National Unity Platform (NUP): Statement on the 40m Uganda Shillings given illegally to Members of Parliament (14.06.2022)

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”

Uganda Police Force: Police Investigating Murder by Shooting in Nansana (26.02.2020)

One funeral become[s] another one[two]

Yesterday, it was the People Power supporter Ritah Nabukenya. Today its People Power supporter Daniel Kyenye. This story continues and this is depressing. What is the worst about this is that it’s not new from the authorities. The state has done this before elections before and does it again It is just a new label on the opposition, but the same citizens taken out for standing behind another banner than the one of the government. They are not on the bus, they participate in the politics of the opposition and they loose their lives doing so. Surely, what the NRA historicals went for the Bush for… right? Didn’t think. This blood is on your hands. Just like all the rest of the lives taken since you took power.

Yesterday it was conflicting stories on how she was knocked down. The Police Force claims it was collision between two motorcycles, while the People Power says it was a Police vehicle trailing her and did the knocking, which killed her.

Today, the Local Defence Unit (LDU) had a trigger happy fellow who dispersed the crowds in Nansana. They killed Daniel Kyenye there. It was after LDUs and Police Force did what they could to scatter the crowds after the funeral. Today, it is also reported one more too, but not named or identified yet. Also a third person fighting the life at a hospital.

This is all happening in association with gatherings where the People Power Movement are appearing. As the security organizations are attacking and using extensive force to control the affairs. They do that with force, with all will and use all means. Tear-gas, live-bullets and shed no tears of the lost. They make up stories and pin blame on everyone around them. That is what they do and known for doing so.

Its sad that it has come to this. That the authorities are using these means to attack. Silence and get rid of dissidents. This is just citizens affiliated with the new pressure group. Just like people lost their lives for associating them with Go Forward before the 2016 General Elections.

This is just tragic. Loosing their lives for being participate in politics. This is injustice and impunity in action. Lives are worthless to the authorities. They certainly doesn’t act like they value it or care for them. Instead, it is easy to get rid of them. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: Additional Statement surrounding the Fatal Accident involving Two Bodaboda Motorcycles (25.02.2020)

Opinion: When the innocent dies like Ritah … there will be no answers.

The demise of Ritah Nabukenya is another tragic story. As the People Power activist died as she planned to go to the venue of Pope Paul Memorial Hotel in Kampala. The Police Force has one story of her crashing on her boda-boda with another boda-boda. While People Power claimed one of their own patrol vehicle knocked the activist down. The last story isn’t new, as this has happen before when convoys of opposition leaders has passed in a metropolitan area. However, the authorities are dismissing that today.

There is also some reports that the Police Vehicle was following her on the motorcycle and stumbled on her twice. Before leaving her. Then, someone else took her from Rubaga division of Kampala to Mulago Hospital where they pronounced her dead. Therefore, it is a tragic affair no matter what.

This is yet another dying in unfortunate circumstances, because the person chooses side politically and plans to be part of political meetings. This is not the first nor the last People Power associate who will go down like this. Because, into campaign season, the dissidents usually get harsh treatment from the authorities. Yet another proof of that today with another innocent civilian taken out.

This time it was Ritah. Tomorrow might be someone else. We will not get the answers nor the verdict on this one. Just like there was never any follow-up on Ziggy Wine either. This is just another citizen dead, who the security agencies didn’t care for. Peace.

Kampala Metropolitan Police: Statement surrounding the Unfortunate deat of Nabukenya Ritah (24.02.2020)

Opinion: Bobi Wine will never meet all the requirements [to hold rallies or consultations]

“Police have said Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, Robert Kyagulanyi also known as Bobi Wine has not fulfilled all conditions to allow him consult voters about his presidential aspirations” (MAMA Bukedea FM, 24.02.2020).

Today, the Police Force have blocked his second round of Presidential Consultations, which the Presidential Aspirant have notified the authorities with earlier in the month. So, it was anticipated that the Police Force would block it. Which they have done and now seeing his not meeting all their condition.

I am sure they have to measure his dick-size, his voice-over on the microphones and possible if he has a fitted suit for the occasion. Because, there are just add-ons and add-ons, which seems to be taken out of nowhere. Like, I am sure they have to have a Presidential Envoy with a doctor, nurse, secretary and moving toilet like His Excellency. Maybe then the Presidential Aspirant is allowed to hold consultation meetings.

It is hard to take the authorities serious, when other candidates doesn’t get this treatment. Neither, does they ever do this to any National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate out there. Even when its months ahead of any Election Road Map from the Electoral Commission. Therefore, this is selective judgment.

Surely, Bobi Wine can forget to follow the rules, because the goal-post switches every day. Soon he has to beg CP Fred Enaga and IGP Okoth-Ochola to be allowed to meet people. It doesn’t matter if his allowed in the Constitution, neither if he has notified the authorities. There will always be an excuse. There is not toilets, there is not space for sniffer-dogs or whales to swim.

This is just targeted the big opposition leader, whose trying to collect people around him and also make his manifesto or campaign material with consultation. Mugisha Muntu, DP folks and others can do what they feel (except for the FDC( People’s Government affiliates). While People Power Movement and Bobi Wine cannot even stumble anywhere without tear-gear, havoc and blocked venues.

It is impossible for Bobi Wine to meet all the requirements of the state to hold public meetings nor consultations. Because, there is no will to allow him. They will find something or make something wrong. He just have to fart on Nile Avenue and the Black Mambas will show-up out of nowhere. That is just the way it is. Because, the state is willingly to do so. Not that its fair, justified or legally right. It is just misusing laws for their favour and not righteous at all.

The President and his “Yes Men” might grab their balls, grin and laugh at the State House. However, they are sore losers who cannot compete. They got to hold a tight grip of the state and lack tolerance for other views than the one vision of the “high above”. The President, if he thinks this is winning formula. His wrong, he might win with it, but he looks like dumb-fuck who only is savvy of oppressing dissidents, not speaking a sincere word out of his mouth.

What value does your liberation of 1986 have? When a fellow born in 1982 cannot even go outside his house or even try to campaign. What value does your 1995 constitution have when only one person can do stuff and the rest of the citizens have to beg to do so?

That is what we can ask now. Since the state doesn’t care. The Police Force is more online of political dissidents, than murderous gangs, hoodlums or actual criminals. They are more sophisticated in blocking public meetings, than catching thieves. Which should be there job. So, kudos to the President for his years of mismanagement. Peace.