Opinion: ANT is a place of stagnation…

We can all appreciate the wits, the wisdom and the experience of the Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu. He is a seasoned politician and has character. Muntu is a man you can respect and acknowledge. There is a certain aura about him, but that doesn’t save him from criticism or questions about his demeanour.

When he didn’t become the incumbent Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party President he started his own consultation and with the reach of a “New Formation”. That in turn became the political party of Alliance for National Transformation. Several of allies from within the FDC joined him. Not only Paul Mwiru, but Alicia Aloso and Winnie Kiiza for that matter. These are well established former MPs and people who has a standing in the political sphere.

Muntu went ahead and created this party. He did so with under two years to the next general election. Leaving the FDC and getting fellow allies from the FDC on board. Which should have created a bigger buzz and more of prominence in the 2021 elections. However, that fell flat and the party is seemingly a brief-case party with lack of nationwide exposure.

Maj. Gen. Muntu might be a pragmatic fella. His fellow allies might be seasoned and diplomatic in their way of response and political outreach. It is fine that a political party wants to do civic education and build. Alas, they need high-ranking officials and needs people in offices across the Republic. If not its a party with a headquarters and a few paid staff.

ANT can have the best paperwork and policies. Heck, it can be answer to all the ills of the Republic. However, if it only stays within reach of a few chosen few and not spread far and wide. Well, it looses its value and is less attractive.

Muntu and his fellow inner-circle has chosen this path. They are careful and calculated. These folks don’t risk anything or push the boundaries of the party. No, they are just attentive and trying to catch straws when it can.

We cannot fault Muntu, everyone knew he was this way as he disregarded the way Besigye wanted to run the Presidential Campaigns. We know Muntu didn’t want no “defiance” and “boycotts”. No, he wanted to work and change from within. Like it was possible to negotiate and possibly parley for a better position over time. However, we have seen that it haven’t resolved anything and is a fruitless enterprise.

ANT from a far seems stagnate and on the losing end of a stick. In a more friendly and equal playing-field of multiparty democracy…. The ANT would have better position and be more viable. People are reluctant to side with them when they are not pushing against the oppression. When ANT are meagre and mediocre response to the mischief and the misgivings of the state. ANT could be poignant and sincere about it, but it rather be soft and clever.

Muntu and his inner-circle has to see what happened when an ally like Mwiru left the party. Mwiru was a part of his party-wing in the FDC. He now sees that there is no future and choice of viability in ANT. That’s why his becoming a journeyman to the NUP. Muntu should take this too heart. Because, sooner or later the voters, the members and whatnot might follow too. They are not seeing anything hopeful or substantial.

The only see the wise and the well thought through approaches that leads to nowhere. It seems so futile and slow. Muntu might have the best of intentions, but it seems so far-fetched and like his forcing his hand by not taking a proper stand or even pushing the party to prove its worth. If it wanted too, ANT could be more viable and be more visible. It could show heart and where it stands. However, that seems like too much to ask. It is a reason why the Serere By-Election didn’t go ANTs way. There is no reason to vote for it and hard to believe the pragmatism will be defining the opposition or the manner of which will be end of the dictatorship. Peace.

28th April 2011: Police Brutality isn’t anything new in the republic…

“Yeah, because when the Minister gave his account, I was civilised enough and I tried to listen. I hope these ministers will at least pretend that they are civilised and listen.  Dr Besigye was brutally hurled into a pick-up, beaten, slapped, tear-gassed under captivity and kicked by Arinaitwe the assassin, the commandos and the mambas, under the command of Grace Turyagumanawe.  The journey from Mulago roundabout to Kasangati took about ten minutes or slightly more. Six people were knocked by the van between Kasangati and Mulago roundabout. The police need to account since the van that was following picked up all the people who were knocked on the way. We want to know whether they died or they are still alive. The van on which suspects were transported was a torture chamber. In that police van were six men in civilian clothes, putting on dark glasses and with their driver, each one of them had two pistols and they had SMGs in the car. They brutalised the suspects all the way to Kasangati, cracking the skull of one of Dr Besigye’s assistants. The torture men in the police van also smoked “bhangi”. We demand that the police disclose who these people are. Dr Besigye was dropped off the police pick-up, as you may all have seen in the documentary. He lay in Kasangati Police Station. For 50 minutes, Dr Besigye was unconscious and nobody was allowed to see him. The Members of Parliament who rushed to Kasangati were not allowed in. One hour later, panicking and thinking that Dr Besigye was dead, they called in his assistant, Sam Mugumya, who was also locked up in a police cell, to check on him. They told him, can you check if he is still alive. And Mugumya checked and told them he was breathing. That is when they called in Dr Olive Kobusingye. Over an hour later! Yesterday, the Minister said I was allowed to go in. I went in two hours later. Since the Minister in his statement has decided to keep quiet about the people who were involved in this operation, it is my cardinal duty to tell you that the one who commanded this operation, Mr Grace Turyagumanawe, joined the police of Uganda in 1981. He was dropped from his position on 2 May 2001 by the then IGP. Barely a month later, he was reinstated” – Alice Alaso (Hansard of 04.05.2011)

Time is a wasting. The ones that are shocked by how Members of Parliament is treated. No one should be. The Uganda Police Force and the Authorities has manhandled and used vicious force against dissidents for years. They have had several of different units used to torment, torture and apprehend civilians who stands up against the dictatorship.

Therefore, the brutality and the state sponsored violence of April 2023 isn’t new. I’m just publishing the Hansard statement of Hon. Alice Alaso, who spoke out against the attack on Besigye and others on the 28th April 2011. The ordeal was on tape and has been online ever since. The man who tormented Besigye have been well known for long, but is still part of the UPF. Just last year he was promoted again and gotten a title, which is either making him a department commander or a police officer who runs a police post. Therefore, he has gone through the ranks in the decade after the violent incident he partook in.

Just to prove how badly the state handled this. Beatrice Anywar asked this question in the same plenary session:

“Another thing that I want the Minister to explain is, when Dr Kiiza Besigye was supposed to be flown out for medication, there was a problem at the airport. They blocked him from being flown out of this country to seek medical attention. I personally made all efforts to even ring my good brother, the Minister of Security, hon. Amama Mbabazi. I made efforts to ring my brother, the state minister himself, desperately looking to somebody to come up and give reason as to why he should be blocked when he is in that sorry state. I would like the Minister to help us explain the reason why somebody who was in the state of Dr Kiiza Besigye, who needed emergency medical attention, should be blocked from accessing his doctors in Nairobi. I also want the Minister to explain the circumstances under which one can access the assistance offered by the Government. I saw and read when His Excellency, the President, was now saying his Government is going to assist the victims of the riots. In what form is this? Are Dr Kiiza Besigye’s bills and his damaged vehicle among those you have arranged for because he is also a victim of the riots? I want this clarification” (Beatrice Anywar, 04.05.2011).

So, it wasn’t enough to treat him violence on the streets. Later when he needed help and sought to get it in Nairobi. The Police and the authorities blocked him access to leave the Republic. They just show their sinister side when it comes to Dr. Kizza Besigye.

That’s why this story needs to be retold. Because the state is repeating these sins. They are not doing to Besigye right now. However, they are doing similar acts to other high-ranking officials or opposition leaders. They are targeting others with similar means. The state has gotten accustomed and gotten used to doing so.

Besigye deserved better. No one should have gotten this treatment. Just like the MPs, Activists or other opposition members should fear for the authorities. However, we know the drones, the arbitrary arrests and the kidnappings are happening to this day. The “safe-houses” are used, and civilians are captured because of their political affiliation. Therefore, we know the acts are happening as we speak. That’s what the Police and Security Organizations are up too. Peace.

Opinion: The UPF is ill-advised here…

“As the Joint Security Agencies, we have obtained credible about plans by NUP to reactivate their structures, through various mobilisation drives, in cities and major towns, to cause acts of disorder and lawlessness in the country. This development comes at a time when the county has been very peaceful. We therefore, call upon the NUP leadership to avoid such clandestine methods of work and instead use legitimate means to achieve their objectives. We also encourage them to emulate the other political parties like the FDC, NRM and DP, that have continued to work within the provisions of the POMA and in harmony with the police” (Uganda Police Force – ‘POLITICIANS WARNED AGAINST HOLDING KUNGA MOBILISATIONS AND DEMONSTRATIONS’ 12.04.2023).

In the grand scheme of events, I never thought the UPF or the Uganda Police Force would say the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is righteous in their actions. That I cannot phantom or believe in 2023. Not after all the years with Dr. Kizza Besigye and how the UPF has monitored, targeted and the regime enacted the Public Order Management Act (POMA) just because of the FDC!

That’s why reading this today infuriating me. Not only because the Constitutional right to assemble and demonstrate is gone from the opposition. To protest or demonstrate in the Republic is long gone. That is in the wind and the authorities will not allow it. They not allowing opposition candidates at Guild elections to hold Press Conferences either. Neither is the Opposition allowed to hold friend football matches to fundraise for good causes either.

So, it isn’t like the UPF or the authorities are allowing the opposition to move or operate. The UPF who is blocking radio stations, venues, conferences, and whatnot for years. The UPF who isn’t allowing the opposition to pray or even participate at events. The same UPF is now saying they are the good ones. They must be kidding me and think we are stupid.

It is amazing that the UPF is lecturing the National Unity Platform (NUP) this way. When nothing they are doing is allowed. Nothing that they think of or even considers doing. They are only allowed within the premises of the Headquarters and after that it’s a free-for-all. Therefore, putting them in the same line as the ruling party NRM is exhausting. The NRM can hold rallies, galivanting across the republic and not consider even to petition the UPF. They just show up and can even hold demonstrations for “favourable” causes. Therefore, who is the UPF trying to fool?

We know the tear-gas, the arrests, and the well-known police brutality. We know how the UPF operates and how it will raid the offices of the NUP or FDC. The way and manner of pre-emptive house-arrests of leaders, if not take them away and keep them incommunicado for a while too. That’s what the UPF does, and I wouldn’t be shocked if it happens now too. It is just the way the authorities and the UPF acts. Peace.

Opinion: Mugumya arrested as a ADF in 2014, but released in 2022 as a M23…

What happened in Beni?

I found officers from Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence who interrogated me about the Allied Democratic Forces. One of the most painful things I witnessed is someone die out of suffocation and unfortunately I leaned against his dead body for the entire night.

How did you know they were CMI operatives? Were they clad in uniform?

They had army uniform and they introduced themselves to me as such. On the first day, they were two. They asked if I had links with ADF then shortly after said I was coming to link up with the People’s Redemption Army. I told them I was just running away from your brutal regime. On the second day, another set of three CMI operatives came. I remained in Beni for three weeks before I was called for a joint interrogation between Congolese authorities and CMI. They debated if to bring us back to Uganda or hold us in Congo” (Ivan Okuda – ‘I was arrested while fleeing to exile, says Mugumya, 19.12.2015, Black – Journalist, Cursive – Mugumya, Daily Monitor).

You know when are story is too good to be true, it’s most likely not true. The story of Sam Mugumya will be one for the ages. The sudden way he was kidnapped, taken-away in October in 2014 and later found out to be in custody in Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo in November 2014. He also spent time in a prison in Kisangani as well. Before he was transferred from there to Kinshasa and Ndolo Military Prison, where he spent most of the time behind bars until his released on the 21st October 2022.

Mugumya spent 8 years in custody. As he was arrested for involvement in the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF-NALU). As he was supposed rebel with a fictitious name: “Katembo Mukiga William”. There was also additional factors put into play like he was having either “cargo” or “bags of monies”. Which have never been proven or evidence for the public to see. Therefore, a lot of hearsay and never any real given fact.

Now 8 years later in the documents released as his free. They are now claiming he was involved or participated in the Mouvement du Mars 23 (M23). That is in contrast to the reported connection to the ADF-NALU, which was rumoured for years.

Mugumya himself said he was arrested, as he was fleeing to exile himself. The Dr. Kizza Besigye aide was trying to get to freedom, but instead was sent to the slammer abroad. The Observer reported this back in 2014:The army spokesman, Lt Col Ankunda, said then that Mugumya had been found in possession of dollars and was suspected to be involved in subversive activities” (Edris Kiggundu – ‘Where is FDC’s Sam Mugumya?’ 11.11.2014, The Observer).

There are so many words, but nothing definite. What is likely is that the authorities apprehended him within Uganda and kidnapped him. Because, no one knew where he was and he suddenly disappeared. Later to be find in custody in Beni (DRC) which means the authorities of Uganda did help him cross and get detained there. It happened in such a manner, that he never returned and was a suspected rebel or a militia member.

That’s why you know these stories don’t add up. It is total fabrication and an injustice served Sam Mugumya’s way. He has been a victim of his activism and association with Besigye. If he hadn’t been a part of Reform Agenda and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). He wouldn’t be here. The authorities targeted him, because the likes of him was the future. We are seeing that happening today with associates of the National Unity Platform (NUP) who are kidnapped and disappearing for the public sphere. Therefore, Mugumya is just a representation of the oppression the government of Uganda is doing. While they where able to use the Courts and Prisons to silence Mugumya for years.

It is a long time to be paying the price for doing the right thing. Mugumya has paid a huge price and it has cost. Back in the day he was ADF and now his M23. You just know the whole thing is made up. That’s the gist of it.

What is tragic is that Mugumya spent 8 years behind bars and only because of political affiliation. He was a target and a means to an end. That’s why he was kidnapped and never returned to Uganda. Mugumya lingered in jail because of who he was affiliated with. That was all the authorities needed and Military Court could find excuses to keep him behind bars too. It took years before he went to trail and now that his released. The story has changed again.

I wonder where the “cargo” and where the “dollars” went. If they even existed. Secondly, the UPDF spokesman Paddy Ankunda better have his story straight now. Especially, if his asked about this. It’s all a unique situation and this sort of thing has to be tested.

This is injustice and Sam Mugumya has been scarred, he has been tested and worse, he paid a price of losing eight valuable years. He lost so much time in detention, instead of being free and a voice of reason. His now free, but his story needs to be told. As it is a story on how the authorities targets dissidents. Peace.

Sam Mugumya is finally released after 8 years in Ndolo Military Prison…

The Commander of the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) North Kivu Region, Brig Gen Muhindo Akili Mundos has confirmed that forces under his Command arrested Former FDC Leader, Dr Kiiza Besigye’s Political Assistant Mr Sam Mugumya on 21st October 2014. This was during a Joint News conference with his Ugandan Counterpart, UPDF 2nd Division Commander Brig Peter Elwelu following a Security meeting in Kasindi Town of DRC on Tuesday 12th November 2014. Brig Mundos said Mugumya was arrested alongside 02 other Ugandans and 02 Congolese after the entered the country through an illegal entry point near Ishasha boarder. He added that Mugumya was using false names “Katembo Mukiga William” but on interrogation he was proved be Sam Mugumya. He said they suspect he could be involved in dangerous activities likely to hurt the current cordial relationship between Uganda and DRC and as a result he was transferred from his headquarters in Beni, to the capital Kinshasa for further investigations” (UPDF – FARDC confirms Sam Mugumya’s Arrest, 14.11.2014).

Today on the 21st October 2022, it is confirmed that Sam Mugumya is released from Ndolo Military Prison in Kinshasa. Mugumya has now spent 8 years behind bars or a total of 96 months in prison in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mugumya has gone through a lot. The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) pushed for his release and also being moved to Uganda. However, the authorities in Uganda didn’t want him to return. That why we know his been a political prisoner in the DRC.

He was arrested because of his political affiliation and that he was associated with Dr. Kizza Besigye. That was the reason for his imprisonment. It wasn’t because of his supposed connections to militias or anything. This was the excuses and arguments, which the authorities used to keep him in prison. He was a political prisoner and have paid a huge price for doing so.

Mugumya has suffered in prison. No one can say it has been easy. The man has been torn and could have gotten a broken spirit. Instead he has soldiered on and awaited freedom. He has stood tall in the midst of adversity and shown his strength.

Okello-Oryem did state in fact in 2016 that there was no chance of a fair trail or extradition. That was how this score was settled and Mugumya just had to pay the price. He was a victim of the association and the allies he had chosen. That’s why he was taken into custody and moved to a prison in Kinshasa. All because he was affiliated with Besigye. This was all the authorities needed and they let him suffer for 8 years.

It is good to see the picture of Sam Mugumya holding a note “Free At Last”. Also another picture on the outside of prison. He shouldn’t have been a felon in the first place. He has suffered, paid the cost and should be paid by the state for the injustice. However, we know there will be no consequences to the ones who detained him or held him captive. Mugumya was a victim of circumstance and political activism. That’s all it took.

The price for standing tall and being brave cost him 8 years. 8 years in a miliary prison in Kinshasa. Mugumya deserve not only a heroes welcome, but to be honoured for his bravery. He could have given in and been gone by now. However, he soldiered on and knew deep down it would end. Nevertheless, it shouldn’t have been this hard.

The authorities of DRC failed him and so did the authorities in Kampala. If he had been one of “them“… they would have sent a military attaché and picked him up somehow. However, he was a target and the NRM was happy, that he was out of sight and out of mind. Peace.

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC): FDC Independence Message (09.10.2022)

Today, Uganda makes 60 years since the transfer of power from white colonialists to black colonialists.

In these 60 years of flag “independence”, our country has not witnessed a peaceful transfer of power from one government to another.

Our country continues to be governed by the force of arms, and this history is evident in how the force of arms, and military took over the power of politics in Uganda where citizens are still living under terror.

Almost all former presidents have died in exile. Presidents; Sir Edward Muteesa, Dr Milton Obote, Amin Dada, Gen. Tito Okello, and Prof. Yusuf Lule have all died in exile.

In modern Uganda, Injustice, which our elders challenged, has not been terminated, injustice committed by the political leaders who control power, Institutions, resources and tools of arm-twisting has reached unacceptable levels!

Torture, the killing of citizens, violation of human rights, the capture of institutions, stage-managed democracy, land grabbing, the rot of social services, and apartheid in health and education sectors, that characterised the white colonial rule are still evident up to now.

As Forum For Democratic change, we shall continue to mobilise people for a political transition, and restructure state institutions for the true independence of Uganda where a GUN will be subordinate to the people.

One Uganda, One People

A Joint Opposition ahead of the next By-Elections…

The way to get back our power is to unite all of us and the population to be rallied together. Once that happens, I’m very excited that I can see it now beginning to happen. Even if we said that let all of us do this, this regime has no capacity to stop it” – Dr Kizza Besigye (01.08.2022).

Today there was a real launch of a joint opposition ahead of the next elections. This was a mix of various parties and formations. The main ones are the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and National Unity Platform (NUP). The other parties was the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Justice Forum (JEEMA) and the DP Block. While the People’s Front for Transition (PFT) and People Power Movement (PPM).

This is the first one that is like this since the Democratic Alliance (TDA).The TDA have been shaky and most of the members there has ended up in the arms of the regime.

The TDA isn’t the only joint opposition ahead of an election. In 2011 the opposition went ahead with a coalition called the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC). In 2020 the FDC and NUP created the United Forces of Change (UFC).

Today we are seeing a new front with a lot more parties and formations behind it. That could strengthen the cause. We have already seen the NUP and FDC supporting a joint candidate in the Soroti East By-Election in the Moses Attan there. The new Press Conference and Joint Statement shows not only sentiment, but a plan for the parties ahead.

This country is bigger than our political parties. The mission is bigger than building our political parties. In any case, one would argue that there are no political parties in Uganda because we do not operate like political parties” (Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, 01.08.2022).

The Joint Statement is stating the plan ahead:

Going forward, we shall jointly or severally use any upcoming elections to organise and rally the population to defend their democratic rights and end the election ‘madness’ that has bedeviled our country since independence” (Joint Statement, 01.08.2022).

It will be interesting to see it happening in the upcoming by-elections. The opposition is showing a united force and its needed. The messages from the leaders is as important. Because, the parties and formations are pledging to work together.

The ruling regime and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have been met with similar coalitions before, but this time around there is no direct or former NRM who will leave the fold quickly. The ones that has left the NRM did it so long ago… that it seems impossible for a return.

This statement comes days after the NRM-DP Cooperation Agreement and the previous election agreement between NRM-UPC. Therefore, this time around the Joint Opposition has to prove it. As the NRM is purging and trying to convince the opposition of working with them.

The Joint Opposition have to show it and also ensure they field the best candidates. They have to show the malpractice and undermine the election rigging. In such a manner, that the NRM cannot live with it or even announce the results. The opposition has to show fierce methods and not only play to the rules of the state. Opposition cannot just participate, but prove everything wrong with the regime.

Time will tell if this will work. The ambition and sentiment behind is commendable. I am hope it does make a difference. Not only a Press Conference and a Statement. The people have to see it and the parties and formations have to show it. Peace.

Uganda: Joint Statement of Political Leaders, Parties and Formations against the Brazen Thuggery of Elections in Uganda as Exemplified in the By-Elections of Kayunga, Omoro and Soroti (01.08.2022)

Soroti East By-Election: “The game is rigged, man”

This game is rigged, man. We like the little bitches on a chessboard” Preston “Bodie” Brodaus (S4:E13 – ‘Final Grades’, 2006).

The Soroti East By-Elections on the 28th July 2022 was a shambolic affair. The authorities, the Electoral Commission and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) didn’t even conceal their actions and intentions. The mass-arrests, intimidation and use of force was the reason for the “victory” for the NRM Flag-Bearer Herbert Edmund Ariko. He was in the evening of the 28th July announced as the victor with a “small” margin, but everyone who follows knows the drill.

The NRM with the usage of the state machinery came with pre-ticked ballots. The NRM Electoral Commission Chairman Dr. Tanga Odoi was an active part of the rigging in Soroti. Other that participated was the newly “elected” MP Andrew Ojok Oulanyah. He was “elected” in the same manner in his constituency. Now, Ariko follows suit and they shouldn’t celebrate this. Because it is a mess and a fraudulent affair.

The NRM will take this a celebration and speak of their popularity. However, everyone with some working marbles knows the gist. The mass-arrests of opposition leaders and the deployment of opposition polling agents who was arrested to sign of declaration forms from the polling stations. So, the whole affair was shady and the “victory” can be seen as shallow.

The MP for Soroti East By-Election is now rigged into the 11th Parliament. The NRM doesn’t believe in their pledges, promises or campaign. Since they needs to use force, intimidation and trick the polls to get ahead. Their candidate is so bad and lacking influence that ghosts, goats and ferried voters voted for him. The pre-ticked ballots are proof of that and the EC validated it all.

This is was a deliberate act. The mass-arrests just proves it all. The authorities even arrested the main opposition candidate from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Moses Attan Okia who was detained after voting himself. It just shows the process and how the state was at work. The same with any sort of political leader in the FDC and also went after elected leadership from the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC). Therefore, the authorities stoke at everyone. They even raided a home of one MP and went after the tires of another one. It was nothing they were not willing to do.

The Soroti East By-Election is just a proof that the NRM doesn’t believe in their own candidates anymore. They need to use force and fake themselves into power. If the NRM didn’t have the power and the authorities behind them. This wouldn’t have happened. They are not having elections, but a selection for their own will. Just proving a point and taking the people for fools.

Hon. Ariko was elected by ghosts and ferried voters. His not voted by the Soroti East constituents. He didn’t have the confidence or the bravery to allow their will to happen. That’s why he accepted the pre-ticked ballots and the use of bravado from the authorities to silence the opposition on the election day. This is why he should question himself, but like many in the NRM. He is just giddy for the cash, perks and be anointed into Parliament.

Soroti East By-Election is just another of these where the state doesn’t spare anything to win. Even if the “victory” is only because of the usage of all parts of the government structure. The NRM would never have been able to do this. If they weren’t in government and didn’t have the final say in everything that matters. If the NRM was in opposition and felt the blunt force. They would have cried havoc.

We know that, because that is how the NRM was incepted in the 1980s election. Which the President has cried out loud about ever since. He is now ushering in similar elections and even worse ones. Where the state is just creating pyrrhic victories, because everyone knows the gist.

The game is rigged and Bodie was right. Peace.

Soroti East By-Election: Return Form for Transmission of Results (28.07.2022)