DPC Tubonane warned about traffic to get rid of the rally in the town today for Dr. Besigye in Hapuyo in Kyegegwa district (and didn’t succeed!)

I haven’t written much about the FDC rallies and People’s President Journey through the election even if he has gone from crowd to crowds in any district. He has come in by-passing because of the main events. Even if I am genuine admire of his politics and his swagger in public eye.  That’s because it been peaceful. Though the crowds and speeches deserves coverage, though my last piece was about his visit to Abim Hospital that also made the government look naked. A real power move by the Presidential Candidate; if not for that piece he has not been in main focus because Musveni and Mbabazi campaign trail has made more fuzz or more noise. Though it might not be as fruitful I still have felt the importance of it, even if it isn’t justified with the momentum that Dr. Kizza Besigye have for the moment.

Today I will talk about one report and what happen in Hapuyo Trading Center in Kyegegwa district where the District Police Commander Joel Tubonane claimed to the public and organizers that the venue and rally was disturbing the Trading Center and wanted the rally out of the road. He commanded them to stop the rally. The people answered him with chasing him away. So that Dr. Kizza Besigye holds his rally in Hapuyo. The ironic part of the statement of the DPC was that there were no visible cars in the road or traffic to interfere with the rally in the town.

The great issue about this is that FDC has given the Electoral Commission and Uganda Police Force its Campaign rallies plan and harmonized it after the laws that they have at their disposal, this has given way for the FDC to have rallies in the areas as they have accepted by the EC and UPF. Which should in effect give way for the FDC to do as they have already complied to the law to have these events, this is also into the famous Elections Roads Map that is the guideline that IGP Kale Kayihura spends time dreaming about when he crashes a event claiming it is not entitle in it It seems that the DPC Tubonane has the same ability, though not the same power or man-power in his district to do something about it. If he did he would violate the words of his boss and make him a hypocrite; that wouldn’t be surprising looking at the outcome of Amama Mbabazi rally in Ntungamo yesterday. That is in the same Election Road Map. I wrote about it yesterday, will not spend more on it, until the numbers and actual violence get more painted on the canvas I can’t describe it no more. Though I will say yesterday was unjustified actions from the NRM, period.

What happen today was a reaction to the reactionary DPC who thought by his mere presence would dissolve and abolish the planned rally of the FDC. Like on man and his words would do so. He would by that violate the higher powers that have for some reasons allowed them to do it. That’s the like Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu and IGP Kale Kayihura, the last one his boss. Instead of trying to force them away from the trading district he should have facilitated the planned rally. Not that he would do so, they doesn’t feed him like the loyal crony who hired him for the DPC position IGP Kayihura. Therefore his loyalty is to the NRM, even if the Police is supposed to be as the ARMY a units who are not participating in political activities, even if the latter has Parliamentary Members. That is just me commenting on the foolish reasoning of non-partisan army, which the UPDF is not, so why should the UPF not be loyal to their leader IGP Kayihura who gladly takes parts of great NRM events like recent ones on Kololo in November, and then we know that he will not judge against his own. That is why IGP Kayihura uses the Public Order Management Act to justify actions against opposition parties and activities in every turn that the Police throw tear-gas and tear up venues where the FDC and Go-Forward shows up.

This did not happen today, it is just to prove their viciousness. The actions of the normal police activity; it’s a reason why I am so blunt about it. That the DPC Tubonane in Hapuyo Trading Center was acting as the mouthpiece of his peers. And for those who have followed the UPF and their actions it’s like a déjà vu. We have heard it all before and it was expected.

What was unexpected was the reaction to the Police Commanders wishes of skirmishing the venue and street on his own; because the people reacted to his ways and got him away. That gave way for the FDC to have a rally in the town as planned. Though I wished he walked away freely instead of being chased away. They still proved some humility by not doing anything more. And the DPC Tubonane could have gotten his fellow comrades and retaliated and instead didn’t put up his equipment. That is something we also could have for-seen but that didn’t occur today and we can be happy about that since there been enough innocent people who has been hurt in rallies and consultant meeting in 2015 alone by the powers of UPF.

We could have seen more violence today if the DPC Tubonane had acted against the people who sent him away after threating to close the rally in the trading center. He could have gone and made hazard. Instead nothing happen and silent ordinary rally happen in town where Dr. Kizza Besigye held his speech and travelled on to the next district of the day. We can be happy about that, though sad that the DPC had to go to these ways to prove his power, though he lost it when the people of the town weren’t buying it. We can be grateful for their resilience and really living by the force of defiance against the governmental forces that are holding them in invisible chains, by the long-serving NRM-Regime. Surely not the reports Mzee want to hear in his ear in Saudi Arabia, well, he can’t always be pleased. Peace.

Second day of Presidential Rallies in Uganda and other reports affecting to these elections

The candidates have been to different venues. The kick-off of the election season was yesterday. This is just the second day of the rallies for the 8^th candidates in the race. Still I will promise I can’t have the ability to follow it as tight until 18^th February 2016. So now from now on the will be other types of articles and blogs from me. It’s heavy to know and get all the report and fit in one piece. With the information from all of the different camps and parties involved. But here are some of the basics of the second day, also other actions that has happen. Not between the venues of the candidates, but initially the bigger picture.

Because in the Parliament they have discussed the Public Finance Management Bill of 2015, AGAIN, TODAY! This offers certain advantages to the government and less accountability for the Parliament. This gives the Government an opportunity to take short-term loans without thinking… That should get people rise their eyebrows and sneezing because of the BS from the NRM-Regime to achieve their goal. A free-way to bank and not due diligence on the short-term loans, that should not be a possibility, because that opens up so many worm-holes and pigeon-holes for an embezzlement and added corruption, last but not least. Something that make the economy even more volatile ads up more problems that can lead bigger inflation and higher prices, and last also devalue the shilling. Because of the more flow of monies and less control of the flow of currency in the country, that ends with less value of monies in general.

If you wonder what it is about read this:  

My blog piece about the Public Finance Management Bill of 2015 Amendment

Here I continue on the reports and news of the day!

Handouts during elections:

“This is particularly not surprising since a large percentage of the electorate is extremely poor and vulnerable to monetary handouts. But besides cash handouts voters have also been compromised with petty handouts that are largely consumptive and have no long term impact on their lives. All this is conduct that is contrary to the electoral law but seems to have grown unabated” (…)“During elections inflation tends to skyrocket, which creates problems for the economy”, Muhumuza, an economic analyst with KPMG, says. “The inflation, he says, has a far reaching impact that not only slows down economic growth but has the potential to wipe out gains” (Ladu, 2015).

Express concerns of paying debts:

“The petitioners told the secretary general, Justine Kasule Lumumba, recently at Parliament that the purpose of their request was to express their dissatisfaction over recently concluded party primaries, explaining that the postponement caused them to incur a lot of debts.“The NRM Electoral Commission (EC) kept postponding voting in the primaries; the delay caused a big financial strain on aspirants, because we had borrowed money” (Kiwuuwa, 2015).

NRM hires a VJ to Campaign for Museveni:

“Famous local movie translator Commonly VJ Jingo (now a Ssalongo) is now in monies following a new deal from Kyadondo that indicates that Jingo will be bagging Ugx. 200 million to provide mentions for NRM’s party flag bearer President Museveni during the presidential campaign due next year” (Newz.ug, 2015). I know I am late to the party, but still worth noticing right!

DP on the Crime Preventers:

“DP Deputy Spokesperson, Alex Waiswa told journalists at the City House in Kampala that they have learnt from credible sources that this brutal act was executed by crime preventers in the area. “We strongly resisted the creation of crime preventers having forecast such incidences; these groups have been formed and passed out at such an elective period with the sole aim of bogging all attempts by the opposition to the take over power in the 2016 general elections,” Waiswa said. “I want to assure Ugandans that no amount of attack or intimidation on us shall hinder our candidate and the group to continue campaigning and subsequently take over power in 2016,” Waiswa noted” (Segwa, 2015).

Orders on Tear-Gas from IGP Kale Kayihura today:

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” (The Insider, 2015).

Seven Amama Supporters detained:

“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’. Mbabazi is expected to hold his second rally this afternoon in Mukono” (Investigator, 2015).

Police action in Mukono:

Also in Mukono there was a Brass Band playing for the Go-Forward candidate before the rally. The Police have stopped this brass band from playing.

NRM reaction to the Go-Forward rally:

Earlier today the NRM had a procession in Mukono. It just had to happen the day that Amama Mbabazi and the Go-Forward team were coming to town. After this they held an Anti-Amama Protest in town.

Deflections to Go-Forward:

“The Iganga District vice chairperson, Mr Ezra Gabula, has declared his support for former prime minister Amama Mbabazi, saying President Museveni has lost track and is no longer focused enough to lead the country” (Sigira, 2015).

Go-Forward rally in Mukono:

At the Mukono Rally of the Go-Forward one of the speakers Mugoba-Nsonga tells Ken Lukyamuzi: “You have two weeks to join Go-Forward lest you are no longer part of the party president”.

Mathias Mpuunga said this after the rally:

Thnx Hon. Betty Nambooze & Mukono! Time to offer leadership and not excuses!

Who Plans the Go-Forward rally in Oyam:

The loser of the NRM Primaries Omodo Omodo is making arrangements for the Go-Forward and Amama Mbabazi’s rally in the area.

NRM Poor Youth deflects from Go-Forward back to Museveni:

“Thomas Kategere who is also the National Resistance Movement flag bearer for Kamuli district LC5 chairperson on Monday crossed to Museveni`s camp when he drove all the way from Kamuli to attend the latter`s first presidential campaign rally in Luwero district” (Okello, 2015).

FDC Party and Dr. Kizza Besigye rallies toaday:

Dr. Kizza Besigye on the Road:

He had an early stop at Rwamabondo. He will later hold a rally at Kyamate Grounds.

Inside the village of the Karaja County in Ntungamo district. In the village he had to stop to greet supporters and even held a speech to the greeting public. At the village level more than hundred people left their NRM-Cards to the Dr. Kizza Besigye and told that they would not vote for Museveni and NRM no more.

Dr. Kizza Besigye wsa in Rwasahamire: “It took us many hours to get here because of a poor road network”.

Dr Besigye has addressed our supporters in Kitwe in Ruhaama county of Ntungamo district. He is expected to arrive at the main rally in Ntungamo municipality around 7.

Hon Ibrahim SSemujju Nganda stated this today:

“In November 2013, Parliament’s Government Assurance Committee released a report indicating that since 1986, Mr Museveni had not fulfilled pledges totalling to 817 whose worth was estimated at Shs13 trillion in key areas such as roads, hospitals, schools, airports, bridges, electricity and industrialisation. And he insists on running for another term of office?”

Dr.Kizza Besigye statement after the rallies today:

“To all the evidently change hungry people of Ntungamo. I want to say thank you for the warm welcome accorded to us. The dug up roads we witnessed today in a district where many NRM bigwigs originate is evidence that we should work for change. A type of change that will see us have better roads regardless of how remote our subcounty is. To the people of Rubare and Kitwe thanks for braving the rain as you waited for our arrival. With this spirit of defiance against heavy rains we shall surely win this election. Let us lift our country through a spirit of sacrifice and commitment like we have exhibited today. I would like to encourage those who have turned in their NRM party cards to remain steadfast and resolute. It is as well very touching to see you pull out your 1000, 500, 100 shillings to finance this campaign. You have given new meaning to the name ‘The People’s President’. Mwebare munonga. Ruhanga abarinde”.

TIC PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS:

We congratulate TIC presidential candidate Mr. Mabirizi Joseph and his colleague Mrs. Kyala Walube on a successful first day of campaigns. Mabirizi left Kampala a bit late which caused problems for Iganga- the Iganga rally has been rescheduled to tomorrow mid morning before proceeding to Bugiri and Namayingo. Kaliro was great.

Today Maureen Faith Kayala had a rally in Busoga. At the rally she promised to make Joseph Mabirizi her VP.

Reports saying this about one of the candidates:

Gen. Biraro is still studying the situation. He won’t rush, victory is his, he projects a 80% sweep.

M7 and NRM continue to have campaign rallies:

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Nakeseke:

He had to take a helicopter to the venue. Where he has asked the public vote for him and he is “your best choice”.

Journalist Detained because of the crowd photoes of the NRM rallies:

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. The journalists and photographers had covered poor turn up of Museveni rallies. They was later released after deleting the photos.

A nice combo from one of the rallies:

Nakasongola crowd combined of this kind of crowd!

Crimes preventers + Army men at Nakasongola Barack + Army men’s wives + Army men’s children + Nakasongola police men and their women + Some few NRM supporters -Nakasongola residents = Museveni crowds.

Bebe Cool works the crowd at President Museveni’s Nakasongola rally.

The singer says the incumbent will retain the presidency “because he does 4 rallies a day, with the same crowd within a single district while others do one at most two a day and have even resorted to manufacturing pics to seek false confidence” (NBS TV, 2015).

In Amolator the Lango Chief Yosam Odur gave him a spear and shield. So Museveni got respect from the local folks here.

This is what I have from today. It should seem as enough. Second day of Election rallies. There been a lot and also lots of action on the ground. Hard to cover it all and give an edge that Daily Monitor, New Vision and all the other media houses does. So this is my go at it. I will follow the election, but I can’t do it this heavy in the coming days. But will try my best so that the cover of the election gets a bit fair.

Reference:

Kiwuuwa, Paul – ‘NRM losers seek audience with Museveni over debts’ (10.11.2015) link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/675512-nrm-losers-seek-audience-with-museveni-over-debts.html

Ladu, Ismail Musa – ‘Election handouts: The scourge eating the economy’ (10.11.2015) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/Business/Prosper/Election-handouts-scourge-economy/-/688616/2949400/-/q09kal/-/index.html

Newz.ug – ‘NRM hires VJ Jingo to campaign for Museveni, bags Ugx. 200m’ (09.10.2015) link: http://newz.ug/2015/10/19/nrm-hires-vj-jingo-to-campaign-for-museveni-bags-ugx-200m/

Okello, Dickens H. – ‘Another Poor Youth Leaves Mbabazi for Museveni’ (10.11.2015) link: http://www.chimpreports.com/another-poor-youth-leaves-mbabazi-for-museveni/

Investigator – ‘#AmamaTrail: Seven Amama Mbabazi Supporters detained as Baryamureeba Suspends his Campaigns’ (10.11.2015) link: http://theinvestigatornews.com/amamatrail-seven-amama-mbabazi-supporters-detained-as-baryamureeba-suspends-his-campaigns/

Segwa, Nixon – ‘DP, TDA- Go Forward Threaten to Counterattack Crime Preventers’ (10.11.2015) link: http://www.chimpreports.com/dp-tda-go-forward-threaten-to-counterattack-crime-preventers/

Sigira, Yazid Yoli – ‘Iganga District boss crosses to Mbabazi camp’ (10.11.2015) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Iganga-District-boss-crosses-to-Mbabazi-camp/-/688334/2950424/-/wtnra8z/-/index.html

The Insider – ‘Kayihura tells cops to go slow on expired teargas’ (10.11.2015) link: http://www.theinsider.ug/kayihura-tells-cops-to-go-slow-on-expired-teargas/