



RDC: Ensemble pour la Republique – Mise au Point (10.07.2023)










“Congratulations to our allies, the UPC and for the candidate, Eunice Apio, for winning the Oyam by-elections. Congratulations also to the NRM and the candidate Engola Junior because the difference between the two was very small” (Museveni, 07.07.2023).
We knew there was something going on, as we have seen the cozy relations between Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) and the National Resistance Movement (NRM). That alliance and friendship came about before the 2016 elections. Therefore, it is now years in the making.
While it has looked questionable at times and several of high ranking officials from the UPC has moved to the NRM. Still, they have worked close and the latest one to move from the UPC to NRM is wife of UPC leader Jimmy Akena, Betty Amongi. That’s why you know the UPC is in close association and Amongi is on her second stint as Minister under the NRM and Museveni.
It is therefore striking that Museveni even writes this today…
“UPC has been, in recent years, positive and not disruptive and so has DP been. That is why I congratulate them, although I would have preferred the NRM to win. Nevertheless, both the UPC and the DP should pay attention to what I said at Icheme recently” (Museveni, 07.07.2023).
We are seeing how Museveni favours both UPC and the Democratic Party (DP). Both party are now allies and under his spell. They are bound by agreements made and done such in a manner, which is indirectly trading away the ideas of the parties themselves. That’s why Museveni can direct them like chapters of the NRM Party. It is compelling when he tells them to pay attention to what he said during the campaigns at Icheme…
Museveni shows the true nature of the agreements, the coalitions and the deals made between them. The friendly nature and the way he speaks fondly of them. There is no bad blood and they serve his interests. That’s why he calls them “positive” and not “disruptive”.
Both James (Jimmy) Akena and Norbert Mao should listen up quickly. This text is made for them and for a purpose. The deals made between NRM-UPC and NRM-DP is beneficial for the President and if it wasn’t… he wouldn’t have signed them or agreed upon it in the first place. Museveni is just showing how political savvy he is and why his been able to be in power for so long. His congratulating the UPC, but at the same time reminding them who to listen too. While telling they are good, but they need to pay attention…
Seriously. UPC and DP are direct allies and traded away legitimacy doing so. I wonder if it is worth it. Regardless of the short-term power and offices. These can be lost quickly and the moment they are not useful. Well, Museveni and the NRM could drop them. They could do so in a heartbeat and without any remedies for the losing part. The parties would be damaged, destroyed, depleted and disillusioned. Because, they sought after the price, but didn’t think of the journey to get there. Peace.

“A clear-headed cadre of the NRM, it is no surprise that the late was undertaking ambitious projects in his home, to serve as an example to the community as well as bring development. Therefore, being the considered opinion of the party that Samuel Engola Jr is likely to continue the good work of his father, I hope the people of Oyam North agree to give him a chance to serve” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 04.07.2023).
This seat was bound to be between National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC). Oyam North has been fought between these two parties. While independents has also prospered, but not won.
Yesterday was no different. Yes, there was pre-ticked ballots, election interference and malpractice done on a high level. There was usage of law enforcement and soldiers to cause tension. While the final straw still went to the UPC. That’s not shocking but a mere fact of how this constituency is.
Jimmy Akena of the UPC was real on the frontline and fighting for his party. He went all out there and knew the possibility of a UPC victory. This is one of those seats the party has a chance of getting. That’s just the way things are…
The son of the late MP, Samuel Engola Junior wasn’t as lucky as others. We have seen in Serere County and Omoro County where the sons of the late has won the seats. Now in Oyam North that wasn’t the case. Here the UPC takes over from where the late Minister and MP left off.
Dr. Apio will now take the seat until the general election in 2026. She will have three years as MP for Oyam North before being incumbent in the next election. That’s just the name of the game. NRM will return and most likely she could easily contest against Samuel Engola Jr. again. It was so close that it can easily turn the other way. Especially, if the NRM gets away with rigging and intimidation ahead of the polls.
The FDC and NUP fielded candidates too, but they were abysmal, and I knew it would be bad. These two parties had no say in this one. That was a given so no one should cry or be worried about it. No, this one was between the NRM and the UPC. Anyone thinks differently haven’t follow the elections in the constituency or the popular opinion here.
We can just see the UPC triumphing the NRM for once. It isn’t often and it just seem to happen in a place where it makes sense. The NRM and the President knows the opposition needs some wins and seats to be viable. Therefore, the win for UPC can be a gain for him. It is not like it changes things in Parliament. The NRM isn’t really weaker or lack votes in majority. No, the Oyam North would only have a NRM flagbearer returning to Parliament and nothing else. It isn’t like the Andrew Ojok Oulanyah has revolutionized anything since taking over. Neither would Samuel Engola Jr….
We can congratulate the UPC and their new MP. They have a victory, and they were so close to loosen it too. It was a smidge above the NRM. That with the rigging and the attempts to conquer by any means. The UPC did it… but we just have to see how it will play out from here. Peace.


““The SPLM leadership and the SPLA military command joint meeting … unanimously affirmed General Salva Kiir Mayardit as the chairman of the SPLM and commander in chief of the SPLA,” SPLM’s senior official Pagan Amun told reporters” (Sudan’s SPLM names Salva Kiir as Garang’s successor, 01.08.2005).
Since August 2005, the man in-charge and the leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has been Salva Kiir Mayardit. That has persisted to this day. He has also become the Head of State and the President of the independent nation, South Sudan since July 9th, 2011.
This week President Kiir announced the first election(s) in South Sudan. This is 12 years since the independence in 2011. 2023 is a long time from 2011. There has been so many moons and change of the tides since then.
That’s why this reporting is key: “Thousands of people from the states of Bahr el Ghazal and Abyei Administrative Area are gathering in Wau to celebrate the sole nomination of President Salva Kiir as SPLM flag bearer in the 2024 general elections, says presidency” (Radio One 87.9 FM, 04.07.2023).
We know that President Kiir does this for a reason. He needs the support and be the core candidate in an up-coming elections. Though the constitution isn’t prepared. Neither has there been a consensus or any sort of thing. Meaning, any authority or electoral commission lacks electoral reforms or laws to bind it. While the Presidency haven’t prepared the state or the government to actually run a legit election. The basics are not in place and haven’t been a priority.
President Kiir knows that he cannot be “transitional” forever. Neither will foreign donors or the international community accept it either. Just like his ally in Kampala. He has already pushed over a decade without an election and now must resolve it. Even if the election is shoddy, questionable and “contested” because the state didn’t prepare or ensure a transparent election.
The SPLM and the other stakeholders should all question the stress and the need. It must be done because Kiir and his allies are worried about lacking legitimacy. The R-ARCSS has been postponed and the transitional period has been prolonged. There has been several of deadlines, but they have been pushed again and again…
This election is only happening because you cannot come with more excuses to finish the R-ARCSS. Kiir needs to be legit and be “elected”. That’s just to ensure his Presidency for Life. He wants to copy Museveni and was able to push close to 13 years without an election. Kiir pushed over a decade without elections and now he suddenly has to do it. While the state isn’t prepared, and neither is anyone else. It will be a front and hard to believe if the results are the will of the people. That’s because of the weird feeling of rush…
It seems rushed and that’s mind boggling, thinking the state has over a decade to prepare and ensure legislation, institutions, and whatnot to be ready. However, that hasn’t happened and done so for a reason. Kiir and his allies has prospered on it. We have all seen it and that’s why he does it now. Because he thinks his a few steps ahead of his competition and therefore, can win easily. While it will not cement his legacy but make his prolonged stay in office more questionable.
President Kiir has been the leader of SPLM since 2005 and the head of state since 2011. Now he wants to be elected. When he is used to be selected. That’s a earth shattering idea, but this election will be more of a formality. Than the will of the people. Especially, when there are so many missing pieces in the run-up to the elections. The R-ARCSS and R-TGoNU aren’t ready or have made things in order. That’s why Kiir cannot sell this election without having a lot of doubts and wonder if they will make things right. Peace.









“Zanu PF Matabeleland South provincial chairperson Mangaliso Ndlovu, mocked the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party and compared them to cockroaches, sentiments that evoked ‘painful’ memories of the Gukurahundi genocide that occurred in the region in the 1980s. “Matabeleland South province is well organised, we don’t even have a single independent candidate here in Zanu PF while there are others who are confused. We wonder if they are a Convention for Confused Cockroaches because what happened during nomination day shows you can’t give them a chance to lead a village, now what more if they are to lead a country,”” (CITE Zimbabwe, 02.07.2023).
You know your run by a ruthless lot when one of them can utter these words. A leader of a Province and a man with a title said this. It was no random people in the streets or anything like that. It is still a person with power and prestige. A provincial chairperson has a say and his words matters.
Mangaliso Ndlovu uttered words that is resounding in conflict. Ndlovu had words that are a reflection of genocidal sentiment. Where one person is supreme and the other a mere insect. That’s when you distinguish between two individuals, one is the epitome of manhood and the other is a vermin. That’s what his initially saying and doing it so blatantly.
That’s why I want Ndlovu to mind his language. He needs to reflect on his words. This isn’t about the elections or campaigns. No, this is about how words matter and how they reflect on your surroundings. These sorts of words and ideas only bring violence and destruction. There is nothing good coming out and calling people “cockroaches”. No, nothing good comes out of that.
It is easy… Ndlovu could have dismissed the party program or policies the CCC is campaigning on. He could have blasted Chamisa and the CCC over how it is organized. That is something he could have done, but calling them out like this is a disregard for their existence.
Mangaliso Ndlovu should know better and his mother should given him a few lessons. There is enough history and bloodshed to know the dangers of certain rhetoric. Even if you disagree with someone and doesn’t partake in their believes. You can still act with some sort of respect and dignity. It is unjustified and unreasonable when you speak like Ndlovu did.
He should know better and he should retract it. Secondly apologize and take a moment to breathe. His just acting it all out and trying to sound like a big-man. However, it is just foolishness…. And a tragedy.
We can clearly now see what sort of future the ZANU-PF is fostering. When the likes of Ndlovu is rising through its ranks. This is what the ZANU-PF has to offer. The sort of blatant disregard of its opposition and no consideration of their plight. Instead his just coming with rhetoric that can endanger and ensure violence, if it is implemented. This is a dangerous sentiment and this is why people have to call him out on it.
It is just sad… really sad… and the people of Zimbabwe deserves better men than this. Peace.