Opinion: New accreditation scheme from the Media Council made to silence media ahead of the polls

Today on the 31st December 2020 is the final day of reckoning in the sense that Uganda Media Council is giving out accreditations to journalists who are supposed to follow the final stretch of the polls. These are people who are already hired and working as journalists. Still, some will be blocked by this technicality.

Like Devosh Matovu of Track UG Channel on Youtube, Rock TV Uganda and Devosh Olwokya Youtube have been denied accreditation this time around.

Also Solomon Kaweesa a journalist working at NTV Uganda has also gotten denied.

These are just two who has gone out publicly with the news that they have lost it. For one reason or another. However, expect more. This might happen to all the outlets the Uganda Communication Commission wrote to Google and Youtube about as well. Ghetto TV and other outlets who are favourable of the opposition will lose their accreditation ahead of the polls. Don’t be shocked if that happens…

That is why the state does it two weeks ahead of the polls. It is a pure bitch move of the state. To take down the ones reporting in favour of the opposition. The Media Council and UCC are working in tandem. These government entities are all favourable for the President and his reign. That is why the ones opposing the state is directly targeted.

It will happen to more and these two is only the beginning. The journalists have to stop following the President and his state in the coming days. They have to defy the pressers and whatnot. If they want to be taken serious. As they are direct targets for updating on what’s happening. Something the state clearly don’t want to happen at this time. As they know their vicious ways. Peace.

Bavicha – Chadema Youth Council: Statement on Uganda Election Campaign (31.12.2020)

Opinion: This election is just depressing…

There is no hope.

There is no shadow of a doubt.

There is no signs of free and fair elections in sight. Not even free and fair abilities to campaign or even try to operate during the “Elections Road Map”.

The authorities, the state and all its weaponry is forcing the opposition to cease operations. People are dying by association. People are arrested for being participants in the campaigns and citizens are injured for passing by convoys. There is no good news and only depressing news.

The President can walk around and have campaign ceremonies everywhere. Opening up ghost-projects, re-issuing old projects and looking grand at actually doing his supposed job of 35 years. While not spelling out the funding or who is actually paying the prices for the infrastructure or basic investments. His awaiting glory for posing at factories, road-projects and planned government buildings. Like that is big-whoop.

While his opposition is tear-gassed, injured and detained. While the Police Force is blocking and shedding no tears ambushing and destroying the activities of the opposition. Nothing is fair here. As the airwaves are filled with new speeches and promised of the President nearly every single night. Where his also forcefully saying he will destroy or deploy enough law enforcement to crush anyone in his path.

That is why everything is depressing. It is disappointing. If the Commonwealth, IGAD or EAC signs this one off in the Election Monitoring Mission (EOM) or any other sort of organization. We know it is a lie.

This isn’t an election with promise. It is only an election with the prospects of pre-ticked ballots and rigged affairs to ensure the longevity of the NRM. The rest is just playing for keeps and securing their relevance. These are toys for the authorities to play around with. To fatigue and possibly weaken as much as possible. No care in the world for justice, freedom or liberty for the people opposing the current regime. No these folks got to suffer, one way or another.

That is is why January 14th 2021 is already written in stones. The sign of the sky and position of the stars is already aligned with the coming results. The dawn of a new day is yet to be determined, but the destination is for the incumbent and forever Mr. Sunday.

There is no signs of change, hope or even daring possibility of sudden twist. Unless, there is a certain spark and flair that the state cannot control. Until now, the army, law enforcement and anyone in power will feel safe. They are not fearing the opposition or their supporters. They think they can contain it. They think they are gullible and able to silence them like in the past.

Time will tell, but I am less hopeful. There been to many deaths, to many abducted and to many detained for this election. It is no middle-ground or possible good return on the investment. Only more suffering and hardships. While the same man lives to hold office.

2021 elections is only days away, but it will feel like forever. The ambitions of others will be dismissed and destroyed. That is just the mere reality. The armed forces and state will secure that by any means. Treason charges or whatnot will all appear and the state will arrest anyone who dares to oppose. This is how it seems these days.

That is why its depressing. There is no hope or possible outcome, which seems redeeming for the Republic. The state is not showing any signs of positive actions. Only more pain and suffering. Peace.

Pre-emptive arrests of the NUP Team and Bobi Wine in Kalangala District

What happened in Kalangala District today as the campaign was scheduled there is very simple. The Uganda Police Force says they kept him with “restraint” which is a bunch of bollocks. Because, the state has no tools in the shed to use that for. They can arrests and detain a person. 

The Police in Kalangala did firs arrest Bobi Wine and the 90 people associated with his team. They were physically moved from their location to the Kalangala Police Station. As they are later moved again to be airlifted to Kampala or Wakiso. The home of Bobi Wine in Magere.

However, this isn’t “restraint” as that is nonsense. What it is a pre-emptive arrest. Meaning they are preventing something from happen and arresting the person before doing. As they are incriminating someone and saying the person is about to commit an offence before doing. That means, they are forcefully taken the person away from the supposed crime scene before it happens. This means, the state better have prepared evidence of the supposed crime and usage of criminal behaviour. As they have made a criminal case before it even happened.

This is the same thing as arresting someone for criminal conspiracy. Someone is about to do crime. A few thieves in a den is planning to rob a bank. They have made the plans, got the insider tip and prepared to empty the vault. However, someone snitched and told the authorities. Therefore, the state could raid the den and arrest the thieves even before their acted upon criminal enterprise. The same happened today to Bobi Wine.

This here is an pre-emptive arrest and not showing restraint. That is just a mere fact. The same has been done with other opposition leaders in the past. Like the days of house-arrests for Erias Lukwago, Ingrid Turinawe, Kizza Besigye and others. They have all been pre-emptive arrested by the authorities in their homes. Blocked from leaving their homes to do their political work.

The same is now happening to Bobi Wine and his team. The National Unity Platform (NUP) is directly under siege, arrested and forcefully moved from a place. This by the authorities who better have collected “evidence” and “intelligence” to prove the “quest” for this mission and operation. Because, they have to answer sooner or later to the courts. As they are the ones that used these means to get Bobi Wine and his fellow behind bars. Later airlifted away from Kalangala district.

That is the mere reality of this. They can claim its not an arrest, but it is. It is an pre-emptive one. Since they prevented Bobi Wine from doing something. Peace.

Bobi Wine airlifted or abducted from Kalangala district [rumours: to his home]

Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine who was scheduled to hold a rally in Kalangala district today. Where the early reports was that his team and allies was arrested by the Police. Later in the day now. While the police is using tear-gas to disperse the crowds.

There is now reports that Bobi Wine is “arrested” or “abducted” from the venue by a army helicopter. This is physically moving him from the venue and from the campaign trail. The whole team of 90 was taken by the authorities.

The state isn’t calling it an arrest, but it is pre-emptive action and done with deliberate moves. As there are no charges or warrants of this action. Only that the Presidential Candidate is taken and they are supposed to air-lift him to Magere in Wakiso.

What is also reported is that the BBS TV Journalist Culton Scovia Nakamya was arrested today as she was reporting on the campaign of Bobi Wine.

We know the authorities are up to no-nonsense and full panic-mode, when this is stated online:
“We would like to clarify that the candidate was restrained for continuously holding massive rallies amidst the increased threats of coronavirus, in total disregard of the Electoral commission and Ministry of health guidelines. He’s being transferred to his home in Magere, Kampala. Part of his advance team, captured on Cctv cameras and several video footages, while deflating tyres of police motor vehicles , inciting violence, obstructing police officers on duty, violating the health and safety protocols and various traffic offences, have been arrested” (Uganda Police Force, 30.12.2020).

Because like always in the matters of the authorities in the Republic. The victims of the political arrests are the ones to blame. Never the police who has the guns, the ammunition and the weaponry to cause harm. That is why its suspect that it only happens to the opposition and they are doing it like this on the regular.

They are clearly blocking all his ways to move and even airlifts him. Hopefully, they will tow his cars and all other personal effects to Magere too. As they should be liable for the belongings of NUP on the island. As they were the ones moving him with force from there.

Even if the state doesn’t call it an arrest. It is in a fashion. Because they are forcing him from campaigns. They are taken him and his team away. This is an pre-emptive arrests, which have been used to other opposition candidates in the past. Then it has been house-arrests without court orders. Now, its happening here after days of suspending campaigns.

The President and authorities must be so proud of this clandestine operation. Peace.

Opinion: Even if the Museveni letter’ is fake [the acts of oppression make it seem true]

Even if it is fake or not. The stories the whole letter tell seems plausible…

There was a leak of a letter today. Both Don Wanyama and Rwakakamba Morrison have called these two letters out. The one letter being from President Museveni to Secretary General Lumumba. Where he states certain factors and ways to operate.

However, whatever these two cronies are stating. As both of them are connected to the inner-circle and the State House. They are both aligned with the President and his machinery. They know perfectly well that the state and party isn’t separated other than in theory.

The state is using the Residential District Commanders and District Police Commanders to stop the opposition from campaigning. They are using the police force and the army to block venues. To ensure the opposition cannot operate or hold rallies. They are blocking off roads, stopping convoys from passing and stopping people gathering in the towns.

The Internal Security Organization (ISO) and the Chieftain of Military Intelligence (CMI) is both busy abducting, detaining and keeping political candidates, activists and other incommunicado. They are targeting the opposition and securing their lives are tormented for their decisions to stand up against the state. This is why NUP and FDC candidates/activists are suddenly vanished overnight by authorities like these.

Therefore, with that knowledge. The letter between the President and Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) aren’t far from the truth. The President is already using the security organizations to choke the opposition. That is going directly in and using blunt violent force towards them. Where the law abdicates, as he can deem people “illegal” and “unlawful” before the courts of law. This is initially the acts of the state and repression.

The usage of this bondage. That the residing ruler is using says it all. Even if the letter dated back to 14th December 2020 isn’t true. Still, the facts remains, that it’s not far fetched. It is not a “deep fake” because the abductions and keeping civilians incommunicado for days and weeks prove the reality on the ground. That the ones opposing can easily be taken and put into “safe-houses” or detained at SIU Kireka without any charges or court order. This is something the Don Wanyamas and Rwakakamba’s of the world cannot deny.

The acts of the state in this election proves it all. That the state apparatus is working for the NRM and not vice versa. The state authorities are following commands from the “high above” and doing his bidding. That is just a mere fact of what has gone done. How the state has acted towards the NUP and the FDC alone. Not to mention some of the Independent Presidential Candidates. That is just vicious attempts of causing fear and intimidation to spike fear in men.

All of the activities that is known and the knowledge of these. Shows that the letters itself could have happen. Therefore, the ones saying its fake and dismissing it is sort of foolish too. Because, the acts of the state is evidence of mischief.

The usage of shooters, soldiers and security organizations to thwart the works of the opposition is clear. The men in plain clothes shooting at civilians with live-bullets is a story in itself. Something that the President and his cronies never have addressed or taken to account. We are just supposed to forget that and all the fallen civilians during this campaign. Like they don’t matter. Like we are supposed to forget all the ones abducted and incommunicado too.

Heck, the state should address that. The cronies should show proof why the need to arrest activists and keep them at unknown place for days. That is the worrying state of affairs. These folks are not ordered from the opposition to target opposition. No, they are targeted by the state i.e. the “high above” and the State House. Since, that is where this sort of operation stems from.

They can lie, say someone fell of a truck or some other sort of sorry ass excuse. The reality is still this: people are dying and its only happening at opposition convoys and to people associated with the opposition. The NRM people die either a natural death or by some sort of decease. They don’t die during the campaigns because some boggy-men shot them. Hell nah, that’s not happening anytime soon. That is only happening in and around the opposition. Peace.

Second part of the letter… might be fake.

Bobi Wine’s Message of Hope in these troubling times

I want to tell Museveni and his cronies, we’re not going to give up or we shall die trying to be free. All this that you’re doing to us is giving us more resolve to fight on. What else can we do to repay for Frank’s life other than fighting on?” Robert Kyagulanyi (29.12.2020)

Today, National Unity Platform Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine held his Presser after suspending his campaign after the fatalities and brutality against his campaign in Masaka. The message he comes with is so important. As it is a sign of hope in the midst of oppression.

When we are seeing the authorities are abducting, arresting and detaining people incommunicado for days. As they are standing up against the dictatorship. This is happening to the NUP and the FDC. Both parties are targeted. Bobi Wine is still challenging the President and his regime heads-on. His resolve haven’t stopped and the state cannot stop his ambition.

Parts of the speech today was so powerful. Just read it here:

The police spokesperson Enanga has become a shame to this nation. He keeps lying with impunity. The truth can’t be hidden forever. They lied that Frank fell off a vehicle. I repeat, Frank was knocked by an army vehicle, I challenge them to produce the CCTV footage. The state is now targeting journalists cause they fear cameras, they fear the truth coming out. Journalists, you’re the reason we keep moving, keep exposing the truth. I thank you for walking out on the disrespectful spokesperson. Thank you for not taking that nonsense. Some years ago, the NRM secretary general Kasule Lumumba said ‘the state shall kill your children’. The state has not stopped killing our children, our sons and daughters, our mothers but we’ll continue to soldier on and fight for our freedom” (Robert Kygulanyi, 29.12.2020).

This one here is so vital and so important. In this dire times. When the oppression is at all time high. When the state brutality and injustice persist in a manner, which resembles the actions of the ones this regime toppled. When people are tortured, arrested and killed for their association. That is a dark time. A time that the President and his cronies is so proud of.

Bobi Wine stand up against it. Even when everything is working against him. There is no sign of change or hopeful ending at this point. Only more horrific acts, more devastations and fatalities. I wish I was wrong, but this government doesn’t value life. They only value on man’s life over the Republic. That is why they are all targets and in the scope of heavy artillery like they are all terrorist for standing up against him.

Bobi Wine’s message is sincere and needed. It is a pain and troubling. Just like the times we are in. We are seeing a government willing to do whatever to stifle and stop the tracks of the opposition. Nothing is forbidden and a no-go zone. They can kill and destroy people heads-on without any repercussions. They can take lives and it costs nothing. Where they blame the dead and the ones in association, but not the ones pulling the trigger or the ones ordering the demise of others. They are promoted and getting raise. That is the tragic affair and the state that the President reside over.

NUP and FDC will be in havoc until the polls and even more after. There will be retribution and no redemption. Only more suffering. This state doesn’t care as long as one man stays on top. Peace.

GLCSMS Statement on Police brutality against Journalists (29.12.2020)

National Associations of Broadcasters (NAB) letter to IGP Okoth-Ochola – The Continous Assault and Brutal Attacs on the Media by Security Forces (28.12.2020)

Opinion: UPDF says journalist shouldn’t report on the “wrong side”

But it takes two to tangle. If we all care to stick to professionalism, these unnecessary things will be minimized. You can’t have a State that is a threat to its citizens, and our position is clear. The State is there to mitigate internal and external threats. It gets hard when these are being implemented. If you mingle with a very volatile situation, it may be difficult to isolate the actors who are on the wrong side. Once you are a journalist, prove to us that you are exercising journalism. Professionalism will help all of us” – Chief Political Commissar UPDF, Henry Matsiko (28.12.2020).

What is a spectacle after yesterday that the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) or the National Army are now telling journalists and the media how to do their work. The ones that is supposed to defend them. Just like the President they are “enlightening” the crowds how they are supposed to work.

Matsiko is following the trend of former IGP Kale Kayihura who also had the skills to tell how others should operate or do their work. Kayihura could tell both journalists and opposition politicians how to work. Now he does the same.

However, Matsiko says its harder to know who is on the wrong side. We all know that is coded for “opposition”. To say anything else… is just rubbish. They are telling the journalists to be professional, while their operatives and soldiers are shooting bullets into crowds and hitting journalists in the head. That is really serious…

If the UPDF is afraid of threats. Shouldn’t they get help to investigate and look into the issues before they go into a situation like a warzone. When the Opposition have notified and sent letters to the authorities telling where they are campaigning and planning to go. So, it is not like the army doesn’t know where the NUP or FDC was planning to go. They have to get verified and allowed to continuing their campaigning in the Election Road Map.

The state knows this and the Army knows this. Especially a brother like Henry who happens to be the Chief Political Commissar. That man should know this and he knows perfectly well that there are journalists following and covering the convoys of the opposition. That was something Kayihura complained about too. So, the state knows this … and he cannot use professionalism. When the army is acting unprofessional and causing fatalities to unarmed civilians during campaign seasons.

That is what is infuriating here. If the soldiers, the authorities was professional. They wouldn’t kill or injure innocent civilians carrying around cameras and voice recorders. No, they would ensure their safety. Also, not hit people in the head as they are covering Bobi Wine’s campaign. Alas, that is too much to ask these days. It is the victims fault like always in the Republic. Victims are the ones to blame and not the trigger happy soldiers… Because, if these trigger happy folks was professional. Maybe they would have secured the territory and not gone after journalists. Peace.