Uganda Police Force: “Groups planning to use the cover of peaceful political demonstrations against the so-called Age limit debate to cause violence” (25.09.2017)

Opinion: Expect Magyezi Age-Limit Motion to enter the Plenary Session in Parliament tomorrow like a Ghost!

In the order papers for the Plenary Sitting at the Parliament tomorrow, there are no motion for the lifting of the Presidential Age Limit. Therefore, someone wants the demonstrations blown-off and silence the debate around the matter. Even if more people are working on their own private motions, which is all about amending the Constitution of 1995. Raphael Magyezi is the one sponsoring the now famous and unknown bill, that has not been released to the public. As it is not shown to anyone to discuss the words and the inner-implications, even if the ones knowing the purpose. It is to let anyone adult at any age to stand as President.

That is why the lifting the Age Limit is so problematic, as it is happening when it’s fitting the age of the current President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. This meaning it is only happening since he will be to old to stand for his officially 6th Term, which would be by my count 8th Term. Since he has already ruled since 1986. Therefore, that the law again gets amended to fit his life. Just like the lifting of term limits fit him well, just after he had been elected twice and needed another term. So its not like he changed laws to fit him before, this would be yet another step in President for Life.

It is not like he owns all of Uganda and their minds, its not like it is so strong as its ever been. Even if the state is more and more oppressive, closing radio stations (Freedom FM, Kabale) for having talk-shows with Dr. Kizza Besigye, arresting opposition leaders over nothing and demonstrators in general getting jail time without proper charges. Not like the Age Limit case is strengthening the Presidency, other than having a legal paper on his side. There is a weakness of the state, when there is talk and debate in Parliament. The government needs the army to guard the parliament and detain opposition leaders. The National Resistance Movement must know their weakness and little support.

As the 23rd September 2017, the Afrobarometer already proven in their survey that its over 75% who wants the Age Limit to stay in the Constitution. That means if the state changes, it does it while countering the will of the people, that means the Grand Leader, the Big-Man or Mzee, thinks he owns them and their his servants. Who are supposed to be humble and gracious for him showing them seconds of joys within the 30 years of power.

The Age Limit will be hostile, the continued drama will be hectic, the Police Force and the Army will be in the midst of it all. The only piece missing is that the soldiers comes into Parliament and arrest fellow leaders who votes against debate or motion. Since this is against the will of the President. It is just about time for it to happen. The Parliament tomorrow will be seen as a military commando-post. There will be blockades and tensions in Kampala, the demonstrations in Northern towns like Arua, Lira and even Gulu, might react, even new reactions in Bushenyi or others. It’s hard to know if there even will be reactions in Mbale and Jinja, as the FDC has had a stronghold there for long.

What we do know is that the official released papers of order of the plenary sessions it’s not there, but expect a crisis meeting between Parliamentary Speaker Rebecca Kadaga and Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, where they put the Magyezi motion in play as if it was a ghost. As an unknown and sudden act that was about to shock the Members of Parliament, New Vision, NTV and all the other ones. Even if the UCC silence more stations and suddenly the NBS cannot show the Parliament feed. Because the Democratic Principles are so important to Mzee.

So expect it to be tabled and as a shocker, like a little grenade into friendly territory, as a mystic little bribe as the envelopes will be delivered in the NRM caucus, as they have the majority, as well as they can spend some cash on the Uganda People’s Congress and other shallow opposition parties if needed be. Peace.

NASA Letter to Police Commander Koome: “Notification of a Peaceful Demonstration to IEBC Headquarters on Tuesday 26th September 2017” (25.09.2017)

Hon. Otto Odonga letter to Hon. Evelyn Anite: “Re: Notice of Intention to Sue” (25.09.2017)

IEBC letter to NASA: “Re: Planned Protests Against the IEBC on the 26th of September 2017 (25.09.2017)

Opinion: The Back-Then UPM-Museveni is someone I could have supported; but today’s Museveni is totally opposite!

Back in the day, long before National Resistance Movement (NRM), the whole bush-war and the hostile takeover from previous governments. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the freedom fighter and former Tanzanian student, we’re the founder and leader of Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM). It wasn’t a successful one at that, he even lost his district Member of Parliament position to Honorable Sam Kuteesa in the 1980 election. Clearly, the drive and the message didn’t sink-in, if not the rigging of Milton Obote was so rampant that none else than his candidates could win an election. Which is most likely if you followed the 1980 Election. The young Museveni was an idealist, not like today when the riches and stolen wealth has consumed the old-man. Who will find ways to buy his adversaries, instead of trying to reason with them? That is too hard for old man and he doesn’t even consider it. So today, I have dozens of outtakes of speeches he made while being a UPM leader. It is given that the times changes, as three decades of power and rule has eaten his soul. As much as the reality is different today, but the ideals and the governance he spoke of is still relevant today, as much as it was back-then.

“A Government that subjects its citizens to humiliation and desperate solutions is not worth the name and should hence be removed. It was the violation of this cardinal principle by Amin that forced Ugandans to take to arms to liberate their motherland” – Speech at Ishaka, Bushenyi District, Uganda Times (July 16th 1979).

“Uganda’s causes of disunity mainly spring from the fears that public officials are cutting up the national cake among themselves. During the last 12 years, most people especially the top brass had been grabbers” – Speech at a News Conference in Kampala, Uganda Times, (September 10, 1979)

“Ugandan would have been taught how to fight against dictatorship. Don’t fear anything. Amin used to say he feared nobody but God; but where is he today?” – Speech at a rally in Bushenyi, Uganda Times, (July 9th 1980).

“I am saddled by all types of unclean people in the UNLF government. Otherwise, things would have looked much better than they are today. Some unclean people are responsible for the suffering of the people of Uganda” – Speech at a rally in Masindi District, Uganda Times (July 15th 1980).

“Using a government position to a mass wealth is high treason. If the UPM is not going to be supported because it denounces such methods of getting rich, let it be” – Speech in Bushenyi and Mbarara District, Weekly Topic (August 27th 1980).

“Africa is tired of leaders who clings to power against the wishes of the masses” – Speech at the UPM fundraising at Fairway Hotel Kampala, Uganda Times (November 10th 1980).

The young man Yoseri or Yoweri is so more likable are reasonable, than the one leading the republic today. He has had no issues to rig himself, use the power of the army and police to intimidate and harass citizens. Neither, has he had any issues concerning the grabbing land and having cronies making wealth on the state coffers. It is like everything he stood for, was a shell that he decided to break. He used a sledgehammer against everything he believed in, when he got to power. Then he saw the potential and possible reach of power and ran with it.

That is why today he clings power against the will of the people. That why the army was the key group of people at his latest inauguration and paid crowds, not people celebrating his victory, because there was a small fraction of people who was cheering. Clearly, he knows it, that he has become everything he was up against as a UPM candidate.

When he had these speeches, the ideals we’re good and the man was talking righteous. Who knows how the wealth and trigger-happy donors in the 1980s and 1990s has sponged funds on him without any concern on how the funds gotten used by his government. As long as they showed some slow progress and had a few nice photo-ups for their timely magazines, it was funky-dory.

Clearly the revival of the donor-friendly environment and the possible all-control has eaten all his ideals, you can even question if he ever believed them. If it was a ploy to look significantly different from Obote and Amin. Nothing else. It would be an easy trick. Since, the relics of the state would so shatter the display of character they had. He could amaze and please with simple promises, but no need to keep them. That is why he promises industries and agricultural output today, without having any consideration for budgets or programs that is sufficient for this, if so he would have invested in it long time ago.

President Museveni is a shadow of his former self, the UPM leader I would have respected and cheered for, but the one he is today, I cannot stand and want to get rid-off. In a peaceful transition way, do not want use his tricks, there are better ways than bush-war. The uncertainty and loss of lives in the midst of that is not worth the coup d’état.

UPM Museveni, knew what Good Governance was and knew what a state was supposed to do. Not there to enrichen himself and the cronies, it was not there to prolong suffering and famine. It was there to serve and if they acted wrong. Fight them, dismantle them and get rid of the dictatorship. He is now the man he fought to bring down, he fought Amin, Obote, Lule and Biniasa. All of them got at one point played out by the men who was loyal to Museveni.

Certainly, the matter at hand, how long can he keep the ideals he believed in while leading UPM away from the citizens. How long can embarrass and humiliate citizens so he can stay in power. How long can he eat of the government plate without anyone toppling him. How long? What does it take, how much does the citizens of Uganda stomach of this mess? What is the final nail in coffin? When does the last drop of water hit the cup, so it spills over?

The UPM Museveni, anyone would consider as a fair and good leader, the one that is ruling today, has passed his prime and due date, long time ago. In addition, lost all his principles and values on the way, except for enriching himself and the ones who are by his side.

He is now the one he ones fought against, he is now mirroring the example of the ones who he overthrow. It is something rare and weird about it all, the UPM Museveni would say: “that would never happen, the Ugandans would not let that happen”. Well, they did and they fear you now, because they have seen your actions and your misgivings. They don’t respect you, but wonder how and when you strike. There isn’t a consensus, but a fear and tension to what you might bring, the game you set-up is for the ones who are abiding to you and the ones who could lose it all, since they are not your kind. Peace.

Hon. Muyanja Johnson Senyonga letter to Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga. “Re: Proposal for the Private Members Bill on Federo” (25.09.2017)

A look into the how two-faced President Museveni is concerning the Age Limit!

It’s no fade that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has lingered in power. He has since his days of being Minister under the Milton Obote in the 1980s schemed his way into power and tried to found ways to stay. He has used all the tricks of the predecessors and the partial change of his constitution to stay in power. Museveni has slowly changed his own constitution to his benefit. Only once gone beyond him, that was to launching of Multi-Party Democracy, something he clearly doesn’t believe in or has the heart for. That is proven over all the years. Therefore the words used over the three decades by himself is revealing.

Therefore, I have to show a few quotes from the Old-Man with the Hat, who is the only man with the Vision in Uganda. Who cannot retire or step-down, that has been way since 2005. Since he pushed himself on the people with all kinds of schemes since he got in power. Waiting to have election, waiting to have multi-party democracy and multi-party elections. As well, as he abolished the Presidential-Term limit. Right before he had passed the official term limits himself in 2005. Therefore, it is now happening again, as he is trying to pass some sort of private bill in Parliament. To extend and linger on the throne. Look!

Museveni at United Nations General Asssembly on 24th October 1987:

We in uganda have just marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of our independence, and yet for most of those 25 years our people have suffered greatly at the hands of dictators and murderers. It was to put an end to fascism and all its ramifications that Ugandan patriots organized an armed struggle that brought down Amin in 1979, and Obate and his successors in 1986. In January 1986, the National Resistance Movement and its military wing, the National Resistance Army, pioneered originally by 27 young men, triumphantly removed from State power the agents of dictatorship and fascism. The change we ushered in was, as we have stated before, not a mere change of guards, but a fundamental change” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 24.10.1987)

Museveni in 2005:

Q: When you make it to 75, that is a long time, that’s almost your whole life!

A: I will not make it to 75 years. I am sure because I have got a lot of other things to do” (New Vision, 2005).

Museveni in 2012:

President Yoweri Museveni has said he will not contest for the presidency again when he clocks 75 years, the age limit in the Constitution of Uganda. Speaking on NTV’s ‘On the Spot’, Thursday edition, President Museveni said: “After clocking 75, I will not support the lifting of the age limit to allow me to contest for another term of office.” (Semakula & Masaba, 2012).

Museveni in 2016:

Kamara is seen in the video asking Museveni: “What’s your view on the age limit? Should the age limit be there anyway?” The president responds: “Well that one we had ignored. We had not discussed it. It can be discussed.” Museveni adds: “But I think after 75, the vigor; I think there is some scientific idea there. That may be the vigor is not as much after 75 years.” (Aine, 2016)

As we can see in 1980s he promised a fundamental change, that hasn’t occurred. If you took his speech from the United Nations General Assembly of 1987 with the assessment of the state of the Republic. Still, he would not give way to someone else.

So when he has promised in 2005 to not govern after he was over 75 year old. Also promised the same in 2012 and in 2016. Therefore, when the private motions are coming to the Parliament Secretariat these days. He is not condemning them for amending it, he is in utter silence. Because that is what he wants. Museveni wants to rule, but also wash his hands. Like he nothing to with it in public, but will be the benefactor of the change of the law.

Nevertheless, the problem is that President Museveni takes Uganda and the citizens for granted. That’s why he could continue this long. National Resistance Movement (NRM) has been created and serving the President. That is the vision President Museveni had and the reason why he went to the bush. At least what his legacy will be, not lies of the 1980s, the fundamental change he promised and never kept. That is why the police are more political, than catching criminals. Its the famines and the struggles of the common men. Compared to the elite. President Museveni knows this for his years and this is his creation, the cronyism.

So the Project abolish 102(b) of the 1995 Constitution has been a long plan for the Presidency and the NRM. President Museveni needs this, especially since his unofficial 7th Term, even if the NRM claims it to be the 5th Term. It took the time between 1996 and 2005 before he was elected. Therefore, he will use sort of tricks to keep himself in power. That is what he has done and will do again. He will and put up a facade.

Now it is up for grabs. The NRM and Museveni will play it out, they will use force and shake society into order. It will not make it right or just. It is just for one man, the law is not supposed to fit one man. It is supposed to be a law that are seen as righteous for all citizens. The Republic is supposed to have rule of law that fits them all and within justification for all. That is not what this sort of amendment that is just for him. He knows this and the people knows this. NRM knows this and they do it for future favors and envelopes. They do it since they are loyal cronies of the one who has appointed them. Therefore, NRM and Museveni don’t have to fear them, but has to pay them for doing the favor.

So the man who has promised more than once, that he will not rule after he turned 75 years. Lied and he will lie again. President Museveni are now using the private bills in favor and therefore guarding the parliament with guns and soldiers, since that is how he got to power and has no plans to leave. Peace.

Reference:

Aine, Kim – ‘Museveni: I Won’t Seek Re-election After 75 Years’ (24.08.2016) link: http://www.chimpreports.com/museveni-i-wont-seek-re-election-after-75-years/

New Vision Reporter – ‘HIV is easy to stop, President Museveni tells Sky News Tv’ (26.10.2005) link: https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1114381/hiv-easy-stop-president-museveni-tells-sky-news-tv

Semakula, John & Masaba, John – ‘Museveni to respect 75 age limit’ (12.05.2012) link: https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1301589/museveni-respect-75-age-limit

IEBC Media Statement on False Whatsapp Conversation Being Spread on Social Media (24.09.2017)

Opinion: IGAD statement on Fresh Presidential Elections in Kenya is disappointing!

I know I have given Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) a lot of flack. Since their lacking work and also proven respect for the government members, instead of being direct and being critical to their work. Again, they have given a second statement on the Presidential Elections in Kenya. This after they commended it after the 8th August 2017 and was ready to give the powers to the incumbent. We will see in this statement where the IGAD stands, it doesn’t stand by the people or the rights of an honest free and fair election. But more keeping the institutions for the institutions sake. They are defending the IEBC, even after the Supreme Court ruling, which is following the law and codes to follow when concerning Electoral Law. This should be respected, but they fear the approach of reform and question the IEBC even further. Its like its a Multi-National Mouthpiece of the Jubilee Party. Look!

IGAD Statement today:

The Fresh Presidential Elections scheduled by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for 26th October 2017, in line with the requirement by the Kenyan constitution that Fresh Presidential Elections be held within 60 days, provide another opportunity for the people of Kenya to show their commitment to their constitution. IGAD has every confidence that the will of the people will again be expressed clearly in the ballot, and that Kenyans will elect their leaders in the constitutionally mandated manner on the 26th October 2017. IGAD is however concerned by statements and actions from some quarters regarding the Fresh Presidential Elections. Statements and actions that undermine the people’s confidence in the ability of the IEBC to manage the fresh elections, as well as unrealistic demands that frustrate IEBC from conducting fresh elections, or indeed calls to boycott the Fresh Presidential Elections, put Kenya on a dangerous path. Whereas, as the Supreme Court determined, IEBC has to make certain critical administrative adjustments and correct certain errors that became evident on the 8th of August 2017. IGAD, based on its prior assessment, is confident that IEBC can execute its constitutional mandate to facilitate the expression by the Kenyan people of their sovereignty. IEBC must thus not be crippled from executing this mandate. Sabotaging IEBC or boycotting the elections will put Kenya in a constitutional crisis and likely on a path to Unconstitutional Change of Government” (…) “IGAD urges all actors in Kenya to reject those who would seek to interfere with the constitutional order by seeking to disrupt or prevent the court-mandated fresh election, thus putting in peril democratic change of government and ushering in a crisis from which unscrupulous actors can seek Undemocratic Change of Government” (IGAD, 2017).

I am disappointed by IGAD. IGAD has again shown their mentality and their reality, that fits the paradigm of the government that they work for and not trying to enforce a better state. They are loyal to their contractors and not loyal to the people. The IGAD proves again, that the state of affairs and loyalty to Kenyatta is more important that actually reform. The IEBC in Kenya needs reforms, it needs to change. The IEBC was ruled against in the Supreme Court, since their manufactured and doctored results could be proven. That they didn’t follow the codes and Electoral Laws. The Supreme Court followed the Constitution and didn’t create a crisis. On the other half, that was created by the IEBC, as they working closely to Jubilee and not validating the ballots and results. That is why the trust between IEBC and the people are at an all-time low. It isn’t the Supreme Court or the Constitution fault, it is the IEBC Secretariat for their decisions to not respect the people’s will.

The IEBC was not sabotaged, it was the IEBC who sabotaged and we’re holding the people hostage with the announced results for the incumbent. The statement proves he could be working in favor of Jubilee, not in favor of just results for Kenyans. Its weird, but not unexpected with the IGAD track-record. Kenyan opposition should and could boycott elections, as long as the IEBC is not reformed, if not is a second possible rigging scenario. Just moths after the other was hold. There been minor changes inside the IEBC Secretariat, but they are not transparent and not giving way for the challenges of possible rigging again. The computer generated Presidential Elections could easily appear in October 26th 2017. It might be a road into uncertainty, and the NASA Coalition knows this. Jubilee knows this too. Its not a clear answer, but the IEBC has to changed, if it will ever get trusted with doing their duty as civil servants. That is not the Supreme Court fault, they are just the messenger.

It would be undemocratic for the IEBC to announce anyone who was rigged into power. That should worry the IGAD, but its not doing so. They are more in-line of the process, instead of thinking of respecting the power of the ballots and announcement of the counted ballots. They are accepting an unconstitutional process, as long as someone is elected. The IGAD is a disappointing organization as they are clearly serving the elites of the nations who are members. Not considering the will of the people, as even them are defending the IEBC. It would be better if they we’re silent instead of releasing this statement today. Peace.

Reference:

IGAD – ‘STATEMENT BY THE IGAD EXECUTIVE SECRETARY ON FRESH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN KENYA’ (24.09.2017) link: https://www.igad.int/executive-secretary/1655-statement-by-the-igad-executive-secretary-on-fresh-presidential-elections-in-kenya