Opinion: The NRM Rebel MPs bowed to their King

“I met our NRM Members of Parliament who have previously opposed certain party positions, hence being named “rebel MPs”. They called on me at State House Entebbe to seek the party’s forgiveness. Subsequently, I made their case before the party’s Central Executive Committee yesterday which resolved that for the party’s cohesion and discipline, we interact further and guide these MPs” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 17.07.2020).

Today, at the State House, there was a meeting of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament (MP) who have dared to challenge the President and his legislation. These are the ones who voted against the abolishment of the Age Limit and so fourth. These MPs actually dared to question the President and not following the correct line.

The MPs in question was today summoned to the State House to be informed on how to move forward. In an exercise to show loyalty and also settle supposed grievances. The President simmer it down really quick when he writes that they will guided further and follow Party discipline. That is why these fellows should not dare to undermine the President again. They should just vote as they are told and not think.

That is why rebellion in the NRM is so endearing. Such a assumption that these are rebels. They stood up for one cause and now they have to kiss the ring to get the goods again. As long as they show loyalty and blind discipline to the party, which means loyal to the President. Not question his actions, his legislation or his policies. Only follow the President and his steering committee the NRM CEC.

The President can act like this was a day filled with hardliners, questionable MPs who didn’t know better and needed more education. That these MPs are indecent and disingenuous. However, these are already yellow fellows. The only thing they have done is to vote against a President for Life. A person they had no trouble bowing their knees for and asking for forgive. They were asking for mercy. To ensure they could get another term in office and get the positive vibes ahead of elections.

This is all political games. The NRM Rebels wasn’t true revolutionaries. These people wasn’t defiant in the sense of person, just one simple cause. They stood up and said “nay”, when others said “yay”. Yes, they did the good thing at that vote, but they didn’t work to directly undermine the ruler or his associates. They were all along part of the party, following procedures and being their MPs.

They were maybe not invited to the State House for NRM Caucus Meeting, losing out of some envelopes. However, they are neither true opposition or someone who defiantly standing against the President. If they were and not willingly to work with the Self-Styled President for Life. They wouldn’t show up and bend over for the old man.

He also said:

“Our people are waking up. It explains why we have bumper production of milk, sugar, bananas, etc. Leaders must work for the prosperity of their people. That’s the most important thing” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 17.07.2020).

It is really special that he says leaders have to work for prosperity. When he has prospered, while his citizens haven’t done so. That they have to do that now that its really rich in way. Promise wealth, but not delivering it. That is the final message for the rebels. The ones who stood against him on one cause. A cause that was for selfish reasons for one old man with a hat. The one man with a hat, who they shall not rebel against again. That’s why his showing them mercy now. As long as they are following his orders. Peace.

Opinion: The ‘NRM Rebel MPs’ proves the democratic deficiencies within the party

When Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Justine Kasule Lumumba barred 30 Members of Parliament for the Party to be delegates at the NRM Delegates Conference on the 25^th January 2020 at Mandala Stadium (Namboole). Because, these 30 MPs voted against the abolishment of the Age Limit in defiance of the President, the Party Chairman and Supreme Leader. Therefore, SG Lumumba and the President have directed them not to come.

It is funny that a party made out a rebellion is sanctions its own rebels. I always find that endearing of the NRM. That the ones who should understand and support this behaviour. Since that is how the party got made to begin with.

What we are seeing is a President, his party and his secretariat not accepting other things than the party line. Everyone is supposed to follow the guidance and the beliefs of the President. Everything else is out of question. In addition, if you dare to go against it, there will be sanctions, ramifications and consequences.

So today this news broke out: “Oscar John Kihika, the Director Legal Services NRM Party has said the 30 Party MPs who opposed the lifting of the Presidential age limit have a right to attend the Party’s Conference as per Article 11(2) (i) of the NRM Party Constitution” (91.2 Crooze FM, 15.01.2020).

That is why, the NRM own constitution doesn’t ban them, but the President and SG wants to do it. They might show up then, but don’t expect celebrations or huge relief. These MPs might get into trouble by defying that too. These people might just end up like Muhammed Nsereko, NRM leaning Independent, which will vote in accordance with the party, but as “independents”.

What we are seeing is singling out the ones who doesn’t following the program and the regime of Museveni. The ones inside his own camp whose daring to oppose him and his self-styled President for Life. Which is his memo and life work. They are defying that and because of that. The President are initially saying they have “no say” and “nothing to offer” in his party.

If they did, they would come with open arms, discuss why did what they did and talked it out. Instead his banning them and closing the door shut. No way to return, no mercy, no justification. Just, you didn’t do as your told. Therefore, now you got to suffer, outside alone and not allowed to play us friends inside. Real kindergarten stuff, not a grown up party with proper measures and protocol.

It is so endearing, the NRM Rebels, but the party doesn’t think so, apparently. For them, they are nuances and a reminder, that not everyone follows one man blindly, but that they can on their own. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni’s endearing view on “NRM Rebels”

The rebel without an cause, has an issue with comrades or the fellow Yellow MPs in Parliament, who suddenly rebel against him. That is so endearing. It is so sweet, that he struggles and beats on the NRM Rebel MPs. It is like a beautiful fan-fiction. That he even remind that the Constitutional Court got the case changed by the Supreme Court on the interpreted article of 83 out of the Constitution.

The President is really rich in this manner. Museveni thinks his smart, but he isn’t that clever. Since, there are no place where the law says a NRM MP has to vote with the party. Only a certain quorum and rules for how the MPs can vote. If it is by voice or secret voting. There are stipulations for that, but not statutes nor articles, saying that you have to follow party line and be loyal to whatever cause or law the NRM see fit. That is not put in any law nor code, as such is foolish at best.

That is why yesterdays defence for getting people registered to vote is a weird text at best. I am only discussing the NRM rebellion and why he has a hissy-fit. Because, the President is only fool and nothing else in this matter.

President statement yesterday:

“In our own Parliament we have had that problem of the “Rebel MPs”, elected as NRM but conduct themselves like they are not NRM. The Constitutional Court made a mistake because when we asked them to interprete Article 83 that we deliberately put in the Constitution to solve the problem of the 1960s, they interpreted it in such a manner that the MP can do what they want. That the MPs do not have to get permission from those who elected them to do what they are supposed to do. It is a very dangerous disconnection, that of non-accountability” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – ‘PRESIDENT URGES UGANDANS TO REGISTER FOR 2020/21 GENERAL ELECTIONS’ 19.12.2019).

Article 83 of the 1995 Constitution:

“83. Tenure of office of members of Parliament.

(1) A member of Parliament shall vacate his or her seat in Parliament—

(g) if that person leaves the political party for which he or she stood as a candidate for election to Parliament to join another party or to remain in Parliament as an independent member;

(Constitution, 1995).

Supreme Court judgement of 2015:

“The continued stay in Parliament of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th respondents as Members of Parliament after their expulsion from the NRM Party on whose ticket they were elected is contrary to and inconsistent with Articles 1(1), 2(1), 2(4), 29(1)(e), 69(1), 72(4), 78(1)(a), and 79(3) of the Constitution” (…) “To conclude on this ground, we are of the view that the majority of Justices in the Constitutional Court erred when they interpreted Article 83(1)(g) to mean that members of Parliament who are expelled from their political parties have to vacate their seats in Parliament by virtue of that Article. It was, therefore, wrong for the Constitutional Court to order the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th appellants to vacate their seats in Parliament on that ground. Accordingly ground 4 must succeed” (Supreme Court – Constitutional Appeal No. 01 of 2015, October 2015).

So we have seen the train of thought. That the President has set and fixed a narrative. He has to speak in third person, even as they are supposed to follow him and he uses the NRM as a prefix for that. That is why if a NRM MP vote with the opposition, they are wrong, even if it might be in the interest of the constituents.

He has a problem, that the Constitutional Court interpreted the article wrong. That he cannot expel an MP and get a by-election. This would be a proper tool to ensure the right loyal cadres would be harness and he wouldn’t have to pay them to vote his way. That is why his mad at the Courts, though if he remembered correctly, the Constitutional Court was in-favour of the President, but the Supreme Court validated the rebels.

The expelled MPs didn’t leave, but was forced to go by no action of their own. Except doing something to get expelled. If that was acting like a punk at Kyankwanzi or voting against the interest of the State House. The President wants the magical wand to either have pro-NRM, super-loyalists, who follow him blindly and who doesn’t think.

The rebels are maybe wrong in the eyes of the President. But they are allowed and free to vote, write statements or acting accordingly to their own conscience. They are not children, who need parental advice and guidance to act rightfully within the August House. That is why Museveni has a problem, as the paternal godfather of the Republic.

This is really endearing of the President. As he thinks this is wise to say, as he cannot even pick the right court to blast. The Constitutional Court did a wrong, but rebels are not aliens, which the Court Judgement of the Supreme Court states.

If Museveni really believes his still a freedom fighter, how come he has an issue, that his own MPs has the liberty to accordingly to their own conscience?

Enough bullshit. Peace.

The local radio-station (93.0 KBS Radio) was banned by the NRM from the rally in Kakumiro Town in Bugangaizi District

Today another report have arrived in my hand that NRM and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is tired of yet another media station. This time it is the radio station Kagadi Broadcasting Services (KBS) Radio in Kagadi Town in Kibaale District.

The Radio Station owned by MP Barnibas Tinkasimiire for Bugyaga West. Who actually are a NRM MP. It is the State House officer that has revealed it and now it spreading like wild-fire in social media. In Kibaale District the Radio Station is not allowed to attend the rallies of the President. The Radio Stations is no longer accredited to cover him and his rallies, as they cannot be a part of the rallies the President will have in Kakumiro Town Council. The issues Mzee have with the radio is that yesterday the radio sent programs exposing the failures of the NRM-Regime. The State House said even that the radio can’t send journalist to the campaign venue and surface there.

Seems like the issues with Media Coverage is grows on “the old man with the hat” as he can’t even handle a little radio station in Kibaale District. They did something as foolish right before him campaigning in the district told about the mismanagement of the nearly 30-year rule. That can’t be easy to hear as you are set in your ways. Mzee is literally again stopping the freedom of speech because it doesn’t fit his modus operandi. The President is more and more limiting the movement of the people around him and if you don’t speak his tune, he turn you away.

I am sure he would have a add-block on words I am writing about him. Not that I think he reads it, as I am teasing the leopard too much. As now the KBS Radio did as well. They are now banned and can’t listen in or broadcast the rally in Kakumiro. So the people in Kagadi get shunned from listening to Mzee as a result. I am sure they are listening to Bebe Cool’s Dembe instead of the old man’s speech with recycled pledges and wishes of loyalty to the local public and voter tourism to Kakumiro town. This is something that the radio listeners don’t really need. KBS radio will be Mzee free because of this and get other views and voices.

On the 15th of January there were two people who was setting up signs in Kagadi town, they we’re setting up signs that was “anti-Museveni” a week before Mzee himself was supposed to have rally in town. The Police did detain the activists and jailing them for putting up the banner in town. The message they had put up was: “Kidaga Town is the only town with no piped water, Tarmac streets, among others”. That was to violent message for NRM to have on the roadside while campaigning and also to violent. They breached the social contract between the public and police, therefore they was detained. It was so dangerous for society to read such a banner. They even threw tear-gas towards them who as setting it up! This here is yet another proof of the detail control the police and NRM have on the society, that hanging a banner in town that are soon having campaigns. When that report came out; I knew that the KBS report was true, because it is in the same line as NTV and wouldn’t be surprised at this point; Because the NRM have big issues with the media now-a-days! And when two men can put up a sign like that and be detained at the Kagadi Police Station, then you know something is wrong. They cannot help themselves!

Think that is enough of this today. Peace.