Opinion: Bribes are NRM’s M.O. during elections, however EC Chairman Byabakama says its a “evil partner”.

Today I am writing about certain comments made by the guy that took over the Election Commission after Dr. Badru Kiggundu, he is legend for his ways and his math. So Dr. Kiggundu will not be forgotten, that is why I have struggled to take this fellow serious. Because Kiggundu destroyed the EC and made it look like a foolish organization filled with cronies who has a love-affair with Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. That is true and therefore, all By-Elections since the General Elections 2016 have been in favor of National Resistance Movement (NRM), except Kyadondo East, which Bobi Wine topped with his huge star-power and speeches. So that Justice Simon Byabakama hasn’t been on my radar. This because the NRM has controlled and in-certain themselves in the by-election, where the opposition parties and independents has no control. Byabakama couldn’t do anything wrong and the NRM can just do whatever. That is how it has been for various reasons, but the NRM are really not trying to have a multi-party state, that is just a piece of flesh on the bone for donor-aid, but not for reality.

So before I rant, here is the statements on the EC Boss I will discuss today:

According to Byabakama, bribery has become an evil partner with elections in Uganda. “But we are made to understand that bribery has become an evil partner with elections in this country, this undermines the quality of democracy,” he said” (…) “The law says an election result can be cancelled on grounds of bribery, despite the amount involved” (…) “Can you imagine an exercise that has cost the stakeholders, including security about sh1b being cancelled because of sh1,000 or a sachet of waragi or bar of soap? Do we really have to go to the school of economics to understand that this is not tenable in economic terms?” Byamukama wondered” (Nambogga, 2018)

Well, Byabakama have been under a rock or not followed what the party that appointed him and anointed him to become Electoral Commission Chairperson. That the Chairperson didn’t know how the ruling regime and the ruling party has acted during elections. It isn’t only misuse the army and the police as a political tool during elections. All of the state coffers and reserves are used.

Therefore, that the Chairperson Byabakama are now saying bribes are bad. He should start discussing this with the Entebbe State House. Who has sanctions the give-aways to Pastors, Residential District Commanders and others who was getting Prado’s and SUV’s within days of the Election. That is the big buys of loyalty and bribes.

The others are the voter tourism, a definition that came about because between 2015 and 2016, the NRM party and their organizers hired buses, paid t-shirts and food for villagers to bigger local rallies. They even gave smaller sums of cash to the people to listen to Museveni and the group of musicians that was also paid massively for their campaigning for the President. It is sort of hard to forget the massive amounts of shillings spent on the Campaigning of the President. Only for November 2015, the NRM Party spent massively 125bn shillings. That is something one report said and could calculate. The other months up-to February 2016. Can question the whole spending of the NRM. Every single rally before the February 2016 was biggest breaches of bribery of voters. It’s like the Chairman was blind to this or was himself in Finland while it was happening.

The evil partner of bribery is built in the system of corrupt behavior from the State House. They misuse all parts of government and all parts of society. If there isn’t loyalty, it can be shut-down. That is how Museveni works.

So my question to Byabakama: Will you ask His Excellency, if the Party has any plans of stopping to bribe the public every time there is an election?

If you do? Can you also get the New Vision to publish that too? So we can again see how to-faced Museveni is. Thanks. Peace.

Reference:

Nambogga, Jackie – ‘EC Boss warns against bribery in politics’ (04.02.2018) link: https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1470404/ec-boss-warns-bribery-politics

Kibanda North By-Election: A silent conning by-election in favor of NRM!

Just as the National Resistance Movement Primaries (NRM) prepared for the By-Election in the Kiryandongo District, in the county of Kibanda North. The July 2017, the primaries was filled with irregularities in favor Taban Idi Amin, who won it for the second time in two years. The one running against him could have taken this to court, but Sam Amooti Otada Owor sent an injunction into the High Court in Masindi. Clearly, this didn’t go well, since on the 9th August 2017. The other candidate and second placed in Kibanda North Otada Owor notified the Electoral Commission he withdrew his candidacy, the day before the 10th August, when the By-Election appeared.

Even if the Primaries still states like this:

The NRM Primary Declaration Form 14th July 2017 says that Taban Idi Amin won with 12,812 votes and had 73,6 percentage, while in second Sam Amooti Otado Owor got 2,761 votes and 15,9 percentage. In third and last George Maiteki Baitera Bigirwa got 1,472 votes and 8,5 percentage. While the total annulled votes are 367 and 2.1 percentage. Where the total votes of the whole Primary election we’re 17,412 votes and a 100 percentage” (Minbane – ‘Kibanda North County – NRM Primaries filled with irregularities as Tanga Odoi’s Declaration Form shows!’ 16.07.2017, link: https://minbane.wordpress.com/2017/07/16/httpwp-mep1xtjg-540/ ).

Clearly, Taban Idi Amin’s Primary election was flawed when the sheets and forms are so shady, the records for the electorate and the history will be remembered for the irregularities, not for a free and fair internal-party election.

Why you suddenly didn’t hear anything about the By-Election, since Sam Amooti Otado Owor did back-down on the 9th August, the need for casting ballots was pointless. There was no other candidate standing in the way of Taban Idi Amin. He could walk back to Parliament without having the ballots cast and counted through electoral process. The Electoral Commission said it wasn’t needed. That is why the whole By-Election has suddenly disappeared, because their was no competition. Not like it ever was, since the NRM Electoral Commission had handpicked Taban Idi Amin and wanted his candidacy, as their forms was a charade of facade and not a real deal.

So on the 10th August, the Museveni preferred candidate got his blessings, as the NRM was alone in the race, the were non UPC, DP, FDC, UFA or Independent that gave Taban any race. Therefore, no need for ballots and by-election. Just swearing-in and getting it over with. There was some reporting that Museveni forgave Otoda Owor over his rebellion against the party. Even if it was justified. Still, this made it easy to get another crony and stooge in the Parliament. Peace.

Kibanda North County – NRM Primaries filled with irregularities as Tanga Odoi’s Declaration Form shows!

There is a coming by election in Kiryandongo District in the Kibanda North County. This one was contested in the General Election 2016 with a National Resistance Movement winner by the name of Taban Idi Amin. This election was challenged in court and was annulled. Therefore, it is in preparation for new By-Elections in 2017, that things gets interesting.

Because the former winner of the NRM Taban Idi Amin won the flag-bearer seat again, the NRM Primary Election must have been strange or been rigged for some reason. Because the ‘Declaration for Results’ delivered and signed by Dr. Tanga Odoi on the 14th July 2017 seems a bit out touch with reality. Let me take through it and the reason, why Sam Amooti Otada Owor has an electoral injunction at the High Court in Masindi on the same day. Where “Kiryandongo District and the status quo to be maintained is the status quo pending the determination of temporary injunction for the domain in the substantive application which is hiherto before the judge”. This is from the Order of the application put forward to the judge on the 14 July 2017 in Masindi, but the reason must be the NRM Primary Declaration form and anyone looked at it will know why it is strange.

The NRM Primary Declaration Form 14th July 2017 says that Taban Idi Amin won with 12,812 votes and had 73,6 percentage, while in second Sam Amooti Otado Owor got 2,761 votes and 15,9 percentage. In third and last George Maiteki Baitera Bigirwa got 1,472 votes and 8,5 percentage. While the total annulled votes are 367 and 2.1 percentage. Where the total votes of the whole Primary election we’re 17,412 votes and a 100 percentage.

When you look at those numbers nothing seems strange, but a giant and clear victory for Amin, which wouldn’t be surprising since he won the same race in 2015 and won again General Election in 2016. But what is weird is that the counting and what it says further on the Declaration Form: “I therefore declare Taban Idi Amin who has polled the highest number of voters (17,412) representing 73.6 percent as the duly elected NRM Flag Bearer for Kibanda North County Constituency Member of Parliament, 2017”.

If you don’t notice the words of Dr. Tanga Odoi, the whole 100 % of Primary election is 17,412 that was shared between all three candidates, but on the declaration all of them is designated to the winner Taban Idi Amin. Which is strange since by the counting the second candidate got 15,9 % and the third one got 8,5 %. Which has suddenly vanished in thin air, since the Flag Bearer Amin got them all. This seems a bit of a stretch.

That the NRM can contest someone who has already gotten the election annulled. Than, the Electoral Commission of the NRM and the whole contest get question by someone who was a part of the whole race. Even as the whole ordeal get put into legal jeopardy when the application was sent before the judge on the same day as it ends. It is worth noticing the internal Primary Declaration Form, which states an anomaly. The indication of misconduct can again put the NRM in a pickle. Where for the third time within two years has to contest for the seat. That would be three NRM Primaries in the Kibanda North County.

As the NRM write on their own page: “Kibanda North Constituency final results released last evening by the NRM Electoral Commission Vice Chairperson Hon Kigyagi put Hon Taban Amin in a landslide victory with 12,812 votes. Just minutes after the release of the results last evening, the Party Secretariat learnt of an interim court order issued on July 14, 2017 restraining us from conducting this same exercise. Its however worth noting that the applicant of this order Hon Sam Otada was until the last minute part of the entire process and attended the joint campaign meetings supervised by the party’s EC till the end. This matter has now been left to our Legal Committee to follow it up to its conclusion” (NRM, 15.07.2017).

So if you believe there is an issue with the NRM Primary election there is. Since the possible tampering has appeared. Even the own documentation isn’t right and shows flaws. The declaration of Dr. Tanga Odoi proves the flaws of this exercise. Not that I am in favor of the second candidate Sam Otada Owor over the second time winner Taban Idi Amin. But is seems strange the way the NRM EC declared it this time. Peace.

Unravelling troubles for Mzee

M7 Guards Inaguration 2016

There are troubles ahead for the Presidency, the Executive as the hardball acts and the premise for today is after the General Election, the truth of the situation have now showed up. As in April 2016 the State House need 70bn shillings as the campaigning had taken the toll on the expenses and also they need fiscal support to comply with running expenses.

This in mind with the Uganda National Roads Authority that last year (2015) we’re suspended by a dozen of road projects from funding from the World Bank. There we’re talks in May 2016 to resume talks to hash out problems of funding, as the roads scandals and the transparency of the industry have been questioned, as of all the sackings in the Government Organization of late. In April the Organizations all of a sudden offered 1000 jobs, as they needed staff to future be able to find tenders and organize infrastructure projects. Proves there are more than just moist soil that are trouble for the tarmac, but also the heritage of alleged corrupt behaviour of both politicians, contractors and servicemen accepting the bribes before the cars can ride on the roads. As the UNRA Executive Director Allen Kagina said: “But while the government road development programme has been growing, medium term expenditure framework ceiling for Unra has been the same,” she said, adding that “this has resulted in the ongoing and planned programme having a deficit of Shs1.7 trillion.”(Musisi, 2016).

petroliolagoalbert

As the Executive have promised for long is to have a Crude Oil Refinery in Uganda, with that in mind even the Kenyans before they we’re toiled away they promised funds into the development project as a part of Crude Oil line towards Lamu Port and LAPSSET, a plan that Mzee scattered. Instead he picked the Tanga Port of Tanzania, for reasons he knows, but we knows it is not terrorism and fears of Kenyan borders. It is the money and deal that have been made between Ugandan Government and Tanzanian. As the Crude Oil pipeline is important for the Uganda oil industry, so is also the Refinery; that has new reports about today.  Before there we’re expected that Uganda, for support military and economically would go for the Russian builder and Company under the Rosneft, Gazprom Neft and Transneft, who are run by the RT Global resources, this as a supported deal with businessman interconnected with Vladimir Putin, as we know Mzee we’re in Russia right before buying Russian Fighter Jets in 2011. “The decision to award the contract to the Russian company cements growing ties between Moscow and the east African country, which increasingly characterises the west as a neocolonial aggressor” (Manson, 2015). Today the deal wasn’t in stone, as the deal with planes was okay, but the refinery wasn’t cleared yet: “The Energy ministry Permanent Secretary Kabagambe Kaliisa confirmed the development to this newspaper in a telephone interview but defended “it was not a walk away as such.” (…)”They had demonstrated all it takes, and in fact we had finished negotiations with them and closed all the envelopes” (…)”But they kept going back and forth over the concessions we had given them, negotiated and finished. We gave them all the time” (…) “as a procedure they were supposed to get the necessary clearance back home and it was what we were waiting for. However we received communication they were withdrawing the bond”. Rostec’s East Africa regional representative Andrey Kozenyashev told this newspaper from Moscow that “there is nothing to comment about” (Musisi, 2016). It is only in so many words, that the agreement went sour because the chickens didn’t come to roast, the hidden cost and the transactions between the Russians and Ugandans counterparts was not as expected, therefore the deal stranded; as the Ministry under the orders of the Executive expected to be better paid and secured more funds out of the industrial project. Something the Russians most likely didn’t accept. That’s why the powerful energy, military and resource company has nothing to comment.

As the Oil development issues and the infrastructure in general, as the fallen MPs that are demoted after the fraudulent election losing seats in the 10th Parliament as the NRM MPs are up to 10 or even more who has lost their seats and cannot be in Parliament this term. As Dr. Tanga Odoi claims the paperwork and academic procedure is not at fault in the inner-party, but from the Academic institutions and their verifications, while also threating to insubordinate Tamale Mirundi and take him to court for attacks on his character and acts as the NRM EC. The Irony is that NRM MPs who are demoted got also through the cracks of the Electoral Commission of Eng. Dr. Badru Kiggundu, the engineer who built the machinery and technical procedures for the rigged events and made the options without using his organizations to scrutinize the internal checks and balances at the ruling party and ruling organization NRM-O and NRM CEC who let the NRM EC, together with the EC let the candidates run in the Primary and General Election, before the Courts annulled their works. This shows that it is a grand slam of disapproval and proof of ‘orders from above’ to handpicked members that will only follow and not act on their own. Why all the blame on Odoi, there the NRM CEC and the EC who let it all go?

NRM EC November P3

Even today the Mzee continued with damage control in Parliament as the vetting process earlier dismissed two of the 81 ministers of his cabinet. These we’re: “Harriet Ntabazi, the designate minister of State for Industry and designate minister of State for Works Ismael Orot”, Chris Obore have said that Mzee have written to Speaker Kadaga to re-vet them, so they can be ready for their position in Parliament and Cabinet, because Mzee want the Parliament to reconsider their rejections (Crane Times, 01.07.2016).

The continued madness of the 10th Parliament is continuing, as the 9th Parliament ended with a wish for Tax-Free salaries from the Parliament duties, the campaign and money issues remains, as the MPs have after elections asked for newer SUVs and more expensive cars, now they claim not be paid over the recent year and need refunded funds, to fix their salaries; this happens and some said this to the press today:

“MPs vented their anger more recently at their orientation workshop at parliament. Bugabula South MP Henry Maurice Kibalya asked Patrick Kunobwa, the chief finance officer of parliament, why MPs haven’t got their new cars yet” (…)”Our voters keep asking us why we are not driving the vehicles which parliament gave us. They know that we have been given money to buy new vehicles but they see us driving the same old vehicles and they are asking us why. We don’t have any explanation to give since we haven’t got any communication concerning that; what should we tell them?” (…) ”When I was RDC [resident district commissioner] for Serere, I was given some money as a settling-in-job allowance. Unfortunately, it does not work like that in parliament. I thought we would be given something like an allowance in order for us to settle into our jobs. We expected that parliament…would enable us to find decent places [houses] to stay, vehicles but all we have had to go through is waiting for the first salary,” Kitagwenda MP Abbas Agaba said” (…) “Sylvia Rwabwogo, the Kabarole Woman MP, said: “People thought we got Shs 50m, which is not true. We got only Shs 5m from the president at the time of swearing in [in May] and it was not enough for one to be with his/her family and voters. And remember we have not been working for one-and-a-half years because of campaigns; so, how do you handle such a situation?” (Namuloki, 2016).

april-cars Uganda

So there isn’t enough issues for Mzee, as the giant money funding Oil Development are stalled, as the Russians have not complied, the UNRA are having a deficit and only can build when foreign donors pay for the projects, this in the land of Mzee who doesn’t want international community to be involved as they don’t understand Uganda. While the MPs who understand Uganda, are either in trouble with academic papers and losing their seats, if not their economic situation is dire, just like the State House where right after Election. So instead of being Entebbe and Nakasero State House, it is that the representative of the Ugandan people doesn’t have new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. Like on the 5th February 2016, the Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Ruganda just happen to drop off 111 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and give them to the District Chairpersons with a lavish handover ceremony at Mandela National Stadium.

Just as Mzee have been hardline on the media during the campaign he has himself done in his capacity to secure big-men into his administration to control the media. Therefore Hon. Jim Muhwezi lost his ministerial position and elevated Hon. Frank Tumwebaze to the Ministry of Public Information and Communication Technology, as he will corporate the Uganda Media Centre, State House propaganda and the general covering of the Government. Since he was hard on the KCCA during his recent term and has faith in his direct control of the Departments. In this space the New Presidential Press Spokesman, the one replacing Tamale Mirundi became the former Editor of Daily Monitor Don Wanyama. Just as the PPS Wanyama is a former Monitor editor. Today there we’re reports of another man from the Paper that we’re connected in getting a position under the government umbrella. This is been reported: “The former Deputy News Editor of Monitor Publications Limited, Paul Amoru is set to be elected the National Resistance Movement Caucus Spokesman” (…) “According to sources from the office of the Government Chief Whip and the NRM Secretariat, Amoru has already been briefed to prepare himself for the task” (Okello, 2016). So the former loyalist amongst the opposition writers in the Monitor, proves how the media have been and becoming more state infused as the WBS have been taken control over. There media houses who are under threat and others who will struggle as the Uganda Revenue Authority will use their legal terms to shutdown, close or suspend, as the Uganda Communication Commission will also revoke license towards the ones who question the power to often, as there been reports on.

Just as Hon. Tumbewaze started his term, he ordered fellow Members of Parliament to be assign them to join social media as a way to address their concern and give their voice into the social media and give ways for them address the public directly, not only on NTV, NBS, UBC, Daily Monitor and New Vision. So one who followed that guideline quickly we’re for instance the Hon. Philemon Mateke who is the State Minster of Foreign Affairs and Regional Development; He joined on Twitter on the 28th of June 2016. When old guys like him start to spread and so-called sensitizing

UPF Fail

The Government and Mzee still want to make sure he has right men in the Security Organizations therefore he has order IGP Kale Kayihura to hurry and promote over a 100 Police officers around the Election, that got done in February 2016, just days before the Presidential ballots was cast, as the months before the General Election, the agreements of collective intelligence office between the Army and other Security Agents to secure a peaceful election. While the Police Officers have also in the months before been moved around the country and certain men have gotten bigger positions in the Police Force, as they have gotten better place for their loyalty to oppress the Opposition.

The Army have also without precedence had a clean-up in the ranks, as barracks after barracks have both soldiers and leaders been taken away, some in the homes other directly while they we’re doing for the state, therefore their been violence and this made a conspiracy to connect this actions together with the FDC party to be able to detain and jail Hon. Michael Kabaziguruka of Nakawa, and the Presidential Candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye, both have been charged with ‘Treason’, also that the army connects had a plan to topple Mzee; this is charges that been alleged before on the Besigye family and members as Mzee likes to recreate history. He just doesn’t know it himself, apparently.

So I will stop with that, as when you set the news and headlines together, with the reports behind the scenes, as the questions on the basic initial reports, as the European Union still want to be cordial relationship even when they have condemn the elections in the recent report of the Election Observers Mission claimed the fraudulent affairs, still they wanted to respect him, until Mzee attacked the ICC with President Bashir by his side. These we’re the days of late when the roads from Entebbe to Kampala we’re closed. So the traffic of Kampala and between central areas of Kampala we’re a total havoc, as with all of the foreign dignitaries who visited like South Korea and Turkey, where the roads we’re closed off and ordinary people had to hike on old dust-roads or walk. As cars couldn’t pass, for safety reasons, even if the dignitaries we’re on the Luxury Hotels and enjoying high life on the expense of fellow Ugandans. Just like Mzee is accustomed to over the three decades in power.

Tanzania-Uganda-Pipeline_0

The issues of rising loans on the fiscal budget, the uncertainty of refinery, pipeline to Tanzania, though Total of France have given clear message to Mzee during the newly conducted discussions with Kenyan Counterparts, that stranded. This together with the rising levels of new districts, bigger cabinet, more officials and more bureaucracy both in Parliament and locally with the hashed out districts and sub-counties, as the MPs doesn’t have enough offices or space to the new level of MPs. It seems like the ruling party didn’t think of the consequence of allocating more MPs in Parliament and creating yet again more districts. Not only making constituencies smaller and creating uncertainty of who will be hit by the newly regulated areas and who they represent. Mzee, just did it to make sure he got more loyalist and could gain more LC and LCV who could be his men, than giving way to the opposition.

The grand maturity of the NRM is now, as the three decades of Power and with the Old Man with the Hat, has already showed their true color and their visions. The vision is to hold power by any means, get rid of, pay off or silence, even with cold-blood if needed. As there been so many scary fallouts through the decades; just waiting for the next man to be swallowed by the reignited leader who wish to control every piece of legislation, corporation and business in the nation. That is why the Russians we’re left out and he got new promises and deals through the recent visit from South Korea. The unravelling mission, the possession of all power and extending it by hurryingly addressing the dignitaries and fresh relationship; while toiling away the ones that is not a payable; like the recent South Korea also makes the long-term relationship with North Korea touched, as the Police and Army Training through the DPRK are now suspended from 1. January 2017. So the clarity of the donor-funding from South Korea is vastly needed by the Government, though he wants it without strings. So he can use it on the ranch and cars for himself, or loyal elitist to be able to fly to India or South Africa for treatment for a health condition; as Mulago and other Health Care facilities are in disarray, but not a question for the state to really fix or amend, as they want NGOs from Foreign Countries to supply it for free. That is the governance of NRM Regime for the moment and the EU Diplomates and US Diplomates play along as Mzee sends needed forces to AMISOM and Central African Republic. They want say that directly, but their actions speak of it.

DPRK Twitter Uganda

The truth will spill out and the issues of silencing and oppression of the opposition cannot be everlasting as the state cannot afford it or have the resources to play that for long, then they have to sell of more land to Aga Khan or other foreign connected businessmen for hunting-grounds in Amuru or other useful areas that are not so needed for loyalty for the President for Life Museveni, he might even trade-off parts of Kaabong just to make sure the loans for the Crude Oil pipeline get built in this term. Don’t be surprised as long as the Ankoli, Brahima and the other who are in the NRM Elite is paid off, the Soldiers who in AMISOM might not get steady pay, but Special Forces Command and the other closest will always be taken care off. He needs the Security Agencies ready to act upon his words, as the people and the others can only cry out for a ‘balance’. But the riches are deemed for him. Peace.   

Reference:

Manson, Kathrine – ‘Sanctions-hit Russian group wins $4bn Uganda refinery deal’ (17.02.2015) link: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/442825a0-b6bd-11e4-a5f2-00144feab7de.html#axzz4D9fWB1y3

Musisi, Fredrick – ‘Russian firm pulls out of Uganda’s $4 billion oil refinery’ (01.07.2016) link: http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Russian-firm-pulls-out-of-Uganda-USD4-billion-oil-refinery-/-/2558/3274766/-/3r932dz/-/index.html

Musisi, Fredrick – ‘No more new road projects – Unra’ (01.07.2016) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/No-more-new-road-projects–Unra/-/688334/3274568/-/74yaod/-/index.html

Namuloki, Josephine – ‘New MPs cry out over brokenness’ (01.07.2016) link: http://www.observer.ug/news-headlines/45116-new-mps-cry-out-over-brokenness

Okello, Dickens H. – ‘Former Monitor News Editor Tipped for NRM Caucus Spokesman’ (01.07.2016) link: http://www.chimpreports.com/former-monitor-news-editor-tipped-for-nrm-caucus-spokesman/

Tanga Odoi Faults UNEB, NCHE over NRM MPs Disqualification from Parliament (Youtube-Clip)

“The NRM Electoral Commission has distanced itself from the ridicule surrounding nine NRM members who were thrown out of parliament by the courts of law over academic documents. The ruling party argues that all verification of academic papers was done by UNEB and National Council for Higher Education.. The NRM EC boss Tanga Odoi is now threatening to take legal action against the two academic bodies should more MPs lose their seats due to academic credentials” (NBS TV Uganda, 2016).

Political Parties spending during campaigns in November and December 2015; NRM buying shirts and ferrying crowds; while the others Parties use meager funds their campaigns

NRM Pakwach 14.11.15

This here has been address by others, but this is my view on the report released by NGOs recently. So here is my view on how the parties have spent on the two months, and the issue is that is very important to discuss. Since this is use of money to gain power or to shape the political landscape. The use of moneys and what you use it on show the values and to what extend you will pay to either continue or get power. The pages are after the counting system of Acrobat document, the official document will have different numbers because Acrobat count the empty pages in the beginning also. Therefore the numbers are higher then what it is in the report and don’t get that confused. I just do it to make it easy.

“The minimum amount of money observed to have been spent by parties and their flag bearers in the observed districts was UGX 49.6 billion in November and 88.1 billion in December representing an increase of 77% over the two months. This increase is largely attributed to the commencement of member or parliament campaigns having been nominated on the 3rd and 4th of December 2015” (…)”ACFIM observers reported use of motorcades, bodabodas cyclists, entertainers; and provided transport refund, food and drinks for supporters that accompanied them to nomination and attended the nomination rallies” (P: 8, 2016).

“Assessment of Minimum Expenses by Party:

According to ACFIM observers, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party candidates are leading by far terms of campaign spending. The party accounts for 87% of the total minimum observed expenditures reported by ACFIM Research Assistants/Observers in the months of November and December. NRM is trailed by Independent Candidates who have spent 7.9%, FDC (2.1%), Go Forward political group (1.1%), DP (0.5%), UPC (0.3%) and other parties (0.3%)” (P: 10, 2016).

Yellow Buses Luweero 081115 NRM

NRM Minimum costs:

There has been observed how the NRM have been using funds on their candidates and campaigning from June 2015 to December 2015. This here proves yet again to what extent the ruling parties secure loyalty and MPs. Every NRM Village has spent minimum UGX 15m. The delegates conference for the constitutional amendment they spent UGX 19M. The Second delegate’s conference to elect Flag-Bearer UGX 20M; then it’s the monies spent to MPs to secure the vote for sole-candidacy that was UGX 6M. They also spent money for Posh Cars for party officials UGX 10M. Last was paying for the NRM Primaries which cost about UGX 30M. That means the minimum cost for NRM we’re UGX 100M (P: 12, 2016). That is before you really start to campaign!

Page 12 Expenses FDC June - December 2015

Expenses of Presidential Candidates in November and December:

“The candidate Yoweri Museveni accounts for majority of the total minimum expenditure with 91.6% of the total minimum expenses recorded. Candidate Museveni is followed by Amama Mbabazi whose expenditure accounts for 4.6% and Kizza Besigye (3.3%). The rest of the candidates spent less than 1.0% combined” (P: 16, 2016).

NRM giving money away to gain support:

“The Money Man”; He is retired Leut. Gen. Henry Tumukunde. He was handing over UGX 20million to an association of vendors in Entebbe Market in December. He has been leading the advance party of candidate Yoweri Museveni. Observers in Arua reported that he handed out UGX 50,000 to 400 voters who claimed to have converted from FDC – they met him at White Castle Hotel in Arua” (P: 19, 2016).

Elton Joseph Mabirizi 17.11.15

Expenses on Journalists by Presidential Candidate (Nov & Dec):

“Yoweri Museveni outstrips his competitors in terms of expenditure on facilitation of Journalists on campaign trail. Observers report that candidate Yoweri Museveni has a team on 20 local journalists (electronic and print) that are covering his campaign trail, each of these journalists receives daily upkeep (per diem and incidentals) of UGX 150,000 from the candidate’s campaign coordination team. In addition when the candidate conducts regional press conferences, the facilitation for journalists attending the press conference rises to UGX 500,000 and about 50 journalists can be in attendance (i.e. the 20 on campaign trail are joined by 20-30 others from the region). Journalists on candidate Amama Mbabazi campaign trail get up a reported minimum of UGX 40,000 while journalists covering candidate Kizza Besigye and others get much less or nothing” (P: 31, 2016).

Starlink Buses for NRM 06.01.2016 P1

Voter Tourism:

“Voter tourism as the practice by candidates where voters are provided with buses, trucks, minibuses or cars and driven from their homes to campaign rallies or around the constituency as an inducement to voters in return for their support come polling day. Clearly a poor voter who has not sat in an automobile for a year or more will be more than excited to enjoy the ride provided by the political candidate free of charge. Voter tourism has been prevalent in November and December with candidates of the NRM party most commonly observed engaging in this campaign tactic. Voter hospitality on the other hand is a situation where political candidate host voters to a banquet or party or meal or retreat where are treated to a good meal, animals slaughtered and cooked or roasted, lots of drinks including booze, music/disco, live entertainment and sometimes lodging in a comfortable hotel, motel or lodge. Voter tourism and voter hospitality were prevalent in November and December with majority of candidates across political parties complicity to this” (P: 41, 2016). To continue why the candidates use this tactic; “Political candidates that have been observed to engage in campaign tactics like voter tourism and voter hospitality in November and December, do not do so because they are generous, but because they expect recipients to return the favour. The timing of these offers in the middle of an election campaign and the nature of intended beneficiaries for this generosity is clear manifestation that the aim is to induce voters in return for their support on February 18th, 2016. This clearly is voter bribery” (P: 43, 2016)

Handouts During Campaigns 2015 Uganda

Misuse of Government Resources:

“On the 9th of November 2015 a number of government vehicles were used on candidate Museveni’s rally held at Kasana Play Ground. Some of the vehicle registration plates observed in action at the rally include: UG2183C, UG 0178H, UG1427W, UG 0187D, UG 2688D, UG 2183C, UG 2043C, UG 2405C. UG 1832S, UG1768C. Observers in Katikamu report that on the same day government vehicle number UG 2708R was used to transport supporters to Kasana playground” (P: 44, 2016). “Similarly on December 3rd 2015 dependent candidate for Katikamu South Member of Parliament Patricia Magara was observed using a bus with government number plates to ferry campaign attendees from different sub counties to her nomination rally in Bulakasa” (P: 45, 2016).

Gen Tukumunde Entebbe Dec 2015 - Money Man for NRM

The minimum NRM expenses of only November 2015 are 125,219,922,000! (P: 50, 2016) That is a lot’s of money. I will point out some special expenses that the NRM party has used this giant UGX 125bn on campaign for November 2015! That is lots of lots money! For Voter Tourism they have used UGX 140m in November alone. Allowances for 500 Special Force Command men as Campaign Security total pay cost UGX 300m in November alone. On Yellow T-shirts the NRM party used UGX 15,806bn that is a lot on type of item, it surely is to sprite up those campaign rallies and Yellow crowds! After quick calculations they used close to UGX 1,4bn on media advertisements on TV, Radio and Newspapers. On campaign posters the hefty sum of UGX 1,7bn (P: 49-50, 2016).

Though FDC used a UGX 1bn as the biggest opposition party, it still proves the total use of funds from NRM. I am not surprised with all the knowledge of voter tourism and also giving away foods and items at their campaign venues. The tally has to get big for the ruling party with all the hiring of buses and such proves how much their viable to use to get the perfect crowds and pictures to the press. Like yesterday there we’re reports of a village that was the size of 500 people, the NRM had a campaign rally of 20,000. Surely they had some buses and shipped them to that venue as they have done before and hired bus-companies to travel and pay to get crowds. Something FDC and the other parties does not do.

NRM Terego East 17.11.15

The NRM proves to be the big-spender and would be surprised if the result from a NGO would be different, maybe if Ofwono Opondo would describe it differently.  He said this recently: “It is true that NRM is outspending other parties. It is true that we spent over UGX32b during NRM primaries” (…)”We are spending the money locally. We are buying t-shirts, water, paying musicians, hire cars from Ugandans” (…)”There’s no evidence that money being spent by political parties is causing inflation pressure” (TheInsider, 2016).

Mr Opondo is not a giant economic sense of a guy, the extended monies into use without monetary policy can lead into higher inflations, that is why the two recent elections periods in Uganda in 2006 and 2001 that the inflations rate we’re escalating and also led to higher prices on the household commodities. But Mr. Opondo has a way of forgetting such while his party is big spending. As they have their own “Money Man” during the campaign and continue to support the level of Voter Tourism. I am surely they have an own warehouse just for Yellow T-Shirts near a Headquarter of the NRM. They should they have used such a fortune on it and the ones they haven’t given away should be stored well.

The war-chest of NRM must be huge. As the reports before November was expected that NRM would use UGX 500bn, and by seeing the results of November alone in this report proves that those estimations was spot-on. If you can calculate the same amount for December and January; then you get up to the estimated usage of NRM party. Mzee surely like to make blast and bang while using spin-doctors to portray him as the national father of the country. While the other parties can nearly scrap enough funding for their own campaigns! And the other parties can’t use government equipment like the NRM does once in a while. As this report has pointed out and none of us who follows the NRM should be shocked and awe, it’s more the same old story. Well, that was enough for today. Peace!

Reference:

Alliance for Campaign – ‘MONITORING CAMPAIGN EXPENSES DURING

THE PRE-ELECTION PERIOD’ – PROGRESS REPORT NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015

The Insider – ‘Opondo: NRM money won’t cause inflation’ (23.01.2016) link: http://www.theinsider.ug/opondo-nrm-money-wont-cause-inflation/

NRM in Talks With Primaries Losers to Drop Intentions of Going Independent (Youtube-Clip)

“Tanga says the NRM losers are wasting time since they will meet the same voters who didn’t give them votes in the primaries” (NBS TV, 2015)

NRM Primaries – Losers of this rigged elections plans to go independent!

NRM-ballot-boxes-599x250

Well, the spokesman of the party is strongly saying the party will be more united now then ever after this Internal Election. Surely when they all or so many has rigged themselves there. Surely they can all discuss the value of pre-ticket ballots and stuffed ballot boxes in the polling stations. That must be something that is discussed in the four day conference at Kololo right?

Just think of Opondo are talking to Odoi: “How can we do it even better in the 2016? The media and this social media people have spread our malfunctions to the world and this moles are tearing us apart! We got to do something!”

Well, that is made up, but you get the point right, and what worth has it to have politicians when none of them lives by the old saying: “Taxation without representation”. But now, do yourself a favor an take a look at this wonderful masterpiece called the aftermath of the NRM Primaries and some of the reports I have gotten today!

Ofwono Opondo said today: “NRM is going to be more united then ever”.

Abletong:

“Owino has said Wednesday’s NRM primary elections were marred by massive vote rigging and intimidation orchestrated by armed forces. Mr Owino, who described the deployment of armed forces as “nonsense,” alleged that the army engaged in intimidating people, especially supporters of Ms Otengo’s rival, Mr Samuel Okwir” (…)“When time came for collecting polling materials and results, the police and the soldiers did not allow us to go to the polling stations. Soldiers were using the vehicles belonging to the District Internal Security Officer, OC station and that of the town council,” Mr Owino told Daily Monitor” (…)”The district party registrar, Mr Isaac Odyang, said the election was free and fair though he acknowledged there were few soldiers and police deployed about 100 metres from the tallying centre” (Oketech, 2015).

Amudat:

Reports from the area is that NRM members has burned the cards in the area up to a thousand member cards been put into the fire. A NRM member in the area said this: “There was no free and fair election in Amudat. What was in Amudat was National Rigging Movement,”

Arua:
“I take the opportunity to thank friends, relatives, family, supporters and the entire Arua community for standing firm with me during NRM Primaries. Though we didn’t make it, we thank God for taking as through the exercise. Not all hope is lost and I still remain hopeful for 2021. I congratulate Hon Abiriga Ibrahim for making it” (Brian Godfrey Obiga).

Buduma South:

Hon. Oboth Oboth is planning court actions after the conduct of the primaries in the district, which he lost. He claims that it was extensive rigging.

Buduma North:

Hon. Fox Odoi alleged rigged for one of the candidates and one of the contestants of the petition has already had it dismissed.

Bujenje County:

Princess Kabakumba Masiko lost her place rumored that she will now join Go-Forward.

Bufumbira East – Kisoro District:

Eddie Kwizera who lost to James Nsaba Buturo, he plans to either join the FDC or Go-Forward.

Kabale:

Fred Ruhakana said this: “I have today quit the NRM. The Primaries were highly rigged in favor of the incumbent”.

Kanugu:

“Those who lost in recent NRM elections have rejected results that were announced on one of the radio stations in Kanungu district saying that announcement was unfound. Those who are against the recent release include James Kaberuka, Ahimbisibwe Gad Rugaju,Josephine Kasya, Muhumuza Frugency and Elizabeth Karungi. They claim that there was no transparency in tallying process, tallying of votes in Kinkiizi west was not done and selective harassment of agents by police”

“Brothers and sisters, lam petitioning NRM EC to repeat the exercise of holding NRM party primaries in Kyaddondo South. If not, l am declaring that l will stand on an independent ticket” (Ahmed Musaazi, 2015).

Katakwi District:

Jessica Alupo (Now Minister of Education and Sports) who lost her place in the Primaries are going to run as an independent this coming election.

Kibaale:

“Police fired tear gas at National Resistance Movement party supporters in Kisiita sub-county, Kibaale district who were protesting results of the recent primaries” (Tumusiime, 2015).

Kitgum:

An aspirant for Kitgum Woman MP NRM flag bearer, Ms Jane Achiro Opio, has said she will petition the party’s electoral commission, calling for fresh elections after her name was not printed as number one on the ballot paper as she had guided her supporters” (…)”Ms Achiro castigated the district NRM officials for allowing the elections to continue despite realising that Ms Achan’s name had been erroneously entered on the ballots for Kitgum Woman MP election” (…)”“I had told all my voters to tick the first aspirant on the ballot paper because all the names of aspirants are arranged in alphabetical order,” she said.

Ms Margret Lamwaka was declared the NRM flag bearer with 20,200 votes” (Okot & Komakeach, 2015).

Lira:

Omara Odung the Mayor of the town lost in the Primaries to his now councilor. Mawa says: “votes from tally center of railway where he comes from not counted”. The now former mayor says now he will go into the polls in 2016 as an independent.

Mbarara: Mayor Aspirant of Etaara!

“That is the first promise that Mugabe Robert Kakyebezi made to the town dwellers, once elected the next mayor of the soon to become city; that he would restore the largely defunct street lights” (…)”Kacebezi took advantage of the slanderous language of the incumbent Wilson Tumwiine which turned a lot of support away from him” (…)”He also ridiculed some of his contenders saying that they owned no single building in the town and thus were not fit to be elected mayor” (UGBlizz, 2015).

One of the ones who lost in Mbarara Municipality Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo who describes himself: “There will be no end to the troubles of states, or of humanity itself, till philosophers become kings in this world, or till those we now call kings and rulers really and truly become philosophers”. He says that after losing he will run as an independent.

Mbale Muncipality:

Umar Nangoli lost to John Weekesa Wabongo, who now threatens to join Go-Forward if justice doesn’t prevail.  

Mukono South:

Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa lost and is saying that he will go independent.

Nambole:

“Money-Man, Tycoon, Kingmaker Hajji Hassan Basajabalaba has lost the NRM National Entrepreneurs League Chair to Rukaari. He will no longer sit on the NRM’s prized top decision making organ the CEC. He was defeated with a margin of 53 votes after he polled 230 as his ‘tormentor, Rukaari polled 283 votes”.

Rwampara Country:

Vincent Kyamadidi has claimed that there was no place to tick him off on the ballot-papers and as a result of this he will go as independent candidate in the district this coming election.

Okoro County – Zombo District:

Stanley Omwonya rigged the elections so diligently that out of the four sub-counties, he only won the one which is his home and he still won the election for the new constituency that was made and called Oraa out of Okoro.

Tororo West:

Sarah Opendi will run as independent.

Journalist shot during the Primaires:

“Enoch Matovu, a correspondent for a local television, NTV, in Mityana District was reportedly shot on the head while covering an incident of vote rigging during the NRM party elections at Bulera police station in Mityana district. He sustained a bullet injury on his head” (…)”Matovu told HRNJ-Uganda that he was covering the incident and never saw who shot at him in the scuffle, “I saw the local people opening the car and removing the ballot papers which they scattered around the police station, and that’s when I stopped understanding. I later discovered that I was admitted in Mityana Hospital.” Matovu narrated. Two unidentified men have so far been arrested and detained at Mityana police station, according to police” (…)”The scuffle ensued when an unidentified man turned up at a polling station near the police with ballot papers and could not ably explain where he got them. The local people became hostile and wanted to lynch him but he managed to escape and hid inside the police station. His car was broken into and the ballot papers scattered by the angry locals. Matovu is still undergoing treatment” (HRNJ-Uganda, 2015).

The President speaks a NRM Conference in Kololo Grounds in Kampala:

“NRM always follows the truth. All the problems we have had in the party primaries is because people are not following those principles. That is why you find people hiding ballot papers to vote more than once.That is why some people interfere with the register” (…)””Why should people steal votes when you are there. You should not allow it. Why should you beat a fellow Ugandan?” (…)”The NRM secretariat died when it was under my young brother Mbabazi.   The NRM garden had grown weeds” (…)”A member of NRM can ask, what will I benefit? Then you tell him what about peace, free education for the children, roads? And he says even FDC members benefit in that. UPC used to give their leaders sugar and left out others and that is why they are no longer in power” (Mulondo, 2015).

Sideline story: 

The Same day one of the men behind the book called ’99 Reasons why Museveni Must Go’ who released the book on Friday (30.10.2015) at the American Embassy was shortly after that detained by the police. The man I am speaking of was the gentleman of Muhamed Ssegirinya.

I know I have read and written so much on this NRM Primaries, that is because its sadly very entertaining and also the issues continues to pile up together with massive reports. Now we are getting a sour loser who knows that these elections are rigging parties, pre-ticket ballots or written wrong on the ballot-papers. The tale of the NRM Primaries of 2015 is in the name of Kenyan Ballot-Papers.

If they are more united after this then there more united in the way of rigging themselves into power and not giving in to the people, and letting the people find the ones they want to represent themselves. So with the NRM-Regime they will continue to live in the sense of Anti Taxation-with-representation, because that is something Museveni fears with a passion it seems. Peace.

Reference:

HRNJ-Uganda – ‘Journalist shot at, another arrested by police and assaulted while covering NRM party elections’ (29.10.2015) link: https://hrnjuganda.org/2015/10/29/journalist-shot-at-another-arrested-by-police-and-assaulted-while-covering-nrm-party-elections/?utm_source=HRNJ-U+ALERTS&utm_campaign=d55bcb9928-NTV_JOURNALIST_SHOT10_29_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ff0af7ac98-d55bcb9928-131087245

Oketech, Bill – ‘Security intimidated voters – NRM boss’ (30.10.2015) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Security-intimidated-voters–NRM-boss/-/688334/2934790/-/g1kahf/-/index.html

Okot, Johan & Komakeach, Dan Michael – ‘Kitgum NRM aspirant calls for fresh election’ (31.10.2015) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kitgum-NRM-aspirant-calls-for-fresh-election/-/688334/2936162/-/gwnmvvz/-/index.html

Mulondo, Moses – ‘Museveni condemns malpractices in NRM primaries’ (30.10.2015) link: http://www.elections.co.ug/new-vision/election/1407488/museveni-condemns-malpractice-nrm-primaries

Tumusiime, Alex – ‘Chaos As Kibaale NRM Results Are Announced’ (31.10.2015) link: http://ugandaradionetwork.com/story/chaos-as-kibaale-nrm-results-are-announced?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

UGBlizz – ‘Elected Flag bearer Kakyebezi Robert to Light Up Mbarara Town’ (31.10.2015) Link: http://www.ugblizz.com/article.php?article=800&title=elected-flag-bearer-kakyebezi-robert-to-light-up-mbarara-town-blizz-uganda#sthash.0qFw0Owg.dpuf

Press Release: Rejection of the Announced NRM Primary Election Results of Kanungu (28.10.2015)

Rejection of Kanungu Election

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