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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Opinion: Why does every By-Election these days look like a War-Zone?

Let us be honest for a minute, the recent By-Elections under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, have become more hostile and more militarized, where the big guns, the soldiers and the mambas are all over the place. That is happening today in Sheema Muncipality in Ibanda and in Bugiri Muncipality in Busoga sub-region. Both National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidates and opposition contest in both of them.

What is striking today is the efforts of the police and the army to intimidate in both places. In Sheema Muncipality and in Bugiri Muncipality, the Army and Soldiers are armed to their teeth. Like there is a war going on, and not a democratic exercise on who gets to represent the people in the newly created districts. No, no, it looks like a war story and someone is going to die!

Seriously, who brings the war machine to an election, if they are not fearing for losing it? Who isn’t bringing the police to arrest opposition activist on the day of the poll and not afraid of losing it?

If the NRM was so steady and had a message, had a mandate and trust in the community, would they need the UPDF and the Police Force to settle intimidation into their eyes. Seriously? I beg to ask!

You can say what you want about elections and about campaigning, but when the ruling regime and the orders from above, is to send a brigades of soldiers to the polls. You know something is wrong, you know that these elections are no good. That is just a common knowledge. Maybe not for Ofwono Opondo or Frank Tumwebaze, but for the rest of us it is.

This isn’t a sign of strength, but more of weakness, of a justification of harassing and intimidating the public. Just because you can and because you have the army. This isn’t there to secure democratic values or secure the public. Than, the soldiers would have bases there and await a sudden strike from an enemy. Not suddenly come out of their barracks and post up in the middle of towns and poll stations in the early mist of morning. No, that isn’t it.

Maybe, just maybe, the NRM thinks so, but than they are gallantly, stupid and I cannot blame them anymore. They are just the National Rwakitura Movement, where all citizens are his cows and he is just waiting to spoil their milk. That is just what is up.

Are the NRM so afraid of losing, that they have to order soldiers in the street to prove they exists and that they can hurt you, if you don’t obey every command made by Museveni? Is that it, is that the magic potion to get people on board. If so, than the President have forgotten Franz Fanon and his wisdom.

As the war-zones of Sheema and Bugiri have smiled to us today and God knows how the tallies will be. Let me end with the words of Fanon.

“The state, which by its strength and discretion ought to inspire confidence and disarm and lull everybody to sleep, on the contrary seeks to impose itself in spectacular fashion. It makes a display, it jostles people and bullies them, thus intimating to the citizen that he is in continual danger. The single party is the modern form of the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie, unmasked, unpainted, unscrupulous, and cynical” (Frantz Fanon – ‘The Wretched of the Earth, P: 164, 1961).

That is enough of the nonsense. Peace.

Opinion: If the Sheema Rally is how you feel Mzee, please reinstate the Resistance Councils and abolish Multi-Party Democracy!

“That is why it is important to elect representatives who sit in the NRM caucus where decisions are made and who can lobby for projects for you” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the 20^th July 2018.

I think the time is up for fooling everyone. I am tired of the old man and his wisdom. Yesterday, he proven again, that the Multi-Democracy of Uganda isn’t important to the President. The act of putting it into law in 2005. Was just to make the donors happy, because he really shows disregard for the people’s will to pick the candidates and not the ones he has prepared for them. He wants loyal tin-soldiers to follow his whims from the State House when he calls in the NRM Caucus, which means all elected majority of Parliament at his place. That is why he shields the opposition out and silence them.

“Stop playing with politics. I have told you that in 1962, people though politics was a joke. The resultant was loss of lives; we suffered.” (…) “That woman [opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Virginia Plan Mugyenyi] will not help you at all,” said Museveni. Also the NRM chairman, Museveni said Mugyenyi, like Mwijukye, would have no access to the party’s caucus meetings which discuss development projects. He reminded the voters that NRM had the numbers in parliament and it would be safe for them to vote for Tumwesigye if they wanted to see Sheema Municipality develop” (Samuel Kamugisha – ‘Museveni: Mwijukye Is A Useless MP; I Struck Buhweju Off Uganda’s Map’ 20.07.2018).

Let’s be clear, if you feels this way Mr. President, stop the charades, be the real self and reinstate the Resistance Councils of 1986-87. So that the Local Councils and Local Government can be all in-house and controlled from the State House and through the Office of the President. Just the way you want it.

While you at it, since the Members of Parliament from other parties have no value. Pleas, just Please, make the state a ONE-PARTY State. That will be real you and the sincere judgment of what you are Mr. President. Museveni, you are already showing disregard for Mwijukye and his time as an MP. Therefore, why do you even bother with elections and doesn’t just ask for having direct elections of MPs through the NRM Primaries and internally. There isn’t any reason to have Multi-Party in Parliament if they are not existing to you.

You are directly diminishing the districts and sub-counties that has voted in favor of the opposition. You are showing what sort of disgrace of a man you are. Mr. President if you represent that other than your own narrow mind, you would be there for all communities, no matter who represents them to in Parliament. However, that is not the case and is shown with your meager display in Sheema Municipality.

Be real, be honest Mr. President. You are not representing the whole country, just the NRM. If you want it all NRM, abolish Multi-Party Democracy and also reinstate the Resistance Councils of the 1980s. Than, you would be honest with yourself and your dictating ways, also the public would know the real you. Not the fake forgery of a man you really are.

President Museveni, we are tired of lies and deception. Just show the real you, as you are directing everyone of your tin-soldiers from the State House, through your decrees and decisions. Instead of having several other parties within the Parliament. Just let the people decide who they think is the best within NRM and not have others. If you are for this.

“Upon capturing power, the NRM introduced the Movement political system, under which all Ugandans belonged. The Movement united Ugandans under one political system and partly cured the deep-seated sectarianism that has been sowed by the political parties. Political party activities were formally suspended in 1992” (Pascal Kwesiga – ‘NRM’s political achievements’ NEW VISION, Tuesday, January 26, 2016).

So, please Mr. President, just go back to the real you. Suspend political party activities and make sure all are under the umbrella of the NRM. If you have the feeling that opposition MPs are useless and their areas doesn’t exists anymore. Than, you might just abolish it and stop the faking it to the Republic. You might have done this to please foreign donors, but those you don’t care about anymore. We know this and they know it too.

Stop playing and show the real self. Your already President for Life. Show the reality and stop playing. It is getting real old. Peace.

African Union Open-Ended Committee of Ministers of Foreign Affairs on the International Criminal Court Convened its 6th Meeting on the Sidelines of the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (27.01.2018)

Dr. Kizza Besigye’s advice for termination of the NRM!

If you ever want the clear advice to bring down the dictatorship of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who now acts and lives like he owns the Republic Uganda. Than if you want to get rid of that and want to use the advice of Forum for Democratic Change founder and former Presidential Candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye. Than his words and inspirational words should be for you. He explains the whole story and the whole theft of the state and how it was built around the President. How Museveni has taken all the institutions and the state is embedded with him. But that we already knows, therefore I have taken the part that people should listen to and use. The true defiance and defy the Museveni state, so that there are possible a peaceful transition from his rule. Where the state doesn’t belong to Museveni or the Movement, but to the people. The Citizens has a government who cares about delivery and not if Museveni get an expensive enough airplane or helicopter. Take a look!

Outtake from the Press Conference of Dr. Kizza Besigye today:

“Regardless of what the regime does, the people of Uganda are definitely closing in to take back their power and embark on a TRANSITION to a new dispensation.

The NRM/Museveni Junta has no legitimacy to amend the Uganda Constitution as it’s planning to do. This will be an activity of the TRANSTION PROCESS.

Immediate task: Termination of the NRM/Museveni Junta:

The following needs to be done to terminate the Junta’s control of our country:

1) Intensify the “awakening campaign”, for most Ugandans to become active in the processes of achieving a transition. Everyone has a role to play in achieving this.

2) Forming activist networks to make it possible to act together and to be coordinated.

3)Everyone seeking a democratic transition should take deliberate actions, individually or in concert with others to disempower and break down the Junta. Each one’s actions, however small, contribute significantly towards the desired change.

4) Public servants, including those in the security and military are called upon to join the struggle for democratic transition.

5) In coordination with other political and civil society formations, we’ll soon start various activities that will disempower and bring the, now fragile, Junta to an end.

The transition:

A transition process will start when the Junta ceases the control of the state- either, through popular actions or a dialogue process.

The key activities of the transition period are:

1) Government of National Unity.

2) A comprehensive review of the Constitution.

3) Rebuilding State institutions to ensure transparency in recruitment and a national character, a high standard of performance and public accountability; non-partisan character; high standard of discipline and professionalism etc.

4) Truth telling, justice and reconciliation.

5) Free and Fair elections” (Dr. Kizza Besigye, 11.07.2017).

The acts of defiance and trying to coordinate the powers to be. Make the state dissolution over the citizens who doesn’t act upon the oppressive measures dropped by the central government. That they does what they can locally to make changes to the state. This done in demonstrations and stop using the state based operations that makes the NRM regime so rich and can rig themselves into power. That they follow a leadership similar to Besigye and other who trying to dismantle the Presidency. For the simplest reason of getting democracy and getting rid of the dictatorship of Museveni. These words of Besigye should be seen as the guidelines for the patriots and the ones who wants the Republic run by elected men, and not selected men by the NRM. This is how it is now.

The NRM acts like they own the nation and the state, the State is controlled from the State House and the orders are from there. There aren’t anything done without the State House involved, that isn’t a healthy state. That is a Banana Republic and an undemocratic state where one-voice control it all. There is time for change, it has been a long time for change. This cannot only be done by the freedom fighter Besigye, but has to happen by the will and acts of the people. The people have to say, enough is enough. The impunity, the theft and the ignorance of needs of the people is enough. Time to stand-up and be together in the struggle for just ice, liberty and accountability. For a regime who wants to deliver government services and also give taxation with representation. Something that isn’t done now by this government and the President. Peace.

Kizza Besigye Easter Message (14.04.2017)

Uganda: FDC Party Officially welcomes dialogue between the FDC and the NRM (31.03.2017)

Opinion: Dear Swedes stick to IKEA, please forget the talks between Museveni and Besigye!

I don’t know if I should laugh or cry, but what sort of discussion should be from people who gave us IKEA, Volvo and tiny meatballs. We know that the Swedish needs to prove their worth in the world on other venues, than the Eurovision and hair-styles of Zlatan Ibrahamovic. Still, the recent of willingly sending Pro Bono people to mediate between the long serving, self reliance and thief in chief, the National Resistance Movement wizard, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the Opposition leader, creator of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Dr. Kizza Besigye are supposed to talk between cups of tea and biscuits provided with Swedish hospitality.

“The Swedish Government has confirmed that it has been approached and, has accepted, to mediate planned talks between President Museveni and former presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye” (…) “The government of Sweden is involved in supporting and promoting dialogue in many parts of the world, as part of its policy of conflict prevention and support to peace processes. Sweden has been asked to facilitate a possible dialogue in Uganda,” Swedish Foreign ministry spokeswoman Katarina Byrenius Roslund, noted in reply to email inquiries from this newspaper. The “discussions are still at an early stage”, she noted, adding: “When there is concrete progress to communicate, we will do so” (…) “Ms Annika Söder, the Swedish state secretary, has been agreed on by the principals as the mediator for the expected talks. She flew into the country last week and held separate back-to-back meetings with the President and Dr Besigye on Thursday and Friday, respectively, in what knowledgeable sources described as “exploratory” (Butagira, 2017).

First and foremost, can the Swedes explain the content of tear-gas into public meetings, police blocking, detaining of FDC Youths, falsified charges against the FDC leadership, the Public Order Management Bill who is created to stop meeting of anyone else, than the loyal men of Museveni. How can there be talks between the parties?

Secondly, when every travel and meeting of FDC and Besigye is met with heavy police force, blocking of main roads and tear-gas when they congregate. What is there to discuss? What perimeter of Kasangati he is allowed to leave before it is an issue? What sort of ideas do the Swedes have in mind, except selling Volvo and SAAB to Uganda, instead of Isuzu and Toyota!

Seriously, that the Government of Sweden must either be blind or ill-minded if they think this will give way. If they know the history of Nairobi Talks of 1980s. When the National Resistance Army and the other parties gathered to iron out the differences. Than that was used to forge more way for the NRA agenda and silence the others with guns and ammo. Not generate peace without knowledge of Museveni landing on top. So this is in his blood and the blood that is shed for him to gain all power.

Global IDP Database wrote this about his negotiations:

“In July 1985, conflict between some Langi and Acholi soldiers led to the overthrow of the Obote regime. The coup, which brought General Tito Okello to power, shattered the military alliance between the Acholi and Langi and escalated ethnic violence. The Okello regime invited all fighting groups and political parties to join the military government. Every armed group and political party, with the exception of the NRA, joined the administration. The NRA, however, engaged the regime in protracted peace negotiations held in Nairobi. In December 1985, the Nairobi Agreement was signed under the chairmanship of President Moi of Kenya. However, the Agreement was never implemented and Museveni seized power on the 25th January 1986” (Global IDP Database, P: 18, 2004).

So will the Swedish buy into the mantra that everything can be reassembled and rebuilt? Since they want to forge a relationship between Besigye and Museveni. Museveni, who rather take up guns and get rid of opposition and vowed last year to destroy the opposition. Well, I am sure the Swedish we’re busy finding ways to export designer materials, than following the post-election dogma of Museveni. Since a man who only believes “he is the only man with a vision”. That is the man who is supposed to co-operate and negotiate with an advisory! Really?

A man who doesn’t want to talk about succession and doesn’t want to speak about his lingering in charge. A man who has run a country and nation since 1986, has nothing more to win or to gain by playing soft. If he does so and the Swedish is dumb enough to buy into the fake wood and think they get mahogany, than they will offer donor-funding and possible other prices for the so-called negotiations between the NRM and FDC. Even as the FDC Headquarter we’re a year ago a crime scene and many members and leaders we’re detained on manufactured charges.

There shouldn’t be these sort of talks at this point, if so, than the Swedish are legitimizing the thieving of Museveni and his NRM elite. Does the Swedish government want that on their plate? Is that the Swedish people’s prideful mission to support and trust in a corrupt and militarized government, while they at the same time is using Besigye as pawn?

The Swedish government, if they care should back-off, go home to Stockholm. Cut their aid and stop the talks. As they will only give more way to dictator and his clientele at the Okello House. There aren’t anything else to give.

Did the Swedish government do any research and care about the track-record of the Museveni regime? Have they seen how many mysterious deaths and men who has worked close who has either had to flee or been detained by his regime? Have the Swedish considered their implications in establishing legitimacy of the current leadership? Who doesn’t care if they bankrupt their country? While they are driving expensive cars on the State coffers?

Does the Swedish government need this win or this talks to gain international recognition, and not only sell IKEA furniture? Time to take the dozens pieces and assemble that the chairs in Umeå, and step away from Kampala.

Or do the Swedish government and their team no problem with losing their credibility for helping a fellow dictator? Peace.

Reference:

Butagira, Tabu – ‘Sweden to mediate Museveni, Besigye talks’ (29.03.2017) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Sweden-to-mediate-Museveni–Besigye-talks/688334-3868674-b3fqil/index.html

Global IDP Database – ‘PROFILE OF INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT : UGANDA’ (17.06.2004)

Uganda: There has been no notice issued of a Curfew in Kampala (21.03.2017)