RDC: NOGEC – Concerne: Denonciation des actes de corruption graves (15.12.2020)

Opinion: Bobi Wine shouldn’t go too Yellow

NUP Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Bobi Wine has asked the people of Koboko to vote for NRM’s Dr. Charles Ayume as Koboko Municipality MP, saying that he has been following him for some long time and he is a good person” (91.8. Boona FM, 08.12.2020).

Just mere days after he anointed Rebecca Kadaga, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) loyalist and two term Speaker of the Parliament in Kamuli district. He has now in Koboko vouched for Dr. Charles Ayume.

Yes, he does this deliberately and yes it’s sending the wrong message. Yes, his peers and allies say he vouches for independents and FDC candidates too. Because, the National Unity Platform (NUP) isn’t able to field candidates for MP everywhere.

However, this political gambit is only limiting the space between him and the President. The change his supposed to happen. Yes, some can say this is a sign of unity and working together. Nevertheless, has the NRM worked that together? They have only worked to weaken the opposition and their parties!

That’s why the Democratic Party (DP) and Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) have made arrangements and had their MPs taken by the NRM. These have been in cabinet positions as members of the other parties. Still, after a term they have gone yellow. So, it is all beneficial for the NRM.

Now that Bobi Wine is speaking well of NRM. He is initially vouching for the incumbent by doing this. He can speak well and endorse whoever he pleases. The message he sends by doing it isn’t all about unity, but more a mixed message.

As he speak of delivering the removal of the dictator, but accepting his comrades and vouching for them. The ones who are abiding the dictator and being vocal supporters. These folks are working for the party and for the President. Therefore, cheering them on isn’t a good look.

Even if the NUP or the allies aren’t able to field candidates in the districts his holding rallies and campaigning in. Since, the opposition and NUP has a disadvantage from the get-go. They have less time, less resources and structures to compete. They cannot canvass or organize without meeting the Police or the army. Therefore, the opposition are bound to fail and lose by mere participating.

Now, we know this and the NRM has rigged the game this way. That still doesn’t justify and gives reasons for him to support NRM candidates. Because, if his removing the bead. He should also seek to remove the system that keeps it alive. The MPs and the candidates beneath the President is enablers and the ones keeping it at bay. They are interested in seeing NRM succeed and not seeing Bobi Wine winning. Feel me?

The ideals of Dr. Ayume might be fine. We all enjoyed to see Hon. Anite loose in the primaries. However, that isn’t enough to give him credit. His still apart of the unholy alliance of people sucking up and abiding the principals of the dictatorship. Have a hard time seeing this making a difference.

The only thing this does is to spark confusion and also wondering how deep his will of change is. Which it shouldn’t be… it is unnecessary and only causes “propaganda” victories for the NRM. As they are seeing the rising star is endorsing their candidates. That is not the look he intends or are interested in.

Mr. Bobi Wine aka Robert Kyagulanyi … please for the love of God not support men like these. Then your tricked by the hustle of Tinkasmire and others who only uses the NUP and People Power as meal-tickets. These folks are only getting the bashing glory, but singing songs with Jajja/Bosco/Mzee at the first given moment. They are even awaiting their next envelope and suit. That is what they does…

Be smart and think ahead. These cheap stunts will not cover in the long run. Its a Segway, but not a solution. It is giving gifts to the dictator and he doesn’t deserve a damn thing. Peace.

Opinion: Took 34 years to ensure food security

The time is right for Uganda’s leadership and technocrats to take heed and ensure a transformed food system which responds to all the four dimensions of food security and nutrition”Justine Kasule Lumumba on the 16th October 2020 (Farooq Kasule – ‘NRM secretariat champions food security’’, New Vision, 17.10.2020).

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) is proving why there are on a due date. Their deadline of being in power should be passed the expiration date. Since, they are still in power over all this years. You would think they had fixed the basics. Alas, that is not the case.

The NRM who are always praising their track-record and achievements since 1986. It is really brilliant, that a government of this calibre is still not succeeding in the basics. To ensure the citizens and the grand public having food. That is an issue for all governments since the early beginnings of man kind. This why even in Roman time, the tyrants ran the regime with bread and circus. Giving the public food and entertainment. So, they the elite could enjoy the spoils of the empire.

The NRM is surely lacking, when its time to fix this issue now. Food security should have been ensured long time ago. The party has had decades to fix this, have safety nets and ensured the public had food during crisis. However, the multi-nationals and UN Organizations are feeding the system. So, that the NRM can be lazy for years, because they are covering for their misgivings. They are coming with funds and logistics to pick up the slack of the state. This shouldn’t be shocking, because that is the sad reality.

If it wasn’t for donors and others, the pressure would have much stronger to fix this. The NRM can lean on them and anticipate them to cover it. That is why it has taken this long. Still, it is shows their lack of care and concern. Since, this has been an issue since 1986 and not fixed by the year of 2020.

The President, the whole regime should be horrified of themselves. That they haven’t been able to secure all citizens. This is sort of the backbone, the thing that keeps people alive. The same with lack of shelter and water. All of these basics are the sort of thing this state haven’t properly prioritized. Since, there is always a war to cover, an election and new police units to use funds upon. If not another prestige project of the regime, which will not cover the needs of society in general.

That is why yesterday’s statement from the Secretary General of the NRM is insulting, infuriating, but also showing lack of care of the citizens. This isn’t just a regime who started to rule last year. No, they started mid-80s and still haven’t fixed this. That is how little concerned they are about this. Why?

Because, someone else is always footing the bill and taking over for the slack of state. There is always some happy go-lucky CSO/NGO/UN Organization who can patch the hurt. They will come anyway and will have budgets, logistics and the needed expertise to run the operation. Not only in the middle of a crisis, but in ordinary life too.

The NRM should know better, they have had all the tools, the time and the capital, if they cared about this. However, there has always been some other priority, which isn’t about the basics to spend the fortunes on. Peace.

Philippines: Kagawaran ng Katungan – Anti-Terrorism Council – Press Statement (14.10.2020)

Mawogola North: A family affair [where Kaguta settled old scores over Kuteesa]

The National Resistance Movement Primary Elections in Sembabule district and in Mawogola North County especially. Where there was a need to postpone the election twice and having the polls finally on the 30th September 2020. The first primaries was slated for 4th September and was moved to 28th September, but happened on the 30th September 2020. The first polls was stopped because of election violence between the two main parties in the polls. These are people related to high ranking officials and therefore, the results are even more important.

This is all because of the ones involved. On the days of the polls on the 30th September, there was 2,000 soldiers in the district to ensure peaceful elections. That says a lot and what is at stake. This was one seat in question and the army had to go in like they we’re defeating a militia.

The Primaries here was the highest stakes. This is why it was so extra contested. The battle of Museveni versus Kuteesa. A race that was reminding people of when Yoweri lost to Sam to in 1980 and took him to court, where he lost the petition as well.

Times has changed since then. Sam Kuteesa is still a Minister and a powerful individual. Who are connected deeply in the State House. However, he is still not the President.

While the President had his brother going to the polls here. That being Godfrey Aine Kaguta aka Sodo. Sam had his daughter Shartsi Kuteesa Musherure.

Just to put the family structure into a grander scale. The other son of Museveni, Muhoozi Kainerugaba have married the twin of Shartsi Kuteesa Musherure, that being Charlotte Kuteesa. While Sodo is a half-brother of Museveni and is therefore a Uncle to Muhoozi. That was all done to put things into perspective. Also, Sam Kuteesa himself is a “father-in-law” as his late wife Jennifer Kuteesa was a cousin to Janet Museveni, the wife of the President Yoweri. Therefore, the whole clan was internally battling out in this Primary.

Which meant that the big-men, the ones at the highest table was sending their closest family members to challenge each other. That would be a battle of pride and honour. Especially for Kaguta who has already lost once to Kuteesa. He didn’t want that to be repeated.

So, yesterday, Sodo fixed the bill and won the race. Even as Shartsi and her team won’t concede the loss. They are taking the polls to the courts and having the election contested there. That is repeating history, but the other way around. Now, Sodo has the one in office on his side, just like Sam had in the 1980s. Therefore, I doubt that this petition will bare any grounds or change the Primaries.

Sodo has this, but whoever he challenges in the General Election that matters. There might even be an independent he has challenged before. Which will try their luck again. Sodo is lucky to be a half-brother of the President. If he wasn’t there would be very much in the hands of Shartsi, as she has not only the support of her father, but would have Muhoozi as well.

This is the sort of family affairs turned politics. As they all wants part of the stakes. Secure the next generation and ensure their legacy. That is what this was all about. Kuteesa wanted his own to excel too. The Son of Kaguta wanted that for his own well. We saw how that went.

We can always question if these numbers are accurate and the results are a honest representation. As there well known rigging and that wouldn’t shock anyone here. Tanga Odoi wouldn’t offend the Don and mock the half-brother of the President. That he cannot afford.

These elections was bound to be this way. Neither way, they would be contested and would be messy. As there is not only the next generation ambition, but old scores to fought. Secondly, the one in power wants his folk first. At this junction that happened to be Sodo, even as Shartsi could easily been one too. As the extended family is all in the near proximity of the First Family. It isn’t far from Janet, neither far from Muhoozi, which means Yoweri know them all. Peace.

Uganda Law Society Statement on the Arrest and Detention of Advocate Ambrose Tebyasa (27.09.2020)

Opinion: Kenyatta’s constitutional curveball

Right before retirement, Court Justice David Maraga have given some critical advice to President Uhuru Kenyatta. This is happening years after the last Parliament election and only a few by-elections since then. So, this could have been picked up before, but as the CJ Maraga is soon a pensioner. He could speak his peace and expel the importance certain articles of the Constitution.

The Constitution states in article 81(b) no electoral bodies have more than 2/3 members in a elective bodies of the same gender. Also, in the article 261(7) which states this: “the Chief Justice shall advise the President to dissolve Parliament and the President shall dissolve Parliament”.

These parts of the Constitution sets a standard and recognize what the President needs to do after the advice of the Court Justice. However, in the middle of term, why didn’t the CJ do this sooner?

Most of the MPs was elected in 2017 and we are now in 2020. There been changes in the nominated senators, but then the President and the Team around him should have warned him. If not given a heads-up to ensure this wasn’t an issue. That the Parliament had the right balance of the genders and ensured the Constitution was followed. This could be easily done in the Senate. As the nominees can make a balance directly, if the parties and if the government wants it to be so.

This here will show, if the President has the interest of the Constitution or not. If he will abide to the recommendation or not. The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) has a constitutional referendum in mind and this sort of letter might amplify that wish. While, the President either has to choose that path or dissolve the Parliament. Then his calling for an election and risks the total control of Parliament in his final term as President.

President Kenyatta have very few to go. There is little wiggle room and is an impasse on the President. He either has to do one thing or another. If he shuns it, then people know he doesn’t care about the Constitution. If he does that, then people know that he doesn’t value rule of law and equal justice for all. If he does dissolve the Parliament. Then he starts a process and preparing for another election. To ensure he has enough allies and continues to have control of both houses in the Parliament.

We can wonder what he will do, if he wants to reign with a unconstitutional parliament or if he wants to follow it?

We can also in the same manner, also question why Maraga did this now? As the amounts of MPs and Senators was mostly put in place over a long while. Not like it was a swift change. This could have been advised on a earlier stage. Because of the last election was in 2017. That should say enough really…

So, what will Kenyatta do? He got issues, a pickle and a conundrum. What he chooses to do, will seal his legacy on his constitutional behaviour and if wants some sort of justification for his control of the Parliament. Unless, he wants to rule with an unconstitutional electoral body…

That is his choice… and he knows it. If not he was reminded now and he got articles to follow. Peace.

Opinion: Is the DP dying since they cannot field candidates internally? [Mayoral Aspirant of Kampala]

As of today, the Democratic Party under Party President Norbert Mao has fielded an “independent” candidate on the DP ticket. This is happening for various of reasons. The DP as a party have lost vital members, leaders and lawmakers to other parties. The boat is leaking and there is no intent of stopping the leakage, apparently.

Mao has chosen a person who launched her own campaign back on the 22nd July 2020, Beatrice Kayanja to run as the DP Lord Mayoral Flag-bearer for Kampala in the 2021 General Elections. That is fine in itself. Her acumen as a businesswoman and entrepreneur speaks for herself. Her role as an activist for development and leading a conference to bring business to Uganda speaks for herself. Alas, Beatrice as the person isn’t the issue.

It is the supposed grassroot mobilisation. The party structure and the lack of potential new leaders, which should worry. As the man has dissolved the DP Block, the coalition ahead of the General Election. As it didn’t get the spark and the needed juice to become a TDA or IPC. It just became “hot-air” and got forgotten.

It must be a reason, why the party are picking out a person who has been vocal online and in social media. A person who has already retained her own aspiration for the Lord Mayor and would stand alone doing it. The DP must really be weak to do this. That they cannot find anyone of their members, inside the party and within the DP Kampala to stand as the Lord Mayor.

That is how it seems. Since, they we’re already pushing Joseph Mayanja aka Jose Chameleone as the Lord Mayor, but he ditched the party for NUP. Their previous and incumbent Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has gone to the FDC. Therefore, the two big-shots, the ones who has a big platform and would be recognized would not stand as the Flag-Bearer this time around.

The fallout of Chameleone must really hurt Mao. As he offered appointments and political capital to him before he went to NUP. It was just the ambition and the meal-ticket politician who left DP for NUP. That wasn’t shocking, but shows that even Mao’s offerings wasn’t that sweet. If it was, a man like Jose would stick around.

You can wonder, why does the oldest party of the Republic got to pick a random candidate of their own? If their was picking outside their own party, why not start negotiations with Nabilah Naggay Sempala, the Woman MP for Kampala? She cannot stand as MP and have been blocked from the FDC. She has a name and is well-known, why go for Beatrice?

That is why the DP is weak. The decisions seems to be short-sighted at best. Yes, it is better to field someone like Sempala MP. If they are believing in the race and wants to invest in it. Use a familiar face and re-issue her as a priced deflector. That would be a bet and show some political game. Not that Sempala MP has any positive reputation and is another one of those who does what it takes during campaigning, but is never seen after the elections. Still, she would have some character into the mix. Not sure what Kayanja will do…

It only shows that the DP doesn’t trust their own and doesn’t promote their own. At least not to the positions that counts. The ones with prestige and honour. There they need the names, the shiny diamonds and the ones who can spark interest. Instead, of considering using own machinery and vet their own. It might have failed in the first run, maybe even in the second. But, when a man or woman campaigns enough and proves their pedigree to the public. They could easily get elected, as they know this activist and this politician isn’t all talk, but actual game too…

Mao seems to have forgotten that and wants to do the quick fix. His fielding someone new. Someone who hasn’t the grand stand, his fielding an “independent” as his own and apparently deliberately so. He has picked a quick fix, gotten Kayanja’s blessing and a agreement to make it happen. Before they did launch it and now made it official. Still, it’s more a gain for Kayanja, than it is for DP. It just makes DP look weak and lack of internal candidates to back-up the needs of the party. Since, they had to pick someone from the outside again to be fielded.

It was first Jose and now Beatrice. Who knows how they fix others, but this is surely not from a place of strength, but of weakness. Peace.

Kampala Lord Mayor Race: Is DP’s Kayanja a wild-card?

Now, the Democratic Party have finally fielded a candidate to become Lord Mayor of Kampala. This being Beatrice Kayanja, a businesswoman who has resided in the United Kingdom and visited the farms of the President in the past. She is now the one taking over for Erias Lukwago on the DP Ticket.

That happens after Jose Chameleone is running on the National Unity Platform (NUP) for Lord Mayor of Kampala. He was previously the DP candidate for this slot, but he moved to NUP instead of DP. That is why the DP needed to find someone else.

As well, as Erias Lukwago officially entered the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and will be for the first time running for the Lord Mayor on this ticket. While Nabilah Nagayi Ssempala MP, the former Kampala Woman MP for the FDC is running in the same race.

While the NRM might field Ragga Dee again or former Lord Mayor Nasser Ntege Ssebagala. The race is already heavy packed and with Kayanja. Will it make a difference? Has the DP found a successor?

Because, Lord Mayor Lukwago is the incumbent and a respected leader in Kampala. He has a standing and you need to be special to beat him there. That is why the DP needed something refreshing and new to pick up the ante.

This is why they wanted first Chameleone, but he ditched them. Even as he was appointed mobilizer for the DP, but still wasn’t seeing enough options there. That is why he fled to the NUP and has bigger hope for his candidacy there.

While Lukwago was lost… he had already moved on and only made it officially. That is why the Independent Running candidate Kayanja could become a DP Flag-bearer. She officially started her campaign in July, but is announced in September. Meaning she has been campaigning and building up her team for months before Mao rubber-stamps her.

That is why its a race with many characters, but the voters and the public has to see who they will trust. The DP is for the ones who are willing. The FDC got a winner, the NRM might field former losers or even stalwarts of the party. Because, the opposition has a stronghold of the capital. That is why the President has disrespected the leadership there for so long.

Kayanja is a wild-card. Do I believe she will win? No, but she is a fresher in this field. She has to make herself relevant in the eyes of the nation and in the capital. The DP have captured someone who has already started and can build on that. However, they are also showing that they didn’t have any internal candidates to field. As they just snapped and communicated with an “independent” to make them officially part of the team. That should worry the ones who are behind the DP banner.

Enough for today. Still a long time to the polls. Peace.

Mzee celebrates mediocrity ahead of 2021…

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni knows there is no real challenge ahead of 2021. The General Election of 2021 is rigged and fixed. Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine knows this. The Self-Styled President for Life will not accept a loss or losing. That is why he will use all means to do so. We all know this. The election results of 2021 was written in stone and was secured with fatal bullets in the mid-80s. That is the mere reality.

So, Museveni can come with a quick comment, but it shows his true face:

Whether Ugandans want Bobi Wine or “Bosco” (I am made to understand that means Museveni), that is a matter that will be settled early next year. However, recently we had semi-finals in the form of elections of the disabled, the elderly and the youth. Who won the matches in the 3 matches?

Bosco won without too much preparation. I am looking forward to the finals. Greetings to your foreign backers who fear a strong Uganda. Too bad for them” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 28.08.2020):

We clearly see his message. He celebrates victories on the special elections. It is every rich to celebrate victory over Bobi Wine who has only had months to prepare a party and run candidates. The NRM is the state and has fielded easily candidates everywhere. Often unopposed and sole-candidates like in all elections. The President is celebrating mediocrity, when he screams of joy and celebrate this.

He says without much preparations? Seriously? There was well planned party structure for so long. The NRM knows this and the population knows too. The Electoral Commission and everyone else knows this. It is just a mockery to act like it was done on a whim.

That he looks forward to the “finals” is to be expected. He knows his winning. The President is winning, not because of policy, manifesto or achievements, but because he got the public at gun-point. His awaiting the rigging and misuse of power to linger in office for life.

It’s funny that the President pushes the ideals of foreign backers for Bobi Wine. The President wouldn’t have a long lasting time in office, if foreign backers didn’t offer grants, aid or donations to his government. His army and government institutions needs foreign funding to run. The President can act like a foreign lawyer is a foreign backer. However, the NRM and the President … wouldn’t be what it is … if it wasn’t for money from elsewhere.

President Museveni can act a fool, but his only a dummy for doing so. He can cheer for the mediocrity, but that doesn’t make it great. Peace.