Opinion: You need to pay 200 shillings to use Mzee NALO App

“This app will enhance the Presidents communication to the people. It will showcase achievements of NRM, profile of H.E. the President, and spread to the young people the knowledge that the President has been passing on including video messages” (National Resistance Movement, 28.09.2020).

It is really inspiring that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) launched the NRM App on 8^th August 2020. That was clearly not enough, that is why the President and his team has launched a second one ahead of the General Elections in 2021. The “Scientific” ones, which is digital and that is why the governing party is doing all of this.

In 2018 the Republic introduced the Over-The-Top Taxes or the OTT Taxes. This was 200 shillings per day to access apps and social media. That means the same government that issued a high cost for digital content has launched two digital apps after that. Which the citizens has to pay a separate tax to the government to use.

So, if the citizens are supposed to access and use these “free apps”. They got to pay 200 shillings to use it. That is how misfortunate they are. To get the information in this way. They got to pay the state to get government information or access content, which is produced to praise the President.

Today on the 28th September 2020, they launched the Mzee NALO. Just like they launched the NRM APP earlier in August 2020. These both made to do the same, apparently. It is really ironic … because it is not like the NRM and the state doesn’t have a few avenues for information to the public already. They already have the NRM Social Media Team (NRM SOMA), New Vision, Uganda Media Centre, Various of Media Houses, Radio Stations and TV Stations too. Therefore, the President and NRM have plenty of places to spread their “vision” and “manifesto’s” to the world.

In 2018 the President wrote this about Social Media: “Social media chatting is a luxury by those who are enjoying themselves or those who are malicious” (Museveni, 04.07.2018).

Now, he wants to get the ones who uses that luxury and he intends to spread his message on these platforms. That is why he should make it free. Especially, if he wants the public to access to it. Since, some people couldn’t afford it.

For someone who says people are malicious on social media. The man surely uses lot of funds to promote himself there. Just like he recently “re-invented” himself on Instagram. We are just waiting for him to have a WhatsApp account and be on Tinder. That is what is missing.

The President should reconsider the 200 shillings of doom …. the OTT Tax and the Social Media Tax, which it is. If he believes everyone should be on the same page, then the platforms and apps should be free of access. Alas, that is not the case.

Yes, they are most likely propaganda … since they are praising the NRM and Mzee himself. We all know that, but propaganda should be free. Especially, if the ones it is intended to brainwash is supposed to read it or see the content.

Mzee should be proud of himself… OTT Tax and now this. Taxing people for propaganda. The man who called social media a luxury to begin with. Peace.

NRM Primaries 2020: What have we learned from the polls…(?)

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) held their Primary Elections today on the 4^th September 2020. Some polls have been postponed because of the election violence between the candidates in the constituencies. That is not new, but it is between family members of the President and his nearest in-laws. Who are fighting for the next generation, who wants their next of kin in office.

What we can see as the Primaries have been going on. They are letting candidates be elected with polls in lines. There is no social distancing, masks or any other efforts of Coronavirus or COVID-19 Guidelines.

The Presidential Directives on gatherings, distancing and masks are down the drain. It isn’t important at all. The candidates and the NRM operatives are not following these. Neither, is the state sanctioning the party. They are even seeing violence between the candidates and trying to investigate after the melee. That is why there is reported of 4 deaths and more injured in various of districts.

The ones who voted for the Age Limit and OTT Taxes have in many places been hit and lost their seat. The incumbents MPs who did this and the Ministers have lost seats. Their choices in office has cost them. The electorate is remembering that and sending these folks out of office.

If NRM thinks this show their greatness, their pan-African and anti sectarian attitude. The NRM shows the opposite here. It shows their greed, their use of all methods to win and their lack of respect of the electorate. They are willing to use them and cheat to get ahead.

Not that any of this is new. The NRM has filled with this in the past. The same happens every single time. The new is the standing in line and not following COVID-19 Guidelines. The Police isn’t interfering or contributing to the violence. That is something it would have done, if this was done by any opposition or dissidents of the ruling regime. They would have shut-down the exercise and silenced it quickly with tear-gas, arrests and live-bullets.

What we are seeing is that some of the old heads are taken out. Also, that the NRM is ushering in their next generation. As the kin of the leaders are introduced like in the Kampala Central MP race, Cedric Babu has become the NRM Flagbearer to compete in that race. Just like Kuteesa¨s daughter and Museveni¨s son too. There are enough issues ahead, but shows the signs of a pattern here.

There will be more, as the postponement of some primaries will be returned. The deals have to either made behind closed doors or not. Just like reports of Beti Kamya paid of Singh Katangole 550m UGX for securing the Rubaga North. Wouldn’t be shocked if there was more deals like this behind closed doors. Where the documentation wasn’t out in the open.

That is also a very vital part of these elections. It is about ensuring your time to eat. So, that you have your slot, your seat and your money-bag from 2021. That is why its such a high reward for the risk of running in these elections.

The NRM Primaries are filled with irregularities, violence and use of force. They are always like that. That is why people are dying so some folks can secure power.

The NRM have in their slogan the word “Unity”. However, these elections are unifying, but showing a sign, which they shouldn’t be proud of. This is not the fault of the NRM Electoral Commission, but a party culture that been running rampant for years. That is the commercialization of the politics, the cost of operation and the price of losing. This is why the NRM is operating like this and with the risks of self-destruction at places too.

As they flaunts guidelines, social distancing and doesn’t safeguard the voting public. While holding rallies, polls and political meetings in the middle of global pandemic. Surely, the results of this will be more spread of COVID-19 and the state will pay that price.

What was the main lesson of today: The NRM Primaries is a circus, just another one compared to the ones in 2015. Peace.

Digital Campaigning: Expect opposition candidates to be blocked from the air-waves during the campaigns…

The Electoral Commission released the Road Map for the General Elections of 2021 today. This is so everyone involved, every stakeholder and party can adjust their programs. They can work towards the deadlines, deliver their nominated candidates and prepare for impact. We can all assume this is done for some transparency. However, there been no legislation nor any changes of substance since the 2016 General Elections. So expect another rigged race and outcome, which is already pre-fixed by the buddies within the EC.

To think otherwise in 2020 is naive and deluded. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) will own the Parliament, will hold the stranglehold on the Presidency and will only give breadcrumbs to the Opposition. That is what it does to show sympathy and also prove to donors that it has some sort of democracy. Even when all know it isn’t real and there are no level playing-field.

The Road Map today was striking and COVID-19 based, as the EC is preparing for digitally campaigning for all the parties involved. The Electoral Commission stated today this: “Mass rallies will not be allowed but campaigns will be conducted mainly through media” (EC, 16.06.2020).

With this in mind, the candidates on various of levels has a short span of time to hit the airwaves, online outlets and on the TV screens. This is coming as the state has enforced the OTT Tax and made it expensive to be on social media. The state also known for blocking opposition leaders to on the local radios. If they are sincere in this election. They will open up the radios, let the opposition candidates have conversations and appeal to the public through there. As the rural areas isn’t fully operative with internet to every village and home. There are not even electricity to every home. That is why this strategy will backfire and someone will not get the whole gist from all candidates.

We can also expect that the President and the NRM blocks the airwaves for the times of the speeches of the President. Especially in the time frame of the digitally campaigns. That is just inevitable. He will block Besigye and Bobi Wine from speaking out at the same time. He will not accept that. That is hurting his fragile ego.

There are just something we can anticipate. There will be self-made sessions on Facebook and Live Taping, which is not needed with any media house. However, if the people want to reach far and wide. Than they need to hit the airwaves, needs to be on the TV stations and be able to speak across the platforms. We have seen in the past that the Uganda Communication Commission has sanctioned Radios, TV stations for having Bobi Wine on. They have also blocked Besigye, even RDCs has blocked Besigye for appearing on Radio shows. So, we anticipate a hurdle and destructive patterns here.

The system and control from high above will be visible here. I don’t expect it to really change. However, they should if they want it to look good. I expect arrests, house-arrests and other things. Just as the opposition are trying to travel to radio stations and such. That is just the sad reality Also expect police to block stations and stop from transmitting. This is just something that will appear. Later the UCC and RDC will have an excuse and do it for “safety”. Even if the Opposition is supposed to be allowed on the airwaves. While the NRM candidates and Flag-Bearers can do whatever they feel.

This is just my imagination, but I don’t think its far fetched from the possibly reality in a few months time. Unless, they suddenly opens for rallies and then venues will be closed. Where the Opposition will be chased by the authorities and sometimes end behind bars. Peace.

Only Museveni can celebrate Independence Day: Bobi Wine’s concert is blocked!

“Besides, police would not be able to fully provide the requested for security as our main effort will be on securing the national Independence Day celebrations in Sironko district,” the letter reads in part” (NBS Television, 08.10.2019)

The Osabala Concert at One Love Beach on the 57^th Independence of the Republic has been blocked by the Police Force for their ordinary reason. “Safety” and whatever else concerns the state has, as the musician and politician Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine was prepared to hold a concert at his venue again. Since, everything else is steadily blocked for him during the last two years.

This is the first concert his tried to hold in the Republic in a long while. Not the first nor the last time the National Resistance Movement will close of venues of other people and politicians celebrating independence day. Because, its only an independence celebration if the President and his cronies are there. If not its deemed unfit and dangerous.

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) are planning also an event at the FDC Headquarters at Najjankumbi, but don’t expect that to go through either. As the state has a gift of blocking these events.

I didn’t expect Bobi Wine to get this. Just like the other politicians who has tried to celebrate the day without His Excellency. That is just mere impossible in the Republic. The freedom is limited and only the one given by him. Your lucky if your free and have the liberty to celebrate it. Especially if your figure who oppose him. Than, your freedoms are limited and your moves are restricted. Just like in the manner of the concert of Bobi Wine.

He just had to be blocked. Even if there is no evidence, no clues or no intelligence saying it will be an issue. Just that the orders from high above says so. That the President doesn’t want to be outshined or be exposed for his hypocrisy on the 57^th Independence Day. That cannot happen and Bobi Wine just have to shut-up.

That is initially what the President is saying. Expect arrests either today or tomorrow. Of fellow peers, of people going towards One Love Beach. Expect FDC leaders in trouble too. They are always in the mix. While President will bless an venue with his deception of freedom, liberty and liberation, which was made for him and his cronies, but not the whole republic. Peace.

Opinion: The UCC report on breach of “minimum standard” is the anti-broadcasting Bobi Wine Report!

The Uganda Communication Commission report on the breach of minimum standard is really about the media houses, radios and TV-Stations broadcasting events and court-trials. This investigation report goes on supposed breaches of broadcasting standards.

All observations and affairs in these circumstances just happen to be involving the People Power Movement, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and his affairs with the law. The demonstrations or the return from a police station.

This being the reports from Bukedde TV, BBS, NTV and NBS Television. What is really striking from all of this, is that the UCC recommends actions of “remain impartial and non-partisan in the course of their work”. Still, this whole report itself is only looking to breaches following Bobi Wine and sometimes Dr. Kizza Besigye,

These all stems from the same time and incidents surrounding Bobi Wine on the 29^th April 2019. The UCC is all looking into the messages about this. Not about any other instance or investigating how the media houses followed the messages of the state. No, only how it blessed the air-ways with content following an arrest of unlawful assembly, as the politician tried to hold an Kyarenga Extra Concert on East Monday; Which the state blocked.

The report doesn’t look into how the state acted towards him. Neither is the mandate of UCC to do this. But it is interesting that their scope is on this and they are showing loyalty to the “high above” this way. Because, it makes it obvious.

That the reporters, the media houses, the radios and TV-Stations should be “non-partisan” the NRM way and not follow up on arbitrary arrest of opposition figures. Because, that incite violence, startle the public to demonstrate or even can cause “riots”. Since, this will not happen if they just show Museveni in 3D all day or make mash-ups of his latest speeches.

This is an targeted assault on media freedom from the UCC. This is biased attack on these media house. Nothing else too it. Peace.

[A Memo] The NRM will never accept Bobi Wine!

If you didn’t the get the memo.

You can get it now.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM), President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and all his comrades will never ever accept Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. They will never ever take him in or give him way.

President Museveni called him in the midst of a speech today “indisciplined” and Muhammad Nsereko said he couldn’t other things than his family. Both of them is part of the Junta and the regime itself. They are just not as fabulously worded as Tamale Mirundi and Andrew Mwenda. Still, the same sort of affair and wording is there.

The President and the NRM will never ever open up the door for a Bobi Wine. Just like it never opened the door for Dr. Kizza Besigye. They have used the same words and opinions against him. This is recycled propaganda and rhetoric aimed at another political advisory. Now its Bobi Wine. His is in the spotlight and is the bird that is shoot down.

The bus isn’t letting anyone who isn’t anointed by His Excellency. The chairman and the Executive is now disbarring him. Just like he and his allies has done in the past. It doesn’t matter if Bobi Wine would speak of genuine dialogue and actual peaceful change. The President doesn’t want to step down and he expects blind loyalty like from the people. That is why the MP and artist is indisciplined.

We know that the ones defying and actually resisting the general of the Resistance Movement gets into trouble and get all kind of names. Right now that is Bobi Wine, he just happening to be the guy who stand on a mantle, just like Besigye have done and does. Therefore, his not the cadre or the minion that the President wants. Peace.

Opinion: Government Spokesperson Opondo says Bobi Wine is fair-game!

“Bobi Wine will be neutralized , he is just excited at his age , yes he has American backers but he will be stopped. He isn’t the first to oppose this government, ,we shall make sure he comes to his senses” – Ofwono Opondo on Capital FM (05.05.2019).

Well, this isn’t new, this is more of the same. The National Resistance Movement have tried to do this with plenty and doing this to Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine wouldn’t be revolutionary. That the Director of the Uganda Media Centre, Hon. Ofwono Opondo spoke like this on Capital FM proves the will of the NRM to do whatever to silence the opposition, just as previously broadcast. Just, in this case, all gloves are off.

The man speaks of neutralize a person, meaning to shield him and stop him. This is not having an conversation or even a dialogue. That is far-fetched in this view. This is to ensure, that the MP and Opposition leader follows the program and salutes the master. Bobi Wine is supposed to be a tool and messenger for the Presidency, not challenge it, unless it is in a rigged election and his supposed to accept to loose it. Then, his following the program and being sensitized the right way.

Opondo is clear in his message, though ironic, the Ugandan government is heavy indebted to donor aid over the years of the United States, military training and equipment. It is not like the UPDF would be such a machinery and such a well equipped army, if it wasn’t for the US giving and aiding it. The UPDF couldn’t be such a big Blue-Helmet Operator if not. Not like the North Koreans could supply this or even aid them. This is well-know, so maybe, Opondo should send kisses to Washington D.C. and not claim anything on Bobi Wine whose only retained a US Lawyer Amsterdam.

By all means, the Ugandan government should stop all their connections to the US administration and the aids they are giving. If they are afraid of the interference with Bobi Wine. They should look into their own business and give way. In the meantime, it is easy spin to put blame on Bobi Wine, while the ones eating heavy is in the State House and done so since 1986. Maybe, the greatness of Opondo, even forgot that Museveni was one of the Golden Generation of Bill Clinton, meet in the White House with Ronald Reagan. But hey, that is forgotten history and who needs that.

It is time for Opondo to check his credentials and even his aspirations. Since, his way out of line, but his telling it like it is. Not sugar-coating it. He said he will neutralize him and stop him. They are not playing games. Bobi Wine is a target. Someone for the taking. This is just the beginning. The arrests, house-arrests and charges, until he follows the party line of the NRM. Until then, his fair-game. Peace.

Bobi Wine is out on bail, but not FREE!

Today, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine is temporarily free for yet another term. As they took him home after a few days in Luzira Prison on unlawful assembly and inciting violence. Since he with the bail form has accepted to return to Buganda Road Magistrate Court on the 23^rd May 2019. This means his only out for about 3 weeks before attending another Court Trial again.

This means the state is starting the process, which they are still continuing from last year in Arua. Where the ones charged for throwing alleged stones on the Presidential Convoy there. The Arua By-Election and the post-election violence, where the driver of Bobi Wine was killed, but nothing has been carried out or official in the concern.

Well, so we can expect that Bobi Wine will return again and again to Court to answer on his demonstration against the Social Media Tax. It is ironic that his Trial went over the VPN from Luzira to Buganda Road Magistrate Court. Where the Courts was doing whatever they could to make it hard.

This battle is far from over, the media houses claiming his free, sadly his not. This is the second charge that is still sticking on him. The Treason Charge of Post Arua By-Election and now the Unlawful Assembly and Inciting violence of July 2018. Therefore, the actions of last year is still haunting him.

The authorities and the state will continue to pursuit and hunt him down. They will arrest him and take him in. Because, they fear his message and what he stands for, which the President doesn’t at this point. The Member of Parliament are really challenging him and the state cannot stomach it.

So, remember, MP Bobi Wine isn’t free, his on BAIL. On a Second Trial and a long-waiting pending case, which the state is still trying to produce evidence for. Which by the manner of these people will take forever until it gets dismissed about 2022-2023. Peace.

Hon. Francis Zaake Statement on Bobi Wine’s Trial Today (02.05.2019)

Today, we attended a court session at Buganda road court in a case involving Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi on one part and Uganda on the other, peculiar enough is the use of video conferencing. It has been applied for the first time in Uganda.

The state has been overwhelmed by protests against the injustice against H.E Bobi Wine to the extent that, they have done all but out of fear.

They feared delivering him physically to Buganda road court.

They judge expressed fear outrightly in her ruling.

They feared containing him any longer.

This is no freedom for Hon. Kyagulanyi at all, it cannot be for us either. There is no freedom unless we liberate ourselves from dictatorship.
It is absolutely our duty and role as Ugandans to determine how we should be governed, we must not be governed out of fear, it must be done out of love for humanity.

Many will critique our approach, but recollecting the words of Theodore Roosevelt, we soldier on. He says that, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Ugandans should join the arena and jettison the junta out of the presidency of this country.

#NB. Vice president Nubian li is safe!

Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine – Bail Form/Release Letter (02.05.2019)