Opinion: Tayebwa – Never offend the fountain of honour or his family…

“For party members, I do hope that they follow the party position. There are many positions that we do have, within Parliament, but also in the Party. And then, those who think that parliament is only effective when you are abusing the President, please, please, the fountain of honour is the fountain of honour for all of us. If we honour him, the county will be honoured. So, I request all of us not fight over this. If you want to be popular in a Parliament, get a microphone and abuse the President, add on his wife, add on his son; then you will be popular, people will say, you talk sense. So, if you were to run a parliament on the streets of social media, what the streets of social media are saying, and that is the script you want to come and run a Parliament. Wow. I am sorry!” – Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa (05.03.2026).

The Deputy Speaker is really saying the silent part out loud. That there is no need to challenge him or Anita Among regarding the two major roles of the Parliament in the 12^th Parliament. This is the reality they want to sell, as there are several of roles to fill in the cabinet and in government. So, there is no need to take their slot or try to be viable, as they are the ones chosen by His Excellency and his inner circle.

In addition, the ones in Parliament shouldn’t misuse their time regarding the First Family. These shouldn’t be abused or spoken ill off, even if that makes you popular. Because everyone should just honour Museveni and then they are honouring the nation. That’s what his saying and it shows how he has personification of the state. Everything is surrounding and involving His Excellency. That’s not building strong institutions but instead being built around one figure. This isn’t making a strong nation but instead letting one man of the hook and giving him absolute powers.

It is them saying that we’re not supposed to criticize or even hold any deep scrutiny of Museveni. Him and his family can do whatever they want, and no one should challenge them. No, the First Family are untouchable, and they will ensure their enemies are bowing out. This is what the Deputy Speaker says… because the ones who went after or even exposed the President in the 11^th Parliament aren’t really returning to the 12^th Parliament. Those voices are sort of bowing out or losers in the latest election. Therefore, the National Unity Platform (NUP) must take the space from hardliners of the old-FDC and UPC MPs who said their peace. Nevertheless, we must wait and see about this. We have seen COSASE and other committees have dropped scathing reports either. So, the 11^th Parliament went soft and we can wonder how the 12^th will be.

The Deputy Speaker wouldn’t’ say all of this without showing his loyalty to the President and his family. Because he knows he need their approval and they are the ones that anoints him. This is why he need them and want to show his worthy for another term. That’s why no one should abuse the President or anyone in his family. This because his family is encircling the highest offices and are appointed by the Head of State himself. Therefore, we know the gig and that’s reason for all of it.

We see what you are doing Deputy Speaker, and it isn’t cute. You are just proving to be a token solider and a willing highest bidder. That’s it. Your value is your loyalty and that you want to sell. Peace.

Somalia: HSM pushes a new constitution 70 days before his term ends

“It is deeply regrettable that those who once pledged to finish the constitution are today asserting that it is impossible to complete. I have taken it upon myself to finalize the process and honor the commitment that was made” – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (04.03.2026).

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud celebrated yesterday the “victory” and the creation of a constitution. That is being done after trouble in both houses, as Members of Parliament has been suspended and thrown out as well. The whole end of the process to amend and change the constitution has been brutal. That’s why there been even actions in hotels and at the airport of Mogadishu, as the hecticness of getting the Constitution enacted. Therefore, the President has forced this in and for a purpose.

They call this the Fourth Republic, but will it be more of the same. It is risky to do this so close to the end of his term. That his pushing these sorts of legislation and such a vast change, which is for a reason. It is a gamble his willing to do.

“Today, in the 24th joint session of Somalia’s Federal Parliament, 222 lawmakers (186 MPs and 36 Senators) approved Chap 5–13 of the Constitution, completing the remaining chapters. This marks a major milestone toward finalizing Somalia’s constitutional framework” (Constitutional Review and Implementation Oversight Committee, 04.03.2026).

There people calling this a “one-man’s constitution” and when that is stated. This sets the tone and the sentiments surrounding it. HSM is risking tension and not only the fallout of the Jubaland and Puntland Federal States reactions to it. No, there could be more hectic work ahead of the final end of this term. We have seen that before and how a President extend their term in the final days of it. This legislation is made for sure to ensure longevity of the Presidency. If not, he wouldn’t have done this, and we all can understand that sentiment.

You know things are coming back to bite, when the predecessor, former President Farmaajo said this about the matter yesterday: “Mr. President, you are a lion now but your term expires, you’ll be a cat. Trust me, I’ve been there” (Farmaajo, 04.03.2026). Farmaajo knows well, because he played games and had to give way after postponing the issue for a long time. He tried anything and played all sorts of games to stay in office. So, Farmaajo knows what his speaking about, because he experienced it just a few years ago.

They changed and voted in a constitution ahead of the end of the term. On the day when there is only 70 days left for HSM. That’s why it is compelling and why he did it now. Just so he can enact and ensure his rules are the ones that are used ahead of the polls or elections. That’s how it looks like…

How this effect everything and the days ahead. Well, there will be ramifications about this. As the President and his allies are double-crossing others but trying to get goodwill by enacting it. Therefore, things aren’t getting better, but probably more hectic ahead.

We have seen that in the ends of terms and the lack of certainty ahead of the polls. Which has been negotiated and been done by the various stakeholders. Meanwhile, people have awaited their next move and what to do. Nevertheless, this Constitution will either stifle that or ensure more trouble ahead. Hard to know this now, but surely there should have been a broader base for it before pushing ahead. This is why people are questioning the legitimacy and what possible outcome this will have. Peace.

Somalia: Xaqsoor Party – Xaqsoor Party condemns the So-Called Constitutional Amendment as Unlawful (04.03.2026)

Somalia: Somali Youth Coaltion Association (SYAO) – National Announcement on the New Constitution (05.03.2026)

Somalia: Somali Future Council – Press Release (04.03.2026)

Sierra Leone: All Peoples Congress (APC) – Press Statement (03.03.2026)

Sierra Leone: National Election Watch – Condemnation of Mischaracterisation and Misinformation of National Election Watch (NEW) and its Leadership (01.03.2026)

Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) – Pastoral Statement – On the Proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026 (25.02.2026)

Kasibante did his final chore [withdrawing the Presidential Election Petition No. 01 of 2026]

“Disposition

It is so ordered.

1. By the unanimous decision of the Court, the application for withdrawal (i.e. Presidential Election Application No. 3 of 2026) is hereby granted. Consequently, Presidential Election Petition No. 01 of 2026 and Presidential Election Application No. 1 of 2026 are hereby discontinued,
2. Following the withdrawal of Presidential Election Petition No. 01 of 2026, and there being in existence no valid legal challenge of the results of the Presidential Election held on 15th January 2026, we, by the unanimous decision of the Court, made in accordance with Section 61(4) of the Presidential Elections Act, Cap. 179, hereby declare and confirm that the 1^st Respondent, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhabunva, being the candidate earlier declared by the 2nd Respondent, the Electoral Commission, as the winner of the Presidential Elections, is the duly elected President of Uganda.
3. By majority decision (Madrama, JSC dissenting), each party shall bear its costs of the Petition and the applications arising from it, including the current application” (Kasibante Robert v Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa and Others (Presidential Election Application No. 3 of 2026) [2026] UGSC 7 (26 February 2026)).

Now the former National Resistance Movement (NRM) member and wanting to be Member of Parliament flag-bearer for the Busujju Constituency in the General Elections of 2026. When that didn’t go well and he became the Presidential Candidate for the  National Peasants Party (NPP).

Not like we saw him campaigning heavy or even trying hard. He knew he was serving a purpose and was on a ballot for a reason. They had him on the ballot to have similar names between him and Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu. That’s one of the dubious reasons and now he did his second thing.

Because the other parties and candidates knew the pay-off of a Presidential Elections Petition isn’t worth it. Just another avenue that is so hectic, big and the amount of evidence needed to prove a conspiracy is just too massive for any small party or little organizations. As they are struggling to have Polling Officers or they are apprehended by the state even. So, the state is ensuring the game is rigged and that they can claim to become victor.

The Kasibante case was just for show, smoke and mirrors. No one believed he would pull it off or even have the capabilities to do it. Why? Well, Amama Mbabazi and Dr. Kizza Besigye have tried in the past, but there been no will or way to do so. When big men like these and with organizations like they had back in the day. Well, we know Kasibante wouldn’t manage and the state apparatus has been built against them. So, there was no way to make it happen.

Kasibante just filed the petition and did so to legitimize President Museveni. That’s why the judges could easily write yesterday: “Following the withdrawal of Presidential Election Petition No. 01 of 2026, and there being in existence no valid legal challenge of the results of the Presidential Election held on 15th January 2026, we, by the unanimous decision of the Court, made in accordance with Section 61(4) of the Presidential Elections Act, Cap. 179, hereby declare and confirm that the 1st Respondent, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhabunva, being the candidate earlier declared by the 2nd Respondent, the Electoral Commission, as the winner of the Presidential Elections, is the duly elected President of Uganda”.

That’s what the State House, NRM CEC and the NRM wanted all along. This is what everyone surrounding Museveni wanted and this is ensuring just that. There is no other means, and all roads are now closed. All technicalities are used and they cannot do anything about it.

Now the Presidential Elections of 2026 is finalized, and it is now fixed. This was the final procedure and Kasibante served it perfectly. Peace.

Somalia: Center for Social Development (CES Somalia) – Press Release (25.02.2026)