IGP Okoth Ochola orders to shield the media: However, as long as they enforce POMA, will it matter?

In a Police Circular of 16^th May 2018, the Inspector General of the Police Okoth Ochola has ordered a shift of policy towards the media. This is a change, but if we only see it on paper or in reality. Time will tell, because the laws that the Police use are still the same, they still have the Public Order Management Act (POMA), which has been used as a tool to oppress and silence opposition. Where the Police has interfered in journalistic endevours and political party works all across the Republic. All of that is well-known, as the Police needs to engage and give consent if anyone is gathering. That is so they can either stop it before it happens or have knowledge of any activity of any party, that is happening in public.

What is key from the message from the IGP was this:

“Unit commanders must observe the safety of journalists very critically and no journalist or citizen should ever be abused or tortured. Torture is a criminal offence according to the law and whoever will be found to be involved in the crime shall be expeditiously investigated and prosecuted. The constitution calls upon us all to preserve, protect and promote media freedoms” (IGP Okoth Ochola, 16.05.2018).

CEON-U reported this from the General Election and Campaigning in 2016:

“At the (media content) producer level, journalists reported pressure from government, security and ruling party officials, which sometimes saw the cancellation of critical radio programmes as well as suspension of presenters and talk show hosts for entertaining opposition candidates, especially Besigye. There were also increased cases of assaults and intimidation of journalists, self-censorship, and bribery” (CEON-U – ‘UGANDA GENERAL ELECTIONS 2016: REVISITING THE DEMOCRACY CONSTRUCT’ P:76, 2016).

It is not long ago, when Besigye was planning to hold a Radio Tour all-around Uganda, but the State sanctioned the radios holding him, but at the same period in time, the President could do the same and on the same topic, as Besigye was planning too. It is not many months ago. Therefore, the state is continuing to oppress and silence the other voices, than of the President.

Museveni likes to own the media, own the message and control it, therefore, he has lecture anyone to follow his voice and pattern, not question it, because then your not patriotic. That is what is well-known, so it is good idea that the Police are supposed to respect the covering of the journalists and their work. However, if they start to be to critical or get sources, which is questioning the Musevenisms, then know they will be besieged, be detained and lose their license. That is what Museveni does, so even if the journalist wouldn’t be arrested while on Live-Broadcast, like the police did in Kasangati in the recent year. Still, the NRM and Uganda Police Force has a long walk ahead.

It is nice that the IGP wants things to change, but they should also abolish POMA, so people are allowed to participate and be political active, without having the police breathing down their necks or coming with tear-gas, every time they congregate. This will certainly his a journalist, a camera-man or anyone covering it. They will not be totally shielded, I doubt the Police would do so. They usually cover all angles and anyone in the nearby passage get touched.

The Police can order and say they will leave the journalists be, but will they really follow through, when there are laws like the POMA in affect. That will not change the dynamics, unless, the Parliament makes other laws, that gives the provisions to the Police to act differently. Peace.

Here is the circular:

Analysis of the Pre-Election Period; as the Parties and Candidates make the preparations before the polls

As we go in the final week before the polls happens on the 18^th February as the public and citizens will go to the polls and give their votes. The parties are doing the final preparations and rallies to generate the outcome the want.

This has been three horse race, as the five other candidates has not shined as much as NRM’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, FDC’s Dr. Kizza Besigye and Go-Forward/TDA Amama Mbabazi. Not as Abed Bwanika of the People’s Development Party hasn’t had done a bad campaign; I would say the opposite; but he is not in the league of gentlemen first noticed. Another candidate who has done well considering the beginning is Gen. Benon Buta Biraaro of the Farmers Party has done a decent job and said certain things that have been spot-on. Still, his reach has not come to any level of challenging the big-league. Joseph Mabirizi has become a punchline and not a candidate that justify the time he has spent or the money his campaign used. The only female in the race Maureen Kyalya Wamula has not been great sport, she is smart and wise, but loses the final touch as she speeds away a month in London; when arrives back travers Busoga again. She should instead tried to become a MP from Busoga, then becoming President as it would be fitting by how she did her campaign! Professor Venansius Baryamureeba the independent candidate haven’t made any noticeable progress other than pledges that are out of his league and I personally lost touch of him after the #UGDebate16 as he been in the wind.

So I will not discuss the 5 candidates unless they did something magical. As there been moments, but not many. Just as the media report Museveni and his NRM has “owned” the media, had most space in papers, radios and TV, even with the issues Museveni has had with NTV, Daily Monitor and a rare bunch of local radio channels; Mbabazi comes second most of the time in the report, but either the same as Besigye or not; Besigye been third or second with around 20 %.. So when President Museveni has cried foul it’s been because his make-up hasn’t been perfect while the drones driving over the campaign venue or the headlines in the newspapers he never reads is written in wrong fonts so he can’t find out what it means. As he is watching the pictures and cartoons as that is deep enough for the Mzee!

We can easily see the hurt in NRM, as Go-Forward and Mbabazi is getting crowds without ferrying them, even when they work hard to pay people to shun his rallies, while they people to come to rallies; but never in the same place as the rally, the buses has to go into the villages and give UGX 5k and a t-shirt to get them to show-up at the Mzee venue. While Mbabazi Go-Forward has had massive deflections even major parts of his security detail went to the NRM and Go Forward officials in Teso region have disowned purported defectors, from their camp to the ruling National Resistance Movement-NRM party.  On Tuesday, more than 700 people were paraded before the First lady, Janet Museveni at Soroti State lodge claiming that they had defected from the camp of ex-prime minister. Even in Karamoja Janet Museveni has paid people who supposed to be FDC or Go-Forward to deflect to NRM.

While the NRM front-man was really humiliated in Kayunga Town on the 8^th February 2016 as the NRM Poor Youth would not mobilize for him. As he didn’t get the news from Isa Kato that NRM Poor Youth becoming Ugandan Poor Youth Forum on the 6^th January and pleading their alliance to Mbabazi. That must hurt Mzee! As his former outfit have distanced themselves from NRM by giving their credentials to Mbabazi; it’s not a good luck when especially his NRM Mobilisers like Mike Ssebalu (Sebalu) didn’t contact the locals in other ways, as also the locals did not want to be ferried to the campaign venue. That must be slap on his face!

Besigye, the People’s President is really having a blast on the campaign trail and his campaign rallies has been massive as he has not gone into the meager display of the NRM, which has to ferry crowds from other parts of the country or villages with their yellow buses or even hire other transport companies to send people to his venues. While Dr. Kizza Besigye get people hyped and walking with swagger before arriving, they washing the roads and making the venues ready, the roads are blocked by crowds in procession to the stadiums and main squares as the people is really ready for change of the guards.

NRM seems exhausted even when dropping millions upon millions to every village, having the NRM Mobilisers and NRM leaders giving money to villagers. NRM continue to give money to bribe people to vote for them, this is the way have to because they have no legitimate ways of political framework as everything seem more to corrupted by the position the leadership of NRM handling it. As the Primaries was a strange nearly fictional event which was marred with malfunctions.

Just as the NRM EC under Dr. Tanga Odoi has been capable of doing some strange things during the party elections; the Electoral Commission have recently hope that the Ugandan citizens and NGOs continue to be ignorant about their actions. As they introduced a new voting slip system that you search on their site to get your place to go to vote, also where to pick-up the slip.

The Electoral Commission have also dropped the voters register who was compiled with deceased people and ghost voters in the size of 20,000 that took the Chairman nearly two weeks before he addressed. Before he addressed it the rumors of trying to leave the country during this week, while being stopped by 7 military vehicles and not able to leave as he has to do a service for the Mzee. Badru M. Kiggundu is soon looking like a Thomas Moore kind of man; as he is a blind Yellow Fellow who has sold his soul to Mzee, while missing the ingredient of the he getting his head chopped for not following the orders the king gives to him.

The NRM people is addressing the public with fear and telling that the world will dismantle into pieces if they don’t go for the NRM. That is an terrifying way of rhetoric and that Mzee even had to address Lukwago in a dismissal and unfavorable way that none deserve, as the old man with the hat should show some respect to other leaders in the country. The Police continue to oppress the FDC and opposition parties.

The Army is deploying more and more people in the streets as pictures of trucks and soldiers to spread fear in Kampala as the legitimacy is gone. The only way people staying loyal to the ruling-party is if they are payed enough or facilitated to the max so the houses and cars paid by the NRM; not on their own original salary.

New Vision continues writing fictitious polls giving the NRM and Museveni 53 % as servicing the ruling regime until the end. But while we know the Vision Media group and it’s radios and newspapers are owned by Museveni; so they will write in favor of Mzee at any cost, even if it is far from the truth, because they got nothing else.

The interesting last thing I will say my piece on is the second #UGDebate where Museveni actually said he will show up, but he needed to send Justine Kasule Lumumba to facilitate the events in favor of her meal-ticket. As the other parties has no issues about the event, NRM can’t handle that the one person moderate Voice of America own journalist Shaka Ssali from Kabale. They would rather have a UBC journalist or anybody they could pocket to make it beautiful fairytale the NRM want to portray. While Mwenda has said he is not Museveni’s campaign manager and would advise him not to show up and grace the event. That tells more about Mwenda then the debate, as Mwenda is more a closet fan of Museveni now than he will ever admit and seems like he has switches he googles and seen the Resistance Light as he has changed his view 360 from 2008. NRM might attend the event. The rest has promised like last time and will show up. We can be sure about that, they got nothing to lose.

The NRM and Museveni will look even more foolish if they fear Shaka Ssali, then he really is a Donald Trump character as he can’t handle Megyn Kelly of Fox News. There is a picture for you. This is my view of recent; it changes with information and the movement on the ground. This is how I feel, not how mr. Zeke on Kampala Road feels, this is all me. Peace.  

Mzee continues to struggle with the Media; Mzee defends his actions towards NTV; and mistakes the truth with lies

Mzee had today a Press Conference at the Masindi State Lodge in between campaign rallies. He has had issues with the press recently and this here is the memorable quotes from it!

The memorable quote worth taking from Today’s Press Conference:
“Is it not abuse of power to go in public and talk about something you don’t know?”  Mzee continued saying this: “Daily Monitor is also bad paper. Some of these groups like Monitor and NTV don’t know there is a God. They just tell lies. They think that they are the end of the world but God is there looking. You wait. NTV is bad television. NTV is an enemy television”. He continued to say this at the press conference:“Have I wasted my two hours talking since I have not bribed you? Will you air this program?” Also said: “Why do you publish naked women? Why don’t you publish the wealth creation message?”

Mzee doesn’t have it easy lately especially how he looks like a coward after not participating in the debate. A debate for schoolchildren where the other Presidential Candidates was speaking on live TV and discussing governmental matters; that is abuse Mzee that is democratic development where you try to find solutions and explain how they would run their government. As you did in 1980 as a UPM leader and failed. I am sure Milton Obote didn’t call out foul for how he was addressing the papers and radios at that present time. When you did go to the bush, didn’t really know how to run the government because you had run it for a hot minute and been part of Obote’s second term in charge. But is just me right?

Well, this here is pre-bush-war and liberation struggle of President Museveni. Who did what he had to do to reach power. He can’t help himself. Then he has be pastoral again, be preachy as Pentecostal pastor as God being mixed into the freedom of the press and the free speech scenario. NTV and Daily Monitor is now bad paper and telling lies. If so, why does New Vision come with the same poll 5 years apart mister Mzee?

His Excellency is proclaiming they are so bad that their bringing back the end of the world with their reporting. That is what he is initially saying to the other press today. That they have become his enemies; that NTV is about partisan politics towards him and also creating bad programs. As they don’t know they don’t know about the almighty lord. He is calling them bad and atheist! Since NTV is bad and doesn’t see God who is looking at their work.

The worst part of this address is that Daily Monitor and NTV is bad, and doesn’t know God. Mzee has lost the plot. This here is another level of harassment on the media from the President. The ban of NTV has burned like fire in dry grass and that is for reason. Nobody else then Mzee has had the media coverage or control of the media as him. Right now the Media isn’t telling the stories he want them tell. The adventures and fairytales of the NRM are not being portrayed in the Daily Monitor or on NTV. They ask questions to his reign, not as UBC and New Vision who process the stories of Ofwono Opondo or Mike Sebula without questioning it. Just like they did when they published the recent 71% lead to Mzee, the same lead he apparently had in 2011. We can’t help to question that or the motivation to get the same coverage in all parts of the media.

That an President proclaims in the end of the campaign period and at the same time says as it the end of the world; also that the media who address the world different than his party are enemies! Surely that is not democratic or justified. Sure he could use some drones to fill in the voter tourism at his campaign rallies or have less UPDF people to keep the people at the rally. So they can’t leave until they are told so.

The programming of the TV Station is for the TV Station or Radio Station to decide depending on what they see as relevant to their schedule and their viewers wish to see it or enjoy it. That is just rude from the President to tell the journalist: that he nearly decree them show his press conference without questioning if they have something else to show. I am sure because he moves his brain and mouth everywhere, so it not literally news anymore. Yeah, I know me playing with the leopard’s anus. But next time maybe not ban a TV Stations before telling the ones showing up their thinking of airing it that is just disrespectful!

Then you tell Red Pepper what to address in the paper, especially not write about human rights violations of the Police, which it is when an opposition woman get undressed in public while travelling to an opposition rally. Instead you want to them to write about your pyramid scheme called the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), that does not prove any yield yet, that is why I call it a pyramid scheme. You have come up similar programs  since taking power in 1986. They have a saying if you lie enough times you believe it as truth. You, Mzee have told the stories on how you will make the country prosperous, instead you have gotten wealthy, while the country you been running is not. That is the reason why Red Pepper writes about Human Rights violations instead of OWC.

Your address the journalist and media as underlings and people, who don’t understand anything, while wanting them to broadcast your stories. You don’t see the misconception in that? This here press conference proves the vile attempt of self-rule and justifications on his own behalf, instead of coming with the tone and gentleman’s approach to the media. Instead he goes gung-ho and address them in a manner that no statesmen would do. Neglecting the fact of how journalism works and that his dedication and presence does not entail a special treatment. You can talk for as many hours as you please and continue with your rallies, but as long as your progress is to stifle media, tell media what to broadcast and also put God into the mix; your losing the basics of news. Media would address you and describe your things if they we’re worthy, or if they we’re paid to do so, as your press are doing constantly like UBC and New Vision. They will have special reports on you and pieces on the achievements of the NRM if you order it. That will not happen from your so-called enemies. If you make them your enemies, then you expect them address your properly? Do you expect people to show you appreciation if you discuss them in volatile way instead being in dialogue? You’re even saying they doesn’t know the almighty God and his overview of the situation, something that you’re implying that your seeing. Isn’t that being a bit naïve and also telling your enemies to be unholy to clean your own hands?

Why should we trust your stories when you tell them the way it makes you look great at any given time, instead of giving the same story! That your implying that you speak the truth while NTV and Daily Monitor tells the opposite. Proves that he has already decided that they are evil and lying to the public, because they don’t tell his stories anymore in the reflection that he wants; because if you don’t tell a story as Mzee then you’re lying; that is my public announcement and keep that in your mind when writing about him. That is what he wants to control your mind so you write the stories he wants; so please Red Pepper, Daily Monitor and NTV address the Operation Wealth Creation, forget the woman of the country and human rights, that doesn’t matter, that is if: Mzee still have the authority to control the creative control of the media and take away the freedom of speech and freedom of the press. That is what he fought for in Luweero in 1980s so he could run the country, not have a free the press or freedom to the people, or have I lost the plot? Peace.

NRM cries foul over media coverage

There is some fun in this that the NRM cries foul over coverage. Especially when some of remember when certain loyal cronies was crying over how the NBS and NTV was following and imbedded into the convoys to their consultation meeting. Let me remind you on that before going over the comment recently coming from the NRM.

On the 14^th October 2015 IGP Kale Kayihura spoke at his press conference that day on the media:

“The thing, you as Journalists, especially NTV, NTV and NBS. Who normally are embedded with, in these convoys, I don’t know for what reason, whether you are really Journalist, at the edge of consents, or your been inducted into parties politics. That goes against by the way the professional ethics of journalism! That got a mandate to go after this, because it’s the broadcast act, the media and journalist act”.

So having the head of the Police commenting on how the journalist follows the FDC and Go-Forward consultation meetings was expected for everybody, though ironic talking about ethics, because they did in the same time period create havoc in Rukungiri and in the Greater Masaka area where the FDC was planning to have events. The Police also was violent in Soroti and Jinja where the Go-Forward camp had planned meetings. So that the media was following was to address the interests and how the Police was going against their own citizens. They are doing their duty as journalist to address the matters and also the unnecessary violence and detaining opposition party members and leaders; that is a common good that, that get addressed by the media in those instances.

But let’s take a look at what the NRM said this week:

The Secretary General of NRM Justine Kasule Lumumba said this: “You should take note that our candidate has so far addressed 70 rallies and some haven’t even covered 20 of them” (…)”I have observed that some media houses are biased and do not cover all the candidates equall” (FakeBeast, 2015).

What we have seen in October this year had the IGP Kale Kayihura saying that Media should not be in the convoys of a political parties, especially considering their ethical and codes of conduct of a journalist. That is in stark contrast to what the Secretary General Cries fowl about this week.

Though she does that, I am sure that NRM forgetting their own actions while they we’re in Lango Sub-County on the 13^th November 2015 on the trail to 2016. This happen that day:

Museveni expels NTV from his media team after what he called unbalanced reporting on him. As per now, NTV journalists are being escorted back to Kampala by soldiers of the Special Forces Command. Daily monitor was also warned of a possible closure should their reporting continue to ‘favor’ the opposition ‘against’ Mr. Museveni.

That is just two weeks ago. So when you see how the NRM and their Presidential Candidate Yoweri Kaguta Museveni wasn’t happy with the pictures and “unbalanced” reports given at the time and at the rallies. That the Secretary General now in all respects says the same thing. It is not surprising, since they want all coverage! They don’t want people to follow the FDC, Go-Forward, Farmers Party or PDP, even the Independents who also have rallies.

The trouble NRM and the Police has with the coverage is that it isn’t just in favor with the view and perspective that NRM wish to perceive. That is because they will cover as they feel is right and question it all. I am sure the NRM is not happy with the covering reports of how they have used Crime Preventers to fill up crowds and deliverance of T-Shirts, foods and paying gas to Boda-Boda drivers around the venues of the NRM rallies. That is something that is not happening around the Go-Forward or FDC venues in the same time frame.

The pain that NRM have right now is that they don’t know how to handle that their losing grip. Everybody isn’t eating out their hands and taking their words for granted. That the media doesn’t follow you as they used to, because they are trying to cover the other parties rallies as well. Since there 8 candidates, there is a trio on the top that has the most coverage no matter how you look upon it. That Museveni, Mbabazi and Besigye has the most is natural, not only by looking at the size of their campaigns, but also the suctions of the candidates. That is why deflections is mostly happening to these candidates and their parties.

The reason why Go-Forward Camp or FDC camp is claiming the same as NRM about biased and unbalanced coverage is because of the massive coverage in general these days. NRM has their own media-house, which has been proven with 5 pages special from the NewVision during the start of the campaign trail. Something that the same paper would never do on FDC or Go-Forward because of its loyalty to the NRM. That is something other media-houses doesn’t have, even when they have shut down the Daily Monitor, reports of even paying of editors to scribble something else then negative and true coverage of the Government of Uganda and that means the NRM.

So if the Secretary General Kasule Lumumba and President Museveni complain; it’s kind of expected at this point. That IGP Kayihura was directing the media was also expected since he will detain anybody who doesn’t follow his reasoning. But that the internal parts of the Party of NRM now reacts with three months to go to General Elections in 2016. This shows that their struggling with convincing the media on how to cover the rallies and pledges given by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

IGP Kayihura get his wish in a way if that the media is not imbedded with convoys of the NRM party, since that is what he said was against the ethics of journalists. Something that Museveni and Kasule Lumumba we can assume isn’t happy about at this present time. Since they want to have the NRM in the spotlight, get the GREEN positive GO light. That they don’t get. The coverage is followed by their actions and when you constantly attack and address journalist as problems and make their relationship problematic, it will be easier to address the Go-Forward and FDC where you are welcome. That is proven with the actions done by the NRM in Lango Sub-County.

And by looking at their actions and wishes is not something you can combine. It doesn’t match. If they want more coverage then they also have accept it for what it is. Instead of telling what and trying to spin it the way they want it. I am sure Dr. Kizza Besigye didn’t want the photos with the chicken to the public, as much as Amama Mbabazi didn’t want to have the “Share-A-Coke with” moment earlier in the campaign. But that happen and the media and online world has captured it.

That the NRM feels that the coverage is biased or not covered enough is telling more about the NRM, then the media. The Media can make their decision to where to cover and how they explain and express what happens around the NRM. The NRM can’t do like they do internally to explain and argue, the media should be different. That they feel less covering then Dr. Kizza Besigye and Amama Mbabazi proves how much they fear the opposition and their candidates since the NRM can’t handle how big crowds surround their trails and none of them is payed Crime Preventers or hired men to show up. Some of the crowds at the NRM venues has been so and when that has been pointed out in media, the media has been criticized for saying so. Well, the retort should be – there shouldn’t be hired crowds at the campaign trail, and doesn’t matter which party. NRM they have a history for this kind of action, therefore when the media and journalist address it, it’s the NRM who should change, not the Journalist addressing it.

That is in general what the NRM, Museveni and Kasule Lumumba implies that the Media and Journalists should change to their tune and not think for themselves and just cover what they want to show. Like they wanted all to see Bebe Cool speaking about roads to Moroto after the recent rally, but not about the rest of the state of Sub-County where he was campaigning, I am sure not all parts of those areas was that great built and functioning, right?

NRM can cry foul and can be suspicious of how the coverage is being carried out. But we all know that they just want the whole spotlight and leave everybody else into darkness. That would be wish of President Museveni, he want to be leading star and the guardian of the galaxy!

Still, it seems that they still get massive coverage, maybe not the one they want… or wished in the first place. And that hurts them because they want be the beautiful ruling government instead they are showing the NRM-Regime as they really are. The actions and rhetoric hurts them and doesn’t help their cause, if they really have another one then ruling, and one man ruling them all. If so, please enlighten me on that, since I only see a one-man ruling party who is a skeleton when he needs it. And loyal subjects to him like Secretary General Kasule Lumumba and others who comply with his every need. Something the media does not do and question their behavior and words. To see and discuss it! That will hopefully also happen under a new regime and hopefully be more tolerant of the journalist and their opposition then the one that currently ruling Uganda. Peace.

Reference:

Fakebeast – ‘Media ignores Museveni, Kasule cries out’ (26.11.2015) link: http://www.fakebeast.com/media-ignores-museveni-kasule-cries-out/

Kabuzire, Linda – ‘NRM: Mbabazi Must Stop Provoking Us’ (26.11.2015) link: http://www.chimpreports.com/nrm-mbabazi-must-stop-provoking-us/

Uganda – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni: Campaign of Fear for 2016 Presidential Election

When you have been in charge for a long time and no strategies to secure your position, it might be natural start campaigning as a politician with the results and the achievements that been made. A good politician would address the public with the progress and build on what has already been built. But this long term politician and president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni doesn’t do that in the run-up to the presidential election in 2016. Instead, He uses a whole other tool to bring the masses and secure his position in the country. His words are fearmongering and sectarianism, and that only he can keep order of the army. Which can’t be true and doesn’t look wise of a supposed statesman of his caliber, instead he speaks to his fellow countrymen like they need his guns and rigging to be sure of security. These quotes will show from July to August this year of how he speaks of his own regime and the necessary firepower for his reign.

President Museveni said in the 16^th of May through the statehouse channel that “I have been involved in the politics of Uganda for 51 years and I have experienced the cost of the politics of lies. So please I advise you to avoid them and stop misleading the population. I have heard some people use bad words like National Resistance Movement is bad for West Nile. Such a statement is poisonous and dangerous for national unity and development” (…) “When we overthrew Idi Amin ourselves, the Uganda People’s Congress with the support from Tanzania, we pleaded with the UPC leaders not to punish the people of West Nile because of the mistakes of Amin as an individual. The UPC leaders did not listen to us and instead imported criminality in West Nile because it was Amin’s home area leading to many deaths and forcing almost all West Nile people into exile in Sudan and DRC” (…) “I drove to Kaya myself near Oraba in Sudan when we had come into leadership and met two families. I asked them if they were Ugandans and they said yes and I asked them what they were doing in Sudan and the message went on. The others followed and today West Nile which was abandoned is one of the most populated areas of Uganda. So politicians please stop meddling in lies, just like the Bible puts it; say the truth it will set you free” (Uganda Statehouse, 2015).

According to him on the 21th July 2015: “We have built a strong army but it’s not a dictatorship and needs a well founded and clear headed leadership to be sure that the country’s future is safe. Even if you have a strong army without clear political leadership you can’t guarantee national peace and transformation therefore value your vote because it counts” (…) “We took a leadership decision to strengthen the army against the wishes of many other players because we had realized that insecurity was bred out of the weaknesses in the army and by 2003 we had defeated Kony and you can see the development taking place in Northern Uganda. We have totally defeated Allied democratic forces and arrested their leader Jamil Mukulu who should tell us why they have been killing Ugandans and they can never attack Uganda because they will pay a heavy price” (Waswa, 2015).

On 24^th of June he said: “There is peace in Uganda. No one has the capacity to destabilize Uganda” (Uganda Media Centre, 2015).

The President said on 31th July 2015: “We have built a strong army but it’s not a dictatorship and needs a well founded and clear headed leadership to be sure that the country’s future is safe. Even if you have a strong army without clear political leadership you can’t guarantee national peace and transformation therefore value your vote because it counts” (Lutaaya, 2015).

On the 5^th of August he said: “he historical agreed that as a way forward, I come and pick these nomination forms and I offer myself for the position of party chairman and NRM presidential candidates for the period 2015-2021” (Omara, 2015).

The President even said on 6^th August: “No one should poison your minds with wrong ideology based on tribe” (…) “If evidence is adduced, your victory will be annulled.” (…) “Leaders should be chosen based ability on to uplift the standard of living of the people not on ethnicity” (…) “We defeated ADF and ensured peace. Leadership premised on tribes will destabilize the area” (Ayiswa, 2015).

On his own web page, he quoted on 6^th of August: “Let leaders tell you what they want to do for you and their usefulness and leave your tribes because all tribes and people were created by God and none of us created any person. Not even the children that I have and all of you. We are not our own creation. We are all gifts from God; so don’t divide God’s people” (…) “I am not campaigning but when time comes, I will come here and tell you that NRM defeated rebels and brought peace to this region and I will ask you to vote NRM on those grounds not on tribal or religious basis because sectarian politics is evil. Uganda is peaceful, united and developing and nobody should divide Ugandans and spoil all the gains the country has realized” (Museveni, 2015).

Other part of his campaign:

He even sent messages to the people; the President had to send his message to the people literally. Even sent SMS to all the people owning phones in the country, and it wasn’t just to NRM members, but all the telecoms users of their service like the once using Airtel (Kaaya, 2015).

(Kaaya, 2015).

Now, here is a gist!

How the Police keeps the posters of the President on the walls everywhere: 

Fred Enaga said: “The president is the fountain of honour and he enjoys absolute immunity for whatever actions and enjoys structural advantages. You cannot just pull down his pictures under whatever circumstances” (…) “But even then, he has not come out to make such pronouncement (that he will run in the 2016 presidential elections),” (Tumwine, 2015).

How his army men fears him or misunderstood love:

Army Chief Brig Elly Kayanja says: “I am fully aware of the regulation that stops us (soldiers) from engaging in partisan politics but personally, I cannot hide my love and loyality to NRM and to President Museveni”. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja says this: “We fear Museveni so much because he was our bush war leader, so we cannot just easily talk to him” (…) “When he (Museveni) comes to a cabinet meeting, we discuss issues of government and, after that, none of us get the chance to talk to him. Its very few amongst us who can call him, and likewise, he also calls a few of us” (TheInsider.ug, 2015).

All of this sectarianism treats isn’t strong enough to put a kettle on and see if the water is boiling. Because that`s what he is said that if you vote for something else then his, then your diffusing and voting actual ethnic reasons then NRM. Which we all know by now is a bit foolish, even though a party has their strongholds in the country. That is normal anywhere in the world. Certain parties have a stronger vibe in one area than the next because of the leadership of the party in that area and the public will recognize that they have. So that isn’t sectarianism, more given credit to the locals that are credit due.

The security issue that he continues to ponder on that, isn’t un-suspected. In other part of the country it’s all that he has to show for while being in power. So that he also uses the strong-man and big-man has to control the UPDF and the army to keep things secure isn’t something that should come as lightning on a clear sky, instead should be as visible as rainwater in the streets after a rain-shower. It is true that the current president is the reason why the UPDF and UPF are so strong and also as massive as it is. But he can’t believe his own words that he is the ONLY leader who got the power to command this brigades, right? If so, then he has lost his plot. That he is the sole reason for the peace in the Northern Uganda and also that the ADF has lost it strength over time, also their main leader which is now having court-time for his actions. I am sure that their more than one person who should get credit, also the support from SPLA and FARDC to push LRA into C.A.R. where the UPDF is still continuing the hunt. That the generals in the UPDF admire and fear their commander in chief isn’t unexpected though they are kind of over the line when even the president himself has said earlier that UPDF generals should not join into politics and they obviously do!

And that he drops gig songs isn’t new. I will not discuss the second song from the President (since I, myself is not a big fan). That is utter nonsense. But what is worthy of the campaign is the SMS sent to all the ones with SIM-cards for certain companies and not only for NRM members. That means that the President has bought the airtime and lists of numbers that the company has and maybe even violated its nation privacy laws. No matter what laws you have it’s a shady way of spreading your own vision to world. Isn’t it enough that they print your own views day in and day out in the New Vision?          

A Timeline for how the Police and other institutions have gone after the opposition in the recent months before the 2016 elections: 

The Amama Mbabazi planned to start his campaign and have demonstrations on the 15^th of June as a “Presidential Aspiration” in the NRM party in Kampala. The day before the Press Secretary of Uganda Police Fred Enanga that if Amama Mbabazi did so it would be: “Therefore, whoever is involved in organizing the demonstrations, or intends to participate in them will be in violation of the law, and will face criminal sanctions in accordance with the law”. IGP Kale Kayihura sent a letter preceding that the Amama Mbabazi campaigning that he needed to be careful about holding public meetings as a presidential aspiration on the 23^rd of June. On the 24^th of June a letter from the Mbabazi lawyers addressing the IGP Kale Kayihura wasn’t correct according to the law. Because a person in the NRM party should be allowed to ‘run’ for the “Presidential Aspiration” and hold public meetings to gain more popularity for his elections.

Even on the 8^th of July the Uganda Communication Commission and their Executive Director Godfrey Mutabazi who wrote to all Medias in Uganda that they have to be careful with the messages and what kind of voices they spread to the press either if it is radio, tv, newspapers and other formats. On the 9^th of July Dr. Kizza Besigye was arrested by the UPF when going from Kasangati in Wakiso Disctrict when he was supposed to start his political campaign for his presidential front runner for the FDC. He was admitted on a “preventative arrest” from the Police. Even the Insepctor General of Police Mr. Okot-Ochola on 13^th of July wrote a warning letter the FDC on their public meetings and explaining to them how the “Public Order Management Bill” works.

“Team Amama Mbabazi for President 2016-2021” had one NRM Youth Leader named Vincent Kaggwa that lost his ranks and was missing from 18^th of July until 20^th of June because he wore a T-Shirt with Amama Mbabazi.

After rallies in Jinja and Iganga on the 21^st of July, Dr. Kizza Besigye was supposed to have an interview on Radio Baba/87.7 Basogo Baino FM. Only minutes into it the transmitter for the radio station was turned off by the government. On the 8^th of August Dr. Kizza Besigye was not allowed to travel from his home and into a meeting at the American embassy in Kampala.

Even in Lira when FDC and Dr. Kizza Besigye had a rally in town. The police was all over town held the town under Siege the whole of 10^th of August. In Padre the day after the FDC wasn’t able to hold a decent rally in the 11^th of August the local police took the microphone from one of the FDC leaders holding it and Dr. Kizza Besigye wasn’t able to hold at the venue, instead the police went mad and trough tear-gas and beat the people attending. On the 14^th of August the Lord Mayor of Kampala DP Erias Lukwago was blocked to attending as a speaker on a seminar on the Makerere University.

Afterthoughts:

I have no plan of going into too deep waters with this time line. Since this is a picturesque and historical how the progression of the police and other institutions are going after the opposition parties and those who are going against him as the flag-bearer and presidential candidate in the NRM party. It’s obvious that it’s nearly daily for months now that the regime has tracked and gone against those who isn’t following the president and NRM regime, even if the comply to the rules and laws of the Public Order Mangement Bill/Act, still they will be incriminated or threaten and violate common sense with sending troops with tear-gas and beating people up for showing up to FDC rallies. Then also to top it all off they have without being judged in court taken people to custody for wearing a Team Amama Mbabazi shirt in Kampala. This should be seen as something foolish and not as actions of rule of law. The fear the president is spreading with his words and actions is astonishing.    

With being in this day and age we should expect of something else of our presidents and prime ministers. This is a leader he has been educated back in the day, though seem to forget the lessons he had learned there. In his thesis written about Frantz Fanon he wrote: “The process of creating the subjective conditions is as hard as the organising of revolution itself. However, it can be accelerated by various devices. The most important thing is to win confidence of the masses. It is necessary for all the local cadres or ‘terrainers’ as they sometimes called, indeed for all the activists that seek to enlist support of the masses, to lead a pure, exemplary and, most preferably, ascetic life. The person seduce peasents’ wives or daughters, will never win the confidence of the masses. Though personal example, political propaganda – in the simplest language about the simple and, to begin with, parochial problems – and through demonstrating the power of the people vis-à-vis the enemy, the cadres are able to create the subjective conditions, a fully and politically conscious people, that are indispensable for the revolution” (Museveni, 1971).

When he could write this and stand behind this words while being a student and seeing how he comes with force and fear now. His mind can’t be the same as it was. We should expect something else from somebody that makes the population either eat the fear or he actually never won “the confidence of the masses”. The president has surely forgotten these words while he stated in his speeches and outlets during start of his campaign for Uganda Presidential Election in 2016. That the Police Spokesman is saying that people don’t have the right to take down posters from the walls. He should already know that it’s not right how he speaks and acts. Generals are even afraid of him. Even quoted some members of the MPs who feels the same when he is around! So he is not the example he supposed to be anymore. So if the people are politically conscious they should by his own-old-selves be able to brush his fears off, right?          

And also the speeches and daily acts against opposition should be addressed by bigger multilateral institutions and nations so that this “so called” and “multiparty democracy” isn’t really an actual state of affairs the country and republic of Uganda should be proud of. The way that the NRM regime is hurting its radios and newspapers, how it goes against the FDC leaders and certain DP leaders. Even though who’s has become independent and not dependent on the “Mzee” or the President of Museveni. It’s the same natural and calm level of fear that the president Museveni are both speaking in his speeches and acting out with the UPF and the UPDF. If this is his way to regain his popular stance somebody or even a presidential advisor! The Presidential Advisor should ask him behind closed doors “have you lost the plot?”

Peace.

Reference:

Ayiswa, Issa – ‘Museveni warns those pedaling sectarian talk risk losing seats (06.08.2015) link: http://www.ofuganda.co.ug/articles/20150806/museveni-warns-those-pedaling-sectarian-talk-risk-losing-seats#sthash.TgvP4A2E.dpuf

Kaaya, Sadab Kitatta – ‘Uproar over unsolicited Museveni campaign SMS’ (10.08.2015) link: http://www.observer.ug/news-headlines/39174-uproar-over-unsolicited-museveni-campaign-sms

Lutaaya, Henry – ‘Museveni exploits incumbency ahead of 2016’ (31.07.2015) link: http://www.sunrise.ug/news/201507/museveni-exploits-incumbency-ahead-of-2016.html

Museveni, Yoweri – ’Sectarian politicians to be arrested, prosecuted” – Museveni’ (06.08.2015) link: www.yowerikmuseveni.com/news/%E2%80%9Csectarian-politicians-be-arrested-prosecuted%E2%80%9D-%E2%80%93-museveni#sthash.aJNiX7oP.dpuf

Museveni, Yoweri – ‘FANON’S THEORY ON VIOLENCE: ITS VERIFICATION IN LIBERATED MOZAMBIQUE’: which was an essay/thesis in “Essays on the Liberation of Southern Africa”, Tanzania Publication House (Released in 1971).

TheInsider.ug – ‘Army Chief, minister confess love, fear for Museveni’ (05.08.2015) link:

http://www.theinsider.ug/army-chief-minister-confess-love-fear-for-museveni/

Tumwine, Albert – ‘We cannot pull down Museveni posters- Police’ (16.07.2015) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/We-cannot-pull-down-Museveni-posters–Police/-/688334/2753854/-/lr6i1x/-/index.html

Omara, Chris – ‘The journey to 2016 and beyond under Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (YKM)’ (05.08.2015) link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/671825-the-journey-to-2016-and-beyond-under-gen-yoweri-kaguta-museveni-ykm.html

Uganda Media Centre – ‘“No one has capacity to Destabilize Uganda” (24.07.2015)  link: http://www.mediacentre.go.ug/news/%E2%80%9Cno-one-has-capacity-destabilize-uganda%E2%80%9D-%E2%80%93-president-museveni#sthash.9ovML4Po.dpuf

Uganda Statehouse – ‘President Museveni warns politicians on lies and sectarianism’ (15.06.2015) link: http://www.statehouse.go.ug/media/news/2015/05/15/president-museveni-warns-politicians-lies-and-sectarianism

Waswa, Sam – ‘Museveni: UPDF Needs Clear-headed Political Leadership’ (21.07.2015) link: http://chimpreports.com/museveni-updf-needs-clear-headed-political-leadership/