Busongora South By-Election: Return Form for Transmission of Results (18.08.2022)

Busongora South By-Election: A few updates on the polling day

The ones that expect free and fair elections. Well, the reports are in dark contrast of that. Everyone should anticipate a “victory” for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag-bearer and case-closed. Because, the military is participating and voting bribery is happening in the open.

The NRM with the help of the forever busy Prime Minister Nabbanja is giving the voters 2000 shillings to vote for her party. That’s what a government official is busy doing in the middle of the polling day. The NRM is giving away 2,000 shillings to the citizens to vote for them. Because, that is what’s called service delivery in 2022 by the “liberators” of the past.

The NRM has also ordered the soldiers to participate in voting in plain clothes and doing it several of times, if they must. That’s certainly a way of boosting the numbers. In addition to that, the armed officers did manhandle and violently attack Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag-bearer Kighema Alosious Baguma at his polling station today. He was also arrested as an affect of the commotion. Which happened because the candidate saw the military did go more than once to vote in plain-clothes and reported it.

It is also reported that a NBS TV Reporter was arrested during the By-Election today for covering the incident of FDC flag-bearer being beaten up. The Reporter also had to delete the footage. There are also reports of ballot-stuffing. So, all the tricks of the NRM rigging book is used.

They are pre-ticking ballots, voting bribery and violent intimidation. The perfect combo for a NRM “victory” in a by-election. The only thing missing is mass-arrests of polling agents from the opposition and the whole mixer of pre-fixed results are on schedule. This is the “democracy” that Museveni has created and is so proud of.

There is also reports of ferrying voters from Busongora North to vote in Busongora South County. So, all the tricks in the book is used. The NRM has no heart or ability to play fair. Neither is it free as the Police, Army and the Authorities are all on guard to secure the NRM Flag-Bearer get “elected” to the Parliament. They are using all means and it’s never ending really.

So, all we can do is to await the declared results and the Return Form for Transmission of Results, which will be the end of it. Because, these sorts of elections are getting old. It is the same old tricks and schemes, which is made to benefit one party. That’s all they do and it’s just a loss-loss operation. It is no integrity or honesty in it. Only an open day-time robbery and proof of rigging. This is so obvious and it’s just shows how the NRM operates.

Gideon Thembo Mujungu is bound for the Parliament. His not going there out of charisma, character or campaign. No, his going there for one reason: The NRM decided it and that’s why. He is just another pawn and a “yes-man” they need to vote in favour the State House. Peace.

Busongola County South By-Election: Three major candidates running…

“The Electoral Commission in Kasese has cleared the first candidate to vie for the Busongora South by-election scheduled for August 18th, 2022. NUP’s Mbaju Jackson Kathika was dully nominated at 11:00 am. Having been nominated, he is optimistic about victory in the polls” (NBS Television, 08.08.2022).

“The increasing number of NRM members opting to run as Independents in the Busongola by-election in Kasese district is giving party officials a headache. The party officials are worried that the numbers might put pressure on the NRM flag bearer should they be nominated. This was revealed during an NRM Delegates Conference to flag off Mujungu Gideon as the party’s flag bearer” (NBS Television, 07.08.2022).

In Kasese district in the Busongola South By-Election scheduled for the polls on the 18^th August 2022. There are already three major candidates. The NRM own flag-bearer Thembo Gideon Mujungu who won in the General Election of 2021 and was recently “nullified” in the courts. That’s why the county is again having elections for the seat in Parliament.

The other important flag-bearers are the National Unity Platform Jackson Kathika Mbaju, the former MP (FDC, 2016-2021) and who ran as an independent in 2021, but is returning as a NUP Flag-bearer in 2022. He was the runner-up in 2021, as the NUP flag-bearer of 2021 was Michael Masereka and he came in at 9^th out of 10 candidates. So, they went for a more viable option this time around.

While the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) own flag-bearer is Kighema Alozious Baguma. In the 2021 elections he came third and after the then independent candidate Mbaju. That’s why this campaign and by-election will be interesting. Mbaju lacked about 100 votes to win over Mujungu in the General Elections, while Baguma needed about 700 votes to conquer the NRM flag-bearer. Therefore, these three are neck-in-neck.

We should also wonder if Kafunda Boaz returns to the polls again. As his a former MP (2011-2016) for the region, but only came in 6^th of 10. Maybe he wants the “pure democracy” as he wanted applause for celebrating the arrest of former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi. Well, time will tell really.

Here is another contested race and Kasese has been a stronghold for the FDC. That has been well known for some time. That’s why at one point they had all MPs, but now times are maybe changing. However, it is interesting that the NUP picked up a former FDC MP and former Independent for this race. This will certainly make it contested and make it harder to gain the total majority of one of the opposition. That will benefit the NRM flag-bearer and could be a reason for victory. This is just speculation, even as we all know that the NRM state machinery is in the works and eventually the malpractices and the intimidation will start. That’s why by-elections looks like war-zones and not “democratic inspired events” anymore.

It is also interesting that the NUP is fielding a candidate, as the NUP knows the history of Kasese. As they have a statement of unity and planned to work together in elections. They are certainly doing so elsewhere in By-Elections. However, right here… they are seemingly very keen on contesting. I wonder how that will play out or if this is a strategy by both parties.

Busongola South By-Election will be something to look out for. There are so many flag-bearers that this will turn interesting… Peace.

Opinion: The Bukimbiri County and Busongora County South By-Elections is up next…

After Omoro and Soroti East By-Elections this year. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) will not back-down. Don’t expect these By-Elections to be anything better. The NRM uses all means to “win” and pyrrhic victories is their vibe.

The same will be the case on the 11^th August in Bukimbiri County in Kisoro Distric and on the 18^th August Busongora County South in Kasese District. That’s only about two or three weeks from now. People are already shattered and seen the means to an end from the NRM. They don’t mind using military means, mass-arresting and ordering the military to intimidate the people. The NRM doesn’t care about ballot-stuffing, pre-ticked ballots or ferrying voters. No, everything goes as long as their Member of Parliament is elected. That is what the previous By-Elections has shown.

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) can field a candidate in both elections here. The National Unity Platform (NUP) as well. It doesn’t matter who the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) or Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) either. The FDC has big chances in Kasese, as that has been their stronghold in that region, but we saw how much that mattered in Teso sub-region. The machinery and the state will just assault its way to power. It doesn’t matter what the will of the people or what the people wants to vote. The predetermined minds of the State House and the NRM CEC matters more.

After what we have seen, the FDC and the other opposition parties can field candidates. These candidates do an honest campaign and be canvassing votes in the constituency. We know that the FDC, NUP and ANT will field candidates in Bukimbiri County. However, after what we have seen in Omoro and Soroti East that this doesn’t really matter. The NRM will ensure their MPs get elected and they will not spare on anything. They will use money, promise the heavens and rig the polls. That’s what they do and people should know that.

The opposition could have the best candidates, heck they could have saviour and a grand peacemaker. The person would still lose, because the NRM would use all their tools to get ahead. They don’t mind to arrest, detain and silence the opposition. The NRM can use the army and the police force for their winning. That has been shown and the soldiers will be there too. This is the only way the NRM can “win” an election in 2022.

We need to expect more mass-arrests and more agony. The NRM and the current regime will not allow a proper election to be held. Because, if the NRM and the Electoral Commission held that. They would risk to lose to a nobody or an unknown person from another party. That’s because the public is tired of the NRM and this is why they fear the voice of the people. They wouldn’t dare to do an honest election. For a simple reason: They don’t trust the judgement of the people and that’s why they have to decide for them.

We should expect shambolic affairs… elections filled with malpractice and intimidation. Voting bribery, voter ferrying and pre-ticked ballots. All of it will be used. That’s why the persons on the ballots doesn’t really matter. The ones on the Yellow Bus and part of the NRM will have an advantage the others cannot conquer. The only way they can do that is if the public storms the tally-centres and reacts to the open rigging of the regime.

However, I wouldn’t count on it. The usage of the army, police and high ranking officials to rig the elections. Will strike fear to the public and make them feel indifference. The elections has no real purpose. As it is only a ceremonial waiting-game for the announcement of the NRM Flag-bearer for MP. Peace.

Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu: Press Statement about the Burning of hte Omusinga’s Royal Residence in Kasese Town 28th January 2021 (28.01.2021)

Soon 4 Years since the Kasese Massacre: Some of King Mumbere’s Guards and Officials to be released… [still no real investigation into the matter]

“KASESE – The Government is to start releasing subjects and some of the officials of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu who were arrested and jailed following the November 2016 security raid on the cultural institution. During the raid, security forces also picked the Rwenzururu king, Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere. Sixteen security operatives and over 100 other subjects died in the incident” (John B. Thawite – ‘Govt to set Rwenzururu suspects free’ 21.11.2020, New Vision).

Since the 26^th November 2016 and the Kasese clashes the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu Charles Wesley Mumbere have been in exile and charged with two counts of murder, which if he had been indicted and on trial for it. The King of the Rwenzururu could get prison for life. However, the King and his men who has been arrested in 2016. Have never gotten justice, neither all the people who died those pivotal days in Kasese and at the Buhikira Royal Place who was burned down as well.

The charge was put on the King on the 28^th November 2016. The case against have never been resolved and he has been put in exile ever since. Only allowed one visit to participate in a burial of his mother. Before having to return back to Kampala.

What is also striking about this, there was never any investigation into the murders and the mass-killings, as the Special Force Command and Flying Squad was participating in attacking the Royal Palace in October 2016. Like the state came with official numbers from 2016 was 62 deceased, but these other nunbers 70 identified dead, another 52 unidentified dead and 14 police officers dead. That is near double of what the says, which was 136 killed during the skirmishes.

The claimed they we’re going after the “Kirumiramutima” or “the Strong Hearted” a militia gathering in the area and soldiering up. Working together with the Kingdom. Alas, the reason for the sudden attack on the Palace and killing civilians. This taking lives of the Palace Guards and others in Kasese. However, what is sadly striking… is that this militia have never surfaced before or after the skirmishes of the state. It is seemingly on the state violence and their operation that created the deaths these days 4 years ago.

Still, there have been no investigation or look into the amount of killings. Only a dark and grim day of burring unidentified in a ceremony by clerical persons. Doing it while the army was monitoring the events. Therefore, we know the lives taken was quickly buried and hoped that no one question it.

While the King is charged with murder and has also charged with treason. There has never been any evidence of this. Neither has the militia the state claimed appeared and was dangerous haven’t been seen since the skirmishes four years ago. If that isn’t sign. Nothing really is.

That is why the state has to release these “suspects” because they are pulling things out of thin air. If there was anything. The state would have had a case and found them guilty of conspiring and doing criminal activity. Alas, that is not the case. The same should happen to the Obusinga as well. Since, they have no claim to hold him. Other than loosing their pride.

The ones that need to challenged and questioned for their actions in November 2016. Is the leadership of the SFC and the Flying Squad. This being Presidential Advisor on Security and former leader of the SFC Maj. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga and army commander Gen. Elwelu who both was in-charge that day. However, these two gentlemen has since then promoted and not suffered any consequences over their actions. While the victims of it has faced the law with no proof. This is why they are getting released. The Kings Guard that was arrested shouldn’t only be released, but get punitive damages and get vindicated. Since, this was injustice and making them guilty before being innocent.

What happened in Kasese and the aftermath is the sort of act, which no Government with sense should do to their citizens. Alas, it did happen and went down, a tragedy and massacre. A state sponsored enterprise with no efforts or no investigation into how it did happen. As well as any indication or proof of the supposed intelligence to spark the attack on the Palace in the first place.

Therefore, the injustice and impunity of the state is so viable. The wounds are still fresh. This didn’t happen a decade ago. It just happened months after the previous election. It is therefore vital that this doesn’t go away, but is a reminder of what the state does to its own. How little life matters and little consequences there is taking lives. If it had consequences and had effects on the ones taking the lives in Kasese. They wouldn’t walk free and without any cases against them. These folks in the Flying Squad and Special Force Command wouldn’t be allowed to carry guns. They would be charged with murder and manslaughter themselves. However, that is not the case and it doesn’t seem to happen with this regime. They rather hope people forget and only hopes the families of the lost ones moves on in silence. Peace.

King Mumbere in Exile gets 14 days to visit his Kingdom just to bury his mother

Ever since November 2016, the Kasese killings, the fire of the Buhikira Royal Palace and the killings of several of the Rwenzururu Kingdoms Royal Guards by the Special Force Command and the Flying Squad. Ever since then, the Obusinga bwa Rwenzururu Charles Wesley Mumbere and 190 Royals Guards have awaited trial and sentencing.

Still, to this day, as the charges of terrorism and since January 2017 after a bail hearing, been living in exile in Kampala with restricted movement and conditions awaiting trial. Now for the last few days after his mother passing in Kasese. He had to go to trial to be allowed to enter his own Kingdom and be back in Kasese district, where the Kingdom of Rwenzururu reside. However, it’s been granted today. Nevertheless, we have seen how court orders have given way, but the Police have re-arrested a person on the fly a minute after.

This Court Order will not stop the Court Ship, nor the legal trouble of the King. Even as the state has promoted the leaders and commanders within the army, who attacked this kingdom and killed his kin. That is the sort of the leadership that is in Kampala these days, maybe some have forgotten that, but Gen. Elewu have gotten a raise and more responsibility after the acts done that in Kasese.

The Exiled King would only get a brief 14 days to visit his Kingdom, act ceremonial and bury his mother. The rest is going back to Kampala and living as a man charged with terrorism, but no pending trial nor proof of discovery on the matter. Therefore, his case is prolonged and his future is uncertain. As he lives in Buganda Kingdom, waiting to be allowed to rebuild and run his ceremonial kingdom in Kasese. This is the sort of nation the NRM has created.

The Exiled King will stay exiled for now. Not like if he returns and will get to stay. The President, the Special Force Command nor the leadership in Kampala is interested in that. They want to keep him away. That is what it seems, since they have not pinned him to the cross and they don’t want him to pay for their sins.

If they did, they would have done it already and figured out a way to cleans the hands of blood from their own. Peace.

Opinion: Lt. Gen. Elwelu stern warnings to the MPs are foolish!

“I have seen our honourable MP (Luwero District Woman MP Eng. Lillian Nakate) here. We love you very much, but you people (MPs) like causing chaos in Parliament, without knowing that chaos is our business. You try creating the chaos again and we shall come and bring peace in your heads again” – Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu

Surely, I would never anticipate anything of democratic values or understanding of Parliamentarism from the dude behind the burning Buhikira Royal Palace of the Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere Irema-Ngoma and killing of his royal guards plus other casualties. I would not expect that man to care about Members of Parliament, that they supposed to control him and give him as a Lieutenant General a mandate. As the Lt. Gen. Clearly doesn’t understand his role, but that is because the President is acting a militarised leader and not a representative of the people.

The whole NRM is praising the army and what it does. Therefore, it is not surprising that Lt. Gen would say this stuff. However, this proves that the army can easily invade and be strangers in the national assembly as they did during the Age Limit Plenary Sessions on the 27^th September 2017. This is done to prepare for the President for the General Election of 2020. Clearly, the Lt. Gen. is ready to do this again. Who needs Parliamentary rules, when the army is ready to cause havoc, because of chaos.

The army man is not finished with his speeches, as the opposition also get also under fire. This being another stern warning, since this man cannot shield himself from himself nor the ability to understand his place again. That is not new, but his just repaying favours to the ones who has promoted him. Therefore, he is defending the UPDF and indirectly the NRM. Which he knows is the reason for his fortune.

“You will not destabilize peace in this country when we as UPDF are here, UPDF will not allow this. We fought for this peace and we shall defend it at whatever cost because we are trained to do that. You will meet us ready, you will meet fire and you will meet a disaster” – Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu

The Lt. Gen needs some civic education, maybe even some understanding of politics and parliament, but we cannot blame him for this. He is just trained to be this way. We couldn’t expect a man whose proud of killing innocent civilians and being promoted for it. That he would care for civilians, neither caring for civic education either.

The Constitution of 1995 is very clear on the article 79: “Functions of Parliament.

Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament shall have power to make laws on any matter for the peace, order, development and good governance of Uganda. Except as provided in this Constitution, no person or body other than Parliament shall have power to make provisions having the force of law in Uganda except under authority conferred by an Act of Parliament” (Constitution of 1995).

Clearly, the Lt. Gen cannot grasp this, as he thinks the army has the control and set the bar. Instead of remembering the representatives of the people, the lawmakers are the one setting the standard. Something, the army man doesn’t understand. Maybe, he doesn’t want to. As he just want to show force and intimidate the MPs into submission like the President likes.

Also the Constitution says what the UPDF are supposed to do in the article 210: “Parliament shall make laws regulating the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces and, in particular, providing for— the organs and structures of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces” (Constitution of 1995).

Surely, it is not the army man whose supposed to regulate them, but the other way around. This is by law, by the Constitution, the one guiding law and principal document of the Republic. Therefore, the mandate of the UPDF is set by the Parliament. This is why the argument of the Lt. Gen is foolish. He should start to grasp reality, but then again his a hired gun for the regime.

I don’t expect the man has studied the Constitution, his been busy with weapons instead of picking brains, except exposing brain-matter. Peace.

The Purge on the Opposition Continues: The FDC Edition!

Today is a very common day in the Republic of Uganda. Yet another day, where the opposition of the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his National Resistance Movement (NRM) are using all law officers and use of the law to purge the opposition.

As this was an insignificant day, the Forum for Democratic Change and their Year of Action Campaign 2019 was hit again. Early in the morning the leadership who was sleeping at the Bethel Hotel was raided by the Police Force. The others who came into town was asked for documentation by the Police Force to enter and to hold meetings. The Police Force had already disowned and blocked their planned rally at Nyakasanga Grounds at 2 PM. As the Inspector General of Police J.M: Okoth-Ochola hadn’t cleared the event, this is the information given by the authorities in Kasese. There was already a few hundred people who had gathered at the stadium, the way the state got them away was with sending an Armoured Personal Carrier (APC), live-bullets and tear-gas to get them away, which they did to disperse them.

While, this is very common. The asking of documentation of entering a town from the central leadership of the opposition and raiding the hotel they were staying at. Shows their intent from the get-go. During the day, the Police also showed up with tear-gas and violence against the public. Since, the FDC was passing through the town.

Even as the authorities claim about the public rally, the FDC leadership of Patrick Amuriat Oboi and Dr. Kizza Besigye was able to enter town and also hold a leadership conference at the Rwenzori International Hotel. Where they held a successful meeting there. But we now know, that the FDC needs visa or permits to travel around. They need documentation to enter somewhere and show reasons for their trips around the Republic. This is what the Police expects of the FDC.

“Kasese: The guns did not stop our supporters from expressing their inherent rights and freedoms even when the coercive instruments of state that should guarantee their enjoyment of these freedoms and rights were busy blocking them! We shall win by DEFIANCE!” (Forum for Democratic Change, 29.04.2019).

We are now seeing, this as yet another purge on the Opposition. They have to meet with live-bullets, military and police force, as they are trying to gather the public. Alas, the FDC is not allowed or cleared to do so. This is just the continuation of the oppression against them. Yet another violent day, as the FDC just tried to continue their internal-party work and also spread their message. Which again has been attacked by the authorities, because they are active and showing resilience. Even, when the state is giving no way and just trying to spread fear. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: Clarification on allegations made by Bweranaho Charles against the Flying Squad (09.05.2018)