Opinion: Mugumya arrested as a ADF in 2014, but released in 2022 as a M23…

“What happened in Beni?

I found officers from Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence who interrogated me about the Allied Democratic Forces. One of the most painful things I witnessed is someone die out of suffocation and unfortunately I leaned against his dead body for the entire night.

How did you know they were CMI operatives? Were they clad in uniform?

They had army uniform and they introduced themselves to me as such. On the first day, they were two. They asked if I had links with ADF then shortly after said I was coming to link up with the People’s Redemption Army. I told them I was just running away from your brutal regime. On the second day, another set of three CMI operatives came. I remained in Beni for three weeks before I was called for a joint interrogation between Congolese authorities and CMI. They debated if to bring us back to Uganda or hold us in Congo” (Ivan Okuda – ‘I was arrested while fleeing to exile, says Mugumya, 19.12.2015, Black – Journalist, Cursive – Mugumya, Daily Monitor).

You know when are story is too good to be true, it’s most likely not true. The story of Sam Mugumya will be one for the ages. The sudden way he was kidnapped, taken-away in October in 2014 and later found out to be in custody in Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo in November 2014. He also spent time in a prison in Kisangani as well. Before he was transferred from there to Kinshasa and Ndolo Military Prison, where he spent most of the time behind bars until his released on the 21^st October 2022.

Mugumya spent 8 years in custody. As he was arrested for involvement in the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF-NALU). As he was supposed rebel with a fictitious name: “Katembo Mukiga William”. There was also additional factors put into play like he was having either “cargo” or “bags of monies”. Which have never been proven or evidence for the public to see. Therefore, a lot of hearsay and never any real given fact.

Now 8 years later in the documents released as his free. They are now claiming he was involved or participated in the Mouvement du Mars 23 (M23). That is in contrast to the reported connection to the ADF-NALU, which was rumoured for years.

Mugumya himself said he was arrested, as he was fleeing to exile himself. The Dr. Kizza Besigye aide was trying to get to freedom, but instead was sent to the slammer abroad. The Observer reported this back in 2014: “The army spokesman, Lt Col Ankunda, said then that Mugumya had been found in possession of dollars and was suspected to be involved in subversive activities” (Edris Kiggundu – ‘Where is FDC’s Sam Mugumya?’ 11.11.2014, The Observer).

There are so many words, but nothing definite. What is likely is that the authorities apprehended him within Uganda and kidnapped him. Because, no one knew where he was and he suddenly disappeared. Later to be find in custody in Beni (DRC) which means the authorities of Uganda did help him cross and get detained there. It happened in such a manner, that he never returned and was a suspected rebel or a militia member.

That’s why you know these stories don’t add up. It is total fabrication and an injustice served Sam Mugumya’s way. He has been a victim of his activism and association with Besigye. If he hadn’t been a part of Reform Agenda and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). He wouldn’t be here. The authorities targeted him, because the likes of him was the future. We are seeing that happening today with associates of the National Unity Platform (NUP) who are kidnapped and disappearing for the public sphere. Therefore, Mugumya is just a representation of the oppression the government of Uganda is doing. While they where able to use the Courts and Prisons to silence Mugumya for years.

It is a long time to be paying the price for doing the right thing. Mugumya has paid a huge price and it has cost. Back in the day he was ADF and now his M23. You just know the whole thing is made up. That’s the gist of it.

What is tragic is that Mugumya spent 8 years behind bars and only because of political affiliation. He was a target and a means to an end. That’s why he was kidnapped and never returned to Uganda. Mugumya lingered in jail because of who he was affiliated with. That was all the authorities needed and Military Court could find excuses to keep him behind bars too. It took years before he went to trail and now that his released. The story has changed again.

I wonder where the “cargo” and where the “dollars” went. If they even existed. Secondly, the UPDF spokesman Paddy Ankunda better have his story straight now. Especially, if his asked about this. It’s all a unique situation and this sort of thing has to be tested.

This is injustice and Sam Mugumya has been scarred, he has been tested and worse, he paid a price of losing eight valuable years. He lost so much time in detention, instead of being free and a voice of reason. His now free, but his story needs to be told. As it is a story on how the authorities targets dissidents. Peace.

Sam Mugumya is finally released after 8 years in Ndolo Military Prison…

“The Commander of the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) North Kivu Region, Brig Gen Muhindo Akili Mundos has confirmed that forces under his Command arrested Former FDC Leader, Dr Kiiza Besigye’s Political Assistant Mr Sam Mugumya on 21st October 2014. This was during a Joint News conference with his Ugandan Counterpart, UPDF 2nd Division Commander Brig Peter Elwelu following a Security meeting in Kasindi Town of DRC on Tuesday 12th November 2014. Brig Mundos said Mugumya was arrested alongside 02 other Ugandans and 02 Congolese after the entered the country through an illegal entry point near Ishasha boarder. He added that Mugumya was using false names “Katembo Mukiga William” but on interrogation he was proved be Sam Mugumya. He said they suspect he could be involved in dangerous activities likely to hurt the current cordial relationship between Uganda and DRC and as a result he was transferred from his headquarters in Beni, to the capital Kinshasa for further investigations” (UPDF – FARDC confirms Sam Mugumya’s Arrest, 14.11.2014).

Today on the 21^st October 2022, it is confirmed that Sam Mugumya is released from Ndolo Military Prison in Kinshasa. Mugumya has now spent 8 years behind bars or a total of 96 months in prison in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mugumya has gone through a lot. The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) pushed for his release and also being moved to Uganda. However, the authorities in Uganda didn’t want him to return. That why we know his been a political prisoner in the DRC.

He was arrested because of his political affiliation and that he was associated with Dr. Kizza Besigye. That was the reason for his imprisonment. It wasn’t because of his supposed connections to militias or anything. This was the excuses and arguments, which the authorities used to keep him in prison. He was a political prisoner and have paid a huge price for doing so.

Mugumya has suffered in prison. No one can say it has been easy. The man has been torn and could have gotten a broken spirit. Instead he has soldiered on and awaited freedom. He has stood tall in the midst of adversity and shown his strength.

Okello-Oryem did state in fact in 2016 that there was no chance of a fair trail or extradition. That was how this score was settled and Mugumya just had to pay the price. He was a victim of the association and the allies he had chosen. That’s why he was taken into custody and moved to a prison in Kinshasa. All because he was affiliated with Besigye. This was all the authorities needed and they let him suffer for 8 years.

It is good to see the picture of Sam Mugumya holding a note “Free At Last”. Also another picture on the outside of prison. He shouldn’t have been a felon in the first place. He has suffered, paid the cost and should be paid by the state for the injustice. However, we know there will be no consequences to the ones who detained him or held him captive. Mugumya was a victim of circumstance and political activism. That’s all it took.

The price for standing tall and being brave cost him 8 years. 8 years in a miliary prison in Kinshasa. Mugumya deserve not only a heroes welcome, but to be honoured for his bravery. He could have given in and been gone by now. However, he soldiered on and knew deep down it would end. Nevertheless, it shouldn’t have been this hard.

The authorities of DRC failed him and so did the authorities in Kampala. If he had been one of “them“… they would have sent a military attaché and picked him up somehow. However, he was a target and the NRM was happy, that he was out of sight and out of mind. Peace.

Uganda: Keneth Kaliba letter to National Unity Platform (NUP) – Request to Hold a charity concert in Fort Portal city to collect Funds worth 265 Million to save lives of Two NRM city councillors (19.10.2022)

RDC: Panzi Foundation – Statement by Dr. Mukwege on the Day of International Criminal Justice (17.07.2022)

National Resistance Movement (NRM): The 4th Central Executive Commitee of the National Resistance Movement at its 10th Meeting (08.07.2022)

Opinion: The Legend of Sipapa [and 10 years of unknown wealth]

“Police say they are hunting for city socialite Charles Olim commonly known as Sipapa. Sipapa has been trending on social media, with many accusing him and his entourage of flouting traffic rules and hitting other motorists’ cars while others claim he is untouchable” (NBS Television, 14.03.2022).

“There are several people working in the NRM, why is it only me being given money? And there is no problem even if I am funded. My mother was a rich lady, Wherever she might have passed, you never know I might be the president’s son and you just don’t know. Why are people so concerned to know our private matters? – Sipapa” (Josh Ruby – ‘What if I’m the president’s son? – Sipapa’ 14.03.2022).

Nobody knows where his from or how he got here. Some calls the man a tycoon, other a music promoter and others a socialite. His birth name is Charles Olim alias Sipapa. Who has a dozens of fancy cars and motorcycles. Said to flash money and visible for the elites of Kampala.

When Canary Mugume, the NBS Television journalist calls him “untouchable” you know something is up. This is just the newly minted edition of Brian White. The money, the cars and the privilege.

““They say my money is for Tax Payers, but which tax payer can pay 800 Million, this car is 800 Mllion but i hear people shouting at me, I even never went to school…”– Sipapa brags” (Khina Murah – ‘Sipapa mocks People Power Supporters with Brand New Mercedes Benz Worth 800M’ 09.12.2020, CelebPatrol.com).

Sipapa is nothing special. His tales will not go down in history or become a folk tale. His just another of the typical men who burns the candle at both ends. That’s why his ending up in car crashes, driving vehicles without license plate and proving himself as a big man in front of the People Power supporters and on the premises of Fred Nyanzi in Kamwokya in Kampala in 2020. So, it is not like these days are the first of controversy.

His the sort of fella who has often gotten into trouble, because of how reckless he drives and his mountain of arrogance. That’s why he can call himself a “son” of the President and a son of a rich “blesser”. We don’t know if his just a boy-toy or a flamboyant business-man. He just suddenly had wealth and was in the public eye.

““If you want me to apologize for calling you a broke thug. I will do it. But you have to prove your wealth to me by gifting KAYZ with a brand new VITZ. Hand it over to him with all its logbooks and everything in his names.” pastor Mondo asked” (Joyce Mollan – ‘Pastor Mondo Dares Sipapa to Buy Lord Kayz a Vitz to Prove his Wealth’ 04.10.2020, TimesUg.com).

We don’t know if this man is a knock-off Balaam or is a fraudster. He can be whatever he claims to be or just another short-term expenditure for some hot-shot in the NRM party. Since he has violated people with his car in the past, but never been punished for it. Therefore, the investigations into it by the Kampala Metropolitan Police has gone nowhere and it’s not shocking at all.

He surely had drama like in 2018, when he was caught in between his own artist and lover Zani Brown. As Sipapa was also sharing relations Brown Shuga, as this was reported by entertainment media at the time. So, this man is a mess no matter where he goes.

Sipapa has flaunted his wealth online since at least 2018. This is four years of controversy, but he has made a name of himself since 2012, which Kampala Sun reports like this:

“Upon arrival in Kampala, Sipapa established his base in Makindye and for a while worked as a music promoter. He at one time hired top musicians, including Bobi Wine. In 2012, Sipapa engaged some ‘noisy’ media personalities, who thrust him in the faces of the unsuspecting public. Whether money exchanged hands in this engagement will not be debated here, but the lithe-bodied man got the fame he craved for. Media personalities were often with him in hangouts, were part of his money throwing parties, and word was that he gave some cars and expensive gadgets. To the public, he still remained a mystery” (Paul Waiswa – ‘Sipapa: Young, rich and dangerous?’ 11.11.2021, The Kampala Sun).

So, yes, he is busy with music and opting in friendly relations with his female artists. That is recorded and published. The rest of the story of the socialite and his supposed wealth is a myth. Just like his story and whatever he did. Yes, he came to Kampala from Tororo and made a name for himself.

However, if this will last or not … that is something we cannot know. His useful for someone right now. If hadn’t or had a use… he would linger in jail and wouldn’t be that confident. We all saw how hard Brian White fell and Sipapa can easily be the next. Especially, when his that flamboyant and when his no longer useful …. he will dropped quickly.

Right now for some reason he might have some suction or sort of connection with high ranking officials. Since he feels untouchable. Nevertheless, Sipapa will follow Balaam, Brian White, Abdullah Kitatta or Ashburg Katto.

One minute, your a hot commodity and the next second a used condom. Peace.

Opinion: The Rebel born out of War is set to create Peace [according to IGAD]

“The executive secretary of IGAD requested the President to intervene and help IGAD find a long-lasting solution to conflicts in some of its member states and he agreed to do so, they asked the President to intervene and help resolve the conflicts because of his experience in leadership and conflict resolution but he said he can’t do it as singlehandedly, he needs to engage other leaders in the region” – Mr Faruk Kirunda, the deputy presidential press secretary of IGAD (01.01.2022) – (Stephen Otage & Paul Adude – ‘Museveni to mediate Sudan, Ethiopia conflict’ 02.02.2022, Daily Monitor).

This is actual disbelief. Not that this idea is anything new. They used President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni in the Inter-Burundian Dialogue, which was a travesty of a diplomatic mission and also used his tricks in the 2018 in South Sudan. Therefore, some might say his the right guy, but I beg to differ.

This man has sent soldiers all across the board. This President has used warfare to help his causes. To install puppets and his head of state’s elsewhere. Museveni have used violence, warfare and fierce conflicts to get on top. It is not like Museveni came with peace and peace endured. No, he prolonged warfare in Northern Uganda for years… and he could have silenced the guns earlier.

Museveni has spoken with double tongue so many times. If it was in relations to the genocide in Rwanda and getting Kagame into office in Kigali. The manner of which he took down Mobutu Sese Seko in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Neither will we need to discuss how he used militias and military operations to bring down Laurent Kabila in the DRC. There is also speculations in his involvement in South Sudan founding father Joseph Garang.

That’s why I have hard time believing in a man that couldn’t even honour the Nairobi Peace Accord of 17^th December 1985. It was just the next month and a momentum, which brought him into power. Therefore, he celebrated NRM at 36^th Year Celebration on the 26^th January 2022 in honour of the takeover and coup d’etat on the 26^th January 1986.

So, that man… who used military means and conflict to rise to the top. Is the man that the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) trusts to mediate and help solving conflicts in Sudan and Ethiopia. This man is the wrong one and the most insincere one.

Since, during the mediation in South Sudan in 2018. He sent snipers and was the arms-dealer of the state. While trading arms to them not only during an arms embargo, but holding talks at the State House with various of fractions within the conflict there. That is the sort of fella Museveni and that shouldn’t be forgotten.

Museveni supports para-military groups and insurgencies, when it benefits him and his allies. He has done it countless of times in the DRC and it will not stop. That is the sort of President he is. So, I have a hard time to believe him to be neither neutral or seeking peace. He will find ways to make the current leaders free and ensure the big-men in their respective strongholds. Just like he supported President Salva Kiir Mayardit in South Sudan and only held a few meeting at the State House with other parties.

Therefore, having Museveni to play parley and peace is the wrong person to do so. The President hasn’t been sincere and a known liar. So, this man shouldn’t be trusted and his objectivity is usually questionable at best.

The IGAD should seek more qualified and less questionable leader to mediate in conflicts, as this man will not solve anything. Alas, he will only prolong the agony and find ways to benefit from the things happening himself. That’s the sort of man he is and Museveni shouldn’t be anywhere close to the stakeholders in Sudan or mediate in the conflict in Ethiopia.

If Museveni was supposed to do so, I would expect him to gracefully get visit from Transitional Sovereign Council at the State House of Entebbe and bash in their glory. While accepting all stipulations and ideals of army commanders of Khartoum. As Museveni wouldn’t challenge or seek talks from Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) or any of the other civilian Resistance Committee’s, which is on the streets demonstrating for a civilian elected government. Therefore, it would be half-assed and a lie. Where the President and his Vice would get play, but the others wouldn’t even be touched…

If he would be like this in concern to Sudan. How do you think he would be, in consideration with the stakeholders and the parties of the conflict in Ethiopia? Secondly, who believes the Prime Minister Abiy will even talk or negotiate with Tigray/Oromo leadership, which he has fallen out from. Therefore, Museveni … will not be the guy or the mediator the world needs.

Museveni will not solve or resolve things. No, he will only make a splash, hold hands and sing Kum Ba Yah around the tent-fire. However, don’t expect him to single-handedly make a difference. No, he will just find ways to profit from the situation himself. That is what he does… and that’s the sinister truth in all of this. Peace.

Opinion: Mao is only looking like a fool on Twitter

The Democratic Party President since 2010, Norbert Mao have had a twitter tirade with netizen and general citizens on the platform. If he thinks his presence and his way of acting has built his foundation, esteem or people believing in him more by doing this. Well, his dead wrong and his capacity as a DP Party President isn’t proven better.

Mao has humiliated himself as a Presidential Candidate. However, he was in Parliament from 1996 until 2006 when he resigned from the position to become the Chairman of Gulu District. So, the former Gulu Municipality MP have been unsuccessful running the party.

The DP and the DP Block of 2021 only proves that. The Democratic Party doesn’t look like a strong party. The oldest party of the Republic should have a stronger standing. However, the DP Party President can act like everything is well. But anyone with a little common sense knows the DP party isn’t well built. If it was so… the cracks wouldn’t be up in the open.

Mao who himself wasn’t on the ticket in 2016 and gave way to Mbabazi. The man who only gained about 57,700 votes in 2021 and he even did it better in 2011 when he got about 148,000 votes. So, the man who has called other people out for losing. He has a gotten less relevant over time.

Mao only has a voice and is relevant because his on NBS Frontline as a panellist. He can trigger people and talk of exposing them. However, that doesn’t make him look the wiser. Especially, when he doesn’t unleash the intelligence or the supposed toxic documents of the persons his targeting.

The man who has been able to run the DP party for a decade should have more finesse or proof of leadership. Nevertheless, that is hard to come by. When he seen MPs leaving his party and others rather associating themselves with Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the National Unity Platform (NUP).

If the DP Party President was so great he would have something to show for it. Neither does he has the Presidential Elections to show for it. In 2011 the DP got 12 MPs and in 2016 he got 15 MPs. While after the 2021 elections even with the massive amount new districts and possibilities for MPs, the DP party only got 9 MPs in the 11^th Parliament. Therefore, just like with the Presidential Elections, the DP President got worse results and if you look at percentages of MPs it would be even more shattering. Since, the numbers of MPs has risen over the years and the DP should have gotten more and not less. However, he haven’t built it well or taken the party further.

The way things looks, the gig on NBS Frontline is more important than building the party. He needs the space to stay relevant. As well, as writing pieces in the Kampala based newspapers to look legit. While the DP Party President will bash and use his flamboyant ways online. It is not making him look the wiser. Because, the activity and the party isn’t strengthen by it. Instead, his getting questioned if his still is fit to rule as the man of the party. That should worry him.

Since, he has had the time in office and the results …. is abysmal. There is no sign of progress or development of the party. Instead, his a political landscape, which he don’t influence much, if any… and that must hurt the former Makerere Guild President. At some point of time, Mao looked promising and so was his future. He aligned himself with leaders and activists, which today is in prominent positions. People who matters and has relevant positions themselves. Some of them was part of DP for a while before leaving for greener pastures.

Mao doesn’t look smart or bright here. Just like his trying to fish to be relevant. However, that is not the outcome of acts like this. Yes, it only matter for the short cycle of 48 hours and maybe even less. As social media moves on and a new brother writes like crazy. Nevertheless, a leader of party should be better and act with some sense. That is clearly something we cannot ask or expect from Mao.

His just rolling the way he likes and think this is a winning formula. He can carry his own weight and he just needs to understand the perception he creates with it. That’s why he cannot manage to change the way people will view him from this.

So, he better step up at NBS Frontline and boost his own ego. Because, talking like a big-man is clearly not working. Maybe, it boost his fragile ego, but does Mao need more? I don’t think so. Peace.

Sam Mugumya have been behind bars for over 7 years in Ndolo Military Prision without any trial…

This story is a tragic one and it’s never ending. One man is behind bars without charges, indictment or court trial. This being Sam Mugumya, Dr. Kizza Besigye aide and opposition activist who was travelling to Rukungiri on the 16^th October 2014 to take care of his family affairs, as his brother had died and he needed to take care of his frail mother. He was also planning to get connected with the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party members in the district.

We don’t know what happened since then, but we do know he resurfaced suddenly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and been arrested there with other civilians too.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public that the Uganda Ambassador to the DRC met the Administrator General of the National Intelligence Agency of the DRC who confirmed that 5 individuals of Ugandan origin were arrested in Eastern DRC on October 21st 2014. The arrested individuals have since then been transferred to Ndolo Military Prison in the outskirts of Kinshasa. On 4th December 2014 Amb. Kinobe was allowed to visit the Prisoners and confirmed the following individuals:

1. Sam Mugumya, aged 35 years, son of Tukahirwa stanley, who called himself “Mukiga William” at the time of arrest.

2. Mugisha Steven 35 years, son of Tibanyeba John of Buyanja, Rukungiri

3. KamukamaAggrey, 30 years, son of Kagurusi Eliab of Buyanja, Rukungiri

4. Kamugisha Joseph 28 years, son of Mugisha Justus of Buyanja, Rukungiri and

5. Bright Nathan 20 years, son of Kwesiga John of Buyanja, Rukungiri” (Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Press Release, 10.12.2014).

Besigye in the beginning of it all, believed the state would use these kidnapping and arrests in the DRC as a shield and means to claim the opposition was starting ‘rebel’ activity. In a manner of which could be used to hurt Besigye’s future political campaign ahead of the General Elections in 2016. Besigye have had such charges against him and his brother too. So, it wasn’t without any reasoning that Besigye spoke about this in November 2014. A month after the arrest.

The party his been affiliated with has with time paid for and serviced a Congolese Lawyer for the case of Mugumya without any luck. That was done in 2016. We know that the Government of Uganda will not repatriate or secure his home-coming either. While his stuck in prison all these years.

Oryem-Okello said this back in 2016: “Government says Mugumya was engaged in subversive activities and was arrested with dollars and sensitive documents State Minister for Foreign Affairs Henry Oryem Okello told parliament this afternoon that due to lack of an extradition treaty between Uganda and DR Congo, the Congo government has declined to send him back” (Uganda Radio Network – ‘Sam Mugumya Will Not Be Extradited- Govt’ 01.12.2016).

In May 2021 he was able release a poem called ‘We refuse to be victims’ which goes like this:

To bear defeat’s humiliating standard.

Pitiable, helpless, crushed and confused.

That is victimhood’s pathetic face

It soots our effulgent souls

Comrades, pity not us prisoners.

Treat us not as victims

We are proud resolute recusants.

Soldiering on with a smile.

Never pious before the devil.

Pity and contemn the despot.

Our chains condemn his conscience.

Injustice jails the jailer’s humanity.

Drench him in your tears.

Hearken marley’s revolutionary voice bellowing.

Of the despot he said

Pity those with thinning chances.

They have nowhere to hide

The despot is the victim .

The slave of his power.

Branded by debauchery’s hot iron.

Before we become his victims ,

Freedom’s matyrs we shall be.

Shed not sorrowful tears comrades.

Please shed tears of joy.

On victory’s tide we sail .

To a future of freedom.

I just got to say. This man deserves justice. His been served injustice for years and punished by association. Because, he dared to associate and be part of Besigye’s campaigns. He was one of the trusted individuals within the FDC. That’s why he have been serving time and somehow the Ugandan government made an agreement with the Congolese government to keep him in prison.

They have not let him out and neither has Ugandan authorities accepted him back. They will not extradite him back and that is very clear. MPs tried to do this in 2020 and 2021. However, there is no extradite agreement between the DRC and Uganda. Therefore, there is now will to engage or secure this. That is just common knowledge.

It have not mattered that Mugumya have suffered with COVID-19 and other issues as a prisoner. This political prosecution is never ending it seems. The proofs of the allegations haven’t happened and his kept as a civilian in a military prisoner indefinitely it seems.

We know with certainty that the government doesn’t care or concerned. Because Oryem-Okello stated the same facts in 2020 and wouldn’t have him on trial or had a chance of extraditing him. With the same response as before, no agreement so nothing to offer. The diplomats of the Republic in Kinshasa isn’t bothered about it either it seems. Since, his there to this day and they haven’t lifted a finger. This is why his still a jail-bird and no proof of the alleged incriminating behaviour of which he was arrested in 2014.

We are now in November 2021 and his still in Ndolo Military Prison. Mugumya is still behind bars and nothing is done about it.

We need to shed a light on it, because if not… everything goes dark and men like this doesn’t get justice. They don’t get liberty or the freedom they should have. This is injustice and his a political prisoner. His a prisoner of conscience. That is it and it’s pathetic of the Republic to not do anything about it. Try to ensure and secure his passage. Make arrangements with the Congolese and even let him have a fair trial or courtship with his case. Because at this point, his not even proven guilty. His just a commoner behind bars for no apparent reason. A man who went missing in Uganda and suddenly was in custody in another republic. Peace.

Opinion: The ADF have returned and Museveni dared them to do so in 2013…

“ADF terrorists are still in Congo. However, if they dare cross the border, they know what happened to them last time in 2006. Over 100 of them entered Semliki valley, only 13 went back to Congo” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on NRM Day 2013 (New Vision, 31.01.2013).

When you have been in office for decades certain promises gets lost in time. Mr. Yoweri have promised everything possible to man and as a head of state he pledged more than most. The old man with the hat, Mzee and his security agencies aren’t as profound or as great as he claims. Because, they usually tends to assault, torture and harass unarmed civilians. They are not used to stop terrorists or trained armed personnel.

Now, what is striking is that ADF have continued to exist in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Where they have held bases and trained militia members. They have killed civilians and served atrocities. It is not like they we’re totally out or destroyed. Yes, some of the leaders have been arrested and others too. There been reports of FARDC ambushes of camps and getting rid of parts of the ADF-NALU militia. However, they have still been able to recruit and gain enough support to be kept alive. Therefore, the statement of Museveni was dead at a still-birth.

So… in 2021 the ADF-NALU followed the old challenge of His Excellency and they have returned with a vengeance.

In 2021:

“Last Saturday, a home-made bomb exploded in a northerly Kampala suburb, Kawempe, killing a 20-year-old waitress and injuring scores. Police described the attack as an “act of domestic terrorism” which, under Uganda’s Anti-Terrorism Act, enacted in 2012 and revised in 2017, means any of 10 crimes committed to influence government or intimidate the public” (Tabu Butagira – ‘Inside ADF terror threat over Uganda, neighbours’ 26.10.2021, Daily Monitor).

“KAMPALA, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) — Uganda on Tuesday said the recent bombing in the central part of the country was planted by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group holed up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in a statement issued by the State House said the bomb that went off on a bus traveling to western Uganda was planted by the ADF” (Xinhua – ‘Ugandan president says bus bombing plotted by ADF’ 26.10.2021).

“ At a press conference on Tuesday, Uganda police spokesman Fred Enanga said that the commander of the Alliance of Democratic Forces (ADF) Mohammad Nkalubo coordinated the bombings. Enanga also said that the police caught three men who were involved in organizing the attacks. “So far, we have managed to arrest three collaborators who received money from ADF sources and distributed it among the recipients, their operatives and agents in the country.” (…) “Great Lakes security analyst Dismas Nkunda said it shouldn’t be surprising if the ADF reports are correct, given that the group is based in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The group has been operating in the DRC for the past 20 years after being ousted from Uganda. Authorities say the group is expanding to other countries in the region. Nkunda says the explosions could show new aggression from the ADF. “This will be a new chapter in understanding what the conflict in Uganda will be like if it is a terrorist organization seeking to inflict maximum harm.”” (Nation World – ‘Uganda Police Blame ADF Rebel Group for Capital Explosions’ 26.10.2021).

We are seeing here two incidents where the ADF are claimed to be involved in terrorist attacks. One in Kawempe, Kampala and the other on a bus travelling to Western Uganda. This is worrying, as the state has several of outfits who deals with intelligence gathering. These are the ones that is monitoring people and following leads. Giving it to the authorities and saving lives. Alas, the authorities clearly haven’t followed ADF-NALU to the fullest.

Since they have been able to pass through the cracks and explode on civilians. These acts of terrorism is showing a need for a reform and a need to structure the authorities differently. They are reactionary and not passing the baton, in a manner, in which they could apprehend suspects or even intelligence of their actions at a early stage. That can be said, as the state isn’t alert or have the capacity to follow or monitor the ones who are deemed as “sleeper cells” or “terrorists”. This is why they can succeed in their missions. Which is tragic and innocent lives are taken because of it.

The ADF-NALU have dared to return and they done with massive harm. They are taking lives and causing horror. Families are ripped apart and others are endangered. The ADF-NALU is showing their might and force to the general public. As their sole mission in the past was to overthrow Museveni. However, we doubt that is the means to this end right now.

They are now signing to the “high above” that they are still there and should be recognized. The ADF-NALU is proving their existence and that they are coming to terrorize as well. They followed his dare and has returned. The outcome is horrible and people lives are taken in the midst of it. It is tragic, but shows what mismanagement and hubris does to man. Museveni could have fixed this, but he let other people suffer the blow in the DRC. Now, the same ghosts of the past has returned to haunt him still. Peace.