Dr. Stella Nyanzi fled into exile in Nairobi

Ugandan academic cum political activist, Dr Stella Nyanzi, has fled to Nairobi, Kenya. This was confirmed by her lawyer, Prof George Luchiri Wajackoyah, who cited political persecution by President Yoweri Museveni’s government for the move” (Washington Gikunju – ‘Ugandan activist Stella Nyanzi flees to Kenya’ 03.02.2021).

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Member of Parliament (MP) Aspirant Dr. Stella Nyanzi who came third on that MP Kampala Woman race. She has now fled the Republic in fear. Dr. Nyanzi already knows the cost of her activism and been behind bars for her outspokenness.

She has paid a huge price being bold and active. After this election she has been vocal about defending Bobi Wine and wanting to protest his arrest. However, she haven’t had the same reach and finesse as earlier. She is famous and known. That because she has dared to insult and mock the President.

Stella Nyanzi is a critic and a person fighting the junta. Nevertheless, that costs. Anyone who has followed has seen that. Hopefully, Stella Nyanzi have her kids with her and is safe. There are enough activists, supporters and mobilizers of the opposition figures who is abducted, incommunicado and detained at un-gazzetted safe-houses. Therefore, her fleeing the regime makes sense.

Nyanzi deserves safety and so does everyone else fighting the cause of the dictatorship. You know it is bad when someone see the need to go into exile. This is seeking political refugee. That says it all about the current regime in Kampala. How far and how bad the state of affairs is. When its better to cross the borders from Kampala and flee to Nairobi.

This is really tragic. As Dr. Nyanzi have a role at Makerere University and as a political operative. She has a place and voice, which matters. Her ways is maybe unconventional, but she gets her point across. Where she has cared for the health of woman and their rights to be heard. That is always important and hope that she never looses her steam. But that she soldiers on and continue to fight the good fight.

Yes it has cost and will continue to cost. However, she is not forgotten and we know that she has fought though tribulations. She has suffered and paid a price. Been in prison and been charged. She has lost her job and been re-constituted it. If someone knows what it cost to go against the dictatorship. She is one who knows.

We don’t know for how long this will last. Nevertheless, it is tragic, that someone has flee a nation for this reason. Peace.

Opinion: The NRM celebrates a false victory [with the Youth MPs]

The last few days there been the regional elections of Youth – Member of Parliament. That consistent of a Central, Eastern, Western and Northern Youth MP. There is also the National Female Youth MP as well. So in total there is 5 seats up for grabs and these are all elected through an electoral college. However, it is never that easy. Last time in one of these Electoral Colleges there was guns, glamour and graft.

Now, it has been reported that the rigging of elections been taken much further since 2016. The state and its allies are amping here too. In the Central region they disqualified the National Unity Platform (NUP) contestant on a hearsay and rumours. That is how low the bar is sunk in this manner. Not even trying to prove it or act upon it. While the Eastern and Northern candidate for NUP was abducted the day before the polls.

This is all a set-back but proves how much the majority in Parliament matters to the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Even in elections like these, they are willing to use the state machinery. They are willing to rig and fix the results in their favours. That is how they got the Central Region MP by disqualifying them without any particular reason. While the same issues is clearly prevalent within NRM too.

In the Eastern Region the NRM candidate had forged academic papers and have been claims of usage of bribery in the process of elections. People want NRM’s Eastern Youth MP Benard Odoi to be disqualified, as he sat on O-Levels at the age of 8 years old, which is impossible. He won because of clear cheating and rigging. That is why NUP’s candidate has been behind bars since end of January on the 31st January 2021. NUP candidate Julius Menya are still detained while this is all happening.

The same happened to the NUP Northern Youth MP candidate Boniface Young as well. He has been abducted and nobody knows where he is held. That shows how rigged this is. When the opposition cannot even field 3 candidate in 5 of the races. That is directly blocking 60% of race before its even starting.

If the NRM really believed in their superiority and greatness ahead of this special group poll. Why are they targeting the NUP like this? If they believe the Electoral College is in favour of their candidates from the get-go, why are they doing this?

Yes, we know these special groups MPs is a way to control the Parliament. That is all it is. It isn’t about true representation or voices of the segment of the people. No, they are just pawns in the game of power. That is why this election is so important, as it settles scores and secure the NRM more power. This is how things are and that is why the NUP was targeted like this. Because, the NRM needs this and they do it by any means.

The Youth Elections is just a microcosm of the big one. The way the NRM is blocking candidates of the other parties. The way the other candidates cannot stand or being blocked from participating. As the state is abducting and taking them away the day before the polls. The other tricks is the open bribery and misuse of power at these electoral colleges. So, for the NRM to celebrate getting them all is a bit bitter. As, they know perfectly well, if they didn’t trick it… they wouldn’t have it in the first place.

However, the NRM doesn’t trust the delegates or the ones involved in it. That is why they have to rig and use the state machinery just to secure 5 more seats in Parliament. It is not story of a big victory. Because, your not a true victor when your opponents couldn’t even stand or have the ability to challenge you. When they are using law enforcement to win and that is a false victory. However, they can celebrate, but deep inside their hearts. They know perfectly well that this was rigged and in their favour. The NRM couldn’t even stomach a free and fair election over an electoral college. That is how sad they are in 2021. Peace.

Fear and loathing in Kampala

The Uganda Police Force (UPF) have come out with a statement today. Deputy Inspector General of Police Maj. Gen. Paul Lokech came with stern warning now. Just at the opposition and other election petitions are in town. It is like the authorities are prepared for a war-zone and havoc.

The Police Force and army should warn themselves, as they are the trigger-happy and the ones issuing tear-gas on the public. It is the same authorities that comes with weapons, tear-gas and units to disperse and get people going. The same security organizations that bundles people together and brings violence to the streets to quell peaceful protests. It is the state that has killed civilians in the campaign season and before the polls.

Today’s Statement:

This development by some opposition members of marshaling fear to rally support for street violence and civil uprising, for their selfish political advantage is not new to us. Therefore, for politicians to spread this kind of negative propaganda across the country is trying to provoke people to incite violence. We want to inform the public that we are taking these threats seriously and would like to assure them, that they should not be intimidated from going about their lawful businesses, because their security and safety is guaranteed. We have shown Ugandans over and over again that we would have a very peaceful election and indeed it was very peaceful. We are now doing everything within our means to keep the general public safe and secure, from all forms of violence including politics that is divisive and manipulative during this aftermath of the Elections” (Uganda Police Force – ‘THE JOINT SECURITY AGENCIES WARN POLITICIANS AND INDIVIDUALS AGAINST FEAR MONGERING’ 01.02.2021).

This statement is sending a stern warning to the public for the days ahead. Just like the President have done countless times. We know who they are directing this against. They are not going after the President or any of his allies. No, they are going after the opposition, this being Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine of National Unity Platform (NUP) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).

That is why they are claiming there is threats, but they are not naming it. They are saying they will incite to violence, but doesn’t specify. That is easily stated, so in the aftermath of any. They could point to the “intelligence” and pin the politicians. They are anyway violently arresting, detaining, abducting and torturing the ones associated with the opposition already. So, the state sponsored violence is already there. Its not like it has left or stopped to cease to exist. The election is maybe over, but their devious acts is continuing. Countless of political prisoners are lingering behind bars and the state wants to move on.

The state is manipulative and disingenuous here. They are coming with baseless claims. We can anticipate by actions made in the past. That the state will sponsor more violence against civilians and blame the victims. Just like it is always the opposition fault and never the authorities who comes in guns blazing. They are never to blame, but everyone else should have conducted themselves differently. Therefore, these sorts of mind-games isn’t working.

We know the drill. If these folks cared about keeping folks safe. Then they would let people riot and demonstrate, as they cannot do that without meeting a fatal police force. That is something they never mention, but is the naked truth. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: The Joint Security Agencies warn Politicians and Individuals against Fear Mongering (01.02.2021)

Opinion: Cooked results is hard to publish [14th January 2021 Presidential and Parliamentary Results]

The Electoral Commission announced and declared the results of the 14th January 2021 on the 16th January 2021. The state didn’t really release the results or the announced results. The Commission haven’t to this day published the granular numbers or the ones in concern to each individual polling station. Therefore, we are at 28th January 2021 and the EC have now published the “official tally”.

They have declared the winner of the Presidential Elections and the Parliamentary Elections, but these victories are shallow. When the EC cannot drop the numbers and be game. The Uganda Media Centre dropped the announced numbers on the 18th January 2021, but the Electoral Commission came with new numbers today (28th January 2021).

That is really telling. When the EC cannot even compile or have the ability to drop consistent numbers on the polls. When it is so mismatched and changing. It is like they playing with an algorithm. Like Museveni alone had previously 5,851,037 and now he has 6,042,898 voters. Just like total valid voters went from 9,983,093 to 10,350,819 valid ballots. It is weird how it can change within 14 days.

This is 14 days or two weeks since the polls. The Electoral Commission and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is not playing this one out well. It is only undermining their own efforts to legitimized the elections. This sort of play only shows how they tried to cook the results and they are failing. Because, they know the National Unity Platform (NUP) have the granular data and declarations forms digitally, which can be used to question the “announced or declared” results.

It is funny how the EC can drop so different numbers within this time. Because, if they had the numbers to announce the winner. It should be no issue to just release it. They should just make it public and not cause these issues. The EC have already dropped it once and deleted. This is the second time and now with numbers not associated with the first released. That the Uganda Media Centre referenced.

I wonder what sort of foolish argument will come now. As this is only a numbers game, where the EC is loosing. Because, it doesn’t make sense to twist the results this way. Especially, if it was so secure and verified two days after the polls. The EC did declare the results within the 48 hours after the polls. So, if they did that… and could so easily pronounce the results. It should be easy to drop it too. They did it 2 weeks after the polls.

It took them 2 weeks to do it and the EC shouldn’t have made this hard. That is why there will be people scanning through the files, folders and statistics. As the EC has made this to hard. The EC have already by just dropping new numbers making it even more questionable. As they should be able to drop similar numbers between the announced and what is released today.

That is something they wasn’t able to achieve. It is a simple proof of the rigging. When they are making it so different between the 2 weeks in question. Peace.

Day 11: Bobi Wine is “freed” but is he really free though?

High court in Kampala has ordered police and UPDF to vacate Bobi Wine’s home in Magere Wakiso. Police spokesperson Fred Enanga says they are waiting for copy of this court order” (91.2 Crooze FM, 25.01.2021).

Since the 14th January 2021 the presence of Police Force and soldiers been stationed at and around the home of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. Some reporters did state that the military presence of Magere in Wakiso district dated back three weeks of the polls. So, the state had planned and did issue more security details in the area. All in order to surveillance and monitor the National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential Candidate.

Just read here:

We shall withdraw the deployment from Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi’s home as per the High Court ruling issued this morning. However, we shall maintain surveillance on his movements – Fred Enanga (Police Spokesperson)” (91.8 Boona FM, 25.01.2021).

This here proves that Bobi Wine isn’t free yet. They might take away the soldiers on the compound and around his gate. However, the checkpoints from Kampala to Magere in Wakiso district. There has been put up several of checkpoints on the way to his home. These will be there. It will also be several of areas in the nearby his home.

Bobi Wine isn’t yet totally free. Not until the Police Force is stopping the surveillance and monitoring his movements. Because that is done without court orders and charges. They are still treating him as a “enemy of the state”.

The “No. 1 Terrorist” and danger to society is Bobi Wine at this given moment. Especially, when the citizen is followed and usage of surveillance to know everything he does. That is only done to a person like that. If he wasn’t a big-man and someone in the spotlight. Bobi Wine would already dwell in a safe-house somewhere. That is what the state does to minor candidates, activists and civilians in military confinement.

This is why today isn’t the end. The “house-arrest” and illegal arrest of Bobi Wine will continue in one way or another. The state will not stop this. The same state held Besigye under House Arrest for over 40 days. This is Day 11 … so expect more. There is more to come. Peace.

Opinion: Electoral Commission is in a pickle [since it still hasn’t released the “declared results”]

The Electoral Commission in 2021 is doing itself a disservice, as it is has no released or made the declared Presidential and Parliamentary Results public on its page. Just as the polls of 14th January 2021 is “contested” but more “rigged” than truthful. It is not like the public can trust these results, when the main contender is house-arrested and his allies is rounded up and detained indefinitely. It is not like the state or the ruling regime wants it to be legitimately at all. Their actions speaks of rigging, injustice and impunity.

The EC could have been transparent and the authorities could have acted like that. They National Talley Centre could have been sincere and open, but it wasn’t. It doesn’t help that law enforcement and soldiers are doing what they can to get their hands of Declarations Forms from the opposition. Just so the opposition doesn’t have the first declared results from their polling agents. While the state also arrested so many polling agents from the opposition the day before the polls itself. Therefore, the state does what it can and deliberately make it all go into the dark.

Now that we are on the 24th January 2021 and the announced results was on the 16th January 2021. The amount of days makes people question it even more. The secretive measures, keeping the declared results under wraps. Uploading and later deleting it too. Doesn’t make someone trust the EC more. It makes you wonder, if they found issues in the algorithms that made the “results” possible.

The EC is showing its a heist. Because, if the numbers and percentages of a victory was real. They would have released the results as soon as possible. The EC is quickly releasing By-Election results when its in favour of the state. The same should be possible here. However, the DR Forms uploaded to the UVote App and that will distort the possible breaches. Just like the results first dropped proved some polling stations had more voters, than registered voters there.

This is why the EC is still keeping it under wraps, even when the President has “won” and its over with. If it was already fixed and done. It should be in the public domain. As the NBS Television and NTV Uganda proclaimed it. The EC had their presser and announced it. Still, the lack of transparency and accountability proves they are neglecting their mission. They are not counting the initial votes, but is fixing the results in favour of man. That is why its hard to jumble the results and get it correctly to what they said.

When you do fraud at least try to make it seem legit. However, the EC cannot even do that. They have stolen the money from the bank, but they are not even willing to spend the money. They are not buying flashing cars and expensive meals. No, they are keeping it in another vault and hidden. These folks did the robbery, but will not prove their heist. Because, if they did. The ones looking through UVote results versus EC announced results would get two different outcomes. Which we know will happen, but they are just postponing the inevitable. Peace.

ACT-Wazalendo: The 2021 Election in Uganda was another joke to Democracy in Africa (23.01.2021)

A look into Bobi Wine’s Post Election Address (22.01.2021)

This speech comes from his home in Magere, Wakiso district. Where his unfortunately pre-emptive house-arrested, which he has been since 14th January 2021 on the day of the polls for Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. He is now on his 9th Day as a prisoner in his own home and only allowed one visit with his team of lawyers. Who also brought some food and other basic necessities. Because, the captors and the ones keeping him captive in his home isn’t giving him anything.

However, still with all the hurdles, the hardships and the hostile attack on his party. The Presidential Candidate and Party President of National Unity Platform (NUP) Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine came out with a online address, which is worth looking into. As it sets a stage of his plans ahead. Let’s be frank, the 14th January 2021 elections wasn’t “contested” but rigged beyond belief in favour of the ruling regime. To think otherwise is naive and following all reports. It is definitely not a fair game.

He starts with: “I am under illegal house arrest and continue to live through this humiliation, but my spirit is strong. I am strong because am aware of the trials and tribulations that those who came before us had to endure in their fight for freedom and democracy. I am even consoled by the constant reminder that what I am going through today is nothing compared to what many of our comrades and supporters have had to go through for the past three years since we started the People Power Movement!” (Bobi Wine, 22.01.2021).

He is making a compelling case and telling his story. A story that the NRM and President Museveni don’t want out. As this undermine his minions and the Police Force itself. Which is all working on overtime telling “his not house arrested” or that his “house arrested to shield him from himself”. Both arguments is bananas and hogwash. The reason why he is house-arrested is because he is the one the President fears and the only way he can contain his popularity is by keeping him lockdown. Not because, Bobi Wine has done anything wrong, other than challenging the President, which is “treason” in the Republic.

He continues: “I must state right from the beginning that we went into this election knowing the nature of the regime we are up against but trusting the people of Uganda to assert their voices. Like many other ruthless dictators, Museveni organizes elections in order to pay lip-service to democracy and to try to buy legitimacy from the world. He was therefore determined to take the nation through the same old ritual this year. Unfortunately for him, he miscalculated this time round” (Bobi Wine, 22.01.2021).

Bobi Wine is not wrong here. Museveni has both lobbyist on his payroll and other agencies working non-stop to do his bidding. Museveni has multi-national and regional entities like IGAD and EAC doing the work for him. These are undermining the principals of the polls, free and fair election, and so fourth. That is a genuine insight and true. The plan is the same and the rigged game to favour Museveni, which many of us expected to happened and it did.

He says it straight: “Therefore fellow citizens, as I speak to you today, my heart is full of gratitude and confidence because eight days ago you went to the polls and overwhelmingly chose the National Unity Platform and myself to lead you in repairing our broken Nation, which has endured the pain of dictatorship under Gen. Yoweri Museveni for 35years. Unfortunately, Museveni yet again committed a coup against the Constitution and the people of Uganda” (Bobi Wine, 22.01.2021).

The last sentence is so striking. The whole sentiment of this paragraph shows the future of a statesmen really. Someone who dares to see the mischief and the faults of a system. Wanting to address it. While also crediting anyone who support his cause doing it. It is so poignant the “coup” wording, as a stolen election is practically doing that. Maybe not with a violent takeover, but by cooking the books, which is what Museveni was doing.

His continued assault on Museveni: “ Unfortunately, Museveni is such a poor student of history; including his own history. In a book titled Mission to Freedom written by himself, he justified his decision to go to the bush and start after a rigged election as follows: He said, and I quote; “In December 1980, Ugandans went to the polls. By late afternoon on December 11th, it was clear that UPC and Obote were headed for a resounding defeat inspite of all the rigging they had done at the earlier stages of registration of voters, nomination of candidates, and demarcation of electoral boundaries. The UPC was seized with Panic. Paul Muwanga…..took over the powers of the Electoral Commission. ….. The following day 12th December 1980, using their control of the national radio, the army, the police and other state machinery and backed by the Tanzanian government, Obote and Muwanga announced their coup. ….Once again, a minority, unpopular clique was imposed on the people of Uganda, leaving them with no option but to take up arms in defence of their democratic rights.”” (Bobi Wine, 22.01.2021).

Here Bobi Wine cleverly undress Museveni… and shows how he deliberately Museveni has copied the 1980 election. It is all done in favour of him now. Where he repeated the sins of the ones he overthrow. Which is just a tragic enterprise, but what Museveni does. Because, only power and staying power matters to him. That is why Museveni is willing to repeat the same ills of the past.

He continues: “We call upon the People of Uganda to reject this mockery and refuse to acknowledge Museveni as the winner of the January 14th polls because we defeated him. Ugandans must resist his treasonous attempt to forcefully impose himself on us as president. Resisting tyranny is not only a right- it is a DUTY for oppressed people to carry out. We encourage all of you to use all non violent and legal means and ides at your disposal to engage in this fight for complete freedom. We have always said that People Power is Our power. The stolen votes belong to the People of Uganda. The people of Uganda must rise to the occasion and free themselves and their country from that small group of gunmen who do not care about our future and that of our country Uganda” (Bobi Wine, 22.01.2021).

Here is stating defiance and resistance against the Resistance Movement, which is ironic. However, I approve the message and that is the only way they can move forward. The President and NRM needs to know and feel a boycott. The state needs to be touched and feel the public rebuke of its tactics. That they are not accepting the betrayal of their trust. That means a continued cause for a peaceful transition.

Where he continues: “Unlike Museveni who unleashed untold violence and suffering on our people in the 1980s, we choose non-violent strategies in the pursuit of freedom and democracy. We are committed to non-violence because we despise violence. That is why we are fighting against a violent tyrant. Studies have shown that non-violence is even much more effective in breaking violent dictatorships. I therefore encourage all of you citizens to take a firm stand against the Museveni regime” (Bobi Wine, 22.01.2021).

Here he shows the significant difference between him and Museveni. Something that is a nice touch, but also a brutal honesty. As he shows to be the better man and doesn’t need to grab a gun, but trust the public to be by his side. That is a thing President Museveni cannot state, as he has always turned to the guns when he needs too.

He ends with: “I must add that the regime has been actively trying to frustrate any attempt to go to court. They have intimidated our polling agents, but most crudely confiscated more than 4000 of our Declaration of Results forms, which are of crucial importance in an election petition. We have tasked the authorities to return these forms, but they are yet to respond. The leadership of the National Unity Platform is in the process of consulting stakeholders but most importantly the common people and in a few days, we shall communicate our decision to the nation. As regards my illegal house arrest, the police and military have still failed to explain their presence in my home” (Bobi Wine, 22.01.2021).

The NUP and Bobi Wine is getting into the same quarrel that previous opposition leaders and parties been in. However, the authorities and law enforcement have been much more vicious this time around. They are not holding back and been really working with impunity this election. That is why such amounts of polling agents and other associates of the NUP.

The nation and the supporters are awaiting the communication to their decision. Whatever they do. They should ensure they have collected evidence and have truth. So, they can prove not only to every citizen, but can show the international community of the open rigging. Put it all into system and prove it. As we know it, but the way they drop the knowledge matters.

I hope Bobi Wine can get freed soon. Though the state prolongs it to at least Monday when the Court petition is in order. However, they are planning to dismiss it. So, expect the state to keep him house-arrested for long. Just like they did Besigye in 2011 and 2016.

Bobi Wine spoke the truth and that is what is needed. Peace.

Day 8: The State wants to dismiss the petition in concern to Bobi Wine’s House Arrest

The state has asked high court judge Michael Elubu to dismiss an application filed by NUP party president Robert Kyagulanyi and his wife Barbra Itungo Kyagulanyi against their continued illegal detention under house arrest since the 14th of this month” (Capitol FM Uganda, 21.01.2021).

It has been since the 14th January 2021, the National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine have been house arrested since the polls. The state have kept him captive in his own home. The NUP Presidential Candidate is a prisoner in his own home without any warrants, charges or even a sentencing.

Bobi Wine is a felon even without any process or legal proceedings. The state is not even honouring that in his instance. His treated as a terrorist and a danger to society. They are not giving him food or drinks. They are not allowing him or his wife to collect food in the garden. The state has sealed the premises and made checkpoints blocking people from entering.

The state has shown the Presidential Candidate is treated badly. There is no dignity or fairness in this. Only injustice and impunity. The actions made towards him, only shows how much the President is fearing him and his ideals. If he didn’t fear him. He wouldn’t act like this and put him behind bars without any reasons. That is because the state got nothing to file or evidence of incriminating factors.

Again, with the lack of food and nutrition. The lack of freedom and justice. As a parent, Bobi Wine did the right thing sending his kids to the diaspora. So, they don’t have to live through this experience and the acts of injustice. They are third parties to this. The same is his wife as well. However, she’s an adult and knew this could be the price. Still, its unfair that she is living through this as well.

Bobi Wine shouldn’t be incarcerated in his own home. This is on the 8th Day without any judgement or charge. Still, the state will act and not address the petition to the courts. That shows the amount of impunity. There is no mercy in the state of Museveni. Only Museveni is lawful and his allies. The rest is fair-game and can get punished.

Proof? Ask Bobi Wine and his party… how they have treated during the campaign and post-elections. His rights are being violated and he deserves better. Bobi Wine is the target and person who personifies the injustice in the Republic right now. Just like Besigye was the same in 2011 and 2016. Peace.