Reports from the Elections in the newly formed districts Kagadi, Kakumiro, Rubanda, Omoro and Kibaale!

Boda Boda Elections

“Elections in the new districts have so far been peaceful.” Dr Livingstone Sewanyana

To get the rest of left seats in Parliament and Local Government are for grabs in the newly formed districts of Rubanda, Kagadi, Kakumiro and Omoro. So the stakes are high, even the Electoral Commission have again delivered Electoral Material late at the dozen polling stations in the districts. The famous ways of Boda-Boda’s are the common delivery method in the early morning as the stations are set up and made ready. But as the rest of the General Election this year, there been issues of bribery, pre-ticked ballots and some occurring incidents of even burning down a radio station. Take a look!

Good News:

“Police says they have not registered any clashes in the ongoing elections in the five newly created districts” (933 KFM, 2015). This counter’s the reports and worries that Dr. Badru Kiggundu of Electoral Commission claimed before the elections that they we’re worried about violence during the election. Seem, like the EC Engineer we’re wrong on that point.

Kagadi 29.08.2016

From Kagadi there are already reported that the National Resistance Movement have delivered pre-ticked ballots. “In police cells at Kagadi is Arinaitwe Ismail over Arson attempt. OC Kagadi police station says Arinaitwe tried to burn a radio station” (Capital FM Uganda, 2016). So there is a special situation in the district for the NRM Flagbearer Steven Kasingbwe, Forum for Democratic Change candidate Peter Byahangire and Independent Candidate Yosiya Ndibwami.

In one polling station in Kakumiro district there been reported low turnout as well at Kabworo polling station in Kakumiro town council. In the district where you have to choose between Apuli Ssemanda of NRM and Independent Candidate Lawrence Bazala, so it will be interesting to see who becomes the elected in the newly created district. A problem at some of the Polling Stations is that people are missing from the Electoral Register. So Voters sent away even if they we’re supposed to vote in Kakumiro. Also reported this: “Fight between agents of an NRM candidate and an agent of an Independent candidate were reported and confirmed at Birembo Sub-county, Kakumiro” (…) “Kakumiro community radio was reported to have been campaigning for an NRM candidate” (CCEDU, 2016).

In Rubanda district this we’re reported: “Distribution of polling materials to the 32 polling stations within Bubaare subcounty Rubanda districts begins at 6:35am!” and this happen on Boda-Boda’s in the district. So at some at the polling stations the Election material came late. “At Kacerere 5 Polling Station, Rubanda, Voters are outside waiting for a candidate(s) who will pay them money for their vote” (…) “Many of those we have talked to are unwilling to go and vote before they are paid. A vote is going for, between UGX 500 and 2,000” (NTV Uganda, 2016). “The arrest was executed by Dannie Elly Ecwatu the Officer in charge of Muko Police Station” (…) “This followed a tip-off by residents of Muko. Arigye recorded a statement at Muko Police Station with case reference number 07/29/208/16 The suspect is said to be a campaign agent of the independent District Woman MP candidate,  Hilda Kabarungi” (New Vision, 29.08.2016). Also in Rubanda we’re FDC MP Hon. Francis Mwijuke: “Just to be sure. Tight marking. No taking chances. Here in the new district of Rubanda- Kabale monitoring the polling for LC5 chairman and the district woman MP” (Mwijuke, 2016). The CCEDU said this about the election in Rubanda: “5 polling stations in Kagadi, Kakumiro and Rubanda were missing indelible ink and 1 polling station in Rubanda was missing voter register” (CCEDU, 2016).

Omoro Election 2016

In Omoro the highly contested by-election as the Democratic Party, Uganda People’s Congress, National Resistance Movement and Forum for Democratic Change candidates who contest for the single positions in this elections. Today’s bigshot we’re when DPs Norbert Mao went out to stamp out his vote today at Labongologo Polling Station, where he voted for Omoro Woman MP and District Chairperson.

Kibaale District 29.08.2016

From Kibaale district:

The FDC candidate in Kibaale District Woman MP race, Counsel Proscovia Kunihira has Just Cast her vote . There Is largely a Poor turn up of voters in Kibaale and other 4 Districts where the élection Is taking place. But, we have total confidence Our candidate Will win This race and paint Kibaale and Bunyoro” (Mulindwa Walid Lubega, 2016). Also some technical difficulties as the “BVS malfunctioned in Kibaale District, Buyanja County, and Matale A Sub-county and at Nkooko B p-station” (…) “In Kibaale district, 4 people known to be deceased had their names ticked in voter’s register as though the deceased had voted” (CCEDU, 2016).

CCEDU statement in general:

“NRM prescence the most prevalent, FDC had in Kigadi, Kabale, Omoro, and Rubanda, UPC, DP only noted in Omoro. This concerns us” (…) “By 7:00am, only 10 polling stations out of the 100 polling stations observed in the five districts had opened” (CCEDU, 2016).

“MP’s want 150m for cars, but shouldn’t Government prioritise LC1 Elections above all?” Dr Livingstone Sewanyana

What Might happen:

So now it just to see how the Election will be tallied and the results will come. If there will be incidents like the NRM Primaries or even Presidential Election earlies this year where Pre-Ticked Ballots are coming from the sheds, Police Stations and from Candidates all over the place. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Tally Centre’s get raided by a disgruntled candidate or even comes with security forces to clear the result in the name of the candidate.

Let’s hope it gets totally free and fair, but if any indication and trust between the electorate, let’s say the citizens and the Electoral Commission as the sham and rigging we’re evident during last election. So the low-turnout now is a continuation of the low turnout at the Local Councilor Elections during the latest polls. So therefore the end-game will make this interesting as the proof of systematic malfunction might come again. Peace.    

DP Statement on current affairs Omoro Election, Kifeesi Police, Parliament Amendments and Police Reshuffle (23.08.2016)

DP 23.08.2016

Kampala August 23, 2016– The Elections for the Omoro District Woman MP will be held next week Monday 29th August 2016. We wish to retaliate that our Candidate Pamella Grace Lanyero is still a front runner in the race. We have finalized all efforts to protect the vote and this week we shall round up the campaigns with three Main Rallies. We shall with effect from tomorrow send our teams led by Members of Parliament; DP Whip Hon Ssewungu Joseph Gonzaga and the Women President Florence Namayanja. The Party President Norbert Mao will be the overall Field Commander. We have mapped the Constituency to the effect that the DP District Leaderships are to be deployed in respective sub-counties. This therefore puts a straight forward warning to all those with ill intensions of pandering in malpractices. The Kifeesi teams, crime preventers and police should therefore limit themselves only to the constitutional provisions pursuant to Electoral laws. We wish to participate in a free and fair process and we shall not be liable for any repercussions pursuant to contradicting the process.

Constitution Amendment Bill 2016

We are also concerned about the proposal, which is part of several amendments proposed in the Constitution Amendment Bill 2016 and is spearheaded by the Nakifuma County MP to provide for an open term of office for Commissioners under the Electoral Commission. The Bill seeking to extend the term of office of the Commissioners from the current ten-year non-renewable term to an open in a guise to allow for the Commission to retain more experienced individuals to run it is a blunder. This move by all means serves interests of Government and the President in particular. The appointment and permanent retention in such a move is ploy of recycled inefficiency and reward for stealing a vote at a period when no one has trust in the Commission as the President’s employees. This is evidenced in rewarding Eng. Badru Kiggundu in his new appointment as in-charge of Karuma and Isimba Power Dams Construction for the job well done in the EC. We are aware that this is a pilot plot to pave way for Life Presidency and we ask the President and his team to put their hands off the destiny of Uganda.

Police Public Relations Office Reshuffle
The country received the news of the reshuffle of the former Police PRO Fred Enanga. It is never astonishing that the Police Spokesperson is reshuffled because we have seen many come and go. What is startling is how a one Fred Enanga is replaced by the cantankerous Andrew Felix Kaweesi. The move saves Fred Enanga from living a life with his foot perpetually in his mouth. The Party is convinced that this reshuffle at such a time is uncalled for, diversionary and a political move from the IGP to cover up his recent mess in the Police but worse still; the organized mob he aided to attack the Courts of Judicature. We wish to stand clearly and state that the appointment of Kaweesi as the Police image, whether in interim or utilitarian capacity is not welcome at all. The personality of the Spokesperson brings out the entire image of the institution and that cannot be Kaweesi. We have a track-record of him from the days when he was in charge of the Police training school in Masindi. All Police officers who were passed out during his time have messed up the institution and haven’t acted any different from Aron Baguma, Arinaitwe Bwana among others. These are the fruits of Kaweesi!

When he was appointed Kampala Metropolitan Zonal Police Commander, his rough, inhuman and deadly actions as an individual are still fresh in the minds of the people of Kampala and the Metropolitan. This was a bit covered up when he was transferred to head the Human Resource Department and AIGP Director of operations. We have for long known that this is the true image of the Police, but the appointment of a person of such calibre will leave all Ugandans weeping whenever he appears in the media to justify police positions. Whereas the entire institution is rotten, we are convinced there is a better rot than Kaweesi! As a Party, we task Kaweesi in his new capacity to parade IGP Kale Kayihura instead of parading lower officers such as the truck driver. The IGP is at large and he disobeyed Court Criminal Summons.

Kakande Kenneth Paul
Publicity Secretary

 

DP Press Statement on current affairs in Uganda (26.07.2016)

DP 26.07.2016

Kampala July 26th 2016The Party seeks to inform all Ugandans that we are ready to participate in the forthcoming elections of the newly created districts particularly Omoro where we have received Applications from four excellent candidates. The NEC has in consultation with the branch been assessing the suitability of the candidates. The process will be concluded today afternoon and a Press Statement will be issued unveiling the Party candidate for the seat of Woman MP, Omoro District. We are still committed to working with other opposition friendly forces and we shall support the opposition candidates whenever and wherever possible.

The Democratic Party is greatly concerned about the state of the Health Sector in the country. We are disheartened that the few erected structures have no personnel and equipment; where the personnel and equipment exist, the facilitation is meager while the equipment has no technical personnel well conversant with its operating. However the regime despite such shortcomings isn’t ashamed to attempt to bail out phony businessmen who claim to be wallowing in debts yet they live a life of showbiz. Provision of health services in the country continues to be described by social class and political affiliation discrimination yet we have a regime that prides itself in surviving courtesy of peasant class support.

Last month our Vice President- Buganda region MP Betty Nambooze was in South Africa seeking better treatment. She is improving and we thank all those who have been there for her especially the FDC Chapter in South Africa. The former Woman Leader Mrs. Maxensia Takirambule has been bed ridden for several months and needs USD140000 to go to USA for surgery. There is also a Fundraising Dinner scheduled for August 12, 2016 at Hotel Africana. What the above cases show us is that the Ugandan Health Sector itself needs diagnosis. We can’t go on living life normally when we know that minus the capacity to seek foreign treatment, death is an assured deal whenever one is diagnosed serious ailments. The amount spent on treating government officials and their close of kin abroad should be invested here to build a vibrant and competent health care system. This is a call that all Ugandans should embrace regardless of our political affiliations and other divisions that may exist among us.

Prisoners’ Rights
The Party also seeks to address an issue most people tend to ignore until they find themselves faced by the same. That is the issue of Prisoners’ Rights vis a vis the right of access to information. Last week, Mr. Abdallah Kiwanuka, an eminent Party member while from visiting Mp Bakireke Nambooze happened to use a road passing by Ronald Kibuule the Government Minister’s home and came across a group of uniformed prisoners doing manual labor at the Minister’s home. He took a photo of them that was to ‘spoil’ his whole day. Road blocks were laid to ensure he didn’t get to the city. This was followed by abduction by the police and an attempt to force him to offer apologies to the person of Ronald Kibuule.

What the fracas that was a circus indeed revealed is that some people have the ability to use the police like one would use a personal walking stick. Involved was a one Ssonko the Traffic commander for Mukono, the Mukono DPC Fred Ahimbisibwe and the OC station Mbalala Police Station in Mukono. These Officers must know we consider Individual Responsibility for Individual Crimes and they will be taken on as individuals.

We do therefore condemn this use of the country’s security apparatus by some individuals just as if they are their personal militia; they indeed might be when we all along haven’t known. We do ask Ugandans to take the issue of Prisoners Rights as an issue of importance. Kibuule’s attempt to stifle the information about the use of prisoners’ labor at his home shows there was something wrong going on. We as a Party therefore will continue striving for the application of Truth and Justice as tenets that will help our country get back to the road of reason and rationale.

Kakande Kenneth Paul
Publicity Secretary

Mzee have finally wiped out the opposition as he promised after the announced victory!

Museveni Kenya Speech 2016

“I will wipe out the opposition completely in the next 5 years. NRM is going to be stronger” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

Let be clear, right after announced victory from the Electoral Commission and Eng. Dr. Badru Kiggundu, President Museveni said that he would wipe out the opposition and he has done it with passion and certainly soon done it as his duty. In a way to make sure that the Multi-Party system in the Nation is a flop.

The opportunities and the silver coined framed opposition figures in the Forum for Democratic Change are joining forces in the Shadow Cabinet to gain some estimated figures from the coffers of Parliament and play the parliamentary pawns that Mzee needs this term.

Betty Amongi Jimmy Akena Statehouse 21.06.2016

While the Uganda People’s Congress are busy trading their soul with NRM, as they are getting two slots in the 81 size cabinet of 2016-2021. The rest of UPC under Olara Otunnu are distancing and in general might even create another branch, and party that becomes a new profile, since they don’t want to be part of the NRM and Obote’s son selling of inheritance to Mzee.

Uganda Federal Alliance have also sold their fortunes for a Cabinet position and is therefore silenced by the Mzee, as she the leader of the party want to serve him and also be a part of his established court.

The hardliners of FDC are either lingering in jail, detained, house-arrested or kidnapped by security forces as the rest of the party are playing hide-and-seek close to Yusuf Lule Road in Kampala. So the party of FDC is even into the half who wants to continue the defiance of Dr. Kizza Besigye, and the ones that are settling for the silver-coins with the lingering blood on it.

Ken Lukyamuzi

The Grand question is: where is the Conservative Party of Ken Lukayamuzi? They are not to be seen, JEEMA are they still out there? Justice Forum and their men who even have been besieged by the Police during the days of officiating Mzee; the smaller parties are totally silent or at a non-approach. Democratic Party and Norbert Mao have addressed concern and the initial connection with the shoot-out in Gulu, while that was not true and government made conspiracy, and with the newly dispatched Amama Mbabazi, the party should be stronger, though their lingering nothingness, proves that the ability that Mzee have had since leaving for his swearing in,

The Police Force monitoring and detaining, silencing and attacking the opposition, together with trading with weaker minded opposition have made the stalemate livable, as the mentor and ticking problem of Besigye, is going from court to court, and addressing charges after charges and even treason, as IGP Kayihura are paying criminals to be witnesses and uses all means, and even most brain-dead police officers to lie in court; like he did in Kasangati Court of late; when the justice had to listen to the testimony of the Police Officer who was a former colonel, but never been to the army. So the truth is that, as long as he doesn’t have a voice, the men are walking around unsure of how behave towards the oppressive and militarized government of National Resistance Movement.

Besigye Nakawa 18.05.2016

All of the Opposition parties are toothless right now, the Human Rights Organizations of Kampala are raided and nothing happens. People and activist are kidnapped, soldiers are being shot and killed in made up conspiracies, while colonels and sergeants are detained as well. The paranoia of the state combined with the militarized politics and police force are taken freedoms and taken all parts of the state. The Opposition is on life support… Who is out there to save it, as the big man Dr. Kizza Besigye is away and nobody else have the legitimacy or the charisma to fight the powers with peaceful means while Mzee uses every tactic in the book to destroy and conquer them. Something he has been successful with ever since election and the reaping results are happening now, as he 10th Parliament are soon in function and the government are soon departing into brown envelopes, as business is back to normal after a hectic year. Peace.

History repeats itself: King Mutesa II and the KY traded his inheritance with Milton Obote; does his son, Hon. Akena sell the same inheritance of the UPC, when he goes into government with Museveni and his NRM?

Betty Amongi Jimmy Akena Statehouse 21.06.2016

“I can confirm that we are in talks whereby the core UPC minimum agenda that addresses key issues like health, education and agriculture will guide all engagements over the next 5 years. As UPC we firmly believe in the need for a peaceful transition cannot exclude Museveni, and therefore any meaningful transition cannot exclude him and NRM from this transition,” says James Akena

Just as mid-November 2015, there was speculation of a convenient marriage between National Resistance Movement and the Uganda People’s Congress, during the Campaign before the General Election of 2016 and as a preparation before the 10th Parliament. The Parties have stalled before as the founder and first Prime Minister Milton Obote, didn’t have many kind words for now President Museveni, as his son James Akena, the now President of UPC have traded for brown envelopes of shillings and longevity. He was tired of running in the wilderness, while the NRM continue to have the finger in every pocket and he wanted to be able to get something extra. So as Mid-June 2016 and the new Cabinet, even UPC MPs was elected into the 81 large Cabinet as a token of the Memorandum of Understanding between Akena and Museveni. Something Obote back in the day would have slapped.

Otunnu

This is what Dr. Olara Otunnu has said about the marriage recently:

“They are his weapons of choice to destabilise UPC” (…) ”This is not an alliance between UPC and President Museveni but an alliance between masqueraders Jimmy Akena, Betty Amongi and Museveni” (…) “It is inconceivable that UPC would go to bed with President Museveni. It hasn’t happened and it will not happen. Never” (Atukunda, 2016).

Planned cooperation since 2011, apparently:
“President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday this week held a meeting with NRM leaders from Lango sub region who were aggrieved with the appointment of 2 UPC members in the new cabinet, leaving out party members who sacrifice a lot for the ruling party. The President told the group: “I know you honourable are wondering why I picked some people out of the family (NRM) to the cabinet. I am only sorry that I did not tell you people earlier, but I have been in clandestine relationship with them (UPC) since 2011,” Museveni told the NRM members according to sources who attended the meeting” (Sewakilyanga, 2016).

Akena M7

So with this in mind, that Dr. Olara Otunnu has talked long time about Museveni moles in the UPC Party and with the knowledge of the UPC-NRM alliance. There are certainly that the UPC are no on the short side of the stick, as they are not the ruling party as they once we’re when father of James Akena was running the country under the UPC-Banner after independence and traded for loyal support Baganda together with the UPC-KY marriage. This was in the 1960s, but the way the party folded and lost relevance, as the resurrected Conservative Party, have never been able to take the place in the political spectrum as the Kabaka Yekka once had, as Dr. Milton Obote abolished the kingdom and also lost his place Prime Minister, before the Coup d’état against him as well, that ushers in the Dictator Idi Amin. That also opens for the surge and military operations together with Tanzanian troops to invade and set in place for a second term for President Obote. That also gives now President Museveni, a place in his cabinet, before he goes to the bush to bring down Obote. So with all the blood and tears, it is weird that the man that had the ability to bring down the father. The man who got rid of the father and run the country, are now collaborating with peaceful with his son James “Jimmy” Akena who runs his father’s party and from his father’s foundation, Milton Obote Foundation and headquarter in Uganda House.

Obote Mutesa II

With this quick recap of history and neglect, it is just weird that UPC who swallowed KY with ease and tried to silence the Central Kingdom of Uganda, Baganda and Mengo circuit of Kampala, still they are now forging a similar trade, as a minor agreement with NRM for their own goodwill, to be a loyal partner with NRM instead of working on their own.

So with all of this in mind, let us take a look at the 1960s struggle between convenient marriage then between Kabaka Yekka and the Uganda People’s Congress, then between the King Mutesa II and Dr. Milton Obote as they we’re going together in the first election to gain traction in the newly made Parliament and also force way for the first PM Obote, whom later would force the Baganda and king in Exile, as he wanted to centralize all power in the Executive and not have to tangle with royals or kingdoms, as he abolished it. But before that and while in the beginning, he had a cordial agreement who both parties earned on and gain majority in Parliament, as they could get a grander place then the Democratic Party of the day. Take a look!

KY Poster 1960s

First Report on the KY-UPC Alliance:

“According to the terms of the KY-UPC alliance, UPC leader Milton Obote became Uganda’s first post-independence Prime Minister in a coalition government with KY, while the Kabaka of Buganda, Mutesa II, was named Uganda’s ceremonial president by constitutional amendment in 1963.25 From independence in October 1962 to June 1966, however, the UPC-KY alliance disintegrated as the UPC expanded and aggressively centralized the powers of the federal government, showing little sympathy for Baganda nationalism or the rights of Uganda’s kingdom governments. Indeed, the UPC repeatedly attacked KY as a “tribal” party that was unable to meet the nation-building challenges that Uganda faced after independence” (Scott, 2006).

Report from March 1962:

“Buganda and its king, the Kabaka, have been especially reluctant to cooperate with the rest of the country in its evolution towards a more centralized form of government. On the last day of 1960 it went so far as to declare its independence from the rest of Uganda” (…)”The UPC on the other hand is determined  to get into power, and many of their political maneuvers have a reckless flavour to them. Obote is unkindly reported to be willing to sell his soul to become the first Prime Minister of Independent Uganda. Some observers feel that his compromise with the Kabaka was just that. Buganda has quite a history of broken agreements, and the big question today is how far they will honour their word to support the UPC. The Kabaka, affectionately known around here as King Freddie, is the dominant figure in Buganda. A shrewd politician, he has a remarkable ability, no doubt inherited from his illustrious forbears, of playing one side off against each other (and often winning)” (…)”The Buganda-UPC coalition had fielded a new but all but unbeatable party calling itself Kabaka Yekka (Kabaka Only). There were high spirits in the UPC Camp, while the DP was exhibiting a stiff upper lip. Both sides claimed to be able to form for a national government even if they got less than half of the seats in the Lukiko” (Wright, 1962)

“In forty-eight hours the outcome was clear. As one newspaper summarized it:

The Result as always in Buganda when the Kingdom’s status and identity seems to be threatened, was a solid closing of the ranks and yet another demonstration that, as far as the vast mass of Buganda are concerned, nationalism ends at the kingdom boundaries” (…) “soon after we talked to Basil Bataringaya, the DP’s able Secretary-General who was in charge of the campaign” (…) “He was by no means pessimistic, however, about the DP’s future. He felt it had picked up much ground outside of Buganda at the expense of the UPC since last election. He was also sure that UPC’s marriage of convenience with Kabaka Yekka would work to its disadvantage outside Buganda where most tribesmen are intensely suspicious of the Baganda” (Wright, 1962).

PM-Obote-swear-in-on-indepedence-day-9-Oct-1962-

This is what Mrs. Winklmaier wrote on the 6th May of 1962:

“The Election results turned out as we expected. 21 seats of the National Assembly go to Buganda. They are elected indirectly through the Lukiko (Buganda Government) That means “Kabaka Yekka” (Nur der Kabaka) The other 61 seats are elected through the people outside of Buganda in a secret election. 37 seats went to UPC (Uganda Peoples Congress) and 24 seats to DP (Democratic Party). The Democratic Party is made up of the last Government. Then there are still 9 more seats, which are elected by the new Government. UPC is more or less a communist party. I cannot understand that UPC and Kabaka Yekka went together in a coalition. I don’t think that the Bugandas are aware of the consequences yet. [ The names of these two parties alone made it clear to me, that they cannot work together.] We are acquainted with both, our new Prime Minister, Mr. Milton Obote, as well as the former DP Prime Minister, Mr. Benedicto Kiwanuka. We are also acquainted with other Ministers of the New Government. One certainly cannot say that these are incompetent people – quite to the contrary. Moskau has a very good hand and in fact understands to fish for the best” (Winklmaier, 2008).

I think that says enough and gives you’re ideas on my perspective on the matter and also see the similarties, between KY and UPC of back then and today, today it is UPC who is ones that is trading it all for the little coins in NRM cabinet, while KY traded their legitimacy together with the ambitious Obote to control the new Parliament and Cabinet, as the independent country and new government loomed the nation. Today the UPC is one of the old parties, still their weakness is so obvious as the internal conflict between Otunnu-UPC and Akena-UPC continues, while the UPC now is really embedded, as proven with the ministerial position to two party cadets, the wife of Akena and also another family member of the Obote clan in the Cabinet.

Akena Otunnu

Just the proof the issues with the alliance, not only Otunnu who has issues with it, there are more men who disagree with Hon. Akena trade off. Peter Walubiri says this: “Museveni gave Akena money and soldiers and they hijacked the electoral process. He wants to take over our party but he will not succeed,” (…) “We [UPC] have not got any ministers, people can leave the party anytime they want and those too have left. We are going to expel them” (…) “Everyone supporting Akena is no longer UPC, but Movement. Those that want to eat are the ones going to Museveni” (…) “Justice Musota decided that Otunnu is still president until fresh elections are held, Akena has never been UPC president. They hijacked the electoral process” (Mayemba, 2016).

So the convenient marriage between the parties might end up with fractioned party, even more fractioned and create more fracas between Otunnu, Akena and the ones that despise the agreement made between NRM-UPC. As there was surely some who disagreed back in the day with UPC-KY agreement, though with the time, their voices have been silent or haven’t surfaced. the UPC are surely only helping Museveni and not their own cause, one can wonder how much the trade for the agreement and what cost it has for Museveni, as he get his former nemesis son James Akena on his side, with ding-ling little coins and a ministerial position, but not any real power. While the UPC continues to wrangle and in-fighting that even the agreement creates more fire, and the hut is on fire, and the whole village sees it. Akena can claim there are no fire in the hut, but the villagers see it and feels the smoke in their lungs. With this in mind, the Akena-UPC are no marginalize the UPC even more, even if he thinks he is getting a good deal, he is not. The only one earning on it is Museveni, as he get UPC embedded and under his control, while he gives away to measly cabinet position. That is for him, nothing and also scrap-metal as they are meagre seats and not pivotal in government as it is not Education, Defence or Foreign Affairs, but Fisheries and other smaller ministries that doesn’t have power or reach to create havoc. Peace.

Reference:

Atukunda, Rogers – ‘POLITICS Otunnu calls Amongi a mole, Akena fights Bbosa’ (20.06.2016) link: http://www.theinsider.ug/otunnu-calls-amongi-a-mole-akena-fights-bbosa/

Mayemba, Abubaker – ‘We shall expel Akena group for joining Museveni – Walubiri’ (20.06.2016) link: http://www.observer.ug/news-headlines/44903-we-shall-expel-akena-group-for-joining-museveni-walubiri

Sewakilyanga, Ivan – ‘I started working with Obote’s son in 2011 Museveni (17.06.2016) link: http://mycampusjuice.com/2016/06/17/i-started-working-with-obotes-son-in-2011-museveni/

Scott, James Peter – ‘Re-examining Uganda’s 1966 Crisis: The Uganda People’s Congress and the Congo Rebellion’ (2006) – University of Victoria, Canada

Winklmaier, Sonja – ‘Letters From Sonja: The Unlikely UPC – Kabaka Yekka Union’ (21.05.2008) link: http://www.ugpulse.com/people/letters-from-sonja-the-unlikely-upc-kabaka-yekka-union/405/ug.aspx

Wright, Ian Michael – Received letter 10.03.1962: Letter to Nolte, Richard H. – ‘Politics in Uganda I: The hoe and The Chair’ (10.03.1962) – Institute of Current World Affairs (ICWA), New York, USA

President might re-appoint ministerial appointments rejected by Parliament (Youtube-Clip)

“It has emerged that the president may re-appoint some of the ministers who were dropped by Parliament’s Appointments Committee last week over concerns about their competence. The Government Chief Whip, confirmed the development to NTV’s” (NTV Uganda, 2016).

Opinion: #GuluAttack! Supposed a new rebellion from the UPDF – (NDA); Seems like a new diversion from the NRM; the NRM going back to their Post-Election M.O. ?

Gulu 13.06.2016 P1

“I understand government agents are starting to kill civilians and turning round to claim that these killings are being done by groups they claim to be terrorists, tribal militias or other incredible, and even laughable labels that they are manufacturing by the day. This is intended to scare the population so that it can be mobilised against the rebellion now mushrooming around the country. This is not only diversionary, but also criminal”Gen. David Sejusa aka Tinyefuza (07.07.2014).

As CP Fred Enaga of the Uganda Police Force have claimed about the recent so-called rebellion from certain army men and mutiny in the Uganda People’s Defense Force, as they must surely have reacted to their lieutenants and colonels being all of sudden gone and away.

IGP Kale Kayihura“Attackers left behind 6 AK47s,1 machine gun, more than 200 rounds of ammunition plus bows and arrows” (13.06.2016)

This is what the Police wrote yesterday:

UPF 12.06.2016

The planned that the Police thinking happened was that Hon. Michael Kabaziguka of Forum for Democratic Change, that have been recently both house-arrested and questioned at SIU Kireka. They are supposed to be behind the atrocities as they have gotten the army men to submission together with Dr. Kizza Besigye into a plot. Therefore the Police have detained 30 army men, also the leader of the group that supposed to be Col. Dan Opit Odwee. That they have also worked with intelligence of Gen. David Sejusa, though that is what the investigation from the Police have so far (Eagle.co.ug, 12.06.2016).

Also this been reported from the first actions in Gulu:

“Family members of Col. Opito told ChimpReports on Sunday morning that he disappeared on Friday from his office in Entebbe and no one has heard from him since then.“Dan (Col. Opito) was taken from his office on Friday. We don’t know where he is now and all our efforts to locate him have been fruitless,” a family member who asked not to be named said” (…) ”The developments follow the attack on a Gulu barracks armory and theft of guns by unknown assailants” (Okello, 2016).

If you feel that this is flying like the eagle it is and has little feathers you smell the same as I do, I smell a hoax and a grand lie somewhere. As the Dr. Kizza Besigye has been defiant, but not violent, Gen. David Sejusa has not as an outsider chosen violence. They are picking on Hon. Kabaziguka, because of his strength and loyalty.  Captain Ojara has been kidnapped by the authorities, but knowledge of his whereabouts certainly not at his day-job. This is happening as the same Police Force has taken FDC Blue Friday activist Babi Kahemba from Rubaga Division of Kampala to an undisclosed location.

As there are more to that is for diversion from the authorities:

“Intelligence officials told ChimpReports on Monday that an attack was thwarted at Mbuya barracks “and the situation remains precarious.” (…) ”Mbuya hill is home to the Ministry of Defence and headquarters of Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence” (Aine, 2016).

If you feel you have read similar actions from the National Resistance Movement after a General Election, you are sadly not wrong, it works perfectly with their M.O. their Modus Operandi, as they are working this way to silence the opposition and spread fear in the population.

In a Press Conference with IGP Kale Kayihura and Army Spokesperson Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda, they claimed that 1 UPDF Soldier died, 4 Soldiers where hurt and 2 Police Officers was injured as well; they we’re all attacked by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the new rebel outfit apparently!

This is as disputed as the 2005 invention of a another coup d’état against the Government of Uganda, and this happen to happen while Kizza Besigye lingers in jail, like he did last time as well for treason. This resembles is a bit alike, it’s like they have copy-written a blue-print to fit the new day and switched names and group, but the UPDF connection and the Besigye function is the same.

Gulu 13.06.2016 P2

That is if you forgot this report from back in the day:

“The murder trial of two suspected members of the People’s Redemption Army (PRA) failed to take off at the Bushenyi Chief Magistrate’s Court today because two of the accused were ill. Joseph Musasizi Kifefe, brother of opposition leader Kizza Besigye and Darious Tweyambe said they were unwell and not able to defend themselves in court. Attempts by the prisons authorities to woo them out of their cells at Nyamushekyera government prison failed. Only Kizza Besigye was allowed access to the prisoners. He said Tweyambe claimed not to have been given access to a doctor and refused to appear in court until he receives a medical check up. It is not clear what is ailing Tweyambe or Kifefe. Kifefe reportedly said that even if he was well, he would not appear in court because the hearings are being held at the prison premises. He said it was illegal for his case to be heard in a court that restricted public access. The Bushenyi Grade One Magistrate, Herbert Birungi, made the decision to hear the murder case at the prisons premises last year. He did not explain his decision, saying only that the court could be convened anywhere as long as a magistrate is present for the hearing. He said it wasn’t the first time a case was heard inside the prison. Birungi adjourned the murder to case to April 25th. Joseph Musasizi Kifefe, Darious Tweyambe and Frank Atukunda were remanded in jail on February 1st a day after the High Court in Kampala granted them bail for separate charges of treason. They are accused of murdering John Byarugaba at Imaramagambo Forest in July 2002” (Musinguzi, 2007).

SIU Kireka FDC 13.06.2016

As the diversion goes there was the attack in Kapchorwa on the 5th March of 2016, where the Police Station was attacked by a unknown group called SUN or known as “We, Save Uganda Now!” Uganda Saving Force (USF) have also taken responsibility… but none of they have never resurfaced or been a solid force of some kind.

Their leader ‘Mali Mato’ have no resurfaced or been any kind of obstacle to the Ugandan Government ever since. The same with the Kasese Attacks and the Bundibugyo sub-region and in Rwenzori have been under fire since the General Election of February 2016, there been talk of both rebels, ‘Kirumamutima’; strong hearted men who fights the authorities, though both local politicians and the Rwenzururu Kingdom have said they are not a thing. March of 2016 have been violent there as the Flying Squad and Police officers have killed Royal Guards of Rwenzururu, as well as civilians that also reacted to the rigged local elections as the houses and villages have been burned and left right after. While the UPDF in the put a stamp and promised ot hunt for the rebels and the President followed them with his gun, but nothing have really happen since, so the created fuzz seems to be a Central Government conspiracy in a diversion from the broke State House of Entebbe, or something else he wanted silent before his Swearing-In to the 7th Term.

Gulu 13.06.2016 P3

On this day IGP Kayihura had to tell that Media was misleading the public on the Gulu Shootings, as they question the validity and credentials, as their information and truths are not deep, as their intelligence on Kasese we’re surely misdemeanor in public disinformation and fraud, as the authorities have not taken credit for going directly and killing villagers to silence the region as they had voted against the long-serving President Museveni, who Kayihura listen and follows like a guard-dog. I am paraphrasing but he has said that he follows the orders from “above high”, which means Mzee himself.

So in the year and we are still only in June 2016, we have had the SUN, USF and now NDA, will soon the PDF, JPEG and GIF also attack a government institution based on intelligence and wise words from CP Fred Enaga and IGP Kayihura in defense of the diversion and misinform the public, and not tell the true story. The true story is that the Uganda Police Force is kidnapping and detaining opposition and men who are affiliated with opposition parties, who are either not in the branches positive towards the NRM like UPC-Akena or the UFA, whatever or even the DP-Florence line. We all should know that now and they trying to fix a conspiracy to be able to find a flaw or a plot that can stick.

They need to stick the FDC Presidential Candidate Besigye to something and make a solid assumption of crime, something they don’t really have, other than he has for a long-long decade and a bit longer spoke against and worked to oust the NRM-Regime peacefully, the newly tendered ideas from the UPF, is the Modus Operandi and the names are new. So time for the Not Really Moving (NRM) to step their game up and No Reasoning Mentioned (NRM) for their activity and aggression towards the Opposition this time around! Peace.

Reference:

Aine, Kim – ‘Mbuya Attack ‘Thwarted by Security’ (13.06.2016) link: http://www.chimpreports.com/mbuya-attack-thwarted-by-security/

Okello, Dickens H – ‘Entebbe Garrison Commander Among Arrested ‘Coup Plotters’’ (12.06.2016) link: http://linkis.com/www.chimpreports.com/UnGir

Musinguzi, Goodluck – ‘PRA Suspects’ Murder Case Flops Again’ (10.04.2007) link: http://ugandaradionetwork.com.dedi3883.your-server.de/a/story.php?s=10784

DP Press Statement: ” If Ugandans expected something different from business as usual they were badly disappointed” (07.06.2016)

Norbert Mao NTV

Kampala June 7, 2016. 
The long awaited cabinet list is finally out. If Ugandans expected something different from business as usual they were badly disappointed. True to its dominant nature of putting partisan loyalty above the public spirit and competence, the cabinet is another dose of more of the same. Apart from the laudable gesture of retiring those who were long overdue for retirement like Henry Kajura, Tarsis Kabwegyere and Dr. Nyiira, the cabinet doesn’t represent any change in political path. The tendency to entrench family rule and hegemony in our polity is still visible no matter the efforts to disguise it.

To the politically gullible, the inclusion of some members of opposition parties in the cabinet may appear to represent a spirit of inclusion. However to the adept and keen observers, the inclusion of people like Betty Amongi (UPC), Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi (DP) and Beti Kamya (UFA) in the cabinet is nothing but despicable tokenism and falls far short of any expectation Ugandans may have had that following a disputed election marred with unprecedented rigging and post election brutality and continued repression, an inclusive government based on a consensus reached through a national dialogue process. In a dialogue process, the direction of the country would be negotiated. We reject tokenism because it simply means trading a few crumbs for a fair share of the loaf of political power. As the Igbo of Nigeria say “No one gets a mouthful of food by picking between another person’s teeth”.

Florence MP

Uganda is a country that is deeply divided and hurting. The nation is badly in need of healing. Museveni’s one man rule ensures that no alternative voice will be heard in cabinet, parliament, the judiciary or even the streets. In terms of democracy, Uganda in the next five years will be nothing more than a political graveyard.

We therefore denounce the new cabinet as yet another lever in Museveni’s power arsenal. Museveni and his cabal are presiding over a malevolent and capricious state capture which is clearly seen in the tyranny of the majority in parliament, the elevation of so called cadre judges in the judiciary and the suppression of civil dissent. This cabinet therefore doesn’t represent a new direction. You cannot make an omelette by shuffling around rotten eggs.

DP 07.06.2016

On the State of the Nation Address delivered on 31 May, 2016, we await the National Budget. That is when we will give a comprehensive response. But we have something to say in the meantime. As expected the address skirted around the issue of governance without acknowledging the political logjam we have in Uganda today with an illegitimate government in place led by a person whose victory will continue to be questioned for ages. With characteristic arrogance Mr. Museveni declared, “Having followed closely world and historical events over the last 50 years, I am not aware of any society anywhere in the world that is more democratic than Uganda as far as the forms and structures of democracy are concerned….Democracy is one area where we do not need aid”. We note that this is a qualified statement. It is an admission that Uganda Is democratic only in form. In essence and substance Uganda is a totalitarian state.

The heart of the address was the economy. Mr. Museveni assured Ugandans that by 2020, that is in four years time, Uganda will be a middle income country. This may be an impressive jargon but let’s unpack it. That term is based on the so called Atlas Method that the World Bank uses to rank the economy of countries. Low Income countries where Uganda falls have a Gross National Income per capita of US$1,045 or less. Middle income countries have a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of between US$1,045 and US$12,736. (Of course middle income countries are further subdivided into lower middle income and upper middle income countries. Lower middle income countries have a GNI per capita of between US$1,046 – US$4,125. Upper middle income countries have a GNI per capita of US$4,126 – 12,735). High income countries have a Gross National Income per capita above US$12,735.

Ugandan shillings

Even without waiting for the National Budget we can say for certain that the absurd proclamation that Uganda will be a middle income country by 2020 is a political hoax smacking of deception and gimmickry. With a balance of trade of minus US$164.6 million, global business confidence of only 54 percent, military expenditure of US$340 million, inflation of over 6 percent and growth at only less than 4 percent, Uganda’s ambition of attaining middle income status under the current NRM economic framework is a pathetic pipe dream that no one can take seriously. This is coupled with an unsustainably high external debt of over 14 Trillion Uganda shillings which costs Uganda a lot of money to service. Then there is the lack of fiscal discipline, high military expenditure, unattractive wages that fuel brain drain, high unemployment of over 60 percent and the run away corruption. This is what constitutes the hemorrhage that Museveni dwelt on during his dull and unimaginative address to a demoralized nation. It is this hemorrhage that is responsible for the heavy tax burden under which Ugandans agonize. What the Uganda Revenue Authority is attempting to do is thus akin to a person collecting water using a basket. Unless the leakages are plugged the whole thing is an exercise in futility. The strategy of fighting corruption using the methods he used to fight indiscipline in the army will not work against corruption. It will be like treating a cancer using Vaseline. While indiscipline in the army is not profitable, corruption has grown into an institutionalized and highly profitable activity. Museveni will not win the war against corruption unless he becomes born again and offer leadership by example. You cannot exhort your flock to drink water while you gorge yourself on wine! Sooner or later the flock will follow your bad example. Therefore the fight against corruption requires a level of moral authority that Museveni lacks. He cannot point out the splinter in the eyes of his followers because he has a log in his eyes. As I have stated before, fish rots from the head. Today, I wish to advise Museveni that when you are sweeping a staircase you start from the top. Let him start from himself and those closest to him then move downwards. Fighting corruption is the one thing in which the bottom up approach cannot work because the bottlenecks in the war against corruption are in the top of the table.

Fortunately, for Ugandans there is a political party called the DP which shuns corruption, violence, dictatorship and militarism. We shall continue to illuminate our political space with viable alternative policies that shall be cogently presented in all platforms. Our impact shall not depend on our numbers but rather by the superior quality of our ideas and the firm foundation on which we stand.

We call upon Ugandans not to lose hope. We shall work hand in hand with other democracy seeking forces in our motherland to see that the NRM, like all totalitarian regimes that have persecuted and oppressed people throughout the ages, ends up in the dustbin of history. We will continue to speak out without fear or favor against all ills that afflict our country and continue to keep hope alive that we shall overcome. The darkest part of the night is just before dawn. Let that hope for a better future keep us focused on the tasks of the present.

Hon. Norbert Mao
President

Opinion: A Second look into Museveni’s growing ‘royal’ court

Museveni Kenya Speech 2016

“Our loyalty to NRM shouldn’t be mistaken for stupidity”Hon. Simon Aleper

As well as he has taken old friends and foes from the National Resistance Movement, there are some moves that proves the Mzee are now involving the others parties and does that to control more of the Parliament, as they even have a place in 80-81 Ministerial Cabinet, in the newly sworn-in 10th Parliament.

mugabe museveni

You have Hon. Beti Kamya (Betty Kamya) that comes from the Opposition party of Uganda Federal Alliance, she have been strong opponent and dragged and attacked the Forum for Democratic Change of late, and because of that gotten the joy of being minster. And some old quotes from Hon. Kamya: “He has approached me many times” (…)”I think I can manage the vice-president office in the Museveni cabinet. I would surely serve under that capacity” (New Vision, 2014). So two years down, and now it was okay with a Ministerial Post in the Museveni Cabinet.

Another one is Hon Betty Amongi, the wife of hon. Jimmy Akena, the President of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC). This must be the payback for agreement between the NRM and UPC during the Campaigning period. So this must be part of the agreement between Mzee and Akena, right? Even if she is a NRM MP, she is married to an UPC President, it is like that was given because that.

Then you have also Hon. Joy Ruth Aceng; she is a UPC MP becoming the Minister. During the Campaign in November 2015, who even praised and said also that the voters of her region to Vote Museveni. Have people forgotten that? So it is not a weird choice for Mzee, to pick her into the swollen cabinet of his.

Another halfway UPC is the oldest serving cabinet minister Philemon Mateke, he was a member of the UPC until NRM took power, then he became overnight NRM.

Florence MP

Democratic Party, President Norbert Mao have today gone out and said that it is not a Party move that a certain Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, who has become a minister in the cabinet yesterday, she was even at one point a “Go-Forward”, but she went into the election one a DP ticket. So she certainly can work with whoever who gets her place in Parliament and now will easily work with NRM.

Nabila Sempala Quote

With the knowledge of having a DP MP, UFA MP and a UPC MP in the Cabinet, the only party left without a MP in the cabinet is FDC, though I would not be surprised if Hon. Nabilah Naggayi Sempala of the FDC would have said yes to become a State Minister in the Cabinet, she would been the obvious choice from the FDC, who isn’t a die-hard and really wanting change in the Parliament. And she is so devious to be able to jump camps to get political gain. I am right, right?

And then some stray thoughts. With ancient history of Mobutu and the two that was not in the giant cabinet of Museveni this time. They being Mbabazi and Bukenya…

Here is some old reports on Mobutu first:  

“I have no comment to make,” Tshisekedi, interior minister before he split with Mobutu, said as he left the talks. Aides said he had accepted the challenge of trying to steer Zaire through the crisis in an uneasy tandem with Mobutu. Mobutu, engaged in a determined fight to prolong his rule, emerged into a crowd of reporters looking impassive. Asked if the negotiations with a score of opposition leaders had gone well, the 60-year-old president replied: “I think so.” (Washington Post, 1991). “What are Tshisekedi’s credentia.s as an opposition leader? He helped form and run the Popular Movement for the Revolution, the single party with which Mobutu has ruled Zaire for 26 years. While castigating! his former ally Mobutu for getting rich at the expense of the country’s poor, he himself drives a Jaguar. Mobutu’s biggest crime, accordiing to the European and American powers that run the world’s financial system, is not that he oppressed his people and kept them poor, but that he would not put the screws on them enough (what Cohen called “economic indiscipline”) behalf of the IMF’s structural adjustment programs” (Scanlon, 1991). “The opposition announcement of a new government came as the new administration of Prime Minister Mungul Diaka faced a major crisis. Two newly appointed ministers resigned from the government that he appointed only Wednesday. Mobutu sacked Tshisekedi from the post of prime minister 12 days ago. Diaka has said that his government to be sworn in Friday balances opinion and regional representation. However, Tshisekedi denied the prime minister’s claim that 40 percent of the 27 ministerial posts had gone to members of the Sacred Union. Key posts in the Diaka government, notably the defense portfolio, have been retained by pro-Mobutu appointees” (Hub, 1991). So Mobutu tried to wind the opposition in his last decade of his regime, even not working well, he made it even bigger than Museveni, Mzee, does not want to give away to much. But Mobutu surely gave some lessons to Mzee; as the Kinshasa government was after rebellion from the opposition. So with that he took some of them in, to silence them and continue to have control.

Prunier Quote Museveni

Somewhere is Hon. Amama Mbabazi and Gilbert Bukenya, wondering how come they wasn’t one out of the 80-81 Cabinet or hired as one of the 141 Presidential Advisors, they could be the ones that get the places that are still occupied by the “dead-ones”. Well, surely Mbabazi is now DP, Gilbert Bukenya was promised after going back from Independent Candidate in the TDA, to become a part of NRM-CEC. While so many others of the loyalist to Museveni is hired in the Cabinet and even the twice loser in the election, Otafiire got a spot to continue to serve Mzee.

I think that is enough for now. Peace.

Reference:

Washington Post – ‘MOBUTU SHARES POWER WITH ZAIRE’S OPPOSITION’ (29.09.1991) link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/09/30/mobutu-shares-power-with-zaires-opposition/2a6536ae-e7e4-488e-ae0f-2652e8e27067/

New Vision – ‘I can be VP in Museveni’s cabinet – Beti Kamya’ (13.08.2014) link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1306914/vp-museveni-cabinet-beti-kamya

Scanlon, Dana S. – ‘Zaire, Zambia: IMF moves in for the kill’ (22.11.1991) – EIR Volume 18.

Hub, Mark – ‘ZAIRE OPPOSITION FORMS ‘GOVERNMENT’ (01.11.1991) link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/11/01/zaire-opposition-forms-government/23f3dc58-e4a6-4aba-b86a-5b8a2ad5eb21/

FDC Letter to the 10th Parliament Speaker Hon. Kadaga – “Re: Appointment of Oppostion Leadership in the 10th Parliament (06.06.2016)

Uganda Parliament FDC 06.06.2016

My 2 cents on this sad, sad letter from the Forum for Democratic Change National Executive Committee:

FDC NEC is fiddling while Rome burns..

Cry havoc, did you win or lose the General Election of 2016 Hon. rt. Gen. Mugisha Muntu? What point and what kind of envelope changed your mind? What is the point of the asking for International Audit, when you ask for the Leader of Opposition? Doesn’t that counter the uncertain peace that you stated after the Election Day in late February after the first siege of the FDC Headquarter, have you lost faith in ability to change the Political Landscape in Uganda? Have you given up Hon. Rt. Gen. Mugisha Muntu? Do you think this can implicate the lingering former Presidential Candidate, who sworn himself in, in presence of others in the FDC leadership in the day before President Museveni swore his oath. What will it mean to him and his case for disobedience or defying the ruling regime, when you accept with your actions and the actions of FDC NEC to take their minority and Opposition posistions in the 10th Parliament. Have you taken that into accuout, or was it all a charade from you? Peace.