Omoro County By-Election: Bobi Wine and the NUP Campaign Team arrested

Tonight, as the violent and brutal arrests of National Unity Platform supporters have been occurring in Omoro County ahead of the By-Elections there on the 26th May 2022. There are several of other reports of which shows the fierce force of the authorities in the area.

As the road-blocks and checkpoints are put up to stifle any movement or any sort of possibly public outcry of the residents there. There is reports that the NUP Campaign Team has all been arrested. This includes Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, as well as Noah Mutwe, Maush and others too. That is happening as they were campaigning for the NUP flag-bearer Simon Toolit.

The Special Forces Command (SFC) of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) is said to be deployed and using force today. These are the ones that is behind the arrests and taking them to unknown locations. This is similar to what happened in the Arua By-Election of 2018.

Now it is repeating itself and the arrests are occurring before the polls. Even before the NUP is able to canvass and campaign whole-heartedly in the county. That shows what the state is willing to do and how it uses it’s resources to stay in power. As they are fighting for the Son of Jacob to “win” this election.

Bobi Wine is reported to be under military supervision after the arrest hours ago. We don’t know where and with what charges, but everything is up for grabs here. Over the weekend everything will become clear. As we will here the UPDF drop a statement and the UPF as well. That is just happening whether we like it or not.

Alas, this just shows that the NRM doesn’t believe in their own candidates and own political platform. When they have to arrest the opposition and use military force to stop them from campaigning. That’s because the NRM and the army fears to lose even more influence in the Parliament. Even if it just a means to regain a seat the NRM already had.

A By-Election shouldn’t be bloody, vicious and need the usage of brutal force like this. However, this is the only way the NRM knows how to win and it shows. The Son of Jacob should feel weak and be praying to the Gods that the almighty forgives them. Because, his campaign is the reason for other people’s plights. The authorities are doing this on his behalf and he should remember that. Peace.

Omoro County By-Election: The Son of Jacob will only win by force and not by “winning hearts”

It is only 5 days to the polls in the Omoro County By-Election, which is scheduled for the 26th May 2022. The campaigns will last to the 24th May 2022. However, things are already spiralling out and the price of the politics is clear.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) are acting like everything is going after normal programming, as they are campaigning to retain the seat in Parliament and get the son of the late speaker, Andrew Ojok Oulanyah elected. However, that couldn’t be harder from the truth.

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) had to change their candidate in the last minute before registration, because the NRM had bribed their candidate and instead nominated Justine Odong. Therefore, from the on-set the NRM is using all means to win.

Just like today it’s reports of beating up and direct arrests of National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters in the county. There is also reports of checkpoints and authorities putting up road-blocks in the area too. So, like before… the state is making an election into a war-zone to ensure total victory.

There is reports that the Special Forces Command (SFC), which is a part of the Uganda People’s Liberation Force (UPDF) that is behind the brutal arrests and detaining the opposition members in the county. So, if he NRM believed this was a certain win and a walk-over. They wouldn’t need to do this…

As NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong was earlier in the day proclaiming that they had turned about a 100 NUP Members in Omoro County into NRM. Nevertheless, that is just the ordinary propaganda and most like a photo-op to sincere. As this is a way of people getting free t-shirts and possibly a cash-donation to “vote” for the NRM. So, yet another grand scheme.. because the real supporters of the opposition is meeting a blunt force. Not smiles and greetings from the comrades of the likes of Todwong.

If Andrew Ajok Oulanyah thinks his campaign is solid and great. He should have asked the authorities to not use these means. Because, this is just showing that the barrel of the gun and the use of violence is what the NRM needs to get votes. The NRM needs the blunt force to beat people into submission. Not because of a manifesto or a political programme.

That is the message the NRM is sending here. As they are targeting the opposition. While sparing no concern or mind for their own campaigns. It is all smiles and joy for Oulanyah, but I can tell you. There are plenty others who suffers. This campaign isn’t friendly, free or fair.

There is one campaign for the NRM and another for the rest. That isn’t just and the world needs to know.

The Son of Jacob isn’t winning because of his charisma, character or political promises. No, if his winning… its because of how the government and the authorities targets everyone else who dares to challenge him. Peace.

Omoro County By-Election: The battle-lines is getting drawn ahead of the polls…

 

Since the late speaker Jacob Oulanyah died in Seattle, United States of America there has been a vacant seat in the 11th Parliament. When the news of his demise and death came to the forefront. There was not only a play for who would succeed him as the Speaker, but who would takeover his seat as well.

This is the first time in a while since a National Resistance Movement MP died in office. The last time there was an assassination of Ibrahim Abiriga in the 10th Parliament. That election became a violent and a horrid affair. The late speaker won the seat in 2006 and never looked back. He was the incumbent and it became his seat. Now, this will be opening up.

Here is the vital news from the candidacies in the race. While there is no news about the Independents that ran in the 2021 General Election who lost to Oulanyah. These have not returned for now. We have to wait who the Electoral Commission is putting on the ballots, but the parties are ushering in their candidates.

This is the reports for now and then two rumours in the end…

The DP:

The Democratic Party DP has pulled out of the Omoro County parliamentary by-election. The move came shortly after Godwin Okello a DP aspirant withdrew his candidature from the race on Tuesday. Okello was the only aspirant who publicly expressed interest to vie for the position under DP after the electoral commission announce a vacancy in the constituency last month” (Capital FM Uganda, 05.05.2022).

The FDC:

We unveil Mr Owani Denis Dickson as our flag bearer for Omoro county in the upcoming parliamentary by-election and Ms Ayo Mercy as our flag bearer -District Councilor for Lalogi/Lakwaya Subcounties Our structured campaign will be coordinated by Hon. O’Jara PP. Okin the Member of Parliament for Chua West” (Forum for Democratic Change, 29.04.2022).

The Justice Forum (JEEMA):

Mega’s CD Brian Alaka Comes Out To Take Contest For Late Jacob Oulanyah’s Omoro Parliamentary Seat as the days for nomination of candidates draw nearer. According to the Electoral Commission road map, the nomination of candidates will take place from May 12th to May 13, 2022, at Omoro District Council Hall. The campaigns will take place from May 16th 2022” (Luo Tunes, 01.05.2022).

The National Unity Platform:

Who is Toolit Simon Akecha , the NUP flag bearer For omoro County?

National Unity Platform (NUP) / People Power has fronted Former FDC Member Toolit Simon AKECHA as its flag-bearer in the upcoming Omoro County by-election. Toolit is the former Omoro County MP (FDC) who in 2016 narrowly lost the seat to Hon Jacob Oulanya with 11,044 votes against Toolit’s 9,088 votes. In that election, there were a record breaking 2,173 invalid votes recorded in the declaration form that Toolit claimed they were his and sued Oulanya and NRM for electoral fraud and massive rigging. He is poised to be the main challenger to NRM Candidate Andrew OJOK, a son to the late Jacob Oulanya” (Nile TV, 26.04.2022).

The NRM candidate – Andrew Ojok Oulanyah:

How easy was it to get all the other six NRM aspirants to step down for you? They only stepped down in solidarity with the family. Two weeks ago, before the party issued its official position, we were not sure whether we would undergo primary elections and who the candidate would be. I want to thank the NRM party chairman (President Museveni) who eventually gave me the flag” (Tobbias Jolly Owino – ‘I wake up every day knowing I have to finish my father’s task – Ojok Oulanyah’ 01.05.2022, Daily Monitor).

First Rumour:

This haven’t been verified but been spread online. That there was a supposed gathering/meeting between the Democratic Party (DP), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and the National Resistance Movement (NRM), which was to support the NRM candidate ahead of the polls. As the three parties was afraid to challenge NUP’s Toolit. That meeting was done in the middle-of-April this year and to ensure it.

In that regard, we know the DP dropped out and we have to see if the UPC will do the same. That will be striking and evidence of the possible secret agreement. However, unless the minutes and the signed agreement comes into the public sphere… until that happens this is just a rumour.

Second rumour:

That the Omoro RDC Ladit Onyuk Andrew is directly campaigning and using his office to campaign for the NRM candidate in the county. That is very evident by his Facebook profile and how his using his office for the bidding of Ajok Oulanyah. This is most likely true and has been reported on by the newspapers since mid-April as well. Therefore, this rumour is genuine.

This election going to be contested. Expect arrests, election-violence and insincere statements by the authorities. The By-Election going to be a proof of the foothold of the NRM in Omoro County. The machinery will camp in the Omoro County. To expect something else is foolish. As they want to settle and have the son of the speaker to get the seat in Parliament.

However, the battle of Toolit and Oulanyah will be a hectic one. Expect the rallies of the NUP to be tear-gassed and get into trouble. While the NRM will campaign everywhere and use vast funds on voter-tourism. That is what the NRM has done for over a decade now. They will come in with the army, the whole state machinery, use of buses and free food for the masses. Small tokens and gifts to SACCO’s too. That is what the state does to suddenly showering the locals. However, the state will not invest in the hospitals or the health care centres. No, that will not happen…

I wouldn’t expect anything else. This might be this terms Arua By-Election. The same sort of drive and possibilities are here. Because, the stakes are high and the will of the NRM to settle the score. The use of the authorities and the state resources will be shown. Nothing should shock you, but be aware. It might even look like a war-zone in the tiny window to the polls, as the state wants to signal that their candidate is the way out. Peace.

Omoro County By-Election: The son to inherit the seat of the late father

As far as the Omoro by-election is concerned, there is talk that the late Jacob Oulanyah’s son and Omoro leaders will be meeting the President. Some people want him to be unopposed, and others have stepped down for him” (NBS Television, 19.04.2022).

NRM party aspirants eyeing the Omoro County MP seat have been summoned by Museveni. So far 11 people have expressed interest to replace the late Jacob Oulanyah. 4 of them subscribe to the NRM party. They include the Omoro LCV Chairperson Douglas Peter Okello alias Okao, Omoro District Speaker Richard Bongowat Luganya, Oulanyah`s son Andrew Ojok, and Oulanyah`s former campaign manager Ben Acellam” (Unity FM 97,7 Lira, 19.04.2022).

Special meeting of OMORO leaders with the President Museveni just got done. All aspirants from NRM have stepped down in his favour Andrew Ojok (son to the late Jacob), those who had previously occupied RDC offices will bounce back, LC5, speaker to say there positions” (Benson Ongom, 19.04.2022).

If you don’t believe the message of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is that they are all in and for nepotism. You are clearly mistaken. The previous NRM Primaries before the 2021 elections proved that. Sons and daughters of the mighty men was allowed to stand. They got into seats and became Members of Parliament even.

Now in 2022 that has not changed. The Acholi, Lango and West Nile MPs was maybe not able to ring-fence the speakership for the Greater North. However, it is clear that the Oulanyah family will linger on and have a say.

That’s because of the son of the late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah is now going unopposed in the NRM. After Museveni summoned a meeting and settled the grievances ahead of the Omoro By-Election. We knew that the death of Oulanyah would trigger a by-election. What we didn’t know was how the party, the parliament or anyone else would take it. Since it created new openings and opportunities for several of the surrounding people there. That was evident in the race for speakership alone…

We shouldn’t be shocked that the son of the late is regarded as the candidate from the NRM. They easily does that and it continues his legacy. I still expect him to be challenged by Independent candidate Olal Andrew P’obong and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Terence Odonga.

P’Obong could easily been a NRM flag-bearer if it wasn’t for the father in the first place. So, he wasn’t even in the draw this time either. Showing that the NRM clearly isn’t listening to the aspirants in the area. Only picking the most tolerable and the ones that is most vital to the cause of the State House. That’s why Oulanyah was returning in 2021 and why his son is the next in line 2022. It is really obvious…

Nepotism is a main staple in the NRM and no one can deny that in 2022. Peace.

Opinion: The venom never left [because it was always concealed…]

Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous” – Chanakya

At the burial of late speaker Jacob Oulanyah, the father stated again that his son was poisoned and it was to late to save him when he was sent for treatment in Seattle, United States of America. That has been stated before and clearly the story haven’t ceased to stop. The speculations and the questions are remaining, as the coffin has been a day or two in the ground.

The reality is that the late speaker isn’t the only cadre, loyal subject or former ally of the President who has had mysterious fall from grace. No, during the 36 years in power… Generals has died of blood-clot and other weird diseases, even when their family members and loved ones has said until the last minute that they was healthy and fit. Therefore, their sudden demise can be called weird and without justification. Neither are the paperwork or the official reasons fitting the narratives of family members. That’s why you know something is up.

Just like Oulanyah is buried without an official reason and when the father says he was poisoned. The questions will remain and the lack of proof from the state doesn’t make it better. That’s why people will claim this until proven otherwise.

This is not the first time. Just like the questionable death of: “From the time Brig. Noble Mayombo’s illness became publicly known to his burial last Saturday, little else has made the front page of the national newspapers. Away from the newspapers, there has been a rumour briskly circulating around Kampala and elsewhere in the country. The rumour, quite simply, casts doubt over any explanation that somehow Mayombo simply contracted an infection of his pancreas and died” (Timothy Kalyegira – ‘Uganda: The Political Implications of Brig. Mayombo’s Death’ 09.05.2007, Daily Monitor).

Another one is this one: “The first official statement from Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda the following day noted that the cause of death was not yet known and that a team of doctors and pathologists had been dispatched to the United Arab Emirates to help with the post-mortem and repatriation of the body. Yet, this communication from the government did not stop the whispering campaign about what — but mostly who — killed Gen Nyakairima, and about his enemies, real and imagined. At least one post mortem report managed to attain velocity in the forward-first, think-later world of social media, claiming he was poisoned by a South Korean passport holder” (The East African – ‘Nyakairima death: Radio Katwe, social media explode with conspiracy theories’ 19.09.2016).

When you have these sorts of cases in the past and now the sudden death of Oulanyah… you know things will be put into question and it doesn’t help that the government was supposed to probe the incident in 2021. While he died in 2022.

A failed attempt at Gen. David Sejusa aka Tinyefuza aka Tinye: “According to Lukwago, the General made stunning revelations at the party on how he survived being murdered since he parted ways with government in 2013. He reportedly told guests that the NRM government functionaries plotted to eliminate him when he was in exile in UK. Most recently while on remand in Luzira, Sejusa said he narrowly survived beingI poisoned” (Sam Wasawa – ‘I survived poison in Luzira – Sejusa’ 22.04.20216, ChimpReports).

These are just four cases and Oulanyah is the newest. It just shows what the state does and is willing to do. They will claim it all is conspiracy theories and whatnot. We know about other claims too and other cases, which is not mentioned here. Which could have been the same. Where the state has possibly targeted opposition or rising stars within own ranks with poison. Therefore, it is likely that it could have happened. This government doesn’t value life much and the attempts of poisons, assassinations and other extra judicial killings proves just that.

Nevertheless, at this very moment we will not know. The lack of verified proof stifles it. However, the knowledge that it could be real and could be possible is dangerously enough. To know that the government are willing and justifies these activities says it all. That they plot someone’s downfall and does it with deceptive means of venom. Peace.

Opinion: 10m shillings is the price of an average Acholi MP apparently…

“𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢 𝐌𝐏𝐬 – UGX 312.9m” (NTV Uganda, 29.03.2022).

The Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) has consisted of 29 MPs and if that is still the case. Then each of them is 10 million shillings in a “special operation” surrounding the burial of late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah.

This is now reported and it’s obviously why, because the APG said it would boycott and not stand behind anyone else than an Acholi for the Speakership in the 11th Parliament. However, they voted like the rest of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in regards to the recent election of former Deputy Anita Annet Among, which is not Acholi. Therefore, their treats was pointless and fruitless. Also, their ideals of ring-fencing a position based on tribe. That totally failed.

Alas… they still got additional perks and a benefits drive, which is 10 million shillings into the bank. The APG MPs has clearly gotten paid off for their utter silence and continuing the cause of the State House and the President in the 11th Parliament.

As it is perfectly clear that the Acholi Parliamentary Group and the Acholi MPs pleas and rhetoric ahead of the poll on Kololo fell on deaf ears. The NRM High Command and NRM CEC had already decided. Well, even the NRM Caucus was falling in line and the vote was just a practicality and a necessary thing to do by law. Everything else was already settle a day in advance or so.

The Acholi hadn’t enough leverage and neither did have a man inside the NRM CEC. Since the late Oulanyah happened to be their representative. They had nothing to offer or show for it. This is why it was easily to see that it was more business as usual. Ensure the cause and the will of the President. Not assuring and re-assuring a sub-region of the Republic. No, that is just a cause, which you amplify when in need of votes. The rest of the time… they can fall in line and it is just as easy as dropping an envelope of few million shillings to silence them all.

The President and his merry men only needed 10 million shillings each to get them to back-off. He only needed a small kickback to get them of the hook. That’s all that he needed and that was their price. So cheap, so simple and it’s not even funny.

The Acholi MPs came at a bargain and they took it. Instead of standing their ground and trying to show some sense of solidarity. Nevertheless, they can easily be bought and it’s proven now. Peace.

Opinion: Oulanyah is another mysterious death…

We cannot pretend that all is well because now we have more questions than answers. We continue to ask why our Children die shortly after elevation to positions of power. For all those who think

Jacob Oulanyah stood in their way, please Forgive us, forgive him and give us a chance to grieve peacefully. We shall all die, it’s a matter of time. We are all designed with a different mode of death” – Rwot David Onen Acana, Acholi Paramount chief (Entebbe One, 21.03.2022).

There is a planned move to eliminate all the sons of Acholi that are rising, government needs to explain” (…)The government should tell us clearly, if the people of Acholi are not worthy owning any key position in this country so that we tell our sons who are still remaining to resign”– Hon. Gilbert Oulanya, Kilak South MP (100.2 Galaxy FM Zzina!, 21.03.2022).

Well, the later Speaker isn’t alone dying in mystery. Riddled with questions and trying to find reasons for his demise. Jacob Oulanyah is following countless of people into the afterlife. While the living is trying to figuring out why he died and for what reasons. As he had the world by the balls and now everything was taken away from him.

There been high ranking officials who has fallen very ill and died. There been generals and opposition figures who has done the same. There been assassinations, murders and unsolved mysterious, which are haunting the authorities and the ones in-charge. As people are dying and without any sort of explanation.

What is also significant is that the murders, the assassinations and other mysterious deaths are left in the cold. With no redeeming answers to the ones remaining or the greater public at large. As the big-men, high ranking officials and other associates are found dead or killed, but nothing is said or done to settle the cases. Instead, the government, the authorities and whatnot shelves the cases and let them be gone from memory. That’s at-least how it seems from the outside.

As they are at one moment parading suspects and showing up possible culprits. However, none of them are tested or proven guilty. Therefore, it all falls flat and the ones behind the deaths are left alone. They can just find the next victim and move-on. Because, they know the authorities and the state will not seek after them.

With that in mind, the unfortunate demise of Oulanyah is following a pattern, which gets people to suspect poisoning. This sort of trick of the state has been done in the past, as they have claimed blood-clot and similar illnesses from people, which until very the end was deemed as healthy and fit. Alas, this being Generals and other High Ranking Officials who suddenly fell ill and died. This is why people and the Acholi leaders are questioning this as well…

It is very natural to do. Especially, with the knowledge of what has happened in the past and not so long ago. This make sense, but also sends a frightening signal, as this means the state and their authorities possible can be behind these mysterious deaths. Which in a sense, makes anyone possible targets and could at one point or another face the same fatal blow. Therefore, the need for resolve is apparent.

That resolve and report of what really happened and caused his death. Not only pre-texted statements, without further explanations. As this all happened after he got appointed to Speaker and since then his been very ill. That’s how conspiracies are starting and they can easily run loose. While we know of several of other cases, which has never been resolved. Therefore, we shouldn’t expect this one either. Peace.

Opinion: A new Speaker has to be elected before a new plenary or business is transacted in Parliament

The 1995 Constitution in article 82(4) states that no business shall happen in Parliament other than the election of a Speaker at any time the Office falls vacant. Now that it’s official that late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah died in Seattle. The stipulations in the Constitution is clear and sets the parameter of the next actions.

In other parts of the article 82(5) the Chief Justice, which happens to be Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, either himself has to preside of the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker. He can also designate a judge to do it for him in his stead.

What we do know by the other stipulations in the Constitution. The Speaker cannot be a Vice-President or Minister for that matter. Unless, Rebecca Kadaga now resigns from her position. She cannot be re-elected as Speaker. If she would be willing to risk that and again renegade for her own personal interests. Which she did with fielding her candidacy in defiance to the will of her party in 2021. Alas, things can become tense and interesting.

Because, we know things will run with a State Funeral and a transport of the body from the United States and back to Uganda. Where a Committee appointed by the President will preside over the proceedings and functions of the late Oulanyah.

Since he was sick, the Deputy Speaker Anita Among have run the business of the Parliament. While she was expecting a ceremony of forgiveness from Hon. Francis Zaake this up-coming week. That will clearly be abandoned and new things are bound to appear.

The Constitution is setting precedence and there is protocol to follow. The ones who calls this cold-hearted and out of order. Well, if they want an illegal plenary and stop parliamentary business. Then you skip these formalities and opens up a quagmire of problems, which can haunt the transacted business of the August House. The House should be order and it should follow the stipulated laws, as it’s the body, which enacts and proposes new legislation. Therefore, they should be the ones that honours it first and accordingly so.

Some might say… isn’t that mighty Noble and outside of purpose. However, if the 1995 Constitution hadn’t said this in the articles and the laws was reflecting this. I wouldn’t have questioned the legality either. Nevertheless, here we are and the justifications to ask for it is justified. The article 82 is clear in it’s wording and there is little wiggle-room.

The ones speaking of long mourning period and not hold an election for a new speaker. They are void of the fact of the function and the constitutional bound role of the speaker. This is why the importance of doing it and ensure the formalities for business transacting in the August House. That should for matter for anyone who wants things to be done legally and after constitutional order.

Deputy Speaker Among might feel justified to continue, as she has done so in the absence of Oulanyah. Since he fell ill, became bed-ridden and went to hospital, even before he was referred to get treatment in the United States. She has been the one in his stead. However, the law isn’t giving her the rights to automatically get in his stead. The laws are set to have new elections. Meaning new candidates and possible re-election. This can be a hurdle or she have to trade on the goodwill of envelopes of late.

Time will really tell. Nevertheless, we have to see how the 11th Parliament will operate, but if they will act accordingly to the Constitution. They have now one agenda and one objective, which the Chief Justice or the ones he appoints have to preside over. The new election of the new speaker and deputy speaker. Since the seat of the Speaker is now vacant. Peace.

Opinion: We can now await a Omoro County By-Election …

Today it was revealed that Speaker and Omoro Constituency Member of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah had died after months of sickness at the hospital in Seattle, United States of America. Now, the ramifications of it also needs to be addressed. Since, when an MP dies it automatically triggers a By-Election to get someone else to get his office. Alas, that will be the case here.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) first has to have a Primary Election and find a successor as a flag-bearer in Omoro County. Since, the NRM has had Oulanyah running steadily on their tickets since 2011. He has been the sole proprietor of it since then and only had one term in the past as a Uganda People’s Congress MP. Therefore, the NRM got to search for someone eligible there ahead of the polls. As Oulanyah went unopposed in the recent flag-bearer race in Omoro County.

Secondly, we can assess a return of the former loser and runners-up in the 2021 election race. This being Independent candidate Olal Andrew P’obong and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Terence Odonga. We should expect them returning to the polls and try to sway the voters yet again.

Obong has been reportedly saying this ahead of the 2021 polls:

You may have money, but power belongs to the people and they are the ones to decide. You have seen many strong politicians who have lost elections because they can’t account for their leadership. Leadership is not in a seat, it is how you mobilise your people for development” (New Vision – ‘2021 Polls: Two engineers threaten Speaker Oulanyah’s seat’ (18.06.2021).

We know that this seat has been contested before. In the 2016 General Elections, the then FDC candidate was said to have been kidnapped. The results pronounced even before the official counting. As well, as reports of boxes filled with pre-ticked ballots. Therefore, it is not like he was always a popular and an easy man to hit the polls.

What we can expect is that Olal Andrew P’obong might stage himself as the new NRM Flag-bearer, as he fought for that after moving from the FDC towards NRM in 2021. There is even further speculation that the failed Presidential Candidate and Democratic Party President Norbert Mao might seek re-election as MP and could vie for the Omoro County seat. However, that will be a different seat, as in the past he vied for the Gulu Municipality MP and was their MP between 1996-2006. By doing so, he still holds on to the resolution of only being the MP for Gulu Municipality for two terms. Nevertheless, that is just mere speculations and nothing is broadcasted yet on these matters.

Alas, we know things will move after Oulanyah is out of office and in the ground. There will be moves, the Electoral Commission will notify and prepare a road-map for By-Election on this seat. It will be heavily contested. As this is the first one in the 11th Parliament and a lot of prestige to keep it in the NRM. We can anticipate a much contested as the Arua By-Election in 2018. It would only make sense to think it could be like that. The whole state and whole machinery will do whatever it can to ensure victory. The Special Force Command and army arriving early. To think otherwise is naive and the opposition candidates will be silenced and struggle to have peace while holding rallies.

That is just my anticipations ahead of the polls in the Omoro County. Time will tell, but this inevitable to happen. The Omoro county cannot have a ghost representing it in the 11th Parliament. Peace.

Opinion: Mao’s iffy claims is getting him nowhere

Democratic Party president, Norbert Mao, has called the National Unity Platform (NUP) a dubious project which is delaying change. “What I see here is the reason a party that seeks to lead Uganda should not encourage its supporters to use mind-bending substances. I will not be distracted. NUP is a dubious project for delaying change. They malign everyone but in reality they are a creation of the shadow State,” Mao wrote on his Twitter handle” (Carol Kasujja Adii – ‘NUP is a dubious Project – Mao’ 08.03.2022, New Vision).

It is hard to imagine that Norbert Mao has been the Democratic Party President for over a decade at this point. He has run the DP Party since before the ‘Walk to Work’ demonstrations and haven’t succeeded in the 2011, 2016 or in 2021. This is why his on a expedition right now to make himself relevant and sound resounding. However, that is all backfiring.

His instead being loved by the National Resistance Movement Youth League (NRM-YL). The DP President is being supported by Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga and being boosted by Andrew Mwenda. It is him who can be claimed to be the “shadow state”. That is only speculating, but he surely does the work of the state and their allies. Ofwono Opondo is soon irrelevant and the GCIC should just hire Mao. He would do the work for them and finally Opondo could lavish on a farm in close association to Kayihura somewhere. That would make sense after all of these years.

Mao is working so hard to maligned Bobi Wine aka Robert Kyagulanyi as a shady actor or political leader. That his forgetting his own mission or supposed work as a Party President. His so obsessed and focused, that he is tweeting more about NUP and Bobi Wine, than certain radio stations are pinning Sheila Gashumba.

He is working on overtime to discredit and say the NUP is the modern version of Kabaka Yekka (KY) party. A Baganda party and not a national one. That is following the rhetoric and message, which resembles the NRM. I would think a man of the opposition like Mao wouldn’t like to sound like NRM. However, he thrives in the space of NRM and speaking their points of view. That’s maybe why he uses the same points, agenda and means as the NRM has done.

Mao has gone after the party, the way it was formed and everything in between. Soon he will post a picture of Bobi Wine smoking weed and dancing with a woman on stage in his early career. Because, that is what you do… when you cannot see someone aspire or create a new avenue for themselves. Nevertheless, Mao is only burning bridges while speaking of dialogue, which is ironic as his supposed to be the wise-man of the political space. Alas, we can say with time that wisdom has clearly withered into the winds of time.

Mao isn’t as bright or the future of leadership. Instead his a washed-up uninspiring and a depressing sort of character. All the promise straight into the storm-drain and all for nothing. He could have done a lot and be remembered for something. Instead, his just one of them suits with no aspirations or prospects to generate hope. No, his a empty suit and enjoy the perks of that office. Peace.