Opinion: Is Bobi Wine’s 5 Point Programme a revitalized 10 Point Programme?

We are now in 2020 and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine is a rising star. His popularity is rising. To say otherwise is naive. The National Unity Platform (NUP) and the People Power Movement has a new grand stand. However, is he using the same formula as his arch-enemy and dictator, President Museveni?

I have looked through the Ten Point Programme twice and can easily say that President Museveni and National Resistance Movement (NRM) never finished it. They promised something huge and compact. However, they implemented a few, but lost their aim on several of the points. Nevertheless, the President and his cronies will say its the launching pad and there been other plans to follow it up. Still, the legacy of President has been depleted, because he gave way for his opening pledges in the 10 point programme. Will Bobi Wine’s do the same?

Bobi Wine’s 5 Points:

    1. Restoration of true Democracy, Rule of law and Human rights.
    2. Revival of the Health system.
    3. Revival of the Education system.
    4. Agricultural revival, land and natural resource management.
    5. National reconciliation and Unity.

Museveni’s 10 Points:

1. Democracy.

2. Security.

3. Consolidation of National security and elimination of all forms of sectarianism.

4. Defending and consolidating National Independence.

5. Building an independent, integrated and self-sustaining national economy.

6. Restoration and improvement of Social services and the rehabilitation of the war-ravaged areas. 7. Elimination of corruption and misuse of power.

8. Redressing errors that have resulted in the dislocation of sections of the population and improvement of others.

9. Co-operation with other African countries in defending human and democratic rights of our brothers in other parts of Africa.

10. Following an economic strategy of mixed economy.

If you look through the plans on just the headlines. You can see they are similar. They got the same sort of objectives. They are about the state, citizens and the liberties of them all. It’s about ensuring freedom, liberty and justice for all citizens. Also ensuring the basic functions and government functions are there to serve the citizens. This is all similar between them.

That is why the Bobi Wine’s 5 Points is a revised 10 Point Plan. It has the same sort of structure and has similar objectives. It is really weird that after 34 years power. The new rising star and the biggest challenger is re-issuing a revitalized programme, which you came into power with. That shows also how Museveni has failed. Why do I say that?

If someone is looking into the same issues 30 years later and see those as undone. Than, you know you have failed in office. That Bobi Wine are having similarities to Museveni here. It is not strange, as Museveni have become a full fledged tyrant and using the armed forces at his whim. That is why, Bobi Wine has to fight the same struggle as Museveni did in 1980s. Maybe, Bobi Wine isn’t in the bush, but the way the he will fight a rigged election and law enforcement. That will be in the same veins. Where Museveni is using the tricks of the ones he overthrew back-in-the-day.

This is why its sad we are in 2020 and Bobi Wine deems it fit for a revitalized 10 Point Programme, which he has coined the 5 Point Programme. Peace.

Opinion: Besigye’s noble approach to 2021

We are at the crossroads when the junta is organising elections to legitimize themselves. In 2016, I was engaging two gears, one for elections and another for defiance/fighting. That is not very efficient. Election gears are our Plan A, the fighting gears are our plan B. And Plan B is quite wide and involving. It’s my humble decision that I have intensively discussed with my colleagues that we get some body to lead Plan A and you leave Plan B for me. Never ever imagine that I can leave the struggle. Never” – Dr. Kizza Besigye (19.08.2020).

No one can ever say that Dr. Kizza Besigye is predictable or a typical politician. The main opposition candidate in 4 campaigns. A man who has been in the trenches. A man who has a record of amount of arrests, charges and a few treason charges as well.

This man has seen plenty of prisons, days in house-arrest and know the price of standing up against the government. The man who has used all his time since the fall-out. Been principal about the peaceful transition and battling to end the National Resistance Movement and the reign of Museveni.

Today is not different there, but his vouching for two of the candidates for the Presidency in the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). This being Birigwa and Oboi Amuriat. These two are the two official candidates, but Byamugisha should also be counted in. Even as the former Presidential Candidate didn’t mention him today.

Besigye is doing the right thing. His proving his character and his stature. He still wants to achieve them same goal, but not having himself as a price. The freedom fighter and resilient opposition will continue to battle it head-on.

But the ghost of his fifth candidacy vanished today. The ones saying he would copy the President for Life is proven again. He has done that with stepping down as Party President and now not taking the mantle again as the Presidential Flag-Bearer. Now, the party have decide what goals and what it wants to achieve. The character in play is very different and who knows what path they will choose.

Besigye did the right thing. Another honourable act by the man. A man who has fought so tirelessly for this cause. His like Moses going in the desert and never getting the ability to reach Canaan’s land. He just get to see into it, but never live in it. The same seems to be happening with Besigye.

At this point, Besigye is not ending. He will still have influence and his voice will matter. His maybe not on the campaign trail as a Flag-Bearer. However, his will and determination in combination with his coordinated plans to undermine the government. Who knows what sort of plans to usher in. Now, that he doesn’t have to beg venues, travel across the republic and give speeches in every district across the Republic.

Besigye has shown his wise ways by backing down. However, his not giving up, but tooling up another way. Don’t underestimate this, but his proving this again. That the cause isn’t about Besigye, but its about the cause. That is the sort of man Besigye is and that why he deserves credit.

If he wasn’t a threat and wasn’t someone the government feared. Then they wouldn’t limit this man’s movement and this man’s opportunity to do his party works. That’s the proof of how far reaching this man is. Peace.

Opinion: When the NRM is more important than the elected officials…

For years there been promises of bicycles to the Local Councillors 1, the village leaders and it never happened. This was supposed to deliver for the about 69.000 villages. The state was bound to buy 70,000 bicycles and State Minister of Finance David Bahati renewed this pledge in 2019. However, it never amounted to anything. So, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government have pledged this to the LC1 Councillors for about a decade without delivering.

However, today the same NRM suddenly have 65,000 bicycles to the NRM Village Chairpersons across the Republic. In the middle of August a year after the renewed pledge to the elected village officials. The state and governing party is giving the same amount of bikes to their own.

The “Yellow Bicycles” is just so fitting. This is a easy ploy and usage of an old pledge to their own. Instead of giving it to whoever represents the villagers across the Republic. They are instead only giving this gift to their own. This is making the NRM greater and flex. Because, everyone cannot have VW Beetle like late Abiriga. That is something we know the Movement cannot afford…

Nevertheless, these Yellow Bicycles are just so conveniently fitting into a government scheme and appear right before the elections. It is just like naming the LC1 Councillors Bicycles into the Yellow Bicycles schemes. It is about the same amount of bikes and has the same means even. Only difference, instead of being shared between all sort of political parties. It is a inner-party act.

It is to show greatness in 2020. To give a small donation and usage of billions of shillings on bicycles. In 2010/11 it was bound to be 11 billion shillings for the same. Now years later it might be more costly and could be in the amounts of 30 billion shillings. Who knows at what cost and who traded them.

We are seeing that old promise, an old pledge has been renewed, sort of delivered, but its biased and have become NRM thing. It is not a national thing or a government one. It is a party scheme and a Movement drive. This is not for the villages representatives, but for the NRM village representatives. It is not like Resistance Councils are still alive and kicking it. The system is a multi party one. With that in mind, the NRM only giving to their own, which is fine.

However, this is supposed to be all village councillor, not only the ones wearing yellow and members of the Movement. This was supposed to be to all village councillors, no matter what party or creed. Nevertheless, that is clearly not the aim anymore.

The Movement is showing its greed and selfishness. Who knows where the money comes from and who earns on the trade. The NRM Village Councillors are used for this and toyed with. They are giving a small token for their loyalty, but the big-men is eating the whole plate all year. That is why something like this is only a ploy, a small arrangement and act of charity. However, this is not building long lasting structures.

This is for the NRM and by the NRM. While using a scheme that was supposed to be a government act for elected village officials. They can rewrite and change the narrative, but that doesn’t make it true. Peace.

Mzee asks for people to wake up, again!

The medicine for poverty is money, enough money” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (12.08.2020)

The republic must have been slumbering for 34 years now. The President is saying this again. Insulting his own citizens, who he has represented his whole adult life. Where he is telling them what to do. However, it is a reason why these schemes his promoting isn’t working for the general public. If they had worked, it wouldn’t be reissued and renamed over the years.

With this in mind, he has steady over the years said his people is sleepy, lazy and eating. They are enjoying the perks, but not working. Today he said the same thing. That they are not participating in work and paid workers. They are informal workers on the outside of the registered work-force. That because of the lack of opportunities and jobs. This is never in question from the President.

Everyone is supposed to be in micro-finance schemes, make things, grow beans and sell blood. There just have to ways to push in a gig economy. That is why the President speaks of Wealth Creation, NAADs, SACCOs and Associations. Instead of development through grander schemes to actually create business opportunities and fiscal growth.

That is why he barks like this:

According to the a 2014 survey over 68% of the households are sleeping. He urges the youth to wake up and take part in meaningful development and stop sleeping” – Museveni (12.08.2020).

Youth, please wake up from the sleep that you are in. Let us stop talking without acting. I am a former youth, so whatever you are telling me, I know it very well” – Museveni (12.08.2020).

He has used these rhetoric before. Instead of actually delivering and making opportunities, which brings fruits. Instead, his giving tokens with help of donors. While his not investing proper infrastructure and policies to make a change.

The President blames others, while have not contributed or made anything substantial. That is why its easier to say the citizens, the youth and society isn’t acting up. When you as the leaders for over three decades haven’t pulled them out. The President knows this, but its easier to blame others, than actually do something about yourself.

The government haven’t had the ability to make a difference, in such a regard that most people could get employed. The NRM and the President have had three decades to set-up a stable economy, have policies and measures for natural growth. Instead of ensuring this, he is making small moves and not long-term fiscal stimuli, neither policies to ensure work. This is handing out small pockets of funds, but not something to generate steady growth. Which have been the sort of action made by this government.

Therefore, the President should not call people out for sleeping, but for his inaction and lack of proper policies. This is why they are sleeping. There is no opportunities or chances to get a job. This is something the President knows, but is brushing over.

Sleep is the curse of death, but saying this again and again to the public. Only shows the President is doing a blame-game. Instead of actually delivering a substantial policy and a robust economy. Where the citizens have the option and can join a workforce. However, at this point of time. There is little to none and that’s why they are “sleeping”. Peace.

Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force: Re-Engaging Local Defence Force on Targeted Operations (11.08.2020)

Besigye’s Sole Candidacy haunts the FDC

We shall hold nominations and elections for the presidential flag bearer for FDC. If Dr Kizza Besigye offers himself as a candidate then there will be no election, that’s the position of the party’s top executive. Should he decide that he is not going to run, then there will be candidates for the presidency of the FDC. We will not allow Mr. Museveni to have a free ride to victory in 2021” – Party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is in a real pickle. They can either look like National Resistance Movement (NRM) or act similar. There are certain things that they are arguing about the NRM and that shouldn’t emulate themselves. The politics of the parties, the internal party shouldn’t run like the running regime.

Even if Dr. Kizza Besigye isn’t in the FDC National Executive Committee (FDC NEC) or the “chairman” and Party President like the President in his Movement. Still, Besigye have been the Presidential Flag-bearer for the FDC four times already and would run for his fifth time. That is isolating the highest candidacy from others.

That shows why Muntu had to run elsewhere. Why others left too. They couldn’t have the ambition or run in the party. Just like there is no shot for others in the NRM: Yes, the FDC doesn’t have the power, the ability or the titles, which the ruling regime has.

Still, if the party wants to signal difference, change and be a vehicle for difference. Then they cannot send the same person. That is having a sole candidate and not having real internal democracy. As there is in effect one man who is predetermined. That is how this looks.

It is the image. Besigye has fought a just fight, he has over all the years educated and told the narrative of which people should have listened. However, he wasn’t able to get the public to want enough a peaceful transition of power in the Republic. His been able to build a party and being a viable contender, even when the state has done everything it can to ban or dismiss their activity.

Besigye have done the right thing. Yes, he says in public it isn’t about titles, candidacy or his role. However, if he has the big-man role and runs again. At some stages and on some avenues his alike the ones he supposed to challenge. On this one, the image and the act of doing so. Questions if the FDC are able to see anyone else in this position.

This is not Kizza Besigye fault, as the successors of Museveni have never had the possibility to get their or even battle for it. Besigye is the President the Republic never got. However, if he runs again. He looks more like the ones he wants to challenge. By doing so, the FDC is acting more alike the NRM, than it wants too.

POA is by default making the differences between NRM and FDC less. They are by the opening of sole candidacy of Besigye doing what the NRM is doing to Museveni. The only difference is that his not part of the Secretariat or NEC. However, the role as Flag-bearer and Presidential Candidate is only for him. That is carbon-copy of Museveni.

FDC is for Besigye, NRM is for Museveni.

2021 elections is the fifth time Besigye would run against the NRM. That shows his resilience, but also no other could rise up in his shadow. This is the reality in the midst of this. FDC as a opposition party and as a challenger. Shouldn’t copy the regime it works hard to transition from. Because, if it does the same without power. What can it do, when it gets into power? Peace.

Opinion: Andrew Mwenda mocked himself [by running against Bobi Wine]

Today, the Independent Magazine owner and editor Andrew Mwenda in a striking publicity stunt has picked up nomination forms and membership cards for the National Unity Platform (NUP). Where he plans to challenge Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine for Party Presidency in the NUP, the political party of the People Power Movement.

Mwenda who has called the People Power the bastard child of Defiance. Mr. Andrew who has called People a ‘cult’. This man suddenly picking up forms and a membership-card is just ridiculous.

This is mocking both the party and Bobi Wine. Also ridiculing himself as he does it. Not like we can take him serious anymore. Since he predetermines the stakes and what will happen to others. Not just alleging or questioning, but saying these are flawed enterprises. Andrew knows this…

He does this to make a point, as he doesn’t believes in sole-candidates. However, he doesn’t have issues with Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) or the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Andrew is not going after the Chairman position in the ruling party or National Coordinator of ANT. No, he goes for NUP.

That is just so striking, neither is going for Party Presidency in the Democratic Party (DP) or Uganda People’s Congress (UPC). This gives way to Mao and Akena. Two other people who Mwenda admires now and then.

So, Mwenda has no issues with Akena, Mao, Muntu or Museveni. However, his going after Bobi Wine. That is just so striking. He knows he cannot win in the Forum for Democratic Change. As they have changed recently and knows how Patrick Amuriat Oboi got into the reigns.

He just strikes at the newcomer and the rising star. Just because he can and can use his platform to distort the conversation. This is a political scheme at the highest level.

If there ever was a mole. This is the neon-lights of one. A man who has despised the People Power Movement and Bobi Wine. I have never seen anything positive from the “old man of the clan”. The man has only done what he can to distort and destroy it.

Mwenda might think his bloody brilliant, but this a move of fool. He thinks the blind is leading the blind. Andrew just showing his ignorance and intolerance on full display.

What is even more striking is that this time around to cause controversy. He puts himself in the middle of the firing line. Mwenda knows people will not listen to his words of wisdom or subscribe to his Facebook rants. No, that ship has sailed and gotten old.

That is why he put himself in the middle of the game. Trying to prove a point and media houses will go off the chain. However, he is only making himself naked. Showing his true colours and sooner this scheme will fall flat.

Bobi Wine will be the man and is the man in NUP. He can challenge, but its an empty candidacy. A publicity stunt and an elitist trying to prove something. Mwenda isn’t this. Just like Bukenya and Mbabazi wasn’t opposition either. They were just in the wind a minute and went home after the campaigns. The same will happen to Andrew. He has made a deal and is now playing it out. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni launches an expose himself campaign

Corruption is first and foremost ideological. This is because the corrupt don’t know how to be prosperous sustainably. They don’t look for prosperity sustainably. They want to be rich at the expense of society. They are parasites” Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (05.08.2020)

When the State House and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni launches “Expose Corruption Campaign” the man is initially exposing himself. All tides and waters goes to the shores of the State House. The deals, kickbacks and envelopes have an origin of the “high above”. There is no major corruption scandal without some touches from the head of state.

Ministers can run big schemes, Gen. Salim Selah can do whatever, businessmen can launch their businesses as long as there some sort of arrangement. That is what is happening. Everyone knows it, but the President can act like its not a big deal.

While the biggest corruption scandals has gone down without any proper litigation and arrests. This being Ministers who has made fake tenders and waste public funds. That has made roads expensive, medicine vanish and made procurement of cars into national corruption scandals. While, the Prime Ministers, Ministers and associates are all involved in it.

That is why this “expose corruption” is a farce. The President is doing this as a publicity stunt ahead of the polls and the campaign season. However, he has started numerous of organizations and entities to beat corruption. Nevertheless, there is always some shillings who disappear and goes missing.

Just think about this, he calls himself a insect and a bloodsucker too. A leach and a parasite … that is not a way you should describe fellow human beings. However, Museveni have done this plenty of times. Because, he cannot help himself.

President Museveni have used all tricks of the trade. Made dozens of laws, government institutions, but they are all pointless as they are never aiming at the big-fish. The biggest fish being himself. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) will never target itself, but blame others for it.

That is just his common tactic. He has used this trick before and this campaign will not change anything. It is a publicity stunt… and will not change a thing. Peace.

Opinion: Don’t be walking zombies ahead of 2021…

Zombies don’t run”Simon Pegg

This is not the time to be narrow-minded nor ignorant. Yes, the General Election of 2021 is rigged and will be militarized. Still, the ills of the past with the ills of today shall not go without a cost. The cost shouldn’t be burden on the citizens, but on the authorities who sanction them.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Museveni have promised gold, silver and bronze. The President have promised not to go over two terms. He has promised not to seek office after turned 75 years, but always breached the promises to step down.

He has revised the Constitution to fit his life. The laws are fitted and changed to work for him and his allies. Not to work for the whole Republic. The authorities and the law enforcement are working for his agenda and not serving the public.

That is why crimes are not solved. Murders are cold cases. Atrocities are tried to be forgotten about and buried like the remains of its victims. However, the memory of these people lingers on and the state cannot erase the memory. Nevertheless, they can instead change the goal-post and look into political crimes and create new laws. Where the civil space becomes smaller and have new units to ensure more control of the opposition. That is what they do.

With all this in mind, the legacy and the remain of the fundamental change is gone. The deceased, the arrested and the abducted have tarnished that. The overstaying in power and misuse of office. If it is scandals, handshakes or just simple theft. It continues to happen and the associates close to power get away with it too. There is no retribution to the ones close to the throne, but an opposition spitting at a junction get fined or arrested.

We can act like this cool. The polls are coming up and the machine of fear is on full force. The Police Force get a specialized unit to enforce new regulations. The army has another outfit to intimidate the crowds and the law enforcement will use all means to disperse the public.

There is no level playing field. There was never plan for it. The state will use all coins, institutions and funds to pay for loyalty. They will give away cars, soap, t-shirts and whatever it takes. There will be songs, will be tales of glory and government schemes surrounding every corner of the Republic.

That is why we have to be woke. Not that there is a shot to win on the ballot or ensure victory through the polls. That is not happening any time soon. This is naive to think a man who took power, amended the Constitution twice for personal reasons will suddenly step down. There is a need for revolution with support of the military to take him down. Unless, that doesn’t happen. The same old procedure continues in 2021. With VPN, media black-out and mass arrests, while Electoral Commission is cooking the numbers to fit the bill.

Our minds need to be prepared. There is no victory in sight. However, there is still hope. A figment of hope, as there are rising generation who are waking up. We who have lived a while longer. Has to have hope that they will not accept the rigging and revolt. However, we cannot know if selfies and drip is more important than electioneering. That is something time will tell.

What we do know is that Museveni will promise flying pigs, dragons and unicorns to win. He will say whatever and threaten anyone in his way. His relentless demeanour will persist this time too.

We cannot expect the old man to change his ways now. He will use the same means and maybe new excuses. However, he hopes for the same results and that some foreign backers can bankroll this term too. Because, he knows and we knows that his cronyism needs more revenue to pay the debts created by these additions to the state. Peace.

Opinion: Operation “Scientific” elections begins with ‘Violence Suppression Unit’

Well, this wasn’t shocking, neither surprising. The state have already Local Defence Unit (LDUs) ready like the Crime Preventers in 2016. The latest edition is an systematic organization inside the Police Force. Therefore, to the General Elections in 2021. The Republic will have two units made for the elections. The LDUs and the Violence Suppression Unit (VSU) both to create “public order” and intimidate the public in the right direction.

The President who is running for his eight term has done to every single election. What is new that its mandated to secure the radios and media houses. That the Police can clear politicians and secure crowd control outside the “venues” or the media houses. This is deliberate.

Just like the Public Order Management Act and its control of gatherings and rallies. The VSU comes like a gift plated with gold. The golden goose of joy for the authorities, that can block and make excuses for politicians to not be on the airwaves and on air in general. It is a gift to control and systemic oppress the dissent.

We can lie, but that is their game. Just like the POMA made it impossible for the opposition to properly campaign, hold rallies, concerts and public gatherings. Without the proper clearance, the police and their units could crack-down quickly. As well, as having all knowledge of the planned meetings and gatherings. Because, the opposition needs to apply to be allowed to meet and greet.

In the same manner this will go. The usage of COVID-19 and the Coronavirus to make it nearly impossible for the opposition to do it. They need a go from the radio and media houses. In addition, they need the go from the VSU too. If the VSU doesn’t see it fit, they can dismiss it or come to barge in besiege the “venue”. Be sure the UCC will also come knocking and revoke licenses to the ones who dares.

Can we expect similar efforts like the Violent Crime Crack Unit (VCCU), which got renamed to Rapid Response Unit (RRU). The RRU or VSU, which was a directed from the Central Investigation Division (CID). Should we expect the VSU to be the same in 2020 and 2021?

I wouldn’t be shocked if similar men took charge and ran wild with it. As they mandate are fluid and objective is to intimidate and scare politicians from perform during elections. These are not terrorist or violent crime offenders, but people vying for public office. They want to look good and electable. Not look like hoodlums or gangsters.

Maybe this is the ‘Operation Wembly’ of the campaigns. We have seen the Special Force Command, the Black Mambas, the Flying Squad, ISO and CMI tail-gating politicians in the past. They have all followed and done the bidding of the state. The VSU will be no different. It is only a name-change, but the same objective.

This VSU will not stop the Movement nor its associates from campaigning or holding rallies. However, it will stop opposition from showing up at radio stations and gathering around these. As the opposition cannot “scientifically” hold rallies, but the regime can and they are currently doing so.

We know the drill and this will cause havoc, tear-gas, arbitrary arrests and so fourth. That comes with the scheduled programming. Also some stray-bullets and some innocent lives lost because of it all. That is just what the state does to it own.

The VSU will be no different. It is more of the same. Just another name and another, but the objective is the same. Make it nearly impossible for the opposition to do politicking and spreading their message. While its a free-for-all on the side of the Movement. They are birds chirping everywhere, while the opposition cannot even come out of their cages. Peace.