Uganda: National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliament Caucus Meeting, 14th March 2025, State House, Entebbe – Resolutions (14.03.2025)

Kawempe North By-Election: The three unfortunate losers

Today the final result of the Kawempe North By-Election is here. We know the National Resistance Movement (NRM) lost this one, but that was expected. The National Unity Platform (NUP) was estimated to reclaim this seat. So, the victory in itself isn’t a shock or the public sentiment of protesting the government by, yet again putting their trust in a NUP Member of Parliament.

The others who should feel the pain here is Sadat Mukiibi aka Khalif AgaNaga who ran as the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flagbearer only 239 votes. The others are independent candidates who is NUP leaning. That being Muhammed Lussuwa Luwemba who got 240 votes and Moses Nsereko who got 32 votes.

It is just showing how they struggled in this campaign. We could have discussed the Democratic Party (DP) and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) who also fielded flagbearers that went nowhere. That’s why there is no need to address it. Just like the fallen out of grace NRM leaning flagbearer who didn’t do well either.

The three ones that needs to reflect on themselves are the FDC and NUP leaning candidates. These are the ones who supposed to make an impact. They were supposed to get the voters galvanized and be a better viable than the assessed and the one who was vouched for by the NUP.

The ones that who tried to be nominated and become the NUP flagbearer. They still rebelled and ran on their own. These two are the biggest losers. Those two has already gone against the grain and tried to sway voters away from that party. Their candidacy could easily have destroyed and taken away the NUP momentum. Nevertheless, that wasn’t even that trustworthy.

We know that people have tried to use the association to the deceased family and the direct connection to the late Muhammed Ssegirinya MP. The former Personal Assistant Lussuwa Luwemba tried that. The NRM even pushed one of the kids of the late on the final day of campaigning. The former P.A. changed religion, did a publicity stunt at the gravesite and also has tried to prolong the legacy of Mr. Update. Still, it went badly for him.

Moses Nsereko went the whole mile and tried to act like his was the next big thing. Even a mockery attempts on first nomination day with the wheelbarrow. The whole charade fell flat, and he needed to return the next day with the right documentation. He went on a public debate claiming to be the most significant guy there. The same man that collapsed when he wasn’t announced as the NUP flagbearer back in February.

The third loser is the musician that ran his campaign with the FDC. A man who has just a hot minute ago been singing songs for His Excellency. That man became the FDC flagbearer and shows how far the party has fallen. This candidate didn’t even make a huge wave. Neither is this promising for the 2026 elections. As this is the state of the FDC at the moment… all flair and no momentum. Going door to door, holding rallies, but getting such a result. The former P.A. even got the same, but with a much more limited campaign. That is telling on the lack of recognition or even trust in the FDC. The public shows that by not even making it close to the NUP or the NRM.

Just imagine going in and thinking they could sway the public away from the NUP. Two of them even tried to run within the NUP and become the flagbearer before going independent after the loss. We have seen that has worked in the NRM, but it doesn’t work with the NUP. They have loyalty to the party-line for now and not just personalized leadership. That’s how this can be digested after the polls.

People are even associated with the late didn’t matter. The use of the family of the late MP didn’t help any cause either. They just became pawns and didn’t further the campaigns of the ones involved. These are the biggest losers after the Kawempe North By-Election.

They went out high and mighty but got nothing back for doing so. Except for wasting their time, energy and funds on running. It could have been better to be in the office or whatever day-job they had before trying to run. Because these people didn’t do much for themselves or for Kawempe North for that matter. These people have been humiliated. That is the gist here. Peace.

Kawempe North By-Election: A memo on the aftermath

This here is what resilience and what a resolute mind does. Even when all the odds are against the opposition and the National Unity Platform (NUP). The National Resistance Movement (NRM). The state used all of its instruments to get ahead and rig the proceedings.

They used all sorts of techniques, tricks of the trade and violence. That was from the state security agencies like JATT, ISO, UPDF, SFC and even use the RDCs. All of them was deployed for a mission and they tried to undermine the efforts of the people.

That Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola is the victor here and the population of Kawempe North. They stood tall in midst of it all. The state through everything into it. They tried and did what it could rig the election. This By-Election was marred with violence, intimidation and misuse of power. That’s what we have seen with arrests, harassment and painful actions made against the electorate.

If the NRM thinks they are winning the hearts of the Kampala by doing this. They are wrong. They picked a candidate that was validated through the party and was a long legacy family of the ruling regime. That’s what they do and how they operate. It is really weird that the party who wants the seat and takeover from the opposition is using violence, torture and preventive arrests too. They tried to block rallies and even arrest the NUP flagbearer twice. The state used all means to an end, which got them nowhere.

The Kawempe North shows loyalty and that it continues to trust in the NUP. Even when the NRM creates havoc and make the By-Election into a warzone. It looks like the state goes to war against their own civilians. When they use tear-gas, bullets and even crashes vehicles to block one from driving to their final campaign venue. That’s the sort of action the state does, people have torn bodies, damaged and suffering as bystanders, as journalists and whatnot.

This is what the NRM does and what they represent. Kawempe North By-Election is just a symptom of what is wrong with the regime. They have shown who they are and what they are willing to do. The ones in office, the ones who orders the security agencies on the streets and the ones who is willing to defend their actions. That there are spokespersons and high-ranking leaders willing to defend it by any means necessary.

They just show their true colours here. It is so blatant and without any regards of the victims. The victims are blamed, and they shouldn’t be there, but their votes or their reporting matters at another time. The state is allowed to use it all… and they always righteous. The ones ordering the bullets and the guns on unarmed civilians are in their rights. Instead of asking the question, why are the soldiers and anti-terrorist squad partaking in the elections. It just shows what sort of ordeal and what message the state send.

The civilians and the people should be commended for their actions here. Even as the state tried to bribe them and intimidate them. They still voted for the opposition and the successor. No one would have been shocked or in awe, if they had given way, because of the acts of the state. However, the people are tired of it and don’t trust the ruling regime. That’s why they are voting and protesting against the state. It shows…

Even when the people are locked in at the barrel of a gun. They still dares to question it. That’s remarkable. This will be remembered and is a token ahead of 2026. The NRM acts like it can use the state machinery against the citizens. However, they cannot overcome them all, even if they bring all the guns out. That’s what we are seeing… and that should worry the State House. All of his arms and all of his agencies cannot sway the public. Not even the little cash given to the voters helped the case either. It was eaten, but they voted for the other guy. That’s a compelling case… Peace.

RDC: Mouvement de Liberation du Congo (M.L.C.) – Communique (13.03.2025)

Ethiopia: Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) – The Somali Regional State Energy and Mining Office’s Meeting with Poly-GCL – A Move to Plunder Somali Resources (14.03.2025)

Kawempe North By-Election: Return Form for Transmission of Results (14.03.2025)

RDC: Ma Priorite c’Est la Paix – Communique conjoint CENCO et ECC – Communique No. 001 (13.03.2025)

South Africa: Defend Our Democracy – Murder of whistleblower Pamela Mabini condemned (13.03.2025)

Kawempe North By-Election: The authorities create a warzone during the polls

“”I was talking to people who had not voted when UPDF soldiers arrived in two patrol vehicles and started arresting some people. When some of the security operatives saw the camera, they came and attacked me, beating me with sticks and even damaging my camera. I ran into a nearby building but since they had already identified me, I removed my press jacket and scarf and ran into a toilet for safety.”- one of NMG-U journalists, Hasifah Nanvuma” (Daily Monitor, 13.03.2025).

“Two opposition MPs and journalists are among several people who have been arrested in the ongoing Kawempe North MP by-election on yet to be known charges amid heavy military deployment and brutality from security operatives” (Daily Monitor, 13.03.2025).

“UPDF soldiers and cane-wielding men believed to be security operatives in plain clothes filmed arresting journalists covering Kawempe North MP by-election in Kazo Angola on March 13, 2025” (Daily Monitor, 13.03.2025).

“UPDF officers have assaulted journalists and confiscated their cameras while covering the Kawempe North MP by-election. This blatant attack on press freedom is unacceptable! Authorities must hold those responsible accountable and ensure journalists can work without fear” (HRNJ-Uganda, 13.03.2025).

If you believe the Kawempe North By-Election would be free and fair. The campaigns proved how bleak it would be. The signs were everywhere… and now it is official as the polls are happening.

Journalists are now vacating the By-Election, as they are targeted and gone after from the authorities. That is happening as the last few hours of voting is going on. Mere hours left of the polls and voting. They are going back to its headquarters or leaving Kawempe North as a whole. Because their gear is confiscated, harassed, hurt or even arrested. This means the eyes and ears are taken away. The public loses the vision of the journalists and means they cannot analyse the acts of the state.

It is really outrageous that the National Army, the UPDF are manhandling people and that the authorities are arresting the ones who are broadcasting the acts of the state. They are taking away the eyes on the By-Elections because they want it silenced or in the dark. The state doesn’t want the truth and their actions known to the public. That’s why the journalists are in the aim, and these are nuisance for them.

We know the NRM is busy having their organizers and people pre-ticking ballots to ensure the flagbearer is elected. That’s why they don’t videos or proof of it. The state doesn’t want their the truth out or their rigging known. Even if everyone knows and it is just business as usual. That’s why the Electoral Commission would work in coordination and with helpful manners to ensure the state wins. Regardless of the will of the people or what they want to achieve. This is why… NRM leaders and appointed leadership are participating in pre-ticking of ballots. So, expect the results to be reflected like that.

The electorate itself didn’t use violence or use any sort of force, but the state did. The state came with orders and with significant use of brutality against unarmed civilians. Therefore, we know the reason and it is evident what it wants to achieve. It wants to be able to rig the election in its favour without eyes on it. That’s why the media is in the spotlight and feeling the heat. Peace.

Ethiopia: TPLF-D calls the actions of TPLF-G as treason

“Let it be, the army or the administration is not blocked or fired by one individual’s permission but rather it is a people’s force that gives its front for the national interest and survival of our people. This is not the one that makes any individual to fight for their own will. Therefore, the letter written by the former president of Tigray provisional administration to block and expel four senior leaders of the army is responsible. It should be known clearly that what is done outside is not going to be implemented. The letters written outside of power are very dangerous so we will fight for it. At this time where regional, national and current situations are very complicated, it is a dangerous task that is done intentionally to expose our people to danger of survival by leaving the army without leadership in a irresponsible way The people and the army need to realize this. TPLF and the Tigrian army are the main owners of the Pretoria peace agreement and the divine administration. The work of enforcing law and order started in Tigray will not destroy the interim administration and the Pretoria peace treaty, but it will strengthen the implementation of the peace agreement, that will respect the Tigray constitutional system, that will ensure the rule of law and accountability, that will establish lasting peace and tranquility in Tigray and to protect our national interests. It is possible. But the irresponsible group of treacherous groups continue to strengthen their irresponsible work and accusing TPLF and Tigrian army by stating that “there might be an out of control situation in Tigray” and is calling for a third party to enter Tigray” (Tigray People’s Liberation Front – “The continued treason of nationalism must be stopped!”, 13.03.2025).

Just as Getachew Reda of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA) leader is calling out the Tigray People’s Liberation Front – Debretsion Gebremichael (TPLF-D) at the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa. There were reports that Reda had fled the Tigray region yesterday, but with meeting the press at the hotel in Addis Ababa its say that it is true.

Reda said this at the Presser today: “This group believes that if there is peace, stability, and formal governance in Tigray, they would be held accountable for what they did” (…) “Another war in Tigray, will attract other foreign interests, and it will destabilize Ethiopia” (The Reporter Ethiopia, 13.03.2025).

Now they are both claiming the other group is creating instability and acting against the best interests of the Tigray region. We know this sort of internal conflict and use of violence is possibly in breach of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement or of the Pretoria Accord. They are all complicit in creating this situation and making matters worse.

This is a battle and a conflict of interests between Debretsion Gebremichael and Getachew Reda, as they are claiming legitimacy and who has the instruments of power. That is about who has the ability to order and control the Tigray region. This is all a power struggle and who has the mandate. That’s all it is about and we can all see it. They are willing to what they need to succeed.

Now Debretsion who has mobilized the Tigray Defence Forces earlier in the year has now started the usage of the regional forces to combat the TIRA. Meanwhile, Reda believed he had the overall control and that he could order the TDF around. Alas, therein is the problem and the reason why Reda is in Addis Ababa and not in Mekelle. As Reda knows his in trouble and Debretsion Gebremichael has the loyalty of the army commanders and the militants of the TPLF. That’s why TIRA is losing here and the TDF is able to torch the TIRA rather quickly. What is making things worse are reports of possible mechanical divisions moving in the Afar region possibly on the way towards the Tigray region. That means the calls of Reda for outside support is coming their way.

The internal conflict is getting support of the ENDF and the Prosperity Party. The Prime Minister is now invested in Reda and wants him in office. They are possibly willing to wage war again against the TDF. That means Debretsion Gebremichael wage conflict for him to be the ruler of Tigray. His willing to cause another war just for him to be the self-imposed leader. That is the reality here… meanwhile, he will say Reda is betraying Tigray. However, it was TPLF-D who mobilized and started to use the Army Commanders to take over the region over the temporary leaders in Reda.

That’s the gist here and the story for now. It is tragic, but here we are. Peace.