Opinion: The KY and NUP isn’t the same – Another Museveni lie!

The NRM has never thrown stones. Those who faced our fire were those defending illegitimate interests like dictators and those denying the people free and fair elections like NUP which is an attempt to resurrect Kabaka Yekka or the likes of Amin”Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (14.08.2021).

I just had to dwell into this, as the National Address of 14th August 2021 needs to be debunked for the second time. As there was so many lies and deceptions in that speech. This one got out of bound, but still needs to be addressed. Since the old man with the hat is trying to use the lack of historical context to breach the difference between Kabaka Yekka (“The King Only”) only party, which was a Buganda Kingdom based. While the National Unity Platform party is a national party and has members across the spectrum of the Republic.

The NUP might have a majority of their leaders, MPs and such from the Buganda Kingdom. However, that is only because of the lack of time to register candidates, build party organization and the blockade of organizing political meetings or consultations across the up-country. That’s why the NUP has a bigger structure and party in Greater Kampala and within “Central Region” or Buganda. That is just mere luck and because the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and other parties have another presence in the North, East and the West, than the NUP has at this current moment.

However, that doesn’t make the party an Baganda factor. That is just out of necessity and where they have been able to build their party and generate results. This is not because it is like KY and being for the purpose of supporting only the Buganda kingdom.

Here is the vital information about KY:

The party was formed in Buganda in 1961. Its main objective was the preservation of the institution of Kabakaship and the “independence” of the Kingdom. The Baganda had for a long time respected the throne. Although with the advent of colonialism the symbol of Buganda’s unity had been weakened, the Kabaka still had a big following in the Kingdom. The monarchists feared that in times of political transition, traditional institutions would be destroyed. Therefore, to safeguard the institution in Buganda, a movement had to be formed and that was the Kabaka Yekka(…) “The actual formation of K.Y. was done by merging two organizations — “Banabulezi” [the people of Bulemezi] and the “Abana Ba Abaami” [chiefs’ sons]. The former had been formed after the banning of the Uganda National Movement. Its aim was to inspire the people of Bulemezi with the love of Kabaka and their country [Buganda]. The latter was formed basically to foster the position of the chiefs and their sons in Buganda. The two organizations could easily merge because they had similar objectives — both could achieve their aims by safeguarding the Kabakaship. Hence, it was thought that the name “Kabaka Yekka” would create a sense of unity and common purpose in Buganda. The objectives and composition of the party were stumbling blocks on the road to national unity(Ogena Otunnu – ‘THE HISTORY OF POLITICAL CRISIS IN UGANDA: THE LEGACY FACING THE MUSEVENI REGIME 1986 TO THE PRESENT P:18-20, 26.07.1989).

So, when you read that in comparison to the NUP Manifesto, the ideals are in stark contrast and shows the mentality difference between the parties, which is vastly different than what Museveni claims in his address. That is the clear indication of his lie.

National Unity Platform Manifesto 2021:

The National Unity Platform grew out of the People Power movement. The movement was formed to spearhead the first ever inclusive, non-violent transition of political power in Uganda. Our vision of Uganda is a dignified people thriving under an inclusive constitutional democracy. We seek a transition from the 35-year long dictatorial regime to a people’s choice government through free and fair elections. We are compelled by Article 1 of the Constitution of Uganda 1995, which grants all power to the people of Uganda. Our aim is to guarantee respect for the constitution. Our accountable leadership has been built from the grassroots to the national level. We shall continue to be strictly governed by the rule of law and universal standards of social justice, in order to ensure individual human dignity, national unity, and true equal opportunity for every Ugandan” (National Unity Platform – ‘Manifesto 2021-26).

We are seeing here it isn’t to resurrect an kingdom or preserve that alone. No, the NUP is for EVERY UGANDAN. That means not only the Buganda, but Bunyoro, Teso, Itesot, Ankole or anyone else. This is the easiest way to debunk this.

The KY was to preserve and pursuit the nationalistic aims of one ethnic group and save that Kingdom. However, the NUP is to fulfil a peaceful transition from a dictatorship. To continue the work of the People Power Movement and build an inclusive democracy. This means, the NUP aims and ambitions are not in accordance with the KY. The KY is a “single” mission party, while the NUP has a broader end-game and a total restructuring of the Republic. That’s why it’s hard to see similarities, but that is only tell sell a deluded story. In such a manner, that he thinks people will not see the difference between the KY and the NUP. Which is no where close.

That is why the President had to shoot and kill in Arua. Because Bobi Wine and NUP is a national party, but they have not the machinery or the ability as the NRM: Just like the UPM didn’t have the ability or structures to compete with ruling party UPC in 1980. That’s the reality here and Museveni should know this, but he rather vilify his enemies. Instead of speaking of the truth and what is the real deal. Peace.

Movement for Democratic Change – Alliance (MDC-Alliance): Congratulatory Message to Zambia’s President Elect and the UPND Party (15.08.2021)

ACT Wazalendo: Congratulations to Hakainde Hichilema, President-Elect Zambia (15.08.2021)

Opinion: Lungu needs to concede

The 12th August 2021 polls is clear the United Party for National Development (UPND) and their Presidential Candidate Hakainde Hichilema is the winner of this election.

The incumbent and scheduled third term President Edgar Lungu and the ruling party Patriotic Front (PF) has lost this election.

There been several of other Presidential candidates who has over the last 48 hours conceded and said HH has won the election. They have stated him and his party is the victors. This is the inevitable and the result of the polls this time around.

That’s why Lungu needs to give way and give up. He will most likely challenge this in the courts and use whatever leverage he does have. Also working on overtime to collect and get evidence for his theory. However, that doesn’t beat the fact that his not popular or have the will of the people anymore.

Lungu had his chance to deliver and use his time in office to make a difference. The President had the time of his life and being the head of state. He could do a lot more and used his office for the betterment, but he didn’t and that has cost him all of his privileges.

This is why Lungu should be the better man and finally concede. He knows the game is over and the possibility for his “win” is shrinking every moment and nothing can stop HH now. His opponent outsmarted him and used the sentiment of the tiredness of PF to his benefit. This is why his winning and Lungu is losing.

Lungu needs to congratulate HH and let go. That is costing him and the party he represents. However, the polls and the results says he has lost and should let go. Not that it’s easy and especially when this was supposed to be a “cake-walk”. Nevertheless, the people has decided and he needs to show some moral courage. Its about time and he should be the better man, but that’s impossible at this point. Peace.

Law Association of Zambia (LAZ): Only the Courts of Law, Upon being Petitioned, have Power to Nullify Elections Results (14.08.2021)

Zambia: A look into the Preliminary Election Statements by the African Union and the Commonwealth

After the polls and when the first results of the elections is trickling in, the Election Observer Missions are publishing their preliminary statements. These are done with caution and enlightening certain aspects of how it was done and what they saw. The missions varies in sizes and scope, that is why what findings they have might be limited. Still, these EOMs are usually very friendly tools to legitimize elections and secure the international community that the election was credible. That’s why they are there.

Now on the 12th August election in Zambia. The African Union and the Commonwealth have both dropped Preliminary Statements today on the 14th August and it’s interesting to look into them both. Discuss and see what they claim what happened. The AU statement was 11 pages and the Commonwealth was 16 pages long. A lot is procedure and how they we’re introduced by the government. So, not always so much flesh or blood to dive into.

However, there is always some gems and codes, which states what we can await from their final reports. These statements usually tends to reflect on the final report and what they will say about the elections in question.

The AU noted: “Evidence of the heightened political situation in the country can be seen from the spate of violence, hate speech and misinformation reportedly carried out by political parties supporters, particularly those from the Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for National Development (UPND), during the election campaigns. Concerns over the increased spate of violence prompted the deployment of the military for the first time during an electoral process” (AU, 14.08.2021).

While the Commonwealth noted: “A number of stakeholders we met expressed concerns about incidents of politically-motivated violence being perpetuated by cadres affiliated to the two major political parties, the PF and UPND. The incidents were isolated but they expressed the fear that they could become a generalised problem in the future. Some stakeholders questioned police impartiality, alleging bias in favour of governing party cadres” (Commonwealth, 14.08.2021).

The EOMs are both expressing what outsiders and insiders have told about. The clear indication of hate-speech towards the UPND and HH from the PF cadres. That has been very vicious and directed so loudly, that it has caused stir and headlines. While the violence has been used and sparked to give reason for the PF to claim the elections and tensions to contest the possible results. Still, it is nice that they both have seen what others has and speaks of it with concern.

The AU further states: “However, the Mission received reports from some stakeholders about inadequate consultation and provision of information by ECZ in the implementation of key electoral processes, which undermines public trust and confidence” (…) “While the Mission was informed that the previous voters’ register was outdated and contained an estimated 1.4 million deceased persons, concerns were raised over the accuracy and credibility of the new register. Stakeholders’ call for an independent audit of the new register to assess its comprehensiveness and accuracy were dismissed by the ECZ because there is no provision for this in the legal framework and that the register had already been exhibited and certified” (AU, 14.08.2021).

The Commonwealth stated: “However, several stakeholders including opposition political parties expressed concerns on the ability of the ECZ to conduct credible elections in an inclusive and transparent manner. Specifically, concerns were expressed about the registration process which was allegedly skewed in favour of the governing party” (Commonwealth, 14.08.2021).

Here we are seeing they are in accord and showing the same sentiment as well. That is really showing how things has gone and made it possible to question the elections integrity. But that is because, the reasons to question them is that the ruling party and the ones in-charge haven’t been accountable or transparent ahead of the polls. Not because the opposition has cheated, which will be the message of Lungu and PF.

The key statement from the AU like always: “Despite reports of the unlevelled playing field and politically motivated violence during the pre-electoral period, and Covid-19 related challenges, in general, AUEOM observers reported that Election Day operations were conducted in a peaceful, transparent and professional manner” (…) “The AUEOM commends the people of Zambia for their clear enthusiasm and determination to peacefully express their will through the ballot box. The Mission calls on all stakeholders to remain peaceful and calm while awaiting the announcement of final results by the Electoral Commission of Zambia. The Mission urges all political leaders and their supporters to not undertake any action that will undermine the peace and stability of the country” (14.08.2021).

The Commonwealth ends with: “It is our prayer that all political and electoral actors continue to act with diligence, transparency, inclusivity, and fairness as they handle the results processes and that the will of the Zambian people is preserved. Leaders should be magnanimous in victory and gracious in defeat. We call upon the Coalition for Peaceful Elections in Zambia, the Electoral Commission of Zambia, civil society, the media, and all valued stakeholders to play their role in fulfilling the expectations of the people for credible and peaceful elections” (Commonwealth, 14.08.2021).

We are seeing again similar sentiment and that’s reassuring, as the African Union and Commonwealth. That shows that the President cannot say it was rigged and fixed, as he tried to do that with the unlevelled playing field. Which he created and still couldn’t challenge the opposition. That is why his saying it now and contesting it. While the Elections Observation Mission (EOMs) is stating what the ones who has followed has seen and stating it. However, that doesn’t say that it still isn’t credible or an honest result. Even when the opposition has met these challenges, it still was capable to overcome it. That says more about the UPND and HH than it says about Lungu and his PF.

This isn’t over, but the preliminary statements was a reflection worth taking notes of and it shows what went down. They we’re also showing restraint and diplomatic in their languages, but that is common courtesy. These missions are also tending to be there to make an “uneven” affair into a “free and fair” election. Therefore, often these are safari missions to legitimize rigged affairs.

However, here we are seeing a fella and a party who tried to rig himself in. Is losing and now trying to question it. Yes, the EOMs are saying there was certain aspects, which wasn’t fair, but ironically all of those was ordered and fixed by the man claiming the elections was unfair. That’s why you know the will of the people isn’t his, but they have decided for someone else. Peace.

Zambia: State House – President Lungu declares General Election not free and fair (14.08.2021)

Zambia: HH and UNDP projected to win [and Lungu will cry havoc]

On the 12th August the General Election was held and now the results are coming in. The opposition party United Party for National Development (UPND) and their Presidential Candidate Hakainde Hichilema in winning comfortably. The incumbent Edgar Lungu and ruling party Patriotic Front is losing massively.

We knew things was going ugly when Lungu cried foul and rigging before the tallies was produced across the Republic. The PF and state has used the machinery, but still lost. There been usage of the army and pre-ticket ballots even. The state and the authorities have blocked social media and the internet, but that had to be reinstated after a court order. Therefore, everything done to keep it dark has been beaten back.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has a huge pressure on them. As the partial results and the announced reported results from the supposed strongholds of Patriotic Front (PF) have even lost MPs to the UPND. This shows the sentiment and there is no way it can be legitimately a victory for Lungu.

For Lungu and his party, this is humiliating. They had the total power for so long and has spoiled their chances. The public got tired of the mismanagement and crippling debt. Which the next government have to fix and find measures to structure the government.

HH and UPND has a huge job ahead of it. Not like Lungu and the PF have left the state in good place. Neither has the state been there for the citizens, as the elites and the patronage has earned fortunes in the years of Lungu. Therefore, the people had to voice it out and the questions of a third term is also now a non-starter.

Lungu seemed like it would be a “cake-walk” to a third term. As he had two terms and would possibly enter his third now. The PF had the power and the offices to control everything. Still, they weren’t popular or had the heart of the people. People got tired of the lacking service delivery and development. Instead they have seen how the state been run and they got tired of it.

Now, we just have to await the announcement and the proclaim the results, which is all indicating and stating the victory for Hakainde Hichilema. HH has tried this six times and finally succeeded. He has worked little by little and built a party from nothing. That shows that his message and his party needed time to get popular. It wasn’t something built overnight and as a shocker. No, he persisted and worked for it. Even he was charged with treason, blocked by the army and the state has stifled his political activism in the past.

Still, he never gave up and now he can smell the coffee. Peace.

Zambia: LAZ calls on Electoral Commission of Zambia to Discharge its Statutory Mandate without Fear or Favour and for the Restoration of Internet, Social Media in the Aftermath of Elections (13.08.2021)

Opinion: Lungu is a very worried man right now

The Patriotic Front (PF) and two term incumbent President Edgar Lungu was going to the polls today. As the sentiment and the lack of popularity in the general public has been rising. The President has to use the armed forces, come with warning ahead of polls and it is now reported that he ordered a media blackout.

What is happening in Zambia isn’t a new tactic from leaders like him. He had already used the courts and gotten the ability to become a three term eligible President. While the Constitution doesn’t say so and he wasn’t in a full-term before the second and this is why he was “eligible” for it now.

This just shows what sort of management and governance Lungu supports. Lungu who has run the economy down and becoming addicted to loans. A state who has failing state enterprises and certainly not delivered on any promises of the past, which could matter to the general public.

That is why Lungu have vilified the biggest opposition party the United Party for National Development (UPND) and Hakainde Hichilema. The party an HH has been painted in a manner, which is of epic proportions. HH has even been said to be similar to “Hitler”. That is the sort of political discourse the PF has delivered during the campaigns.

We know it’s bad for the PF and Lungu… when as the polls are counted. He calls for rigging and orders a media blackout. The same man who ordered the soldiers on the streets and done whatever he could to ensure victory. We know he has made numbers lower in known opposition strongholds. The same authority has already been reported to give little to none ballots and equipment to certain polling stations. Which is just fitting, because the PF and the state knows.

The PF and the ones anointed has done what they could ahead of this. The state and the President has used all known means to ensure a victory. Not because… Lungu is popular or loved at this point. No, his not loved or cared, because if he was…. He wouldn’t cry havoc on election night, but grinning to the bank.

Lungu will be swimming in dollars and spending a night drink champagne. Alas, he is instead ordering army out to several of provinces. To ensure there can be questions of legality and easily can contest the results. The sort of results that will not be in favour of the President and he can call it “rigged”. The ironies is that the system and the authorities has used all techniques to secure the “win”.

Lungu mus worried in his home. He is sitting biting his teeth and knowing that his time is up. That a man who has the power of the Republic and as the Head of State. Still, the will of the people isn’t naturally his.

The polls that has been released through VPN, the partial polling stations results has been for now in favour of HH and with a majority of the votes. Let’s see if this becomes the game or the ECZ and the authorities will cook the numbers. That’s what I anticipate, since this man is using all the other tricks in the book of election rigging.

Lungu is a worrisome and with a reason. His whole life and career depends on it and he is behold to the public. He could touch everything within reach and appoint the ones who would follow his orders. However, the incumbent cannot impose himself or be loved on commando. Even if that is something he hoped for tonight. Peace.