Opinion: Opendi MP proposes a 10 million fine or a possible jail time on couples who are cohabitating…

89. Holding out as though married ( I ) A person who holds out as a husband or wife under this Act, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred currency points or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both” (2) Holding out under this part means living together as husband and wife, acquiring or owing property jointly, bearing children together, and taking on the man’s surname by the woman” (The Marriage Bill, 16.08.2024).

“A proposal in the Marriage Bill 2024 has sparked outrage among female activists in Uganda. The bill, authored by Tororo Woman MP Sarah Opendi, suggests imposing a Shs10 million fine or a three-year jail term on individuals found cohabiting. Rose Wakikona, Deputy Executive Director of the Women’s Probono Initiative, strongly opposes this provision, emphasizing that cohabiting is a social issue, not a legal one, and that punitive measures won’t resolve it” (91.2 Crooze FM, 06.02.2025).

It is now becoming evident that Sara Achieng Opendi MP of Tororo district wants penalize couples who decides to live together before marriage. The MP have created a stipulated article under a new law to not only fine the individuals who does this, but also possibly send them to prison.

That is really telling a tale of its own. The morality and the judgement of the state to interfere in this manner. That the government should have a say and decide who people lives with and how they are organizing their lives. Because that is the endgame here.

They either have to be by law, or they have to face the law. There is no trial or no testing. There is one set of rules, and the citizens has to comply. The “living in sin” would be codified and be law. Meaning the ones that dared to do it and act within the range of this could possibly face legal jeopardy. However, will the government start to register who is a couple and who is not? Will the government have a registry of everyone cohabiting and having deadlines on when they have made it official?

Because this is a bureaucratic hurdle. This is directly interfering in people’s love life and how they decide to live. It is the bureaucratic reform that enlarge the government and its possible forms. There is a need of registration and a follow-up of it. Since the state has to verify and justify the punitive actions on the couples that does this. Meaning they need to have it in their books that they did live together as a couple and was “holding out as though married” for a set amount of time. That is a story in itself and someone has to follow up on that on a regular basis. Before the bureaucrats are building a case and penalizing someone with either a fine or a charges broad enough to give the person jail time.

Alas, that is the big problem here. Where should the state start doing this? Where should the citizens comply to this and what is their motivation to do so?

This isn’t solving a problem, but criminalizing it. Instead of looking into the social factors and the reasons for why people decides to cohabiting instead marriage. That should be the question. The state and the authorities should wonder why they decide to lie the way they do and not legalize their union. That should be the question of the state and if that is the given that the state wants. Maybe it should try to figure out ways to make it more feasible, make it more easy or give it perks, which gives the reason for a union in the first place. Not only make a legally binding between two individuals, but also gives it perks that is advancing. So, that the ones that are cohabiting wants to move from just that to become married too. That’s what the government should do. It shouldn’t come with a strike of vengeance and with fear. No, it should come with solutions and possibilities so the citizens can assess their status and what is the best for them. Peace.

Kawempe North By-Election: The FDC Flagbearer is practically ‘Yellow’

“In the first remix that leaked online, Aganaga was heard calling Bobi Wine ‘fala’ with words ‘tolonda oyo fala’ however Aganaga denied owning the song. However the singer has now openly come out and acknowledged the song as his adding that a remix version with President Museveni is getting released and the video is coming soon. “As you know that am good at making old people sing hits in this industry , as a producer, best song writer, a sound engineer & a business man, I have landed on a collabo with the Current President of Uganda, H.E Yoweri K Museveni” Aganaga said as he describes his next move as Music for Business” (Nasa Tushabe – ‘Kalifah Aganaga In a New Song Collabo with Sevo, Kiboko Fire Remix’ 25.09.2020, Blizz Uganda).

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has now launched the candidacy of Afro-dancehall artist Sadat Mukiibi aka Kalifah Aganaga as the flagbearer in the Kawempe North By-Election. It is just shocking and showing how far the FDC has fallen.

“We have today successfully concluded the internal process of identifying candidates who will hold our flag in the upcoming Kawempe North By-election. The Party Electoral Commission has officially presented the following candidates:

  1. Mr. Sebunya Sharif – Councilor, Kazo Angola
  2. Mr. Mukiibi Sadat – Member of Parliament, Kawempe North” (Forum for Democratic Change, 05.02.2025).

The pick of candidate, a person who sold out and dipped out from the National Unity Platform (NUP) ahead of the General Election of 2021. That’s when he started to campaign for Museveni and became a National Resistance Movement (NRM) member. This is who he is and what he become.

That Patrick Oboi Amuriat are launching the campaign of Khalifah Aganaga is telling. FDC as we knew is falling. The reputation and how it looks is just maligning itself. POA deciding on the artist just shows what he wants to do. They are trying the populist approach with someone who is hunting for a home. The musician is already a journeyman and someone who has no trouble working with the NRM. So, we don’t know if he has revoked or distanced himself from NRM. A party he campaigned for before the 2021 election. Alas, that shows his character and what he was willing to do.

A man who is proud of having a “bad character” and running a corporation in that name. That’s who POA believes in and anoints. This is just so compelling…

The FDC fielding someone like this. That is just a story in itself. They are trying to prove a point, but it is futile. Just a mockery of People Power and the NUP. They are serving the NRM by doing this, as he was just in their midst and working for them a hot minute ago. That’s what Najjanankumbi tries to achieve here.

It is just tragic and a sad sight to see. This is what the party has become, and everyone should watch what Katonga Road does. Because that is where the trials and tribulations against the struggle continues. It has left the offices of Najjanankumbi, apparently. Peace.

Kawempe North By-Election: An update on the upcoming polls

The Electoral Commission has scheduled the road map ahead of the Kawempe North By-Election, which is now happening later this year. That was bound to happen after the demise and the fall of the late Mohammed Ssegirinya aka Mr. Update.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) is following suit and have asked for the ones who wants to be the flagbearer and become the next MP to step up. They have the time to express interests in it until the 4th February and the party will unveil their candidate on the 5th February. Surely within the guidelines of the Electoral Commission and in time to register the candidate as a contestant in the By-Election itself. Therefore, the NUP continues like no tomorrow.

The EC has settle the dates for delivering of the candidacy at the Office of the returning officer in the time span of the 26th and 27th February. This shows that the NUP is planning to be in advance and ensure their candidate is ready for campaigning early. As well, as waiting for the campaign period of 28th February to the 11th March 2025. Meanwhile, the polls are on the 13th March and we are seeing the MP will be elected on this day and either announced later that night or the day after. Depending on how the EC is planning to pull this one of.

The NUP is now working within the system and preparing to participate in this. The NUP want to replace Mr. Update and have the seat in the end of the 11th Parliament. Though that is a short stint before having to participate yet again in the 2026 General Election. By the time the MP is sworn in…

The MP would only have 6 months or possibly max 8 months or so. As the 11th Parliament has to accept the election and swear the MP in. That is up to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker to make it happen as Parliament Business. We just have to await… and see how that one plays out.

That the NUP is doing this isn’t surprising. There is already several candidates and people who wants to takeover the seat. These are running social media campaigns and published posters with slogans. They are ready to step up and take over as the flagbearer. It just shows how quickly someone takes over from the late. Instead of grieving or even honour the late. These cannot wait for their turn and be the next legislator who is getting in office.

Mr. Update deserves better than this. The system and the authorities doesn’t care, but the NUP should have honoured this man. They held the burial, but now they are contesting his seat like an ordinary day. The party just unleashing the ability to nominate themselves and telling when they will announce the candidate. Regardless of who this is… they will never be Mr. Update or live up to his potential. Mr. Update is one in a million and no one will be able to takeover from him. That heart and the voice of reason doesn’t come natural to plenty of others.

That’s why I wanted the NUP to boycott this one and instead held a longer period of mourning of Mr. Update. In this way have better time and be able to find the righteous candidate to step into the shadow of Mr. Update. Instead it will now be a petty fight within the party and also be a rushed campaign. The late MP deserves a better man and possibly someone who could revisit his love for the constituency.

The NUP cannot and aren’t able to find that suitable man within a hot minute. We shouldn’t expect magic, but surely … this is just rushed, and the constituency deserves better. They had a great leader and MP. They should have more time and now will be traded off in a hasteful campaign. That is where we are going… Peace.

Opinion: Kagabo MP finally came home

“That is their opinion, you know any opinion that ignores the facts is inclined to a fool or an idiot. This invite had an agenda, it isn’t perfunctory that you saw me in State House. I went to State House to meet the President, not NRM. Those are two different things. I pray to God that he gives you the wits to know the difference between meeting the President and party issues, they are very distinct. Just pray to God that He gives you that wisdom to demystify the two” – Twaha Kagabo (Bukoto South MP, National Unity Platform (NUP)) – (06.02.2024).

The journey is over. The former National Unity Platform (NUP) Member of Parliament of the Bukoto South MP is now vying to become the National Resistance Movement (NRM) MP for Bukoto South. He has within the term gone from the NUP to the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) to join the NRM.

This is a man that claimed to be an opposition and fight the dictator. To change his stripes when getting into office. Not like a fantastic or brilliant legislator. No, his not known for making motions or petitions the August House. This man has been busy finding new means to eat and find ways to get a meal-ticket. That’s who Kagabo MP is.

In February 2024 I said he should just turn yellow. That was how he engaged and talked anyway. There was nothing about him that was aligned with the NUP or the opposition. He could just be another crony and bootlicker of the state. That’s who he has become, and he found his path. Instead of having a moral code or even considering the implications. He rather sellout and become one of them.

That he went from the NUP and Bobi Wine to celebrate the dictator’s son. Just shows what sort of character he is and now he joins the NRM because the PLU won’t have separate tickets in the upcoming election. Therefore, he has to go to NRM and not stand on the PLU.

This is after the PLU said they were aligned with the NRM and no one should be shocked by that. The PLU is the NRM and the NRM is the PLU. It is just different fronts for the same message. They are working for the same regime and dynamic. Nothing is significantly different.

Just one man who turned on his cause and sold his soul. That’s who Kagabo MP is and everyone should know. He went from fighting the dictatorship to partaking in it. Just imagine that. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni is campaigning already [with the PDM assessment tour]

Now that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is touring the nation in the name of the Parish Development Model or the PDM. His doing the old bidding and using it as front for what his actually doing. This is campaigning and holding rallies outside the Electoral Road Map. That is using his authority and ability as the Head of State to vie the public with the carrot of micro-financing schemes.

This isn’t new of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) or the General himself. No, Museveni has done this for years and before the General Elections. It has been done in the name of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and Emyooga. Now it is PDM…

The State House will need Supplementary Budgets for it. It doesn’t matter if the PDM isn’t operational, functional or even having all mechanisms working to be the “silver bullet” to end poverty. It is just the newest scheme out of plenty. This President has promised the “golden goose” since the 1980s and made up schemes since at least the mid 1990s. So, we shouldn’t be surprised that he does it again and again.

When he goes to the up-country, up north, up east and central region in the name of the PDM. It is cookie cut campaigning to ensure longevity of his rule. That is done to be visible and let the villagers believe in his dream. This is to sell the promises and act like he has achieved something recently. Even if his selling the same story and re-inventing the wheel. That’s what his doing and still wasn’t prepared when launching the PDM. That’s why the PDM haven’t worked properly and is misused. It is paying ghosts and other non-entities in the name of ending poverty.

Alas, the President is coming with empty promises and pledging to heal the nation. Even if he doesn’t fix the institutions, neither have the funding for government services or even ensure the infrastructure is up to levels. That is just what he does and he will vilify the predecessors that has been dead for decades while his doing it.

This is just what Museveni does. He goes on these rallies and tours as early campaigning. Just to ensure the local NRM are ready and is on his side. His there to galvanize and hopeful corrupt the young minds with smoking mirrors. That’s all he has and those words are supposed to salvage his office. If not… he has to intimidate them to submission. Therefore, don’t expect mercy from His Excellency. That is a train that has left the station.

The ones thinking 2026 will be different than any other election. You got to be naive or an ignorant fool. As long as Museveni is on the ticket. The stars are aligned and we know the game already. Peace.

Kawempe North By-Election: A short memo on the upcoming polls

This is early… a bit to early, but it has to be addressed. As the ones remaining alive and the ones who are eager will fight for the open seat in Kawempe North. The late Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya will be exchanged for someone else. That is the nature of things. We just have to reconcile with that.

Alas, as this is given. The General Election of 2026 is scheduled for the 12th January 2026. So, whenever the Electoral Commission schedules the By-Election it will be mere months before the General Election. Meaning this By-Election is close to pointless and insignificant at best. As the 12th Parliament seat would be more valuable and have a full term.

Mr. Update should have a proper successor and have someone who honours his legacy. Someone who is bound by ideals and a will to serve his community. That would be the dream. Have someone who would ensure the hospital and all the other service delivery. Which the MP fought for and showed compassion for the constituency. That is rare and unique of the character that was Ssegirinya MP. We shall never forget that and his name will be remembered.

Nevertheless, the seat is up for grabs. People will take their stake in it and try to forge their way into Parliament. There will be a competition of both activists and stalwarts who wants to get ahead.

If the National Unity Platform (NUP) was wise here. They would actually not field anyone at this current stage. Just boycott it and act like Mr. Update is the MP for the remaining time. Then later hold Party Primaries and ensure someone is ready, popular and has the message the Kawempe North deserves.

We know the National Resistance Movement (NRM) wants to signal their return and they cannot help to make by-elections look like war-zones. The NRM needs to make it seems like it has momentum and massive electorate on its side ahead of the General Elections. That’s why they will use this and try to humiliate the opposition. Even ensure a few NRM leaning Independents with a little heart and finesse participate too. Just to dilute the chance of an opposition candidate to win.

This here is unfortunate. The people of Kawempe North had a winner and a man of steel. The Kawempe North had a hero and a man of the people. That’s who they had and he shouldn’t be gone this early. Mr. Update should have lingered on and become a man of the hour. He should have had time to build and create. However, that wasn’t the wishes of the state and they destroyed him completely. Therefore, he was pronounced dead today….

I don’t want to see a Kawempe North By-Election. Parts of me wants to boycott it completely and not even write this. Nevertheless, the ice-cold facts are here. This should be a year of reflection and the NUP should revise a proper strategy ahead of the 2026. Not run on vibes in the quickest race before the General Election. They shouldn’t take the risk of heredity politics either. No, they should just wait for the current and try to make a solid foundation for 2026. That’s if they want someone proper and with heart to takeover. Not just some run-of-the-mill character that wears the red-beret and sings the psalms of the day.

Kawempe North deserves better. They lost their hero and it’s just a massive tragedy. He was special, unique and was who people wants to see as their leader. He had morals, social compass and an ability to engage that others wants to emulate, but you cannot just copy that. That is something he was born with and that’s why he was beloved.

This By-Election is sort of pointless. It won’t bring a change or be pivotal. For others than headlines that the government will use against the opposition. That’s why the opposition and the NUP especially should be wiser. Not fall into the traps and get dirty. It should be better. Especially, if they want to be beholden to the legacy of the late MP. Peace.

The tragic demise of Muhammed Ssegirinya MP

“I have never found inner peace ever since I was elected MP and sometimes I regret and say I wish I had remained in the position of councillor” – Muhammed Ssegirinya, Kawempe North MP (September 2023).

Today, the announced reports that Muhammed Ssegirinya MP died at Lubaga Hospital. A man who fought and was targeted by the state. He was charged with Masaka murders, which he was not involved in. They kept in prison for 17 months, tortured him and blocked him from getting proper medical treatment. This is the price of rebellion and being a dissident in a dictatorship.

Mr. Update has been a voice of the wretched and the poor for years. He worked and with heart since before he was elected as a Councillor. Ssegirinya became an MP after one term as a councillor. As a councillor he fought and was even taken away from Mulago hospital. That just showed his character and how he was willing to fight the people.

Today we are seeing the price of fighting for a just cause. Ssegirinya MP have been a person of interest. That’s why they pinned him with terrorism and kept him behind bars. They wanted to signal to the public and the people that their leaders could be captured. The state could have acted differently, but they desired to arrest, detain and torture him. To such an extent that he wasn’t allowed to be released on bail for medical treatment or such. Therefore, we can see what has happened ever since.

Ever since his release from the forged-up charges and trial against him. He has been sick and never been able to get back. The stint and months behind bars broke his body. The state took his health, and he died as a result. His an official victim of the state and their punishment of their dissidents.

Mr. Update had heart, soul and character. He could crack you up, but he was also interested in delivering for his community. As a leader and a politician, he was on the frontline and fought. He used his time and tried to make a difference. That’s more than others who are there just to eat and find ways of getting envelopes. This wasn’t the way of Ssegirinya MP.

A man who has been detained, blocked and stopped in his tracks. A man who did what he saw as righteous. He never got to see the promised land or the values he fought for. Ssegirinya MP deserved so much more. The MP and the man himself should have seen some results of his labour. However, he instead died in a hospital for being an opposition leader. A leader who was revered and respected. That’s why the state targeted him and tried to silence him.

They have taken his last breath. They destroyed his body, but his cause and his battles aren’t over yet. No, others should continue and persist with the fight. It is far from over, but there is a need for men like Ssegirinya MP. They are the ones who are heroes and the ones who dares to challenge the Gods. He did so and people entrusted this man. However, the authorities didn’t accept that, and they killed him. Peace.

National Resistance Movement (NRM): Office of the National Chairman – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – Updated Communication (07.01.2025)

A look into Bobi Wine’s New Year’s Message

Throughout the history of our nation, we have been presented with different opportunities at different times and turns. We have been presented with opportunities to build a fair, just and prosperous nation. Unfortunately, we have missed most of those opportunities, which have put us in this vicious cycle of oppression” – Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine (06.01.2025).

There are plenty of New Year’s Messages being spread these days. Several of politicians world-wide is a part of it and they does it either on New Years Evening or days after. Today the Opposition Leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine released his speech, which he held at the National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters today.

I will just take small fragments of it, as it is such a vast speech. I would recommend anyone to read it through and check Bobi Wine’s social media’s for it. As it is a powerful speech. Whereas, I can only look into a little of it and discuss it.

In the four decades of the Museveni rule, there have been several other opportunities presented to we, the people of Uganda – just like the case was with the regimes before him. Every election, every protest, every contestation under Museveni has presented us an opportunity for redemption, and yet we continue to live under the heavy load of oppression. Every election cycle has presented an opportunity to put an end to oppression and start afresh- right from 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and indeed 2021. Different times, different candidates, different actors – and yet, the dream of a new Uganda remains the same while simultaneously continuing to elude us” (Bobi Wine, 06.01.2025).

Here Bobi Wine is speaking facts. We have seen it and you can read several of my blogs, which has the same reflection. This is something we have all seen and it is part of the fabric of the society. That’s what Museveni has created and how he has operated over all these years. It is what he does and we can the see the results of it.

Bobi Wine continues…

Power is a double edged sword. Give it to evil people, and they will use it to steal, kill and plunder. Give it to good people, and they will use it to build and empower. That is why we must take back that power from a group that has caused so much suffering and humiliation to our people and use it, as the people of Uganda, to build a better nation. We must fight to take power from a man who is not ashamed to say that he is only workout for himself, his children and grand children and use it to build a country based on freedom, fairness and social justice” (Bobi Wine, 06.01.2025).

The sentiment here is powerful, as he has told about the wasted years of Museveni. Where he has misused power and used force to stay in office. Now he speaks of the other option and the opportunities to build a greater society. Where the public trusts its leadership and also serves the public. Which is far from what that is shown today in the Republic. They rather buy weapons, than buy needed materials or goods for the ones in need. If people are in need… the high ranking officials could find ways to loot it and only given token parts of stockpile to the ones in need. That’s how things are these days.

Bobi Wine further states…

To you comrade foot soldiers, this year is going to be a tough one. Museveni’s son has already promised to cause mayhem and inflict harm upon us. He even promised to cut off my nose. But God is with us. Whatever he desires for us will come upon him and his family unless they repent and change course. Let us remain united and focused” (Bobi Wine, 06.01.2025).

Here Bobi Wine is to kind. Museveni’s son has said to chop his head off and capture him. That’s what he has said recently or tweeted for that matter. It’s true into any election cycle things will only get rough. That is the proof of any by-election and how the opposition are treated. It will only get worse from here and the previous one proves just that. The year 2020 was hard ahead of the 2021. Nothing will be different now and the NUP will be tested yet again. This time not as a newcomer, but as an overachiever in the previous election.

Bobi Wine’s words are reflective of a thinking man and a man who knows how to deliberately tell a message. He wants to solidify the hope of a better future, but at the same time tell the tragic stories of the current predicament. That is the reality here and the Republic suffers because of it.

This shows what sort of character Bobi Wine is and why his a needed voice in the nation. However, they will haunt him, attack and try to destroy him. Expect no mercy against him and his kind ahead of the 2026 election. Yet again, the blood will be on the streets, people abducted and merciless actions in the name of God as the punisher on the Throne is haunting his prey. That what is coming and the ones in power ravishes in the devious methods used to linger indefinitely. Peace.

Opinion: The Guards will guard his coffee…

Similarly, handling the village thieves legally firmly, is good for the villages and also good for those thieves. I recently, got a report from anattendant of the advanced military course at the National Defence College, Njeru, following their field research. In the research, they noticed some People drying green coffee harvested prematurely. When they inquired, they were told by the Wanainchi that nibatangatangana (to compete with some other People as to who would do something first) with the marijuana-smoking youth that idle in the Trading Centres doing nothing and, then, steal People’s coffee at night. What are the RDCs doing? Why do they not engage these youth to direct their efforts towards honest work? How about the Police? If the concerned People do not act, I will involve the UPDF to empower all the wealth creators–farmers, etc–to guard their property by activating the vast militia of our LDUs. It will not be good for those thieves. This harvesting of immature coffee, will affect the quality of our coffee. It is not acceptable” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (31.12.2024).

I know, I know the Police Bonds are the biggest revelation of the Year End Address of Musveni. Nevertheless, the Uganda Law Society (ULS) has addressed that properly and don’t need to repeat the man. Therefore, I am going in on the one that was solidified in silence before the New Years.

As am I writing this in 2025. The UCDA was rationalized and signed the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill of 2024 was signed by the President on the 24th December 2024. When the villagers was back in the villages and the people affected was busy with Christmas schedules. People was busy buying food and drinks for the celebratory day. That’s when he did it and for a reason.

The nation got owners and tenants. The owners are the ones in power and the ones in the inner-circle. That’s why the villagers and farmers just have to accept this fate. This is done to takeover more control of the coffee and he wants to take it further.

Just a mere week after signing the law. His now making the National Army and other Security Organizations to guard the Coffee. That is preparing the total control of the cash-crop. It is showing how he will enforce his will and take it for himself.

The President is spilling the beans here. We have seen how the President decrees and orders the army around. They are involved in civilian matters for years. That’s why civilians are tried in Military Courts. Therefore, this isn’t anything new in the years of power of the President and his party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Museveni has ordered the army to stop illegal fishing and delivering out nets against mosquitoes. The army has even been used to fix potholes and build stadiums. Therefore, there isn’t anything they cannot be micro-managed to do.

However, the army should secure the borders and the national integrity, therefore… is the coffe that important. The coffee is so vital for the economy and for the longevity of his reign. That he needs to guard it with soldiers and people has to follow orders of the high command. This is the gist here…

President Museveni is misusing his office and showing his junta affairs when he decides this is the way to resolve things. Instead of having the police to enforce the laws and securing the farmers. There isn’t incentive or means to an end. That’s why he takes the usage of the military to ensure his ends. It is really tragic that after all these years in power. A man who has been in office since the 1980s and he cannot find better measures to ensure development of the coffee crop. He only knows the guns and think the striking fear is the way of moving forward. This is going backwards into the future and will only make things worse.

Hungry soldiers and LDUs on the fields of coffee won’t make it more safer. Instead it will create more fear and intimidation. The soldiers will misuse this and most likely will extort the farmers. That is the end-game here and it will only hurt the production of the cash crop. This is how these sort of stupid ends. Therefore, the President cannot see this, because he thinks his clever.

Alas, that is the problem… and we can see it coming. Peace.