Parliament of Uganda: Leader of the Opposition Mathias Mpuuga – Statement on Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya’s Condition (21.08.2023)

Opinion: Butchaman sold his soul and now he wants to reclaim it…

Without me NRM was not going to defeat Bobi Wine. I would like to thank President Museveni for appointing me as his advisor, I promise to be loyal to him. My brother Bebe Cool told me that Bobi Wine has one trick that he beats them with, he does not respond to people who attack him. I would like to tell you that I have come with 45 tricks to end Bobi Wine’s political fame” – Butchaman aka Mark Bugembe on 29th October 2019

Well, it is just one of those days… Mark Bugembe alias Butchaman has found out the hard way. Back in the day ahead of the 2021 elections, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) was doing whatever it could to be viable and relevant in the ghettos. That was done because Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine was a rising star there and becoming a leader of his own. Therefore, President Museveni sought after allies and friends of Bobi Wine to boost his campaign.

One of the men and people that the NRM captured was Butchaman. He was promised a fancy title, a livelihood and being closely associated with the President. He became all of a sudden the Presidential Advisor on Ghetto Affairs. That was done to hurt Bobi Wine and the People Power Movement.

Alas, while that was done in October 2019. There was other who followed him and these has also gotten scorned. In the hey-day and the beginning they will get all the perks. However, that will not last… because they aren’t bringing much to the table. They where poached to hurt and be the demise of another political leader. That’s why they are appointed and why they left the side of former friends of Bobi Wine. It’s all for Museveni to show his power and might. That he could sway them and get them under his roof.

Now we are in the middle of July 2023 and the 2021 election is a fading memory for some. Even if the ramifications of it is still felt to this day. Families are hurt, families are without their fathers or mothers, as they are detained for their political affiliation. If not they have lost loved ones just for associating with Bobi Wine. Because that all happened before and after the polls. That’s a fact… the state didn’t just alter the results and rig the elections. It also hurt the ones who stood tall and are still standing.

When you know this and read that Butchaman is disappointed that he only see Museveni on the TV and wants to return to Bobi. It’s just like… why bother now? You ditched him when he needed you and when the Movement, and party was getting operative. That’s when you moved to a safe-haven and securing your own self.

Maybe the man should use the 45 tricks of his sleeve and change the narratives of his own life. Maybe the supposed Presidential Advisor could give some solid advice for ones. I know I am asking a lot, but I am indifferent about this man. He sold his soul and he has to carry that burden now. He cannot just reclaim it and get accepted into the fold.

Butchaman thought he had gotten the trophy and the prize. He thought he was the next big thing and what the NRM was missing. Alas, he couldn’t see that they was just using him as a prop and a plot to undermine Bobi Wine. While that didn’t last or work. They are just leaving him behind and forgetting about him. He is of no use and certainly, why should the NUP or the People Power Movement trust him?

He already accepted the bag and the title. Butchaman can easily do it again. Peace.

Opinion: Mapenduzi MP just turn yellow…

“I don’t believe Uganda is a poor country. Its just a few crooks that enjoy fueling  the confusion happening in this country” Martin Ojara Mapenduzi (UBC, 14.06.2023).

“Bardege-Layibi division Legislator Martin Ojara Mapenduzi has finally resigned from the leadership of the Public Accounts Committee on Local Government after one and a half years of the opposition’s attempt to have him vacate this office. Immediately after his resignation, the ruling NRM appointed him to Head the Public Service and Local Government Committee a sectoral committee that is supposed to be chaired by NRM legislators” (NBS Television, 20.06.2023).

Some MPs are disingenuous and flagging their wrong colours. They use a party or a popular wave to get elected. Because they know the support and the popular voice will get them elected. However, when the work in the Parliament begins the true colours of the person is shown. The MP used the party and the popular politician to reach office. This isn’t new and has happen in all opposition party.

Today, we can see how someone is becoming a pawn of the NRM. When his supposed to be an independent MP. His looking like a mercenary and a hired gun for the NRM. He is serving the interest of the ruling regime and not being a honourable person to defy or pressure the government as an opposition member.

Just read his quote as his getting a new appointed position in Parliament…

“I did my part. I executed my mandate as a Member of Parliament. It has nothing to do with political party. Nothing to do with personal. It is about our rules dictates and it has a lot to do with the conduct of an individual Member of Parliament” – Martin Ojara Mapenduzi (NTV Uganda, 20.06.2023).

This is him taking responsibility for the impeachment and the removal of Hon. Francis Zaake from the office of Commissioner of Parliament in the 11th Parliament. Mapenduzi MP was happy to serve and be a loyal subject of the NRM. Now that paid him off and he got a new office as a price.

Therefore, the MP should do himself a favour and just join the yellow. It isn’t personal or about political parties. However, it is about integrity and honesty. Honestly the MP should be accountable for his actions… and should just act righteous for ones. He decided to eat and take no accountability for his actions. That’s why his giddy and happy for his good fortunes.

Mapenduzi MP do yourself a favour. You resigned or dropped the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ahead of the 2021 elections. After that you ran on an Independent Ticket while leaning on the NUP. However, that didn’t matter when you got in office and got power. That’s when you turned left and never looked back.

We surely know there is no integrity or moral judgement surrounding the MP. He will just serve and collect the silver coins as they are coming. The MP might act like his just following procedure and protocol. However, these actions tend to only appear or be involved in critical voices or dissidents. The same matters don’t happen to the NRM or the ones who speak ill there. Therefore, the MP isn’t serious when speaking like this.

His now following the crooks who is fuelling the confusion of the nation. Peace.

Uganda Law Society (ULS): Persistent Unlawful Interference by the Uganda Polcie with Citizens’ Rights to Peacefully Assemble and Demonstrate together (25.04.2023)

Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC): Statement on Police Brutality against Peaceful and Lawful Gatherings (27.04.2023)

Opinion: Bwanika is ready to dip…

“Abed Bwanika threatens to quit NUP if constitutional reforms regulating elected leaders to two terms are not reconsidered. The Kimanya Kabonera MP spit fire on CBS over the weekend where he claimed the reforms will deny the party senior and experienced leaders like himself” (The Kampala Journal, 25.04.2023).

I am neither shocked nor surprised that this comes from Hon. Abed Bwanika. He has become a journeyman of sorts. Bwanika is the former three times Presidential Candidate. A man who has been on the ballot in 2006, 2011 and 2016. Also created a church and a political party. Before joining National Unity Platform (NUP).

Bwanika was the only independent candidate in 2006 but had already launched his People’s Development Party (PDP) by the 2011 elections. A party he ran on its platform until the 2016 elections. In the term after that he joined the DP Block and became a part of the new outfit. That happened in 2019 and he bolted from that and stood on the ballot for NUP in 2021 elections as an MP.

That just shows how swiftly everything changed and how he went from one outfit or party to another. He went from his own and became a part of the DP Block. However, when that didn’t go to plan. Bwanika left and found a safe haven in the NUP.

Now he is issuing grievances and coming with threats of leaving. Surely, if he leaves his just another journeyman and vagabond who flees the party. Another one of them who got hooked on the wave, but now see the reality of the party he entered. A man who couldn’t phantom that the party had principals and ideals to adhere too.

Bwanika has already tried to get into Presidency three times and finally entered office with the NUP. He has gotten the opportunity to be an MP and he got nothing to show from it. As an MP he hasn’t been vocal or caused a commotion. Neither is he causing a stir or even writing motions to get legislation done. Therefore, his just eating and enjoying the perks of the office without doing more work.

I’m not surprised that he was against the idea of two terms for elected officials within the NUP. He could just dip or ditch the party. Nevertheless, a man who was willing to stand three times for the Presidency and fails. He feels obligated to try more than ones in another office. That is just basic human behaviour. It would go against everything inside him to do otherwise.

Bwanika wants to represent and be a high ranking official. He finally has entered Parliament and with this party constitution. His only allowed to be the MP one more term. That means it is all ending soon and before he really gets to eat. When he has fought tooth and nail since 2006.

We know he can trade his ideals beliefs, because he has in the past sworn an affidavit in support of the elections in 2006 and in defence of Museveni. Therefore, he could easily be swayed again. It just shows how open policy the NUP has when they have allowed these characters to join and get to eat cake.

Bwanika should feel lucky and blessed to be where he is. Because, as a Presidential Candidate he was a joke. Now he finally has a voice and a party to reconcile with. A party that isn’t a briefcase one, but a legit one. That’s why he was able to be elected in the first place. Bwanika should pray to the Gods and be grateful.

Now he does the opposite and proves what sort of journeyman he is. Peace.

Opinion: Mpuuga showing his greed…

Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga is opposed to the provision of term limits for Members of Parliament in the recently amended constitution of National Unity Platform. Hon. Mpuuga says the amendments will deter the development of the youngest political party, which currently needs experienced legislators” (NBS Television, 24.04.2023).

The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga is showing his traits. Not that it’s shocking or anything. Nevertheless, it is telling his priorities. Instead of showing the difference between the National Unity Platform (NUP) and National Resistance Movement (NRM).

His a seasoned politician and trying to scheme his way through. Using a tactic of growth and building a party. However, I feel this is a self-serving objective. Especially, considering that his already on his third term as MP and standing for the second party. He has twice Represented Democratic Party and also joined parties with Go Forward. Secondly, he has also switched districts and is now an MP as a part of the NUP. Meaning he has been able to find his way and gain the momentum to be re-elected three times.

Therefore, with that being said. I feel that this statement is being made for his own cause. The LOP isn’t saying this to better the NUP or create a better future. His just afraid he just have one more term and then he has to be left without an office. I am sure Mpuuga could do a good job in the secretariat and be political asset of the party. Alas, that isn’t enough for someone like Mpuuga.

Mpuuga has excelled and reached the “promised land”. His a man of stature and appointed with respect. He has come so far from the Action4Change (A4C9 days and Walk to Work Protests. Mpuuga has gone from being a Uganda Young Democrat (UYD) to A4C to DP to NUP. A man who has changed parties and moved forward.

Now that his a head of the curve. He has a say and a voice. It is by all means that doesn’t want to let go. Mpuuga has risen into prominence and gotten the office, which reflects his struggle to get there. Surely he knows the perks, as he has even had years in office in the Lukiiko as a Minister for a few years. Leadership roles is something that has come natural to him.

However, even if people has trusted him and given him responsibilities. That doesn’t mean it is rightfully his. Neither does it mean he should be an elected official for the rest of his life. Yes, his in his 40s now and has more years before retirement. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean he should serve all those years in Parliament. His already lucky that he was able to be a MP for three terms.

His asking for a possible fourth and also a fifth. Because, it is not enough for him to re-elected on NUP ticket a second time. He believes it is right for him to have more for the “growth” of the party. That’s why this sounds like a selfish expedition. I don’t believe it is in the best interests of the NUP. No, this is said and done for his own pockets. He knows the earning and perks of being an MP. Mpuuga will not give that up easily. Most likely after a second term in the NUP. The current LOP will seek another or run as an Independent in his 50s.

That’s just what I am guess at this point of time. Mpuuga is a seasoned and calculative politician. A man who has been able to manoeuvre and get results. He will do so again and no one should be shocked or surprised by it. Peace.

National Unity Platform (NUP): Statement on Amended Constitution (16.04.2023)

Opinion: The UPF is ill-advised here…

“As the Joint Security Agencies, we have obtained credible about plans by NUP to reactivate their structures, through various mobilisation drives, in cities and major towns, to cause acts of disorder and lawlessness in the country. This development comes at a time when the county has been very peaceful. We therefore, call upon the NUP leadership to avoid such clandestine methods of work and instead use legitimate means to achieve their objectives. We also encourage them to emulate the other political parties like the FDC, NRM and DP, that have continued to work within the provisions of the POMA and in harmony with the police” (Uganda Police Force – ‘POLITICIANS WARNED AGAINST HOLDING KUNGA MOBILISATIONS AND DEMONSTRATIONS’ 12.04.2023).

In the grand scheme of events, I never thought the UPF or the Uganda Police Force would say the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is righteous in their actions. That I cannot phantom or believe in 2023. Not after all the years with Dr. Kizza Besigye and how the UPF has monitored, targeted and the regime enacted the Public Order Management Act (POMA) just because of the FDC!

That’s why reading this today infuriating me. Not only because the Constitutional right to assemble and demonstrate is gone from the opposition. To protest or demonstrate in the Republic is long gone. That is in the wind and the authorities will not allow it. They not allowing opposition candidates at Guild elections to hold Press Conferences either. Neither is the Opposition allowed to hold friend football matches to fundraise for good causes either.

So, it isn’t like the UPF or the authorities are allowing the opposition to move or operate. The UPF who is blocking radio stations, venues, conferences, and whatnot for years. The UPF who isn’t allowing the opposition to pray or even participate at events. The same UPF is now saying they are the good ones. They must be kidding me and think we are stupid.

It is amazing that the UPF is lecturing the National Unity Platform (NUP) this way. When nothing they are doing is allowed. Nothing that they think of or even considers doing. They are only allowed within the premises of the Headquarters and after that it’s a free-for-all. Therefore, putting them in the same line as the ruling party NRM is exhausting. The NRM can hold rallies, galivanting across the republic and not consider even to petition the UPF. They just show up and can even hold demonstrations for “favourable” causes. Therefore, who is the UPF trying to fool?

We know the tear-gas, the arrests, and the well-known police brutality. We know how the UPF operates and how it will raid the offices of the NUP or FDC. The way and manner of pre-emptive house-arrests of leaders, if not take them away and keep them incommunicado for a while too. That’s what the UPF does, and I wouldn’t be shocked if it happens now too. It is just the way the authorities and the UPF acts. Peace.