Uganda Police Force: Security Situation in Arua Municipality (14.08.2018)

Uganda Police Force transferred DPC Abbas Senyonjo from Arua to Masaka after yesterday’s havoc!

Arua By-Election: Who really cares whose winning now?

At this point, after yesterday death of the driver of Bobi Wine, the arrests of journalists, Bobi Wine whisked away and Kassiano Wadri arrested with several others. We can wonder if this Arua By-Election really matters? Why is this so important for the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni? That he will keep opposition, arrest them and also take care of journalists for reporting on the events.

That is what we should question, as lives are taken, the Presidential Guards are killing and leaving families behind it hurt. There are enough pain and suffering as it is, there are enough self-inflicted pains by the authorities towards innocent civilians. This is happening, while the Presidents own Press Squad trying to forge a story of destroyed wind-shield. Without any of the glass destroyed the car, neither the bulletproof vehicle had any other parts destroyed by the same stones. The destruction of that car, was made to steer the conversation, but we shouldn’t let Don Wanyama and Museveni steer the wheel, they are just trying to stop us talking about the real damage.

The real damage is on the opposition parties side, on the public side, where the public was shot at with tear-gas, where the Special Force Command went into a situation and blasted live bullets, directly at one car. This wasn’t a mere stray shot, this was deliberately, therefore, because of press on the ground covering it. They had to arrest the NTV Crew and take them to Gulu for “Questioning”. Because the President couldn’t have the real news of the tried assassination plot in the reports. They needed the fake vandalized car, because that isn’t an easy trick to pull. The bullets from the Presidential Guards went directly to the seat in the car, where usually Bobi Wine sits. If that isn’t marked territory, nothing is. They can foil a PR scam, but not fool you so many times.

We know they tried to take away the reporters and journalists on the ground, as they did not want the news of beatings of politicians, the arrests of several, the tear-gas nor the assassination plot to get to the public. However, that is the mere fact and the orders from above was set fore. If they we’re thinking this was wise, it was not, because it just shows how far Museveni will go over a By-Election to get his way. He will kill and destroy, he will assassinate and get rid of his mortal enemies. That is the way he is built and shows it with perfection in Arua.

This election was supposed to be about who gets the seat of the late Hon. Ibrahim Abiriga, who himself as assassinated earlier this year, now a second plot because of the same seat have been put forward. You can wonder, how many lives has to be taken, before people start to question the legitimacy and reason for letting Museveni rule indefinitely. Since, the innocents dies because of his reign and instead of showing compassion and mercy, he shows merciless attacks and propaganda to sway the public opinion. This is total disregard of life, which he is supposed to serve and take care of.

When he thinking of taking care of, he thinks of ending their lives apparently, not trying to find a solution to live together in harmony. Because yesterday was razing havoc and killing a driver, doing all kind of vindictive stuff and trying to forge a story of a destroyed car. That doesn’t work.

No sort of story should play out that this was the solution the SFC and Presidential Convoy could have managed this. If they we’re sincere, they would have found another way or used methods, however, shooting into crowds, using tear-gas and trying to hit at a target. Was their way yesterday, they can say whatever they like, but it is not believable, as the circumstances and results are in favor of the President. Not of the people or anyone else.

This shouldn’t be forgotten, as the steps of demolition of the opposition continues in the mind of the President. He is really pursuing it and it shows, with fatal circumstances like yesterday. Peace.

Arua By-Election: Did the Special Force Command try to assassinate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine?

We can wonder, what was the plan of the authorities, as the vicious attempt to attack one car in Arua happen earlier today. This is after a report, that the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) – Special Force Command (SPC) did a direct shooting at the car of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine in Arua. This has happen today as the Arua By-Election are going to the polls on the 15th July 2018. The SPC, the Presidential Guards and the Police Force have attacked the marches in and around the town. They have used tear-gas and live-bullets in town. This shows how the By-Elections turns into a War-Zone. Today, this has ended in fatal death of the Yasin Kawuma, the driver of Bobi Wine, as the SFC tried to assassinate him.

This election isn’t supposed to be about Bobi Wine, he is there as endorsement of Kassiano Wadri together with former FDC Party President Mugisha Muntu. While today President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni have campaigned for the NRM Flag-Bearer Nusura Tiperu. While the FDC have fielded Bruce Musema, who have campaigned together with Kizza Besigye. Therefore, there been three rallies on the final day before the polls. However, all of that fallen short, as the violence has hit Arua.

All of who is winning isn’t important today, as an innocent driver was killed by the Presidential Guards. These are people who came armed and ready, that is why the same security organizations have sealed of the hotel of Bobi Wine. Clearly, the authorities has tried to get rid of him.

This is clearly sending the message, that this by-election are so important, that they will even kill the opposition and their leaders to gain the seat of the deceased honorable Ibrahim Abiriga. I am sure the President will say some random hoodlum or terrorist did this. Promise to put up CCTV camera’s and such. However, the SFC will be untouched, as they killed the driver today.

The NRM cannot get away with this, as the driver was just someone caught randomly, as they went for the car of Bobi Wine. That could have been a political assassination, which haven’t been seen in a while. Even if the assassination of Abiriga was bad, this would have had more ramifications. As Bobi Wine has a standing in the population, while Abiriga was more a lonely fellow within the elite. Even the assassination of AIGP Andrew Kaweesi. Both have been serious and shown how easily big-men can get touched, however, trying to kill Bobi Wine is showing at what level of intimidation the NRM are up too.

This is coming, as Bobi Wine is arrested too. The endless impunity of the NRM and President Museveni isn’t stopped. The authorities knows this and ordered the SFC to attack and take out Bobi Wine. That happened as the opposition supporters was booing at the President during a march and the authorities went hostile. This shows how volatile the President is and how his ego plays out. That his opponents can make he take to arms, because his vision is jaded.

While Museveni are trying to play it out, that opposition members have attacked his car. How is people with stones able to destroy the windows of bullet-proof and tinted windows of his vehicle. There is no way this happen, as the police are arresting opposition leaders as culprits and making the public criminals. This shows how demeaning the President is, as the car of Bobi Wine was targeted, he is a bit lucky to be arrested and not silenced. That shows how little care the President has and how much force he needs to pull, to be able to intimidate and silence the public to get their vote. No vision, no message and no policies, just fear.

We can wonder if the President wanted to assassinate Robert Kyagulanyi, as his driver is now dead. That because the President ordered his Presidential Guards to stop them from marching. There was no mercy, no thought of consequences, just making sure he would overcome this nightmare of political opponent. The easiest way would be to assassinate him. Peace.

Arua By-Election: Couldn’t the Opposition muster someone better than Wadri?

Well, it will be a race between the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Nusura Tiperu candidate and independent candidate Kasiano Wadri. This is the Arua Municipality By-Election that will happen on the 15th August, as the contested seat of late Hon. Ibrahim Abiriga is for the taking.

This means that the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) own person will step aside, this is the upcoming Bruce Musema. The vital change happens after Justice Forum, Democratic Party and Bobi Wine agreed upon this. The FDC have clearly folded after what happen in Bugiri Municipality, as former Party President Gen. Mugisha Muntu have already started to campaign from Wadri. There are clearly tensions in the air and the obvious outcome. Muntu clearly favored someone outside his previous party, than throwing his weight in favor of Musema. That is really showing lack of loyalty, btu that is to be expected these days. Abed Bwanika was also apart of the people who went in support of Wadri, as well as Norbert Mao, therefore, the DP is heavily invested in the candidate. As they need the result to prove their worth.

Nusura Tiperu is running a campaign of continuing the “Late Abiriga’s Agenda”, however if that will stick or be the reason for her victory, who knows, as the Electoral Commission, the Police Force and the NRM are usually busy rigging elections in their favor. Even as the Joint Opposition Candidate Wadri, will still battle hard, as he is not as viable as Musema might have been. This can really be shooting itself in the foot, as Tiperu might look much smarter, than Wadri ever will be.

Because if Wadri didn’t have the Democratic Party, Bobi Wine and Bwanika behind him. Would he even mattered in concern with Musema? That is the question we can now put. This questions are viable and it is just days ahead of the polls. That is not a sign of strength, but of weakness.

Tiperu couldn’t have gotten a better bargain, as she has to rally against weak Joint Candidate, instead of several Opposition Flag-Bearers. If the Opposition would have been smart, they had put Musema forward as it would have a younger and viable candidate, not an older character like Wadri. Tiperu doesn’t even need lots of big-men around her to win this. She has an advantage and she didn’t do crap about it. This is the own making of the opposition itself.

If your making a joint candidate, you put the best one you have, not the second best or the lucky loser, but you put up someone that you can actually believe in. That is not Wadri. Wadri is not believable, that Bwanika and Bobi Wine, even Muntu is up to something. That is clear, but the vindication of their political bargain, might be a cold cup of tea and not a drink you enjoy.

Wadri is the former Terego County MP, who lost in 2016, therefore, he is already and not a strong one. They are moving him to another district, but his person is still the same. He has already lost one to the NRM. What stops him from that happening again, the mystical powers of Bobi Wine?

We have to see, but Wadri shouldn’t be the one, in this one Musema should have, but maybe after the Bugiri Municipality, the FDC are throwing their weight behind as they were under-fire to field their own. But this time, it would have made sense, because will someone who lost to NRM. He has already had 4 terms in Parliament. There should be someone without entitlement to run.

However, that is what Arua is getting from the opposition. They are fielding a failed, career politician whose time is up. If he bounces back its because of mercy, not because of his swagger. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni goes bananas in his defense of the Bugiri By-Election loss!

“My Reflections on Age Limit and Election in new Municipalities” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the 30th July 2018

There are something striking about the defense of the loss in Bugiri Municipality, would think there was warfare and additional cult-like obsessions from the opposition who won. That they we’re tricking the Electoral Commission and that they had the economic capacity of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

When he claims the losses of the recent by-elections are on voter tourism, have he seen many buses hired by the Forum for Democratic Change? Have he seen or heard reports of dodgy caravans crossing one district to another on polling?

This is the whirlwind of nonsense, as a mad-man using all methods to capture the lack of finesse and use of message from him. President Museveni are using fear and intimidation towards the public, that is why everyone isn’t biting and he cannot manage that. He is now seeing that the opposition if they have the right amount of power behind them, they can actually galvanize popularity. However, he calls it sectarianism and pseudo-ideology, nevertheless, the first I don’t even care for answering, but second needs to be addressed.

By a man of recycled promises, an empty treasure chest, 32 years of rule, less and less results to prove of his ideology or even governance. He shouldn’t claim of others, he should keep his mouth shut and walk-on. Museveni is an empty headed buffoon, whose place is on the farm rearing cows and not being an executive. The defense of the loss in Bugiri proves it.

He call it these things, when they don’t follow the Correct Line, the “Follow My Guidelines”, that is how he is and he cannot help himself. That is part of the lost cause, the man with the old hat. Thinks everything should be focused around and his reign. The ones who doesn’t listen or being servants to his orders, are sectarian or following a pseudo-ideology, if you feel that sounds like hogwash? Your absolutely right.

President Museveni, you have overstayed your welcome, people are tired of you and your lies. You have promised the world, but not even given them a glimpse of honest leadership. That is why people become your enemies, when they are not listening to you or following your commands. Which is sort of a bugging narrative to repeat, but the reality, nevertheless.

You still have the majority, still sitting secure in the State House and controls the army, so right now, Mr. President, you have no need to fear. These elements will always be out there, because everyone will never follow your every command and every word. Because that wise your not and that level of expertise in every field, you have not.

You might have taxed the Over-The-Top Service, but your delivering Down-At-The-Bottom Services to your people. Time for you to relax and figure another way to rule. I know it is to late, but someone has to say it. Best would be to retire and hang-out with Mugabe. Peace.

Mzee says “Follow My Guidelines” and expect everyone to tag-along!

Repeatedly, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni cannot help himself. He just have to throw someone else under the bus. He is riding the bus, put up all the protocols for the bus, he has made the legislation and even made the entire legal framework since 1986 and still he complains about the judiciary. It is as if the man forgets his place and that his own role as the sign-offs of laws, the ones that put them through Parliament is himself.

How stupid does Museveni think people are? That should be an important question at this point, because he always blame others for his short-comings, if it wasn’t him; it was the British, the Obote’s and the Amin’s, but never the high and mighty Museveni. No, that cannot happen, he is perfection and the greatest ever gracing the blue planet of ours.

“But in a statement issued on Monday, Museveni, who is in South Africa for the BRICS Summit, said the judges fell short of understanding the importance of a long term for the elected leaders but concentrated on theatrics. “Unfortunately, our judges in Uganda spend more time on form and not substance, on procedure and not substance,” said Museveni. “My freedom fighter’s sense of justice, in this matter (the age limit ruling) focuses more on the convenience of 7 years rather than 5 years. With the 5 years, a lot of time is spent on electioneering and less time on development; the first two years settling in, the third year some work in the constituency and, then, by the 4th year, electioneering again,” he emphasised. Museveni said, in the end, however, “the judges are not the ones in charge of the country.” He stressed that, “If the NRM MPs follow my guidelines and bond closely with the people, through wealth and job creation, we can, together with the people, make the necessary Constitutional reforms, judges or no judges.” The President said the Constitution should “facilitate the modernization of Uganda and the economic and political integration of Africa for the survival of the people of Africa as free people, not just the theatre of democracy of form without addressing substance.” (Kim Aine – ‘Museveni on Age Limit Ruling: Judges are not in Charge of Uganda’ 30.07.2018, link: https://chimpreports.com/museveni-on-age-limit-ruling-judges-are-not-in-charge-of-uganda/).

He is blaming the judges for stopping the extension of the time of MPs, even if the legal framework doesn’t abide to it. Meaning, that if the President really cared about this and about the laws. He would ensure they were passed properly, even if I have a hard time believing his blast of them. Since, the same laws that ensured the passing of the abolishment of age limit, didn’t need to be fulfilled when concerning him. However, the laws was applied when concerning MPs, that was the need for a referendum and also more public consultations, not just rubberstamping the law and call-it a day.

The judiciary have their place, as they are following the rules of law put in front of them and abide by the set of framework the politicians put together in Parliament. As the pass the laws, it is not like the judges makes these laws and orders. Not in theory, therefore, the whole blasting of them is just weird. When the one law applied to MPs and their extension, but not to the President. He should be more careful with his wording, because why didn’t the same laws apply to him and with the consultation of the extension of his time in office?

Why?

Because the judges are appointed by him and they are working for him, they don’ won’t to bite the hand that feeds them. The key thing out of this was: “follow my Guidelines”, meaning, his words is law and the way forward. There are nothing else to state on the matter. Museveni have the guidelines and the rest have to be in submission and follow, there are no but, if’s or what. It is just follow me and than you can rest assure. That is it. Peace.

Opinion: Why does every By-Election these days look like a War-Zone?

Let us be honest for a minute, the recent By-Elections under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, have become more hostile and more militarized, where the big guns, the soldiers and the mambas are all over the place. That is happening today in Sheema Muncipality in Ibanda and in Bugiri Muncipality in Busoga sub-region. Both National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidates and opposition contest in both of them.

What is striking today is the efforts of the police and the army to intimidate in both places. In Sheema Muncipality and in Bugiri Muncipality, the Army and Soldiers are armed to their teeth. Like there is a war going on, and not a democratic exercise on who gets to represent the people in the newly created districts. No, no, it looks like a war story and someone is going to die!

Seriously, who brings the war machine to an election, if they are not fearing for losing it? Who isn’t bringing the police to arrest opposition activist on the day of the poll and not afraid of losing it?

If the NRM was so steady and had a message, had a mandate and trust in the community, would they need the UPDF and the Police Force to settle intimidation into their eyes. Seriously? I beg to ask!

You can say what you want about elections and about campaigning, but when the ruling regime and the orders from above, is to send a brigades of soldiers to the polls. You know something is wrong, you know that these elections are no good. That is just a common knowledge. Maybe not for Ofwono Opondo or Frank Tumwebaze, but for the rest of us it is.

This isn’t a sign of strength, but more of weakness, of a justification of harassing and intimidating the public. Just because you can and because you have the army. This isn’t there to secure democratic values or secure the public. Than, the soldiers would have bases there and await a sudden strike from an enemy. Not suddenly come out of their barracks and post up in the middle of towns and poll stations in the early mist of morning. No, that isn’t it.

Maybe, just maybe, the NRM thinks so, but than they are gallantly, stupid and I cannot blame them anymore. They are just the National Rwakitura Movement, where all citizens are his cows and he is just waiting to spoil their milk. That is just what is up.

Are the NRM so afraid of losing, that they have to order soldiers in the street to prove they exists and that they can hurt you, if you don’t obey every command made by Museveni? Is that it, is that the magic potion to get people on board. If so, than the President have forgotten Franz Fanon and his wisdom.

As the war-zones of Sheema and Bugiri have smiled to us today and God knows how the tallies will be. Let me end with the words of Fanon.

“The state, which by its strength and discretion ought to inspire confidence and disarm and lull everybody to sleep, on the contrary seeks to impose itself in spectacular fashion. It makes a display, it jostles people and bullies them, thus intimating to the citizen that he is in continual danger. The single party is the modern form of the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie, unmasked, unpainted, unscrupulous, and cynical” (Frantz Fanon – ‘The Wretched of the Earth, P: 164, 1961).

That is enough of the nonsense. Peace.

Age Limit: Erias Lukwago statement after Age Limit Judgement on the 26th July 2018

The frustration and disillusionment many of you and I feel this evening cannot be gainsaid. But I believe it has not been an exercise in futility, for the luganda adage that “nkuwaabidde takuvirako awo” has come to pass.

I am glad that the the Constitutional Court has embraced and incorporated in our constitutional jurisprudence the novel doctrine of “Basic Structure”; a very instrumental tool that informed judicial activism in a number of commonwealth jurisdictions like India, South Africa, Belize etc. I’m only disappointed that they shied away from applying it to all the provisions of the impugned age limit Act and strike it down. Nonetheless, it provides a firm foundation for the next course of action.

We shouldn’t loose sight of the fact that even leopards sweat. We should not despair. Step by step, brick by brick we shall build the Uganda we want. Remember that dictatorships world over do not fall by gravitational force like ripe mangoes, but through sustained struggles and concerted actions of right thinking people.

We must harness and seize every available lawful means to push on with the struggle for rule of law and Constitutional governance. My sincere gratitude to all Ugandans who have walked with us in this strenuous journey. Aluta continua.

For God and My Country.

Opinion: Not shocked that Museveni get another day!

The Age Limit Saga seemed like it would never finish in Mbale today. The Constitutional Court today has given a postponed verdict. This was the finalization of the petition to withdraw or to get the Age Limit “null and void”. However, that didn’t happen and isn’t surprising, that out of the five judges, four judges voted in favor of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. So the life presidency is established by the Constitutional Court today.

This was expected. This wasn’t breaking news. This is just what to anticipate by the National Resistance Movement and the regime of Museveni. Nothing was shocking about it. That one man was against it, seems like a clever way of masking difference of legal opinion, but not making the charade more real. This result was to be expected, just like the lawmakers was supposed to deliver this law and ensure that Museveni got another day as the almighty ruler.

It became 4 to 1 in favor of Museveni becoming the life president, while the judges was agreeing, that the MPs are not allowed without a referendum to go from 5 years to 7 years referendum. Clearly, showing the lack of balance and also a back-slap from the Court to make it sting. This is sending the message, that the State House is deciding matters and not the Parliament. They are only loyal followers of the President. That is why the President is allowed to rule beyond his Age Limit, but the MPs are not allowed to give themselves more time in power.

This here should be seen as another day in the regime of Museveni. Where he has secured himself, used the institution in favor of himself, the MPs are just tools of his reign. If the MPs doesn’t understand that by now, then they are blind fools who has succumbed to the greed and opportunities of the office. They have been self-serving and shown that with their actions and voted for the President in hour of greed.

That is why Museveni knows even as he punish them and stings them, he takes the crown and secure himself. He doesn’t care, he got what he need and has validated himself, by his appointed judges, who delivered what he needs. That is not surprising. That is just to expect.

The ones saying this is a victory for anyone but Museveni. Is lying directly in your face. They are doling out a big fat lie. The winner took it all, took the bride and the kingdom, left only breadcrumbs for the guests. That is what happen today. Peace.