Today Gen. Mugisha Muntu starts walking through the desert!

The cool heat, the hot air and lack of humid is now starting to hit the face of former General Mugisha Muntu. As he yesterday launched his farewell and leaving the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). A party where he has had ambition in, ever since its inception in 2004. Now 14 years later and one Presidential Period of the party since November 2012 until he lost to Patrick Oboi Amuriat in November 2017. Therefore, we knew he would be humiliated by losing to another fraction.

Many of us thought he would flee the scene quicker and start a fresh in November last year. However, he waited to inform the public yesterday. Who knows why Muntu waited as long. He has tried to use his ambition and run for the highest office. However, the delegates voted for Dr. Kizza Besigye in 2015. Therefore, he lost there to, but was still the Party President, but not becoming the Presidential Candidate.

Muntu is clearly a lost bird, trying to find his nest. Now he promised a third-force, whatever that might be. Tomorrow, he will unleash it, but what it will be. That is all up to him. It might just be hot-air, but it is bloated ambition, which is the reason.

Muntu is walking in the same shoes as Amama Mbabazi did before him in 2015, when he started the Go Forward Initiative, which was launched right before the 2016 General Elections. As his ambition to become President wasn’t allowed or accepted within the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Now, Muntu has never had the chance of battling or having the popularity within the FDC to beat Besigye and his support there. That is why he was second-fiddle, and since November, he was just relic of the past.

Clearly, Muntu didn’t want to be a relic without any power or any place to reign. Muntu needs to enforce and be himself. He doesn’t want to be guided or follow principals. He wants to stay on top and be the priority. So, whatever he starts, he will be king and no one should challenge that.

Someone should buy him a Nile Brew, he needs a splash, he needs drinks for the heat. Muntu needs to drink and keep cool. As the desert is hot, the heat hits the skin and the flesh starts to sweat. You need a drizzle of water and needs to keep refreshed while walking. As you don’t want to see mirages or dreams, as you want to find the next source and security. Get to closest village and secure shelter before dawn.

That is why Muntu is now reaching, as he is on a quest for his own shelter. He will be trying to find himself in the political landscape. Muntu might have his backers and supporters from his time in the FDC. They might follow him, the MPs whose loyal to him, maybe following him too. But then they are going to something unknown, where the sun is only thing promised. As the Go Forward haven’t created anything substantial since its inception. Whatever name of Muntu Party, he will a long battle ahead.

Muntu will need his shelter and care-package to secure himself. As the only thing steady is heat, as he now walks alone. He might has some support around him. But they will not provide or delegate provisions. This is something he has create on his own. Therefore, Muntu are starting to walk and has a long road ahead.

Is he prepared, I don’t know, as there been many bright minds building the FDC and its protocols. Who knows who joins him and what is mission. Other than one, which has been clear along.

The naked ambition. Where that is taking him. That is not certain. That it will be hot, little humidity and little help. Hope he has brought enough water and care-packages, to get him through the desert. But we can really be wondering, if this moderate politician are ready to run on his own. Peace.

Gen. Muntu: I thought you left for a ‘Third Force’ last November, but you waited another 10 months!

I was wrong, I thought Gen. Mugisha Muntu was ready to move and start on his own, as he lost to Patrick Oboi Amuriat in the Presidential Election of 2017 in the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Muntu has since then, been working on his on, as he has done his parts and been together with the party, but not in official fashion. Now, today it got leaked early, but stated later through an official statement, that Muntu was leaving the party he was establishing 2004.

I was thinking he wanted to leave earlier, when he wrote this in November last year: “I want to operate in an environment where I feel I am trusted by those that I am working with. So colleagues, I don’t want to be unfair to you nor do I want to say that you are being unfair to me. Therefore, at a personal level, there are decisions I will have to make in the coming days and weeks. I ask for your patience and prayers. We need to bear with each other even as we ponder on the decision that we will have to make. We do our part as human beings and the rest we leave it to God” (Mugisha Muntu, 25.11.2017).

That is why I expected him earlier, as he didn’t trust the FDC anymore and not the ones leading, as he wasn’t one in charge. His fraction of the FDC wasn’t moving the masses or the delegates of the party, as they decided someone else than Muntu. This shows, as long as he rose to prominence in the party and had relevance, he would stay, but when the steering of the ship needed another turn. He feels the needs to bail and led something on his own.

That is why I take s small piece from his statement upon leaving the FDC:

It is no secret that there have been calls from the population for new political actors. In the aftermath of our party presidential elections, there was talk of formation of a ‘Third Force’. There was also anecdotal evidence of a need for this; the number of independent MPs and leaders has been steadily growing, several people even within the ruling party have been dissatisfied with their party but not convinced enough to join ours and there is a huge number of youth, especially among the working class, that is critical of government but sceptical of the opposition as well. These are facts that every political actor must seek to understand. Nature abhors a vacuum. When we started FDC, there were already established parties. Yet the reality was, none of them was fulfilling the political desires of the people at the time. Indeed, within a few months of our formation, we had membership that far surpassed that of all other established opposition parties” (Gen Muntu: Why We are Quitting FDC, 25.09.2018).

Therefore, today isn’t a shock, I was expecting it to be happening much sooner, I was wrong on that, but my expectation of press conference at Hotel Africana in November 2017. I anticipated so much more, as the fallout of losing would add pressure. As his place and position in the party was eradicated and no special VIP place was made for him. He was a moving car without any place to park.

Now, that the car has officially crashed and he is telling more what he is up to tomorrow. This is far from the end of the FDC. Even if the rumored part of “independent” MPs, as it was indicated of a Fang Fang meeting in August 2018, where 29 FDC MPs was planning a rebellion and stopping paying their monthly contribution to the party. If these are the “we”, Muntu have been talking about all day. It would make sense, as there are moderates and compliance MPs, who has had no trouble with a soft approach to steering the conversation and also the change of leadership from the NRM. Instead of going heads-on with defiance and civil disobedience towards the state. That is why, most likely, the ones in favor of the Shadow Government. Are the ones following Muntu.

However, that will be revealed at a later junction. We who had a hunch in November 2017, was right. It though it would happen much quicker, but it was a slow force, a ‘third force’. In this manner, there shouldn’t be a worry for the FDC. The FDC has an administration and protocols, as well as established party. They should be function without Muntu and his fraction. Just like they have done with other major political operatives leaving the party. They have seen this with others and continued their agenda. So the FDC should just continue. Whatever or whoever that follow Muntu on ‘Third Force’, as him and his allies will find their way. Certainly, he intend to led and reign in that, as he cannot be controlled or be a second fiddle there.

Muntu has proven that, he will do his thing, by any means. Muntu couldn’t manage to find a new way or even seek other positions within the FDC. If he as such a Party Builder, why wouldn’t he like to see the spoils? Now he plans to start a ‘Third Force’ and bring with him the possible moderates?

We have to see the 27th September 2018 Press Conference, whatever he brings to the table as he jumps ship. We just have to await that one, but he is not FDC anymore, which has been his home since 2004. He was there for 14 years, working and building, but when they didn’t give him confidence. Muntu decided to leave, instead of waiting for a new role. Peace.

FDC Statement wishing a farewell to Gen. Mugisha Muntu (25.09.2018)

Gen. Mugisha Muntu Statement: That he leaves the FDC with immediate efffect (25.09.2018)

Official release:

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)

What is Nabilah Naggayi Sempala problem: Everyone lies, but who is telling the truth then?

The Forum for Democratic Change Woman MP for Kampala Nabilah Naggayi Sempala has spoken out about the state of affairs in general politics. Especially after the FDC Reshuffle within the 10th Parliament, where most of the loyalists to previous Party President Gen. Mugisha Muntu have been outcast and other people have been assigned roles within the shadow government. However, this has not gone without questions or even discussions. As the decisions to do so, has been done by the FDC Party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat. Which is a total normal procedure and has been done by the FDC for ages now. Therefore, the silent force and not so viable MP, Nabilah shows up to scene.

She is not the cleanest MP within the FDC, even during campaigns before the General Election in 2016. She campaigned both with Amama Mbabazi and Kizza Besigye. Seemingly, whenever the big-man was in town, she had to have support of both. Which is in itself weird and also disloyal. No-one should forget that. Maybe, that is why she is concerned about the state of affairs.

The current state of our nation political health is majorly caused by the willingness of most people to listen to lies especially those who are passionate about party politics and will be quick to rationalize or diminish the seriousness of lies told by a member of the political party they support, but will be merciless toward any member of the opposing political party caught telling a lie of any kind. I strongly believe that all of the problems facing Uganda can be traced to people’s collective choice to embrace Lies. But even though they will claim not to like lying, they continue to tolerate the people and institutions that do the lying so long as none of the specific lies they tell happens to greatly disadvantage or displease them personally; But in the confines of their homes and amongst close friends or family; they embarrassingly admit that the Leader of FDC has lied on several occasions or that President Museveni has not been exactly truthful to Ugandans! Over to you, Ugandans! When will “LYING” be faced and confronted straight in the FACE? Whatever is eating up FDC is the same eating up NRM! Dishonesty!” (Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, 10.08.2018).

If there is someone who is electioneering or trying to finesse herself in Uganda. Nabilah is one of them. Especially if there is coins or loyalty points to get out of it. This is happening now, she is trying to forge a better pattern and make herself viable. Not that she had done that when it came to Age Limit or possible Land Amendments. You wouldn’t hear her speak or utter a word, but when its mere political splits or political infighting. She shows up like hunger strikes. Nabilah have to get that bread and this is how she gets her butter.

Nabila N. Sempala has done this and will continue to pursuit this way. Because her messaging is lack-luster and needs a political sponsor to get pass anything. Her character is coning and will look for someone to carry her. That she blames both FDC and Museveni of lying is to cover all bases. Both her FDC base, but also show wits. What falls flat, is the lack of implying, who is lying and what lie?

Is it that the FDC are trying to forge fresh MPs within the Parliament and foster their talents? Is that the FDC branch of Muntu is being faced out? The NRM lies constantly, that is their bread and butter, the one you are also trying to score point on. What is drive there? Museveni lies all the time and false promises is his livelihood. So what is your point there?

Nabilah is electioneering and trying to finesse herself again. Nsereko bangs for bucks, Nabilah gives loyalty for bucks. Let see where the buck stops for her, maybe she will change party to before next election. She was part of Mbabazi before going back to Besigye in 2015. Let see if she pulls of the same sort of stunt in 2020 before the 2021. Peace.

Gen. Mugisha Muntu statement (09.08.2018)

Opinion: Are we seeing an original FDC split? – Into two Parliamentary Groups?

Just as things merger for a political outcome, things can also dismantle for the same reason. That is maybe something we are seeing these days, as the new leadership inside the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is splitting the party, as the hardliners and the ones who are more favorable working with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) are separating. There been two fractions, the ones who stood by Gen. Mugisha Muntu and the ones who are now behind newly elected Patrick Oboi Amuriat. Therefore, this fraction has appeared ever since the last election of the FDC Party President.

Now that POA has taken his first major leadership move inside the party, there seemingly quick to address and show their allegiance. They are not working with the party, but already showing their attitude and lack of serving their party, even their constituents, as they are more into their committee roles and perks. Than actually thinking, that these are allocated by their respective parties and not because of entitlement.

Reported meeting at Fang Fang:

The fired Leader of Opposition, Winnie Kiiza and 28 other Members of Parliament on the Forum for Democratic Change ticket are said to have resolved to form a separate entity at Parliament. Sources are telling us the MPs, who sat at Fang Fang Hotel Kampala for up to 6 hours last night, decided to cautiously detach from FDC leadership in Najjankumbi, mobilize other opposition parties and leaning independent colleagues to establish a significant numerical opposition power house targeting over 70 members” (…) ““We have decided to come up with a separate entity in the house for all opposition members and independent leaning MPs,” one of the sources who attended the meeting told us. ChimpReports has learnt that, the 29 FDC MPs will immediately withdraw the Shs 500,000 monthly contributions to the party” (Dickens H. Okello – ‘Winnie Kiiza and Team to End FDC Ties, Form Parallel Group’ 08.08.2018 link: https://chimpreports.com/winnie-kiiza-and-team-to-end-fdc-ties-form-parallel-group/).

Extract from Statement by Winne Kiiza:

Allow me to thank the FDC party under the leadership of, Gen. (Rtd) Gregory Mugisha MUNTU for the opportunity they gave me to serve my country. It is one I will never regret. It is some opportunity that saw us move strides together for a common and a better tomorrow. I would like in a special way to thank my colleagues from all opposition parties in the 10th Parliament. Equally, those in the NRM who stood with me and supported the voice of reason when the situation demanded” (Winnie Kiiza, 08.08.2018).

What I am thinking when reading this are we going back in time before the 2006 elections, when the FDC hadn’t been established and was negotiations between two parliamentary groups named Reform Agenda (RA) and Parliamentary Advocacy Forum (PAFO), even some of the gentlemen who was apart of these units are in the midst of these movements today. This is Gen. Mugisha Muntu, Reagan Okumu, Odonga Otto and so on. These people are still in the mix and playing this out.

Are these now playing their cards to answer back to Besigye or are they trying to figure out a new way. Because the old merger didn’t play out as they wanted? Now that their fraction are now loosing and their loyalty to Muntu is making them looking weak inside the FDC. As the POA is putting his stamp on the organization.

Since, there is sources of an informal FDC spilt within the Parliament, are the PAFO sort of organization opening and becoming a new party for the 2021. That will be official in 2020. If so, than we might see Muntu running it, even if he screams: “Country before Self” every time he can. Surely, he does not like being in the shadow of Besigye and POA. Who like being pushed to the side, when you have worked for a long time as a Party President.

However, this is just speculations, I expected when POA won the Presidency, that Gen. Muntu would start on his own. Now, that his allegiance of people are starting their own parallel parliament group. This is the marsh towards 2021 elections. Clearly, this could be the next move for him to join these 27 MPs and try to get another position as he is a fringe candidate within the FDC. As these people are already stopping to associate themselves with the party.

That is why we are seeing another Reform Agenda Versus Parliamentary Advocacy Forum in the 10th Parliament. The FDC is established, but with the loss of 27 MPs, these are really showing the force right now. But if the voters will be so forgiving, that is another scenario. Time will tell and if these people still have suction at all or if they will fall back, as there is always some who goes back in the needs of campaign. To get the needed support and machine behind them.

This is not a positive move, it is only doing justice to the wish of Museveni. Who wished to destroy the opposition after the 2016 General Election. Just as he has skirmished in the Democratic Party (DP) and Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), he can continue to purge the opposition with the Parallel FDC Parliament Group, who he surely can drop envelopes to secure the needed votes in the Parliament.

Let see how this goes or if the rebellion will even become something of power or if they are falling flat with time. Nevertheless, this is a victory for Museveni. As he has possibly put the FDC in pre-2006 state, where it was two fractions.

Therefore we have FDC and FDC Parallel, which is two different entities. Clearly, to make sure the party are weaken. Because by the election of 2016, the party had 36 MPs. This means if all of the 26 MPs are leaving 10 MPs, but there was 10 Independent at that time, so if it is 10 independent plus 16 MPs. Means that there are left 20 MPs who are loyal to the case. It is still a big defeat, but shows the marginalization of the FDC in parliament. The numbers have changed with by-elections, so there would be a few more FDC MPs, but the damage is still severe.

Now, its just have to play out. Peace.

Forum for Democratic Change: ‘Re: Change of Opposition Leadership in Parliament’ (06.08.2018)

My take on the FDC Reshuffle: Entitlement and Political Maturity doesn’t goes hand-in-hand!

When Alexander the Great visited the philosopher Diogenes and asked whether he could do anything for him, Diogenes is said to have replied: ‘Yes, stand a little less between me and the sun.’ It is what every citizen is entitled to ask of his government.” – Henry Hazlitt ( Economics in One Lesson: The Shortest & Surest Way to Understand Basic Economics).

There been some bad blood after the Forum of Democratic Change (FDC) reshuffle of the shadow cabinet. This piece will tell how I sees it, maybe you will disagree, but everyone see things differently. Everyone should see themselves as representatives of the constituency and the party they are representing. They are not their on their own pocket and will, they are there for a reason. If that is forgotten, than these leaders should be changed, maybe that is why the FDC Party President changed a few. They needed a lesson of humility, as the leadership should be moved, to progress and also get new ideas into the bodies. There been reactions, especially by some.

The reacting the hardest is the likes of Aruu MP Odonga Otto, Bugweri County and MP Abdu Katuntu. The ones who haven’t said anything is Kasese Woman MP Winnie Kiiza and Aswa County MP Ronald Reagan Okumu. Even if all of these MPs was dropped from the shadow cabinet and changed by the Central Leadership this week, as the sweep of changes done by the Forum for Democratic Change Party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat came into effect. That should people be prepared to as a party changes with a new President and signaling new way of steering ahead.

Even if the current shadow cabinet and committee members by the FDC have done a good job, the need for fresh blood isn’t a bold move, but an aspiring move, to show that people aren’t entitled to titles and roles, even within the FDC. If it was so, than the old-guard of the FDC would naturally have positions. These people was appointed by the previous leadership under Gen. Mugisha Muntu, they are still party members and have rights as that. Still, this shows the maturity of the party.

Even as the likes of Odonga Otto says he will leave the party, but that is something he has promised to do dozens of time and always returns. Unless, he has other plans and not sure where to go for his support. Because, Hon. Odonga has usually, nearly once every year promised to leave the party, but never had the guts to do so. Who knows what Hon. Katuntu will do now, as he calls it a purge, and is disregarding the party, he goes total warfare over losing the committee seat in COSASE.

What is special and shows real maturity is how silent former Leader of the Opposition Hon. Winnie Kiiza have been. She has been a leading example, even as she has to step dow. I was skeptical to her in the beginning, because of the disbandment of defiance campaign and giving into the dictatorship as a minority party in the Parliament in 2016. Still, she has played her part and been a vocal voice with reason in the chambers. Winnie Kiiza have shown leadership skills and proven herself. The two years she has had as LoP has shown her ability and capacity as opposition politician. Therefore, her silence now shows maturity and also what sort of person she is.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) apologists that has attacked this changes, maybe, just maybe, look into your own party and how you have to follow every whim of the State House. If anyone inside the party has any ambition, they are taken out and losing their position. Look at Amama Mbabazi, Gilbert Bukenya and so on. Not like NRM would have changed the top head like the FDC has done, the FDC is on their third Party President. The NRM have the same head and his controlling it through the NRM Caucus to follow his guidelines like they are all blind and have no visions themselves. Therefore, their defense of themselves should come first and secondly, their attacks on fresh bloods of the shadow cabinet. Should be a warning of the lack of movement within the movement. It is a movement that isn’t moving, but the FDC has the guts to change, to spark new ways.

Some might comment and say this is a purge on the loyalists around Muntu and making sure the loyal around POA instead. Not like that could ever happen in the NRM, they are encircled by Museveni and no one else. If they are trying to show some flash and ambition, the President will call them in and demote them. No one cried foul when the NRM ‘rebels’ was demoted in Parliament. Because, they was demoted not for political reasons, but because they didn’t follow the NRM Caucus and voted against the Age Limit.

Still, the same people have an issue with the changes within the shadow cabinet, maybe, just maybe, the apologist should be more sincere. FDC has made a decision, a healthy one and ones seeing the party as bigger than personalities, will accept this. But the ones who feels entitled to leading positions will be disenfranchised, like Hon. Katuntu.

Time will tell, but salute to Winnie Kiiza, she carried this steady and should be proud of her tenure. Even I who was really against her role and playing this out. Sees what she has delivered to role. Now lets see what the new leaders and shadow cabinet will do. Peace.