Achileo Kivumbi: Summarized Tall Tale of My Brutal Arrest and Detention (23.10.2024)

Opinion: Bobi Wine will “rinse and repeat”

The ones that think the 2026 General Election will be any different than the previous ones are false. This is doing the same thing again and expecting another type of result. However, that is lunacy and idiotic….

Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine isn’t stupid, neither is his team and supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP). The NUP will then run their second campaign and trying to establish itself as a viable option to the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Alas, that is given and is what it has too. The NUP and Bobi Wine had a red wave ahead of the 2021. Ever since Bobi Wine was elected as an MP, he galvanized the youth and reach new people. Therefore, he is a threat to the status quo and the elites of the nation. Nevertheless, we know the gig and the game’s that are in play.

He might be able to steer the ship and be able to continue the progress of the party in the midst of trouble. The Party President and leader of the NUP might be able to continue to be the biggest opposition party. However, that isn’t the cause and the reason for the existence of the NUP. That’s just making the People Power operational and a part of a new political elite…

Bobi Wine fought to get rid of dictator. His party was supposed to be revolutionary and be different than the predecessors in the opposition. The smartness and wit of the party was to be vastly changing the terrain. Nevertheless, it was meant to be deeper than this…

The NUP and Bobi Wine needs to engage and be part of it. To totally disassociate or be disengaged from the General Election will be to costly  at this point. They need the MPs and the polls to be viable. However, it is a race where we know the winner and who will have the majority. The NUP and the other opposition parties will only get a fringe minority and not have a final say in the end. It doesn’t matter how they do it or what they do. In the end…

Bobi Wine will fall.. the numbers this time around might be different, but the result is the same. NRM and Museveni will win. The NRM will gerrymander and ensure total control of the Parliament. The Presidency will Museveni’s regardless of his real popularity or not.

Bobi Wine can do this a second time. His within his rights to stand and be a Presidential Candidate. By him doing so… his legitimizing the affairs and contests in a ill-willed elections. That’s what his doing and continuing the path of the predecessors that went nowhere as well.

Just like Besigye stood countless times up to Museveni. Bobi Wine is continuing this tradition. His NUP is taking the place of the FDC. However, things aren’t really changing and only the name on the ballots. The rest is more of the same and we are repeating the sins of the past. Peace.

National Unity Platform (NUP): Party President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu letter to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – False Allegations that the National Unity Platform rigged One Million Votes in the Last Presidential Election (15.09.2024)

Opinion: Museveni has a million secret votes apparently…

I have now got all the evidence that in the last election, NUP cheated by one million votes. I have the facts. NUP can take me to court and say ‘Museveni has falsely accused them” – President Museveni (12.09.2024).

There been days and nights since the General Election of 2021. It is like a far distant memory cause of the COVID pandemic and everything that has gone on during the time. Feels like a decade has passed, but we are still in the same term and two years ahead of a 2026 elections.

Now that this is digested, we know how the state operates with the elections. They are part of it and it is all secured through the High Command. The NRM is the state and the state is the NRM. Museveni appoints and directs people he trusts to secure what needs and he has the final say. He uses all sorts of security agencies, deployment of law enforcement and media blackout to control his narrative. Therefore, anyone believing in the free and fair elections in the Republic is either blind or naive. In my life time… there never been a just election or a free one. No, it has been jaded ones and controlled operations to ensure NRM majority and the President for Life at the top.

That’s why yesterday’s statement in Munyonyo is foolish at best. When the Electoral Commission is his baby and they are directed by him. The authorities are all following his command and the opposition are barred from interacting or even operating to full capacity. Because the authorities and law enforcement blocks their entry and passage even during the elections road map. Therefore, the President is really talking out of terms when he claims what he claimed. There is no proof and no justification. Only self-projection, like we don’t know…

Just read the old and good wisdom of Tinye aka Tinyefuza aka General David Sejua!

The first is because of the nature of the current political structure in the country. Because the ruling party NRM is fused with the state, it is difficult to draw the line of who are real NRM supporters and those I consider INDIRECT CONSCRIPTS to the system. Since all the jobs are appended to the NRM party, including those in the Judiciary, parliament, civil service and even the OMBUDSMAN ( IGG) who must be a government functionary, people have lost the natural space to oppose the system. So the kind of opposition is COVERT (silent and hidden). That is why it is always a shock to Mr Museveni when he loses an election like what happened in Luweero recently. Or the many defeats he has suffered in Kampala city. To him, the easier explanation is that the opposition has stolen the vote! How can the opposition steal the vote when all the presiding officers are yours? The explanation here is simple. EVEN THOSE PRESIDING OFFICERS BELONG TO THE OPPOSITION AND SO DOES THE MAJORITY OF VOTERS. So the voting is genuine but he does not understand that his “conscripts” turn against him in the privacy of their voting booths. That is why armed thugs, in civilian clothes are now being trained so that they look into the voting booths in 2016 (the Kabalye graduates)” (Gen. David Sejusa – ‘ADDRESSING THE QUESTION OF UNITY/ COOPERATION FOR LIBERATION LEADERS’ 11.09.2014).

The words of Gen. Sejusa is now 10 years old, but is still relevant. It is the same President and same regime in charge. Things haven’t really changed and only a few modifications of empty suits and willing public servants to further the interests of NRM. That’s the only change and we know the elections are made to ensure longevity of Museveni and his party. This is the objective and what Museveni wants. He wants it to look legit and seem reasonable, but at the same time… he needs a majority in Parliament and in general in all elected offices. If he doesn’t get that… then he figures out ways to change the result and get the announced verdict that he needs. Therefore, everyone knows this aspect and elections are partly futile. Because, the end-game is the same and there isn’t really a say.

There is no will of the people, but the will of Museveni. So, when he speaks of stealing a million votes and he has the evidence. It is hogwash, when he gets his team to manufacture the results and ensure he has the upper-hand. That has been to perfection over the years. Every election since 2001 has been made in this fashion. Don’t matter who stood up against him. If it was Dr. Paul Ssemogerere, Dr. Kizza Besigye or Bobi Wine. Everyone was bound to fail and that’s for one reason.

The reason being Museveni himself. Museveni could never ever win in a fair fight. The Old Man with the Hat couldn’t win people’s hearts or their attention to get elected without the usage of violence, intimidation or election malpractices. There is a reason why Pre-Ticked Ballots is a thing. Why ballot-stuffing is a well known concept and the algorithms and Kiggundu math is subject that should be studied at Makerere or MUBS.

Seriously, this man needs to figure himself out. He claimed in 1981 that Obote stole his votes. Now in 2024 he claims Bobi Wine took his. Even a significant number, but not a substantial to change the “winner”. Therefore, who believes this nonsense and will we ever see the so-called evidence?

We haven’t seen the President dropping his credentials or paperwork like the opposition candidates has too. They have to be validated and certified to stand as a Flagbearer and a candidate for their party. However, the President doesn’t have to and can only use his thumb. That’s all he needs… and it shows how the system is rigged against the others.

So, if you believe Museveni in 2024. Please, re-read the wise words of Gen. Sejusa. He speaks the truth and a truth that resonate today. Peace.

Makerere University: Students’ Guild – Office of the Guild President – Re: Suspension of Student Gatherings (11.09.2024)

Bobi Wine didn’t “stumble” on a bullet yesterday…

“Uganda’s opposition leader Bobi Wine has been rushed to hospital with injuries sustained during a confrontation with police outside the capital, Kampala. Images show him being assisted by aides, bleeding from his left leg” (BBC News Africa, 03.09.2024)

“3.When Hon. Kyagulanyi left the venue, he and his team moved out of their cars and embarked on a procession up to Bulindo town; however, the police advised against it. Despite their guidance, he insisted on proceeding and closing the road, leading to police intervention to prevent the procession.

4.During the ensuing altercation, it is alleged that he sustained injuries. Police officers on site claim he stumbled while getting into his vehicle, causing the injury, whereas Hon. Kyagulanyi and his team assert that he was shot” (Uganda Police Force, 03.09.2024).

“Roads to Nsambya Hospital have been closed by police barricades. Vehicles, Boda bodas, or pedestrians without identification are  not allowed to go to  Nsambya, where President Bobi Wine is being treated” (Kampala Updates, 04.09.2024).

Yesterday in Wakiso district the authorities and the police force violently attacked the surroundings of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. That has led to a lot of questions and unanswered speculation.

Meanwhile, what we do know is this… that the state used lethal force and used heavy weaponry on civilians. The authorities themselves says the opposition “stumbled” and hurt himself. We know they say they will investigate the matter, but we know that won’t go anywhere. Because the leads bullets of April 2011 that strike Dr. Kizza Besigye have never been answered for. Therefore, to expect any concern or any sort of serious report from the state is futile.

They will say it is tear-gas cannisters or whatever shrapnel that hit the leg of Bobi Wine. However, the video-clips shows officers and security agents with weapons aiming and making shots. Which means they used live-bullets there and it could easily have hit Bobi Wine. Therefore, I wouldn’t be shocked if a bullet him either. Just like it hit his driver and killed in Arua a few years back. We aren’t forgetting that either.

The ones that are downplaying the severity and such are doing themselves a disfavour. Since the state has used live-bullets and lethal actions towards the dissidents. There is nothing significant in what happened yesterday. The authorities have apprehended, kept people incommunicado, tortured and extra judicially killed as well. Therefore, it is not like they are innocent and always working within the law.

The ones that believe that he stumbled and fell over. Your naïve and accept a brutal police force. A police force that doesn’t value the civilians or their rights. Neither does the authorities has any concern or sincere initiative to act accordingly. They rather silence and shut things down with vile force. Therefore, the brutality and misuse of weapons aren’t anything new. They are ordered to do so and have rouge agents doing so.

It is an deliberate act to make the whole things seems benign and less of a case. We knowh te authorities won’t do a follow up or anything of that matter. They will overshadow it or make a mockery of it. Just like the state own spin-team is busy downplaying it as we speak. Instead of grasping with the severity and the reality of it all. They hit one of their own citizens and they act like it didn’t happen.

Bobi Wine didn’t stumble on a bullet. However, that is the story the authorities are going with and that’s not trustworthy. This is insincerity. The sort of impunity that no one should get accustomed too. Peace.

Opinion: Lumu MP wants the NRM to decide who becomes the LoP…

“Election is the epitome of democracy, I am a Catholic, there is an election of the Pope, the highest and respected leader in the world, if there is an election there, there must be an election here. We are in the Opposition, we were elected and we also elected you (Speaker), the very reason why you are seated in that seat. We also elect the President therefore, there is no reason why when we come to Parliament as the Opposition, we don’t elect our leader who is the Leader of Opposition” (..) “It is important that the pillar of democracy, which is election should actually be done by us the Opposition, who are actually bout to take power. We need an election, clear, in the Opposition. Section 8 of the Administration of the Parliament Act Cap272 provides for the election of the Leader of Opposition by the Party in Opposition having the greatest numerical strength in Parliament. The Rules also say that other parties should be consulted, my Party has never been consulted on that whenever there is a new or the other Leader of Opposition” – Richard Lumu MP for Mityana South, 29.08.2024).

The Leader of Opposition has been the Parliamentary leader elected by the party in opposition which is having the greatest numerical strength in Parliament. That has been accustomed way of electing or appointing the LoP. This has been done for years and been a regular, which the Speaker has later officially announced for the Parliament. That’s how the National Unity Platform has appointed the LoP, first with Mathias Mpuuga MP and now Joel Ssenyonyi MP.

Before that it was the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) who has changed the LoPs, as they have been the biggest opposition party before the 11th Parliament. Where the National Resistance Movement (NRM) haven’t always been happy with the figure or the leader itself.

This is making it a spectacle and a show of popularity, which is very ironic. It is taking away the power of the opposition to chose its own. Deliberately giving the power to the ruling regime and their majority in Parliament. It is significantly taking away the powers of the opposition and the one with numerical strength among the opposition. This post and office can easily become the one that is the “Good DP” or the “Good NUP” for that matter. Instead of being the MP who challenges and checks the government as its supposed too.

The Leader of Opposition should be chosen by the opposition and not by the whole Parliament. Just like the Government Chief Whip shouldn’t be appointed or voted on by all Members of Parliament. The Government Chief Whip should be appointed by the party in government. The LoP should be appointed or nominated by the opposition itself. If not… what is the point of the office?

The LoP shouldn’t be a majority contest. Just like the Party Chief Whips shouldn’t be a party contest either. If not… then all roles in Parliament should be voted over and be announced after a secret ballot. However, that wouldn’t be useful for others than the government with the majority. They will have say in the matters of the opposition and clip their wings.

If the MP succeeds with this legislation and get the law changed. He has initially given more power to the regime and written of the opposition. This is giving the NRM the power to decide who is the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. That shouldn’t be the role of the government to do so, but the biggest opposition party at the time. In the past FDC and currently NUP. Therefore, the DP MP is selling his soul for popularity points, but it doesn’t make the Parliament or Government Business running any smoother. Neither does he help the government to be held accountable or transparent for that matter. Because this law will only give reasons for the NRM to chose someone who is friendly and NRM leaning opposition as a LoP and that’s making the office completely useless. Peace.

Opinion: Bwanika MP needs to chillax…

“Following the absence of the Leader of Opposition in Parliament Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi in the Parliamentary sitting in Gulu this morning, Dr. Abed Bwanika has offered to represent him!”Article 82A:1 clearly says there shall be a Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP)” (..) “In the absence of the LoP, Dr. Bwanika is able, willing and ready. I’m MP for Kimanya Kabonera Masaka City and I’m a member of the National Unity Platform” Bwanika said” (IT Media, 28.08.2024).

Someone needs to take a chill-pill and await their turn. This isn’t the moment to shine or be the one requested. Dr. Abed Bwanika MP is just a sign of failure and lack of substance. He couldn’t lead his own party, but could find a meal-ticket under the banner of the National Unity Platform (NUP).

Bwanika wouldn’t be in Parliament without the red wave and the rising popularity of the NUP. The People Power Movement and the political rise of Bobi Wine. That’s what has given Abed Bwanika a chance to get to Parliament. His there in behalf and his lucky stars that they let him into their big-tent. That’s how he entered and was able to gain enough notoriety to become an MP.

Bwanika MP isn’t a leader, neither is a true opposition either. A man who defies his own party and has fought it for personal gains. A man who has fought the party on behalf of Mpuuga MP. That’s who Bwanika MP is, and it shows.

His not following party line or the ideals of the party. He is more busy eating and living large on the public’s dime. That’s why his not boycotting it and staying away from the plenary session today in Gulu. His there to show validation and be part of the charade. That’s why his there.

Also, while his at it… he should just go independent and leave the NUP. Heck, he should probably become Yellow and be part of the brigade. Because there is little to no difference between him and them. He just used the opposition party banner to get elected. That’s what he did and it shows…

Dr. Abed Bwanika MP is a disappointment of a representative. He should know better, but he doesn’t, and it shows. The lack of tact and concern, neither lack of loyalty nor following party lines shows too. He just disregards anything that isn’t personally benefiting him. If it can benefit him. He jumps on board, and if it doesn’t… then he is nowhere to be seen. A mere shadow of what man he could have been, but that’s too much to ask. Peace.

The Gulu Sitting: More braggadocio and lack of substance…

“This session is devoted for the people of Northern Uganda and for us to discuss issues regarding the Greater North, let us have respect for the people of the Greater North. We should learn to have respect. Issues that don’t concern this region, shouldn’t be issues to be discussed. You have your Kampala House there, where you can do all the manyanga (Nonsense)” – Speaker Anita Among (28.08.2024).

“You should be commended, together with the leadership of Parliament, economically, is a big boost to the Gulu economy, to the Northern Uganda economy, because, over 10 Committees of Parliament in the last two weeks were deployed in west Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja. All these members were sleeping in hotels within this region and for these days, we are sleeping in hotels in Gulu. We are eating from restaurants in Gulu, we are fueling cars from fuel stations in Gulu. Implying, a farmer growing cassava in Gulu benefits because we are eating food, locally grown” – Hamson Obua MP (28.08.2024).

The Greater North deserves better.

Say it after me, but the Northern Region deserves so much more than this. It is just a transactional affair and a short term feast for a handful of chosen few. They are masquerading it as a cause for the greater good. However, it is the MPs that gets  the perks, the allowances and the lavish life-style. Nevertheless, the public won’t gain much or even do good for them for long.

This Gulu Siting is a publicity stunt. That’s what it is. The MPs from the Greater North is grateful for it, but they are just getting paid for working one day and letting everything else be. They haven’t been there working hard or been delivering government services. No, they have been a public wastage and misuse of office. These MPs has been busy causing more public expenditure. The state has money to spend on these MPs and for their travelling expenses. However, the same government cannot afford to pay medical interns. That’s saying something…

We knew the MPs likes leisure and like to be vastly paid. This whole enterprise is a mini-vacation on the clock.  These MPs are getting paid and getting everything covered. It is just a fun week in the North. They won’t solve things or even handle things accordingly. They could have had the focus in the Parliament. These MPs could have had a Plenary Session on the Northern Region there. Which is possible with all the Northern MPs having a say and pushing the agenda of the region there. However, that wouldn’t be as “useful” or as “lavish” as travelling to the North doing so. Now they are paid and get to live life with all perks paid for. That’s a much better life and easier too.

It is just really showing what is important for the MPs. That they get to live lavish and get everything served for them. That’s what happened here.

The MPs are just eating. Their turn to eat. They found a way of massively doing so and taking the “parliament” to the people. However, these MPs can travers their constituencies and bring back the message from them in a plenary session, if they want too… but we rarely hear that or even concerns of that matter. No, they could go to the sub-county or their district, which elected them. Nevertheless, that isn’t as profitable as a Sitting like this. Gulu and the other districts won’t develop or get enriched by this. They will just get a small insignificant stimulus for a hot minute. Peace.

A paid vacation for a week: The Gulu Sitting

“There are MPs who don’t know even the road to Gulu, but now this time when we are sitting in Gulu, you find all the hotels are full, all the food is being eaten. People are benefitting. But it is also important for us to take Parliament to the people. We are elected by the people, so it is just prudent enough for us to take Parliament to the people not always people going to Parliament” (…) “It is nothing peculiar, it has ever happened and it is going to continue happening. Those who are saying they are going to boycott or whichever, it is going to continue happening until we say stop. Parliament will sit here, and it will go to another region, but the first priority was Gulu for us to recognize that the Late Speaker, came from Gulu” (…) “The sitting in Gulu and greater North is a normal sitting. Parliament isn’t a building in Kampala, we can proclaim and sit anywhere in this country, even in the middle of the road, that is what the law says. And bringing Parliament to sit in Gulu is an added advantage to the people of Northern region. Gulu or Northern Region belong to Uganda and because it belongs to Uganda, it must benefit from what the normal sittings takes place in Kampala benefits”– Speaker Anita Among (27.08.2024).

The 11th Parliament isn’t the place to look for good governance or governing for that matter. The Members of Parliament (MPs) and the elected officials are more busy eating, indulging and living large on the expense of the public. The ones in power and in-charge are happy with this.

They are all corruptible and gullible. These people are using their roles as Representatives to get paid, perks and living life like Kings and Queens. These are the elected representatives of a constituency. They are all sitting in Parliament to answer for the nation at large, but also the constituency that elected them.

The MPs should be busy for causes in regards to their constituencies. These should be addressed in Parliament and in the Plenary Sessions. That should be reported and be part of the work as an MP. Meanwhile, when they are in the constituency, they should petition, and hold talks with the citizens to get knowledge of what they possibly need. As the Parliament is doing Government Business and is the legislative body of the nation.

The whole sitting in Gulu and in the other regions are just a way of ensuring the MPs get a long vacation with paid perks. They are holding one sitting in a week. They are travelling, living in hotels and spending fortunes on one single sitting. Which is a wastage of funds. These people are paid for taking a trip to Gulu and spending time with leisure. This is not work, but a paid vacation to the North. Just like it will be in the East and the West too. Certainly, the one in the Central Region will be a wastage too.

This sitting, even if all the pieces of plenary session is all about the Greater North. It still won’t solve it or be resolved. It is a publicity stunt and misuse of office. They aren’t building a greater North by doing this. Neither is the Parliament building anything substantial. If it was so, then all the multi-national and bilateral conferences of Kampala would build sustainable wealth there. As they are holding conferences and such on a regular. This is about the same and not a new invention.

Other than MPs wasting their time and only having one full days of work. They are getting time in hotels and spending leisure outside of Kampala. That’s what they are doing and they are doing it per diem.

This is an official vacation with a piece of work. Just to look like they are busy doing something, but they are really not. A week away from Kampala and away from the jams of the capital city. Peace.