Opinion: Gazetted injustice with the ban of red berets!

On the gazetted Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) dress code of 18th September 2019, the red berets, which has been associated with the People Power Movement and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. It is now banned from wearing them, except if your part of the UPDF. The same with the rest of the attires, which is gazetted.

This is limiting clothing, but also banning a sort of cloth, a headwear, which has been directly the image of the opposition movement. The UPDF again being used politically to ban. Not only is the army used to intimidate and to control the public. They are not only defending the territory of the Republic, but also used as a tool of oppression. That is why, special units of the UPDF have been used to arrest and detain civilian leaders, like even taking the Arua 26 and the Kizza Besigye to Military Court.

Therefore, this is not shocking. This is following a pattern, like when the Interim Order of 5th May 2016 banned all demonstrations and the defiance campaign. In addition, this means that the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) was officially by the state not allowed to demonstrate nor use defiance. That is why we have been here before.

The UPDF is used as a tool this time. To stop people from wearing a certain head-gear. They want to monopolize this headwear. Apparently, they can do that, even after the state known the public and the opposition has used this. This is a direct ban of wearing something of the opposition.

If the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the ones running the government wants a multi-party democracy or act like its there. Maybe not ban their gear in general. Because, it proves again, that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his minions in acts won’t a one-party state. That is why he was so reluctant to let go of the movement system in the past. This is a history we cannot forget.

In this instance, it is repetition of the past. The NRM and Museveni uses the state as a oppressive machine. Finds some significant faults with the opposition bans it. That is not new.

This is the red berets, which is now a cardinal sin, unless your part of the UPDF. Together with the other hand-picked attire, which they see fit. We can await the radios to ban Bobi Wine songs, we can await to see more of these issues. Just like the bans of concerts of Bobi Wine too. Therefore, this is following a common pattern.

This is not happening to the DP Block or the UPC for that matter. No, its happens to the Opposition that the President fears. That is why he can use the military, which the militarised politics of the NRM has personalized over the years.

This will be controversial, there will be arrests, the police force will enforce this and we will see an outcry. However, will this show the public how far the NRM does to control them? Is this enough or will laws of draconian acts continue without any actions against it. Will the public accept this and move-on, as the state again tell them how to think, act and how to be?

This is what the NRM does, just another proof. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee’s marvellous attempt to celebrate victories in the recent by-elections!

The NRM will continue to perform while the Opposition continues to lie. Performance will outlive lying. The NRM, however, must address the organization weaknesses” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 28.09.2019).

There is something special about President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. I don’t know if he knows it himself. But usually, he deflects all the ills of his own regime and puts it on the Opposition. If there was anyone who has eaten foreign aid, whose taken foreign loans and grants. It is him. If it wasn’t for foreign backers, his army and his security outfits wouldn’t be as functional and operational as it is. Therefore, he should be careful to critic the need for foreign backing. Because, his government have thrived on it. To say something else is an lie, but Museveni lives on lies and spread lies. The truth hurts and he doesn’t want to do that.

The performance of NRM wasn’t stellar, but that is not needed. They control all parts of government, they have appointed men doing the tally and they can finesse results as they see fit. The charade can continue, while mighty Mzee can profess his stories, his narratives as the latest victor of the 1980s. That is what he does. In the text dropped today, he dropped a history lesson, I will not indulged into that. But maybe Mzee forgot in the bush, he asked (Pike) to tell the British to give a 1,000,000 bullets and arms to beat Obote II, as referenced in his recent book.

Therefore, when he asked for foreign help. It was always dandy, because it helped his cause and his mission. His own victories and his own self-styled presidency for life. But, nobody else should do that. Because, that is undemocratic. Even getting arms from Libya during the Bush-War would now be seen as unpatriotic, by this old man, but his forgetting. He did that, but will not confess to it.

I’m just taking snippets of the text he released, because its the a-typical text from him. With all achievements, percentages and long-term change since 1986. Not, what it has done in the recent decade and who assisted the government in doing so. Even if the USAID or anyone else contributed the main funds, he will deflect that, because the GoU and NRM did it all.

What the Opposition cannot kill, no matter how hard they and their foreign backers work, is the enduring love the population of Uganda have for the NRM on account of its programmes- right from 1981- when we came out as a distinct political-military organization. Especially now, with the massive development and transformation taking place in the Country, it is pathetic to see these Opposition members , zooming around the country at break-neck speeds on our brand- new tarmac roads built by the NRM from zero, saying that NRM has done nothing!! It is so shameful and pathetic but it is good for the NRM” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni 28.09.2019).

It is unique for a President who rely so much of the funding of these infrastructure projects and developments from foreigners. Even the recent three packages of oil roads are solely paid 85% on Chinese loans and 15 % of the Government of Uganda given mostly to Chinese contractors. I could go on, but that is boring. That is why, when the development projects are so costly, prices per kilometres are spiralling out of hand, the Kampala-Jinja Expressway is so expensive. That my mind shattered reading the price. However, the opposition should praise these marvels of bloated priced roads? Seriously?

Who will pay it, the citizens and the future generations, when Mzee is long dead and his remains are praised by Andrew and Odrek. The rest is wondering, how society to get tricked to buy into these schemes and letting the state eat of all the money. Just for some tarmac and road-construction. Not like these loans and developments are sending people to Mars. No, they are letting South Sudanese businessmen into Gulu.

As Mzee continues:

Having failed to convince the people, then the Opposition plans to cheat and be violent. Here, they are assisted by a Police force that had been infiltrated by, Kawukumi (emuungwe). Why should a Police personnel tolerate somebody using bad language in political campaign? You have no right to speak rudely to any Ugandan or to beat anybody. I was told that the Opposition elements were trying to riot and destroy property in the area because they had been blocked by slightly better organization to repeat the cheating they did in Arua, Jinja and Bugiri. Their schemes will fail. The little skirmishes the Opposition engineers, help me to see the resolute cadres of the NRM that will take that glorious Movement to a higher level. I thank all the NRM cadres that stood resolutely against the schemes of the unpatriotic elements” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 28.09.2019).

When speaking of conviction, the party known for voting bribery, voter tourism and pre-ticked ballots. Shouldn’t speak of cheating, neither with their force of using the state apparatus to arrest, detain and silence the opposition in the important hours of counting and on election day. Which doesn’t happen to the NRM, even if they use state resources, cars and other venues to trigger voters their way. So, when saying it was rigging in the lost by-elections, his directly saying, that only happens when the opposition are winning? Did you see that?

The man who makes and orders from above, to send the military police, the flying squad and whatever other outfits to arrest. He claims they are violent in their language. This coming from the man, who calls opposition vermin, parasites and so-on. The Leopards Anus, should clean his own mouth, before calling out names. He should look into his own track-record. He calls the other parties, the opposition unpatriotic, which means they are opposed to him. Because, him as the fake father of the nation, is the one your supposed to have sworn loyalty to and not to the ideal of the Republic. “For God and for Country”.

Enough of this forged narrative. We seen this enough times, when does this ever get old? When can I stop debunking the same sort of spread sheet?

Well, time will tell. Peace.

Hoima By-Election: Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine Statement (27.09.2019)

Fellow Ugandans,

I have restrained myself from speaking about what has been going on in Hoima for the past two days. Now that a candidate was declared winner, I will say a few things.

First, let me congratulate comrade Nyakato Asinasi Kamanda, our candidate for Hoima District Woman MP. Thank you for putting up such a spirited fight. You did not have even 1% of the resources poured into this election by the NRM regime, but you did your best- waking up each day to move to the nearest and farthest points of Hoima district. You are a true fighter. The people of Bunyoro have a great asset in you. I congratulate the people of Hoima; the people of Bunyoro for making every effort to exercise your constitutional right to vote despite untold levels of intimidation by the regime. Thank you for embracing the message of change is such an incredible way. I can understand the level of disappointment you have today as you wake up to have another leader imposed on you; your will usurped. But courage my friends- ultimately, the battle shall be won!

Second, I congratulate and appreciate the forces of change for coming together in a rare display of unity in Hoima. I thank the many leaders in FDC, ANT, DP and other forces who have been positive to this cooperation.There were challenges of course. There are those who have decided at every point to put their personal or party interests above the interests of the people of Uganda. We condemn this behavior and moving forward, we must have discussions and decide what is more important.

As #PeoplePower, we came in to support an FDC candidate simply because we place the struggle for a better Uganda above anything else. It defeated all logic to see some leaders, apparently in the opposition, do everything to frustrate comrade Nyakato’s victory simply because she embraced and identified with #PeoplePower.

Third, I want to join my fellow leaders and other Ugandans in condemning the very high levels of election malpractices that were displayed in this election. As I did mention a few days ago, security forces have for these past days deployed in Hoima, not to keep law and order but to help Museveni and his regime rig this election. So many of our candidate’s supporters and agents were arrested. Many were brutalized. Some of them are held in detention centres outside Hoima. On the day of voting, many were brutally chased away from polling stations. The tally center was raided.

Our teams on the ground spent the day in running battles with vehicles which had pre-ticked ballots in favor of the NRM candidate. Available information shows that they took advantage of the vastness of the district to stuff ballots early morning in remote areas, and were caught later in the day. Several people recorded these things on video, which is why Museveni and his regime are moving to ban cameras from polling stations come 2021.
Her team has Declaration Forms which show different results from those which were declared. We shall support the candidate in every way if she seeks to challenge these violations. But let me also make it clear that these gross violations only make us stronger! They give us more reason to fight on. They prove to us that our cause is a right cause! Therefore we are not fazed- we are only challenged to work even harder.

Therefore, I want to encourage the people of Uganda not to lose sight of the cause and the urgency with which we must work. This whole night, I have been on phone with our foot soldiers and supporters who are understandably very angry and frustrated with the regime. Some are very disappointed and frustrated with the behavior of some elements within the forces of change. My message to these comrades has been that these are phases we must go through in a struggle as big and as serious as this. We are dealing with a desperate regime which is always on the look out for who to compromise. Therefore, the most important thing is to pick lessons. These lessons are indeed invaluable as we prepare for the final onslaught come 2021.

I have invited the #PeoplePower leadership for a meeting at which we shall assess this election and decide how to move forward. The good news is that dictators throughout history have done such things in an even smarter way than Museveni- but ultimately they fell and were dropped in the dustbin of history. The most important thing for us is to be smarter and more organized than the dictatorship. I am persuaded beyond doubt that we shall soon overcome.

Opinion: The Party formed in reactions to of a rigged election are now praising their own rigged by-elections!

We have had two more By-Elections in the Republic. This being in Hoima and in Kaabong, as the new Woman MPs was elected and the Declaration Form was delivered to the public today. After the darkness arrived and the uncertainty of what the real outcome would be. Since, the National Resistance Movement and the President had invested heavy into the both elections. Sent the army, bribing voters, pre-ticketing ballots and whatever else of techniques to “win”.

Surely, the number and the statistics will be weird and inconsistent, just like the amount of invalid votes and the spoiled number combined with total amount of voters. Also in combination of the voter turnout in 2016 versus in 2019. That also shows something is up. The numbers seems strange and also the ways the state did operate in the by-elections. We have the right to question it.

The way the NRM and its spokespersons did proclaim the victory. The way the Electoral Commission debunked released numbers from polling stations, as the waiting game for the real numbers happen through the night. As in the morning the Declaration Form was released and the victory was verified.

As in the glory of this false victory… the forged and rigged election, the President has to act righteous and as a big-man. That is why he was writing this:

The people of Hoima, mwebale muno, thank you for voting the National Resistance Movement, and my daughter Harriet Mugenyi. You have chosen to consolidate the NRM achievements, by voting a pro-development MP. Our people of Kaabong, Alakara nooi, you have shown that even with the lies from the Opposition, you know where the light is. I congratulate My daughter Tubo Christine Nakwang for winning the woman MP by-election. I also congratulate the NRM structures in the two districts for doing a good job and delivering these victories. The NRM is stronger than ever and its vision is correct” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 27.09.2019).

I wonder when the NRM says it was does, if delivering victories by blocking, arresting, voter bribing and direct rigging of the counting the ballots. Then its not really a victory. It is a big-game and misuse of power, which isn’t new, but this administration should have known better. Because, this one exists because of previous administration; which was supposed to have rigged the election in 1980. If there is one post-1980 should do, is to avoid the same sins, but instead it revamps it at every junction.

In the same instance, if the government was honest and having a level playing-field. The People Power Movement coordinators would be arrested, they wouldn’t detained and harmed by security agents, either soldiers, Special Forces Command (SFC) and police officers. If the NRM believed in their vision and their party achievements. It wouldn’t need to arrest so many people, block opposition people from campaigning on the radio and so-on. However, this is what it does.

Not strange that they would edit the results and “secure” the victory. Like they really won. The NRM can’t win in a fair game. It cannot, its hard to believe, because By-Elections becomes like War-Zones and your affiliation deems you fit or unfit to be close to the polls. Even if the person is already registered or confirmed decent by the rules of the Electoral Commission. Still, the authorities are picking up and pursuing opposition coordinators and so-on.

This is why, with the questionable numbers, the ill-actions of the state and the proclaimed victory on TV hours before the EC released the official numbers. We can surely say, this was written in the stars and just like the past elections was done too.

The President who went to the Bush for justice, is now promoting injustice and rigged elections. Which is weird, but power corrupts and that is shown by this mere polls alone. Peace.

Kaabong By-Election: Return Form for Transmission of Results (27.09.2019)

Kaabong By-Election: FDC letter to Electoral Commission – Re: Objection to Withdrawal of Adyaka Judith Nalibe (15.09.2019)

Uganda Police Force: Police Statement on Arrests at Court Premises (13.09.2019)

Opinion: Tired of Muntu’s hypocrisy

Democracy is not just about the will of the majority being done. It is also about the voice of the minority being heard. The greatest lesson we need to learn as a country is to think of politics not as a means to win power, but an opportunity to serve our people.” – Gen. Mugisha Muntu

I have no grudges or anything personal against retired General Mugisha Muntu, the former Party President of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), which now is both apart of Democratic Party Block and its Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and has members in his leaders in the People Power Movement (PPM). Clearly his ways are spiralling for relevance into the upcoming General Elections in 2021.

Alas, there is the case, his not only playing two horses, with his pragmatic ways, while his always trying to shine with his words. Which he at some point does, but I find it bit dishonest. Knowing how the Alliance of National Transformation exists. ANT didn’t become a thing, because the Nation asked for it. ANT didn’t become a thing, because there was a need or an uprising like Action 4 Change (A4C) or anything.

No, it happened because the General lost to Patrick Amuriat Oboi and since then held consultation with the FDC and externally. Withheld and postpones the operative dates and rescheduled the start of party. The New Formation turned ANT.

I wish I didn’t feel this way, I know its politics. But when this man speaks of “country before self” and such. Plus speak of opportunity to serve, why couldn’t he serve on the sidelines of the FDC? What was the need, if he believed in change to be the king on top? Wasn’t it possible if he humiliated himself and swallowed his pride.

Instead, he jumped ship and creates his own, by also putting the stakes in every other avenue possible. Which seems to be finessing the whole situation. To find the bargain and get the best out of the DP Block and PPM. By any means, consolidate his position and strategically find relevance as new alternative.

In addition, speaking with the tongue of a poet, like a magician, as he has done so many times before. Muntu knows this and therefore his quotes are golden. They can demystify a person. However, his actions are speaking loud too. Since, his insincerity about serving, as long as his the top coordinator, the man in charge and head. Than its fine, but don’t ask him to play second fiddle. That is not acceptable.

Muntu doesn’t accept to be second place, even if it means country before self, or serving the country. He will only serve if he gets the first place. Not a narrow second. That is why he should trade waters more carefully. He might thinks his outsmarting people by his pragmatic ways. But his falling short on his service, on his record and on his own astute beliefs. Because if he really believed it. He wouldn’t have created ANT, but worked for it inside his old party.

Alas, he didn’t because he doesn’t want to serve, he wants to number one. Peace.

The Judiciary: Re-arrest of Kaweesi murder suspects was high-handed (12.09.2019)

Opinion: Patron Andrew is a lost sheep!

In this here piece, I will digress the words of Andrew Mwenda, as he has published these earlier in the day on the 4th September 2019 on Facebook called ‘The corruption of People Power’. These sort of pieces get written by this man, now and then. Especially more often when its campaign season and when he can show token of loyalty to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and National Resistance Movement.

Today, its yet another day of this. I will take some small fragments of it. Because, it is not needed to read the whole thing. Since, these small pieces says what is vital from it. The rest is more of the same hogwash and stone-age mentality is known for the political voodoo that Mwenda is now known for.

People Power is the most trending political cult in Uganda. They are angry at the corruption of President Yoweri Museveni and his National Resistance Movement (NRM) government. While its followers carry a deep sense of victimhood, they are not resigned but energized. They want to get Museveni out of power – but what for? To that later!” (…) “Museveni has ruled with the same corruption and patronage as Mobutu of former Zaire. However, he has done this while sustaining an impressing rate of economic and therefore revenue growth. This has allowed him to continually build the institutional capacity of the state and meet the demands for more patronage and a bit of welfare. By not sustaining economic growth, Mobutu ate the goose that was supposed to lay the golden egg of state consolidation. Museveni has demonstrated that patronage and clientelism (corruption) are not necessarily injurious to state building but are an important accompaniment to it.” (…) “Thus control of state power became a means of controlling economic resources and in turn control of economic resources became a means of reproducing power through neo-patrimonial networks. African elites did not fight for independence to dismantle the colonial state but to inherit its privileges. Listening to them, it becomes clear that People Power is the embodiment of this popular expectation. Given power, it would reproduce exactly what Museveni has presided over – massive corruption and patronage – but most likely (and sadly) without his finesse” (Andrew Mwenda, 04.09.2019).

Fist and foremost, a cult is a organization with internal secrets, who comes with a mission and trying to catch people to it. Where they will keep them, with the mystique and personality driven, as the organization is playing a rouse and keeping them captured. That is why people are trying to leave cults, unless they are brainwashed.

Secondly, this is not how People Power Movement is operating and neither very secretive. It has a smashing personality driving it. But his not trying to cover his stances nor brainwashing his people. That is more the works of Mwenda and the NRM. Who uses propaganda and government outlets to unleash unverified “truths” and deceptive methods to silence opposition.

Third, what is weird with this text. Is how openly Mwenda defends the excessive patronage and corrupt behaviour of President Museveni. But because its him and his ways its fine. It is dandy, because his taxing it right and making the elite dance after him. That is really a message, which someone who supposed to speak sense shouldn’t do. This sounds like a brainwashing operation done to Mwenda, because, when is thieving acceptable? When Museveni steals for his Patronage. That is really a mental breakdown.

Fourth and final address, how can you know the outcome of the possible PPM driven government? When your considering them to continue what NRM did? How do you know? What is the evidence of anyone becoming Museveni 2.0? Just because Museveni became a Modern-Day Mobutu. Well, that is just a prophecy from a man that says thieving is fine for Yoweri. I don’t know what sort of charlatan, who would believe a man who says theft is fine for some, but believe me… this other dude will wreck the Republic.

Mwenda is a lost sheep. His a lost man. Surely, the defiance of Besigye broke his mental stimulus or something. Lost his marbles. Because there is a while since I respected the perspective of Mwenda.

Andrew where did you go? I don’t know, but certainly not somewhere, where you get enlightened. Peace.