Opinion: The DP isn’t Green anymore – it has turned itself Yellow

I met with Democratic Party President Norbert Mao at State House Entebbe. We signed a cooperation agreement between the NRM and the DP. I salute the DP leadership for this gesture of mature, foresighted and constructive politics” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 20.07.2022).

We have seen the shift over the years. The NBS Frontline commentator and Party President Norbert Mao has today signed an agreement between the Democratic Party (DP) and the National Resistance Movement (NRM). It a cooperation agreement and by doing so… the DP party is certainly dying.

The DP Party has lost their strongholds. The DP has been weakened over the years with Mao at the helm. He might proclaim and act like it isn’t true. However, the Parliamentary Group is weakened and the party itself has lost it’s purpose. That’s why a deal like this will breathe life onto it, but also trade it all away.

The DP party cannot be seen as an opposition party. Mao and his associates has now ensured his pockets. However, the party is now tainted. The DP is now working directly with the tyrant and his tyranny. The cooperation agreement is selling the soul of the DP. Not that’s its shocking, but inevitable.

This just shows the power of the People Power Movement and the National Unity Platform (NUP). The NUP already took away most of the base of the DP. The DP lacks strong grass-root support and the NUP has gained on their territories. The youths and the like rather go to the NUP or the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Than going to a moderate and elitist party, which isn’t directing its energy towards the problematic sides of the NRM regime.

That’s why the DP lost in the two last elections. They haven’t gained anything and only gotten some people in high ranking offices, because they wanted to work directly with Museveni. Now Mao is doing the same and there is no subtle way to describe it.

The DP was formed as a reaction to the Progressive Party in 1956. Now in 2022 it has sold its soul to the dictatorial party of 36 years the NRM. The former Catholic party with a base in Baganda and Catholic North. Has now traded away its glory and possible moderate answers to the dictatorship. It is instead becoming a crony and an ally.

Not that this is shocking. It explains why Mao has targeted the NUP and Bobi Wine in the recent time. Anyone who has followed Mao has seen his rhetoric and actions, which could been a well spoken Ofwono Opondo. Now his becoming a stooge of the President and he surely cost barely nothing.

Museveni blasts DP in 2004:

How can you say for 50 years I have been here doing nothing and you also celebrate?” (…) “To remain in a deserted home and you celebrate for remaining there does not make sense” (New Vision – ‘Museveni blasts DP’s Ssemogerere’ 05.04.2004).

A man that speaks like about your party and later signs an agreement with you. He will destroy you and use the deal to undermine you. Museveni has promised to crush the opposition and take it down. Just like the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) deal hasn’t strengthen that party either. Instead it has taken seats and also ensured new MPs by doing so. Therefore, the DP will now go down the same path.

Mao should look onto Jimmy Akena and know that his becoming a similar party leader. Since his in favour of Museveni, but not being a big national figure. Secondly, his not even fielding candidacy to become President of the Republic. The UPC agreement should be studied and the results of it. Because, the DP-NRM agreement will most likely deliver similar results.

Mao has now traded his soul and all his ego to safe his accounts with fresh shillings. Peace.

Opinion: Nsereko MP wants to strangle all online utterances…

The Kampala Central MP Muhammed Nsereko has today presented the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill 2022 for the first reading in Parliament. This bill should be discussed, because in the climate and the sort of affairs of the state. Because, I would believe this would be used even more to strike against the opposition and activists who defies the state.

The new amendments of the Computer Misuse Act is very clear. Yes, the hacking and the child-porn articles are fine. That should be illegal and anyone understands that. However, the rest of the amendments can be questioned and Nsereko MP should know how this can be used. There is already restrictive laws, which can stop and go after individuals who speaks out of line.

The state is already using “cyber harassment” and usage of “offensive communications” against writers, oppositions and such. That’s why this law will be a spearhead by the courts and the authorities to muffle the dissidents. I don’t see this law as a tool to stop what it intends too do, but instead go after government critics.

The stipulations and articles in question should be these…

“234. Hate speech.

(l) A person shall not write, send or share any information through a computer, which is likely to-

(a) ridicule, degrade or demean another person, group of persons, a tribe, an ethnicity, a religion or gender;

(b) create divisions among persons, a tribe, an ethnicity, a religion or gender; or

(c) promote hostility against a person, group of persons, a tribe, an ethnicity, a religion or gender.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (l) commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding seven hundred fifty currency points or imprisonment not exceeding seven years, or both” (Computer Misuse Act Amendment Bill, 2022).

The ideals of this one is fine, but how do you deem these things? Can this be used for people mocking an MP from the North like Langi or Acholi for that matter. Because, it doesn’t take much to be seen or could be in the threshold. The idea is fine, but where and what is fitting here? That’s what I am wondering about, because this law isn’t that specific and could be used against someone. This is what I am fearing just be reading this one article alone. While he continues further in the law in the next articles too. 

“24A. Unsolicited information.

(l) A person shall not send to or share with another person unsolicited information through a computer.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding seven hundred fifty currency points or imprisonment not exceeding seven years, or both,”” (Computer Misuse Act Amendment Bill, 2022).

What is unsolicited information? Is that shared documents? Leaked DMs? There is so many questions here… because is this stopping leaks and dossiers, which the state don’t want published? That’s how it sounds like… The MP should know how things goes viral and how the Internet never forgets. When someone has published or shared something. Another person can easily share it and you don’t solicit any acceptance to publish it after that. Therefore, this laws should be specified too. Unless, he wants to be broad… since that opens up the gates and you can question easily what is what. It shouldn’t be like that with a law… but that’s where we are.

“264. Misleading or malicious information.

(1) A person shall not send, share or transmit any misleading or malicious information about or relating to any person through a computer.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (l) commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding seven hundred fifty currency points or irnprisonment not exceeding seven years, or both.”” (Computer Misuse Act Amendment Bill, 2022).

This here is the extension of “cyber harassment” and anyone can see that. What can be deemed as misleading? What is malicious? Which legal terms or measures can the courts or the judiciary judge things? This is defamation of sorts and then the authorities needs metrics of proof or evidence for the alleged criminal actions.

Because, what is really misleading? Is that any speech of Museveni in the recent years? Is that all the campaign pledges that haven’t been implemented over the years? Since, this law should be used against everyone and anybody. You can call it pledges and promises, but if you don’t deliver them… aren’t you misleading the public? Shouldn’t someone like the government and National Resistance Movement (NRM) be charged?

We know this law will be used as a tool against the opposition and activists. The government critics would fear this law and the articles is made for that. Nsereko MP has his own Public Order Management Act (POMA). The Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act of 2022 is just another of these. He must be so proud and hopes to get compensated by the State House for serving the will of the President. Peace.

Opinion: The Honourable Speaker should speak to her master…

Politics is there to stay we need peace, let’s preach peace for the good of our people. Politics is not a matter of death” – Speaker Anita Among (19.07.2022)

The Speaker of Parliament should know who is behind it all. The Speaker who was praised and ushered into her office. She should know who has created this system, the use of force and the state sponsored violence on behalf of the President. Honourable Speaker should know all this, but instead speaks of hearsay and what is supposed to be.

The system that’s currently in play is all fixed and nurtured by the President. He has made it in the image of himself. A man that is living by the gun and dying by the gun. The President is proud of getting into office by using weapons and killing. A sort of lifestyle that he has continued and persisted with. That’s why the second most important thing to always uphold is the Uganda People’s Defence Force and keep the authorities on guard.

The President uses violent words and wants to destroy his opponents. He hopes he can corrupt them, but if that doesn’t work. He throws the law-book at them or uses violent means to stop them organizing in their tracks. The use of political charged arrests, detaining without trail or even extra judicial killings. All done in the mercy of the master and the head of state. This has been going on for years and the Speaker should know this bloody well.

That’s why MPs are behind bars as we speak. Their cases are not moving along, but they have serious charges on them. It is opposition MPs who matters to their constituencies… However, the state is using them and silencing them. They are charged with murders and serious crimes, but that will never uphold in the courts themselves. That’s why they are lingering and never freed. So, it’s just like we are supposed to forget about that.

In the same vein. The state uses kidnappings, keeping people incommunicado and torturing them. That’s all done for their political affiliation and stances. They are targeted for who they associate with and what party they signs up for. Heck, even people who associate with the ruling regime can be assassinated or taken out. Especially, if their ambition is beyond the “standard” of pre-fixed positions made by His Excellency.

That’s why listening to the Speaker who said this in connection with the death of the student at the Guild Elections of Makerere University. It is all sad… but this is a mere reflection of the political atmosphere and landscape, which the state and the President has created over the years. It is wrong to die like this, but the state has killed several of others for their beliefs. They have killed by-standers to rallies and funerals. The state has killed drivers of political leaders and nearly even killed a Minister at one point. Therefore, the violence isn’t anything new. It is just what the state does and it hasn’t haunted the highest office yet.

Speaker Among can mean will and be sincere. However, she should address her master. Who uses rhetoric and orders, which are in dark contrast to her words. When the army, the security organizations and everyone is used for political gains. You just know that the merciless of men is coming to hunt down the competition. That is just the game and the game is rigged in favour of the “high above”.

So, dear Speak…. If you really meant these words. Please, talk with caution and send some vibes to your master, the high and mighty. The man that could change these things. However, dear Speaker, I wouldn’t count on it. Since he earns his bread and butter this way. Peace.

Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF): A Desertion has Consequences (19.07.2022)

Makerere University Guild Elections: Dangote Campaign Team Press Statement (15.07.2022)

Justice Forum (JEEMA): Press Statement on the Murder of a Visiting Student during Makerere Guild Elections Campaigns (15.07.2022)

Opinion: Museveni prefers his own rules…

The economy is growing. The other day, I had some arguments about whether we have gone to middle income or not. We reaffirm. I do not know where the World Bank is getting their data from” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (14.07.2022).

The former donor darling of the West and the Self-Styled President for Life, Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni has yet again signalled the World Bank. That comes after the bank dismisses the claims of have becoming a “Middle-Income Country”. The Government of Uganda and it’s agency cannot trick the World Bank and their standards. Museveni can hoodwink his supporters and his fellow associates. However, the World Bank… not so much.

President Museveni is the sort of man that makes his own rules along with where his walking. His not the sort of fella to follow it himself, but expect everyone around to comply. He can talk of ethics and moral rights, but breach them himself on a regular. Secondly, laws and rules are for others to follow. He himself, not so much.

That’s why when there is stipulations and mechanisms for giving the stature of Middle Income Country from the World Bank. The Government of Uganda, and it’s Ministries should work to achieve that. Not just throwing numbers at the wall and hoping it sticks. That’s how this looks like. His just using figures and imprinted numbers to look extravagant. When the President should know that his far from achieving it.

The Republic cannot build a road without a loan, donation or sort of scheme to ensure funding to make it happen. The aid agencies has to come and intervene on the basics of structures. The bloated government structure is eating of the funds, the massive parliament and it’s expenses in combination of the State House and the Office of the Presidency. Is all accounts, which is having huge expenses, but not generating any sort of generational wealth or influx of foreign exchange into the economy. However, that is just draining the state budgets together with the interests on old loans and the growing debt ratio of the state. So, with that in mind….

I don’t know where his figuring out at the year of 2022 that the Republic has become a Middle-Income Country. Because, there is no signs of it. Unless, he has a screw loose or just wants to prove that he achieved something. Even if he sleep-walked to the destination and was more pre-occupied with destroying his political enemies. If the state has used half of the energy and resources it uses on locking up, monitoring and detaining political opponents. Maybe, it would have a shot of a better economy, but it is instead building prisons and buying tear-gas.

That’s why Museveni just making up the rules as he walks along. He thinks that’s how the world works, because he has done that for over 3 decades now. As President he has gotten away with it too and with little to no consequence. However, in this regard.. don’t expect the World Bank to budge. Because, Museveni needs the World Bank more than the World Bank need him. His a debtor and a man who needs grants from the World Bank. It is not the World Bank that needs validation from Museveni.

This is why this enterprise is futile. He cannot bushwhack this one. He cannot trick it and make it work. The shilling is the shilling. The economy and the finances is as dire as the people say they are. The Deficit financing and the lack of domestic revenue is a proof of that. His made up numbers and schemes to get grandeur isn’t helping either.

Museveni, you can chill on your farm and look after livestock. The sort of game your playing is only making a fool of yourself. So, do you want another rap? Peace.

Makerere University: Office of the Chairperson of Council – Suspension of Makerere University Students Guild and the Ongoing Guild Elections (14.07.2022)

Karamoja: Nakut Faith, Woman MP Napak – Food Crisis in Karamoja: A Focus on What Needs to be Done (10.07.2022)

Opinion: The NRM always got money for bullets…

It doesn’t matter if people cannot afford basic commodities, if people are starving or eating insects up-country. No, for the National Resistance Movement (NRM). A government shows their priorities by where they are spending. The vast spending is either on cronies, political representatives, the State House, Office of the President or the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). The ones mentioned always has funds or possibilities for supplementary budgets.

That’s why the recent salary enhancement of armed personnel and high ranking officials in the army. Is a sign that this matter to the throne and the ones in-charge. Because, the “high above” himself ordered striking or industrial action of unified teachers to go back to work without anything. They we’re not getting anything and they struggle as is… but soldiers, colonels, majors and generals are all getting a huge pay-off.

The army and armed personnel is a priority. That’s why it’s getting a huge percentage of the yearly budgets. They are already one of the big “ministries” and is one key component of the government at large. That’s why the President and the NRM party calls the UPDF to solve crisis or be a tool to fix utilities. This is why the army isn’t only coming to defend the border from invaders. No, it is building roads and constructions. It is a part of Operation Wealth Creation and going after illegal fishing in Lake Victoria. There is so many parts of government, which involves the UPDF.

The UPDF is also used for oppression. The Court Martial is used as a means to end of silencing critics, activists and even political opponents of the state. Even when the ones charged and taken to court isn’t serving members of the army. Neither do they have any connection with the army. So, they are suddenly just including civilians in military affairs. That’s just what the state does.

Just like the UPDF and their divisions can suddenly interfere in elections and with security around polls. In a by-election or a General Election doesn’t happen without soldiers on the streets. Neither are they far from the tally centres or places of vital importance of the proceedings. That’s just what they do and it’s common practice by now.

We know that the state cannot do with Crime Preventers, Local Defence Units (LDU) or any other sort of trained military personnel for basis of oppression and intimidation. The state needs a vast amount of soldiers and armed personnel at the beacon-call. Because, it isn’t like the NRM is popular or have the people behind it. No, they state needs the guns and the trained soldiers to fight for their causes.

The moment the army is under mutiny and turning on the regime. That’s when you know it’s near it’s end. The moment the generals and the divisions turns on the State House and the ones who is living large there. That moment will strike fear and worse cause a friction, which haven’t been seen in decades. Because, the centre most hold and the commander-in-chief cannot miss the loyalty of his soldiers. They are his base and reason for existing in office. Not the polls or the elections. No, at this point… they are just a vital piece, which makes the NRM alive.

So, no matter if there are inflations, people are struggling and things are getting out of control. As long as the army is supplied, paid and following orders. The President and his men will not fear anything. They are sure they will stay in office for another day and can easily silence anyone who opposes it. That’s why the state is doing this and giving the UPDF a huge pay-off.

We all know the centre most hold and if that falls… the President would worry and wouldn’t be as arrogant, as his known to be. He wouldn’t speak of crushing and the NRA-Way. Since, if the army backs away and stops being a loyal subject to him. The downfall will be eminent and the years of reign would end.

That’s why as the people are feeling the pinch of inflation and lacking funds for basics. The generals and their staff can buy luxurious items. The army can live without any concern and feel secure. The prices can go up, but they have a money-pit of funds to cover that. Which the ordinary citizen, any random civil servant or anyone in the public service can only dream off. That’s because they are not important. They don’t matter in the same regard.

The President needs the army more than he needs the rest of the Republic. As long as he has the army. He knows he can force himself upon anyone and nobody would dare to say otherwise. That’s why the UPDF is getting cash, while the citizens is getting cassava. Peace.