Opinion: Ashburg Katto needs a new meal-ticket

He is at it again and in the news. The blogger Ashburg Katto or by his government name Ashiraf Ndagimana Gatto. The former People Power blogger and founder of Ghetto TV. We know he left Bobi Wine and the People Power Movement, as he turned to music promoter Baalam and GCIC Duncan Abigaba. As the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Museveni wanted to purge the people around Bobi Wine.

That’s why Ashburg have gone totally YELLOW. He is more yellow than MTN. Making things smell NRM and acting like a forever mascot of the Movement. He has joined the causes of the government and been a vocal supporter.

However, Ashburg have forgotten his place. He has just been in the good graces for over a year. It was last year before the polls the state purged him to hurt the cause of Bobi Wine. They promised him great platform and become a useful person to them.

Nevertheless, Ashburg doesn’t seem to understand his place. He has been useful ahead of the elections and been a good look for the NRM. Now, after the polls and when things turns back-to-normal. His services isn’t that important.

Ashburg Katto doesn’t seem to get this. His services and blogging isn’t that valued by the NRM. It is like he had to be violated and hurt by a police officer to see it. He needed to be beaten by the authorities to know what this government does. Like he haven’t seen how the same government have acted towards its citizens or systematic injustice, which it has been doing for years. Also, how the current regime have acted with the SOPs and COVID-19 regulations. That’s why the blogger should have been careful himself.

As he was thinking about his role after being beaten. He questioned himself and actually stated “I thought I was of a little value to my government. I was wrong”. I hate to break it too you. You don’t add much or is important. If you were anything of that kind you would have been appointed or even got a bigger role.

The President and NRM used Ashburg. The sad part is that he didn’t get it and whatever he does now. He sold out and cashed in… the blogger wasted his potential and what leverage he had. That was traded and now he got nothing.

The launching of a Bloggers Association is fine. Nevertheless, that seems like another scheme to deserve precious funding. Just like the Yellow Influencers and whatnot before the polls. Ashburg should know that his value hasn’t added, but tragically decreased. Since the polls are over and his role as a pawn to hurt Bobi Wine is sort of over. The state can use other means to hurt his party and his platform now.

They don’t need people like Ashburg. They have moved-on, but Katto cannot do that. This is all he got and he got to find a way. Unless, his able to get hired by Abigaba, anyone in the GCIC or elsewhere on the propaganda outlets of the state. As the blogger has pandered to these for months now. Peace.

HTTP 404: NRM Apologists not found on Facebook

This week an anomaly happened. The ones supporting and actively supporting the National Resistance Movement (NRM) on Facebook got blocked by the site. The Online Company and Social Media platform has de-platformed several of NRM associated bloggers, pages and groups on Facebook. Some of them has lost their profiles and been suspended from there as well.

That says a lot. There been a sudden purge on their position on Facebook. A place where views, perspectives and spread of information is happening steadily. What is ironic here. The NRM is crying foul. The same supporters and activists, the same bloggers and associates of the NRM has had no issues blocking, hacking or violating pages of the opposition. The same NRM associated people have taken over opposition media houses pages and even deleted them. That has been during the campaigns. Therefore, maybe the same fellow breached “community standards” by inciting these acts and the opposition just notified the company.

That wouldn’t be shocking here as Ghetto TV and others been under fire on the same site. It is just a mention in the quest of things happening to the opposition. However, these sort of things doesn’t tend to happen to the NRM. The NRM is usually above these things and acting untouchable.

Now, the NRM SOMA, GCIC and Uganda Media Centre is losing its grip. As Facebook is an important platform on Social Media. They are not getting the venue for their space to spread their message in the final days to the polls. That is an act that backfire. Especially, if the NRM plans to act upon the “Scientific” campaigns. However, we know how that has worked of late.

I do feel sorry for the inconvenience, but they are just tasting the blunt action made towards them. As the NRM can easily block radio-stations, take away broadcasting licenses and stop publishing of newspapers in the Republic. That is if they are having high ranking opposition as guests on air or even getting their messages across for a long time. They are only lucky if they get short windows and limited space. While the NRM covers most of it.

This is why in the traditional media, the NRM and the President is covering most of it. His owning it in practice. Though on the social media and on newer platforms the opposition has an edge. This is why the recent actions of Facebook to de-platform the NRM groups, pages and persons are really hitting home.

What Facebook is actually doing is what the NRM does to the Opposition at home. They are blocking and making it impossible for them to speak. How many times has a opposition candidate tried to access a radio station and been blocked? Countless of times. The same is now happening to the NRM. In a manner, which they cannot control…

That is just karma in my view. They are tasting the same spirit, which they have delivered on a daily for years to the opposition. The men loyal to Museveni and his cause. Is now seeing the effects of their actions. These folks are tasting their own medicine.

Yes, they have a right to free speech. Yes, they have a right to express it and that is all justified. However, there is no human right to be part of Facebook. Secondly, if your part of Facebook. Then you have signed an agreement to uphold certain standards. However, if those is breached. The company can suspend or de-platform you, which they have done here. That is all natural.

The NRM apologists, activists and bloggers can find other avenues now. They can use other platforms and other places to spread their message. However, there are few sites who has more people connected and people accessing on the daily. Therefore, the blocking to the site is hurting them.

The NRM could start to mediate with Facebook. The NRM could try to talk and figure out how to get access again. What sort of amends and promises they need to get re-activated. I am sure they would let it happen. Alas, they rather cry foul and be victims.

Nevertheless, these folks aren’t that much of victims. These folks aren’t in danger of prison, abductions, arrests or torture even. No, these folk are in danger of house-arrests or fatalities. No, these folks are safe and surrounded by the elites. These people are eating. That is why it’s hard to feel sorry for them. Peace.

Opinion: You can’t 1986 everything…

I don’t know if the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and its self-styled President for life Yoweri Kaguta Museveni thinks its a wise move to always point at the state of affairs in 1986.

How many pupils who went to school in the 1980s? How many cars on the roads in 1980s? How many bureaucrats who was paid in the 1980s?

Is that viable as a argument for how things are today?

If so, why in a Republic filled with youth under 30s years old. In a republic run by an administration living a bubble of the year of salvation in 1986. Where all results are in comparison to the incept of power. The day of the Coup d’etat in 1986 and everything circles back to this. Using the liberation and taking control of the Republic.

It is really unique that 34 years in power, you have to look at the starting point to show your greatness. All the pendulums points back to 1986. Which is such a magical year when everything started.

The NRM continues to spawn out how much more roads they have built since 1986. It is how you prove your governance. The amount of gravel you have carried and put on the ground. Not like there is other ways to prove it. For instance, if the roads adds value and the costs of keeping them operational or built to the needs. That is an issue that is never released, neither is the loans for building the roads and how much of it was paid by grants.

The NRM and the President can drop comparison numbers. However, they will do that every day with some glossy pictures of infrastructure and propaganda postures. That’s what they do. If it is Uganda Media Centre, Government Citizen Interaction Centre, NRM SOMA and the State House. This is what they do. Making mediocre results looking brilliant.

They will pin point back to 1986 as the proof of the amount of work they have put in. Not like they are just showing what they did in the 10^th Parliament. No, they will go back to Obote and Okello. They need to bring back Idi Amin Dada and the whole brigade of dead people to show the living their greatness.

This is why they should find new ways of proving their achievements. Because, how relevant can it to go back close to 4 decades to prove your worth? How great are you, when you look two generations back?

Also, the reality is that most of the people living in the republic is born since 1986. They are the youth of the generation who did the bush-war. These are not familiar with that time and therefore, wouldn’t be touched by this. They are only seeing what they are living in now and hopes for a promising future. Not repeating the past, but instead building for the future.

Going back to 1986 is just a grave the NRM doesn’t need to dig. If they do, then they are putting up tombstones and praising weak results. If the NRM was sincere they would prove their abilities and use of time. Instead, they are going historical and bringing back nostalgia.

A nostalgia that isn’t for the times of today. Unless, Mzee plans to drop a few history lessons and mesmerising the past. Peace.

Opinion: Ashburg gone Full Figure!

Again, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni plots a big stunt on Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. Last time it was Jennifer Nakanguubi aka Jennifer Full Figure who went from a vocal People Power activists onto a Presidential Advisor in October 2019. Now, its gone a few months and the National Resistance Movement and the President continues to scheme.

This time its the Ghetto TV founder (since 2017), the blogger (since forever) and social media activist Ashburg Katto. His been been called an local attention seeker. His been using his platform for all sorts of reason. However, his been known as a supporter and activists for Bobi Wine and the People Power Movement.

So, his known and during last year he saw the dark side of the regime. As he was arrested, detained and gone missing for while. Therefore, its not like the man doesn’t know what sort of characters they have and what sort of action it does to their enemies. His seen what the authorities done to other People Power activists, leaders and members. Not like he haven’t seen it and spread the word about the impunity against it.

That is why today its more hurtful. It’s like he knows the ills of society, but still joins forces with the ones who oppress the public. Instead of holding on and pushing for change. His going into “steady progress” and getting a quick pay-off from the NRM. He gets a few cows, gets his name in bold with big-men, but at the same time loosing his edge and personality.

He becomes the Ghetto TV personality who went all red into yellow. That is a move and a decision. Just like he showed some of it with him joining forces with Duncan Abigaba, Deputy Head of Government Citizen Interaction Centre (GCIC). The man behind the NRM Social Media Task-Force. Together with him and Promoter Balaam he decided to cover “Yellow Influencers” with food during the COVID-19 Lockdown now earlier in May 2020. This supported by son-of-the-president Muhoozi Kainerubaga.

So now, its taken further. Ashburg isn’t only associated with “Yellow Influencers”. His gotten cows from the President. Spent time with the President on his farm and said his joined the NRM. That means the man whose supposed to be behind Bobi Wine. Has signed off to the President and his team. All it took was the play of some food deliveries to loyal social media influencers, writers and bloggers.

We knows his on the bus now. His a yellow and not a People Power Movement guy. His even praising Sevo and going for Mission 2021.

Again, the President has pulled a trick. Giving a very little and taking away someone from the opposition. Instead of having Ashburg Katto as a credible voice in the opposition. He will turn into the new Canary Mugume or Andrew Mwenda. Don’t expect any genius attempt of reasoning, only self serving enigma now. Where he will be the victim if he gets called out.

Since his supposed to be allowed to change party and change his views. However, that is allowed and people are changing parties with time. Nevertheless, this man knows how far the NRM and the state uses the authorities to quell opposition. So, to join forces with them after being an ally to the rising star Bobi Wine. He should know better, but instead he does this.

Just because he has Ghetto Initiative. Another ghetto maverick the President strings along to Bobi Wine. Like this man will destroy the support and the message of Bobi Wine. It won’t, but what it does. It shows how little the President has to give to make people switch sides.

Not like the President offered him a lot. No, he didn’t give him a title or a official salary. Just some cows and listening to his Ghetto Initiative. His not a Presidential Advisor, nor appointed to be part of the NRM SOMA or anything. No, just small tokens of silver. Even Judas Iscariot got better paid for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

So, we now know. It was already shady that he was part of the joint venture this month with Balaam and Abigaba giving food to “Yellow Influencers”. Now its official. Peace.

‘Yellow Influencers’ Get a Food-Drive!

Last year in 2019, there was reports of a new Social Media Task Force for the National Resistance Movement (NRM), which had up to that point hired 49 people. The NRM already had their Social Media Activists (SOMA). So, they had two units work in co-ordination with each other. This is all attempts to steer the narrative and control the air-waves. Not new in that regard, but using modern methods to hit the public with information.

Just like all the other entities, which are government friendly press like the New Vision Group. The UBC, Government Citizen Interaction Centre (GCIC) and Uganda Media Centre to name a few.

In these COVID-19 lockdown times. The NRM together with the leader of the pack of the NRM Social Media Task Force, Duncan Abigaba have shown that they are feeding 245 bloggers. This is done through the kindness of Muhoozi Kainerubaga or the friends of him. They call them “Yellow influencers or bloggers” because that paint the picture. Even the blogger of Ashburg Katto is in the mix, so it seems its not far from the prison-cell to eating of the hand of the system.

These people will be instrumental to get the right vision ahead of the General Election of 2021. This is why they are even now doing deliveries and feeding them food. They are getting serviced by the state for a purpose. Because, these influencers can sway public opinion on social media and various of platforms. That is why Promoter Baalam and the Social Media Task Force of Abigaba is involved in this.

This is ensuring loyalty, as the payment of some rice and other foods during the pandemic. Will remind these Yellow Influencers whose their friends. They got to eat in the midst of it all, because hey are useful right now and in the future. Their platforms on the various of social media will be vital.

Its like 120 personalities on Social Media and about 120 bloggers, which is getting this treatment. This means these people are included and selected out, because of their writing and their content. This is because Duncan handpicked them and know what their up too.

That is what is striking is the amount of effort and to show their names on social media. These is our folks and comrades. Just go into Duncan Abigaba page on Facebook and the whole list will appear. It expose the ninjas writing and working directly for the NRM.

The Yellow Influencers if you may. The friends of Muhoozi is allowed to give these foods without any reinforcement of police nor any meetings with authorities. Because, they are working in-directly for the efforts for the state. This is partisan politics at its best. That information is being dropped on the day the UPF disclaim everything about Zaake whose healing after torture. That is the sort of state the Republic is in.

Where Yellow Influencers can get a food-drive by the Son-of-the-President. But opposition doing the same to his constituents are healing in the hospital after meeting the authorities. That is the double standard and the realities on the ground.

That Baalam and Abigaba is above Zaake is now clear as day. That the Yellow Influencers are important is clear too. They will be a tool into the elections and the campaigns, spreading the message of the “Yellow Bastard”. Peace.

NRM plans to get activated online: A Company of paid Social Media Activists!

“That’s the whole point of good propaganda. You want to create a slogan that nobody’s going to be against, and everybody’s going to be for. Nobody knows what it means, because it doesn’t mean anything.” – Noam Chomsky

The National Resistance Movement is steadily preparing for 2021. By every initiated move, they are trying to make it feel relevant and have a message to sell. It is not enough to have the Uganda Media Centre, Uganda Broadcasting Company, New Vision Media House, Government Citizen Interaction Centre or even the Ministry of ICT, whose all trying to peddle the message and image of the NRM.

Still, these are not enough. That is why the NRM have gotten a NRM Social Media Activists (SOMA). If this wasn’t enough, the NRM had already hired about 59 people for a Social Media Task Force run by Duncan Abigaba. Where one part of the team had specialists serving various of social media sites, while the same task force had hired 14 people to run the program on Twitter. This was leaked in August 2018. So, the team has been in play a while, but who knows how operative or even successful it is.

Yesterday, there is a new revelation. Not with a significant new change, but certainly a continuation of the building a digital task force and spin machine for the world wide web. Where they hope to spin enough and overlook enough to get the people to catch their bait. Either by the hook or by the crook. That is just what the NRM does.

The news yesterday, was that the NRM plans to hire a 100 Social Media Activists for all the republics regions, to represent all of them and spread the message. This is certainly a progression to the ones working for Abigaba who was hired last year for his Task Force. These will maybe fall in under his mission and umbrella. To ensure, that the NRM are acting correctly and getting the right image online.

We can clearly see t that Bosco, Mr. Sunday, Yoseri or Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are active online. Even if he has proclaimed there is only rumours and waste of time on Social Media. He himself is there and claimed to be biggest, most followed Ugandan on Twitter. Surely, there is a lot of paid bots on his followers page. Trust me on that one.

However, this is just a sign of the Don Wanyama’s, the Andrew Mwenda’s and whatnot of direct supporters, even Morrison Rwakakamba or whoever else spreading the words of old man with the hat. They will be now repeated a lot more and the self praise will hit levels that not even Soft Power and Sarah Kagingo would manage. That is what the NRM is preparing. They need the loyalists, the ones praising every move the His Excellency is doing. That is just the way it is.

If this is continued of the Task Force of last year, if it is hiring the ones in NRM SOMA. Surely, they will sooner or later, kick and scream because the NRM cannot manage to pay their salaries. They are there for a payday, not because they believe in the vision of the old man. They are not volunteers, but paid activists. Just like the ones paid to demonstrate before too. Staged nightmares waiting to appear. Peace.

PRAU – Statement: Public Relations is not about Distorting Reality – Clarification on H.E. The President of Uganda’s Address to the Nation on 9th September 2018 (11.09.2018)

President Museveni has apparently hired a Spin-the-News Social Media Team!

There is now a leaked draft list of people circulating online, where there are known people who will be working for the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Whose job is spin the news and ensure the agenda is spread as he wishes, as the Minister of ICT and Communications Frank Tumbewaze and the Uganda Media Centre Ofwono Opondo cannot handle themselves, that is why more people are put on board.

There are certain individuals who are hired to directly spread their “news” on Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook and so on. There is even one man hired to run the GCIC, which is Simon Peter Olara, who will spread the handpicked messages there. The man on conventional social media like Facebook and Twitter, who will manage that is Herbert Anderson. On Twitter there are 11 persons who is working there directly, there will be one in-charge of Diaspora and International Media Monitoring, he is Ibrahim Bagaya Kisubi. Radios and TV part of the team are Augustine Otuko. You have a Content Development made by Hussain Hudu. However, the Manager of this team is Duncan Abigaba.

What is important about the Manager of this Media Team, Duncan Abigaba is the Ex-Presidential Assistant-Research & Information. Therefore, he is a loyalist of the President and will make sure the Team is up to dropping the “knowledge” they need. He is a former leader within the NRM Youth League (NRM-YL) as well. So, he has been a voice from within. Abigaba has been until recently, the manager of the Government Citizen Interaction Centre (GCIC). This man has really been in the midst’s of government agenda and spin, as they want.

So, when he becomes the manager of this team, that is partly hiring someone to handle the GCIC and getting the previous Presidential Assistant – Research and Information, are now making a Media Team to spin the news on the Social Media. The place where the President says it is all rumors and gossip. But clearly the President knows the importance of controlling the conservation and spread his message. That is why the state already controls the Vision Group and Uganda Broadcasting Company (UBC). This wouldn’t matter, if the President didn’t want set the agenda and not have the media looking into the facts.

This is to secure his message using a loyal man Abigaba to do this. The former leader of GCIC and NRM Youth League will ensure the message of the government is massaged to the masses. That is the clear message by the state, as they want to steer it and try to spin the news. As the need so many people as part of the Twitter Team, also the leadership of every single Social Media Page like WhatsApp and Facebook, and also Monitor the Diaspora or International Media.

Abigaba will really show his force and his ability as loyalist of the President. We will see if he can put this people up to speed, some calls this a micro-troll-farm for the President. That might be true, but if they will bring news like the GCIC handle, it will be super positive spin who is favor of the President. They will not generate facts and make sure the NRM looks like the golden goose of the world and at large. Peace.