Opinion: Here we go again, it’s not the tormentors fault, but the ones tortured

We have been here before, this story isn’t new. Just like suddenly a shell of a man comes out from one of the ungazetted safe-houses and has to sue the state to get some compensation for the hurt. This has happen with several of people with this regime. They have continued this practice and never let anyone has any oversight over this. Only continued the same regime as the ones they overthrow with several of security organization doing the bidding of the “high above” and ensuring they are intimidating the ones who challenge the throne and its rights.

With this in mind, there are big-men and high ranking opposition figures who suddenly fall into the demise of these security organizations. These are just the few ones I can remember and can reflect upon. There is surely more of these.

Than, you have the arrest in march 2001 of Major Okwir Rabwoni.MP Who was arrested by military police and alleged torture of himself before going into exile. Something the authorities back then denied.

It could be the likes of Dr. Kizza Besigye, who in 2011 was shot with a rubber-bullet and destroyed his finger. He travelled to Nairobi to get treatment. While the Army Spokesman, Lt. Col. Felix Kulayigye said that he wasn’t “hurt at all”. Claiming, indirectly, that Besigye travelled abroad for treatment just on a whim.

You have the likes of Betty Bakireke Nambooze MP, who in march 2018 dared to insult the authorities, therefore got into an “accident” while in custody. Prolonged detention before allowed to be released to India for future treatment.

Later in 2018, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine was tortured and kept at a secret location after the Arua By-Election. Which damaged his feet and other parts of his body. Where it is still not to this day verified what sort of actions they did. But after a long time awaiting, he was allowed to fly for the US for treatment.

In the same year and after the by-election in Arua. Francis Zaake MP in late 2018 was arrested, taken to a secret location and was tortured. He was suddenly dropped from detention and left at the gates of a hospital. A hospital he was not allowed to leave, because he was a “fugitive”. At this point he wanted to get treatment in India, which his lawyers and fellow MPs fought for.

Now in 2020 since April, Francis Zaake MP has been through this ordeal again. He has been beaten and hurt during detention with the authorities. Just been released yesterday from the hospital. That from being transferred and been between the Courts. The MP has proven his illness and the damage done to him. Therefore, it is very unique, when the minister claims he did damage on his own.

These is just a mere reflection, I am sure there plenty of more stories that could be told. Because, with what happen to Zaake over the recent month. I just felt the need to drop these stories. To show how this is something the state does.

Right now its Zaake whose in the spotlight. A man who has been through this before and gotten similar returns from the state. It is sad, but that is the reality. Again, the state will deflect and say its self-created, which would be a miracle. Just like the other cases or stories, which I have put together here today.

These are just a few and quickly mashed together. Not even that deep. It however, gives an insight and show over the years what the state has done to MPs and leaders of the Opposition. Peace.

Statement by the People Power Movement on the IMF Rapid Credit Facility Announced on 6th May 2020 (09.05.2020)

Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine: Statement on 20 Million UGX to be Advanced to Every Member of Parliament amidst the Coronavirus Crisis (16.04.2020)

Many Ugandans are surprised and very angry that the Parliament of Uganda allocated 10 Billion Shillings to itself amidst an unprecedented Coronavirus crisis. The allocation of this money is not only shameful. It is insensitive to the plight of millions of Ugandans who are facing untold challenges ranging from hunger, sickness and even death.

Ugandans are bearing the brunt of this predicament. There have been reports of numerous people failing to access health centers due to limited transport means, and as a result some have succumbed to various ailments. A huge number of people across the country are in dire need of food, healthcare and other essential amenities. The Government has not done much to help them.

Ugandans are therefore justified to be very angry at this selfish action by their ‘representatives’. Our view, however, is that Ugandans should be angrier at the manner by which they are governed- the 20 million shillings is a symptom of a bigger crisis which we are fighting to resolve.

Indeed, government presented a supplementary budget of over 300 billion shillings to Parliament to aid in the fight against COVID19. Many aspects of the budget were not only luxurious, some seemed even dubious! Several legislators raised concerns about the allocation of huge sums of money for things like billboards, but they would not be heard! A Minority Report authored by Hon. Gerald Karuhanga was ignored. The budget was passed without much debate.

It will be recalled that on 24th March, we issued a statement in which we demanded that government diverts monies from all non-essential aspects and diverts it to equipping health facilities across the country, and giving incentives to health workers. Unfortunately, the same government which has never prioritised the healthcare of the people of Uganda ignored our call.

Regarding the 20 million shillings therefore, it appears that yet again, the executive thought that for the supplementary budget to pass with ease, MPs needed to get a share of this money so they don’t resist its passing. We all recall that this has been done countless times, including in the passing of immoral Constitutional amendments, such as the term limit and age limit amendments. On several occasions, MPs have been bribed do the bidding of the Executive. This is why elections matter. This is why it should matter to all Ugandans who they elect for office at every level!

We reject the notion that this money was meant to enable Members of Parliament carry out their roles in this period. The cardinal roles of an MP include; legislation, representation, budget allocation and government oversight. None of these roles require an MP to be an extension of the Executive, in the sense that government should in addition to MPs’ salaries provide a separate budget to each MP to extend services to the people. An MP, just like any other able citizen can avail support to vulnerable people from their personal earnings (something which I personally have done and continue to do), but this money should not be drawn from the tax payers’ money.

Let me clarify that I have not received this money. Should it be deposited on my account, I will immediately order my bank to return it to the Consolidated Fund and demand that it is put to its proper purpose. We must learn to empower institutions and not seek to enrich individuals.

As we have repeatedly said, the focus of our nation at this point should be on building a robust healthcare system, and empowering our healthcare practitioners with all they need, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The People Power Movement will continue to use the available resources contributed by ourselves and other well-wishers to reach out and support some of our people who are in extreme need.

We shall also continue to demand that the government reaches out to all citizens and gives them food relief in these tough times.

And yes, we shall continue struggling day and night to put an end to the decadent and corrupt regime.

Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert
MP- Kyadondo East Constituency &
Leader of the People Power Movement

Neil Nelson & Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine Joint Statement: Offer resources to airlift African People facing racist abuse out of China (13.04.2020)

Uganda: Ministry of ICT and National Guidance – Clarification on Communication Activities and Budget for COVID-19 (03.04.2020)

Uganda Medicial Association – RE: Press Statement on the Continued Torture of Health Workers (03.04.2020)

People Power Movement – Uganda: Donations of Relief Items by the People Power Movement (02.04.2020)

Opinion: Section 8 of POMA is Null- and Void, what does that mean?

Well, now the Constitutional Court came today with a striking judgment. That the Section 8 of the Public Order Management Act of 2013 is unconstitutional. Section 8 of the POMA is very clear. That gives the powers to officers and give the police the authority to block any meeting. It also gives the powers to the Police to disperse a meeting. Also, finally the sub-section also issues the officers in question the powers to assess if a person is disobeying the law or unlawfully assembles. Which makes that person liable for sentencing according to the Penal Code section 117.

Therefore, today’s judgment is vital, as the Police Force by definition now doesn’t have the authority to block any gathering. Neither disperse it or issue an order to stop the public from participate in any public meeting/gathering. This here is an direct consequence of the judgment today.

We knew this law was draconian. The whole law isn’t null and void, just one part of it, but it takes away the powers to enforce it. The Police Force, the authorities is limited by this. This law has banned concerts, public gatherings, consultation meetings, anniversary rallies, opening of political party offices and so fourth. The state has given all sorts of orders and usage of the law to an extent, where the opposition is futile. They couldn’t conduct either internal party organizations nor actually try to gain new followers, since the state stopped it or never allowed them to publicly to gather in the first place.

This law was deemed the Anti-Besigye Act, ABA, the act against Besigye and his political effort to undermine the regime. This came after the Walk to Work. Now, the opposition has one an important battle in the Courts.

There was on judge who didn’t see it like this, that was Stephen Musota. Remember that man, because he stated this, he was the one voting in favour of Section 8 of POMA. Because, there was 4-1 and therefore, it was null and void. However, Stephen stated this: “The limits are now cast in stone and are no longer at the whims or imagination of the Inspector General of Police or his authorized officers”. That is why the whims of the IGP shouldn’t be the factor to allow people to assemble or not. This is why its unconstitutional, which is stated by the other judges on this matter.

What I am suspecting will happen is that the National Resistance Movement will revise and amend this bill. To ensure they have the powers to stop meetings and such before the General Elections 2021. They have had the good need of this bill for years. This will not go away without a blast. I don’t believe the NRM will concede and give way that easily. Not when the rise of Bobi Wine and Besigye is now allowed and cannot be stopped. That is what the NRM worried about and will find new ways to silence it. Especially, when the Police Force has been preoccupied with this partisan politicking for years. Peace.

People Power-Uganda Statement on the Corona virus disease in light of the New Developments – Call to Action (24.03.2020)

Opinion: Norbert Mao is on a mission of self-destruction

Those rebel party members are survival seekers who only intend to achieve re-election and maintain a fertile salary in the upcoming Parliament. DP was the first to give Bobi Wine the audience when the others were not sure of what to do. We gave him space starting with the reunion conference but they started saying that I am a sadist and I pity those masqueraders. That’s why I was saying that am sorry for the young man because the crippling plants want to use him. For us in DP we say that we have been pushing Museveni like a car for 35 years but it has refused to start and when a young man like Bobi Wine come we should give him some space”Norbert Mao on the 17h March 2020

It’s like the President of the Democratic Party (DP) Norbert Mao who has had two terms and preparing the party for the General Election of 2021. His supposed to get elected for his third term and also run for office himself. However, he has not run a smooth operation.

Mao is now playing this the wrong way. He tried to play Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine for clout himself. He tried to be associated and work with the People Power Movement (PPM) for extended popularity. Its not like Mao and the DP haven’t earned on it and trying to act like they have invested in it too.

With that regard, they didn’t create the PPM, they were a part of it, but it was Bobi Wine and his associates who started it. They initiated this, the DP would surely preferred that PPM and Bobi Wine participated in the Special Purpose Vehicle and the DP Block. That is because, even Bobi Wine can see a dead fish floating in the water.

Mao will not say it, but he wants to be relevant and be vibrant. That is why his working with Mugisha Muntu, all the other briefcase parties and whatever it takes to look significant. This is why he needed and used Bobi Wine. Now, with time he see that it backfires. The swift of loyalty isn’t following him, but instead follows Bobi Wine. That is hurting Mao. Making him look foolish.

That he attack the ones who now aspire to follow Bobi Wine is now self-serving. However, wasn’t it the same when you invited him and trying to fish him into the fold in the first place? Wasn’t that your game drive not going well?

Your aim and goals wasn’t that Noble, neither was you doing charity. Neither, do I believe it would be sincere, if your acting its like that. Which your doing now by all means. Bobi Wine was building and also showing his true face to the republic. As you invited him. Now your taking credit, but also blaming your own for starting to follow him. As they see more in him, than they see in you.

Mao, that is surely hurting your pride and your ethos. It hurts your being and therefore, your now doing this and telling this. What is your problem is that you open the gate, but doesn’t want to participate now that the game is happening. You want people to still follow suit…

That is a mission … of self-destruct. Self destruction is clearly the memo and the message his sending. If he had these issues with People Power and Bobi Wine in the first place. Why inviting him and clearing him for your events? Why even entertain him?

However, you did and willingly. You let your people participate and be apart of the movement. Bobi Wine is just a grenade for you. He exploded in your face and you wasn’t prepared for the explosion. You should have seen that you took out the splint, but you forgot that, apparently. KA-BOOOM!. Peace.