Opinion: The General Court Martial is deemed unfit – but I won’t celebrate to early…

There is breadcrumbs and certainly if the authorities and the state was to abide by the Supreme Court, the civilians on remand and awaiting a proper trial at the General Court Martial. These are now celebrated and expected to get justice. The justice being released and getting their freedom again. However, I wouldn’t run that fast and be jolly.

The Supreme Court did the right thing, but it doesn’t let the buck stop. These cases will be moved civilian courts and the authorities will apprehend and re-arrest the ones that is pending judgment or sentence at the GCM. The ones believing in anything is naive.

The regime isn’t imposing these instruments of power and chambers for fun. They are using any aspect of the law and legalities to ensure the demise of its dissidents. That’s why I have little to no faith in the system. This system is rigged against the individuals caught in it. This is why they will not get justice or the freedom they are supposed to have. They have already lost their liberties and possibly the privileges that an ordinary citizen has. Because they have dared to question, act within the space of opposition politics and been public in their dissent. That’s why they are behind bars and awaiting trial and sentencing at the GCM.

We haven’t seen people being released or civilians being issued paperwork to get off from these cases. No, the state and the authorities will find technicalities and measures to continue the prosecution and persecution for the foreseeable future. They are now under the mercy of authorities and they aren’t forgiving. No, they will use all means and find all tricks of the book, which they will use to throw at these fellow peers.

The ones believing the National Unity Platform activists or supporters behind bars will be released. Nah, it won’t happen. The ones believing Dr. Kizza Besigye or fellow associates of him will be released. Nah, it won’t happen. These are there for a reason and to tell a story to the citizens of who is king. That’s why they are there in the first place and their master won’t release them just like that.

Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe is now famous for his operation at the General Court Martial of Makindye. He is now infamous and will forever be known for his actions within his chambers. The tribunal that acted like a prestigious court…

If I assess things in order. The civilians which are currently in custody. They might possibly get a release, but quickly will be picked up by drone or “Panda Gari” which later schedules them for another civilian court and will prolong the agony. They will either be there within the 48 hours or will be put into safe houses. Only the high profile cases will be put under jurisdiction of well known courts and be on public display. Meanwhile, they will be kept in prison and be under remand. As these “investigations” and such will prolong the agony of the ones who are state property.

That’s why I am not celebrating today’s verdict in the Supreme Court. There is no time for that. The state will use it and find ways of keeping these political prisoners, regardless of the verdict. That is bound what the Supreme Court even said today. It is just moved from entity to another. This is buying the state time and reasons to keep them detained. That’s why I am subtle and clear.

The ones that wants people freed from this torment. They have to target the tormentors and find ways of weakening it. Because right now they can install fear and use the rules of law as a weapon against the ones who dares to challenge its authority. That’s why they are in the slammer to begin with. Peace.

Uganda Law Society (ULS): Supreme Court Ruling on Civilian Trials in Military Courts: A Victory for Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law (31.01.2025)

Kenya: Inuaka Ni Sisi! – Arrest of Grace Njoki Mulei (24.01.2025)

Opinion: Mudavadi – a future stalwart?

The legacy of Musalia Mudavadi is already questionable, as his erratic and questionable choices hasn’t favoured the man. His years of running suit and trying to forge a way of relevancy. That all came to standstill and sort of into place when he and his party the Amani National Congress (ANC) joined the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

Now he isn’t leaving the alliance, but merging into the biggest party of it. His becoming another one and a member of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). Him and his fellow peers in the ANC are structured into the UDA. They are now in the midst of Ruto’s party and what he operated. That’s who they are now and not playing beside in the KKA.

Mudavadi is selling heirloom and his assets on a gamble that it will pay-off in 2027. That is a risk he shouldn’t take. His already lucky to be in Office and have a say right now. This is gambling his stakes and stronghold. ANC won’t be the same under the machinery of UDA. Neither will people trust UDA as they did ANC.

This is just ensuring the possibility of weakening his stronghold for other parties. As it standing right now. The briefcase party of ANC has been the vehicle of Mudavadi, but it has given him leverage. A leverage he has used to get into office and get power. That party has been used to get relevance and position himself better. Meanwhile, merging it will possibly sell him short.

There are speculation that this will hurt Deputy President Kithure Kidinki, but would he betray him this quickly?

Yes, Rigathi Gachagua had to fall on his sword and was removed with ease. The same with the Hustler Nation and the people who had hope in the wheelbarrows. Alas, the voters and the citizens who has been promised laptops and stadiums of the Jubilee era should know that Ruto is just talking porkies to get elected.

With that in mind… Mudavadi is selling himself short. His trading his only valuable asset. Except for his possible loyalty and trust in Ruto. That is bargain for Ruto. Another crony and suit he can use for his broad-based government. However, Ruto will ditch him the moment his not useful. Mudavadi should know this, but maybe he thinks his special.

Musalia Mudavadi isn’t a powerhouse or an exception. His just the epitome of the political elite and been able to carve himself a small niche. Nevertheless, his ANC never became a threat or a big league player. Only an organization to boost the ego of Mudavadi.

Now that is traded and we can wonder if Mudavadi sold himself short. Peace.

Kenya: Statement by Justin Bedan Njoka Muturi (14.01.2025)

Opinion: Ruto must accept the expression and live with it…

“I want to ask those who are using digital spaces to criticise the government not to be used by selfish politicians to put images of leaders in graves and coffins” (…) “I want to tell them that today, they will place images of leaders in coffins, and tomorrow they put their parents and then they follow it with their friends and eventually they resort to actual killings” – President William Ruto (12.01.2025).

We know, we know, we know that the Head of State and that the most powerful man of the Republic, the President cannot contain his anger and frustration against the ones who ridicule him or his likes. President Ruto cannot stomach the artificial intelligence pictures putting him in a casket and looking dead.

Yes, it is a bad picture and a bad omen. It isn’t a joyful journey or what people really wants to see. It is a piece of desperation and usage of images to demonstrate against His Excellency. Ruto should be concerned about the wish and dreams of his death. He cannot stop people from creating these images or sharing them on social media. That’s because he cannot arrest all youths or opposition of him. They will share this and joke about it.

What Ruto should be worried about?

He should be worried about people wanting him dead and looking forward to his demise. The President should be concerned and worried about his legacy. The leader and the Head of State should try to understand the sentiment and the behind scenes reasons for the creation of these pictures, which is spread online. That’s where the truth is…

This isn’t a death threat or a way of saying someone will kill you. No, it is wishful thinking of the worst happening to someone. As they are seeing how the President is ruling the Republic and the responses of his authorities. The way the state apparatus and the way the regime attacks civilians. That’s why they are wishing about this and seeing how the President represents the ills of society at the moment.

President Ruto should think about why people publish content like this. He should be analysing that and finding measures to create a better living. The President should ensure means to defer the cost-of-living crisis. Instead, his busy arresting Gen Z and whoever are vocal activists. Therefore, his losing edge and steam…

Ruto has to accept this expression, as people are seeing their own losing their lives for standing up for their principles. Those principles are obviously dangerous and therefore enough reasons to abduct, torture and kill civilians who are in the path of the Presidency. That’s why Ruto should be concerned about the extra judicial killings and the abductions of civilians.

However, he is more on the warpath to the ones daring to publish this content. He should reassess and restructure the way he operates, but then he wouldn’t be seen as strong. Because he would need the use of soft power and listening to the plights of fellow citizens. Nevertheless, we know that is too much to ask.

President Ruto deserves to be scrutinized and criticized. Those pictures exists for a reason and he should act upon it. So, that a fellow brother don’t look forward to his end and why they want to see him dead. The President should try to reform and change his governance structure. Nevertheless, we know that won’t happen either, because he just knows politicking and how to rigg the system. Peace.

Besigye behind bars for 59 days [on the 14th of January 2025] without proper trial as a civilian…

“The General Court Martial (GCM) at Makindye in Kampala has overruled four-time presidential candidate Col (Rtd) Dr Kiiza Besigye’s objection to charges before it and trial, ordering him (Besigye) to plea to the charges slapped against him. Besigye, his aide, Hajji Obeid Lutale, and UPDF soldier Captain Denis Oola are charged with treachery, subversion and unlawful possession of firearms” (New Vision, 14.01.2025).

“The General Court Martial (CGM) says it has jurisdiction to charge and try four-time presidential candidate Col. (rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye. GCM chairperson Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe dismissed Besigye’s claims that the charge sheet was defective” (88.7 Arua One FM, 14.01.2025).

The tragic saga of forged criminal conspiracy against the state continues. The General Court Martial (GCM) and Brigadier General Robert Freeman Mugabe who is the tool to keep Dr. Kizza Besigye behind bars and detained indefinitely. That is the reason for all of this and how the GCM is reacting. Nothing new under the sun….

Only more misuse of office, misrule and weaponizing the GCM to arrest and detain dissidents of the state. That’s why Besigye is behind bars and now the state has opened up yet another case on him. His pending another criminal conspiracy without any proof or proper witnesses to prove the alleged criminal intent or actions. Therefore, we know the drill and they are just postponing the inevitable.

The GCM is a useful tool for the state and a way to keep people detained without the need of bonds or bails. As they have the power and jurisdiction to deny the charged individuals as long as they deem fit. Meaning they can keep them detained with a conviction or even a proper trial. Just defer it and adjourn it without any end. As long as the Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe deems fit. That means he can do this and continue this case as long as he likes without any remedies for Besigye or any of his associates.

We know that the case has been adjourned today until next Tuesday, 21st January 2025. That means the state have had Besigye and his fellow associate behind bars for 67 days without any proper trial, judgment or proof of a criminal conduct, which gives the state any reason to penalize or even prosecute them. Therefore, we know this is all political and a part of a play to keep Besigye off the streets. That is the reality here and it’s obvious to the naked eye. Peace.

Besigye behind bars for 58 days [on the 13th of January 2025] without proper trial as a civilian…

“At the Army Court in Makindye, the prosecution, led by Colonel Raphael Mugisha, has applied to amend the charge sheet against Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale, seeking to add a new offense of treachery and include Captain Denis Ola, a serving officer attached to the Armoured Brigade, as an additional accused. However, the defense team, led by Martha Karua, has objected to the move, citing a pending ruling on the General Court Martial’s jurisdiction to try civilians” (NTV Uganda, 13.01.2025).

Time is a wasting and it’s proven. Just as time goes by, the state just has to revise, add and make the proceedings even worse. The abduction case turned into a criminal case pending in the General Court Martial. This is just horrific and a tale as old as the National Resistance Movement (NRM). It is just what the state does to its dissidents.

Besigye and his allies are just mere targets and people that is plotted against. They are claiming Besigye travelled to buy weaponry, had illegal guns, which only the UPDF has monopoly over and was scheming to overthrow the legal government in the Republic. Now in addition to all that, his supposed to be treacherous too. Meaning he will be charged again with Treason.

Besigye have been charged with treason before and we are seeing it appear again. This is to make the GCM more viable and give it more time. It is a way of making the case more severe than a gun-case and conspiracy to conspire against the state. However, now it is direct attack on the state, and he had insiders working within the army to do so. Therefore, this is just making the status of the case more alert and more damaging. Giving the state and the GCM enough reasons to keep him behind bars indefinitely.

So now after 58 days in detention and behind bars in Luzira Maximum Prison. This means his still barred from an ordinary life and abilities to be an hardworking opposition leader. The new charges and amendment of it is just to keep him there. They have neither produced any evidence or witnesses of the first charges pinned on him. Now they are adding and amending just to ensure his longevity behind bars. That is just mere technicalities to keep him detained…

That is the story here and this is what the state wants. They have no case and nothing sufficiently to prove any alleged criminal conspiracy. However, they are willing to manufacture and create hogwash stories to narrate and persistently keep Besigye from the public light.

This is how these things go. It is impunity in action and misusing the General Court Martial to haunt, destroy and go after the opposition in the Republic. This isn’t for the peace or to address the rule of law. No, this is just sending a message and go after anyone who dares to oppose the one on the throne. Peace.

Advocat Eron Kiiza’s letter from prison (10.01.2024)

Opinion: The 2 minutes that made Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe famous

Brigadier General Robert Freeman Mugabe yesterday decided to publicly arrest in the middle of the General Court Martial in Makindye, the attorney and advocate Eron Kiiza to 9 months detention in Kitalya Prison. That was done within two minutes, there was no test or any challenge to it. Only a direct Court Order and the legal professional was behind bars after a violent manhandling within the chamber. Therefore, the Brigadier General will be historical for this action alone.

The General Court Martial (GCM) of Makindye will linger on forever now. It has a stained history already before the Brigadier General was in-charge. Not like his the first one to deliver judgement of impunity and ill-advised sentences on civilians. Because that has been a staple in the reign of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. That’s why the President supports this sort of Military Tribunal to punish his opponents. Therefore, he will be happy with what happened yesterday.

It is just ironic that a man named “Freeman” is doing this to fellow citizens. His a serving member of the state and a custodian of law. Alas, he doesn’t value the law or cares about the rule of law. No, his only there to serve the interests of the President and those who has power. Now the Brigadier General will be named and shamed for his recent decision.

It is hard to imagine how 2 minutes of your life can be so significant. However, in the life of the Brigadier General it will be detrimental. This is his legacy and how he will be remembered. The army commander will remembered as the henchman of the tyrant. That he issued the orders of the tyranny and was diligently a servant of the tyrant himself. This is who Brig. Gen. Freeman Mugabe is now.

Within two minutes time his whole name, reputation and what his known for is sealed for life. It doesn’t matter what choices he makes or what sort of things he does next. This is who he is and what has become of him. That is the person and the reflection of his character to the whole Republic.

Robert Freeman Mugabe has made his decision and this is what we will remember him for. It is really astonishing that people are willing and abiding by this sort of leadership. That someone wants to use their lives and be a component in the stead of the dictator. This is who this man is and what has become of him. A man of such stature and title should be more reflective, but that was too much to ask. Peace.