption, graft and others are just keeping the starving suits alive. They are happy to eat of the plate of others, because they know its better there than being in the shadows or the holes where they keep the noisemakers.

That’s why the republic wasn’t liberated by Museveni but is now strangled by him and his kind. They are keeping the people silenced and wanting to send a message. Right now, it is Eddie Mutwe. Tomorrow it might be someone else. Peace.