Opinion: Mzee now thinks civic education equates to destabilizing the country…

Part of this money is to support and facilitate various groups and entities in Uganda to conduct what they called deepening democracy in Uganda. The President and government think that this money was brought to distabilise the country. So that is the gist of the concern of the President and the investigation will tell us the money trail and what it has done” – Ofwono Opono in an interview (Ali Twaha – ‘Government links DGF suspension to politics’ 05.02.2021, New Vision).

The suspension of the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF), which is directly funding over 70 Civil Society Organization/Non-Governmental Organization and also their various of programs was suspended by the President in January 2021. As the President and the government was preparing to go to the polls and it had already hold grudges towards civil society for so long. This is the latest attempt to crucify and assault the ones working for a better governance in the Republic.

We know that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni doesn’t want to listen to others. Neither does he want the input from anyone else either. However, he don’t mind free-money and slush-funds to spend as he see fit. That is why he goes after the DGF as it is a fitting “enemy” which he cannot directly control or have his hands in the cookie-jar.

Government Spokesperson Ofwono Opondo is saying it deliberately. They are calling it destructive. Because, they are undermining the “personification” of the state, which happens to be the President. The DGF’s civic education and programs are working indirectly to build sufficient institutions, policies and reforms, which in the end will weaken the power of one man. It would in the end be for good governance and accountable state organizations. Not just be ordered from “high above”. That is why OO and President is speaking ill of this. This will in the end weaken their drive and total control of the state, in the manner, which things are done today.

The “destabilizing” effort is indirectly weakening his reign and rule. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) have no troubles getting direct aid and grants for their government to run. However, they have trouble having the same donors paying for salaries, programs and civic education across the Republic. That shows a double standard and that the President have no trouble eating of the plate directly, but doesn’t want to be told how to be accountable for his eating. He wants to spend money, but don’t want to show recites. That is the memo I am getting from this.

It shows that his a weak man. The President and the government have had no issues taking money from Western donors like the ones who funds the DGF. If they are so afraid of the independence and the questions of usage of funds. The government shouldn’t accept any funds with possible sting attached. The state shouldn’t take loans or grants from the outside. If the donors cannot sustain organizations (CSOs/NGOs) who works with other ideals than the President at this current day.

That is the reality of this all. There is no free lunch. It has never been so. There is always something attached and expectations of an outcome. If you borrow money to build a road, the lender hope you build the road, but also repays the loan with interests. If you take a donation or a grant, then its expected to go to a certain organization or work, which is beneficial for the ones receiving it. That is just a mere reality we all know.

Now, the ones receiving it wants to directly control the funds and how it is spent. When it was funds, which wasn’t his in the first place. They are worried of the efforts and effects these organizations have in the Republic. However, we all know that the President just want to eat and don’t bother with questions. This is why he has retaliated, because he can and he want to show strength. Nevertheless, these acts are an act of a coward. A coward who has taken money all his life, but now cries foul. It is a bit late when you been eating for over three decades and never caused a fuzz. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni suspending the DGF is biting the hand that feeds him

Now that the letter from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija is out. The infamous letter where he suspends the accounts of the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF). This is important, because the DGF supports programs and organizations across the Republic. The DGF is sole funder of several of civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations. There are atleast 70 of them that is hit by this and would cease operations, as the funding and lack of funds to pay staff. That is all happening, because Museveni wrote a letter in early January 2021.

President Museveni have targeted CSOs and NGOs around election time. That is common. That he claims they are up to “no good” and supporting “terrorism” or any other objectively bad enterprise they can. That has been common for decades. However, ceasing their funding totally and blocking a multi-national funding scheme like the DGF. Only undercuts the ideals of the givers, the donors and the ones who monetary support the government and people in the Republic in general. This isn’t government funded money from the tax-base. No, these funds are given from outsiders to support governance and other organizations to strengthen democratic institutions and educate the masses.

The DGF is a collective fund donated by the European Union, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden to support programs and CSOs/NGOs in Uganda. They are partnered with at least 72 organizations across the republic to different capacities. All working in various of fields and for causes to better the Republic. They are all civil society voices for good governance and creating a freer society. However, that is clearly not the beacon that the President believes in anymore.

The donors that see this action by Museveni should shun him and cease all direct donor-funds and also block all loans through multi-national organizations, which the donors are funding as well. That would make it harder for the President to operate and he would seek funds elsewhere. If he wants to be free of stipulations and not have any oversight. This cutting funds to International Monetary Funds (IMF) and World Bank (WB). Also others where the Government of Uganda is seeking loans for development projects and government programs.

The National Resistance Movement was able in the late 1980s and 1990s to have progress and financial backing to pursuit the government programs, which is it so proud of. The state also saw debt relief and cuts from donors. Now, the NRM is gaining more debt, but also putting in obstacles with the donors in regards to the DGF. The ones funding DGF should suspend all other funds and funding that goes towards Museveni. As a retaliation to this, as these projects, programs and NGOs/CSOs are working for ideals that Museveni once stood for, but with lingering in office despises.

We are clearly seeing the punitive action made by Museveni. He wants to prove supremacy, but does it in a mockery of a way. This is only showing the donors what sort of little man he is. That he has to go to this step. Take away the securities of the CSOs and NGOs. Instead of actually serving the general public. If the President really did that. He would haven’t have the need for all these CSOs/NGOs to cover where the government is lacking. The state is fluid and lacking institutions. That’s why the state needs them to cover the basics and civic education. This is still needed after over 30 years in power. That shows the weakness of the Presidency and his reign.

President Museveni isn’t showing strength here. His showing weakness and lack of control. That he got to act like this. This is acting a villain and hurting own citizens, because he can. So, the donors should act upon this and not just take it on the chin. They should show force too. Just to prove him what he has done. It is about time and not just “condemn” and move-on. That is not making any changes or challenging the old man. You need to meet him head-on. He plays games and these are with the lives of all these organizations. It is not the money of Museveni and neither funding from the state either. That is why his sour, as he got to loan to pay his cronies salaries. This is why he attacks and confronts, instead of talking and negotiating with the donors.

What he does with this is putting himself in corner and making less friends. If he wanted more support and legitimacy. He should have acted differently. However, he rather picks the trick of the pariah, instead of the friendly grand-pa, which is what he tries to act in the media. That is clearly not working and that is why this letter is undressing his motives. Peace.

Fear and loathing in Kampala

The Uganda Police Force (UPF) have come out with a statement today. Deputy Inspector General of Police Maj. Gen. Paul Lokech came with stern warning now. Just at the opposition and other election petitions are in town. It is like the authorities are prepared for a war-zone and havoc.

The Police Force and army should warn themselves, as they are the trigger-happy and the ones issuing tear-gas on the public. It is the same authorities that comes with weapons, tear-gas and units to disperse and get people going. The same security organizations that bundles people together and brings violence to the streets to quell peaceful protests. It is the state that has killed civilians in the campaign season and before the polls.

Today’s Statement:

This development by some opposition members of marshaling fear to rally support for street violence and civil uprising, for their selfish political advantage is not new to us. Therefore, for politicians to spread this kind of negative propaganda across the country is trying to provoke people to incite violence. We want to inform the public that we are taking these threats seriously and would like to assure them, that they should not be intimidated from going about their lawful businesses, because their security and safety is guaranteed. We have shown Ugandans over and over again that we would have a very peaceful election and indeed it was very peaceful. We are now doing everything within our means to keep the general public safe and secure, from all forms of violence including politics that is divisive and manipulative during this aftermath of the Elections” (Uganda Police Force – ‘THE JOINT SECURITY AGENCIES WARN POLITICIANS AND INDIVIDUALS AGAINST FEAR MONGERING’ 01.02.2021).

This statement is sending a stern warning to the public for the days ahead. Just like the President have done countless times. We know who they are directing this against. They are not going after the President or any of his allies. No, they are going after the opposition, this being Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine of National Unity Platform (NUP) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).

That is why they are claiming there is threats, but they are not naming it. They are saying they will incite to violence, but doesn’t specify. That is easily stated, so in the aftermath of any. They could point to the “intelligence” and pin the politicians. They are anyway violently arresting, detaining, abducting and torturing the ones associated with the opposition already. So, the state sponsored violence is already there. Its not like it has left or stopped to cease to exist. The election is maybe over, but their devious acts is continuing. Countless of political prisoners are lingering behind bars and the state wants to move on.

The state is manipulative and disingenuous here. They are coming with baseless claims. We can anticipate by actions made in the past. That the state will sponsor more violence against civilians and blame the victims. Just like it is always the opposition fault and never the authorities who comes in guns blazing. They are never to blame, but everyone else should have conducted themselves differently. Therefore, these sorts of mind-games isn’t working.

We know the drill. If these folks cared about keeping folks safe. Then they would let people riot and demonstrate, as they cannot do that without meeting a fatal police force. That is something they never mention, but is the naked truth. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: The Joint Security Agencies warn Politicians and Individuals against Fear Mongering (01.02.2021)

Opinion: Bobi Wine’s gamble with the Supreme Court Petition

Tomorrow is the final day of delivering election petition on the matter of the Presidential Election of the 14th January 2021. Alas, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine tried to deliver a petition already on Friday 29th January 2021, but he was dismissed by the Supreme Court. The National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential Candidate and Opposition leader plans to do this tomorrow on the 1st February 2021.

However, what his doing here is a gamble. Since all the judiciary appointments is working for the President. All these people are getting fed by the President. He always appoints loyal token judges ahead of the campaign season. Just so his safe and secure for whatever coming their way. Because, the President knows that these folks will do him favours. They will find the legal justification for his reign and dismiss anyone who is in his path.

Bobi Wine can have a team of astute attorneys, the People Power juggernaut can come with fierce force and evidence of the rigging. However, that might not be enough. Because the pendulum is controlled by the “high above”. His orders and his tricks matters more. The President is the personification of the state and therefore his words is law. That is why no matter what legal remedy or proof, the judges will in the end legitimize these affairs for Museveni. Just like they did with the Age Limit petitions too. They all vouched for the President and his excessive needs.

Bobi Wine is now following the footsteps of Dr. Kizza Besigye and Amama Mbabazi. Who both took it to Court. They have both tried to prove and make the election “null and void”. Nevertheless, that haven’t happened, as the state and the President wouldn’t have it. Besigye tried in 2001 and 2006. Mbabazi tried it in 2016. None of these was successful.

What is more striking is this assessment of the Presidential Election Petitions of the past:

However, the Supreme Court’s decisions (PEPs No.1 2001, No.1 2006 and No.1 2016), indicate that the petitioner must prove, ‘to the satisfaction of the Court’, the allegations made against the respondent on a higher threshold, that is ‘beyond reasonable doubt’, which is the standard of proof required to validate a criminal conviction (Grechieng, Niclisch & Thoeni 2010, pp. 847-862). This imposes an almost impossible task for the challenger of the election’s outcome. For these reasons, s.59(6)(c) is deficient in preserving the will of the people and in facilitating fair competition for the presidency” (Dr. Fred Sekindi – ‘PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DISPUTESIN UGANDA – A Critical Analysis of the Supreme Court Decisions, 2017).

So, now that NUP and Bobi Wine is preparing a case. They should know that this challenge is near impossible. The legal principals and international laws for annulments of elections does exists. However, the way the Ugandan laws are made. It is weak and tends to express the needs to prove it too such an extent, which is near impossible. This is where the Presidential Candidate Bobi Wine comes in. As his team and lawyers are planning to petition the court. The act is noble and an approach former opposition candidates has done too. They have all gone there, but with no luck.

That is why its like a game of snakes and ladders. Where no matter where you go. At one point or another, you fall behind and have try to trick yourself up again. You are also lucky if you can ever succeed to pass all the hurdles. That what worries me. It might even give the supports a false figment of hope. Just like this is the magic trick to conquer Museveni. When I don’t think this is the gist of it or the way out.

This is just buying Museveni time and keeping other preoccupied with a case, which he will do a few phone calls and settle. The judges will get their envelopes and faulty reason will dismiss this one too. As we just know, they need to prove it to such an extent that the Presidential Election get annulled. That has been tried before and this isn’t the first the opposition leader is petition the court. No, his the third in line and the fourth major case. Though the UVote collection of DR Forms in comparison to the Final Results will prove rigging. Don’t expect it to be enough. Even if it cannot be proof that the President was directly involved. Still, deep inside the chambers and the halls of the Courts. They do know he has his fingerprints all key aspects of the state.

That is why a petition is a “non-winner”. It is a way to exhaust all ways legally, but it is not a way change the outcome. No, they are only playing the game the President wants. It would be more powerful to drop a report. Show piece by piece, issuing statements of the proofs and hold talks with international media. Get the report exposed and get all local media to discuss it. As it proves every way the election was rigged. In that fashion, the publican be the court and not just a few hand-picked jesters of the President. Which is the ones who will deem it fit or not fit. Peace.

National Unity Platfrom (NUP): Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu letter to Chief Executive Officer of Next Media Services Ltd. – Protest Letter against NBS Television for Conspiring with other actors to Defeat the Will of the People of Uganda (27.01.2021)

Opinion: The elites will not cry out but they will bash in glory

In the recent days there is a proof that certain individuals doesn’t care or speak out against the human rights violations, the taking away people’s constitutional rights and taking away their freedom. The activists and foreign journalists are calling out the “drones” or the “Panda Gari’s” but the elites and the ones winning in the system is more afraid of the image of the Republic. They don’t worry that citizens are behind bars for political affiliations, arbitrary arrested, abducted, kidnapped, tortured and possibly killed in the name of the state.

This here only shows that Fabiola and Sheilah Gashumba is living in a bubble. They are spreading the vision of Visit Uganda and speaking willingly of MTV African Music Awards in Kampala. That would be fine and dandy, but do you remember how Bobi Wine and other local artists was blocked for holding concerts, because of their political affiliation?

Well, that was only last year. Now it matters more that DJ Khaled is participating and the spotlight is on a moment shedding event. Because, people are not supposed to use these moments to cry havoc and speak out of the ills of society. These are to be separated. Surely, Omah Lay and Tems surely meet the humble officers after their concert too.

We are clearly seeing that Fabiola and Gashumba rather see the wonderful wonders of the Republic. Yes, Uganda is a beautiful country with hospital and kind people. However, its government is despicable and a military junta with no favours asking. That is two things that co-exists and the elites rather wants the pictures of Murchinson Falls, instead of the tear-gassing of Bobi Wine. That is just the mere reality and proven by how they operate in defence of the MTV MAMA’s.

The elites should be on the forefront defending human rights and the rights of the ones who isn’t as entitled or having the means you have. However, you decide instead to stand on the pedestal and use rhetoric of “imperialism” and “Neocolonialism”. Which is always a rich idea, when the ones using the MTV MAMA to light the spotlight on the issues. They are using a popular event and international TV Channel to expose it to a grander audience. Something these elites should know well, since they use their platforms to give publicity to anyone paying them. Yes, we know and you know.

I don’t expect magic from the elites, but they should use their mind on bigger things than their pockets. However, greed is a virtue and it shows. They rather have all the glitter and glamour, than actually show the bitter truths about how state operates. They rather want people to speak in a vacuum and not getting their stories told. Because, we are just supposed to be happy that an international event is happening. Not that people are disfranchised, silenced and taken away with no legal justification. That should worry the elite, because who knows when one of them get into the same worm-hole.

Right now the ones wearing red, associated with the red and supporting Bobi Wine is the ones who gets into trouble. That is a mere reality and its tragic. The elites will always bash in glory and sing psalms of wealth, but they could use their good for something greater. But in 2021 that is asking too much. Peace.

Opinion: Cooked results is hard to publish [14th January 2021 Presidential and Parliamentary Results]

The Electoral Commission announced and declared the results of the 14th January 2021 on the 16th January 2021. The state didn’t really release the results or the announced results. The Commission haven’t to this day published the granular numbers or the ones in concern to each individual polling station. Therefore, we are at 28th January 2021 and the EC have now published the “official tally”.

They have declared the winner of the Presidential Elections and the Parliamentary Elections, but these victories are shallow. When the EC cannot drop the numbers and be game. The Uganda Media Centre dropped the announced numbers on the 18th January 2021, but the Electoral Commission came with new numbers today (28th January 2021).

That is really telling. When the EC cannot even compile or have the ability to drop consistent numbers on the polls. When it is so mismatched and changing. It is like they playing with an algorithm. Like Museveni alone had previously 5,851,037 and now he has 6,042,898 voters. Just like total valid voters went from 9,983,093 to 10,350,819 valid ballots. It is weird how it can change within 14 days.

This is 14 days or two weeks since the polls. The Electoral Commission and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is not playing this one out well. It is only undermining their own efforts to legitimized the elections. This sort of play only shows how they tried to cook the results and they are failing. Because, they know the National Unity Platform (NUP) have the granular data and declarations forms digitally, which can be used to question the “announced or declared” results.

It is funny how the EC can drop so different numbers within this time. Because, if they had the numbers to announce the winner. It should be no issue to just release it. They should just make it public and not cause these issues. The EC have already dropped it once and deleted. This is the second time and now with numbers not associated with the first released. That the Uganda Media Centre referenced.

I wonder what sort of foolish argument will come now. As this is only a numbers game, where the EC is loosing. Because, it doesn’t make sense to twist the results this way. Especially, if it was so secure and verified two days after the polls. The EC did declare the results within the 48 hours after the polls. So, if they did that… and could so easily pronounce the results. It should be easy to drop it too. They did it 2 weeks after the polls.

It took them 2 weeks to do it and the EC shouldn’t have made this hard. That is why there will be people scanning through the files, folders and statistics. As the EC has made this to hard. The EC have already by just dropping new numbers making it even more questionable. As they should be able to drop similar numbers between the announced and what is released today.

That is something they wasn’t able to achieve. It is a simple proof of the rigging. When they are making it so different between the 2 weeks in question. Peace.

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

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

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

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

Disappearances:

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

Panda Gari:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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