Opinion: No one is financing the Bobi Wine Riots, Mr. President!

Well, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, your claiming the ones going to the street is financed to destroy the economy of the Republic. They don’t need to go to the street for doing so, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the ways your running the country. Your destroying the economy perfectly well, as the OTT Tax isn’t giving the added revenue as expected. Therefore, you should carry your words with a little more worry. Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and his independents are not financing people to go the streets. They are already tired of you and your kind. The Bush-war entitlement. That is why I will show the connection with Gadaffi and how he used to sponsor you with guns and ammunition during the bush-war.

Greetings again. Yesterday while talking about the Security forces and the Bobi Wine group, I made reference to financiers of rioters who hope to damage the economy of Uganda which is, finally, taking off by developing fast” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 24.08.2018).

So, President Museveni might be forgetful, as he is blaming others for what he did himself. People like me doesn’t forget, but he does. Museveni wouldn’t been able to win a prolonged war on his empty stomach and empty words. He needed support, as he claimed to have little connections with others. But there are proof that he got massive support from Muamar Gaddafi.

Idi Amin’s former Minister of Finance, Brig. Moses Ali, along with an economist, Dr. Suleiman Kiggundu, Ugandan Muslim clerics Shiekh Ali Kulumba and Shiekh Obeid Kamulegeya, and a businessman called Habib Hassan Kagimu are the men who introduced Yoweri Museveni, the leader of a news fighting group the National Resistance Army (NRA), to Gaddafi in 1981 and so started the Libyan sponsorship of the NRA guerrillas” (…)”Libya then started air dropping heavy field guns and rocket launchers into the NRA camps in Luwero Triangle in central Uganda in 1982, greatly boosting the NRA guerrillas and making possible their victory in Jan. 1986” (…)”Brig Ali was in jail in Kampala when Gaddafi first visited Uganda led by Museveni in 1987. Ali had to be taken out of jail after Gaddafi asked about his whereabouts” (…)”In the early days of the new NRM government, several officers and men of the new national army, the National Resistance Army (NRA) were sent to Libya for military training” (Dispatch, 2011).

With this in mind, maybe, just maybe, someone like Museveni should be more careful with his words. He remembers back when he got the supplies and the needed boost from Libya to able to gain power. Of late his army wouldn’t been supplied or even have the weapons they carry, if the United States didn’t boast him. Therefore, he should be a little more careful with his words. Musveni are claiming unfound and unproven words.

He is just putting up empty allegations on Bobi Wine and the rioters, the demonstrators and the people who are using their civic duty, as they are tired of Museveni and his tyranny. He should understand that, as his entitled ass, is thinking they all are his pawns. Like all the lackeys in the cabinet and such. Museveni, your rhetoric and use words are only using it words. As you have been putting and name-calling the supporters. Calling pseudo-intellectuals, fascists and terrorists. Therefore, now claiming they are sponsored is just mere spin.

I don’t know what is going through his mind. But someone who has sponsored all his life, who has been a donor-darling and gotten direct state aid to dwindle that all away without much results. Should be careful with his words. Instead, he is blaming the rioters for being paid and planning this to hurt the economy. However, the economy is destroyed by him and his henchmen. They don’t need help to do that. They do that without help of the peasants. Peasants are dwelling in the streets awaiting the next opportunity anyway. Not like the President is opening the door or creating a better state of affairs. He is just eating himself. Peace.

Reference:

Dispatch.co.ug – ‘Uganda’s long complicated relationship with Gaddafi’ (07.04.2011) Link: http://www.dispatch.ug/ugandas-long-complicated-relatioship-with-gaddafi/1745/

Only ignorant smucks are proposing a “Libyan Model” concerning transition of Power!

There are these gentlemen of the world, who are just modeling the world under a paradigm as long as you get rid of dictators and totalitarian leaders. Everything will be fine and dandy, they think killing a leader and suddenly his reign will fall. They think that the idea of going in with military and militias are the solution to cross over to a democratic models. However, this sort of activity is only risky and usually opens up a can of worms, that no-one can predict, as the civil service and the power-vacuum created isn’t filled. While the militias, the weapons and the new war-lords can create new conflict and pro-longed civil wars to get their party to control the new government. Therefore, when people like John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, Mike Pence and Donald J. Trump are saying they want a Libyan model. They are not considering the implications.

They are saying it is fine to support militias to kill a leader, to destroy his political and military party, to destroy the nation building project around that person and try to force someone else through a military solution. That is a proxy war with support and help from allies. This meaning NATO and other bombing from air, while militias are supported with arms and ammunition. That is all to conquer and take down a dictator. Instead of trying to get a peaceful takeover with a transitional period and also dialogue, that takes time and build trust between all stakeholders. They are anticipating that the final nail in the coffin and the killings of a leader is the key moment, that will create a brave new world.

In October 2012, the Human Rights Watch published a report called ‘Death of a Dictator – Bloody Vengeance in Sirte’ which stated: “Video clips filmed by mobile phone cameras at the time of Gaddafi’s capture and posted on social media sites offer visual evidence for at least one such execution. In one video clip showing Gaddafi in the custody of militia fighters at the drainage pipes just moment after his capture, a dazed but alive young man with his right leg in a cast can be seen sitting down on the ground behind Muammar Gaddafi and his captors, appearing virtually unharmed, with his hands raised in a gesture of surrender. As the phone camera pans away from the young man and focuses on Gaddafi and his captors, several short bursts of machine gun fire can be heard in the background. In a second video clip apparently filmed just moments later, a group of men captured from the convoy are filmed on the main road above the culvert with the drainage pipes being brutally beaten by militiamen, and the phone camera then pans down to show the same young man with the cast on his leg lying lifelessly among the bodies of several dead Gaddafi loyalists, with blood still flowing from his wounds. While the actual moment of his killing was not caught on camera, the two video clips taken together strongly suggest that he was shot dead by militia fighters in the moments immediately after his capture, as there do not appear to be any exchanges of gunfire taking place at the time the videos were recorded. A Human Rights Watch inspection of his body the day after the killing found that he had been shot in the chest and the upper right leg” (Human Rights Watch, P: 30-31, 2012).

So, when this is the ending of someone who ruled Libya for decades on end and had total control. When you say you want this model, that must mean you want militias to come in and get rid of his body in a demeaning way. What else can it mean? Because the Libyan model is supporting militias to get rid of Gaddafi, but not having support or plans of succession. Neither what sort of government and legitimate ruler there was supposed to come after. The reports from Libya ever since is chaos and continued fighting, a pro-longed civil war that has lasted for 7 years from 2011 to 2018. That was supported by Western Allies and has ended in countless tragedies.

Therefore, I am amazed when the likes of the Trump Administration proposes a ‘Libyan model’, do they want to promote civil wars and destruction of nations, just so they can have a puppet and they can control the resources? Is that the norm and values of the United States?

Because, it is seemingly as long as there is no peaceful transition and no sort of temporary impasse for all stakeholders within a conflict. There will be more blood shed and less of evolution to a peaceful and legitimate government. It has been changes from dictators without bloodshed, when the dictators has stepped down and gotten ‘untouchable’ and put in exile. While the state could have figure out new maneuvers within a transitional time, so that the parties and stakeholders could get their slice of the newfound peace. Not just figure out ways to eat and control, but actually fill the vacuum left after the fall. But that is all a pipe-dream as the super-powers want to bomb places to oblivion, kill the leader and loot the nations, while leaving the people dry and hoping that the empty pockets and plates doesn’t retaliate towards the puppets installed. It is like we never learn and that our leaders never want to learn. Peace.

President Trump’s insane call to the Governor of Guam!

Governor Eddie Baza Calvo must feel strange and weird after the call from his Commander-In-Chief President Donald Trump. He must be wondering what the hell that is going-on. The White House released this statement expressing their concern for Guam today: “President Donald J. Trump spoke yesterday with Guam Governor Eddie Baza Calvo. President Trump reassured Governor Calvo and our fellow Americans on Guam that United States stand ready to ensure the safety and security of the people of Guam, along with the rest of America” (White House, 12.08.2017).

With that sort of statement you would expect the conservation to a bit different, than how it really was. Since the President who is escalating tensions with North Korea and their dictatorship, the militarized leadership of Pyonyang, who has threaten to attack Guam with long-rage missiles. Clearly, the American territory are under siege. So, let’s just take some of the words from Trump talking to Calvo!

Calvo said this: “Mr. President, as the governor of Guam representing the people of Guam, and as an American citizen, I have never felt more safe or more confident with you at the helm. So with all the criticism going on over there, from a guy that’s being targeted, we need a guy like you. So I am thankful and I’m glad you’re holding the helm sir”.

The governor trying to ease the president and give him confidence, even nearly sounding like supporter, but clearly, he is not ready for what the President will say. Since he cannot imagine, this sort of conversation. Since the President clearly like the admiration and thinks the flattering talk is genuine.

Trump said this: “Well, we’re going to do a great job, don’t worry about a thing. They should have had me eight years ago. I wish. Nobody with my thought process. Because that was the last time, but uh, and frankly you could have said that for the last three presidents. But you’re gonna be taken care of. You’ve become – Eddie, I have to tell you, you’ve become extremely famous. All over the world they’re talking about Guam and they’re talking about you”.

I don’t think Governor Calvo is in public office to become famous or wanting the North Korean tension and possible missiles launched from the Korean Peninsula because the rhetoric of Trump. I am sure that Calvo and the local government wants silence and less threats to their lives. They could clearly lived in peace and calm if it wasn’t for the war-talk of President Trump. North Korea is only answering back to the threats of nuclear warfare and annihilation. Surely, the fame isn’t what is at risk for Calvo, that is that the island he reside and where is family lives will be bombed by foreign forces.

Trump continues to say: “So look, governor, I just want to let you know. We’re with you 1000%. You have nothing – you notice he hasn’t spoken recently. He doesn’t talk so much anymore. And we’ll see how it all works out, but you’re not going to have a problem. You don’t – this is between you and I, but you don’t like to talk. You can’t do that. And you can’t do that with people like us. So I just wanted to pay my respects and say you seem like a helluva guy”.

Trump is weird and insane, talk about if and when President Kim Jong-Un talks and such. It is not all Presidents who hugs the media and is obsessed with their own ego’s like Trump. North Koreans are spreading propaganda fitting their works and objectives with clear strategies, not like Trump who does whatever to gain popularity and create deflection crisis. That he says North Korea wont be a problem, says it all, when the North Koreans can actually hit Guam with their missiles and their technology.

I am sure Calvo couldn’t care less about his own state of fame, more about the worry of the missiles coming his way to, the island where he is governing. Clearly, Trump do not understand that part or have the clarity of the efforts and worries the locals would have for a possible air-strike. As the Local Government of Guam, as published warning material for a possible air attack from North Korea. That is how serious the leadership there takes it. Something, the President doesn’t seem to grasp. Because his unique mind doesn’t understand the worry of the people on Guam.

Guam, should not feel safe by this and by the response the American President had. He is ignorant and also clearly in his own state of mind. That doesn’t fit the paradigm and the possible plans of North Korea. North Koreans has an agenda and a plan, Mr. President is just winging-it and hoping it doesn’t fail him. Peace.

U.S. Representative Cicilline letter to Paul Ryan on “If President Donald Trump won’t take nuclear war off the table, Congress must” (11.08.2017)

Opinion: the World does not need War-games on the Korean Peninsula!

The World never needs war, we have enough unsolved conflicts to handle in Iraq, Libya, Syria, South Sudan, Yemen and so on. These are all going on right now. We don’t need another conflict, when the grand gentleman and the leadership of the world cannot fix the ones that are going-on. With all the innocent dying and killings going daily.

Therefore, the warmongering between President Donald J. Trump and President Kim Jong-Un. The possible warfare will be devastating. Not only for the Korean Peninsula, but for world in general. This will possible put lives in danger in South Korea, Japan and China. Not only American territories in the Pacific and on the Asian continent. United States playing a dangerous game with the tough tone.

North Koreans aren’t the most predictable pack of republics, third generation of dictatorship and militarism out of proportions. They can clearly damage their neighbors as the camps of production and total control of population can muster painful weapons who has force to hit Seoul, Tokyo and other major cities. This should worry anyone!

President Trump seems to just want to show his balls and be the biggest voice, not within reason or within thinking consequence. Since his army is placed THAAD missiles on South Korean soil, they might have a bigger nuclear submarines at ports in South Korea. Therefore, their forces are close by the North Korean borders.

No-one with a clear mind and spirit want to venture into a nuclear war, no one with a clear mind wants to venture into war. Because of the effects of the war and the possible destruction of lives. The possible hurt and devastation of society. This here will not only inflict possible hurt on North Korea, it most likely hit South Korea, Japan and China. Even other states who will be hit by random bombs and missiles sent to hurt either off them. For all we know Philippines could get a burner who was supposed to hit Guam. Bombs and missiles aren’t always hitting their targets.

Therefore, it is time for diplomacy and talk. Not enrich plutonium and uranium, while hoping the sanity of our leaders are there. It is time for slowing the rhetoric and talk. Discuss and maneuver in within measure. The end-game are so dire, so unnecessary and a conflict that will take decades to revive a possible positive outcome. Not like the Iraqi war the American’s ventured in are solved by now and that is decades after the invasion and killing of President Sadam Hussain. The history does not need to happen again, neither a similar destruction of a republic like the death of Muammar Al-Gaddafi and Libya. The same could happen in North Korea, with effects that would be mirrored in South Korea.

That is not a weird vision, that is most likely. It is time for Trump to play more golf, lay-off Twitter and stop his alarming statements. Actually shut-up and let his foreign officials work on peaceful means. The North Korean leadership will gain leverage and reason for their testing of more sophisticated equipment. Something the world doesn’t need! Peace.

Opinion: EU Envoy Schmidt are an speaking like an NRM apologist similar to Ofwono Opondo over Besigye’s 2016 Election defiance!

I feel sorry for European Union Envoy Kristian Schmidt who are now sounding like a National Resistance Movement (NRM) apologist, instead of an independent spirit and understanding of the short-falls of the NRM Regime. He seems to been misunderstanding what happen during the General Election 2016. Surely, he wants the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Dr. Kizza Besigye, to say it just water under bridge and let it go. Since the Supreme Court followed the orders of the 31 Years and counting President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. First introduce some of the beautiful words of Ofwono Opondo, before the Kristian Schmidt’s foolish interview with Daily Monitor, before enlightening fellow European of his ignorance or forgetting the blatant impunity towards Besigye and FDC in and around the General Election 2016. Since he has forgotten while drinking Nile Brew in the Embassy and going on Safaries with his dignitaries. Surely, Schmidt must feel good about himself!

““In this election, Besigye gained 1.5 million votes compared to two million votes he got in 2011 while Museveni’s gain was a paltry 500,000. To the NRM strategists, this is the most shocking, indeed worrying trend, and having located the cause as being our messaging, strategy, campaign style, internal laxity, occasioned fraud and widespread bickering. We shall not blame anybody else except ourselves. Actually, to be frank, we were almost swept away by our collective failure to robustly respond to the Opposition demagoguery on issues of youth unemployment, despair among the urban population, poor and yet expensive public service delivery and bad public relations, especially to distribution of soft campaign cash that often got stolen along the way among other issues. This, to the Besigye camp, should give hope that with better strategic organisation, not only falsehoods, they can in the future topple NRM through the ballot instead of being bad losers” (…) ““The claims of rigging, especially at the last minute through alleged intimidation of candidates’ agents, ballot stuffing, falsification or alteration of results on tally and declaration sheets and at announcements are perturbing and incredibly unbelievable. These could pass as truth if the peddlers could at least adduce some verifiable evidence from eyewitnesses and documents in their possession that differ from those of the EC, which ought to be available from the multiple sources, including the media that observed these elections” (Opondo, 2016).

So when a NRM spokesperson and Uganda Media Centre director had to come in defense of his master. In the aftermath and with the current illegitimate government. Who has no problems in misusing the government funds and had no problem rigging the election in their favor. As the FDC had massive scores of leaders behind bars, had people with Declarations Forms from Polling Stations at Gun-Point, had their Headquarter barricaded and sealed off, Besigye was under house-arrest and the story goes on. Not an adventure, but a true theft a nation. Still Schmidt says this to the FDC and former Presidential Candidate:

He added: “That is of course an issue that is dividing but I think it would have been good to come together and discuss. It has not happened and election reforms seem to be not going forward.” (…) The law of Uganda is what it is: the conditions of petitions are what they are, and for a petition to be successful you have to do a lot of homework. Under your Constitution I believe you have little time, 10 days. I know one of the recommendations of the Supreme Court is to extend that time which I believe makes sense.” (…) “ He said “I think if Dr Besigye was convinced before elections that he would not be happy with the outcomes and the process, he should have been the one to petition. He should have prepared for that but he decided before that he was not going to and under the rule of law.” (Musisi, 2017).

EU Envoy to Uganda Kristian Schmidt, I know you visited him while on undetermined house-arrest. Since the Police Force had been stationed in Kasangati, Wakiso for so long days before the election and until May 2016. When he was able to escape and have his own swearing-in ceremony, before air-lifted to Moroto, where the state charged him with Treason charges. Which he still carries today, he is an arch-criminal and seen as an enemy of the state. Than after all of this, you talk about rule of law, justice and courts. Like Dr. Kizza Besigye haven’t had his time in court, haven’t been detained on more occasions than ordinary thief, even more than average murderers in the Republic.

So, the FDC was unable to counter with a petition, Amama Mbabazi was the only one able to fill in a form or petition. Because FDC has done so after General Election 2011. So it is like the EU Envoy for Uganda Schmidt is not in concern anymore of all the breaches that happen to Besigye. Like the whole House-Arrest period, the whole part of the general assault on the rule of law considering the elections and polls. The self sufficient pre-ticket ballots and Badru Kiggundu’s own special math-class. The statistics and the vicious attempt of forging the whole election in favor of President Museveni.

It like he wants the one on Treason Charges since May 2016, since the coup d’etat in February 20th 2016, when the Electoral Commission announced the result. That as the whole NRM and state organization was behind the whole ordeal. Even the European Election Observation Mission and the Commonwealth Election Observation Mission was explaining the massive flaws of the General Election. Still, the EU Envoy want Besigye just to let it go.

Let’s take his first reasoning, since it is shows his true passion, the Danish dignitary: “Now if this was in any other democracy, like in some European countries, it would be unacceptable that the Opposition party does not then recognise the winner of the elections” (Musisi, 2017). If this was an election in Europe, all of these ploys of the NRM wouldn’t have happen. Not normally, that the army is used to intimidate, that local leaders are paid-off with new cars, that ballot are pre-ticket ballots and all powers to be to silence the FDC. Together with the obvious rigging and mismatch of acts in favor of Museveni. If this would not have happen in a European elections and EU Envoy to Uganda knows this. That why it is remarkable that he says about Besigye.

Besigye knows better and the Ugandan people knows so. They are not fools, even if Schmidt is sounding like Ofwono Opondo and has taken lectures from Andrew Mwenda. He surely has hanged in the same bars in Kampala as these two. To sound so blatant ignorant and so forgetful. Peace.

Reference:

Opondo, Ofwono – ‘The media shouldn’t parrot Opposition false claims’ (28.03.2016) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/Media-parrot-Opposition-false-claims/-/689364/3135890/-/2m2g7v/-/index.html

Musisi, Fredric – ‘Besigye refusal to recognise government not helpful – EU envoy’ (09.07.2017) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Besigye-refusal-recognise-government-not-helpful-EU-envoy/688334-4006606-er8gyr/index.html

Opinion: Indifference from the public is a gift to the Political Sphere!

news-media-standards

We live in a day and age where the content of information is accessible at any time of the day on all kind of formats. It isn’t only pamphlets, posters, newspapers and books. But there are blogs like this; it is digital videos, cable-TV, social-media and all the other ways of gaining information with or without membership pay-walls for the content. In that world of constant ability to gain this, it can either feed the hunger for knowledge or become tiring for the people as the constant newsflashes and breaking news can make your mind boggle and wonder what is really important.  Therefore before I continue let see a main definitions of Indifference!

Definitions of the Word:

“lack of interest in or concern about something: an indifferent attitude or feeling” (…)” 1:  the quality, state, or fact of being indifferent

2a archaic :  lack of difference or distinction between two or more things b :  absence of compulsion to or toward one thing or another” (Meriam Webster Dictionary).

As I tried to explain brief in this time and day, we’re all access to information and ability to download reports, getting brief headlines and watching reports on TV or tablets the clarity of what is important can sometimes not sink in. As we check the normal suspects for the commentary or the capability to get news and become reasonable updated on the matters at hand. Though there are stories lost and we can’t know what happens at every corner of the world, than we are stuck between all screens and behind every tweet dropped every hour of the day. We’ll live in a forever groundhog day and wish that we had comic talent of Bill Murray instead of trying to get up to date with current news.

tabloid-6

The fear is with the level of information, the different formats and the ability of entertainment and tabloid news. The simplistic and breaking is taking over for the hardcore policy discussions as the direct terror threats and artists dismissals seems more important than the issues of trading and health care policies. The indifference towards the reasons behind the migrations and the reasons for the crisis in Syria for instance are lost in the battle against terror. The devastating idea for why Tunisia, Libya and other states who was has been under fire since the Arab spring have been lost in tales of Clinton and British death, instead of the iconic and important support to build state institutions for the citizens. In countries that before this we’re built around grand dictators like Ben Ali and Gaddafi. Therefore the indifference to the solutions and the real deal behind the fragile state is worrying.

The worrying indifference to the abysmal understanding of the financial structure of Greece and Italy, as the banks of Italy are in limbo; while the state sales and economic liberation while drowning a debt-burden Greece in more greasy debt as they trying to cope with the level of migrations. We should ask ourselves if the European Union forgot counting people or building swimming-pools for the new rich investor elites that got ability to buy state-resources and key installations like Piraeus port harbor for few cents on the dollar. Therefore the indifference for the swallowing the pride and the reactions this might have for the Greek state.

Kagame Kabila Nkurunziza

The indifference for rigging elections and supporting peacekeeping armies on the African continent, while the UN Peacekeepers in C.A.R. are using their power to rape and destroy, not only generate peace, as the UN Mission in Western Sahara is more a luxurious club for diplomates than generating mediation and justice for the people under siege from Morocco. But the world is silent. That the DRC are planning to exile more opposition or even detain them before the General Election for a third term for President Kabila and nobody flick their eyes. While the opposition is under siege in Rwanda, but President Kagame is hailed for the economic recovery as the totalitarian leader are oppressive and using forces in the Kivu’s to still steal resources from the Congo. The world doesn’t care or tries to forget. While the Burundi are still in crisis as the third term of President Nkurunziza is bloody, friends and foes of the President vanish and assassinated, while the Inclusive Dialogue by EAC and AU under former Tanzanian President Mpaka are at a standstill. So the state of affairs is far from beautiful. The indifference to matters is staggering as the knowledge of these actions shouldn’t be forgotten.

I wonder if I feel alone on it, like so many didn’t notice the skirmishes and the recent battles from the militias in Beni, in Democratic Republic of Congo. If it was just the Congolese diaspora who wore the yellow color clothes on Sunday’s to remember the dead and spread awareness of the continuing warfare in the region. As the world have forgotten the violence and want to be rest assure that the cobalt and other resources need in the smartphones are exported to factories far away.

The ignorance and indifference are so big as the cable-news and grand media-houses focus on the click-bait and easy journalism instead of digging deep and having questions to the matters. Only following the money, the money always says how the ethical principles a man or woman has; as a person will only spend money on the things and people that they care about. That is a forgotten one, at one point of time with the PanamaPapers, the big media-houses followed it, but when the leaks when silent the interest dwindled as quickly as the importance of Blackburn in British football, which division are they now in?

niger-militants_BH

We can question if the world really want to care, as the violence, the single handily gun-men going on shooting spree and the endless bloodshed is sad to read about and would make your hard. The continuation of news on the freedom fighters or guerrilla of Niger Delta Avengers would be less interesting as long as they’re a giant force in Boko Haram that are steadily doing abductions, kidnaps and killings in Cameroon and Nigeria.

We can’t be able to be refreshed and know about all issues worldwide, but at least not care more about Pokemon Go, Donald Trump’s latest racist tweet or a Stephen Colbert skit. They might a moment of joy and laugh, but with the possible knowledge of destruction, lose forces and able information, we as people shouldn’t let this just go on without questioning the powers to be.

Because as long as the public is kept in the shadow and not knowing, the people will not be able to see what the government or civil society is doing. That gives leeway to do whatever. So with this in mind the people should be interested and question, wonder and check the resources and ability to gain information on the matters. Either if it by Youtube, library or on the newsstand; the government have it easier with ignorant public sphere and indifference to matters both domestic and international, as they don’t have to take a stand and change policy as long as the people doesn’t act upon the issue. Therefore the knowledge and questioning the businesses, government and NGO’s happens when the citizen’s acts upon what we know. Indifference is only earning the government and the ones that already are in power, the danger for them is if we already knows and can anticipate their moves. Because if so, then they can’t away with thieving, lying and deceit of public will. Indifference of this gives way and is a gift to political sphere. Peace.

Reference:

Meriam Webster – ‘Indifference’ link: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indifference

In remembrance of Dr. Andrew Kayira and the possible plot of the NRA to assassinate him on the 6th of March 1987

Andrew Kayira

Today it has been 29 years since the assassination of Dr. Andrew Kayira, the former rebel and government minister at his time. He even had an alliance with the NRA then military rebel-group of President Museveni and at one point even helped with his rebel-group attacking central barracks and taking weapons from the governmental forces of the then Obote II government. At one point he even had an alliance with Col. Gaddafi of Libiya who sent weapons from Burundi through Rwanda to both NRA and the UFM rebel groups to regain more support in Sub-Saharan Africa. This here is telling a story of why he possibly was killed, by who and some insights into the reports. Also the way the newly NRM tried to shut-up media who covered it after the coup d’état in 1986 when they controlled the media and wouldn’t release the information in 1988 when articles came out for the first time about the assassination of Dr. Kayira. Here take a look!

Report from 1983:

“the Ugandan Freedom Movement (UFM) led by Andrew Kayira, a minster in the short-lived Lule government which succeeded Amin, and member of the opposition Democratic Party’s militant, unconstitutional wing” (…)”Kampala is now relatively quiet and secure, and the UFM leader Andrew Kayira is reported to have left the country” (Crisp, 1983).

Treason Charge on the 8th March 1987:

“Former Energy Minister Andrew Kayira was killed by gunmen, some of whom were wearing army uniforms. He was acquitted two weeks ago of charges of treason. Journalist Henry Gombya said the men, armed with knives and guns, came to his house Friday night. Kayira had been living there since his release. Gombya said he hid in the bush and his wife and three children locked themselves in a bathroom. Kayira tried to hide in a bedroom but was found and shot in the head, arms and thighs, the journal ist said. Kayira, who was named energy minister last year, was arrested five months ago with 25 other prominent people. They allegedly were involved in a conspiracy to overthrow the government of President Yoweri Museveni” (Orlando Sentinel, 1987).

NRA M7

Museveni ordered it:

“It is believed that he ordered the assassination of Kayiira. Kayiira was killed in March 1987, and his movement began to fall apart soon thereafter. As director of military intelligence, Kagame would have supervised  the assassination plan; certainly, say Ugandan, it could not have occurred without his imprimatur also” (De Hoyes, 1997).

What was the Pre-Text for the assassination of Dr. Kayira:

“Despite Kayira’s integration into the NRA and his subsequent appointment as Minister, it seems the NRA Government mistrusted him, resulting in his eventual arrest in October 1986. He was accused of treason for allegedly plotting to overthrow the Government of President Museveni, though he was acquitted and released by court on February 24, 1987. On 9 March 1987, Kayira was assassinated by unknown gunmen. After his death, his followers disintegrated. Some went into exile, others were integrated into NRA, while others deserted” (Refugee Law Project, 2014).

What the Scotland Yard Report says happen:

“On 6th March, 1987, at about llp.m. Dr Kayira and his friend, Mr, Henry Gombya, a B.B.C stringer, were having dinner with Gombya’s wife Victoria Naava ,24 , and three other girls Josephine Babirye, 19, Julian Nabwire, 14, and Annet Namatovu, 23, when about 10 armed men stormed the compound and attacked the persons present” (Scotland Yard).

Andrew Kayira P2

Witness report from Scotland Yard:

“According to Gombya, whilst the attackers were shouting at the occupants and kicking the door/ he in panic split Shs40 million which he had in his bedroom into two halves and threw Shs20 million into the banana plantation from the balcony leading from his room and left the remaining money in the bed for the suspects to steal. He then jumped from the balcony/ a height of 12 feet and ran down the driveway and on the second attempt managed to climb over the gate. He then hid in a banana plantation” (…)“Whilst this was happening the attackers were shouting to Dr Kayiira to open his bedroom door, which he did at the same time asking them what they wanted. Witnesses’ state that when Gombya escaped and was running towards the gates he was seen by one of the gunmen who raised the alarm and was told not to pursue him as the “UFM man” was in the house. This would suggest that the gunmen knew that Dr Kayiira was staying at the house” (…)”Police were eventually notified at Kabalagala Police Post some two miles away and arrived shortly after 7:30am. A photographer and scenes of Crime Officer arrived soon afterwards. Scenes of Crime examination was always going to be difficult as prior to police arrival villagers and other persons from the surrounding areas had descended onto the premises and went inside the house to satisfy their curiosity, and pay their respects” (Scotland Yard).

Aftermath:

“Investigations by the Kampala C.I.D under the direction of Simon Mugamba (Director of C.I.D) and Senior superintendent Fideiis Ongom (Officer in charge) commenced and quickly established that Gombya had requested from Mr Henry Kateregga, a Kampala businessman Shs40 million very urgently” (…)”As a result of their investigations the police were contacted by a man named Emmanuel Sebbunza, 17, who informed police that he had been involved with the people responsible for the killing of Dr Kayiira and although not at scene at the time of the offence, he assisted them in its preparation” (…)”He further stated that he had been paid money for both his assistance and to keep quiet about who took part. He states that the motive was robbery as the persons involved in the offence knew that Dr Kayiira was at the house and further that a large amount of money was in the house. He states however that it was believed that Dr Kayiira had the money. Mr Sebbunza further stated that arrangements for the offence were made at the shop of Muzeyi & Sons, Kampala, belonging to Mr John Katabazi, 28” (Scotland Yard).

NRA marching to Kampala 1986

Museveni action after the takeover of power:

“On Thursday 26th March 1987, at the request of President Museveni-the Ugandan President I (Detective Chief superintendent Thompson) attached to the serious crimes Branch New Scotland Yard, together with Detective Inspector Sanderson, scenes of crime officer attached to the Metropolitan Police Laboratory travelled to Uganda to assist the investigating officers because of the strong suggestions that the murder of Dr Kayiira was a ‘political’ one” (Scotland Yard).

Gomboya Statement:

“The majority of the attackers were dressed in NRA uniforms while others were dressed locally. Suspicion immediately fell on NRA soldiers when on the Saturday morning as hundreds of people were flocking my house to view the body of Kayiira which was still lying in a pool of blood in his bedroom” (…)”I told commander Kazoora that in my view, those who had killed Kayiira were likely to have been government enemies. I further told him, “If these people now return and shoot me dead, the government would find it quite difficult to prove it was not behind my death.” (…)”Mr Ssemogerere expressed surprise that “anyone would suggest that I was involved in the killing of your friend”. As he put it, on that day when Dr Kayiira was killed Mr Ssemogerere was the only Cabinet minister who came to my house and saw Dr Kayiira’s body lying in a pool of blood” (…)”The arguments went on almost the whole night until I finally made up my mind that the safest way for me would be the airport. I reached this decision for mainly one fact, Earlier in the day I had contacted my BBC colleague in Nairobi Mike Wooldridge whom I told about my fears concerning my safety. I told Mike that I had received information from the Uganda CID that I would be arrested as a murder suspect” (…)”He found this difficult to believe until I told him I had been to Mr Ssemogerere’s house to brief him about this new development. It was then that Mike volunteered to call Dr Besigye and find out from him whether I would really be arrested” (…)”The answer he got from Dr Besigye was; I want to assure the BBC and Henry that we have no intention of arresting him nor have we even suggested he be suspected In any way in this killing”. Dr. Besigye further told Mike Wooldridge that I was free to go anywhere but added “He may be needed to give evidence” (…)”Mr Wooldridge replied that since Dr Besigye had assured me I was not wanted he did not see any reason why I should not rest. Mike agreed with me that it would look like as if I was running away if I did not use the airport. Since in my heart I knew I was quite an innocent man who had just lost a great friend I did not see why I should try to leave the country as a criminal. My decision took everybody present by surprise!” (…)”But soon after my first interview the Uganda Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Ibrahim Mukiibi called the British High Commissioner in Kampala Mr Derek March to protest at what he called “the way your deputy helped a Ugandan journalist Henry Gombya to escape from Kampala”.Mr Mukiibi further told the British High Commissioner that I was “wanted” back in Uganda in “connection” with the killing of Dr Kayiira” (…)”The Investigating team also received evidence from some NRA soldiers from the 19th Battalion in Lubiri barracks which points to involvement of top NRA leadership and its lieutenants in the murder. According to these soldiers/ the murder of Dr Kayiira was planned days before his release. When the Directors of public prosecution (DPP) and CID jointly told government that there was no evidence to incriminate Dr Kayiira and several of co-accused in the alleged plot of treason this brief was received with a lot of reservations” (Scotland Yard).

M7 Makerere 1986

One Conclusion:

“There was also no evidence that Dr Kayiira put up any resistance. In addition, Gombya who was the owner of the money and other property in the house was not the prime target as he was ignored by the attackers when escaping. On the strength of the evidence the motive of the attackers was very clear: they wanted to kill Dr Andrew Kayiira. This gives credence to the 2nd hypothesis” (Scotland Yard).

Analyzed report:

“Despite President Museveni’s friendship with Dr Kayiira there had been recent mistrust of him by the President as a result of which Dr Kayiira was arrested in October 1986 for alleged;y ploting against the government, and subsequently releases by the court on February 24, 1987, due to lack of evidence” (…)”The release of Dr Kayiira surprised somee people and the subsequent murder of Kayiira led to strong rumours that his death was politically motivated and had been caused by the government’s hand” (…)”It was because of the above facts and the political overtones that the subsequent murder of Dr Kayiira was quickly seized on by various factions to suggest that his death was not only politically motivated, but might even have been carried out by President Museveni’s soldiers on the President’s orders. This charge is emphatically denied by the President” (Scotland Yard).

Fall Guy:

“It seems a British police report has been doctored to make it seem like I am a suspect or somehow involved,” said Mr Gombya, who fled Uganda after the killing and now lives in Farnborough, Hampshire. “Who carried out the shooting? I don’t know. Who ordered it? I believe it was President Museveni, and I’m not afraid to say it … I’m the fall guy.” (…)”There was speculation [at the time] about whether it was a politically motivated murder or a criminal attack,” said Peter Penfold yesterday. He was a diplomat at the British high commission in 1987. “I suppose both scenarios were plausible.” (Lewis, 2007).

Arrests after Article 1988 Uganda Front Page of ReportArrests after Article 1988 Uganda

I hope that gave some insights to the matter and that the truth will hopefully come out one day and that the men behind the killing of this man will get their punishment has he died for political reasons. This here is just one of many, still important as there been many killings and many assassinations under the NRM-Regime and their NRA. This one is significant as this was a way of getting rid of opposition forces and solidifies the regime after the civil war. Peace.  

Reference:

Crisp, Jeff – ‘National Security, Human Rights and Population Displacements in Uganda with special reference to events in Luwero District, Jan – Sept. 1983’ (October 1983) – British Refugee Council

De Hoyes, Linda – ‘Why London supports Rwanda’s confessed mass killer Paul Kagame’ (05.12.1997) – EIR News Service

Lewis, Paul – ‘I’m the fall guy for Ugandan murder, says ex-BBC man’ (20.01.2007) link: http://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/jan/20/bbc.uganda

Refugee Law Project – ‘COMPENDIUM OF CONFLICTS IN UGANDA – Findings of the National Reconciliation and Transitional Justice Audit’ (2014) – Makerere University

Orlando Sentinel – ‘Treason Charge: Former Energy Minister Andrew Kayira was…’ (08.03.1987) link: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1987-03-08/news/0110340050_1_treason-overthrow-the-government-arms-and-thighs

Scotland Yard – ‘SCOTLAND YARD REPORT THE MURDER OF DR ANDREW LUTAAKOME KAYIIRA: DEMOCRATIC PARTY VERSION’

Mzee issues statement on the recent election; let me discuss certain exemptions; because it is not worth read the whole statement from the President; at the same time take the statement from the Statehouse on the 25th February; as they both are worth to counter!

1986 Joke

I will hear go through the basic statements, I will not offer the President of Uganda, his excellency the whole article as he in my opinion doesn’t deserve it as his police is harassing innocent opposition people and people visiting opposition people. Therefore as that happens this here will be an exercise of questioning the quotes I feel matters from his recently released article, but we know that President Museveni loves himself. That is easily showed through the article that I now has questioned. Take alook!

His vision of what he has done since 1986:

“Since 1986 we have successfully defended the revolution against a whole spectrum of counter-revolutionaries and terrorists, many sponsored by external forces.  We, therefore, as in the resistance wars, used bullets to successfully defend the Revolution” (Museveni, 2016).

Well, Mr. President, but it is okay that you were supported during the bush-war of Colonel Gaddafi of Libya during the 1980s, but hey! You needed the support and blessing from them and that is the difference, right? The same has been with the continuation after gaining power having and getting support from United States for his armies to fight the wars. That they don’t want to engage in, but that is okay, right? Since you talking about bullets, is that the same you use against the people who demonstrates and dies as they oppose your reign or have they not understood your revolution that you seem to own?

Ongongonja road 28.10.2015

Direct Service Delivery:

“Even then, that should not have been the vote we should have got given the work NRM has done, especially in the area of infrastructure (roads, electricity, schools, health centres, piped water, etc.) and also in the area of peace and security.  We should have got 80% in my opinion” (Museveni, 1986).

Well, Mr President, the issues of governance while following the magical works of the NRM, there can nearly in any district show that the money is not going where it supposed to, the roads are not built or in a sub-standard way, except for the ones that are built by direct investments or donor aid from foreign powers. The schools are depleting, the UMEME is half of the time on, the other half on, always a district where the electricity is gone. I could go on, but a bit boring Mr. President, right? You have given a peace and security, but to what price when you go against everybody who is not you ally. The country has national security, but the public is not safe as the people who are opposition can be detained for just existing and you address the people of Kampala rats as they votes opposition is not validating your own people. Your opinion that you deserve 80% is something you to have talk about with Eng. Dr. Badru Kiggundu and he might can alter the results they was on the 18th February; as he has already assured you 60% and with the strength of the opponent you keep under house-arrest. You should think about the rigging strategy and might splash out more money under the next pre-election period, maybe even earlier than a month before the polls.

Gen Tukumunde Entebbe Dec 2015 - Money Man for NRM

His own leaders under him:

“The other mistake is the selfishness and dishonesty of some of the NRM leaders.  When money is sent to do political work, these leaders steal it.  The money that was sent to help the Village Committees to buy stationery was stolen by some leaders.  The masses come to know about it and they, really, get annoyed.  Those who stole that money must refund it or be arrested.  It is not only the dishonesty; but there is the attitude of only undertaking missions for money” (Museveni, 2016).

Well, Mr. President you have set the premise when you let people eat grant-money and secure funding projects never existing, while eating the money. As long as you have splashed money to loyal subjects who creates ghost schools and teachers than you have made the dinner and dessert, but only the subject that got the money got to eat; not the public in the constituency or county in question. The thing is that you should give back all the money you have been embezzling before the cronies does, as the nations has higher debt now than ever because of the monetary policies you have made in recent years. So that your loyal cadre steals money on your watch and does not get punished, is a token of your leadership and your values, as you know than they can be bought and shut-up for a lollipop while you take a ride in your expensive car to your extravagant farm.

Uganda Parliament Museveni

Leadership culture in the Parliament:

“This spirit was undermined by the ego-centric MPs that were misusing their presence in Parliament and the vague Constitution of 1995 on the issue of remuneration for Public Servants to award themselves huge salaries.  This selfishness and short- sightedness transformed the MP job from being a mission – oriented job to being a rewarding job for the individuals involved” (Museveni, 2016).

Well, Mr. President, these MPs are often the men you have handpicked during the selections in inner-party circle, you’re the primary leader and de-facto chief of them. You see the premise of how the parliament is conducted as even general in the army said publicly that they fear you. You have made them selfish, as you are selfish and the centre of attention, as nothing gets put forward unless you have stamped. That has been told by many sources Mr. President. You have yourself together with loyal cadres offered cars, higher salaries, higher nominations fees for MPs and that they need to earn back, secondly: there been steady reports under Ninth Parliament that the MPs got paid to vote “Yes” or for a law that was in favour of your stance and for that they got millions of shillings each. That is the vision you give them and how your cadre and loyalty model feed the MPs and Parliament. So you have made this leadership structure and the way the usage of Parliament is. So you have been rewarding them for this behaviour and wanted them to act this way.

NTV 20.02.2016

What NRM always do:

“We were able to give a knock-out on the first round to the opposition, as we always do, because of, mainly, four factors: promoting unity among the people; peace; electricity; and the new tarmac roads in areas that had never seen much development” (Museveni, 2016).

Well, Mr. President if your rigging the votes calling it a knock-out, or the police and military continue to presocute and arrest fellow opposition while calling out for unity is a little wrong. If you really wanted peace and unity you would not arrest and detain Amama Mbabazi and Dr. Kizza Besigye. You would not get a helicopter to throw tear-gas into the FDC headquarter in Najjankumbi, but that is just me Mr. President. If you really won a knock-out, wouldn’t the streets been filled with people in similar ways the Kampala went blue on 5th November 2015. As your hired Crime Preventers at Kololo was stuck in town after your rally the day before, I am sure you’re neglecting or trying to forget that fact.

Museveni in Kayunga 08.02.2016

Last remarks:

“The NRM Secretariat must be very active in sensitizing our masses” (…)”We have the capacity to resolve the residual problems, one by one.  That is why the opposition in Uganda is an endangered species” (Museveni, 2016).

Well, Mr. President have called them rats, now the opposition is endangered species, this kind of talk proves the values that the President owns up to. It is a dangerous ways that the NRM secretariat should be active to clear the opposition behaviour and thinking by sensitizing it, as well as the problems shall be resolved one-by-one as the opposition will be destroyed as it is an “endangered species”. He must see how this rhetoric and words complied with the security outfits arrests, detaining, house-arrests and violence towards them does not clear the masses or the population, but instead make him and his party look like a militarized politician who incarcerate the citizens and makes them subjects who follows his orders, instead of making up their own minds, as the police continuously attacks the oppositions.

As you see, I got bored by the fact of the article that President Museveni is discussing the victory, but not telling the reality of the victory or how he got the crowds to all those rallies as he paid so much money and spent so much funds to ferrying crowds. As he struggled many places to get them to come! As eye-witnesses said there we’re people in the area they had never seen before, something he did certainly not to write about. We all know why because that notion hurts his pride and honour, especially also his beloved National Resistance Movement aka the Movement.

Uganda EC Wall

Now that I have discussed his article, let me just briefly look at some aspects of the rant the State House of Uganda dropped on social media on the 25th February:

“A lot of (Opposition leaning) ‘Facebookers’ are alleging that the ‪#‎NRM rigged the election. That is all ‪#‎NOISE or even ‪#‎TANTRUMS.

* Why don’t you get and/or provide evidence and go to courts of law?”(State House Uganda, 2016).

Well, you writer of the State House, you have missed one important aspect, how can the opposition create any evidence or any indication on the rigging into a fully-fledged paper or petitions, when your army and police arrests, detains, house-arrests and beat the opposition aides, officials and leaders. It is not easy to send petitions in to Court when your operations are being sieged by the security outfits. That is direct orders from the State House and the incumbent President! I am sure the State House would struggle to do proper work if the locals in Entebbe would siege the buildings and have guns around the gates, telling who to come in or go out. But that is just me!

Transmission of Results Omoro

Let me continue as the rants of the State House continues apparently:

“If the elections have been rigged, let’s hear from the winning Opposition candidates (MPs, Mayors, Councillors) to that effect – otherwise their behaviour smacks of double standards. Did they win through rigging?

* Losing NRM candidates (including 24 Ministers) have exhibitied political maturity by conceding unlike losing Opposition candidates and supporters who shout ‘rigging’.

* It is the Opposition who have been rigging knowing that the NRM still has widespread support in the country.

* Talk or comment in your individual capacity – don’t assume that your opinion is that of all Ugandans or readers” (State House Uganda, 2016).

Well, State House writer certain winning MPs from the Opposition has come with the claimes Francis Mwijukye, Ibrahim Ssemujje Nganda, Nathan Nandala-Mafabi and the list goes on. So the State House has a deaf ear or only reading into things as they see fit. It is not double standards; it is just that they don’t have faith in a system where the majority of winner seemingly fits the NRM-Regime, while the reality on the ground has not been likely for that. But the State House is directly paid by the President, so surely your loyalty lay to him and not with the people. The NRM candidates are surely been spoon-feed and secured their position in the hierarchy of loyal cadre, certain NRM losing MPs has been violent used police forces to attack the courts like in Lira, or the men in Gulu who went all out to change the results. There is also the stories of Kasese and other areas where the NRM losing MPs has not showed maturity, as we also saw the maturity of the NRM when the Independent NRM candidates lost the NRM Primaries, but that is just me right?

The opposition would not have issues keeping Declaration Results Forms if they we’re rigging the elections as the Police are putting FDC officials at gun-point and putting the Headquarters of the party under siege, if they was rigging the elections, there would also most likely been more FDC or opposition party MPs. The actions of security agents and outfits proves that they have not done so, if so it would be foolish as the NRM and the Police are close connected in the works of rigging this election to the benefit of the man who secures the salaries of the writer from the State House. That means your blind loyalty is proven in this text and your rant is not better or worse than the opposition on social media. The difference is that the opposition get behind bars while you drink tea in safety.

I know that my comments is far from what everybody’s view in Uganda, as I am a man who has no problem to counter everybody. At this moment I doubt I do so. If I did that, then the Mr. President hadn’t needed to write this article defending his “knock-out win” or the State House writing their rant! As much as your view is not the ones everybody in Uganda stand by either, while you complain of the rants online, you did the same; to defend the State House and the master of the House; President Museveni. Your defence of the matter and the election is weak tea and giving a bitter after taste. We all have seen the party partisan ideas and acts of the police have become and is now used as a tools for the President. This is something the writer of the State House of Uganda certainly knows by now!

Well, Mr. President, I did not like the rhetoric of your article and the way you described that people would not understand certain aspects that is disrespectful of your own people.

Ugandan Election 2016 Grieving

Let me show one phrase:  

“I talk of moneylessness, rather than poverty.  This is because the poverty statistics are not easily understood by the public“ (Musveni, 2016).

Well, Mr. President, thank you for disrespecting the ones who so-called gave you a knock-out victory as they can’t understand statistics, if that is so, haven’t you had 30 years to teach them that, if that a lost cause since they live in poverty or are money-less while your government supposedly collecting more revenue, but while the numbers are higher so is also the issuing of money and the amount of money is connected to value of the currency over the 30 years, the 100 shillings used in 1980s cannot buy as much today as it could back then, right? So the steady inflation and deteriorating of monetary policy has surely not made the economic climate better, as much as the education who cannot be understood by the general public; your wrote that yourself Mr. President, not me. That says enough for that you have neglected certain parts of the education and the levels of understanding of own society as they cannot be trusted with statistics while you in your own article live on dropping number of collected tax. As you do not show the value of the shilling or the rates that gives real indication of the revenue made by this. But that would not be good for your result or argument, right, Mr. President?

I know you won’t read what I have written, I doubt any of your cronies, but surely somebody will catch a whiff of it. As they can question your words and behaviour as they should. Peace.

Power eats our big-men – The reason for why we need Presidential Term limits

stock-footage--s-newsreel-story-roosevelt-wins-third-term

There is for some strange reason a big discussion on the matter. Since some countries have them, some don’t. It is not like every constitution should be written the same with the same accords. In my homeland for instance there is no limit on how long the Prime Minister can sit in power, but that that depends if the people of my country get tired of the PM or the party affiliated with the PM. In bigger countries like the US there is a limit of two terms and only once a President who has broken that rule, was during Second World War and that was Franklin D. Roosevelt. Who had three terms and is the only one well known.

I am sure that Greece would have seemed happy with more often change of leadership. So if they hadn’t sunk that deep with loans and debt. Then it wouldn’t matter how long a regime is in power, if it essentially good, but if it’s not. Then it would be healthy with changes, so that the government recharge and fix the issues of old.  That is for check and balance, also to stop cogging the machine with nepotism and local graft from local councils and smaller government entities.

Now that Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Burundi is following Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Uganda. They have big-men who have been sitting for ages and continue to break a certain switch of leaders. Burundi has just been through a farce of a election that brought their President Pierre Nkurunziza to his third term. Paul Kagame in Rwanda is thinking the same. Paul Biya the President of Cameroon has ruled since 1982 and is still sitting comfortable. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has been the president of Equatorial Guinea has been in charge since 1979. Omar Al-Bashir in President of Sudan has been the chief since 1993. Robert Mugabe is the President of Zimbabawe is the big-men of the country since 1987. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the President of Uganda has been the head honcho since 1986.

Have in mind Ben Ali in Tunisia, Hosni Mubarak in Egypt and Muammar Gadaffi in Libya. All of them had a hard fall during the Arab Spring. So during a short period of time these long times serving rulers was ousted by the public or militias in their countries. And those people mentioned that has been sitting since 1979 to now should have them in mind. They could be next.

Its reasons like this big-men why countries and constitutions, law and rule of laws should fix the longevity for the leaders of the countries. Even if some countries has benefited from leaders sitting long. There have been many who show other tales. That their starting and dealing with matters. Making sure that the countries are progressing, but the issue with all men, power can eat you and when it’s at your grasp you don’t want to leave it. The power corrupt and make sure your family eats and friends to. An leave the matters and supposed people your supposed to serve. That makes the basic issue of leaders who becomes the proof of states where there is “taxation without representation”. They goes from being heroes and big-men with legacy into Machiavellian and Orwellian monsters that swallows the governments, states and organizations. That evaporates and follows the pinpoints from the leaders, but not actual procedures or democratic values. Transparency does matters, checks and balance of information from the regimes dies down especially if it pokes at the government. Ethics of codes of conduct matters for the ruling party, but for the opposition is otherwise since they will be thrown into shackles and dungeons for standing up against the regimes.

There is a reason why media has to be strong against this leaders and big-men. Why term limits is a good thing? It’s because power corrupt and eat men. When you first get a spoon of the sweets they want the champagne and cocktails in the statehouses. While many of the big-men don’t strengthen the basic institutions and ministries of the countries they are in charge of. Instead they put more money into the security and armies, but not too strong because then they are worried that their general’s would make a coup d’etat, especially since some of them took power by the gun themselves. So they usually promise grand changes and grace periods where the institutions left soiling by former leaders. While they does certain things and necessary by them, if so only what needed and supported through aid or donor money they might do something more with this.

While these leaders also often toiled with multilateral organization that put strains on the economic freedoms and loans that funds the countries. The forced moves of liberate institutions instead of strengthen the powers of the nations. Free market thinking that has weakened the economies then making them stronger. So that they import more then they export. Produce simple raw material or farm products and import finished sophisticated products that give the budgets negatives for the countries and also a reason why the countries end up with loaning more money from the multilateral organization. Because of this the big-men make shady deals with international donor countries and producers that lead to more corruption. Their zealous and loyalist under-leaders get cuts and that happens as long as they follow the party lines. The sellers from abroad couldn’t care less because usually they get overpaid for the product and there wasn’t a fair process of the sale. So if there is a transparent overlook of the sale and ordering of the products to the country it wouldn’t have gotten a green light.

This thing grows and grows until it hit either the moon or the sun. The terms are what people looking at. Then you could have discussed and talked more directly about the countries that don’t have it. There isn’t like universal rules to how the constitutions should be and what countries should have in it. There is other ways around that countries has to follow the international agreements, resolutions, charters and convents they have to follow and make amendments to their existing laws. But that is whole other matter. The term limit question is more about the ethical place and trust in the big-men that is either elected or taken power on their own. And if you have issues with leaders taking power on their own, there is a slim chance of them actually caring about rule of law. Instead even if they say something they will turn against close to date of the final period of terms. Just like Yoweri Museveni did in Uganda, Pierre Nkurunziza did in Burundi, Paul Kagame in Rwanda and Joseph Kabila in Democratic Republic in Congo (DRC). They all did a turn-around in limited time right before the end of the official second term. So they could fix the laws and get an official third term.

We the people and the citizens care about our big-men and nations, about the institutions that are made to be around us and supposed to support us. As we want good leaders that actually lead and make changes, and structures to secure their people. Instead when their reign for so long that their stealing of wealth, lands and positions for loyalist can be vial and hurting the country, instead of reaching and making the place better. This could be less of a viable possibility if there were structures and codes into place that pushed leaders to leave behind a legacy and go off in grace instead of sitting into the man with a scythe coming and taking their souls to eternal rest.

If society fears that leaders will lead into nepotism, graft, corruption and other evils of long term stand still of leaders and philosophy. The journey that the political climate needs is sufficient tools to stand in rainy days and in glorious ones. Also proper training to lead the next generations into a secure place and leave a foundation that can bring something positive for the people and the nations as whole.

And it isn’t pure and true leadership if they aren’t coping with the ability of leaving the power. They know that and we the people know this. When that happens we see the issues translate into situations that nobody really wants to see. Like the failed Coup d’etat in Burundi in 2015 and the violence that has surged since. Then the failings of the ‘Walk to Work’ protest after the 2011 elections in Uganda. That only led to few fallen activists for the cause, but lead to now initial change. Also the reactions in the DRC after lawfully allowing it’s president a third term, this made people react and the #Telema uprising happened as a aftermath. This because the leaders don’t accept their reach and doesn’t step down in time, instead tries to sit until the chair is breaking. And in due time they will fall out of the chair, it’s just about how they will land and which legacy they want to leave behind.

I am Sure Honorable Mister Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe could have been a real gentleman and been in the league of freedom fighters who fought a just cause against oppression of a foreign power. He could have been seen as that if he stepped down in proper time and given security to the country. Instead he has let the economy run loose, people fleeing the country, rigging elections, letting special army and police trained by North Koreans go into villages before elections and spread fear amongst the citizens. If he had stopped before turning into a villain, he could have been seen as hero. Something that would been worthy actually of how he fought with the comrades against a far-away rulers to secure peaceful nationhood to Zimbabwe together with Joshua Nkomo. Today he will not only be remembered only for the Lancaster House Agreement! But for all of the other madness that has happen after.

The same will happen with these other leaders who might have done great things. And they have made a difference. They have made some kind of changes and progress in their countries. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda has made progress in Uganda. Even by sitting very-very long in the chair of power. After uncertainties of the 80s he has with the Movement system made the land peaceful and that has made gains in the aspect of food productions. Even with help of neighbors and the U.S. sent LRA on the run to C.A.R. where he is trying to get them again. Though with lingering into power it’s now taking a toll on the budgets, inflation levels, value of the currency and the enormous level of spending to local councils since there is new district every 5 years or so.

I could go on about every leader I have mentioned and what has happen because of their steadiness of power. How that effects and what that has led to in the countries that their leading, still. Similarities are still that the countries don’t earn much on having the same leaders reigning for many terms. Because the countries getting sucked into the system and patrons of the big-man instead of build functioning institutions and ministries to really developing the countries.

And let this be clear, I don’t want the systems of the West unto these countries that is not what I am implying. The simple thing I am pounding on is how it will be healthy for a nation to have leaders and their big-men for too long. I doubt if it is healthy. The same with MPS and Ministers, they all will eat too much and become fat, instead of serving the people. The same happens with the grand big-man; therefore the change of leadership is an essential feature to society and government.

Therefore what I am initially implying is that no matter what kind of society the human soul and body will be eaten by the power. That’s simple reason is that this is a universal issue, the location and countries could be a mayor in my town for the matter or the leader of European Union, the secondly it could be a president in South America or Asia. This is a phenomenon that is everywhere if the big-man has the possibility. Let me take a few more honorable mentions:

  • Alexander Lukashenko has been the president of Belarus since 1994.
  • Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov has been the president of Turkmenistan since 1985.
  • Nursultan Nazarbayev has been the president of Kazahstan since 1989.
  • Issas Afweki has been been the president of Eritrea since 1991.
  • Emomali Rahmon has been the president of Tajikistan since 1992.
  • Hun Sen has been the president of Cambodia since 1985.

So thanks for reading. Hope it was worth it and that this wasn’t as long as the tenure of certain big-men. Peace.

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