Forum for Democratic Change (FDC): FDC Independence Message (09.10.2022)

Today, Uganda makes 60 years since the transfer of power from white colonialists to black colonialists.

In these 60 years of flag “independence”, our country has not witnessed a peaceful transfer of power from one government to another.

Our country continues to be governed by the force of arms, and this history is evident in how the force of arms, and military took over the power of politics in Uganda where citizens are still living under terror.

Almost all former presidents have died in exile. Presidents; Sir Edward Muteesa, Dr Milton Obote, Amin Dada, Gen. Tito Okello, and Prof. Yusuf Lule have all died in exile.

In modern Uganda, Injustice, which our elders challenged, has not been terminated, injustice committed by the political leaders who control power, Institutions, resources and tools of arm-twisting has reached unacceptable levels!

Torture, the killing of citizens, violation of human rights, the capture of institutions, stage-managed democracy, land grabbing, the rot of social services, and apartheid in health and education sectors, that characterised the white colonial rule are still evident up to now.

As Forum For Democratic change, we shall continue to mobilise people for a political transition, and restructure state institutions for the true independence of Uganda where a GUN will be subordinate to the people.

One Uganda, One People

Muhoozi Kainerugaba Army (MKA): Press Statement on Uganda’s 60th Independence Anniversary (08.09.2022)

Opinion: 60 years of grievances and still no uhuru…

On the ninth day of October, nineteen hundred and sixty-two (in this Act referred to as “the appointed day”), the territories which at the passing of this Act are comprised in the Uganda Protectorate (that is to say, all those territories which, whether designated as kingdoms, districts or otherwise, are specified in section one of the Constitution set out in the Second Schedule to the existing Constitution Order, and whose boundaries are as mentioned in section two of that Constitution) shall together form part of Her Majesty’s dominions under the name of Uganda; and as from the appointed day Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom shall have no responsibility for the Government of Uganda or any part thereof. No Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed on or after the appointed day shall extend, or be deemed to extend, to Uganda, or any part of Uganda, as part of the law thereof; and as from that day the provisions of the First Schedule to this Act shall have effect with respect to legislative powers in Uganda. The agreements which, in the Second Schedule to this Act, are specified by their titles as mentioned in that Schedule, and any agreement (whether made before or after the passing of this Act) whereby any of those agreements is varied or superseded, shall cease to have effect as from the appointed day” (Uganda Independence Act, 1962).

The phrase Alutia Continua should be chanted today. Today is the day of celebrating 60 years since the United Kingdom left the protectorate or the “enclave” to give Uganda it’s own independence. Since then there never been a peaceful transition of power, neither has there been a silence of guns. The arms has controlled and the power has been with the ones who was the last victor.

That’s why since January 1986, one man has ruled supreme. He promised fundamental change, but he never delivered. He squandered the abilities and the promises, but has instead delivered the same plight, agony and suffering, which was also served by the government in the past. The use of force, abductions, kidnappings, torturing and extra judicial killings even. This was promised to end in 1986 but it has never left.

President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni have vilified everyone who ruled before him. Blamed it on them and sometimes his still blame the colonialist for the troubles of the present day. While he uses their laws, which was enacted before the independence. The President uses the terms and the statutes of the colonial British to silence, apprehend and stop the ones who opposes him. While he also uses the same sort of techniques to arrest and move opposition leaders to the great North. He also ironically uses the military courts and the court martial to go after civilians like the colonial ones did too. So, as for someone celebrating independence from the British. He surely abides by their means to control and incite fear in the population.

We know he has spoken ill of Yusuf Lule, Idi Amin and Milton Obote. While he has enforced the same ills and done it deliberately. The predecessors has their crimes, ills and wrongs, which did linger on into the reign of Museveni. However, Museveni has re-invented and used the same techniques as them to keep the population under his spell.

Museveni hasn’t stopped the land-grab, he haven’t stopped the tyranny or anything like that. He has instead infused that with his own personal vibes. That is Presidential Directives and letters to get his way. Pushing ministers and government entities to create “white elephants” and “empty promises” that goes to nowhere.

That’s why the same civilian peasants are begging for help and the state only doling out small amounts of shillings. While the new elite is enriching themselves. They are eating like there is no tomorrow. Eating and drinking good in well-lit mansions in the hills of Kampala. While there is black-outs with no ends, lack of rural energy or even basic necessities. That’s why during the last campaign, Museveni was proud of launching a water-tap in one district. This is the sort of development his delivering after over 30 years in office.

He has opened up businesses, factories and other such facilities, but they are shortly after defaulting, indebted and lack the proper due diligence to even run. Either the shop-keepers cannot afford the rent or the traders don’t get the consumers to go there. If it is a factory it’s either built for the wrong fruit or lacking incentive of the farmers to sell to the entity. This happens again and again.

Let’s be clear, Ugandans can be proud of their resilience and their willpower. They have stood tall in the amidst poverty, oppression and never ending sorrow. Their kindness, greatness and open heart you met is beyond anything else. Ugandans can be proud of who they are and what they been able to push through. It has never been easy and no leader has given them proper peace. They have used the office to enrich themselves and grab more power. That’s things haven’t moved forward and the current one is another proof of that.

This is why it’s hard to celebrate today. The independence from one ruler to another type of ruler. However, the ills continues and the lack of freedoms are still there. The lack of liberties and ability to regain a foothold. That’s all done deliberately by the President and his Party, because he knows that this could be his end. He wouldn’t have the openness and the freedoms, if so, he wouldn’t have the popularity or ability to rule himself.

That’s why he rather be a new colonial master, but a local one. He rather be a tyrant and a dictator, instead of trying to convene or be elected through universal suffrage. No, rather rig or get himself imposed on the public. That’s why Museveni cannot really celebrate the 60th Anniversary.

Today should have been a glorious day. Nevertheless, the 36 years of Museveni and the predecessors haven’t made it happen. The leaders have betrayed the mission, their office and their duty to their citizens. They have forgotten the reasons for the independence and instead enslaved the citizens themselves under their rule. Getting people to suffer under similar rules, restrictions and lack of service delivery. Which wasn’t even seen by the colonial powers. That’s why the current rulers are medical tourists and cannot get treatment at home. This is why people are in exile and endangered for speaking out the truth.

The current President and leadership don’t want honesty or facts, it wants propaganda and lies. It wants deception and incite fear. To ensure the public is intimidated and silenced, in such a manner, that it will not rise up against it. The public shouldn’t fight for their liberties, freedoms or their rights. They should just beg for breadcrumbs and be happy with cassava. Peace.

Opinion: Kusasira is having buyers remorse…

I feel a lot of pain that I can’t explain to you or to someone else inside me. But all the pain comes as a result of enemies who are fighting against me left and right that makes me just find myself in the center squeezed from there. My tears and pains are of a combination of many things that include my property that I have lost include that which I worked for as a musician because fans supported me overwhelmingly and I made some money but now all is gone. I am being fought by many individuals and I know the president’s word is a direct order. I support President Museveni as an individual but I request what he directs, let it be done because some of us who love him we face lots of challenges and difficult times. We are fought side by side and you find that those who don’t support him don’t fight us as much but those in the party play all sorts of dirty games against us” Catherine Kusasira (07.10.2022).

The running up to the 2021 elections was like nothing else. That’s because of the People Power Movement and the rise of the National Unity Platform (NUP). The National Resistance Movement finally met an organic rise of opposition and within the means of youths who opposed the reign of Museveni. Not the like the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) haven’t been the Leader of the Opposition and rightfully so. However, NUP and People Power came in like a wind and caused a stir.

That stir was met with changes, President Museveni suddenly showed up in the ghettos and acted like he cared for a hot minute. He tried to sway former People Power associates and some he got into his fold. One of them was Kusasira. She went from being on the side of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine into an appointment of being Presidential Advisor of Kampala Affairs. That happened in 2019 ahead of the 2021 elections.

She was one of the people Museveni purged and got into the NRM. Just to prove that the mass-mobilized party could be relevant for the people that Bobi Wine talked to and was relevant for. That’s why he went for Balaam, Ashburg Katto and others. He appointed them, gave them a role and made them “special”. They became part of the state and was suddenly honourable people.

Kusasira was suddenly one of them. She had a V8 Vehicle, an Office and could afford to buy a mansion. Her place within the NRM was established and she was part of the ruling elite. She could travel with racks-on-racks and even act arrogant towards the Ministry of Kampala and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). That’s because she could just call President and get vouched for.

Now she is falling short. The money is draining up and she’s not relevant. Kusasira is feeling lost and isn’t in the wind. Her place and role is sort of outplayed. It is nothing she has to offer or relevance for the President. Museveni only needed her for the elections and appointed her to hurt the campaign of Bobi Wine. There was no real love, just like all the other ones who was “captured” or swayed over from People Power. They only did so to damage and possible break the popular rise of the NUP. However, that wasn’t the case and these folks lost their way.

It is tragic that she lost her house and feels betrayed by her own. She chose to be a pawn and pawns never lives long. The king stays the king, but she haven’t done anything to fight or change her role. The only thing she offered was arrogance and betrayal. That’s not valuable for anyone in the long-run. Neither is she a master mobilizer or a people’s champ. No, she’s just another of them. A washed-up musician who got caught in the web of Museveni.

Kusasira made her bed and she now has to sleep in it. Peace.

Citizens Coalition for Improved Service Delivery in West Nile: Follow up action points from the meeting on 1st September 2022 on the status of electricity in West Nile (03.10.2022)

Opinion: Museveni cannot change the legacy of Tumwiine

The death and demise of Gen. Elly Tumwiine was all created by himself. That people rebuke and spoke ill of him after the fact. This is just a reaction to the life he lived and the purpose of his own achievements. Tumwiine was a reflection and a representation of what the National Resistance Army and what the National Resistance Movement had become.

That President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni is trying to rectify or change the narratives are commendable. But what else is his supposed to do? He knows what is coming for him. The eulogies of Museveni will be detrimental and mirrored of the ones written for Mugabe. That’s why he saw what happened to Tumwiine and his worried about his own legacy.

A man of his tribe, cause and belief. Tumwiine is a man who stood Museveni near and was a trusted one. A man who fought, continued to fight and showed loyalty. That’s why the brutality, arrogance and all other things doesn’t matter to the President. Because, Tumwiine served and did so diligently. That’s what matters to him. This is why he wants him to be remembered for his philanthropy, playing music, being a church-goer and whatnot. He don’t want him to be remembered for his relentless contribution to oppressive behaviour and lack of rule of law. No, he wants the positivity and the publicity of a hero.

Alas, he might be a hero in the circle of Museveni. That doesn’t make him heroic in the pubs or in the hinterland. No, they have seen what happens when they cross or happens to be stepped on. They know what has happened to their kin and their children. The vicious and vindictive nature of Tumwiine wasn’t all about peace. He didn’t mind to use violence and use brutal retribution. When that sort of man dies. People won’t mourn, but they will celebrate. Because, they lost one brute and villain. He was a villain that the President needed, but the people? They could have been without him and his actions. There are to many scorned, family members lost and people harmed for life. Which the President seems to neglect.

We all shall die, eventually. That, therefore, cannot be a matter for celebrating whether you

like the person in question or not. People who do that are deceiving themselves” (Museveni, 05.10.2022).

This here is both true and false at the same time. We all shall die, that’s a fact for everyone living. However, you cannot speak about how folks or people will react about your death. It depends on how you chose to live and how you conducted yourself. If you were friendly or a despicable person. That will be reflected on when you die. People are not deceiving themselves, but everyone shows remorse and mourning differently, also depending on their statute and their legacy as a whole. Just like some people praised the Queen Elizabeth, others was right in questioning her colonial acts and partaking in the usage of the British Empire. Therefore, it’s right that people write ill of the bad past that Tumwiine himself was a part of and acted upon. Not only the glory stories, which your text only reflects. Because, you want the same sort of glorification when your end is near…

Museveni’s arrogance comes really forward here:

Tumwiine was an early achiever in education, a freedom fighter, an artist, a philanthropist and a wealth-creator (big farmer). If some people do not appreciate such people, it could be that they are either uninformed (ignorant) or they are parasites (want affluence without working). Such people should be guided or condemned if they persist in their negativity. The roads everybody rides on, the schools, the electricity stations that generate electricity for the night-club goers to have transnights and tweet the following day etc., are from the sweat of the wealth creators like Tumwiine, not to forget the peace the tweeters are using to express their malice. Go and send tweets in Mogadishu, if you think peace is not important” (Museveni, 05.10.2022).

He acts like we should cherish people who acted with viciousness and vindictiveness. That’s why President Museveni is honour him after his death. It’s all for the ploy of self-service. Tumwiine served him and was loyal to his causes. That’s why his writing with spite like this. Calling the ones who questions Tumwiine Uninformed (ignorant), which he wants to keep people in really. If people was ignorant, they would have praised and glorified him. Alas, that wasn’t the case. They are informed and know what he did in his time. The actions of Tumwine, the families who has lost members because of him. The families who has been torn-apart or has relatives that was caught in “Safe-Houses”. That was all done on the watch and orders of Tumwiine. These are not eulogies or being referred here. Not in a manner, which represents them.

That’s why Museveni is losing a step here and he does it boldly. It isn’t strange to see either. When you know this will resemble what could happen when it’s his turn. Which he should fear now. If people speak about Tumwiine like this. How will they speak of Museveni? He should be frightful and in disbelief. Because, his propaganda and his control of the narrative will be lost. Just like he has twisted and turned on the stories of the predecessors. After his demise. People will speak any which way about him too.

You see how thinks and considers people thoughts when he ends the paragraph with “go and send tweets in Mogadishu”. That’s his rebuttal. Instead of understanding or seeing the pain or the suffering of the his own people. No, they are just supposed to follow the “Correct Line” and be part of his vision. If you don’t follow him. Your an uninformed person and a parasite. That’s just disgusting rhetoric and shows his character to the world.

Museveni should get the insight and the understanding of the people. Instead he wants to be above and beholden on the premise of his own stature. That’s for the reasons of him being in power for so long. He considers his own reasoning and mind above everyone else. That’s why Museveni cannot see or grasp the resentment of his own population. This has been brewing over the years. The NRM and President Museveni should really study it, but they think every solution is bound by heavy weaponry. That’s why they don’t care or pay it no mind.

For being an old man and a supposed statesman. His certainly not having the ear to the ground or listening to the pleas of his public. He might not like the sentiment or the way it’s communicated. However, he should look into himself and what his done. When they could write this about his ally Tumwiine. What can the same fellas right about him?

Well… you can just imagine and some have the eulogies prepared. They have the material and all the stories in the vault. So, His Excellency should listen, but we know he never does. If he did listen. He might have gotten some insights that could broaden his perspective and give him a sort of a reality check. That could be good for him, but we know he prefer being in a trusted bubble and not go outside of it. This is prevalent and it’s becoming a part of who he is. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee’s nonsense apology…

After the recent days of Tweets from now General Muhoozi Kainerubaga. The father has intervened and written an apology to the Kenyan people. President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni was forced to do something and he did. He had to save face for the family and his regime. Because, his son who is in a few years 50 years old had acted scandalous.

Muhoozi should know better, but his arrogance and entitlement, he don’t know better. There is no constraint or abilities to silence him. He is a braggadocios being and a proud one at that. Muhoozi was born with a silver-spoon and he gotten massive fortunes because of his father. It is not earned on merits or qualifications. Everything has befallen him because of his father. All we know of him and the reasons for his promotions is only out of family ties. The case of Muhoozi is the stereotypical nepotism and nothing else.

That Museveni has written an apology is following where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release from the day before. These two are both trying to downplay and hope for no aftermath after the Tweets. That’s the reason this happen. It is really interesting in the apology itself that Museveni says this:

I ask our Kenyan brothers and sisters to forgive us for tweets sent by General Muhoozi, former Commander of Land Forces here, regarding the election matters in that great country. It is not correct for Public officers, be they civilian or military, to comment or interfere in any way, in the internal affairs of brother countries” (…) “Why, then, promote him to full General after these comments? This is because this mistake is one aspect where he has acted negatively as a Public officer. There are, however, many other positive contributions the General has made and can still make. This is a time-tested formula –discourage the negative and encourage the positive. Very sorry, ndugu zetu Wakenya” (Museveni, 05.10.2022).

We know it’s ironic that Museveni writes these words, like we don’t know what his armies have done in neighbour countries. As if, we don’t know what he has done in the past and toppled regimes to install Museveni friendly leaders there. That’s why it’s sort of hypocritical of him to write this. Yes, his right about that part, but his also the wrong man to write these words. I don’t believe them, because of Museveni’s own past and those ghosts should haunt to eternity.

The other part is just merely insulting, that someone can breach the UPDF Act, act scandalous and spread harmful propaganda. While his still promoted for doing so. His losing the title and being a direct army commander, but his becoming a General at the same time. That’s why the son isn’t really punished, but is instead promoted. If a civilian, an activists or an opposition wrote something similar. He would be bound by law and be in legal trouble right now. He wouldn’t get a fancier suit and be held in high regards.

No one with common sense should believe this apology. Yes, the father has responded and tried to save face. However, the damage is done and its obvious. There is also fear in the Republic of the power of Muhoozi and his insider connections. Since, the MoFA Press Release didn’t mention him or any of his characterizations.

A 48 year old man lacks manner, honour or the understanding of his role. That is so poignant after all of this. If he had felt the rank and office, which he was residing in. He wouldn’t have risked it and acted like he did. However, he don’t have to care, because there is no consequences to him. His only getting elevated by failing. That’s the gist of him here.

Next time he fails. Maybe he will be promoted to the Commander of Defence Forces (CDF). That’s the only thing missing now. Before he resigns from his military roles and the UPDF. This is what his missing of titles and roles at this very moment.

Muhoozi knows he can get away with everything. There is no oversight or transparency about his activity. His just allowed to operate and without any sort of scrutiny. That’s why he has such bravado. Peace.

Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – Statement On Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Tweets About Kenya (05.10.2022)

Opinion: Muhoozi becoming General by default…

After days of causing controversy on Twitter, Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga has been promoted to a General. He is now Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga by just living and breathing. There is no efforts or achievements, neither is there any progression or actions made on the battlefield. Because of the humiliation and bad press. The father had to act and he lost the position of being an army commander, but keeping the title of Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations. Meaning Muhoozi still have access and power.

Gen. Muhoozi have gotten a superior rise to become General. This progression has happened quickly and it’s not on merits. No, this is just family matters. That’s why Muhoozi has now gotten a title, but has demoted in the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).

The father has promoted and demoted him at the same time. That’s because of how his acting as a public figure and army commander. Yes, his out of the army now and could practically run for office in 2026. That’s something the 48 year old man wants to do. Even if he has no oral skill, obvious popularity or achievements worth noting. His just another General with no party or civilian support. The only civilians really supporting is either on his pay-roll or dubious character selling a nightmare.

While Muhoozi become a General. If others in the army had acted like him or if civilians had tweeted like him. We know the Computer Misuse Act would have been used to charge him. The authorities would have gone after him and he wouldn’t have seen tomorrow. If he was an ordinary person he would have been treated brutally, but in the end been released on bail. While only having a brief window to go into exile. That’s what happens to other people speaking openly like him.

If he thinks this is a winning formula. Well, his just a General boosting his ego like a Kabuleta. He is all out there, but have no natural progression or sort of crowds following him. No, his just the egocentric and self-centred as always. This will not stop him or wherever his planning to go.

We can anticipate the rise of the Team MK, as he calls it. Where the National Progressive Movement (NPM) becomes a thing or some sort of similar organization made out of thin-air. Just like his rise from soldier to a general. There is nothing that has been ordinary or through proper protocol. No one else has risen this fast and with lack of merit.

This is surely to boost his ego, as he lost the rank of being the Commander of Land Forces, but keeping the Senior Presidential Advisor is showing his still on government payroll. He will still have power and be within the realm of influence. It isn’t like his outsmarted or kicked out totally. No, he was promoted for a reason and to make him more prestigious.

We all should see the “Project Muhoozi” for what it is. Even if the Twitter tweets has failed him right now. He still have not really lost anything. Yes, no one can take him serious or see him as an army commander. It is easy to see that Muhoozi is far from a capable leader. He don’t have the ability to see himself or reflect on his actions.

That’s why we know… this will have internal ramification and the nepotism of Muhoozi will haunt the President. That he has done this with his wife and his son. Just like he has done with in-laws and other family members too. So, it is not like Muhoozi alone with getting a favourable title and work from within.

However, his just the one who has rose from a civilian to a general within no time. He has gone through the ranks and been promoted rapidly. While there is no sort of proof that he was worthy of any of these, expect he got it because of his father. That’s why this isn’t really it.

Muhoozi is a disgrace and by acting so he got promoted. That’s the story and it’s stupid. Peace.

Uganda: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Press Statement on the Muhoozi Tweets (04.10.2022)