Opinion: Bobi Wine and POA got a harsh ride to Kyambogo

Yesterday was a peaceful fanfare of sorts, the sort where everything was allowed and everyone participating could be filled with joy. As the Presidential Candidates travelled to the venue of Kyambogo University Cricket Grounds.

Today is another bargain. The police have been heavy, using tear-gas and arresting FDC leaders at their Najjakumbi headquarters. They even arrested Presidential Candidate Patrick Oboi Amuriat as he entered the HQ. The Police Force have no subtle ways, but only intimidation and force against the opposition. He is taken to an unknown location together with other FDC leaders. Later they dropped him off at Kyambogo after the arrest at Kyambogo to prepare for candidacy, but because of the manner they did. He didn’t have shoes, because they just bundled him into the car and drove off. Neither, does he have any of his nomination documents, because they just took him from Najjakumbi…

On the convoy of the National Unity Platform, Bobi Wine aka Robert Kygulanyi. They been following him from his homestead all through Kampala. They have been tear-gassing and using force against people. In a manner, which we didn’t see yesterday.

There was still massive crowds around Bobi Wine and his convoy. In such a way, that the President and his people couldn’t gather. However, we do still see the vast difference on how the authorities acts towards the FDC and the NUP.

Both have arrived to Kyambogo. The journey will now continue, but it shouldn’t be this hard. No need to be this hard, but the state is doing it. Just to prove a point, because they know how popular them both are. Therefore, one got the harsh treatment and the other got shielded. Though his supporters got tear-gas, as long as the state could contain it. However, at some point it became to many and to big of a crowds.

That says it all. This sort of drama even before the speeches and the manifestos. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni needed to warn the public on his Nomination Day…

I hear chatter about those who intend to cause chaos. I am a Presidential candidate but I’m still President. I can assure you, nobody is going to threaten our peace. Those who will attempt it will regret it. We don’t joke around, NRM fought to bring peace. Nobody has more guns than we do, but we don’t go around intimidating people. I hear they are working with foreigners. No foreigner is going to change anything here in Uganda. To Ugandans, if you have information on such stupid acts, report it to authorities. It is possible some Police officers are corrupt, but you can use other channel” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on 2nd November 2020 (Nomination Day for Presidency).

The President has today gotten nominated as a “presidential candidate” for the 2021 elections. Though this was just a automatic event for him and the National Resistance Movement (NRM). We all knew this day would come. It has been scheduled since 1986 and was a “non-starter” for the most of us.

It is not he would be annulled or be rejected from standing as a candidate. The President was confirmed and verified by the Electoral Commission first. The old man with the hat is only going through the motions. As he could have been riding in on a donkey or on a electric kick scooter, as he would pass through the suburbs of Kampala. However, we knew the man would never do that. He needed the Presidential Convoy and all of his guns on display. 

What we do know and what he did was incite fear and intimidation. That is his steady M.O. and what he has done forever. We know that he has the backing of the army and the police force. That CMI, ISO and other outfits works directly for him. This is common knowledge and isn’t new. He even have LDUs ready to aim at the ones standing in his way. Therefore, the cause of fear and stirring the pot. Is so common for this man.

A man that has been in power since 1986. Still has to use these tactics. Shows how far he has come. That he haven’t ensured real peace and true popularity with the people. If he had the popularity and the trust in the people. He wouldn’t swing out with the guns and the need to speak like this. Because, if he was truly popular. He would feel the love and would bash in it. Not use weapons, the army or the authorities to keep people in check.

However, that is what he does and got too. Because, this is the only way he stays ahead of the curve. This man wouldn’t be the President or have power, if it wasn’t for guns. That is why he clings on to it and uses it at any means. The guns and the soldiers are his buddies and the ones saving his day. He wouldn’t have the audacity or the power, if it wasn’t for them.

That’s why he had to say it. He wasn’t even discreet about it. The man just said it: “nobody have more guns than we do”. That is his message. That is his measure and his safety pin. This is what keeps him relaxed and at sleep at night. That he has the guns and the others doesn’t. He got the army, the police and everyone else armed to their teeth’s. As long as it stays like that.

He feels safe and secure. Not worried about anyone, because he can always aim those guns against the ones standing in his way. That is the memo we can get from today. Peace.

The Campaign of Fear 2020 Edition: As Museveni prepares for 2021 Presidential Elections

The National Resistance Movement (NRM and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is preparing for the 2021 General Elections. As always the President and his regime is using all means to have access and control ahead of the polls. This giving supplementary budgets to the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).

The red berets ban of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) is one key component this election cycle. Everything looking alike military attire can cause trouble. This being berets, clothes and even logos. The UPDF will use force and also call in the Police Force to take the goods and charge the ones wearing it. They have even arrested 70 year old lady for wearing red. That is how far they are taking it this election cycle.

One thing they are also doing this year is to re-issuing the Violence Suppression Unit (VSU) at the Uganda Police Force ahead of the Polls. This is a units specifically aimed at the crowds and the gatherings of people, as the state is having “scientific” campaigns. Therefore, the ordinary fashion of campaigning is suspended within this election cycle.

The UPDF have also made use of Local Defence Units (LDUs), which will be used as a tool to incite fear and intimidate the public ahead of the elections. As they are locally trained armed personnel, ready to shoot and kill. If anyone dares to question the authority of the state.

Another newcomer is the joint security and media council, which is issuing guidelines for the Media Houses. One that has barred National Unity Platform (NUP) aspirants across the republic and especially, if they are wearing red berets. The Media Houses have also been warned by the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) to not host NUP aspirants, as memos have been and possibly loose license to broadcast, if they do. That is the initial campaign strategy of the regime to bar the real opposition from the airways.

The continued pressure now ahead of nomination days is that Uganda Police Force is coming with warnings of processions and gatherings around the Presidential Aspirants. As they have put curfews over several parts of Kampala. They have given out warnings of tear-gas, arrests and said boda-boda’s shouldn’t gather. Calling groupings of boda-boda’s militias even. That is how far the authorities are going these days.

We can see how the state is working on overtime. The UPDF have already stated they are a partisan government entity under the NRM. Civil servants are supposed to be automatically loyal too and so fourth. The State is really using all means to keep the system alive and kicking. This is why the army and police force is coming with intimidating force ahead of the campaigns.

Instead of being there serving everyone equally, the NRM are using the state and its arms to beat the public into submission. The armed personnel and police force is there serving the NRM as an entity and not serving the whole state. That is the brutal reality in all of this.

That is why the State House and the President have ensured they have LDUs, VSU and other ones to ensure total control ahead of the polls and during campaigns. The President is allowed to have much people around his nomination day, while the others are banned from having over a certain amount of people following the convoy of the candidate.

Surely, there will be blood, there will be tears and there will be suffering. As the state will address all opposition with a rough hand. There will no mercy and also fierce retributions towards the public. That is the reality of it all.

There will be more and the next 48 hours will be testing. The state have prepared for this. They are inciting fear, using intimidation and using the joint security apparatus to silence people in their way. That is what they do. They cannot act with humility and give people way. No, they got to shoot and then investigate why they shot later. Peace.

Opinion: Wearing a Red Beret is now a cardinal sin

Last year in September the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) gazetted their dress codes, which included the red berets. The Red Beret, which is iconic and is the symbol of the People Power Movement, People Power Alliance and the National Unity Platform. This is why, even on his own campaign poster. Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine isn’t allowed to wear it.

There are activists and aspirants who has been arrested for wearing it. The NUP Aspirants has been picked up the moment after the nominations. They can even just try access the general public, but by doing so. They will be arrested and later released on bail.

That is what is happening to the NUP and Bobi Wine. The state have even used massive funds to take down and move posters of Bobi Wine. While having police officers looking at the National Resistance Movement putting up posters of the President.

We know it is a cardinal sin, when the President can wear his infamous hat on the post. While Bobi Wine couldn’t wear his beret. You see the double standard, because I do. However, that is not new.

The NRM could hold primaries, let the voters stand in line and even hold sort of rallies ahead of it. They could even follow and cheer as their candidates was elected. While the opposition and NUP couldn’t even congregrate and nearly have functions for their delegates. Still, the NRM apologists says its all headquarters decisions, but the opposition struggles to do basics. When the laws are differently for them compared to the ruling regime.

The same is with the headgear. The NRM can wear yellow military fatigue, heck they can wear actual military fatigue. They can have yellow berets and be all in military fashion. While the problem all along is that Bobi Wine is wearing it and symbolizing it.

The red beret is a sign of oppression and the state is amplifying it too. They are now making it illegal for anyone wearing it on-air. They will use the gazette from last year as the legal basis. However, why are they doing this?

This is showing how the revolutionary and liberation heroes becomes the next tormentor. The supposed liberator becomes a tyrant. When you are micro-managing like this and arresting people for wearing something. It isn’t new… before the 2016 elections, there was an instance of some who made T-Shirts with Besigye. These was arrested and they confiscated the T-Shirts too. That is who the authorities work against them. However, it is all cool to have Jajja, Bosco or Mr. Sunday on a yellow T-shirt.

Now, in 2020 and in 2021, everything associated with Bobi Wine will be illegal. That is why NUP candidates are blocked from radio stations and it’s supposed to be “scientific” campaigns. Clearly, there are no fair way of doing this and everything can be deemed a crime.

The Red Beret is a Cardinal Sin now. Saint Gregory the Great must be so proud. That a head gear is at the same point as lust, envy, pride, anger and sloth…

The Red Beret is now the proof of how the state oppress its citizens. It will be more and sooner or later… it should be enough of this. This is not securing the future or steady progress. This is “No Change”, which is the most fitting slogan that Museveni ever gave himself. Peace.

Opinion: The “Scientific Elections” will unmask the brutal truth

As we are beginning the campaigns and the run-up to the elections of 2021. The reality will hit the public. We will see the truth about how the authorities and law enforcement act upon the dissidents and opposition. The regime will show it true colour and cannot act surprised. The way they do and what happens will clearly show a significant pattern. That cannot be judged on sudden reaction to an rally or a consultative meetings.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) have before the campaigns already shown unfair the society is. As they have had the capacity to hold rallies and be in the general public. While the opposition have been blocked from radio stations and holding consultative meetings. This being the pre-equal to the General Election next year.

As well, as the same rules are allowing rallies, processions and so fourth for the aspirants of the NRM. While opposition cannot even be nominated or have a press conference without being directly arrested a hot minute after. That has happen to so many, that its total obstruction of their justice and rights to campaign.

These “Scientific elections” are supposed to be like this because of the danger of COVID-19 or Coronavirus. The pandemic that are upholding social distancing and PPE. The reality is that, we will see a double standard, which will be common. The opposition not allowed to rural radio houses and up-country. While NRM can campaign both within media houses and on the streets, The posters of opposition will be taken down. The NRM can even spread posters through Bukedde, Daily Monitor and so fourth.

The Uganda Communication Committee (UCC), Uganda Police Force (UPF) and Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) will all work directly for the NRM. These will order media houses to not have opposition leaders on-air. Neither, will the UPF and the UPDF allow the opposition to greet the public. While the UCC will not block the NRM from appearing on-air and neither will law-enforcement block the NRM for greeting the public. The UPDF and UPF will walk side-by-side with the NRM aspirants.

That is why we know the game is rigged. The NRM will have all favours and always have a helping hand. The authorities and all part of the state apparatus will work for them. They are serving the NRM and not the general public. It doesn’t matter if it is DP, UPC, FDC, NUP, JEEMA or anyone else. They are troublemakers and will be hit by the state.

These elections and campaigns will not be fair. The state and all of its actors will use their mandates to put hurdles in the way of the opposition. The NRM will have a soft landing, while the others has to go on a crash-course and hope for as little damage as possible. Because, no matter what the opposition does. It will be countered and there will be resistance. The NRM will not offer any goodwill and will only cause havoc.

The NRM will use the state as their partner in crime. Every possible way to act will be punished and there will be no remorse. The state will have no sympathy and show no heart. They will not condone and not beg for forgiveness. That is because, the NRM and the state believes you where stupid to challenge it and to stand up against it. You were supposed to be blind and submissive.

The NRM will have all the perks, all the opportunities, while they will undermine and mock the opposition for their troubles. The NRM wouldn’t be able to run, if they had the same hectic mess the opposition has. The NRM would malfunction and be on self-destruction, if they met the same obstacles, which it serves all opposition. They are used to have no way, while the NRM has the big high-way and a free way of opportunities. That is a luxury, which nobody else have. This is why the “Scientific Elections” only will amplify this and expose this rotten game. Which is rotten from the head to the grassroots. A system blessed from “high above” to the lowest civil servant. Peace.

Uganda: The tactic of intimidation ahead of the polls [as the NUP Headquarters are besieged]

Today, in Kamwokya in Kampala, the Headquarters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) have been besieged by the Uganda Police Force (UPF) and Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). There is also reports of Military Police and other agencies involved.

This is all done to intimidate the voters, the opposition party and the ones organizing the NUP. A direct challenge to Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. The authorities have confiscated red berets, face-masks and what else they do have at the Headquarters.

All of this has been done with no warrants, no warnings and no justification. Just a full fledged operation as the NUP planned their National Tour ahead of the 2021 General Elections. That is why this happen today.

The UPF and UPDF shows their partisanship, as they are loyal to the cause of the government and regime. Bobi Wine is clearly a threat. This is a sign what’s ahead for the party. The party who was able to raise millions of shillings to cover nomination fees. That has been done internally in the republic. Something, the state and regime wouldn’t believe was possible.

All of this is deliberate. An act of intimidation and spreading fear ahead of the polls. A message, that the NUP is a criminal organization and that they are an allowed target. This has been done to other political parties who has challenged the regime. The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has gotten the same treatment by the state before. Therefore, what is happening today isn’t new, but more of the same.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) needs to use fear to excel. They cannot reign with love and tolerance. They rather come with the armed forces and force themselves on people. That is why they are targeting the ones who challenge them. Right now its the NUP and Bobi Wine. This is why they are besieging the Headquarters, arresting activists, staff and injuring people too. All done in a manner to prove their relevance.

The apologist cannot speak of free and fair elections… when an opposition party cannot do its function and act as a party without the besieged of law enforcement at their doors. This is done because the NUP rise and popularity. The NRM cannot manage challengers and a level playing-field. If it were, the NRM would go after the berets, the colour and the name. This has all been over the time.

The oppression of the NUP continues and is a persistent fact ahead of the polls. The NRM apologist cannot change the fact. The UPF and UPDF will make some defensive statements about it later. There was a “ploy” and the “intelligence” of some “micro aggression” from them. This is also common after the cause. As they need a defence after the fact.

While we all know why this happened. NUP is under fire, because the President and his men are terrified of the rise of the party. If they wasn’t, they wouldn’t be there with all the guns and police officers to address it.

We know what the NUP planned to do in the coming days and also ensure as many of the nominated MPs could run in the up-coming elections. This is why the authorities are attacking it. To make it harder for them to operate. While spreading fear… intimidate and show force. Peace.

Muwanda & Co. Advocates: Press Statement (09.10.2020)

Opinion: It shouldn’t be this hard to make Museveni’s credentials public

It was the other day, when Lawyer Male Mabirizi petitioned and got the academic papers of the Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. In a heartbeat, the various parts of government scrambled the documents and delivered those to the lawyer. That happen without any hesitation. It was all released for the world to see.

While in Mid-August 2020 another lawyer Muwanda Nkunyingi petitioned the same authorities for the academic credentials of the President. The incumbent, the man of 1986 and beyond. This lawyer was asking for the documents produced for the General Election 2016. However, by the time of early September, the 3rd to be exact. The Electoral Commission only took a few words and sentences from the Election Petition of Amama Mbabazi No.1 of 2018 in the Supreme Court. That is all the public gets.

The President haven’t dropped the gems from the University of Dar Es Salaam or Ntare School, which he has often mentioned several of times. Still, the man who worked in the Research Bureau at one point should have documents and be able to prove his credentials. That shouldn’t be a toxic question and impossible. Unless, he has buried it, because it makes him look weak and not as intellectual as he wishes to be. The President always want to be right and be the teacher. Maybe, his just a KRS-ONE, instead of a Professor X. Who knows, right?

We are now over the middle of September 2020. This means it has gone close to a 1,5 month since the lawyer petitioned the Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commission answered a few weeks later and the letter from the 3rd September leaked today to the public on the 21st September. This means, the EC and the authorities have no plan of making them public. Like they do with the other opposition candidates.

If they could just use a minute to release the Bobi Wine credentials. It should be super easy to have the man who has stood for elections and had to be verified every 5 years. They should have copies upon copies in their achieves. There should be documents and credentials going back to 1996 or 2001. The President should have certified copies there.

Unless, he has dropped all those, because he wants to bury his past. Trying to make himself legendary by digging all his past into the ground. If not ensuring the institutions he went to deleted his and burned his past work. God knows right?

For a man that has ruled since 1986. It is weird that this is so hard to get a copy. That the Electoral Commission and the Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB) isn’t able to produce more than a fragment of a court order from 2018. That is like dropping nothing and intending to not release it. Because, the authorities and the state are wavy about how the public will react when they see the real deal.

The President wants to be a man of wisdom, but these sort of actions isn’t wise. It only proves that his hiding something. That he has some skeletons in his closet. If it was nothing… then it would have been released yesterday. Just like all the letters where the President micro-manage and directs others to do his bidding.

It is not a sign of strength, but a sign of weakness when your hiding this. The public deserves better, but the man of the ages is afraid of releasing this. It might show he sucked in in the sciences or had to retake a class. Maybe he never finished the studies in Tanzania? Who knows?

But… something is up. We just don’t know what. Peace.

Opinion: I expect that the NUP have to walk on water…

There would no other party, no other opposition party, which would go through so much pain and suffering. Than the party of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. That was to be anticipated ahead of the 2021 General Elections. All the soldiers are out, all the security organizations and the intelligence are watching.

The National Unity Platform (NUP), the former dead-in-the-water party that was resurrected by the People Power Movement (PPM), as they knew damn well that the Electoral Commission wouldn’t allow or accept a PPM registration. That is why the PPM together with its team took over the NUP and the body work. Re-issued a delegation conference last year and settled the score. Got verified by the Electoral Commission and the rest is history.

However, now the former Party President and such are retaliating, because of he relevance and because the state is going after them. The former NUP leadership is now haunted, because they sold and delegated the party to the People Power Movement. They are now in trouble and pushing to pursuit the new leadership of the party too. That’s what is happening.

Am I shocked? No, was this to be anticipated? Yes. Since, at gun-point, as being frightened and ambushed to change. Suddenly, the moves of last year isn’t that golden. The soldiers and police officers are abducting and assaulting the previous leadership. Just like it does to mobilizers of the NUP across the Republic. They are arrested and silenced too. There is no difference there.

Only difference, is that the former leadership is coming with claims and trying to justify to take away the new leadership. Just mere months ahead of the election. Trying to sow doubt and erase the Bobi Wine infused party. The NUP wouldn’t be relevant if it wasn’t for him and the ones around him. The original leadership couldn’t even become LCV Chairmen in their constituency.

That’s why this is forged game by the state. As they were tricked to accept the changes last year and didn’t see the scheme behind their nose. They accepted the changes and was shocked at the new launch. That NUP was revitalized and became a part of People Power.

Moses Nkonge Kibalama was fine with it last year, but now that wind is under his wings. He got to fly and poach the PPM and Bobi Wine for money. Suddenly a change of heart and being besieged by the soldiers around his house. In that way to intimidate and use scare tactics to destroy NUP. That is all it seems.

The NRM and the government wouldn’t use these tactics if it was efficient. They are doing this to weaken and destroy the platform and the political party Bobi Wine has. To do enough damage to hurt the options of the main contender and his allies. They have done this with plenty before him and as long as they are in power. They will do that the next in line too.

There is proof that the paperwork has been made, the registration, the change of location of offices an the delegation conference to elect new leadership of the party. Alas, Kibalama can act a fool now, but he has already dropped it.

This here is a farce and a forged play to hurt and maximize pain on the People Power Movement. They are trying to destroy and use all means to take away what they have. Because, it hurt the pride of the regime. When they were able to go under the radar, re-register the party and get control of it. That wasn’t in the cards and was unanticipated.

They were able to trick it, but now the same ones they were able to bargain with. Are giving way and becoming besieged by the state. That is why they are hurt and they use legal means to return assets. Even if the assets are more valuable now, then when they left it into custody of others.

The NUP wouldn’t mean so much. If Nkonge was still rocking the boat alone. He would alone at sea, but with Bobi Wine. The party has some value and has capacity to reach beyond all expectations. That is why the state attacks it too and uses the former leadership like it does.

Now Bobi Wine have to be holier than thou. He needs to be able to walk on water. Since every move will be tested. If he sinks or swims, that is up to him. While the regime will not let go. They went after the beret, they went after the colour and now they are running after his party. Peace.