Ugandan Presidential Candidates debate; serious attitude comes forward; two kings leaves the race while the servants stay put

NTV Uganda Presidential Debate 2016

We are at strange place when it comes the 15th January and the general debate for presidential candidates in Uganda. People are throwing blame and I stand by calling Mzee a chicken-out from the debate. We all know why! He can’t spin it to his benefit and worried that he will look weak compared to the other men. His quotes will forever stay there and will be remembered, like Mzee has skipped before in 2011, 2006 and 1996. Well, let see what else been said on the issue during the day, this is starting to farce. Let me elaborate on that.

First the Presidential Candidate Hon. Amama Mbabazi said this: “There are 8 people in the race, if 2 have pulled out of the debate, then that doesn’t mean we can’t debate “.

Bary for President

Other that has verified that they will show-up for the debate is Prof. Venansius Bayramureeba and Abed Bwanika.

Besigye Amama

Also today Dr. Kizza Besigye commented: ““So this time when I challenged Mr. Museveni to a debate, I knew that he is averse to having a direct debate- which is unfortunate because in a situation like ours where there are deep contradictions, it is important to have a direct debate so that people are able to determine the candidates’ positions and policies.” (…)”The debate should be between two opposing sides its madness of me to take a day or two off my tight schedule to meet my colleagues for a debate”.

While we yesterday got the reports from two of his men and one of his men Ofwono Opondo clarified clearly to the people that President Museveni wouldn’t show up; because he has a busy schedule and would be missed because the trouble with the travel for 6 hours to be at the Serena Hotel and wants to rather be with the people!

Richard Todwong

So Mzee has decided to alter the debate and add a new figure to represent him. Today we have the new reports the change too southpaw; so he added of the mysterious Minister without Portfolio Richard Todwong. Hon. Todwong will be his mouthpiece when necessary it’s seems in a way to cash his paycheck. In that way we have the fourth candidate which happens to be a representative for the presidency and not himself.

While the James Ogola the spokesperson for The Elders’ Forum of Uganda (TEFU), the organizer of the public debate on live TV which is to be broadcasted through all channels in Uganda from NTV cameras, he said this yesterday: “If the candidate cannot come, we shall not accept representation. That chair will remain empty”.

The TEFU statement said this on the 7th January: “During a meeting held with all the eight presidential candidates’ campaign managers and agents on January 6, at Protea Hotel Kampala, all the participants unanimously agreed that candidates have a lot to gain by personal appearance in the debates and much more to lose by non-appearance,” noted a statement that IRCU released on January 7th 2016.

With this being said and written by the TEFU then the Minister without Portfolio Todwong will not be allowed to be in the chair instead of Mzee. So Dr. Kizza Besigye can’t send Nandala Mafabi or Mugisha Muntu in his stead, though I think they rather stay on the campaign trail as well. FDC have the honor to really shun the event because the President can’t take the time all of sudden.

That Hon. Amama Mbabazi want to be there is understandable he want to gain political capital by being the one left of the giant three to actually show up. He is one of the main candidates. We all know that the Professor Barya and Bwanika would be secondary or third wheels with Amama, Kizza and Yoweri, and they all know it. Ofwono Opondo went a bit far though on Friday on radio the Capital Gang when he said: “I don’t know who you are”. This Opondo utter out the mouth while Abed Bwanika where in the studio. Even I know who he is and that he have campaigned and been a presidential candidate at-least two times before and his party hasn’t the reach yet. Still are more popular than Professor Barya. Since some of his crowds are as big as lines for airtime in the morning Mondays after a busy weekend. Not enough yet!

I wish the People’s President also just showed up even if Mzee didn’t have the guts to. Even if I understand the motive of Besigye; that Mbabazi is trying to get political capital is smart, but he still doesn’t the machine as FDC has, that is why he has tried more than twice to settle the difference between them and get him to step-down for him. That hasn’t actually worked.

NRM-P

The President has already lost the battle of supremacy and it’s viable with the way this have gone, his spokesmen Opondo and the other guy the campaign manager can’t chant a tune to save this charade. Besigye get to look lost in the battle for defiance instead of being the true giant in the matter, he could be golden and righteous in a two-hour battle as well; Even if the commander in chief chickens out instead of proving that his mouth and brain moves.

So that Mbabazi and the other guys might have a ball. The debate will be powerful in its way, but without Besigye and Museveni it misses all of the top three presidential candidates. That is weak and foolish. We all know the TEFU behind it and this will make it look like they don’t have the touch to get them speaking live on TV that day. But it’s their choice and not the parties involved. TEFU is just a tool to Museveni as everything else, and Besigye don’t want to look foolish compared to his nemesis M7.

The other candidates will have the say The Independent Coalition Maureen Kyala Wamuumbe and Joseph Mabirizi will get bigger stage then normal. Just like the other rest of them. They will gladly show up to it instead of being campaigning they will capitalize on it. Besigye and Museveni thinks they earn on not showing up. Where is Gen. Benon Biraaro at this point? Or I am missing the channels where he is occupied all the space? Because nowhere spoken his mind on the matter!

The reason for why Mzee doesn’t show up doesn’t add up to his own fear for the platform and lose of creative control and editing power. Since he can shut-up and will utter some nonsense with the bush-war mentality that he thinks all Ugandans will eat up like matooki. Instead they listen and wonder why that argument where used for building roads between Masindi and Kampala. While the other candidate actually speaks proper policy or regulations on the question; the same is the actions of Mzee. Besigye would have answered properly though anti-NRM rhetoric. The same with Mbabazi who will add with the new fresh spin and also say that he wasn’t an executive power like his former chief. Well, we will not see the whole picture and live broadcast; the first time in history with all presidential candidates unless Mzee wishes to show balls and be a real presidential candidate for once. Presidential Candidates should be able to debate in public with other candidates instead of only singing their own tune on the campaign trail and rallies. Surely Mzee have checked the questions asked from media the press conference to secure him what message that comes out and have control of what is in the press, if the press doesn’t follow then he shuts them down. Like he have done with the Daily Monitor, KFM Radio and other media stations when they have gone too far with the wrong message.

Mzee can’t handle a person like me or the press who questions his authority and rule. So if he would be on a debate he would not have the ability to save his face. Besigye follows suit because he doesn’t see the other candidates as viable opposition and feels that if the incumbent president doesn’t show-up it’s the B-Team on Live-TV instead of the whole group of people. So Mbabazi is the golden kid in this because people will even blame Besigye for backing out and questions remain what it would have been with him in the mix. There is a loss that two of magnificent trio is out. You have the six candidates and one happen to be a major one that makes the tally weak. So Mzee proves yet again that he can’t or doesn’t have it in him to debate or argue for his longevity and perseverance, Besigye will not come with fighting spirit in it, we will have the usual suspect and meager attendance that doesn’t cover the spectrum from PRO-Yellow to the mellow and to the ordinary fellow. Peace.

The People’s President campaigning in Moroto; while the RDC shows his anger against journalists; and other reports

FDC Moroto 10.01.2016 P2

Today in Moroto there have been issues with the Police who wanted to block the FDC Campaign Trail Convoy. The Northern Uganda Police have made it hard for the main candidates in this part of the Road Map; they even made it hard for Go-Forward Presidential Candidate Hon. Amama Mbabazi! He had big issues with them; so that the FDC should also feel the wrath of NRM Police Force, though today that was the journalists filming and taking photos of it.

The Team Leader for the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF III) Endashaw Tadesse Gossa car has been driving around as reported from the 8th January 2016. He has been driving around in Karamoja in the car that I have a picture of. While he was driving around to pay people to not show-up to opposition rallies in the district. Especially get them to not show at the rallies in Moroto. Mr. Gossa have also bought locals brew to the people in Singila, Acholi Inn, Katanga and Chiambiswahili. With this actions the funds bought by World Bank to NUSAF and Governmental funding is being used to stifle the opposition; so proud the NRM can be of Mr. Gossa!

Moroto NRM 08.01.2016 Buying to Shun voters

On the 7th January the Government of Uganda wants all of sudden to address the Cholera outbreak in the region. Here is the letter:

Cholera Outbreak - Uganda 07.01.2016

Strange that it happens now and in the campaign season. Not after because they want to show that they actually does something and maybe even care about the people in Karamoja.

FDC Moroto 10.01.2016 P1

Today in Moroto at Boma Grounds Dr. Kizza Besigye proclaimed this:

“’You have the minister in charge of Karamoja who is also tje first lady. She leaves Karamajong children languishing in the streets of Kampala and comes here to pretending to be caring about you. People here are dying of hunger”.

This here proves the power of the Opposition and why the Police go so hard on of them and the ones that cover them. That is because Mzee wants all the attention, still he goes after journalists who doesn’t cover him, something he has done during campaigns in 2015. The use of Mr. Gossa proves it to the fullest. While the Police officers and commanders stifle and block as much as possible the opposition parties campaign rallies. That shows how they all are tools for the NRM and the Government right now, instead of being civil servants for all people of Uganda. Sad sight, but they know who butter their bread. As on the 7th November 2015 Frank Tumwebaze handed over new Isuzu double cabin pick-ups at the value of UGX 145m. So with a new car recently the RDC of Moroto have to show that loyalty worthy and therefore acted as he has done today. Hope the car was worth you’re self-respect and honor of serving the people and not the loyal men of Mzee.

We can see that people even when paid to shun the campaigns shows up, to Amama Mbabazi and the Dr. Kizza Besigye in the area. Therefore the paying and showing off money isn’t helping the NRM. It’s more like draining money from the campaign budget, but hey that is just embezzled money of 29 years so they can afford it. That is why the people want’s change. Peace.

Pictures taken before the scoffle between the journalists and the Calvary in Moroto today

Moroto Road Block 10.01.2016 P1

Here is the preview to scuffle and melee on the road of Kitara to Moroto where the journalist took shoots and filmed the road-block that the Police Officers had put-up at the spot. This here is the photos of police before it all. Just look at it. Peace.

Moroto Road Block 10.01.2016 P2

The Calvary attacks in Moroto: On the field-Journalists on the FDC campaign trail

Kitura - Moroto Road - 10.01.2016

Journalists who were travelling to cover FDC campaign in Moroto today we’re stopped by the Police in on the road along from Kitora to Moroto. The District Police Commander of Moroto George Obia is the one who commissioned the stop of them. Then this unfollowed! 

The Police stopped the journalist from the NTV Ronald Galiwango, the New Vision photographer Kenedy Oriyem and Kyaaze Anyast of Bukkede TV. Their cameras we’re either destroyed or confiscated by the police at the road.

The Journalist has later been in discussion with the Regional District Commander Aruk Maruk. Since they should get an explanation for the matter and settle it. This here is a violation of freedom of the press and their movement to cover the national matter. In this sense the campaign coverage of FDC, the same Police Commanders would not do the same if there was a NRM campaign convoy in the area. Then they would have stand on guard and grinned because the Mzee would be around! Peace.

Mzee have a campaign rally in Isingiro; the local people leaves the venue early as a protest! (video-clip)

Here is video that NRM will not want to show the world. It’s deep and the easiest way to explain it is that people are leaving the campaign venue at Isingiro where President Museveni where under way and holding his speech to the public. The only standing left is the paid crowd of the campaign rally, the crime preventers who have to be there: if they leave they wont get a pay-check. This video shows how the people and citizens walks away from him in plain view. Peace.

Ugandan Presidential Live TV Debate was actually on; but Mzee chickens out and is off!

Mbabazi M7 Besigye

Well, I have written a piece on this before where I started like this: “There is a dream of TV-Debate between the three main candidates in Uganda: the NRM with Museveni, the Go-Forward Amama Mbabazi and the FDC Dr. Kizza Besigye! So what will that be, it should be sent on NBS, NTV and WBS at the same time. So that nobody can watch dubbed South American TV-shows for those who don’t care about the politics or elections” (Minbane, 23.11.2015).

Well, the spokesmen of both the campaign team of Mzee and Governmental one says he want show up to the planned one on the 15th January. Here is what been verified today:

Ofwono Opondo the NRM or Government spokeperson says: “Museveni will have no time for the presidential debate”. He continues with this reasoning: “President Museveni has no time to engage in a presidential debate for 6 hours. He will use the time in more meaningful engagements with the Population”. Michael Sebalu said this today: “We respect and value even lowest our supporters… we cannot abandon them to go to Serena and waste time!”

Obiang - M7 

Mzee could stop campaigning for governmental matters earlier and the papal visit which made him look a bit genuine. Now it’s just a mockery and makes no sense. This is weak tea not even a strong masala mix take away the bad after taste.

If you want to read a made up Ugandan TV-Debate read my former post from November 2015:

The Dream of a Public TV-Debate between top three Presidential Candidates in Uganda

So there is yet again Mzee looks like he is chickens out; just a week away from the TV cameras to be broadcasted live on TV. This is something he could fake or spin is his way. His NRM Team and Campaign crew could have set some standards, but he couldn’t rehearse the answers. Like the international interviews that hunts him and the answers showing his true passions. The same will happen on the Live TV-Debate where the spotlight will eat him.

FDC TV Show

Though he said this earlier in the year:

““President Yoweri Museveni, also NRM flag bearer, says “he is ready to take on any of his fellow 2016 presidential candidates in a public debate” (…)”While addressing a press conference early Monday in Gulu at the State Lodge, Museveni said: “If Besigye or any other candidate wants to debate with me, I am ready. I don’t move without my mouth or brain…” (…)”The president’s comments today come days after Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye challenged him to a debate ‘to discuss issues affecting Ugandans’” (…)”Besigye became the second candidate to dare the president to a live televised debate after Venansius Baryamureeba (NBS TV, 23.11.2015).

Museveni - Road building

 

So here we are where the NRM and its President who happens to be Presidential Candidate; that can’t be able to show up to a Presidential Candidate Debate on live TV. That is because he can’t all of sudden stop campaigning or schedule with the Electoral Commission or have his screws loose in his pocket; have fear for the outcome of the whole shin-ding and knows he might look like old buffoon instead of the wise old-statesmen he thinks he is. We won’t hear any bible-quotes from him or any imaginary tales of old when the Live debate on TV happens, because he can’t his team, or himself in general to address the public proper. Unless he controls the venue and have all creative control; he and his loyal staff or his loyal subjects who are YES MEN. Because the giant of 29 years can’t trust himself to not blunder or speak some kind of hurtful. Mzee might come with some stupid comment when the TV channel has it directly sent for the world to see. Even if the Government usually turns of transmitters when some unwished spiteful or opposition leader goes too far, than they will take the whole radio or TV station down for necessary time.

Well, we all know by knew by now that this would not happen, that why I wrote it would be a dream in November 2015. Mzee doesn’t have the balls or integrity to show his face together with the pack of candidates, especially not his arch-nemesis Hon. Amama Mbabazi or former arch-nemesis Dr. Kizza Besigye. Because he will not be discussed in the ways of villain or buffoon, but he looks like whiny old man who doesn’t have the ability to carry his own words. Because he said in November 2015 that he would join and be a part of the Live TV debate.

Like Mzee said on the 23rd November 2015:

“If Besigye or any other candidate wants to debate with me, I am ready. I don’t move without my mouth or brain”. There seems like Mzee’s body doesn’t move with his mouth or his brain. Since his body will not have the balls to move his mouth or brain on live TV.  But that is just me. Peace.

The People’s President held peaceful campaign rallies today in Nakapiripirit and Amudat; While the Calvary defaced and pinned over posters; They even sieged the Amudat Hospital

FDC Amudat Rally 090116

If you we’re in Amudat today, you would see that RDC Saban Kachimete of Amudat was first busy getting police to pin-over FDC presidential candidate poster in the day before his arrival and his campaign rally. They we’re also tearing them to pieces like they have done with Go-Forward posters before their campaigns. The Police is so impartial in the campaign work for the NRM! They are really the NRM Police Force, why not just switch names, maybe that is the next for IGP Kale Kayihura and CP Fred Enaga to do, to prove loyalty to Mzee.

FDC Rally in Amudat Hospital 090116

Well, the local police we’re not doing the work for Mzee.They was stationed at the Amudat hospital to make sure that the Campaign convoy of FDC held themselves far away. If you needed the police today in Amudat, then forget the police posts in the area; most of the crew seemed to be stationed there, because all the crime and prevention of crime seemed to be there.

Now read what the People President says after all of this.

Defacing Poster Amudat P1 090116

Dr Kizza Besigye message after the rallies the 9th January 2016:

“Nakapiripirit and Amudat was a great experience! Thank you to everyone that made everything possible for us to have our campaign done and completed in the two districts. In Amudat, the police manning health centre 3s continued, our posters were all defaced and covered. But this we know that our support comes from people’s hearts. The RDC, police and NRM members are so desperate to deny us visibility in people’s eyes, but it is evident we are in their hearts. Thanks for the support for the party and my candidature. God bless you all. One Uganda One People».

FDC Campaign Rally 090116

That’s enough today, Peace.

Press Release: The European Union Election Observation Mission for the 18th February General Elections has begun its activities (08.01.2016)

EOM PR 080116 P1EOM PR 080116 P2

NRM-Supports reacts to non-payment for shunning JPAM-Rally and demonstrate today in Maska; Uganda Cranes donates a charity match the Masaka Hospital;the World Bank promise funds to roads in Masaka

Masaka NRM 090116 Shun Mbabazi

We have today a nice Saturday when the UPDF supposed to be deployed and take control of security towards the end of the General Election. Well, in Masaka NRM-Organization promised towns-people an NRM-Supporter’s if they shunned the campaign rally of Go-Forward and Hon. Amama Mbabazi campaign venue in town. While the NRM members who cried out for not being paid not to show-up somewhere. Shows the lacking mentality of NRM to pay their own and keep their promises! Yet again I guess! While the Police had to throw tear-gas and shot live rubber-bullets towards the crowd because of the missing funds of UGX 100millions to them.

Masaka NRM 090116 P2 Shun Mbabazi

The Go-Forward had a rally in Masaka 9th November 2015 when they held a rally at the Masaka Golf Course and they reacted today 9th January. Technically two months after the rally and  now they wondered where the money they was promised to get wasn’t arriving. That is slow service delivery!

Eddy Kenzo Masaka Hospital 070116

Something worth reporting is that Musician Eddy Kenzo and the Ugandan Cranes Football Team sponsored and was charitable towards the Masaka Hospital with a facelift and upgrade on the 7th January. They donated to Masaka female ward and this was done through a charity match!

And something that would be lost in the wind about Masaka is this is just in today on 9th January 2016:

“Masaka Municipal Councils have received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Uganda Support to Municipal infrastructure Development Programme (USMID) for the Civil works of Infrastructure projects and Consultancy Services of supervision of road works”. Well, World Bank has to finance this for Masaka and not the local tax-base, wonder who is financing the missing funds for the shunning the campaign rally that was in 9th November 2015…? That is why they have more missed funds and why the NRM-O in the area had the reaction today.

While also the Masaka District Local government had to tell the civil servants how to allocate the money at a hotel yesterday 8th January 2016: “Regional Data Quality Assessment (DQA) at Mariaflo Hotel in Masaka District with a call on participants to appreciate data for improved service delivery through proper planning and resource allocation”. That must be why World Bank has the wishes to finance the civil works in parts of Masaka. That must be golden.

Think that is enough of Masaka today! Peace.

People’s President held peaceful campaign rallies today and also had a visit at Lwanda IDP Camp; there was positive campaigning in Kween & Kapchorwa district!

Kapwocha FDC 080116 P2

Today FDC Presidential Candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye visited to districts. Wbere be travelled the villages and major towns. Also visited a IDP camp without the Police creating election-violence. Wonder if the Electoral Commission accepted it today or lost their step for a second. So today we’re a second day in row without anything of violence happening to the FDC and Besigye which is a great thing. Let’s enjoy that!

Keen District Lwanga IDP Camp 080116

Before he had the main rally he visited Lwanda Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Kwanyly sub-county in the Kween district. He was led to tour the camp where he witnessed an inhuman condition people are leaving in. The worst of all is when Dr. Kizza Besigye was told that they have nowhere to bury the dead. They bury at night after sneaking dead bodies to the nearest land. There are over 256 families living in IDP camp who are displaced from Kapktwata forrest 16 years ago.

Keen District Lwanga IDP Camp P2 080116

In Kapchorwa at the Boma Grounds, where Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Presidential Candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye held a rally today said this:

“Let’s regain confidence as the masters of our land, this campaign is part of the struggle to liberate ourselves from those who have enslaved us and made us refuges in our country”.

Kizza Besigye message after the rallies today:

“Thank you Kween and Kapchorwa! #WesigeBesigye”. 

Kapwocha FDC 080116 P1

This here proves yet again. How the people are going to see and greet Dr. Kizza Besigye. As example: they we’re delivering all kinds of gifts and showing appreciation of his visit to the districts of Kween and Kapchorwa. The stories of Lwanda are sad; the other sad issue is the extent of their stay and living conditions, but the left-behind by the government. The other thing about it that is good is that the Police didn’t go ham today. That is good to hear and also a little happiness. That there wasn’t another Bukwo district and incident that hurt people with tear-gas and shooting live bullets against the FDC convoy. So there are sometimes certain districts where the Regional District Commander or District Police Commander who went crazy for following orders from IGP Gen. Kale Kayihura. Today there we’re another day where the Blue painted the district they we’re visiting. FDC and Dr. Kizza Besigye had yet another day of positive campaign for the cause and mission of defiance against the NRM-Regime. Peace.