A look into how little the Wakiso Vote mattered to President Museveni in General Election 2016!

You would think on a day like this as the final rallies in Kyadondo East, which is part of Wakiso District, that the National Resistance Movement and the Police Force would bring peace. But they didn’t, they created chaos and moved independent candidates, as well as detaining them for interfering in their campaign rallies. This is the proof of vicious ruling regime and how the basic freedoms are limited for others, than the NRM elite and the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, rallying for his candidate in the district. But it seems strange that he cares, since with all due respect. He didn’t care about their votes in the General Election of 2016, as these areas have been a stronghold for opposition party Forum for Democratic Change and because Dr. Kizza Besigye reside in Kasangati, which is a vital part of Kyadondo East.

In Kampala and its adjacent districts, the Group observed voting delayed by as much as two to four hours and subsequently observed polling locations where voting was delayed by as much as six to nine hours. Anecdotally, in Kampala, there were several polling stations located within minutes of the premises of the Electoral Commission that did not receive voting materials on time” (…) “The voting hours were subsequently extended in Kampala. However, it appeared that this information was not extensively communicated, as voters and polling officials appeared confused and uncertain of the process. The EC announced that polling would continue in a number of constituencies in Wakiso and Kampala districts the following day. Turnout, however, was low on the second day – which was a working day – and it is possible that many potential voters decided not to attempt to vote, after having waited for many hours the previous day”(Commonwealth, P: 13-14, 2016).

Furthermore, eight teams across the country reported that polling stations could not open before 10 AM. A number of polling stations, notably in Kampala and Wakiso, had not opened within six hours. Significant delays and a lack of effective communication by the EC fuelled frustration and tensions among voters, with EU EOM observers and media reporting about large crowds protesting against being deprived of their right to cast the ballot. In at least four cases, the police used teargas to disperse voters at polling stations. Only shortly before the official closing of the polling stations at 4 PM did the EC chairman announce the three-hour extension of voting in Kampala and Wakiso district. This was poorly communicated to the polling staff in affected areas, and EU EOM observers reported polling stations being closed at first and only after some hesitation did the polling staff improvise and try to re-open voting sites” (EU, P: 29-30, 2016).

The EC failed to communicate and declare final results of presidential and parliamentary elections in a comprehensive, timely and transparent manner. The announcements of the presidential election’s preliminary results started while voting was still ongoing in parts of Kampala and Wakiso. The final results were declared within the legally binding 48-hour deadline, but they did not contain data from seven per cent of all polling stations, and therefore excluded some 675,000 votes cast. The EC delayed the publication of the final results broken down by polling station till 25 February and uploaded them on its website in a manner that did not allow for easy access or use. The EC also did not publish the scanned copies of the DRFs online although they were readily available in electronic format, thus further reducing voters’ access to information of public interest and in contravention of the principles outlined in the ICCPR” (EU, P: 3-4, 2016).

The 2016 Elections witnessed a number of violations of the right to vote, most notably due to late delivery of materials in Kampala and Wakiso districts, described by the Supreme Court as evidence of incompetence and gross inefficiency by the electoral management body. A number of potential voters we’re disenfranchised during the voting exercise, in particular persons who turned 18 between May 2015 and February 2016, detainees, including some pre-trial dententions and Ugandans in the diaspora” (FHRI, P: 25, 2016)

So both, the Commonwealth report, FHRI report and the European Union Observer Group saw the same vast indifference for the votes and voter turnout in Wakiso, the same was seen in capital, but that isn’t where the By-Election is happening now. This proves the lack of care and common sense as President Museveni drives Tuk-Tuk and talk of importance of electing people who serves him. He might say he wants to be challenged in Parliament, but everyone knows that is a lie. Therefore, he detained Bobi Wine earlier in the day and moved him to Gyaza town, so his presence could be in Kasangati and at Szasa Grounds. Not like he could be more ruthless, but surely he would rig these election like he did in 2016. Nothing new there, if the turnout would be meager and lack-lusting that would hurt the old-man. Since he cannot show 90-100% turnout, when there would be no lines of people showing up. Harder to rig just a bunch of paper compared to buck-load, which can be pre-ticket into ballot boxes and look legit. That is how they do, especially under President Museveni. The man who made himself a revolutionary by claiming UPC rigging in 1980s. Such a class-act the President, becoming worse than the ones he toppled! Peace.

Reference:

Commonwealth – ‘Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group Uganda General Elections – 18 February 2016’ (18.02.2016)

COMESA – ‘COMESA ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION TO THE 18 FEBRUARY 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA’

EU – ‘Final Report – Uganda Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council Elections 18 February 2016’ (April 2016)

Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) – ‘COMESA ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION TO THE 18 FEBRUARY 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA’ (June 2016)

CCEDU claims the “electoral process was compromised” during the Kamuli By-Election!

The recent by election in Kamuli district has gotten a lot of flack for their evident ways of transgression against honoring the ballot and liberty of all parties to take part. Especially the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) won the race, but the reality is that the win cannot be seen as honorable one, as the Kamuli District was more than one place found evidence of questionable behavior of the state.

80% of Election Day officials had arrived at the polling stations by 6:30am, only 20% had not. It is important for polling day officials to arrive on time because then the polls start on time” (CCEDU, 2017). When the CCEDU finds out that 20% of the Officials not showing up at the polling stations, show the lack of integrity and wish to really care for the voters. Like there are not really any justification to explain the lacking tolerance of the voters, when the persons who are checking and securing the ballots doesn’t show up on time. When one in 5 doesn’t care for showing up when the polls start.

“77% of observers reported no intimidation, harassment or violence during voting against any other persons, but 3% observers reported intimidation of election officials, party agents and observers and 13% reported intimidation against voters” (CCEDU, 2017). That there was reports of this and the police force was involved was clear by many reports, not only by the FDC. THe intimidation was found by 13%, which is a giant group of voters. As one in 10 was intimidated during the election, something that shouldn’t need to happen as the ballots should be able to be casted in peace. The 3% of intimidation of election officials, party agents and observers, is also to much and proves the irregularities of these polling.

“ The unauthorized persons inside polling stations during counting and closing, 68% observers reported they saw the police, 3% saw the army and 37% saw no one” (…) “97% of Observers reported that there was no intimidation, harassment or violence during counting, but 3% reported intimidation of electoral officials and 3% intimidation of party agents” (CCEDU, 2017). That most of the observers saw the Police and the Army was not unexpected, as the reports of intimidation stems from that.  But that there even was intimidation of any kind during the counting proves that the system is not fair.

Main conclusions from CCEDU:

“CCEDU observers recorded a number of malpractices that were orchestrated by supporters of FDC and the NRM. At about 12:00pm there were allegations of voter bribery, by an agent of Hajjati Wetongola at St Mark Primary School. The election was also characterized by incidents of violence and a voter wanting to vote in the name of another person. However, our Observer at Kyabazinga Senior Secondary Polling Station, was able to notice the anomaly and raised it with the authorities, who arrested the young man before he would vote as John Mawanga. All these issues mean the quality of  the electoral process was compromised. CCEDU was also concerned about the high number of unauthorized persons within the polling stations and noted that quiet a number of people were denied a chance to vote. The Kamuli by-election registered a voter turn-out of 51%. On the whole, the general management of the process was commendable with all polling stations commencing voting before 8:00am. It is also commendable that increasingly, more party agents are observing the electoral processes from beginning to end. Party agents have the ability to promote the integrity of electoral processes by raising a red flag on electoral ills” (CCEDU, 2017).
So a compromised electoral process isn’t what the Kamuli District deserves, neither the voters, as the incidents from both FDC and NRM in this sort of affair wasn’t justified, even as the Ruling Party was the Main denominator together with the Security Organizations, like the Police and Special Forces Command. That shouldn’t be needed during an election, when the public should expect something else. They should expect that the government facilitate the election without any intimidation and any sort of acts against the FDC. They shouldn’t have to go this far for a victory, but they did, because they do not know how to win without using force. Peace.  

Kamuli By-Election filled with excesive Police and Voter bribery!

The Kamuli by-election today has been marred with Police being besides men who give away 2,000 shillings to the ones going to the polls. The Police Force has created chaos in and around the Polling stations as the voters are targeted to be bribed, as well as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has even at some polling stations tried to campaign at the booth.

The proof of neglect of honest campaigning came after the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Proscovia Salaamu-Musumba we’re arrested right after she cast her vote. This is the proof of how malicious and little caring about the justice and honoring the ballot.

Because the Police Force has already been on the tail and securing the NRM cars driving around and giving away bribes to the public. Also Hon. Francis Gonahasa and Kasiono Waddiri has also been arrested by the Police during the election in the district. So the Police are really targeting the FDC and their leaders. As they are claiming and seeming justified voting bribery that is going on.

Just as of yesterday, the NRM and the Police was clearly making sure the result would go in their favor as the Armed Personnel Vehicles of the Police came in the numbers of 16. To make sure the district would be controlled by the NRM. So if Rehema Wetangola wins this race, it is not on her merit, but on the rigging machinery of the NRM.

The reason for today’s exercise:
“The President was addressing NRM supporters yesterday as he campaigned for the NRM’s flag bearer, Hajat Rehema Watongola at Kamuli district headquarters in Kamuli Municipa Parliamentary by-elections. The by-election followed the nullification of Rehema Watongola’s 2016 victory on the premise of lack of academic qualifications by the Court of Appeal. In a petition filed by FDC’s Salaamu Musumba, court heard that Watongola did not possess the required minimum qualification to contest for a parliamentary seat” (Museveni Neera, 11.04.2017).

So even if the Courts says the NRM candidate does have the qualification needed by law, she is still running for the second time on the same merit, as her new qualification has been showed to world as her husbands education. Therefore, the rigging is already administrative and not only by buying the ballots in the sub-counties of Kamuli. The NRM cannot at this stage win an honest election it seems.

The reality is that the car of the FDC candidate was also thrown stone on. So the NRM has done everything in their power to undermine the opposition candidate and her candidacy, as the election has been marred with issues, instead of being peaceful exercise. All of these reports proves that the NRM has no interest in the will of the people, but more the will of the Police. Peace.  

Republican’s loved the filibuster as minority, but as Majority in the Senate: they killed it!

In Federalist Papers No. 22, Alexander Hamilton seemed to anticipate the modern day Republican party, writing of the concept of a supermajority, “(I)ts real operation is to embarrass the administration, to destroy the energy of government and to substitute the pleasure, caprice or artifices of an insignificant, turbulent or corrupt junta, to the regular deliberations and decisions of a respectable majority.” (Jones, 2009).

As of today we know that Mitch McConnell and other Republicans do not value their own internal laws for bi-partisanship, neither the value of a silent minority when creating laws. That can be said in the days after the Senate used the ‘Nuclear Option’ to circumvent and have a second vote to secure the newly made nominee for the Supreme Court Judge Neil Gorsuch appointed by them. Even as the Democrats had earlier filibuster move and blocked the appointment. Just as the Republican Party did for a year, when the then elected President Barrack Obama, nominated Merrick Garland for the same slot in the Supreme Court.

This here is pivotal to the ideas of the Senate, as the Republicans clearly now proves that the laws are only mattering when they are in opposition, because when they get in power they will use it to silent the opposition. The reality is that the Democratic Party, is losing more ground quicker than they could anticipate. The Senate are now filled with corporate stooges who could not care about the laws and the true conservative measures, as the filibuster might have stopped processes, but has been there as a safeguard against regulations who might hurt the Republic. That is something the Republicans should care about, but apparently they are hooked on power.

The filibuster, long seen by its proponents as a necessary check on power and by its critics as a frustrating waste of time, has been around since the mid-19th century. A filibuster simply allows the minority political party to choose to endlessly debate a bill, stalling — and sometimes preventing — an actual vote. The word comes from the Dutch term vrijbuiter (pirate), in addition to the Spanish word filibustero (freebooting). The origins of filibuster use trace back to ancient Rome, and the practice has been common in several other countries including England and Australia. In the U.S., the tactic became known as a label for a Senator who held his colleagues hostage by overtalking legislation” (…) “The first filibuster in U.S. Senate history began on March 5, 1841, over the issue of the firing of Senate printers, and lasted six days. Ever since, politicians have loved filibusters or hated them — depending which side of the fight they were on. Proponents argue the filibuster protects the right to free speech and prevents the Senate majority from steamrolling the minority, thus ensuring that critical legislation gets a sufficient airing before being pushed through. Others contend the practice has gotten out of hand, leaving bills gridlocked in an oft-feuding Senate and stalling important votes for purely partisan gain. Peter Fenn, GOP consultant and former Senate aide, called filibusters the “tyranny of the minority.” (Oloffson, 2009).

The reality of what they have done is that after the first vote on the 4th April voted a majority Republicans to hold an Executive Session to consider Gorsuch as Supreme Court Judge. Than the Senate tried to fill in a clout on the 6th April 2017, but that got rejected by the minority after the filibuster rule. Therefore, Majority leader McConnell came with the good idea of using the Reed Rule and overrule the Filibuster through reconsidering the motion and change the rules on how many that needs to vote “yay” to win legislation victory in the senate. So late after a long debate on the 6th April, the Senate got the amount of votes to get the “On the Cloture Motion” that gave way for the majority in the Senate. So with the new rules, yesterday with 54 Yay over 45 Nay, the victory of the Republicans and the Trump nominee for the Court.

GovTrack explains it perfectly: “A vote on cloture is a vote to limit further debate and move to an up-or-down vote, in other words to prevent a filibuster. With only 55 votes in favor, 5 short of the 60 required, the Democrats blocked cloture so that they could filibuster the nomination. Following this vote, in Senate vote #109, the rule for cloture on Supreme Court nominations was changed to a simple majority. In Senate vote #110, the cloture vote was retaken under the new rules and with 55 votes again, 4 more than was needed on the second attempt, cloture was approved and further debate was limited. Gorsuch was confirmed in the final vote the following day” (GovTrack, 2017).

So with this change, the Majority knows totally control the Senate as the Filibuster is now gone away. It is ironic that the Republicans voting for this week, has as a minority proclaimed their love for the filibuster rule and it value in the Senate. So when themselves needs to circumvent it, it was easy to vote and change so their man could have a slot in the court. But they could use the same rule to stop laws and nominations from Obama.

A few recent times the Republican’s have filibuster themselves:

In 2013: “Ted Cruz called in the doctor to knock down ObamaCare — Dr. Seuss, that is.
The Republican senator from Texas recited Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham” during a wide-ranging, 21- hour quasi-filibuster to blast the health-care law(Miller, 2013).

In 2012: “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev) wants to change the filibuster rule in the Senate because Republicans have been abusing it. He pointed out in Politico this September, “Since Democrats took control of the Senate in 2006, Republicans have mounted 380 filibusters. This far exceeds anything we’ve seen before in the Senate. By comparison, in Lyndon B. Johnson’s six years as Senate majority leader, he faced just one filibuster.” (…) “But Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell claims that the 60 supermajority vote rule is ordinary procedure. McConnell huffed at Reid’s filibuster reform, “What these Democrats have in mind is a fundamental change to the way the Senate operates.” (Jones, 2012).

In 2010: “Senate Republicans proved their fortitude today when they voted to filibuster the Zadroga bill, the measure to provide health insurance to 9/11 workers. The measure failed by a vote of 57-42. Under the leadership of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Republicans vowed to filibuster any legislation introduced in the Senate until a settlement is reached on the Bush tax cuts and federal funding” (Clabough, 2010).

So there is a precedence and a history of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to use the filibuster on his own grounds and stop the Democratic Party from getting through legislation, as much as 380 times at least since 2006 alone. So it is not like the Republican Party doesn’t know how obstructive they have been in opposition. Nevertheless, when they got in power they used the tools possible to not respect the way the Democratic Majority Leader Reid did, but instead overrule the filibuster to get in the Trump nominee. The Nobel men of the Republican party who, has said they care about the sacred laws of the Senate, we’re lying all these years. Since the minute they get into power and get majority inside the Senate, they use the clouts and the roads not used. To make sure their will get passed. No bi-partisanship, but instead close the gate and says “our will rule them all”.

The Republican Party and their Senate leader will surely be remembered for their ill-will and take control of the Senate, rewrite the rules for their donors and their corporate partners, instead of serving the public will. The Republican Party and their leader can be remembered for not caring that they we’re ones using a 200 year old rule for their benefit, but when they entered the gates as majority. They couldn’t care less. Peace.

Reference:

Clabough, Raven – ‘Republican Filibuster Blocks 9/11 Bill’ (09.12.2010) link: https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/3577-republican-filibuster-blocks-9-11-bill

Miller, S.A. – ‘Cruz reads ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ in marathon filibuster’ (23.09.2013) link: http://nypost.com/2013/09/25/cruz-vows-to-speak-till-he-cant-against-obamacare/

Jones, Sarah – ‘Since Democrats took control of the Senate in 2006, Republicans Have Mounted 380 Filibusters’ (09.12.2009) link: http://www.politicususa.com/2012/12/09/block-blame-successful-republican-filibuster-strategy.html

GovTrack – ‘Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States’ (06.04.2017) link: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/115-2017/s105?utm_campaign=govtrack_feed&utm_source=govtrack/feed&utm_medium=rss

Oloffson, Kristi – ‘A BRIEF HISTORY OF Filibusters’ (02.11.2009) link: http://content.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1933802,00.html

Kahinda Otafiire is as blind as bat on the succession of President Museveni!

Why are you fighting President Museveni? What has he done to you? This man just have served his first year of the new term and you’re now talking about succession. Why are you looking for who will succeed him? Has he died? If we decided to reward him for a job well done, will you still talk about succession? We have numbers to in Parliament to…. Anyway that is not why I’m here. If we reward him for a job well done, will you commit “Suicide”? Remember where we were, how far we’re come… Justice centres, Electricity, water connections, what exactly do you want? Let’s be careful with the change we want” Kahinda Otafiire (NTV Uganda, 04.04.2017).

Let’s start first, we are fighting President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his clan who thinks they own Uganda, Secondly, who acts entitled on UBC, NBS and NTV as they did yesterday. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) have run the government since 1986. It is not like during the General Election 2016 was the first moment President Museveni entered the scene.

He has been a Defense Minster as far back as under President Dr. Milton Obote second term after they both got rid of dictator Idi Amin. This was written about his rise to rebellion in 1985: “Tito Okello, the commander of the army, reportedly met with his top officers during much of the day Saturday. Radio announcements appealed to rebel forces headed by former Defense Minister Yoweri Museveni, who has waged a long-running guerrilla war against the Obote government, to lay down their arms and join forces with the army officers” (…) “(United Press International reported from Stockholm that Museveni welcomed Obote’s overthrow but warned that his forces will have to be included in any solution to the nation’s ongoing state of crisis” (…) “(“The guerrilla force will be part of any solution,” he said on a Swedish radio broadcast. “If anyone tries to block that, we shall smash him, like that which smashed Obote.”)” (Powers, 2017).

So he again planned to bring down another government so he could be sure to gain power. That is a sentiment that he has kept. A reason why he still is in power and doesn’t want to let go. President Museveni believes he is the only one who can run the country, since he in the past was the man tricked the other big-men and the public to believe he was the best man. So when you listen to Gen. Kahinda Otafiire proves he still is in the 1980s state of mind, thinks that the world and Ugandans haven’t seen President Museveni during the three decades. The year between February 2016 to February 2017.

As another journalist wrote in 1985: “Friday, at his first press conference as the new prime minister, he cited his efforts “to build a Ugandan nation.” A key part of that effort is scheduled to begin today in Tanzania between the new military government and former defense minister Yoweri Museveni, leader of the National Resistance Army guerrilla group” (…) “On Friday, Muwanga referred to Museveni, whose participation in the new government is regarded as a key element in national reconciliation, as “a personal friend.” (…) “[Monday, reports from Uganda indicated that Museveni’s guerrillas were on the move — marching toward Masaka, the country’s third largest town, according to witnesses quoted by Reuter, and making other advances in the southwest of the country and north of Kampala, according to unofficial reports cited by The Associated Press.]” (Fitzgerald, 2017).

Even in 1985 as ever he proved his conning ways to use the position he had, while finding ways to spin his control from the others. Therefore, we all know that months later the NRA took charge and overthrow the new government post-Obote. It is sad that I have write about this again and recharge history, it is like Gen. Otafiire has a short memory. Surely, the blessings of being Minister when losing the Primary in the National Resistance Movement during the October 2015. He even went into the general elections in 2016 as an Independent Candidate, but the loyalty to Museveni gave him a place in the 10th Parliament. This official 5th Term of Museveni, which I have claimed that he is in his 7th term. Since he has ruled the Republic ever since 1986. I have giant issues with this being his first YEAR in charge. What about the years before 2016?

So in Kahinda Otafiire the years between 1986 and 2016 has vanished, so therefore, why debate the need for fresh blood? Well, the same rebel with one vision has run the game and rigged it for decades, that is why. I don’t know why that is so hard to understand, surely Muwanga, Ssemogerere, Otunnu, Besigye and Mbabazi feels that somebody else could run a government in Uganda. But Museveni feels the entitlement after the Bush War of the 1980s to run it for life. No-one else have sacrificed as much as him or deserves to run it more than him. Even, if that is not true.

The Ugandans shouldn’t care if Coca-Cola came out of the taps inside their buildings, if the President had provided them with free laptops and secured them all with government jobs. Still, it shouldn’t be natural for a brother to run a nation for 3 decades unopposed. Than, there are wrong with the governance and with the inner-party organization. But with the knowledge of the conning man that is the Museveni, it is not surprising to know that he has been the sole candidate for so long!

Gen. Otafiire are blind as bat, it is like he is completely blind and need surgery. If not he is not able to see well, that he needs to fix his glasses or his vision. If not he is unwilling to recognize the problems that is at hand. Since he is eating of the NRM and the government, he is again appointed by the President, even has he failed to get local support in his district and sub-county. However, Museveni knew that he would have loyal lap-dog in Parliament who would stay behind the President. Therefore, he gave him a Ministerial Post for his loyalty.

In return he will claim this obnoxious lies, the deceit and try to deceive the citizens with this sort of rhetoric. The NRA/M General wants to pull a ploy and try to devalue the terms that the President has had before. Like President Museveni, have run a Republic for decades, it is far from his first year as the Executive, as the President or the Commander-in-Chief!

NRM and Museveni has run the nation and not for the short period. There are all sorts of reasons for discussing the succession, it should have been from 1995 or latest 2000, as his time in charge has lingered for way to long. Therefore, the devolution of state institutions, importance of Okello House and the Presidential Handshakes become main factors in the regime.

So if you learned anything today, General Kahinda Otafiire is blind as a bat! Peace.

Reference:

Fitzgerald, Mary Anne – ‘Ugandans Sweep Up After Coup Politics’ (13.08.1985) link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1985/08/13/ugandans-sweep-up-after-coup-politics/8c2e9eed-48a9-4442-ad16-116a49b9c425/?utm_term=.e7ba7d44b638

Powers, Charles T. -’Army Ousts Uganda’s President : Mutiny in North Spreads to Capital; Obote, Aides Flee’ (28.07.1985) link: http://articles.latimes.com/1985-07-28/news/mn-5387_1_uganda-army

Judge Garland’s ghost will now follow the vacant Supreme Court seat!

I said I would take this process seriously — and I did. I chose a serious man and an exemplary judge, Merrick Garland. Over my seven years as President, in all my conversations with senators from both parties in which I asked their views on qualified Supreme Court nominees — this includes the previous two seats that I had to fill — the one name that has come up repeatedly, from Republicans and Democrats alike, is Merrick Garland” (…) “Now, I recognize that we have entered the political season — or perhaps, these days it never ends — a political season that is even noisier and more volatile than usual. I know that Republicans will point to Democrats who’ve made it hard for Republican Presidents to get their nominees confirmed. And they’re not wrong about that. There’s been politics involved in nominations in the past. Although it should be pointed out that, in each of those instances, Democrats ultimately confirmed a nominee put forward by a Republican President” – Barrack Obama (16.03.2016 – White House – Rose Garden – from the Obama Archives).

I hate to say it, it doesn’t matter how the creature and individual judge Neil Gorsuch, the nominated person to fill the empty seat in the Supreme Court of the United States. Why I don’t care? It is because of the process he has been entangled into, that has been created by the Republican Party taking away the Executive right for former President Barrack Obama. So, there is certainly no will to give that the new President Donald Trump, as he is just a new politician and President Obama was in his second term as the Executive. There haven’t even gone a 100 days of his presidency, it should take more time, as it soon is election and primary season for the Senate election in 2018. That is if I stand by the same rules the Republicans used against Obama, to not nominate and hired someone to the last remaining seat in the Supreme Court.

I don’t care if is Neil Gorsuch is a mix of Mother Theresa, Pope Francis and Baby Jesus. He can be the best American since John Wayne, he can be mix Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes, still not be the man for the Supreme Court seat. To me he is just the trick of the Republican party, to thief away a spot from the Democratic Party elected President. Therefore, I see nothing else than a theft.

The Republicans like Lindsay Graham, the Senator of South Carolina can talk the game he wants about the judge and his profound knowledge of judgment. Still, Sen. Graham doesn’t consider the constitutional rights of Obama, as he neglect the preposterous attempts of filibustering and stopping the sessions at play for months, to give way to Trump so he could nominate someone. The Republicans are hereby saying they are entitled to elected who they please, but other parties has to beg to do so. The Republic can only have Presidents who has the love of the Republican party, if not they are not constitutional. That is the state that Sen. Graham profess to.

Mitch McConnell, Senator of Kentucky and the Majority Leader of the Senate, has said that he does not accept that the Democratic Party representatives to Block Gorsuch, but my initial problem with that sort of statement from a Majority leader is that he blocked Garland all through the 2016 year and until President Trump got into office. Not like he didn’t use all sorts of tricks and pushed the buttons to stop the process of getting an Obama nominated fellow inside the Supreme Court. That is because Obama was not righteous enough, but the pussy-grabbing, shallow-snake-oil-salesman and the fake University owner Trump has the legal mind to pick someone. McConnell himself by October 2016, than suspending the nomination of Garland, said it was a lame-duck, that was only 7 months after vacancy was open.

The seat of the Supreme Court in the total months that Barrack Obama was president was about 12, that is a year, that is one fourth of his last term. That means that the Republican Senators and Representatives suspended and postponed the vacancy through major parts of his presidency. So that they could claim the seat as the Election was on horizon. Because they feared a liberal or a progressive candidate filling Judge Scalia’s place. It is clear this is ignorance and disregard of the ones electing President Obama, that they could not spare him his duty as the Executive or understand his judgment for the picking of Garland.

So if Speaker Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell feels they are disrespected and feels that the Democratic representatives isn’t working within the perimeter of the Constitution and the rights of the Republican President Trump. If they conduct such behavior and claims that the Democratic Party is dissolving the Supreme court vacancy. Than, they are hypocrites.

As Paul Ryan himself stated on the 16th March 2016:

This has never been about who the nominee is. It is about a basic principle. Under our Constitution, the president has every right to make this nomination, and the Senate has every right not to confirm a nominee. I fully support Leader McConnell and Chairman Grassley’s decision not to move forward with the confirmation process. We should let the American people decide the direction of the court.” (Paul Ryan, 16.03.2016).

Therefore, if the Republicans can suspend hearings and voting for Garland, why cannot Democrats do it now? The Tea Party representatives and Freedom Caucus representatives have had no issues with stifling the process of Capitol Hill. So if the resistance and the Democrats decides to stop Gorsuch nomination, that would be filibustering and stopping Trumps will. If they would accept it, is it like Republicans only have rights to nominate and the only ones who knows how to pick people for important positions?

Since President Trump has already hired his son-in-law Jared Kushner and daughter Ivanka Trump, so it not like we can question his own methods of picking Gorsuch. The Education Minister Betty De Vos family has been a big donor to the Republican Party and also Trump Campaign. So it not like the donations from big spenders change the ethical perspective of appointments under the Trump Era. It isn’t all white-supremacist and right-wing representatives, more on the financial backdrop and who’s favor Trump has gotten or hoping to get.

Than, with this in mind, what sort of favors has Gorsuch promised to do for Trump? Let’s be clear I don’t care if he is the softest most gentle judge ever existing, if he is the Marvin Gaye of judges. Still, he is the man stealing the possible seat of Garland. Ghost of Merrick will always follow Neil. No matter what happens, the one taking the seat now in the Supreme Court will always have the illegitimate picked person working in the most important legal job of the republic. That shows how low the legal system and the elected representatives of the United States has sunk down too.

President Obama wasn’t given the right to appoint because of people like Senator McConnell and Representative Ryan are the leadership that put forward reasoning for stopping the nominations. So now that they have Republican President and he has made a nomination, which happens to be Gorsuch.

We could talk fair and justice, but this is a sinister political ploy from the Republican party and using the laws to cherry-pick the ones supporting their will. The reality of it all is that the Obama administration was weaken by the control of the senate and the representatives house. The chambers did what they could to silence and stop his policies. Instead of building by bi-partisan ways. Now the Republican party want that from the Democratic Party and their members in the chambers. That train has left the station and hasn’t a plan to return.

The Ghost of Garland, even as he never entered the Supreme Court as an official judge or gotten the seat. Still, the will of President Obama and the denial of process of the appointment has proven that the Congress, the house or the senate didn’t want to fill the seat. The reality cannot be swayed away from this and the current state of affairs. That Trump should fill this seat is justified, as much as he can have ability to fill more if their time on earth stops. That is the rules. So Trump can fill even more in his time. They would have been correct! The appointment of possibly Gorsuch isn’t, and the Republican Party senators and representatives knows this perfectly well. All of them and most of them know they we’re part of the theft.

The grand theft and the perfect crime was orchestrated all through an election year, though all sorts of display and disregard of the President Obama and the Constitution, that they are supposed to keep in high regard. Instead they are propping up all tools and spin-control to let the Democrats leave it alone. That they did not to lose face during the Presidential Election, but here we are and we should know that the ghost of Garland will now overshadow the Supreme Court. Peace.

Uganda: FDC Party Officially welcomes dialogue between the FDC and the NRM (31.03.2017)

Opinion: Dear Swedes stick to IKEA, please forget the talks between Museveni and Besigye!

I don’t know if I should laugh or cry, but what sort of discussion should be from people who gave us IKEA, Volvo and tiny meatballs. We know that the Swedish needs to prove their worth in the world on other venues, than the Eurovision and hair-styles of Zlatan Ibrahamovic. Still, the recent of willingly sending Pro Bono people to mediate between the long serving, self reliance and thief in chief, the National Resistance Movement wizard, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the Opposition leader, creator of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Dr. Kizza Besigye are supposed to talk between cups of tea and biscuits provided with Swedish hospitality.

The Swedish Government has confirmed that it has been approached and, has accepted, to mediate planned talks between President Museveni and former presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye” (…) “The government of Sweden is involved in supporting and promoting dialogue in many parts of the world, as part of its policy of conflict prevention and support to peace processes. Sweden has been asked to facilitate a possible dialogue in Uganda,” Swedish Foreign ministry spokeswoman Katarina Byrenius Roslund, noted in reply to email inquiries from this newspaper. The “discussions are still at an early stage”, she noted, adding: “When there is concrete progress to communicate, we will do so” (…) “Ms Annika Söder, the Swedish state secretary, has been agreed on by the principals as the mediator for the expected talks. She flew into the country last week and held separate back-to-back meetings with the President and Dr Besigye on Thursday and Friday, respectively, in what knowledgeable sources described as “exploratory” (Butagira, 2017).

First and foremost, can the Swedes explain the content of tear-gas into public meetings, police blocking, detaining of FDC Youths, falsified charges against the FDC leadership, the Public Order Management Bill who is created to stop meeting of anyone else, than the loyal men of Museveni. How can there be talks between the parties?

Secondly, when every travel and meeting of FDC and Besigye is met with heavy police force, blocking of main roads and tear-gas when they congregate. What is there to discuss? What perimeter of Kasangati he is allowed to leave before it is an issue? What sort of ideas do the Swedes have in mind, except selling Volvo and SAAB to Uganda, instead of Isuzu and Toyota!

Seriously, that the Government of Sweden must either be blind or ill-minded if they think this will give way. If they know the history of Nairobi Talks of 1980s. When the National Resistance Army and the other parties gathered to iron out the differences. Than that was used to forge more way for the NRA agenda and silence the others with guns and ammo. Not generate peace without knowledge of Museveni landing on top. So this is in his blood and the blood that is shed for him to gain all power.

Global IDP Database wrote this about his negotiations:

In July 1985, conflict between some Langi and Acholi soldiers led to the overthrow of the Obote regime. The coup, which brought General Tito Okello to power, shattered the military alliance between the Acholi and Langi and escalated ethnic violence. The Okello regime invited all fighting groups and political parties to join the military government. Every armed group and political party, with the exception of the NRA, joined the administration. The NRA, however, engaged the regime in protracted peace negotiations held in Nairobi. In December 1985, the Nairobi Agreement was signed under the chairmanship of President Moi of Kenya. However, the Agreement was never implemented and Museveni seized power on the 25th January 1986” (Global IDP Database, P: 18, 2004).

So will the Swedish buy into the mantra that everything can be reassembled and rebuilt? Since they want to forge a relationship between Besigye and Museveni. Museveni, who rather take up guns and get rid of opposition and vowed last year to destroy the opposition. Well, I am sure the Swedish we’re busy finding ways to export designer materials, than following the post-election dogma of Museveni. Since a man who only believes “he is the only man with a vision”. That is the man who is supposed to co-operate and negotiate with an advisory! Really?

A man who doesn’t want to talk about succession and doesn’t want to speak about his lingering in charge. A man who has run a country and nation since 1986, has nothing more to win or to gain by playing soft. If he does so and the Swedish is dumb enough to buy into the fake wood and think they get mahogany, than they will offer donor-funding and possible other prices for the so-called negotiations between the NRM and FDC. Even as the FDC Headquarter we’re a year ago a crime scene and many members and leaders we’re detained on manufactured charges.

There shouldn’t be these sort of talks at this point, if so, than the Swedish are legitimizing the thieving of Museveni and his NRM elite. Does the Swedish government want that on their plate? Is that the Swedish people’s prideful mission to support and trust in a corrupt and militarized government, while they at the same time is using Besigye as pawn?

The Swedish government, if they care should back-off, go home to Stockholm. Cut their aid and stop the talks. As they will only give more way to dictator and his clientele at the Okello House. There aren’t anything else to give.

Did the Swedish government do any research and care about the track-record of the Museveni regime? Have they seen how many mysterious deaths and men who has worked close who has either had to flee or been detained by his regime? Have the Swedish considered their implications in establishing legitimacy of the current leadership? Who doesn’t care if they bankrupt their country? While they are driving expensive cars on the State coffers?

Does the Swedish government need this win or this talks to gain international recognition, and not only sell IKEA furniture? Time to take the dozens pieces and assemble that the chairs in Umeå, and step away from Kampala.

Or do the Swedish government and their team no problem with losing their credibility for helping a fellow dictator? Peace.

Reference:

Butagira, Tabu – ‘Sweden to mediate Museveni, Besigye talks’ (29.03.2017) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Sweden-to-mediate-Museveni–Besigye-talks/688334-3868674-b3fqil/index.html

Global IDP Database – ‘PROFILE OF INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT : UGANDA’ (17.06.2004)

Patiently waiting: Museveni and NRM will again amend the Constitution, this time to fit his aging body!

Since the 1986 overthrow of the Second Obote government and the ones that we’re running the government in the midst of civil war, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his NRA came into power with guns and glamour. That has since then turned the power and eaten all of the state coffers. This has lead to many fallen soldiers, foreign affairs squabbles and foreign adventures of both mercenaries, armies and hired guns for other regents. The latest is sending battalions to the Equatorial Guinea on the merry of President Teodoro Obiang.

At this junction in 2017, there are talk of Age-Limit bill and ruling for life, like it matters. Like it is a viable concept and the truth to aspire to. That President Museveni been a wise man and used force, with brutal masterminding the escape from being one of the heroes of Obote’s return through FRONASA and into his own rebellion (NRA). Show’s the lack of integrity and will to sustain power by any means. Therefore, laws can be amended and adjusted to fit the paradigm of Museveni. That is the harsh realities of Uganda today, that laws are made to fit the ideas of Museveni and not of what could be the best for Ugandan prosperity. We could wish otherwise, but saying so is a lie!

In 1995 after 10 years in transitional government and one-party rule, as the former rebellious outfit and winners, made a pact with the people and such gave the President Museveni a legitimate rule. He gave a more honest and grander promise with a Constitution that even told the people how much longer he could rule, which the Article 105(2) said: “A person shall not be elected under this Constitution to hold office as President for more than two terms as prescribed by this article” (Constitution of 1995, 8 October 1995).

So after already been in power about 10 years, he was amending so he could legally rule another decade, the rebel and the former Defense Minister proved his skills of trading his water to gain more trust. Therefore, still at this time he was seen as a hero, even if he wasn’t believing in Multi-Party Democracy or in anything else then the Movement System and the National Resistance Movement own agenda that worked after his drum.

Even as deflections and decay of power came and the added promises of 10 Points Program and others, should have showed that the President had limits to his will to give to the public. The promises of wealth, of welfare and of educated citizenship was a pipe-dream. It sounded splendid in the woods, but when the gravy-train hit the State House, when the cronyism and family matters into the government, than the promises while carrying guns dwindled away.

President Museveni and the NRM, only gave the public Multi-Party democracy because the people voted for it twice, and with that in mind, the Constitution of 1995 had to be amended. The 2005 Amendments we’re also made so legally the President could stand again, as the 105(2) of 2005 states:

A person may be elected under this Constitution to hold office as President for one or more terms as prescribed by this article” (THE CONSTITUTION (AMENDMENT)ACT, 2005, 30th September 2005).

This was just done in the nick of time before the 2006 election, so he could have his official 3 term, even as he had ruled for 20 years by then. Before could go-on without anyone stopping him. The President amended not the laws for the betterment of the republic, but for his own greed for power. That people find it insulting to now have the age-limit discussion, has forgotten the path to power and the way the President used people to gain what he has today.

President Museveni has used anyone’s skill and anyone’s possibilities to his advantage, that he has has done since he left the University, since he joined the second Obote government. Therefore,

I teach [but not] about those things like age limit and I don’t know what – all those small topics of yours. I talk about the future of Africa. What should be done, not who. Because for you, you spend all the time on the who, the who, the who. For me, my issue is [the] what. So, because the age limit is; you are talking about the who now. NRM is not an anarchy group. Right now, am concentrating on alleviating poverty. That is my mission now. After poverty then we shall talk about those other topics that you are interested in” (The Observer – ‘President Museveni told journalists at Kawumu State Lodge in Luweero district yesterday’, 22.03.2017).

However, we have to talk about who and in particular Museveni, who has imposed himself on the citizens of Uganda for decades upon end. That is because he used all sorts or tactics and thinks people are stupid, as the NRM Kyankwanzi Conference of 2016 we’re working on ditching the age-limit, so that the President can be older than 75 years old. So that the current President can run again and be over 75 years.

Those who wants to be duped by the old man and live in ignorance. President Museveni, who has used all sorts of tactics to overstay, by both force and also laws. This has now been done over decades and by all means he will not leave. He will continue to use the Ugandan citizens as pawns, as he stays the king. He turns slowly tries to out maneuver the next of kin or the next Besigye. Since Museveni only believes in his vision, nobody else. Therefore, Museveni will not act differently, he will be more of the same.

There isn’t anything in his past that shows otherwise, unless your ignorant and is a Musevenist. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni says “not the time for talk about succession”, well I didn’t expect so!

The President since 1986 doesn’t seem to care about succession, that isn’t surprising. President Museveni haven’t left anyone to take over, he have even stopped the ones with ambition from getting roles inside the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Therefore, the lacking protocol and procedure of the party, a party created by him and for him. Clearly, the laws that has been amended so that the President could lawfully run again and again. So what he said to the press yesterday is not shocking!

I teach [but not] about those things like age limit and I don’t know what – all those small topics of yours. I talk about the future of Africa. What should be done, not who. Because for you, you spend all the time on the who, the who, the who. For me, my issue is [the] what. So, because the age limit is; you are talking about the who now. NRM is not an anarchy group. Right now, am concentrating on alleviating poverty. That is my mission now. After poverty then we shall talk about those other topics that you are interested in. Right now, we are implementing our manifesto. When we were campaigning, we presented our manifesto. Succession was not part of what we presented to the electorate. That is not to say it is not important, but the right time has not yet come. We shall talk about it when the time is right.” – President Museveni told journalists at Kawumu State Lodge in Luweero district yesterday” (The Observer, 22.03.2017).

Succession is only right when the time is right, you can wonder if that time ever will come for the rebel and the former freedom fighter. It is not like there been any steps in the last decade that Museveni ever wanted to give way for someone else. Museveni doesn’t want to give in or thinking of a future without being President. The Regime is built around him and his decisions, therefore, Museveni wants to be the man to go instead of institutions. The Ministries and the Government have been put-on hold if he doesn’t or anyone he has gotten anointed.

With this in mind, the NRM are built around him and the same is the State. That this is not accountability or transparent is evident. That the President has kept it all close to himself, that the NRM are addicted and needs Museveni is like the plants needs water and sun to grow. In the same regard does the party and the state now Museveni. Not that it is healthy position since it is based on the individual and not the institutions or laws. That is the weakness of the NRM party and the NRM regime, the junta, the illegitimate rule under the 31 year long Presidency of Musveni.

Not like he would give in and give up his life, his legacy is already outlived and the use of force against opponents and the ones questioning him is certainly evident of his lacking bones for real-democracy. Even if he spoke of that in the Bush, the one today would vomit of the words he said in the 1980s and early 1990s. One of the men who was the future African leaders, who traded their promise into greed and power, instead of governance and institutions. Therefore, the state is based around his individual powers, instead of what it is supposed to be.

The Patronage, the clientele and elite is all circling him and the State House, to make sure of the funds and license to operate. The others have to be silenced and not speak against the master. President Museveni decides and if you don’t like it, than you better accept it anyway. Now, it is time to eradicate poverty, even has he had the decades before to finish his project. Still, he has to fight the same fight he did in the first days he left the bush with UNLA, UPM and the NRA. Nothing new and it must be horrific to know that the State is in the same or worse state since your rule. That must the pride of the old man, that the individual reason and the man who created this way of systems are him. He will blame anyone else and their loyal subjects. Still, deep in his heart, he knows that its his own making.

President Museveni doesn’t won’t anyone else to rule, not in the NRM that was built around him. President Museveni doesn’t won’t anyone else to reside in the Okello House and be the Commander-in-Chief and Executive in Uganda. The both roles belongs to him and succession isn’t key. The door will only open, when he dies. By that time, the ones trying to isn’t his business, since he is dead.

President Museveni will not step down and has no plan to do so. Because he doesn’t have the heart, he doesn’t have the ability and doesn’t seem to care about his legacy, or the state that will be left behind when he is really gone.

His time to leave office is only when his pump stops beating, until rest assured, every excuse made under the moon and stars will be used. An if you thought he would stay on the farm to irrigate with jerrycans into oblivion, you are clearly wrong. He just needs to be office a few more days and months, to be sure to take every dime he can. Peace.