Post Election Statement by Abed Bwanika, Presidential Candidate 2016 for PDP (24.02.2016)

It’s Official: Kahinda Otafiire is now a Independent Candidate for MP in Ruhinda Constituency

Kahinda Otafiire the loyalist NRM, the bush-hero who lost in the NRM Primary Election recently. We all know he lost to a brother who was jailed. As many other losers he petitioned his case to Dr. Tanga Odoi and his NRM Electoral Commission without luck. He then described the whole “Primary Election as a Circus”. So now he has finally taken the last straw.

He has taken an official decision to go independent, even if his felly Yellow members in his constituency was tired of his life-long leadership. Now it is full-circle he has sided himself with other sore losers of the NRM Primaries and gone solo or Independent. Even if he has always been a NRM, he can’t be officially affiliated since he doesn’t go on their ticket or are their flag-bearer.

He will fight the one he has already lost to and other candidates from other parties. I am sure if he loses than also in 2016. He will claim misconduct and that he was unjustly treated by the Electoral Commission and that it was rigged in favor of one of the other candidates. That the tally center was controlled by fellow people who worked against him; and that ended in him not becoming an MP in the 10^th Parliament. Peace.  

Election Timeline in Uganda: From 1st September to 19th November 2015

Analysis of elections so far in Uganda:
I will go back to 2 and a half months will follow it chronically, to prove how it all has gone. That means I start on the 1st September till to today, to prove that I will not continuation of the Presidential Rallies, I will address them in the future if there are actions or quotes that are need for follow up. Because now it’s going into the stage that the follow up feels like a rewind of what that has happen yesterday instead of bringing the news. Because what I does now will be to set the last around 80 days in perspective and prove the value of the changes on the ground.

This here is kind of a follow-up of this one:

Uganda President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Campaign of Fear for 2016 Presidential Election

This here piece is more of a timeline and not on the actual words expressed; this here is about the actions of the NRM-Regime against opposition parties and also against their own during these months.

So we all can get a feel on the aspects and perspective of it all, instead of following the campaign trails, instead of thinking and analyzing the events and acts of the people who makes this election and polls matter.

On the 1st September in Mbabara there were three men in Team Amama Mbabazi getting detained for wearing Amama Mbabazi T-Shirt. The Police did that day claim that they were staging an illegal procession in town. Second claim was the political activist was stealing from the Centenary Bank.

In Kampala the 1st September Norman Tumuhimbise of the Jobless Brotherhood was kicked out his own home, because the landlord couldn’t stand how the police was detaining him and wanted peace, therefore the activist lost his home for working for a better Uganda.

2nd September Amanya Mugesha said this: “You are taking me back to my first answer. I don’t believe in saviors, I have seen it…there are things you will do by leading others…by advising your successors than leaving the grave to advise them…it’s not a question of defeating Museveni, it’s about if you are to be in power, what organisation is likely to lift Ugandans out of this situation. Is the priority strong leaders or strong institutions? But I have told you that the graves are full of indispensable leader”. This was the way he was talking about Dr. Kizza Besigye right before the decision on who’s supposed to become the FDC Flag-Bearer for the general election at the FDC Conference the same day.

4th September Gilbert Bukenya returns his nomination forms for becoming TDA Joint-Presidential Flag-Bearer and in his press release writes: “They are handed money in bags instead of teaching them to look for their own money. These sharks don’t want to teach the poor “to fish”but want to give them fish making them beggars. This must change”. He surely changed his mind. We will come back to that.

Other actions that happen on the 4th of September, Dr. Aggrey Kiyingi wanted to pick forms to be nominated as a presidential aspirant, but the Electoral Commission could not confirm him as a Ugandan National, therefore he could not get a form for the EC. And his aide Frank Bulira was apprehended in his own home before going to offices of Electoral Commission.

5th September Dr. Tanga Odoi the chairman of the National Resistance Movement Electoral Commission postponed the internal election to the 10th of September.

8th September after protesting the land-grabbing in Amuru District; the protest is for the sale of Apaa village that gave way to the imprisonment of Member of Parliament Gilbert Olanya. Also 3 people in the village killed and a group of people seeking treatment at the Amuru Health Center.

9th September in Soroti where Amama Mbabazi we’re he was to have a consultation meeting in town. He had filled in the letters and forms to the Electoral Commission and UPF to hold a meeting. The UPF still showed up and harassed the public and threw tear-gas into the venue.

10th September in Jinja where the David Kyasanku; the town clerk in town, at the last minute dismissed the venue for the consultation meeting. The UPF had used the venues the last two days before and the town clerk was afraid of losing money to rent it for political use. So when the Team Amama Mbabazi tried to have his consultation meeting it got wild and even more tear-gas then in Soroti the day before.

12th September PM Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda stated this: “We have today learnt, with great sadness, of the sudden death of Hon Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, the Minister of Internal Affairs. General Aronda Nyakairima was returning from South Korea, on official duties, transiting through Dubai. The cause of his death is not yet known. His family has been informed. Government has set up a task force, led by Defence Minister, Hon Dr Crispus Kiyonga, to coordinate all matters relating to this tragedy”.

The same day on the 12th of September Amama Mbabazi went into the Opposition alliance and at the same time delivering a form for the spot of Joint Presidential Candidate for the TDA.

14th September IGP Kale Kayihura address the tear-gas events recently this way: “Don’t blame the police (for firing tear gas and live bullets at Mr Mbabazi’s supporters). Blame Mbabazi who organized and held illegal rallies in a market and near the schools. Don’t blame the consequences, blame the cause”.

16th September the FDC Youth Forum wanted to part ways with the TDA because of Amama Mbabazi inclusion to the Opposition Alliance.

17th September the NRM Poor Youth stated: “If TDA summit consider Col Besigye Its presidential candidate, NRM POOR YOUTH FORUM will request Hon Amama Mbabazi to contest on Go Forward Ticket”.

20th September, Dr. Tanga Odoi verifies the Presidential Nomination form for Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the NRM Flag-Bearer.

24th September the TDA had not been able to pick either Amama Mbabazi or Dr. Kizza Besigye as joint candidate. This because: “CP and FDC have endorsed the candidature of Col (Rtd) Dr. Kizza Besigye; while DP, Go-Forward Pro-Change, PPP, UFA, and UPC have endorsed the candidature of Rt Hon Amama Mbabazi”.

25th September the Parliament will read the new Election laws in the country. These we’re the Presidential Elections (Amendments) Bill 2015, Parliamentary Elections (Amendments) Bill 2015 and the Electoral Commission (Amendment) Bill 2015. These laws went through the Parliament and had their first reading.

25th September, Amama Mbabazi said this: “Members of The Democratic Alliance: I accept your nomination.” (…)”To my fellow candidates Mr. Norbert Mao and Professor Gilbert Bukenya – I salute your sense of duty and your willingness to put our country first. I look forward to working with you, for it is your help I want and your help I seek; and our cooperation that our country desires and deserves. I am certain that the doors of cooperation are still open to Dr. Kizza Besigye of the FDC. Let us leave the quarrels of the past behind in favour of unity”.

25th September resent in the FDC send a letter to the Electoral Commission to seek time for a new nomination date for their Presidential Flag-Bearer Dr. Kizza Besiyge.

29th September three FDC members were arrested for demonstrating against the new Electoral Reforms. The persons we’re Mubarak Munyagwa the Mayor of Kawempe, Nasurdin Basalirwa the FDC Youth Chairman for Kampala and Hamidah Nalongo Nassimbwa the VC of FDC Woman’s League in Central Region.

29th September the NRM Electoral Commission and Dr. Tanga Odoi postponed the Internal Elections again; this time to 5th and 6th October.

2nd October the Parliament passed the new Electoral laws that was set for reading in Parliament at the 25th September.

2nd October the Electoral Commission has moved the dates in the Election Road map for 2016. The Electoral Commission has set new dates and the nomination days for Presidential Nomination are set for 3rd and 4th November. This happen the same day as the new laws that was passed in Parliament.

9th October Gilbert Bukenya does a U-Turn and get back into the fold of the NRM after being not seen as qualified enough to be TDA Joint Presidential Candidate and will now support yet again YKM in his race for 2016.

10th October the Police stopped the FDC convoy going for consultation meeting in Rukungiri. The Police was heavy deployed in the town and scattered. Even with the cars destroyed and FDC people of Rukungiri jailed. Wasn’t the worst of the Police actions they undressed a female activist during the raids on the convoy. They ended in the Lyantonde Prision until local FDC members got a whined off the leadership of the FDC.

11th October FDC members who freed the other men from prison the day before had to go to jail. These people where the FDC chairman in town Yusuf Matovu, oman’s secretary of town Yudaya Naiga and Chairman of the Town-Council Richard Kayondo.

13th October first reports from the NRM Primaries. In Ngarama the reactions between two candidates led to the police shooting with rubber bullets. In Sembabule the NRM Party Office got burned down. In Kyannamukaaka in Masaka District they burned Membership Cards in anger after election rigging. In Isingiro at the NRM Party Office they we’re burning documents from the Election of 2011.

Also on the 13th October Bank of Uganda took over the management of Imperial Bank Uganda Limited.

14th October there was the first reading in Parliament over the Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill of 2015. This bill if passed gives the Government to take out short-term-loans without permission of the Parliament.

14th October the FDC members was in prison overnight in Lyantonde, this is the FDC members who helped their other FDC leaders out of prison were in court after their weekends actions. They all got free after paying bail to the magistrate.

14th October in a famous home in Wakiso on the outside of Kampala where Dr. Kizza Besigye lives; the police decided to do a preventative arrest of the FDC leader. He and other FDC leaders were supposed to go to the Western-Uganda for consultation meetings.

15th October both Dr. Kizza Besigye and Ibrahim Nganda Ssemujja got both arrested and house arrest that day. They both we’re driven in between police stations in Kampala. While they we’re jailed in Kampala there was FDC members in Jinja who was supposed to be a part of consultation meeting in town. That led to the FDC leader of Jinja and other scores of people was hurt by the shootings of the Police in Jinja town that today.

18th October IGP Kale Kayihura told the world this:
“We are advising that you propose postpone program. Give Police notice! As required by the law. Within the law and ensure the party presidential aspirant, Dr. Kizza Besigye precide, conduct himself in line with the Presidential Elections Act Section 3 as well as the Elections Road Map and Guidelines as an Presidential Aspirant given by the Electoral Commission”.

20th October CP Fred Enanga said this:
“We are already aware of broths and conspiracies, but we are committing to promote rule of law, peace and stability. We want to warn this unpatriotic Ugandans that which mix politics with our nations security. That such anarchy an act of recklessness, by suffocating the media and the public with falsehoods will actually be failed their political mileage. You cannot achieve any political mileage by triggering violence and chaos”.

21st October in Bugiri there was set up metal trenches or teeth on the road. FDC opened their new Mobilization office in town. The Police was in the town and even in some Police was a part of the meeting of the new office in Bugiri. They we’re in town with heavy weaponry shielding the venue. In Tororo the police followed the procession to the consultation meeting of the FDC. They opened the roadblocks so that FDC could have the meeting in Tororo.

22nd October the FDC member Muhamad Ssegiringya was released on bond. He was one of the demonstrators against the digitalization of TVs, if you remember the demonstration with the Youth with TVs on their heads?

22nd October the Human Rights Activist Allan Kitonsa Ssava was released on bond the day and said: “I was arrested and charged armed robbery as I was found speaking to the youth of Namutumba district”.

24th October Amama Mbabazi stated:
“I will not be attending the NRM delegates conference slated for October 30th. Instead I will be focused on preparing for my nomination” (…)”I encourage all supporters of Go Forward to remain patient and calm as our team prepares us for nomination. I am truly looking forward to launching the campaign, and engaging voters across the country”.

26th October there was again discussion and negotiation between Amama Mbabazi and Dr. Kizza Besigye this time in London together with the Kofi Annan Foundation.

26th October the NRM EC postponed the Party Primary to the 27th October.

In the NRM Primaries in 26th October in Ngoma Sub County a business man trying to bribe voters was jailed. In Kirahura the main candidate lost his life during a car accident and it got postponed. In Sembabule in the town of Mwogola, there was shootings and teargas in town. In Kinkiizi East one of the candidates had a car accident in the car they found pre-ticket ballots. In Kasese an MP was caught with trying to bribe votes and his car got impounded. In Mbale 32 people was jailed for planning to disrupt the voting in Bungokho South.

27th October in the NRM Primaries the ballot-boxes was already filled before voting started in Ajuri District. In Adjumani an MP was having a mobilization team to bribe voters in the district. In Bukedea there was 7 people arrested for election violence. Rubanda West a candidate was found with 16,000 pre-ticket ballot-papers and therefore the election was postponed. In Iganga NRM members was disappointed that they started to burn their membership cards. In Isingiro North there was found boxes with pre-ticket ballots and a candidate got caught in the market trying to buy votes. In Kabarole the journalist was not allowed to follow the elections. Lwengo a dozen candidates was caught with pre-ticket ballot-papers. In Kumi there had escalated into violence. In Ntungamo there was a candidate who was found with a 1000 fake membership cards and ballot-papers pre-ticket. In Busia there was found at one candidates place pre-ticket ballot-papers. In Kiyandongo the NRM Flag-Bearer are detained and charged for election rigging.

28th October there was held more NRM Primaries and at the Bbale Police Station the incumbent Sulaiman Madada got detained yesterday for attempting to run away with the declaration form. In Mbabara because of election rigging “the DPC says up to 50 suspects were arrested in a swoop, from which the ringleaders will be singled out and charged”.

29th October the NRM Primaries continues and in Burashya district in Kabarole the Police had to intervene because of the different supporters was fighting after the results came in. There was so much violence that the bridge of Katanda broke down. In Kanungu there were more Special Forces and police voting then ordinary voters. In Ruhinda county Captain Mugabe Domonzio Kahonda who won over Gen. Otafiire in the Primaries in the district has finally been released, but, there is a big but! He has to meet before Jinja High Court tomorrow!

31st October the NRM Primaries and in Abletong reports were saying: “When time came for collecting polling materials and results, the police and the soldiers did not allow us to go to the polling stations. Soldiers were using the vehicles belonging to the District Internal Security Officer, OC station and that of the town council,” Mr Owino told Daily Monitor”. In Amudat many NRM members burned their NRM membership cards. In Kibaale where the reports were: “Police fired tear gas at National Resistance Movement party supporters in Kisiita sub-county, Kibaale district who were protesting results of the recent primaries”. The same day, Enoch Matovu, a correspondent for a local television, NTV, in Mityana District was reportedly shot on the head while covering an incident of vote rigging during the NRM party elections at Bulera police station in Mityana district. He sustained a bullet injury on his head.

31st October the Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago arrested and is detained in Maganjo Police Station.

1st November there Uganda Police Force and IGP Kale Kayihura was claiming that they only knew about the NRM Presidential Nomination rally at Kololo and FDC rally at Nakivubo Stadium, but not the Go-Forward rally for Amama Mbabazi the same day as NRM at Kololo. Even though it later appeared that the NRM had sent in the letter late to Electoral Commission compared to the Public Order Management Bill, while Go-Forward had followed the instructions in time. The Police had to later go back on their words and said that received the letters from Go-Forward after all.

2nd November Beatrice Anywar deflected from FDC to Go-Forward.

3rd November the first day of Nomination started with Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of NRM in Kololo and later in the day Amama Mbabazi of the Go-Forward. Professor Venasius Baryamureeba also started his presidential campaign. One of candidates who have now returned his Presidential candidacy is Nasser Ntege Ssebaggala the former Mayor of Kampala.

4th November the second day of Nominations. Adam Bwainka of the People’s Development Party arrived at Namboole for the nominations today on a boda-boda. He has said this today: “If we are going to turn around our Economy. We must be firm on our Education”. But the day wasn’t about him. “The Blue siege of the city, the energy of our young people! We have a sacred duty to engage our youths to build a stronger prosperous Uganda” – Asuman Kiyingi. The town and nominations was about FDC and its Flag-bearer Dr. Kizza Besigye. Who made Kampala go into a shutdown; other candidates we’re who wanted to be nominated was Joseph Mabirizi of The Independent Coalition. The only female Presidential Aspirant Maureen Faith Kyala was first turned away not accepted, but arrived later at the same time as the other TIC candidate was then verified. Maj. Gen. Ben Biiaro of the Farmers Party came 5 minutes before the deadline to get his nomination verified. The Electoral Commission started and scrutinized the nomination papers of his. After a while Dr. Kiggundu stamped and appends the papers. This means that he became the 8th candidate in the Presidential race for February 2016.

On the 4th November – Official from the Electoral Commission:“BREAKING: Uganda Electoral Commission sets February, 18, 2016 as polling day for president and MPs”.

5th November in Mubende after the NRM Primaries the supporters of one candidate protested. This led to the Police shooting and tear-gas to disperse the procession in the area.

7th November on that day, the minister for Presidency and KCCA, Hon. Frank K Tumwebaze has handed over nine brand new Isuzu double cabin pickup trucks to the RDCs of Karamoja and Rwenzori regions.The vehicles valued at 145m each were handed over to the RDCs of Abim, Napak, Moroto, Nakapiripirit, Kaboong, Amudat, Kotido, Kamwenge and Kasese districts at a function graced by the Secretary, Office of The President, Ms. Deborah Katuramu and the media. More on the NRM Primaries: “Junior minister for Lands Idah Nantaba has been flown to Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi for specialized treatment after police subdued her with pepper spray following a confrontation at Kayunga Police Station in the chaotic NRM primaries”.

Also on the 7th November the UPF reported: Minister of state for Internal affairs, Honorable James Boliba Baba has today launched twenty seven (27) regional Joint security Operation Centers with the aim of further enhancing crime reduction & management at a regional level. These centers will work hand in hand with the security teams within the districts. The regional centers will also work very closely with the Joint Operations Command center at the national level. The function took place at police headquarters & was attended by representatives from UPDF, UPF, UPS, ESO,ISO, DPP. All regional Police commanders were in attendance. The launch was also attended by Mr Stephen Kagoda, the P.S Ministry of Internal affairs”.

9th November the NRM had a plan: “The NRM is now on the move to Neutralize ‪#‎Goforward Msge saying they are the ones going forward and in effect it resonates with the No Change Slogan”. Muhamad Kikomeko who is a support of the Amama Mbabazi escapes death in Sembabule, a group attacked his car and burned his car.

9th November reports was saying: “A well-placed source at the Ministry of Finance has told Watchdog that President Museveni ordered the Ministry to arrange for him Shs500 billion. The source suspects the money is meant to fund Museveni’s campaign”. The chief made the remarks while speaking to residents at his home in Guru-guru village Lamogi Sub-county, Amuru District, while receiving a new Pajero donated to him by Mr Museveni on Friday. n Kabale there has been a Radio Panelist who first escaped from arrest after orders from the Resident District Commissioner Darius Naninda who tried to catch the Anti-Corruption Activist who was taking part of a show on the Kabala Freedom Radio (Mughisa, 2015). Later is seen that he has a warrant on inciting violence. The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) is deeply concerned about the safety of Ugandan refugees Musa Isabirye and Timothy Yamin who were deported to Uganda by Botswana Government last week. They have previously been active in opposition politics in Uganda and could face persecution, imprisonment or torture there. Professor Venasius Baryamureeba after day will suspend his campaign because of weak campaign security provided by the Electoral Commission and the Government.

10th November the Police gave the public some words on the their tear-gas: “The Deputy Spokesman Polly Namaye: “The Police Policy is to ensure as little engagement with the public terms of crowd control. We will only use means such as tear gas where absolutely necessary” (…)”The decision, according to the source, could also informed by the fact that the force wants to avoid using expired stock”. Even Amama Mbabazi supporters are currently detained at Namataba Police Station. Go Forward’s PRO Mayanja Nkangi says they have been told those in police custody committed the offence of ‘driving a car with machines’. Five Journalists and photographers who were covering President Museveni rallies in Nakaseke and Nakasongola were arrested and detained. They were forced to delete all there photos and videos.

11th November At around 2.00am this morning, 11th November 2015, TIC Presidential Candidate Elton Joseph Mabirizi heard a knock on his hotel room. When he asked who it was, the assailant said : “I am your bodyguard”. So he opened. It turned out that it was not his bodyguard but two strange men. So there been reports that Presidential Mabirizi were abducted and kidnaped. n Kijabijo (Gayaza Karagi Road). The community says «they need power back». They have spent 4 months since the transformer was taken by UMEME. So they have put fires into the main roads as a demonstration against the government and UMEME for taking away electricity.

12th November because of the road quality Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Abletong he drove with Personal Armored Carriers in the area to get to the venue in Abletong to have his rally! He needed the Army vehicles to get around and he has been in charge since 1986.

13th November this happen: Museveni expels NTV from his media team after what he called unbalanced reporting on him. As per now, NTV journalists are being escorted back to Kampala by soldiers of the Special Forces Command. Daily monitor was also warned of a possible closure should their reporting continue to ‘favor’ the opposition ‘against’ Mr. Museveni. In Mbrarara: “About 200 angry supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement in Mbarara district this morning denounced the party and proclaimed support for the Forum for Democratic Change”. In Masaka: “More NRM party members, including councillors from Masaka sub-region, have defected to the Go-Forward camp, declaring their support for Mr Amama Mbabazi’s presidential bid”.

14th November this happen with UPC members that day:” Over a 1000 former supporters of UPC and FDC crossed over to the NRM and were introduced to the Chairman of NRM, President Museveni, by the Vice Chairman of NRM for Northern, Hon. Sam Engola”.

14th November the rumor of a deal between Jimmy Akena the President of UPC and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni the incumbent President of the Country was surfacing.

15th November the Police had to say to the public that the Nominations for Lord Mayor of Kampala should not storm the Electoral Commission the next day.

16th November the Police detained Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago after sieging his house where they shot the journalist and TV Reporter Enock Kugonza. Also Councilor Mariam Kizito was detained at the same time. The public around the house of Lukwago was also hurt.

16th November two persons of Sauti ya Vijana became impersonated for petitioned the ruling leader to go away from power and let somebody else run their country.

16th November before the Amama Mbabazi rally in Hoima the Police had to scatter the public with tear-gas; they just can’t help themselves. In Rubanda this was reported: “Police arrest 20 youth with sticks in 2 vehicles moving towards Rubanda, Kabale. This happens as the NRM Primaries is underway”.

17th November in Kaiiro where the NRM Primaries we’re held 5 Supporters was taken into custody after inciting violence, they found pangas and spears. There was a cabinet reshuffle after orders from the Yoweri Kaguta Museveni: “
Mr. Kirunda Kivejinja – Rt. Hon. 3rd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Affairs; Madame Rose Akol – Minister of Internal Affairs; Mr. Werikhe Kafabusa – Minister of State for Industry.

18th November for the independent Candidate Maureen Faith Kyala statement: “I am shocked with what I am discovering during my presidential campaign trail. How did we Ugandans; become slaves in our own land? E.g, I found the people of Lyirimbi in Bugiri district being enslaved by Chinese “investors” who had come to do the Musta-Namayingo road, with alleged permission to destroy our natural forest reserves and tourist hills of Lyirimbi”. Alert: “We have been reliably informed that 3 of our FDC youth leaders were kidnaped from Mbarara and transfered to the notorious police in Kireka in a Kampala suburb, there are accurate information that points to them being tortured! Kireka is a renown military torture chamber. Among the kidnapped include Mr. Mayanja Micheal, he was part of Dr. Besigyes Security team during FDC flagbearer campaigns and also on nomination day, he earns a living as a commuter driver, Mr. Yasin Mastiko from Ruti a Mbarara suburb on Mbarara-Kabale road , he is self employed and Mr. Bampagyi ,a Boda-boda operator( motor cyclist) in Mbarara Municipality”.

19th November the UPC Woman MP for UPC Joy Ruth Aceng told the crowds that day: “That Mbabazi called northerners monkeys and as such her party has decided to join Museveni in the elections”. At the rallies of FDC Dr. Kizza Besigye at Butebo in Paliisa district the we’re given scores of NRM membership cards to show that they we’re tired of the ruling party. Police commanded by Siraje Bakaleke has barricaded the road to the returning officer’s office, only few vehicles allowed. Lukwago supporters have had to fight Police to make way to the nomination venue. Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago we’re able to be nominated for the race for mayor again in the capital. Since the KCCA Act Amendments got shelved for the moment of time. Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) President Jimmy Akena’s declaration supporting an alliance with the ruling NRM has touched off a rebellion in his party. There will be demonstration from different wings of the UPC next Wednesday. Paul Kato of Hoima was arrested as well. He is the Hoima District Registrar and was charged with theft at the Hoima Magistrate Court. The alleged crime we’re that he took the 10 Million Shillings meant to be paid to the Police officers. Because of this the Election results will be delivered by Deputy Registrar Maureen Businge.

Aftermath:
That sets things in perspective doesn’t it? Doesn’t it give you a feeling how the police and government has been working. How the political shifts is happening. And this is just in two and half month time; not the whole 2015. This is the kind of thing the Monitor or Chimpreport doesn’t deliver. Because the big picture and time proves how the movements are. We can see UPC and NRM has moved together and made the UPC/Akena and UPC/Otunnu is proving to surface. Also the DP has moved strongly with Go-Forward. Lukwago has more trouble. The Electoral Commission is proved to be a tool of the ministries and not following laws, but following instructions from the NRM-Regime. It proves it is not a independent body to check and balance the electoral process.

The NRM Primaries has proven how little structure the ruling party has and inefficiency of their ways. The constant rigging and ballot-paper malfunctions. The general basis of leaders and incumbent jailed. Supporters shot at and use of tear-gas. There are so many words who can describe the recent events; Also the Police interaction in the election and also internal polling stations. We can also see how the journalist and media people who has been shot and dismissed. Had to delete material, been told off and also sent away with Special Forces Unit. The way the opposition had a hard time to hold consultation meetings while the NRM regime could have giant meetings around the country.

The way the Police was telling at a set of time they knew nothing about the Go-Forward Nomination meeting in Kampala, and hours later the letters resurfaced. We have seen that Go-Forward and TDA has been in talks with FDC and Dr. Kizza Besigye; which shows maturity and negotiations between the parties, though they didn’t leave to anything of set value for the moment. There been movement and will be like that up-to 18th February 2016. More dirt will happen. Especially after the Papal visit; then we will see the true color of the Police and the NRM-Regime. Trust me. Peace.

2nd Nomination day in Uganda – the People’s President Makes Kampala go BLUE!

Today Kampala turned BLUE. The FDC colors flying high and blue shirts everywhere. After the Yellow fever yesterday and the buses from around the country and people left behind. There was people stranded in Kampala after the Kololo Independence Nomination Rally of the NRM and there was none buses going back to Lira, Gulu and other places where the buses came from. Though I will not discuss that further! Wait, maybe a hot minute, but it is not important considering the action that really happen in Kampala. What I will discuss it what has happen today and how it has gone.

Though this day of the FDC couldn’t be itself without the honor of the Police showing the People’s President some extra service, both in worth and in namesake, being courted to the Commission by Police Office Besigye and also getting a warning by Uganda Police Force! Because the Forum for Democratic Change has to get that – and is never excused for what they do!

A tiny report on some of these people travelling to Kololo yesterday:

“People in my mother home Kabale you have to inform me on this! Crime preventers who were transported to Kololo on Monday to entertain President M7’s nomination have been stranded in Nyamukana-Ntungamo this evening, that they have spent 2days without eating. That they driver of Kigezi college Butobere who was driving them stopped and parked the vehicle on road-side claiming that the tyre got a puncture. He told them to wait 4 the bus of Kigezi high school which was still behind but they waited in vain and decided to walk on foot.They were crying like babies coz mbu they weren’t given any single coin”.

Adam Bwainka of the People’s Development Party arrived at Namboole for the nominations today on a boda-boda. He has said this today: “If we are going to turn around our Economy. We must be firm on our Education” (…)”I have researched that 100 MPs in the 9^th Parliament has never gone to school” (…)”When Idi Amin left Power we had 12 planes, now we have none”. After the nomination the Electoral Commission has given Mr. Adam Bwaina a security detail and a car so he doesn’t have to leave the venue on a Boda-Boda; where he was headed to Nsambya Sharing Hall for starting his campaign!

Further deflections has happen Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago has gone to the FDC and taken part of the Nomination rally. Other DP high standing members are Moses Kasibante and Allan Sewanyana. Also Denis Onekalit the MP aspirant for Kitgum and also Naru Nakalema was also a part of nomination of Dr. Kizza Besigye.

“The Blue siege of the city, the energy of our young people! We have a sacred duty to engage our youths to build a stronger prosperous Uganda” – Asuman Kiyingi (Independent Candidate).

At Namboole today the Presidential Candidates got their nominations about the same time as the President had a Press Conference at the Statehouse in Entebbe after having his own nomination yesterday. Where he said: “How can you create jobs without an foundation? That is why the NRM says les priorities peace” (…)”Birigimana exposed the theft in the Office of the Prime Minister” (…)”Bambi, we have been moving forward since 1986, sorry” . While he was saying this Dr. Kizza Besigye was crossing town, I am sure there was more people walking amongst the FDC leader then the brothers watching and listening to the President on the different media’s at the same time. That I say with the Photo evidence of how the capitol looked blue today!

Dr. Kizza Besigye said this after being nominated by the Electoral Commission today:

“I have been nominated by an Electoral Commission that I protest, a Commission that is not independent. We are going to engage in a three phase struggle;

-the first phase is a liberation struggle, to take power from those who wield it using the weapons of coercion and put it back in the hands of the people.

-The second phase is the Reconfiguration of the Institutions of the People (The Electoral Commission, The Police, The Military, The Judiciary etc.) and make them bonafide institutions of the people.

-The third phase is the Transformation of our country to enable the citizens to live in a country that they are proud of, that they share all the resources of the Country equally”.

Dr. Kizza Besigye, the FDC Flag Bearer duly nominated at exactly 12:00 noon by EC Chair Engineer Badru Kigundi. And he is now addressing the press:

“I have nothing against the fine ladies and gentlemen that constitute the electoral commission. I have problems with the institution. We need a truly independent electoral commission”.

The one who got turned away yesterday Presidential Aspirant Charles Lwanga Bbaale came back to be nominated today.

Another candidate who wanted to be nominated was Joseph Mabirizi of The Independent Coalition. At the nominations was his team who was Omar Kalinge, Vicks Kingo and Kyuma Kyayesu.

The only female Presidential Aspirant Maureen Faith Kyala was turned away by not having her credentials or papers ready; not having the papers correct for the A-Levels and National ID papers. Therefore if she wants her nominations she has to had this sorted out before 4PM today. After being turned away she arrived at the same time as Joseph Mabirizi. Then on the second coming today she got her verification and also possible Presidential aspirant.

In the midst of this blue power sessions and other candidates; where was Malcom “Dan” Matsiko? Wasn’t you supposed to be a candidate for the NFT or New Form for Thinking. Wasn’t you a Presidential Aspirant as well?

Ben Biiaro has not been seen at Namboole today… the reports was coming quickly when he only had 45 minutes left of his deadline to show up if he still wanted to be Presidential Aspirant. They we’re also waiting for the nomination candidate for Charles Bbale Lwanga. Charles Bbale Lwanga has been turned away for the second time because he had a cheque of the 20 million instead of a bank draft.

Maj. Gen. Ben Biiaro of the Farmers Party came 5 minutes before the deadline to get his nomination verified. The Electoral Commission started and scrutinized the nomination papers of his. After a while Dr. Kiggundu stamped and appends the papers. This means that he became the 8^th candidate in the Presidential race for February 2016.

While on the road to Namboole and to Nakivubo Stadium there has been one man in the shadow of the Dr. Kizza Besigye has been Gen. Mugisha Muntu. Who has been sitting comfortable and swallowed being in the political shadow of the People’s President!

“A guy (possibly a carpenter to or from a workshop) with a backpack on is back was among a multitude of Besigye supporters lining up the road. He pulled out a ‪hammer from his bag, ran and handed it over to Kizza-Besigye Wrn and he disappeared. I hope that picture will get published. Another man, in front of EC offices pulled out $300 and handed it over to Besigye. He also disappeared into the crowd. To both men, Besigye held his right hand to his chest and bowed to them. That is humility. Those are small gestures that live in my memory. Besigye has made people believe” Source: Ronald Muhinda a Kampala based radio journalist.

At 3PM the traffic was already in a standstill on Jinja Road when the Dr. Kizza Besigye was having his convoy towards the Nomination Rally at the Nakivubo Stadium.

There was a calm and energetic movement through town! IT took five whole hours to cross that; we’re massive crowds meeting the FDC Flag-Bearer.  The stadium was filled hours before he came; reasons why it took him such long time to cross town.

The Town went totally Blue and FDC. There was nothing like yesterday. Yesterday was like meek celebration. Where the buses was sent from Up-Country to come to Kampala and while there where people hiking on the trucks to get to  Nakivubo Stadium.

At the Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium first speaker today was Gen. David Sejusa aka Tinyefuza. He said this: “We do not make our own shoes, we are wearing dead people’s clothes, that is how you measure what Museveni has done” (…)”Government offers $ 1 per child a day in UPE. Ours (learnt) earn UGX 20, 000 – UGX 50, 000 a day, A $ 1 child can not compete with ours”. FDC Ibrahim Semujju Nganda called out John-Ken Lukyamuzi of the Conservative Party to greet the Supporters. Where Lukyamuzi said: “Those who were here yesterday on Amama Mbabazi rally cannot speak for CP better then myself”.  After that Mayor Erias Lukwago congratulated Dr. Kizza Besigye with the nomination and said: “But we have Generals on our side, Gen Sejusa, Col Besigye, Gen Muntu and Lt Gen Lukwago” and ends: “ONE UGANDA” the crowds answers “ONE PEOPLE!”.  Gen. Mugisha Muntu came on and said this: “We know our main challenge is to remove the regime in February” (…)”You cannot have a roof without a strong foundation”.

After him came Dr. Kizza Besigye:

“In Uganda, are tired and tired completely” (…)”Our journey begins today, allow me to thank God first” (…)”I want to thank Muntu because the party he leads is a democratic party” (…)”I thank you Kampala dwellers for showing the world today that we have a reason for this struggle” (…)”the reason for all of this is because our county  is in captivity.  Only a few people decide for all of us” (…)”whatever has brought this current situation is because our country is not our own hands” (…)”You voted Lukwago overwhelmingly in Kampala but he is  the office of the Lord Mayor?” (…)”I promise you that I will liberate the country” (…)”I’ve been nominated to stand with you and work with the people”.

Also today in Court:

“Meanwhile, the High Court in Kampala has dismissed with costs the case in which a concerned citizen had sued four top official of the Independent Electoral Commission in their personal capacity for having illegally blocked rallies that were being held by Presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi in the Eastern part of the Country. The four top officials who had been sued are; the chairperson Eng Badru Kiggundu, Mr Jotham Taremwa (spokesperson), Sam Rwakoojo (secretary) and Paul Bukenya (deputy spokesperson)”.

Official from the Electoral Commission:

“BREAKING: Uganda Electoral Commission sets February, 18, 2016 as polling day for president and MPs”.

A Sidenote:

Professor Barya who is one of the candidates also has issued fresh warnings to Amama Mbabazi on using the orange color. Barya maybe you should challange the Orange or the Dutch for it also? 

NRM sidenote:

MP Sejobba ask the FDC Musumba if solar exists to power laptops for such children in Busoga.

Another Sidenote:

Tamale Mirundi has confessed that Dr. Kizza Besigye made his day today, and coming from A Pro-Museveni guy as him, and a so-called loyalist it means much. Even though he can be crying hyena and buffoon, but now he proved some clarity, maybe?

This here was a peaceful and magnificent day that proves the power of the People’s President and how he overpowered everything else. The Presidents press conference was a weak portfolio to try to distract the other candidates because he supposed to be the main one. Though it proven with the five hour travel and full house. Kampala totally BLUE! Bwanika why did you have yellow tie, by the way? #Wesige Besigye!

While this was passing by the KCCA was busy taking down illegal elections posters that even Uganda Police Force as said they wanted to eliminate.

“THANKS FOR THE NOMINATION DEMONSTRATION TODAY!”

“The people of Kampala have always given me tremendous support at all the three presidential elections I’ve participated in. At all the Kampala elections, there has been enormous rigging. During every Kampala election, several people are arrested with pre-ticked ballot papers; in polling stations covering military barracks, there’s always a rigging bonanza; many people are always disenfranchised by striking their names off the final register etc. However, in spite of all this rigging, Mr Museveni has never defeated me in Kampala! That’s why on top of calling me the “people’s president”, the people of Kampala call me the “president of Kampala!” (…)“Therefore, I expected a good turn out for my nomination today, in spite of the negative propaganda that has been orchestrated for sometime now. Even then, I was completely overwhelmed by the show of support that we received today. I think that it wasn’t simply a matter of supporting my candidature; it was also our people’s way of demonstration their disgust with the NRM/ Museveni regime” (…)”Apart from the unprecedented crowds, there was show of immense energy and excitement. I was given money contributions all along the way- a total of UShs. 2,779,000= (Two million, seven hundred and seventy nine thousand only), US $ 320= and Nine hundred Oman biasa. I am sure that if we had time at the Nakivubo rally, we would have got much more. I also received a sofa seat, flowerpots, potted plants, spray pump, pair of slippers, many sets of handkerchiefs, bread and many various other small items. Thus, the campaign of defiance has begun. There’s no turning back. Continue to watch the space”.

Written Dr. Kizza Besigye

Peace.  

The surge of deflections between the political parties in Uganda and how to live with it

This is the round-up to the General Elections in 2016 in Uganda. Where we will see deflections like never before. There will be run from people going from wherever to Go-Forward and people leaving the parties after missing their spots to become Independent candidates in the polls.

Deflections are norm and allowed, but there are something about timing and explaining it. Like if you’re been somewhere for long and is tarnished by the way the party leads, then it feels natural to leave. Which many of the big-men has done in Uganda for that reason we have FDC. They are an reaction to the ruling party NRM. UPC has had people leaving to NRM in the Past, like Hon. Amama Mbabazi was at certain time a piece of that puzzle. Dr. Kizza Besigye was a piece of NRM until the fallout. Hon. Amama Mbabazi went finally away; when he got kicked out and Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda his childhood friend took his place as the PM in Uganda.

There many NRM losers all over the country who is deflecting to the Go-Forward Group and Amama Mbabazi. This proves that there is slot open for sore people and a reach for surge that hasn’t happen. Because for many NRM people Dr. Kizza Besigye and Gen. Mugisha Muntu haven’t had the power and spirit of the NRM party, that means that Amama Mbabazi has that or else he is promising to feed them. There is not easy to know what is what. Even FDC members and kind of high ranking members like Mathias Mpuunga the Walk to Work head honcho gone over to Go-Forward.

The validation from JEEMA, DP, CP, UFA and PPP gives an edge to Go-Forward. But their powerbases is small and has been small. Even if all arguments are that Dr. Kizza Besigye has lost the last times against the ghost of all elections Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and National Resistance Movement. The President has won everything since gripping power with the civil war to tore down UPC and Okello’s and all the other former short term presidents. Museveni has secured first a few elections as sole party and as a sole candidate. Sole Candidacy is his wish. I am sure that if he could run as he please then this election in 2016 it wouldn’t be any FDC, TDA and him!

Go-Forward and the allegiance that is with him, gives him an edge. That is even though FDC has the long standing force of the opposition in the country. So here we are, people are crying foul. I have cried foul over Gilbert Bukenya, but that is because was a hot-minute on the outside of the Movement throwing shades at the President and calling him a problem. And seconds later when he offers a position in the NRM CEC he crawls back.  The president might not offer him a place in the NRM CEC, but I am sure NRM has promised a nice position to Alhaji Nasser Ntege Ssebagala for his allegiance.

But there aren’t just the big men who switch allegiance; it’s also on the grassroots-level where members are burning their membership card and switching alliance to another party. That should be worrying for NRM to see that on the Social Media and how their cards are blatantly being discarded like worthless mud.

Though I am sure the result of the election is already picked by the Electoral Commission and the lack of electoral reform to gain population support and not support by the NRM-Regime, it will surely be set for yet another term for Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

Even if this is surely the end-game we can still see that the movement of people is changing. The sadness is to see that the movement between opposition parties making sour feelings between them; especially with the Second Round K.O. and stop of the consultation between the FDC and Go-Forward. I expected it to fall to pieces by how it ran into sand after the smaller parties of the TDA endorsing Amama Mbabazi over Dr. Kizza Besigye.

The Movement and Museveni will do whatever to destabilize the other parties, rule and conquer. Therefore he had to say at the NRM CEC at Kololo Independence Ground that nobody in the party shouldn’t say that somebody is “Pro-Mbabazi” or “Pro-FDC” because the party is the ones that matters.

That the NRM-Youtb Brigade/League leaders of   Omodo-Omodo and Adam Ruzindana has officially not endorsed should be sad view for the NRM since they even had been rounded up in August to change their stance from this to support Mzee. Seems like it didn’t work even after being under siege by the NRM-Regime! 

There are different ways and easy jumping ships so often between parties proves that it can buy and it isn’t ideological reasons between it. That is what Go-Forward camp should ask them since they get deflectors from all over the map in short space of time. Will it be a sand-castle that the wave from the sea will brush away or can it be sustained?

FDC has a situation and is used to be in the war-zone through the elections and being in trouble with police for trying to be a political party. The Go-Forward is doing everything for the first time, though Hon. Amama Mbabazi has been in election, but then in friendly territory in those times under the wings of the Mzee.

The deflections is a natural thing, especially the ones who has lost their Flag-Bearer positions in the NRM is surely natural to try to get other ways into the Parliament and Constituencies again, though their stripes should be wacked because their couldn’t handle to lose for somebody else, even if the primaries we’re filled with malfunctions, pre-ticket ballots and general rigging.

The FDC can that has decided to move on; can have done that for ideological reasons. If so then it’s should be seen as okay. Secondly if it is a tactical move instead of ideological move; then we have more to question the person that goes from a set off fixed situations with a party actually functioning, though there was some Electoral malfunctions some of their internal election.

Some facts from the CCEDU

“In advancing this objective, CCEDU sought accreditation and deployed a technical team of eight to observe the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Elections held at a Special Delegates’ Conference on 12th June 2015 at the UMA main exhibition Hall, Lugogo, Kampala” (…)”Claims of vote buying were received by the observers. Allegedly, some camps were sending delegates mobile money in a bid to secure their votes. These claims were not verified. A pledge by one of the candidates vying for the position of Secretary General to supply smart phones to districts secretaries general and another candidate for the post of Treasury General to contribute Shs10m to a party Savings and Credit Society were interpreted by some as an effort to induce support” (…)”It was noted that delegates did not heed the call by the Electoral Commission that no campaigns should take place during polling time. Unfortunately, there were no measures to curb this vice” (CCEDU, 2015).

So the surety that the ones leaving from the other parties like FDC/DP/UPC/PPP/UFA or Independents to the NRM has to promised something because they know what they have done and how they have done it to get it.

Independents can do as they please and show allegiance or alliances as they please. Nothing can be taken for granted by any parties they can be bought or ordered, even if they want to be by-partisan. That is justified, though it is a favour to them all if they know where they have them. Independents can either fill their pockets or actually stand for something. So if their flag their place and who honours who. Because they can became pawns on the chess set and easy capped if they don’t take a stand.

Though we will see more movement and deflections we can see the difference between ideology and tactical movement from the politicians. There will be some sour feelings and hurt. There will be some sees it as betrayal. The betrayal is when it so not justified by their recent actions and sudden move to do it for self-serving instead loyalty to party. Independents can move as they please, but the ones moving from any other parties can be questioned, even if it reasonable. Prof. Gilbert Bukenya kissed the ring of President Museveni. That is the truth!

Deflections from the parties will happen. From the FDC and NRM, from all the other parties as well for different reasons and if UPC will be split in two it wouldn’t  surprise anybody with the different of opinion between Jimmy Akena and Olara Otunnu. That could easily be two separate organizations. And leave to more deflections. Especially if they continue as today to address themselves as presidents of the UPC! There will be deflections from there as well.

Deflections from the parties occur neither you like it or not, because that is part of the political game and life. There will be more leaving any party into the General Election and move for possible gain. The men and woman who does that has to address themselves and argue for their move. As the men and woman who is left behind has to respect it, depending on the motive of it all. Even if the motive is only a place in their party-organizational structure or get a free place in higher organ; instead of doing the work as politician to gain the constituencies trust.

What do you think? Peace.  

Reference:

CCEDU – ‘FDC Party Elections – Observation Reports’ (17.07.2015)

NRM Primaries – Losers of this rigged elections plans to go independent!

Well, the spokesman of the party is strongly saying the party will be more united now then ever after this Internal Election. Surely when they all or so many has rigged themselves there. Surely they can all discuss the value of pre-ticket ballots and stuffed ballot boxes in the polling stations. That must be something that is discussed in the four day conference at Kololo right?

Just think of Opondo are talking to Odoi: “How can we do it even better in the 2016? The media and this social media people have spread our malfunctions to the world and this moles are tearing us apart! We got to do something!”

Well, that is made up, but you get the point right, and what worth has it to have politicians when none of them lives by the old saying: “Taxation without representation”. But now, do yourself a favor an take a look at this wonderful masterpiece called the aftermath of the NRM Primaries and some of the reports I have gotten today!

Ofwono Opondo said today: “NRM is going to be more united then ever”.

Abletong:

“Owino has said Wednesday’s NRM primary elections were marred by massive vote rigging and intimidation orchestrated by armed forces. Mr Owino, who described the deployment of armed forces as “nonsense,” alleged that the army engaged in intimidating people, especially supporters of Ms Otengo’s rival, Mr Samuel Okwir” (…)“When time came for collecting polling materials and results, the police and the soldiers did not allow us to go to the polling stations. Soldiers were using the vehicles belonging to the District Internal Security Officer, OC station and that of the town council,” Mr Owino told Daily Monitor” (…)”The district party registrar, Mr Isaac Odyang, said the election was free and fair though he acknowledged there were few soldiers and police deployed about 100 metres from the tallying centre” (Oketech, 2015).

Amudat:

Reports from the area is that NRM members has burned the cards in the area up to a thousand member cards been put into the fire. A NRM member in the area said this: “There was no free and fair election in Amudat. What was in Amudat was National Rigging Movement,”

Arua:
“I take the opportunity to thank friends, relatives, family, supporters and the entire Arua community for standing firm with me during NRM Primaries. Though we didn’t make it, we thank God for taking as through the exercise. Not all hope is lost and I still remain hopeful for 2021. I congratulate Hon Abiriga Ibrahim for making it” (Brian Godfrey Obiga).

Buduma South:

Hon. Oboth Oboth is planning court actions after the conduct of the primaries in the district, which he lost. He claims that it was extensive rigging.

Buduma North:

Hon. Fox Odoi alleged rigged for one of the candidates and one of the contestants of the petition has already had it dismissed.

Bujenje County:

Princess Kabakumba Masiko lost her place rumored that she will now join Go-Forward.

Bufumbira East – Kisoro District:

Eddie Kwizera who lost to James Nsaba Buturo, he plans to either join the FDC or Go-Forward.

Kabale:

Fred Ruhakana said this: “I have today quit the NRM. The Primaries were highly rigged in favor of the incumbent”.

Kanugu:

“Those who lost in recent NRM elections have rejected results that were announced on one of the radio stations in Kanungu district saying that announcement was unfound. Those who are against the recent release include James Kaberuka, Ahimbisibwe Gad Rugaju,Josephine Kasya, Muhumuza Frugency and Elizabeth Karungi. They claim that there was no transparency in tallying process, tallying of votes in Kinkiizi west was not done and selective harassment of agents by police”

“Brothers and sisters, lam petitioning NRM EC to repeat the exercise of holding NRM party primaries in Kyaddondo South. If not, l am declaring that l will stand on an independent ticket” (Ahmed Musaazi, 2015).

Katakwi District:

Jessica Alupo (Now Minister of Education and Sports) who lost her place in the Primaries are going to run as an independent this coming election.

Kibaale:

“Police fired tear gas at National Resistance Movement party supporters in Kisiita sub-county, Kibaale district who were protesting results of the recent primaries” (Tumusiime, 2015).

Kitgum:

“An aspirant for Kitgum Woman MP NRM flag bearer, Ms Jane Achiro Opio, has said she will petition the party’s electoral commission, calling for fresh elections after her name was not printed as number one on the ballot paper as she had guided her supporters” (…)”Ms Achiro castigated the district NRM officials for allowing the elections to continue despite realising that Ms Achan’s name had been erroneously entered on the ballots for Kitgum Woman MP election” (…)”“I had told all my voters to tick the first aspirant on the ballot paper because all the names of aspirants are arranged in alphabetical order,” she said.

Ms Margret Lamwaka was declared the NRM flag bearer with 20,200 votes” (Okot & Komakeach, 2015).

Lira:

Omara Odung the Mayor of the town lost in the Primaries to his now councilor. Mawa says: “votes from tally center of railway where he comes from not counted”. The now former mayor says now he will go into the polls in 2016 as an independent.

Mbarara: Mayor Aspirant of Etaara!

“That is the first promise that Mugabe Robert Kakyebezi made to the town dwellers, once elected the next mayor of the soon to become city; that he would restore the largely defunct street lights” (…)”Kacebezi took advantage of the slanderous language of the incumbent Wilson Tumwiine which turned a lot of support away from him” (…)”He also ridiculed some of his contenders saying that they owned no single building in the town and thus were not fit to be elected mayor” (UGBlizz, 2015).

One of the ones who lost in Mbarara Municipality Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo who describes himself: “There will be no end to the troubles of states, or of humanity itself, till philosophers become kings in this world, or till those we now call kings and rulers really and truly become philosophers”. He says that after losing he will run as an independent.

Mbale Muncipality:

Umar Nangoli lost to John Weekesa Wabongo, who now threatens to join Go-Forward if justice doesn’t prevail.  

Mukono South:

Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa lost and is saying that he will go independent.

Nambole:

“Money-Man, Tycoon, Kingmaker Hajji Hassan Basajabalaba has lost the NRM National Entrepreneurs League Chair to Rukaari. He will no longer sit on the NRM’s prized top decision making organ the CEC. He was defeated with a margin of 53 votes after he polled 230 as his ‘tormentor, Rukaari polled 283 votes”.

Rwampara Country:

Vincent Kyamadidi has claimed that there was no place to tick him off on the ballot-papers and as a result of this he will go as independent candidate in the district this coming election.

Okoro County – Zombo District:

Stanley Omwonya rigged the elections so diligently that out of the four sub-counties, he only won the one which is his home and he still won the election for the new constituency that was made and called Oraa out of Okoro.

Tororo West:

Sarah Opendi will run as independent.

Journalist shot during the Primaires:

“Enoch Matovu, a correspondent for a local television, NTV, in Mityana District was reportedly shot on the head while covering an incident of vote rigging during the NRM party elections at Bulera police station in Mityana district. He sustained a bullet injury on his head” (…)”Matovu told HRNJ-Uganda that he was covering the incident and never saw who shot at him in the scuffle, “I saw the local people opening the car and removing the ballot papers which they scattered around the police station, and that’s when I stopped understanding. I later discovered that I was admitted in Mityana Hospital.” Matovu narrated. Two unidentified men have so far been arrested and detained at Mityana police station, according to police” (…)”The scuffle ensued when an unidentified man turned up at a polling station near the police with ballot papers and could not ably explain where he got them. The local people became hostile and wanted to lynch him but he managed to escape and hid inside the police station. His car was broken into and the ballot papers scattered by the angry locals. Matovu is still undergoing treatment” (HRNJ-Uganda, 2015).

The President speaks a NRM Conference in Kololo Grounds in Kampala:

“NRM always follows the truth. All the problems we have had in the party primaries is because people are not following those principles. That is why you find people hiding ballot papers to vote more than once.That is why some people interfere with the register” (…)””Why should people steal votes when you are there. You should not allow it. Why should you beat a fellow Ugandan?” (…)”The NRM secretariat died when it was under my young brother Mbabazi.   The NRM garden had grown weeds” (…)”A member of NRM can ask, what will I benefit? Then you tell him what about peace, free education for the children, roads? And he says even FDC members benefit in that. UPC used to give their leaders sugar and left out others and that is why they are no longer in power” (Mulondo, 2015).

Sideline story: 

The Same day one of the men behind the book called ’99 Reasons why Museveni Must Go’ who released the book on Friday (30.10.2015) at the American Embassy was shortly after that detained by the police. The man I am speaking of was the gentleman of Muhamed Ssegirinya.

I know I have read and written so much on this NRM Primaries, that is because its sadly very entertaining and also the issues continues to pile up together with massive reports. Now we are getting a sour loser who knows that these elections are rigging parties, pre-ticket ballots or written wrong on the ballot-papers. The tale of the NRM Primaries of 2015 is in the name of Kenyan Ballot-Papers.

If they are more united after this then there more united in the way of rigging themselves into power and not giving in to the people, and letting the people find the ones they want to represent themselves. So with the NRM-Regime they will continue to live in the sense of Anti Taxation-with-representation, because that is something Museveni fears with a passion it seems. Peace.

Reference:

HRNJ-Uganda – ‘Journalist shot at, another arrested by police and assaulted while covering NRM party elections’ (29.10.2015) link: https://hrnjuganda.org/2015/10/29/journalist-shot-at-another-arrested-by-police-and-assaulted-while-covering-nrm-party-elections/?utm_source=HRNJ-U+ALERTS&utm_campaign=d55bcb9928-NTV_JOURNALIST_SHOT10_29_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ff0af7ac98-d55bcb9928-131087245

Oketech, Bill – ‘Security intimidated voters – NRM boss’ (30.10.2015) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Security-intimidated-voters–NRM-boss/-/688334/2934790/-/g1kahf/-/index.html

Okot, Johan & Komakeach, Dan Michael – ‘Kitgum NRM aspirant calls for fresh election’ (31.10.2015) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kitgum-NRM-aspirant-calls-for-fresh-election/-/688334/2936162/-/gwnmvvz/-/index.html

Mulondo, Moses – ‘Museveni condemns malpractices in NRM primaries’ (30.10.2015) link: http://www.elections.co.ug/new-vision/election/1407488/museveni-condemns-malpractice-nrm-primaries

Tumusiime, Alex – ‘Chaos As Kibaale NRM Results Are Announced’ (31.10.2015) link: http://ugandaradionetwork.com/story/chaos-as-kibaale-nrm-results-are-announced?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

UGBlizz – ‘Elected Flag bearer Kakyebezi Robert to Light Up Mbarara Town’ (31.10.2015) Link: http://www.ugblizz.com/article.php?article=800&title=elected-flag-bearer-kakyebezi-robert-to-light-up-mbarara-town-blizz-uganda#sthash.0qFw0Owg.dpuf

NRM Primaries a little to Yellow? Sorry wange, it’s to Mellow!

Well after days of Primaries where I have showed details after details of practices of the NRM Electoral Commission and the actions on the ground. These primaries has been magnificent and that the proud professor Tanga Odoi doesn’t have the honor to tell the world that he didn’t have the capacity to deal with all of the voting stations, voting material and the excess of practices on the ground.

The National Resistance Movement who has run a country for 29 years ever since the year of 1986. Has held Internal-Elections to see who might represent them in the General-Election in 2016.

The surprise to people is how Ofwono Opondo spread the level of cost that was on the election 5, 5Billion shillings. That there was set up about 60, 000 voting stations. At the same time there been only registered 47 cars to the political party. The last straw today was that the NRM Register Office is set under the NRM Secretary General and not in the National Resistance Movement Electoral Commission. Therefore the governing body that is in charge of this spending and the amount of cars combined with initial areas that need material doesn’t sound like a something that easily could be questioned. Then they imported the Ballot-papers from Kenyan producers, surely as Dr. Odoi has said he wanted to secure that it wasn’t like in 2010 when people had ballot-papers in their houses and in their pockets. It still hasn’t been smooth.

Ballot-papers has missed candidates, Independent candidates has been on the NRM Ballot-Papers in certain districts, there has been missing slots like 7 boxes to tick and 8 candidates, the ballot papers has ended in the wrong district, there been ballot-boxes in prisons and in Central Police Stations before arriving to Polling Stations. There have even been missing candidates on the ballot-papers. So many wrongs are just the simple ballot-papers or the slips that the voters are supposed to decide their vote. More candidates has been taken with tens of thousands or just thousands of pre-ticket ballot-papers in their houses and cars.

On top of this is the massive arrests, the winning candidates that are still in jail,  pre-ticket ballot-papers ready made for some candidates and some have pre-filled ballot-boxes arriving at the polling-station. FDC Members could willy-nilly vote and at certain voting stations. There been districts where the police have taken people with fake Yellow-Membership-Cards. People been taken to custody for election violence and others for charges of rigging the elections. The last charge has been in many districts. There been specific candidates who has had mobilization teams to bribe voters in counties, certain has been incarcerated for doing so. Certain candidates have held voters on gun-point to make them take the right decision on who to vote for!  The Police has thrown tear-gas into the public to shut down demonstrations after postponing the elections in the county.

There have even been candidates whom have stormed tally-centers with security personnel and demanded all the people to get out. So they could clear the results. Even certain candidates has stolen the ballot-boxes after voting and ended up in jail. There been even candidates who couldn’t control the tally-center so the candidate actually took the declaration form and got caught, ended up also in jail.

For all of this there has even been talking that the Ghost of Amama Mbabazi is the one behind all of this. Isn’t that taking away the 80% satisfaction of Dr. Odoi?

There has been talk of moles into this election and IGP Kale Kayihura has said that the media should step off from being the media and foreign influence is making a lot of trouble. Well, the bribes are local, the mobilization teams are local, the candidates rides locally, the districts are run by local men, the NRM has decided who the wanted on the ballot, not moles or international influences so, IGP Kale Kayihura need yet another reality check!

There has been voting in done electronically on their cell-phone through the magical place of WhatsApp. There has been candidates going to markets and buying soldiers and police officers votes. Some people in this Internal-Election have been stopped from voting in the polling station even when they are registered. The police have even stopped mini-buses with shipped people from county to county to make the tally. There has been magistrates and candidates held temporary hostages by the public for a hot minute for trying to buy the electorate in the municipality.

This here is to set the issues in perspective. To show how the practices has been during this internal election. I will not bring more or less election results from the rest of the internal election of the NRM because the Daily Monitor, Elections.co.ug or other outlets does it better and with manpower and time I don’t have. But you should look over the big birds that are shot down and the changes of guards that has happen in the party. Dr. Tanga Odoi needs to be set straight for this. There was chaos in 2010, but this here hasn’t been a smooth eiter! There have been districts and counties with peace. But there been a lot of irregularities in this internal exercise.

Hope that Eng. Dr. Badru Kiggundu and the big Electoral Commission of the state can do a better job or maybe even hide the malfunctions better for the General Elections coming. Because Dr. Tanga Odoi is showing so much weakness in this, the NRM party as the ruling party is showing shady practices and rigging on a major scale. And if this is a pre-run and test before the coming one, then there will be a long walk in the wilderness and an even longer walk for free and fair elections in Uganda. Peace!