KCCA Press Statement on the cancellation of Kampala City Festival (12.09.2018)

Mwenda’s recent Illusions of the ‘FDC versus NRM’ doesn’t make sense!

There are certain members of the media atmosphere, that is so deluded and so paid-off by the National Resistance Movement, that their vision is blurred. If someone would believe that this fellow was drinking or even lack of memory, than people would have believed that, since his reasoning is so far fetched and forged together. So, that the elitism and the favorable view is so in the open. That no matter what the Opposition would do. It would be wrong, anyone standing in the way of the NRM. They are vicious people and vindictive to be supporting the cause of toppling the dictatorship. However, that is the vision of Andrew Mwenda, the Independent Magazine owner and writer. The man whose lost his way, today. I will take extract of his two recent rants on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). I just have to scrutinize them, as they deserve.

First on disintegration of the FDC:

“Besigye himself did not start out as a radical extremist. However he adopted this position in order to keep the loyalty of his base. These radical extremists believe in a politics of blackmail, insults, lies and intimidation to get their way. They represent a worse alternative to President Yoweri Museveni’s politics of corruption and patronage. For all his faults, Museveni represents a more enlightened politics than Besigye and his extremists. He is to some degree liberal democratic – to a good extent – he has some tolerance of and respect for free speech and other liberal democratic values. But the radical extremists are fascists” (Mwenda, 2018).

This little extract shows how narrow-minded Mwenda has become, if that is in his own high esteem or his lack of vision. That he has to figure out a way to narrowly escape the perjury of his own mind. What we can see, is that no matter what Museveni does, it will be better than Besigye. Even if Museveni has all powers and made a crappy patronage system, that will be better than the FDC and Besigye ever will be. Even if no one has ever tried or succeeded in doing so. Therefore, just by this mere impasse, his reasoning are falling flat.

Secondly, how can liberal democratic values turn into fascists? Where in his right mind does this work out? It is just like reading political voodoo again. The mismatch of political in a petri-dish and use of tools to create an imaginary Nessie in the midst of Lake Albert. Because that is what Mwenda here does. If your members and supporters of Besigye, your fascists, by his reckoning, which is in itself a disgrace. As the Besigye supporters aren’t violent brown-shirt or ethnic cleansing individuals, even the P10 in diaspora isn’t supporting an armed struggle against the Museveni. So where in the mind of Mwenda makes these ideas. He surely need therapy or more schooling, because this doesn’t make sense.

FDC’s radical extremism:

“Here has been the tragedy of the struggle for democracy in Africa. Claims by any group opposed to a dictatorial government to be fighting for democracy are taken on face value. Its internal operations and the behaviour of its leaders and members are rarely questioned. And in many cases these groups have captured power and produced governments that are worse than those they overthrew. The lesson for Uganda is simple but fundamental: denouncing Museveni’s dictatorial tendencies is not enough to make a political movement liberal-democratic. Its modus operandi is more critical. FDC is the best positioned party to capture power from NRM. The radical extremists are its strongest faction in FDC. Hence a capture of power by FDC would be a victory for radical extremism and a danger to democracy in Uganda. Whatever the democratic deficits manifest inside NRM, Museveni individually and his party and government generally are fairly tolerant and liberal-minded. I built my career as a journalist exposing the rot in his government alongside its dictatorial tendencies. Yet throughout this period I frequently visited Museveni at State House and we argued over our differences. He would come to my radio show. He would telephone me to express disagreement over opinions or facts I had written. The same applies to NRM and UPDF leaders. They were regular guests on my radio show and my major sources of information” (Mwenda, 2018).

It is weird again that someone would be danger to democracy, while the other one are keeping a narrow hold of power in the State House. That is why someone whose been into power for 32 years are no problem for democracy, but the ones in opposition will cause havoc. That even without proof of it. This is just peddling lies and deception. That Mwenda says NRM are liberal and tolerant minded, why does everyone has to follow the guidance of Museveni and the ones who doesn’t get demoted.

If the NRM was so liberal and tolerant minded, why the NRM rebels get demoted? Why did the leadership throw out Mbabazi, Bukenya and others because of their ambitions? Mwenda, why doesn’t you mention that? While the FDC has had three Party Presidents by now since its inception since 2005, while the NRM since 1986 has had one in command from the State House. There has been lack of control from others.

So, therefore it is special, that ones ordering the army and police to be able to control power, have trouble with supporters of the opposition. This is just weird, that the NRM are okay with its mistakes, but the FDC will become fascists and extremists, but the armed military government of NRM are fine and dandy. If you don’t see flaws in that reasoning, than your right and Mwenda is off the chains.

We can clearly see the brilliant mind or the wacked head of Mwenda. His own head must be a battlefield, as the lack of reasoning and mental breakdown of the defense of Museveni is in the open. It is just like accepting the dictator and making the opposition criminal hoodlums. Not complaining about the ones ordering the killing, but saying the ones reporting the killings as the ill of society. That is what Mwenda is doing these days.

If you know, you know. Peace.

Reference:

Andrew M. Mwenda – ‘The likely defeat of FDC’s radical extremism’ (13.08.2018)

Andrew M. Mwenda – ‘The disintegration of FDC’ (11.08.2018)

Museveni: Tries to lecture the public on the supposed massive victory at the LC1 Elections, but he misses the mark!

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is insecure these days, since he is writing and typing like there is no tomorrow. Long time since he has written this much, could think he was running a president another term. Well, this is in defence of the Local Council Elections, which was recently held for the first time since 2001. That is showing how little it really matter, when the state cannot afford or care for the elections to be held for every term. They are hold whenever the state feels like it and the keepers of the LC1 can keep it until next scheduled election, which means over decades and close to two if they are very lucky.

So, President Museveni is lecturing, I am just taking my favourite passages, I don’t want to waste our time with bottlenecks and empty promises. Just so the pure venom of his words against his own people. While defending the so-called victory!

“This massive win by the NRM is in spite of very active and sustained media demonization of the NRM by the social media users, the enemy paper, the Monitor, some Radio and TV stations, not to forget some elements in the opposition Parties. Some of the elements have even gone to the extent of murdering Ugandans – Sheikhs, women, children, State officials like Kagezi and Kaweesi as well as ordinary villagers like the ones murdered on the New Year. All those liars, charlatans and criminals thought that by these methods, they would make the People hate the NRM or fear to associate with it. These liars, charlatans and criminals forget two things. One thing they forget is that Ugandans, especially the village people, are not fools and they are honest. They are not easy to deceive. When you go to Acholibur, just South of Kitgum, where a new long tarmac road, all the way from near Packwach, passes and you say the NRM Govt has done nothing, the villagers can easily tell who the liar is. That is the same story all over the country. Secondly, these liars, charlatans and criminals forget that there is God who sees everything” (…) “Politically and ideologically, the parasitic groups use sectarianism of religion or tribes or promote gender chauvinism (looking down upon women, neglecting the youth). The pro- national groups counter with the four principles: nationalism, Pan-Africanism, social- economic transformation and real democracy of the masses like we saw recently in the Women and LCI elections. The venom of the unfair media and social- media attacks on the NRM exposes the intentions of some of these groups” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – ‘Local Council election victories prove correctness of NRM ideology’ 16.07.2018).

You know that this is a bitch mode of Museveni, as he is blaming and calling media houses out. It is so common that he picks on the Daily Monitor, that if it wasn’t a big Foreign Investor who owned it, it would have been closed or raided. He speaks the power of his “democracy”, but blames certain parts of the opposition parties. That is not how it works, but in the mind of Museveni it does, because they are not loyal to his every whim. Everyone cannot kiss as Mwenda or even Opondo.

That he defends these victories in the villages and the securing the LC1 shows how weak the NRM is at this point, when they couldn’t have ballots or secret voting, but on the court yards of the villages, like it was peer pressure and the use of military was apparent in and around the country. The villagers aren’t fools, but Museveni still acts a fool. He thinks they are not tired of his ways and his attitude. Museveni uses these villagers as pawns of his power and his party, while forgetting, that the Electoral Commission didn’t field opposition candidates and neither are there a level playing-field, as the elections has been postponed and the meetings of opposition have been closed outlawed by the Public Order Management Act (POMA). So, when Mr. President speaks his heart of about democracy, maybe, just maybe, think of the grounds that the FDC, DP or UPC has to jump through, while the NRM can do as they want. Even ride in the Police Cars to rallies to stop FDC from doing it in the same village. That is how the “democracy” are in Uganda at this point and time.

That he calls them liars, have he forgotten how he had to use a Personal Armoured Carrier in Alebtong in November 2015. Surely, the roads standards have magically become better in these districts since he took power yet again in 2016. He can forget, he is already advanced age and should rare his cows, not be in politics anyway.

It is time to pack his bags and leave, he forgets and cannot even keep his lies straight, while blaming other parties like always. It has grew really old on me. The art of peer pressure isn’t how elections should be, if the EC and the NRM was serious about LC1 Elections, they would have spent time on ballots, on training of officials and also shown tact to have observers from CCEDU at it. However, since of none of that was appearing, we know this was school-yard pick a captain for the football stuff, not a serious election. Even if the master Teacher spent his time writing his piece.

God Forgive him, he knows what he does. Peace.

Local Councilor 1 Elections: The Art of Peer Pressure!

“a feeling that one must do the same things as other people of one’s age and social group in order to be liked or respected by them. ‘She started drinking in high school because of peer pressure’” (Merriam-Webster – Definition: Peer Pressure)

It is special, that an election that haven’t been held in 17 years. That hasn’t been held since 2001. This election is held in such contempt of the voters. Where there are ghost districts, where the opposition and independent parties are not involved or even able to field candidates. The Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) are now allowed to participate or monitor the events. You just know the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Electoral Commission are not that professional considering these local elections.

Why I say that? Well, the candidates are placed on the polling stations in the villages. Where the candidates are staying one by one. Where people are lining themselves up and where the voter are going behind the candidate they prefer. However, with this sort of election, there are no secret what you vote for and who you pass as a better local councilor or a LC1.

No matter who they vote for, the whole village or neighborhood would know. If you voted NRM, Independent or the looney-bin who should never run in the first place. These elections haven’t been much about the candidates, more the lack of resources, the postponement that has lasted for close to two decades.

The Electoral Commission should have especially after the last postponement, been able to find the ghost-villages and the ghost-voters, made sure the local polling agents could verify the voters and the voter-rolls. Even as the voters even wasn’t there or they just counted heads. In some districts even talks of ferrying voters to the polling stations.

There where 60,800 villages to hold elections in and field candidates, and in that sense, the NRM would conquer most. Precisely, because they have the advantage, the misuse of government funds and the massive spending from the ruling regime. They have spent billions on these elections to make way for these Local Councilors. In over 600 villages there was no elections, in some regions the voters defied the authorities as they had voters slips for the election made in 2017 and not gotten new for 2018. There we’re people sent away, even with National ID Cards. So the EC have a long walk to justice and to secure these sorts of polls.

All of what happen today can be seen as peer pressure, village wise, because nothing was hidden. If they just had a tick or ink on their finger for voting. It would be fine, because no one could talk or discuss what you really voted for. It could be anyone, the looney-bin or the actual good councilor of the village. However, when everyone walks behind a person and says this is the man/woman I want. Than, your telling the whole village and putting yourself on display.

This was a mockery of an election, if this would be picking the school-yard captain or even the captain of the local football team; it would have been fine and dandy, but this was seriously contested elections, where the Electoral Commission decided who could stand in the village.

Therefore, the EC and the NRM should have gotten the buckets out and the ballots, made it a secret vote for the people. Especially when the Councilor will be the local representative for God knows who long. Because it is not like these elections been steady, that is because they really doesn’t matter that much. That is why the EC haven’t spent funds on slips, ballots or voting material in general for these election.

That is why the art of Peer Pressure was used. It isn’t a soft or silky way of electing people. It is schoolyard or even teenage way of doing it. That an election made by 32 year old regime done as pupil, says how far from progress there is. Well, well, the NRM haven’t really cared since they moved from the Movement System to the Multi-Party Democratic Elections. They still want to act as the kings and the One-Party rules all. Therefore, the reality on the ground becomes a lot like that.

This election was mocking the intelligence of the people, but also name of an “election”. When your standing in line behind the one you choose. You just know that it will be talk if you go to the other one next time you meet or greet. The neighbor will wonder: “Why did you go behind Abe and not vote for Ben?”.

You just know that will happen, why did you go independent and not voted NRM? Do you want this village ill?

The Art of Peer Pressure is what this was. Nothing else. Nothing different. Nothing brilliant, nothing genius. Just child-games done the public, hoping it sticks. Peace.

CCEDU: Suspension of Accreditation for Election Related Activities (09.07.2018)

Opinion: A Pointless Exercise called the Local Councilor Elections!

Why? Simple reason, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and their prepared victory of most councils. They are not even given the opposition the chance to field candidates in every village. Not strange as the ruling regime is banning political rallies and without connection to the Election Road Maps, the Police will track them down and arrest them. The level playing-field is non existing. Therefore, I am not looking forward to the 10^th July 2018.

It is the first time since 2001, that the Local Councilor Elections are appearing, but it is mere facade of local elections. Where the big-men passing through villages in SUVs and the state will later deliver bicycles. Also, where the NRM are doling out 900 million shillings to the candidates, as they are preparing to rig and pay the villagers for their votes. Some reports that the NRM are spending 11.8 Billion Shillings on this election. While the number of 900m has come up, some more reasonable number is the 100k shillings for each flag-bearer. That is more,mere shillings for the opportunity to have the local cronies on their side. So that there will be no shock, that the NRM are the winner and no one else can topple them. That is because no else has the opportunity or the time to field candidates.

Just to top this off, just as the madness is like this, there are 3,800 villages without elections for some reason. Maybe the Electoral Commission couldn’t calculate them. Maybe the NRM couldn’t handpick the candidates there. Who knows why, but that says something about the importance of this election. When your nearly losing 4,000 villages. You know it is kind of pointless exercise.

There are reasons for why it isn’t hold for 17 years, it has always been economy, even as the NRM has gone broke for any Presidential and Parliamentary Elections since the start of the millennium.

If this was real sincere from the regime, they would have opened it more up and not just suddenly said: “there are elections”. It is just last week: “10^th July 2018” become a public holiday, so that people can go to vote and not work. However, if they are even interested as there are so many uncontested constituencies.

These Local Councilor Elections are already managed, people doesn’t really need to care. Why should they? Not like the NRM really wanted this to happen or have been concerned about this. This is really not important at this stage, when it has taken 17 years to happen. Not like the Movement System matters or even the modernization of that.

That is why I haven’t addressed this before, they are pointless and the NRM has proven that themselves. It is a play for facade, a mere mirage in the desert. There are nothing else, the NRM knows that, the people knows that.

When 10^th July hits the clock, sleep longer, drink a cup of tea and take it easy. No need to go to vote. There are no need, the NRM are winning anyway. Stay home, even just visit friends and relatives.

This is pointless exercise. Take it easy and forget about it. When the residents around ask you, why your not going to the polling station, just answer: “the NRM doesn’t really care about this, why should I? Why should you? The NRM are winning anyway. Let’s take another cup of tea and enjoy the day”.

Peace.

KCCA: Management of Wandegeya Market (19.06.2018)

Former Buganda Premier Dan Muliika Spits Fire over Kampala Expansion (Youtube-Clip)

“Buganda Kingdom reviews documents of proposals on the expansion of Kampala, there’s still uncertainty on how the largest Kingdom in Uganda is likely to react to the plans. Former Buganda Premier Dan Muliika talks to Canary Mugume on the on-going debate about the proposed expansion of Kampala city to integrate fast-growing suburbs of Wakiso, Mpigi and Mukono” (NBS Television, 01.04.2018)

New Powers assigned to Hon. Beti Kamya: Not only a Minister for Kampala, but soon also Wakiso, Mukono and Mpigi!

“Museveni changes Beti Kamya’s portfoil ahead of extending Kampal boundaries, this means that Mukono,Wakiso and Mpigi are nolonger under Ministry of Local Government as they now form part of the Kampala Metropolitan area. Mukama otuwonya ddi Kitange?” (Betty Nambooze, 22.03.2018).

This can be said after a letter sent to the Chairman of Kampala District Land Board Yusuf Nsibambi, the Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority Dr. Jennifer Musisi and the Commandant of Kampala Metropolitan Police Office Frank Mwesigwa got a letter from Secretary Office of the President Samuel Emiku, the letter named: “Name of Ministry in-charge of Kampala”.

The new name the people get to know is the Ministry for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Area. That means the Ministry will get a bigger slice and more control. That meaning the Presidency has big faith in the acts of Beti Kamya, as her portefolio are now extending and also taking away from others. What you can also take from the Secretary, is that he didn’t notify neither districts mentioned by the Members of Parliament or the Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago. There was other who should have been informed like the 5 district mayors and the Wardens, the councilors of the capital should feel punished too. Also, the extended branch of the Presidential Advisor Singh Katongole. But what has said or done recently, other than cashing-in a paycheck.

This here is really an extension and rare, since the paradigm under President Museveni is to make things smaller and hire more cronies. Not extending and giving more power to individuals. This is tampering with the modus operandi of late. Kamya must have given a lot of incentive and promise over the recent time to be offered a higher stake. If not, he want the Residential District Commanders and the others in the near-by districts to be under the command. As it is a fitting way for the State House to control it even more directly, because Kamya will work on direct orders and not flinch.

So, just like the way Kamya has stripped the elected leadership in Kampala, she is set to control Wakio, Mukono and Mpigi. This is really to secure the will of Museveni even further and more detailed, as she has followed his instruction on every market and every decree. She has praised him and he now repays her. While taking away powers and limits the scope of the Ministry of Local Government, who will loose these areas.

The letter from the Secretary of the President is really showing this and proving how he wants to tangle even more elected officials, with the appointed minister Kamya. It is really a way of controlling mayors and district officials. Peace.

FDC opens up for an audit of Presidential Election of 2016: However, I doubt Mzee will ever do it!

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) dropped today a report on the first 100 days of Patrick Oboi Amuriat as the Party President. This is a transparent and open move, to show what is happening behind the scenes, also show what they are doing at Najjanankubi Headquarters. It isn’t just mere hearsay, but recorded for the future to back-into the promises made and the building of party organization. This show resiliance, but also strength in the midst of oppression.

The paragraph that catched my eye was this one:

“Review of the initiatives on 2016 Election Audit process

A number of development partners and donor agencies have been met to highlight what went wrong in the Presidential elections of 2016. The failure of government to implement recommended electoral reforms and the rushed and forceful amendment of the constitution were addressed to the country’s

partners. The Party is persuaded about the reluctance by Mr. Museveni to agree to an Audit of the 2016 Presidential elections outcome. Whereas we are open to dialogue, we wish to maintain our demand that this will only be based on the Audit of 2016 Presidential Election being on top of the Agenda” (FDC, P: 10, 2018).

After a hurdle of an election, a rigged affair with a math question, a questionable equation that doesn’t fit the numbers. That is what the Electoral Commission dropped in favor of the National Resistance Movement and the President for Life Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Therefore, the lines here from the FDC. Says a lot about the stalemate, that the lacking care and the forced changes of the Constitution with the Amendment, that gave him life presidency. That has been more vital for the regime, than making sure there is provisions for free- and fair election.

The FDC knows that the NRM will not audit or have serious look into the General Election and the Presidential Election of 2016, because the NRM knows what the result will be. Therefore, the agenda of the FDC will not change the matter. The ghost of the past will come out and scare Museveni in his sleep. He has stolen and rigged a victory. That the donor agencies and development partners have gotten information is fine, but they are still supporting and working directly with the NRM. They have not stopped being partners with Museveni, even if they know that he has stolen it. The NRM rigged it and took the Republic for a ride.

The wish for dialogue with Musevni, will only end-up in fashion of Nairobi-talks of the past. Museveni will never accept to lose, he might play, but he will end on top. If not there isn’t anything in it for him. The President is only in it if he gets to eat and be the king. If the President isn’t king, than he will not accept anything. He knows that it was rigged and it was rigged on his orders. Therefore, an audit cannot happen, because then the obvious rigging will be exposed.

So, POA and FDC can wish for dialogue on this, but they are losing the premise. I think they know that, but it shows character that it is mentioned nevertheless. Peace.

Reference:

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) – ‘OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT – 100 DAYS’ (19.03.2018)