Opinion: Acheng should explain the allegations against NUP SG Rubongoya…

Police in Kampala have today arrested Mr. David L. Rubongoya, General Secretary of NUP

and his Driver Agaba Godwin Joseph on allegations of threatening violence. It’s alleged that on 26/05/2022 at about 1200 hrs while in Omoro County Mr Rubongoya using Motor vehicle reg. no.UAS 490Z Toyota land cruiser white in colour threatened Hon. Acheng Ruth vide Omoro SD reference 19/26/5/2022. They are pending transfer to Omoro” (100.2 Galaxy FM Zzina!, 22.06.2022).

Today there was news that National Unity Platform (NUP) Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya was first arrested around Wandegeya and later re-arrested on new charges, which is alleging him to threaten Minister of Health, Ruth Acheng. Therefore, after being released on bonds or bail this evening.

The Minister of Health should explain herself. Even release an affidavit. Since, this seems like a political charge and nor a sincere. The Minister has a heavy security detail around her. She is never travelling alone. While the NUP SG doesn’t have it similar. That’s why his easily to arrest across the city. Which is why the authorities could arrest him and keep him detained so easy.

This just shows what the state is capable of doing. They can easily arrest high ranking officials in the opposition and they don’t even need proof of the allegations. Not that this is anything new. That’s why people are lingering behind bars for “inciting violence” and such. This is what the authorities does and it clear. It is open intimidation and crack-down on the opposition.

What we should need to know is what the Minister has done and why the charges is suddenly pinned on the NUP SG. That is needed now and she should address the allegations to the public. Because, the opposition leader shouldn’t be charged willy-nilly. Neither should anyone else be apprehended or charged without proof. This is why the Minister needs to explain it to the public. I have feeling she feels above that or any critique.

However, that he was taken into custody and so suddenly. Make you wonder what’s the reason and why the state did it today. Certainly, this tale is far from over. As the NUP SG was released hours later, but the case will now be pending. However, we should never expect anything to be address or any substantial trial. Since, it is all a mockery and an attempt to silence an opposition leader. Peace.

Opinion: Kibalama and company is outsmarted yet again

You cannot break a man’s hustle. The former leadership of the National Unity Reconciliation and Development Party (NURP) is trying to hijack the current National Unity Platform (NUP). The other so called fraction of the party has built a new headquarters in Rubaga (Lubaga) but the official one of the party is in Kamwokya. Therefore, the stalemate is there and now the NUP – Rubaga isn’t only acting in contempt of the courts, but also the Electoral Commission.

Both the High Court and the Electoral Commission states that the current leadership of the NUP in Kamwokya is the righteous ones. This means that whatever mission Moses Nkonge Kibalama and Paul Ssimbwa Kagombe is a flawed and an epic failure. They can go on TV and NBS Television to cry out loud. However, their party and what was in the past is now gone. That was done before the General Elections of 2021 and registered as a new party.

The old guard of the NURP could possibly start another party or another venture. However, they cannot hijack or try to forge their way into controlling the current NUP. That is already sealed and was done wisely. For all matters and sake, the coordination and the manner of which it was done. Was done in a way of ensuring that no one could suddenly ambush it.

Yes, the system and the other parties has tried to soften the blow. They have gone after everything and the party has been targeted. It has been tested in the courts and now with the recent developments. This is only showing how futile the mission or enterprise of Kibalama is… his hungry and got nowhere to go. Heck, his house is lacking windows… it is leaking just like his plans or his new organization.

They are acting all out and the newest reports is that the NUP Kamwokya is planning legal action against Kibalama. This time the Kibalama fraction has to answer the Kamwokya and not the other way around.

The ones calling this is a hurdle, it could turn into a tailspin for Kibalama. As the things seems iron-tight. For a moment, I was worried that this could become a MDC-Alliance sort of tale. Where the one fraction would undermine with the help of the junta. However, at this very moment and after the letter of EC. Things seems secured and all legit. That’s why Bobi Wine and associates can all muscle up.

Certainly this tale is far from over. The NUP of Kamwokya has the upper hand. We just have to see how this pans out. Kibalama is playing a loosing game. Looking more and more foolish by the day. That is certain… and it’s tragic really.

He and his company should just start a new chapter and new body. Instead of trying to act like they lead what they lost. The ones following and in the circle of Kibalama should know that. However, ego and pride plus the ability to see the relevance is maybe a reason why Kibalama is doing this. Nevertheless, his losing more and more. Not regaining or winning by any stretch of the imagination. That is obvious.

No matter how dubious or how clever you are. The team around you and how you operate will expose you. This second edition of using means to destroy the NUP. Is only showing that Kibalama could never leave it alone or let it go. He wants it back, but it isn’t his anymore. Peace.

Uganda: The Electoral Commission letter to Nkonge Moses Kibalama – Re: Returns on the Delegates’ Conference submitted to Electoral Commission (21.06.2022)

National Unity Platform (NUP): Press Statement (21.06.2022)

Kibalama trying to revive the lost…

The former President the former president of National Unity Reconciliation and Development Party (NURP), Moses Kibalama is trying to make himself relevant again. This after losing in the courts, which dismissed his petition in October 21 2020. As he sought to regain the lost party called NURP, which was rebranded to the National Unity Platform (NUP), the political party of the People Power Movement and run under a new leadership of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine.

It reminds of a quotation from the judgement in the High Court from 2020, which says this:

The applicant in this case ought to have applied for judicial review within 3 months after the change of name of the party from NURP to NUP i.e by 6th June2019 but instead the applicants filed this application on 24th August 2020 after over one year. This application was made with a view of making some money during the election season and the applicants have no genuine grievance but rather want to be relevant and make some quick cash” (High Court, 21.10.2020).

So, seeing Kibalama building and rebranding a “new” headquarter in Lubaga is just nonsense at best. That’s just toying around with a ship that has sailed. The deal and agreement is sealed. Even the courts didn’t entertain him. Therefore, this gig is over and the show is over.

Kibalama wants to be in the spotlight and his party, which he founded back in the day became relevant. Heck, it became viable because the People Power Movement and Bobi Wine infused enthusiasm and a red wave, which Kibalama never would have achieved or dreamed off.

This is a Moses that never got enter Canaan and Joshua came into it instead. That’s why Kibalama is acting like this. He know he lost and has no real ownership of it anymore. It is really tragic that he does this… but he has no leverage or option to recover ownership of it either. That’s why he lost and was dismissed.

Certainly, no one should ever take this man serious again. He even made up and had talks after the case with Bobi Wine. So, this man knows the gist.

Well, just to show how quickly the man changes his mind. Only in February this year. Bobi Wine visited him and wrote this: “We spent part of today visiting mzee Moses Nkonge Kibalama, the former NUP President. Despite the challenges we had in the past, we have continued to be in touch with him and to offer support to him and his colleagues in their different endeavours. We are glad to see that his health has greatly improved.” (Bobi Wine, 22.02.2022).

Now, the same man is now trying revive himself and become the leader of the lost. However, the party he founded isn’t the same as the one running now. It is another machine and with another Party President, which is more successful. Bobi Wine has achieved something Kibalama never could or had the ability too.

That’s why he wants it back now. Because the NUP matters now is in Kamwokya and has a seat at the table. The NUP that means someone has MPs and a leader who faces off with the ones in charge. Maybe he wants another additional 5 million shillings or whatnot. Since the money-pit dried up and his not getting serviced like in the past.

Kibalama is a just a tragic figure. The “new” HQ is just a proof of that. He should rest and retire. This man will not be resurrected on the third day. The NUP he once knew is long gone and no way he can return to it. The only thing he can is to talk and have moments of nostalgia. Peace.

National Unity Platform (NUP): Statement on the 40m Uganda Shillings given illegally to Members of Parliament (14.06.2022)

Justice Forum (JEEMA): Legal Statement on the Continous Beleagurment of the JEEMA HQTRS by the Uganda Police Force and its Sister Security Agencies (09.06.2022)

Opinion: A decade changes a man, just look at Mpuuga…

Mpuuga’s own press release from 2012

“We issued the statement in parliament on behalf of our party relating to the running away of prices on essential goods. But the regime hasn’t considered anything. We asked them to cut on high taxes and to turn down their appetite for expenditure, but nothing has been considered” (..) “Stop questioning why we have not joined. Don’t wait for Kyagulanyi to do anything, do it yourself. Kyagulanyi is a leader, equally, you’re a leader in your own capacity because you head a family that is constrained. We want to invite fellow citizens to be alive. It is a matter of time. If you want change tomorrow, you will have it tomorrow. I want to invite you to participate in every activity” – Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga (01.06.2022).

We all change and we all are appearing different with times. Our stances are fluid and changes, as we see things differently. It is nothing different with a leader and a Member of Parliament. That the former resilient leader, Democratic Party MP and now National Unity Platform and Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga has changed over the years makes sense.

Mpuuga is a man of fire and bravado. A man who has stood amid fire and seen the price of rebellion. That’s why he was part of A4C/4GC and also a part of the rise of the People Power Movement and the NUP now. So, it isn’t like he has gone carefully ahead and been consistent in letting bygones be bygones.

I’m just dropping a part of a text showing how he used to sound like when the commodity prices were rising in 2011. When he was an active coordinator in A4C, because as the LoP his not the same. Maybe his gotten comfortable and wants to shield himself with the Parliamentary role, which he himself said wasn’t sufficient in the rising inflation of 2011. It is really striking how things changes.

Just take a look:

“The Walk to Work campaign is still on every Monday and Thursday for Ugandans to express their dissatisfaction with conduct of affairs of the state by the regime in power, especially neglecting the welfare of the common man. Take for instance the escalating prices of petroleum products.  Government’s instrasigence and refusal to reduce taxes on fuel is a major reason ordinary Ugandans sleep and live in the dark both in towns and the country side. And while crude oil prices have gone down on the world market, the government of Uganda has not reciprocated by compelling dealers to reduce pump prices” (…) “Activists 4 Change stands in solidarity with all Ugandans who are outraged by the news that Parliament seeks to increase their emoluments in the face of rising inflation.  Reports in the mainstream media indicate that an unholy alliance between some opposition MPs and some ruling party MPs put forward these offending proposals after throwing the media out of Parliament, blacking out television coverage and suspending formal recording of proceedings in the Hansard” (…) “If these reports are accurate, then it appears that MPs have prioritized their personal concerns ahead of those of their constituents in a very selfish and greedy manner.  All Ugandans are affected by inflation, high interest rates and taxes.  We send leaders to Parliament to address concerns that affect us all and not to sit behind closed doors and improve their personal welfare through lavish spending of public funds at our cost.  These reports have cast a dark shadow over the August House at a time when government has failed to offer meaningful solutions to address soaring fuel and food prices affecting constituents” (Activist for Change (A4C) – “The Walk to Parliament on Monday” 28.05.2011, Mathias Mpuuga).

I could have found several of other texts from the days of A4C showing how resilient and willing to budge he was. Where he was standing on the barricades and wanted to reform the government from the streets. Now, his speaking like the men he casqued and spoke ill of a decade ago. His just like the MPs and the Parliament, which he didn’t favour when he himself was a radical and a firebrand politician fighting for the people. Now, that train has left the station and he uses the protocols and the lack of care of the NRM.

Mpuuga is using the excuses of the men and woman he fought in the past. Instead of understanding that things haven’t evolved. Instead, things are more of the same and he has gotten into a position where has more influence. However, he don’t want to use it and the NUP should unite behind the campaign of Besigye. Because, that’s what a sensible person would do.

Nevertheless, maybe the Perks of the LoP and the Parliament is eating his soul. His afraid of losing the pocket and the fortunes of his office. That’s why his instead seeking other means now. Since, it seems to cost to much to be like he was back in the day. That’s how I view it.

Mpuuga of a decade ago would have been running wild and been out there. Now, his in office and wants other to fence for him. Maybe it’s tiredness, fatigue or maybe he isn’t even hungry. His content with life and other can take the mantle. That’s how it looks like to me. Now that the same issue of a decade ago is resurfacing and instead of following up where he left off in the A4C. He has turned into the people he spoke ill of then. Peace.

Omoro County By Election: Return Form for Transmission of Results (26.05.2022)

Omoro County By-Election: The lessons of the “victory” of the Son of Jacob

The preliminary results are that National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag-bearer Andrew Ojok Oulanyah is projected to win. That will unlikely not change and the opposition will loose the chance to retake the seat, as the NRM retain it yet again. This is not shocking, because of how the state operates and uses the machinery for their advantage.

The NRM and the ruling regime uses all techniques possibly to win. They are using their appointed local leaders, national secretariat and government institution to serve their candidacy. This being the army, the police or any other sort of “help” for a push of their candidate. The Residential District Commander and the Regional Police Commander both will coordinate and fight for the NRM flag-bearer. Therefore, there is little left to chance or option to object to the one favoured by the state.

The ones who are canvassing and working for candidates of the opposition is naturally in danger of arrest, kidnap and kept incommunicado until the “victory” is sealed. This happened here and the soldiers will make people bounce. The county had road-blocks to stop people from entering and blocking “strangers” from entering. Meaning, anyone who could sway opinion or gain interests for anything, which wasn’t NRM isn’t allowed by definition.

The whole affair and polls just shows how important bribes, voter tourism and intimidation is to win at this stage. The NRM cannot pull or win with honest intentions. No, they have to rig it and block the opposition. They have to use force and be ill-willed. This is just the nature of things and the beasts are all out to play. The victims, the opposition or the ones associated with them are the targets. That’s their price of playing and participating in these elections. Even if the opposition plays by the rules or regulations, the goal-post changes and the authorities are using all excuses to go after them.

That’s why NRM can use government vehicles, institutions and appointees to secure their candidate gets elected. The soldiers and police officers will play out for their orders too. There is nothing that isn’t accessible for them and they uses all means to get there.

The by-election county looks like a war-zone. The Electoral Commission can put in guidelines, but the NRM don’t have to follow them. These are put out to limit the opposition and not for the ruling regime. Because, they can electioneer, rig and use violence to win. That’s what they do and they are proud of it too. Even if the election isn’t legit or the result isn’t transparent with the will of the people. Since, it has all been a game and it was rigged before the people stepped into the polling station to vote.

That’s why the NRM is a sorry state of itself. A place that used to have the Regional Party Vice-President of the NRM, the former Speaker who used to be the fourth high ranking official of the Republic. Still, in that constituency which the father won in 2011, 2016 and 2021. Even with that… the Son of Jacob needed all powers and all the help he could to get across the finish-line. It is not easy when you use all of this to get elected.

We are seeing that the Son of Jacob is happy about the result and becoming the winner. However, he should be concerned about how it happened. The whole system was on his side and there was no mercy served. It was a systemic brutality and usage of force to retain the seat. There was nothing in it showing a free and fair election. That is very obvious… therefore, it is false start to proclaim grandeur and solidify victory.

Ojok Oulanyah should know that he got elected not by the will of the people, but by the force of the gun. If that’s how he wants to be a representative and be known for. That’s his choice, as he got bills to pay and got a mansion to finish after his late father. So, most likely he doesn’t care, because he secures the continuation of his fathers legacy. However, he will also not be fondly remembered by all. As people have been scarred, taken into custody and been arranged by the authorities for just doing their mission for their candidates. That shouldn’t be the case, but is what went down in Omoro county.

The NRM cannot speak of being a nationwide party, when they operate like an army with a political wing. That’s how it looks like in these sorts of by-elections. Not looking like a strong or a popular people’s party, but an army with political figureheads. Peace.