Statement by the People Power Movement on the IMF Rapid Credit Facility Announced on 6th May 2020 (09.05.2020)

Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine: Statement on 20 Million UGX to be Advanced to Every Member of Parliament amidst the Coronavirus Crisis (16.04.2020)

Many Ugandans are surprised and very angry that the Parliament of Uganda allocated 10 Billion Shillings to itself amidst an unprecedented Coronavirus crisis. The allocation of this money is not only shameful. It is insensitive to the plight of millions of Ugandans who are facing untold challenges ranging from hunger, sickness and even death.

Ugandans are bearing the brunt of this predicament. There have been reports of numerous people failing to access health centers due to limited transport means, and as a result some have succumbed to various ailments. A huge number of people across the country are in dire need of food, healthcare and other essential amenities. The Government has not done much to help them.

Ugandans are therefore justified to be very angry at this selfish action by their ‘representatives’. Our view, however, is that Ugandans should be angrier at the manner by which they are governed- the 20 million shillings is a symptom of a bigger crisis which we are fighting to resolve.

Indeed, government presented a supplementary budget of over 300 billion shillings to Parliament to aid in the fight against COVID19. Many aspects of the budget were not only luxurious, some seemed even dubious! Several legislators raised concerns about the allocation of huge sums of money for things like billboards, but they would not be heard! A Minority Report authored by Hon. Gerald Karuhanga was ignored. The budget was passed without much debate.

It will be recalled that on 24th March, we issued a statement in which we demanded that government diverts monies from all non-essential aspects and diverts it to equipping health facilities across the country, and giving incentives to health workers. Unfortunately, the same government which has never prioritised the healthcare of the people of Uganda ignored our call.

Regarding the 20 million shillings therefore, it appears that yet again, the executive thought that for the supplementary budget to pass with ease, MPs needed to get a share of this money so they don’t resist its passing. We all recall that this has been done countless times, including in the passing of immoral Constitutional amendments, such as the term limit and age limit amendments. On several occasions, MPs have been bribed do the bidding of the Executive. This is why elections matter. This is why it should matter to all Ugandans who they elect for office at every level!

We reject the notion that this money was meant to enable Members of Parliament carry out their roles in this period. The cardinal roles of an MP include; legislation, representation, budget allocation and government oversight. None of these roles require an MP to be an extension of the Executive, in the sense that government should in addition to MPs’ salaries provide a separate budget to each MP to extend services to the people. An MP, just like any other able citizen can avail support to vulnerable people from their personal earnings (something which I personally have done and continue to do), but this money should not be drawn from the tax payers’ money.

Let me clarify that I have not received this money. Should it be deposited on my account, I will immediately order my bank to return it to the Consolidated Fund and demand that it is put to its proper purpose. We must learn to empower institutions and not seek to enrich individuals.

As we have repeatedly said, the focus of our nation at this point should be on building a robust healthcare system, and empowering our healthcare practitioners with all they need, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The People Power Movement will continue to use the available resources contributed by ourselves and other well-wishers to reach out and support some of our people who are in extreme need.

We shall also continue to demand that the government reaches out to all citizens and gives them food relief in these tough times.

And yes, we shall continue struggling day and night to put an end to the decadent and corrupt regime.

Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert
MP- Kyadondo East Constituency &
Leader of the People Power Movement

Neil Nelson & Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine Joint Statement: Offer resources to airlift African People facing racist abuse out of China (13.04.2020)

Uganda: Ministry of ICT and National Guidance – Clarification on Communication Activities and Budget for COVID-19 (03.04.2020)

Uganda Medicial Association – RE: Press Statement on the Continued Torture of Health Workers (03.04.2020)

People Power Movement – Uganda: Donations of Relief Items by the People Power Movement (02.04.2020)

Opinion: Section 8 of POMA is Null- and Void, what does that mean?

Well, now the Constitutional Court came today with a striking judgment. That the Section 8 of the Public Order Management Act of 2013 is unconstitutional. Section 8 of the POMA is very clear. That gives the powers to officers and give the police the authority to block any meeting. It also gives the powers to the Police to disperse a meeting. Also, finally the sub-section also issues the officers in question the powers to assess if a person is disobeying the law or unlawfully assembles. Which makes that person liable for sentencing according to the Penal Code section 117.

Therefore, today’s judgment is vital, as the Police Force by definition now doesn’t have the authority to block any gathering. Neither disperse it or issue an order to stop the public from participate in any public meeting/gathering. This here is an direct consequence of the judgment today.

We knew this law was draconian. The whole law isn’t null and void, just one part of it, but it takes away the powers to enforce it. The Police Force, the authorities is limited by this. This law has banned concerts, public gatherings, consultation meetings, anniversary rallies, opening of political party offices and so fourth. The state has given all sorts of orders and usage of the law to an extent, where the opposition is futile. They couldn’t conduct either internal party organizations nor actually try to gain new followers, since the state stopped it or never allowed them to publicly to gather in the first place.

This law was deemed the Anti-Besigye Act, ABA, the act against Besigye and his political effort to undermine the regime. This came after the Walk to Work. Now, the opposition has one an important battle in the Courts.

There was on judge who didn’t see it like this, that was Stephen Musota. Remember that man, because he stated this, he was the one voting in favour of Section 8 of POMA. Because, there was 4-1 and therefore, it was null and void. However, Stephen stated this: “The limits are now cast in stone and are no longer at the whims or imagination of the Inspector General of Police or his authorized officers”. That is why the whims of the IGP shouldn’t be the factor to allow people to assemble or not. This is why its unconstitutional, which is stated by the other judges on this matter.

What I am suspecting will happen is that the National Resistance Movement will revise and amend this bill. To ensure they have the powers to stop meetings and such before the General Elections 2021. They have had the good need of this bill for years. This will not go away without a blast. I don’t believe the NRM will concede and give way that easily. Not when the rise of Bobi Wine and Besigye is now allowed and cannot be stopped. That is what the NRM worried about and will find new ways to silence it. Especially, when the Police Force has been preoccupied with this partisan politicking for years. Peace.

People Power-Uganda Statement on the Corona virus disease in light of the New Developments – Call to Action (24.03.2020)

Opinion: Norbert Mao is on a mission of self-destruction

Those rebel party members are survival seekers who only intend to achieve re-election and maintain a fertile salary in the upcoming Parliament. DP was the first to give Bobi Wine the audience when the others were not sure of what to do. We gave him space starting with the reunion conference but they started saying that I am a sadist and I pity those masqueraders. That’s why I was saying that am sorry for the young man because the crippling plants want to use him. For us in DP we say that we have been pushing Museveni like a car for 35 years but it has refused to start and when a young man like Bobi Wine come we should give him some space”Norbert Mao on the 17h March 2020

It’s like the President of the Democratic Party (DP) Norbert Mao who has had two terms and preparing the party for the General Election of 2021. His supposed to get elected for his third term and also run for office himself. However, he has not run a smooth operation.

Mao is now playing this the wrong way. He tried to play Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine for clout himself. He tried to be associated and work with the People Power Movement (PPM) for extended popularity. Its not like Mao and the DP haven’t earned on it and trying to act like they have invested in it too.

With that regard, they didn’t create the PPM, they were a part of it, but it was Bobi Wine and his associates who started it. They initiated this, the DP would surely preferred that PPM and Bobi Wine participated in the Special Purpose Vehicle and the DP Block. That is because, even Bobi Wine can see a dead fish floating in the water.

Mao will not say it, but he wants to be relevant and be vibrant. That is why his working with Mugisha Muntu, all the other briefcase parties and whatever it takes to look significant. This is why he needed and used Bobi Wine. Now, with time he see that it backfires. The swift of loyalty isn’t following him, but instead follows Bobi Wine. That is hurting Mao. Making him look foolish.

That he attack the ones who now aspire to follow Bobi Wine is now self-serving. However, wasn’t it the same when you invited him and trying to fish him into the fold in the first place? Wasn’t that your game drive not going well?

Your aim and goals wasn’t that Noble, neither was you doing charity. Neither, do I believe it would be sincere, if your acting its like that. Which your doing now by all means. Bobi Wine was building and also showing his true face to the republic. As you invited him. Now your taking credit, but also blaming your own for starting to follow him. As they see more in him, than they see in you.

Mao, that is surely hurting your pride and your ethos. It hurts your being and therefore, your now doing this and telling this. What is your problem is that you open the gate, but doesn’t want to participate now that the game is happening. You want people to still follow suit…

That is a mission … of self-destruct. Self destruction is clearly the memo and the message his sending. If he had these issues with People Power and Bobi Wine in the first place. Why inviting him and clearing him for your events? Why even entertain him?

However, you did and willingly. You let your people participate and be apart of the movement. Bobi Wine is just a grenade for you. He exploded in your face and you wasn’t prepared for the explosion. You should have seen that you took out the splint, but you forgot that, apparently. KA-BOOOM!. Peace.

Opinion: Nangalama forgets the grim reaper

There are one of those days, when you let your anger strike you too hard and you write something in an infuriating state. Where you mind boggles the facts and deeper understanding of the things. What the Ugandan blogger based in Canada did was very easy microwaving the message without considering the implications of it. Like, the Opposition should react, instead she said it shouldn’t campaign or shouldn’t even try create change. If she got her will, the demolition of opposition would be fixed. Mzee, Bosco or Mr. Sunday would be very happy, because people listened to Nangalama. They put down their swords and became silent like graves. 

Here is an out-take from Red Pepper, which has resurfaced on social media:

Ugandans should be demanding from their opposition leaders why their kids are being killed. Opposition leaders should not be taking the killings as political capital. They should suspend all their rallies, consultations and kwekalakasa to demand justice for the dead and imprisoned. You surely do not think we have opposition in Uganda. Here is the BIG News, there is no opposition in Uganda” (Martha Leah Nangalama – ‘People Power Movement Should Not Use Death for Cheap Political Capital’ 29.02.2020).

All of this happens because People Power Movement (PPM) are seeing their activists killed and associates being murdered. She is initially stating that Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine is wrong and doing it badly.

As she started her piece like this: “Bobi Wine should sack his media team and hire a professional.  Capitalizing on the death of two young people is not my cup of tea. Those two kids are in the same age group as my kids so I fly to Toronto, Canada to capitalize on deaths!! With a poster like this. Who is gonna raise their kids? The opposition needs to learn from Gen. Mugisha Muntu” (Martha Leah Nangalama – ‘People Power Movement Should Not Use Death for Cheap Political Capital’ 29.02.2020).

It is like this have never been done before, all political movements has had their martyrs, especially the ones who fought against a junta or a miltiary dictatorship. Because, the junta will use their force, because they have no other methods of control of dissidents. That is why the opposition is so split and attacked by the authorities. All means are used against them, even killing by trying to stop the opposition from gathering or even assemble in public. This is something Nangalama knows, but doesn’t care to dig into. Maybe, that isn’t important to her?

She just want friend sheep like Mugisha Muntu, whose loved by the NRM and whose so pragmatic, that he cannot even pass a street without asking authorization by the local RDC. That is how it seems. This from the lady from ‘Peril of Africa’, the lady who always goes hard. However, here she went a bit left. Especially, if she yearns for change or more of the same?

It is like she wrote in rage, I understand and we both agree. That no one should die because of politics. Each life taken is one to much. However, the brutal reality is that the army, all security agencies and so-on use all means to shut-down the opposition. They know everything, because the opposition needs to notify and spell out their activity to the authorities. Therefore, they got no way to hide or escape the armed forces, either if they like it or not.

In that reality. She wants a compromised leader, a leader who doesn’t dare the authorities nor the structure itself. A man whose not honest in his approach to his start-up party Alliance of National Transformation (ANT). She accepts this, because, she wants that easy-picking approach. Not even use the ills against you. However, Muntu like anyone else uses burials and funerals as rally grounds for political messages, but that is cool right?

I understand her frustration, as the dead is named and put on like martyrs. No one wants to have that. No movement wants that, but when your fighting the powers to be with all their forces. They use all means to stay in power. They are not redeeming or a forgiving organization. No, they come with bullets, tear-gas and prison. This she knows, but wants them to silent and not speak up about it.

Only lay-down and die. Not speak out, not address it or continue. She wants suspensions and not civil disobedience. If you think that works, then you will give life to the Movement for a few more decades and a Muhoozi Presidency when Yoweri “calls it a day”. Because, why fight them or undress them at all?

When you want men like Muntu? Why even use time to blog or speak of the ills of society? Only when it doesn’t cost? Should the opposition suspend it all and really die? In your eyes, they are dead anyway?

I am sure Kizza Besigye and POA will disagree with that. The same will Bobi Wine, who you disagree with. There are opposition, but nearly impossible to do party work or assemble. If they do so, there is costs, there is pain and suffering. Unless, people stand up against that. The cycle of violence, arrests and misuse of power will continue. However, the stance in her piece. Isn’t creating anything positive. It is neither showing any will of stopping of it, but instead giving ways to the authorities who is sanctions this actions towards the youths who dies for their political affiliation.

Even if I believe it comes from a true place, that Nangalama means well. It doesn’t serve anyone. Except for the ANT and Muntu. Who easily speaks with everyone, but is of no concern to the State House. That is why his out there. However, the ones who is a of a concern and who creates fire is dismissed and said to lay their tools down.

How will that generate change? It will not, especially, if the ones whose new and who has the youth behind them. Suddenly, supposed to suspend their actions and be silent. Not even try to be relevant. That is reality of what she wrote. Because, of the deaths and the usage in public. The PPM and Bobi Wine should lay their tools down and not do anything.

With that sort of thinking, Bobi Wine is never winning. It is just the matter of which ways he looses. He looses if he acts and looses if he stands down. He cannot even participate without someone saying his actions are wrong.

Wonder if Nangalama thought of that? I didn’t think so. Peace.