National Unity Platform (NUP): Press Release to the World from Hon. Kyagulanyi Ssentumu Robert (17.01.2021)

Day 6: No dignity in the House Arrest of Bobi Wine

Day Six under house arrest and we’re still stuck with an 18 months old baby who had paid a visit to her auntie (my wife ) be4 we were raided & besieged. The Dad has been denied access to her. We have run out of food and milk. No one is allowed to leave or come into our compound” (Bobi Wine, 19.01.2021)

There are laws for the Republic of Uganda to adhere too. However, the justification of the prolonged house-arrest will always be “inciting to violence” or “fear of riots”. This has been done before and is the simplification of a loser directly arresting the victor of the polls on the 14th January 2021. If President Museveni won. He wouldn’t need to arrest and detain his opposition. Alas, that is the case and it shows his targeted injustice and impunity against his own civilians.

The state action and prolonged pre-emptive house-arrests was to be anticipated, as the state has done the same to Besigye in both 2011 and 2016 after the General Elections. Therefore, the National Unity Platform Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi would get into legal trouble. The state and the NRM is following the same formula.

As they are keeping him as a prisoner in his own home. They are breaching own laws. Not only the laws of Human Rights Violations and possible International Laws in association with the detention of Bobi Wine. No, they are actually breaching their own created law for their own dominion.

In the Prisons Act of 2006 Article 57(a): “a prisoner shall be treated with the respect due to his/her inherent dignity and value as a human being” (Prisons Act, 2006).

This here is very easy to assess. When someone cannot eat and not given food. The state is no dignifying and showing Bobi Wine the value as a human being. When his house is blocked from having lawyers visiting him. They are not allowed to collect food stuffs in their gardens to be able to eat. That is breaching the article 57(a).

In the same law the article 57 (1) it states: “No person shall be received or admitted into prison custody without a valid commitment or a remand warrant, order of detention, warrant of conviction or committal signed with a court seal or authenticated by a person authorised to sign or authenticate such warrant or order under the provision of any law” (Prisons Act, 2006).

We know that Kyagulanyi isn’t directly charged with anything. After 48 hours he didn’t get noted or taken to a court. No, his just been house-arrested on the grounds that he challenged the President and that is a cardinal sin in the Republic. Bobi Wine have no official warrant or charges on him. Only been house-arrested and blocked from the world by the army, law enforcement and everyone else supposed to keep law and order. However, here its neither law or order. Only injustice.

The state should ensure the prisoner is getting fed. The prisoner in this case and his fellow cell-mates in his home should get water and food by the authorities. As they are keeping him captive and behind closed doors. It is a familiar place and not a detention room in a torture chamber or bare prison-cell. Still, it is being a prisoner without the direct mandate of Prison Services.

That is why its the duty of the state to keep them alive and secure their rations. This is just common sense. However, that hasn’t been taken care off or they don’t care. Still, that should be the first priority. Secure the prisoners food and water. So, that they can sustain living and be healthy. Especially, since its by state orders he is closed off from the world.

The ones bitching about him sending his kids abroad earlier in the campaign. Should understand why he did it. Because, this injustice and torment on them would be damaging. To see the pain and suffer with the parents. Since, Bobi Wine made a decision to take a stand and challenge Museveni. This is the price of doing so. However, the state is no dignifying his imprisonment. They should man up and tool-up. Peace.

Africa Elections Watch (AEW) – Massive Electoral Malpractices and Gross Human Rights Violations in Uganda: The World Must Speak Out (19.01.2021)

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF): EFF Statement on the Uganda Elections Outcome (18.01.2021)

Movement for Democratic Change – Alliance (MDC-Alliance): Statement on the just Ended Uganda Election (18.01.2021)

Opinion: Bobi Wine has two choices ahead [either to follow Besigye’s advice or become compromised in Parliament]

Now that the Electoral Commission and the authorities are moving ahead. The state is steam-rolling ahead… and they are awaiting to be legitimized again. That is just the bleak reality of the rigged election and the aftermath of the 14th January 2021 polls. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Museveni is just forging this ahead. Just like nothing happened and washing their hands of dirt. In a manner, which all the blood, deprivations and atrocities within the Elections Road Map doesn’t matter anymore. The objective is fixed and they can now bash glory again.

However, there are opposition parties that now has to choose how they move ahead. The Opposition parties and the ones who has stakes in the Republic. They got to make a stance. The People Power Movement and National Unity Platform (NUP) have the biggest stakes aside from the NRM in the 11th Parliament. The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) comes in at second. The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) got a better verdict now than last time and Democratic Party (DP) is weakened.

The NUP and FDC have to decide how they want to play now. If they wanted to be United Forces for Change (UFC). If they want to challenge the government heads-on. The dilemma will be… do they take the easy coins in government or do they challenge the whole election?

If this is a revolution. Will the NUP and Bobi Wine take a stand and not accept being the Leaders of the Opposition. Will the newly minted opposition dare to challenge and also walk-out on the political elite after a big victory for such a new party?

That is the risks of Bobi Wine. He can be compromised and be tainted by the 11th Parliament. As his strides and bargains there will not be a sign of defiance or #WeAreRemovingaDictator, but more compromise. Compromise is a usual tool of politics and a way for to parties to get to a middle ground. However, doing that here… then Museveni is getting a lot of leverage with very little cost him. The price of being honourable and getting titles. The NUP has more to loose and also risks questioning their movement.

That is just the grand scheme of things. Just like the FDC did betray their defiance by accepting titles and positions within the 10th Parliament. The NUP is now under the same scrutiny. They can trade-off their hard-liner stance and be just another political party.

Bobi Wine and his party has sold a dream. That dream could easily turn to nightmare. Nobody expected to be fulfilled in one go. There is to many enablers and systems created to ensure longevity for Museveni. That is why Bobi Wine was doomed to loose. Nevertheless, he still shows progress and popularity with the amount of MPs. Still, that’s where the question now lays.

What sort of plan ahead does Bobi Wine has? What will Bobi Wine do? He got to prove that not only the election is rigged, but that they are prolonging the efforts to get a peaceful transition from Museveni. This is where he needs to go back to the drawing board. Even look at history and what Besigye have done. To reflect and also get enlighten on how to manoeuvrer on the burning rocks around him.

Bobi Wine have followed the ideal of Besigye and created his “Awakening Movement”. Bobi Wine has also created a network of activists that works together and is coordinated. That is the two first steps of creating a transition.

What Bobi Wine needs to next is to work together to “disempower and break down the junta”. That’s done with actions of defiance and not following the rules, which the NRM is making. That is risky, but done together can weak the system and halt the possible government from governing. This is done with demonstrations, riots and just stop to support companies associated with or owned by the government.

The fourth of Besigye is getting the public servants, soldiers and law enforcement involved in struggle. Get them involved and becoming supporters of the cause. In such a manner, that they cannot act upon orders and silence the opposition who is working to weakening the state. That is risky one, as this might end up with more jail-time and pre-emptive arrests. However, there is a need to enlighten and ensure the civil servants are loyal to the idea of a state and not just the party.

The fifth and last point of Besigye is to work with CSOs, NGOs and other civil society formations to join in the activities. That they are working together in activities to weaken the state. They will participate in the defiance and disempower of the junta. That is what he says and could be guidelines for Bobi Wine to continue.

Because at this point. Bobi Wine has choices to make. So, does all part of the NUP. This party can choose which way it wants to go. The state will use force. It will continue to be violent and detain people on political grounds. The state could easily kill civilians associated with the NUP. So, these folks needs to reparations and answers. The dead need to accounted for and these lives should matter. That is why just a few seats in a bloated Parliament shouldn’t be enough.

Not when the machinery and the functions of the state is still prepared to destroy and assault everything Bobi Wine stands for. That is why he can either follow the advice of Besigye. Advice he talked about on the 11th July 2017 and should be relevant today.

As a leader he can follow the steps of Besigye, but he can elevate where he left off. As there is proof of support and tiredness of this regime. Bobi Wine can push ahead. It will continue to cost, but the political gambit will be heroic. The risks he has already taken and the price he has already paid, says a lot. Therefore, the man knows the stakes. Bobi Wine is following the steps of Besigye. As he is house-arrested, party besieged by law enforcement and no middle ground for him to walk.

That is why he can decide to concede or accept the verdict. Take the seats and continue to use his influence or continue on the revolutionary path. This isn’t an easy decision. So many risks, so many variables and possible losses. However, he can either run out of options and see his folk get compromised in Parliament or continue a rocky road.

That is what Bobi Wine has to decide. It is not easy. Bobi Wine has inspired and will continue to do so regardless. Nevertheless, he can either persist to push the boundaries or take it slow. Taking it slow is risky as well. Since then he will see what the envelopes and titles does to his comrades. Bobi Wine will see what the NUP becomes when it get established and part of the process.

This is why he needs to decide where to go now. That choice is his and his only. However, the man needs to decide. His advisors and team needs to be objective and think ahead. Not only think for the short-con, but for the long-con. Because, that is what the state does and follow the program to make Museveni President for Life. Peace.

My Honest Letter to President Museveni: Congratulation, you have created your own 1980 Election in 2021!

18th January 2021.

Dear Sir, His Excellency (H.E.) President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni!

Congratulations on repeating the sins of our forefathers. Congratulations on repeating the ills of former rulers and ensuring the world a repetition of the pains of the past in our current time. You should be proud that you are repeating the violations of the ones you toppled to get in office. That must surely be a sweet feeling at your estate or farm.

Mr. President, you must be proud of the soldiers and law enforcement who has killed on your orders. That police officers and armed officers has unwarranted abducted, detained and murdered civilians who dared to associate themselves with others than you.

Mr. President, you must be proud of having ghost voters, blocking citizens from voting and having rigged this election. You must be so proud of the achievement of disfranchising and making the process of election into a farce. That must make you so giddy. Knowing that polling stations isn’t counted. Polling stations not open on time or having enough equipment. Ensuring the public not ready or not caring if they voted at all. As the pre-ticked ballots in your favour was the key aspect of it all.

Mr. President, you must be so proud that the authorities has gone after and is hunting down opposition polling agents and mobilizers. Since they have DR Forms from Polling Stations, which will reveal the trick of the trade and why you are a “victor”. The way you are ordering and securing your own future. That must the aspiration of these days. Keeping alive the throne and the powers all in your hands.

Mr. President, you must be so proud of keeping people in the dark. Only having a mass media spreading your words and your propaganda. That you have all ears and all eyes on the game. You have the people spreading the news you want and the reports of your wish.

Mr. President, you must be so proud of the willingness of the public to succumb to your tactics. To fear you and your army. That the public is fearing you and your intimidation tactics. That must make you so proud. That you act like a mob-boss and collect taxes for their safety. If someone turns on you or your made men you get rid of them. The same you do Mr. President in this election. It must make you so proud.

You must be so happy and refreshed. That you have the whole thing in your hand. You are targeting the opposition. Getting the fixed results from your appointed people within the Electoral Commission. If there will be en Electoral Petition or Constitutional Court Petition. The ones you have appointed there will answer you pleas and ensure nothing real happens. It will be another way of legitimize this election. Which you know perfectly well is a fraud and a fake.

That is why you should be so proud. Your giving the world and Uganda a taste of 1980 election. You are serving the public the same reasons for why you went to the bush. Mr. President, you have giving the world a lesson in how to rig an election to perfection. Nobody has done it as bold and brazen like you. The man who went to war over a rigged election. You must be so proud and I’m sure your mocking Tito Okello, Milton Obote and Idi Amin right now. Because, you beat them and now you have tricked Bobi Wine too.

Mr. President you must be so proud of your work. You have done it again. What you should ask yourself, Mr. President. How long do you think the soldiers and law enforcement accept living in poverty fighting for you? How long do think the public accept being taken for fools? How long do you think the donors and military suppliers will support your missions? How long do you think the elites and politicians will accept these sort of games?

At one point or another, Mr. President, the centre will not hold. At one point, there will be things giving and hurting you, Mr. President. That is just a natural fact and you cannot bribe and pay everyone off. There is people who is not corruptible and who is your adversaries. These will stand in your way and those folks will not go away. No matter what you do. Their ideas is bigger than you and your cause.

Mr. President in your moment of “victory” knows that the truth is out. You have made your own 1980 election. Given people all the reasons to call you out and say that your a thief. Mr. President, you might have a office, but there is no difference between you and a chicken thief. The only difference is that the chicken thief stole a chicken, Mr. President, you stole a nation.

Best Regards

Writer of MinBane

Uganda Media Centre: Media Statement on Uganda General Elections January 2021 (18.01.2021)

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC): Press Release on the Ugandan Elections (17.01.2021)

Operation “Enzikiza eyitiridde” in Kampala Part II: A 1000 NUP Polling Agents kidnapped!

Reports coming through Lina Zedriga Abaku is on the run. 1000 NUP polling agents have been kidnapped and others missing. What a shame that some countries are already legitimising this sham election” (Ekyooto, 17.01.2021).

The ones that followed the campaign and the polls of 14th January 2021 knows that there was several reports of abductions, arrests and kidnapping of National Unity Platform (NUP) Polling Agents. Now, we have a number, as there was reports of soldiers hunting down registered mobilizers and polling agents of NUP across several districts of the Republic.

Therefore, the report of Ekyooto isn’t shocking. We have already heard of extra judicial killings and people gone missing. This states however the extent and what sort of manner the army and law enforcement has gone too. They are willing to take most of ones parties eyes away from the polling stations. Just so they can rig the election and make it in their favour. As they cannot stomach to let them see the affairs.

This here shows what sort of regime President Museveni is promoting and sort of “democracy” which is his game. The National Resistance Movement and the soldiers are clearly violating the rights of its citizens. They are using the violations of human rights and the arrests without warrants, because of their political affiliation.

The state have already arrested so many of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine Campaign Team. There been so many who has died within the NUP and we are now hearing about what extent the authorities are willing to go too. Just to rig and “win” an election. Peace.