Opinion: Rukutana is clearly above the law [and your not!]

The high ranking official and the beloved appointee of the “high above” Mwesigwa Rukutana have been acquitted by the courts after shooting and killing a civilian, as he lost the National Resistance Movement Primaries in early September 2020.

He was the incumbent MP in the Parliament, but lost. However, the man has been a Minister of various Ministries from 2001 to 2015. He was the Deputy Attorney General from 2015 to 2019. While being the MP from 2016 to 2021. The MP is now out and lost his seat.

Still with all of that his out of legal jeopardy. A man who can use his AK-47 and use vile force. However, have no consequences. A Minister for 14 years, Deputy Attorney General of the Republic for 4 years.

If a man who has been such a honourable for so long and had titles in Republic should know better. He should be a better man, apparently that is too much to ask.

Rukutana used his weapon for no other reason that he lost his place and had to retaliate against the ones who humiliated him. The entitlement is real, but his still served with it. As he could get away with the usage of weapons on others.

Two weeks later in Fresh Primaries he became the winner of the Primaries too. That was after the first round of Primaries. He needed to get his way and couldn’t accept anything else. This shows how some are “better” and is “above the law”. A lawmaker like this is apparently so in this regime. He got the stripes and a second chance.

However, the former Minister was booted out in the General Election in January 2021. Just like he was in the first bloody Primary in September 2020. Rukutana was now acquitted in April 2021 for the actions done in September 2020. That says a lot… while he still lost his seat as an MP.

What we can say by all of this. Is that if your part of the Movement and anointed by the high above. You can easily get a out of the jail free-card. That is what he did while others are lingering in jail for their political affiliation.

Rukutana … is not only lucky but entitled. He has the character and the ability to shoot someone and get away with it. We know the opposition cannot even sneeze on the streets or gather without legal jeopardy. While the Movement own can do whatever and get run away from the law. They are above the law and cannot be touched. However, if anyone around Bobi Wine did the same. They would be charged with murder and the prison officials would throw away the keys.

Nevertheless, Rukutana isn’t with the umbrella, but his anointed by the yellow bus. That is why his off the hook. If Nubian Li or anyone else did this. They wouldn’t see the light of day. That is just the reality of it all and its distasteful and disgraceful. The state shows how the law doesn’t matter for some. It just matters that you have the right people around you and suction to the State House. If you have that… you don’t have to worry about the law or the courts. That is for the peasants or the opposition. Peace.

NRM Primaries: Rukutana got a third life

Some people are apparently entitled to run and be the victors. One of these is the forever loyal cadre Mwesigwa Rukutana who has been proclaimed winner of Rushenyi County in Ntungamo District for the second time. The third official results from this district since the National Resistance Movement (NRM) held their primaries.

The last time he was proclaimed winner was on the 9^th September after being released out of prison on bail after post-election violence that led to one innocent civilian killed. However, that case is pending and without any trail in the near future.

On the 5^th September 2020 the Minister and loyal cadre was dismissed and lost the elections. He was one of the big-men losing in the polls. Nevertheless, that has since changed twice.

First there was 12 ghost polling stations arriving on the 9^th September and now on the 23^rd September he apparently won with only 20 voters. If you find this suspicious. Well, you should, because this whole exercise is dumb at this point.

This is not examination of the voters will, but bugging the numbers, nudging the polls to fit Rukutana. That is how it looks and no matter what spin the NRM the agents of the party does. It is the perception the public gets and they will most likely rig him in the general election in 2021 too.

The NRM seems to whatever they can to scrap some of the loyal cadres. Suspend elections and suddenly tally the votes not only twice, but three times to get the supposed verdict. The people voting didn’t matter, it was the gentlemen or the people inside closed chambers who mattered. They ensured one man could win.

He could use force, he could use his title and the reach within the party to get his way. Not because his a beloved character, but because the President needs men like these. Apparently so. A man who can easily pull the trigger and take a life. That is the sort of man the President wants to promote, yet again.

That is the tragedy in all of this. Rukutana isn’t suited for a high ranking official job. He should answer for his crime and his action earlier in September. While now his praising himself and his team to crowned the NRM Flag-Bearer. That is what has happened.

It is tragic, but its so 2020. This is so NRM and its bloody insane. However, this is what the President promotes and gives the public. Making opposition felons, while promoting real felons within his own ranks. Peace.

NRM Primaries: Rukutana MP gets a second life… [12 ghosts comes and saves him]

On the 9^th September, Minister Mwesigwa Rukutana was announced as the loser of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Primaries, as he was supposed loser of the race for MP in Rushenyi County. Today on the 15^th September 2020 he was released bail after using weapons and discharging guns at the winning team after the polls.

Not only was he released, but the NRM Electoral Commission have now announced him as a winner after a recount. This shows that the Bush-Men can win elections, even when they are loosing. There was to many Ministers losing, so the “high above” had to save him.

The man who has been a minister from 2001 to 2015 and Deputy Attorney General from 2015 to 2019. The State Minister for Labour still have to answer for the life of Dan Rweiburingi. The fatality after the post election violence that happen after Rukutana was announced the loser.

So, it’s not funny that the NRM EC and Dr. Tanga Odoi have now a week later changed the results. This just spitting in the face of the voters and the supposed members of the NRM. That is just a selection of a candidate, not an election. As the incumbent and big-man could just overturn the poll.

The NRM now says they didn’t count 12 polling stations before the first announced results. That sounds like ghosts appeared. Since, its weird that they didn’t have this on the first round. If you want contested results and questionable results. Then you delver life altering results this far after.

The person who has now lost the Flag-Bearer as MP for Rushenyi County for the NRM should petition the courts and go after the NRM EC. Especially since it out of nowhere there was 12 new polling stations.

The NRM must really believe in ghosts. Suddenly ghosts voted for the Minister and the ally of the President. To ensure his victory. They just appeared late after the fact.

If you want to believe in the results of an election. This is not the way to generate trust. Since, this seems like election rigging after the fact. Just to favour a beloved and trusted character of the President.

So, the ghosts of 12 polling stations gave him a second life, which is only because of his stature around the President. If he didn’t have a special place … he would have been ditched, but suddenly the NRM EC had a new tally. They could just configure the polls to fit the needs of the Rukutana. Peace.

NRM Primaries: Rukutana’s actions should land him in prison… [and hopefully an end to him being a high ranking official too]

Just imagine being anybody else. If a random bloke would pick up a AK-47 from a soldier and kill a civilian. That is what Mwesigwa Rukutana did after losing the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Primaries ahead of the General Election.

Instead of being humble, showing grace and being a man who concedes defeat. He instead picked up a gun and shot a agent of another campaigner in Rushenyi County in Ntungamo district.

He was the incumbent MP in the Parliament, but lost. However, the man has been a Minister of various Ministries from 2001 to 2015. He was the Deputy Attorney General from 2015 to 2019. While being the MP from 2016 to 2021. The MP is now out and lost his seat.

There is reports of his arrests. However, this man been part of the NRM from the beginning. This man is one of the loyal cadres of the President. Him killing a man will not stop that. Sooner or later, the acquitted case or dissolve the case. Someone picking up the pieces and stopping it. Even if there are viral videos of the act and the pictures of the deceased are all online.

The big-man has fallen. We have seen other Ministers gotten away with crimes and gotten vindicated. They have to act upon him. He killed an innocent civilian who happen to be associated with someone who he lost too.

The man is a member of Uganda Law Society, a lawmaker and former Deputy Attorney General. This man should know better, but apparently his ego and his entitlement is over the roof.

Rukutana has told people to “go hang” and that the President “is a gift from God”. His the loyalist of all. The one who tells off others and says they need to back off. He has done that as a man of power and is used to get away with it. The man can have a sex-scandal and still get away with it.

Still, this time it might be different. Yes, his arrested and charged. However, we know that this man has his whole career been loyal to Museveni. Museveni promotes fella’s like this and gives them titles. Let them get rich, eat the spoils and swim in impunity.

Rukutana has gotten away with land-scandals, insider-trading and other things in the past. Maybe this time. He has to answer for his crimes. Now, he needs to answer for the life of Dan Rweiburingi. Who lost his life after the shooting yesterday.

Not only did Rukutana lose his seat as an MP, but he lost his mind. Thinking he could use a weapon and get back control. A family lost a loved ones. Friends lost a buddy and Uganda lost a citizen. Because, a Minister and a former Deputy Attorney General.

It shouldn’t be like this. A man of this power and allegiances even with the loss yesterday. Could most like likely end up with an appointment somewhere. Alas, what he did was not only killing an innocent civilian, but also ending his career.

His told his as powerful as God, but I doubt that his immortal. Therefore, the mercy and grace has to delivered by the President to save his ass. However, that depends on of his wants impunity and extra judicial killings to be his hallmark ahead of the General Elections. That is not a good look.

Rukutana should answer for the shooting, the deliberate act of violence and murder of Dan. That only makes sense. Everything else is self-destruction of his own career. Peace.

Opinion: The EU is too late to the Party, when they are now asking for Electoral Reforms in Uganda!

It feels deliberate, that Eduardo Kukan dropped a statement on the 8^th March 2018 as the General Election in Uganda was in February 2016. That is two years after, this is the Follow-Up Mission to the Electoral Observation Mission, that is long finished and didn’t deliver anything of significance. The whole thing ended up being a charade and mockery of the principals the EU is supposed to stand for. The rigging, the spending and buying votes, the inside deals and pre-ticked ballots should all say that the re-election to a fifth official term and unofficially 7^th shouldn’t be legitimized by any entity. This is the same fellas that left Kololo, because the President’s stance on the ICC. Like they didn’t know?

So, we are in March 2018 and its two years and a month since the entered the port and all of the containers are left, all produce is eaten, all parts of the products is sold, stolen or gone. Therefore, there is very little to regard about the process. Very little the EU can do, because they are beholden to the man they validated. They validated the Supreme Court ruling, they validated the Mbabazi petition, they accepted the stolen votes from Besigye and the obvious lies of the Kiggundu Electoral Commission in favor of Museveni.

The EU should have pushed for the reforms in 1995-1996 if they we’re serious. While the President still looked like he cared a little bit and was a donor-friendly guy, now he despise anyone questioning him and his authority. He is always right, and the rest of you is wrong or can be bought. That is President Museveni now. They could have had a short in 2000-2001, even 2005-2006. Even as the term-limits was deposed at the time. When the true reality was that Museveni had no place of really retiring and spend time with his cows. The EU could have pushed for reforms in 2010-2011, even as the Walk to Work demonstrations (W2W) and the Activists 4 Change (A4C) who both challenged the Presidency. Clearly, the EU could have done more as an outside entity, if they cared about the Electoral Reforms.

So now, that the last election went through, the syncopates, the technocrats and cronies of Museveni is elected, appointed as advisors and whatnot. The EU is asking and begging for changes, since suddenly now is the time. Like Museveni would care about the plight of the Follow-Up Mission in 2018, when he just gotten his carrot in December 2017, the Life Presidency. Did the EU miss that charade? Did they sleep in Brussels and eating Belgian waffles? That is how it seems to me.

That the President that has centralized most of the power around him and his State House would now care about the EU, is to say bluntly naive. That the EU comes with recommendations now will not be listened too. Unless, they are dropping bunch of external funds and juicing the rabbit a little bit. Because Museveni is eating, his cronies is too and there is nothing you can tell him.

So when the EU stated this on the 8^th of March 2018, its not hard to understand, why it is like this: “ The EU EFM has been heartened to find that the recommendations of the EU EOM have been disseminated across several institutions of State and that many interlocutors were familiar with the content of the recommendations. While there has been virtually no progress on implementation of the recommendations to date, awareness of proposals, and the grounds thereof, is a crucial first step in the achievement of the recommendations. Similarly, there is widespread awareness of the directives of the Supreme Court” (Eduardo Kukan – ‘EU Election Follow-up Mission to Uganda urges Authorities to take positive steps to improve electoral process’ 08.03.2018).

Like did you think the man, that has been running since a coup in 1986 would give in and change to a more democratic structure, the one who house-arrest his biggest threat without any jurisdiction or right by laws? Do you think the man who has all the state coffers, has all the bidders at his feet, will finally give way to your advice? Do you think the man who has used the guns to silence opposition and does it will kind of acronyms too.

I hate to say it to you Kukan, but your late to the party. The party-goers have left, they have their whiskey, their Waragin, their vodka and their Nile Brew, but are not interested in your anecdotes. They would have mattered some time ago, when the fire was burning, when Usher and Radio & Weasel was banging on the stereo. But now, the party has died down, the only left is the straws and the memories of the late night charade.

Kukan, you should have acted swiftly, you should have cared about the implications, but your entity and others validated Museveni. Just like you have done in the past. You let him of the hook and this here, will be a stain, but not something that covers the obvious. The theft of February 2016. That you accepted and did for selfish reasons beyond me.

You could have, you should have, but you never did. Peace.

Ruhaama By-Election: Return Form for Transmission of Results (12.01.2018)

Opinion: Mzee says its hard to build roads in Ntungamo district, maybe you should supply them with something else than fake Chinese Equipment?

Just as President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is on the road in a By-Election in Ntungamo District and in the Ruhaama Constituency. He was talking well for the National Resistance Movement flag-bearer, who only has three independent candidates to run against on the 11^th January. Therefore, this should be walk in the park and ready made road to the Parliament for the NRM candidate.

However, what was interesting, was what Museveni said about roads. He said this:

“The hilly terrain of Ruhaama poses a challenge to building of roads, however, the government is committed to providing good roads to all parts of the country. The Government has built the Ntungamo-Kafunjo road and plans are underway to build the Kitwe–Bugamba road” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 09.01.2018).

Dennis Singahache wrote in the Budget Framework Paper for Ntungamo District for the Financial Year 2017/2018 this about the road works in the district. Its revealing, that the President has not looked into the dire needs that is there:

“Lack of training in RAMPS,Lack of substantitve District Engineer, Senior Engineer in charge of Mechanics among other critical staffs required,are Major challenges” (…) “Cut in the District budget with strict guidelines,Very little funds received from central Government of average 300,000= for maintenance per km” (…) “Chineese road equipment very fake and break continously and Lack of a low bed and supervision vehicle” (Local Government Budget Framework Paper, P: 14, 2017).

So it is not strange that the road works are hard to work on, when you have fake and breaking down Chinese equipment, also cut in the guidelines and critical staff is required to be able to maintain and also build roads in the district. Clearly, the memo has not been received by the State House. If not he just haven’t minded it, because its just talk from the President anyway.

But it wasn’t hard to find the District Chairman’s Singahache addressing his concern and then seeing the hypocrisy of the President. Then, they might get better roads in the Ntungamo District. Seriously, it is mismanagement from the State House and beyond. The Local Government have addressed the challenges, but its doesn’t seem to matter! Peace.

Kaabong By-Election Woman MP: NRM candidate won – Declararation Form (29.08.2017)

A look into how little the Wakiso Vote mattered to President Museveni in General Election 2016!

You would think on a day like this as the final rallies in Kyadondo East, which is part of Wakiso District, that the National Resistance Movement and the Police Force would bring peace. But they didn’t, they created chaos and moved independent candidates, as well as detaining them for interfering in their campaign rallies. This is the proof of vicious ruling regime and how the basic freedoms are limited for others, than the NRM elite and the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, rallying for his candidate in the district. But it seems strange that he cares, since with all due respect. He didn’t care about their votes in the General Election of 2016, as these areas have been a stronghold for opposition party Forum for Democratic Change and because Dr. Kizza Besigye reside in Kasangati, which is a vital part of Kyadondo East.

“In Kampala and its adjacent districts, the Group observed voting delayed by as much as two to four hours and subsequently observed polling locations where voting was delayed by as much as six to nine hours. Anecdotally, in Kampala, there were several polling stations located within minutes of the premises of the Electoral Commission that did not receive voting materials on time” (…) “The voting hours were subsequently extended in Kampala. However, it appeared that this information was not extensively communicated, as voters and polling officials appeared confused and uncertain of the process. The EC announced that polling would continue in a number of constituencies in Wakiso and Kampala districts the following day. Turnout, however, was low on the second day – which was a working day – and it is possible that many potential voters decided not to attempt to vote, after having waited for many hours the previous day”(Commonwealth, P: 13-14, 2016).

“Furthermore, eight teams across the country reported that polling stations could not open before 10 AM. A number of polling stations, notably in Kampala and Wakiso, had not opened within six hours. Significant delays and a lack of effective communication by the EC fuelled frustration and tensions among voters, with EU EOM observers and media reporting about large crowds protesting against being deprived of their right to cast the ballot. In at least four cases, the police used teargas to disperse voters at polling stations. Only shortly before the official closing of the polling stations at 4 PM did the EC chairman announce the three-hour extension of voting in Kampala and Wakiso district. This was poorly communicated to the polling staff in affected areas, and EU EOM observers reported polling stations being closed at first and only after some hesitation did the polling staff improvise and try to re-open voting sites” (EU, P: 29-30, 2016).

“The EC failed to communicate and declare final results of presidential and parliamentary elections in a comprehensive, timely and transparent manner. The announcements of the presidential election’s preliminary results started while voting was still ongoing in parts of Kampala and Wakiso. The final results were declared within the legally binding 48-hour deadline, but they did not contain data from seven per cent of all polling stations, and therefore excluded some 675,000 votes cast. The EC delayed the publication of the final results broken down by polling station till 25 February and uploaded them on its website in a manner that did not allow for easy access or use. The EC also did not publish the scanned copies of the DRFs online although they were readily available in electronic format, thus further reducing voters’ access to information of public interest and in contravention of the principles outlined in the ICCPR” (EU, P: 3-4, 2016).

“The 2016 Elections witnessed a number of violations of the right to vote, most notably due to late delivery of materials in Kampala and Wakiso districts, described by the Supreme Court as evidence of incompetence and gross inefficiency by the electoral management body. A number of potential voters we’re disenfranchised during the voting exercise, in particular persons who turned 18 between May 2015 and February 2016, detainees, including some pre-trial dententions and Ugandans in the diaspora” (FHRI, P: 25, 2016)

So both, the Commonwealth report, FHRI report and the European Union Observer Group saw the same vast indifference for the votes and voter turnout in Wakiso, the same was seen in capital, but that isn’t where the By-Election is happening now. This proves the lack of care and common sense as President Museveni drives Tuk-Tuk and talk of importance of electing people who serves him. He might say he wants to be challenged in Parliament, but everyone knows that is a lie. Therefore, he detained Bobi Wine earlier in the day and moved him to Gyaza town, so his presence could be in Kasangati and at Szasa Grounds. Not like he could be more ruthless, but surely he would rig these election like he did in 2016. Nothing new there, if the turnout would be meager and lack-lusting that would hurt the old-man. Since he cannot show 90-100% turnout, when there would be no lines of people showing up. Harder to rig just a bunch of paper compared to buck-load, which can be pre-ticket into ballot boxes and look legit. That is how they do, especially under President Museveni. The man who made himself a revolutionary by claiming UPC rigging in 1980s. Such a class-act the President, becoming worse than the ones he toppled! Peace.

Reference:

Commonwealth – ‘Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group Uganda General Elections – 18 February 2016’ (18.02.2016)

COMESA – ‘COMESA ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION TO THE 18 FEBRUARY 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA’

EU – ‘Final Report – Uganda Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council Elections 18 February 2016’ (April 2016)

Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) – ‘COMESA ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION TO THE 18 FEBRUARY 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA’ (June 2016)

Bunyoro squabble: Besigye Rally blocked in Masindi!

As the Police has monitored and followed the moves of Forum for Democratic Change in Bunyoro, even standing guards around the compounds of the retreat that the FDC during the week. You can tell that the government does not spare a single shilling in the mind of keeping the FDC at bay. Clearly, the Police Force in Masindi was preoccupied with handling the matters and silencing the FDC. Not catching criminals, because that is not important in the Republic of Uganda. It is more important to count the steps and gasoline run by the White SUV of Dr. Kizza Besigye. Therefore, this shallow and truthful news coming from URN wasn’t that surprising considering how many times they have done it!

“The officials arrived at Masindi Stadium at around 5pm and agreed with police to conclude the rally within 30 minutes. Dr. Kiiza Besigye, the former FDC president addressed the residents and urged them to jealously guard their land from government officials who have turned to it for survival since they have stolen all the money for service delivery” (…) “Besigye ignored the directives and continued speaking leading to a heated verbal exchange between FDC party officials and heavily armed police personnel. As a result, Police threatened to use teargas prompting Besigye to cut short his speech and drive away with police patrol cars behind him. Waiswa told reporters that they couldn’t allow Besigye go beyond the allocated 30 minutes” (Ogga & Gucwaki, 2017).

So again, the Police Force has stopped a rally, another rally in the series of spreading the information of land grabbing and of making sure the citizens know their rights. That is deemed unfit and not the sort of subject the citizens need. Especially in districts close to the vast oil reserves, which the state intent to only to supplement the income of the President, not his fellow citizens. If it were, wouldn’t the new debt in the budgets be recovered sooner, instead of a Presidential Handshake?

Well, as state of affairs goes, the state continues to hamper with rallies of opposition, the police continue to vital part of politics, instead of fighting crime. The Police is more concerned with the moves of FDC and “Bad DP“, than of actual police work. The opposition are more often criminals, than the average chicken thief’s, just pound on that for a hot-moment. Certainly, it will be more chicken-soup and less chicken, boiled water on bones instead of flesh. Since, the Police Force cannot stop themselves from being political active. Their mandate under this administration is to subdue and silence the ones who does not comply with the vision of Museveni. Peace.

Reference:

Ogga, Thembo Kahungu Misairi & Gucwaki, Yosam – ‘POLICE STOP BESIGYE RALLY IN MASINDI’ (14.06.2017) – Uganda Radio Network – link: https://ugandaradionetwork.com/story/police-stops-besigye-rally-in-masindi