MDC Alliance Statment on State-Sponsored Violence in Uganda (23.11.2020)

One Republic for Museveni and another for his opponents…

It is evident for every single day. That the Republic isn’t the same for the opposition in comparison to the National Resistance Movement (NRM). It is two separate entities, as the rules are not the same for one party versus the others. That is really proven by the actions made by the state in recent days.

A few times now, a Presidential Candidate, I don’t take seriously, but the state does. Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde has been blocked from campaigning several of places. The local authorities have blocked him.

Also, a lot of tear-gas and blocking of rallies towards Patrick Oboi Amuriat. The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Presidential Candidate is also seeing the blunt force of the authorities. They are coming with weapons, tear-gas and using all tools to stop the campaign of the FDC front-runner.

They you have Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, the National Unity Platform (NUP). The Presidential Candidate who are always under fire. Bobi Wine cannot do anything without being followed by both Police and army. The police has already arrested him and he spent two days in jail for trying to campaign. His Presidential Advance Team was arrested yesterday. Several of the Aspirants for MP has been behind bars in the recent days too. Therefore, know that the NUP and Bobi Wine is challenged at every single move.

So, today’s tear-gas and blocking Bobi Wine from accessing a town isn’t new. However, it shows how the state operates. Because, the state and the ones aligned with the President can breach the COVID-19 regulations, they hold processions and have giant rallies in their campaigns. As long as your Yellow. The sickness and COVID-19 doesn’t affect the politics. Nevertheless, it is easily spreading when the Opposition candidates shows up. Then its a danger and read-all-about-it.

Not like the President and his candidates isn’t breaching it. They will claim they have smaller rallies for the photo-ops of the H.E. Nevertheless we are seeing the pictures of Bebe Cool and others waving on the roadside with several of people. Far reaching the levels of appreciated crowds for the opposition.

That is why there is one Republic for the NRM and the President. Where certain rules and regulations doesn’t matter. It hasn’t any consequences…

Still, the same laws and regulations are applied totally differently for Bobi Wine and the rest of the Opposition. These are living in a different Republic…

It cannot be the same place or with the same rules. As it isn’t applied in the same manner. It got to be the same place. If it was, why do they at all crazy and violent when the opposition shows up? But is all at ease on the crowds with the NRM?

This is why it cannot be the same place, the same Republic and with the same government. It cannot be and it shouldn’t be. One is Uganda and the Wakanda. The NRM cannot defend this and it is impunity. It is injustice and unfair. However, that is what the NRM does and we know it is the same place. Even if it shouldn’t be. These two actions under the same regime shouldn’t be possible, but it is. Since, the army and police is only honouring the President and not the general public. 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.

Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) – DSP Media Brief (20.11.2020)

Bobi Wine is on bail: Thou his not yet free

I’m not here because I committed a crime. I’m here because I offered myself to lead Ugandans into ending 35 years of dictatorship” Robert Kyagulanyi in trial at Iganga Magistrate Court (20.11.2020)

Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine is now on a non-cash bail after the arrest in Luuka district on the 18th November 2020. After 48 hours he was taken to court and is now officially charged by the authorities. This is as scheduled and has been done to opposition leaders plenty of times. Especially, the ones that gains popularity and recognition beyond what the President is ever getting.

Bobi Wine is a man that hits a nerve with the President and his men. His a man who has the ability to strike a cord with the youth, the unemployed and beyond the ghettos of Kampala and Wakiso district. This man is feared by them and this is why they are punishing him everytime they can.

That is why he was after 2 days detained at Nalufenya Police Station. He was sent to Iganga Magistrate Court to be charged and released on this bail. This means the case will linger and be used when the authorities needs it. Just like old cases has haunted other opposition leaders in the midsts of campaigns. While the state never release any evidence or affidavits to fit the charges. They are still prolonging the cases indefinitely. It is like they never end. As long as they have gotten touched by the state. It will follow you no matter where you go.

The Uganda Police Force will be on his tail. Whatever units they have will follow him. The Internal Security Organization (ISO) will monitor him. The Special Force Command (SFC) will be after him too. Everyone will try to pin something on him. The Regional Police Commanders and Residential District Commanders will also make life hard for Bobi Wine and the National Unity Platform.

That is why Police Spokesperson Fred Enaga is coming out with a Press Statement and a Presser too. Where he shows evidence and calls the NUP to action for the riots and demonstrations. While not taking any accountability for having men shooting at civilians and issuing tear-gas at any given moment. The authorities never does anything wrong, but always the opposition. They will never look into the reasons for why the official death-toll of 37. While it wouldn’t be shocking to speculate that the actual numbers are much worse. Because, there is some who isn’t considered and some whose never reported. However, the state would never ever take credit or see this. They want the numbers to be as low as possible, instead of dropping the actual truth.

This is why we know Bobi Wine isn’t free, neither are his associates or anyone else around him. They are a criminal enterprise in the eyes of the state and all their institution. They have targeted the NUP and everything associated with it since the inception and beginning of it. This is why people have been arrested for wearing berets, red-clothes and merchandise from the party. The police have crack-down and raided the offices of the party.

The recent action is just amping it up and showing violent force against it. Bobi Wine will not be free. Neither will the ones around him. They are in the aim of the state and it is ruthless. It isn’t free or fair, it is injustice and impunity. However, that is what they subscribe too.

We could wish and be more hopeful. However, his just on bail. They will arrest him again. They will use force and arbitrary arrest him. Bobi Wine will get into jeopardy and pay a hefty price. The ones supporting him. Will be degraded to hoodlums and hooligans. The state will give retribution, because the correct line is only to have one master and that is Museveni. Peace.

Uganda: Joint Statement by Presidential Candidates (20.11.2020)

National Youth Council: Press Statement by the National Youth Council Elect on Recent Events in Uganda (20.11.2020)

Electoral Commission: Statement on the Arrest of Presidential Candidate Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu (NUP) Party (19.11.2020)

Uganda Law Society: The Uganda Law Society Statement following the Unrests and Riots that took place on 18/11/2020, as a result of the arrest of Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu and Mr. Patrick Oboi Amuriat (19.11.2020)

Opinion: Museveni shows no remorse towards the rioting citizens

For the ones that could expect sympathy or care for the citizens. You should just scratch that and forget those natural instincts, because for a President for Life. These sort of natural feelings and emotions are pointless. This man is ruthless and tactless. A man who rather answer with more force and quell any rebellion. Finding any excuse and reason to prolong the agony. As long as his ruling supreme.

President Museveni continues his campaigns and rallies like nothing happen. The NRM can hold processions and gatherings like COVID-19 doesn’t exists. While the Opposition, the ones arrested and anyone else associated with the opposition. Is in the wrong. Because, the state and him is never wrong. Even though at this point, his dead wrong and doesn’t care.

Just read this from Kotido district today:

They have entered an area of fighting we know very well. Whoever started it will regret it. Some of these groups are being used by outsiders who don’t like the stability and independence of Uganda but will discover what they are looking for” (…) “Those who have been attacking NRM people in Kampala will soon lose that appetite. You will see the uniform of NRM and won’t touch it. Even if they abandon it, you won’t touch it. They want to create violence so that elections are not held, however, elections will continue and those fighting will lose. They will answer for the crimes they have committed” (…) “We are here in this campaigning indirectly where we dont hold rallies for the sake of avoiding infecting more people. We have lost quite a number of people already including two Members of Parliament and some scientists. It is therefore criminal for anybody to ignore this. We are not going to tolerate that and whoever does it(violates guidelines) will regret what they did” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Kotido District Campaign rally on the 19th November 2020 (Source: Kenneth Kazibwe – ‘“Whoever started it will regret”- Museveni on Bobi Wine protests’, 19.11.2020, Nilepost.ug).

This is not a man who wants to solve or resolve an issue. Not the act of the one who cares about the will of the people. The grievances and the suffering of them. No, this is of a man who is high on power and wants to keep it to himself by any means.

The President is in fighting spirit and in fight mode. Instead of being a man of class and show some humility as people are dying in the hands of law enforcement, soldiers and police officers. He instead challenges them and says these people will loose eventually. That it will literally will die down or cease to operate. Because, he can order the army, special force command and whatever other unit he has to silence the critics. The ones battling the mighty NRM.

He doesn’t even speculate and call the general public, the ones protesting and rioting criminals and needs to be investigated. However, doesn’t take a second and feel the pain of these people. Neither does he think of the ones who has lost someone. Just that these folks will regret doing it and they will be fought. Since there is never any better way to handle this…

President Museveni shows his tyranny and there is no hope with this old. His steadily on the warpath and doesn’t care how many lives he scorns. As long as he clings on to power. In the end that is all that matters. That this man has power. While the public is indefinitely suffering on the hands of this man.

There is no glory, no justice and no remorse. Only more suffering and pain. Since, the President has no plan to go easy. Only to go head on and he wants to be remembered for the blood that is shed in his name. Peace.