Opininon: The Ghost of Kantinti should haunt the FDC [and the rise of Bobi Wine]

That the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) nominated the nullified MP Apollo Kantinti to stand as a Flag-Bearer in the Kyadondo East By-Election in 2017 should be a friendly reminder what the FDC leadership did wrong. What has transpired since, has been a growing momentum and popularity politically towards the Independent MP and Opposition Leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. Who won the By-Election in 2017 over Kantinti. The loser has since then needed to go to court over bankruptcy.

We all know what has happen since and the groundwork the MP has done with his People Power Movement. A rising movement that even the People’s Government and Dr. Kizza Besigye have gone in coalition in. Which is just a small time ago that Bobi Wine and Besigye formed the United Forces for Change (UFC).

The FDC is really not pulling their weight, when the Party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat (POA) is saying this in a interview these day:

“It is very early to say that. What if Bobi Wine joins FDC tomorrow? For us we maintain an open door policy, he may change his mind and say I think I want a home. He is welcome to join FDC any time he wants and then he will be weighed against the other candidates” (Derrick Wandera – ‘Uganda: Bobi Should Join FDC If He Wants Coalition With Us, Says Amuriat’ 12.07.2020, Daily Monitor).

This is a bit late. The tea is freezing. To open the door for Bobi Wine now that he is in the upper echelon. When Bobi Wine get the same treatment by the authorities like Besigye. Than you want him to become part of the FDC? Also weigh him with others? Seriously?

Why should he step down and await vetting in the FDC? When he can run on own platform and own merit?

Because the same FDC said this before the Kyadondo East By-Election:

“Forum for Democratic Change [FDC] will not support popular musician Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine in the yet-to-be scheduled Kyadondo East by-election, party officials have said. The party said it will instead support Apollo Kantinti, its flag bearer in 2016, whose election was nullified by the High court and the nullification upheld by the Court of Appeal last week” (Baker Batte Lule – ‘FDC to Bobi Wine: wait for 2021’ 05.05.2017, Observer).

With this in mind, the party followed party protocol and let Kantinti stand again. However, with that they lost Bobi Wine too. As someone who has shown political finesse and ability beyond Wakiso district and Kyadondo East.

Bobi Wine is so big, that the President has tried to sing Elvis “In the Ghetto” to the public at times. That is why the FDC did wrong and should be humble in concern of Bobi Wine. They are the ones that lost out. That they are having talks and a coalition is showing progress in concern of results together as opposition. However, POA is not showing grace and demeanour, which understands what the People Power are brining right now.

The momentum isn’t on Besigye. It is on Bobi Wine. Nothing wrong with Besigye. He has carried the mantle, been the man in the line of fire and deserves credit for his hard labour. However, FDC doesn’t have Bobi Wine, because they played him wrong. That’s why the Party President of FDC acts like this. He wants to be the giant, but forgetting what they did themselves. It is not like he needed a party in the last election and he has only grown stronger since then. That is just common sense by now.

POA could have had the courage to show some humility, but instead he wants to bamboozle others. Hoping nobody see the game his playing. FDC is fighting for the good cause, so is the People Power Movement and they can do it together. However, that should be done by consensus and fair game. Not walking over one party and expecting it to roll over.

The FDC could have done better, hindsight 20/20 is always easier, than actually making good decisions in the moment of time. Still, the FDC is haunted by the ghost of Kantinti. He follows them and that’s why they cannot steer the conversation or get Bobi Wine totally on board. Instead, they have to talk and negotiate with him. This because of a simple mistake in 2017. Peace.

Mwenda’s political voodoo of the real People’s Power versus Classic Rigging President Museveni style!

Sometimes, you wonder if all the payments from the big-man has deluded someones mind and vision. Like he has to call hardliners in the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) extremists, because supporters of FDC are vicious people in his eyes. That is because they don’t pay him to spread their vision. The more Andrew Mwenda speak, the more he sounds like the brethren of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Today is no different. He speaks of the beautiful rain-man style voodoo of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Take a look!

“Lessons for Besigye from Kyadondo East

So yesterday the state deployed its full military might on display like it has never done before. The aim? To win in Kyadondo East. In spite of the deployment (and perhaps because of it) the NRM candidate lost. Bobi Wine won. First lesson: no amount of rigging can stop people power. Second lesson: Kizza Besigye and his hooligans have no people power. Third lesson: FDC extremists claiming anyone stole their votes are deluded. Advice to FDC extremists: Go to the people and get their support first. Stop lying to yourselves that someone steals your votes” (Andrew Mwenda, 30.06.2017).

I don’t know if Mwenda was considering that if it was the same with Presidential Elections compared to the a smaller By-Election. He should think of it differently. There was play of Police Officers and Military Police in the Kyadondo East polls. But they we’re not as significant as during the General Election of 2016. When the whole militarized politics and the police interference in politics was into another level. Yesterday, the only thing IGP Kale Kayihura did was smiling and not calling all his brigades, neither all of the RDC or DPC to act upon the promise to cherish the Presidents vision.

That is what happens, all of the state are in the works during a Presidential Election, where the State are already using all their methods and all organizations to take control. They use even fighter planes to fly over Kampala to spread the fear and stop people from demonstrating. They used all sorts of policing to barricade and stop party works of the FDC. They imprisoned major parts of the FDC leadership, activists all over the country and there wasn’t any sort of momentum to gain. The public couldn’t be engaged when they are fighting court-battles and not have the time to significantly move them.

It wasn’t like in February 2016 the team around Dr. Kizza Besigye and Gen. Mugisha Muntu was chilling it on Lake Victoria on the beach with a Nile Brew. Certainly, the state was using all tactics to stop the movement and possible demonstrations, they we’re even more eager to arrest, detain and silence the opposition FDC and others. They were more vigilant. Not like in Kyadondo East where 10 people we’re arrest at Kasangati, if it was in and around February, there were dozens of people arrested, the we’re people shot and killed during demonstrations. The police was using tear-gas and ensuring massive amounts of fear. Not like yesterday, they we’re really just barricading and driving around compared to the Presidential Election.

That the people’s power in the General Election would means that the engagement of the Bobi Wine style in whole of Uganda. The difference is that the NRM regime wouldn’t allow that. If the locals in every village and every town, than Mwenda’s people would have reacted and called in uncivilized, not called it people’s power. They would claim that people had lost their marbles and should trust in the NRM. Because people like Mwenda praises and lives of the NRM. Mwenda doesn’t want the public to take control of the National Talley Centre where the Electoral Commission together with their officers we’re rigging the election. That one was close guarded and would need an army to stop it.

That the Opposition party officials and the ones with the copies of the Declaration Forms, they we’re hold at gun-point, their houses raided and the offices cleared as well. This was not how they did it at the By-Election. They acted more peaceful for a simple reason. The NRM didn’t need this one… If they needed it they would acted like they did during the General Election of 2016. The NRM already owns the Parliament, owns the State and controls the Security Organization. This is just formalities at this point, the Parliament are a majority of NRM MPs. These are all men and woman loyal to the crony system of the President.

There is a vast difference and if Mwenda’s vision would be real, as the ones around Kasangati Resort, he would like the people to rise-up, walk together towards Okello House and throw the President in Lake Victoria, leave his Presidential Lodges and Farms burning across the land. See citizens on every corner throw stones at the Police Officers. Act up on the Military and Soldiers, stop paying VAT and really not act as a citizens. Stop the whole system, revolt and act with true resistance and defiance against the NRM regime. Be worse than Walk to Work, be more vigilant than the Action 4 Change and get all sorts of demonstrations against the system.

If this happen, he would call of them extremist, but that is what the Kyadondo really did. They closed off and stopped the rigging inside the Kasangati Resort. If this would have stopped during the election, the Police had be taken hostage by the public, the Talley Center’s had been taken by the public and the Electoral Officials would been followed by the public every moment. Not had the capacity to rig the numbers and give the polling stations different numbers. They would have made issues in every town, every village and in every parish. The Police would have to act upon it and the military too. There wouldn’t be breathing place and a place of ordinary peace.

I want to wish you good luck Mr. Mwenda, if the FDC are radicals or extremists, than his wish of Kyadondo East election, means that he wishes true defiance, true resistance and expression towards the Electoral Commission in unprecedented levels. Such that the NRM never seen and we can only hope happens. But Mwenda seems to forget the legacy of how the Police and military attacks the FDC in the hour of dire need and how the leadership are taken behind bars in and around the polls. But hey, Mwenda has forgotten how it is to be a voice against the NRM, when your could suddenly be silenced and be taken behind bars. For any sort of speech and acts against the regime. This he shouldn’t forget, but the paychecks from them, let is dementia hit early. Peace.

Kyadondo By-Election: The Return Form for Transmission of Results (29.06.2017)

Kyadondo By-Election: Official Results from The Electoral Commission (21.18PM – 29.06.2017)

Kyadondo East By-Election: Most likely Winner for MP Seat is Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine!

All provisional results from the current tallies are in favor of Robert Kyagulanyi, the other two main candidates like Forum for Democratic Change Apollo Kitinti and National Resistance Movement Sitenda Ssebula, seems like they have to consed to the Independent Candidate Kyagulanyi. The By-Election in Kyadondo East have been a special by-election by all means.

Especially knowing that the Military Police arrived in the Constituency today, together with mambas and a 1000 Police Officers. All squaring of Kasangati Resort, reports earlier of staff doing the NRM bidding. Therefore, the NRM candidate after voting today, proclaimed that the Bobi Wine should call him and sing at his victory party. This all seems like a far fetched dream. The musician turned politician, proves his capacity, but how smart and wise he will be in parliament. That is time to tell. He knows how to gain crowds and sell his story and vision, but will that create policy. More important the vital step away from dictatorship and oppression. That is why himself was even detained for a hot-minute at Kiira Road Police Station before the final rallies.

The NRM was lost, unless they wanted to use Police Force and Military Police to change the result, cook the books like they did during the General Election 2016. No-one with a little heart or understanding believes the result of the Presidential Election in 2016. That is lie and even Ofwono Opondo knows so, but he has to say otherwise to get his paycheck. Why I mention him, because he says Bobi Wine already are beating the FDC and NRM.

That the Police had to shoot wild in Kasangati, had to throw tear-gas and the supporters throwing stones at the barricades of Police Officers at Kasangati Resort, proves the little trust in Electoral Commission, the Police and the State in general. Therefore, the rallies with President Museveni didn’t help much. Not even the reports of bribing voters with little tokens of joy and pleasures to buy a term in office. The rigging have clearly not worked or been stopped, if the preliminary results are real. Because a normal tally score is 50 % to Bobi Wine and about 25% for Kantinti and Ssebula. This proves their face value and the recognition of the new force.

That Bobi Wine has endured and been part of the struggles of Besigye is clear, he has been in the Court-Room, been at his house and asked for courtesy when running, he even went to the home of “Bad DP” Betty Nambooze and asked her guidance too. So he proves he is savvy in forging relationship among the opposition. This will be needed in Parliament. Not only his vision and what he want to stand for.

You know times has changed when the Police Spokesperson and AIGP Asan Kasingye at the tally-center where congratulating Bobi Wine on the victory, just like Besigye and others has done with pride on Twitter. Clearly, this election in Kyadondo East is moving. That the Wakiso District is answering with special ballot. The pure result, that is hard to interfere and get away with, even as the numbers of security personnel is out of bound. Still, they didn’t have it in them, though the Tear-Gas has rocked Kasangati today!

And you know, their short-shortsightedness when the NRM wanted to rig in Kasangati, the homestead of Besigye, the place and friend of Bobi Wine, there would not be anyone accepting it there. That is why the place has been filled with officers, live bullets and tears, barricades at the Kasangati Resort and the Crime Preventers that we’re rumored to be in the constituency didn’t even help Pre-Ticketing ballots. This was a landslide and the NRM couldn’t handle the wind of Dembe and the Bobi Wine.

Because the Police did set up all sort road blocks, they had the Mambas and had their presence in the constituency, but with no luck. Clearly, the supporters and people around Bobi Wine has been clear, that they will not give this one away. The amounts of Military Police didn’t even do the NRM any good. So their intimidation and their bribes didn’t turn it, not even their plans to rig the stuffed ballots, didn’t work either. This is how the game in a dictatorship should be played.

Take your ear to the ground and learn. This is maybe one MP to the 10^th Parliament, but also a sign of the efforts to stifle the game for the NRM and their vicious attempt of thieving the National Assembly and the whole state. Peace.

Kyadondo East By-Election: Lock-down of Kasangati Restort and the Police involvement in the election!

“I know victory is mine. I have already called Bobi Wine to come and entertain my voters” – Sitenda Sebalu.

In Kasangati the Independent Candidate Muwada Nkunyingi got detained today at Kasangati Police Station. The candidate was also severely beaten into unconscious by the well-known DPC James Patrick Kawalya, before taken into custody, no backing down from the National Resistance Movement on election da in Kyadondo East By-Election. Even his lawyer Abdul Lubega is down at the Police Station trying to iron out the differences between the Police and his candidate. They even arrested the Local Councilor Abas Kiyimba, he is even an NRM guy himself, but while the votes are happening, that doesn’t matter.

At Kasangati Resort, the supporters of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine has been at, is where the supposed rigging of the election is happening. Therefore, the Police Officers and NRM Mobilisers has told the media to step-off. That can been seen as a provocation, as people are being arrested. The Mambas and the Anti-Riot Police Officers are also being dispatched to the Hotel in Kasangati. The Police has also barricaded the premises with bunch of Police Officers. Many of the Supporters of Bobi Wine has been arrested on the spot, as they have tried to defend their votes from rigging. The Supporters started to throw stones, while the police has answered with canisters of tear-gas. Clearly,

The are even reports that the NRM Chairman of Wakiso District Abdul Kiyimba held voters at gun-point to pressure voters, apparently, the NRM has their stash-house which is alleged at Kasangati Restort, but also needs their henchmen to spread fear directly at the Polling stations. The NRM are not playing around this time.

Clearly, there will be happening more around the next hours, as Benghazi or Kasangati are in the middle of this By-Election, the Wakiso District that the President didn’t care about in General Election 2016, but he has put up the Ante this time!

This is just the beginning of the day and while the polling is still going-on. We can just wait and see when the counting and the issues around the Electoral procedures with forms and final numbers. That will clearly be tense, as the Police Force are deliberately defending the NRM and their practices, even as they are arresting their own. Which is rare, as the epic show-down in Kasangati is happening. Peace.

Kyadondo East By-Election: Heavy deployment and reported electoral malpractices before the polling stations opens!

Just as the 10 Armored Personnel Vehicles have come to the district and the Police has dispatched over a 1000 Police Officers in the Kyadondo East constituency, as the National Resistiance Movement, the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are afraid for his candidate loosing. He has to spread fear and bring the brigades to prove his worth and value in the district. That could be all lost to an independent, a former musicians, who has no quarrels to attack the old-man and his legacy. Neither is the will of Forum for Democratic Change to stand-down in Kasangati and their heartland. In the land of Besigye and his loyalist. Therefore the NRM has used voter tourism and they also closed schools so there was someone attending the rallies. Certainly, the NRM doesn’t wanted to have a slap on their wrist by some Wakiso population.

That is why Rogers Mulindwa, has to claim foul play by the opposition candidates and their parties, while the NRM controls the Police and also the Electoral Commission. Clearly, if any rigging going-on, the skills of pre ticketing ballots and stuffing ballot boxes is something the NRM have done for decades and would easily do again. So not that I believe the NRM, but let just give you their meat.

NRM warning the public a day ahead of the polls:

“The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), has learnt of a plan by opposition camps in Kyadondo East Constituency of torturing voters on the voting day and in the night before. The plan to be reportedly implemented by opposition agents wearing NRM T-shirts or yellow shirts is intended to portray the ruling party as being non friendly to the people it serves. The main target behind this is to win sympathy from the voters. The opposition plans to use the same mission to scare away voters especially in NRM dominated parishes. Our party members and the entire public is therefore warned against these groups. Please note that donning NRM yellow attires is not necessarily an assurance that one is a party member. Those reportedly planning to steer these actions are also warned to desist from such unconstitutional behaviour. The party further advises that such cases should be reported to police or any other relevant authorities for timely actions” (Rogers Mulindwa, 28.06.2017).

It is ironic that the ones sending 1000 Police Officers to the Constituency to interfere a day ahead in the polls, but there are some reports of 500 Crime Preventers there. This with the report of the 10 APC’s as well. Certainly, the NRM doesn’t play around and wants their man in the slot from the Constituency, so there is another friendly voice to Museveni. Another one he can corrupt and know that he will loyally follow every whistle.

In Kasangati alone today, the Police themselves intercepted 6 boxes of pre-ticked ballots in favor of the NRM candidate Sitenda Ssebalu, which shows the per-determined mind of Museveni who is all in stick it where it hurts for Besigye.

CCEDU already stated this on the 21^st June 2017:

“Voter Bribery: Under section 68(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act 2005, bribery is an offence in the electoral process; and upon conviction one can be liable to “seventy two currency points or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both”. The act of bribery is defined by the Parliamentary Elections Act, as providing money or gifts to influence voters. CCEDU has noted with concern acts of voter bribery involving: candidate William Sitenda Sebalu (NRM), Apollo Kantinti (FDC) and Robert Kyagulanyi (Indep). The three candidates have been observed giving out money and other material gifts during their respective campaign events. On June 17th for instance, candidate William Sitenda Sebalu gave voters at Kyetume Gayaza to share sh200,000 immediately after his campaign. CCEDU implores the Police to remain keen on such acts that violate provisions of the electoral laws as well as bring the culprits to book” (CCEDU, 21.06.2017).

So it is not like there been proven ill practices by all three parties on the campaign trial, as the independent and observing organization CCEDU has seen. And can also show forward evidence of electoral malpractice. Clearly for all main-parties and candidates, they are risking everything to seal the Declaration Form in their way and with their name.

On the 27^th June CCEDU statement said this:

“On June 17 for instance, NRM candidate William Sitenda Sebalu gave voters at Kyetume Gayaza Ushs 200,000 immediately after his campaign. Most candidates were observed giving out food and refreshments to potential voters during their campaign meetings. In addition it was difficult to draw a line between the government and the ruling party at the local level: despite the bar against partisanship of civil servants, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and agents of various security services were omnipresent, occasionally taking a proactive role in the Constituency’s electoral process” (…) “Whilst the pre-electoral environment was generally peaceful, some stakeholders expressed anxiety with regard to the role of unidentified persons in Nangabo and Kiteezi sub counties who were seen photographing voters’ Identification cards, distributing between Ushs 2,000 and 50,000 per person and asking those that had received the money not to turn up for the voting exercise on 29 June. The motive and persuasions of the unidentified individuals could not be established. The occurrence was confirmed to have intimidated and concerned residents in the respective areas” (CCEDU, 27.06.2017).

So even if the laws bar the RDC and other Civil Servants from interfering the election, they do so for the mercy of the National Resistance Movement, as well as most likely the unidentified persons are collectors and people of the NRM paying people to not vote. To make sure the stakes are more controlled or in their best. As they are also tightening the security apparatus with Police Officers, Mambas and Crime Preventers. This all to make sure the citizens know that they should vote for the NRM candidate.

However, the NRM fear for Bobi Wine is understandable, also as they lost it even when they did everything in their power to stifle the election in February 2016 in Wakiso, when Apollo Kantinti won the first time. Therefore, all sort of tactics this time around would be seen as precautions from the President. So that he can get rid of a FDC MP at the same time. That is a double win for the old-man. If he cheats or rigs to do so. It wouldn’t surprise anyone.

So let see how the tricks of trades goes tomorrow, when the ballots and people show-up to cast their votes in Kyandondo East. But be warned, the NRM are working hard to stall and make sure anyone else who get in their way will have issues tomorrow. Make sure that some opposition members and leaders who pass by polling stations might be detained. That is just what they do. Peace.

A look into how little the Wakiso Vote mattered to President Museveni in General Election 2016!

You would think on a day like this as the final rallies in Kyadondo East, which is part of Wakiso District, that the National Resistance Movement and the Police Force would bring peace. But they didn’t, they created chaos and moved independent candidates, as well as detaining them for interfering in their campaign rallies. This is the proof of vicious ruling regime and how the basic freedoms are limited for others, than the NRM elite and the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, rallying for his candidate in the district. But it seems strange that he cares, since with all due respect. He didn’t care about their votes in the General Election of 2016, as these areas have been a stronghold for opposition party Forum for Democratic Change and because Dr. Kizza Besigye reside in Kasangati, which is a vital part of Kyadondo East.

“In Kampala and its adjacent districts, the Group observed voting delayed by as much as two to four hours and subsequently observed polling locations where voting was delayed by as much as six to nine hours. Anecdotally, in Kampala, there were several polling stations located within minutes of the premises of the Electoral Commission that did not receive voting materials on time” (…) “The voting hours were subsequently extended in Kampala. However, it appeared that this information was not extensively communicated, as voters and polling officials appeared confused and uncertain of the process. The EC announced that polling would continue in a number of constituencies in Wakiso and Kampala districts the following day. Turnout, however, was low on the second day – which was a working day – and it is possible that many potential voters decided not to attempt to vote, after having waited for many hours the previous day”(Commonwealth, P: 13-14, 2016).

“Furthermore, eight teams across the country reported that polling stations could not open before 10 AM. A number of polling stations, notably in Kampala and Wakiso, had not opened within six hours. Significant delays and a lack of effective communication by the EC fuelled frustration and tensions among voters, with EU EOM observers and media reporting about large crowds protesting against being deprived of their right to cast the ballot. In at least four cases, the police used teargas to disperse voters at polling stations. Only shortly before the official closing of the polling stations at 4 PM did the EC chairman announce the three-hour extension of voting in Kampala and Wakiso district. This was poorly communicated to the polling staff in affected areas, and EU EOM observers reported polling stations being closed at first and only after some hesitation did the polling staff improvise and try to re-open voting sites” (EU, P: 29-30, 2016).

“The EC failed to communicate and declare final results of presidential and parliamentary elections in a comprehensive, timely and transparent manner. The announcements of the presidential election’s preliminary results started while voting was still ongoing in parts of Kampala and Wakiso. The final results were declared within the legally binding 48-hour deadline, but they did not contain data from seven per cent of all polling stations, and therefore excluded some 675,000 votes cast. The EC delayed the publication of the final results broken down by polling station till 25 February and uploaded them on its website in a manner that did not allow for easy access or use. The EC also did not publish the scanned copies of the DRFs online although they were readily available in electronic format, thus further reducing voters’ access to information of public interest and in contravention of the principles outlined in the ICCPR” (EU, P: 3-4, 2016).

“The 2016 Elections witnessed a number of violations of the right to vote, most notably due to late delivery of materials in Kampala and Wakiso districts, described by the Supreme Court as evidence of incompetence and gross inefficiency by the electoral management body. A number of potential voters we’re disenfranchised during the voting exercise, in particular persons who turned 18 between May 2015 and February 2016, detainees, including some pre-trial dententions and Ugandans in the diaspora” (FHRI, P: 25, 2016)

So both, the Commonwealth report, FHRI report and the European Union Observer Group saw the same vast indifference for the votes and voter turnout in Wakiso, the same was seen in capital, but that isn’t where the By-Election is happening now. This proves the lack of care and common sense as President Museveni drives Tuk-Tuk and talk of importance of electing people who serves him. He might say he wants to be challenged in Parliament, but everyone knows that is a lie. Therefore, he detained Bobi Wine earlier in the day and moved him to Gyaza town, so his presence could be in Kasangati and at Szasa Grounds. Not like he could be more ruthless, but surely he would rig these election like he did in 2016. Nothing new there, if the turnout would be meager and lack-lusting that would hurt the old-man. Since he cannot show 90-100% turnout, when there would be no lines of people showing up. Harder to rig just a bunch of paper compared to buck-load, which can be pre-ticket into ballot boxes and look legit. That is how they do, especially under President Museveni. The man who made himself a revolutionary by claiming UPC rigging in 1980s. Such a class-act the President, becoming worse than the ones he toppled! Peace.

Reference:

Commonwealth – ‘Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group Uganda General Elections – 18 February 2016’ (18.02.2016)

COMESA – ‘COMESA ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION TO THE 18 FEBRUARY 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA’

EU – ‘Final Report – Uganda Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council Elections 18 February 2016’ (April 2016)

Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) – ‘COMESA ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION TO THE 18 FEBRUARY 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA’ (June 2016)

Kyadondo East By-Election: EC Letter to Apollo Kantinti – “Re: Supplementary Campaign Programme” (19.06.2017)

Kyadondo By-Election: Chaos as the President intervenes in the election!

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Bobi Wine: “In order not to cause a presidential embarrassment, we have agreed to hold our rally in Gayaza” (at Kiira Road Police Station after release, 27.06.2017),

Today is the final days of campaigns for the candidates of the Kyadondo By-Election in Wakiso District on the outskirts of Kampala. There is three main candidates as the DP Candidate pulled out in support of the FDC Apollo Kantinti, the ones previous election bid who got canceled by the courts. Therefore, he is running again to win his seat back. While the independent candidate Robert Kyagukanyi aka Bobi Wine, was blocked today from having his final rally at Szasa Grounds in Kasangati, because of Police interference his final rally will be in Gayaza town.

This proves the ability of the Police Force to threat the opposition candidates in favor of the ruling regime, as President Museveni comes to rally for the NRM Candidate Sitenda Ssebalu, who has buses upon buses with voter-tourism sponsored by the party. Because of the hesitation and importance of this election, they had to detain without charges the Independent Candidate Kyagukanyi at Kiira roads, until he found another venue for his final rally. President Museveni doesn’t like to pushed or dishonored, as the prospects of slap in-the-face of a new politician wasn’t in the cards.

So when they released after a done deal at the Kiira Police Station, Bobi Wine went-on to another venue, than the planned one in Kasangati, but has instead to be in Gayaza town. Proves the powers of intimidation and control of the NRM in favor of Sitenda Ssebalu and President Museveni. This is a-typical and Modus Operandi of the NRM regime. The ironies of it all, was that before President Museveni put his shovel into the By-Election, the Independent had followed procedure and warned about his campaign rally in Kasangati. This proves there is two classes of political classes in Uganda. Yet, again by the way!

“Bobi Wine has been arrested. He was meant to campaign in Kyadondo but police blocked him from accessing the grounds” (NTV Uganda, 27.06.2017).

As the final rallies are on, the Police presence is intense and at all venues. The Police are deployed at all venues to intimidate and silence opposition. There are many going from Kasangati to Gyaza as the rally shifted that way. Since the President Museveni and Ssebalu rally are held in Kasangati. Police has even interfered on the roads around Kasangati to get taxis to ferry people to the NRM rally. They really need their propaganda shots and the pride of the sensitized crowds in their favor. Since the NRM cannot win in a free and fair fight.

FDC Candidate was acting swift on arrest of Bobi Wine, stopped his rallying, went to Kiira Road and demanded the release of his competition. Apollo Kantinti didn’t do this because he had too, but proved his stance of vigilance as he as opposition has seen the cost of being so. Just by trying to figure out a way of making the NRM look better or alike it competitor.

The Communication Officer of NRM Rogers Mulindwa informed the public with this:

“NRM wishes to inform its supporters in Kyadondo East Constituency and the public at large that its Candidate Hon Sitenda Sebalu has this Tuesday afternoon been arrested by police on unclear circumstances. He was arrested together with the district NRM chairperson Hajji Abdu Kiyimba from Wampeewo playground, a second venue for today’s rallies. Police could not tell the motive behind this act but the party continues to seek a clear explanation. The venue was also later invaded by the FDC supporters rendering it impossible for our rally to take place. As an exemplary political party, we have therefore taken a decision to shift our rally to Sir Appolo Kaggwa Church of Uganda in order to avoid causing nasty scenes.We call upon our party members to remain calm and focus on the victory within our sight” (Mulindwa, 27.06.2017).

Pardon me, NRM, but this seems staged, since you arrest the Independent Candidate for campaigning in your area and than blaming FDC for having their campaign rally. This is all knowledge the Electoral Commission should have sanction on behalf of the candidates and accepted previous of the Election Road Map for the By-Election. Therefore, I am buying that the Police arrested Independent Candidate Bobi Wine for his rally in Kasangati, as President Museveni weighed in his support in the election, but that Sebalu suddenly behind bars. Seems more like play for the gallery. There is also reports that the lack of crowds around the NRM, they have not only ferried people from afar, but also closed near-by schools so the students has to attend the rallies of their candidate. A real disgrace of the NRM.

While the FDC leadership stands strong on their final rally for Apollo Kantinti where Ingrid Turinawe, Mugisha Muntu and Kizza Besigye shows up at their rally in Wampeewo. So the solidarity for their candidate is there. While Museveni needed the Police Force to clear Bobi Wine away from the venue and have control of the area, because he knew he doesn’t have the natural crowd support anymore. There are also reports of clashes in Wampeewo, as the NRM and FDC are both campaigning on the site. The FDC supporters even tell the NRM to leave the official grounds as it’s supposed to be FDC Official rally site. Certainly, the Electoral Commission has done something wrong, since both parties says there rallies are being hold there. Seems like the NRM will detain some FDC leaders and FDC supporters today, so they can hold their voter-tourism rally there. Since they have already pushed Bobi Wine to Gayaza town. Even if NRM Communication call them exemplary party, they should explain that to Bobi Wine’s supporters and barred rally, especially when all news are about the Wampeewo Play Ground rally for NRM, as the FDC are still already there. It wasn’t an invasion, they we’re already there! 

So if there will be more detained opposition leaders, I wouldn’t be shocked, as this the NRM M.O. and that is what they do. Especially, since the President Museveni and his candidate for the district will arrive in the area and doesn’t want to have fair competition, certainly he will use the Police Force to get rid of the FDC in the area. Even if the FDC has followed protocol, as the Bobi Wine candidature also did in Kasangati earlier in the day. Peace.