Dokolo By-Election: Is the UPC regaining its old stronghold?

Yesterday was the Dokolo By-Election where the seat of late Cecilia Ogwal was on the line. The seat that had been held by Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) for plenty of terms. It was the for the FDC to lose the Woman Member of Parliament for Dokolo district. However, with that in mind… the FDC could have played things differently, but it didn’t and that’s why they lost.

The three parties that did matter in the race was FDC, NRM and UPC. The Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) fielded Sarah Aguti, National Resistance Movement (NRM) fielded Janet Adong and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) fielded Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal. They were the main candidates and the National Unity Platform (NUP) had little to no say in this by-election. That why I am not even commenting much on it.

The Dokolo By-Election was a three way race between NRM-UPC-FDC. They were the three that matters and it showed by the polls. The NRM even with the support of high ranking officials, the state apparatus and people trying to pre-ticket ballots. They still couldn’t beat another party. The President came to promise and galvanize the people, but it didn’t work.

In the land of Lango… the UPC is resurges and it should be a sign of what to come. James Akena can now live on nostalgia of Obote. The people can live on the greatness of the late President and live in the memory of him. That seems to work as well as the promises of elevating the party. This is why the UPC is getting back old territories.

The ones looking around should see this coming. The UPC will gain representatives and positions in the north. The UPC is seemingly becoming a powerful and regional party. Akena is doing this and the UPC are able to mobilize here. The other parties aren’t able to sell the sentiment or the ideals of old, which the UPC is. That’s why the change is coming.

We should be happy that the hereditary politics isn’t winning. We have seen it win in other by-elections. There been other sons who has won elections after MPs has died in office. Therefore, for the FDC it was a safe ticket to field Rosemary, the daughter of Cecilia Ogwal. However, that wasn’t the case here.

Dokolo By-Election was marred with questionable activities and misuse of office. There was signs of rigging, but these was also shut down. That’s why there are always issues and questions remaining after the polls. However, the UPC have shown character and finesse. They are able to use its position and mobilize the public. That shows what they are capable of.

The FDC is toothless, the NUP needs another vibe and way of campaigning, as this way isn’t working. They becoming less relevant and looking mediocre. People are mocking NUP for participating and not getting a thousand votes. Alas, the NUP is in the heartland of the UPC. However, it needs to find ways to be an option and sell a candidate better. If not… it is just wasting time and not building anything substantial.

Dokolo By-Election is now over and the UPC got another MP. Peace.

Dokolo By-Election: Electoral Commission – Return form for Transmission of Results (21.03.2024)

Opinion: Amuriat’s lip service does him no good…

“Party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat commended Dr. Alwoc as a woman of substance who embodies her mother’s values. He also urged the people of Lango to see in her a worthy successor to Cecilia Ogwal. Amuriat lambasted the NRM for promoting family rule” (Muhamadi Matovu – ‘Amuriat blasts NRM for promoting family rule as FDC unveils Cecilia Ogwal’s daughter for Dokolo Seat’ 15.02.2024).

Yes, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has a major problem with hereditary politics and inheriting of positions. That is fact in 2024. The patronage and the cronyism within the ranks of the NRM is well known and isn’t a well kept secret.

However, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat shouldn’t blast that or even address this when he himself promotes them same sort of affair. The FDC is practically doing the same by letting Dr. Alwoc, the daughter of the late MP Ogwal becomes the flagbearer and the one on the ballot for the upcoming Dokolo By-Election.

If Amuriat or FDC was serious about nepotism and hereditary politics. They wouldn’t have made a spectacle of this one. Where they even want the opposition to be jointly behind Dr. Alwoc’s campaign. Where the UPC, NUP or anyone else is just supposed to bow down to greatness and continue the family affairs in the district.

Alas, that is what FDC Najjankumbi just shows that they are no difference than the ones they are supposed to oppose. They want to be the sole-candidate and have monopoly on certain offices/seats. That’s just like the NRM and now they use their trick of trying to get the kids of the late elected in office.

Amuriat should get to know one thing. If he wants to address others and wants them to change behavior. Maybe he should copy their homework and call it his own first. Maybe, just maybe… be different and lead by example. Not copy and think your brighter than the next guy.

That’s how this is looking. It is a fraud and a fake, imposter or a poser… who acts like this. Not a man of integrity or esteemed leadership qualities. No, that’s not Amuriat and he proves it again and again. Peace.

Dokolo By-Election: Hereditary politics is the tone of the nation…

“Cecilia Ogwal’s family has fronted her daughter Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal to replace her as Dokolo Woman MP. Alwoc Ogwal has been living in the UK and is not well versed with Dokolo. Her brother however says she has been briefed on the issues and is ready to stand” (News 24/7, 31.01.2024).

“Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal, first born daughter to the late Cecilia Barbara Atim Ogwal and Mzee Lamech Ogwal seek public opinion regarding pending projects the legislature left behind. This was during the Joint Regional council session Dokolo” (94.3 QFM Lira, 31.01.2024).

We have now seen this sort of story play out elsewhere when someone dies in office. This happened with Jacob Oulanyah and others like him. Where the sons are inheriting the offices of their fathers. Now a daughter is running to continue the legacy of her mother. There is no difference here other than the gender.

In Omoro County it was like this in 2022. Oyam North By-Election in 2023 was the same and so was Serere County By-Election in the same year. It was all inherited and family members taking over from the late Members of Parliament. This will be the fourth in this 11^th Parliament alone and this practice is going back to 2012 and when Prosvocia Alengot got elected as the MP for Usuk County in Katekwi district. She got the office and the opportunity after her father passed away. Therefore, this is now a practice dating back to this.

While that all be true, and we have seen this as common practice. It surely is questionable and a form of nepotism. As families are now fencing in offices and ensuring their control of elected roles. That’s what they are doing by fielding family members.

This is surely questionable at best, as the citizens and the constituents are tricked to vote out of compassion or based on the narrative that the representative’s family is the righteous to leadership roles. While others in the same districts and counties are left behind. Were only handpicked individuals are getting ahead of the rest. That’s what is happening, and no one is shocked that the family of the late Cecilia Ogwal wants a continuation of her role.

We are just seeing a pattern of behavior and a common practice at this point. Because, if a family member dies in office. The family itself wants to ensure someone within the family takes over from them. This is the justification and pure hereditary politics. Where blood and kin matter more than stature, experience or even character. Heck, pledges or promises, even the so-called ethos of work is gone in the wind. Since the only thing matters is who was your father or mother. Not if you are qualified or not.

This isn’t Rosemary Ogwal’s fault, but she is a part of the same problem as the others. She is picked by family members who wants their family to have this privilege. That is the obvious path here. They want to eat of the plate and ensure their family wealth through representing Dokolo like her mother. Therefore, things are more of the same and someone who inherits office.

There will be other contestants and candidates who will linger. However, if the previous by-elections are telling. Than Rosemary will be first in line and get elected. That we saw in Serere, Oyam North and Omoro. It wouldn’t be out of order, if the same happens in Dokolo. Peace.

Uganda Police Force – “Press Release on the Alleged Resignation by ASP Muhamad Kirumira, DPC Buyende” (31.01.2018)

An anecdote on how Uganda isn’t a Democracy: An answer to the Liberation Day Speech of President Museveni!

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” – Nelson Mandela

Today is the 32^nd Liberation Day or National Resistance Army/Movement Day, the day that ended the Bush-War of the 1980s in Uganda. Where President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni made his career from being a Minister and a Rebel to become the President. A position and an executive, head of state who has shown no signs of stepping down. He was supposed to be the next generation of leadership. He was the positive force in 1990s and was golden-kid for Bill Clinton on the Continent. While that has disappeared and with time his legacy has withered. Museveni has closely become all the things he fought against, he still tries to use the language and the charisma that he had in his younger days. But its all facade, it isn’t the real deal. That I why I don’t care to drastically demolish the whole speech.

I will just take one principal and one point of it. Because it waste of time to do more at this point of time!

“The fourth principle of the NRM is the democracy. Democracy is clear enough. Ugandan’s democracy, the democracy pushed by the NRM, is much richer than anything, anybody, has attempted to do in the world, other than the ancient Greeks who produced direct democracy, in the City States. We have empowered women, the youth, the workers, the disabled, the soldiers, etc. The NRM democracy must be kukyenuura-based through production of wealth and jobs creation. Kukyenuura means to solve a solvable need” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 26.01.2018).

Well, I don’t know how to start. Let’s talk the steady usage of arbitrary arrests of activists, opposition party members, civilians and direct arrest of opposition leadership. Most of the opposition MPs and leaders has at some point been detained, in court and had cases going against them. The biggest opposition leaders has been charged with treason. Some has been house-arrested without warrants or court-orders for months upon end. So just by looking how the Police and Politics is intervening, you know that the democratic values of the NRM is not going skin-deep. It is more, just to have it, but not making it real.

Another point on Democratic values is to let opposition parties hold consultation meetings, even rallies during election periods and meetings in general to gain interest for their causes and pledges. Clearly, that should be natural, but the most violent and where the most police brutality appear is every time an opposition party leader has a campaign rally. There will be tear-gas, live-bullets and even civilians killed, people patching their hurt in hospitals. All this for showing up to rallies. There been brutal beatings of civilians walking around the area of an opposition rally, they could get hurt or arrested. Even if they even wasn’t involved. This is just the gist of the madness of the Police Enforcement, not even putting in the measures of interrogations, confiscating of party materials, suspensions of campaigns, court orders and even closing of Party Headquarters. All of this is done, to prove that the NRM can do what they want and opposition has to fall in line. This would never happen to the NRM or his party.

Now I just pointed out the arbitrary arrests and crashing of rallies. Haven’t even started on actually balloting and such. I could have continued on the assaults on Democracy with just quotes from the President in 2015 or 2016, even in 2017. He has enough and promised enough venom on the opposition to fill whole books of vomit for our ears and our minds. So, I don’t care for repeating that. I don’t deserve that and neither do you.

Because, the flaws of the Democracy in the Republic is to gigantic in a simple post. Museveni has made sure of that, so that he owns the Members of Parliament, he orders everything as he wants from the State House and secured Life Presidency through yet another change of the 1995 Constitution in December 2017.

So that President Museveni speaks of Democracy and having the best. He better get his mind corrected, get his vision checked and his initial understanding of democracy put under a stethoscope. Museveni has left nothing behind, but cronyism and corruption. Where he is the sole-benefactor and his family. The rest has to beg from him and they are just useful tools for his agenda.

He is the Sole-Candidate, the Sole Party and the Commander-In-Chief, he is the General and the President who doesn’t let anyone succeed him. He didn’t accept losing a rigged election 1980 to Dr. Milton Obote, he has since then fought himself into power in 1986. Since then rigged himself and used all means to stay in power. Therefore, he is not the fella to educate people in Democracy or Democratic values. He should be the last person. Peace.

Opinion: The UPM’s Aims and Objectives are grand, but did Museveni deliver them?

During the last few days, don’t remember when, but Moses Byamugisha on Social Media showed two pictures, which is a part of the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) Membership Card from 1980. This is the first party of now President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. It might seem as forgotten past, a past that we should just forgot, but I can’t, it is certain proof of important words and ideas, that still should be worked for. UPM and the agenda that Museveni worked for back-then. Is still worth doing today, even if President Museveni is just working for himself and his cronies. Not working for the betterment of society, that part of him is already gone.

I will first list of the ‘Aims and Objectives’ of the UPM Membership Card. Its 16 points, which seems like points, the Republic still needs and should work for.

16 Points:

1. Unity

2. Democracy

3. National Independence

4. Social Progress

5. Clean Leadership

6. Peace, Security and tranquility

7. Rehabilitation and reconstruction of the nation

8. National Common Language

9. Workers and Peasants participation in the decisions making process of the Party and State machinery

10. Building of a proper defence and security systems

11. Encourage and sustain collective leadership

12. Create condition that will make every citizens have a right to education and medical care

13. Follow and adhere to a policy of a viable mixed autonomy for Uganda

14. Follow a policy of non alignment on a basis of mutual benefits and subscribe to OAU and UN Charters

15. Subscribe to the Basic Human Rights as enshrined in the UN Charter

16. Give moral and material support to the orphans and widows and other victims of the Fascist rule and liberation war

All of this was subtle and good ideas, needed ones that hasn’t lost their power or need. The Republic needs first aim Unity, not only hire and develop the Western parts of Uganda. Just like the troubles of just hiring people from the northern of Uganda under Obote and Amin. Therefore, this is still needed, as the Ankoli and areas around has gotten more and become more important, than the rest of the republic. Bunyoro is getting vital because of coming oil industry. Not because Museveni cares about it deeply.

Second aim, Democracy still needs to be worked upon. By all means because of the Life Presidency, enacted by the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The Second Party of the President, all follows his whip and is non-democratic from the choices of Members of Parliament and their votes. If they don’t follow orders, like voting for life presidency, then they will not only be labeled rebels, but also punished through the party organization. The NRM isn’t democratic, neither is the state. There are lacking democratic decision making and the elections are rigged. Its not the will of the people, but the will of Museveni.

The third aim, don’t need comments, but fourth and fifth needs it. The ‘Social Progress’ and ‘Clean Leadership’. Needs to be address, it is better then back in the day, but having three decades to advance. The NRM should have come much longer, than it has. The Social progress has not evolved, its only for a minority group. Biggest part of society is stagnated and falling behind with unemployment and lack of development. Clean leadership is long gone with Presidential Handshake, pay-off of Members of Parliament, misusing opposition parties and trading position because of loyalty and not merit. Therefore, the NRM have failed with perfection here.

Aim six and seven are questionable at best. ‘Peace, Security and Tranquility’. Peace they do have, but the security and tranquility, not so much. The Security Organizations are more criminal than thieves, they are killers and hired goons themselves. Police are investigated by CMI and UPDF. There are lacking lines and trust to the Courts. The Northern Uganda is done with civil war, but the army has still created uncertainty in Kasese and Rwenzori as they are battling their own. Killings are happening and unsolved by the authorities. Even assassinations of big men within the Security Organization themselves.

The aim eight, ‘National Common Language’ have been effective and worked, as English and Luganda is well-known and most can understand either one or both. The NRM has worked smoothly with this. One of the few things, the NRM actually has achieved. The Uglish is fantastic.

Aim nine, peasants and workers are not really a part of making decisions and taking part of the party. The decisions are made in the State House. It is made by the President and not by Party. The Party is a front and its only there so the President can pay-off his loyal allies. Its seemingly so, when the NRM-O and NRM CEC are made for his best interest. Not to create a better republic.

The tenth aim which is ‘build a proper defence and security systems’. The Military is at its strongest and used as hired mercenaries in Equatorial Guinea and doing United Nations missions in both Somalia and Central African Republic. Its also the main reason for still the current president. He uses the military, because he doesn’t have the popularity. The Security Systems are fragmented and used against each other. Using military intelligence against the police. There is nothing that is certain and you are boggled at how and when something strike. When a crime will be solved and by who.

The eleventh aim to ‘encourage and sustain collective leadership’ is at best questionable at this day and age. The NRM have clearly forgotten this one. They have maybe never worked for this after 1986. That he has talked against sectarian and tribal leadership is well-known, but his achievement is questionable. Since he hasn’t promoted collective leadership, he has promoted his own leadership and the ones loyalty to him without ambition. It is reason why Vice-President Ssekandi are still there and Prime Minister Rugunda are there. They don’t want to get at the king, but if they get ambition to succeed him. Then they get demoted. Check history and you’ll see this.

The twelfth aim for ‘universal education and public health care’. There many more schools under the NRM. Though they are not well-kept or the up-keep is worth mentioning. The literacy rate has been rising in the three decades of rule, but the school system is far from perfect. Since teachers in the districts has side jobs because of lacking salaries, girls skip schools over lacking pads. That was even promised in the General Election of 2016. Still, the NRM haven’t delivered. They promised UPE, but never totally delivered on that promise.

Health care is a place where people are left to die. That is why MPs are getting treatment abroad, the daughters of the President giving birth in Europe. The Health Care is abysmal, lacking medicine, copy medics, X-Rays not working and awaiting between 2013 to 2018 before buying and putting up a new Cancer-Treatment machine. Only one for the millions of citizens of the Republic. There been a blood-drive, because of lacking blood for treatments in the hospitals. The air-machines has gone empty like in Jinja. The NMS hasn’t been able to buy in needed equipment. The Health Care is something the NRM really haven’t delivered anything to be proud of. They have build some buildings called hospitals, but they cannot treat people’s illness there.

The thirteen aim is about autonomy, but that is delivered from the State House. There has been growing amount of districts 118 if my calculation is right. So there has been changes, but it hasn’t given service delivery. Neither or anything visible changes. It is more district centre and more cronies paid-off making the civil service bloated, but not delivering services to the public. So the NRM has delivered dozens of new district and local government entities, but not that they matter. They only matters to the ones who get a paycheck and who is “running” them. But not for the public.

The fourteenth aim is about taking part of African Union and United Nations, the fifteenth aim was also about following their international standards and laws. In the beginning of the NRM rule, as long as he was a part of the new breed of leadership. It was seemingly important to respect international laws and enact those standards. With time this has withered, as he wants to rule on own accord and not let anyone question his reasoning. Therefore, he has become hostile to foreign interference, the ICC and all other who can question his acts and his use of military in foreign countries. Because of the fear of the repression from foreign entities, the former love-affair has become hatred and that has been shown over time.

The sixteenth aim has been done in some instances, that someone has gotten land and gotten measly awards. The State haven’t made functional programs, but more public givings and sudden awards as part of public display together with honors at liberation celebrations. Not really trying to give funds and such. NRM Historicals of all kinds, NRA soldiers and familes, haven’t been compensated, neither has the losers. They have gotten retaliation. So there are many families in disarray and lost of promises.

The whole republic has seen all the empty promises and the prospects of the Museveni era. He has had 32 years to create a state in his vision. The UPM isn’t that far from the 10 Point Program, that I have also dismantled, actually twice.

This here is another proof of how he promise big, but doesn’t deliver. Don’t be surprised, he is all talking big game, but never showing it on the touchline. He might be in the box, but never score. Peace.

Uganda: PM Ruhakana Rugunda letter to Ministers – “Restriction on Clearance of Public Officers to Travel Abroad and Authoriy to Purchase Foreign Exchange (16.01.2018)

Opinion: Besigye launches ‘Tubalemese Campaign’; What about those unfinished ones and will the public be behind him?

I am not a critic of Dr. Kizza Besigye, I am a supporter and a well-wisher of the cause of the man, who is one of the founding men behind, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and a hardliner against the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni regime. This should be well-known, so before you critique me over this, let it be known. I just want the best for the cause and for the total destruction of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government. That would be golden and the best. To destroy what is there and then rebuild. Since the Ugandan government is rotten to its core and its roots are rotten, because the President want to direct order everything from the State House.

In November 2015 before the General Election of 2016, the then newly elected Presidential Candidate for the FDC, Besigye launched the ‘Defiance Campaign’. A campaign that has been suspended by the authorities, have gotten him house-arrested and also gotten many of his allies detained. This campaign really showed the impunity of the state against the opposition. Also, how much the state uses their resources to take control, instead of actually having a real democracy. The Campaign of Defiance really undressed it once and for all. With all the roadblocks, the closed off stadiums and rallies, all the activity that has been stopped and the live-bullets together with tear-gas. The proof of the impunity can be traced to the Campaign of Defiance, combined with the swearing-in of Besigye as People’s President. As he was taken to Moroto and was charged with treason. A charge he still has to this day and a court case that is still not dismissed.

In May 2017, Besigye launched the ‘My Land My Country’ Campaign against the Constitutional Amendment that was pointed to make it easier for the government to expropriate land for public use or development. A Constitutional Amendment that the President has had a Radio Campaign for late last year, while Besigye himself was blocked from doing similar. This campaign has come on the back-burner as the other Constitutional Amendment and campaigning against that took the most of the energy of the opposition in November and December 2017.

So now in January 2018, the People’s President has launched another Campaign, the Tubalemese, which could be seen as inspiration from the National Super Alliance (NASA) campaigns after the turbulent days after the second presidential election in October 2017. The newly inspired campaign seems like and sounds like what the NASA is doing in Kenya. That meaning FDC is taking advice and following the Odinga paradigm. Since the Besigye plans and former campaigns has not made fruits or made the juice. It has not created a ripple effect. After a while it has died down and nothing sustainable gained.

We cannot see anything significant happen out of the defiance campaign, the momentum and the popularity of Besigye. Didn’t make changes or make it possible for a transition from Museveni. Since the fear of smearing and weapons of the President could hurt the ones who turns against him. Museveni is without mercy and without any of a rebellion. Therefore, as long as the campaigns have been made with half-heartly, he have let them happen and when they are spinning. He uses the police force and the courts to stifle them. That is why its sad to say, at the top of the Defiance campaign, the Besigye leadership and people around him didn’t push it further. They just stopped and let it go.

Besigye lost his traction, the My Land My Country, never really got anywhere and the campaigns haven’t made progress. There been more substance of the giving of foods to Isingiro and other districts, than what the campaign on land could ever gain. The FDC and the newly elected leadership should focus on one campaign, use the newly elected leadership on the front-line together Besigye. Not let him stand there alone in the darkest hour, but support him when the rain start to fall. They are there in the sunshine and when they need his popularity. However, when the darkest hour comes, they flee like insects to find either food or light.

Besigye deserves credit, he deserves support and his persistence and hard-work should be recognized. He has fought for the cause for so long and with such bravado. Not like he has given up or given in. However, Lukwago are there and uses his position. Certain others do to, but there should be more people around to show the respect for the cause. Besigye needs ground support and needs to see the public swing in his favor. The fear of repression has to stop at one point.

If this campaign is no more than a public display and a PR stunt. The public deserves better and Besigye deserves so as well. I want him to succeed. However, so many other campaigns has run into the sand. So much squabble and fighting that has not changed the system or taken away any power for the President.

But we do know if the President and his security agents feels the pressure, the opposition will be arrested on phony charges, his leaders around him too. They will not be allowed to breathe, the Kasangati home will he a prison and he cannot even go out an buy meat at the market. Besigye knows this and the public knows this too. However, if they want Besigye to succeed. They need to stand behind on the barricades, they need to walk with him. Not only in spirit, but in action. Peace.

Gen. Mugisha Muntu Press Statement (10.12.2017)