Opinion: Mzee’s unholy alliances…

Congratulations to our allies, the UPC and for the candidate, Eunice Apio, for winning the Oyam by-elections. Congratulations also to the NRM and the candidate Engola Junior because the difference between the two was very small” (Museveni, 07.07.2023).

We knew there was something going on, as we have seen the cozy relations between Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) and the National Resistance Movement (NRM). That alliance and friendship came about before the 2016 elections. Therefore, it is now years in the making.

While it has looked questionable at times and several of high ranking officials from the UPC has moved to the NRM. Still, they have worked close and the latest one to move from the UPC to NRM is wife of UPC leader Jimmy Akena, Betty Amongi. That’s why you know the UPC is in close association and Amongi is on her second stint as Minister under the NRM and Museveni.

It is therefore striking that Museveni even writes this today…

UPC has been, in recent years, positive and not disruptive and so has DP been. That is why I congratulate them, although I would have preferred the NRM to win. Nevertheless, both the UPC and the DP should pay attention to what I said at Icheme recently” (Museveni, 07.07.2023).

We are seeing how Museveni favours both UPC and the Democratic Party (DP). Both party are now allies and under his spell. They are bound by agreements made and done such in a manner, which is indirectly trading away the ideas of the parties themselves. That’s why Museveni can direct them like chapters of the NRM Party. It is compelling when he tells them to pay attention to what he said during the campaigns at Icheme…

Museveni shows the true nature of the agreements, the coalitions and the deals made between them. The friendly nature and the way he speaks fondly of them. There is no bad blood and they serve his interests. That’s why he calls them “positive” and not “disruptive”.

Both James (Jimmy) Akena and Norbert Mao should listen up quickly. This text is made for them and for a purpose. The deals made between NRM-UPC and NRM-DP is beneficial for the President and if it wasn’t… he wouldn’t have signed them or agreed upon it in the first place. Museveni is just showing how political savvy he is and why his been able to be in power for so long. His congratulating the UPC, but at the same time reminding them who to listen too. While telling they are good, but they need to pay attention…

Seriously. UPC and DP are direct allies and traded away legitimacy doing so. I wonder if it is worth it. Regardless of the short-term power and offices. These can be lost quickly and the moment they are not useful. Well, Museveni and the NRM could drop them. They could do so in a heartbeat and without any remedies for the losing part. The parties would be damaged, destroyed, depleted and disillusioned. Because, they sought after the price, but didn’t think of the journey to get there. Peace.

Oyam North By-Election: UPC won it…

“A clear-headed cadre of the NRM, it is no surprise that the late was undertaking ambitious projects in his home, to serve as an example to the community as well as bring development. Therefore, being the considered opinion of the party that Samuel Engola Jr is likely to continue the good work of his father, I hope the people of Oyam North agree to give him a chance to serve” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 04.07.2023).

This seat was bound to be between National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC). Oyam North has been fought between these two parties. While independents has also prospered, but not won.

Yesterday was no different. Yes, there was pre-ticked ballots, election interference and malpractice done on a high level. There was usage of law enforcement and soldiers to cause tension. While the final straw still went to the UPC. That’s not shocking but a mere fact of how this constituency is.

Jimmy Akena of the UPC was real on the frontline and fighting for his party. He went all out there and knew the possibility of a UPC victory. This is one of those seats the party has a chance of getting. That’s just the way things are…

The son of the late MP, Samuel Engola Junior wasn’t as lucky as others. We have seen in Serere County and Omoro County where the sons of the late has won the seats. Now in Oyam North that wasn’t the case. Here the UPC takes over from where the late Minister and MP left off.

Dr. Apio will now take the seat until the general election in 2026. She will have three years as MP for Oyam North before being incumbent in the next election. That’s just the name of the game. NRM will return and most likely she could easily contest against Samuel Engola Jr. again. It was so close that it can easily turn the other way. Especially, if the NRM gets away with rigging and intimidation ahead of the polls.

The FDC and NUP fielded candidates too, but they were abysmal, and I knew it would be bad. These two parties had no say in this one. That was a given so no one should cry or be worried about it. No, this one was between the NRM and the UPC. Anyone thinks differently haven’t follow the elections in the constituency or the popular opinion here.

We can just see the UPC triumphing the NRM for once. It isn’t often and it just seem to happen in a place where it makes sense. The NRM and the President knows the opposition needs some wins and seats to be viable. Therefore, the win for UPC can be a gain for him. It is not like it changes things in Parliament. The NRM isn’t really weaker or lack votes in majority. No, the Oyam North would only have a NRM flagbearer returning to Parliament and nothing else. It isn’t like the Andrew Ojok Oulanyah has revolutionized anything since taking over. Neither would Samuel Engola Jr….

We can congratulate the UPC and their new MP. They have a victory, and they were so close to loosen it too. It was a smidge above the NRM. That with the rigging and the attempts to conquer by any means. The UPC did it… but we just have to see how it will play out from here. Peace.

Oyam North By-Election: Return Form for Transmission of Results (06.07.2023)

Opinion: Mapenduzi MP just turn yellow…

“I don’t believe Uganda is a poor country. Its just a few crooks that enjoy fueling  the confusion happening in this country” Martin Ojara Mapenduzi (UBC, 14.06.2023).

“Bardege-Layibi division Legislator Martin Ojara Mapenduzi has finally resigned from the leadership of the Public Accounts Committee on Local Government after one and a half years of the opposition’s attempt to have him vacate this office. Immediately after his resignation, the ruling NRM appointed him to Head the Public Service and Local Government Committee a sectoral committee that is supposed to be chaired by NRM legislators” (NBS Television, 20.06.2023).

Some MPs are disingenuous and flagging their wrong colours. They use a party or a popular wave to get elected. Because they know the support and the popular voice will get them elected. However, when the work in the Parliament begins the true colours of the person is shown. The MP used the party and the popular politician to reach office. This isn’t new and has happen in all opposition party.

Today, we can see how someone is becoming a pawn of the NRM. When his supposed to be an independent MP. His looking like a mercenary and a hired gun for the NRM. He is serving the interest of the ruling regime and not being a honourable person to defy or pressure the government as an opposition member.

Just read his quote as his getting a new appointed position in Parliament…

“I did my part. I executed my mandate as a Member of Parliament. It has nothing to do with political party. Nothing to do with personal. It is about our rules dictates and it has a lot to do with the conduct of an individual Member of Parliament” – Martin Ojara Mapenduzi (NTV Uganda, 20.06.2023).

This is him taking responsibility for the impeachment and the removal of Hon. Francis Zaake from the office of Commissioner of Parliament in the 11th Parliament. Mapenduzi MP was happy to serve and be a loyal subject of the NRM. Now that paid him off and he got a new office as a price.

Therefore, the MP should do himself a favour and just join the yellow. It isn’t personal or about political parties. However, it is about integrity and honesty. Honestly the MP should be accountable for his actions… and should just act righteous for ones. He decided to eat and take no accountability for his actions. That’s why his giddy and happy for his good fortunes.

Mapenduzi MP do yourself a favour. You resigned or dropped the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ahead of the 2021 elections. After that you ran on an Independent Ticket while leaning on the NUP. However, that didn’t matter when you got in office and got power. That’s when you turned left and never looked back.

We surely know there is no integrity or moral judgement surrounding the MP. He will just serve and collect the silver coins as they are coming. The MP might act like his just following procedure and protocol. However, these actions tend to only appear or be involved in critical voices or dissidents. The same matters don’t happen to the NRM or the ones who speak ill there. Therefore, the MP isn’t serious when speaking like this.

His now following the crooks who is fuelling the confusion of the nation. Peace.

Oyam North By-Election: Engola Jr. Vs. Dr. Apio

The Oyam North By-Election scheduled for the 4th of July 2023 after the MP of the area was assassinated earlier in the year. Now it isn’t speculations anymore, but today and tomorrow the candidates for the race is finally finalized.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) is following the trend and letting the son of the late Minister become their candidate, Samuel Junior Okello Engola. He will face several other candidates, but the most important one is the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Dr. Eunice Apio.

These are two candidates to look after and consider in this race. Freddy Newton Okello (FDC) and Daniel Okello (NUP) can participate and be vocal. However, everything will encircle the NRM and the UPC in this here race. That’s if the Oyam North By-Election follows the pattern of previous elections.

The ones in 2021, 2016 and such has all been surrounding the two mentioned parties. The others haven’t had a shot. Oyam North goes either to the UPC or the NRM. That’s how it goes.

Now with the demise of Charles Okello Engola there is maybe sentimental values or attachment, which will reach in favour of Samuel Junior. That’s what the NRM is banking on. Since they did the same happen in Omoro County By-Election and when NRM defied it… it happens again in Serere County By-Election. Therefore, they are just using a tested method to this one.

The NRM is running high on nepotism, and it isn’t that clever. That’s why Engola Junior has a shot to inherit the seat. Not because of his inner wisdom or experience. No, he will be another one of the cronies and silent culprits of the state. Just like the winner of the Omoro County By-Election. It is the same vibe, just another by-election.

Dr. Apio might be the best candidate overall, and she has been close to win in the past. The community and the district itself should know her by now. I’m just amazed that Charles Krispus Ayena didn’t run as a independent again. He could also be a viable candidate if you look at the same poll from the past.

That’s why the NRM vs. UPC is gearing itself up. That is the reality here. The National Unity Platform (NUP) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) got nothing to gain here. They have no momentum or party allegiances to make it possible. These candidates can only undermine the UPC ticket and weaken it’s bid to overcome the NRM.

We know the NRM, and the regime will use all force in it. The region might look like a warzone in the 48 hours before the polls. It might also turn strange and pre-ticked ballots will come in a dozen of ballot boxes. Heck, there might be voter tourism from other districts to boost the numbers for the NRM. It is the sort of vibe of the nation and what they do to “win”. Peace.

Uncertainty looms in Kasese after the attack on the Lhubiriha Secondary School…

“Death toll now stands at 50!

UPDF soldiers have recovered more bodies suspected to be of those abducted by ADF rebels who attacked Mpondwe Lhubiriha secondary school, Kasese district on June 16, 2023,around 11:30pm” (Rise News Uganda Network, 19.06.2023).

“Following the brutal attack on Lhubiriha Secondary School in Kasese on Friday night, Kamwenge catholic parish priest Rev Fr James Isabakaki has asked members of the public to be security conscious and report to the authorities about any suspicious person” (87.9 FM VOK Radio, 19.06.2023).

“Following the attack on a school the Deputy RDC incharge of Busongora County said security had widened her investigations over whether the reported school ownership wrangles and the neighbouring community in the rebel ranks could have aided the deadly attack” (Kasese Guide Radio, 19.06.2023).

“Update: Reporter Ali Mivule updates us from Lhubiriha Secondary School in Mpondwe, Kasese, Western Uganda. Burials for the attack victims started yesterday. The report indicates relatives are anxious about the number of students suspected to have been abducted by the rebels. Families await DNA results for identification” (NTV Uganda, 19.06.2023).

Kasese is yet again hurt and suffering. This isn’t new and sadly won’t be the last. The innocent dies, while the evil prospers. That’s why children and people connected to them has been hurt. There is something not told by the authorities and by the ones in office these days. Because the stories are conflicting and not addressing the hurt.

This sort of sinister act needs an independent investigation by an outside body. Since no one really trust the Uganda Police Force or any other Security Agency in the Republic. They have in the past violated people in Kasese, and it could have happened again.

The Allied Defence Forces (ADF) haven’t taken responsibility or issued a statement in concern to the attack. Therefore, the allegations and pinning them is questionable at best. The ADF should have come out within 24 hours after the attack. However, it is radio-silence and no proof of it.

That’s why speculations are going everywhere, and people are claiming “ADF” is a scapegoat for someone else. It is easy to pin a rebel-group, but weird how it could get access and be able to do it inside the territories. Especially how close it was to a military base and with several of intelligence organizations have warnings about it in advance. That is just making the attack worse and seem very unprofessional of the authorities. They knew something was up, but they let it happen.

The victims and families will never be the same. The culprits will be unknown and will be politicised without any concerns of the grieving families. There so many who is scorned and suffering because of this. Kasese is yet again bleeding and for no apparent reason. No justification to do this and to innocent civilians who was just part of a school.

Right now everything stated would just be hearsay and the talk of the town. When we don’t have solid evidence or proof on the matter. Neither is their witness accounts on the conspiracy to attack the school. Until then, it would only be mere speculation and that will not bring the lives back or help the ones grieving. Instead it would only hurt and possibly get them to ask more questions about “why” and “how come” it happened right there and then.

We can only be uncertain right now. Lives have been lost and people abducted by a group of violent people who had no issues to trigger a lethal force on innocent civilians. That’s what they did and now Kasese district must suffer the consequences. It is just tragic and grim. To read the reports and hear about what went down. People are hurting and it’s a tragedy unfolding right in front of our eyes. Peace.

Oyam North By-Election: The Electoral Commission – Office of the District Returning Officer – Nomination Schedules (19.06.2023)

Opinion: PM Nabbanja – what law is Mpuuga violating?

“The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja has directed the Resident District Commissioners to apprehended the Leader of Opposition Rt. Hon. Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba should he again lay foot at government hospitals. An infuriated Nabbanja made her remarks while visiting Kawolo hospital yesterday where the LOP Mpuuga had just concluded his oversight duties. “I direct all RDCs to block Mr. Mpuuga from visiting government hospitals. We have no problem when he comes as a patient, but we will not entertain his politics in our hospitals,” Nabbanja said” (Emmanuel Busingye – ‘PM Nabbanja directs RDCs to arrest Mpuuga, 15.05.2023, ekyooto.co.uk).

The current Prime Miniser Robinah Nabbanja is trying to show force, but has no finesse. We know that she isn’t that clever. That has been evident all along and by the time of writing she’s yet again exposing it.

Instead of showing good governance or concerns about what the Leader of Opposition is doing. She’s instead incriminating him and violating his rights as the LoP. The Prime Minister has no rights in blocking him from visiting or observing things at government properties. The LoP has the right and is justified to visit hospitals, schools, or other public buildings across the Republic. Heck, he should be able to visit ungazetted safe houses too.

The Prime Minister is just showing how the government has failed. When they are not allowing Mpuuga to enter hospitals. It isn’t a sign of strength but of weakness. When you have to use force, intimidate and arrest someone over doing a little peak. You just know the government is in the wrong and lack moral judgement for their actions.

The PM should use her mind and spirit to help or guide the Ministry of Health. The hospitals needs investment and needs proper oversight. However, the PM is more busy being the unapologetic spokesperson for the President to actually do her job.

As the PM she should always entertain politics. She’s a politician and she should dwell into the matters of policy, plans or even her own manifesto, if she even has read and of them. It is hard to believe I say this, but the PM needs to be more humble and less of a knucklehead.

PM Nabbanja just shows she’s a crony and thinks this is the move to salvage the damage. However, it just exposes the total rot in the system. When you got arrest someone who has the rights to visit and to look at the current state of affairs. The LoP has all the rights and as the leader of the shadow government. He should be and allowed to enter government facilities, whether the PM likes it or not. The LoP should be able to do that as a civilian or as the LoP. That’s just being real…

PM Nabbanja is a fool yet again. Arresting someone because she and her party cannot maintain or have the ability to do their job properly. If the NRM and the PM’s party had worked and invested in the hospitals. This wouldn’t be an issue. However, the lack of that and the lack of concern of the state of the hospitals. Is the reason for the visits of the LoP.

That should send a signal to the NRM and the leaders in-charge that they got their work cut out. They will be told what is lacking and where they hurriedly need to improve. Peace.

Uganda: The Parliament of Uganda – Press Statement by Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kampala, Following Issuance of Level 3, Travel Advisory for Uganda, Dated June 12/2023 by United States of America / International Community Concerns (14.06.2023)

Opinion: Bobi Wine’s two important points on the current state of affairs…

I also drew attention to the persistent breakdown in national service delivery, especially caused by Corruption and Impunity. The recent disconnection of water supply to public hospitals and the delayed reconstruction of the Katonga bridge despite its strategic importance should remind us that we have no functional government. We must take urgent action to remedy this, that is why we have intensified countrywide outreaches with a significant number of our leaders deployed to re-mobilize the population” – Robert Kyagulanyi (13.06.2023).

The National Unity Platform (NUP) and People Power Movement leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine addressed the media the NUP Headquarters in Kamwokya today. This address had two very vital points. The first paragraph and a second one.

I will address that one before indulging in the second one, which is underneath here. It is a striking argument and reasoning behind his words. His going straight to the heart of government and how it lacks service delivery. He proves it by looking into the deteriorating state of the hospitals and the roads. While he can issue a will to re-mobilize the population. That mobilization has to come from within and with the will of the people. If his supposed to galvanize them. It cannot be for a gig or a short-term fix. No, it has to be for something significant and possibly a revolution. Because, that’s the only thing that can transfer power and unleash the will of the people. Until then… it is baby-steps and the pain is far from over.

Which is why I will now dwell into the second one…

The escalating insecurity in our country is another cause for alarm. Those responsible for citizens’ safety are instead fuelling insecurity as they are emboldened by the culture of impunity the regime has instilled among its officers. The lack of accountability for past incidents, including the massacre of unarmed citizens and the involvement of high-ranking officials including dictator Museveni’s son in abductions, torture and even murder means the situation is only going to get worse” (Robert Kyagulanyi, 13.06.2023).

We have seen this and the NUP leader isn’t lying. The evidence is in the murders and shootings. They are more prevalent than before and the NRM cannot hide from the fact. Yes, they pin-point the U.S. but that doesn’t stop the shootings locally. That is just proving because other people do it, I should do it too; which is such a school-yard argument or reasoning.

Bobi Wine is coming with harsh and sincere words here. Words that should be listened too. Especially before its too late. The cycle of violence will only make it worse. The hurt and plights will amplify and more people destroyed by it. This is people’s lives and livelihoods on the line. People are suffering and the only way out is the gun. That’s not how it was supposed to go and there was supposed to be other ways. However, NRM and the current regime’s violent approach to politics is now trickling down to the ones who carries guns. So, they think it’s within reason to shoot and kill too.

Bobi Wine’s warning should be cemented into stone. He is telling his supporters and everyone who follows that more people will suffer. The fight to end a dictator isn’t over and the pursuit moves on. Alas, the pursuit is dangerous and the ones involved in endangering themselves. They are possible victims of abductions, arrests, torture and possible extra judicial killings. Therefore, Bobi Wine’s words should be spread.

His saying what others doesn’t dare. His speaking out and people should listen. These words doesn’t come easy. The battle and fight against isn’t a combat for the faint-hearted. Peace.