Opinion: The State House got a campaign budget

In the same supplementary budget Shs 451 billion has been allocated to State House of which Shs 400 billion is for classified expenditure” (Sam Ibanda Mugabi – ‘Parliament passes Shs 3.7 trillion supplementary budget amidst opposition’ 21.10.2020).

This is campaign year and into the General Election. Don’t expect this money to be used for the common good. The State House has gotten a “Classified Budget” again. In a Campaign Year. It is naive to think this will be used on public projects or on development projects elsewhere. The President and the National Resistance Movement have gotten a wind-fall. They are suddenly swimming in money as the nominated MPs has to pay fees and use campaign funds.

The NRM and President Museveni have secured the bag ahead of the election. They have gotten more funds, which they can spend as they see fit. If we see the NRM and the President giving away trucks, bicycles or anything to RDCs, DPCs or Chiefs. It will come from this fund. Pastors and Clerical Leadership as well. They will get “donations” from this “goodwill fund”.

The Shs. 451 billions will not be used to make the State House in Nakasero into a safe haven. Neither will this be disposed to make Okello House in Entebbe into a state of the art mansion. No, this money will go to all sort of cronies, campaign staff and temporary structures to spread the message of the President. He will pay-off everyone, media-houses and whatnot. Just to be on top. That is why he needed an additional budget this early in the budget year of 2020-21.

This is because the campaign is starting and in the months ahead of the General Elections in 2021. That is the usage of the funds. We would easily see that they suddenly have money for T-Shirts, Yellow Berets and what else of merchandise the NRM needs.

If the President and the State House had nothing to hide. They wouldn’t have such a slush fund suddenly for “Classified Expenditure”. Especially, as the NRM isn’t that transparent and neither is government. Who already have enormous usage of classified expenditure for both the State House and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). That is very common and shows that they want to spend as they pleases without any public scrutiny of it.

They will spend these funds without receipts, bank statements or even accounted use of it. This means it could be used for whatever and therefore, the simple speculation from my part. I don’t know if the President has to bail out his family members or businesses. I don’t know, if his farms needs upgrades and his family members needs their allowances. That is something I don’t know, but what I do know.

Is that the NRM and President Museveni spends huge sums in campaigns and in election years. They spend money like drunk sailors at port. They are spending funds like there is no tomorrow. That is the reality and this is why in 2021 the same State House will be broke and would need additional funds to run operation. Either they are missing funds to pay for staff, electricity or even the water bill. Suddenly, they cannot pay for new furniture or even briefcases for the Permanent Secretaries. That is what happens in post-Election time. Therefore, expect all of this and that’s why I believe these funds are going into Campaign Funding. Direct funding the Presidential Campaign and his party as well. Peace.

Opinion: The “Scientific Elections” will unmask the brutal truth

As we are beginning the campaigns and the run-up to the elections of 2021. The reality will hit the public. We will see the truth about how the authorities and law enforcement act upon the dissidents and opposition. The regime will show it true colour and cannot act surprised. The way they do and what happens will clearly show a significant pattern. That cannot be judged on sudden reaction to an rally or a consultative meetings.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) have before the campaigns already shown unfair the society is. As they have had the capacity to hold rallies and be in the general public. While the opposition have been blocked from radio stations and holding consultative meetings. This being the pre-equal to the General Election next year.

As well, as the same rules are allowing rallies, processions and so fourth for the aspirants of the NRM. While opposition cannot even be nominated or have a press conference without being directly arrested a hot minute after. That has happen to so many, that its total obstruction of their justice and rights to campaign.

These “Scientific elections” are supposed to be like this because of the danger of COVID-19 or Coronavirus. The pandemic that are upholding social distancing and PPE. The reality is that, we will see a double standard, which will be common. The opposition not allowed to rural radio houses and up-country. While NRM can campaign both within media houses and on the streets, The posters of opposition will be taken down. The NRM can even spread posters through Bukedde, Daily Monitor and so fourth.

The Uganda Communication Committee (UCC), Uganda Police Force (UPF) and Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) will all work directly for the NRM. These will order media houses to not have opposition leaders on-air. Neither, will the UPF and the UPDF allow the opposition to greet the public. While the UCC will not block the NRM from appearing on-air and neither will law-enforcement block the NRM for greeting the public. The UPDF and UPF will walk side-by-side with the NRM aspirants.

That is why we know the game is rigged. The NRM will have all favours and always have a helping hand. The authorities and all part of the state apparatus will work for them. They are serving the NRM and not the general public. It doesn’t matter if it is DP, UPC, FDC, NUP, JEEMA or anyone else. They are troublemakers and will be hit by the state.

These elections and campaigns will not be fair. The state and all of its actors will use their mandates to put hurdles in the way of the opposition. The NRM will have a soft landing, while the others has to go on a crash-course and hope for as little damage as possible. Because, no matter what the opposition does. It will be countered and there will be resistance. The NRM will not offer any goodwill and will only cause havoc.

The NRM will use the state as their partner in crime. Every possible way to act will be punished and there will be no remorse. The state will have no sympathy and show no heart. They will not condone and not beg for forgiveness. That is because, the NRM and the state believes you where stupid to challenge it and to stand up against it. You were supposed to be blind and submissive.

The NRM will have all the perks, all the opportunities, while they will undermine and mock the opposition for their troubles. The NRM wouldn’t be able to run, if they had the same hectic mess the opposition has. The NRM would malfunction and be on self-destruction, if they met the same obstacles, which it serves all opposition. They are used to have no way, while the NRM has the big high-way and a free way of opportunities. That is a luxury, which nobody else have. This is why the “Scientific Elections” only will amplify this and expose this rotten game. Which is rotten from the head to the grassroots. A system blessed from “high above” to the lowest civil servant. Peace.

Total Crackdown on the Opposition… [as Bobi Wine, Ssewanyana and Ssemujju Nganda gotten arrested]

After yesterday’s raid of the National Unity Platform Headquarters in Kamwokya, Kampala. The Police have amped up the levels. Firs verified reports is that Presidential Candidate and Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine was arrested after the raid.

Another NUP heavyweight was arrested today, this being Makindye West MP and MP Aspirant Allan Ssewanyana was arrested and currently held at Katwe Police Station. The MP was arrested shortly after the nomination.

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Spokesperson and Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda was also arrested today. He was bundled up to a police car after the nomination.

“All FDC Parliamentary candidates for Hoima City including ANT’s Kasule Ismail have been arrested immediately after nominations” (Capital FM Uganda, 15.10.2020).

This is just the beginning of the campaigns and elections in a way. As today was a day of delivering nomination papers to the Electoral Commission across the Republic. That will also happen tomorrow for the aspirant MPs in the up-coming General Elections.

As this is going on, the authorities are arresting people for selling People Power and NUP merchandise in the streets of Kampala and elsewhere. There is also reports of the authorities taking down posters with Bobi Wine and the NUP candidates. The state is really working hard to block and get rid of the contender.

This is yet another sign of how the state is working on overtime to stop, silence and go against the dissidents. As people are not allowed to sell merch made to supporters of Bobi Wine. That is how small of a man the President is. He cannot stomach real competition and therefore, has to use the law enforcement to get ahead. Peace.

Opinion: NRM’s Military Fatigues

Yesterday, the spokesperson for the army said the reason for the raid of the National Unity Platform Offices in Kamwokya was because of the red berets and their “military fatigues”. However, that is all ironic, as the ruling regime uses it when it deems it fit.

One of the Presidential Advisor Full Figure is posing around in military inspired clothes like she’s at a party of the YMCA in the 1970s. While that is not causing a fuzz or an issue. Nevertheless, the NUP and Bobi Wine get into a lot of trouble for having their own ways.

The NUP and Bobi Wine is not only into issues over the red berets, that has already been gazetted. The attires with stars and such, which resembles military fatigues has also hit a nerve. These are all excuses. And show how one standard is put on the opposition, but no retribution towards the ruling regime.

National Resistance Movement (NRM) have had yearly trainings at NALI or Kyankwanzi, where they have all been in green military fatigues. Heck, the President have used it in a budget speech and elsewhere. The NRM can use it whenever they deem fit. They can use it to promote themselves and their power.

We know the NRM is filled with a chosen few bushmen, who is proud of their achievements and feel above the crowds because of it. “They fought”, therefore, you got to serve me now. That sort of attitude. Where can boost their titles, their ranks and use the military to their convenience. Even when they have retired long time ago.

That is just the double standard, as the NUP should be 100% civilian and not even make their own. It is not like the UPDF and the NRM invented the berets. They have taken them from army history and “made it” their own. Now, they are causing a fuzz over a colour. Which just show how little they think of themselves.

The NRM is clearly allowed to not only use military fatigues, whenever they deem it fit. They can go all out. They can travers with the military, use the fatigues, carry the guns and tote all around town. While the NUP cannot even have resembling headgear. That shows how little faith the NRM have in humanity.

This is indecency and insincerity at its best. The sort of low blow, no show, nonsense, which is deliberately done, again and again. A sort of play that has been done all before. This isn’t a new, but the same-old same old story.

The President and his team might think this is a winning formula. However, this is just undeniably showing his ignorance and his blatant use of force. That is all he got, because he got less and less love with the ages. Therefore, he clings to the army like its his saviour, which it paradoxically is. Peace.

Uganda: The tactic of intimidation ahead of the polls [as the NUP Headquarters are besieged]

Today, in Kamwokya in Kampala, the Headquarters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) have been besieged by the Uganda Police Force (UPF) and Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). There is also reports of Military Police and other agencies involved.

This is all done to intimidate the voters, the opposition party and the ones organizing the NUP. A direct challenge to Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. The authorities have confiscated red berets, face-masks and what else they do have at the Headquarters.

All of this has been done with no warrants, no warnings and no justification. Just a full fledged operation as the NUP planned their National Tour ahead of the 2021 General Elections. That is why this happen today.

The UPF and UPDF shows their partisanship, as they are loyal to the cause of the government and regime. Bobi Wine is clearly a threat. This is a sign what’s ahead for the party. The party who was able to raise millions of shillings to cover nomination fees. That has been done internally in the republic. Something, the state and regime wouldn’t believe was possible.

All of this is deliberate. An act of intimidation and spreading fear ahead of the polls. A message, that the NUP is a criminal organization and that they are an allowed target. This has been done to other political parties who has challenged the regime. The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has gotten the same treatment by the state before. Therefore, what is happening today isn’t new, but more of the same.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) needs to use fear to excel. They cannot reign with love and tolerance. They rather come with the armed forces and force themselves on people. That is why they are targeting the ones who challenge them. Right now its the NUP and Bobi Wine. This is why they are besieging the Headquarters, arresting activists, staff and injuring people too. All done in a manner to prove their relevance.

The apologist cannot speak of free and fair elections… when an opposition party cannot do its function and act as a party without the besieged of law enforcement at their doors. This is done because the NUP rise and popularity. The NRM cannot manage challengers and a level playing-field. If it were, the NRM would go after the berets, the colour and the name. This has all been over the time.

The oppression of the NUP continues and is a persistent fact ahead of the polls. The NRM apologist cannot change the fact. The UPF and UPDF will make some defensive statements about it later. There was a “ploy” and the “intelligence” of some “micro aggression” from them. This is also common after the cause. As they need a defence after the fact.

While we all know why this happened. NUP is under fire, because the President and his men are terrified of the rise of the party. If they wasn’t, they wouldn’t be there with all the guns and police officers to address it.

We know what the NUP planned to do in the coming days and also ensure as many of the nominated MPs could run in the up-coming elections. This is why the authorities are attacking it. To make it harder for them to operate. While spreading fear… intimidate and show force. Peace.

Muwanda & Co. Advocates: Press Statement (09.10.2020)

Mabikke & Kasibante is two disgruntled big-men …

That the process of choosing National Unity Platform (NUP) Member of Parliament (MP) Flag-Bearers has been painful for a few. It is like the ones who has a presence and had a office. Expected to be the natural and upper-echelon from the get-go. They anticipated because of their standing as MPs that they would get the candidacy within the NUP.

These two being Michael Mabikke and Moses Kasibante. Mabikke is the former Makindye East MP and expected to be the standing on the role. Kasibante was expecting to get nominated for the Rubaga North.

Mabikke have jumped from his own party the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the Democratic Party (DP) or the DP Block. When that went sour, he went directly to NUP wanting the spot there. Seemingly fishing for relevance and wanting to be on the easiest ticket to the Parliament.

Kasibante wanted a easy way out too. As he was running as an independent, which he has done since 2012. He had to contest his seat after 2011 and went to the Courts. Overturned it and retained the seat. So, the two term MP knows the drill. Still, he was fishing for relevancy and a bigger stage.

This is why Mabikke and Kasibante went to the NUP. They were both trying to configure their tickets. To ensure an easier way to the Parliament. Use the NUP and Bobi Wine to extend the electorate.

Mabikke have been jumping around forever. He has tried to figure out a way of becoming vital somewhere. A way to be serious and not just a brief-case party politician. Because, who knows what the SDP is and what it works for. Other then finding ways of getting more exposure.

These two are meal-ticket politicians. They seemed like a win the minute they went from the DP and independence into the NUP. This was a sort of act done to boost the NUP. Still, they haven’t been as powerful or have the abilities, which the party was looking for. Seeing how they have acted after the failure to retain the Flag-Bearer and Candidacy for MP within the party.

It proves that they are not there for the struggle or the cause of the party. They were only for personal gains. This is why they have gone after the party after loosing out. These two great minds thought it was automatic. Because, of their names and their pre-position. That they couldn’t be challenged within the party.

Mabikke and Kasibante has lost out… that is clear. Both of them bashed in glory when they became members. Thinking they would have a simple road to the Parliament in 2021. Now, they have to go against the NUP Flag-Bearer and everyone else in the race.

That will either backfire for the party or be a blessing for them. Still, we can easily see why they went here. It wasn’t for the People Power Movement or their ideals. Just how to secure a meal-ticket and get a boost of their career within a party, which has a growing momentum. Peace.

Opinion: Kibalama’s story is a twisted tale of a failed enterprise

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are working on overtime to dismiss, discredit and destroy Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine political career. Also, destroy his People Power Movement (PPM) and his newly acquired National Unity Platform (NUP) Party.

Because, Bobi Wine is the new arch-enemy of the regime. They have used all means to go after it. Arresting activists, political leaders and such. They have blocked meetings, radio-shows, concerts and rallies. The PPM and NUP are blocked on all levels.

The People Power have gotten into issues and they tried to block the usage of the Red Beret. As the symbol of the movement. They have also used the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) as a shield to block the red colour, which is also a symbol of the movement. Now, within the recent weeks. Suddenly, the regime are using the former leaders of the NUP to “arbitrary” or “unreasonably” lost their party to the People Power Movement.

Now, after the last few weeks and today’s statement by former leader Moses Kibalama. The contradiction of him shows why the Court Case happened in the first place. As the CDF David Muhoozi pressured him in combination with other state security antagonized him to do it.

Therefore, the stories and the discrediting of NUP new leadership have sort of failed. Kibalama, the former leader … who had to first make a statement of a missing payment of millions of dollars for the party. Now, that has been redacted and the pressure from the state made him say this.

That is why Bobi Wine have won and the regime have lost. Now Kibalama have lost all credibility, instead of “winning” back his old party. The army is supposed to be party partisan and not working for one party. In this regard, it is working for the NRM and their goals to destroy Bobi Wine’s chances. This after the NUP and Bobi Wine was able to get the party registered by the Electoral Commission.

The NRM have really tried to use all tricks and this one failed as well. They have now tried to use Kibalama to undermine the NUP without success. The attempt has only showed that they are forcing citizens to make false testimonies, which have backfired. It has undermined the character of Kibalama and the methods of the NRM. All showing what was the purpose and motives from the get-go.

This was a ploy of the NRM to crack the NUP. They even used the former leadership as a tool to question the party itself.

Bobi Wine and his team has proven to be righteous, as the NRM and the State Security used their force to intimidate Kibalama. This was done to put the NUP in trouble, but now they have lost it. That is even before the ruling of the Court. Since, the stories doesn’t add-up.

Kibalama has lost it. The NUP has won and the case isn’t finished. That is really humiliating and shows their real intentions, which wasn’t a good look. Peace.

Opinion: AgaNaga sings for Jajja now!

Sadat Mukiibi also known as Khalifah Aganaga is in his feelings. He got turned down from becoming a Member of Parliament or a flag-bearer for the National Unity Platform for Rubaga South in Kampala.

The NUP nominated Zacchy Mberaaze Mawula for this seat, while also dismissing other candidates as well. Not only Aganaga for the MP seat. They blocked others too, who was dismissed on the reasons for also vying for the position on the Democratic Party (DP) ticket. They we’re trying to be on both sides of the fence. Being both DP and NUP or People Power at the same time. That is why Mawula won this ticket through the party vetting. However, this is clearly unfair for Aganaga.

Aganaga, who could within 48 hours or less than that release a song with the President and become a National Resistance Movement member. Because, he felt humiliated to not be picked as the NUP Flag-bearer.

That shows how entitlement and arrogance reigns in the new candidates in the “newly minted” party of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. As there have been many new faces and aspirants within the NUP. That is causing friction and also tensions, as everyone wants to be on top and be the one holding the party down.

It is natural that there will actions after a vetting process and the ones not deemed fit feels betrayed or let down. Because, someone has to get on top. That is just fine and shouldn’t be dismissed. This is why we are used with friction and “independent” candidates coming out of the woodwork. Who was people contending in the NRM Primaries, but loosing. Therefore, running as “independents” in the General Election.

So, if this happens to the ones who loses in the NUP. The same might happen to a few there as well. That is all natural and shouldn’t shock anyone. If you first vie for office, you can expect to loose, but also win. There is a chance for both. No one is automatically getting in-office. Even if the likes of Aganaga thinks so, apparently. There is a process from a party to be registered and later being on the ballots for an election. Seemingly, that is just hogwash in the eyes of Aganaga.

That is why Aganaga could go from being a “big investor” in the NUP to suddenly turn to NRM. He could do it so swiftly, have a public meeting and dropping a song with President. This all happening within few days and nearly 48 hours. Where his now dismissing Bobi Wine and praising the government. If it was that easy, then the NUP did a good decision not picking him. As he could so easily sell out.

Aganaga isn’t strengthening his cause or his ideals. When he does this and will now sing for the Jajja. He is the man for Bosco and Mr. Sunday. That just days after being turned down. If cannot manage the biting fall and lack of credentials to stand as the candidate for Rubaga South MP.

Sadat should know all of this, but instead he uses now his platform to attack Bobi Wine. Ironically, his dropping the song on “Bad Character”. Which is fitting, as this isn’t a sign of reasonable or decent character, but a bad one. As he goes in on the deep end, instead of being humble after loosing out.

Aganaga should know that could happen to anyone. There shouldn’t be automatic ticketed people within parties. Even if with career and long-term incumbents. There should be primaries and test if they still have members of the constituencies trust. If they don’t, then they are picking someone else to represent them. That is also what should happen somewhere within a party. Alas, this seems like fictional ideas for Aganaga. Who because of his stature and his “bad character” should just get the ticket on a whim. A man who could betray the cause within a hot minute.

It seems like the NUP did a good vetting here. When someone can turn against within no time. Then, they are really not fighting for the cause, but there for personal gains. If it wasn’t that. He would have stood behind the cause and cheered for the winning one in NUP. We know that this is not the case.

As he is now a man of the NRM and ditched the cause before the milk went bad. I have had cartons of milk longer in my fridge, than the amount of time between him loosing out in the NUP and him becoming a NRM member. That shows how little that mattered to him. Because, he could so easily trade it away.

This is not a winning hand. That is a losing hand. He might not see it himself, because of his ego and his “bad character”. However, with time he might see it. Aganaga is blazing through right now. The singer is not singing anthems, but a requiem for his soul. Peace.

Opinion: It shouldn’t be this hard to make Museveni’s credentials public

It was the other day, when Lawyer Male Mabirizi petitioned and got the academic papers of the Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. In a heartbeat, the various parts of government scrambled the documents and delivered those to the lawyer. That happen without any hesitation. It was all released for the world to see.

While in Mid-August 2020 another lawyer Muwanda Nkunyingi petitioned the same authorities for the academic credentials of the President. The incumbent, the man of 1986 and beyond. This lawyer was asking for the documents produced for the General Election 2016. However, by the time of early September, the 3rd to be exact. The Electoral Commission only took a few words and sentences from the Election Petition of Amama Mbabazi No.1 of 2018 in the Supreme Court. That is all the public gets.

The President haven’t dropped the gems from the University of Dar Es Salaam or Ntare School, which he has often mentioned several of times. Still, the man who worked in the Research Bureau at one point should have documents and be able to prove his credentials. That shouldn’t be a toxic question and impossible. Unless, he has buried it, because it makes him look weak and not as intellectual as he wishes to be. The President always want to be right and be the teacher. Maybe, his just a KRS-ONE, instead of a Professor X. Who knows, right?

We are now over the middle of September 2020. This means it has gone close to a 1,5 month since the lawyer petitioned the Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commission answered a few weeks later and the letter from the 3rd September leaked today to the public on the 21st September. This means, the EC and the authorities have no plan of making them public. Like they do with the other opposition candidates.

If they could just use a minute to release the Bobi Wine credentials. It should be super easy to have the man who has stood for elections and had to be verified every 5 years. They should have copies upon copies in their achieves. There should be documents and credentials going back to 1996 or 2001. The President should have certified copies there.

Unless, he has dropped all those, because he wants to bury his past. Trying to make himself legendary by digging all his past into the ground. If not ensuring the institutions he went to deleted his and burned his past work. God knows right?

For a man that has ruled since 1986. It is weird that this is so hard to get a copy. That the Electoral Commission and the Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB) isn’t able to produce more than a fragment of a court order from 2018. That is like dropping nothing and intending to not release it. Because, the authorities and the state are wavy about how the public will react when they see the real deal.

The President wants to be a man of wisdom, but these sort of actions isn’t wise. It only proves that his hiding something. That he has some skeletons in his closet. If it was nothing… then it would have been released yesterday. Just like all the letters where the President micro-manage and directs others to do his bidding.

It is not a sign of strength, but a sign of weakness when your hiding this. The public deserves better, but the man of the ages is afraid of releasing this. It might show he sucked in in the sciences or had to retake a class. Maybe he never finished the studies in Tanzania? Who knows?

But… something is up. We just don’t know what. Peace.