The Panda Gari’s is back: Gen. Museveni is rehashing the era of 1971 to 1985

Since about mid-2020 it have become more common to read stories, hear tales of witnesses and people saying loved ones have been abducted in the night. People are taken from out of nowhere by either armed personnel, police officers or other state agents. These folks are taken to unknown locations for days, weeks and even months. The individuals are either returning to the surface tortured or sickly, if not dead without any investigations or answers to why it happened.

This is all happening to Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine supporters, mobilizers, activists or even political candidates. They have gone after people associated with People Power Movement and the National Unity Platform (NUP). These have been taken from all parts of Buganda. They are just seeing the van and taken away. They are incommunicado and the authorities cannot say anything or have intelligence on the matter. It is a darkness over the republic, as they are accepting this to happen. This has also happen to boxers and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) who has served the same fate.

Here is how it was done before Museveni’s tenure, but clearly his been inspired by the efforts made by the predecessors.

Disappearances:

The Commission took a person to have disappeared if that person was arrested, seized, abducted, kidnapped, taken or detained by the military, police or other security agents or agencies, and had never been seen again, alive or dead. The phenomenon of disappearances was virtually unknown in Uganda between 1962 to 1970. During the 1966 crisis, a number of people from or near the Mengo palace disappeared, never to be seen again. It is presumed that they were killed in what came to be known as the “Battle of Mengo”. Disappearances because a common phenomenon in Uganda between 1971 and 1985” (Pamphlet – Summary of Report of Commission of Inquiry into Violating of Human Rights – Pearl of Blood, October 1994).

Panda Gari:

“Panda Gari” are two Swahili words literally meaning board the vehicle. It was a system under which the army or police, in swoops, collected people in large numbers from an area forced to board vehicles and transported them elsewhere for purposes of identifying whether or not they were anti government rebels or sympathizers” (Pamphlet – Summary of Report of Commission of Inquiry into Violating of Human Rights – Pearl of Blood, October 1994).

What is worrying to me.. that there is just some small posts on Facebook and not collected. That each and everyone is forgotten in the trail of spin. The state is busy preoccupying the space with other news. While the citizens are kidnapped, abducted, arbitrary arrested and even extra judicial killings of them without any warrants, charges or even taken to court.

We have no idea about the extent of this. There is already so many in Bobi Wine’s team behind bars and Court Martial as civilians say it all about this regime. The state is also using several of state security agencies and ungazetted safe-houses to detain and torture civilians.

There should be an outcry, investigation into it and take down the ones ordering it. The ones who are in-charge and makes it possible. The state is doing this to its own. When they can it to their own. What is the next extent and what is the next effort to take control and silence critics?

When they can re-issue the Panda Gari’s, what else can they do next? This is horrific and tragic… it is a need to collect the whole tragedies together to show the world the sinister extent of this. As I see various of numbers, but each number is a person. That is important to remembered, someone who was loved and cared for. Someone who was aspiring and maybe only wanted to see positive change for the Republic. That is so costly, they are destroyed by the state and even killed. That is why each and everyone one of them should be named. Written and published. So, they can use these abductions, kidnappings, torture- and extra judicial killings to prove how bad the state is.

It is needed. It is a about time. This is so evil… Peace.

NRM Liberation Day 2021: Day 12 since the polls [Bobi Wine’s house still surrounded by Police]

Since 14th January 2021 the National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine been house arrested in his home in Magere, Wakiso district. Yesterday, on the 25th January after 11 days the High Court re-instated his “freedom” and said the authorities should leave his home.

However, during the evening and such. There was reports that Bobi Wine wasn’t free and the authorities still kept soldiers around his home. His still behind bars and a prisoner in his own home. This was all happening in the hours ahead of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Day or the “Liberation Day”, which is today.

The Liberation Day is the celebration of the Victory of the National Resistance Army (NRA). That day is a celebration of winning the bush-war in the 1980s. Where the NRA was able to overcome several of rulers and government. They overcome not only the Obote II, but also others to secure the victory for Museveni.

General Museveni has always compelled himself to others and that his a stark difference to the ones he has toppled.

However, Reuters Africa reports: “Despite a court order that security forces stop surrounding Bobi Wine’s home, the Ugandan opposition leader says he is still unable to leave. David Doyle reports” (Reuters Africa, 26.01.2021).

There is reports earlier this morning that the soldiers have left his home. The Police is still surrounding the home. Muhammad Ssegirinya confirms today that they are in the area and surrounding the home.

Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga was saying the Police Force would continue to surveillance and monitor every move of Bobi Wine. So, the Police Force is continuing. They are most likely doing what they can and will ensure that his not mobile. The Opposition Leader is still under siege and doubt he just can stroll outside his home.

As long as they are in the nearby area and following him. They are still making him the “enemy of the state”. So, his partially free. As long as he cannot move freely and be at liberty of his own movements.

Am awaiting his total release. Since, I doubt he can walk out without being arrested or detained. That is what I am waiting. Until then, he has limited freedom. It is nice that Bobi Wine can get visitors without to much hassle on Liberation Day. However, I am skeptical that his totally free. Until that is proven. He is limited in his movement and doesn’t have total freedom. As long as you don’t have total freedom and liberty. You are not fully free. Peace.

General Museveni will deal with the Opposition the NRA Way

““If you compete and lose and then you say you will take power through other means other than the election, that won’t happen here in Uganda and it will not take long to sort out. We sort out such rubbish the NRA way,” Yoweri Museveni barked while commenting on the deployment at Kyagulanyi’s residence in Magere, Wakiso district. “We will bring down whoever wants to destabilise our peace. We have enough space to accomodate for millions of prisoners,” he warned” (Emmanuel Busingye – ‘Museveni: We will sort Bobi Wine the NRA way’ 25.01.2021, Ekyooto.co.uk).

The General, Head of State and Commander in Chief is really ready to retaliate against the opposition. Nevertheless, Museveni never let them go and off the hook. The President have already ordered his troops, law enforcement and various of agencies to go after the National Unity Platform (NUP) activists, mobilizers, polling agents and candidates. The state has gone after so many and they are beyond reach behind bars. The general public and international community can have no idea of how systemic the abductions, arrests and taking people away.

So, Museveni is just showing his fierce force. The President is showing no remorse and his doing the ills of the ones he overthrow. He is using the same means to stay in power. That is the sick thing here. Tomorrow is supposed to be “Liberation Day”, but who is really liberated? When some of the other citizens are detained for their association with opposition candidates or parties.

When the President says the NRA Way?

Will the 35th Brigade be used towards the People Power Movement and the National Unity Platform (NUP)?

Also, will the President send everyone through the Court Martial and treat Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine like Gen. David Sejusa? Will the state charge him and never retire him from military service?

Will the President send the “Panda Gari” and drop him in Nalufenya or a “Safe House” to be tortured? What is the NRA Way?

The NRA took away all opposition and breached the Nairobi Peace Agreement of 1985. It is not like Bobi Wine have made an agreement with Museveni. No, Museveni is in his own regard. The President is using military language and wanting to use guerrilla tactics against a civilian. Who does that?

General Museveni lives in the bush state of mind. That is his glory days and he wants to live like that again. Instead of bashing in glory. If you are such a victor, why are you threatening your opponent?

Someone needs to reign in this old man. He needs some re-education or be re-instated to society. This old man needs some sensitization and maybe even entertain one of them patriotic programs at Kyankwanzi. Since, he clearly jaded and wants to use guerrilla tactics against civilians. Clear people out the bush-war way in peace-time.

Last, does the NRA way mean the method of assassinations? Since, the NRA did assassinate and kill the ones who was in their way. It also got rid of people in talks and negotiating with the NRA/M in the early stages of power. This was done to consolidate power. Is that another angle or plan of the President?

The NRA Way could mean a lot and the President wants clearly to go to war. Surely, the old man wouldn’t survive in the bush now. The old man wouldn’t get the locals support or help like he did in the 1980s. Since, they are tired of him and knows he doesn’t serve them anyway. That is why it has nearly taken 40 years of power and very little have been given to the people of the Luweero Triangle. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni “owns” the airwaves

The ones who believes the campaigns or the rallies or anything associated with the 2021 General Elections will be free and fair? Who are we kidding here. The National Association of Broadcasters sent a letter to the Uganda Communication Commission on the 20th November 2020 because of the announcement of a National Address every Sunday by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Therefore, announcing that he would have the whole broadcast and all channels with his speeches.

The letter from NAB is fine by itself. However, it will not amount to anything. The ideals behind is fine. Nevertheless, the system is for Museveni and Museveni alone. To think otherwise in 2020 is naive. The UCC and Radio Stations have been cut mid-broadcast because an opposition candidate is speaking. Radios have blocked and not been allowed to air opposition candidates. Secondly, the UCC have sent out Memo’s warning people for having Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine on air. Therefore, this enterprise futile.

NAB means well and the ideal is good. Still, we know it won’t amount to anything. The UCC and the other authorities will digress and configure, mellow the reason and find a short-cut to make sound reasonable. When we all know that this is only to batter his message. No matter if it is profound, sincere or real at all.

Museveni and the National Resistance Movement aren’t even trying to play fair. They are not even faking fairness in campaigns. They are upper blocking, rigging and ensuring the opposition doesn’t have the abilities or the option to campaign like they do. The President can smile and grin. He can be all hospitable. While his law enforcement and soldiers are killing people in the streets. Therefore, the man that doesn’t bat an eye over the deaths.

Do you think he will care about fairness in the media and in publications?

This man will use all tools. No matter what. The man will use force, take the opportunity and have long speeches. He had the COVID-19 speeches. Several of them. Actually, he had around 20 of them. It was a running series. The old man miss it so much. That he has to reinvent it.

The lectures of old. The fear and intimidation, every single Sunday. The old man will be on the screens, on the radios and online. Speaking his ruthless and reckless behaviour. Expecting to be honoured like a Statesman, but acting like mobster. He easily get hostile and grabs the guns. So, don’t expect positive messaging.

The man need to show that he has the guns, the authorities and the total power. Yes, he does “own” the airwaves. However, he doesn’t own people’s mind. This is why we don’t have to listen. Don’t even have to turn it on. Just let it all go. He has said everything before… it is recycling and repetition. The boring lecturer that makes you fall asleep in class. That is the sort of affair and the spectacle his serving. Only his minions will sprinkle some additional spices and call it feast. Even when know its not worthy the price.

The old man would be better just being on the campaign trail and being amongst his own. Instead, of spewing garbage every Sunday. However, the broadcasters has no choice. Because, if they defy the man. He will revoke their license and their doors will be bolted shut. That is the game he plays and he doesn’t care. Peace.

Mbidde the Meal-Ticket Politician

The folding his hands like “birdman” is Mbidde on the NRM Celebration of their 31st year in Masindi recently!

Fred Mukasa Mbidde, the man seeking the office of Member of Parliament in Masaka City, the former Masaka Municipality. Where the incumbent and former Democratic Party MP Mathias Mpuuga is running for another term under the National Unity Platform and directly supporting Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. Something Mbidde does now suddenly too, even as his boss Norbert Mao is running for Presidency too.

It is like Mbidde is trying to act like he cares about the People Power and NUP. When in reality, the man couldn’t give an rats ass. This man only gives his support for Bobi Wine for clout and chasing relevance. That is why he lost to Mpuuga in the last election too.

Let’s be clear. Mpuuga is a honest fighter for justice. Not because he jumped ship early to the NUP. No, because he has fought the good battle since the days of Walk to Walk (W2W) and been part of Action 4 Change (A4C). That all happen before he became a MP and someone of leader. Therefore, if Masaka chooses principals and true leadership. Than I vouch easily for the likes Mpuuga.

However, Mbidde is a man who seeks glory of others and wants a easy way out. This is why he searches and throws his support to Bobi Wine. That because the man knows his popularity is much more than of Mao.

Just like Mbidde knew it was wise to throw support and join the ranks of Museveni in the days before the EALA elections. That is why he was at the State House at the NRM Primaries and guested the festivities there. Just to ensure he could be the DP candidate for EALA. Which in the end he did.

Now in 2020 his fishing again. This time in a city and a municipality where he last before to Mpuuga. A man who is directly associated with Bobi Wine. Alas, it seems very fishy that he does it. Now that he starts campaigning.

This is the sort of political gambit, which is done only to benefit his cause. Mbidde doesn’t care about the Presidency or the battle against Museveni. This man has eaten with Museveni and gotten a good job in the EALA Assembly. Therefore, this man is just looking for another sweet-job with all the perks.

That is why he does this. Mbidde isn’t trustworthy in this. He has dined with the NRM and enjoyed the gifts he got. Now, he hopes to do this here too. Just much easier and hoping the public is gullible. However, they shouldn’t forget.

This man does whatever to get a meal-ticket, be relevant and have a office to go too. What happened now is just another twist. Another turn, which he hopes he doesn’t get exposed. Nevertheless, people shouldn’t forget how he became an EALA MP in the first place. That was because of his affiliation with the NRM and because in the end.

We all know his an “Good DP” who now tries to associate himself with the “Bad DP”. So, who is he kidding here? Only but himself… Peace.

Opinion: The NUP have overcome one hurdle

The National Unity Platform (NUP) and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine have overcome one hurdle or obstacle along his road to Presidency. Not that the General Election in 2021 will be his to win. The stones are already carved and the signs of the stars is aligned with the incumbent. Who owns and runs the system.

The Court case against the takeover of NUP with former President of the Party Moses Nkonge Kibalama own admission destroying the case itself against Bobi Wine. Therefore, the prolonged time to get the verdict. Only got the ones in fear of the future and of their nominations to candidacy across the Republic. Have lost their way or become independent out of fear of losing the option to run in 2021 elections.

The NUP have not only the raid of the headquarters. There are MP candidates arrested, posters torn down across the republic and all their political work blocked. Radios not allowed and warned by Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) from letting NUP Candidates appearing. While the Police Force (UPF) and Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) will do their bidding to make it hard for NUP to operate.

Therefore, the celebration of victory today is short-sighted. Yes, in legality the party is overcoming a hurdle. It has cemented its foundation and cannot be questioned by mere technicalities. That has now been settled in Court. However, everything else is up for grabs. The NUP activists and leaders cannot rest. They will still go through earth, wind and fire to get to the finish line.

There is a monopoly of power. There is only one subject who has it all in his grasp and his not willing to back down. The President and his men will not give away that. No matter how popular or wise Bobi Wine is. Just like Besigye never gotten the taste or sit on the throne. Don’t expect Bobi Wine to enter it without havoc and hardships.

Bobi Wine will get all sorts of technical problems. There will be suddenly deficiencies. All of a sudden a long forgotten tale will resurface. Someone he ditched and didn’t do right while being a musician will come back to hurt him. A former lover or a business-partner, which will be part of a scorched earth policy made by the regime against him.

The NUP now had their first major hit job against them and was able to come victorious out of it. Even when the likes of Tom TVO Okwalinga said days before that they would make the party “null and void” and also “block the party”. Which didn’t happen, so something is up with his intelligence gathering. Not as spot on as in the past.

The NUP is now overcomer’s. Still, it is far from over. The campaigns are only beginning and nothing will be given to them. Everything will be taken and met with hostility from the authorities. The NUP and Bobi Wine needs not only resilience, but also courage and be level headed in the midst of adversity. There will be no easy walk, but only hardships ahead. To think otherwise is naive.

The NRM and the President have already proven this, as they are unforgiving to its enemies. They are reluctant to make it easy, but will show no remorse to hurt them. 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.

Opinion: Kibalama’s story is a twisted tale of a failed enterprise

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are working on overtime to dismiss, discredit and destroy Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine political career. Also, destroy his People Power Movement (PPM) and his newly acquired National Unity Platform (NUP) Party.

Because, Bobi Wine is the new arch-enemy of the regime. They have used all means to go after it. Arresting activists, political leaders and such. They have blocked meetings, radio-shows, concerts and rallies. The PPM and NUP are blocked on all levels.

The People Power have gotten into issues and they tried to block the usage of the Red Beret. As the symbol of the movement. They have also used the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) as a shield to block the red colour, which is also a symbol of the movement. Now, within the recent weeks. Suddenly, the regime are using the former leaders of the NUP to “arbitrary” or “unreasonably” lost their party to the People Power Movement.

Now, after the last few weeks and today’s statement by former leader Moses Kibalama. The contradiction of him shows why the Court Case happened in the first place. As the CDF David Muhoozi pressured him in combination with other state security antagonized him to do it.

Therefore, the stories and the discrediting of NUP new leadership have sort of failed. Kibalama, the former leader … who had to first make a statement of a missing payment of millions of dollars for the party. Now, that has been redacted and the pressure from the state made him say this.

That is why Bobi Wine have won and the regime have lost. Now Kibalama have lost all credibility, instead of “winning” back his old party. The army is supposed to be party partisan and not working for one party. In this regard, it is working for the NRM and their goals to destroy Bobi Wine’s chances. This after the NUP and Bobi Wine was able to get the party registered by the Electoral Commission.

The NRM have really tried to use all tricks and this one failed as well. They have now tried to use Kibalama to undermine the NUP without success. The attempt has only showed that they are forcing citizens to make false testimonies, which have backfired. It has undermined the character of Kibalama and the methods of the NRM. All showing what was the purpose and motives from the get-go.

This was a ploy of the NRM to crack the NUP. They even used the former leadership as a tool to question the party itself.

Bobi Wine and his team has proven to be righteous, as the NRM and the State Security used their force to intimidate Kibalama. This was done to put the NUP in trouble, but now they have lost it. That is even before the ruling of the Court. Since, the stories doesn’t add-up.

Kibalama has lost it. The NUP has won and the case isn’t finished. That is really humiliating and shows their real intentions, which wasn’t a good look. 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.