
Soroti East By-Election: East Kyoga Regional Police Cautions the Public against Electoral Guidelines and Laws (28.07.2022)



The authorities, the state and everyone involved is going after the opposition ahead of the polls in the Soroti East By-Election. Last night the Police did raid the home of Anna Adeke MP. There will be a follow up to what is going on, but anyone with a working marble should know that the state is preparing everything for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to win. That is the initial plan here and to do it in darkness. As the opposition and their organizers are behind bars as the polls are happening.
This is done to stop Moses Attan and the FDC Flag-Bearer from winning this election. The NRM does what it does to “win”. While using the authority of the state and arresting opposition ahead of the polls. They clearly don’t believe in their pledges, their program and their candidate Herbert Ariko. If they did… they wouldn’t need to arrest a village to elect a man in a By-Election.
What is also striking is that opposition candidate Moses Attan did vote in the election, but himself was arrested right after. That just shows the intention of the state and they not even trying to conceal it. While there reports that Andrew Ojok Oulanyah MP have come with pre-ticked ballots to a polling station, beat up a polling agent and stuffed the ballots in the box. It just shows what the NRM does to “win”.
Here is some of the news.
The FDC has dropped a full list of the arrest as of now:
“PARTIAL LIST OF FDC LEADERS ARRESTED IN SOROTI BY ELECTION
1. Hon. Eng. Patrick Oboi Amuriat, Party President
2. Hon. William Nzoghu, Deputy President
3. Hon. Centenary Robert, Mobilizer
4. Hon. Nyanjura Doreen, Deputy Lord Mayor and NEC member
5. Micheal Emorut -Poa driver
6.Augustine Ojobile,Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
7.Omer Paul, Mayor Soroti East Division
8. Denis Nono
9.Oboi Rajab
10.Elenyu John Calvin
11.Okwi Justine kokas
12.Kassim Ogwang-PA to Hon.Attan
13.Jafar -Attan driver
14.Ojakol Moses
15.Eigu Daniel-Chairpersons FDC Soroti
16.Acen Jane
17.Wanyera Simon
18. Mama Kevin -Opuyo coordinator
19.Erongu Moses
20.David Eguru
22.Ekou Robert
22.Edatu Joseph
23. Donge Pius
24. Okwii Emmanuel
25.Ramazan Rajab
26.Erwau
27. Kakeeto William
28.Counsel Buyondo Henry Patrick
29.Hakim Bukenya
30. Ms.Wokuri Madanda
31.Turyatemba Norman
32.Darlington Baryabarema Western Coordinator
33. Joan FDC Eastern Coordinator
34.Chagga Oyat.
This is a partial list of those we have confirmed, others we have not been able to reach out. This operation was commanded by an ordinary hired goon Karangwa from Jinja/Kayunga &Ssegujja.
It’s appalling that Commissioners of Police, RPC,&DPC’s are getting instructions from these goons who have taken over security in Soroti. All men save for women, were driven to Dokolo CPS” (Forum for Democratic Change, 28.07.2022).
Some says with the polling agents and mobilizers of the FDC for the election day. The numbers of arrests are already up to around 70 people. That says what the state is doing to get their MP elected in the Soroti East By-Election.
Capital FM has these reports in addition:
“Voting at Omalera mango tree polling station in Soroti East Division has been stopped over alleged ballot stuffing. Four suspects said to be NRM supporters ferried from Kumi and Bukedea districts have been arrested” (…) “NRM electoral commission chairman, Tanga Odoi has been confronted by angry voters at Omalera polling station where some suspects were arrested over ballot stuffing during Soroti East Division parliamentary by-election” (Capital FM Uganda, 28.07.2022).
So, this will be followed up and monitored. This election is an disgrace and just follows an pattern of the state. Who is willing to use all force to “win” and create a “war-zone” to ensure victory. Even when it is far from the truth, but that’s what it does. The NRM cannot win an honest election. They got to use the Police and the state authority to get their people elected. Peace.

“5. The goal of The Democratic Alliance shall be achieved through the pursuance of the following objectives:
a) Building the necessary mobilization capabilities and organizational infrastructure of the Alliance and its members in order to win power;
b) Developing and presenting a common policy and governance agenda for elections;
c) Ensuring the attainment of an electoral majority by fielding candidates for all electoral positions across the country;
d) Fielding of joint candidates for electoral offices as set out in this Protocol;
e) Constituting a Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNU) with the purpose of implementing appropriate political and economic reforms to build a strong and durable foundation for democracy, rule of law and economic justice” (Protocol of the Democratic Alliance, June 2015).
Because of the recent cooperation agreement between the Democratic Party (DP) and the National Resistance Movement (NRM). This has started questions about the legitimacy of the coalition that was one part of the opposition ahead of the General Elections in 2016. It is striking that this is happening now and it’s worth to look into what has happened ever since.
The TDA was a coalition made by a various set of parties. The two parties that directly went out of the coalition early was Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) and the Forum for Democratic of Change (FDC). However, the others stayed behind and they went ahead to stand behind the former Prime Minister and Secretary General of the NRM, Amama Mbabazi. He became the Joint Presidential Candidate of the TDA and the Pressure Group of “Go Forward”.
The TDA was much larger than Mbabazi alone. It was the Conservative Party (CP), Democratic Party (DP), Justice Forum (JEEMA), Pressure for National Unity (PNU), People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA). So, there were a handful of leaders in and around the TDA. There was also Olara Otunnu from the UPC and Dr. Kizza Besigye from the FDC. The UPC as a party left, but Otunnu stayed on, if I remember correctly.
The leaders who are vital part of TDA was Amama Mbabazi, Ken Lukyamuzi, Norbert Mao, Asuman Basalirwa, Beti Kamya, Gilbert Bukenya aka Mahogany and Dick Odur. There was also others associated and part of the proceedings like Mugisha Muntu and others. Therefore, it was a team of the opposition at the time who at certain points did their part here.
However, as time has shown us. Plenty of these people has sided with the NRM or returned to the NRM. The Presidential Flag-Bearer Mbabazi was a NRM Member and hadn’t revoked his membership as he was standing up against Museveni. So, that he returned and is in the good graces with the President is just natural. The stage of Go Forward was only a short sighted project and was over the moment the election was over.
Bukenya has also returned and is living the good life. His living large and having perks with titles and being part of the elite. The Former Vice President has no worries and was only for a minute or less an “opposition”. I doubt we will ever see anything of the PNU ever again.
Mao has just become the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. His working in cooperation with the government. Still part of the DP but he has a hectic period ahead of him. As insiders in the party wants him out and ousted. Since, this agreement wasn’t signed of from the party or the members. The DP Block has even dismissed him too.
Kamya has gone from being appointed Minister of Kampala. To lose her leadership of her party the UFA. Later becoming a NRM Member and changing Ministry. Now she’s the IGG but certainly not electable or viable candidate. She has become a typical crony of Museveni over the years.
Basalirwa has been close to the People Power Movement and the National Unity Platform. He has ensured popularity and gotten elected into Parliament as the only JEEMA MP. Therefore, his the first man here who is actual opposition from the TDA still.
Lukyamuzi has on the other hand lost his constituency and not become a third time re-elected to Rubaga South MP. He instead focused on finishing his degree, which he did in 2017. The Party President and former MP has been a vocal critic of the government. Even made a case against the Age Limit in the courts, which was dismissed. So, he is an actual man in the opposition. “The Man” is true to his missions and his goals.
Otunnu has been resigned from politics. He also lost the Party Presidency. The UPC has since then signed a secret agreement with the NRM. That’s why the UPC haven’t fielded a Presidential Candidate for two elections in a row. Otunnu has kept himself in the background and you can wonder if he will resurface or do anything for that matter.
Muntu also lost the Party Presidency. He lost to another candidate within the FDC. This made him create a New Formation, which is now known as the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT). That party was launched in time for the 2021 General Elections and he ran as President.
Besigye ran a the Presidential Flag-Bearer for the FDC and created the People’s Government after swearing himself in after the General Elections in 2016. Since then he has launched several of campaigns and the latest after the 2021 elections is the Red Card Front. A voice of the opposition still.
There are several of other leaders who are in the opposition that was a part of the TDA in 2015/2016. These could be Mathias Mpuuga (former DP now NUP), Betty Nambooze (former DP now NUP) and so fourth. There are more people that has been involved and could be mentioned, but that would make this piece to long.
However, a huge pattern are still there. Plenty of the TDA high ranking leadership went either back to NRM or has found a home in government. That is really happening on a larger scale. We shouldn’t be surprised that Mbabazi and Bukenya went back home. However, the others should really be questioned…
This was a short revising of the TDA. An alliance built quickly and seemingly destroyed. It wasn’t meant to be. We shouldn’t expect the Go Forward or the PNU to be returning either. The era of the TDA is gone and it’s for a reason. The TDA was built on sand and not on mountain. If it had been real and a sincere enterprise. So many of these leaders wouldn’t have sought shelter under the wings of the man who they were promised to create a Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNU).
Obviously… things didn’t pan out, but it is a picture, which shows how the times are changing. Peace.

“Besigye beats heavy security to escape arrest in Jinja. Besigye moved out of his vehicle and entered the cafe before accessing Kyabazinga road, where he jumped on a boda boda which was seen heading towards Iganga” (Rukiga FM, 24.07.2022).
“UPDATE: After a failed attempt by police to stop Dr. Kizza Besigye from going to Soroti earlier today in Jinja, Besigye has found his way to Soroti City East to rally votes for the FDC candidate Attan Moses” (NBS Television, 24.07.2022).
Today should have been about the rallies, the messages and the appearance of popularity for Moses Attan in the Soroti East By-Election. By now the stories are instead focusing on Dr. Kizza Besigye and how the road-blocks around the location where Besigye was eating breakfast in Jinja. The authorities put up road-blocks and tried to arrest the politician as he was planning to participate in the rally ahead of the polls.
However, Besigye had to act like a fugitve. Besigye acted like a man on the run and couldn’t even use his own vehicle. Because, his SUV is now monitored and the movements are certainly followed. If they weren’t following him… why would they know where he was eating and he had to sneak himself away from there?
That is every evident and striking. Besigye have done sort of thing before. Been able to skip through road-blocked and sealed off streets to make a public appearance. Therefore, this isn’t groundbreaking of any sorts. It is however tragic that he has to resort to this.
Whe new are saying Besigye is never really free. It is because of things like this. He is either arrested, whisked away or kept incommunicado. Secondly, taken away for days and detained before arraigned in court. Where a sort of charge and possibly heavy bail conditions are set on him. That’s what is regular and modus operandi of the state.
Besigye knows all of this and that’s why he has to change his plan out of nowhere. Today he did that and people shouldn’t cheer or be happy about this. It just proves that the man doesn’t have the liberty or freedom to participate or be an active politician. Besigye aren’t allowed or is a target for just being who he is. There was nothing illegal in his movements or planned efforts today. His just another FDC leader who is inspiring others.
The authorities are just proving what we have been saying all along. The state is going after its critics and the ones who is dissidents. That is what it does and Besigye happens to be one of them. One of the most vocal voices of reason and that’s why the state fears him. That’s why they are targeting him and going after him in this way.
However, today we shouldn’t cheer that he was able to escape arrest in Jinja. He shouldn’t have had to flee or act as a fugitive in the first place. Besigye should have been able to travel and return from Soroti safely without any trouble or sort of adventurous journey. No, this is just showing the priorities of the state and who they seek to incriminate. Peace.

Not breaking news, but the Independent Magazine editor and spin-doctor of the regime Andrew Mwenda published piece called “Thumbs Up for Mao”. That was published today. I will no digest the whole text, but only comment on the pieces that is worthy of discussing. Because, his sort of style is to whitewash and make the government insiders look good. He has become a talisman for the government and this article is no exemption. It is just the good old sort of spin to make the unreasonable look wonderful.
Mwenda’s piece is the norm now and nobody should be shocked. The mannerism and the attacks on Bobi Wine and Besigye is staple by now. The way he describes and goes after the opposition is just what he does. It’s like he has no other technique or abilities to understand their standing. Everyone is just supposed to think and move like he does. Be a government crony and get the kickbacks like everyone else Andrew knows.
The first part which was interesting to me was this one: “The cooperation agreement between NRM and DP is an important political innovation and landmark in our country’s politics. Uganda needs this kind of politics. Indeed, it should be a yardstick for political cooperation among the contending political forces in the country. Other political parties like NUP, FDC and JEMA should seek the same” (Mwenda, 22.07.2022).
Well, we don’t know what sort of deal the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) did. Neither does we know what sort of deal Dr. Paul Ssemogerere did back-in-the-day or anyone else for that matter. Who has gone from being in opposition to working with President Museveni. We also know what happened to the allies of the UFF and UFM. Manhy of them are now gone and only a handful are still around in the upper echelon. So, seeing how Museveni betrays agreements and twists them for his own personal advances. The UPC and DP should know this. The Cooperation Agreement today could be diminished tomorrow when His Excellency don’t need it. The words to the wise of studying history and knowing how your enemy operates. Mwenda should know that NUP, FDC and JEEMA shouldn’t join hands with Museveni. Sooner or later they will end up as relevant as Beatrice Anywar or Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi. Please, we don’t want any of that in 2022 do we?
He continues: “From that experience I came to the conclusion that Besigye is an obstacle to democratic development in Uganda. It is hard for me to really know his subjective motivations. But the objective outcome of his actions impede democratization. This is because he sees all forms of political compromise as capitulation, negotiations with government as selling out. He has adopted an extreme position that there is only way forward for Uganda and that is the fall of Museveni and his (Besigye’s) usurpation of power – and through ultra-constitutional means” (Mwenda, 22.07.2022).
I would have to counter with the words of Besigye himself in the 1999 dossier as he left the NRM to form the Reform Agenda, which later turned into the now known Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). In that he says this: “All in all, when I reflect on the Movement philosophy and governance, I can conclude that the Movement has been manipulated by those seeking to gain or retain political power, in the same way that political parties in Uganda were manipulated. Evidently, the results of this manipulation are also the same, to wit: Factionalism, loss of faith in the system, corruption, insecurity and abuse of human rights, economic distortions and eventually decline. So, whether it’s political parties or Movement, the real problem is dishonest, opportunistic and undemocratic leadership operating in a weak institutional framework and a weak civil society which cannot control them” (Besigye, November 6 1999 Dossier).
Why do I use these words in 2022? Well, that’s the reasons for why Besigye doesn’t believe in compromise and working directly with the NRM now. The NRM haven’t become better since 1999, but its much more ruthless and less concerned about how it portray itself. Mwenda is claiming Besigye wants power, but he wants a proper transition of power away from the guns and to a civilian rule. Because, the NRM today is based on the power of the army and the authorities, which can be used to take total control. So, calling Besigye is just to justify the means to an end for Museveni. Since Museveni usage of force, intimidation and state sponsored violence is legit in the eyes of Mwenda. While being on the barricades to defend liberty, justice and freedom for all is called extremism. That just shows which side Mwenda is on…
“Yet Besigye has ignored the path taken by Mandela and instead embraced the one pursued by Yasser Arafat in Palestine. He has helped nourish a large constituency who reject politics as an activity that might – and should – involve compromise. The battle cry is never to seek any common ground. He and his radical extremist supporters despise any such, seeing it as selling out. Their motto is that we either win or they lose. This zero-sum approach to politics is very dangerous and can only lead to a autocratic government. This is because any government that comes to power without any negotiation or compromise will most likely to rule without any negotiation and compromise. And the reverse is true” (Mwenda, 22.07.2022).
We all know the game-plan here. Mwenda wants compromise to look good and make the resilience of Besigye to look bad. Alas, the main issue with this here and using Mandela as an example. It is not like Museveni wants to promise a new beginning or reform in which his leaving. The white minority rule (apartheid) government made that agreement with the African National Congress (ANC) which lead to a new start in the rainbow nation in 1990s. Something we know that the NRM and Museveni has no interests in. They only wants that prolongs the life of the Museveni era and the NRM clinging on to power. That’s why this sort of mental gymnastics isn’t doing anyone a favour. The dictator and his party would never really negotiate themselves out of office or offer a soft landing for a free and fair election. We know that Museveni would never do that… it isn’t in his character and certainly after 36 years. He will not do that… Museveni will never compromise to the levels of sincere approach or a possibility of losing power. No, his to conning to do that.
He continues: “Mao needs to be applauded for his courage, for leading the way, for breaking this fear that to work with Museveni is detrimental to the interests of Uganda. Museveni and his NRM are a deeply entrenched reality in Uganda’s body politic. They are unlikely to be removed from power any time soon. But Museveni is also a practical and pragmatic politician who is always looking out for opportunities to win over his opponents – or even to compromise them. That should not stop politicians of principle from being pragmatic, recognizing that building Uganda requires some cooperation with him” (Mwenda, 22.07.2022).
I can applaud Mao for showing his true character and lack of spine. His a sell-out and the deal will be breached. Sooner or later the President and his men will see no value in the DP or Mwenda. He will be as valuable as Beatrice Anywar aka Mama Mabira. Calling Museveni practical and pragmatic is joke. When he calls people’s parasites, insects and calls to destroy his opponents. A man who uses either the hook or the crook to go after his enemies. So, calling for pragmatic solutions with Museveni is hopeless. Sooner or later you will be lost and have no way to go. It is just showing the manner of which everyone else is supposed to beg for mercy, but Museveni is allowed to do whatever. Calling him pragmatic and practical. Well, say that to the tortured victims, the political prisoners and the families who has lost political activists in extra judicial killings because of their affiliations. That’s ruthless and not practical. So, Mwenda isn’t sincere here…
Mwenda further states: “Thus Besigye has built this cult that someone cannot compromise with Museveni without being compromised by the president. Yet one can work with Museveni without working for him and recognize the president’s accomplishments without endorsing his failures. This inability to see nuance and complexity leads me to believe that Besigye has despotic inclinations. His belief in the total annihilation of Museveni as the one and only path to Uganda’s democratization and development is dangerous” (Mwenda, 22.07.2022).
When Mwenda writes like this. It is like he has never listened or bother to care about the messaging of Besigye. Because, he has make Museveni look cool or like a likeable character. While demonizing and depict the enemies of the state as the worst. Alas, that is just what Mwenda does here. While not considering the implications of doing so. How can anyone have negotiations between the parties, when the spin-doctor of the other party calls Besigye that? That doesn’t make sense. Secondly, Besigye don’t have power and haven’t been in office of decades… FDC has proven to be a coordinated and a party machine which is ruled by proper protocol. So, why would he be dictator? It isn’t like Besigye is the Party President and a high ranking official there now.
Just to continue my reasoning. Let’s take another document of Besigye. Where in 2017 spelled out what was needed for a transition of government:
“The following needs to be done to terminate the Junta’s control of our country:
1) Intensify the “awakening campaign”, for most Ugandans to become active in the processes of achieving a transition. Everyone has a role to play in achieving this.
2) Forming activist networks to make it possible to act together and to be coordinated.
3)Everyone seeking a democratic transition should take deliberate actions, individually or in concert with others to disempower and break down the Junta. Each one’s actions, however small, contribute significantly towards the desired change.
4) Public servants, including those in the security and military are called upon to join the struggle for democratic transition.
5) In coordination with other political and civil society formations, we’ll soon start various activities that will disempower and bring the, now fragile, Junta to an end” (Besigye, 11.06.2017).
If you read this sort of text it isn’t a script of a demagogue or a dictator, but of a man who wants a public uprising and people power revolution to overthrow the current regime. Where he wants organizations and parties behind who all pull their weight. This is a game of getting all stakeholders to choke the government and stop it. So, it has to cease operation. So, when reading about the compromise. It is just like Mwenda wants to breathe new life into the Museveni government. Instead of actually offer a transition or a proper representation of the general public in government.
He ends with: “Most democracies I know in the world work through coalitions. This means they have to share power with those they don’t agree with. Why not Uganda?” (Mwenda, 22.07.2022).
Besigye’s own words in the 1999 described this: “After some years of NRM rule, some in the leadership began to feel that there was sufficient grassroots support for the NRM, such that one could “off-load” the “broad–based” elements in government at no political cost. These factors were at the centre of an unprincipled power-struggle which was mostly covert and hence could not be resolved democratically. It continued to play itself out outside the formal Movement organs, with the results of weakening and eventually losing the concept of consensus politics and broad-basedness” (Besigye, November 6 1999 Dossier).
When this have been public knowledge for decades and it hasn’t become better. The main problem for the way the government is operating is starting from the top. That’s His Excellency and the orders his issuing. The way of the NRM CEC, NRM Caucus and the way the Parliament is doing it’s business. Therefore, the Mwenda’s of the world speaking of coalitions. The ones who signs off and works with Museveni. Sooner or later will realize that they are being used and will be dropped off shortly. They will not have long shelf-life, unless the agreements signed gives them eternal pass like Gen. Moses Ali. The rest are left astray and without any house to keep. Museveni will not budge or give way. He wants it his way or your got no choice. That’s why calling him pragmatic and practical. Its just ridiculous and utter garbage.
Mwenda should study the patterns and the Leopards Anus. However, he rather try to spin to make the current regime look good. That’s all his busy doing now. Peace.

Ever since the 12th May 2022, Dr. Kizza Besigye have been in legal trouble, as his starting his “Waking-Up” Campaign against the rising commodity prices. That is done through the Red Card Front and with allies within the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Today, his released again on bail after paying 2,5 million shillings to be on bond. Which is the price of freedom and temporary liberty that his getting for the first time since 14th June.
We cannot rest assure. This is only a temporary measure. Sooner or later the law will catch upon him. If you remember back in 2015 and 2016. Old cases was piled up against him just so he had to go to courts across the Republic while campaigning. This is why the previous charges and pending cases will be used against him again. If they will ever prove that he “incited violence” or whatever sort of counts of crimes he was supposed to have committed on the day of arrest. Since, it’s all going down to him protesting and directly moving into public spaces with the Central Business District of Kampala. Just so he can speak to people and get them involved in the struggle and fight with against the rising commodity prices.
We know the reasons of Besigye and his campaign. That is an honest one and a justified one. However, the state see it as a nuisance and a bothering element. A sort of activism that isn’t promoted or wanted in the Republic. That’s why a law has been created to possibly silence him and stop his campaigning in the public domain. This is why he isn’t even trying to comply with the Public Order Management Act (POMA) because he knows it was created with him in mind. That’s why the Anti-Besigye Act is coming into effect, every time he steps out of his compound in Kasangati and into the streets.
That’s why his return to his home today isn’t the end. Besigye is a journeyman and he will not stop until he has entered the other side. This man is so resilient and filled with the spirit in hope for change. That he will never stop until it happens. Until then he will continue and never let go.
Besigye will never relent or cease to operate. It isn’t in his character. He will fight on and continue the path he has already made for himself. That journey has taken him to prison so many time. He has been in bracelet a lot and been detained for all sorts of reasons. This will continue, because the state will not change or be any different towards him now.
No, he is an enemy of the state. Because Besigye represent everything the state isn’t and this is why his easily apprehended too. There don’t really have to be a reason or him doing anything significant. He just needs to be with a microphone or a loud speaker in a busy street. If he does that… his behind the slammer, yet again.
Some people might think… why does he bother? Why doesn’t he stop? Well… he doesn’t accept injustice and impunity. He fights against the military dictatorship and the junta in power. That’s what he does and he does so with peaceful means. This is why he never stops or retires.
It is commendable, but it must have cost him a lot. He has lost friends, family and such over it. Besigye has seen allies and activists betraying him. That could have gotten others to stop and maybe reconsidered if they should continue. However, Besigye have never looked and just continued to push through.
That’s why I know it is just a matter of time… before Besigye is back in Luzira, Kasangati Police Station, the vicious van, Nagalama Police Station or anywhere else for that matter. Peace.

““This is a purely political, rather than a judicial decision. The magistrate has not addressed himself to our justice system because someone is presumed innocent until proven guilty”- Lukwago after Buganda Rd Court denied Besigye bail” (Daily Monitor, 17.06.2022).
“Former FDC president Dr Kizza Besigye and political activist Samuel Makaku have been further remanded to Luzira Prison until July 1 following their arrest on June 14 as they protested in downtown Kampala over high commodity prices” (STV Uganda, 17.06.2022).
Just like the tumultuous May, the June and possibly July will be for Dr. Kizza Besigye. He has already charges and is re-charged again this week. Now, he will have to await further court dates and await new bail/bond hearing in July. Therefore, the last two months it has been hectic and he has meet the hostile authorities.
We knew this would happen, as he together with the Red Card Front has launched the “Wake Up” Campaign to get people to protest the rising commodity prices in the Republic. The authorities, the law enforcement and everyone else is going after him. That’s why his been in Luzira earlier this year and was re-arrested yet again. Now his spending another 2 weeks in prison for protesting and demonstrating for a just cause.
The justification for all of this is the usual charge of “inciting to violence”. The state will never produce any proof of that or disturbance of public order either. That’s because there is no time for that and neither is there any levels of public outcry to begin with. This is why his alone in this and with very few allies on the front-line.
Dr. Kizza Besigye has done this so many times before. Someone who knows the judiciary, the courts and the prisons. That is something that his been excelling and has vast experience with. That’s because of his activism and his political drive. His a savvy man and a man who can inspire. This is why the authorities silences him and stops him in his tracks. They don’t want him to actually galvanise or even get people to understand his mission. Because, if he does… then it could spark a sincere revolution, which haven’t been seen before.
However, for that to happen. He needs enough meeting points and ability to organize. Which the state is doing whatever they can to stop. This is why they silence him and makes him a felon. As he goes from one prison to another. He goes from one charge to the next. This is a never ending cycle and Besigye seems to never win.
We are seeing constitutional rights being thwarted and devalued on a massive scale. As the rights to protest and demonstrate is dwindling. It was only the beginning with the Public Order Management Act (POMA) and they have a steady use of the Penal Code to incriminate people for misdemeanour crimes, which they never investigate or have any official discovery off. Therefore, the cases dies and the political use of the courts is all for the public to see.
Besigye is a victim. His an enemy of the state just for acting upon his own conscience and what he deems as right. The police and the army is following him. They are awaiting the next time he speaks on the streets and they will capture him. Where they will brutally take him away and whisk him off the streets. As his a problem and a voice of reason, a voice that is countering the agenda and the memo’s of the State House. Peace.

“Besigye on Tuesday returned to the city center to resume his protests against rising commodity prices. He was however intercepted by dozens of law enforcement officers on Namirembe road where was addressing a crowd on top of his Toyota Land Cruiser” (Rest TV, 14.06.2022).
“Rt. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye has been arrested & detained at CPS under heavy military deployment. Besigye was arrested at Mini Price, downtown Kampala rallying Ugandans to protest against the high commodity prices in renewed demonstrations” (97.8 Kazo FM Omushomesa, 14.06.2022).
Dr. Kizza Besigye has yet again come under surveillance and gotten into legal jeopardy because of his resilient and will to demonstrate for a just cause. The former Presidential Candidate and leader of Forum for Democratic Change are continuing the “Wake Up” Campaign against the rising commodity prices. As he again drove from Kasangati in Wakiso district to Kampala Central Business District. Where he started to drop off “Red Cards” or Flyers for the cause and talk in a public.
The ones that has followed Besigye knew it would end this way. There is no way in the world or within the current regime that a person like Besigye could protest or demonstrate without being arrested. That was inevitable. There was no way out and the authorities would apprehend him and take him away. They would impound the vehicle and take him far away.
It has been reported that Besigye was first taken to the Kampala Central Police Station and later whisked away to Nagalama Police Station in Mukono District. As there been reports that he was taken to Buganda Road Court and again dropped off at Nagalama Police Station.
We know that his now on a spiral of being kept in custody. Where he will fight for his freedom and return to the streets. As he will be produced and there will be a bond/bail application. We can expect it to be excessive and possible sky-high. In such a fashion, that you would think he killed a nursery or a kindergarten. Alas, all he did was doing his constitutional right of demonstrating for a just cause.
The final reports is that Besigye will spend the night at Nagalama Police Station. In this regard, everyone should expect this to play out for the next coming days and possible for a two weeks time or so. It depends on how the bonds will be made and if he again will spend a day or a few possible weeks in the slammer.
Besigye is just starting another stint and issues with the legal system, which is built to degrade and be a depressing ordeal for anyone who faces it. We know that Besigye is resilient and has a record amount of charges against him. He has more bond-notes or bail documents, which should be fitted to a part of a museum exhibition in the future. Because, no one has been in jail and detained as Besigye has ever been.
Time will tell, but will not be shocked if he sooner or later spends days behind bars in Luzira. Peace.

“Dr. Besigye whisked away from CPS Kampala where he had gone to demand for his impounded vehicle moments after Buganda Rd court released him on bail at a fee of UGX 3m relaxed from UGX 30m by high court judge Michael Elubu!” (Ekyooto, 06.06.2022).
“Dr. Kizza Besigye,the Former FDC Party President who was earlier on arrested and remanded to Luzira prison, has been granted bail by the High Court after his bail fee was reviewed by reducing from the earlier UGX 30 million to UGX 3 million” (SpiceFM 89.9 Hoima, 06.06.2022).
Dr. Kizza Besigye who two weeks ago was on the streets and after over month of his “Waking Up” Campaign. As he is fighting on the streets and with the people to demonstrate against the rising prices on basic commodities. Since the inflation is growing worse and the salaries are not following the adjusted prices. Therefore, the public have to scrape by and has less purchasing power. So, the campaign is a justified one…
Though we know under the reign of President Museveni and his National Resistance Movement (NRM) no demonstration or protest is justified. No, sort of dissent or voice of reason, which isn’t the “high above” is worthy or deemed fit. That’s why the dissent and the rebellious Besigye is getting into trouble and been “felon” again for a while.
Besigye paying 3 million shillings to get his “freedom” is extremely high. It isn’t like he committed murder or actually burned down Kampala Central Business District. No, he just tried to get people to demonstrate and speak the public who was around Arua Park. That all he did as he dipped through traffic and was able to get out of house-arrest in Kasangati, Wakiso District.
It isn’t like he did something directly wrong. His within his rights to drum up protest and be vocal on the sidelines of streets in Kampala. The law enforcement is just taking away that right and stripping of his liberties. Which has become so common, that people can spell out the regulations of the Public Order Management Act (POMA) and the Penal Code(s) as well. Since, these are used against anyone who dares too and voices grievances in public spaces.
Besigye price for freedom is to large. This is just another matter of injustice. Just like his prolonged house-arrests, the pre-emptive arrests and the taking away of vehicles. The impounding of his vehicle and other gadgets. Which are just what the state does…
You would think Besigye was a danger to society. That his a serial criminal and villain of epic proportions. When all he is a political activists and a freedom fighter. His an actual renegade for justice and liberty, which he seems to never get himself. That’s because the system is built against him and the likes of him. They are all facing the law and become criminals for doing the bidding of a righteous cause.
Besigye is paying a price, which has already paid in ten-folds. Not only this bail or bond payment. No, all the time spent behind bars, all the charges and the bruises, which his skin has felt countless of time. He has suffered, been scorned and dealt an unfair hand. Still, he has played with those cards and tried to forge a way. A road that is never coming, a peaceful ending, which never seems to come.
Still, he hangs in and never gives up. That is resilience. That is inspiring. He deserves so much better, but somehow his ends up with a losing hand. Peace.

Since last week Dr. Kizza Besigye has been in prison. That after him and his team didn’t accept the outrageous fee of 30 million shillings bond-fee to get him out on bail. Since then he has lingered behind bars in Luzira Prison. In Luzira he has been in detained for a week after the courts gave him the choice and since then little to nothing has happened in this case.
Just a friendly reminder, but before the arrest on the 24th May 2022 and the authorities apprehended him in the Central Business District by Arua Park. That happened after his was able to dip through the road-blocks and the monitoring squads in Kasangati, Wakiso district. Where he had been under pre-emptive house-arrest for a week. So, the gist of it… with the house-arrest since Mid-May 2022 he has practically been a felon and a “jail-bird”.
To be straight, it all started this around the 12th May and most likely unless things changes rapidly. He will clock 12th June and then his been in the hands of the authorities practically for a month. That’s all happening because he wants to demonstrate and stand-up to regime that does practically nothing about the rising commodity prices. This is why his behind bars and gotten into trouble.
Besigye have tried to demonstrate and be a “wake-up call” but it haven’t really started yet. Yes he has caused and stirred some conversations, but there is no united front against the government. There is no joint effort or activists joining on board. The Red Card Front is alone in this and the other parties are idly looking by.
The needs are there, but the worries, concern and the brutal oppression has a cost. People are afraid of losing their lives or their livelihoods for that matter. We know the authorities and the armed forces are quelling demonstrations, riots and whatnot without no mercy. They don’t mind if people are injured, hurt or even killed. As long as the people are tear-gassed and dispersed… it doesn’t matter how they did it, as long as that happens.
What is striking about Besigye is that he has never given up or retired. Even with all the trouble, agony and plights he has gone through. He has stood up in courts all across the republic. Been charged, detained and await trial in abundance. No one has stood as tall and been as resilient as him.
Besigye has been here before… actually he has been detained in Luzira at the very moment in 2016 and sent out a martyr day’s message from the same prison. Therefore, this isn’t anything new. Just a continuation of the same struggle, the never ending story. As things doesn’t change, but the causes remains the same. Peace.