Day 8: The State wants to dismiss the petition in concern to Bobi Wine’s House Arrest

The state has asked high court judge Michael Elubu to dismiss an application filed by NUP party president Robert Kyagulanyi and his wife Barbra Itungo Kyagulanyi against their continued illegal detention under house arrest since the 14th of this month” (Capitol FM Uganda, 21.01.2021).

It has been since the 14th January 2021, the National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine have been house arrested since the polls. The state have kept him captive in his own home. The NUP Presidential Candidate is a prisoner in his own home without any warrants, charges or even a sentencing.

Bobi Wine is a felon even without any process or legal proceedings. The state is not even honouring that in his instance. His treated as a terrorist and a danger to society. They are not giving him food or drinks. They are not allowing him or his wife to collect food in the garden. The state has sealed the premises and made checkpoints blocking people from entering.

The state has shown the Presidential Candidate is treated badly. There is no dignity or fairness in this. Only injustice and impunity. The actions made towards him, only shows how much the President is fearing him and his ideals. If he didn’t fear him. He wouldn’t act like this and put him behind bars without any reasons. That is because the state got nothing to file or evidence of incriminating factors.

Again, with the lack of food and nutrition. The lack of freedom and justice. As a parent, Bobi Wine did the right thing sending his kids to the diaspora. So, they don’t have to live through this experience and the acts of injustice. They are third parties to this. The same is his wife as well. However, she’s an adult and knew this could be the price. Still, its unfair that she is living through this as well.

Bobi Wine shouldn’t be incarcerated in his own home. This is on the 8th Day without any judgement or charge. Still, the state will act and not address the petition to the courts. That shows the amount of impunity. There is no mercy in the state of Museveni. Only Museveni is lawful and his allies. The rest is fair-game and can get punished.

Proof? Ask Bobi Wine and his party… how they have treated during the campaign and post-elections. His rights are being violated and he deserves better. Bobi Wine is the target and person who personifies the injustice in the Republic right now. Just like Besigye was the same in 2011 and 2016. Peace.

Opinion: Kyambadde knows the truth [but claims the youth doesn’t understand]

Some would tell me that they like me, but they don’t understand the party I am attached to. People are blaming the party because of our over stay. Even with the services delivered, the youth think that they are not prioritised” Amelia Kyambadde (19.01.2021)

The now former Permanent Principal Secretary to President and Minister Amelia Kyambadde has spoken the truth. That is actually not new. Now and then she has blasted the truth in the media and gotten the real in interview. This time is now different.

Even though Kyambadde is part of the Museveni clan. She has all the connections and enjoys the perks of that. Some things we do know is that she will not suffer as long as Museveni is in power. Because, as long as he is in power. She will have access and ability to enjoy the spoils of the Presidency. 

This week again she has spoken the truth. Not that its shocking or anything. It isn’t even that radical or brutal. Just a mere reflection of what is happening and the consequences of their actions. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) have been there and in-power too long. President Museveni have overstayed in office. That is just a mere fact and no reason to run away from it now.

The youth doesn’t feel the services is delivered. When they don’t have work, unemployed and living in a gig economy. In a Republic where one class eats all and the others cannot afford breadcrumbs. That is the sad reality of what the NRM has delivered. Not like Kyambadde was sincere about that part. There is to many lacking factors and options for the youth and citizens in general. Its a deprived state and depleted one. Which the next unlucky loser have to entangle and resolve.

Kyambadde is right the NRM isn’t a party to understand. Since it is a party who only revolves around one person and his whims. His micro-managing and erratic behaviour isn’t making it easier to understand either. However, the final end-game is in his hands and controlled by him. That is just the NRM way at this point of time.

The NRM haven’t cared or invested in the ones she points at. The only interest is in overstaying and securing power. Not to serve or deliver anything anymore. That is why the President could just re-hash old ideas and pledges, as he knows very well … that he didn’t deliver or have the ability to make it happen in the previous term or in the last decade. That is just who he is and the likes of Kyambadde have to act oblivious to the fact.

That is why I will not blindly say she “right” and saying the “right” thing. No, she knows perfectly well the game and how its rigged. Amelia knows how things are working and been in the chambers for so long. That she knows how things get corrupted, stolen and stopped. Kyambadde called out the GAVI funds back-in-the-day and surely seen other things happening too.

Still, she has been part of it and earned her coins. A loyal cadre and a yellow compatriot. That is why I cannot praise her insight. Unless, she wanted to reveal some underlying issues and be a whistle-blower. Alas, she is just stating the obvious, but forging a narrative that the youth doesn’t understand.

However, they do understand and see the game of the NRM. That is why they are voting for the opposition and other parties. In hope that they actually do something. That they are doing the things the NRM isn’t doing. So, that they can have hope for a better tomorrow. Peace.

Opinion: Kutesa aims at Besigye for election violence

Today the Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa made a statement and this one is aiming directly at ‘Plan B’. In late August 2020 Dr. Kizza Besigye launched the ‘Plan B’ to counter a rigged election and galvanize the opposition.

It is very ironic that in a 14th January 2021 election statement. The Foreign Minister is addressing a non-candidate. Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine hada campaign: “We Are Removing a Dictator” and not ‘Plan B’. Neither did the villager, Patrick Oboi Amuriat who was the barefoot villager representing the public in general. So, the man has clearly been focused on Besigye, which haven’t directly campaigned or only been a supporting political operative in the opposition.

The Foreign Minister also missed the mark on what the ‘Plan B’ was about. Because, he associates it with violence and insurgency. ‘Plan B’ is a continuation of the liberation struggle, a non-violent measure for a peaceful transition of power. Maybe, the NRM feels that is violent. Since, this means the likes of Kutesa have to be removed. However, that is natural in every transition of power from to the next.

So, the man is clearly jaded and adding values, which isn’t represented in the ‘Plan B’. Maybe like Defiance campaign it hits the heart of lack of democratic values within the NRM. If they had a understanding of boycott and demonstrations against it. Because, everyone is supposed to automatically supporting the NRM.

What is very ironic too. Is that the NRM and the Government is really into democracy, but demonstrations or riots is disturbing the peace. If it is a democratic nation and has value of free speech. Then the public should be allowed to demonstrate and riot.

It is not really a unique take and understanding of democracy. When you don’t dare people to speak up against the oppression and regime itself. That is apparently the proud democratic values of the NRM. We shouldn’t be shocked, but it shows their true sentiment at this point.

This only proves what extent the government does to defend its actions. They are willing to defend the killing of civilians and blaming it on them. That is what the Minister indirectly did. As the people didn’t listen to the warning and therefore, their fatal acts was justified. The public should have known better and not gone out on those streets. So, if they does it again. Expect it to happen again, as long as they are in power. They don’t care or value the life of the citizens. If they did, they wouldn’t take their lives for demonstrating. That is the bleak reality here.

Still, its amazing that ‘Plan B’ was such a big issue. When Besigye wasn’t even running. That shows how powerful and dangerous Besigye is in 2021. The NRM and Kutesa is still worried about his moves and ideas. They know he can spread a powerful message and give people hope. That says a lot. Peace.

A memo to Museveni: Ghosts is your crowd

The Electoral Commission has finalized the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections of 14th January 2021. That was all prepared for victory for the incumbent since 1986. The President had all the stars aligned, the moon was shining and the predetermined results was ready for the books.

President Museveni was doing what he needed to secure yet another term in office. His unofficial eight term after the 6th Election. Yoweri is ready for action again and is spreading the message of priorities for this term. He could just have used a spreadsheet from what he promised in the early 1990s and it would have been much of the same.

In this time we all know the drill. The President will have soon an inauguration. Invite a few dignitaries and have a bash of glory at Kololo. That is just what he does. However, the numbers and the election is leaving little to be sought after.

The President got more goats, ghosts and dead voting for him than real people. The Polling Stations had more pre-ticked and stuffed ballot boxes. It wasn’t like a real election. There was ferrying of voters. Soldiers voting several of times and so many other tricks of the trade. Some polling stations had bigger number of voters, than the amount of voters in their voters rolls. That is all deliberate acts.

That is why we know the dead and the ghosts are pre-ticking ballots. The ones dying and sick who couldn’t come. Still did vote. It just wasn’t their will, but the authorities decision to make. The state had prefixed the results and jam packed with unknown character voting in drones for the President. That is how things goes.

If the President was so sure he wanted the will of the people and believed in democracy. Why does he only trust the dead, the ghosts and the goats? What about the people breathing? Do you fear the people who has a heartbeat and a pulse? Are you worried about the conscience of the people with a mind of their own?

I just wonder if this President who knows it all. Really despise the people so much. That he doesn’t have the integrity of their vote and ticking of the ballots. That he rather be representing the ghosts, goats and the dead. That is really sad. A man who fought a liberation war only to reign over the dead.

The biggest irony of that, considering his advance age. That he will soon be meeting them in his afterlife too. There the gathering of his biggest constituency. The dead and the ghosts will celebrate as they are meeting their leader in the spirit. That will a big day for the old man. A day he should look forward too.

Right now his representing a rare crowd. The President is a pre-ticked representative and the real ghost whisperer. He is the man who knows what the dead wants to vote for and secure their future. The old man must be proud of himself. That he has achieved this and become the man for the undead and spirits flowing across the fields.

Museveni, the man for eternity and beyond. Peace.

Opinion: The FDC didn’t loose, but they got viable competition now

There are some ripple effects of the 2021 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections of 2021. Not only that they we’re rigged and questionable at best. That is common knowledge for most of us and the state haven’t even tried to hide it that well. Even with the social media, internet blockade and media censorship. Still, with all of that… the are some other factors at play too.

Which is more interesting than President Museveni thieving another election. Something he has done with a steady pace since 1996. So, that 2021 would be any different would be naive. The President can only win by forgery. That is why he used all of the campaigns to spread fear and say he would use violence if anybody stood in his way.

That is why the maturity of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is more interesting topic. The first election since the start of the party with someone else than Dr. Kizza Besigye as Presidential Candidate. Nevertheless, the resolve of the party haven’t stopped and it’s still reaching the masses. The party is still feared and their new Presidential Candidate and Party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat. He has been arrested, charged and harmed on his travels as the main contender of FDC.

Still, the results shows that the party is at a rate of status quo. In that I mean the amount of MPs is abruptly the same. The new party National Unity Platform have done a grand-slam and gotten to be the biggest opposition party. While the FDC got 28 MPs in the 11th Parliament. This seems like a small movement. While the new party got 61 MPs. That is why people are claiming the FDC is losing steam and relevance.

However, they are a mature party and the opposition for so long. It was a matter of time before someone else would catch up where the FDC left off and continue the struggle. It is not like the FDC is done and over with. The ones saying it will be as relevant as Uganda People’s Congress or Democratic Party. Well, I think that burial is a bit early yet.

The FDC has shown fierce force and resolve. They have dared to challenge and use their platform for change. The lessons of Besigye should be legendary and be used to inspire the next generation of freedom fighters. Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine seems to follow that paradigm shift and follow where Besigye left off.

That is why I will not say FDC is falling, but they have a new road ahead. They are suddenly not the majority or leaders of the opposition. That means they can forge a new road ahead and decide their path even more. They have less to risk and can use the momentum of NUP to address why they didn’t grab the masses or change in such a way.

The FDC is far from falling off. They have shown again and again to be a viable party. Still to this day there is very few who has dared as much and stood in the middle of the political warfare as the FDC. That is why it’s easy to say it was a downer to become second in opposition and third in the presidential race. A Presidential Race rigged out of proportions to make the numbers legit. That is why the true spirit of the public is hard to know.

What we do know is that the FDC will continue to inspire and spread the message for change. That is inevitable. Their mission is not over and at this point. They need to persist to be viable. The FDC has no serious competition. That means they have to proof their existence and their value as an opposition. Not just another ticket and another four years in limbo.

No, the FDC have to show it and prove it more. The NUP has shown they are worth their weight. The messaging and the political savvy new-comber will be a contrast to FDC. Even if part of their program and their means is to an end the same. Still, it is a generational change and a significant one. Where one has been doing it and the other is arriving where they left off.

That is why the FDC needs to show it and be more in the face. Not expect people to just eat out of their hands. They got to be there and be resilient. It is an unforgiving mission. That is something the FDC knows more then most. It is not like they have gotten many favours or flowers for their hard earned place. No, they have gotten arrests, tear-gas and harassment.

Now, the FDC can be a joint party for change and be there as an older brother to NUP. That shows their strength and humility. Something that is a sign of progress. FDC isn’t over, but is just participating and evolving as a mature party in a new era. Peace.

National Unity Platform (NUP): Press Release to the World from Hon. Kyagulanyi Ssentumu Robert (17.01.2021)

Opinion: Muntu and Tumukundu, what’s your next move?

This 14th January 2021 must have been devastating for the bush-war legends and long serving individuals of Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu and Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde. Muntu had created his “New Formation” aka Alliance for National Transformation (ANT). The grand builder of parties and such. While Tumukunde just made himself a sole independent candidate under the “A Renewed Uganda” which also failed to achieve anything.

Both Muntu and Tumukunde did even worse than Amama Mbabazi in the 2016 elections combined. At least the Go Forward and The Democratic Alliance (TDA) got some MPs into the 10th Parliament. That is a proof some skills and a bigger message than themselves.

Muntu has been all “Country before Self” and been the silent burner. Right now the charcoal isn’t even sizzling anymore. It is like the elites and the moderates are totally ditched. They are all swirling around and headless. Muntu should have upper-echeloned Norbert Mao and made strides. However, that is all in the wind.

It is like these two was unfortunate to run against Bobi Wine and the Patrick Oboi Amuriat. They were not able to run against bulletproof vests and barefoot villager. No, these two was running a mediocre campaign and they ran into very little trouble. The state didn’t block them much or even challenge the authorities. No, these was gentle giants who was more fluffy than teddy-bears.

That is maybe why people rebuked them and didn’t by into their campaigns. Muntu had more for him. Still, his motivation and slow-building paradigm is non-satisfactory for plenty. Since with his method it would take forever to get a peaceful transition. Secondly, nobody fears a diplomatic and a pragmatic fella like Muntu. No, his just getting credit where its due and his tab wasn’t that big in the first place, apparently.

Tumukunde only ran for now. It seems like an enterprise to get headlines and hope for a new appointment post elections. It is not like he undermined or even tried to challenge Museveni. Yes, he was blocked in a few districts. However, not like the Police Force did arrest him or his team. No, he got scotched free… and they knew he was a useful pawn. That is why the state didn’t touch him.

I wonder. Will Muntu continue in the same manner. When he see how other performs and make a difference. Will he still be the soft-spoken man? Or will he re-think strategy and make himself relevant?

I doubt the man will do so. Because if he does. He will start on the path of Defiance and such. Which he has distanced himself from for years. Muntu will most likely be more on NBS Frontline and become another Mao in the public spotlight. Nevertheless, his party will be more a political gig until the next election. Since, unless he changes ways he will not gain the traction or be viable. It is just another moderate non-starter and cannot offer a possible change. Unless, you give him two more decades and hope by then Museveni have stopped breathing.

Tumukunde on the other hand. The Diet-Mbabazi will try to return into the NRM fold. Tumukunde wants a plumb-job. He wants to be a ambassador or getting into the NRM CEC. He wants to return like Bukenya did after 2016. That is what he wants and that is his job ahead. Not like Tumukunde wants to create something in the wilderness. No, he wants the envelopes and titles. That is what he wants.

Do you agree? I don’t see it going down any other way. Peace.

Day 6: No dignity in the House Arrest of Bobi Wine

Day Six under house arrest and we’re still stuck with an 18 months old baby who had paid a visit to her auntie (my wife ) be4 we were raided & besieged. The Dad has been denied access to her. We have run out of food and milk. No one is allowed to leave or come into our compound” (Bobi Wine, 19.01.2021)

There are laws for the Republic of Uganda to adhere too. However, the justification of the prolonged house-arrest will always be “inciting to violence” or “fear of riots”. This has been done before and is the simplification of a loser directly arresting the victor of the polls on the 14th January 2021. If President Museveni won. He wouldn’t need to arrest and detain his opposition. Alas, that is the case and it shows his targeted injustice and impunity against his own civilians.

The state action and prolonged pre-emptive house-arrests was to be anticipated, as the state has done the same to Besigye in both 2011 and 2016 after the General Elections. Therefore, the National Unity Platform Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi would get into legal trouble. The state and the NRM is following the same formula.

As they are keeping him as a prisoner in his own home. They are breaching own laws. Not only the laws of Human Rights Violations and possible International Laws in association with the detention of Bobi Wine. No, they are actually breaching their own created law for their own dominion.

In the Prisons Act of 2006 Article 57(a): “a prisoner shall be treated with the respect due to his/her inherent dignity and value as a human being” (Prisons Act, 2006).

This here is very easy to assess. When someone cannot eat and not given food. The state is no dignifying and showing Bobi Wine the value as a human being. When his house is blocked from having lawyers visiting him. They are not allowed to collect food stuffs in their gardens to be able to eat. That is breaching the article 57(a).

In the same law the article 57 (1) it states: “No person shall be received or admitted into prison custody without a valid commitment or a remand warrant, order of detention, warrant of conviction or committal signed with a court seal or authenticated by a person authorised to sign or authenticate such warrant or order under the provision of any law” (Prisons Act, 2006).

We know that Kyagulanyi isn’t directly charged with anything. After 48 hours he didn’t get noted or taken to a court. No, his just been house-arrested on the grounds that he challenged the President and that is a cardinal sin in the Republic. Bobi Wine have no official warrant or charges on him. Only been house-arrested and blocked from the world by the army, law enforcement and everyone else supposed to keep law and order. However, here its neither law or order. Only injustice.

The state should ensure the prisoner is getting fed. The prisoner in this case and his fellow cell-mates in his home should get water and food by the authorities. As they are keeping him captive and behind closed doors. It is a familiar place and not a detention room in a torture chamber or bare prison-cell. Still, it is being a prisoner without the direct mandate of Prison Services.

That is why its the duty of the state to keep them alive and secure their rations. This is just common sense. However, that hasn’t been taken care off or they don’t care. Still, that should be the first priority. Secure the prisoners food and water. So, that they can sustain living and be healthy. Especially, since its by state orders he is closed off from the world.

The ones bitching about him sending his kids abroad earlier in the campaign. Should understand why he did it. Because, this injustice and torment on them would be damaging. To see the pain and suffer with the parents. Since, Bobi Wine made a decision to take a stand and challenge Museveni. This is the price of doing so. However, the state is no dignifying his imprisonment. They should man up and tool-up. Peace.

Africa Elections Watch (AEW) – Massive Electoral Malpractices and Gross Human Rights Violations in Uganda: The World Must Speak Out (19.01.2021)

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF): EFF Statement on the Uganda Elections Outcome (18.01.2021)