Zambia: Cancels Koffi Olomide’s Performance at the 90th Show 2016 (24.07.2016)

Opinion: the Real implications of the Interim Order towards the banning of the FDC and their Defiance Campaign!

“He has decreed that there would be no prayers. Can you imagine? Sometimes I wonder if I am living in the right country at the right time. I can’t believe that a person in 2016 can sit anywhere and order that people shouldn’t pray,” Dr. Kizza Besigye

There are days when we wish that we are united, we are in in sync and have a mutual respect for each even when disagreeing. That is not the line in the sand when it comes to National Resistance Movement, the judiciary of Uganda and the Uganda Police Force who are doing what they can to silence the opposition. The Interim Order is the last straw in a long line of oppressive behaviour from the authorities and the ruling party NRM towards the FDC.

As the Interim Orders come’s the Executive, the President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has to warn opposition of demonstrating, the same as his fellow crony did first Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura have done the same. They have to warn the public of demonstrating and taking parts of Defiance Campaign.

President Museveni have talked with anger and said he would crush the opposition and sensitize the public to be behind him, without any question. The same comes from the Police Force who has said they would not give power to the Opposition. Secretary General of the NRM Justine Lumumba has talked of killing civilians who goes against the ruling party. Even Local Councillors of the NRM have come with the same kind of words and said that the Opposition does not belong into power. So the ruling party from the top and down to the grass-root is spreading fear and loathing in the country.

So the Interim Order is the next step that the Judiciary bans the FDC from reacting to the flawed elections and the announced tally results that fits the mind of the Executive of the NRM. That again proves the rule of law only fits for the ruling party and everybody else have to nod along and follow; partly also not question the judgement of the Judiciary and the NRM who can do as they like.

As the Police Force have constantly done whatever in their power to stifle the FDC and the aftermath of the general elections; the way the Police Force even had to close down the Party celebrations of Local Councillors in Kampala proves the liability, and fear that the Ruling Party combined with the Police Force to harass the opposition with force.

So the matter at hand is that Police Force and the Ruling Party is more ruthless in 2016 than in 2011. The way of the Ruling Party is to have consensus and trust of the people, but that is not the way the NRM and their regime is doing their thing. They have to fight with fear, with the army, with the Police and come with Court Orders to supress the fellow citizens into the Party Line and into the line of the Executive.

So yesterday President Museveni has to warn the public of disobedience to his POWER and his RULE. He is the grand leader and the elder who supposed to know how the system of loyalty is anymore. The Museveni of 2016 are using force to force himself towards the people. The Regime and their laws are becoming more beaming as they doesn’t control the people, but makes sure they can take down anybody who they need to silence. The NRM have no intent to give the power away and let it go. That from a man who went to the bush for a heavy rigged election and have now created the same kind of sham election in 2016. The only difference is that the army of him is stronger than the ones behind Obote, the Police Force have a bigger mandate then under Obote. So the ones that he needs and pays will willingly use their mandate to keep him there; the ballots and the will of people is not a worry for the President. The Army and Police Force is the beacon of what the Power that the President have for the moment.

As they use the levels of the oppressive regime, they will hunt down and detain all of the leadership of the FDC, they will viciously attack the headquarters of Najjankumbi. The cars of the FDC will be torn to pieces. The crowds that show up will eat tear-gas and even live bullets might hit some flesh. So the ones supporting the opposition and the cause of bringing down the NRM and their Executive will cost them and the Police Force will hunt them.

So if the International media and the men and woman, who cares about Free Speech, justice and true security of fellow citizens and human beings they should decree support for the FDC as the NRM Regime use all their weapons of fear and actual weapons to shut them down. That is something they will do without question.

Col Shaban Bantariza said this yesterday:

“There is an English saying; “better a live rat than a dead lion”! Those who are swearing to die protesting, Uganda needs them more alive than dead!! Nobody dead saves those alive under whatever circumstances!”.

So the Regime is ready to address the public as rats, and says they will die protesting. Not let them protest in peaceful ways, but die protesting their regime. This is the Government spokesman of the country following the long line from the Executive addressing fellow citizens with words of honour and valour where he says they will die protesting. I wonder who will kill them, either the unemployment or the harassment from the government facilitated security organizations that will display violence towards fellow citizens who planned to peacefully display their disobedience towards the authorities, that takes it all to themselves then serving the fellow citizen. Peace.

The Police shows their arrogance toward the FDC; the Police said they had the ability to fill in the Petition!

Well I will start with a quote from the Uganda Police Spokesman as it says it all! Read what he is saying: “Confining Dr. Kizza Besigye could not prevent FDC from filling a petition if they wished so” – CP Fred Enaga (Kampala Dispatch, 02.03.2016) to the press on the 2^nd March 2016.

The days on end with house-arrest, the days on end with detaining at Naggalama Police Station and Kira Road Police Station for going out his home, and that is not preventing him filling a petition? Mr. Fred Enaga is you listening to your own reasoning?

You guys in the Police have done everything in your power to destroy the ability for the FDC to fill a petition. You have guarded the FDC Headquarter at Najjankumbi, attacked and arrested FDC staff at one point. You have stopped FDC Officials and FDC agents who had the Declaration Results Forms. So you could get the DR forms and save face for the mismanagement of the Electoral Commission during the days after the Election Day and the tallying.

If it is arresting continuously FDC agents and men who have evidence of rigging; if that is not stifling the works on gathering evidence to file a petition, than your stupid or ignorant Mr. Enaga. But you’re just saying the words IGP Kale Kayihura want you to say.  You are just proving that the Police is one of the tools to demolish the opposition; as that is the wish of President Museveni.

If not stopping Journalist around Kasangati to report the movement of your police force is not stifling the world to know your mental violence against Dr. Kizza Besigye. Than I don’t know what freedom is?

A little example to you Mr. Enaga:

Mr. Enaga, I hope you get house-arrest, get your people who work for you perpetrated by men of law, and stifle your every movement. Take your car away from you while you go to church. Get your credited police force to get tear-gas into the offices where you work and get men with riot-gear to detain you. Guard the building you work at and not give your ability to work. I will execute this orders to this to you because I have: “intelligence that you’re terrorizing your own citizens and planning to persecute innocent people and hurting them with mambas in the street and house-arresting people without charges”.

Than you can try to do police work and speak your mind to the public. I am sure you couldn’t even put a parking ticket in Kasangati, which was the official excuse for detaining Ingrid Turinawe of FDC and NBS reporter Remmy Bhati who was on Live-TV yesterday.

I do not really wish you this treatment Mr. Enaga; the treatment your Police Force has been doing to the FDC has gone through. For the simple reason: I don’t wish any men or woman go through the hardships that the FDC are and the life that Dr. Kizza Besigye has right now. Mr. Enaga, you sound like fool and act like a fool. Please look at yourself and your police force, be proud of your nonsense. Peace.

Botswana’s Position on the General Election in Uganda (22.02.2016)

The Government of the Republic of Botswana has taken note of the reports of international observer groups on the recent General Election held in the Republic of Uganda. The Government of Botswana has observed that based on the findings of some international observers, the elections were characterised by, amongst others; lack of transparency, reported incidents of intimidation and harassment, social media restrictions, as well as continuous arrests and detention of a prominent leader of the opposition.

In view of this, the Government of Botswana remains deeply concerned that such conduct during an election would have deeply undermined the norms of best practice governing democratic elections, as well as, the continent’s efforts towards consolidation of democracy. Going forward, the Government of Botswana therefore encourages all concerned Parties to address the election disputes for the peace and stability of their nation.

(Ministry of Foreign affairs and International Cooperation)

Ofwono Opondo the executive director of Uganda Media Centre; claims that the FDC and the media tells lies and propaganda against the NRM; I am claiming Opondo has lost the plot

I do not feel like dropping the Uganda Media Centre Press Release freely to world without criticizing for it missing facts and show the fiction of the ruling party, which means the NRM who surely does whatever it can to look beautiful; while the truth is something else. That they the NRM claim that everybody else putting up the ANTI towards the polls; as they have done with vicious attacks if they don’t get rule again. So again the non-sense is so far-fetched that this was too easy to not demolish for me, I will not take every piece of the Press Release, because hey! It is not worth that time to write it. Opondo can’t use that long time writing before publishing it, my evidence is: “Civil Society Organisations (SCOs)” (Opondo, 2016). Let’s go!

Meddling from Embassies in Politics:

“Government does not therefore expect particularly members of the diplomatic missions here to unduly meddle in our internal politics and elections as some of them are already doing. Government takes strong exception to meddling and would like to caution those doing so to desist forthwith, and in case there are matters of concern they should be addressed through the appropriate diplomatic channels. Uganda seeks mutual respect to its sovereignty in accordance with international laws, norms and practices” (Opondo, 2016).

This here is an answer to the polls that was showing favorable and giant lead to Dr. Kizza Besigye and the FDC over President Museveni and the NRM. This is intended to deflect the actual factual one they had and released in the end of January 2016. Here is the basics of it:

“Communications Department of the American Embassy in Kampala has conducted an intelligence poll and it suggested that: Museveni is at 30%, Besigye at 53.6% and Mbabazi 15 %”. There are other candidates, but there is not much left for the 5 other candidates. Just saying…

This is the one thing that Opondo and the Government of Uganda, alas NRM don’t want to see, as this destroys the picturesque polls that they posted in New Vision with 71%. As they have done in both 2016 and 2011, about the same time (before the election) with the same number and lead for the NRM. So the diplomatic missions should just focus on giving government aid and government funds that the NRM-Regime can embezzle. He is not saying that, but that is what he means.

Governmental issues with the FDC:

“The repeated incidents of violent friction particularly by the supporters of Dr Kizza Besigye targeting the police including physical assault on law enforcement personnel must be condemned and discouraged. The police deserve respect by all in order for them to work effectively and efficiently in protecting the general public. While the public has generally shunned recruitment into political quasi militias, some opposition groups continue to mobilize under the pseudo noum of Power Ten (P10) mainly in Kampala, Wakiso and parts of Mukono districts” (Opondo, 2016).

This here is straight forward attack on a Presidential Candidate and his campaign. As they use the necessity of security forces and police as a token of self-defense, as they goes aggressive against the campaign rallies of the FDC. There been seen so much Anti-Riot Police following the campaign trail of the FDC, as there been DPC in cell-phone conversation at campaign rallies as frequent as Liam Neeson in Taken. The way the Police is harassing the opposition and keeps blocking and stop also media houses as the opposition steps into them; proves the problem is not FDC, but the NRM-Regime who is not fully-fledge democratic, yet! They claim about the P10 who is made up to show accountability and stay behind after the vote is cast and generate local participation from the grassroots-level, as did the Resistance Councils back in the day! But Opondo has forgotten that piece of history hasn’t he? Secondly the P10 is nothing compared to military formation of Crime Preventers as they have trainings with sticks, while the P10 is a little organization who works for securing votes and participation towards the FDC. As a democratic party does during pre-election times, but why is this wrong Hon. Opondo?  Is it because it not your beloved party NRM and for Mzee? As everything is supposed to circle around?

Army and Police men not allowed to Campaign:

“Government is following and investigating reports that appear to link Gen. David Sejusa aka Tinyefuza to some of these groups, and if found to be true appropriate actions will certainly be taken to curtail and neutralise his activities. As the law is currently, no serving police, prisons or army personnel whatever the rank can be a member of a political party, an election campaign task force, support candidates, be a campaign agent, or speak publicly on partisan political issues. The only role serving officers have is law enforcement when called upon, and to cast their votes in secret as the law provides for all registered voters” (Opondo, 2016).

The arrest is done as the general has questioned the regimes premise and coming rigging as there are things to question in that manner. As Gen. Sejusa is not allowed to be political involvement the Gen. Kale Kayihura of the Police was even on the Second Delegates Conference of the NRM to assert Mzee for another term as sole candidate in the NRM. But that is not an issue for Opondo, because Kayihura support the right party. Lieutenant General Henry Tukumunde aka “The Money Man” is directly involved in the NRM campaign team and that is also a no-issue. You have Brigadier Elly Kayanja who campaigns directly for NRM, but that is a no-go. So why is okay for all this men to be part of NRM, while Gen. Sejusa questions the NRM-Regime, he gets Makindye Military Barracks yesterday! So Opondo, please explain the inaccuracy in your flawed logic of why Gen. Sejusa can’t campaign, while all this other persons can walk freely and do what they want?

This here is the last quote I care about quoting and address, the supposed evil intent of FDC and other fractions of society to make a rebellion towards the government if the result of the election does not goes their way, sounds like some the fantasy Narnia-land and soon making Uganda until Mordor instead of the Shia it is before the election. As the detaining of more and more political active persons either opposition candidates or affiliated to an opposition candidate like the driver of Dr. Kizza Beisgye, Norbert Mao and so on. But let me go to the last quote worth commenting to.

Propaganda against Mzee:

“There is an on-going drive to intensify negative propaganda against President Yoweri Museveni, senior government and security officers. Part of this plan is already evident in sections of the media deliberately distorting or quoting out of context public statements issued by government officials with the view to cast government in negative light and cause public disaffection” (Opondo, 2016).

I must be one of the men who has intensified propaganda against Mzee and his loyal cronies. Well, IGP Kayihura and NRM SG Lumumba promised arms to Crime Preventers go against opposition if they won the election, Lumumba actually said she would get the regime to shoot and kill civilians, and last but not least NRM Chairman of Masaka Katumba promising violence if they lose power. This is paraphrasing the manner, since I written about it before, and don’t need to address that again. That Opondo talks about context and calls the questioning of it “cause public disaffection”. The disaffection is caused by the utter violence the NRM men are spreading to the public as even their master in Mityana! Where he promised that he would take his life and his supporters would do the same if the Electoral Commission let Dr. Kizza Besigye become the President. This tells of the violence and fear that the NRM is spreading. They are the ones causing this, it is not the media who asks and getting this people to talk in this manner and address the world in this spirit. It is themselves and later the media who gives the reason and music to it, as a way of making sense of the message the NRM and Mzee is sending in the final stages.

The level of fear and spreading fear as the ending of the press release is sending is massive and outrages. This is just in token of the NRM-O for the moment. They can’t breathe on other things than spreading fear to keep power. Not that they have actually achieved anything in their 30 year reign in the Country! The riches of the spoils has gone to cronies and not it’s people. It is far from the Shia or the Rivendell, instead it is closer to the Mordor as the NRM-Regime is saying it will become right around elections and post-elections when all ordinary government facilities will be under siege; as the on-authorized militias will go against the result, as the NRM does not do anything wrong or say nothing wrong, that is the place of the opposition to do. But that is just my assessment as the brilliant Ofwono Opondo states today in the Uganda Media Centre Press Release. That I have discussed! Though Opondo’s flawed mind is to be a loyal mouthpiece of Museveni. As this is was released in the Media House payed by government funding under the Office of the President. So this can only see as biased lovely propaganda, as the ones he claimed the opposition was printing and describing as they take words out of context. But the NRM just print the picture who make them look perfect, that is why they have banned NTV from their campaign as they did not follow the guidelines of the regime anymore. That is something to think about. Peace.

Reference:

Opondo, Ofwono – ‘Government Press Statement on Pre-Election’ (01.02.2016) link: http://mediacentre.go.ug/spotlight/government-press-statement-pre-election

Press Release: Intimidation of FDC and opposition supporters, generally (11.01.2016)

FDC condemns the unexplained arresting as in some cases disappearance of some opposition supporters. This was billed as an election that would be devoid of intimidation and violence, but it’s far from that. Add to that the unfortunate remarks attributed to candidate Museveni over the weekend that he would not leave power are of concern.

In December, while campaigning in Namutumba he said he cannot leave the oil money to other people and that he will go to the bush. That in itself is an intimidating remark, and a well calculated one at that, aimed at causing despondency among the population. But we, as FDC, urge our supporters all over the country to disregard Museveni’s remarks. We urge our supporters to continue the mobilization exercise. Recruit more people and let’s overwhelm Museveni when the elections come. If we all turn up and vote, he will have no choice but to go.

The police have been quick to condemn Dr Besigye’s defiance campaign but when Museveni makes remarks that could be criminal in nature, they look the other way. We believe that the police, together with the army are being complicit in abetting this crime.

This young man here, Senate Karoota Kakwebe, a coordinator of FDC in Nyakashashara, in Kirihura district has been in hiding for his life because UPDF soldiers, who under the law are prohibited from participating in partisan politics, have made it their preoccupation to harass and intimidate him. As he will tell you, a certain Major Alice Kukundakwe vandalized our offices carrying away our files and plucked down Dr Besigye’s posters. This case was reported to the police (Kaguta Rd police detach) for criminal trespass and threatening violence (DDB Ref 05/06/01/2016). Instead of the police carrying out inquiries, the guns were literally turned on Senate Karoota Kakwebe. He has had to flee his home because he is a wanted man for reporting a case. There are hundreds of such stories countrywide.

But as FDC we despise the methods of intimidation, violence that NRM with the help of the army and police are meting out to our supporters. We shall not look on with folded arms. That is why we shall use our Power 10 structures as well as other volunteers to protect our interests.

Presidential debate
For a man who spent five years in the bush, Museveni is such a scared. Although it comes as no surprise that Mueveni ducked out of the planned presidential debate, it is disappointing. It is a clear signal that he has nothing to offer. Museveni feared to be exposed for the spent force he is. The claims by his handlers that he would rather spend the time talking to his voters in the villages, is weak. To claim that his support is in the countryside is a fallacy that he has perpetuated over the years. The fact is Museveni cannot debate. He fears to be challenged. It is also a slap in the face to the prominent members of society who put in their time and resources to ensure that the debate happens. Like Dr Besigye said over the weekend, he is available to debate with Museveni whenever he finds the time.
The Independent Coalition, whose Presidential Candidate is Mr. Mabirizi Elton Joseph have agreed to on a Vote Protection arrangement to ensure Free and Fair Elections. We are thrashing out the details which we shall share at a later date.

Chairman
Ambassador Wasswa Birigwa

The Kenyan Saga of Journalist John Ngirachu: Minister Nkaissery’s statement to journalists (Youtube-Clip), Press Statement from the Media Council of Kenya (10.11.2015), Press release from Raila Odinga & Press Statement from the Kenyan Editors Guild (10.11.2015)

STATEMENT BY THE KENYA EDITORS GUILD ON THE ARREST OF NATION MEDIA GROUP JOURNALIST JOHN NGIRACHU

An old proverb aptly advised human kind over the ages that, “Whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad.”

This evening, the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the Ministry of Interior Major General (retired) Joseph ole Nkaissery outdid himself in purported execution of the mandate of his Ministry. John Ngirachu, a Nation Media Group journalist on lawful duty in the National Assembly was arrested within the precincts of Parliament on orders of Nkaissery.

The cabinet secretary has evidently followed through his threat to target the media over a report on the Auditor General’s query on how Nkaissery Ministry spent some Ksh.3.8 Billion in a single day.

The Kenya Editors Guild and indeed the entire independent media fraternity is appalled by the arrest of Ngirachu and the bizarre demand by Nkaissery that the journalist ‘reveal the source of the story’. The query of the Auditor General on the Ksh.3.8 Billion Interior Ministry spending is a matter for which Mr. Nkaissery was questioned by the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament and effectively, Nkaissery is one of the sources of the story, and indeed a reliable one.

The demand for source of the story is therefore mere posturing by Nkaissery who has proceeded to threaten that Ngirachu will quote; “be fried if he does not reveal the sources of his story”. We are indeed disappointed with this unpolished language of an otherwise senior cabinet minister; phrases such as ‘frying’ an innocent journalist could at best find home back in 1980s when Nkaissery led an infamous military ‘security operation’ against potentially innocent villagers in West Pokot.

We have also taken note of a 4-page incoherent statement that preceded the arrest of Ngirachu. The statement is an attempt to build a case against not just the media but also a broader base of Kenyans that have dared question a wide range of issues particularly the runaway corruption in government.

The Nkaiserry statement has bizarrely suggested what it terms ‘a choreographed campaign to destroy the government’. The statement termed corruption and the media reporting of it as ‘an internationalized hysteria aimed at harming the Nation.’ Nkaissery also accuses quote “the media of castigating the government as irredeemably corrupt.” The statement then proceeds to warn that those making allegations of corruption will be held to account.

I am urging the media to publish the statement in full so that the public can appreciate the peculiar, even irrational thoughts contained in the 4-page statement.

If the statement is anything to go by, the arrest of journalist John Ngirachu is only the beginning of tougher times for the media and any other independent voices brave enough to raise questions on the corruption crisis that ails our country tonight.

We complete with an assurance, John Ngirachu will be free and back to work shortly.

Thank you.

Linus Kaikai
CHAIRMAN, KENYA EDITORS GUILD

Press release:

HARASSMENT OF JOURNALISTS 

My attention has been drawn to the arrest of Parliamentary Editor for the Nation Media Group, Mr John Ngirachu. I have also learnt of the absurd explanation by Internal Security Cabinet Secretary Mr Joseph Nkaissery that Mr Ngirachu will be released when he reveals the source of the story he wrote on the Internal Security spending.

I want to express my solidarity with the family, friends and media fraternity over this unfortunate development. I also wish to advise the government to respect the timeless tradition that journalists are duty bound to protect the sources of information they have as long as that information is of immense public interest and there was no way of obtaining it other than by relying on confidential sources. I believe that was the case in regard to security ministry spending. This is not the first time spending by internal security ministry is coming into sharp scrutiny.

I wish to assure Mr Ngirachu that I stand with him personally and the Opposition does too. I assure him that his dreams for a free and open society are valid and legal and he must pursue them without any fear of fighting a lone battle. We will do all we can to secure his freedom.

I demand that the young man be freed immediately to pursue his career. Kenya has to move forward and close the chapter of repression and opaqueness in the management of public affairs permanently. I appeal to my colleagues in government to stop entertaining the idea that Kenya can move backwards or stand still.

In the meantime, I have also instructed lawyers Senator James Orengo and Mr Paul Mwangi to immediately get in touch with the Nation Media Group and take up the young editor’s case for free and defend the rights and privileges of the media for the sake of Kenya.

The Rt. Hon Raila A. Odinga, EGH

NRM Primaries – Losers of this rigged elections plans to go independent!

Well, the spokesman of the party is strongly saying the party will be more united now then ever after this Internal Election. Surely when they all or so many has rigged themselves there. Surely they can all discuss the value of pre-ticket ballots and stuffed ballot boxes in the polling stations. That must be something that is discussed in the four day conference at Kololo right?

Just think of Opondo are talking to Odoi: “How can we do it even better in the 2016? The media and this social media people have spread our malfunctions to the world and this moles are tearing us apart! We got to do something!”

Well, that is made up, but you get the point right, and what worth has it to have politicians when none of them lives by the old saying: “Taxation without representation”. But now, do yourself a favor an take a look at this wonderful masterpiece called the aftermath of the NRM Primaries and some of the reports I have gotten today!

Ofwono Opondo said today: “NRM is going to be more united then ever”.

Abletong:

“Owino has said Wednesday’s NRM primary elections were marred by massive vote rigging and intimidation orchestrated by armed forces. Mr Owino, who described the deployment of armed forces as “nonsense,” alleged that the army engaged in intimidating people, especially supporters of Ms Otengo’s rival, Mr Samuel Okwir” (…)“When time came for collecting polling materials and results, the police and the soldiers did not allow us to go to the polling stations. Soldiers were using the vehicles belonging to the District Internal Security Officer, OC station and that of the town council,” Mr Owino told Daily Monitor” (…)”The district party registrar, Mr Isaac Odyang, said the election was free and fair though he acknowledged there were few soldiers and police deployed about 100 metres from the tallying centre” (Oketech, 2015).

Amudat:

Reports from the area is that NRM members has burned the cards in the area up to a thousand member cards been put into the fire. A NRM member in the area said this: “There was no free and fair election in Amudat. What was in Amudat was National Rigging Movement,”

Arua:
“I take the opportunity to thank friends, relatives, family, supporters and the entire Arua community for standing firm with me during NRM Primaries. Though we didn’t make it, we thank God for taking as through the exercise. Not all hope is lost and I still remain hopeful for 2021. I congratulate Hon Abiriga Ibrahim for making it” (Brian Godfrey Obiga).

Buduma South:

Hon. Oboth Oboth is planning court actions after the conduct of the primaries in the district, which he lost. He claims that it was extensive rigging.

Buduma North:

Hon. Fox Odoi alleged rigged for one of the candidates and one of the contestants of the petition has already had it dismissed.

Bujenje County:

Princess Kabakumba Masiko lost her place rumored that she will now join Go-Forward.

Bufumbira East – Kisoro District:

Eddie Kwizera who lost to James Nsaba Buturo, he plans to either join the FDC or Go-Forward.

Kabale:

Fred Ruhakana said this: “I have today quit the NRM. The Primaries were highly rigged in favor of the incumbent”.

Kanugu:

“Those who lost in recent NRM elections have rejected results that were announced on one of the radio stations in Kanungu district saying that announcement was unfound. Those who are against the recent release include James Kaberuka, Ahimbisibwe Gad Rugaju,Josephine Kasya, Muhumuza Frugency and Elizabeth Karungi. They claim that there was no transparency in tallying process, tallying of votes in Kinkiizi west was not done and selective harassment of agents by police”

“Brothers and sisters, lam petitioning NRM EC to repeat the exercise of holding NRM party primaries in Kyaddondo South. If not, l am declaring that l will stand on an independent ticket” (Ahmed Musaazi, 2015).

Katakwi District:

Jessica Alupo (Now Minister of Education and Sports) who lost her place in the Primaries are going to run as an independent this coming election.

Kibaale:

“Police fired tear gas at National Resistance Movement party supporters in Kisiita sub-county, Kibaale district who were protesting results of the recent primaries” (Tumusiime, 2015).

Kitgum:

“An aspirant for Kitgum Woman MP NRM flag bearer, Ms Jane Achiro Opio, has said she will petition the party’s electoral commission, calling for fresh elections after her name was not printed as number one on the ballot paper as she had guided her supporters” (…)”Ms Achiro castigated the district NRM officials for allowing the elections to continue despite realising that Ms Achan’s name had been erroneously entered on the ballots for Kitgum Woman MP election” (…)”“I had told all my voters to tick the first aspirant on the ballot paper because all the names of aspirants are arranged in alphabetical order,” she said.

Ms Margret Lamwaka was declared the NRM flag bearer with 20,200 votes” (Okot & Komakeach, 2015).

Lira:

Omara Odung the Mayor of the town lost in the Primaries to his now councilor. Mawa says: “votes from tally center of railway where he comes from not counted”. The now former mayor says now he will go into the polls in 2016 as an independent.

Mbarara: Mayor Aspirant of Etaara!

“That is the first promise that Mugabe Robert Kakyebezi made to the town dwellers, once elected the next mayor of the soon to become city; that he would restore the largely defunct street lights” (…)”Kacebezi took advantage of the slanderous language of the incumbent Wilson Tumwiine which turned a lot of support away from him” (…)”He also ridiculed some of his contenders saying that they owned no single building in the town and thus were not fit to be elected mayor” (UGBlizz, 2015).

One of the ones who lost in Mbarara Municipality Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo who describes himself: “There will be no end to the troubles of states, or of humanity itself, till philosophers become kings in this world, or till those we now call kings and rulers really and truly become philosophers”. He says that after losing he will run as an independent.

Mbale Muncipality:

Umar Nangoli lost to John Weekesa Wabongo, who now threatens to join Go-Forward if justice doesn’t prevail.  

Mukono South:

Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa lost and is saying that he will go independent.

Nambole:

“Money-Man, Tycoon, Kingmaker Hajji Hassan Basajabalaba has lost the NRM National Entrepreneurs League Chair to Rukaari. He will no longer sit on the NRM’s prized top decision making organ the CEC. He was defeated with a margin of 53 votes after he polled 230 as his ‘tormentor, Rukaari polled 283 votes”.

Rwampara Country:

Vincent Kyamadidi has claimed that there was no place to tick him off on the ballot-papers and as a result of this he will go as independent candidate in the district this coming election.

Okoro County – Zombo District:

Stanley Omwonya rigged the elections so diligently that out of the four sub-counties, he only won the one which is his home and he still won the election for the new constituency that was made and called Oraa out of Okoro.

Tororo West:

Sarah Opendi will run as independent.

Journalist shot during the Primaires:

“Enoch Matovu, a correspondent for a local television, NTV, in Mityana District was reportedly shot on the head while covering an incident of vote rigging during the NRM party elections at Bulera police station in Mityana district. He sustained a bullet injury on his head” (…)”Matovu told HRNJ-Uganda that he was covering the incident and never saw who shot at him in the scuffle, “I saw the local people opening the car and removing the ballot papers which they scattered around the police station, and that’s when I stopped understanding. I later discovered that I was admitted in Mityana Hospital.” Matovu narrated. Two unidentified men have so far been arrested and detained at Mityana police station, according to police” (…)”The scuffle ensued when an unidentified man turned up at a polling station near the police with ballot papers and could not ably explain where he got them. The local people became hostile and wanted to lynch him but he managed to escape and hid inside the police station. His car was broken into and the ballot papers scattered by the angry locals. Matovu is still undergoing treatment” (HRNJ-Uganda, 2015).

The President speaks a NRM Conference in Kololo Grounds in Kampala:

“NRM always follows the truth. All the problems we have had in the party primaries is because people are not following those principles. That is why you find people hiding ballot papers to vote more than once.That is why some people interfere with the register” (…)””Why should people steal votes when you are there. You should not allow it. Why should you beat a fellow Ugandan?” (…)”The NRM secretariat died when it was under my young brother Mbabazi.   The NRM garden had grown weeds” (…)”A member of NRM can ask, what will I benefit? Then you tell him what about peace, free education for the children, roads? And he says even FDC members benefit in that. UPC used to give their leaders sugar and left out others and that is why they are no longer in power” (Mulondo, 2015).

Sideline story: 

The Same day one of the men behind the book called ’99 Reasons why Museveni Must Go’ who released the book on Friday (30.10.2015) at the American Embassy was shortly after that detained by the police. The man I am speaking of was the gentleman of Muhamed Ssegirinya.

I know I have read and written so much on this NRM Primaries, that is because its sadly very entertaining and also the issues continues to pile up together with massive reports. Now we are getting a sour loser who knows that these elections are rigging parties, pre-ticket ballots or written wrong on the ballot-papers. The tale of the NRM Primaries of 2015 is in the name of Kenyan Ballot-Papers.

If they are more united after this then there more united in the way of rigging themselves into power and not giving in to the people, and letting the people find the ones they want to represent themselves. So with the NRM-Regime they will continue to live in the sense of Anti Taxation-with-representation, because that is something Museveni fears with a passion it seems. Peace.

Reference:

HRNJ-Uganda – ‘Journalist shot at, another arrested by police and assaulted while covering NRM party elections’ (29.10.2015) link: https://hrnjuganda.org/2015/10/29/journalist-shot-at-another-arrested-by-police-and-assaulted-while-covering-nrm-party-elections/?utm_source=HRNJ-U+ALERTS&utm_campaign=d55bcb9928-NTV_JOURNALIST_SHOT10_29_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ff0af7ac98-d55bcb9928-131087245

Oketech, Bill – ‘Security intimidated voters – NRM boss’ (30.10.2015) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Security-intimidated-voters–NRM-boss/-/688334/2934790/-/g1kahf/-/index.html

Okot, Johan & Komakeach, Dan Michael – ‘Kitgum NRM aspirant calls for fresh election’ (31.10.2015) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kitgum-NRM-aspirant-calls-for-fresh-election/-/688334/2936162/-/gwnmvvz/-/index.html

Mulondo, Moses – ‘Museveni condemns malpractices in NRM primaries’ (30.10.2015) link: http://www.elections.co.ug/new-vision/election/1407488/museveni-condemns-malpractice-nrm-primaries

Tumusiime, Alex – ‘Chaos As Kibaale NRM Results Are Announced’ (31.10.2015) link: http://ugandaradionetwork.com/story/chaos-as-kibaale-nrm-results-are-announced?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

UGBlizz – ‘Elected Flag bearer Kakyebezi Robert to Light Up Mbarara Town’ (31.10.2015) Link: http://www.ugblizz.com/article.php?article=800&title=elected-flag-bearer-kakyebezi-robert-to-light-up-mbarara-town-blizz-uganda#sthash.0qFw0Owg.dpuf