Opinion: Mbidde deep inside his heart wish he was Mpuuga

The folding his hands like “birdman” is Mbidde on the NRM Celebration of their 31st year in Masindi (January 2017)

Right now within the Democratic Party there is wrangle over positions, candidacy and viability ahead of the General Elections of 2021. As everyone is working hard to position themselves. One of these men is the East African Legislative Assembly Member of Parliament for two terms Fred Mukasa Mbidde.

Mbidde comes from Masaka. He has lost elections in 2006, and a second by-election in 2007.

His been in the EALA since 2012, the former DP legal advisor and now Vice-President of the DP. Wants to be represented at home, not only abroad on the ticket of opposition party, which has has been for 8 years.

While Mathias Mpuuga has been the Youth Chairman of Masaka for the DP between 2000 – 2006. While he was first a coordinator with the Action for Change (A4C) before elected as an Independent Candidate in the General Election of 2011. In 2011 Mpuuga got 15103 votes. While in 2016 he got 17319 on a DP ticket. Clearly, running up for 2021 elections, he would be a safe bet. His known, has a track-record and represents Masaka well.

So, it is not like Mbidde has a lack of trying. However, now his trying to block the incumbent. Whose only numbers are growing stronger. While Mbidde is looking more and more like an NRM stooge by the day. His already joined rallies of NRM and praised Museveni for making him an EALA MP.

So, its not like his a sort of fella that wouldn’t do tricks to get favours and elected. Clearly, not in the same range nor scope as Mpuuga, who easily defies the powers to be and associate himself with either A4C or People Power. Because, he got savvy and sense of what is just.

That is why Mbidde wish he was as smart as Mpuuga, but he isn’t. Mathias Mpuuga has shown heart for the get-go. He has shown character and vision, something that is lacking with Mbidde. Whose only service is too eat by any means, either trick it or rig it. There are no common ground with that man, especially not his English as well.

Mbidde wish deep down in his heart he was half-the-man Mpuuga is, but he isn’t. Mpuuga has shown the Republic what sort of figure he is. Since he got into trouble as a coordinator within the Action 4 Change. That is something Mbidde can only dream off. He has only shown his face in and around Museveni to get a ticket into EALA. Because, he has no chance to get elected as an MP in Masaka. He might think so, but his record says otherwise. Unless, he plans to get help rigging it for himself. Since, I doubt someone want to dismiss and stop Mpuuga now.

It is just Mbidde who by his ego and drive wants to weaken the DP by stopping their winning candidate in Mpuuga. Which is foolish at best, but well… That is Mbidde for you. Peace.

Opinion: Mao’s chasing his own butterfly

I’m on the pursuit of happiness

I know everything that shine ain’t always gold

I’ll be fine once I get it

I’ll be good” (Kid Cudi – ‘Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)’ 15.09.2009).

It sounds like fiction that Democratic Party President Norbert Mao, which is in an internal fracas. A man whose excluded part of his party and is entangled in an internal battle over whose being the Presidential Flag-bearer of the party.

This was the report by NBS Television yesterday:

The antagonistic group against Norbert Mao’s decision to dismiss Sulaiman Kidandala as the National Organizing Secretary, has revealed that the party’s National Council resolved to support Kyagulanyi, a decision that has been rejected by Mao” (NBS Television, 15.02.2020).

Now, today the man writes this on Facebook:

The only way to be happy is to be happy. That is a state of mind within your control whatever you are doing. It doesn’t require a new Ferrari or an extension to your dangly bits. Happiness is not a pursuing, it is a being. The harder you chase it, the further you push it away. It can be likened to chasing a butterfly. The more desperately you charge at it, the more it will elude you. But if you stop trying so hard, lay down on the grass and relax, there is a chance it will just come and land on your shoulder” (Norbert Mao – ‘On Happiness’ 16.02.2020).

It is like the intellectual Mao doesn’t understand the predicament his in. Like he doesn’t get the hardships of what his doing. Instead of acting sincere, his trying to rebuild the party around himself. As he anticipate to be Party President for another term.

Mao shouldn’t act this way within the Internal Party wrangle. Last round he lost hard and went after the butterfly called Amama Mbabazi and the Democratic Alliance (TDA). Before that he ran on his own ticket and didn’t actually succeed on that one either. However, that was first round and total failure in the second. Then thinking he will be a booming star in the third is a bit far-fetched isn’t it?

Mao should wonder why his where his at and why the party is so split. Not only has he let this happen with fractions working directly with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and even becoming cabinet members. While some DP has become part of the People’s Government and working directly with dr. Kizza Besigye. Thirdly, some has associated them with Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and the People Power Movement. Which is now splitting the party.

We can really imagine that Mao could be happy about being second fiddle to Bobi Wine. That someone like him took his way. Even if by the Lords of Mercy would even grant Mao an MP slot in Gulu. He should praise the Gods for that alone. However, his always aimed at the stars and the moons, even if he never had space shuttle to get there.

Now, we are seeing the sounds of happiness from him. Even if we know it is a nightmare. Because, it shows his double standard. Mbabazi was fine and dandy, but Bobi Wine is not. Maybe because he was barred from entering in 2016 and can now in 2021. Nevertheless, it seems strange, as it was not like Mao did magic in 2011. This from the man complaining that Besigye is a serial loser and Mao haven’t even won pop-tarts in his hey-day.

Mao become the DP President and he had been the Guild President at Makerere University, but that doesn’t deem him fit for the Presidency. Neither does he have the popularity to even get there. The party haven’t been built better under him, neither proved it value in the opposition. Unless, you count the amount of times Mao has been sitting on NBS Frontline. Than, you can say his winning. Also, the amount of times the papers publishes his writings.

With all of this in mind. Should Mao be happy? No. He should work like crazy, salvage whatever he can. Because its not like he got the golden goose. Not like he got the loyal standing or stature. Mao might have a few cronies around him and some central leadership backing him blindly. However, this will not save him. As the waves are turning and his importance isn’t all that.

Besigye and Bobi Wine has more going for them. Mao might not like that, but if his running against them. He will look like the knock-off Coca-Cola, looking like coke, but tasting like watered down coca-cola candy with fizz. He might like that, but the public prefer the real deal over the knock-off.

Mao will not be happy about that, but that is the reality. Maybe, he can quote someone else philosophical book and call it a night. Peace.

Opinion: A lot of flair, but very little substance in Mao

It is about that time. The Democratic Party internal elections ahead of delegations conference before the General Elections of 2021. Just like it was in 2010, 2015 and now in 2020. This happens every five years. Nobert Mao is on his second term and near the end of it. He was first elected to it in 2010. If elected again, it would be his third term as Party President. 

Over the years his stance and his significance has dwindled. Even other voices in the party matter more. Even more of his own cadres has been associated either with the NRM or with Besigye. The DP party is more split than ever before. This being MPs whose even have chosen to be by Bobi Wine and the People Power Movement. Meaning, the alliances is individually picked.

The DP Party isn’t a party of strength. Neither is it a party of loyalty. When DP MPs picks themselves to be Ministers and abandons the party along the way. Neither, is it that people choose sides between the Pressure Group and the People’s Government. That shows how the secretariat and the lack structure is there.

While the DP Party still have tried to be relevant with both the DP Block, which got two former cadres back in the fold to create the DP Block. Also, tried to tie in Bobi Wine and Mugisha Muntu in the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the 2021 elections. Neither has succeeded.

Now, as the internal primaries is scheduled and rows are surfacing. Mao speaks of loyalty and claims party members are acting ill-loyal. Well, he haven’t sanctioned that in the past. He didn’t ban or stop Mbidde from gathering in around Museveni. Neither, did he stop the other from becoming part of the cabinet. Thirdly, he was only mad that two vital leaders joined the People’s Government. While he was silent on the ones associating themselves with Bobi Wine. So, his not consistent. At least not in respects to where people should go and what they should do.

Not like Mao has made a path, except for showing up as regular on NBS Frontline. His staple and uses his flamboyant style, but his not coming across as a unique leader. No, his just another man whose happen to have a title.

Mao acts like his supreme, like his Devine and shouldn’t be challenged for the Presidency in his own party. That should be false, especially if the party should differ from the NRM. Which is the main challenger ahead of 2021. Unless, they are kidding themselves and wants to be a NRM-Light. Something it has looked like for years and only a given few has gone astray. These has gone to greener pastures to leaders who really tries to fight the Self-Styled President for Life.

Alas, here we are in 2020. Mao talking out of his ass. Acting aloof and unjustifiable so. We can act indifferent. However, we should know that he wants to reign the party. He earns on being in the President. Not like he will try again as an MP in Gulu. He should, because that he got a shot to succeed. While, he doesn’t have a change by any margin to uproar society and elect him President of all.

Mao couldn’t even run as a candidate in the previous election, and he was abysmal as a Presidential Candidate in 2011. Don’t expect magic from him in 2021. He was also one of the proud donkeys supporting Mbabazi. So, we know how compromised he can become. That is just the way it is.

If he continues like this its soon a micro-NRM. A small lookalike and a front of an opposition party. Where the beholden leader by nature is Mao. Instead of elections, it is selections of the ones loyal to him. Instead of people picking the most viable candidates. Is that what Mao wants? Seems so, right? Peace.

Zambia: ZESCO – Zesco to Reduce Loadshedding Hours following Full Resumption of Maamba Collieries Limited (17.01.2020)

A Perfect 10: More MPs in a limbo after recent Constitutional Court Judgement

As we are in a new state of mind, as the By-Election held since February 2016 is in a limbo, after the Constitutional Court judgement called out the recent 6 Direct Members of Parliament Elections in 2018 as unlawful and to get them nullified. There are more MPs in a limbo, not the ones where the seat of the constituency went vacate because of deceased or nullification of the polls during the General Election. If these were added, the amounts of MPs in question would be much bigger.

However, the ones in trouble now is most likely the Woman MP representatives for the new districts. As these are By-Elections created for ghosts and not official constituencies yet. This means the elections held in 2016 after the General Election and the ones held in 2017. Will be put in jeopardy by the Constitutional Court judgement of 27th December 2019. Which is clearly put several of MPs into trouble.

That the state should be in shock, that the Electoral Commission haven’t had the proper team, nor the Speaker of Parliament haven’t done her part either. All stakeholders and government have played up big-scale by-elections, while throwing away money and campaigning for nothing really. As these election can be nullified now, with reason and with justification. Therefore, by my count. Not only the six ones from 2018, but the ones done in 2016-17 should also count.

From here on, its the proclamation and the statement from the Electoral Commission before the elections, before the ones winning in these By-Elections. To show the ones involved and the ones chair or seat in Parliament hangs by a small thread.

The Press Release:

The Electoral Commission has approved the programme for Parliamentary and Local Government Councils election in the newly created districts of Kagadi, Kakumiro, Omoro, Rubanda and Kibaale” (Electoral Commission – ‘Electoral Programme for Parliamentary and Local Government Councils in Newly Created Districts, 2016’ 30.06.2016).

District:

MP:

Kibaale*

Basemera Noeline Kisembo (NRM)

Kagadi*

Janepher Kyomuhendo Mbabazi (NRM)

Kakumiro**

Robinah Nabbanja (NRM)

Omoro*

Catherine Lamwaka (NRM)

Rubanda*

Prossy Mbabazi Akampulira (NRM)

* Poll date on the 29th August 2016

** Wasn’t a direct poll, but the MP switched Constituency and was allowed by Electoral Commission.

The Press Release:

The Electoral Commission has approved the programme for the elections of District Woman Representative to Parliament, District Chairperson and Local Government Councilors (where applicable)for the five (5) newly-created districts that became effective on 1st July, 2017.The new districts are Bunyangabu, Kyotera, Namisindwa, Pakwach and Rukiga” (Electoral Commission – ‘Parliamentary and Local Government Councils Elections and By-elections, 2017’ 02.08.2017).

District:

MP:

Bunyangabu*

Peace Regis Mutuuzo (NRM)

Kyotera*

Robina Nakasiyre Ssentongo (DP)

Namisindwa*

Grace Watuwa Namukhula (NRM)

Pakwach*

Jane Pacuto Avur (NRM)

Rukiga*

Caroline Kamusiime (NRM)

* Poll date on the 21th September 2017.

We can clearly see the issues, as the government has spent fortunes on these elections. The Electoral Commission and the government should have stopped it. The legal team of the Electoral Commission wasn’t prepared for this. Surely, this is really a bad situation. As the constituencies are non-existent, but they have representation, both in Parliament and locally. There was local elections for representation in Local Government. Therefore, the costs of Woman MPs isn’t the only thing.

Not only has the state combined with its organization tricked the public, but they have held charade elections, which is deemed unlawful. While getting people to stand for elections, which wasn’t legit from the get-go. They are elected into ghost seats and shouldn’t do so before 2021. That is what the judgement said. Therefore, the 10 MPs here combined with the 6 MPs mentioned in the Constitutional Court this year.

We can also think of the issues coming out of this. As the state and Parliament have to recall all of these. They have to be dismissed and loose their salaries. They have invested into this and their livelihood goes away, until the 2021 elections. That is if they plan to stand for another term. Though, we shouldn’t feel to bad for them, they are earning much than average citizen. So, its not like they should worry for a few months. Expect also that the President will donate funds to them to keep them loyal to him, while they await a new polls.

The losers are the public, the ones actually using time and effort to actually believe in these elections. Because, this is years of by-elections, but they can by all questioned now. That is because of the reckless behaviour and not following the codes. This is why people should feel cheated and tricked. The curving of districts and sub-counties is now biting back.

You can fool people, once, maybe even twice, but not three times. Now, its up and the verdict is in. Peace.

Zambia: President Lungu cuts salaries of highly paid public workers to cushion impact on the vulnerable due to recent tariff hikes (27.12.2019)

Zambia: Ministry of Finance – Statement on Application of Sanctions for Arrears on African Development Bank Group Bill due on 15th November 2019 (24.12.2019)

Zambia: A tale of two gay men and one U.S. Envoy

In Lusaka, the United States Envoy Daniel Foote have been recalled for making remarks and statements about the two gay men who was charged and sentenced to 15 years in prison for making love to each other.

In this regard, some will see their act as sinful, some will see their acts against nature, that is both in your making. Your allowed to think that and have some basis in religion to do so. However, there should also be legal basis for people to love whomever they choose. Just like you should be allowed to join whatever party or religion, as your conscience deems fit. Therefore, for the state to arrest and detain people for who they love. Its a big fail, if it is their gay or inter-racial, already married or an illegal alien, so whatever reason that should be no grounds for legal remedies. Unless, they are breaking laws and statutes, which violates the sovereign state and have illegal activity as theft, crimes and so on. To make love criminal is just weird to me.

However, what is even more striking in this case. Is the need to recall and send an U.S. Envoy home for his actions in this matter. It is not like he has the power to change the laws of a sovereign nation, neither does he has the capacity to start riots or anything on his own. Unless, he does some coordination with CIA and gets busy, like the US does in Latin America. In this case, that seems like ordinary wide-far-fetched conspiracy talk. Especially, just over two gay men.

That President Edgar Lungu makes such a case and such a stance, is to only be more popular with his evangelical and Christian voters, who deem this as a sin against God and nature. That these two violated the world order and their belief in their activities. The state has laws and statutes where they make Homosexuality illegal. This is all to prove their loyalty to the fate and to the ones who believes this. Which is fine as a personal belief, but a state should be open to more than one mind-set.

Surely, Lungu has more dire problems, more issues of financial deficit, lack of power to repay Chinese loans, loadshedding and whatnot that is troubling his days in the office. As well as monitoring the activities of all opposition leaders. There are plenty of things to keep him busy. Other, than two gay man making love. He should fix the economy and the civic space. However, his busy with how people are using their privates, instead of actually governing. While spreading propaganda of a Western ploy of making Africa gay. Which it is not, it is just one expression and one part of a person’s life, which the state shouldn’t interfere and take away the liberty of a person. That it does, when it criminalize one way of love. If it is this or another.

This is the story of two gay men, who apparently is so vital and important. More important than the cordial relations between two nations. That they have to show their sovereign ways, but recalling him. As they got insulted by what he said.

What is Lungu’s next step now? He cannot get the man back and U.S. has to send another man. Whoever that might be. Still, the Zambian authorities got to ask themselves, was it worth it? What is it to gain to make this illegal and what justification is there to donors to aid this republic, who clearly only gives rights for some, but detains others. Peace.

Opinion: The NRM proves again that the IPOD is worthless…

“The NRM has boycotted the meeting of IPOD scheduled for the handover of IPOD seat from Democratic Party to FDC. This as FDC insists the discussion should focus more on the meaningful dialogue and smooth transfer of power in Uganda” (NBS Television 27.11.2019).

Not to long ago, actually for two IPOD Summits the FDC boycotted these, as they did boycott the first IPOD Summit, as an reaction to the police brutality and harassment from the authorities. The second one was because they didn’t want just a photo-op and a friendly greeting with the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

The IPOD Summits haven’t resolved anything or made any amends with the electoral reform or dialogue between the NRM and the opposition. The IPOD is just a paid journey from the Dutch, to preoccupy the parties on the way to yet another General Election in 20201.

Just a friendly reminder of what NRM said when the FDC boycotted it:

Kasule Lumumba: NRM is the minority in IPOD. FDC is the leading opposition party. FDC shouldn’t run away from responsibility. NRM remains committed. Come and offer leadership and we work together, Come and show Ugandans that you can lead” (NBS Television, 17.10.2019).

I have always said FDC is a radical extremist party behaving like a millenarian cult & hostile to dialogue. This was on display yesterday when they boycotted the first IPOD meet. They used to say they would only attend IPOD MEETINGS if Museveni attends. What is their excuse now?” (Andrew Mwenda, 18.12.2018).

I don’t know why anybody [FDC] who says they are democrats would not like dialogue. I always welcome opportunities for dialogue because when you don’t dialogue, you miss an opportunity to be understood clearly” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the 12th December 2018 at the Speke Resort Munyonyo

Therefore, I wonder what will be the excuses of the NRM in the upcoming days. One that has already come out, which is unbelievable is that they wasn’t invited. That one is just a lie, I don’t believe that Norbert Mao forgot to send the invitation to the NRM Secretariat. The DP head wouldn’t miss that one out.

It is weird that FDC comes now after boycotting for so long. It seemingly a play for them. It is insincere to take the helm. That it is, after calling out the other parties for being involved in the months ahead of this. The FDC knows this. Yes, this is politics, but the perception of this isn’t brilliant. It is insincere at best.

The FDC should have pulled out, unless it seems they are just in it for the party-funding and possible billions promised after the second summit in May 2019. The environment for the FDC isn’t better. Their party offices has been raided both in Kampala and in the up-country. Not like the FDC leadership is secure and safe for police brutality. Neither is their ability to conduct party activity in general.

What is weird is the NRM who has harassed and diminished the FDC for boycotting from before Christmas last year until the present IPOD takeover. That is very rich of them to not sit in the yellow chairs. Because, its not like the NRM will end up behind bars or get detained for participating. Neither house-arrested nor awaiting court-cases because of their loyalty elsewhere, than the President himself. Since all of them are loyal to him.

I never have believed in IPOD. Just like the Apple IPOD, I believe the relevance is gone and not vital for the changes in the Republic. It is just a tool for the NRM to keep the others in check. The NRM will only use this to settle the score and use the platform to ensure they are following guidelines and supposed protocol. The IPOD will not challenge or have any significant power, as the NRM and the government haven’t given it that.

The IPOD and IPOD Summits are PR stunts and play for the facade. It is weird that the FDC wants to play now. They should have dropped out and been righteous. Instead, they wanted a little spotlight and look decent now. That’s a bit late, but the NRM are totally in the wrong. When they have called the FDC out, but bails out themselves. That proves again the real value of it.

The real value of the IPOD is none, except for the Dutch donors who pays for the “dialogue”. Peace.

Opinion: Lungu will run in 2021

President Edgar Lungu is already in his second term as the President of Zambia. This after he took over for Michael Sata in 2015 and held the office until he won his “first” term in 2016. The Courts has already interpreted and ensured the legal argument that Lungu can be the President for a “second” term from 2021. This after he has reigned between 2015-2021.

But just as the Patriotic Front have wrecked the economy and has defaulting loans. The state is in constant load-shedding and lack of force. The Zambian government are even so vibrant in their justification to silence the opposition. That the lack of prison cells, is reasons for not having public rallies of the opposition in the Republic.

The Patriotic Front and Lungu is steaming ahead. Even as the Chinese is collecting collateral and taking valuable assets from the state. Life is just getting tougher for the citizens, but the President doesn’t seem to mind. His preoccupied with consolidating more power.

Lungu has constitutional amendments, where if they are ascended into law. It will give him way or power to actually accept loans, sign international treaties and agreements without the parliamentary oversight and voting of it. This means, if the President gets his way, he will be able to accept and secure state loans without interference. He can sign agreements and treaties without anyone stopping him. This means the President doesn’t need the Parliament to look over his actions nor his economic policies. That in a state, where tolls of loans are already a giant burden and a state, which struggles with fiscal stimulus to fix the rates of back-pay to its creditors.

Therefore, the 2018 acceptance of the Courts. The Constitutional Amendments of 2019. Are all slow walks into 2021. Where he will have secured all power, ensured his appointed cronies in all parts of the government and have loyal henchmen around him.

Don’t expect the other parties to have choice or ability before 2021. Lungu will not let that happen. He has the state and will use all means. Lungu will not let go. He will not let go. To think that is naive, unless a miracle appears and the Holy Ghost brings him a message in the night and the President actually listens. As he listens, he steps down and give ay to someone else. But, we know that will not happen.

Lungu will have his “second” term. Edgar will do it. With all means, with all sort of laws to monitor, control and give him more power. If he doesn’t, he isn’t himself nor as drunk on power as it seems. Peace.