Tag: East African Legislative Assembly
EALA Elections: NRM wins 8 out of 9 [and DP get the final seat]
“UPDATE: The elected EALA representatives and the votes attained.
Akol Rose Okullu 422
Namara Denis 415
Kakooza James 405
Odongo George Stephen 403
Paul Mwasa 401
Kadogo Babirye Veronica 383
Mugenyi Mary 367
Amongin Jacquiline 338
Siranda Gerald 233” (NilePost, 29.09.2022).
My prediction got hit with one seat in the East African Legislation Assembly (EALA) Members of Parliament (MP). The one I thought was a go was the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Fred Ebil. He didn’t get his seat and the UPC lost their seat in the EALA this period. Now, there is only National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Democratic Party (DP) who has EALA MPs in the 5th Assembly.
Today, the NRM got their 6 candidates, which was anticipated. They got in addition two more “independent” candidates. So, in the numbers they got 8 out of 9. Jacqueline Amongin is a member of the NRM and a Pan African Parliament (PAP) Member too. So, she has represented Uganda on a NRM ticket already. Now she ran as an “independent” but everyone should know that she is associated and a member of the NRM.
The second “independent” Babirye Veronica Kadogo was the Woman Representative in the 10th Parliament for the NRM in Buyende District. She lost her re-election bid in the General Election in 2021. She ran as an “independent” but certainly is connected to the NRM as well. To think otherwise is naive at this point.
That’s why it’s only Gerald Siranda who is from another party, the DP. The DP who had this in their agreement with the NRM. The DP-NRM Agreement had this stipulation and Siranda takes over the seat after two terms for Mbidde. Therefore, the DP gets a seat and an EALA MP.
While we saw a boycott from the National Unity Platform (NUP). The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) had a candidate that was bound to loose. Justice Forum (JEEMA) also lost, which was also scheduled to happen, as it is associated with the NUP. However, the shocker was that UPC lost their seat and didn’t get Ebil elected. Especially, since the NRM was supposed to back the UPC with this seat, but that was hallow.
The opposition didn’t really loose much. They had nothing to get to begin with. The NRM was bound for a pyrrhic victory, but today was just a painful exercise. The Speaker decided to have an early poll before the deliberations in the plenary session. This is creating the possibility for “pre-ticked ballots” and open rigging. Which is just foolish, because the NRM got the majority in the 11th Parliament and this would be a walkover.
The ones that should feel betrayed is the UPC. They are surely not valued and isn’t getting real support. That is the party which has made agreements with the NRM. Now, their dialogue and such isn’t considered. That is saying something. We can see that Mao and DP got their way. However, the UPC was kicked out by NRM leaning “independent’s”. Peace.
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Opinion: The EALA MPs race is already finished
The ones expecting any sort of shocks or sudden changes in the East African Legislative Assembly Members of Parliament (MP) race will be in a dire loss. The EALA MP race which is already scheduled will most likely be a settled affair already.
It is the MPs that elects them and the majority will go to the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The NRM has already 6 candidates or Flag-Bearers and you should expect all of them to be settled in. The Democratic Party (DP) will get one MP as that was signed off in the DP-NRM agreement, which was signed of earlier in the year. That means 6 of the 9 slots is already taken. Further, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) should also get a candidate in for their loyalty and working relationship with NRM. That means 8 of the 9 MPs are already elected without much say. The last will be to a NRM leaning Independent and a “vetted” one like that. This is what you should expect and anything else would be weird at this point.
The NRM will have the majority and that is reflected in the NRM Caucus with their 6 Candidates. This is an easy pick and securing plum-jobs to former MPs and Ministers who has lost out. That’s why the EALA is a nice place for them to be put. When there is no parastatal or government entities to get appointed into. Therefore, the EALA is a well fitting place to do so.
The others are giving favourable and friendly parties of the Parliament a “shout-out” or “props” for their loyalty. They are getting a EALA MP slot and that’s why its easy to see the 6+2 or 8, which is al but missing 1 of the EALA MPs.
That Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is fielding a flag-bearer is futile. The same can be said about whoever the National Unity Platform (NUP) would pick or have in this role. The Justice Forum (JEEMA) has also a flag-bearer, but that person will not go nowhere either. As the JEEMA has been an ally of the People Power and the NUP. So, with that in mind these parties candidates will go nowhere. There is no way that the majority of the Parliament will give them way. They are really wasting their time and only playing into the procedural games of the state. Yes, they have a right to have a flag-bearer or a EALA MP candidate, but it’s totally pointless. The opposition could have the best man or woman. They could have the incarnated saviour of the planet and all souls. That person still wouldn’t have a chance, because the NRM has decided and there is no turning back.
The FDC, NUP and JEEMA has no chance here. They should just give up. The DP and UPC will get the other spots. There is little chances for the independent candidates in this race, if any. Yes there is a talk of 15 MP candidates, but as long as you don’t have suction or pre-arranged agreements. These shouldn’t expect much. They are fillers on a paper or if even that…
The ones believing this will be free and fair elections. I hate to say it’s partly sealed already. The only last seat is what is unknown. While that one will most likely go to a NRM leaning Independent and someone in favour of the NRM without being on it’s ticket. That meaning all of the 9 of 9 EALA MPs.
The ones thinking the FDC, NUP or JEEMA has a shot at this… well, I cannot see it happening. It isn’t like the NRM or the ones in power has allowed that before. No, they rather see their own there and no one else. The only reason why UPC and DP has a chance, is because of their working arrangements with the NRM. That’s why they are getting favour and office. Not because of their representation or the will of the people. No, it’s because of ceremonial reasons between the NRM and their allies. There is nothing else too this. Peace.
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National Resistance Movement (NRM): Resolution of hte National Resistance Movement – Parliamentary Caucus (16.09.2022)
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Opinion: First trade chickens before you establish a confederation …
Since the establishment of the East African Community (EAC) on the 30th November 1999 there been a promise of more integration and “open” borders between the member states. However, there has by the time and the promise been hurdles. Seemingly with time the EAC Partner States or Member States should have resolved these, but there seems to significant changes with every twist and turn.
This involves Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. They are part of it and has their place. The EAC is working on a Customs Union, Common Market, Monetary Union and the Political Federation/Confederation.
The last piece has moved further as the EAC secretariat is having a 14 day consultations in Uganda and drafting a EAC Political Federation Constitution. That will be vastly different than the treaty, which established the EAC in November 1999. The EAC haven’t even been able to create the other features promised in the EAC. How will it be able to create a confederacy? When it cannot even ensure common market and a customs union over all these years?
Rwanda has distrust with Burundi. Burundi has distrust with Rwanda. Rwanda and Uganda are distrusting each other. Kenya and Tanzania are having squabbles. Even Kenyan and Uganda are having trade-wars too. All of this are supposed to be settled and be water under the bridge. All the people are supposed to be humble and let bygones be bygones. Just forgetting about the issues and the diplomatic impasses, which haven’t been settled and cleared.
Justice Benjamin Odoki can believe in the Confederacy and establishing a Confederation. However, there are two many chickens who isn’t allowed to pass border points. There are to much milk wasted and fighting over ownership over islands on Lake Victoria to suddenly kiss and make up. There are so many hurdles which needs a resolve before even starting writing a constitution for a huge project like this.
Burundi wouldn’t even participate or be part of EAC Heads of State with Rwanda as the Chairman of the EAC of late. There so many possible conflicts and landmines, which if one person dances on that field. It would blow up right in your face.
In 2021 the EAC Confederacy seems like a dream. A dream Yoweri Museveni has had for years. However, it is not sustainable or viable when you cannot even set the bar or the standards for trading chickens across the EAC. When you are not able to trade milk or maize. There are just to many issues with the small offerings, before you take the whole house.
The EAC will go from being a regional intergovernmental organisation to a League of Nation with a Union of Sovereign States united for one purpose. The EAC would become similar to the European Union in East Africa. The EALA and EAC Head of State Summits would have more power and a bigger mandate. They would regulate the trading agreements and joint movement rules between all the member states. That is furthering the powers of today’s secretariat in Arusha.
The EAC needs to fix the spoils and the neighbourly spats which are happening in East Africa. Before they are bounding itself a bigger adventure. When it hasn’t fixed and ensured more flexible trading between the nations. How can it suddenly become a EU of the East Africa?
I don’t see that happening. The EAC needs to gets the ducks in a row or be able to trade chickens before it makes the EALA into the next European Parliament and configures its own European Commission. As it already has its Heads of State Summits, which is more a photo-op these days. Than a place of unity and pledges of furthering the integration of the partner states.
That’s why the EAC needs to swallow some chickens and drink some chai tea before it continues this journey. Peace.
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Opinion: Mbidde hopes people are so forgetful!
This is not a written defense of Abed Bwanika, I have always found his ways weird and suspicious, as he turns up to Presidential Elections for a non-existent party, which amount of members and representatives are not really rewarding any politician who has been part of it for so long. If he was serious about it and had a plan, he wouldn’t walk around like he is hungry everyday and do what he does.
However, he moves in all sorts of circles, even joined the Democratic Party Reunion in Masaka on the 28th September 2018. Where many opposition leaders from various parties showed up in solidarity for the DP Party.
While that was happening, Fred Mukasa Mbidde have really spread the word and called Bwanika a Bosco mole in the opposition yesterday. As he claims Bwanika does his bidding and his works to participate and report to Bosco. That wouldn’t surprise anyone.
But, Mbidde shouldn’t speak so loud, as he did whatever he could to please Bosco in 2017, as he couldn’t win inside the DP or in the Masaka Municipality MP elections in 2016, as Mathias Mpuuga won over him. Mbidde have even threaten him too and promised to challenge him again in 2021. That is maybe why he is vocal now, to act out to have a place possibly by then.
However, people shouldn’t trust Mbidde, he would marry the enemy if that fits his narrative and his needs. As he even kicked it at the 31st Celebration of the National Resistance Movement in Masindi on the 26th January 2017. That was done so he showed Bosco loyalty. Just so he could be on the ticket for the Ugandan delegation to the 3rd Assembly of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
With the knowledge of that, as he himself has a cozy relationship with the NRM and Bosco. That for his own need of a meal-ticket. Because Mbidde wouldn’t have the EALA spot if he wasn’t a “Good DP”. Therefore, he shouldn’t be the first to throw a stone at Bwanika. Yest, Bwanika is a character that is hard to trust, because of his activity and his sudden rise, whenever it is needed. But is gone in the wind, the next movement.
Mbidde might be true, but people have the right to ask about him too, as Mbidde has done deals all the way back to 2010 for Norbert Mao with the NRM. Therefore, the reason for him being the “Good DP”. He should maybe not be the biggest voices of moles, as he has questionable relationship with ruling regime and Bosco. As he has made deals to twice be parts of the EALA in Arusha. Peace.
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Norbert Mao’s play is clearly out of Mzee’s playbook: as he ordered Nambooze to leave together with her supporters!
I Hate to say it, I have to admit it, at one point I admired his political savvy and wisdom; But with time I knew I was fooled. Norbert Mao seemed like a person for the future and who had it in him. The feeling now is that he has given up and accepted to be a fringe leader; Who leads his own branch, but not really having power. The Democratic Party is losing key leaders and people that at one point in time gained positive attention. The sort of acts of late is showing his weakness. The DP has become a NRM-lite, he might hate that inside, but the fringe leadership of his caliber, I am sure that is enough for him!
“The President of the Democratic Party General Norbert Mao has ordered Betty Nambooze and her followers to quit the party saying their actives are threatening its stability. Mao says he is aware that Nambooze , who is on suspension following her rebuke of orders from the party leadership, is plotting to form the second Suubi pressure group and initiate it into party” (NBS Television, 25.04.2017).
“Mao warned Betty Nambooze (Mukono Municipality MP) and Vice President for Buganda Region to desist from dividing the party along tribal lines. “I will not allow Nambooze and her factions to divide DP. It is not true that only one tribe has led DP to where it is today. All other tribes have played a role. Those who feel they cannot stick along the party rules, guidelines and constitution should quit and go where they belong,” said Mao” (Jaramogi, 2017).
What is interesting is that the Democratic Party leader are saying that Hon. Betty Bakireke Nambooze, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, Hon. Medard Ssegona and Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. These are the people and the members that Mao is warning today and wanting to scatter. That Mao does this and than claims the ones asking for them to leave. What is more unique is the Suubi claim, as Namboozi is the Vice-President Buganda Caucus and she just represent her constituency, as much as the others who are around her.
It is more like Mao is afraid of what this fraction stand-for compared to the central leadership of the DP. Therefore, he is claiming the Suubi and suddenly that came into the questions about the DP. Like a leaf in the wind, the DP from Gulu, who claims himself not play tribal games. Uses forged games as the Suubi, the wishing of the Baganda and Buganda kingdom to be a federal in a federation in Uganda. That Nambooze and the Baganda Caucus works against the other kingdoms and their rights. Therefore, if you smell through it all.
That Mao brings Suubi, the so-called resurrection of Kabaka-Yekka (KY), the Party went away around the time when Dr. Milton Obote also abolished the kingdoms in 1967, just years after the UPC and KY alliance had been put into effect. Therefore, hearing that the DP leader using the most striking part of kingdoms history in the battle between him and the Nambooze fractions. Seems like he uses the tribal warfare and uses his own ethical codes.
So the plan seems to use the control the party on the lines of his words and his play, as he and Fred Mukasa Mbidde plays with powerful words. When using the Suubi against the Baganda Caucus of the DP. The ones that Mao told to scatter. That they have to find a new home and get away. Seems like the leader doesn’t want to play fair. The DP Baganda Caucus and their members who follow the ones who wanted to have a conference in Masaka. It is has been twice now the police has blocked them in a short while.
While the DP have warned Nambooze… and suspended.. and now they are having stern orders sending her and allies packing. They are ordered to leave the party, get new homes, as well as been called secessionist and federor or federalists. The Baganda Caucus haven’t had this as a plan, more like they wanted to revamp the party and vitalize the interest around the “Bad DP”.
So now we know that the sensitizing and tribal misuse inside the party, are now tricks that Mao have learned from Museveni, instead of using natural leadership. Certainly, Mao has lost it… He is so weak and cannot let the other DP leaders act without his blessing… I never thought the ones once going against Museveni and claiming all sort of mismanagement in the NRM party and the state. That is nearly never happening anymore. The silence is killing the DP party and also why Nambooze now is ordered away together with her supporters. Peace.
Reference:
Jaramogi, Patrick – ‘Norbert Mao Vows to throw Suspended Mukono legislator Betty Nambooze Out of DP’ (25.04.2017) link: http://theinvestigatornews.com/2017/04/norbert-mao-vows-throw-suspended-mukono-legislator-betty-nambooze-dp/
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The Conference of the “Bad DP” get’s a hostile meeting with the Calvary in Masaka!
Hon. Mathias Mpuuga have today been detained at the Lukaya Police Station as the Democratic Party Conference and meeting in town was blocked and sealed off. This is similar fashion to how it has been with opposition party functions since the Public Order Management Act (POMA) was put into legislation. Therefore, what is happening in Masaka is sort of expected, especially after the DP NEC suspended the Vice-President of the Buganda Caucus Betty Nambooze, who had planned rally and conference in Masaka today!
“Hon. Betty Nambooze and Hon. Medard Ssegona plead with police officers that had blocked blocked their way on the Masaka-Kampala highway. The legislators are headed to Masaka for a DP meeting. The police say the meeting is illegal” (93.3 KFM, 23.04.2017).
Also the ones following the cars of Hon. Nambooze and Hon. Ssegona on the road from Kampala to Masaka. There been several of journalists detained for following the trail of cars going to the meeting in Masaka. Just like it has been before in Uganda, there is dangerous to follow the ones who isn’t directly loyal to the NRM and their paradigm.
So the District Police Commander John Chrysostom Mwaule of Masaka took to the offices of Mathias Mpuuga and the Masaka Municipality legislator offices, a place where police presence was severe, as they knew of the planned event. They we’re even told to write to IGP Kale Kayihura on the 20th April of 2017 from the DPC, as the DPC could give clearance on his own turf. Shows how little institutions matters and more personal understanding of the legality. That the DP MP Mpuuga didn’t believe that IGP Kayihura wouldn’t allow it, as the “Good DP” are following the orders and directives of the NRM. Therefore, this conference has been blocked and stopped it. With the Tear-Gas and Police detaining journalists and MP’s in Masaka. This is something more common to occur for the FDC, not for the DP party.
So the POMA are now used against fraction who is not together with DP President Norbert Mao and his close associates in Hon. Fred Mukasa Mbidde and Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi. They are the “Good DP”, that have even been invited into the closed chambers of the President Museveni. However, the so-called opposition party, has a fraction that is not bought by the NRM.
Today the “Bad DP” got the vicious treatment and so has the journalists follow the cars who was going to the “Bad DP” conference in Masaka. Certainly, there are now officially to levels of opposition in Uganda, the ones that are paid and loyal to the NRM. And the one opposition who tries to be in real opposition to the NRM.
Because of these actions stores has been closed in Masaka, as the supporters of the “Bad DP” running chants and stampede against the Police, as they are worried that Mbidde and Mao have sold the party to the NRM. Even the Tropic Inn Hotel have been condoned by the Police Force as well, so there are acts of direct oppressive.
“Police has dispersed off “Bad DP” supporters with tear gas at Lukaya on their way to Masaka ahead of a conference that was organised by Masaka Municipality MP Mathias Mpunga. This has also forced police to close Tropic Inn Hotel in Masaka where the conference was supposed to be held” (The Generation Newspaper, 23.04.2017).
So the “Bad DP” are now getting the treatment that Dr. Paul Ssemogerere did get when he did rally back-in-the-day, therefore, there are now proof of some people resurrecting the party out of the hands of the current leadership inside the DP NEC. Peace.
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UN World Food Programme in diplomatic tangle because of the Rwandese beans exported to Burundi (12.04.2017)
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Opinion: Hon. Nambooze is officially a “Bad DP” as the “Good DP” suspended her!
“You purport to take a disciplinary action against Hon. Mp Bakireke Nambooze, a senior member of the party, without even according her the inalienable right to a fair hearing!!! I thought my brother, Hon. Norbert Mao, could do better than that!” – Erias Lukwago (20.04.2017)
The Democratic Party of Uganda must be weak party at the moment, when DP Buganda Member of Parliament Betty Nambooze. She was today suspended from the party leadership and National Executive Committee. They took her place away and her seat in the DP NEC. You know the party is weak, when the DP Legal Sam Muyizi also left the meeting after she was suspended for three months.
That she was suspended for holding a Buganda Caucus meeting that was also stopped by the Police Force during March 2017. This just shows what sort of party the DP has become. They have a Minister in the giant Museveni cabinet, they got another loyal man to Museveni put into the EALA and Mao has himself professed to be talking to the President. Real proof that the DP isn’t really opposition, but nearly integrated into the NRM.
The DP under Norbet Mao are now not only in dialogue but working directly with the NRM. If they we’re then they would accept that Hon. Nambooze tried to visit Stella Nyanzi, that she tried to have principal politics and work out to fix the difference between Museveni’s claim for “Good DP” and “Bad DP”. Certainly, Nambooze must be “Bad DP” as the “Good DP” are suspending her. They have such little spines.
The DP under this current leadership should just fold themselves into the NRM and become a official branch under the NRM-O, why not just co-operate with NRM Secretary General Justine Lumumba, so their acts and their vision can be alike. Than the “Bad DP” can form their new party and become a real opposition. If not they can go into parties that are really against the NRM regime and their rule.
The DP is really bad, not “Bad DP”, it is tragic DP… the Party of Dr. Paul Ssemogerere has become this settled with the state and the NRM. That the President now can control the “Good DP” to such a move and take away the independence of the party. The initial result is the proof of the suspension of the place in the leadership.
This is not settling the issues within the DP, as her popularity isn’t going down, her popularity has been soaring. So today’s disciplinary committee was striking and certainly capable of voting in grandeur for her suspension. 22 for it and 1-2 absentee today at the vote.
What is striking is the words of Doreen Nyanjura on March 29 2017: “What exactly is wrong with Betty Nambooze calling for a consultative meeting in her area of jurisdiction, she is the Deputy President in charge of Buganda Region. DP in full is Democratic Party! The ‘Democratic Party’ can’t allow it’s leaders to hold meetings in their constituencies! N’way I should leave things of DP to DP” (Nyanjura, Doreen, 29.03.2017).
So the “Bad DP” did something bad, she convened a caucus meeting in her constituency. That a Buganda MP and Buganda Deputy President couldn’t hold a meeting to find a plan forward. So because of that move and the Police Force was also stopping it. Therefore, the people know now the real DP, the tragic DP and the not-so-democratic party under control of Norbert Mao.
Norbert Mao and his NEC is now no different than the NRM, they smells the same and acts alike. They are even working together, when they can. DP Mao are certainly settling for little trade that gives him little space, as his own MP’s cannot act without his blessing. If they try to act they have to do it on his command now. And Mao has to wait on Museveni as well…
This is the price for being a Good DP! Peace.
MinBane 