Uganda Young Democrats: UYD Office Surveillance by Police (25.04.2019)

Opinion: If you can silence Museveni’s Guns, then you have a shot for succession!

There is a very obvious reason, why President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is going on a Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) Tour of late. That is to show his force, his power and his army. As long as the President has his army, has his security organizations like ISO, CMI, Flying Squad and the Special Force Command. Now even the LDUs and possible Crime Preventers. The President has so many outfits fighting his battles and defending him. He don’t have to care about the ballot or the will of the people. He has soldiers, spies and police officers fighting his battles anyway.

So, for the ones believing in the ballot, believing that the man of 1986 coup d’etat and never leaving the office. Will leave peaceful, because he suddenly overnight lost to Bobi Wine or Kizza Besigye. Better be smoking or drinking hard, it must be liquid courage, because it is not bloody brilliant. More mere ignorance of who they are fighting.

The President uses all means to stay in power. The ones he cannot compromise or pay-off, he challenge and intimidate, the ones he cannot sensitize and the ones he cannot convert. He kills off and silence. The ones that knows to much and been in to close relations will be kept on payroll, even if they got nothing in government to do. The same with former comrades who needs a pay-check even if their time is over. That is just the way it is.

The President will do whatever to stay in power. Making insults against him criminal, making staging rallies in the same area as him as crime. Making posters on top his a crime. Everything at opposes him is a felony and you will pay for doing so. It is just a matter of time, before you get apprehended and taken care off.

Therefore, the ones believing that the President are playing democracy and would initiate a transition. Is believing in their own juices and the own air their breathing. Because, that is far from reality.

The only way to get rid of Museveni is either by natural death. May, the almighty answer the prayers of plenty who has been suffering during his three decades and leave them be. Alas, it is up to God to know when he is soul is leaving his body. The only other way, except natural death is to do something as special as silencing his GUNS.

That is why he is so militarized. This is the only thing he got, that he does well. The only thing that he can command and actually follows every single word. The President control of the army, the security organizations and the intelligence operations. Are the reason for his steady control of the Republic. So, if someone takes that away from him. Then there is hope. Either a Popular Uprising, at levels where the whole state stagnates and stops functioning. Because, the public is demonstrating so heavy, barricading roads and closing the civil service. That the President and his administration have to step down.

The other way, which is in similar fashion. Is to get the Police, Army and other Security Outfits to do a mutiny, to lay down the weapons or decide to not follow his orders. That they are standing down. They are rebelling and becoming mutineers. That they are standing up for the public and helping to topple and control the government, by using the manners and techniques learned while being part of army, police and other security outfits.

Therefore, the need to SILENCE the GUNS. By any means. That is where the power of Museveni are and has been. Ever since he went to the Bush. His safe-guard, his partner and friend in crime and passion. Has been the gun, the rifle, the ammunition and the guerrilla warfare. That is what has been his staple, been his meal-ticket and his way of getting the Republic under his spell. Using enough of the weapons to silence them all. Fear and respect him, because he got the weapons and if you don’t follow him. You will be dealt with.

So, for you who believes in the ballot, trust me the bullet is his friend. He only ushered in the ballot, to get funding and loans, legitimacy and get great alliances with foreign forces, which could strengthen his grip. Something it has with training of the military, the ones assigned in foreign missions and even imports of army equipment. All, because of the steady need for ballots. Even, if all along, the only measure needed and his loyal weapon.

The GUNS would be there to save the day. The GUNS would there to save tomorrow and beyond. Peace.

Opinion: Bobi Wine throws a grenade into the 2021 elections!

“For a leader to say a vote can never oust Museveni without offering a solution is disappointing. We believe in democracy and it should not depend on us but on people. What politicians can not solve, the people of Uganda can solve, they should continue to register as voters and be many” (…) “Don’t talk about democracy and stand four times and on the fifth time you say it doesn’t work, we believe it works” (…) “We have spent two years organising our people and we think now there’s strong competence to regain the control of the country. Apart from the ordinary people being organised, we need better organisation as political leaders. We need to be synchronised, coordinated to achieve what’s needed to be achieved, focused on where the problem lies…There has been some uncoordinated movements sometimes. This year is to make sure this is kept in the past and we move as a purposeful pro democratic force” – Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine on 4^th April 2019 on the Launch of the Democratic Party Block or the Memorandum of Understanding between Democratic Party and Peoples Development Party and Social Democratic Party.

There are today signs, that Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine are imagine himself in the likes of DP’s Norbert Mao, PDP Abed Bwanika, SDP Michael Mabike, also with the ANT’s leader Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu and also JEEMA’s Asuman Basalirwa. It shows the friends of the rising star on the political spectrum. However, while he is speaking with peace, he is at the same time throwing grenades into the field of Opposition. Targeting directly FDC’s Dr. Kizza Besigye. That is shown today at Hotel Africana.

What Bobi Wine is showing today?

Partly, a bit of political naivety, a bit of ignorance and secondly, also a bit self-righteousness. Which all I will explain. Because, it is fine and dandy, that all these parties want to show an agreement to work together. That is fine for them. They can collectively achieve, what they think they will achieve. As the PDP, SDP, JEEMA and DP haven’t been boasting big of late. That JEEMA got an MP, their own Party President is good, but not a giant victory. Neither is the MPs won by the DP itself. PDP is one-man band cannot be seen as viable organization. Last, ANT of Muntu is just established and registered after a prolonged consultation period and mix of underlying needs, which haven’t been publicly specified.

Alas, if they think DP Block will be powerful and able to topple Museveni. They should look into the Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) of 2011 and The Democratic Alliance of 2015. Alas, these sort of projects should be gone, because they are not strengthening the Opposition, but weakening it instead. However, I wish them good luck on their endeavours. Surely, Bobi Wine should take pictures of more books to learn from the past. This is the little notice on his political naivety.

On ignorance is on his attack of Besigye. As does he think Kizza Besigye would have run if his party didn’t send delegates to pick him? Does the politician himself, think Besigye would been on the ballot this many times if there was no internal political discourse within the FDC and established his candidacy? Isn’t that, why he believes in Democracy, because the FDC party has elected him to be their Presidential Flag-bearer?

However, in this regard, the man who has not aligned with any party before or been built an organization with a protocol. Shouldn’t he study that first, too? Shouldn’t Bobi Wine understand, why Norbert Mao can run again on his third stint? He couldn’t run last time, but would have if they allowed him. Is that Democratic, then? Secondly is democratic that Bwanika has run for President since 2006 on his own ticket? Again and again, believing that his church and Party would blow the Republic away. But it never did.

So, Bobi Wine should look around his own and what they been doing before throwing grenades at the FDC and Besigye. Surely, the DP Block will be no more than fling. A tiny fire with hope like the TDA for Amama Mbabazi. Because, nothing will topple Museveni at this point. As long as there is elections with Museveni on the ballot. There will be no peaceful transition. The last time he lost, he went to the bush and since taking power. There been no cheap-shot of a peaceful transition happening in the Republic.

Therefore, I don’t believe Bobi Wine, any Opposition Coalition or Joint Candidates can beat Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM). For the simple reason, the President lingers and secures his allies places. While, he will intimidate, rig and do whatever it take to own the Crown. There is no democracy in that sense. He let the Opposition and the others win some bread-crumbs to look like it. But, still, there is like war-zones and planned interference in the By-Elections, that makes them more violent and sinister, than it needs to be.

Nevertheless, the hope for a better future, the hope for a transition is good and needed. But it is a false-flag right now. That a man who at the same moment claiming that he wants UNITY is still throwing grenades at the biggest Opposition Party. That shows that the UNITY isn’t that UNITED. It is just partly united and not in all sense. This is why the leader and the one whose been standing in the battle. Getting thrown under the bus. Because, why not right?

If it had been a democracy, been a righteous and fair elections. Than, the elections of 2015, 2011, 2006, 2001 and 1996 would have looked differently. Even by this time, the President wouldn’t have been the same over that time. It would have shifted. Also, the FDC has changed their Party President. Something, certain other parties that Bobi Wine is aligned to hasn’t done since its inception. The DP have changed, but the rest are Parties of One-Men Bands who are existing because of them and might be gone, when they have left the building too.

So, it is self-righteous of Bobi Wine, that is what is today. Instead of taking the high-road and such. He sounds more like Mao rip-off and its weak tea. Bobi Wine should know better, but apparently he don’t. I don’t know what got into him, but surely his showing his blazing glory. That his message and memo to the rest.

That he has utter faith in the Electoral Commission, that the appointed men of Museveni, the Security Apparatus and everyone else. Will obey the codes of law and pass over to the DP Block, because of their UNITY will be able to Topple Museveni. Sorry brother, but you got to be kidding me.

That is even worse than Kiggundu math. Get back to the drawing board and re-invent magic. Because, that doesn’t add up. Maybe, Bobi Wine has some love-potion or something to beat the Elections his way. Since, it doesn’t seem so to me. Peace.

Opinion: Mao’s empty run for the President in 2021!

I don’t know if Norbert Mao sees it or not, if he thinks he is so viable and has the ability to garn the masses. He tried in 2011 and got about 150,000 votes. In 2016, he couldn’t even be fielded as an candidate for MP for the Gulu Municipality in Gulu District.

Now in 2019, he plans to run as a Presidential Flag Bearer for the Democratic Party (DP). Which is fine enough, surely he will get support of Abed Bwanika and other ones joining the team. Alas, they are not combined in strength to ever compete with regime of today.

If he would ever think he has the capacity now, to build momentum and challenge Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, he is terribly wrong. No one is, because the system is built either for him to win, as the crook or by the book. There is nowhere in between that gives space for Mao to strive. Neither, does he has the capacity to garn the masses or even sound like a strong opposition figure.

Mao in the last go around supported the The Democratic Alliance and its candidate Amama Mbabazi. Which wasn’t successful either, that is why his been a vocal voice on NBS Frontline, but not a leader with a purpose, as he is more disfranchising the opposition and his own party, then building something strong. As he has let Lord Mayor of Kampala, Erias Lukwago (People’s Government, Betty Nambooze (People’s Government), Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi (Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs ) and Mukasa Mbidde (EALA MP) go along with either with the NRM Camp or whis fellow Opposition Kizza Besigye alternative People’s Government.

Therefore, he has not shown strength as a leader of his own flock, neither his own leaders nor MPs, who has shown character and joined sides. His not sanctioned the ones directly taking part of NRM functions and within the Cabinet. Only shown strong words against the ones who has chosen a defiant side to the current regime. Which is striking in itself. Since, as a supposed viable opposition, he should show finesse in these manners, but instead shown partisanship, by whom he attacks.

Do I believe that Mao has a shot to the throne? No, do I believe anyone has? No. Does Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine or Dr. Kizza Besigye, at this point no. They are candidates that are more viable and has a bigger voice. More reason behind them and more consistent with their supporters. Nevertheless, the system is built for Museveni, so it doesn’t matter who the Opposition fields. Because, the system is made for all the others to loose, and for the incumbent of 1986 to win again.

So, even as Mao is now saying his a candidate for the highest office, he will self-destruct his chances of being an MP. Mao, will by default go against both Bobi Wine and Museveni. Who knows if Muntu will join the team and who the FDC fields for this. JEEMA, UPC and UFA has enough struggle to even get momentum for their MPs, they should focus there.

That is why, the only interesting thing about Mao’s return to the battle for the highest office. How will he explain his ineffectiveness towards his fellow MPs who accept a close relations with the NRM and why he has attacked Besigye and his People’s Government? Because what striking difference is it between a Mao of 2019 versus the ones who called Besigye a serial loser a few years back?

Since I cannot figure out a time or pretext, where I thought of Mao as a winner. He haven’t even had the ability to run for MP last election and before that, been abysmal as a Presidential Candidate in 2011. Therefore, a little humility and grace, would be nice, but maybe his planning a TDA 2.0 with himself, and hopes Muntu can join the team with his ANT(s). Peace.

DP Reunion in Jinja: Cancelled out by the Calvary!

The Partisan Police Force was again at it, as the Democratic Party and Uganda Young Democrats had scheduled a Reunion on the Jinja Rugby Grounds. The Party Officials and the Organizers had notified as by law to hold the meeting in Jinja, however, the Police blocked the venue and did arrest several of DP officials.

What was striking as the authorities, the DP Reunion, took the DP President Norbert Mao was blocked, there was thrown tear-gas in Jinja. But, the Police quickly reported to the Daily Monitor, that the President of DP was negotiation and holding a consulting meeting with the officers at the Central Police Station of Jinja. Not, that he was directly arrested as previously reported by other sources. Clearly, there are something missing. As the State was notified, the paper trail has leaked online, by Mao himself. Therefore, it was known by the state since early February.

The Police does this simple cat- and mouse game with opposition. AS they have to comply with the restrictions of the Public Order Management Act and even if they do so. They still can be blocked for whatever reason the Regional Police Commander and others to clarify their intent. As, if the meeting and the rally itself was saying enough. We are getting close enough to the National Campaign Road Maps for 2020/21, that if a Party doesn’t comply them in combination with the POMA. They will be in deep trouble with the state. As we have seen previously in the Republic.

What the DP and UYD seen today isn’t groundbreaking, not a watershed moment or sign of the decades of control of Museveni. No, this is just the ordinary manifestation of the power and force, the state use against dissidents. Even the ones that usually complies and are very friendly to the powers, that be. But because, they still tries to operate as an independent opposition party, they still get into legal jeopardy. Because, that is how the state operates and continues to do so. Until the swearing-in of Museveni for the 6^th time and pursuit of his 8 rings of service. There will surely be plenty more of this in the two years coming, 2020 and 2021, will be filled with stories like these. Just different names and parties, but the same mumbo jumbo.

What has been done in Jinja today to the leadership of the DP is nothing new. These arrests comes with a steady phase. Especially in a run-up to elections and within the narrow window of the campaigns. As well as during campaigns and the post-elections. If you’re lucky, you get extra bonus rounds of house-arrests and treason charges. That is for the unique, popular and resilient sort of politicians. Not mere mortals get that. They are behind bars and released on mockery of charges. Before, they try again to hold a rally or campaign. Peace.

Opinion: Norbert Mao will kick- and scream, but not act upon the indisciplined!

The Democratic Party in Uganda have been for long, seemed like a NRM-Lite. Like the sort of brew, that stinks like the ruling party, but isn’t the ruling the party. Feel me?

Therefore, the latest Presser with DP President Norbert Mao is coming of age. Like Whiskey if you like, its supposed to get better with age. However, in the case of Mao, it becomes more bitter and less flavourful. He might have more swagger in words and could resemble a vintage Tamale Mirundi. But his actions are weak.

Mao could have acted with swift actions against the “Good DP”, the DP’s whose in favour of the President. This being Fred Mukusa Mbidde or Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi. However, as he said he didn’t favour their positions nor sanctioned them. They should question their allegiance to the Party. However, that not been in question. Even Mbidde has been hanging around Museveni and the NRM Party in needed time before the vote of EALA MPs. Therefore, he did it too eat.

That was fun cases, as the DP Party getting prospects of power and reach. Even Mao didn’t directly sponsor or go behind it. He still hasn’t sanctioned it. His soft actions of letting it be and letting the MPs decides for themselves, where they want to be.

However, his words haven’t been soft after the People’s Government of Kizza Besigye was formed. The words against Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Betty Nambooze Bakireke has been fierce. The daggers was out and he was ready to get his game. Clearly, Mao was insulted that they went to work with Besigye. A man he has called loser, surely, because Mao favoured Mbabazi the NRM member gone “independent” over a real opposition. That is why just like Museveni, Mao throws shade on the ones affiliating with other opposition.

Surely, Mao sees it fine to hanging out with Abed Bwanika and other into the fold. But they are growing the stature or the stamina of the NRM-lite. Instead, they are showing a diminishing factor and lack of progress. The DP isn’t looking better.

Neither is Mao, whose been brash with words against others. But he himself wasn’t capable of even running as MP in the last General Election of 2016 and his stint on the 2011 trail wasn’t amazing either. Maybe, that is why he has become so friendly with NRM and Mbabazi. Because, he needs kingpins and support. That is why he is still entertained on the NBS Frontline, while the likes Mira Matembe was kicked-out. Surely, the man whose drinks soda at the Police Stations, while the others are behind bars for the same “inciting violence and disturbing the peace”. Therefore, he must have done something to someone to have that reach.

That is why his so inactive and enable of sort, but when his own men, his own members and people are acting in spite of the regime. He comes kicking and screaming, but was soft like dove when the Mzee came knocking. Seriously, there is something not adding up. However, then again, the DP acts and talks like NRM-lite.

Therefore, he has to strike at the ones who forcefully shows finesse and goes against the dictatorship. Not just mere puppets for the facade. If Masaka’s own, Mathias Mpuga Nsamba showed gravitas like during the Walk to Work. That would be a living hell for the DP President. Who surely thinking of how to run as an MP or Presidential Candidate after the failure of last go-around. As his party is flinched between to stations and not sure where to take-off.

What is clearly showing is that Norbert Mao. Isn’t the enforcer or the deciding anything. He has a microphone and a office, but not using it. Because, people makes decisions on their own and don’t have to follow party line. Neither, if its being a GOOD DP or a BAD DP. That doesn’t matter.

This saga will continue, especially in the run-up to 2021. Mao got to make headlines and act like he does something. Even when he in reality does nothing. Just let them say and speak their peace. Not that it matters, as long as he doesn’t serve time or feel the stench of tear-gas while politicking. Peace.

Opinion: Democratic Party and Uganda People’s Congress turns more and more into NRM-Lite!

“Power is a curious thing. Who lives, Who dies. Power resides where men believe it resides. It is a trick, A shadow on the wall.”  ― Lord Varys (Game of Thrones).

“Adjective: Denoting a low-fat or low-sugar version of a manufactured food or drink product” (…) “Origin: 1950s: a commercial respelling of light, light” (Oxford Dictionary – Lite).

This here isn’t something based on evidence, but more a genuine feeling I have is not only one I share, but many others. There is something at stake and someone who has agreed the negotiations so these so-called opposition parties isn’t really so. That is why the Uganda People Congress has some MPs in the Cabinet and the same with Democratic Party. The same can be said that both of these parties, still have slots or parts of the delegations to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) in Arusha.

What we do know is that James Akena, the newly concurred leader of UPC could easily do some trade-off with NRM in 2015. That isn’t just mere speculation as his party did decent and there haven’t been any controversy or lashing out from NRM MPs towards the UPC in ages. Secondly, the DP has become the good DPs and the ones that even are parts of NRM Celebrations. There is something up with these two parties, just like Uganda Federal Alliance and Beti Kamya all of a sudden is a bigger support of the NRM government than the former NRM historical’s and the NRM hardliners.

The President and his NRM CEC must see their State House visits as a blessed and ease ways of figuring out how to undress the opposition and how to deal with them. All needs a meal-ticket, the question is who will give in to the regime and at what cost. Therefore, the arrangement and the deals behind the close doors show the conning way of the illegitimate regime who uses all sorts of methods to undermine the opposition. The FDC has clearly given in too, in my book, with even becoming the shadow-government in Parliament. Something the FDC NEC shouldn’t have considered and agreed upon, because when NRM together with the President agreed to get a UPC minister and DP minister, it would be hard to have shadow-government with members from these parties. That would be rare and weird to explain.

We can even wonder if Norbert Mao even cared of losing his slot as Member of Parliament in the 10^th Parliament, as the DP was behind Amama Mbabazi Presidential Candidate through the The Democratic Alliance (TDA). Why I say that now? Since he is snickering and defending the NRM on NBSFrontline, attacking Lord Mayor Lukwago and the FDC when he can, just as we would expect Akena, since he has been bought sometime during the 2015. The price and the value of the UPC is for him and his closest allies to know.

DP’s Mao on the other hand is worrying, that Fred Mukasa Mbidde went so easily and elected into the EALA, also how little care the DP has given to the DP Cabinet Member Florence Nakiwala. Who could have thought the party would trade these folks that easily? That without any worry and without care has let it go, that they have set the standard of being a mediocre party who has no courage and no fighting spirit.

Maybe, Mao has gotten tired of fighting as the campaign he himself has a Presidential Candidate was sour, it wasn’t a joyful journey as the promises and the ride against the police force wasn’t ideal. Therefore, the battle even for his own MPs place got lost and as a leader who isn’t in Parliament, while the ones in Parliament are getting cosy with the NRM. That might be why Mao is complied with the forged friendships and trading in Parliament, to make sure they can gain the most. Still, the value and integrity of DP is dwindling, with every forged agreement with NRM makes them more and more alike, less different.

The NRM regime and NRM caucus in Parliament is adding DP and UPC, they are just turning into branches of the regime instead of being rooted on their own and on their own framework. It is just like Mao and Akena, just shift-bosses instead of being their own factory leaders. They work less for their own product and delivery, more and more to please the Executive through agreements and negotiations.

That is why the NRM has swallowed their paths and the lacking spine of DP and UPC has given way for this. Therefore, the current affairs and state makes them like a light version of the NRM. For this reason DP = NRM Lite and UPC = NRM Lite. Both parties are old and have a long history; they were established long before NRM, still the abolishment from Obote, made the other obsolete. So Museveni’s trick of being in the shadows of these parties before and after the parties, this is essentially killing of the multi-party system. That the NRM are tarnishing the DP and UPC to becoming NRM knocks-offs.

All of this is mere speculation, but still, there aren’t any official agreements in public between UPC and DP towards to the NRM, but their friendliness and co-operations are evident of certain negotiated deals. You will not hear Akena or the UPC complain about the NRM, just like Mao suddenly defends on national TV their position towards NRM and attacks Lukwago. There is just some uncertainty of how and what they have done behind closed doors. Beyond a shadow of a doubt some worrying signs that can and should be questioned, especially not accept as the acceptance of these parties to the NRM gives way to establish deep concerns of the value of opposition at all in Uganda. Since the DP and UPC have been thresholds for such, now it is FDC, even with a FDC NEC who doesn’t concern their legitimising the Parliament.

We all should ask and question the recent efforts from DP and UPC as legitimate opposition, even as parties without connections or how possibly they have accepted agreements with Movement. This surpass the judgement and the recognition of their existence, it is more the mere fact of lacking attention to transparency and accountability, as they are giving way to a regime who certainly does not care about procedures or acts or rule of law. The parties are therefore giving the Movement acceptance and are silently supporting their rule with these sorts of acts. Certainly, something the founders of these parties would turn in their graves and wanted to resurrect to adjust the malfunctions of these parties. Peace.