Kyadondo East By-Election: Most likely Winner for MP Seat is Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine!

All provisional results from the current tallies are in favor of Robert Kyagulanyi, the other two main candidates like Forum for Democratic Change Apollo Kitinti and National Resistance Movement Sitenda Ssebula, seems like they have to consed to the Independent Candidate Kyagulanyi. The By-Election in Kyadondo East have been a special by-election by all means.

Especially knowing that the Military Police arrived in the Constituency today, together with mambas and a 1000 Police Officers. All squaring of Kasangati Resort, reports earlier of staff doing the NRM bidding. Therefore, the NRM candidate after voting today, proclaimed that the Bobi Wine should call him and sing at his victory party. This all seems like a far fetched dream. The musician turned politician, proves his capacity, but how smart and wise he will be in parliament. That is time to tell. He knows how to gain crowds and sell his story and vision, but will that create policy. More important the vital step away from dictatorship and oppression. That is why himself was even detained for a hot-minute at Kiira Road Police Station before the final rallies.

The NRM was lost, unless they wanted to use Police Force and Military Police to change the result, cook the books like they did during the General Election 2016. No-one with a little heart or understanding believes the result of the Presidential Election in 2016. That is lie and even Ofwono Opondo knows so, but he has to say otherwise to get his paycheck. Why I mention him, because he says Bobi Wine already are beating the FDC and NRM.

That the Police had to shoot wild in Kasangati, had to throw tear-gas and the supporters throwing stones at the barricades of Police Officers at Kasangati Resort, proves the little trust in Electoral Commission, the Police and the State in general. Therefore, the rallies with President Museveni didn’t help much. Not even the reports of bribing voters with little tokens of joy and pleasures to buy a term in office. The rigging have clearly not worked or been stopped, if the preliminary results are real. Because a normal tally score is 50 % to Bobi Wine and about 25% for Kantinti and Ssebula. This proves their face value and the recognition of the new force.

That Bobi Wine has endured and been part of the struggles of Besigye is clear, he has been in the Court-Room, been at his house and asked for courtesy when running, he even went to the home of “Bad DP” Betty Nambooze and asked her guidance too. So he proves he is savvy in forging relationship among the opposition. This will be needed in Parliament. Not only his vision and what he want to stand for.

You know times has changed when the Police Spokesperson and AIGP Asan Kasingye at the tally-center where congratulating Bobi Wine on the victory, just like Besigye and others has done with pride on Twitter. Clearly, this election in Kyadondo East is moving. That the Wakiso District is answering with special ballot. The pure result, that is hard to interfere and get away with, even as the numbers of security personnel is out of bound. Still, they didn’t have it in them, though the Tear-Gas has rocked Kasangati today!

And you know, their short-shortsightedness when the NRM wanted to rig in Kasangati, the homestead of Besigye, the place and friend of Bobi Wine, there would not be anyone accepting it there. That is why the place has been filled with officers, live bullets and tears, barricades at the Kasangati Resort and the Crime Preventers that we’re rumored to be in the constituency didn’t even help Pre-Ticketing ballots. This was a landslide and the NRM couldn’t handle the wind of Dembe and the Bobi Wine.

Because the Police did set up all sort road blocks, they had the Mambas and had their presence in the constituency, but with no luck. Clearly, the supporters and people around Bobi Wine has been clear, that they will not give this one away. The amounts of Military Police didn’t even do the NRM any good. So their intimidation and their bribes didn’t turn it, not even their plans to rig the stuffed ballots, didn’t work either. This is how the game in a dictatorship should be played.

Take your ear to the ground and learn. This is maybe one MP to the 10th Parliament, but also a sign of the efforts to stifle the game for the NRM and their vicious attempt of thieving the National Assembly and the whole state. Peace.

Kyadondo East By-Election: Lock-down of Kasangati Restort and the Police involvement in the election!

I know victory is mine. I have already called Bobi Wine to come and entertain my voters”Sitenda Sebalu.

In Kasangati the Independent Candidate Muwada Nkunyingi got detained today at Kasangati Police Station. The candidate was also severely beaten into unconscious by the well-known DPC James Patrick Kawalya, before taken into custody, no backing down from the National Resistance Movement on election da in Kyadondo East By-Election. Even his lawyer Abdul Lubega is down at the Police Station trying to iron out the differences between the Police and his candidate. They even arrested the Local Councilor Abas Kiyimba, he is even an NRM guy himself, but while the votes are happening, that doesn’t matter.

At Kasangati Resort, the supporters of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine has been at, is where the supposed rigging of the election is happening. Therefore, the Police Officers and NRM Mobilisers has told the media to step-off. That can been seen as a provocation, as people are being arrested. The Mambas and the Anti-Riot Police Officers are also being dispatched to the Hotel in Kasangati. The Police has also barricaded the premises with bunch of Police Officers. Many of the Supporters of Bobi Wine has been arrested on the spot, as they have tried to defend their votes from rigging. The Supporters started to throw stones, while the police has answered with canisters of tear-gas. Clearly,

The are even reports that the NRM Chairman of Wakiso District Abdul Kiyimba held voters at gun-point to pressure voters, apparently, the NRM has their stash-house which is alleged at Kasangati Restort, but also needs their henchmen to spread fear directly at the Polling stations. The NRM are not playing around this time.

Clearly, there will be happening more around the next hours, as Benghazi or Kasangati are in the middle of this By-Election, the Wakiso District that the President didn’t care about in General Election 2016, but he has put up the Ante this time!

This is just the beginning of the day and while the polling is still going-on. We can just wait and see when the counting and the issues around the Electoral procedures with forms and final numbers. That will clearly be tense, as the Police Force are deliberately defending the NRM and their practices, even as they are arresting their own. Which is rare, as the epic show-down in Kasangati is happening. Peace.

Kyadondo East By-Election: Heavy deployment and reported electoral malpractices before the polling stations opens!

Just as the 10 Armored Personnel Vehicles have come to the district and the Police has dispatched over a 1000 Police Officers in the Kyadondo East constituency, as the National Resistiance Movement, the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are afraid for his candidate loosing. He has to spread fear and bring the brigades to prove his worth and value in the district. That could be all lost to an independent, a former musicians, who has no quarrels to attack the old-man and his legacy. Neither is the will of Forum for Democratic Change to stand-down in Kasangati and their heartland. In the land of Besigye and his loyalist. Therefore the NRM has used voter tourism and they also closed schools so there was someone attending the rallies. Certainly, the NRM doesn’t wanted to have a slap on their wrist by some Wakiso population.

That is why Rogers Mulindwa, has to claim foul play by the opposition candidates and their parties, while the NRM controls the Police and also the Electoral Commission. Clearly, if any rigging going-on, the skills of pre ticketing ballots and stuffing ballot boxes is something the NRM have done for decades and would easily do again. So not that I believe the NRM, but let just give you their meat.

NRM warning the public a day ahead of the polls:

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), has learnt of a plan by opposition camps in Kyadondo East Constituency of torturing voters on the voting day and in the night before. The plan to be reportedly implemented by opposition agents wearing NRM T-shirts or yellow shirts is intended to portray the ruling party as being non friendly to the people it serves. The main target behind this is to win sympathy from the voters. The opposition plans to use the same mission to scare away voters especially in NRM dominated parishes. Our party members and the entire public is therefore warned against these groups. Please note that donning NRM yellow attires is not necessarily an assurance that one is a party member. Those reportedly planning to steer these actions are also warned to desist from such unconstitutional behaviour. The party further advises that such cases should be reported to police or any other relevant authorities for timely actions” (Rogers Mulindwa, 28.06.2017).

It is ironic that the ones sending 1000 Police Officers to the Constituency to interfere a day ahead in the polls, but there are some reports of 500 Crime Preventers there. This with the report of the 10 APC’s as well. Certainly, the NRM doesn’t play around and wants their man in the slot from the Constituency, so there is another friendly voice to Museveni. Another one he can corrupt and know that he will loyally follow every whistle.

In Kasangati alone today, the Police themselves intercepted 6 boxes of pre-ticked ballots in favor of the NRM candidate Sitenda Ssebalu, which shows the per-determined mind of Museveni who is all in stick it where it hurts for Besigye.

CCEDU already stated this on the 21st June 2017:

Voter Bribery: Under section 68(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act 2005, bribery is an offence in the electoral process; and upon conviction one can be liable to “seventy two currency points or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both”. The act of bribery is defined by the Parliamentary Elections Act, as providing money or gifts to influence voters. CCEDU has noted with concern acts of voter bribery involving: candidate William Sitenda Sebalu (NRM), Apollo Kantinti (FDC) and Robert Kyagulanyi (Indep). The three candidates have been observed giving out money and other material gifts during their respective campaign events. On June 17th for instance, candidate William Sitenda Sebalu gave voters at Kyetume Gayaza to share sh200,000 immediately after his campaign. CCEDU implores the Police to remain keen on such acts that violate provisions of the electoral laws as well as bring the culprits to book” (CCEDU, 21.06.2017).

So it is not like there been proven ill practices by all three parties on the campaign trial, as the independent and observing organization CCEDU has seen. And can also show forward evidence of electoral malpractice. Clearly for all main-parties and candidates, they are risking everything to seal the Declaration Form in their way and with their name.

On the 27th June CCEDU statement said this:

On June 17 for instance, NRM candidate William Sitenda Sebalu gave voters at Kyetume Gayaza Ushs 200,000 immediately after his campaign. Most candidates were observed giving out food and refreshments to potential voters during their campaign meetings. In addition it was difficult to draw a line between the government and the ruling party at the local level: despite the bar against partisanship of civil servants, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and agents of various security services were omnipresent, occasionally taking a proactive role in the Constituency’s electoral process” (…) “Whilst the pre-electoral environment was generally peaceful, some stakeholders expressed anxiety with regard to the role of unidentified persons in Nangabo and Kiteezi sub counties who were seen photographing voters’ Identification cards, distributing between Ushs 2,000 and 50,000 per person and asking those that had received the money not to turn up for the voting exercise on 29 June. The motive and persuasions of the unidentified individuals could not be established. The occurrence was confirmed to have intimidated and concerned residents in the respective areas” (CCEDU, 27.06.2017).

So even if the laws bar the RDC and other Civil Servants from interfering the election, they do so for the mercy of the National Resistance Movement, as well as most likely the unidentified persons are collectors and people of the NRM paying people to not vote. To make sure the stakes are more controlled or in their best. As they are also tightening the security apparatus with Police Officers, Mambas and Crime Preventers. This all to make sure the citizens know that they should vote for the NRM candidate.

However, the NRM fear for Bobi Wine is understandable, also as they lost it even when they did everything in their power to stifle the election in February 2016 in Wakiso, when Apollo Kantinti won the first time. Therefore, all sort of tactics this time around would be seen as precautions from the President. So that he can get rid of a FDC MP at the same time. That is a double win for the old-man. If he cheats or rigs to do so. It wouldn’t surprise anyone.

So let see how the tricks of trades goes tomorrow, when the ballots and people show-up to cast their votes in Kyandondo East. But be warned, the NRM are working hard to stall and make sure anyone else who get in their way will have issues tomorrow. Make sure that some opposition members and leaders who pass by polling stations might be detained. That is just what they do. Peace.

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)

Kyadondo East By-Election: EC Letter to Apollo Kantinti – “Re: Supplementary Campaign Programme” (19.06.2017)

Kyadondo By-Election: Chaos as the President intervenes in the election!


Bobi Wine: “In order not to cause a presidential embarrassment, we have agreed to hold our rally in Gayaza” (at Kiira Road Police Station after release, 27.06.2017),

Today is the final days of campaigns for the candidates of the Kyadondo By-Election in Wakiso District on the outskirts of Kampala. There is three main candidates as the DP Candidate pulled out in support of the FDC Apollo Kantinti, the ones previous election bid who got canceled by the courts. Therefore, he is running again to win his seat back. While the independent candidate Robert Kyagukanyi aka Bobi Wine, was blocked today from having his final rally at Szasa Grounds in Kasangati, because of Police interference his final rally will be in Gayaza town.

This proves the ability of the Police Force to threat the opposition candidates in favor of the ruling regime, as President Museveni comes to rally for the NRM Candidate Sitenda Ssebalu, who has buses upon buses with voter-tourism sponsored by the party. Because of the hesitation and importance of this election, they had to detain without charges the Independent Candidate Kyagukanyi at Kiira roads, until he found another venue for his final rally. President Museveni doesn’t like to pushed or dishonored, as the prospects of slap in-the-face of a new politician wasn’t in the cards.

So when they released after a done deal at the Kiira Police Station, Bobi Wine went-on to another venue, than the planned one in Kasangati, but has instead to be in Gayaza town. Proves the powers of intimidation and control of the NRM in favor of Sitenda Ssebalu and President Museveni. This is a-typical and Modus Operandi of the NRM regime. The ironies of it all, was that before President Museveni put his shovel into the By-Election, the Independent had followed procedure and warned about his campaign rally in Kasangati. This proves there is two classes of political classes in Uganda. Yet, again by the way!

Bobi Wine has been arrested. He was meant to campaign in Kyadondo but police blocked him from accessing the grounds” (NTV Uganda, 27.06.2017).

As the final rallies are on, the Police presence is intense and at all venues. The Police are deployed at all venues to intimidate and silence opposition. There are many going from Kasangati to Gyaza as the rally shifted that way. Since the President Museveni and Ssebalu rally are held in Kasangati. Police has even interfered on the roads around Kasangati to get taxis to ferry people to the NRM rally. They really need their propaganda shots and the pride of the sensitized crowds in their favor. Since the NRM cannot win in a free and fair fight.

FDC Candidate was acting swift on arrest of Bobi Wine, stopped his rallying, went to Kiira Road and demanded the release of his competition. Apollo Kantinti didn’t do this because he had too, but proved his stance of vigilance as he as opposition has seen the cost of being so. Just by trying to figure out a way of making the NRM look better or alike it competitor.

The Communication Officer of NRM Rogers Mulindwa informed the public with this:

NRM wishes to inform its supporters in Kyadondo East Constituency and the public at large that its Candidate Hon Sitenda Sebalu has this Tuesday afternoon been arrested by police on unclear circumstances. He was arrested together with the district NRM chairperson Hajji Abdu Kiyimba from Wampeewo playground, a second venue for today’s rallies. Police could not tell the motive behind this act but the party continues to seek a clear explanation. The venue was also later invaded by the FDC supporters rendering it impossible for our rally to take place. As an exemplary political party, we have therefore taken a decision to shift our rally to Sir Appolo Kaggwa Church of Uganda in order to avoid causing nasty scenes.We call upon our party members to remain calm and focus on the victory within our sight” (Mulindwa, 27.06.2017).

Pardon me, NRM, but this seems staged, since you arrest the Independent Candidate for campaigning in your area and than blaming FDC for having their campaign rally. This is all knowledge the Electoral Commission should have sanction on behalf of the candidates and accepted previous of the Election Road Map for the By-Election. Therefore, I am buying that the Police arrested Independent Candidate Bobi Wine for his rally in Kasangati, as President Museveni weighed in his support in the election, but that Sebalu suddenly behind bars. Seems more like play for the gallery. There is also reports that the lack of crowds around the NRM, they have not only ferried people from afar, but also closed near-by schools so the students has to attend the rallies of their candidate. A real disgrace of the NRM.

While the FDC leadership stands strong on their final rally for Apollo Kantinti where Ingrid Turinawe, Mugisha Muntu and Kizza Besigye shows up at their rally in Wampeewo. So the solidarity for their candidate is there. While Museveni needed the Police Force to clear Bobi Wine away from the venue and have control of the area, because he knew he doesn’t have the natural crowd support anymore. There are also reports of clashes in Wampeewo, as the NRM and FDC are both campaigning on the site. The FDC supporters even tell the NRM to leave the official grounds as it’s supposed to be FDC Official rally site. Certainly, the Electoral Commission has done something wrong, since both parties says there rallies are being hold there. Seems like the NRM will detain some FDC leaders and FDC supporters today, so they can hold their voter-tourism rally there. Since they have already pushed Bobi Wine to Gayaza town. Even if NRM Communication call them exemplary party, they should explain that to Bobi Wine’s supporters and barred rally, especially when all news are about the Wampeewo Play Ground rally for NRM, as the FDC are still already there. It wasn’t an invasion, they we’re already there! 

So if there will be more detained opposition leaders, I wouldn’t be shocked, as this the NRM M.O. and that is what they do. Especially, since the President Museveni and his candidate for the district will arrive in the area and doesn’t want to have fair competition, certainly he will use the Police Force to get rid of the FDC in the area. Even if the FDC has followed protocol, as the Bobi Wine candidature also did in Kasangati earlier in the day. Peace.

My honest letter to the newfound peacemaker President Museveni!

Dear Sir, His Excellency (H.E.) President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni!

Though I am surely not so dear to you, I am sure if you we’re ever to read one of my pieces. I would end up in Luzira or even Nalufenya, in a dungeon not seeing daylight before my mind was weaken and my thirst for liberty and justice was all over. That is what would be my ending, if you got your will. As many others who has questioned your rule and your power. They have lost their days and their lives, they have been detained and been tortured. This is something you know and done your orders. That is well-known.

So the last week has boggled me, how you at the time taking the Chairmanship of the East African Community, which goes between the Member States. Therefore, your place there after the Tanzanian President Joseph Pombe Magufuli isn’t shocking. What is more important, is the stages of your concern of the nations around you. How you suddenly want to invest your time and urges to change and give hope the republic’s around you.

That you travel on credit to London to talk on AMISOM and possible peace in Somalia, than later you travel to Tanzania and discuss the sanctions and say the EAC should be able to solve what is in-house, and today you are in South Sudan, giving advice on National Dialogue there. You are certainly occupied with other nations troubles.

In London, United Kingdom on the 12th May you said: “However, our strongly held view is that it is not enough to check Al-Shabaab. Somalia must heal completely and stand on its own feet. In our view, there are a number of bottlenecks that stop the complete healing of Somalia” (Museveni, 12.05.2017). In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania on the 20th May you said: “Burundi is our member and no action should be taken against it without our input. Our house is our house” (Museveni, 20.05.2017). Today in Juba, South Sudan you said: “Within the party, speak frankly to each other. Reach decisions by voting or consensus. Raise issues by having regular meetings in the party. Insist on having meetings in party organs. Never use force. Violence should be a means of last resort” (Museveni, 22.05.2017).

That you suddenly are the grand peacemaker is weird, the man who done his thing civil-war and coup d’etat in Uganda, you have been involved in two wars inside the Democratic Republic of Congo, you ushered the rebellion and ruling party of Rwanda Patriotic Front/Army in Rwanda. You have sent your army without mandate into South Sudan. The other mandated forces has been operations against Lord Resistance Army in Central African Republic and the African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Also, being hired security agents without consent of parliament in the Equatorial Guinea. I am sure you have used them differently, like lately the UPDF helping mission for the SPLA in Bieh State in South Sudan in April 2017. So the use of army for your own gain and the foreign exchange is also well-known.

Therefore, that you suddenly speaks of peace, negotiations and of consensus, it must be a lingo you dislike. As you yourself want to get rid of opposition in Uganda and want only the one who agree with you. Therefore, that you advice President Salva Kiir Mayardit to talk consensus, while in Buyengo Sub-County on the 9th May you said: “I am tired of wars. I want you to vote for pro-NRM members of parliament like our party flag-bearer, Mr Moses Walyomu.” (…) “I don’t want to go back to the bush to fight again. Don’t send me people who will disagree with me in parliament. I fought in 1986 and I am tired.”(Kirunda, Nakato & Katabulawo, 2017). So it is not like you believe the words you said in Juba today, aye? It seems more like a ploy and pigment of imagination, since you need to say this to look wise for the world. But we know that this isn’t the real you, you don’t believe in consensus, you believe in your vision and doesn’t trust anyone else, but yourself.

That you speak of violence as last resort, what about all the tear-gas as the opposition? What about all the harassment of them? What about all the ones detained for their political affiliation? Than, I also have to ask, why did all of the innocent had to die in violence in November 2016 in Kasese? There are so many questions, you should also answer for detaining all the kids of suspects in the killing of AIGP Andrew Kaweesi? If you doesn’t want to resolve with violence, why is the Flying Squad and the UPDF so quick to spread fear every-time there is ballots and elections. Why did you send the fighter airplanes to fly over Kampala on the days after the Presidential Election in 2016? I ask these questions since you tell people not to use violence, but speaking frankly; which I am doing to you now.

So with your history of violence, your love of guns and militarized government. I have little or to be honest. No faith in your mediation. Mr. President you have no character of trying to make peace. You have only made war and stifled your opposition. Therefore, very few of your adversaries are still alive. Most of them is gone, as well as the UNLA mates are gone and others who has stood in you way.

President Museveni, a leader and Commander-in-Chief since 1986, what sort of history and guidance can you bring from you experience and reasoning inside the Ugandan Republic, to build bridges in Burundi and South Sudan? Other than, bring the Special Forces Command and blow the possible enemies to pieces, Mr. President is that avoiding violence? Or throw tear-gas at consultation meetings of Opposition parties, is that mediation and consensus, Mr. President?

I am just asking because this is your advice… your own advice to the fellow brother in South Sudan, Somalia and in Burundi. Kinda hard to follow where you reside and run the nation, aye?

With

Best Regards

The Writer of MinBane!

Reference:

Kirunda, Abubaker; Nakato, Tausi & Katabulawo, Andrew – ‘I don’t want opposition in parliament, says President Museveni’ (09.05.2017) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/I-don-t-want-opposition-in-parliament–says-President-Museveni/688334-3919496-71atniz/index.html

Opinion: Apparently, the Crime Preventers program has lost it’s value a year after the Presidential Campaigns!

Yesterday (19.04.2017), the internal memo was sent out the leadership of the Uganda Police Force, to the district leaders to get back the Police Uniforms and Uniform parts from the Crime Preventers. The Crime Preventers even got motorcycles in 2015. The Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura have defended the program since 2015, as the political opposition inside Uganda has questioned the use of it.

That is natural, as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Museveni has used the Crime Preventers, they we’re important part of the campaigns and the use of fear during the campaigns between 2015-2016. They we’re usually at the rallies and also in the villages drumming up people for the President. By 2016 the numbers of Crime Preventers we’re about 65,000.

So after getting the amount of the unemployed youth, getting them trained and paying them for the loyalty to the state, they are now trying to disembark the giant project of Crime Preventers, since it cost to much and has to many people to take care off. The NRM cannot sustain the brigades of Crime Preventers, the youth who learned the Movement mantra and use of propaganda for two years. As the use of them was valuable in 2015 and 2016, in 2017 less, as the rallies and the opposition is easier to control.

The Police Force can easily monitor the Opposition in the non-election time, but during campaigns the strength of manpower is hurt, as the UPF cannot hire enough proper officers and train them, than it is healthy to use of the unemployed. The Unemployed can very easy just become Crime Preventers and then loyal to the NRM. That was the sufficient need and they could also intimidate the public and make sure they where loyal to the Movement.

So that today the start of dismantling the Crime Preventers and the stage of need is gone. They are not seen as so vital, as the NRM feels safe about their state of affairs. Since they don’t need the youth group who are trained by the Police to be Community Policing, the NRM needed them only to do so when the Opposition parties where campaigning, now they need to clear the unnecessary bills. That bill now is the Crime Preventers and they are approximately 65,000 civilized police.

The civilian trained police force that was the Crime Preventers and they we’re needed in the 2015 and 2016, but not now in the 2017, as the republic are cash-strapped and the economy isn’t booming. Therefore, the Police doesn’t need a big budget post, which is unnecessary. The unemployed youth we’re needed while campaigning and promising pledges, but in office again, they are just big bill. Peace.

Uganda Police Message: “Withdraw of Police Uniforms and Uniform parts from Crime Preventers” (19.04.2017)

Opinion: Maj. Gen. Elwelu shouldn’t be interviewed as he deserves ‘to be put on trial’!

A poor person is very dangerous. He can do anything to survive. We need to support projects such as Operation Wealth Creation and others that focus on the socio-economic development of this country,” Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Commander of Land Forces, Maj Gen Peter Elwelu (Daily Monitor 17.04.2017).

Let me be clear, when Brig. Peter Elwelu  was a bit unknown his voice and opinion might have mattered to me, as then he would just be another fellow human being with an understanding of the world. But people like him, now after the crime, I cannot let him discuss state and government matters and not talk about what overshadows for me.

Brig. Elwelu or Maj. Gen. Elwelu now, is for me until proven innocent, a man who was in-charge of unlawful attacks on the Royal Palace in Kasese and the massacre of unknown amount of guards, police officers, civilians and others. So while the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu Charles Wesley Mumbere is in house-arrest in Baganda. The army commander in charge of the operation, the one that killed innocent and burned the palace without any forewarning is looming the streets.

That the army man who was in-charge has since than been promoted, while the families of Kasese does not know the consequence and the reason for their death. Other than the salaries and that the state sanctioned the army to do this at one point. That the Kasese attacks and tragedy escalated quick is easy to understand, that it became is evident and that the army had to hide their crimes with even burning. Letting the dead decompose while the “evidence” of it all was collected. Since the knowledge of who ordered it and who wanted it come from up-high.

That Brig. Elwelu just followed orders might be true, still he completed and directed the mission, with bravado as the dead was dug into mass graves while the priests we’re praying for the lost souls. They should have also prayed for the soldiers who killed innocent men and woman on the compound in Kasese. That Brig. Elwelu made happen with his ordered and persistent attitude during these days of violence.

That Brig. Elwelu believes poor people can be dangerous is true, but his voice on the matter. Shouldn’t he important. As he has poor record of caring about how people has it and how people live. He had no issues with burning and killing in Kasese, he could do the same in Teso, Tooro and Busoga, why not?

I do not trust this man and I can surely not be alone. His voice shouldn’t have space in the Daily Monitor, as Brig. Elwelu suddenly deserves to be in the public sphere. Lets be clear he don’t! Not until he has answered and maybe cleared his name for his possible, and most likely crimes against humanity in Kasese in 2016! Peace.