Opinion: DP follows UPC’s journey into the hands of Museveni

Today was the day that the Democratic Party (DP) sealed its fate. It is following Uganda People’s Congress who signed a similar agreement in 2016. Both of the oldest parties of the Republic now has signed agreements with the President and his party the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The DP and UPC will now be gallant side-dishes of the political spectrum. They are neither in government or coalition partners, but they are in cooperation with the ruling regime.

President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni has gotten these two parties for cheap. He don’t even need to dance or play the violin. Just throwing some EALA MPs slots and possibly seats in Parliament for the high ranking officials. Heck, he might appoint someone from the parties to an honourable parastatal and call it a night.

Museveni now has two silent partners in Jimmy Akena and Norbert Mao. They have both diluted their parties for a treat or a favourable office of sorts. Who knows how beneficial it really is. The UPC isn’t trying to run for the Presidency any longer. The DP might follow suit, because why bother right? They are already entangled and they get coins for doing so. This is easy money and the parties don’t even have to work for it. They are just served by the President and his getting no challenge from them.

The DP is now trading off. The DP can now just rebrand itself or becoming silent on issues. The UPC isn’t that vocal. They rarely have pressers or releases statements. The UPC doesn’t challenge in the plenty of races and back-downs easily for the NRM. Now we can expect the same from the DP.

Museveni should be happy he gotten cheap trade-offs and it doesn’t really cost him anything. These parties will lack trust within the electorate and neither strengthen their leadership either. Mao will soon look like and sound like Akena. Because, he cannot be vocal or challenge someone he has partnered up with.

That’s why we know Museveni was happy to announce the agreement today. He knew he got the best deal and the DP is the losers. The DP is the “Good DP” now, because the NUP took all the “Bad DP” away from him. The party has shifted this and it’s obvious. Mao has given up and rather be another stooge.

Both parties are now eating of the hands of Museveni. This is why they will be toothless and be silent partners. It is really tragic… and the founders of these parties would have vomited or turned in their graves. Because they would never have believed that their predecessors could sell their parties this cheaply. There is nothing long-term to gain and neither is there anyone who will trust them now.

The NRM-UPC deal has tarnished the party since 2016. No matter what the UPC leadership and others says. They cannot say they have become a vocal voice of reason or a party to seek. If so, why are there no face or MP, which the people are listening to from the party? Secondly, the DP will become the same sort of tragic party in Parliament. Not that it’s showed finesse or ability to sell it’s vision of late. Nevertheless, the NRM-DP will be a slow death of the party.

If you thought the DP Block or the SPV was a failure of an enterprise… well, the recent development will be like a massive downturn or a self-made recession. The DP will go into a depression… while the leadership will have their SUVs and bank-accounts filled to the brim. However, their wealth will not salvage their parties. No, they are being traded on the altar of being in the mercy of Museveni. That is just asking for a brief or prolonged death. Museveni will not see any value of them for long. Sooner or later, when the steam and the additional costs are seen as unsustainable.

The only other way they believe they have the same sort of maverick moves like Gen. Moses Ali who always linger around the President. In the same way his never leaving his sights. Mao and Akena better hope that they are treated like the old general. Because, if they are not… than they have traded their gold and heirloom for shiny things that only glimmer, but has no initial value. Peace.

Opinion: The DP isn’t Green anymore – it has turned itself Yellow

I met with Democratic Party President Norbert Mao at State House Entebbe. We signed a cooperation agreement between the NRM and the DP. I salute the DP leadership for this gesture of mature, foresighted and constructive politics” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 20.07.2022).

We have seen the shift over the years. The NBS Frontline commentator and Party President Norbert Mao has today signed an agreement between the Democratic Party (DP) and the National Resistance Movement (NRM). It a cooperation agreement and by doing so… the DP party is certainly dying.

The DP Party has lost their strongholds. The DP has been weakened over the years with Mao at the helm. He might proclaim and act like it isn’t true. However, the Parliamentary Group is weakened and the party itself has lost it’s purpose. That’s why a deal like this will breathe life onto it, but also trade it all away.

The DP party cannot be seen as an opposition party. Mao and his associates has now ensured his pockets. However, the party is now tainted. The DP is now working directly with the tyrant and his tyranny. The cooperation agreement is selling the soul of the DP. Not that’s its shocking, but inevitable.

This just shows the power of the People Power Movement and the National Unity Platform (NUP). The NUP already took away most of the base of the DP. The DP lacks strong grass-root support and the NUP has gained on their territories. The youths and the like rather go to the NUP or the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Than going to a moderate and elitist party, which isn’t directing its energy towards the problematic sides of the NRM regime.

That’s why the DP lost in the two last elections. They haven’t gained anything and only gotten some people in high ranking offices, because they wanted to work directly with Museveni. Now Mao is doing the same and there is no subtle way to describe it.

The DP was formed as a reaction to the Progressive Party in 1956. Now in 2022 it has sold its soul to the dictatorial party of 36 years the NRM. The former Catholic party with a base in Baganda and Catholic North. Has now traded away its glory and possible moderate answers to the dictatorship. It is instead becoming a crony and an ally.

Not that this is shocking. It explains why Mao has targeted the NUP and Bobi Wine in the recent time. Anyone who has followed Mao has seen his rhetoric and actions, which could been a well spoken Ofwono Opondo. Now his becoming a stooge of the President and he surely cost barely nothing.

Museveni blasts DP in 2004:

How can you say for 50 years I have been here doing nothing and you also celebrate?” (…) “To remain in a deserted home and you celebrate for remaining there does not make sense” (New Vision – ‘Museveni blasts DP’s Ssemogerere’ 05.04.2004).

A man that speaks like about your party and later signs an agreement with you. He will destroy you and use the deal to undermine you. Museveni has promised to crush the opposition and take it down. Just like the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) deal hasn’t strengthen that party either. Instead it has taken seats and also ensured new MPs by doing so. Therefore, the DP will now go down the same path.

Mao should look onto Jimmy Akena and know that his becoming a similar party leader. Since his in favour of Museveni, but not being a big national figure. Secondly, his not even fielding candidacy to become President of the Republic. The UPC agreement should be studied and the results of it. Because, the DP-NRM agreement will most likely deliver similar results.

Mao has now traded his soul and all his ego to safe his accounts with fresh shillings. Peace.

Opinion: Nsereko MP wants to strangle all online utterances…

The Kampala Central MP Muhammed Nsereko has today presented the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill 2022 for the first reading in Parliament. This bill should be discussed, because in the climate and the sort of affairs of the state. Because, I would believe this would be used even more to strike against the opposition and activists who defies the state.

The new amendments of the Computer Misuse Act is very clear. Yes, the hacking and the child-porn articles are fine. That should be illegal and anyone understands that. However, the rest of the amendments can be questioned and Nsereko MP should know how this can be used. There is already restrictive laws, which can stop and go after individuals who speaks out of line.

The state is already using “cyber harassment” and usage of “offensive communications” against writers, oppositions and such. That’s why this law will be a spearhead by the courts and the authorities to muffle the dissidents. I don’t see this law as a tool to stop what it intends too do, but instead go after government critics.

The stipulations and articles in question should be these…

“234. Hate speech.

(l) A person shall not write, send or share any information through a computer, which is likely to-

(a) ridicule, degrade or demean another person, group of persons, a tribe, an ethnicity, a religion or gender;

(b) create divisions among persons, a tribe, an ethnicity, a religion or gender; or

(c) promote hostility against a person, group of persons, a tribe, an ethnicity, a religion or gender.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (l) commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding seven hundred fifty currency points or imprisonment not exceeding seven years, or both” (Computer Misuse Act Amendment Bill, 2022).

The ideals of this one is fine, but how do you deem these things? Can this be used for people mocking an MP from the North like Langi or Acholi for that matter. Because, it doesn’t take much to be seen or could be in the threshold. The idea is fine, but where and what is fitting here? That’s what I am wondering about, because this law isn’t that specific and could be used against someone. This is what I am fearing just be reading this one article alone. While he continues further in the law in the next articles too. 

“24A. Unsolicited information.

(l) A person shall not send to or share with another person unsolicited information through a computer.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding seven hundred fifty currency points or imprisonment not exceeding seven years, or both,”” (Computer Misuse Act Amendment Bill, 2022).

What is unsolicited information? Is that shared documents? Leaked DMs? There is so many questions here… because is this stopping leaks and dossiers, which the state don’t want published? That’s how it sounds like… The MP should know how things goes viral and how the Internet never forgets. When someone has published or shared something. Another person can easily share it and you don’t solicit any acceptance to publish it after that. Therefore, this laws should be specified too. Unless, he wants to be broad… since that opens up the gates and you can question easily what is what. It shouldn’t be like that with a law… but that’s where we are.

“264. Misleading or malicious information.

(1) A person shall not send, share or transmit any misleading or malicious information about or relating to any person through a computer.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (l) commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding seven hundred fifty currency points or irnprisonment not exceeding seven years, or both.”” (Computer Misuse Act Amendment Bill, 2022).

This here is the extension of “cyber harassment” and anyone can see that. What can be deemed as misleading? What is malicious? Which legal terms or measures can the courts or the judiciary judge things? This is defamation of sorts and then the authorities needs metrics of proof or evidence for the alleged criminal actions.

Because, what is really misleading? Is that any speech of Museveni in the recent years? Is that all the campaign pledges that haven’t been implemented over the years? Since, this law should be used against everyone and anybody. You can call it pledges and promises, but if you don’t deliver them… aren’t you misleading the public? Shouldn’t someone like the government and National Resistance Movement (NRM) be charged?

We know this law will be used as a tool against the opposition and activists. The government critics would fear this law and the articles is made for that. Nsereko MP has his own Public Order Management Act (POMA). The Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act of 2022 is just another of these. He must be so proud and hopes to get compensated by the State House for serving the will of the President. Peace.

Opinion: The Honourable Speaker should speak to her master…

Politics is there to stay we need peace, let’s preach peace for the good of our people. Politics is not a matter of death” – Speaker Anita Among (19.07.2022)

The Speaker of Parliament should know who is behind it all. The Speaker who was praised and ushered into her office. She should know who has created this system, the use of force and the state sponsored violence on behalf of the President. Honourable Speaker should know all this, but instead speaks of hearsay and what is supposed to be.

The system that’s currently in play is all fixed and nurtured by the President. He has made it in the image of himself. A man that is living by the gun and dying by the gun. The President is proud of getting into office by using weapons and killing. A sort of lifestyle that he has continued and persisted with. That’s why the second most important thing to always uphold is the Uganda People’s Defence Force and keep the authorities on guard.

The President uses violent words and wants to destroy his opponents. He hopes he can corrupt them, but if that doesn’t work. He throws the law-book at them or uses violent means to stop them organizing in their tracks. The use of political charged arrests, detaining without trail or even extra judicial killings. All done in the mercy of the master and the head of state. This has been going on for years and the Speaker should know this bloody well.

That’s why MPs are behind bars as we speak. Their cases are not moving along, but they have serious charges on them. It is opposition MPs who matters to their constituencies… However, the state is using them and silencing them. They are charged with murders and serious crimes, but that will never uphold in the courts themselves. That’s why they are lingering and never freed. So, it’s just like we are supposed to forget about that.

In the same vein. The state uses kidnappings, keeping people incommunicado and torturing them. That’s all done for their political affiliation and stances. They are targeted for who they associate with and what party they signs up for. Heck, even people who associate with the ruling regime can be assassinated or taken out. Especially, if their ambition is beyond the “standard” of pre-fixed positions made by His Excellency.

That’s why listening to the Speaker who said this in connection with the death of the student at the Guild Elections of Makerere University. It is all sad… but this is a mere reflection of the political atmosphere and landscape, which the state and the President has created over the years. It is wrong to die like this, but the state has killed several of others for their beliefs. They have killed by-standers to rallies and funerals. The state has killed drivers of political leaders and nearly even killed a Minister at one point. Therefore, the violence isn’t anything new. It is just what the state does and it hasn’t haunted the highest office yet.

Speaker Among can mean will and be sincere. However, she should address her master. Who uses rhetoric and orders, which are in dark contrast to her words. When the army, the security organizations and everyone is used for political gains. You just know that the merciless of men is coming to hunt down the competition. That is just the game and the game is rigged in favour of the “high above”.

So, dear Speak…. If you really meant these words. Please, talk with caution and send some vibes to your master, the high and mighty. The man that could change these things. However, dear Speaker, I wouldn’t count on it. Since he earns his bread and butter this way. Peace.

Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF): A Desertion has Consequences (19.07.2022)

Makerere University Guild Elections: Dangote Campaign Team Press Statement (15.07.2022)

Justice Forum (JEEMA): Press Statement on the Murder of a Visiting Student during Makerere Guild Elections Campaigns (15.07.2022)

Opinion: Museveni prefers his own rules…

The economy is growing. The other day, I had some arguments about whether we have gone to middle income or not. We reaffirm. I do not know where the World Bank is getting their data from” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (14.07.2022).

The former donor darling of the West and the Self-Styled President for Life, Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni has yet again signalled the World Bank. That comes after the bank dismisses the claims of have becoming a “Middle-Income Country”. The Government of Uganda and it’s agency cannot trick the World Bank and their standards. Museveni can hoodwink his supporters and his fellow associates. However, the World Bank… not so much.

President Museveni is the sort of man that makes his own rules along with where his walking. His not the sort of fella to follow it himself, but expect everyone around to comply. He can talk of ethics and moral rights, but breach them himself on a regular. Secondly, laws and rules are for others to follow. He himself, not so much.

That’s why when there is stipulations and mechanisms for giving the stature of Middle Income Country from the World Bank. The Government of Uganda, and it’s Ministries should work to achieve that. Not just throwing numbers at the wall and hoping it sticks. That’s how this looks like. His just using figures and imprinted numbers to look extravagant. When the President should know that his far from achieving it.

The Republic cannot build a road without a loan, donation or sort of scheme to ensure funding to make it happen. The aid agencies has to come and intervene on the basics of structures. The bloated government structure is eating of the funds, the massive parliament and it’s expenses in combination of the State House and the Office of the Presidency. Is all accounts, which is having huge expenses, but not generating any sort of generational wealth or influx of foreign exchange into the economy. However, that is just draining the state budgets together with the interests on old loans and the growing debt ratio of the state. So, with that in mind….

I don’t know where his figuring out at the year of 2022 that the Republic has become a Middle-Income Country. Because, there is no signs of it. Unless, he has a screw loose or just wants to prove that he achieved something. Even if he sleep-walked to the destination and was more pre-occupied with destroying his political enemies. If the state has used half of the energy and resources it uses on locking up, monitoring and detaining political opponents. Maybe, it would have a shot of a better economy, but it is instead building prisons and buying tear-gas.

That’s why Museveni just making up the rules as he walks along. He thinks that’s how the world works, because he has done that for over 3 decades now. As President he has gotten away with it too and with little to no consequence. However, in this regard.. don’t expect the World Bank to budge. Because, Museveni needs the World Bank more than the World Bank need him. His a debtor and a man who needs grants from the World Bank. It is not the World Bank that needs validation from Museveni.

This is why this enterprise is futile. He cannot bushwhack this one. He cannot trick it and make it work. The shilling is the shilling. The economy and the finances is as dire as the people say they are. The Deficit financing and the lack of domestic revenue is a proof of that. His made up numbers and schemes to get grandeur isn’t helping either.

Museveni, you can chill on your farm and look after livestock. The sort of game your playing is only making a fool of yourself. So, do you want another rap? Peace.

Makerere University: Office of the Chairperson of Council – Suspension of Makerere University Students Guild and the Ongoing Guild Elections (14.07.2022)

Karamoja: Nakut Faith, Woman MP Napak – Food Crisis in Karamoja: A Focus on What Needs to be Done (10.07.2022)