Uganda: UN experts extremely concerned at serious rights violations linked to general elections (13.04.2021)

GENEVA (13 April 2021) — UN human rights experts* today called on the Government of Uganda to immediately stop the brutal crackdown on its political opponents which began in the lead-up to January’s disputed general elections and continues to suppress opposition supporters.

“We are particularly alarmed by the reports of widespread and continued repression against opposition leaders and their supporters,” the experts said. “More than 50 people have been killed as a result of the brutal policing methods, including the use of live ammunition fired without warning, and at least 20 others have lost their lives in incidents linked to the electoral context.”

They urged the authorities to immediately and thoroughly investigate and prosecute all human rights violations, including allegations of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrest and detention, enforced disappearance, torture and ill treatment, deprivation of due process of law and assault on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Several thousand people have been arrested and while some have been released, others have allegedly been tortured before appearing in military courts, the experts said. Relatives of others often do not know their fate or whereabouts. “It is outrageous that those who are requesting information about their forcibly disappeared relatives are further subjected to reprisals and arrest,” the independent experts said.

“We are urging the Government of Uganda to take all necessary measures to immediately stop the concealing of information concerning individuals arrested in the context of the general elections, a practice amounting to enforced disappearance, and reveal their fate and whereabouts.

“The arbitrary house arrest between 14 and 25 January 2021 of the prominent opposition leader known as Bobi Wine (Mr. Kyagulanyi), which a High Court ruled to be unconstitutional, is symptomatic of the flagrant suppression tactics of the opposition and the absence of due process of law,” the experts said.

Opposition leaders and their supporters have protested against alleged electoral irregularities and the prohibition of gatherings under the guise of preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The massive deployment of armed forces in cities, as well as the intimidation and attacks of opposition observers at polling stations, reportedly affected voter turnout; while the interruption of internet services slowed the voting process and affected counting.

“The curtailing of freedom of press and media, the intimidation, ill-treatment and assaults of journalists covering the elections and especially the opposition is simply unacceptable. The Government must provide immediate remedies and reparation to all the victims,” the experts said.

ENDS

****The experts:* Mr. Tae-Ung Baik (Chair), Mr. Henrikas Mickevičius, (Vice Chair), Ms. Aua Balde, Mr. Bernard Duhaime and Mr. Luciano Hazan, Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; Mr. Nils Melzer****, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;Mr. Morris Tidball-Binz****, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions*; ***Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and Expression*; **Clément Nyaletsossi Voule*** Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association

Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the *Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.*

For more information and media requests , please contact Ms. Yayé Ba (yba@ohchr.org/+41 22 917 99 32)

For media enquiries regarding other UN independent experts, please contact Renato de Souza ( +41 22 928 9855 / *rrosariodesouza@ohchr.org), Jeremy Laurence (+ 41 22 917 7578 /* jlaurence@ohchr.org) and Kitty McKinsey (kmckinsey@ohchr.org)

Follow news related to the UN’s independent human rights experts on Twitter@UN_SPExperts.

Opinion: Museveni should just graze those cows…

The President since January 26th 1986 should resign and retire. The old man with the hat and advanced age should be humble and hang up his boots. Thought we know deep down in our hearts that this man will only retire when he catches his last breath. This sort of man doesn’t retire or let go. No, his a man who will prolong his stay and overstay in office.

President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni will not retire. Though it would be a friendly surprise to see him constantly be grazing his cows at various of farms or ranches he owns. Where he could drive between them in his SUV and not be continuing his overdue time in office. However, this man who came in with the gun, will die by the gun or if not… by age.

Yoweri will not go out easy. That is why his still there and has outlived most of his enemies. The old man has overcome big hurdles and even gotten away from several of wars. This man has gotten rid of people who could have succeeded him. However, that will not be told stories about now. He has also been implicated in changes of powers in the neighbouring countries as well. That has been done to further his role and also wanting to become a “kingmaker”. Where everyone has to be loyal to him.

President Museveni wants a favourable legacy and known as farmer. Though his CV is filled with bloodshed, conflicts and use of war. This man is a General and a Warlord. Museveni will not be known for peace or negotiations. He will only be able to settle the score across the borders, but never within. In his own neighbourhoods or districts he will get rid of the enemies or silence them with compromising agreements. Where he get the upper-hand and sold out their causes to buy “peace” with him. Museveni doesn’t accept to loose, but he will win by all tricks possible.

That is why the pictures of his grazing the cows is fine and dandy. Nevertheless, the farmer should stay on the farm. He should maybe avoid the State House or politics in general. As it seems his now fitting here more and is more relaxed. Instead of stressing with politics and politicking. He could just chill and be out of sight, and out of mind. That would be healthy for the Republic.

After his been for years now the Personification of the State. The President should try to figure out a way to retire or going into another chapter of life. Surely, the President fears to do so. Since, he has created so many enemies. The old man has used power with ruthless force and the general public isn’t really loving the old man.

The President should consider this, but we know that won’t happened. The old man has promised several times of retiring. Promised to not to change the Constitution or laws to fit his prolonged rule. Nevertheless, betray all of those and hope people forgets.

President Museveni should just stay on the farm and leave the general public a rest. We know that will not happen. The President will only bury all of his enemies and use the state for his own benefits for yet another term. We can expect him to continue this scheme until death. That is just who he is and what his reign is all about.

There is nothing else to speculate on and the pictures on his farms is just to make him more a “commoner”. Though his richer than God and has more money than anyone else in the Republic. Museveni and his family owns the vital businesses and keys to Republic. That is the general rule and how things are going. As Museveni micro-manage everything and has to have his verdict before things get resolved.

The “high above” will stay the “high above”. Nothing will change there and he will not change too. That is a cause you can give up. Even if it would be progress and would be huge achievement to have a peaceful transition without guns involved and have a former president grazing some cows. Peace.

Opinion: They don’t need a ‘bad dream’ when people living in a ‘nightmare’

I assured them that they were very lucky to have woken up from such a ‘bad dream’ because we were so ready for them. I thanked them for realizing the need to come forward so we can work together” Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at Entebbe State House (30.03.2021).

After 35 years in power, the Ugandan President have nothing to offer. He held a meeting with “disgruntled youth” and Inter-Religious Council yesterday. These is unofficial group of youth and religious leaders gathered to “buy peace”. However, that is a false hope at this point.

When citizens are taken by drones, arraigned in military courts and served injustice. It is hard to get a real peace. When citizens are dying, because they got tortured, detention without a trial and kept incommunicado for days. People who are affiliated and representing the opposition is “fair game”. Therefore, it is hard to believe that the President really cares about the liberty, justice and freedom for all.

President Museveni is the nightmare for so many. His not delivering anything else than a despots rule. His the Grand Dictator who reigns supreme and uses all parts of the state machinery to get rid of his enemies. These is his own citizens and their only sin is supporting someone else than him. That is the tragic reality in 2021. This is the fundamental change he offered in 1986. Instead of Idi Amin and Obote, we have Museveni who acts like a forever monarch in office.

He got nothing to bring to the table. He can only pay off fools like Balaam and Jennifer Full Figure, but he cannot bring changes. Except if the World Bank or International Monetary Funds are doling out funds blindly. The President will not work hard or prove anything. He will only go after his nemesis and arch-enemies. If that is Besigye or Bobi Wine. That is what he does and continues to do so.

This isn’t a bad dream, but a real life nightmare. When associates of politicians are lingering in safe-houses, behind bars and charged just because they are affiliated someone else than him. It is really rich that when people turn to the President they are suddenly living in a dream. Certainly, that hasn’t happen to everyone else who has gone from the opposition to the NRM. If that was true, then certain individuals would live better then they actually do.

The President cannot run away from the injustice that his serving the general public. His Excellency cannot just bash in glory … and think he can wash away his sins. The blood is on his hands. The citizens who died for just participating in demonstrations. When the state sent soldiers from Somalia to go after them. That is the sort of finalization of the nightmare the President is serving.

Museveni can speak sweet, but his actions is bitter. There is no denying in that. He got a new prison filled with opposition members. He doesn’t need Luzira prison as much. The Court Martial is not freeing them, because he wants to prove point.

So, when the President speaks now. The acts of the state is more alarming and nothing is happening about it. The various security organizations are keeping citizens behind bars and without a fair trail. People are returning with scars for life and some even turn up dead. Therefore, there is a real nightmare going on and its happening as we speak.

He can be spotted with a few “disgruntled youths” but that is only for PR. The reality is still dark and grim. There is little hope or anything that shows progress. Only more destruction and devastation. Because, the only things that matters in the end… is that his in office and the Head of State. The rest is just history and present day, which we all live through. We should not accept his means to an end. If we do… then we are accepting the nightmare that his giving to so many people and they are not allowed to wake up. Peace.

Uganda Civil Society Leaders’ Demand Immediate End to Abductions, Torture, Illegal Detention and Extra Judicial Killings of Ugandan Citizens (23.03.2021)

Bobi Wine arrested as he leads a peaceful protest in Kampala

Today Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and fellow National Unity Platform (NUP) Members of Parliament held a peaceful protest in the Central Business District of Kampala. Unsurprisingly, they arrested them.

The latest update is this: “Update: Police has released Bobi Wine, 8 others and taken them to their specific homes. This follows their arrest during protests today in Kampala, KMP deputy spokesman Luke Owoyesigyire” (Africa Facts, 15.03.2021).

We knew this would happen when the NUP and the Opposition would demonstrate. They could have applied for it, but we know the application would be dismissed or denied. Bobi Wine wouldn’t have been allowed to do so.

Some has called the NUP all keyboard warriors, also that Bobi Wine is all talk. However, he proves he went to the front-line and tried. Now, his house-arrested and this might last a long time again. The same with the MPs who stood with him.

Ugandan politician Bobi Wine arrested today as he was taking part in a peaceful protest against the abduction, torture and murder of his supporters” (Switch Kenya TV, 15.03.2021).

We know that the rule of law is applied only to the opposition and not to the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The NRM can steal, loot and do whatever they want. The SOPs of the COVID-19 regulation is only applied to the opposition and not the ruling regime. So, if they use this excuse. Then they are hypocrites, as we have seen processions, rallies and whatever in regard to this when the yellow bus is around.

That is why we know the law is one for the opposition and another for the ruling regime. It is two Republic’s at the moment. Where one is above the law and the other is oppressed by the same law. That is how the law enforcement is operated.

The opposition was trying to protest the oppression and the answer was actually more oppression. That is impressive and an action in the wrong manner. It shows how the state is run wrong. This was bad when they did it to Besigye and it is wrong when they do it to Bobi Wine.

What value does the Constitution of 1995 have, when some of the articles in it has practically no value? What values have the liberties and freedoms in it, when they can be abused and taken away from the public with no consequences?

We can expect the Military and Police Force to surrounding his home in Magere in Wakiso district. The other MPs who participated will be under surveillance too, if not they are house-arrested too. This last for a while now. Especially, when the President yesterday came with the empty claim of destroying the swearing-in in May 2021.

However, there is no proof of this. Only that Bobi Wine wants civil disobedience in general. Which proven by today’s action… will not be allowed and that was to be anticipated by how the state has acted towards the opposition in the past. It was to be expected and how the state acts towards the dissidents. Peace.

Opinion: Gen. Museveni will tell any story that benefits his agenda..

They have been planning that they will stop swearing in of the president. They won’t. They plan all sorts of things including killing their own opposition people to say it is the government”Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni national address on the 14th March 2021

The old man with the hat, the ageing general and self-styled President for Life Museveni told various of stories yesterday. Not that it will amount to anything. It is just more alleged things and allegations pointed in the other direction. That could easily be put towards him.

Museveni knows he couldn’t win this election without intimidation, fear and open bazaar rigging. That is a reality. He has been rigging elections since he lost in 1980. That is what he does and he uses the state machinery to help his cause. This is so evident.

You know your a sinister old man… when you claim the opposition kills itself to make you look bad. Your really the devil, when you who has the army, security agencies and using the state machinery to oppress opposition. Says they are doing suicides to make you look ugly. That is beyond comprehension, but that is what he said yesterday. How come this is a thing?

If you thought that was bad enough.

He put up the ante:

It was Kyagulanyi and the team that cheated massively. Especially here in Kampala , Mpigi, Kyotera and in some parts in the Eastern like Busoga where our agents were weak, a lot of ballot stuffing happened. Thank God we emerged winners. In his petition, Kyagulanyi said he had evidence showing how Ballot stuffing was conducted, intimidation of their voters but when asked of the evidence, he didn’t show anything”Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni (14.03.2021).

This sort of statement is really strange. If the National Unity Platform should rig an election. Why do it only in one region(s) and not the whole nation to get the upper hand in the Parliament and in the Presidential Elections. Therefore… the idea itself is really rich.

This election was far from free or fair. There was no indication of any sincere or truthful about the election. The polls was rigged and the numbers haven’t made sense. The state had the abilities just like the ruling party in 1980 to field candidates everywhere. While the opposition couldn’t manage to do the same, neither campaign or even try to assemble. That’s why its really a giant lie. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) was bound to win and get their majority by gerrymandering and by rigging the polls. While using the security organizations to intimidate and harass the opposition at the same time.

The General is really making it out of his way to make the opposition look bad and point at them everything he himself is ordering and doing. His even thanking God for rigging an election. That sort of God is not the almighty I believe in. My God isn’t a deity who supporters killers and robbers, but who will serve justice to the ones who trespasses others. Which is what Museveni has done…

He knows that he intimidated the voters. The general even arrested activists, poll agents and others in the night ahead of the polls. Therefore, the reality of this is really out of bound with reality. When his forces even passed through the streets of Kampala within hours before the polls. Who is he kidding here?

The self-styled President for Life only have a life-line … because of army and not because his “loved” by the people. Peace.

Opinion: Lt. Gen. Nalweyiso states that the “Panda Gari” Operation will continue

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s Military Advisor Lt Gen Proscovia Nalweyiso is quoted by the state friendly internet outlet Chimreports.com. where she have said this:

I don’t think when security personnel is arresting a person they first ask them which party they belong to. We have to get rid of the criminal whether or not there is an election” – Lt Gen Proscovia Nalweyiso

Lt. Gen. Nalweyiso also said that they would carry on with the arrests. This is meaning the state has no plans of stopping the “drones” or “Panda Gari’s” of our time. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and all its security agencies will continue to persist. Especially, when people like she says it so vividly in the government friendly press.

She is a known power-broker in the State House and a trusted aide of the President. Therefore, her words matters. Lt. Gen. Nalweyiso is also the highest ranking official in the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).

So, when the Lt. Gen. Nalweyiso is supporting and standing behind the ideal of keeping people incommunicado, kidnapped, abducted, tortured and extra judicial-killed. Then you know they will continue to do this. As she knows the hallow halls of power and is a trusted person of the “high above”.

This is the message the State House wants out and also intimidate the public further. The State has decided that these people are “criminals” even without trials, charges or even sentencing. That is alarming, but its fitting the narrative of the President. Which the other day called them “treasonous” and called their acts “treachery”.

Her message today fits that one. As we are supposed to accept the state is arresting opposition members, activists, candidates and leaders an-mass. That is okay, because the state deems these civilians as “criminal” even without any proof or evidence of their supposed criminal activity.

Usually a criminal would be arrested on “criminal intent” or actually have acted criminally. That means a person would have acted upon a criminal conspiracy or done the deed, which is breaching the laws and could be charged for doing so. That would depend on what law the person broke and what sort of charge the person get before getting sentenced and possibly serving time. This should be common knowledge and also a safeguard to not arrest citizens on the whim, but actually with evidence of their crimes or criminal intent. However, in the regard to “drones” and “Panda Gari’s” …. that is all thrown out the window.

The state can deliberately … arrest and do “unlawful” activities without any proof or evidence. They are just organizing these illicit activities to undermine the opposition. The state is not doing this too its own or affiliates with the NRM. No, they are currently tarting the National Unity Platform (NUP) and also the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). This is happening so rampant and people is later deposed off and dropped randomly dead as well. Therefore, life is very cheap in the republic and you doesn’t have any value to them, if you are associated with the opposition. That is proven now by definition of how they are addressing the misuse of law enforcement to detain people in ungazetted “safe-houses” across the Republic.

Lt. Gen. Nalweyiso is defending this and says it will continue. They will violate the rights of the citizens and their liberty. They are not allowed to assemble, to associate or even acknowledge open support of someone who isn’t Museveni. Because, if you do that, the state is allowed to arrest you without any sort of legitimate way or due process. There is no “equal before law” as anyone they take in or abduct is “criminal” and “treasonous”. They are deserving this and the state just acted accordingly. Which is insane but the sad truth here. Peace.

A Memo on Museveni [if you oppose him, know it is treasonous]

Therefore, “the disappearances” are a consequence of the essentially, treasonable acts of elements of the opposition. It is dishonest for anybody to talk about the mistakes, if any, of the Security Forces without talking about the origin of the problem: treason, using terrorism by the opposition. Criticize the Army if justified, but also criticize those taking the unconstitutional road of terrorism, intimidation, sectarianism etc” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – ‘O You People of Little Faith’ 07.03.2021).

This is just a friendly warning. A stern message. A needed one. It shouldn’t be this way. However, the self-styled President for Life. The tyrant, warlord and dictator is stating it himself. The whole text he dropped is a manifest of what he believes.

That is very simple. If you oppose this man. The state can fabricate cases, reasons and take people away with no charges, court trials or due process. They are guilty by association and by being members or activists in opposition parties. That is enough reason to abduct, kidnap, torture, keep them incommunicado and in the possible murder them. The state is allowed to do all of this, because their act of association is an act of treason.

It is treasonous to oppose the President. It is treachery. It is going against the state and especially the personification of the state. The institutions, the constitution or anything is futile, it is worthless documents and procedures. Any person is not supposed to go against the President or his will. No one is supposed to talk, plan or even conspire to challenge him. No, you are supposed to be a loyal subject and be a patriot after his vision. Everything else is deemed unfit and sectarian.

That is just how things goes. This is the liberation and the freedom fighters of the 1980s is delivering the people of 2021. He is acting as the sole proprietor of liberty, justice and freedom. He is has the answers and his words are final. Everything else is useless and baseless, just mere assumptions and accusations. The uttering and stuttering of himself is more wise than any other mere mortal.

Nobody should ever consider to question him. His the forever ruler and the man is the epitome of the state. There will be nobody like him and no one is above him. Museveni is a man you cannot stand up against. If you do… know the consequences and there will be no redeeming factors. You will be punished, there will be no mercy and know that your a traitor. Because, you dared to challenge the state, the authorities and only man with a vision. You dared to oppose the embodiment of the state, the man of the Republic and the almighty General.

If you don’t know, now you know. Peace.

Opinion: O treachery! Fly, good Yoweri, fly, fly, fly!

Today the Ugandan President Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Kaguta Museveni written article called ‘O You People of Little Faith’. Just the title alone is showing his arrogance and his eager to show entitlement. Using the mannerism of the Bible and the Holy Scripture to defend the actions of the state. While the state is violating key aspects of it. Like not to kill, hurt or treat the neighbour in any way possible that you want yourself to be treated. However, he never looks into those parts of the scripture.

Because, I doubt Mr. President wants to be taken by a drone, detained and tortured in a safe-house and be incommunicado without any acknowledgement or charges. While his family members calling out for him and wonder where he is. As plain-clothed officers took him away at night and into the infamous drone.

Well, let us digest some of the pieces of this article. Where I will address the parts on by one and ends with a final conclusion. We all know the drill, right? Okay then, lets go.

These thoughts bring me to the events in Uganda where the different elements of the UPDF and Police have been criticized for brutal conduct and use of excessive force. The criticism is good and necessary in a free society like Uganda. However, that criticism should be honest and balanced” (Museveni, 07.03.2021),

The Old Man with the Hat wants a balanced discussion on the matters, but it is not his kin whose in trouble or at an unknown location. If his people or his party was haunted by the Security Organizations of the state. Maybe his tone and his ways would have been different too. So, to ask for a balanced discussion is a bit hard. Knowing how the injustice and impunity his state is running at this moment. Why be fair to the old man and his elite? When his men is doing the devils work on planet earth(!) .

The reason was that somebody had taught them that good soldiers are like good surgeons. A surgeon uses a knife, just like the butcher does. However, the surgeon’s knife only goes for the tumor, for the cancer. It does not cut anyhow. If you cut anyhow, you are, then, a butcher. Even for the cancer, you do not have to use the knife always. If chemotherapy and radiation can do, you avoid the knife” (Museveni, 07.03.2021).

Here his trying to tell that soldiers are well-trained and is capable of thinking for themselves, as they are like surgeons who knows what tools to use for a given sickness and treat it correctly. However, how does this fit the current use of soldiers against own civilians and using the army to trial civilians? Where is this fitting to use the allegory of a surgeon, when you send soldiers to kill and oppress civilians for demonstrating against you? It doesn’t make sense. Other, than you wants the public to think the soldiers are properly trained. Nevertheless, is the “proper” training, that the soldier are cutting civilians who dares to oppose your ways?

Indeed, a few years ago, I had to remind, in writing, all the security personnel, the incorrectness and unproductivity of applying beatings on wrong doers or the use of extra-judicial killings. Those actions stopped that time. With the recent allegations, I have already sent out written reminders of our doctrine and why. While it is correct to be concerned when there are arrests and when people are not brought to Court quickly, it is tendentious, dishonest and malicious to compare these mistakes to Amin’s time or present the situation as incurable” (Museveni, 07.03.2021).

It isn’t just allegations and a few wrongdoings in the past. The state have had and continues to have “safe-houses” which the state doesn’t want to be held accountable for. The actions done in them and in the “safe-houses” are just as they were in the “Argentina House” during Amin’s time. The actions done by the state now with the drone’s is no different from the “panda gari’s”. The whole fundamental change of your leadership. Is sadly more of the same, but with you as the head of state instead. Your government is serving similar acts and extra judicial killings, which isn’t allegations, but reported incidents and murders in the general public. If people are participating in rallies, funerals or just being political active. That is enough for your security forces to sometimes end them. That isn’t allegations, but how you operate. You are doing the same “mistakes” of Amin and doing systematically.

The Opposition and their foreign backers thought that their schemes of hijacking the destiny of the people of Uganda by installing a quisling regime in Uganda, was now water-tight. In this, they were being supported by the parasite elements within Uganda – those who never work, but want wealth and power, including the new comprador (agents of foreign interests) bourgeosie who want our country to remain as a super-market for foreign products and resent our rapid industrialization. In future, we shall say more about these traitors” (Museveni, 07.03.2021).

This is such a “rich” argument by the donor darling and the one who is a key ally to the West. Mr. President, without foreign backers you wouldn’t have a career. Museveni needed Libyans at one point, but wanted help from others to get ammunition and guns in the bush-war. So, he knows the value of foreign backers. That is why he uses this, but he never proves it. Only uses to intimidate and use it as a patriotic feature of his reign. While, he will never speak of his own foreign backers and his own career. Where he has used all sorts of foreign donations, programs and loans to fund his lifestyle.

It is also his elite who runs the Republic. It is his elite who owns the Republic and has “ownership” of the Republic. It is decided by the political high ranking officials and the elite is aligned with him. We are not supposed to know that, but it is. So, this argument is foolish. A man who did the liberalization of the markets for foreign donations and got military support from the US. That is who Museveni is and his reasoning is flawed and just a ploy.

He continues on this path:

Many arrests were made, but many were released. By the time I made my broadcasts on this and other issues on the 13th of February, 2021, SFC was still “holding” 53 persons. Since that time, 2 persons have been released, one had a problem of TB. The other 51 have been with SFC, helping them to expose the whole criminal scheme of elements of the opposition plus their local parasite and foreign backers. Too bad for the traitors. These poor youth, gave us the whole scheme and they are now our friends. “Omukwano guvwa mungabo”, remember traitors, our proverb. Or you have forgotten our proverbs!! Whatever is done in secrecy, will be proclaimed on the roof tops, it says in the Book of Luke Chapter 12, Verse 3. Therefore, traitors, local parasites and their foreign backers, be informed that the forces that liberated Uganda and have defended it eversince, are there and will always do their duty. When it came to two days before the voting day, about 24,000 soldiers of the UPDF were deployed in most of the 2,184 Sub-counties of Uganda to defeat the scheme of the undemocratic opposition which was not to allow the elections to take place because they knew that they would lose, unless they intimidated the citizens and stopped them from coming to vote as they did in Kampala. How would they, then, account to their foreign funders? That scheme failed and elections were held in total peace. Even after the elections, there was total peace. We were ready to crush any insurrection or disruption by the undemocratic groups” (Museveni, 07.03.2021).

We are seeing his vicious mind, as he calls other people parasites and traitors, but there are no proof of this, but they are deemed so by the President. He can call opposition people this and say they have “foreign backers”. Just look at the previous comments on that. Will not dwell into that twice.

While he is easily stating the numbers of soldiers compared to the massive amount of sub-counties. However, we know the soldiers and brigades was put in strongholds. Where the state went after and arrested, kidnapped and abducted people associated with the opposition. That was reported in the night ahead of the polls. They are the insects who are in bed with foreigners and deserves in his words to be treated as traitors. That without any court charges, warrants or due process as according to the law. He speaks of total peace, but how can you call this peace? When you are doing this to your own?

If you need the army and Special Forces Command to go after civilians active in politics you are undemocratic by action. They are not undemocratic, but you are who are using the army to get your will and silence the opposition. That is far from democratic, as the state went after these folks and didn’t do it according to law. He claims these opposition people was planning an “insurrection” but no proof of that. Just like the often based allegation that someone is planning to burn the gas-stations in Kampala… and it never happens!

He ends it all with this “friendly” message:

Therefore, “the disappearances” are a consequence of the essentially, treasonable acts of elements of the opposition. It is dishonest for anybody to talk about the mistakes, if any, of the Security Forces without talking about the origin of the problem: treason, using terrorism by the opposition. Criticize the Army if justified, but also criticize those taking the unconstitutional road of terrorism, intimidation, sectarianism etc” (Museveni, 07.03.2021).

By stating it like this… he is saying being in opposition to him is “treasonous”. He calls it certain elements and we know, which he directs that too. Not the ones who acts like opposition, but comes clinging him too in need. However, the ones who dares to oppose him and stand up against him. He claims they are planning terrorism and using an unconstitutional road. Nevertheless, there is no proof of t his and his activity and usage of the security organizations towards his citizens are unconstitutional.

The Constitution is clearly another weapon for him to use against his opponents, but not a guiding laws who everyone have to abide by, as if the opposition would have deserved a fair trial and investigations into its activity before their arrest. Alas, they are deemed as treasonous before any law enforcement have been put into play. It shows that his ideals and his “democratic” values isn’t there.

He is above the law and he can decide who is fit or not. He speaks of intimidation and acts of terrorism. However, the people who is captured, kidnapped and abducted didn’t act in a criminal enterprise, but was political active in a opposition party. In the end that is enough to called “treasonous” by the President. That says it all by his state of mind.

Your doing an act of treason if you dare to challenge, oppose or think of a peaceful transition… there is only one way and that is the way of Museveni. If you go up against him and wants him retired. Your act is treason. That shows that the personification of the state is Museveni and not its institutions. Peace.

Opinion: It’s not revolutionary to kidnap or abduct civilians who oppose your leadership

It is has been plenty of times when the National Resistance Movement and its government has called itself a “revolutionary” movement. However, the acts of it isn’t so. The actions made of late. Only proves that its emulating and using the same means of the past. It only has appointed the authorities, security organizations and made new facilities for keeping civilians incommunicado.

The civilians are only taken, abducted, kidnapped, detained, tortured and even killed, because they are associated, members and active as a part of the National Unity Platform (NUP. If not they are part of other opposition parties like the Forum for Democratic Change(FDC). These folks can be gone missing for over 600 days at most and not seen again. People are retuning as bodies in fields and even suddenly left on streets. There are so many souls taken out early. Just because they are affiliated with other parties.

The state is playing a cat-and-mouse game with revelations of the ice-berg. As they have a few numbers of people kept in their dungeons and chambers. The public cannot know the extent of these “Panda Gari’s” or drones, which happens on a rampant basis. There is new stories and people who doesn’t know what has happened to them.

We don’t know how many the army have captured. We don’t know how many the Chieftain of Military Intelligence (CMI) has, neither does we know how many who is detained without charges at SIU Kireka. Neither how many who has been taken to ungazetted “safe-houses” across the Republic. We cannot know how many plain-clothed agents that is involved in this and who is directly ordering this.

For what we know, the Special Force Command (SFC), Crime Preventers, Internal Security Organizations (ISO) or any other state security organization who does this. We cannot know, because this is hidden and the orders are not leaked. The memos or documents showing their activity is hidden. Neither is conversation made between the commanders and higher command out either. Which we know will accept and let it happen, as they are doing the bidding of the “high above”.

The numbers of people taken by the state has been fluid, but we know the small numbers from the state isn’t close to the truth. We know its much worse. They are always downplaying and making the numbers jaded. That is what they have done with murders-in-the-city and with other horrific acts made by the authorities to its own. Therefore, I take the withhold lists of people from CMI and other agencies with a grain of salt. It seems like they acting naive, when they know perfectly well what they do.

This is a deliberate attack on the opposition. Scaring the up-coming generation. That is what this so-called revolutionary government does. A government who has a “freedom-fighter” and “liberator” as Commander-in-Chief, General and President. That government shouldn’t use the tactics of the ones it said it would erase. A “freedom fighter” who promised to never let citizens die in the hands of the government. A president who promised a fundamental change, but is delivering the same sinister acts 30 years later. His vile acts in Northern Uganda will never be forgotten. Neither, how he killed his opposition to consolidate power in the early years in power.

Still, what he does now. Just shows how little he cares about democracy and free speech. When everyone who associate and stands by the opposition is fair game. They are all targets and has a circle on their forehead to be hit. Because, the state is allowing this and doing it systematically.

So, if people call the NRM revolutionary. I’m sorry its not. It is just the same brutality it promised to dismantle. They promised to be different than Amin and Obote, but is doing the same thing. The extent is maybe even much worse, as the Museveni era has lasted much longer than their reign. When the sun suddenly will shine on the atrocities, crimes against humanity and extra judicial-killings. Maybe we will know the damage that the state has done. We will know what rumours have said about what happened in the “safe-houses” over the years. We get to know the pain and suffering that has happened in the dark.

Those acts isn’t revolutionary, its actually tyranny and what he promised to leave behind. The mighty general promised to make a difference, but this is more of the same. Only difference is his PR Team and western backing for peacekeeping missions and deal with their war on terror. While he could terrorize his home at the same time. That is how this story goes.

To many souls and lives been taken so one man can be in power. To many have been detained, tortured and scared for life. Just so one man can rule supreme for life. Peace.