Dr. Kizza Besigye house-arrested on the 5th Day

I want to warn politicians about holding unlawful assemblies and processions. Use of illegal processions is not encouraged as they disrupt the rights of other people. It’s against this background that we blocked Dr. Kizza Besigye’s plans last week”Fred Enanga

Forum for Democratic Change wants unconditional freedom of their former President, Dr. Kiiza Besigye, who was arrested as he attempted a Walk-To-Work protest over high commodity prices. Party Secretary-General Harold Kaija insists the acts of their former President were lawful, and his prevention arrest should end” (NBS Television, 16.05.2022).

Police has finally granted permission to the lawyers of Col. Dr Kizza Besigye to access their client, who is currently under house arrest at his Kasangati home. Today marks the fifth day of Besigye’s house arrest since he announced his intentions to protest against hiked commodity prices” (NBS Television, 16.05.2022).

We are again seeing the reason for the house-arrest of Dr. Kizza Besigye, which has been under siege since he tried on Thursday last week to start a protest going from Kasangeti in Wakiso district into Kampala. This is the pre-emptive arrest and without court order. The authorities are using the Public Order Management Act (POMA) and that was clear from the get-go.

While they have ever since the small procession or protest on Thursday has been barred from leaving his home or getting visitors. The state has made him a felon and a criminal without giving him charges or indicting him. Neither has the judges or the police officers served him anything. Therefore, this is an illegal act and blatant disregard for the rule of law. As they are stopping his rights to protest and be an activist.

The state and the authorities have done this before and it’s not really anything new. It is a continuation of what they have done in the past. Just like Besigye is continuing with his defiance and trying to use civilian protest for his cause. A righteous one at that, but that doesn’t matter to the Uganda Police Force or any other agency. Besigye is a nuisance and they want to silence him. Because, they know he can incite popular uprising and be detrimental to the stability of the regime.

That’s why his house-arrested yet again. With a usage of a law, which was made to cater to him and his ideals. In such a way, that the President and the Authorities could block and stop them from gathering. This is why no one is really allowed to meet, hold rallies or protest. Because, the state can block it and make it illegal. Therefore, the rights are only on paper and not a reality. Since, we know the state wouldn’t allow it anyway.

Besigye fight for justice and freedom is far from over. His a victim of his struggle and continues to pay a price for fighting. It is honourable and a just cause, though very costly for the man. The man haven’t lost his step and the authorities are following his every move. Peace.

Dr. Kizza Besigye house-arrested on the third day

Today is the third day of the house-arrest of Dr. Kizza Besigye, as he staged a protest against the rising commodity prices in Kasangati. As he and his supporters of this cause was participating, as they were planning to go to Kampala. This would be a trek for help and support of the citizens, as the inflation and rising prices on basic commodities.

This a pre-emptive arrest of a political activist, leader and former Presidential Candidate for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Even as his ageing… his still resilient and fights for just causes. While his not allowed to demonstrate, protest or even gather fellow comrades of these causes. That is very obvious, as the Public Order Management Act (POMA) was made for this and was nicknamed the “Anti-Besigye-Act” for a reason.

It is striking that’s his not charged, indicted or even had any court order for the arrest. The Police Force has done this before and it’s nothing new for them to besiege his compound in Kasangati, Wakiso district.

Besigye deserves his rights and liberties like everyone else. That has been taken from him, time and time again. The officers and soldiers surrounding him is just continuation of the impunity of the state. As they are only silencing him and his causes for a peaceful transition of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the want of a popular public uprising against the military government.

Besigye have released the formula or the road-map to dismantle the junta government of the day. However, the public haven’t follow it or listened to him. That has been an issue for a long time. His again trying to galvanize and lead, but the citizens aren’t following suit. There are a small fringe who does it now. However, Besigye is right and the need for defiance through protest is one way out. Peace.

Dr. Kizza Besigye house arrested on his second day!

Lots of uniformed & non-uniformed Police and goons still totally surround my home (including that of my immediate neighbour)! They get one “meal” a day! They haven’t allowed anyone to come in since yesterday. Court has twice previously declared this illegal! No turning back” (Dr. Kizza Besigye, 13.05.2022).

Yet again, there is Police Force surrounding the compound of Dr. Kizza Besigye. He was yesterday taken in swiftly and arrested, as he was starting a protest against the rising prices on basic commodities.

Besigye is besieged again without a Court Order or having a trial for the citizen, activist and political leader. His detained pre-emptively without any prejudice. He did not incite violence or cause public harm. Neither did he or the ones demonstrating yesterday stop business or the public life. Therefore, this arrest is unlawful and outside of the 1995 Constitution.

This just shows how the authorities are misusing their power and authority. They are baring him from being a citizen and a civilian. Besigye is blocked from his day-to-day activities. His targeted and silenced, because of his prior role and popularity. That’s why the authorities are doing this and keeping him detained in his own home.

What is happening now is reminding us of what has happened before. We can just await that his suddenly forcefully taken into a drone and into the courts. As there is no proof or evidence of his possible problematic behaviour or danger for society. Alas, this is just showing how impunity and how the state is cracking down on its citizens.

Besigye is a proof of how the state operates… and the authorities in this swift manner. Where they are pre-emptive arresting him and detaining him in his own home. Besigye is illegally detained and it’s tragic. His within his constitutional rights to demonstrate, but we know the state would use the Public Order Management Act (POMA) against him. Peace.

Dr. Kizza Besigye house arrested today [as he started to protest the rising commodity prices]

BREAKING: Rtd. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye has been arrested outside his home as he attempted to move to town in protest of the unreasonable commodity prices and alleged “political succession”” (NBS Television, 12.05.2022).

Four time presidential candidate Rtd.Col Kizza Besigye has been arrested by police following his declaration of the walk to work protests today. He was whisked back to his Kasangati residence where he remains under detention!” (Ekyooto, 12.05.2022).

The authorities and the Police Force has yet again used their abilities to pre-emptive arrest Dr. Kizza Besigye. Done with a Court Order or an indictment of Besigye. This is showing how the state is blocking Besigye from being active or protest.

The pictures of the protest only shows a handful of people and wasn’t a major gathering even. This wouldn’t be a cause for a stir or could been seen as public disorder. Neither was this protest violent and such. So, this is just cracking down on anything that could inspire or spiral out elsewhere.

There was anti-riot police who picked up and certainly they are blocking his compound off. That is something the authorities has done before and the same with this arrest. Besigye knows everything about being arrested.

More news to follow. Especially, when Besigye starts to announce things from his home and when the Uganda Police Force comes out with statements to explain the matter. Peace.

Opinion: Besigye should have been the “former head of state” by now

Today marks the 66th Birthday of the rebel, reformist and firebrand politician Dr. Kizza Besigye. The man who aspired and continues to inspire thousands. He would have been the righteous title of “former head of state”. It wasn’t without a reason he went around and got called the “People’s President” for years.

Besigye haven’t had it easy. He never gotten peace and mind to do his work. Neither has brothers or sisters who has joined him. They have been purged, arrested, charged and detained. The folks around him has been kept detained for months on end without any trial or fair judgement. Besigye have been charged with treason, civil disobedience and all other penal codes that you can name. He has been detained in nearly any corner of the Republic and he has been in plenty of trials. Which has ended up in nothing and been a waste of time.

Besigye is a resolute man and an honest actor. A man of honour and a brave man at that. He could have lived in riches abroad and been a successful doctor. However, he returned back from exile and tried to serve within the NRM government. Nevertheless, he saw the rot and the acts of government and couldn’t bare in mind to be associated with that. So, he left and created Reform Agenda, which later become the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).

No one can say it hasn’t cost. The days of house-arrest, the loss of family members and the fatalities within his ranks. The ones who has been poisoned and the ones who has been extra judicially killed by just campaigning for a better tomorrow. The man has seen it all and faced it all too. His comrades and people in the struggle have never had it easy.

The ones who thinks the struggle and hardships came with Bobi Wine. No, it was already here, but People Power and National Unity Platform is the next generation that exposes it even further. They are working for the same cause, but materialize itself differently. Besigye has seen all the ills and the Republic haven’t changed.

The Junta is in-charge and Besigye can still amp up the crowds and spark a fire if he wanted too. Besigye have shown how to revolt and ignite defiance in the population. There been plenty of times because of his popularity. That the authorities and the government has come with an iron-fist and no mercy towards this man. The tear-gas, the assaults and the brutal arrests that will forever linger in my mind. As the video-clips and the photos showed what the authorities is capable of doing to a civilian. Who was only working for the betterment of the Republic and not for his own gains.

Besigye became officially second in many Presidential Races. Though we know the rigging and the means of the state. If it wasn’t for the pre-ticked ballots, voter intimidation and all the tricks of the book to legitimize Museveni. Besigye would have already been the President and been the Head of State. If not in 2016, he would have been so in 2011 or in 2006. We can never know, but in my heart I knew he won in 2016. Without a shadow of a doubt and only by laws of crooks he was stolen from getting a well deserved position as His Excellency.

That’s why today isn’t a day of mourning. It is a day of celebration. He is a man who has shown the way and continues to do so. Bobi Wine is maybe this generations freedom fighter, but he needs to learn and reflect from what Besigye did. Besigye has gone in all the footsteps and paths that was possible in the past. He knows the hurdles and the system at hand. It is an unforgiving on and a type that corrupts. That’s why he resilience and will power of Besigye is not only admirable, but something we can all learn from.

Besigye don’t only have ideals, but manuals on how to dissolve the Junta. The people should reflect on those and they need to follow these. Because, it gives insights into how to overpower and create a peaceful transition. Which has been one of the main goals of work. Where it goes from the dictator and to a civilian leader. It goes from the guns and to the people. A transition without violence and with the will of people. That is what he has strived for, but never seen. Hopefully, Besigye get to see promise land. Maybe not for himself, but for the next generation.

He will never be forgotten. His a hero and a man of integrity. There will always be a need for people like him. If things had gone the right way. Besigye would have been the President and the Head of State. We know by now that this never happened. The will of the people and the authorities was able to quell it. Still, he will always have a special place and should be remembered for the campaigns, the rallies and how he stood on the barricades for the people. He did it for them and we cannot forget that. We will not and the ones who stood in his way. Deserves to be tarnished and remembered for blocking his reign. Peace.

Dr. Kizza Besigye – “Loud & Clear”

 

”I told you that I have never and I will never ask Ugandans to fight for me. What I do, I do voluntarily as part of the process of freeing our country and myself inclusive.

Therefore to that extent, all Ugandans have as much responsibility as I do in ensuring that we live in a free and fair country

That we have full citizen rights, full economic rights, all Ugandans have equal responsibilities

I have only been dispensing my own part of that responsibility all over the last 40 years

When I left my job I could have been working abroad also, I was a medical doctor in a modern hospital, I could have continued my profession as a doctor, earned well and lived comfortably and continued to enjoy family life like all other citizens should do. I have not abandoned that because I want to become anything, not at all. It’s because I want to live somewhere I call my country, where I have full rights. I don’t want to live in Europe, America and others countries that have been freed by their own citizens.

I want to free my own country where I was born and where my ancestors are so that I can live here in freedom”

Opinion: Have the NRM amended article 29 of the 1995 Constitution? [Since Besigye is warned about demonstrating again!]

1995 Constitution states in Article 29 (1):

(1) Every person shall have the right to—

d) freedom to assemble and to demonstrate together with others peacefully and unarmed and to petition; and

(e) freedom of association which shall include the freedom to form and join associations or unions, including trade unions and political and other civic organisations” (Constitution, 1995).

You could think we are retuning back in time, but however… we are in 2022 and not in 2015 or 2016. Neither are we in the 2010 or 2011. The Public Order Management Act (POMA) is still enforced in combination with the Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) in consideration with the global coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Uganda Police Force (UPF) is directly warning Besigye in end of January 2022… is like a deja vu.

As reported earlier today:

Addressing journalists on Monday, Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said security has got intelligence information indicating that in order to pull off the planned protests, Dr.Besigye is planning to reawaken the Power 10, a structure formed towards the 2016 polls as FDC’s election mobilisation task force. “We have intelligence information that Dr. Besigye and other opposition activists intend to reactivate Power 10 to cause acts of disobedience and mayhem in the city. They have so far recruited five persons per village and cell but we know Dr. Besigye as a professional agitator for violence and warn him that the Public Order Management Act is still in place and they have to ask for permission from police before carrying out their activities,” Enanga said” (Kenneth Kazibwe – ‘Dont be tempted to organise protests- Police warn Besigye’ 31.01.2022, Nile Post).

We know that this time around that Dr. Kizza Besigye has his own pressure group and coalition, which is the People’s Front for Transition (PFT) and the Red Card Movement. It is clear that the state still fears for his reach and popularity. As they are warning him to not demonstrate or riot. Which is blocking the rights of any citizen and it’s stipulated in the 1995 Constitution in Article 29.

It is not new that the Anti-Besigye Act or the POMA act has been made to stifle and stop demonstrations, after the near successful Walk to Work demonstrations in 2011. The POMA is made in such a fashion, that anyone has to apply and fill certain criteria to be able to demonstrate or protest. Therefore, we know if Besigye or any allies applies to do so. It will be denied or not get allowed to do so, in regard to public safety. While the state can gather and show-up everywhere with the convoys, meetings and conferences for that matter.

The PFT and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) will not be able to show a public disdain. That is deliberate by the state and we know it. This have been done for years and is nothing new. However, the state and the NRM would be more sincere, if they just amended the Article 29 and took away the right to demonstrate. As it is near to impossible… and the ones who wishes to do so cannot really do it.

Besigye is only one who would get this warning. This could be equally be given to Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and his National Unity Platform (NUP) or the People Power Movement. As they would get under the same scrutiny or pressure from the state to cease these sorts of activities. Since, the state wouldn’t allow that to happen. Just like they haven’t allowed concerts or plenty of gatherings by the NUP in the recent years.

Therefore, Besigye is just having … the same problems as before… the FDC and PFT should anticipate this and it’s nothing new. The UPF and the NRM is just continuing their oppression and lack of tolerance towards dissidents. Peace.

Opinion: Mao is only looking like a fool on Twitter

The Democratic Party President since 2010, Norbert Mao have had a twitter tirade with netizen and general citizens on the platform. If he thinks his presence and his way of acting has built his foundation, esteem or people believing in him more by doing this. Well, his dead wrong and his capacity as a DP Party President isn’t proven better.

Mao has humiliated himself as a Presidential Candidate. However, he was in Parliament from 1996 until 2006 when he resigned from the position to become the Chairman of Gulu District. So, the former Gulu Municipality MP have been unsuccessful running the party.

The DP and the DP Block of 2021 only proves that. The Democratic Party doesn’t look like a strong party. The oldest party of the Republic should have a stronger standing. However, the DP Party President can act like everything is well. But anyone with a little common sense knows the DP party isn’t well built. If it was so… the cracks wouldn’t be up in the open.

Mao who himself wasn’t on the ticket in 2016 and gave way to Mbabazi. The man who only gained about 57,700 votes in 2021 and he even did it better in 2011 when he got about 148,000 votes. So, the man who has called other people out for losing. He has a gotten less relevant over time.

Mao only has a voice and is relevant because his on NBS Frontline as a panellist. He can trigger people and talk of exposing them. However, that doesn’t make him look the wiser. Especially, when he doesn’t unleash the intelligence or the supposed toxic documents of the persons his targeting.

The man who has been able to run the DP party for a decade should have more finesse or proof of leadership. Nevertheless, that is hard to come by. When he seen MPs leaving his party and others rather associating themselves with Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the National Unity Platform (NUP).

If the DP Party President was so great he would have something to show for it. Neither does he has the Presidential Elections to show for it. In 2011 the DP got 12 MPs and in 2016 he got 15 MPs. While after the 2021 elections even with the massive amount new districts and possibilities for MPs, the DP party only got 9 MPs in the 11th Parliament. Therefore, just like with the Presidential Elections, the DP President got worse results and if you look at percentages of MPs it would be even more shattering. Since, the numbers of MPs has risen over the years and the DP should have gotten more and not less. However, he haven’t built it well or taken the party further.

The way things looks, the gig on NBS Frontline is more important than building the party. He needs the space to stay relevant. As well, as writing pieces in the Kampala based newspapers to look legit. While the DP Party President will bash and use his flamboyant ways online. It is not making him look the wiser. Because, the activity and the party isn’t strengthen by it. Instead, his getting questioned if his still is fit to rule as the man of the party. That should worry him.

Since, he has had the time in office and the results …. is abysmal. There is no sign of progress or development of the party. Instead, his a political landscape, which he don’t influence much, if any… and that must hurt the former Makerere Guild President. At some point of time, Mao looked promising and so was his future. He aligned himself with leaders and activists, which today is in prominent positions. People who matters and has relevant positions themselves. Some of them was part of DP for a while before leaving for greener pastures.

Mao doesn’t look smart or bright here. Just like his trying to fish to be relevant. However, that is not the outcome of acts like this. Yes, it only matter for the short cycle of 48 hours and maybe even less. As social media moves on and a new brother writes like crazy. Nevertheless, a leader of party should be better and act with some sense. That is clearly something we cannot ask or expect from Mao.

His just rolling the way he likes and think this is a winning formula. He can carry his own weight and he just needs to understand the perception he creates with it. That’s why he cannot manage to change the way people will view him from this.

So, he better step up at NBS Frontline and boost his own ego. Because, talking like a big-man is clearly not working. Maybe, it boost his fragile ego, but does Mao need more? I don’t think so. Peace.

Opinion: Your master will not pay you for your sacrifices… [the story of Sam Omala]

A picture from a time when Besigye was house-arrested in 2015

I was a real fighter, but they did not remember any of my efforts. I used to work, but the credit would always go to my bosses. I slept at Besigye’s gate for seven days during ‘Walk to Work’ protests but none of that was remembered” – Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Sam Omala (Jonah Kirabo – ‘SAM OMALA: We saved this government but it has not appreciated us’ 06.12.2021, Nile Post).

The former Assistant Commissioner of Police Sam Omala forgets a vital part. It is tragic to say it, but it is still true. That he was just a cog in the machinery and someone who could be easily transferred or be replaced. There was nothing significant or special about him. He was just another pawn or a soldier, which could be exchanged with someone else. That is what the regime has done and his sacrifices haven’t born him any fruits.

No fruits for his labour or his work. Not like his boss IGP Kale Kayihura has gotten a splendid life after his career. Yes, he gotten off the hook and been able to live well. He got soldiers and people around him to defend his life. However, anyone else is easily disposable. Unless, they were part of the tribe or the NRA founding fathers, which can get plum-job to this day, because they are still breathing.

Omala has forgotten his place and role. He played his part and served what the President ordered. He did what the President and the NRM wanted him to do. They wanted him to stand in the rain or in the sun to suffer. That’s what he did and he served as the officer he was. Just following the chain-in-command and doing his duty.

No other police officer or soldier will get accolades, unless they would suddenly sniff out Kony in Central African Republic or be able to kill the clone of Idi Amin in 2021. However, neither will happen and nobody will get the praises from His Excellency. His the only man with a vision and nobody matters, unless, they are serving his interests.

Omala was useful, but he got old and wasn’t energetic to sleep in a chamber of government. This former officer doesn’t have the character or cruel mind to politicking his way into prominence. That’s why his getting nothing. He did his thing for the system and regime, but the same machine doesn’t care about the nuts or bolts within it. The mechanic only starts to bitch or repair when these parts doesn’t work.

The Uganda Police Force would have quickly either transferred him to an boring outpost in Acholi or be galvanized on the Mount Elgon. Instead, the man became an Assistant Commissioner and had some sort of title to make him matter. However, there will come other like him and they will not be cared about it.

If he slept for 7 days there… good for him. However, there been other officers who spent days and weeks on the gates outside of Besigye’s house. Surely, the guys who stood in the weather and pissing on the road-side feels like they matter too. In 2016, the opposition politician had a wrecking record of house arrest from the polls and it continued after he came back from Luzira and Moroto prisons. Therefore, Omala isn’t that special and could be changed for some other useful officer to serve injustice to the citizens in the service of the H.E and the Fountain of Honour.

Omala needs to chill. His neither a NRA hero or part of the inner-circles of the NRM. His not that special… that might hurt his pride. So, a family member should give him a cookie and a soda. Peace.

Opinion: Bobi Wine is getting the whole Besigye-Treatment [in Lira and Mbale]

These days we are seeing the former Presidential Candidate and Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader is getting similar treatment to what Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader Dr. Kizza Besigye gotten over the years.

What happened at the radio station at Mbale and Lira is common practice. That the regional appointed bureaucratic goons are doing to the opposition. The Residential District Commanders (RDCs) and District Police Commanders (DPCs) are following direct orders to block people like Bobi Wine and Besigye. That is just part of their protocol and what they do.

It is not fair or justified, but it is the mere reality. What is happening in these towns and places. We have all seen before… it is just a new generational leader, which the old man is blocking from moving and speaking. While the same party and President will say his nothing to fear. Which is really ironic, if you didn’t fear the man. Why don’t let him speak and operate like anyone else?

No, we know the Police Force is more busy scheming and finding ways of pinning crimes on opposition leaders and activists, instead of catching thieves, murders and blue-collar criminals. That’s just the mere reality and the Uganda Police Force (UPF) is embedded in partisan politics. They are so beholden to the throne and his decrees. These folks aren’t there to serve the general public or the needs of the people. No, they are there to uphold the reign of their king and that’s it.

This is why Bobi Wine will be in trouble. It doesn’t matter if his up-north, in the east or west. He can be in central (Buganda) but that doesn’t matter either. If he wants to be on a radio in Mukono or Busoga. Just forget about it. Bobi Wine won’t get access and the state will find all sorts of excuses. However, the President and his men can go on radio-tour anytime they want. This is because this is his kingdom and everyone is his servants. That’s why he prefers to sit in a high chair and dole away money to begging citizens. This is what he has become and his proud of it too.

It is not shocking that there is arrests, tear-gas and blocked radio-stations. This is what the National Resistance Movement (NRM) does to it’s enemies. Because, the NRM got nothing to prove or nothing to give. They have only monopoly on violence … and that’s what gives it additional life. The NRM surges on violence and secures the levels of fear is living within the population. That is what the NRM saying by doing over the years. It is not because the NRM values the 10 point programme or any promises made over the years. Nah, these are just empty pleas and to make some headlines. Since, the NRM and the President cannot keep up with them or even have the funding for any of it.

That’s why any serious challenger has to be silenced and stopped in their tracks. This is why Bobi Wine is getting the Besigye treatment. Bobi Wine haven’t been detained or arrested in such a way yet. However, Bobi Wine doesn’t have the years that Besigye have in the trenches. Bobi Wine needs years to be able to hit the numbers of charges, days behind bars and pending treason charges too. Therefore, Bobi Wine is only at the beginning of it. Even with the heartache of aftermath of Arua By-Election.

Bobi Wine now tasting the bitter fruits of popularity and being the voice of reason. Which is in the Republic, a voice of Treason. That’s the just the way things are… and it’s tragic. Freedom is limited and justice is only for the chosen few. The rest is prey waiting to taken by the predator. Peace.