Opinion: Bobi Wine better prepare that umbrella [its going to rain]

It is soon campaign season, flag-bearers are being picked and the final pledges are being minted. The manifestos being prepared, the delegation conferences and primary elections are happening. Every little move to prepare the General Elections in 2021.

As fun as yesterday was with the launch of National Unity Platform (N.U.P) as the political party of the People Power Alliance and with the People Power Movement as the Pressure Group. Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine still have a long walk ahead.

It will not be easy. There is a storm brewing and it will rain. When it rains, it pours. It’s not going to be peaceful. However, I think the man knows this. His carrying a umbrella to whether the storm. Nevertheless, the man needs more than that. It will help, but not help when the wind gets strong and the rain-drops still hits his face.

There will be humiliation. He will suffer again. To go into an election like he does. Where all the odds are stacked against him. Will cost, just like it has done to other opposition candidates who has challenged the crown. Now, the biggest challenger is Bobi Wine. Therefore, the brute force will be turned against him.

That is why radio hosts who has him will meet the makers of this world. They will have trouble with Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) and possibly detained by the Police Force. Even in a “scientific” election, the same old issues will be used and methods are the same. Just another name and another reason. Still, the high above wants to contain the man.

The President will make rain, will create a storm and will cause damage to Bobi Wine. Expect ISO and SFC to follow him. CMI being after him and the LDUs too. RDCs blocking him entering a district and all possible charges between here and hell. That is what is ahead. Even months of house-arrest, if the Police Force gets their Besigye groove on. Playing “another rap” and singing tunes of other elections.

The rain will not stop now. The challenger will meet the brute force. It doesn’t matter what he does. At one point or another, he will be captured, charged and detained. It doesn’t matter if his innocent or haven’t a single crime. They got the state power and put some phony charges will buy the regime time. Just like it has always done. Not like riots, demonstrations or anything will go into anarchy or a total revolt. It will be a hot minute and die down.

That’s why the umbrella will shield Bobi Wine, but that is only for the soft rain. When the tropical storm hits or anything similar. He will be wet and drained. The state will secure that he freezes and doesn’t have ability to cover himself. He will suffer and will be in danger.

It is a dangerous mission. There is no soft ways for him. The associates and team around him can help, but they all are in the firing line. They all needs their umbrellas, as it will rain on them too. The rain doesn’t discriminate, it rains on everyone. They will meet the rain-drops and got to cover themselves.

Bobi Wine … good you have a tool now and not just an idea. However, you need a lot more, if you want to succeed. Especially, against as conning people as the ones you conspire to bring down. These people have no scruples and will use any means to stay on top.

They will sing the rain-dance, indefinetly to ensure you always have to use the umbrella, instead of being focused on the cause and mission ahead. Peace.

A look into Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform Launch Statement

Today, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine launched his political party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), which will be an umbrella to the People Power Movement. The Political Party of the Pressure Group. That is why his statement is important for his next move ahead of the General Election in 2021.

Well, just like do others, I will do to Bobi Wine. I will look into what he says and drop my thoughts after it. It will be the most important pieces of the statement. Here will not be the whole statement, but some snippets of it and then discussing it. Because, that is the play of looking into it.

He started with this: “When we started the People Power Movement about three years ago, we had lengthy discussions about whether or not to register a political party. Our analysis led us to the conclusion that it was both untimely and impractical to form a political party. In any case, we were alive to the fact that the regime would foil any attempt to register People Power as a political party” (Bobi Wine, 22.07.2020).

I am sure the team and associates around Bobi Wine has discussed what to do and how to go forward. They had to find a way to be a legal entity and not just an idea. The Pressure Group would work for independents, but could be put into question over time. Also, the idea that the authorities wouldn’t accept People Power as a Party is most likely true. It would be shocking if they would nod to it and give it go. That would have been a healthy, but anticipating something else is naive.

As he continues: “As you all know, our message has been Mission 2021. Right from 2018, we have been telling all of you to ready yourselves for the 2021 election, because we believe that together, we can and must use that election to overwhelm and remove the dictatorship” (Bobi Wine, 22.07.2020).

It’s right for him to have this ideal and hope that he can conquer the NRM and the President with an election. However, that has been impossible since 1996. I have hard time believing anyone would unsettle and send Museveni packing over the polls in 2021. There is a need of a revolution and of defiance/civil disobedience at levels that has been unheard of. If the PPM and NUP uses that, then they can have hope for change in 2021. If they act like all the others before them. Then they will be beaten down and it will amount to nothing.

He continues: “And so, a few months back, when we predicted that we would find ourselves in this situation, we embarked on finding a solution. We set out to silently identify a Platform which we would use to answer this question. Although many political parties and organisations had reached out to us, our first and most important criteria was to look out for a formation which shares our values, aims and objectives. And there are many which do, but there was a political organisation whose message and objectives rhymed well with those very close to us. In order to make the message even stronger, in July 2019, we went ahead and successfully changed the name of this political organisation from National Unity, Reconciliation and Development Party to the National Unity Platform” (Bobi Wine, 22.07.2020).

I have a feeling that since its inception and seeing how hard he had to battle the authorities in his Kyadondo East By-Election. He knew this would be hard. So, I am sure the situation was that from get-go in a way. However, it sounds better just thinking a few months back. Not thinking from the start and knowing what happen early in the journey as a political active person.

I know the whole Republic is grateful that it landed on NUP and not NURDP. The last one sounds like a bad government program with foreign funding. So, they have had this in the making for a while. By this statement they have worked on this since last July and reveals the new party a year later.

He continues: “Therefore, today I stand here to announce to the nation that we are unveiling the National Unity Platform as the political wing of the People Power Movement. The National Unity Platform is a political organisation duly registered with the Electoral Commission and our symbol is an umbrella” (Bobi Wine, 22.07.2020).

I still find it funny that his calling it the political wing. It is the political party and the other is the pressure group. Both have their political agenda and foundation. They are registered different, but has the same goals. Just like other CSOs can campaign for a political party, even Unions can support a party and a candidate, but that is political, but they are not a party. The same is the difference between the PPM and NUP. The umbrella is just a fine feature, as so many other parties have already picked their symbol. The NUP had to pick something. Umbrella is fine, it stops the sunlight, rain and tear-gas. It is a nice thing to have and is a useful thing.

He continues: “Finally, I know there are those who may ask themselves where this leaves comrades and fellow leaders who belong to other registered political organisations. Friends, we are People Power. In the coming days, we shall embark on the process of formalising the People Power Alliance. The People Power Alliance shall be comprised of different political formations which we have been working with and those that will be willing to join us. Formal engagements with many of these brothers and sisters have already been ongoing and they will continue” (Bobi Wine, 22.07.2020).

Here is another swift change of events. Not only launching the NUP, but the People Power Alliance. I don’t know if that is consideration of the United Forces for Change (UFC) with People’s Government (FDC based) or the other party members associated with the People Power Movement. The PPM is already established and has its significant place. As a home from all parties and people who want change. To make it into an alliance. Is just, if I may, making the umbrella bigger with PPM, NUP and PPA. It is consortium of organization under the same banner, but you need soon a own lingo dictionary to be sure how to address it correctly.

The NUP and PPM would have been sufficient, unless he wants some more mechanisms to keep everything in order. However, with the addition, he might scare away some who is not into the cause and only used it for a political bargain along the line to elections.

The final quote: “In our case, we have consistently said that we are a non-violent movement and we have no plans of establishing a military wing. What we are doing today is to launch a political wing of our Movement so as to ensure that our mission to use the election as a strategy within the liberation struggle succeeds” (Bobi Wine, 22.07.2020).

We are seeing that the PPM and NUP are not planning to pick up guns and try a coup d’etat. Which is a healthy stance, not repeating the sins of old and trying it on a new generation of people. Using the same means the dictatorship came in and hoping not end up as the new one.

His hampering on the political wing, which for me seems weird. That is his prerogative. Because, at what point does the PPM loose value, since its only NUP whose political? When all policies, all people attracted to the PPM and not to the NUP. Many might turn into NUP as their haven and destined party. However, the PPM is the shuttle, the place where everything started and the Movement who gave way to NUP.

I still don’t see how the NUP and PPM will use this up-coming election to overcome the junta. The current day regime, by using the same tools its predecessors have done. The only thing different is its Bobi Wine and his cadres. It is fine and dandy, the flex and the ability to gain popularity. However, it is not like Besigye didn’t get popular too and was driving on a coach through Kampala before the last election.

So, I have hope for Bobi Wine, the whole People Power, but through an election. I doubt for change, for positive difference and actual getting rid of the ones besieging the state. No, they will not be beaten over the ballot. It needs something more powerful, something got to give and by playing the same rules as previous opposition. You will just turn into the same ills of the past.

Bobi Wine deserves better, everyone following him, deserves better, alas the state and the NRM is unforgiving. There will be costs, harm and pain. I don’t see anything else ahead. He needs proper tools, support and a machinery that has to blast the NRM to smithereens and I don’t see that yet. Peace.

Opinion: Under Bobi Wine’s umbrella

“Now that it’s raining more than ever

 Know that we’ll still have each other

 You can stand under my umbrella

 You can stand under my umbrella

(Ella ella, eh eh eh)

 Under my umbrella

 (Ella ella, eh eh eh)

 Under my umbrella

 (Ella ella, eh eh eh)

 Under my umbrella

 (Ella ella, eh eh eh, eh eh eh)”Rihanna on ‘Umbrella’ (2007)

Today in a move to outsmart the Electoral Commission and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) he launched the official party – National Unity Platform (NUP). This is clearly in a move, if the regime plans to stifle or stop the People Power Movment (PPM) as a pressure group. There been speculation of this and even TVO has hinted about that lately.

So, this was a move to outsmart that. However, saying the NUP is the political wing of the PPM seems a bit ridiculous. Let me address this briefly, the PPM is a political movement and not just an empty vessel. It is where many has registered and is associated as a vehicle for change. However, the NUP will be a political party that some of the ones associating with PPM will aligned itself with. Just like the DP candidates will be part of that party, but also associated with PPM.

Now, the PPM can have both independent candidates, but also own party candidates that stands for both the pressure group and the party itself. Just like in the previous election in 2016, when some DP stood for the party and was aligned with TDA. It is the same thing.

That is why both things are political, just one registered as a party and the other a pressure group. To entities, which is branching off its other and still aligned. It is very simple. It is under the same umbrella.

Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine shows again how savvy he is. Just like he went into dialogue and talks with Besigye. Again, he shows that he can think ahead and plan. To branch out and create his own is just the right move. It is maybe late in the cycle, but the PPM has already more relevance then other parties. More candidates and more nominations than ever. Therefore, some can be fielded by just the party and others can be associated with the pressure group.

This gives Bobi Wine and his associates two swords in one battle. Both the ability to have partners across the political landscape, but also create his unique party. That is really conning and also maybe the tools you need to address the public. Now, they cannot say his just a political club, a not serious politician. His maybe launching this late and just in time for the elections. However, the party is official and his not 100% independent anymore. His under the umbrella of People Power and NUP.

That’s the game of Bobi Wine. The PPM and NUP will challenge for real. The name is generic. National Unity Platform is as standard as can be. Bobi Wine didn’t go all out revolutionary or extra-ordinary on the name sake. However, that is not important. The cause is and the game plan too.

Now, he has to show his flex, even when it rains, when its sunshine and the in-coming tear-gas. It is coming, but he can always bring an “umbrella ella ella eh eh eh”. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni, running for his eight term… [1986-2026]

Well, the scholars will say its his 6th Term, which I defiantly says “no” too. That is not true. They are currently saying his on his fifth term. That he was elected in 2016 for his 5th. However, if you do that, then your taking away his first 10 years in power. You are initially deleting the years between 1986 to 1996 and that is not fair. That is unjustified behaviour and rewriting history. The Republic of Uganda doesn’t deserve that.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is currently in his Seventh Term. You can calculate the 5 times and see that I am onto something. That the man who has run the Republic are in his 34 years in power and by 2021 is at his 35th. By the end of the next term he will be close to 40 years. Which by dividing 40 by 5 turns into 8. It is every simple Math.

I know, I will read in the big-media houses like BBC, AP News and others where it will say that his going for his 6th Term. These fellas who write that doesn’t care that he went a decade in power without any elections. That he suspended it and didn’t want to hold any. No, they are just making click-bait and not holding the President accountable. He should be counted for the first years of his presidency. Even if his achievements from those years are long forgotten and his killing of enemies those years. Are also long time buried and dead.

Never the less. Let me just reissue this short time. So, that everyone understands my equation and how I get to 8th Term for Museveni. This here should be the gist, but I am sad to say. The international media will say its 6th because they don’t know better.

Short Timeline:

1986-1991 First Term by seizing power/coup d’etat,

1991-1996 Second Term by suspending elections.

1996-2001 Third Term by First Election after the coup d’etat.

2001-2006 Fourth Term, Second Election. Abolishing Presidential Term Limits.

2006-2011 Fifth Term, Third Election – First Multi-Party Elections since the Coup d’etat.

2011-2016 Sixth Term – Fourth Election.

2016-2021 Seventh Term – Fifth Election  -Abolishing Presidential Age Limits.

2021-2026 Eight Term –Sixth Election

This is just my gist of it and how easily it can be calculated. Something, I find important, because all years should count. Not only the timeline from the election in 1996 until now. Than the same media houses should say he has ruled for 24 years, instead of 34. Why?

They are not counting it in the sense of terms, when they are accepting not to count the 10 years of suspended elections and coup d’etat. If your straight about, be straight forward and not glean in the middle.

Take the whole account, the whole time served and not just from the first election. That is just fair. This President has rigged elections and will rig the upcoming one in 2021 too. It is just a matter of levels and to what extent. Also, what sort of play he wants to do. He decides. His legacy is already tarnished and this election will not make it better.

His the soon, eight term president. Remember that. It is insane, but still true. Peace.

Ahead of 2021: The NRM repeats itself in true NRM fashion

We are soon in 2021 and the General Elections is upon us again. The new word “Scientific” is the new idea or subject of controversy. However, there are plenty of staples.

Just like President since 1986 picked up nomination forms and paid a few millions to his party. This is so steady and random. We knew this was happening since abolishing term limits in 2005. We all knew this was happening after he abolished age limit in 2017. It was written in stone. This was written in the stars and there was no way a meteor would hit Okello House in Entebbe and stop this from happening.

We are now seeing battles for the National Vice Chairman, which happens every time. This being in the North being the incumbent versus the deputy speaker. In Western someone whose either a relative of the President or the possible elevation of his Muhoozi. In the East being Mukula, Tanna or someone else whose loyal to the cause no matter what. Then in the Central its a free for all and former Lord Mayors or Presidential Advisors wanting this.

We are now also seeing the NRM Electoral Commission doing the ordinary warning to both members and candidates. That they need to run a free and fair election, where they will be victors, as this is the mass party. The party for the ones aiming at the stars, but hitting the moons. The pop-stars of the Republic.

We are also seeing old heads returning to campaign for the party. Even after they lost in the previous election in 2016. This being Kahinda Otafiire or Jim Muhwezi. These are the sort of NRA historicals who cannot step back and lead the youth from behind. They have to be in the front-line act like big-men. Be generals who has to be in the spotlight and be giants. Instead of giving and educating the next generation. No, they are just in it to eat in yet another term. However, these gentlemen who does that follows the sole candidate on top.

The race for 2021 is following a normal pattern. The NRM tries to show off amount of members. It is trying to make headlines with new deflections and MPs going from the Opposition. They want to have positive publicity, even if doesn’t make sense.

We can expect nice SUVs for RDCs and Chiefs, Pastors getting sudden funds and NRM Village Fund will resurface. The NRM will drop the shillings around like beers in and around alcoholics. That’s what the ruling regime will do. As soon as they can campaign now. They will drop facemasks, sanitizers and whatnot. Soap and smaller things to get the voters greased for the polls.

This is what we know. This has been played out for us so many times. The internal “drama” and knifing over smaller positions from the NRM Central Executive Committee to the rest of the Party. To even be flag-bearer in a newly minted district. That just happens every time. There will be former MPs who was disqualified in the Courts return to the polls claiming to have the academic credentials and needs to stand as a candidate in 2021. This will all appear in front of our eyes.

The NRM will repeat itself. It is doing it. Following standards, protocol and the whole thing. The structure is moving and they have the same story. Even the same actors acting up and wanting your attention. They want to suddenly sound democratic and sincere. When the rest of the time they are muffling the opposition and uses the police to policing them.

While they are free campaigning and using the state as a tool for their benefit. That is what they do and the continuation of the Movement continues. It is not cool, but a repetition of the same old thing. Peace.

Opinion: The NRM hopes to contain Bobi Wine [like they did with Besigye]

We are repeating things. We are going in circles and some people wonders why we are going nowhere. The pragmatic, the ones who doesn’t want to stir the boat follows Mugisha Muntu, but that is why the army or the NRM doesn’t fear him. They let him go on his merry, as the disciples of Muntu will not cause a revolution. They will just sit, have some tea and leave it alone.

That is why Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine is a whole other breed. When he steps out of his home to be at any radio station or TV show. The police will be in the surrounding area. The roads will be blocked, and they will push for him to be escorted home. Because, he will cause a stir just by showing up. That’s why the guns, the soldiers and the anti-riot police are their in full effect, when he shows up.

We have seen this before; this movie has been in the name of defiance and walk to work. This movie has been shot plenty of times across the Republic. The actors from the authorities are the same. The names might be switched, but they are practically doing the same thing. Instead of targeting Besigye and Lukwago, they are going after Bobi Wine and his associates.

What we can see right now is that the authorities and the ruling party is campaigning, they are using churches, yards and tents to hold rallies. They are giving away gear in connection to COVID-19 and using government schemes as a reason for holding rallies. While Bobi Wine is barely allowed to be in Media Houses. That is with intent, because the Ministers, the associates of the NRM are all out there gathering crowds in their spaces. While the FDC and Bobi Wine can forget trying to do the same without arrests, live-bullets and tear-gas. That is just the way this is played.

The Presidential Directives, the national guidelines and the electoral commission is clearly not independent. Just as the authorities and the regime itself is doing what it can to destroy a vibrant opposition. While they are busy scheming and holding rallies, while the rules and regulations says otherwise. The police say they are investigating, but will they arrest 10% of the cabinet and its ministers for flaunting these rules? Heck no, they will not even touch them. Only condemn and move-on.

The state will use all means to silence and stop Bobi Wine. Just like for no reason, no warrant and justification, the state put Besigye under house-arrest for months on end. Where he was not allowed to leave his home. Practically making his homestead a makeshift prison with guards and vans, ready for the inevitable escape.

Bobi Wine will again feel the blunt force, he will be charged with more criminal intent and inciting violence. There will be the charge of annoying the President and so on. There will be more blocked radio stations and venues for participating in the “Scientific” elections, which the NRM doesn’t give a rat’s ass about. They are just out and about meeting people. While the Bobi Wine and FDC cannot do the same. Yes, FDC open an office last week without the fuzz, but that is more a miracle, then an ordinary day in Northern Uganda. Usually, an MP from the FDC would be legal trouble doing so.

Bobi Wine will be in trouble, not because he causes it, but for the simple reason of his existence. That he challenge and stands up against injustice. That is why he will be contained by all means; the state will use force and be rough. They will leave no stone untouched and he could face again treason charges. That wouldn’t be shocking but expected at this point.

Just wait, all things done to him is to contain him and stop him. Ensure he has such a hectic life, with impossible movement and stepping outside his home. That they will hope that he becomes a prisoner of it. This is their goal. To silence and stop him. By using legal means, using impunity and hoping to get away with it. As his just one man and they got an army behind them. Peace.

Opinion: Mwenda is prefixed for Mzee [and dissmissing Bobi Wine along the way]

Today on Facebook, the pseudo-intellectual and journalist Andrew Mwenda dropped another hit-piece on the opposition, titled: My Problem with Bobi Wine and his supporters. This is not shocking and this is to be expected. He has written countless of similar texts in concern to Dr. Kizza Besigye. So, his just reformulating it to fit People Power Movement and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine at this point.

We all know he has a “secret love-affair” with the President. That deep down in his heart he has passionate feelings and endearing opinions about him. Mwenda would wish he could join bonds and become a Spokesperson at the State House or get appointed to run the Uganda Media Centre. We all know that, because the Ad revenue of the Independent Magazine isn’t really all that. This is why he writes pieces like this in hope that somewhere along the lines that Museveni notice and gives him a heads-up.

Like for instance this part of his piece, which is such barren of his intellect:

If Bobi Wine became president, he has to reward his riffraff supporters with jobs. But they lack basic skills or experience for professional jobs. He cannot force the private sector to hire them. Neither can he recruit them into the state’s professional jobs. The only place he can hire them is in security services – army, police and intelligence organisations – which are always the dumping grounds of the lumpen supporters in poor countries” (Mwenda, 2020).

What is funny and tragic about this is that the President has hired and feeding the same folks that Mwenda addresses as Riffraff. The same people that Mwenda calls uneducated and lumpen. These are the citizens, who the President has represented for 34 years and not given opportunities too. It shows by all margins wher ethe state has failed and they are pinching the blame on Bobi Wine for elevating the same citizens. It is really a unique trait to undermine the same fellows that has grown up under the regime your defending. Like the President just last year gave a job and title to Jennifer Full Figure and Butchaman, both uneducated ghetto personalities. However, that is not an issue for Mwenda, right? They are skilled for that work, since he brushes that off?

He continues later in the piece:

Now under HE Bobi Wine, these lumpens will be the men and women in charge of Internal Security Organisation, police and army. They will be the ones collecting and analysing intelligence. President Bobi Wine himself will be intellectually handicapped to distinguish fiction from fact, slogans from policy. This is the raw material from which destructive tyrannies have historically been nurtured” (Mwenda, 2020).

It is just like the great mind of Mwenda forgets, that Museveni wasn’t all the well versed in politics. Yes, he gotten a position in Obote’s second cabinet and was a force to be reckoned with as he had a private army. However, Mwenda doesn’t think Bobi Wine can get experts to help him out and willingly want to serve him with advice? Not like the President today has all the brightest mind leading the various ministries and government agencies? They are all loyal subjects and underlings awaiting their pay-checks. The fiction he talks about is the one that only one man can rule and Bobi Wine cannot pick people. Not like the President haven’t picked foolish and ignorant leaders to lead these agencies and utterly failed, right? It is like this man forgetting the ills he wrote against Kayihura and Tumukunde, who both are now gone. They were not magicians, but loyal subjects to their king.

Then it’s the predestined journey Bobi Wine will apparently have:

So I find it difficult to embrace any and every opposition politician simply because they oppose Museveni. Africa has seen so many critics of government coming to power through a wave of populism. Except for a few exceptions, they have turned out to be worse than the ones they removed. Our nations have seen very many changes of government without much change in the quality of governance” (Mwenda, 2020).

Here we see the ever returning Orwellian belief that anyone taking over after a tyrant, have to become a tyrant himself to succeed. The nightmare turning into a genocide. The hero turning into a villain, when the person get into office. Because, there is no way Bobi Wine can turn good, listen to people and try to figure out the game from the office. It is not like Bobi Wine can negotiate or hold talks to secure safer passage of people. He just have to copy the President, burn royal palaces and send kings into exile. That is just what big-men do. Bobi Wine has to comply to that distorted narrative.

Yes, power corrupts, but his associates and his allies has to keep him in check. As well, as legal boundaries and measures to safeguard the public. Which all Presidents should have and not be ruled on the whim like the current affairs. The ones you have no trouble with and the governance that comes out from “high above”. It is just amazing.

Just like the ending of his piece:

It is therefore saddening that Ugandan elites clamouring for Bobi Wine are silent on the lack of values among the forces propelling this upstart in politics. Even worse is the lack of any policy alternative for Uganda. Surely, if opposition to Museveni blinds anyone to the thuggish character of Bobi Wine’s supporters, then this country is headed for disaster” (Mwenda, 2020).

Mwenda surely has the magical eightball, the psychic visions that he sees. That he has the out of body experience, as a village healer and the crystal ball to foresee the future ahead. We don’t need Nostradamus or anyone else. When we have Mwenda! He has seen everything already! He understand everything and everyone.

However, let me get serious again. I’m sure several of people was dismissing Museveni as an upstart too. He wasn’t always the old man, but a young minister and a visionary. Just like Bobi Wine is seen by some today. He became MP quickly and beat the odds. Proven his stamina and his placement in the world. Not someone to easily dismiss and throw under the bus. That is why Mwenda drops this piece today. Just to prove himself to the public, yet again.

It is nevertheless, not a well taken piece, neither is it smart nor have valid points. Only underscore the deep love he have for the current status quo. That he wants it to go as it does, because that suits him and his associates. This is why he speaks ill of Bobi Wine. Mwenda don’t know where he will be, if Museveni is gone. That might end some of those important envelopes and business deals he has in shadows.

Therefore, it is what it is. Neither provoking nor greatness. Just pure nonsense in the ordinary format of Mwenda. Another love story for the President and disgruntled claims, which can be debunked easily. Unless, he shows up at NBS Television with a crystal ball and says he saw the future. Then explained the madness in-front of his eyes. Peace.

Opinion: “Pastor” Kasolo’s prosperity gospel …

Some of you think by only praying, you will go to heaven yet God created all of us in His image. If God created us in his image, why are others rich yet you are poor? God will punish you for embarrassing Him by being poor and you will not go to heaven. Those who think they will only go to heaven by being so prayerful should forget it” – State Minister Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo

I have a feeling the State Minister of Microfinance, Haruna Kasolo should become a pastor. The way his singing a gospel. Kenneth Hagin and Kenneth Copeland would be proud of Kasolo utterance lately. Speaking like a flexing preacher.

Kasolo wants so badly to be a TV Pastor, be the likes of Hagin, Copeland and Hinn. That’s his emulating them while speaking of the relaunched SACCOs, NAADs and OWC under the umbrella of Emyooga.

Just to explain where I’m coming from, Harvard Divinity School defines it like this:

The Prosperity Gospel (PG) is a fast-growing theologically conservative movement frequently associated with Pentecostalism, evangelicalism, and charismatic Christianity that emphasizes believers’ abilities to transcend poverty and/or illness through devotion and positive confession. The PG is popular among impoverished communities, where at best it is considered to offer the poor a means of imagining and reaching for better lives (at times accompanied by sound financial advice), and at worst is criticized as predatory and manipulative, particularly when churches or pastors require heavy tithing” (Harvard Divinity School – Glossary Terms – The Prosperity Gospel).

I feel Kasolo does the same thing. His following the PG to the Tee. He should open up a church somewhere and become a pastor when his time as Minister is over. The church can be named the Wealth Creation Church (WCC) or the Emooyga Baptist Chuch (EBC).

He has already started his journey. As his preaching the prosperity gospel. That the poor has to sow their seeds and tithing to the congregation. Maybe that way he can keep relevance and have a career.

Just to prove my point, Hagin Ministries wrote this: Start where you are. Be faithful to obey the Word by paying your tithes and giving offerings. And be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit when He directs you specifically to give. You can’t out-give God. If you sow seeds bountifully in faith and obedience, you will reap an abundant harvest of blessings!” (Hagin – ‘Investing God’s Way’).

Copeland for instance wrote this: I lost a job and went broke” they’ll say. “That was when the Holy Spirit was finally able to teach me to put God fist in my life. That proves poverty can sometimes be a BLESSING of the LORD”. Such statements sound spiritual, but they are plain wrong. Going broke is never a BLESSING. It’s a curse” (Kenneth Copeland – ‘Project Eden – Filling the earth with the glory of God’, September 2011).

When seeing how Hagin and Copeland writes. It is similar to what Kasolo was saying. The PG Teaching isn’t new, but when a State Minister uses the same language. You know your selling tricks and schemes. When your using the tricks of false prophets. What sort of policy are you selling?

This is snake-oil salesmanship. Kasolo must be so proud.

So when are you becoming a Pastor or a PG Preacher? That is your next career, I suppose. Peace.

Opinion: The NRM Rebel MPs bowed to their King

I met our NRM Members of Parliament who have previously opposed certain party positions, hence being named “rebel MPs”. They called on me at State House Entebbe to seek the party’s forgiveness. Subsequently, I made their case before the party’s Central Executive Committee yesterday which resolved that for the party’s cohesion and discipline, we interact further and guide these MPs” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 17.07.2020).

Today, at the State House, there was a meeting of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament (MP) who have dared to challenge the President and his legislation. These are the ones who voted against the abolishment of the Age Limit and so fourth. These MPs actually dared to question the President and not following the correct line.

The MPs in question was today summoned to the State House to be informed on how to move forward. In an exercise to show loyalty and also settle supposed grievances. The President simmer it down really quick when he writes that they will guided further and follow Party discipline. That is why these fellows should not dare to undermine the President again. They should just vote as they are told and not think.

That is why rebellion in the NRM is so endearing. Such a assumption that these are rebels. They stood up for one cause and now they have to kiss the ring to get the goods again. As long as they show loyalty and blind discipline to the party, which means loyal to the President. Not question his actions, his legislation or his policies. Only follow the President and his steering committee the NRM CEC.

The President can act like this was a day filled with hardliners, questionable MPs who didn’t know better and needed more education. That these MPs are indecent and disingenuous. However, these are already yellow fellows. The only thing they have done is to vote against a President for Life. A person they had no trouble bowing their knees for and asking for forgive. They were asking for mercy. To ensure they could get another term in office and get the positive vibes ahead of elections.

This is all political games. The NRM Rebels wasn’t true revolutionaries. These people wasn’t defiant in the sense of person, just one simple cause. They stood up and said “nay”, when others said “yay”. Yes, they did the good thing at that vote, but they didn’t work to directly undermine the ruler or his associates. They were all along part of the party, following procedures and being their MPs.

They were maybe not invited to the State House for NRM Caucus Meeting, losing out of some envelopes. However, they are neither true opposition or someone who defiantly standing against the President. If they were and not willingly to work with the Self-Styled President for Life. They wouldn’t show up and bend over for the old man.

He also said:

Our people are waking up. It explains why we have bumper production of milk, sugar, bananas, etc. Leaders must work for the prosperity of their people. That’s the most important thing” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 17.07.2020).

It is really special that he says leaders have to work for prosperity. When he has prospered, while his citizens haven’t done so. That they have to do that now that its really rich in way. Promise wealth, but not delivering it. That is the final message for the rebels. The ones who stood against him on one cause. A cause that was for selfish reasons for one old man with a hat. The one man with a hat, who they shall not rebel against again. That’s why his showing them mercy now. As long as they are following his orders. Peace.

Opinion: “Poverty is your choice” is that the new NRM slogan?

During the tenure of the NRM government, poverty is by choice. For anyone to remain poor is their choice. How can you say you are still poor yet there are many initiatives introduced by government to alleviate poverty. If you had a restaurant on top of your current job, you would not be so much affected by the pandemic and the resultant lockdown. That is the mindset we are talking about. It is your choice” – State Minister on Microfinance Haruna Kasolo (14.07.2020).

Sometime someone says something really outrageous and insane. State Minister Kasolo is one of them. As he launched the Emyooga, the same Operation Wealth Creation, SACCOs and NAADs poverty alleviation tool the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have used for ages without any results.

It is like changing name on the same thing, but expecting different results. Buying the same sort of players with the same skills and expecting to win the league. You got to pick better, more talented and experienced ones to win a league. However, the NRM just switches a name, relaunching it and calling it the winning formula.

That is why for a government ruling the Republic since 1986. A government that has promised to be middle income country for ages. A party and President promising wealth, jobs and a new industrial revolution. Have certainly not achieved that. When poverty is a choice. The inconvenient, gig-economy and hand-to-mouth. The lack of institutions and policies to change this.

However, blaming it on the citizens, the peasants and the ones suffering in it. That is such a Noble approach. While spreading the news of Emyooga. The bastard child of OWC, the SACCOS and NAADs. The newest Presidential Directive to dodge poverty. If the previous ones didn’t work. Don’t expect the same tools going to work in 2020.

The Minister can lie to himself. Like he made a choice and dodged the bullet. He bought the bulletproof vest and got away from the suffering. No, he just joined the ruling regime and drank their Kool-Aid.

Instead of inspiring people. The Minister demeaned them. Insulted them and calling them lazy. That they are idle and its their fault they don’t have money. Not like its a robust economy or exponential growth in the near future. That overnight the NRM will create the Shangri-la and the Singapore of Africa. No, that is disturbing the eating, kickbacks and general looting of the Movement. This is why the State Minister has to blame someone.

The ones his blaming is the average citizen, the peasant and the ones who are struggling to get by. That is disgraceful. Therefore, is the up-coming slogan for the NRM: “Poverty is your choice”. It is maybe not as clinging as Steady Progress, but it cannot be true. When a minister tells that living poorly is choice. No one is choosing that, but that is the reality they are living in. Not by will, but by default. Everyone wants to live with comfort and safety. Not wonder if they are eating the next day. How foolish is the Minister?

His a fool with a title. Peace.