Soroti East By-Election: “The game is rigged, man”

“This game is rigged, man. We like the little bitches on a chessboard” – Preston “Bodie” Brodaus (S4:E13 – ‘Final Grades’, 2006).

The Soroti East By-Elections on the 28^th July 2022 was a shambolic affair. The authorities, the Electoral Commission and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) didn’t even conceal their actions and intentions. The mass-arrests, intimidation and use of force was the reason for the “victory” for the NRM Flag-Bearer Herbert Edmund Ariko. He was in the evening of the 28^th July announced as the victor with a “small” margin, but everyone who follows knows the drill.

The NRM with the usage of the state machinery came with pre-ticked ballots. The NRM Electoral Commission Chairman Dr. Tanga Odoi was an active part of the rigging in Soroti. Other that participated was the newly “elected” MP Andrew Ojok Oulanyah. He was “elected” in the same manner in his constituency. Now, Ariko follows suit and they shouldn’t celebrate this. Because it is a mess and a fraudulent affair.

The NRM will take this a celebration and speak of their popularity. However, everyone with some working marbles knows the gist. The mass-arrests of opposition leaders and the deployment of opposition polling agents who was arrested to sign of declaration forms from the polling stations. So, the whole affair was shady and the “victory” can be seen as shallow.

The MP for Soroti East By-Election is now rigged into the 11^th Parliament. The NRM doesn’t believe in their pledges, promises or campaign. Since they needs to use force, intimidation and trick the polls to get ahead. Their candidate is so bad and lacking influence that ghosts, goats and ferried voters voted for him. The pre-ticked ballots are proof of that and the EC validated it all.

This is was a deliberate act. The mass-arrests just proves it all. The authorities even arrested the main opposition candidate from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Moses Attan Okia who was detained after voting himself. It just shows the process and how the state was at work. The same with any sort of political leader in the FDC and also went after elected leadership from the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC). Therefore, the authorities stoke at everyone. They even raided a home of one MP and went after the tires of another one. It was nothing they were not willing to do.

The Soroti East By-Election is just a proof that the NRM doesn’t believe in their own candidates anymore. They need to use force and fake themselves into power. If the NRM didn’t have the power and the authorities behind them. This wouldn’t have happened. They are not having elections, but a selection for their own will. Just proving a point and taking the people for fools.

Hon. Ariko was elected by ghosts and ferried voters. His not voted by the Soroti East constituents. He didn’t have the confidence or the bravery to allow their will to happen. That’s why he accepted the pre-ticked ballots and the use of bravado from the authorities to silence the opposition on the election day. This is why he should question himself, but like many in the NRM. He is just giddy for the cash, perks and be anointed into Parliament.

Soroti East By-Election is just another of these where the state doesn’t spare anything to win. Even if the “victory” is only because of the usage of all parts of the government structure. The NRM would never have been able to do this. If they weren’t in government and didn’t have the final say in everything that matters. If the NRM was in opposition and felt the blunt force. They would have cried havoc.

We know that, because that is how the NRM was incepted in the 1980s election. Which the President has cried out loud about ever since. He is now ushering in similar elections and even worse ones. Where the state is just creating pyrrhic victories, because everyone knows the gist.

The game is rigged and Bodie was right. Peace.

Soroti East By-Election: Return Form for Transmission of Results (28.07.2022)

Soroti East By-Election: East Kyoga Regional Police Cautions the Public against Electoral Guidelines and Laws (28.07.2022)

Soroti East By-Election: Mass-arrest of Opposition leaders and polling agents as the people heads for the polls

The authorities, the state and everyone involved is going after the opposition ahead of the polls in the Soroti East By-Election. Last night the Police did raid the home of Anna Adeke MP. There will be a follow up to what is going on, but anyone with a working marble should know that the state is preparing everything for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to win. That is the initial plan here and to do it in darkness. As the opposition and their organizers are behind bars as the polls are happening.

This is done to stop Moses Attan and the FDC Flag-Bearer from winning this election. The NRM does what it does to “win”. While using the authority of the state and arresting opposition ahead of the polls. They clearly don’t believe in their pledges, their program and their candidate Herbert Ariko. If they did… they wouldn’t need to arrest a village to elect a man in a By-Election.

What is also striking is that opposition candidate Moses Attan did vote in the election, but himself was arrested right after. That just shows the intention of the state and they not even trying to conceal it. While there reports that Andrew Ojok Oulanyah MP have come with pre-ticked ballots to a polling station, beat up a polling agent and stuffed the ballots in the box. It just shows what the NRM does to “win”.

Here is some of the news.

The FDC has dropped a full list of the arrest as of now:

“PARTIAL LIST OF FDC LEADERS ARRESTED IN SOROTI BY ELECTION

1. Hon. Eng. Patrick Oboi Amuriat, Party President

2. Hon. William Nzoghu, Deputy President

3. Hon. Centenary Robert, Mobilizer

4. Hon. Nyanjura Doreen, Deputy Lord Mayor and NEC member

5. Micheal Emorut -Poa driver

6.Augustine Ojobile,Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

7.Omer Paul, Mayor Soroti East Division

8. Denis Nono

9.Oboi Rajab

10.Elenyu John Calvin

11.Okwi Justine kokas

12.Kassim Ogwang-PA to Hon.Attan

13.Jafar -Attan driver

14.Ojakol Moses

15.Eigu Daniel-Chairpersons FDC Soroti

16.Acen Jane

17.Wanyera Simon

18. Mama Kevin -Opuyo coordinator

19.Erongu Moses

20.David Eguru

22.Ekou Robert

22.Edatu Joseph

23. Donge Pius

24. Okwii Emmanuel

25.Ramazan Rajab

26.Erwau

27. Kakeeto William

28.Counsel Buyondo Henry Patrick

29.Hakim Bukenya

30. Ms.Wokuri Madanda

31.Turyatemba Norman

32.Darlington Baryabarema Western Coordinator

33. Joan FDC Eastern Coordinator

34.Chagga Oyat.

This is a partial list of those we have confirmed, others we have not been able to reach out. This operation was commanded by an ordinary hired goon Karangwa from Jinja/Kayunga &Ssegujja.

It’s appalling that Commissioners of Police, RPC,&DPC’s are getting instructions from these goons who have taken over security in Soroti. All men save for women, were driven to Dokolo CPS” (Forum for Democratic Change, 28.07.2022).

Some says with the polling agents and mobilizers of the FDC for the election day. The numbers of arrests are already up to around 70 people. That says what the state is doing to get their MP elected in the Soroti East By-Election.

Capital FM has these reports in addition:

“Voting at Omalera mango tree polling station in Soroti East Division has been stopped over alleged ballot stuffing. Four suspects said to be NRM supporters ferried from Kumi and Bukedea districts have been arrested” (…) “NRM electoral commission chairman, Tanga Odoi has been confronted by angry voters at Omalera polling station where some suspects were arrested over ballot stuffing during Soroti East Division parliamentary by-election” (Capital FM Uganda, 28.07.2022).

So, this will be followed up and monitored. This election is an disgrace and just follows an pattern of the state. Who is willing to use all force to “win” and create a “war-zone” to ensure victory. Even when it is far from the truth, but that’s what it does. The NRM cannot win an honest election. They got to use the Police and the state authority to get their people elected. Peace.

Soroti East By-Election: Today Besigye acted like fugitive to attend a FDC rally in Soroti

“Besigye beats heavy security to escape arrest in Jinja. Besigye moved out of his vehicle and entered the cafe before accessing Kyabazinga road, where he jumped on a boda boda which was seen heading towards Iganga” (Rukiga FM, 24.07.2022).

“UPDATE: After a failed attempt by police to stop Dr. Kizza Besigye from going to Soroti earlier today in Jinja, Besigye has found his way to Soroti City East to rally votes for the FDC candidate Attan Moses” (NBS Television, 24.07.2022).

Today should have been about the rallies, the messages and the appearance of popularity for Moses Attan in the Soroti East By-Election. By now the stories are instead focusing on Dr. Kizza Besigye and how the road-blocks around the location where Besigye was eating breakfast in Jinja. The authorities put up road-blocks and tried to arrest the politician as he was planning to participate in the rally ahead of the polls.

However, Besigye had to act like a fugitve. Besigye acted like a man on the run and couldn’t even use his own vehicle. Because, his SUV is now monitored and the movements are certainly followed. If they weren’t following him… why would they know where he was eating and he had to sneak himself away from there?

That is every evident and striking. Besigye have done sort of thing before. Been able to skip through road-blocked and sealed off streets to make a public appearance. Therefore, this isn’t groundbreaking of any sorts. It is however tragic that he has to resort to this.

Whe new are saying Besigye is never really free. It is because of things like this. He is either arrested, whisked away or kept incommunicado. Secondly, taken away for days and detained before arraigned in court. Where a sort of charge and possibly heavy bail conditions are set on him. That’s what is regular and modus operandi of the state.

Besigye knows all of this and that’s why he has to change his plan out of nowhere. Today he did that and people shouldn’t cheer or be happy about this. It just proves that the man doesn’t have the liberty or freedom to participate or be an active politician. Besigye aren’t allowed or is a target for just being who he is. There was nothing illegal in his movements or planned efforts today. His just another FDC leader who is inspiring others.

The authorities are just proving what we have been saying all along. The state is going after its critics and the ones who is dissidents. That is what it does and Besigye happens to be one of them. One of the most vocal voices of reason and that’s why the state fears him. That’s why they are targeting him and going after him in this way.

However, today we shouldn’t cheer that he was able to escape arrest in Jinja. He shouldn’t have had to flee or act as a fugitive in the first place. Besigye should have been able to travel and return from Soroti safely without any trouble or sort of adventurous journey. No, this is just showing the priorities of the state and who they seek to incriminate. Peace.

Soroti East By-Election: Former FDC MP Versus FDC Flag-bearer

“As you recall, I stood in the previous election on the platform of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party. However, on account of the irreconcilable differences in the party and the failure by my current party leadership to appreciate my contribution to the party, I shall NOT seek re-election on the ticket of the party (FDC)” (Herbert Ariko – Press Release, 05.08.2020).

The Soroti East By-Election scheduled for 28^th July 2022 is setting itself up for grabs. The things that is striking isn’t that the National Unity Platform (NUP) has supported and not fielded their own candidate. They are actually acting in unified motion with the opposition. Which has been asked for it for ages. Now they are showing not only words but actions. Yes, their MP Flag-Bearer didn’t get votes, but instead of using energy on a candidate which doesn’t stand a chance. They are instead backing a Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate. So, for a unified opposition their candidate is Moses Attan Okia.

“Although we had very good potential candidates in Soroti, we are doing this in the broader interest of the unity of the Forces of Change. We believe that Hon. Attan legitimately won the previous election which was interrupted by a court decision. Therefore, we shall be supporting him, and rallying the people of Soroti to take him back to Parliament. We are stronger when we come together!” (National Unity Platform, 07.07.2022).

In that regard. The ruling regime has also switched their game up since the General Election in 2021. The National Resistance Movement are sending the same candidate, which they had as a flag-bearer in January 2021. No, they are sending the former FDC MP (2016-2021) and former Independent Candidate Herbert Edmund Ariko. We can rest assure that Jimmy Ekemu will feel shattered by this. Because, his been deliberately knocked out, because the party don’t believe in his candidacy anymore.

We know the NRM is investing in this campaign and will use all means to get there. When Secretary General Richard Todwong, Vice-Chairman of Eastern Region the party Captain Mike Mukula and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa are already in Soroti canvassing voters ahead of the polls.

What the general public can await is the Police Force and the army intervening. Since any By-Election of recent years looks like a war-zone close to the polls. With road-blocks, armed soldiers in the streets and public intimidation to ensure a “NRM” victory.

The Democratic Party is saying they will announce their candidate for the By-Election tomorrow. However, we all know the real game changer is between former FDC MP and the one trying to win the seat a second time the current FDC MP Attan. Therefore, the DP candidate will have as much popularity as the Uganda People’s Congress candidate in 2021. If not become as big as the outcast NRM flag-bearer. Because, I don’t believe they will suddenly have a wind of green coming their way.

It is a reason why Mukula was himself only an MP until 2016. Because, the FDC took over the city and got the mandates from the area. That’s why the NRM is fielding a former FDC candidate for a reason. A candidate that was close in the last polls as an independent. That is political bargaining.

Anyone else challenging the FDC is meeting hardship. Soroti and the region is very blue. It will be hard to muffle that. Nevertheless, don’t expect free and fair elections. No, the NRM can only win with bribes, intimidation and rigging. Which is very common and that’s what they are willing to do. So, expect the same in Soroti later this month. This will not be peaceful, as the state is coming with armed forces and vicious means to prove whose in-charge. Expect arrests of activists, polling agents and anyone associated with the FDC at the latter stage. Especially done at night and raiding of homes, of the registered polling agents and such. That is just what the state does and no one should be shocked by this in 2022. We have seen it’s happening so many times. This here will be no difference.

Soroti East By-Election will be like the previous by-elections. We should be aware and as we follows. Not act like we didn’t’ see it coming. Because this is what they do. Peace.

Opinion: I’m sorry Lumumba, I don’t believe you…

Yesterday, National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General Justine Lumumba held a press conference ahead of delegation conference of the party and the road-map for the elections. This being in general campaigning and such.

On key point stood out to me and it was this one:

“6. On the 7th August 2020, CEC sat to consider and approve the regulations that will be used during the Extraordinary Meeting of the 3rd National Conference, including the related NEC and CEC Meetings. Some have been mentioned above. Others include:

a). CEC directed that the Ministry of Health SOPs should seriously be observed to throughout the conduct of all political and electoral activities of the NRM. This shall be done in order to ensure that we protect the population from the risk of infection of the COVID-19 virus.

b). CEC directed that there should video recording of the entire Meetings of NEC and the National Conference, to ensure maximum transparency.

c). CEC has strongly emphasized that any form of bribery, utterance of any sectarian statements and use of inappropriate language, are unacceptable. Such practices are contrary to the values and principles of the NRM (please see Code of Conduct in the Fourth Schedule of the NRM Constitution), and the laws of Uganda. Any breach any shall have dire consequences. I therefore wish to call upon all NRM members to be law abiding, and to also strictly adhere to the MOH SOPs. The law enforcement officers are hereby called upon to ensure members comply with the law” (National Resistance Movement – ‘Media briefing by the Secretary General’ (9th august 2020).

As we see here, the highest organ of the ruling party have directed the party. A party which has flaunted, forgotten or not cared about the presidential directives and guidelines in concern to the spread of COVID-19. That is why the Electoral Commission and Ministry of Health have landed on strict guidelines, which made certain types of gathering illegal, this being processions, rallies and bigger meetings in general.

I doubt that Captain Mike Mukula, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, Evelyn Anite, Haruna Kasolo, Frank Tumwebaze or Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng will face the law. I really do, these people combined with the Flag-Bearers to be will be able to get away with rallies and processions. That has happen all across the Republic.

We know this, even sons-of-bush-warriors who is running for Parliament can have rallies. These are all okay in Up-Country. They are either doing supposed launches of government programs or internal party elections. However, these sort of activities would be blocked in a heart-beat with tear-gas, arrests and anti-riot police on the beckon-call of the RDCs. We know this treatment is only for the opposition, the NRM are above that and will not be touched.

That is why Mukula, Kamuntu, Anite, Kasolo, Tumwebaze and Aceng could all during the COVID-19 have rallies and similar types of activities. They can say, its something else, but all is bathed in yellow.

We could laugh about it and just say its a misfortunate affair. However, I don’t believe … the Police Force’s, ISO, CMI or the LDUs will crackdown on the NRM. That is not happening. It haven’t happen in the past neither in the near future. Not as long as the King stays the King.

These are untouchable. The SG of NRM said the right thing, but I don’t believe it. Until I see the bracelets and the charges done in Court. Which we will not see, because that will not be a good look ahead of the elections. Peace.

Hypocrisy: Capt. Mukula Team holds a Semi-Rally and Concert in Serere District!

Captain Mike Mukula, the owner of Voice of Teso was able to hold rallies in Serere District and concerts sponsored by him too. That all happen under the guise of promoting the radio station with artists like Bebe Cool. Bebe Cool is a official mobilizer for the NRM party. That shows levels of hypocrisy, which the state is in. So, it was a semi-National Resistance Movement rally at the Serere District Headquarters.

That it happen now on the 18^th January 2020. Is really insulting to the troubles of others to hold consultation meetings and do party work itself without any issues. Mukula has been able to gain a lot of power within the leadership and the State House. As his been able to get vast fortunes on corruption scandals, even been serving time in jail for that. Still, his still in the inner circle of power and has never left.

That is why the likes of the Captain and his ‘Voice of Teso’ is allowed to hold concerts and rallies. Even if the grace of the owner and political juggernaut Mukula. While also Bebe Cool was also allowed to address the crowds in Serere District.

That there was no police force, no toilets, no sniffer dogs and not any proof of applications for a formal announcement from the Electoral Commission with notification. Neither, any proof of following the Public Order Management Act (POMA). Since, they just announced the whole trip and promotion tour in Serere, but seemingly needed no paperwork. Even made a concert into a semi-rally. If the FDC or Bobi Wine even did this, they would be ambushed or blocked from doing so.

It shows the double standard. However, that is not new, as the state party can act as they want too. While the opposition has to beg for meeting and greeting outside of campaign season. While the state can organize any sort of function, for any sort of figure of the party and call it a day. That is what this is. As the Voice of Teso is like a privately owned “state radio”, as they working for the things the NRM does too. Peace.

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