Opinion: EU Envoy Schmidt are speaking like an NRM apologist similar to Ofwono Opondo over Besigye’s 2016 Election defiance!

I feel sorry for European Union Envoy Kristian Schmidt who are now sounding like a National Resistance Movement (NRM) apologist, instead of an independent spirit and understanding of the short-falls of the NRM Regime. He seems to been misunderstanding what happen during the General Election 2016. Surely, he wants the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Dr. Kizza Besigye, to say it just water under bridge and let it go. Since the Supreme Court followed the orders of the 31 Years and counting President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. First introduce some of the beautiful words of Ofwono Opondo, before the Kristian Schmidt’s foolish interview with Daily Monitor, before enlightening fellow European of his ignorance or forgetting the blatant impunity towards Besigye and FDC in and around the General Election 2016. Since he has forgotten while drinking Nile Brew in the Embassy and going on Safaries with his dignitaries. Surely, Schmidt must feel good about himself!

““In this election, Besigye gained 1.5 million votes compared to two million votes he got in 2011 while Museveni’s gain was a paltry 500,000. To the NRM strategists, this is the most shocking, indeed worrying trend, and having located the cause as being our messaging, strategy, campaign style, internal laxity, occasioned fraud and widespread bickering. We shall not blame anybody else except ourselves. Actually, to be frank, we were almost swept away by our collective failure to robustly respond to the Opposition demagoguery on issues of youth unemployment, despair among the urban population, poor and yet expensive public service delivery and bad public relations, especially to distribution of soft campaign cash that often got stolen along the way among other issues. This, to the Besigye camp, should give hope that with better strategic organisation, not only falsehoods, they can in the future topple NRM through the ballot instead of being bad losers” (…) ““The claims of rigging, especially at the last minute through alleged intimidation of candidates’ agents, ballot stuffing, falsification or alteration of results on tally and declaration sheets and at announcements are perturbing and incredibly unbelievable. These could pass as truth if the peddlers could at least adduce some verifiable evidence from eyewitnesses and documents in their possession that differ from those of the EC, which ought to be available from the multiple sources, including the media that observed these elections” (Opondo, 2016).

So when a NRM spokesperson and Uganda Media Centre director had to come in defense of his master. In the aftermath and with the current illegitimate government. Who has no problems in misusing the government funds and had no problem rigging the election in their favor. As the FDC had massive scores of leaders behind bars, had people with Declarations Forms from Polling Stations at Gun-Point, had their Headquarter barricaded and sealed off, Besigye was under house-arrest and the story goes on. Not an adventure, but a true theft a nation. Still Schmidt says this to the FDC and former Presidential Candidate:

“He added: “That is of course an issue that is dividing but I think it would have been good to come together and discuss. It has not happened and election reforms seem to be not going forward.” (…) “The law of Uganda is what it is: the conditions of petitions are what they are, and for a petition to be successful you have to do a lot of homework. Under your Constitution I believe you have little time, 10 days. I know one of the recommendations of the Supreme Court is to extend that time which I believe makes sense.” (…) “ He said “I think if Dr Besigye was convinced before elections that he would not be happy with the outcomes and the process, he should have been the one to petition. He should have prepared for that but he decided before that he was not going to and under the rule of law.” (Musisi, 2017).

EU Envoy to Uganda Kristian Schmidt, I know you visited him while on undetermined house-arrest. Since the Police Force had been stationed in Kasangati, Wakiso for so long days before the election and until May 2016. When he was able to escape and have his own swearing-in ceremony, before air-lifted to Moroto, where the state charged him with Treason charges. Which he still carries today, he is an arch-criminal and seen as an enemy of the state. Than after all of this, you talk about rule of law, justice and courts. Like Dr. Kizza Besigye haven’t had his time in court, haven’t been detained on more occasions than ordinary thief, even more than average murderers in the Republic.

So, the FDC was unable to counter with a petition, Amama Mbabazi was the only one able to fill in a form or petition. Because FDC has done so after General Election 2011. So it is like the EU Envoy for Uganda Schmidt is not in concern anymore of all the breaches that happen to Besigye. Like the whole House-Arrest period, the whole part of the general assault on the rule of law considering the elections and polls. The self sufficient pre-ticket ballots and Badru Kiggundu’s own special math-class. The statistics and the vicious attempt of forging the whole election in favor of President Museveni.

It like he wants the one on Treason Charges since May 2016, since the coup d’etat in February 20^th 2016, when the Electoral Commission announced the result. That as the whole NRM and state organization was behind the whole ordeal. Even the European Election Observation Mission and the Commonwealth Election Observation Mission was explaining the massive flaws of the General Election. Still, the EU Envoy want Besigye just to let it go.

Let’s take his first reasoning, since it is shows his true passion, the Danish dignitary: “Now if this was in any other democracy, like in some European countries, it would be unacceptable that the Opposition party does not then recognise the winner of the elections” (Musisi, 2017). If this was an election in Europe, all of these ploys of the NRM wouldn’t have happen. Not normally, that the army is used to intimidate, that local leaders are paid-off with new cars, that ballot are pre-ticket ballots and all powers to be to silence the FDC. Together with the obvious rigging and mismatch of acts in favor of Museveni. If this would not have happen in a European elections and EU Envoy to Uganda knows this. That why it is remarkable that he says about Besigye.

Besigye knows better and the Ugandan people knows so. They are not fools, even if Schmidt is sounding like Ofwono Opondo and has taken lectures from Andrew Mwenda. He surely has hanged in the same bars in Kampala as these two. To sound so blatant ignorant and so forgetful. Peace.

Reference:

Opondo, Ofwono – ‘The media shouldn’t parrot Opposition false claims’ (28.03.2016) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Media-parrot-Opposition-false-claims/-/689364/3135890/-/2m2g7v/-/index.html

Musisi, Fredric – ‘Besigye refusal to recognise government not helpful – EU envoy’ (09.07.2017) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Besigye-refusal-recognise-government-not-helpful-EU-envoy/688334-4006606-er8gyr/index.html

Norbert Mao’s play is clearly out of Mzee’s playbook: as he ordered Nambooze to leave together with her supporters!

I Hate to say it, I have to admit it, at one point I admired his political savvy and wisdom; But with time I knew I was fooled. Norbert Mao seemed like a person for the future and who had it in him. The feeling now is that he has given up and accepted to be a fringe leader; Who leads his own branch, but not really having power. The Democratic Party is losing key leaders and people that at one point in time gained positive attention. The sort of acts of late is showing his weakness. The DP has become a NRM-lite, he might hate that inside, but the fringe leadership of his caliber, I am sure that is enough for him!

“The President of the Democratic Party General Norbert Mao has ordered Betty Nambooze and her followers to quit the party saying their actives are threatening its stability. Mao says he is aware that Nambooze , who is on suspension following her rebuke of orders from the party leadership, is plotting to form the second Suubi pressure group and initiate it into party” (NBS Television, 25.04.2017).

“Mao warned Betty Nambooze (Mukono Municipality MP) and Vice President for Buganda Region to desist from dividing the party along tribal lines. “I will not allow Nambooze and her factions to divide DP. It is not true that only one tribe has led DP to where it is today. All other tribes have played a role. Those who feel they cannot stick along the party rules, guidelines and constitution should quit and go where they belong,” said Mao” (Jaramogi, 2017).

What is interesting is that the Democratic Party leader are saying that Hon. Betty Bakireke Nambooze, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, Hon. Medard Ssegona and Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. These are the people and the members that Mao is warning today and wanting to scatter. That Mao does this and than claims the ones asking for them to leave. What is more unique is the Suubi claim, as Namboozi is the Vice-President Buganda Caucus and she just represent her constituency, as much as the others who are around her.

It is more like Mao is afraid of what this fraction stand-for compared to the central leadership of the DP. Therefore, he is claiming the Suubi and suddenly that came into the questions about the DP. Like a leaf in the wind, the DP from Gulu, who claims himself not play tribal games. Uses forged games as the Suubi, the wishing of the Baganda and Buganda kingdom to be a federal in a federation in Uganda. That Nambooze and the Baganda Caucus works against the other kingdoms and their rights. Therefore, if you smell through it all.

That Mao brings Suubi, the so-called resurrection of Kabaka-Yekka (KY), the Party went away around the time when Dr. Milton Obote also abolished the kingdoms in 1967, just years after the UPC and KY alliance had been put into effect. Therefore, hearing that the DP leader using the most striking part of kingdoms history in the battle between him and the Nambooze fractions. Seems like he uses the tribal warfare and uses his own ethical codes.

So the plan seems to use the control the party on the lines of his words and his play, as he and Fred Mukasa Mbidde plays with powerful words. When using the Suubi against the Baganda Caucus of the DP. The ones that Mao told to scatter. That they have to find a new home and get away. Seems like the leader doesn’t want to play fair. The DP Baganda Caucus and their members who follow the ones who wanted to have a conference in Masaka. It is has been twice now the police has blocked them in a short while.

While the DP have warned Nambooze… and suspended.. and now they are having stern orders sending her and allies packing. They are ordered to leave the party, get new homes, as well as been called secessionist and federor or federalists. The Baganda Caucus haven’t had this as a plan, more like they wanted to revamp the party and vitalize the interest around the “Bad DP”.

So now we know that the sensitizing and tribal misuse inside the party, are now tricks that Mao have learned from Museveni, instead of using natural leadership. Certainly, Mao has lost it… He is so weak and cannot let the other DP leaders act without his blessing… I never thought the ones once going against Museveni and claiming all sort of mismanagement in the NRM party and the state. That is nearly never happening anymore. The silence is killing the DP party and also why Nambooze now is ordered away together with her supporters. Peace.

Reference:

Jaramogi, Patrick – ‘Norbert Mao Vows to throw Suspended Mukono legislator Betty Nambooze Out of DP’ (25.04.2017) link: http://theinvestigatornews.com/2017/04/norbert-mao-vows-throw-suspended-mukono-legislator-betty-nambooze-dp/

The Conference of the “Bad DP” get’s a hostile meeting with the Calvary in Masaka!

Hon. Mathias Mpuuga have today been detained at the Lukaya Police Station as the Democratic Party Conference and meeting in town was blocked and sealed off. This is similar fashion to how it has been with opposition party functions since the Public Order Management Act (POMA) was put into legislation. Therefore, what is happening in Masaka is sort of expected, especially after the DP NEC suspended the Vice-President of the Buganda Caucus Betty Nambooze, who had planned rally and conference in Masaka today!

“Hon. Betty Nambooze and Hon. Medard Ssegona plead with police officers that had blocked blocked their way on the Masaka-Kampala highway. The legislators are headed to Masaka for a DP meeting. The police say the meeting is illegal” (93.3 KFM, 23.04.2017).

Also the ones following the cars of Hon. Nambooze and Hon. Ssegona on the road from Kampala to Masaka. There been several of journalists detained for following the trail of cars going to the meeting in Masaka. Just like it has been before in Uganda, there is dangerous to follow the ones who isn’t directly loyal to the NRM and their paradigm.

So the District Police Commander John Chrysostom Mwaule of Masaka took to the offices of Mathias Mpuuga and the Masaka Municipality legislator offices, a place where police presence was severe, as they knew of the planned event. They we’re even told to write to IGP Kale Kayihura on the 20^th April of 2017 from the DPC, as the DPC could give clearance on his own turf. Shows how little institutions matters and more personal understanding of the legality. That the DP MP Mpuuga didn’t believe that IGP Kayihura wouldn’t allow it, as the “Good DP” are following the orders and directives of the NRM. Therefore, this conference has been blocked and stopped it. With the Tear-Gas and Police detaining journalists and MP’s in Masaka. This is something more common to occur for the FDC, not for the DP party.

So the POMA are now used against fraction who is not together with DP President Norbert Mao and his close associates in Hon. Fred Mukasa Mbidde and Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi. They are the “Good DP”, that have even been invited into the closed chambers of the President Museveni. However, the so-called opposition party, has a fraction that is not bought by the NRM.

Today the “Bad DP” got the vicious treatment and so has the journalists follow the cars who was going to the “Bad DP” conference in Masaka. Certainly, there are now officially to levels of opposition in Uganda, the ones that are paid and loyal to the NRM. And the one opposition who tries to be in real opposition to the NRM.

Because of these actions stores has been closed in Masaka, as the supporters of the “Bad DP” running chants and stampede against the Police, as they are worried that Mbidde and Mao have sold the party to the NRM. Even the Tropic Inn Hotel have been condoned by the Police Force as well, so there are acts of direct oppressive.

“Police has dispersed off “Bad DP” supporters with tear gas at Lukaya on their way to Masaka ahead of a conference that was organised by Masaka Municipality MP Mathias Mpunga. This has also forced police to close Tropic Inn Hotel in Masaka where the conference was supposed to be held” (The Generation Newspaper, 23.04.2017).

So the “Bad DP” are now getting the treatment that Dr. Paul Ssemogerere did get when he did rally back-in-the-day, therefore, there are now proof of some people resurrecting the party out of the hands of the current leadership inside the DP NEC. Peace.

The Start of the Oppressive behavior from the Police after a Journalist Muhinda get detained for taking a photo in Kasangati; A Pastor Ngabo and a Sheik Katende was detained on the way to the FDC Prayers that was scheduled this morning and more!

Is this photo so dangerous for the NRM Regime?

“What is the mental state of someone who is called to acquire capacity to defend his or her job and they don’t show up? Those who did not attend must answer,” IGP Kale Kayihura.

On this World Press Freedom Day the Uganda Police Force have reminded the Journalist that it is illegal to cover or covering the Opposition. IT IS A CRIME to write about the Opposition and their demonstrations in Uganda. That is what the Uganda Police Force have told the journalists.

Just as expected the Ugandan Police Force would act out the Interim Order with Impunity and no honour. Today a man named Journalist Ronald Muhinda (Radio One FM 90) took this photo(the first photo); this photo in Kasangati on the first day the Interim Order of last Friday comes into effect as the FDC usually have prayers at their headquarters as a peaceful step to #FreeMyVote. Something the Deputy Justice Stephen Kavuma has seen as a malice attempt to undermine the rule of law, so apparently taking photos in Kasangati is illegal and is now the state of affairs.

“By press time, unspecified number of people including Daily Monitor reporter Stephen Kafeero had been arrested by police at FDC head offices in Najjanankumbi and Kasangati. However, Mr Kafeero was later released” (Daily Monitor, 03.05.2016).

This happens as early this morning as the news of Police Force have in deployed heavy guarded police at the FDC Headquarter of Najjankumbi in Kampala. So they wasted no time to use their force. The operation is under the command of the deputy RPC Kampala South Kaheebwa Geoffrey.

Even Pastor David Ngabo has been detained on the road towards the Najjankumbi to attend prayers. He has honoured his words last week where he said he would have no trouble being detained as a result of fighting the oppression. Also the other parts of Pastor Ngabo pastoral team have been detained.  Another man on the road who is detained is also Sheik Katende.

As we see with the journalist photo of Kasangati and with the state of Najjankumbi. There will be more arrests as I expected as the FDC leadership and FDC Youth Members will be picked up the Police Force. Early this morning Councillor Elect of Kawempe, Kampala Muhammad Ssegirinya got the call from DPC Kawempe and was told not to attend the prayers at the FDC Headquarters! Dr. Stella Nyanzi have also been detained on the road towards Najjankumbi to attend the prayers.

In Gulu

Good news from Gulu:

“Gulu municipality citizens are holding prayers at Gulu Woman MP Betty Awol’s office in Tegwana”. 

More Pictures from the FDC Headquarters where the Police Force is busy detaining FDC Members today. 

There will be to come as the events unfold and as the information on how the Uganda Police Force detain the oppostion who just trying to assemble for prayers as a civil disobidience towards the Government who has stolen their votes in the General Election 2016 and their Presidential election 2016.

Party president General Muntu arrives followed by Pastor Ngabo amidst the police and military siege around the offices.

Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago have been detained and taken away at FDC Headquarters in Najjankumbi and taken into the Black Van that have followed the Ugandan General Election and been the famous car driving Besigye to Naggalama thorugh whole of February 2016.

 This here violates all democratic values and proves to what extent President Museveni and IGP Kale Kayihura works to keep themselves in power. Peace. 

Press Release: Respect of Professional Rights of Media Women is Paramount (24.03.2016)

A Man padlocks himself at a Clock Tower in Kampala as a demonstration against the house-arrest of Besigye; While the Police detain journalists who covers the demonstration!

“Police has resorted to rounding up and arresting journalists who are covering ‘‘Free My Vote Campaign” where people are chaining themselves on poles in different places in Kampala city centre. Some journalists have been led to Central police station others are right now held at New tax park police both” (Francis Tumwekwasize, 2016). 

The Works of the newly appointed Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander Andrew Felix Kaweesi as he promised to the men and woman who appeared around Dr. Kizza Besigye home would vanish, especially journalists. The same is happening now in the Kampala City Centre, jus as a demonstrator chained himself to lightpole with a sign of freeing Dr. Kizza Besigye. The man who chained himself also got detained by the Police. The Same happen to a Journalist Ronald Muhinda who is now detained at Kampala Central Police Station.

A man chained and padlocked himself on electric pole on clock tower in Kampala n protest of “Free My Vote” Campaign and in demand of release of Kizza Besigye from house arrest

And now also the men reporting it getting detained to not spread the message and show the open and also peaceful demonstration against the Preventative Arrest of Dr. Kizza Besigye. Peace. 

Press Release: UPF reasons for detaining Charles Rwomushana (30.03.2016)

The Police, today, Wednesday, March 30, 2016, summoned Mr. Charles Rwomushana, a self styled political activist, at the Special Investigations Division, Kireka, at 10.00 am, and obtained his statement in connection with allegations of spreading false information and inciting the public to commit offences against the state during a talk show on one of the local radio stations.

The suspect, who appeared with his lawyer, has a tendency of making reckless and unfounded statements on different media platforms that infringe upon national security. The evidence accumulated against him that included a radio transcript was jointly reviewed and questions put to him on as to whether he was or not breaking the law in making such alleged falsifications and by explicitly inciting the public to violence. He was thereafter, released on police bond.

The investigations which are being conducted in full compliance with every individual’s right to freedom of expression, and in conformity with the regional and international laws, appear complete and the case file submitted to the office of the Director Public Prosecutions, to evaluate the evidence gathered thus far. Although the police are highly committed to fostering a vibrant and free media space in which people can freely express themselves, it does encourage the public to do so in a manner that is not illegal and does not incite violence and hatred.

CP Fred Enanga
Press and Public Relations Officer
Uganda Police
30.03.2016

Charles Rwomushana we’re yesterday released on bond – His own story on why he was detained

His own Witness Account:

“I was, yesterday, released on police bond to report today.  This action by Mr Kale and his police emanates from the Friday radio one Spectrum programme.  There are largely three issues that have haunted their souls; My assertion that they extra judiciary executed civilians in Kasese,  The Judiciary is an appendage of the NRA occupation, That Mr Kigundu didn’t have his eye glasses on and read wrong results.  My argument remains that any armed forces that are not wicked cannot pride in killing civilians” (…) “Forces under civilised command would always do their best to protect civilians and where civilians have violated the law do all their best to bring the said civilians to face justice. Where the civilians are riotus you deploy the force with protection gear like helmets and stone shields” (…)“You can only deploy an armed force without protection gear against a riotus population if your intention is to gun down the said population.  That Mr Kale and the Minister of Internal affairs made judgement and condemned the executed civilians without an investigation and besides the subsequent statement of Mr Kale quoted by the media that they would gun down more civilians. …and that they indeed gunned down more civilians later further reinforces my belief that they have it as their policy to gun down civilians” (…) “Indeed the Secretary General of the NRA occupation Ms Lumumba disclosed it as their policy of gunning down riotus civil population.  I certainly oppose extra judicial executions.  I will continue to be the voice of those poor souls that were executed. .The known and the unknown and those of you who are yet to be extra judiciary executed.  Of course those who followed court proceedings know more than I do that Kigundu is yet to read the correct results.  This election was a farce. It was rigged. Period” (…) ”Who ever wants to hang for that belief and opinion kindly hurry.  I said and I still mantain my line that in the constituency Assembly where I was a member, we aspired for an Independent Judiciary. The NRA occupation won’t let this happen.  The NRA occupation has raided courts severally. The Court ordered Mr Elias Lukwago back to office and that was ignored. Since then they even have never cleaned Mr Lukwago’ s office.  I told the NRA occupation police force that I would repeat the same views on any other platforms because I believe I’m wholly right and the NRA occupation is wholly wrong.  It’s my natural right to resist evil and I won’t slacken even in the face of death.  Off to the NRA occupation police to preach the gospel of liberation from the NRA occupation.  God is Great” (Charles Rwomushana, 31.03.2016).

The Weekly: Uganda (Youtube-Clip)

“Who will be The Weekly’s favourite person this week?” (The Weekly, 2016)

“The media shouldn’t parrot Opposition false claims” – Ofwono Opondo; I beg to differ and address his claims; and discuss he defense for the so-called Election Victory of his beloved NRM!

“If voting made any difference they wouldn’t let us do it” – Mark Twain

When we speak of Ugandan election it is not often Mark Twain comes to mind, but he should be spoken about like folklore and around the bonfires and around the charcoal since it exactly what happen. Mr. Opondo has yet again come to the defense of his party and his master. Last time I addressed him on the 1^st February 2016, when he attacked the Media and the FDC. He does the same thing again, now in another manner, but still needs to comment and arguments need to be sealed and show how the misleading words of the NRM spokesman are. If these arguments from the NRM spokesman are true, then I say that the voting done in the Presidential and Members of Parliament Elections in mid-February wouldn’t make a difference, since the NRM just let the citizens do it. But we would hope the value of the votes mattered more right?

“I take issue broadly with the Ugandan media’s coverage of election campaigns and results so far. It surprises me that more than a month after the public declaration, official release and gazzettment of the election results by Electoral Commission (EC) the mainstream media of radios, television stations and newspapers continue to parrot the false and absurd claims by Dr Kizza Besigye of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) that he was ‘robbed’ of victory at the last minute by the NRM in connivance with the Electoral Commission and other State organs. FDC lost 17 of its 35 MPs in the 9th Parliament, and the party hasn’t made any gains at all!” (Opondo, 2016).

Well, the reason why everybody can claim what surprises you Mr. Opondo is that the men and woman with the Candidates Declarations Forms from the Polling stations from other parties have been detained, the amount of polling stations counted in the official announcement and results are small, the pre-ticked ballots evidence have been massive, even polling officials have had ballot-boxes pre-made before the Election Day; therefore with the massive amounts of the rigging the claims that surprises you shouldn’t Mr. Opondo, but I know you would say anything that your master command you to. As you are not allowed to think on your own right Mr. Opondo? I know that hurts, but by now it must be facts. If a rigged elections and the results from the elections is seen as verified then the might be a loss for the FDC, but even though they might not have lost, since there was no crowds celebrating your grand victory and the country was mourning while the soldiers was heavy deployed and the army was standing around Namboole Stadium and the Electoral Commission Headquarter unto the time for petition the elections on the 1^st of March. So your victory can’t be that big when you need all security organizations, the army and the police at standby, if the public wanted your victory they would catch chicken thieves and not having Dr. Kizza Besigye under house-arrest ever since the day before the Election Day.

“In this election, Besigye gained 1.5 million votes compared to two million votes he got in 2011 while Museveni’s gain was a paltry 500,000. To the NRM strategists, this is the most shocking, indeed worrying trend, and having located the cause as being our messaging, strategy, campaign style, internal laxity, occasioned fraud and widespread bickering. We shall not blame anybody else except ourselves. Actually, to be frank, we were almost swept away by our collective failure to robustly respond to the Opposition demagoguery on issues of youth unemployment, despair among the urban population, poor and yet expensive public service delivery and bad public relations, especially to distribution of soft campaign cash that often got stolen along the way among other issues. This, to the Besigye camp, should give hope that with better strategic organisation, not only falsehoods, they can in the future topple NRM through the ballot instead of being bad losers” (Opondo, 2016).

Well, the NRM Task Force and Campaign Team have used large war-chest and monies on the election, ferrying more voters than ever in history. The cause doesn’t seem important as the recycling pledges from the leader of NRM and the President. There been internal problems that are visible ever since the Executive decided to cut ties with Amama Mbabazi. With that the Party has struggled through a strange internal election called the NRM-Primaries, and even in the end payed to have the losing incumbent as “NRM Independent” in the General Election. You can claim stolen campaign funds while you have scandals of money from the Bank of Uganda used for campaign, getting money from the Government of Kenya and giving away UGX 250k to every village in the last days before the Presidential Poll on the 18^th February. If the FDC came with only “Falsehood” and still feeling the need to defend the ballots, the ballot and pre-ticked ballots and the statistically strange results of 100% for the NRM candidate at certain polling stations. There are too many issues from the Election Day and the late release of Election Material in Wakiso and Kampala while the Kaabong Town and Lira Town could vote from the early morning on the Election Day seems like rigging to me, as the EC Headquarter are just besides the Polling Stations in Kampala and Wakiso. So Mr. Opondo the deal with feeling bad about losing is that there to many factors in the pot to make a to tasty stew for the matooki, it is not just beans, it is leafs, onions, spices and water mixing well to feed the pundits and commentators with enough to question the elections. If the FDC could topple the NRM, then the NRM should not worry about defending all the Electoral Malpractices during the Election and Pre-Election Period proves the problems that the NRM Spokesman struggles with. That must be the reason why he had to defend yet again the Election Announcement and Declaration. But Mr. Opondo does not have the heart to discuss that and suggest the issues since that really weakens the argument he needs to justify the so-called “win”.

“The claims of rigging, especially at the last minute through alleged intimidation of candidates’ agents, ballot stuffing, falsification or alteration of results on tally and declaration sheets and at announcements are perturbing and incredibly unbelievable. These could pass as truth if the peddlers could at least adduce some verifiable evidence from eyewitnesses and documents in their possession that differ from those of the EC, which ought to be available from the multiple sources, including the media that observed these elections” (Opondo, 2016).

Mr. Opondo, when you got footage, got reports of officials, even police officers having ballots, when you got so many FDC officials and Go-Forward Officials detained, is not “incredible unbelievable”; that sad thing Mr. Opondo is that it is true, if not the FDC would might have had the opportunity to file a petition of this fraudulent Election you claim to valid. The Police have rounded up and taken amounts of opposition officials in jail and at gun-point. I know that you don’t believe that Mr. Opondo, that is because you’re sitting safe in your home and reading while “sighing” and “cursing”. Mr. Opondo I know you wish your party and leadership that pays you creates a “fairytale”, but without your knowledge apparently the Party you’re speaking for and working hard to defend has become the Orwellian. The Election Observers and Monitoring Teams have come with both good and bad. Even said that the Electoral Commission didn’t reform as asked to do after the General Election 2011, the CCEDU and CEON-U were not taken in or even gotten a place in the Petition. Commonwealh was not giving a good preliminary statement; the COMESA/EAC/AU gave a counter-statement that was positive; while the European Union also asked questions; as much as the American Mission in Kampala has also asked for the copies of the forms, with the Electoral Commission complying to the request proving that there are questions to be asked! That is something you don’t even bother to think about, Mr Opondo? Or is that reasoning blowing your mind and boggles the brain-cell that operates your reasoning?

“But, it appears the candidates, observers and media did a shoddy job and are now embarrassed that they cannot provide any credible documentary evidence of fraud hence the generalised allegations of cheating and unfairness. The local media in particular, appear to have been overtaken by the early rumblings in the campaigns perhaps by the way Mbabazi was hounded out of NRM secretary general position and the subsequent obstruction of his initial consultations outside NRM party rules by the police. Unfortunately, Mbabazi’s would-be most loyal and vocal supporter, his wife Jacqueline has been reported indisposed throughout the campaigns and, we wish her steady recovery.  The media silence has left Besigye to make bogus claims, thereby inadvertently lending false credence that indeed he was cheated and fanned public anxiety. Surely, the Uganda media can do much better” (Opondo, 2016).

The Embarrassing part Mr. Opondo with all the knowledge you still attack the opposition who has been detained and struggled. While the NRM has had police by their side, the NRM have ordered the Police and even used them to silence the Media. And when you as a spokesman uses the end of statement implying them to tell the story as you do; you wonder why people are claiming what they do? If it was “Bogus Claims” from the FDC wouldn’t you just let the FDC come with a Petition with the Declaration Forms and witnesses instead of doing what you did? The only good thing you did during the whole statement was to defend the election and attack the FDC. And as a NRM Spokesperson you’re supposed to speak up for the Party, so if you did anything else Mr. Opondo you would do a crappy job, but defending this in this display and rhetoric is not winning or defining the opposition or the announcement of the result.

The reason Mr. Opondo why I have not discussed the numbers and percentage of this election, as that is not necessary as your constant attack on the media. Because of it was fair and the justification of the victory was unnecessary your piece would have made more sense. This was not a piece of clear message and clarifying the victory, more a meager display of trying to defend the election and the winning result. Mr. Opondo if it was a clear victory wouldn’t he be happy people around the streets of Kampala and all over the country? As it has been in the early history of your beloved NRM-Election?

The silence of the media is because of the mourning and understanding of their audience and have followed the UGPetition16 and the actions around that; the other issue is that the NRM have attacked the media from pre-election period, the police has shot a journalist in the head, detained a dozen, confiscated the equipment, taken broadcaster of air, shut of the transmitters of radios, closed stations when opposition leaders comes to scheduled programming, gotten NTV banned from the campaign trail and so on. The NRM is responsible for the climate that the media is in, the censoring and silence is made by the irresponsible and irrational leadership of the NRM and their Executive. But Mr. Opondo could never say that because he has to praise and kiss the Executive ass right?

I think that is enough for tonight. The reasoning from Mr. Opondo is yet again missing and his analysis written by a blind mind, but a hungry tummy as he wants a bigger paycheck; just like Eng. Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu got before the Election. Peace.

Reference:

Opondo, Ofwono – ‘The media shouldn’t parrot Opposition false claims’ (28.03.2016) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Media-parrot-Opposition-false-claims/-/689364/3135890/-/2m2g7v/-/index.html