Uganda Communications Commission (UCC): Temporary Suspension of Public Internet Access and Selected Mobile Services During the Election Period (13.01.2026)

Uganda General Elections: Next week will be brutal and the following days too…

Today’s revelation of yet another unopposed MP in Isingiro North. It just shows how the General Election of 2026 will play out. That in combination of the ramping up of abductions, which is later called arrests and they will use flimsy or clumsy charges at best. Just to ensure the National Unity Platform (NUP) is weakened, as well as the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) too. They are just targeting the opposition and we can just see it coming.

The polls will move along. The streets are already seeing soldiers, police force and other authorities gearing up. The state has promised not to block internet and such, but we should anticipate that. The ones who has mobile money and uses that should take it out in advance of the polls. Because for 48 hours or so, the agents and the companies might not be able to access it. The state will go after bitchat and other VPNs too. So, expect it get dark and twisted.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the army don’t play. General Museveni won’t relent or let go. That’s why he gets angry and targets people who isn’t following him accordingly. This we saw on stage the other day and we can just wonder how angry he is when people are following Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine. We just know that hurts his prestige, his ego and whatever else that gives him energy to push for another term.

The last few by-elections and the previous General Election in 2021 showed how far the state takes it. They are willing to abduct, torture and extra judicially kill people. Just to prove they have the power and the ability to linger in office. There is nothing stopping them now either. They are already taking people into custody, hiding them, disappearing them and just targeting them at large. That’s just what they are willing to do and the next few days won’t be better.

The polling agents and party agents of the opposition should fear for their lives. The ones who are in association and closely associated should know the price they can pay. The candidates and flag-bearers are already behind bars too. Some for longer and other are just activists or even party officials who has been abducted too. They are just taking them in and keeping them detained to weaken the parties and their resolve. However, this just show how vile and vicious the state is.

I’m not hopeful about anything. I expect pre-ticked ballots, ballot-boxes tampered with and all the other tricks of the state. That’s why they have made so many more polling stations ahead of the election. The gerrymandering of districts and counties. It is all a scheme to rig and ensure a pyrrhic victory for the Movement. That’s all there is too it and everyone can see it coming. It is a charade and a race of getting legitimacy, but not getting the will of the people. The latter is just for speeches, but not the reality. Because the reality would expose the ones in power and they wouldn’t handle the defeat either.

All the tear-gas, blocking of venues, making the opposition ride long dirt-feeder routes and such just shows how sinister they are. Trying to intimidate, weaken the resolve and arresting parts of the convoy all through the campaign period. Only shows their true heart and intentions. They aren’t budging, but only showing force. There is no love lost, but no love given either. Just acts of violence and oppression. Like we don’t know and cannot see it either.

The General lives by the gun and he dies by the gun. That will the coming days prove yet again. This election will look like a war-zone and like the state fear its own citizens. The darkness will come upon us. The rigging is in the open and they haven’t even concealed that either. As they are not open or even trying to be transparent, because then their gig would be all out there. Therefore, expect more and especially more suffering. There will be blood, sweat and tears… nothing is holy for these gentlemen and they rather bury someone, than give way or even be a little bit humble. Peace.

Opinion: Have the fringe candidates worn off? Yes… they have and we know the drill…

Today in January mere two weeks away from the polls. Do you care about what the other ones does? This is a two man race and everyone knows it. It is a Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine and incumbent self-styled President for Life, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. We all know these are the two that really matters and it shows.

Not that the Presidential Candidate of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) doesn’t have a heart and a conscience. No, Mugisha Muntu is a stand-up guy and a respected leader at this point, but this man doesn’t have the charisma or the ability to move to masses with his manners and visions. He is at least a serious candidate and a man of his words, regardless of it falling flat and going nowhere.

It is worse to look at the Presidential Candidate for Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Nathan Nandala Mafabi who is running on the traditional big-party tent of the opposition, but no one trust him or his party. They have betrayed the cause and they will be remembered for how they drove Dr. Kizza Besigye away from the party. Therefore, this man is just a tragic character filled with flaws and a party of the hinges.

It’s hard to see Robert Kasibante and his National Peasant Party (NPP) mattering, he should have sought after a more reasonable office and even tried to become an MP somewhere. This man is just wasting his time and this isn’t really anything.

Have your heard about Mabirizi this time around? Is the Conservative Party and the second time Presidential Candidate Joseph Mabirizi even heard? Does anyone know what he says or what he pledges? The running joke of youthfulness last time has died off and his just a punchline. It shouldn’t be this way, but the CP isn’t earning political points on this and neither is Mabirizi getting any more credibility doing this.

We can wonder why the Common Man’s Party (CMP) Presidential Candidate Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga even campaigns. He should just eat the pillau and call it a day. This former MP thinks he can run the nation and become the Head of State. Well, he haven’t even built a proper party before starting to run for Presidency. So, this here will only end in tears, but he will always have the pillau.

Last but not least of the unnecessary candidates are the Presidential Candidate for the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP), Frank Kabinga Bulira. The man running on the legacy of late Dr. Aggrey Kiyingi. The delusional man and the character his been spewing in the media just show how shallow and lack of structure aren’t taking you anywhere. This man rather build his business portfolio or find the next right person to leach unto. As this man cannot carry the Presidency or the Office, which he seeks.

This all just being blunt. We know the victor is already selected and the polls are only there for legitimacy of the incumbent. Everything is aligned for the NRM to have the majority and rule supreme. Anything else is out of the question and it’s prefixed. It is written in the stars and the tales of old is revised yet again.

These people are only here to make it seem like a race and that there are others who are competing. When it is really just a charade. A mockery and the ones in charge would prefer to kill the multi-party dispensation and re-launch a “Movement System” for this era. Let’s just be real and we can all acknowledge that by now. Peace.

Moses Birigwa: The Activist turned Secretary General

“I don’t feel betrayed by Bobi Wine, but rather betrayed by the leaders from the Busoga region. They have tried their best to make me look like a bad person to our president Bobi Wine. I am glad Bobi Wine knows me and he knows how I have been dedicated towards the struggle” – Moses Birigwa (12.12.2023).

“In 2023, I vowed never again to be led by civilians who lack the capacity to lead a revolution. I have served under many who failed to deliver. That’s why I’ve joined forces with Field Marshal Munyagwa, a true man of the people. I now commit to championing the issues of the common man, long ignored by both the government and the opposition” – Moses Birigwa (15.07.2025).

The former National Unity Platform (NUP) mobiliser for Eastern Uganda has now become the Secretary General of the Common Man’s Party (CMP). This is the party of a former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) MP Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga who is the Presidential Candidate for the party. Moses Birigwa is entrusting his future in the hands of a former MP and new Opposition leader. A man who just recently said he left the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF). Therefore, they are both vibing for relevance and wanting their cut.

They are all eating of the same plate. Birigwa was the activist and mobiliser for NUP. In that role, he has been arrested and tortured. That’s been documented and proven. As a man of the struggle, he fought and got caught. As a NUP Mobiliser he paid a price and did his duties.

As any man can or want, he can leave a party and go to another one. We don’t know when he moved to the Common Man’s Party, but it can’t be to long ago. As the changes in the party and whatnot isn’t that long ago. He must have built trust and a genuine relationship with Munyagwa to do this. As he was working for the NUP and trying to build the party in Eastern Uganda.

Seriously, this man had a choice, and he has decided. It was all up to him, and he went with the CMP instead of the NUP. That was he wanted to do, and he did. Steadily at various of media appearances his speaking of the difference between CMP and NUP. His not attacking the NRM, but busy challenging his former party. That is an interesting move, and he should consider his stance.

Birigwa has a major role in the CMP, but the CMP is nowhere where the NUP is. That is well known, and everyone can see that on the campaign trail. The CMP won’t amass or make a ripple effect.

If Moses wanted to get out of the desert and get to the promised land. I can tell you that won’t happen with CMP. No, he walks in the desert for years to come and only Joshua will enter it. He should read that story and maybe reflect a bit. We don’t know what the other leaders in the NUP did in the Eastern region, but that could have been handled. Instead, he has now left and boosting his own ego.

His lucky to get the title of Secretary General of the CMP, but that won’t save him. He decided to do this, and he will walk in the sunshine without any end. It will be tiring… and exhausting. Peace.

Two Days of Drama: The Presidential Nominations tells it all

The two days of Presidential Nomination is now over. The Electoral Commission has now accepted 8 candidates. These are: “On Day 1, the following candidates were duly nominated:

• President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (NRM)
• Kasibante Robert (NPP)
• Mabirizi Joseph (CP)

On Day 2, the following candidates were duly nominated:

• Nandala Mafabi James Nathan (FDC)
• Mugisha Gregory Muntu Oyera (ANT)
• Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu (NUP)
• Munyagwa Mubarak Sserunga (CMP)
• Bulira Frank Kabinga (RPP)” (Electoral Commission, 24.09.2025).

It is really telling that we are here in 2025 ahead of 2026. Everyone can see the game and the candidates tells it all. Just like the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) aren’t even there. Democratic Party doesn’t have a candidate either. We know why the DP doesn’t have one, but the two oldest parties aren’t involved. That’s a compelling picture.

We see that the true opposition candidates are the Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and Mugisha Gregory Muntu Oyera of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT). Those two are the opposition to the regime and the voices who resonate with people.

The one who has the control and continues the charade is President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). That’s why the race is manufactured this way. He only has two voices that can bring people against him. The others are just out of folly at this point.

This time we aren’t seeing independents and there is no one from the Farmers Party or the Ecological Party either. There is no women on the ballot. The 8 candidates are really a meagre example of the population. That is significant when about 200 people paid for the nomination papers. Yes, several students had nowhere to go, but others should have a shot. Even the likes of Muhammed Nsereko who has been a Member of Parliament for ages. If the likes of Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga of the Common’s Man Party (CMP) can be nominated, why not Nsereko too? Please, who are you lying to?

Last time Joseph Mabirizi was an independent candidate, this time his returning on the Conservative Party (CP) ticket. This means he has veteran politician Ken Lukyamuzi’s support. Which is ironic when Mubarak Munyagwa has said he wanted to copy his style of politics in the past. That’s when things are getting tricky, but neither of these will be a force to be reckon with.

We know that Robert Kasibante of the National Peasant’s Party (NPP) and Frank Bulira Kabinga of the Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP) are on the ballot, but these two aren’t serious in any concern. Kasibante was an aspiring NRM MP just a hot minute ago. So, we know where his heading. The RPP is even less relevant than People’s Progressive Party (PPP) which was blocked from being on the ballot. So, things are weird in this election. RPP is there, but the EC stopped the UPC from being a part of this shindig.

If you wonder by now, why I haven’t mentioned Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Well, there isn’t much to say. He got the key, and he got to wave to empty streets on his nomination day. Even his predecessor Patrick Oboi Amuriat had more theatrics and more drama, which would have created a little interest around his name. Mafabi on the other hand is as inspiring as dry paper. No one believes him and he should just stop kidding himself.

Trust me this is a race between the NRM and NUP. The NRM is targeting the NUP for a reason. All the authorities and the state is going after the NUP. That’s who the enemy is and who they fear. The state doesn’t fear the rest. They are also trying to jade the ballot with a Robert Kasibante versus a Robert Kyagulanyi. We see the gig and it isn’t even clever. They have logo’s and everyone can spot an umbrella if they want too.

These Presidential Nominations and the ones duly participating tells it all. Mabarizi has grown and smart by becoming the CP candidate, but that won’t salvage much. He should have tried to become an MP for that party. That would have made sense. The same can be said about every candidate for the NPP, ANT, FDC, CMP and the RPP. All of these would be better off doing so.

Yes, Muntu is a figure of respect and of pragmatism. Some even says a President the nation never gets and apparently doesn’t deserve. However, this is a Museveni and Bobi Wine race. The others are just there to look nice and make it seems like people has choices to pick from. When everyone knows the score. This isn’t even funny, but that’s how things are managed. Peace.

A note to the newly nominated independent candidates

Well, the run up to the 2026 General Elections are happening. Former people trying to vie for positions and offices has been blocked or lost their option within the party they were a part of. That being the National Resistance Movement or the National Unity Platform. Some seek other parties and places, which opened for them like the Democratic Front (DF). However, there won’t be open doors everywhere.

The nominations and the run-in’s at the Electoral Commissions Offices across the Republic. It is nothing new that people losing in the Primaries are running as independents after. That this happens for the NRM and NUP isn’t new. The NUP is saying the ones who does this is actually out of the party and cease being a members. We know the NRM aren’t doing this and they are capable of letting them return to the fold after the polls. The party has even appointed Independent MPs who has lost their races after General Elections. Therefore, we know the different attitudes to this.

The parties has to take it the way they want too. There is a risk that an individual will have more sway than a party. A party ticket isn’t a natural entry into office. Even if the constituency or the citizens in a region is used to voting for one party. Still, there is possibilities that a character and a person can become more viable than the party itself. We have seen this before and that can happen again in 2026.

These independents will regardless face an uphill battle. They should know this and they have to compete with state apparatus and party support systems, which can do so much more in the hey-days or on the polling day. We know polling agents of the opposition can be abducted and arrested on the voting day. So, if that happens to the likes of the NUP. Then what sort of power has an Independent candidate to safeguard his vote or his agents? We just know that they cannot do it or can afford to challenge it.

This is why the independents are there to stifle the competition, but also make things more unclear. As the options are jaded and the ruling regime can use lesser efforts to ensure the majority control. The opposition will be more fragmented and has less unified approach. As the independents who used to be members and wanted to run as flag-bearer, they are now challenging not only the state, but their own former party too.

The independents are here to stay. Some are naturally running as independents and aren’t trying to get a party nomination or be a flag-bearer. However, those aren’t the ordinary or the ones who has big-shot of getting there. The ones who are able are the ones who has already created a name and been able to build a structure for their candidacy. That takes time, money and skills to do. Especially, when you don’t have the help of a party and their support mechanisms. That’s what a candidate need and the joint efforts can also boost a candidacy. This is why an independent candidate has to bring the A-Game and be solid from day one. That’s a lot to ask and this is why plenty fails.

Time will tell… but expect some NUP leaning Independent MPs… just like we have seen NRM leaning Independent MPs in the past. That’s just natural and the same we will see in local government too. Peace.

The new party “bonanza” ahead of 2026

If you think Mathias Mpuuga’s Democratic Front (DF) is the only new one ahead of 2026. You are apparently wrong. The nation is grappling with the knowledge and getting to know all of the new political parties in the Republic. That’s clearly what is up, as there are new every week and older and inactive parties are suddenly changing names.

That’s why the Ecological Party is having a vibe with the NRM leaning Kampala Central MP Muhammed Nsereko. While former Kawempe South MP Mubarak Munyagwa is launching his Common Man’s Party. Today there was a launch of the National Peasant’s Party (NPP) so it is that.

Earlier this year and in a slower speed, the Katonga Road Headquarters of FDC became the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF). That’s a party which will have much more of a say and have leaders that is well known. As that is the party of Dr. Kizza Besigye and it’s also already aligned with Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and Gen. Mugisha Muntu. These are fellows who are known and can organize itself.

Meanwhile the DF is full of stalwarts and journeymen. Mpuuga will have to galvanize his ego and feel the pinch like others before him. There is little to see there, but there is a pattern here.

All of these parties comes out of nowhere and is suddenly rising. They are done in such a fashion. That you can wonder. Just like the rising of special organizations and pressure groups within the National Resistance Movement (NRM). There is so many of them that are passing in the wind and are appearing ahead of elections. They are there as associations and vehicles for the willing to be recognized and hopefully get appointed or known by the “high above”.

These other parties are now appear as challengers and opposition. They are here to weaken the National Unity Platform and their cause. That’s to weaken the “base” of the NUP and trying to forge other narratives. That’s why Mpuuga and the likes are speaking more ill of Bobi Wine than of Museveni. That’s the game-plan here to break the strongholds and weaken this party.

The PFF-ANT alliance is a sincere one and we can see that. The newly formed alliance has game and shows tact. Meanwhile, these other parties are briefcase parties and other formations, which are only there as diversions and playing people for fools. These won’t win anything substantial or be true competition against the NRM. That’s what Museveni wants and all of these “fringe” parties won’t be treat to inner-circle of Movement. No, these are jokers and as the younglings suddenly becoming Presidential Candidates without any merit or a name to mention.

The DF, Common Man’s Party and NPP is most likely there to hurt the NUP. They are pawns on the chess-set and the King is setting them in motion. The king cannot control the likes of PFF, ANT or NUP. However, he can dole over barren dead-beat parties given a second life ahead of the 2026 elections. That’s why we can see the gig and it’s to naive to think otherwise.

This here is a game and they have put it in motion. We will see how this will play out. Nevertheless, expect continues attack on the NUP. More than they are going after the NRM or Museveni. That would be telling and will show their true intentions. As they are there as a diversion and not for significant change.

It is ironic, but expect these pawns to act like royalty, but they will end up in oblivion after the polls. Peace.