“Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.” – Harry Truman (Special Message to the Congress on the Internal Security of the United States, August 8, 1950).
Certainly, the National Resistance Movement and their government doesn’t seem to care how they look. None of their pledges or even written letters to the Local Government matters. Not even in the midst of famine and starvation. You would think that a government and their agencies had sense of keeping their promises to the ones who needs the most basic in life – as their plates are empty after droughts and bad governance. Therefore, the NRM has no sense, when the Bukedea district are reacting that their promised food relief is less; than promised from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Dr. Ruhakana Ruganda and his department. Certainly, this is disrespecting the people and the citizens of Bukedea. Take a look!
“Mike Okwii, the district secretary for health and social services wants the matter investigated expeditiously before they can distribute what they have received. “According to the letter signed by the commissioner of disaster and preparedness, Bukedea was supposed to get 800 bags of posho and 400 bags of beans. But the district has received only 400 bags of posho and 50 bags of beans, which is shocking. So for us at the district leadership, we have decided not to distribute this food. Not until when OPM delivers all the food items”, he said. Okwii confirmed that as of now, nobody has given them any response as to why the Office of the Prime Minister delivered consignments that have fewer supplies that what was declared. “Nobody has given us the right answer why they delivered less food compared to what is on the delivery note. The minister for Teso Affairs is going to follow the matter because you can imagine the minister came to Bukedea to allocate food to the sub-counties. Little did she know that she allocated food which is not even there”, he added (URN, 2017).
The reason for the disrespect is staggering as the reports of termites and insects to survive, proves the lacking governance and upkeep of institutions. Also, the agricultural sector has been left behind, as the irrigation and thinking of how use water in farming. Certainly, the food relief is a way of making sure the people eat while they wait for next season and possible time to start farming again. These in regions that has been hard hit and the government had been warned by FAO and FEWSNET, so these reports should have forewarned them.
“Food is required besides the medication. If someone is sick, the first treatment is food; medicine works well on a well fed body,” said Dr. Chebitai” (New Vision, 2017). Therefore, with the knowledge that the state still has the capacity to not deliver what so needed and necessary is not only a theft, but taken food of the plates of those who starve. That the NRM has the audacity to this proves how they can easily neglect their citizens. Even taking away their first treatment, that is the level of disappointment, the ruling regime can to do their own. Peace.
There are something deeply wrong, so sincerely wrong when the citizens doesn’t get needed food relief and have to eat termites and insects to survive. This is the state of the famine now in Teso Region, in Katakwi, Amuria, Bukedea and Kaberamaido district.
“Mr Robert Okitoi, the Amuria District council chairperson, said “The situation is bad, people are now eating termites. I think the government should just declare a state of emergency for the regions of Teso, Karamoja and Lango.” (NTV Uganda, 01.06.2017). On the 26th April 2017 the Parliament has passed a motion to declare ‘State of Emergency’ in Uganda, but the President and the State House has not done anything about it.
Still, a local farmer wrote a piece to the Chimp Reports that has some valuable assessments:
“The current hunger in Teso has largely been attributed to drought, while this assertion may hold some truths; there is increasingly evidence that the Ministry of Teso Affairs has not done its part. Hunger in Teso is as a result of both internal and external factors. For many years, the region has been experiencing declining productivity and this was recently worsened by drought. For districts like Ngora, Bukedia and Kumi, land fragmentation has heavily affected productivity” (…) “Clearly besides drought, Teso food systems are in a crisis and our expectation was that the Ministry of Teso affairs working with other stakeholders would work to address this problem. Our view is that hunger should be among the ‘affairs’ that Ministry of Teso Affairs should be engaged in.Agriculture remains a major livelihood for our people in Teso and therefore we require urgent response from Ministry of Teso Affairs on its plans to help our people get out of the current hunger crisis”(Akorikin, 2017).
This here proves that the drought is just the last piece of the straw in a bigger problem, that even the State Ministry has not been in-charge and had the oversight of the Teso Region. There are lacking the support they need. Still, the government still have done something now and then. Like this one relief to Kaberamaido district: “Kaberamaido district has finally received 12, 000 kilograms of relief food from government valued at Shillings 33 million. Kaberamaido is among the districts battling a severe food crisis resulting from crop failure due to prolonged drought. The most affected areas in the district are Ochero, Bululu, Kobulubulu, Kaberamaido, and Apapai sub counties. With over 5,000 households facing starvation representing about half of the total population in the district, the 12,000 kilograms of flour delivered is far from solving the food crisis” (Odongo, 2017). That means on the 30th April 2017, the government delivered 12.000kgs of flour that is estimated to be 231,000 citizens in the district alone. Therefore, you don’t have to be rocket scientist to know that this food relief to the one district isn’t enough…
“The minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Hilary Onek, has offered a bit of advice to the hunger-stricken; stop selling the little food you have left. Onek said the weather has become so unreliable for Ugandans to hold on to the little hope for better yields. “They should consider family needs first before selling all the food. Districts like Lira had a lot of food but it [food] was sold to traders from Kenya, South Sudan and even Rwanda because people want money,” he said in an interview. Asked whether government would consider banning the sale of food to outsiders, Onek said they wouldn’t, in the spirit of the East African Community. “That is not an option we will consider; we only want people to behave responsibly to take care of their family needs before they sell all the food,” he said” (UMDF, 2017).
So now the Minister Onek gives advice to the impoverished citizens, so that they are careful with their food stocks, as the relief of the districts are not up-to par. Therefore, that they didn’t stock the extra foods and now they tell the families to take of it. The government could have used their resources and built food-stocks, instead of living hand to mouth. The small-time farmers in the Teso-Region certainly, needs more than fear of selling what they don’t have, they need support and food relief.
The state also has to facilitate the farmers, not in Operation Wealth Creation or Jerry-Can irrigation, but real projects, storage of food-stocks and recreate farmers Co-Ops in the districts and sub-counties to collectively earn and work together to get better yields and also productivity in general. But that isn’t a scheme and way the National Resistance Movement can corrupt or thieve the funds from. Therefore, that will not happen and is the reason why the similar institutions are gone during the decades of President Museveni.
The Teso Region and these district needs help, the man-made famine together with the drought that has worsen it. So the Government has to charge and actually make a difference, not just thieve monies away from Kampala. Peace.
Dr. Kizza Besigye message to the people after rallies earlier today:
“Our day was started at Nyero trading center at 9:00am. We addressing a mini rally of hard working men and women who were about the day’s work and young men and women who are in their holidays off school, others who have not continued with their education because their families cannot afford the raising cost of education.
I spoke to them about securing a future they want to own and be part of. Our government will give every children an opportunity to secure their future by acquiring first skills that will make them competitive in the 21st century this can only come through education.
At Ogooma Village we met residents who told us about the massacre of their beloved ones and we were also taken at the mass grave said to be having over 300 bodies. The cause of their death until today has never been made known. The residents told us that it was the NRA soldiers now UPDF that carried out these massacres.
The same reason we are in this struggle to liberate all Ugandans so that people can have the power to demand for accountability. in an FDC government there will be a process of reconciliation, truth telling and compensation for those families that lost their loved ones. The silence of those in power about injustices that were committed under their command can never take away the anger from those who lost their loved ones.
An FDC led government will Institute inquires to find out what happened and who was responsible in committing such atrocities, our people need to know and that is the only way in helping many to forgive one another, this will forge a new era that will unite this country for many years to come.
My brothers and sisters of the born again Church in Ongino Subcounty, Kumi you have blessed us with your prayers we thank you all.
The trail continues…”
Dr. Kizza Besigye thank you message after the campaign rallies today:
“Thank you Kumi and Bukedea for the tremendous support for my candidature and Forum for Democratic Change. #WesigeBesigye”
You thought we through with the fun or madness called NRM Primaries? The Circus it has become if you follow Gen. Otafiire and his been played. Well, you played your cards wrong and didn’t due diligence where you have been representing ever since arriving in the Parliament in the 80s. So now change has come. There has come a lot of changes! I will just bring some reports from today. There will be more directly and also more vivid result on Daily Monitor, Chimpsreport, New Vision and other outlets, even NTV and NBS… I have a few from different sources. The greatest news today isn’t some victors, but the reports from Lira. I am proud of the people of Lira! You didn’t buy in the greed, but stand proud! You got integrity something that is more valued than some giving you shillings for a vote. That is great report. Take a look!
Dr. Tanga Odoi said this today:
“We do not control the register – it’s the Secretary General. There is a village that had only one registered voter”.
“This has been the best ever elections by NRM. I don’t think there have been several cases. Those who have issues should petition” (…)”On a scale of 1 to 100, I believe we have scored 58%.” (…)”I will not resign. Resign for what? I cannot be pressured. These MPs and Ministers can’t scare me” (Ayiswa, 2015).
Gen. Otafiire calls the NRM Primaries an actually a “Circus”; and feels his: “being played with”.
Vincent Kyamadidi said this yesterday:
“This is a sham. Surely NRM EC knew we were supposed to have an election”
“LIRA: Majority residents and leaders from Lango sub-region who were invited to attend a campaign rally to denounce vote-buying and selling during the forthcoming 2016 general elections did not turn up” (…)”A resident of Lira Town, Ms Margaret Obote, said it is not bad for voters to accept bribes so long as they vote wisely. Opposition candidates accuse the ruling party of encouraging vote-buying, Mr Odur said could well be true. He further said President Yoweri Museveni for years has been known for offering expensive gifts which to him (Mr Odur) look like vote-buying”(Oketch & Alaba, 2015).
In Kampala as the NRM Primaries there been reports of angry crowds on the Buganda Road as the murder suspect Ssebuwufu was taken away in a minibus while they wishing him gone.
A strange rumor that is going is that in certain areas that the NRM Register didn’t need to see member cards in certain district and let even FDC members was allowed to vote in this NRM Primaries. That is a shocker if that is true! Is that true, ladies and gentleman?
Florence Nebanda of the Butalejja District claims the Primaries is a fraud and has filled in a petition to the NRM-EC where she is saying she is cheated!
In Bbale Police Station the incumbent Sulaiman Madada got detained yesterday for attempting to run away with the declaration form.
In Butembe County the pastor Nelson Lufafa is the flag-bearer now of the county.
In Bukiwe County the gospel singer Judith Babirye won the seat in the area.
In Buhuya County the Kabarole district Margaret Muhanga Mugsiha has won and become the flag-bearer with over 14,000 votes.
In Ndorwa County West the former campaign manager Gilbert Agaba lost to David Bhati who now is the flag-bearer for the district now.
In Koboko Municipality Evelyn Anite won her seat, but that was not strange, since she was the sole candidate…
In Kibale County the Pallisa Woman MP Judith Amoit Omagor lost her spot to former CMI spy Richard Oseku. Also in Pallisa County the incumbent Jacob Opolot lost his seat to Rogers Tatambuka.
In Hoima the NRM-Primaries is postponed AGAIN! Yes, the reports are true. Bunyoro elections are a tricky thing…
In Sserere the incumbent Joseph Opit Okojjo won the seat for LC5 NRM Flag-bearer with a massive amount of votes.
In Mbarara:
“The Mbarara District Police Commander Jaffar Magyezi has arrested over 50 people in Mwizi Sub County, who allegedly attacked supporters and agents of opposite candidates in the build up to yesterday’s NRM primaries” (…)”Police says that last Sunday, rogue supporters of Charles Ngabirano attacked and assaulted those of the reelected Rwampara MP Vincent Mujuni Kyamadidi and Mutima Gordon Kappa, accusing them of betrayal” (…)”The DPC says up to 50 suspects were arrested in a swoop, from which the ringleaders will be singled out and charged” (Nahamya, 2015).
In Mawokota North Amalia Kyambadde won the district with 79%.
In Gulu:
“Jimmy Okema, spokesperson for Aswa region said on Wednesday morning that Inspector of Police Morris Latigo, attached to Aywe police post in Gulu municipality has already made a statement on pictures showing him in uniform voting in the NRM primaries at police primary school in Gulu town. The picture began doing the rounds online yesterday. Okema added that a disciplinary committee is already being instituted to listen to a case of misconduct against inspector Latigo” (Acholitimes, 2015).
Wakiso – Kyaddondo County South/Makindye Ssabagbo:
“We also sympathize those that have not yet held those elections including my own Kyaddondo County South Constituency/ Makindye Ssaabagabo Municipality in Wakiso District. On our part, there was an excuse of lack of enough ballot papers, which was later found lame as we had enough of them. The real reason was that my supporters had stormed polling stations as early as 6.00 am and it scared my opponents.l, and Municipality NRM Chairperson Godfrey Kiwanuka insisted that elections should go on yesterday but the Registrar Mr. Charles Settebere and Frank Kyazze, my opponent, insisted that we vote today. NRM Deputy Spokesperson also said that elections in Wakiso would go on today. Later, however, NRM electoral officials in Wakiso decreed that elections would be held tomorrow Thursday October 29th starting at 8.00 am and ending at 4.00 PM: Although some press reports today have said that elections in Wakiso would be held on Friday, 30 minutes ago, Makindye Ssabagabo Registrar has told me that he has got instructions from Wakiso to hold elections tomorrow. So, on behalf of NRM, l apologize for what we are going through in Makindye Ssabagabo and elsewhere, and call upon people to come in large numbers and participate in the elections. Even those without yellow cards but whose names are in yellow books, will vote. Let’s vote for a potential MP but not a mere flag bearer as it has been the case since 2006” (Musaazi, Ahmed, 2015).
Amuria – Message from Jackie Ajego:
“Have been watching the NRM primary elections for Amuria closely with my net on standby for 2016, watch this space btn AJEGO VS AMERO match. Amuria needs leadership balance. this time. Nepepe I pedori oni, my ,6 sisters who couldn’t make it in primaries lets join hands than taking off to independent .. join Ajego task force Amuria 2016 we Share. the dream for our land” (Jackie Ajego, 2015).
Bugabula North -Message from the camp of John Teira:
“It’s almost 24hrs since we lost to a thug. Honestly i want to thank all the people of Bugabula North constituency for the continued support you’ve given us since we began this process in February this year till this just concluded NRM primaries that were marred with irregularities, intimidation of our voters, bribery, beating/harming agents and voters plus all sorts of unusual character by our opponents. To our understanding, we won this election though the thugs used all possibilities to garner support from government police agents who even went to the extent of protecting a lone voter ”Mrs KIZIGE” to tick all the ballots alone at a polling station. It’s unfortunate u were denied chance to vote a leader/ candidate of your choice but trust us, we aren’t contented with this too. However, with great confidence and trust in you our supporters, we are considering your views to stand as an independent coz we shall not accept such rigging where by a candidates garners 650 votes at a polling station of 167 voters. That’s impunity. Let’s work together for the good of our next mission tha shall see us in parliament. United we stand, Divided we fall. God bless u all that” (Raymond Peter Taayle).
Orungo District – Message from Camp of Gen Odongo:
“Hello ladies and gentlemen is here by thanking all the people of Orungo for having made the right choice during the elections of the NRM primaries whereby we have defeated our opponent with a very big margin.I also thank all the well-wishers who have been with us all the way till today thank you, thank you, thank you”
Kanugu District:
“Kaberuka 1892 Dixon 137 Rugaju 431 Kyatuheire 272 Rubasha 169 Mbabazi Julius 169 Bakamungyema 77.Kasya 2425 Bakiiga 701Elizabeth 1088 Ruth 411 charity 181 Adah 735 Patience 205 Juliet 534n Nyakinon The sub-County registrar has been hijacked with one Caleb Karabareme and Hon. Jackline Kyatuheire in company of the RDC Harriet Nakamya 8:49 they have started pre-ticking and forcing refilling of the result forms” (Reported Earlier today!).
Kapelebyong County:
The now former MP Dr. Peter Emmanuel Eriaku lost the election to Johnson Malinga is now the flag-bearer for the district.
Toroma County:
The ones who didn’t win the flag-bearer seat were Clive Solomon Ossiya and Patrick Aeku. The winner now the flag-bearer of the district is the Joseph Andrew Kuluo.
Bunyangabu District:
The winner of the district is Adolf Mwesige wins with 20,314 over the Dr. Vincent Owujuni 12,987.
Bundibugyo District:
The result from the district has made the incumbent MP Hon. Dr. Kamanda Batarigaya. The man who won the district is Richard Gafabusa who is the former speaker of Kusei (Parliament) and Obundigya Bwa Bwamba.
The Woman MP of the District also lost her position and she is Harriet Ntabazi, the new winner of the Woman MP position Josephine Babugi.
Also the Chairman of the LCV Jolly Tibemanya lost her seat to Ronald Mutegeki who was the former administrator of Bundibugyo hospital.
Bughendera District:
Christopher Kibanzanga won with a margin of 5000 votes over Kiiza Acrobat.
Karasi Emmanuel 2953
Byaruhanga Richard 5024 (Winner)
Byaruhanga Pison Dubai 3338 MP Bushenyi-Ishaka Muncipality:
Arinda Gordon Cowboy 5970 (Winner)
Willis Bashaasha 5097
Jannefer Musoke 377 MP Igara East:
Andrew Martial 12049 (Winner)
Mawanda Micheal 11528
Ruhonoka Mugizi Benon 376 MP Igara West:
Muhanguzi Umar 5433
Twazagye Naboth 378
Tumutegyereize Onesmus 190
Asingura Tarsisio 1629
Dr. Abel Mucunguzi 3257
Prof.Bazana Kabwegyere Tarsis 15178
Raphael Magyezi 19992 (Winner). Sembabule Final Results:
Mawogola South:
1. Joseph Ssekabiito 18234
2. Dezy Byuuma 11469
3. Muhanguzi Charles 2221
4. Twesigye Henry 197
5. Ddamulira Faizal 291.
Lwemiyaga County MP:
1. Theodore Sekikubo 11360.
2. Patrick Nkalubo 8791
3. Andrew Nankunda 1306
4. Patrick Sabiti 240
5. Musoke Deo 49.
LC5 Chairman Sembabule:
1. Dr Elly Muhumuza 31209
2. Magyezi Peter 22896
3. Bagyendanwa Swaib 16266
4. Kaweesa Alex 2021.
Mawogola North:
Sam Kuteesa Unopposed!!!!!!!
Woman MP:
Elections stopped because candidate Diana Nuwanyine was not on ballot papers.
Elections declared by Registrar George Katokozi.
Mbale District:
Mujasi Elly Benard 57,350
Magombe Vincent 50,339
Maumbe Mike 9,772
Bungokho South:
Werikhe Michael 32,164
Mauso Andrew 23,439
Bungokho North:
Magomu Mashate 14,136
Wojje 12,012
Woman MP:
Connie Nakayenze Galiwango 71,307
Lydia Wanyoto 48,390
Bukedea District:
Bukedea County MP: John Bosco Ikojo
Woman MP: Rose Okullu Akol
Kachumbala County: Patrick Isiagi Opolot
Ngora District:
Ngora County: David Abala
Woman: Jacqueline Amongin
Sserere County:
Serere County: Patrick Okabe
Kasilo County: Tony Owany
Woman: Hellen Adoa
Katakwi County:
Katakwi County: Peter Ogwang
Toroma: Joseph Koluo
Woman: Viola Akurut
There been a lot and a lot of numbers. More will come and there will be more deep reports from the elections that have been marred with pre-ticket ballots, postponed balloting and lots of violence. There have been areas of peaceful and righteous internal elections; maybe in the village with one voter, Dr. Tanga Odoi? No, I am joking but there is some sense that this internal election has been not smooth or swell at it should be. We all can agree on that after seeing the mess it has been. NRM EC can’t be proud of the result and how it been done. Secondly NRM CEC got to have a meeting in Entebbe and have some check and balances. Because there been enough issues and misgivings that there should be major clean-up and the results of losing members and other circumstances should show how the cookie crumbles! Peace.
MinBane 