A look into Bobi Wine’s Nomination Speech

I take this opportunity to announce that what we are witnessing right now is the launch of a very critical phase in our struggle to liberate ourselves from a dictatorship which has crippled our country for more than three decades!”Bobi Wine (03.11.2020)

Today on the 3rd November, the National Unity Party President and now nominated Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine held his speech at Kyambogo University Cricket Grounds. This I have overlooked today, because of the actions made by the authorities. They showed their fierce manner and didn’t do honour to the Presidential Candidates. Not only Bobi Wine, but also Patrick Oboi Amuriat.

However, this story will be looking into the speech made by Bobi Wine. Where I will take passages and discuss these briefly. Just to bring some reflection into his speech. There is also a vast difference on the manner, which it was made. In comparison to the President announcement of Manifesto and launching his campaign with a warning. That is why it needs a little dive into it.

A really touching start to his speech with these lines:

Countrymen and women, I come before you not as the most experienced person, but as the most committed person, ready to lead the mission of turning a new page in the history of our country. For the last 58 years, our nation has suffered so many problems, key amongst which have been dictatorships, each trying so hard to outdo its predecessors in violence, looting and plunder. We have not witnessed a peaceful transfer of power from one government to another” (Bobi Wine, 03.11.2020).

Here is following the parallels to what Dr. Kizza Besigye have been saying for ages. This isn’t new, but his way of inserting himself into the same struggle. This show maturity of him. As his acknowledging the same issues as previous freedom fighters has fought for.

And three years ago, this greed caused him to act in the most shameful manner, and the last safeguard in form of age limit was removed. Museveni, like Idi Amin declared himself president for life for our country. Little did he anticipate that this generation would stop at nothing to put an end to his regime! And so today I have news for Gen. Museveni- since you have failed to control your greed and lust for power, our generation is determined to save you from yourself and stop your life presidency project” (Bobi Wine, 03.11.2020).

Here he aims directly at the heart of the regime and the self-styled President for Life. Where he shown his character and fierce tone. Where he goes for his title and also the way he runs things. In a way undress the truths that everyone knows. It is not like this isn’t common knowledge, but he says it directly.

I present myself not as a boss, but as a servant of you, the people! While our detailed plan of action towards a new Uganda will be presented to you in our manifesto, allow me to state that we will run a people centered government which will focus on these areas” (Bobi Wine, 03.11.2020).

Here is was contrasting himself to the President. The President is usually bashing himself in glory and is doing this all for himself. That is something he has stated in interviews as well. That he doesn’t work for the public, but works for himself. This is something the President said on several occasions. Therefore, here Bobi Wine played a smart card to prove how his different to the President.

Fellow Ugandans, there are many other things we plan to do for our nation, some of which are entailed in our manifesto. Gen. Museveni has destroyed so many dreams of Ugandans. But today we say to you, dare to dream again. We can and shall transform our nation. A nation that has been reduced into a laughing stock shall once again rise to the top and be the true pearl of Africa” (Bobi Wine, 03.11.2020).

This here is the words of a statesman wishing people to dream and wanting to make a vast difference. Where he wants to be the opposite of the President. That is very clear and he got to be different to matter. This is why the words like this is so powerful and touching. Because his heart is in a good place.

He ended with a real salvo:

To all Ugandans out there, we rally you to treat this not as a usual election but as a revolutionary election. The stakes are so high. The transition stares us in the face. We have entered the ring and we shall not come out. This is it. It is a battle between the past and the future. The old and the new. Power is now in the hands of the people of Uganda and they can choose who to trust it with. For all those who have been waiting for the time, it is now. Tusimbudde paka Entebe mu ntebe. This is a mission to Freedom. We are removing a dictator” (Bobi Wine, 03.11.2020).

These words are the ones that triggered Lt. Gen. Kainerubaga Muhoozi earlier today. Where he said he would destroy Bobi Wine. We have seen what the state does and how they are targeting him. Arresting him and re-arresting him. Therefore, the words of a revolutionary elections is needed. Because, the polls is only a tool or a weapon. As the system is working directly against Bobi Wine. The NUP will not win by the ballot, but will win by a popular uprising. This is what his saying here indirectly, which is true. That is something the National Resistance Movement (NRM) fears, as they have seen other dictators fall for the same reason.

Bobi Wine held a great speech. One for the books. This here should have been a watershed moment. A speech that would be discussed. However, the brutality of the arrest and re-arrest have been the talking-points. That is for a reason. Naye, we should not forget a speech like this. Peace.

Two Days of Nominations: As different as night and day…

On the 2nd November and 3rd November 2020 we noticed two very different Presidential Nominations. This was an deliberate act of the state. They are showing who is the accepted ones an the ones who are targets. At least that is the signal the state is giving these days.

Yesterday, everything was peaceful. The town was Yellow. The Presidential Convoy could pass and he could have as many people as he wanted to his nomination. He could be joyful and warn other candidates. The President could use all the time in the world and the supporters could gather everywhere.

The President bashed in glory with his friends and associates. The Media Houses was all there in peace. Looking at the events and following the party to launch the Manifesto. The same happened to all the other candidates. There was no real fuzz or issues. They could all pass in their convoys and go for their nominations without any big whoop.

However, the Police Force besieged Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Headquarters already on the Second November. They were there and guarding the offices there. As they anticipated the FDC and their activists to prepare for the next day.

On the 3rd November. The Police Force arrested several of people in and around the FDC Headquarters. This being the arrest of the FDC Spokesperson Ibrahim Nganda Ssemujju. Also other activists was taken away and whisked into police cars.

In the same morning the police officers and such had put on road-blocks from Wakiso to Kyambogo University Cricket Grounds. They used tear-gas on the public. The authorities used violence and pre-emptive strike against the citizens supporting Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. That was evident all across, as the police officers and soldiers was on the streets using all means to disrupt and scare people away. This also slowed the convoy down towards Kyambogo.

On the other hand. Patrick Oboi Amuriat wasn’t followed to Kyambogo by the authorities. He was brutally taken into the police van. The Presidential Contender for FDC was taken even without his shoes and nomination documents to Kyambogo. He was blatantly taken without his entourage and his papers. They just arrested him and dropped him off.

While Bobi Wine came late to Kyabogo and went through the Nomination. However, he was brutally arrested right after. Taken first to unknown location, before he was dropped at his home in Magere. He planned to leave and launch his Manifesto in Kyamwokya. What happened was that he was re-arrested and the general public stood their grounds for hours. The Police Van where he was arrested in and sitting in. While awaiting move away from his home. Instead, the police was blocked from taking him from his compound. As he was for hours arrested in a car on his own compound.

Today was as dark as night and yesterday was as sunny as the morning. Yesterday the sun was shining, but when today happened the sun was blocked from appearing. That was an deliberate act by the state to cover the sun. They enjoyed to bash in glory themselves, but just bring pain and suffering to the ones that oppose it.

Today the authorities, the state and the law enforcement are partisan groups working directly for the President. If they were there to shield the general public and be there for all citizens. It would not look this and they would not come out with statement’s like they did. Because, nothing like this happened yesterday. Today could have been as peaceful and been a celebration of the ones aspiring to be Presidents today. However, that wasn’t a case.

Today could have been a good day, but instead it was a dark day. A grim day. A day where the state again showed its true face. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: The Joint Task Force Strongly Condemns Acts of Violence during Nominations (03.11.2020)

Renewed Uganda: Press Release (03.11.2020)

Bobi Wine Nomination Day: Muhoozi oozes entitlement from far away

“I told you my young brother, that you can NEVER intimidate us. We are much stronger than you can ever imagine to be. If you want to fight we will simply defeat you. We want peace! But if you attempt to fight us then Bring it on!” – Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga on 3rd November 2020

This is a clear sign of what’s to come. The same sounding like his father, the President. Muhoozi wouldn’t even have a voice or be taken serious. If it wasn’t for being in the family. That his one part of the First Family. If he wasn’t? He would be the drunk uncle or nephew that no one would take serious at any time of day.

Muhoozi is just entitled. Instead of seeing an election and the struggle of Bobi Wine. He instead goes all gun blazing. That he cannot reckon the moment of Bobi Wine and the opposition. Says it all. That he cannot be silent for a minute and let the things sink in.

The brat and braggadocios man. A man who thinks his so darn important. That he should be the next in line. He has flaunted the “Project Muhoozi” and been vocal about too. Now, he addresses Bobi Wine like he has the authority. This man is only something because of his kin. Not because his smart, brilliant or have any sort skills.

Muhoozi wouldn’t be anyone if it wasn’t for his ties to the First Family. If he was a random citizen. Nobody would have bothered to care. However, his the son of the President. Therefore, his words matters..

He got to incite fear and intimate. Just like his father does. It runs in the family. Because, he cannot run on morals, ethics or even policies. The man got non worth mentioning at this point. Only glossy propaganda and fanfare of his father. That is what he does.

Muhoozi doesn’t bring anything to the table. Only hot air and that is it. Peace.

Bobi Wine arrested at Kyambogo and re-arrested hours later in Magere

The National Unity Platform Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine was arrested in rare moments after his nomination at Kyambogo. This after the Police Force and army followed his convoy. Where they tear-gassed and blocked roads from Magere in Wakiso across Kampala to Kyambogo University Cricket Grounds.

The state was clearly prepared to act swiftly, as they didn’t want a public cheers and joys over the new Presidential Candidate. The man of People Power and NUP. The way the authorities handled Patrick Oboi Amuriat. They intended to do the same to Bobi Wine after the ceremony was over.

We are clearly seeing one Republic for the President and another for anyone else. The ones who really opposes him get’s a violent hand. At Magere the Presidential Candidate was re-arrested hours later there.

Now his on the way to unknown location together with Eddie Mutwe. The NUP and People Power candidate is clearly in the eye of the authorities. As he has no time to manoeuvre or react before getting brutally taken by them again.

This is the second time in a day that Bobi Wine was arrested. This after his own nomination. That says a lot about how the state is intimidating and using force against him. They are doing the same bidding as they did to Besigye now.

Bobi Wine will go through the same hell or similar one that Besigye did. It is just the beginning of the campaign. And he haven’t had a second to act or to state a fact. Before the authorities again use force. There is even reports of one man killed in Magere by live-bullet. Therefore, the state kills their own, because one of their own aims to peacefully transfer power. Which is something the President in his ally’s stifle by any means. Peace.

Opinion: Bobi Wine and POA got a harsh ride to Kyambogo

Yesterday was a peaceful fanfare of sorts, the sort where everything was allowed and everyone participating could be filled with joy. As the Presidential Candidates travelled to the venue of Kyambogo University Cricket Grounds.

Today is another bargain. The police have been heavy, using tear-gas and arresting FDC leaders at their Najjakumbi headquarters. They even arrested Presidential Candidate Patrick Oboi Amuriat as he entered the HQ. The Police Force have no subtle ways, but only intimidation and force against the opposition. He is taken to an unknown location together with other FDC leaders. Later they dropped him off at Kyambogo after the arrest at Kyambogo to prepare for candidacy, but because of the manner they did. He didn’t have shoes, because they just bundled him into the car and drove off. Neither, does he have any of his nomination documents, because they just took him from Najjakumbi…

On the convoy of the National Unity Platform, Bobi Wine aka Robert Kygulanyi. They been following him from his homestead all through Kampala. They have been tear-gassing and using force against people. In a manner, which we didn’t see yesterday.

There was still massive crowds around Bobi Wine and his convoy. In such a way, that the President and his people couldn’t gather. However, we do still see the vast difference on how the authorities acts towards the FDC and the NUP.

Both have arrived to Kyambogo. The journey will now continue, but it shouldn’t be this hard. No need to be this hard, but the state is doing it. Just to prove a point, because they know how popular them both are. Therefore, one got the harsh treatment and the other got shielded. Though his supporters got tear-gas, as long as the state could contain it. However, at some point it became to many and to big of a crowds.

That says it all. This sort of drama even before the speeches and the manifestos. Peace.

Opinion: Mao is in a losing battle [even before he starts]

The Democratic Party President Norbert Mao seemed a little minute like they were not fielding a Presidential Candidate. This because the Electoral Commission didn’t have the candidate on the list. Just like other parties who was not on the listed to be verified and cleared. This is why it seemed like he wasn’t running.

Mao haven’t looked strong and his politicking ahead of the General Elections 2021. The Democratic Party looks more shallow and more of a side-show, than a well governed machine. This with a Party President in his third term.

The DP has already lost their trying out of DP Block or the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). These two combination have lost out. Mao have tried to become more important and a bigger star. However, it has fallen flat. He has lost his own MPs to both other opposition parties and to the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Now, we have a sudden letter of intent from Mao and the DP Party. After everyone else have been open and vocal. It seems like he has waited as long as possible to unleash it. To make a flash in the pan.

Mao at this point has to battle the same moderates as Muntu. The thing is that Mao never have been directly challenged by a man like Muntu. They are in the same space and with similar behaviour. Mao have been out there on his own more than Muntu. However, Muntu is more respected and credible. Even if he will negotiate and have dialogue into oblivion, instead of actually make a change, which is needed asap.

Mao is neither ruthless or brash. Neither does he has the finesse or the ability to score high. The man has failed in two elections already. First in 2011 and totally abysmal in 2016. Now he returns for the third time and second time Presidential Candidate.

He has not seasoned like wine. Mao haven’t gotten better with the years. To be honest he was better in the early 2010st than he is now. It is like he has lost the spunk and the flair. Mao is running the same game and hoping it will give returns.

However, the main challenger isn’t Muntu, even if he is the man in the same space as Mao. Mao got to challenge Bobi Wine, which he cannot. The People Power Movement and National Unity Platform (NUP) have rocked the opposition. In a manner, which haven’t happen in a while. Besigye had popularity and people behind him. Bobi Wine has the same for this generation.

That is why Mao got nothing to give. His a lucky loser here. He will play, but will only loose. A nice mantle and fun games, but the cards he has is only good enough for bluff. As a Presidential Candidate in 2021 he can never win.

Mao could become someone in Gulu, even an MP representing Gulu. Nevertheless, he aims at the throne. A place where he got nothing to entertain and nothing to offer. Other than being a man who fights for the same secure space as Muntu.

Mao wants to be more. He wants to be the educated and wise brother. The former Guild President wants to be the elite and the modern nobility of the Republic. However, he got nothing to gain or to win. This is a losing battle, even before it starting.

It’s a tragicomedy and the main act is Norbert Mao himself. Peace.

Opinion: Wearing a Red Beret is now a cardinal sin

Last year in September the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) gazetted their dress codes, which included the red berets. The Red Beret, which is iconic and is the symbol of the People Power Movement, People Power Alliance and the National Unity Platform. This is why, even on his own campaign poster. Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine isn’t allowed to wear it.

There are activists and aspirants who has been arrested for wearing it. The NUP Aspirants has been picked up the moment after the nominations. They can even just try access the general public, but by doing so. They will be arrested and later released on bail.

That is what is happening to the NUP and Bobi Wine. The state have even used massive funds to take down and move posters of Bobi Wine. While having police officers looking at the National Resistance Movement putting up posters of the President.

We know it is a cardinal sin, when the President can wear his infamous hat on the post. While Bobi Wine couldn’t wear his beret. You see the double standard, because I do. However, that is not new.

The NRM could hold primaries, let the voters stand in line and even hold sort of rallies ahead of it. They could even follow and cheer as their candidates was elected. While the opposition and NUP couldn’t even congregrate and nearly have functions for their delegates. Still, the NRM apologists says its all headquarters decisions, but the opposition struggles to do basics. When the laws are differently for them compared to the ruling regime.

The same is with the headgear. The NRM can wear yellow military fatigue, heck they can wear actual military fatigue. They can have yellow berets and be all in military fashion. While the problem all along is that Bobi Wine is wearing it and symbolizing it.

The red beret is a sign of oppression and the state is amplifying it too. They are now making it illegal for anyone wearing it on-air. They will use the gazette from last year as the legal basis. However, why are they doing this?

This is showing how the revolutionary and liberation heroes becomes the next tormentor. The supposed liberator becomes a tyrant. When you are micro-managing like this and arresting people for wearing something. It isn’t new… before the 2016 elections, there was an instance of some who made T-Shirts with Besigye. These was arrested and they confiscated the T-Shirts too. That is who the authorities work against them. However, it is all cool to have Jajja, Bosco or Mr. Sunday on a yellow T-shirt.

Now, in 2020 and in 2021, everything associated with Bobi Wine will be illegal. That is why NUP candidates are blocked from radio stations and it’s supposed to be “scientific” campaigns. Clearly, there are no fair way of doing this and everything can be deemed a crime.

The Red Beret is a Cardinal Sin now. Saint Gregory the Great must be so proud. That a head gear is at the same point as lust, envy, pride, anger and sloth…

The Red Beret is now the proof of how the state oppress its citizens. It will be more and sooner or later… it should be enough of this. This is not securing the future or steady progress. This is “No Change”, which is the most fitting slogan that Museveni ever gave himself. Peace.

Opinion: The NUP have overcome one hurdle

The National Unity Platform (NUP) and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine have overcome one hurdle or obstacle along his road to Presidency. Not that the General Election in 2021 will be his to win. The stones are already carved and the signs of the stars is aligned with the incumbent. Who owns and runs the system.

The Court case against the takeover of NUP with former President of the Party Moses Nkonge Kibalama own admission destroying the case itself against Bobi Wine. Therefore, the prolonged time to get the verdict. Only got the ones in fear of the future and of their nominations to candidacy across the Republic. Have lost their way or become independent out of fear of losing the option to run in 2021 elections.

The NUP have not only the raid of the headquarters. There are MP candidates arrested, posters torn down across the republic and all their political work blocked. Radios not allowed and warned by Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) from letting NUP Candidates appearing. While the Police Force (UPF) and Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) will do their bidding to make it hard for NUP to operate.

Therefore, the celebration of victory today is short-sighted. Yes, in legality the party is overcoming a hurdle. It has cemented its foundation and cannot be questioned by mere technicalities. That has now been settled in Court. However, everything else is up for grabs. The NUP activists and leaders cannot rest. They will still go through earth, wind and fire to get to the finish line.

There is a monopoly of power. There is only one subject who has it all in his grasp and his not willing to back down. The President and his men will not give away that. No matter how popular or wise Bobi Wine is. Just like Besigye never gotten the taste or sit on the throne. Don’t expect Bobi Wine to enter it without havoc and hardships.

Bobi Wine will get all sorts of technical problems. There will be suddenly deficiencies. All of a sudden a long forgotten tale will resurface. Someone he ditched and didn’t do right while being a musician will come back to hurt him. A former lover or a business-partner, which will be part of a scorched earth policy made by the regime against him.

The NUP now had their first major hit job against them and was able to come victorious out of it. Even when the likes of Tom TVO Okwalinga said days before that they would make the party “null and void” and also “block the party”. Which didn’t happen, so something is up with his intelligence gathering. Not as spot on as in the past.

The NUP is now overcomer’s. Still, it is far from over. The campaigns are only beginning and nothing will be given to them. Everything will be taken and met with hostility from the authorities. The NUP and Bobi Wine needs not only resilience, but also courage and be level headed in the midst of adversity. There will be no easy walk, but only hardships ahead. To think otherwise is naive.

The NRM and the President have already proven this, as they are unforgiving to its enemies. They are reluctant to make it easy, but will show no remorse to hurt them. Peace.