Mr. 1986 won’t play fair for 2021 [and the Movement continues to hold rallies]

For the ones thinking social distancing, lockdown measures and COVID-19 isn’t a nice sideshow for a “Scientific” election. Sorry brother, you were wrong. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and its allies can campaign in the villages, towns, give away gear and even occupy churches for rallies.

That is now proven over the last two weeks. Several of ministers has been busy “campaigning” using government programs. Suddenly speaker Kadaga is in her district giving away masks. Minister of Justice Kamuntu holding rally in a church and in a yard. A State Minister for Health Aceng holding a rally in a sub-county in district, where she the flag-bearer in the election. Also, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Tumwebaze held a rally for SAGE too. Minister Kasolo have been holding rallies in the name “Emyooga” too. All of this is happening and we are supposed to believe this all part public official work.

However, the opposition can nearly participate on radio shows. Without the police officers coming barging in. Opposition parties cannot hold press conferences at their offices without being raided. Opposition parties cannot met activists at own party offices up-country without getting their MPs arrested. This is all things that happen in the same window of the Ministers holding rallies.

Meanwhile, we are supposed to cheer and joy for the Movements opportunity to campaign. They are using all tricks of the trade. While the policing of the opposition continues. The opposition cannot do anything without meeting police officers. This is a renewed Public Order Management Act (POMA) just under Presidential Guidelines of Lockdown during COVID-19. Which is supposed to be supported by scientists.

However, the same people who are running the guidelines are breeching it and not begging for mercy. The same folk who are closing venues, churches and public rallies are holding the exact same thing. This is really showing how blind-sided the Movement is.

They are thinking people are so stupid, that they are not understanding or grasping the issues at hand.

This is electioneering before the Elections Road Map and scientific measures that was put in. Therefore, the concern for spreading COVID-19 cannot be that big. When the Ministers are all up in people’s faces and holding rallies. While, they are closing everything else for everyone else. Unless, they are immortal and super-humans, the sort who cannot spread the virus nor be asymptomatic. These MPs and Ministers are so special, that they are above the law and above the fear of the coronavirus.

Everyone else has to be frightened and are in danger. They are not like these people and they are unique, they are special and true VIPs. These folks would usually have the ability to travel abroad for healing. The rest have to go to a hospital with lacking equipment, staff and enough ICU beds. That is just the mere reality.

If the state was worried about the COVID-19. Its high ranking officials wouldn’t campaign on a regular. If the state was holding free and fair elections. The opposition would be able to do internal party works and also prepare for 2021 in a fair manner. However, that is not true. The opposition cannot hold rallies or do their thing. Nevertheless, the Movement can do whatever it want.

That shows the injustice and impunity of the state. They are just misusing their power and reign. It is so obvious, that’s its foolish at best. Peace.

Opinion: The NRM is busy campaigning under “government” program launches

Today, State Minister Evelyn Anite held a sensitization program in Koboko Municipality. Seemingly, just like State Minister Haruna Kasolo holding Emyooga launching all around the Republic too. Minister Frank Tumwebaze launching SAGE system across the Republic. There is also the likes of State Minister Professor Ephraim Kamuntu holding a rally in Sheema district. Also, the State Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng in Aromo sub-county in Lira District.

You can see the scheme, the State Ministers has all recently held rallies, meetings and been in public. While holding public gatherings, when the campaigning is supposed to be digital and “scientific”. However, that hasn’t mattered for the Emyooga, SAGE or whatever else these people been doing.

They are using the banner of government programs to campaign. These Ministers are using their roles as government officials to hold rallies. While telling the public that they are doing something else.

We are seeing Ministers doing the public gatherings, while citizens are arrested in Kampala for watching Premier League matches. 32 citizens in a small space was moved from a pub showing the matches to a crowded prison without any social distancing. This is happening, while the Ministers are allowed to hold gatherings in public without thinking about this. They have tents and closed venues, but for political reasons.

If people wants to watch Premier League or be gathering in public. They should invite a Minister from the Cabinet. Sensitize or learn about something useful. If not invite them to shed some knowledge about a government scheme and then put on a match on the big-screen. To ensure the legality of the event.

Because, the Minister can hold rallies, campaign rallies and use their ministries, their platform to practically campaign. Just like the President used the Operation Wealth Creation tour to campaign last year. This is copy of that, but using other means to do so. They are doing this in their own districts, across the Republic. All wearing yellow, spreading positive messages about the Movement and doing it ahead of elections. Instead of being scientific and following guidelines of the same government they represent.

That is just insulting common sense. The Movement, the Ministers can act a fool, but it doesn’t make it true. They can act like this is government business, but it seems like rallies. That’s why its deceiving. Especially, when these people are entitled to do so. While opposition and people cannot gather like this without getting arrested. That’s why its insulting to act this way. When others are silenced from doing the same. Peace.

Opinion: Minster Aceng, humility is clearly not your thing

“Should I request the police to push or arrest them? That would not be nice. If am vying for a political position, I have to handle people nicely” – Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng (15.07.2020)

The viral video clips and the pictures of the event on social media has created havoc and for a reason. She is one of the technocrats, one of the scientists who has gone in the front-line for the “Scientific” elections ahead of 2021 General Elections.

That your in the streets and roadside with fans in Aromo Sub-County in Lira District. Where you just happen to sort of campaign ahead of elections. Where you as a person is standing as Woman Representative for the National Resistance Movement (NRM). You launched that just mere days ahead of the event in Aromo. Therefore, the critics are allowed to question you.

You are talking about arrests, but people are dying in the streets for not wearing masks. While you hold a “training” and didn’t wear one. The public rallied with a procession, when opposition candidates cannot even go to Party Offices up-country or visit radio-stations. Therefore, the angle of humility is out of the window.

It is the entitlement and justification of it all. Thinking people are stupid. Thinking people are ignorant and blind. That we cannot see through the shades of grey. That we cannot grasp the reality of your actions.

That just days after launching your campaign in Kampala, you went to Lira district just to train people, but not caring about social distancing or masks. Just standing around with a bunch of people and being jolly.

She knows deep in her heart that others would have been arrested in the same situation. Jane Ruth knows that people have died in action because of similar events. The Minister knows all this. Know that the LDUs have taken lives for the simple fact, the brother or sister wasn’t wearing a mask. That’s why they deserved to die.

Therefore, humility would be fine. Would be swell and great. Instead, the Minister is showing her entitlement and lack of gratitude that her office and allegiance bring.

“I did a good job in my opinion but of course it is time of politics and any political opponent will pick that and flash it around” – Dr. Jane Ruth Acent (15.07.2020).

She has done a good job spelling out the guidelines and the needs to things from afar. However, when she went to Lira district. Jane Ruth became an operative politician searching for political gains. She is trying to cover that and all her bases. However, its not working.

All she could have done was to show some humility. Show some grace and understanding for the outrage. Alas, that is not the case. She is instead defending her actions and doing it with intent. An intent that only shows her entitlement, which would for others be in prison and answer charges. If she was just a random peasant, she would have been dead in the ditch. Peace.

If Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng was an Opposition: She would be in bracelets …

Yesterday, there been leaked pictures and footage of early campaigning for the National Resistance Movement member, cabinet member Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng that has ambition to get the seat of Lira Woman MP. That’s why the Minister of Health is under fire, because she has differed from her own regulations and guidance around social distancing, processions and wearing masks. As it supposed to be “scientific” elections and not ordinary campaigning.

If Aceng hadn’t been an NRM. If she haven’t had the police behind her and had the support of the state. The processions would have been tear-gassed, the venue where she was greeting and talking would have been blocked. The doctor would have been arrested, also several of activists and helpers in her team would be taken into custody as well. They would have been in breach of the COVID-19 guidelines and Presidential Directives. This would be deemed unlawful assembly and causing chaos in the streets of Amoro sub-county.

That she wants to be called “mama Corona” and said they showed up in glee to see her. To be educated by her and how to use masks. Seems very useful as an explanation. Because it was just a minute ago, Ibrahim Nganda Ssemujju of the FDC was arrested for just participating in party organization and a meeting up-country. Also, only a day since the police officers besieged the radio station where Bobi Wine was speaking and wanting to convoy his ass home. The opposition couldn’t have done half of what the “good” doctor did.

When the FDC cannot operate without the police presence. When Bobi Wine cannot even criss-cross the country without some sort of agency on his ass. You just know there is something that gives. The doctor, the Minister, the NRM could do her “education” in public, but Bobi Wine couldn’t even speak to the public of Jinja on the radio without trouble. Then you know what is wrong with the Republic.

The stunt that Dr. Aceng did in Lira District is a sign, that the rules doesn’t matter for the NRM. They can do as they please. There is no need for regulations, both in public and in general. The laws, the regulations are forfeited when it concerns them. However, if someone of the opposition sneezes. You going to get tested.

She was just being pleasant in Aromo Sub-County, part of Lira district. The Doctor claims this wasn’t campaigning. However, how dumb does she thinks the public is? Mere days after launching your campaign in Kampala. Your travel the country, hold a procession and greets the public. It is just so convenient, aye?

If the Doctor and Minister was an opposition. She wouldn’t be out and addressing the public with a simple statement on Facebook. No, the doctor would have been behind bars and the attorneys would work for bail. There would some charges like “inciting violence” and “illegal assembly”. Surely, somebody wasn’t notified in Amoro sub-county. Either the RDC or the Police Commander of the District would hunt her down. They would even besiege the hotel or hostel of her team. Everyone would be taken into custody. The venue could be sealed off too, if the opposition got the extra bonus work from the authorities.

Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng is showing she is not political savvy. She is a cheap trick. Trying to trick it all, when the other ones are not allowed to play. She has even made up this “scientific” game of the Republic. If someone should sing and dance to that tune. It should have been her. She should be on the Frontline, as an example. However, she wants to be an MP so badly. That she breeches her own regulations. Peace.

Lira turned into a “battlefield” as FDC entered town!

Yet another day of this, as the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) came into Lira town as part of their National Tour, which have turned violent. As the aggressive attacks from the authorities happens at every junction. The Police Force haven’t let the party organise a rally, a conference or even broadcasting at talk-shows on local radios. Only blocked it and served live-bullets, tear-gas and arrests, even tried to abduct and arrest Besigye while on-air. 

In Lira was nothing different. As the Police Force came with mambas, tear-gas and live bullets to disperse the crowds. Also, do whatever they could block the radio-show, where Dr. Kizza Besigye was scheduled to attend and appear. This didn’t happen, just like anywhere else.

This story of the troubles of FDC gets old. Not because it isn’t important, but because it is the same story. Just another town, another village and another district. All over the republic, the Police Force is going after and using the Public Order Management Act (POMA). They are using it as a tool to stop the all gathering and deeming them illegal. If not making all opposition movement illegal, like moving from one property to another like Bobi Wine did earlier this month.

However, this shows, why ONLY National Resistance Movement (NRM) can be a national party, the rest have to be fringe parties with smaller bases. As if the FDC tries to build, organize and hold meetings. They are meet with the police brigades, the water-canons, tear-gas and switched of signals of the radios. How could Bosco speak nationwide if the state did this to him? Didn’t think so.

Therefore, the state is deliberately stifling the works of the FDC. No matter if they apply or trying to follow the procedures of the POMA. The state will not sanctions or accept it. Just like the headaches of Bobi Wine to hold concert even on his own property. That is just the way this state is. To stop the Opposition from assembling and even spreading their message, the state fears that. That’s why its using all tactics to silence the opposition and stop them.

In Lira, as in Kitgum and so on. It just continues. As long as Jajja gives them a nudge. Peace.

Akii-Bua Memorial Stadium: Documentation from 2nd November 2015 to 25th April 2017

Akii-Bua Memorial Stadium: Proves that the NRM is running away from their promises!

This isn’t something new, John Akii-Bua was the Olympic Gold Winner in Munich in 1972. The first Ugandan to win a medal, however, not long after. In 1979, the authorities of the time ransacked his home and even stole his gold medal. Therefore, the regime of today, has no trouble doing what the past one did to him either. Even as he is long gone, but the memory of his achievement should still be there.

In Lira, they have been waiting for honoring their hero with a stadium. However, that has waited and waited, to a point where it is foolish. Ronald Odongo wrote this in 2015: “Lira residents are waiting for the start of the construction of Akii Bua Memorial Stadium after 1.2 billion shillings was set aside for it in the 2015/2016 budget. President Yoweri Museveni first announced the government decision during the 2011 general elections campaigns. At the time, Museveni said the government would construct an international sporting facility in Lira in memory of the country’s first Olympic gold medallist, John Akii-Bua. The government then started negotiations with the Chinese government to finance its construction. The negotiations did not lead anywhere” (URA, 20.06.2015).

Therefore, they have waited for the promises from the government. Who has yet another big project, that the Chinese doesn’t want to invest in and therefore, the state cannot afford to keep their promises. We know something is up too, when this is the news from this May 2018:

“However, Mr Hudson Omoko, the Lira District engineer, estimates the stadium will cost about Shs400 billion. Lira District chairman Alex Oremo ruled out any corruption in the project being implemented by his administration and supervised by the ministry of Education. “When I came to office in 2011, arrangements were already in place to start the work. We handed over the land; we gave the land title and processed everything for the construction to be done,” he said” (…) “The government released Shs400 million in the first batch. Mr Oremo said they used the money according to the project design. Shs165m was released in the second batch” (Isaac Otwii – ‘Leaders want probe into Akii-Bua stadium works’ 23.05.2018, link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Leaders-Akii-Bua-stadium-Olympic-gold-medalist-Lira-District/688334-4575348-7cr4u8/index.html).

We can clearly, see by the stories of 2015 and 2018 alone, that the numbers doesn’t add up and secondly, the planning cannot be that well-adjusted. As well, as the state planned for outside sources, but they didn’t want to join in. Therefore, the budget has gotten slimmer, to a point where it doesn’t make sense. It cannot become a project that the Lira Municipality and District dreamed of, with the measly amount of funds the state has offered. It is not strange that the little winky-dink of start of a stadium has arrived on the plot.

There are clear misgivings, lack of direction and various plans, but non of which is steering it in the right direction. Also the way the amount of money is circulating and coming out. Seems that whatever that has been granted has been pocket-change and wouldn’t amount to anything else. Than what we see today, which is a mockery of the legacy of Akii-Bua. However, this is just another big project that the NRM don’t have the ability or the capacity to follow through on. As this follows the ones suspended, stopped or under-way, as they are awaiting funds to complete and get tenders to actually build.

The amounts of money spent on the project, has been lackluster and therefore, the results is what it is. The amount of money spent wouldn’t be enough. Not for the architectural plans for the stadium in Lira. However, that is not case and yet another empty promise, without the funds to keep it. Peace.

President Museveni letter to PM Ruhakana Rugunda – “Re: Existence of a “Sugar Board” in Kampala” (19.08.2018)

Amuru Land Grab – Apaa Village Evictions: A long process of failure from the state!

That the Northern Uganda have been in deep end of the stick in many eyes is evident, by how lax the state has been to take care of their needs and their rights. That can now be proven by the forceful evictions from land in Apaa Village in Amuru District/Adjumani District. Where the previously have been attempts to make a giant farm for an investor called Bruce Martin and also become sugar cane plantations and factory for Kakira Sugar Factory owned by the Madhvani Group, this goes all the way back to 2006. Therefore, the plans to evict these people has been slow process from the state.

Now in 2018, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) have evicted dozens upon dozens of the local residents from their lands. As the purge on the village and the area continues, this has been in the making, but the ones losing their lands get nothing, but lose their homes and their livelihoods at the same time. The government authorities have torched the houses and left nothing behind, as they are continuing to evict people. Their lives are no meaningless, as they have to flee their land and are living on the United Nations Compound in Gulu, while awaiting their future, as the state, UWA and the Uganda People’s Defence Force have been evicting them over the last two months. Surely, the hurt is felt and real.

Who can wonder if the state is finalizing the agreement with Madhvani Group to deliver his second sugar factory and also sugar plantation in the area or they are making a game drive from Bruce Martin. However, this is still grabbing the land without any forewarning and also taking their livelihoods without any compensation for the hurt.

The District Land Board and Area Land Board cannot been informed or care to inform the people, as the army and UWA have been busy evicting people with force. They are just pawns on the chess-set, and the authorities in Kampala let it happen. The leadership from afar are accepting it and have gazetted the land and taken the land. Therefore, the people who has settled in Apaa have to flee or be evicted from the land, without any justice or law helping them out. No compensation and nothing left for them.

This sort of play has to stop; I am sure the State House is fully aware and let it happen, as they are getting their cut of the transaction of the land for whatever purposes it has. Its been planned for years, but doesn’t make it better, when they could have had solutions back-in-the-day as the government knew this would come. They were already in talks with both Kakira and with Martin. They knew perfectly well, what was up. There is even a third scenario where the land is sold to someone else named Linton Brimblecombe.

Clearly someone forgot the memo and left it stranded. They just evicting people in the favour of one lucky bastard who capture all lands, without paying the needed ones who was actually living their and done so for generations. This is a violation of the trust between the citizens and the government. Because someone accepted the trade of the land people where living on and had rights too.

The Apaa village and Apaa community deserves better, all of the Acholi deserves better. They are being misused and taken for granted by the government. They are just pawns on the chess-set. No value, the first one in the battle-line to take out so the ones of value can be put into play. That is how it looks from the outside.

This have been planned for decades and now it happens.

Amuru Land Grab: What is ours, is OURS; What is their’s, is OURS; and Whatever is your’s, is still OURS. Peace.

Kakira Sugar Limited addressing farmers strike (02.07.2018)