Uganda: FDC Party Officially welcomes dialogue between the FDC and the NRM (31.03.2017)

Opinion: Dear Swedes stick to IKEA, please forget the talks between Museveni and Besigye!

I don’t know if I should laugh or cry, but what sort of discussion should be from people who gave us IKEA, Volvo and tiny meatballs. We know that the Swedish needs to prove their worth in the world on other venues, than the Eurovision and hair-styles of Zlatan Ibrahamovic. Still, the recent of willingly sending Pro Bono people to mediate between the long serving, self reliance and thief in chief, the National Resistance Movement wizard, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the Opposition leader, creator of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Dr. Kizza Besigye are supposed to talk between cups of tea and biscuits provided with Swedish hospitality.

“The Swedish Government has confirmed that it has been approached and, has accepted, to mediate planned talks between President Museveni and former presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye” (…) “The government of Sweden is involved in supporting and promoting dialogue in many parts of the world, as part of its policy of conflict prevention and support to peace processes. Sweden has been asked to facilitate a possible dialogue in Uganda,” Swedish Foreign ministry spokeswoman Katarina Byrenius Roslund, noted in reply to email inquiries from this newspaper. The “discussions are still at an early stage”, she noted, adding: “When there is concrete progress to communicate, we will do so” (…) “Ms Annika Söder, the Swedish state secretary, has been agreed on by the principals as the mediator for the expected talks. She flew into the country last week and held separate back-to-back meetings with the President and Dr Besigye on Thursday and Friday, respectively, in what knowledgeable sources described as “exploratory” (Butagira, 2017).

First and foremost, can the Swedes explain the content of tear-gas into public meetings, police blocking, detaining of FDC Youths, falsified charges against the FDC leadership, the Public Order Management Bill who is created to stop meeting of anyone else, than the loyal men of Museveni. How can there be talks between the parties?

Secondly, when every travel and meeting of FDC and Besigye is met with heavy police force, blocking of main roads and tear-gas when they congregate. What is there to discuss? What perimeter of Kasangati he is allowed to leave before it is an issue? What sort of ideas do the Swedes have in mind, except selling Volvo and SAAB to Uganda, instead of Isuzu and Toyota!

Seriously, that the Government of Sweden must either be blind or ill-minded if they think this will give way. If they know the history of Nairobi Talks of 1980s. When the National Resistance Army and the other parties gathered to iron out the differences. Than that was used to forge more way for the NRA agenda and silence the others with guns and ammo. Not generate peace without knowledge of Museveni landing on top. So this is in his blood and the blood that is shed for him to gain all power.

Global IDP Database wrote this about his negotiations:

“In July 1985, conflict between some Langi and Acholi soldiers led to the overthrow of the Obote regime. The coup, which brought General Tito Okello to power, shattered the military alliance between the Acholi and Langi and escalated ethnic violence. The Okello regime invited all fighting groups and political parties to join the military government. Every armed group and political party, with the exception of the NRA, joined the administration. The NRA, however, engaged the regime in protracted peace negotiations held in Nairobi. In December 1985, the Nairobi Agreement was signed under the chairmanship of President Moi of Kenya. However, the Agreement was never implemented and Museveni seized power on the 25th January 1986” (Global IDP Database, P: 18, 2004).

So will the Swedish buy into the mantra that everything can be reassembled and rebuilt? Since they want to forge a relationship between Besigye and Museveni. Museveni, who rather take up guns and get rid of opposition and vowed last year to destroy the opposition. Well, I am sure the Swedish we’re busy finding ways to export designer materials, than following the post-election dogma of Museveni. Since a man who only believes “he is the only man with a vision”. That is the man who is supposed to co-operate and negotiate with an advisory! Really?

A man who doesn’t want to talk about succession and doesn’t want to speak about his lingering in charge. A man who has run a country and nation since 1986, has nothing more to win or to gain by playing soft. If he does so and the Swedish is dumb enough to buy into the fake wood and think they get mahogany, than they will offer donor-funding and possible other prices for the so-called negotiations between the NRM and FDC. Even as the FDC Headquarter we’re a year ago a crime scene and many members and leaders we’re detained on manufactured charges.

There shouldn’t be these sort of talks at this point, if so, than the Swedish are legitimizing the thieving of Museveni and his NRM elite. Does the Swedish government want that on their plate? Is that the Swedish people’s prideful mission to support and trust in a corrupt and militarized government, while they at the same time is using Besigye as pawn?

The Swedish government, if they care should back-off, go home to Stockholm. Cut their aid and stop the talks. As they will only give more way to dictator and his clientele at the Okello House. There aren’t anything else to give.

Did the Swedish government do any research and care about the track-record of the Museveni regime? Have they seen how many mysterious deaths and men who has worked close who has either had to flee or been detained by his regime? Have the Swedish considered their implications in establishing legitimacy of the current leadership? Who doesn’t care if they bankrupt their country? While they are driving expensive cars on the State coffers?

Does the Swedish government need this win or this talks to gain international recognition, and not only sell IKEA furniture? Time to take the dozens pieces and assemble that the chairs in Umeå, and step away from Kampala.

Or do the Swedish government and their team no problem with losing their credibility for helping a fellow dictator? Peace.

Reference:

Butagira, Tabu – ‘Sweden to mediate Museveni, Besigye talks’ (29.03.2017) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Sweden-to-mediate-Museveni–Besigye-talks/688334-3868674-b3fqil/index.html

Global IDP Database – ‘PROFILE OF INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT : UGANDA’ (17.06.2004)

Opinion: Besigye doesn’t need dialogue with Museveni!

Dr. Kizza Besigye and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) do not need to have dialogue or negotiation with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) or the President himself. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni needs more the dialogue than the FDC and their party needs it. It is the NRM government and NRM regime who needs legitimacy and needs funds. That is proven with Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) who proves with the 16 trillion shillings funds the for the 2017/2018 budget of the 30 trillion shillings needed. With this in mind there is certainly that the NRM needs more international support to fix missing funds.

That Museveni would need Besigye now a year after the General Election of 2016 shows how dire the situation is, the added debt and the troubling waters on the giant infrastructure projects, as much as the missing funds for the salaries or the other financial expenses that are occurring for the government. So the proof of issues is growing as the direct budget support has dwindled down as well as the elite and the cronies still expect to be fed by the regime.

Besigye has still a forged treason case, as much as Rwenzururu king Charles Wesley Mumbere has as well. The FDC headquarters was attacked and a crime-scene as the FDC Youth and FDC P10 was attacked as the defiance campaign was even banned by the Deputy Court Justice Stephen Kavuma. As well, the Police Force under IGP Kale Kayihura monitored and followed the leadership of FDC like they we’re criminal. There were many detained and house-arrested, there was more people hurt and hospitalized by state security organization. Also, the many inflicted and detained without warrants or court order shows the impunity of the state towards the FDC.

So after this impunity, after the illegal house-arrest of Besigye and the others who has been taken into prison without any justice served, why should the FDC try to sell their soul to the Movement? That is waste of time and waste of energy, it would be like the men who traded their political lives in Nairobi talks: “The NRA and the government signed a peace and power sharing agreement in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital Dec. 17 that called for an immediate cease-fire, the freezing of all troop movements and a half share of the ruling Military Council for the NRA” (…) “The provisions of the accord were largely ignored and both sides used the lull in the fighting to reposition and resupply their forces. The guerrillas claimed the military committed widespread human rights abuses after the accord was signed” (Charles Mitchell – ‘The National Resistance Army of rebel leader Yoweri Museveni…’ 26.01.1986 link: http://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/01/26/The-National-Resistance-Army-of-rebel-leader-Yoweri-Museveni/5549507099600/ ). So the agreement done by NRA in December 1985 wasn’t a big deal, so that Museveni could do a final sting and coup to gain power, which he has never left.

A negotiation with Museveni would only enforce his rule and his longevity in power nothing else. Besigye would not be offered anything substantial; his part in the matter would end in little or nothing. FDC would get the stick, but not get the price. Just like they wouldn’t feel a difference between now and then since the price of going into partnership would benefit Museveni. The Movement would get beneficiary funding and regard internationally since FDC has a higher standing abroad than Museveni.

Museveni is well-known now because of his 7 terms and his position of executive since 1986. The reality of this that a negotiation or dialogue with Museveni at this stage is redundant, unless the President all of sudden turns his own self sideways. That he would go back on all his empty promises and all of his glory. Certainly Museveni could do so, but he knows that he has too many people on his consciences to leave it all behind. The President has eaten too much of the state coffers and cannot leave the bank-accounts behind. The family is too connected and has all the leverage in the state. The movement is built around him and if he fails than the party does as well.

The Movement and Museveni would not co-sign their powers or the authority, not after the rigging and the massive misuse of the state funds, therefore the lacking funds for the current budget. Museveni knows that his loyal friends abroad will not give in to his ways anymore, therefore hoping to play other cards. Use his political brain to suck other donors in. That while waiting for more oil-monies and also trade of other with making the UPDF to mercenary army in Equatorial Guinea or South Sudan if needed. This is because they need to get fresh funding for the State House, which hasn’t paid their payment-arrears to the owners of the Okello House!

So Besigye doesn’t need Museveni at this point, he needs his party and the loyalty of his supporters. That is more than Museveni has who needs to pay for loyalty and to secure funding for the movement itself. Therefore the jobs and funds to come steady, there is always more mouths to feed and more people to silence with brown envelopes. So Museveni needs foreign support and foreign aid as the Uganda Revenue Authority has just enough regulations and taxes to bring in funds that scrape the surface, but not fill the state coffers.

So again I say and I stand by it, Museveni is the only one earning political capital on negotiations and dialogue, nothing is really to be earned by the FDC or Besigye. So with this in mind, Museveni will only gain and Besigye will only lose on it. If you know you would lose, why give way to somebody who comes to take it all and deplete it all? Peace.

Opinion: The next steps for Besigye and continued defiance against the Movement!

It’s not easy to give words of advice to the men and woman who are in the line of fire. But we cannot let the Movement and their spin-control run the mill. They are stealing and thieving with massive speed and impunity. They are trying to avoid the weakness of the economy, trying to find new ways of revamping the economy without too much state debt and without loving donor direct aid. They still have the military and equipment served from loyal allies in the United States, if that will happen under Trump and it has happen under Bush/Obama is not easy to know; certainly U.S. will still let other brigades do the dirt they don’t want to do themselves.

The ones who toll with the problems are Dr. Kizza Besigye and his Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), they work for a peaceful transition in Uganda from the militarized politics of the President Museveni’s Movement. So with this in mind, after a year of issues, a year of tribulations, arrests, detained and charges of treason against the government; the political change is still in the wind. Besigye had deserved a better start and a fresher place as he is still monitored and still has Police following all movement done by the man. The same with his party who cannot hold meetings and public consultations without police taking stereo equipment, arrests or intimidation of citizens who shows up or just happen to be around.

Besigye had started the Campaign of Defiance under the Election Road Map for the General Election of 2016. So in 2015 it was started and has been put under fire from the Resistance Movement, an ironic problem for a draconian and tyrant regime who cannot really be democratic as they tries to silence or get rid of the worst opponents. Besigye is only kept because of known place and international scrutiny of they try to attack him too much.

First Step – Defy with actions:

Besigye should continue and with more force, use more than just words and get the FDC to actually take a stronger stand against the ones that supports the regime. The Mafia regime or junta government, which he has described the Movement so many times. If FDC wants to be fair and wants to defy the Movement, they should suspend themselves first from Parliament. It is risky, but would be a grandeur position to take away the Shadow Government and the legitimacy of the current government.

Second Step – Defy with dialogue with other opposition:

Secondly the FDC should be in talks with Democratic Party and other smaller parties that are not involved directly in the Movement regime, as they can try to weaken and strengthen the other voices. As Besigye have already done with his friendship with Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Gen. David Sejusa. FDC needs to be connected with people of stature like Norbert Mao and others, who are real opposition to Museveni. Not talk to Jimmy Akena or others who just uses their parties as fronts of beacon of democracy, instead of actually challenging the Movement.

Third Step – Defy the Courts like IGP Kayihura:

Just as IGP Kale Kayihura defied his own court-orders, the same should Besigye himself start to do in 2017, to show that he doesn’t respect the unlawful character of the regime; as the peaceful acts of showing up for treason charge that continue running into oblivion. Time to just say it is a kangaroo court and is only doing it to silence his voice. Therefore not showing up and instead continue to travel around the country to meet and greet party officials and locals to prove the value of building institution over being a sole candidate in Museveni and the NRM.

Times is a wasting, it’s hard to do stuff when you’re behind bars or at court, it’s hard to always move when the Police Force and other Security Organizations follow your every step.

Fourth Step – Hurt the pocket of the Government:

Certainly the Defiance needs to be hurting the regime. Try to stop the foreign exchange rates, the taxation and the revenue of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), even the business that is inter-connected with the Movement. As much as it should stop the state owned businesses that is being used by the Movement. Museveni would hate that he couldn’t misuse the profits of needed businesses, the ones that are owned by investors who are supplying him funds to pay Special Force Command and other militarized outfits that keeps him as the Executive.

If the Besigye and his folks stood behind and hurt the pocket and legitimacy, not in words only, but also actions that could move the regime and also create a vacuum that Museveni and his movement couldn’t control. The ripple effect and the true hurt would be shown. Especially with the knowledge, that the Election already hurt the economy with massive effect. So if they continue pounding on it took out the cash out of the Museveni owned banks and stopped profits to companies that the Museveni clan partly own. Than the Movement and family would feel the pinch.

Defying the state institutions and the government procedures, stop respecting the Police and Courts, stop listening to the draconian laws and also stop the funding of taxes and funds to directly keep the Movement alive. Something that would really hurt Museveni and his elite; this would really make it hard for the Movement to continue to use Police Force and use the state to gain wealth.

Besigye can continue to talk peaceful transition and I respect that. This sort of acts is not easy. They are hard and costly. Many will be arrested, many more detained, more torture and more innocent dying, but there been so much over 30 years that the defiance campaign has to take it to the next level. Show disrespect, let the government lose its value and show the world that the ones behind Besigye don’t see Museveni as their President. Museveni is just a citizen, not an Executive, as he wasn’t really elected to be so; he coup d’état again when he got sworn-in on the 12^th May of 2016.

Time for acts, not talk, time for really defying the government and use the power of the people. Time to use the popularity and risk being harassed, as if you don’t than the Police will continue as they do; business as usual and also target the FDC as much as possible without it costing much for the illegitimate government it is. The illegal detained and the illegal arrests cannot be sustained, as much as the house arrests and unlawful behaviour of the Police towards the FDC is unbearable. This is not militant; it is fighting for a just cause. The real freedom and liberty, not to talk about a real legitimate government who represent the citizens of Uganda! Not a government representing Museveni and only his vision. Peace.

Opinion: The reason for the silence of the LoP Kiiza; As the MPs want to secure a lavish lifestyle until death

It’s one of those days I say kudos to the men of Forum for Democratic Change – Youth (FDC-Y) wanted the sacking of Hon. Winnie Kiiza and her position as the Leader of Opposition (LoP). I am amused and amazed that it happens over money and the lavish lifestyle. The escalating funds and extended add-ons of expensive SUVs and Caskets when their imminent death conspire and their lives expires.

Well, that is a good cause, but the FDC Youth should have reacted to the day she went into office of Leaders of Opposition and joined the company of under the Movement and their Executive. That should been a battle-cry, but there we’re none just a silent approach where the trailing election and rigging where validated by the appointment of the Cabinet and the Shadow one.

So that today the FDC-Y decided to counter and ask for axing her today is a bit late. Hon. Winnie Kiiza and the FDC National Executive Committee (FDC-NEC) wouldn’t sack or change the Shadow Cabinet just months after arrival unless there an internal-coup in the party as there in the United Kingdom in the Labour Party where you either against Jeremy Corbyn or Owen Smith. The FDC is not Labour, but there have to be similar acts towards the MPs and he hardliners in the party to dissolve the Shadow Cabinet of today.

So the reason for her silence she is already an accomplice with the fellow MPs who wish the lavish lifestyle and become honourable overnight. The reality of the matter as long as the LoP and Shadow Cabinet is there, the 10^th Parliament is in effect and the day-to-day business of the National Assembly will go. So the idea of the LoP to be sacked and change will matter is pointless.

The FDC Youth shouldn’t get the LoP sacked; they should get the whole Shadow Cabinet discontinued and stop validation of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) that is what the FDC-Y should propose in this matter. The monies and advantages of the MPs will raise so sky high the Jupiter. The riches and wealth of the MPs will continue to surge as the level of impunity and little care for service deliver is there in the shallow halls of Parliament.

I admire the FDC Youth stance, as I have the same for the reckless spending of taxpayer’s monies on the already insulting wealthy salaries and other beneficiary programs for the MPs. So the poverty of the government institutions as schools and hospitals should been the main target of the funds and not SUVs for the newly elected men and woman. Alas, that is the case and the Youth are right with their anger.

The Movement are only interested in their selfish interests of their sole elite and their demands. Sometimes they will give monies to the needed and projects of government, but that will be merely a charade of dishonest approach as the Executive gives out pocket-change while he eats fortunes for supper. This is what the FDC should work against and not accept in Parliament. The MPs are just showing their disregard of the people and their work. This indecency of the representatives deserves to be demonstrated against and sought to stop. But to think that the utter words of somebody who validated the rigged election of 2016; than think again!

The FDC Youth shouldn’t sack Hon. Kiiza for her silence on the indecent behaviour of the representatives. The Youths should have reacted to the FDC NEC getting her the gig in the National Assembly in the first place. Her silence is because she cannot go too far in her criticism because she has already altered her motives and ambition to suit the captors of power.

She will be as strong and weak towards the Movement as the Hon. Beti Kamya of UFA. The spine of character has already shown as the where no problems for sending over a dozen of MPs to the Seminar in the United States or the shutdown of Parliament for a week for all the ones travelling so far. There we’re no quarrel in the matter. This proves that Hon. Kiiza is already part of the problem and the get-rich-quick click of Parliament. There isn’t any evidence of otherwise as the suggestions of a possible strong opposition there are dwindling. There are certain men and woman there still, but there far apart as Hon. Frank Mwijukye is one of them. Still, he is a part of losing end and Hon. Kiiza helps him to lose!

Hon. Francis Mwijukye said: “Today I visited Karungu government secondary in Karungu subcounty- Buhweju district where I found students studying under very disturbing circumstances” (Mwijukye, 25.06.2016)

Kudos to the FDC-Y for their action and approach, but the gates is closed unless they want to marginalize the Parliament and not just take a bold stance against their own. That I and many doesn’t’ validate the LoP or her Cabinet is becomes of the dissolution decision to support the Movement by becoming it! So the losing end where already taken when the token and signs where made to the Speaker Kadaga and Deputy Speaker Oulanyah earlier this year.

Now, the time has come for the FDC-Y to either to take the stance of NRM Poor Youth. Try to disembark from the NRM during the Campaign period to the Go-Forward. If not, they can be a nuisance to their mother party… that will not generate the needed extra youthful idealistic force that either can excel a party or can muster the needed grass-root progress that it needs. The FDC-Y needs to show with their ideas and actions that they want to counter the FDC NEC now and their acts of validating the Movement. Not only by axing fellow Hon. Kiiza, but get them to axe the Shadow cabinet! If they do so and asks for that, than they will create empty space in parliament and also question the election that were. Defy and prove the Campaign of Defiance of Dr. Kizza Besigye worthy! Peace.

My letter to Hon. Winnie Kiiza as the ‘LoP’

Dear Mrs Kiiza!

“I am very alive to the fact that: no freedom, no political changes, comes without a cost” – Dr. Kizza Besigye

I am writing with hesitation as you have taken choices that was not the wisest in my opinion, you might see this as progress, but your doubting the Presidential Candidate and neglecting the General Election 2016, as you are disregarding the level of impunity from the National Resistance Movement, I know that TVO have written something hard-hitting about you recently, and as you as a person have the all the right to address, and you did so:

“ATTENTION: I have received information from my private investigators that someone calling himself TVO on socialmedia could have been bribed by government to isolate Dr Kizza Besigye from FDC and link him to a rebel group. If you have been following the so called TVO, you will understand that he has even announced that a new liberation movement will be launched soon to free Besigye from prison using violent means. as a party and as far as Besigye is concerned, we are not in any way connected to any violent group and we shall maintain our position of a non violent struggle until otherwise. I encourage criticism but for the mean time we shall continue investigating this socialmedia critic until we establish his true motives” (Winnie Kizza, 23.06.2016).

As you know a little what you have done and what kind of affect it has, you we’re smart yesterday and stated this, while taking some responsibility:

“YES, DR KIZZA BESIGYE IS IN PRISON BUT THE OUT SIDE OF BESIGYE’S PRISON IS THE INSIDE OF OUR PRISON: Fellow Ugandans, no body abandoned or betrayed Besigye. His arrest and imprisonment is part of the struggle. We should not forget that we are all prisoners, all Ugandans are Prisoners(even Museveni, himself is a prison caught up in a self-destructive cobweb). This is a struggle of liberating ourselves. Do not cry for Besigye cry for yourselves. Ladies and Gentlemen, we need to understand the nature of struggle we are in, the earire the better! Those of us who think that FDC and its leadership is about to throw away our primary objectives and core missions for a peaceful transition and systemic change of government, you are rubbing the wrong side of history. FDC has stood the test of time! We are more united, resolute and focused than ever. We shall rely on the wishes of millions of Ugandans who crave for change to dismantle the status-quo” (Winnie Kiiza, 22.06.2016).

So it is okay that you answer the allegations that TVO put on you, I have blatantly and no disregard towards the Shadow Cabinet, that you apparently are running now. Because it is just a tool and you are pawn on Museveni’s chess set. A necessary prop in the Parliament to keep his power and also to legitimize the farce of an election that was held; so when you are becoming this your partly disbanding the disobedience and defying Museveni and his NRM. You are complying to the façade that he creates with the “business as usual” and gives way for his power with impunity. He can show to the world that he has Opposition in his cabinet and a shadow cabinet to question his behaviour, while he is having all the main power and vetted votes in Parliament; so your real power is only words. The same words that claimed victory in February and March and dwindled while Besigye have gotten more court-dates than Museveni are getting foreign dignitaries on visit.

So you got to question yourself, what is the value of the Parliament and the Opposition, when you’re a useful pawn, a little soldier in the battle, a battle that Museveni controls and his loyal cadres, you can speak to NBS or NTV, smile and be interviewed in the Daily Monitor, but you’re a just a tool to validate the rule of Museveni. The prison of the conscious, the conscious you must be battling with, as you complied and wasn’t disobedient towards the throne and rule of Museveni. That must leave a bad taste, I won’t consider if Gen. Mugisha Muntu said you we’re the best or somebody else in the Forum for Democratic Change National Executive Committee, what is important you accept this fate and this chair. You took the bullet and accepted the institutional façade in 10^th Parliament.

How can you ask for systemic change while degrading the cause to an ‘honourable’ position in the glance of the cranes not far from Yusuf Lule road? The reason for a change happens with a brutal change and disregard for the cronyism and nepotism of the National Resistance Movement and their corrupt ways, but when you are partly corrupted in the National Assembly and in the shadow of the Government, what makes you such a different to them?

I have always had hope in you, as you seem like person who wants to go against the powers to be, in the clear voice against violence and killings of late in Rwenzori and Kasese, the district which you represent. The mentality and determination that is healthy for an opposition and future leader, but the misgivings of a validating the ruling regime and giving up the cause so quickly in fear of losing some symbolic chairs, show that the honour is more important than the causes. That is why the words of yesterday are hard to swallow as you demeaning the cause and the clear path to peaceful liberation from totalitarian, police state and dictatorship, as you think putting sugar on the wounds really heals the flesh. I hate to say it, it don’t.

Let’s be clear if the LoP and the Shadow Cabinet had worked, then the ones in the former terms of Museveni had brought it down and it hasn’t, not even stained him or pushed him into a brick wall, not even touched or taken him for a ride. The reason is that the Parliament is controlled and run under strict hands of Museveni and his loyal cadres as Kadaga or any other men and woman who can be corrupted by brown envelopes.

This is something you know Hon. Kiiza, as you have been in Parliament a fortnight before and seen the 5 million Uganda shillings suits for the NRM MPs coming and going, every time Museveni needs certain laws and amendments fixed. So if you think you can change that with being LoP, than you need a strong mind-control and be able to pursuit the NRM MPs to change guards and go against their master. As the former LoP have been so successful with… the cause is not winning this, then there would be actual progress in the former trials of these runs towards the positive and democratic changes in the republic of Uganda.

You and the FDC NEC, the other FDC MPs, should have stood guards on the ethical and moral high-ground, even when it was costing with the oppressive attacks on the Headquarters, also with activists and MPs detained by the Police Force. Now you have abounded them for a Nobel position in Parliament.

You can attack me or other who doesn’t see the LoP and Shadow Cabinet as anything else than legitimising Museveni… that might not be what you want to hear, but that is the brutal truth.

With best regards on your role as pawn for Museveni.

Write of Minbane

The Shadow Cabinet in the 10th Parliament… why we shouldn’t pay it no-mind; it’s a tool for legitimacy of Mzee and nothing else!

Let me be brutal and clear, as the FDC Presidential Candidate that at some point the day before the officiating of President Museveni on the 12^th May 2016, while Dr. Kizza Besigye we’re sworn-in on the 11^th May 2016. With that in mind, he has committed treason while certain Forum for Democratic Change is playing Democracy in the Parliament of Uganda.

It’s like the Community Colleges and Students are playing the United Nation Security Council to clear out the problems of the world and fixing the issues, the same is the value of the Shadow Cabinet in the 10^th Parliament of Uganda. When you have a gun-wielding, opposition detaining, arresting and detaining soldiers and leaders of the army, while also attacking Rwenzori Sub-Region to retake and pursuit the loyalty to towards the central leadership and President of the nation; that is all done to control the nation, and when you have those activities happening daily and constantly, than the value of a shadow cabinet is pointless.

I hate to say that, as Hon. Winnie Kiiza and Hon. Ibrahim Nganda Ssemujju are only useful for President Museveni and not really for themselves. If they we’re useful the up-and-coming not to talk about ambitions Hon. Nathan-Nandala Mafabi would have stepped up to the plate this time as well, but after he have played second fiddle in last term and tenure in Parliament; he knew that those who are in the Shadow is playing a ghost-goose hunt into the wilderness.

Why I don’t care about the men and woman picked? That Winnie Kiiza had reasons for not appointing Uganda People’s Congress members, as they are surely in cahoots and embedded with the National Resistance Movement with their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) together with the loyalist appointments from Mzee towards the Hon. Jimmy Akena pact. So if Kiiza thought she had got cards in the trade, she dust and hot air, while the ones filling in papers with the NRM-UPC pact would have a initial pay-day where they together are looting the Bank of Uganda, while they leave scrapped shillings to the ones in the Shadow.

I have nothing against the Hon. Kiiza or Hon. Nganda Ssemujju, but their role is only feeding the ego and arrogance of President Museveni, and they are supposed to be loyal towards the man in Luzira, that what hurts, that the FDC NEC and FDC-Party went for the Shadow Cabinet and doing this while the sizeable cabinet of 81 Ministers! Those 81 Ministers are supposed to follow by their shadows with checks and balance of their record. While that might be Nobel task and usefully a task of opposition, at this point there are so much to stagger the dominion of FDC.

The FDC, The FDC NEC and the FDC Party in general should be more focused on getting their party in line and continue to work for the audit of the General Election of 2016, get in line with securing the popular campaign together with Dr. Kizza Besigye, as he held together with FDC Activists nationwide during the Campaign Trail of 2015 and 2016. That shouldn’t be forgotten and the reason for the Mzee to ban the different media-houses for their treatment during the Campaign. That was because of the traction and real opinion during the Campaign that the NRM Regime have done by all means to silence with detaining, harassing, conspiring and making life hard for the opposition.

And in this picture the Opposition is only as their faith in the change, as the Opposition are steadfast in the belief, that they will overcome the fraudulent system and their works to counter the totalitarian and Police State that they are living under.

In this picture and under this oppressive state, as their leaders and so many activist are hurt, tortured, detained and even lingering in jail, the shadow cabinet is just a useful to toy for legitimacy of Mzee, so why are Hon. Kiiza and Hon. Nganda Ssemujju playing with the toy and thinking it matter. Because is shouldn’t, they shouldn’t’ and the force behind it is personal greed and status, not for the cause of the matter. What the leadership and tarnished exchange of a uncertain peace that Gen. Mugisha Muntu got out of giving in, is not sure! But certainly the value of the trade is certainly only in the hands of the oppressive regime and the FDC sold itself short.

Dr. Kizza Besigye have played that game before and this time, I am sure he wouldn’t give in as the cause, and the peaceful transition have to happen in Uganda, at one point, there been happening in villages and at county levels for decades, why can’t it happen on the highest governmental position, the Presidential change and rule of law for that. A president need to be changed as the Government need fresh blood, not to be feed the nepotism, cronyism and corruption in favour of the NRM Elite, Musevenism and other clans connected to the NRM-O and the NRM NEC.

So please FDC Shadow Cabinet, why do you want to be used by Mzee for the small pieces of silver, when your own are detain, harassed and kidnapped from their home? How can you play these shadows in the august halls of the Parliament, while your own loyal youth and the men risking their political future in the word of the ‘Defiance’ like Ingrid Turinawe and Doreen Nyanjura and so on; while you are eating and living well in the basking glory of Mzee with the rest of WaBenzi! Have you thought about that and the consideration of the reflection of your values, as the leader you stood by and earned your space, on his merits together with your groundwork gotten you into Parliament and your letting him dwindle in oblivion between dozen of court-cases as the Uganda Police Force and other State Authorities are pinning cases on him Christmas decoration on a Christmas tree while you are reading the ‘diary’ for the Parliament procedure and following the calendar of Parliament Speaker Hon. Rebecca Kadaga… instead of following the ethical and moral authority of Besigye and his cause of a government following the will of the People and not Mzee, as government should do! Peace.

Opinion: FDC must not destroy itself with a shadow cabinet in Parliament; they must continue the liberation struggle as Besigye are lingering in Luzira!

There are rules and regulations as the 10^th Parliament are starting the Forum for Democratic Change National Executive Committee had talks and a meeting where the FDC top management was certainly discussing its policies and who to challenge for the shadow government, as much as it is to become the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the Parliament.

But with the Intimidation, with the detainees, with the Police Force monitoring the Party and the members lingering in prisons and at police post, all the forged up charges against members and leader of party; while still the defiance campaign have been made illegal, but good news to hear that the Forum for Democratic Change Headquarters are not besieged and a crime scene anymore.

The FDC have to make smart and wise decisions, not the ones of Professor Baryamureeba who recently wanted the FDC to be loyal to the Parliament and change tune to make it possible for NRM and the regime to work without fuzz and create havoc. Well, the FDC should not follow men who are loyal to NRM and Museveni, as they are not supposed to follow that party-line as they have already standing legal issues and other aspects of being intimidated and harassing members, even torture of FDC leaders. That should worry the leadership and not silencing them, because that is all that the NRM Regime has right now.

FDC had the votes and the real crowds during the pre-election period and on Election Day for a change of guard and wishing to usher in Dr. Kizza Besigye. That was there, but the Electoral Commission and other forces have done whatever needed to rig and destroy proof of conspiracy of the electoral rigging and sham election. That even now after the EU and other Western Powers accepts, even if they know this.

That certain hardliners will claim that the ones in Parliament from the FDC that goes into the Shadow Government are traitors are understandable, even if they are not so, as in fact they are just doing a duty that are bound by the rules of Parliament. Still, they should have defied this and stay loyal to the President who are detained instead of thinking of their pockets and honors in the chambers; at the same time we cannot expect all lines of a party be such Nobel as the hardest wishes for change that are in the FDC. I am sure that certain parts of the ANC was not happy that after the releasing of Nelson Mandela from prison back in the day, that he went and still negotiated with the ruling regime and the last part of the minority rule in South Africa. I am certain that some of his close allies hated that he did so, but that mended the fences between the old and new, so South Africa had some sorts of softer landing after the election after years of struggle against the Apartheid regime.

Why I am saying this, is because the same will initially happen with certain members of FDC and certain opposition fractions, not talking about the UPC, most of them have already sold the party to National Resistance Movement, after the agreement between Hon. Akena and Museveni. That certain Democratic Party members are also in tail with the NRM are to be seen and should not flabbergast anybody, that independent candidates and MPs are naturally for MPs after this elections, as the independent are often NRM Primaries losers, who run again on their own ticket and was even facilitated by Museveni and the State House.

The FDC should be wise now and not self-destruct as the intimidation and the aggression have been so high. That certain member’s wants glory in parliament is to be understandable, as some wants to eat and are clinging on the Regime and the rules of Parliament instead of direct hardline loyalty!

There will be the ones who are more ideological for the struggle against the aggressor and the ones who eat of the state and take it for it is own gain, not-so-honorable Museveni and his elite. The Police Force are following the FDC and are looking for the men and woman they also can control, as the NRM wants to own the country and have everybody under line and the vision of Museveni. That is known, so if there moles and un-loyal people in the FDC, that should be expected. But we should not quickly drag the FDC who are fighting for the LOP or Shadow Cabinet position as they want to have a position in Parliament and have name in print. People are vain; politicians are even vainer and have more vanity as they want glory and capital.

The FDC should ask them what they want to be, as if they want to recognize the “Elected” Parliament and the “Elected” President. As the members and loyal supporters should ask if they want accept business as usual as they know with that, that the stakes of fortunes of crude oil and other resources will not benefit the Ugandan State, instead the Museveni Elite.

What would be interesting is how Dr. Kizza Besigye would take the persons and feel about the men and woman who accept a shadow government position since he is risking everything; while certain allies of him is in a way showing credibility like EU delegates after the walkout of the Swearing-In. The non-sense of attacking them directly and self-destruction is not advisory; it is more of the long-term process of knowing who is really wanting the democratic change and who wanted quickly to earn bucks on the Political Capital that a man of the stature of Besigye.

That is an important to ask, as the people who votes for a candidate and the ones that candidate endorse, together with the loyalty of party-line and the initially wish of actually making a difference. That is what the FDC have to ask as they, have been through wind and fire during the recent months and days. The Police Force and Army have attacked together with the Judiciary have used all methods to silence and all kind of types of aggression to bring the FDC to their knees. No questions as even FDC leaders been taken without warrants from their own homes into cars and driven from Kampala to Northern towns of Gulu/Lira and so on, in safe-houses to be tortured.

With that in mind, the FDC have to ask how much and who will stand by and be the ones that want to collaborate with the Regime that does that to fellow brothers and sisters. That the regime has uses tear-gas and guns against citizens, and the ones that arrest demonstrators instead of letting them demonstrate against the regime peacefully, something they should not be allowed to do. Therefore the questions are open and should be asked. What kind of party does FDC want to be? Certainly not sell their soul and party as Hon. Akena did during the Pre-Election Period. Since their “Presidential Candidate” and the ones Sworn-In before the Treason Charge is lingering now in Luzira, while the FDC NEC is playing shadows games that Museveni will enjoy.

The only one winning on the political inner-battle is not Besigye, is not the voters who voted for Besigye and the FDC. The ones that wins on internal battle of the Party is the NRM and their Museveni. Just as he did with UPC between Akena and Otunnu, as he has earned on the weakness of DP and their leaders endorsement of Mbabazi, Hon. Mao. There are too many Opposition parties and leaders who haven’t matched the Machiavellian and Orwellian leader of Museveni. Only one seems to have the stamina and diligence and that is Besigye. He is not totally perfect, he is human and has his weakness, still all his hardliner and ethical standpoints are there and components are there now and he seems to be the only one. As he have fought and fought ever since leaving the NRM.

Now is the time for FDC to decide on ONE primary question; either they are legitimizing the NRM and Museveni with his 10^th Parliament with his selected candidates; if not doing so, they should defy the Parliament and the rules; show that they are really the ones who have the legitimacy of the people and does not need the stolen government funds that Museveni will spoil to the ones who are dancing to his tune. Peace.    

Lord Mayor Lukwago on House-Arrest for the ninth day and gave something to the Police Officers: “are now beaming with some little excitement as their ration for lunch”

It has gone nine days in captivity and the house-arrest of the Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago, they are so much over the penal codes and laws, that it’s foolish to speak about, since President Museveni couldn’t care less. He is busy of the laurels of yesterday at Kololo, while the FDC and the Opposition is still under siege. The house is besieged, still Lord Mayor have defended and spoken about the care of Police Officers.

Today it wasn’t just talk, but actual action from the Lord Mayor who shows heart and not only words. It’s a small gesture, but proves the greatness of this man as a man who is detained in his own could acted totally different towards the ones that keeps him captive there. Instead he shows heart with a bite of food. That is Nobel and the men and woman of Kampala that have him as their mayor should be proud! Look at the picture and his statement.

Statement from Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago: 

“DAY 9 OF HOUSE ARREST. My ”co-prisoners/ inmates”, who have been in a sombre mood throughout the better part of the day, are now beaming with some little excitement as their ration for lunch /supper is delivered in buckets with inscriptions; ”Sadolin weather guard paint”. Am sure some police honcho should be profiteering from the agony of these innocent policemen” (Lukwago, 13.05.2016).

Lord Mayor Lukwago on a unlawful House-Arrest for the 8 Day; while Museveni have a lavish celebration at Kololo!

The dark shaddow over the day is knowing that so many of Opposition is unlawfully detained and silenced as the giant feast is happening at Kololo. The country is diveded between the men and woman who lavishly have it all and the ones who doesn’t have basic rights even. Therefore the UCC and Government had to even ban Social Media and make the words of mouth silenced, though there ways of countering that.

Still, and still! The Lord Mayor are behind bars in his own home, still without charge or warrent, his words says it all. Take a look!

Statement by Erias Lukwago today:

“DAY 8 OF HOUSE ARREST. It’s certainly a day that will live in infamy. You cannot drag a young nation into a devastating 5 year guerrilla war and renege on the promise to restore a sustainable constitutional order that would guarantee orderly succession to power; bastardize the entire nation and turn it into a personal estate; organise sham elections and entrench a personal rule for 30 solid years; institutionalise a reign of terror, persecute and humiliate your political opponents, including your contemporaries like Dr. Besigye, Gen. Ssejusa, Gen. Muntu, Mbabazi etc; and then, majestically match to the Kololo independence grounds, stand by the graveyard where the remains of Yusuf Lule and Ignatius Musaazi were interred and proclaim that you derive inspiration from the likes of Mugabe, Nguema, Idris Debby, Santos, Biya etc. With all due respect, Sir, I wouldn’t attend that function even if I had not been incarcerated at home” (Luwkago, 12.05.2016).