Opinion: Joint Candidates for the Opposition is a sign a weakness towards Bosco!

Do the Opposition want to look viable?

Does the Opposition leaders want to look serious?

Are they concerned about their credibility before the electorate?

That is what they should ask themselves, as the new IPOD leader and Democratic Party President Norbert Mao is calling out to all Opposition parties to go in for joint candidates for the General Election in 2021. However, that is a false flag, it is weakening the base of the Opposition, instead of strengthening them.

What Mao haven’t learned from is the Inter-Party Coalition (IPC) and The Democratic Alliance (TDA), which have been used as Opposition coalitions to try to challenge President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM). However, they have been futile, as the state apparatus, intimidation and rigging has secured the ruling regime all the fortunes.

Therefore, Mao should know better as we’re in the 3^rd Decade of the Museveni era. This is the sinister part of the times under him. Where the gloves are off and he uses all methods to stay in power. There are nothing he doesn’t touch and tries to manipulate in his favour. That is why, Mao and the rest of Opposition should work together, but not in a way, where they are betting on one ticket.

It is easy to see, that the NRM will get the majority, will get the Presidency and get the crown jewels of the Republic. That is what the NRM does and everyone should know this. Therefore, why risk it all on one ticket and one flag-bearer?

This is really not salvaging anything, but trading away what you have. In a system built for Museveni and his kind. Even if it is so, the Opposition shouldn’t give up and throw in their candidates. If the Opposition are only fielding on MP in every district, a Mayoral Flag-Bearer and whatever else role the Opposition want to aspire to get.

The Opposition should use all forces, use all parties and all manifesto’s to prove their difference from the NRM. The Opposition should field people from JEEMA, DP, UPC, FDC, ANT and whatever else existing out there. All parties should try and go up against the NRM. They got nothing to lose, only prove their point and configure their strategies both locally and also nationally. This to prove their difference and their plan, if the public want to see them fit to rule post-Museveni.

Mao doesn’t sound sincere or strong in the path to Presidency, when he doesn’t believe his own people can run as flag-bearers, but thinks he can negotiate and assemble strength by fixing one-by-one flag-bearer or candidate in every district and even Presidential Candidate. Alas, that will just weaken the possible Opposition. That is a gift-card to the President. This can silence the pressure of the People Power Movement, the ones who are still believing in Defiance against the state and all the others who want the Museveni to cease. However, that will not go down. Not even by a National ID-Drive or trying to WIN by the POLLS. That has be insignificant for 2 decades.

Therefore, the Opposition have figure out a way of getting a popular uprising and fight the oppression. Not continue to be under submission of the President and his made system.

Also, don’t show weakness, don’t be fatigued and give way to the President. He already tarmacking it and doesn’t give a rats-ass about you. That is why, the Opposition have to show character and stamina against the old man and his devious tactics.

Because, he would use that as a way of saying the Opposition stands for very little or have lack of principals. Since they can all work together and only seeking meal-tickets. Not that is not throwing stones in a glass-house, as his cronies are all seeking for their meal-tickets. But, the Opposition should look smarter and look like they actually want to govern with good governance and sincerely develop the Republic. Not only eat the plate of the state and see the schools fall-apart a little bit more, or more hospital without medicine or electricity. Because, that is what the state is offering the citizens at the moment. Also some added OTT Tax and using MTN Licenses to pay for Airplanes. That is how life goes on in the Republic.

Therefore, the Opposition has to look different, sound different and not look defeated. That doesn’t mean they cannot stand together in the fight against Museveni. But its the way they do it. Because they have tried the IPC and TDA without any results. So, for the L-O-V-E of God, prove your value and your mandate for the public. Let them see your true character. So, they can see the difference between you and the hungry looters who are residing their currently. Peace.

Opinion: A staged opposition in-fighting is a automatic victory for Bosco!

Yesterday’s unneeded drama and heckling outside of CBS Radio Station as Dr. Kizza Besigye left the station. It was speculated that the ones doing this was associated with the People Power Movement and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. However, he has disassociated and said that isn’t the way.

We have to reconfigure something, as the radical people will always surface in any bracket of the public. In any part of a party and in a movement. That is a natural feature within any party and for all sorts of reasons. That is why we get days like yesterday. This is not a vindication of Mwenda’s attacks on the Bobi Wine and Defiance Campaign of Besigye. No, it is just a reality check, because, it matters everywhere. The majority isn’t like that, but a selected few.

What we do know now, is that these who went there yesterday might be staged or hired to do so. They were not directly ordered or behind it, as it has been speculated that a James Mubiru is behind it. Which hired people to carry on with the slogans of Bobi Wine and his movement, while heckling and addressing Besigye yesterday. This is then not an direct attack of Bobi Wine or his people, but instead a hired man, whose using money to get people to create a staged fuzz.

Therefore, the disassociation of Bobi Wine makes sense, but as it is staged. It is important that this is supposed to make these two look like enemies in the public perception. Even though that is far from true, as these two has been close and also talked on various occasions. Both Opposition leaders are working for the same cause. However, for the NRM to look strong, the Opposition needs to be infighting and needs to weakening itself. Because, then the NRM is the only viable avenue, even when the side-roads are better. Since, it looks hectic and filled with blockades, instead of a straight road to redemption.

That is what is up. That the NRM and the President is having a quick victory if the People Power and FDC is fighting. If Besigye and Bobi Wine is fighting too. If the NRM gets the DP, UPC, JEEMA, FDC and People Power all against each other. Than, the NRM will easily win. Not that they need it peaceful and friendly atmosphere. Because, the NRM will rig the up-coming elections.

Still, for the public perception sake, the NRM needs the infighting and the bickering, where the Opposition seems more fragmented than it is. Then the President can proclaim that he is only viable way out and the Opposition is just mess. That he is the only saviour and the NRM only has the solutions, because the Opposition is making havoc, even without power. This is the ambition of this sort of play.

Not that the Opposition needs a new The Democratic Alliance (TDA) or an Inter-Party Coalition (IPC), but an cohesive strategy to show progress and ability to be significant better; than what is currently ruling the Republic. That doesn’t mean that they should follow the DP idea of challenging the NRM with Joint Candidates. With that the Opposition is not showing strength, but creating a two-party system. Because, they lack faith in their own candidates and want to ensure less costs for a possible victory.

Instead, the Opposition should field all candidates and prove their value to the voters. Even if that fragment the votes. Because, that is natural, but at the same time work together with common goals, as they are all supposed to want to show supremacy and better political platform than NRM. That should make sense.

That is why we need to see Bobi Wine and Besigye working together in a cohesive and in a manner, where the public trust their agenda. Where the public perception is positive and where they are showing progressive means to further their work. They don’t need bickering and in-fighting. That is something the NRM can do themselves, as they usually does in their Primaries. We can just await the chaos coming up in the Road to General Elections of 2021.

That is why they stage this sort of operations. To make the Opposition look bad. Make someone a victim and blame someone else. Even if it is a ploy to play the public. They might think they are able to succeed, but when you look through it all. Then you see why and know the agenda. That is why you know it is deliberate by the regime to make a fool of the opposition. Instead, they are looking like Tin-Soldiers on the streets.

What we are seeing is more of the power of Besigye and Bobi Wine, their supporters and their vision. Instead of making them look foolish, which was the goal. Peace.

President Museveni says: “he can get rid of Parliament,” so he wants to rule by military decree, then.

““Between 1971 and 1979 (Idi Amin dictatorship – Ed), there was no parliament…Don’t think that you are in heaven; do what took you there. You should know where the power of that parliament comes from… in fact, I can do away with that parliament,” Museveni, also a retired army general, is quoted to have said. “And we brought it [parliament] back, so do whatever you are doing knowing…” Museveni reportedly said” (Sadab Kitatta Kaaya – ‘Museveni: I can do away with parliament’ 05.09.2018, link: https://www.observer.ug/news/headlines/58601-museveni-i-can-do-away-with-parliament).

President Museveni have told the Members of Parliament, that he can abolish the Parliament, if he wants too. Museveni said on the 27^th August 2018 at Entebbe State House to the National Resistance Movement Caucus, that he can get rid of the Parliament and be the sole confined power in the Republic. He has said he can take it away and rule supreme.

If you thought that the man wasn’t serious, it took ages before ushered in Multi-Party elections, he took power in 1986, but the first election with that was in 2006. Therefore, he shown in the past, he only does “democratic” incentives, when he really has too. Not on his own merry, but by default.

Now, he says he can bring back military decrees and rule from up high, without any consideration of representatives of the people or MPs. As they are just questioning his reasoning and use of the military. This being in Arua and with the tortured MPs in question. That is why he is like this now. He wants to rule over the people without question, because he owns it.

In the same regard, people should stop paying taxes to him. Since he eats it anyways and shouldn’t care for paying OTT, VAT or anything as long as he don’t want to represent other than himself. He wants to be the kingpin, the almighty, who rules without questions. That is who is now. There isn’t anything he wants to control and if you question the military, than he brings the guns and suppress those ideas. That is why the Presidential Guards are in Kamwokya after arresting Bobi Wine. Because, he needs his sharp-shooters to send the message. That no one else has the power he does, because of the weapons, not because he has the support of the people in general.

That he now wants to talk like Amin and act like him, rule on military decree, shows how he lack fundamental understanding of all branches of state and how he wants to stifle it. He only opened up for things when it was beneficial, but now he wants to abolish it and take it away. He will soon wish back to Resistance Councils and the Movement System instead of the Multi-Party model, as that way he can monitor and control it in-house. That is who he is. However, will the people accept that in 2018?

This is not the same people as in 1986 or in 1996. This are doing this to people who never seen or touched the bush-war, the post-generation of that. He speaks of as it was his gift to give back parliament, soon he does the same with the kingdoms and whatever else he returned. As the pawns on his chess-set, as long as anyone obey it cool, but when they question him; your out of line!

Therefore, we now see how belittling and how hungry for the power the old man has. That he will even go to the levels of the ones he overthrow, just to prove a point. He already use the tactics of military courts, soldiers against civilians and torture like the ones before him. Now he wants to copy their military decree too. Soon there is no difference between him and the ones he liberated people from, its just like a mere façade and not reality. As he himself is as vindictive and horrific as them. Only he had more time using harm against people, then they ever could. Peace.

Opinion: Bobi Wine have more coming for him in 2018, than Museveni ever did in 1980!

Well, I wasn’t even born in 1980, I came into this blue-plant in 1985, the year before the final coup d’etat of 1986. Therefore, I am not supposed to be the guy who writes this. Because reading and hearing the hearsay from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and NRM apologist who says Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine haven’t done enough or have the capabilities to become President. However, they forget a dozens of things with their own master.

It was okay, that he was a part of Milton Obote government, a Defense Minister in the Military Council before starting his own party the Uganda People’s Movement (UPM). The establishment of this was just in the months before the 1980 election. That party tanked in the General Elections of 1980. An election that Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) won and Obote got his second term. Even the Democratic Party under Chairman Dr. Paul Ssemogerere satirized Museveni, that the UPM leaders could join the DP, if they we’re not able to trust the ability of their own party. Therefore, Museveni wasn’t always the most eligible himself.

President Museveni lost his seat to Democratic Party MP candidate Sam Kuteesa. Which today is his Foreign Minister. That shows how times are changing, but also that the NRM shouldn’t underestimate Bobi Wine. Bobi Wine have already won one election. That is more than Musveni ever did, before he did a coup d’etat.

The ones saying he doesn’t have the ability, who really believed in Museveni in 1980? After everyone saw how the Uganda People’s Congress rigged the elections and secured majority. Just like Museveni have done again and again since they took power. Therefore, his lack of promise and misuse of power, are seen as he made no significant change on this manner. More of the same really.

I am sure most of the UPC leaders and DP leaders in 1980 would say that Museveni was just an opportunistic and finding his way to power. If they believed so, they were right. The UPM, now NRM promised and pledged many things, but have offered militarism and not the offering of a promising democracy. As they are using same tactics as the previous regimes to control and intimidate the population.

That Bobi Wine has promise is clear, people wouldn’t create riots for someone, if he wasn’t inspiring them. Kyagulanyi have shown character and given a clear message, that the People’s Power is the strongest and deserves to be listening to, as well as there is time to topple the President, whose has overstayed and acting as tyrant. That is why people are saying he has no message beyond this. But the same people said the same about Dr. Kizza Besigye too. Who they also said could never become a President like Museveni.

Everyone who challenges the President, doesn’t have it in them. But even Ssemogerere mocked Museveni and his leaders in 1980 before he went to Bush for the Second time. Museveni could never win in a fair fight by the ballot. That is why he has rigged himself and his party in ever since.

That is why NRM people are talking trash about Bobi Wine, because they are forgetting how dire straits and weak Museveni was before the 1986. Not like he was the kingpin or had it in him. Not until he consolidated and secured Libyan arms, before he made a deal with Gen. Moses Ali and outplayed the Nairobi Talks of 1985, before he brought down Tito Okello. All of that is forgotten. These people thinks he was the golden mind to rule forever. That was not the deal in 1980s, but has become so.

I am starting to have more and more faith in Bobi Wine, as his strength and his will, is there. He has still a lot to learn, but who doesn’t?

Museveni has learned with time and used his position to trick and manipulate the power. That is why people don’t think others can rule. However, that is not true, that is a trick and a lie. Besigye, Mbabazi or Kyagulanyi could have capabilities to reign as well. Therefore, the NRM has to make sure people thinks otherwise. Because no one isn’t supposed to challenge him. That is a cardinal sin in the NRM.

So, it is time to put some faith into Bobi Wine and not believe in the men and woman, who says the only leader who can rule the Republic is the tyrant, the President and for life ruler Museveni. Peace.

Lukwago & Co Advocates letter to Uganda Human Rights Commission: “Re: Deteriorating Health of Hon. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu A.K.A. Bobi Wine” (18.08.2018)

We need Joint Forces against President Museveni: Not a Besigye Vs Bobi Wine!

 

The late Paulo Muwanga in 1990, while appearing before Human Rights Commission, said: “Ugandans are jubilating over Museveni’s rise to power, although they have no idea of what awaits them. I know President Museveni inside-out and I can even tell from his sitting posture or how he blinks, what he is thinking or plotting. By the time Museveni’s rule ends in 2060, the country will have lost all its possessions and national assets, the political class will divided one against the other and Uganda will be ruins”.

As the days goes by, the mission to disenfranchise the opposition lingers, as the Bobi Wine supporters question the legitimacy of Forum for Democratic Change and Dr. Kizza Besigye. They should all join forces to dismantle the dictatorship and the tyranny. Not let the guards down and try on smaller pieces of the puzzle. Besigye have himself been charged with treason and lived in exile because of the works for the cause. Robert Kyagulanyi are just starting his race against the oppressive machine.

What everyone who cares and are involved should think of is ways to stop the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the President from functioning. As long as he can loot, demote and destroy, he will continue to prosper. His use of militarism and armed forces to control the public, he will not need popular support or the population behind him. Because what he needs is the army and presidential guards to do his bidding.

That is what should be focus of the opposition, to unite and understand, that this regime will not be beaten by ballots or elections. They are doing the same strategy as the previous ones, rigging and intimidation to settle the score.

The people who cares about the cause, should unite and finds ways to conquer and show the NRM. That they cannot hold them down anymore. Not by compliance, but by defiance and actual resistance against the state. I don’t know how, but in ways that hurt the economy and the foreign exchange, so that the militaristic government cannot afford salaries to their soldiers. In that way, with time they might show lack of loyalty, as the state cannot afford the upkeep of the army and mutiny and desertion from the barracks might be in order.

Museveni have for long, played the long game and used all lies and deception. Now is the time, to uproot and show the true reflection of people’s power.

“If Besigye’s face is the problem in the struggle, let us put another face and we move on. Its urgent that we recover this country!! I will not allow my face to be a problem; not an obstacle to the liberation of this country. What I will only do is wake up every day to do my best to reclaim our country” Dr. Kizza Besigye at the Press Conference today on the 18^th August 2018.

There isn’t a need for bickering inside the block between the opposition, they should use all their methods to dismantle it and show will to overthrow Museveni by the will of the people. They all need to combine themselves and their strengths, all tactics and use, to secure a future. Where the people are represented and not the mere dictatorship.

If the people want another face than Besigye, that is fine, but he has fought for ages for this. The public should see that. His party that was formed while back are run in another manner, than the NRM. That should be seen. Bobi Wine is a lone soldier for the cause, but has backers on all sides of the spectrum. Therefore, how does they plan to fight this and organize the breakdown of the NRM?

That is why, all forces needs to unite, to join forces and see a way out. Not bicker between Besigye and Bobi Wine. We saw how Museveni was able to twist the opposition against each other with the The Democratic Alliance (TDA) and the FDC before and during the campaigns before the General Election of 2016. That time has to move on, as Amama Mbabazi was there splitting the Democratic Party, Uganda Federal Alliance, Uganda People’s Congress and Forum for Democratic Change. All of these split between Mbabazi and Besigye.

If we don’t, than we are living up to the prediction of Paolo Muwanga, we should take that warning and think what we want to achieve. We don’t want Museveni and his kind to win. He has won long enough and his tyranny has taken to many lives. His works has already destroyed enough lives and disenfranchised so many people. There is time to rekindle, retake and finds way to maneuver the regime. So, that it cannot destroy for the next generation. Peace.

Mwenda’s illusions continues to spawn as he defends Museveni over Bobi Wine and Besigye!

Never ever take the words of Andrew Mwenda as a lecture on democracy or on development on a fair society anymore. The insane rhetoric and decisiveness is evident over how he has discussed and argued over Besigye and his supporters. Now he does the same with Bobi Wine. As he is in shackles and tortured. He speaks ill of torturing in his post today. But at the same time, expect people to validate and accept that the Special Force Command defended the Presidential Convoy with live-bullets. That is just insane and show how the apologists of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are. They are accepting that war-zones are created because of opposition supporters. How ill isn’t society then?

I am just taking a small piece of the text, because it is insulting to our intelligence, to read to much of political voodoo, but it is needed. To show how rare and how foolish it is. Look!

“Let me make on thing clear: I do not agree that civilians, however angry they may feel, should pelt stones at the president’s convoy. Leaders like Bobi Wine need to tell their supporters this in plain language. Indeed I call upon Bobi Wine, Mugisha Muntu, Kizza Besigye, Kasiano Wadri and others to condemn those of their supporters who threw stones at the president’s convoy. If SFC soldiers shot and killed 20 civilians throwing stones at the president’s car, I would defend them. I would risk the wrath of the mobs that Bobi Wine leads even if they threatened to lynched me, which is what I expect of them. When someone is guarding a president, and they have a split second to make a decision, they cannot assume someone throwing something at the president’s car is holding a stone, which is harmless. They must assume it is a grenade and should shoot such a person immediately. This is not about Museveni but the president of Uganda. Bobi Wine has potential (and God forbid) to become president. His bodyguards would act exactly like that. He should therefore tell his supporters how to behave or condemn their actions when they don’t listen to him. This is critical for him to distance himself from their hooliganism” (Andrew M. Mwenda – ‘Why we must all condemn the brutal arrest and torture of Bobi Wine’ 18.08.2018).

That this is not about President Museveni, who orders and has Presidential Guards shooting at civilians is beyond me. That Mwenda doesn’t address how perfectly the stones touched the Presidential Convoy, because there are no evident of scratches or dents on the paint. Stones thrown by random civilians doesn’t just hit the windshield, but the whole damn vehicle, have Mwenda looked the photos of how the car of Besigye have looked like after rampage of the police in recent years? If it looked something like that, then it would be believable.

However, Bobi Wine and his supporters shouldn’t throw stones. I don’t think they did. But the State, the President and his forces, shouldn’t shoot to kill, torture, arbitrary arrest, forge evidence and put people’s lives in limbo. Because that is what they have done with plenty of Members of Parliament. Dropping of an ill Francis Zaake at Rubaga Hospital like bad Irish Potatoes. After torturing him nearly to death. Is that justice Mr. Mwenda?

If the supporters of Bobi Wine and Opposition was the extremists he says they are, why are the ones in the riots in Kampala only arrested and not hurting police officers and soldiers. It is the soldiers and police officers who are hurting the civilians. I wonder if Mwenda has stepped out for his office and had taken a brief moment. Instead of just posing his propaganda to people.

As we take the second extract of his post today: “I am also aware that if Bobi Wine and his radical extremists captured power they would not allow me the freedom to criticize them. Him and his supporters don’t stand for anything. They stand against Museveni. They are an intolerant and uncouth group seeking power to settle scores with their opponents. I must make clear that when I talk of his supporters, I am referring to those I encounter online. If he has enlightened supporters they should come out consistently and loudly to denounce and condemn those of their colleagues who employ cyber bullying as a political strategy. To this extent and in spite of his dictatorial tendencies and the occasional brutality of his security apparatus, I find Museveni a more liberal minded, enlightened person under whose leadership dissent against his government has to a large degree been allowed some space” (Andrew M. Mwenda – ‘Why we must all condemn the brutal arrest and torture of Bobi Wine’ 18.08.2018).

Mr. Mwenda, where is Museveni liberal-minded, when he asks everyone to follow his guidelines and visions? Is it liberal, when he went to Bush to fight for his own liberty and take away everyone’s freedom? Please enlighten us! We need it, because I cannot see it or feel it. As the public either meet live-bullet, tear-gas or arrest if they are opposing Museveni. So if it is liberal to detain opposition, than Museveni is that. But I beg to differ. If he was truly liberal, Bobi Wine and fellow MPs wouldn’t be detained. Because they are a threat to Museveni and you. You have a career now because of Museveni. That is why you defend him, with you lack of integrity and lack of understanding.

You are saying the fans of Bobi Wine lacks tolerance, what does Museveni do then, he shoots, kills and destroys, he detains and torture opposition. How much pain has the Bobi Wine supporters done? They have gone to rallies and spoken of freedom from the oppression you support vigorously. What is striking, you have problem with cyber-bullying, but not a big issue of actual torture. Do you hear yourself when you write these texts?

You call other people extremist and hooligans, but the way you defend oppression is into the insane. You talk of liberal ideas and democracy, like it is Monopoly board for Museveni to rule over. But doesn’t accept that Besigye and Bobi Wine might have a path to unlock it. Because right now, everyone have to follow the State House and Museveni.

Would you prefer actual torture Mr. Mwenda, be arrested and put on an unknown location and hurt nearly to death. Or have a friendly reminder online, that your a NRM apologist? I think you prefer the last one. No one want to bodily damaged by someone else, we all want to live in peace and develop ourselves. However, you think the free minded and the ones wishing for a real democracy is threats to your existence, but they are really not.

You are what you are and your trying to put a blindfold on people. They are smarter than you think. Your magazine might be named “independent” but your spirit is not. Bobi Wine and Besigye, have captured something you cannot grasp, because your have swallowed the kool-aid of Museveni. Hope some day you see it, but I think it is too late. Peace.

Will Bobi Wine share the same fate as Gen. Moses Ali did in 1990s?

Back in the day, just years into the National Resistance Movement, there was this General Moses Ali, whose now Deputy Prime Minister. In April 1990 he was charged with treason, for illegal fire-arm and possible rebellion to overthrow the NRM. This was happening as he was a Cabinet Minister and his rebel group had joined the National Resistance Army in the Bush. Therefore, we should remember the story of Gen. Moses Ali, today.

Gen. Moses Ali was supposed to meet President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the State House on the 7^th April 1990. However, his case would spawn a lot of time, the charges being carrying of various arsenal of weapons and ammunition. There after he was held in Lubiri Barracks, as the case got investigations. While the case into the charges was prolonged through the year and his final verdict was done by the magistrate on the 7^th January 1991.

December 1991:

“He was acquitted of all charges except treason, a capital offense. Ali was granted a $833 bail and ordered to surrender his passport to the state, according to the official at the Luzira prison in Kampala” (AP – ‘Former Minister Facing Treason Charges Freed on Bail’ 14.12.1991). He was later finally released in June 1992.

Why I am telling this story this way?

Well, right now, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, is charged with illegal firearm and treason against the President. This happen in the Gulu Court Martial on the 16^th August 2018. He is right now in detention in the Makindye Military Barracks. Therefore, the case for his and fellow Members of Parliament. Is in the similar fashion, as it was for Gen. Moses Ali on the 1980. While he was charged to overthrow Museveni with a rebellion across in Zaire, Bobi Wine is doing so with his allies in Arua, as the Presidential Convoy was stoned. The similarities are still there. Though, the popularity of Bobi Wine is another fashion.

We can see, how the NRM will prolong the sentence and the courts. Just as it has done already with Bobi Wine and fellow MPs, like Mubarak Munyagwa, Francis Zaake, Kassiano Wadri, Gerald Karuhanga and Paul Mwiru. As Bobi Wine will be remanded to the Gulu Court Martial on the 30^th August 2018. This case will be prolonged and will not dismissed in the first few days. The NRM will use this and play this one out. Even if the guns are fabricated, as people are thinking they are, because they are guns and ammunition, which the military have monopoly on. Therefore, the charges seems forged and also the destroyed windshield of the car in the Presidential Convoy. The actions of the state, seems to making the opposition criminalized, while making sure the state gets away with killings themselves.

Even if there was nobody dying over the arrest of Gen. Moses Ali. We expect similar prolonged court case over the treason charge towards the ones in this case after the Arua By-Election. Bobi Wine and the MPs whose been charged and arrested since. They will all be in legal jeopardy for months now. The NRM will not give in and the President has usually done this. The same for the treason charges put on Besigye. Therefore, not expect this to be over soon.

Bobi Wine deserves justice, as he and several MPs are delivered injustice. We can hope that the story of Moses Ali doesn’t return, but by the look of things. It seems like the President and NRM will repeat it. Peace.

Press Release: TDA condemns the violent and forceful eviction in Apa, Uganda (08.09.2015)

Kampala, Tuesday, 8 September, 2015:

The Democratic Alliance (TDA) has learnt with shock and consternation of the deployment of heavily armed police and the military in Apa Parish, Pabbo sub county, Amuru district. The aim of the deployment is to subdue the residents violently in order for the government to demarcate boundaries between the districts of Amuru and Adjumani. They also claim that they want to demarcate the boundary of East Madi Hunting Area.

In 2012 the Uganda Wildlife Authority sent armed Rangers with the backing of police and the army to forcefully evict the residents of Apaa. People were beaten up, their livestock raided, their houses burnt and their crops set on fire. Some young men were shot dead in the operation. Twenty five men were arrested, beaten severely, taken to Adjumani where they were charged with offenses ranging from criminal trespass, being idle and disorderly to threatening violence.

Primary schools were closed down, the pupils and teachers sent away and the school desks were being used as firewood by the army and police. In fact the school became the command post of the army complete with a road block along the road leading to the school.

We are aware that this forceful eviction is being driven by a profit motive. We are also aware that at the instigation of Hon. Moses Ali, the area had been offered by Adjumani district to one Bruce Martin, a foreign investor, to be developed as a private game ranch and hunting area. We feel that since the affected area is not under the exclusive jurisdiction of Adjumani district, it requires cross border collaboration and a joint discussion and a shared decision and consent by the neighboring districts of Amuru and Adjumani.

After the incident where mother of Apa exposed themselves naked be fore the government delegation in protest, government made a commitment that a border meeting would be convened to listen to the concerns of the residents and the leaders.

To our surprise, we were told that three days ago a team comprising the army, police and other government officials were already on the ground and had come in via Adjumani district and were carrying out a survey, boundary opening and were also planting mark stones. This was in total contravention of the spirit of dialogue. Leaders tried to access Apa but roadblocks were set up and they were prevented from speaking to the people.

Three people are now confirmed dead by sources in Apa. Several people suffered grave injuries and are being treated at Amuru health centre. The Member of Parliament Gilbert Olanya was arrested and is believed to be detained in Masindi police station.

We condemn the greed behind this illegal and violent eviction of people trying to settle down after twenty years in concentration camps. We demand that this illegal survey and boundary demarcation he halted immediately.

Only open and transparent dialogue with the affected communities can resolve this matter. Force and violence by the army and police will only escalate an already volatile situation. For centuries the people of Madi and Acholi have coexisted and lived peacefully and there has never been any dispute over the administrative boundaries of the two districts. A case in point is Bibia Parish which is located in Attiak Subcounty, Amuru district and has a considerable population of ethnic Madi people. The administrative boundaries of Amuru and Adjumani are well known. That is why we believe that this current dispute is being orchestrated by greedy people who have selfish interests.

We now propose the following way forward:-

1. Any attempt at a unilateral process of survey and boundary opening at the instance of Adjumani district or the central government should be halted.
2. A high level meeting of government representatives, leaders from the districts of Adjumani and Amuru should be convened by to clarify issues of contention and provide an initial platform for dialogue.
3. A meeting of the communities that reside in the affected area should be convened in order that they become part of the efforts to seek a solution rather than being victimized by decisions and actions imposed from above.
4. Trusted mediators should be sought and asked to get involved in facilitating dialogue by the affected communities. The residents of Apa have for instance proposed that Archbishop John Baptist Odama and retired Bishop Macleod Baker Ochola be asked to mediate in this conflict.

TDA stands in solidarity with the people of Apa. We demand that the media blackout and the isolation of Amuru stops. This brings back memories of Operation North when the entire region was cordoned off as soldiers violated human rights with reckless abandon.

Finally, we know that the NRM regime doesn’t adhere to the rule of law but we wish to state that the matter is before the courts of law and the court has issued an injunction against any further survey and boundary opening.

Government should act impartially and without any undue delay in order that an amicable solution to this problem be found.

How the new counties will change for the constituencies before the Presidential General Election 2016 in Uganda – and which MPs it affects.

Recently there been reports that yet again the government of Uganda has decided to split a certain numbers of counties into 39 new counties and in the end make the total amount of Member of Parliament (MPs) to 424 (Kisakye, 2015). This can only been seen as a calculated plan to gain more MPs by the government party to reign over this new counties. I will go through who will have to fight for new constituency and votes in newly created counties that the government wishes. This will be after the list that was on the Observer. I will take district after district. An over time I think you’ll see a pattern.

Agago County MPs:

Who?	Party:
John Amos Okot	NRM
Judith Franca Akello	FDC

Amuria County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Francis Musa Ecweru	NRM

Manjiya County MPs:

Who?	Party:
David Wakikona	NRM

Bukedea County MPs:

Who?	Party:
George Stephen Ekuma	NRM
Rose Akol Okullu	NRM

Bukomansimbi County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Deogratius (Deo) Kiyingi	DP
Susan Namaganda	DP

Bulambuli County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Irene Nafuna Muloni	NRM
Midimi Wamakuyu	NRM

Dokolo County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Felix Okot Ogong	NRM
Cecilla Barbera Atim Ogwal	FDC

Gomba County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Rosemary Muyinda Najjemba	NRM
Kyabangi Katusiime Nakato	NRM

Kilak County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Gilbert Olanya	Independent
Betty Bigombe Atuku	NRM

Dodoth East – Kaabong County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Samson Lokeris	NRM

Bulamogi County – Kaliro District MPs:

Who?	Party:
Kenneth Lubago	Independent
Flavia Nabugere	NRM

Kibuku County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Moses Saleh Wilson Kamba	NRM
Sarah Mwebaza Wanene	NRM

Nyabushozi County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Fred Mwesigye	NRM
Beatrice Rusaniya Namala Barumba	NRM

Kibanda County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Sam Owor Amooti Otada	Independent
Helen Kahunde	NRM

Chua County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Henry Okello Oryem	NRM
Beatrice Anywar Atim	FDC

Kole County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Fred Ebil	UPC
Joy Ruth Acheng	UPC

Kumi County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Patrick Oboi Amuriat	FDC
Christine Hellen Amongin Aporu	NRM

Kiboga West County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Samuel Ssemugaba	NRM
Ann Maria Nankabirwa	NRM

Kyaka County MPs:

Who?	Party:
William Ngabu Kwemara	NRM
Flavia Kabahenda Rwabuhoro	NRM

Mwenge North County MPs:

Who?	Party:
David Muhumuza	NRM

Luuka County MPs:

Who?	Party:
John B.  Ngobi Bagoole	Independent
Evelyn Naome Mpagni N. Kaabule	NRM

Maracha County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Alex Onzima	Independent
Ruth Molly  Ondoru Lematia	NRM

Kashari County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Yaguma Wilberforce	NRM

Ruhinda County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Kahinda Otafiire	NRM
Jovah Kamateeka	NRM

Matheniko County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Dr. John Baptist Lokii	NRM

Aruu County MPs:

Who?	Party:
CD Oketayot Lowila	NRM
Samuel Otto Odonga	FDC

Kooki County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Amos Mandera	NRM

Mawogola County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Sam Kahamba Kutesa	NRM
Anifa Kawooya Bangirana	NRM

Soroti County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Michael George Mukula	NRM
Peter Omolo	FDC
Angelline Osegge	FDC

Okoro County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Stanley Oribdhogu Omwonya	NRM

Butebo County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Stephen Oscar Malinga	NRM

Tororo County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Geofrey Ekanya	FDC

Kibaale County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Frank Kagyigyi Tumwebaze	NRM

Aringa County MPs: (Will be three more districts)

Who?	Party:
Achile Manoah Mile	UPC
Abason Huda Oleru	NRM

Bugahya County MPs:

Who?	Party:
James Kiiza Rwebembera	NRM

Koboko County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Ahmed Awongo	NRM
Margreth Diri Bara	NRM

Kassanda County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Godfrey Lubega	Independent
Thembo George William Nyombi	NRM

East Moyo County MPs:

Who?	Party:
Moses Ali	NRM
Jesica Ababiku	Independent

In numbers of the MPs that is on the line and getting new districts to get votes for re-elections in the 2016 elections. This here will be decisive for them. AS you can see that even some district has big birds and people who have been in the wind for a long time like Otafiire from Ruhinda County. But now let me show the numbers:

Party:	Total MPs:	Percentage:
NRM (National Resistance Movement)	45	69%
FDC (Forum for Democratic Change)	8	12%
DP (Democratic Party)	2	3%
UPC (Uganda People’s Congress)	3	4.6%
Independent	7	10.7%
Total Sum of MPS:	65	100%

This should be call on how the NRM wish to split the votes in certain areas so that they can eat more of the votes in next election. That they can take more of the independent votes and also from the opposition parties like FDC.

Let me show the areas that are being split not just name of main counties. Since Uganda has been split to smaller and smaller fractions and now is hard to remember where the “original” bigger counties where before they got into the humongous number of 424. So let see here:

Part of the Country	Total Couties:
Buganda	VI – 6
Ankole	IIII – 4
Kigezi	0 – 0
Toro	II – 2
Bunyoro	II – 2
Acholi	VI – 6
West Nile	IIII – 4
Lango	II – 2
Karamoja	I – 1
Teso	III – 3
Sebei	0 – 0
Bugisha	0 – 0
Bukedi	II – 2
Busoga	V – 5
Total Counties:	37

(Aringa County will become three counties – North/South and Yumbe)

Numbers game:

If you can quickly see it’s the central regions that have a certain level of changes like in the Ankole, Busoga, Bunyoro and Buganda. The number of counties which is changing in the central/eastern is 17 of 39. Other areas that are also getting a renovation from the government are the Acholi, West Nile and Karamoja which is the Northern parts of Uganda. The total of areas that will be changed is 13 of 39.  Those total 30 of the 39. So it’s easily to see where the main changes are happening. Sometimes in the heartland of the opposition parties than in the Movement territory, so if you think otherwise. Look at the numbers and see even if this is going after 69% of the MPs are NRM. We all know that around Mbale and up north has voted for DP more than NRM in history. FDC is also gaining more grown in eastern, central and western areas. Therefore NRM fearing this, FDC candidate even won in Amuru by-election in November 2014. So that the Government is making a change in the districts around isn’t surprising. But let’s look at the other part of this changes that I haven’t touched on yet. Not the number game, but the real election game.

Election game:

This strategy is amazing. The way you split counties to reassure and get more loyalty from the new LDC then before. Therefore doing this so close to the election makes the 40 new counties and 40 new MPs. Also open up new constituency and voter’s numbers that need to be secure to get the MP for a county in. Thirdly and last point is that the history of voting in an area get diminish because the new counties. This will lead to smaller counties and need less people to vote the MP in the area. That can be either a gift or a curse. That the counties are getting to be smaller populations so that their easier to manipulate since their no current voting history in this counties. So that the loyalist will get more positions during next elections and also getting new LDCs that will supposedly to give the local community more control and also support the governments work in the areas. Like getting supervision over the primary school and police I guess. But we all know that this is more securing the NRM government more control over the areas and getting the loyal supporters of the Mzee becoming MPs and also making new counties to disfranchise the opposition if possible. That this  areas are also in places where the Independent MPs are coming from and just a few big shots like Kahinda Otafiire. I look forward to see the results from the Presidential General Election of 2016. Hope you do as well in the new counties and see if the MPs from the 9^th Parliament will arrive from the new counties.

Just a by the way – on the information flow:

The irony of it all, I couldn’t find the MPs on the Parliaments own site or government official sites online. I found the best by the sites that are targeted by the government. Like the lists from Uganda at Heart had an awesome and amazing list. Second list was from an anti-corruption NGO from Uganda. So the one that isn’t supposed to be friendly with the government is the one that has organized it the best and that is a rare instance. Because a brother expect to easily see who represent them. Taxation with representation, the parliament page of the Ugandan government isn’t sufficient or a page that is really working. Hope that Hostalite and make them a better page indeed. And the Parliament Watch site was ten times better. Where I could double check the result of the General Election of 2011 was from the elected MPs from the Electoral Commission of Uganda. I am grateful that one supposed to be unbiased governmental institution has certain information to the public so I could verify what I found at Uganda at Heart and also the information from Parliamentary Watch. Thanks! Peace.

Reference:

Kisakye, Frank – ‘Govt creates 39 new counties, number of MPs rises to 424’ (15.07.2015) Link: http://www.observer.ug/news-headlines/38782-govt-creates-39-new-counties-mps-rise-to-424