Keeping up with Kaguta S1E10: A fallen goat and other tales…

My car knocked a he-goat in Seeta or Bweyogerere. According to our UPDF doctrine, I should have stopped. But I couldn’t stop because people will gather. My people will compensate him” Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (19.04.2020)

Again, the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is reminding himself of his presence. This time from the State House at Nakasero Hill in Kampala. This is the second term of lockdown and whatever rate of speech addressing COVID-19. Not like he will enlighten us, more show his flair and his existence. Also, ensure that the organizations of the state will work hard tomorrow with some newly created measures. Because, that is what he does.

So with in mind. I will take my favourite quotes and comment on them as I see fit. As there is always enough context to add to the gibberish and long-talking narratives the President does. He needs two hours just to escape 1986 and get closer to today. That is the reality of the matter and therefore, the TV Channels can escape making content for two hours the days Museveni is speaking. That is why its not worth to drop a whole speech, because we don’t want to waste your time.

Here’s tonight’s quotes:

I want to thank the scientists. That’s why I want to call on the bureaucrats, politicians to pay the scientists well. Their work is practical!” – Museveni (19.04.2020)

I was told that salt is a problem, that it’s coming from Kenya, and Kenya doesn’t have enough or something like that. But if you get the beans and the kawunga, you can eat ‘ebinyiga’ (food without salt) or buy for yourself” – Museveni (19.04.2020)

If I hear that food is not enough because people are hoarding, I will import… Those things of yours will rot in your stores… I will import cheaper food from Mexico…” – Museveni (19.04.2020)

We will kill locusts democratically. But they’re currently not keeping time because of heavy rains these last two days. We’re ready & set – when they come we will kill them” – Museveni (19.04.2020).

I want these people to buy us cars, talk to MTN if they can convert these into vehicles” – Museveni (19.04.2020).

Expecting mothers can use any means of transport to go to hospital. Pregnancy is something that can’t be faked, it’s obvious unless someone puts a blanket, if we find you, we shall arrest you” – Museveni (19.04.2020).

If a truck driver links with idiots, we shall handle them. We know how to deal with idiots. God can’t also be here looking after idiots when there are more people in other countries suffering more” – Museveni (19.04.2020)

I feel that this is enough quotes to address. Because, if we take over too much. Than you get to much out of him.

The first one is about paying scientists, blaming others for not paying them. When he could just directed the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Education (his wife) to pay them more. Alas, the President hasn’t pushed for that, because that hasn’t been important for him in all the years in office. So, I call this rubbish from.

Second, don’t expect the President to deliver spices or salt in parcels or boxes from the state in their delivery during the lockdown. The President couldn’t care less and expect people to go out and try to fetch. When they are ordered to stay home. Just to spend money on salt, when they are not earning money weeks on end.

Third, this is the sort of expectations of a crisis like this. The prices will rise, as the lack of import already hits. Also, the state controls the consumption and also transport of food. That is why the prices are rising. Just like it happens across the board and worldwide. This is also from the President who has coined BUBU, “Buy Uganda Build Uganda”. If he buys posho from Mexico, doesn’t that undermine that?

Fourth, that locust will be killed democratically. How does that work? Is that petition the Parliament and see if the local councils are voting for the killing or nor? Will the votes happen in the Ministry of Agriculture and such? Because, this seems to kind for a pest and destruction of fields for farming. In this issue, he could go out with pesticides and ensure their death. However, he will have some kind of referendum on this, but didn’t need that on the age-limit. How convenient, right?

Fifth, ungrateful Ashton Kutcher knock-off and head-of-state. Duh… “Dude Where is My Car?”. That is where you at. MTN is a private company. They can give whatever they see fit. Unless, you taxes them in regard of cars and such. That would be weird and hard legislation to write. However, you cannot pin-point private companies and tell what you want. How ungrateful are you?

Sixth, here is a nice comment and will. The President is right. Pregnancy isn’t a joke and hard to fake. However, there been death and destruction by armed officers, police officers and LDUs towards pregnant woman. Therefore, he should direct the Police Force, UPDF and whoever else who causes this hurt. Not just sending them as pigeons into the streets and hoping no-one will clip-off their wings.

Seventh, people act like people.. If you want that to change… than you make them a better offer. They did this, because its all natural.

Mr. President this wasn’t it, unless you want to be a punchline. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: Crackdown on Motorists flouting the Partial Lockdown (18.04.2020)

Uganda: Press Statment on the Food Distribution in Kampala (15.04.2020)

Keeping up with Kaguta S1E9: Monkeyism and 21 more days of lockdown

Don’t sit here and say because it has spread in Europe, it will spread here. Please analyse your own situation, I don’t like that ‘monkeyism’ of copying this and that “Yoweri Kaguta Musveni (14.04.2020).

The President and his handlers had to move the speech, the National Address to earlier in the day. As the business day and the final day of the 14 days lockdown. That’s why the President hurried his two hour long speech. “Another One” like DJ Khaled would say over his tracks. The President who preside and his words are decrees. Still, not insisting on a “State of Emergency”, as that would make him culpable of review by the Parliament. That is why he uses the micro-managing efforts and campaign speeches. To look humble, but also sort of campaigning.

That is why his trying to deflect the shortcomings, but instead looking at things that are working. The President is only receiving the good news and only directing more measures to the civil servants and the ones has appointed. Not making more money for the RDCs or LC1 ones. They are just supposed to snap their fingers and let the trouble vanish. Therefore, hard to take him to serious, even when its detrimental. Ironic right? Well, the dire need doesn’t stop the horrific method of control, while playing footsie from the top.

The President could have used protocol, but instead uses his words. His the “High Above” and proves that by the way this lockdown has been and how the Second 21 days will be. As the Institutions, the government appointments and whatnot scrambles to follow the “guidelines”. Which is hurried through a speech, instead of put down in paper and voted on Parliament. Because the President cannot be questioned, he can only lecture the public.

Top quotes from today:

These Ugandans, money can kill them. Where there is money, Ugandans will die. We were talking about death and saying do not carry people because you do not know whether they are carrying a virus, private car owners saw an opportunity to become taxis”Y.K. Museveni (14.04.2020).

I know Ugandans, I led them through the war so these things we are talking (sleeping in markets and other workplaces) are nothing to us especially when we are doing them for our health, we should just give them treated mosquito nets” Y.K. Museveni (14.04.2020).

It seems our people are not used to manning this type of emergency. When we say the RDC is the one to give exemption, he should set up an operations office to receive calls, because the RDCs are busy” – Y.K. Museveni (14.04.2020).

‘The Government has decided to extend the lockdown for the next 21 days. All measures will stay in place during this period and this will help us fight the Covid19” Y.K. Museveni (14.04.2020).

With this in mind, we see the issues at hand. The way he describes the manners and takes the sword. The way he still speaks of the Bush to people who never seen it or lived through it. As most of the citizens was born after the Bush War and the 1986 coup d’etat. Still, the President proclaims it like nothing.

He says the RDC should do more, however, he never given them authority nor justification to do so. No budget, no funds and no direct order before now. He want them to do this out of pocket without guidelines and create something out of nothing. Suddenly local RDCs will drop phone numbers and lines, have their secretaries and whatnot taken calls like they are MTN. Well, that is not governing, but instead creating havoc for the ones who are appointed to promote government work and follow Presidential directives. However, that should be directed to them individually and not over the speaker on a random National Address. That is who you micro-managing without following protocol.

It will be three more weeks after two weeks of lockdown. Surely, the state has deliver more posho, rice and beans. Even other items and needed goods. Surely, the appointed people for the donation fund against COVID-19 needs more. As the need will go dire, as there will 5 weeks without hawking, selling or trading. There will be five weeks without work and the needed gig-economy. This will hurt the pockets of the public. The state has to direct even more funds and more coordinating work. Not only from the Office of the Prime Minister, but the whole fleet of the President’s entourage.

A speech like this has its funny moments, but the poor, the “vulnerable” and everyone whose hurting the last two weeks. Will be even more hurt by another 3 weeks. That’s five weeks of uncertainty and awaiting the opportunity to earn shillings. This has to be addressed. Not only temporary, but state the facts that remains. He didn’t address this, but its needed. Unless, he thinks people can live on air and a prayer. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: 14 Security Officers Arrested for Excessive Use of Force (06.04.2020)

Opinion: Section 8 of POMA is Null- and Void, what does that mean?

Well, now the Constitutional Court came today with a striking judgment. That the Section 8 of the Public Order Management Act of 2013 is unconstitutional. Section 8 of the POMA is very clear. That gives the powers to officers and give the police the authority to block any meeting. It also gives the powers to the Police to disperse a meeting. Also, finally the sub-section also issues the officers in question the powers to assess if a person is disobeying the law or unlawfully assembles. Which makes that person liable for sentencing according to the Penal Code section 117.

Therefore, today’s judgment is vital, as the Police Force by definition now doesn’t have the authority to block any gathering. Neither disperse it or issue an order to stop the public from participate in any public meeting/gathering. This here is an direct consequence of the judgment today.

We knew this law was draconian. The whole law isn’t null and void, just one part of it, but it takes away the powers to enforce it. The Police Force, the authorities is limited by this. This law has banned concerts, public gatherings, consultation meetings, anniversary rallies, opening of political party offices and so fourth. The state has given all sorts of orders and usage of the law to an extent, where the opposition is futile. They couldn’t conduct either internal party organizations nor actually try to gain new followers, since the state stopped it or never allowed them to publicly to gather in the first place.

This law was deemed the Anti-Besigye Act, ABA, the act against Besigye and his political effort to undermine the regime. This came after the Walk to Work. Now, the opposition has one an important battle in the Courts.

There was on judge who didn’t see it like this, that was Stephen Musota. Remember that man, because he stated this, he was the one voting in favour of Section 8 of POMA. Because, there was 4-1 and therefore, it was null and void. However, Stephen stated this: “The limits are now cast in stone and are no longer at the whims or imagination of the Inspector General of Police or his authorized officers”. That is why the whims of the IGP shouldn’t be the factor to allow people to assemble or not. This is why its unconstitutional, which is stated by the other judges on this matter.

What I am suspecting will happen is that the National Resistance Movement will revise and amend this bill. To ensure they have the powers to stop meetings and such before the General Elections 2021. They have had the good need of this bill for years. This will not go away without a blast. I don’t believe the NRM will concede and give way that easily. Not when the rise of Bobi Wine and Besigye is now allowed and cannot be stopped. That is what the NRM worried about and will find new ways to silence it. Especially, when the Police Force has been preoccupied with this partisan politicking for years. Peace.

Opinion: Nangalama forgets the grim reaper

There are one of those days, when you let your anger strike you too hard and you write something in an infuriating state. Where you mind boggles the facts and deeper understanding of the things. What the Ugandan blogger based in Canada did was very easy microwaving the message without considering the implications of it. Like, the Opposition should react, instead she said it shouldn’t campaign or shouldn’t even try create change. If she got her will, the demolition of opposition would be fixed. Mzee, Bosco or Mr. Sunday would be very happy, because people listened to Nangalama. They put down their swords and became silent like graves. 

Here is an out-take from Red Pepper, which has resurfaced on social media:

Ugandans should be demanding from their opposition leaders why their kids are being killed. Opposition leaders should not be taking the killings as political capital. They should suspend all their rallies, consultations and kwekalakasa to demand justice for the dead and imprisoned. You surely do not think we have opposition in Uganda. Here is the BIG News, there is no opposition in Uganda” (Martha Leah Nangalama – ‘People Power Movement Should Not Use Death for Cheap Political Capital’ 29.02.2020).

All of this happens because People Power Movement (PPM) are seeing their activists killed and associates being murdered. She is initially stating that Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine is wrong and doing it badly.

As she started her piece like this: “Bobi Wine should sack his media team and hire a professional.  Capitalizing on the death of two young people is not my cup of tea. Those two kids are in the same age group as my kids so I fly to Toronto, Canada to capitalize on deaths!! With a poster like this. Who is gonna raise their kids? The opposition needs to learn from Gen. Mugisha Muntu” (Martha Leah Nangalama – ‘People Power Movement Should Not Use Death for Cheap Political Capital’ 29.02.2020).

It is like this have never been done before, all political movements has had their martyrs, especially the ones who fought against a junta or a miltiary dictatorship. Because, the junta will use their force, because they have no other methods of control of dissidents. That is why the opposition is so split and attacked by the authorities. All means are used against them, even killing by trying to stop the opposition from gathering or even assemble in public. This is something Nangalama knows, but doesn’t care to dig into. Maybe, that isn’t important to her?

She just want friend sheep like Mugisha Muntu, whose loved by the NRM and whose so pragmatic, that he cannot even pass a street without asking authorization by the local RDC. That is how it seems. This from the lady from ‘Peril of Africa’, the lady who always goes hard. However, here she went a bit left. Especially, if she yearns for change or more of the same?

It is like she wrote in rage, I understand and we both agree. That no one should die because of politics. Each life taken is one to much. However, the brutal reality is that the army, all security agencies and so-on use all means to shut-down the opposition. They know everything, because the opposition needs to notify and spell out their activity to the authorities. Therefore, they got no way to hide or escape the armed forces, either if they like it or not.

In that reality. She wants a compromised leader, a leader who doesn’t dare the authorities nor the structure itself. A man whose not honest in his approach to his start-up party Alliance of National Transformation (ANT). She accepts this, because, she wants that easy-picking approach. Not even use the ills against you. However, Muntu like anyone else uses burials and funerals as rally grounds for political messages, but that is cool right?

I understand her frustration, as the dead is named and put on like martyrs. No one wants to have that. No movement wants that, but when your fighting the powers to be with all their forces. They use all means to stay in power. They are not redeeming or a forgiving organization. No, they come with bullets, tear-gas and prison. This she knows, but wants them to silent and not speak up about it.

Only lay-down and die. Not speak out, not address it or continue. She wants suspensions and not civil disobedience. If you think that works, then you will give life to the Movement for a few more decades and a Muhoozi Presidency when Yoweri “calls it a day”. Because, why fight them or undress them at all?

When you want men like Muntu? Why even use time to blog or speak of the ills of society? Only when it doesn’t cost? Should the opposition suspend it all and really die? In your eyes, they are dead anyway?

I am sure Kizza Besigye and POA will disagree with that. The same will Bobi Wine, who you disagree with. There are opposition, but nearly impossible to do party work or assemble. If they do so, there is costs, there is pain and suffering. Unless, people stand up against that. The cycle of violence, arrests and misuse of power will continue. However, the stance in her piece. Isn’t creating anything positive. It is neither showing any will of stopping of it, but instead giving ways to the authorities who is sanctions this actions towards the youths who dies for their political affiliation.

Even if I believe it comes from a true place, that Nangalama means well. It doesn’t serve anyone. Except for the ANT and Muntu. Who easily speaks with everyone, but is of no concern to the State House. That is why his out there. However, the ones who is a of a concern and who creates fire is dismissed and said to lay their tools down.

How will that generate change? It will not, especially, if the ones whose new and who has the youth behind them. Suddenly, supposed to suspend their actions and be silent. Not even try to be relevant. That is reality of what she wrote. Because, of the deaths and the usage in public. The PPM and Bobi Wine should lay their tools down and not do anything.

With that sort of thinking, Bobi Wine is never winning. It is just the matter of which ways he looses. He looses if he acts and looses if he stands down. He cannot even participate without someone saying his actions are wrong.

Wonder if Nangalama thought of that? I didn’t think so. Peace.

Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine: International Press Statement on the Increasing Cases of Imprisonment, Torture and Murder of People Power Supporters in Uganda (09.03.2020)

I want to bring to your attention the deteriorating human rights situation in Uganda.

President Yoweri Museveni’s regime is increasingly resorting to extreme means to silence the voice of the people of Uganda who are demanding the opportunity to end his 34 years of rule and his progressively brutal regime.

The People Power Movement is a non-violent movement. It brings together Ugandans from different political parties, professions, regions, and religious groupings to unite in peaceful protest against a military dictatorship which violently restricts any form of democratic opposition. The movement is demanding the independence of the judiciary, the police force, the army, the press as well as the Electoral Commission. We are struggling to ensure that the people of Uganda have the opportunity to decide their own future, for the first time since Uganda’s independence from colonial rule.

Anyone who associates with me has become a target for kidnap, imprisonment, torture and death at the hands of the Uganda security forces. These violent forms of intimidation are orchestrated mainly by elements serving in the Police, Internal Security Organisation – ISO, Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence- CMI, Military Police, as well as the Local Defence Unit- LDU.

On 24th February, 2020 a supporter and leader in the People Power movement was murdered when a police truck struck her in Nakawa Division, Kampala. At 8:00am, Ritah Nabukenya, who was aged 28, was a passenger on the rear seat of a motorcycle. She had just dropped her young daughters aged 6 and 4 at school. Because RITAH and her rider were dressed in ‘People Power’ attire, they were easily identified as members of the group.

The driver of the police truck swerved to hit the motorcycle and eye witnesses later confirmed to the media that the police truck had deliberately targeted Ritah.

She was pronounced dead at Mulago National Referral Hospital, and the motorcycle driver sustained injuries.

Police officers who were moving in the patrol vehicle immediately took up positions around the scene with weapons and ordered the witnesses not to take any photos or videos of the incident.

Our demands for CCTV footage from the incident have not yielded anything and the police spokesperson said that CCTV cameras were not operational at the time of the killing.

Ritah was laid to rest on 25th February, 2020. On our way back from the funeral, thousands of young people lined the roads of the various towns we passed through to express solidarity with the movement and to recognise the sacrifice that Ritah had made.

When we got to Nansana town, uniformed police officers as well as elements of the Local Defence Unit (LDU) opened fire with live rounds on the crowd which had gathered peacefully.

Dan Kyeyune, who was aged 33, was shot through the eye and died instantly. At least two other people received severe gunshot injuries. Yet again, the police claimed that the CCTV footage of the incident was unavailable.

These two murdered people are in addition to Asuman Walyendo (shot dead on 19th July, 2018 in Bugiri district), Yasin Kawuma (shot dead in Arua on 13th August, 2018), Vincent Sserugaya (shot dead on 23rd August, 2018 in Gomba), Kalende Yusuf (deliberately knocked by a police truck on 27th August, 2018 in Luwero), Hannington Ssewankambo aka Sweet Pepsi (brutalized by the military on 20th September, 2018 leading to injuries which he would succumb to in October 2019), Lukoma Stephen Ssalongo (shot dead on 7th June, 2019 in Buvuma District), Michael Kalinda aka Zigy Wyne (kidnapped and severely tortured before dying on 4th August, 2019), and Hakim Ssekamwa (deliberately knocked by a police patrol truck on 6th August, 2019). There are several other unreported cases where supporters have been abducted and murdered. In all such cases, there has been a clear lack of interest in conducting investigations by state agencies!

In addition to these extra-judicial killings by the state, security operatives have kidnapped several supporters, tortured them and subjected them to all manner of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. To date, our coordinator Johnbosco Kibalama is still missing, having been abducted in June 2019.

The general levels of repression have increased. Although the Presidential Elections Act, 2005, permits intending presidential candidates to carry out nationwide consultations ahead of nominations, police and the military have blocked me from reaching out to the people of Uganda for these lawful consultations.

We have so far made attempts to consult in eight districts and all of them have been met with extreme brutality against me and our supporters. We are not permitted to carry out any public meeting. Recently on January 31st police fired teargas and live bullets to break up a thanksgiving ceremony where I was due to speak.

Many of our supporters have been arrested and kept in prisons for days, weeks or months.

The regime has become paranoid to the extent that they are arresting people who associate with our movement even when they are not directly involved in our activities.

On 28th February, 2020 Julian Friesinger, a PhD student from Germany was arrested by military operatives in Lira District. He was arrested together with two of our coordinators who he had gone to interview for his research project. The two Ugandans (Adonyo Michael and Oguttu Nicholas) were kept in military detention for three days while being beaten. Julian whose devices (phones, laptops, etc) and passport had been confiscated was interrogated by the Internal Security Organisation, before leaving the country.

In another case, Moses Bwayo, an independent journalist and film maker was arrested alongside eight people with whom I was working on a music project. They were kept in detention for several days and are now facing charges of unlawful assembly whose particulars include singing a song subverting the government of Uganda.

Last week, more than 50 of our supporters were being held in different prisons across the country. Some of whom were arrested for merely wearing our attire. Our supporters Denis Senono (Den City) and Bobi Young were held under military detention. Whereas Bobi Young is still detained, Den City was released; his body bearing torture marks. He reported that he was injected with an unknown substance by security operatives and now lives in fear for his life.

While this is going on, President Museveni who has been in power for 34 years has been desperately moving across the country campaigning for a seventh term with sacks of tax-payers money. He is hoping that he can buy the support of a people, who he has not only impoverished but has nothing left to promise or offer to them. Those who will not be persuaded will be intimidated, tortured and even murdered.

With the political space shrinking further and the human rights situation deteriorating, the economic condition has continued to worsen. There is little provision of basic services to the citizens. The state of education and healthcare have continued to decline. The levels of unemployment as well as poverty are on a sharp increase. Corruption and misuse of public resources are at an all-time high.

The young people of Uganda continue to be excluded by the power structure whose only interest, is enriching themselves, and keeping power at whatever cost.

As we head towards the 2021 General election our demand for free and fair elections is unequivocal. We are committed to ending President Museveni’s brutal regime of blood, plunder and national shame.

We call upon the world and the international community to continue standing with the people of Uganda in these very difficult times.

We shall certainly overcome!

People Power – Our Power

Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert
“Bobi Wine”

The Cable Guy: The missing piece to why the Police Force couldn’t solve crimes

It seems like there is a reason why the Police Force cannot solve crimes. All along they never hired Jim Carrey or ‘The Cable Guy’ from 1996. He should really help the detectives, the police officers and every other agency in the Republic to solve the criminal activities there. His needed and that quickly.

This is since, the Police Force has claimed, when they get to study the tapes of the murder scenes and places where crimes where committed. They would able to solve these crimes. However, now as the murders are a week old and some are even older than that. Then, they are putting out a statement, that power outage and disruptions in fibre cables is the reason for their lack of possible leads.

Like, this is now UMEME Limited and Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) fault, they are too blame for the power outages. While the National Information Technology Authority (NITA) and National Data Transmission Backbone Infrastructure and e-Government Infrastructure (NBI/ EGI) is to blame for the bad fibre optic cables, which is also causing issues for the CCTV cameras.

It is like its a acronym jungle, where the Police Force (UPF) is lost together with Internal Security Organization (ISO), the Flying Squad and the Cheiftain of Military Intelligence (CMI). Who knows whose else is missing. Because, the UMEME, UETCL, NITA and NBI/EGI is all screwing up. I am sure someone there, they can need the service of the Cable Guy.

They surely seems to need him now. If not, the Police Force wouldn’t come with a statement like this. Where they are pleading to the public, like a school-kid who couldn’t finish their homework on time and blaming the dog for eating the assignment. Because, that what they did. Instead, as professionals call the technician. Or is it their plea to get money so they can get service on their operation? Do the Police Force need supplementary funds and more funds for upkeep?

Seemingly, the UMEME, UETCL, NITA and NBI/EGI should be offended, but also defend their craft. We know the UMEME has often outages, but the Police Force should be able to cover tapes, angles and have safety batteries in their operational CCTV cameras. In this day and age, even fire-alarms and other installations like that has alarms that has batteries that last for days even without electricity. That is if, the state and its producers has built a well-functioning system. Especially, considering the knowledge of the common cold or the common black-outs.

That is really the magic trick here. It is a reason why many fuel power-generators to keep the business humming, even when the black-outs are appearing on the skyline and awaiting for the return of the Dark Knight. However, the Police Force isn’t prepared for villains nor heroes. Only to be silently idle and await their next happy hour.

That is why they are lonely and need a friend like the Cable Guy to save the day. He might even cover them with a free cable to save the next coming crime. Because, you invited him and befriended. He needs a companion and who better, than the lost in darkness, Police officers in the Republic. Peace.

Opinion: The key ingredients to why burials have become political

There are usually some components in play when things change. There are certain stimuli or even ingredients that changes the flavour. It could be to much salt, pepper or even chilli. Even the idea of putting some sugar or milk like liquid in the sauce and the whole flavour profile changes.

The same way the political landscape changes. It does so over time. The main reason is that the state, the authorities and the ones in-charge are making other ways of gathering or assembling possible. There are reasons why the main big speeches and meeting places for opposition leaders in the republic is at burials or vigils of deceased activists and forefathers of political dynasties. That’s because the state barres them from gathering with consultation meetings, rallies or even celebrate their anniversaries. Even opening up local offices and spaces for building up the party can be shut-down by the authorities. There is no political event of the opposition without the police, the soldiers or other outfits to silent them.

What is even more striking is that the activists, the youth and the ones that gather around these consultations, meetings and such. Are the ones that is taken down and out. The police, LDUs, Crime Preventers and whatnot has assaulted, arrested, detained and killed civilians in the mercy to stop opposition leaders from “inciting violence”. Instead they are using violence to disperse and stop the public to assemble.

Because of this, the politicians, if they want to have any place to speak to strangers. They are not allowed to rally, meetings or even operate as a party. They use the Public Order and Management Act (POMA) and the Penal Code. Where there are pieces of legislations that is used to stop and measure the opposition. However, the same legislation seems to never be used to the governing party nor its associates. That is why they operate like a “normal party”, even if they have the sole-candidacy sickness, which has given the whole party a Stockholm syndrome as hostages under one man and his vision.

With all of this in mind. It is not strange, that the oppositions are using their best speeches, their best political work at burials and funerals. As this is the one moment, which the police force will not attend and block. The authorities will not throw tear-gas and close of a church or public space, as the casket and undertakers in attendance.

It is easy to understand this and why it turns this way. This is because of the state and their actions. That makes it the only path to generate support and attendance without fear of repercussions. That is why opposition leaders uses those gatherings for this. Because they can and they will.

It is not fair that it is this way, but as long as the path is made while walking along it. There will more functions used like this. Expect weddings and others to become it as well. Since, there is so narrow avenues and limited space. That is why burials and funerals are the place of political messages get across. It is not intended like that, but the orders from high above demands that. Peace.