Opinion: [Alert] Museveni’s Ghettofication

We got our leaders too but where they lead us ?

Do they leave us or they see it through?

Yeah we packin’ precious metals

Our shit is next level

We raise the threat level” – (Talib Kweli on ‘Every Ghetto’ from the LP Indie 500, 2015).

We see the scheme ahead of the General Election of 2021. The focus will be on the ghettos, the slums and the areas close to home of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. Just like he has now a Presidential Advisor for Kampala Affairs and the Ghetto Youth, and there is another one in the making too. Therefore, his focus is there now.

However, when it’s coming to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, I feel these bars are more fitting for him: “I’m on the porch like a slummy Ralph Lauren model” (Yelawolf – ‘Daylight’ from the LP Trial By Fire, 2017).

His not a gangster, a slum-dweller, someone who has cared for the ghettos or slums of Kampala. No, his now a poser and a model. Like the one mentioned by Yelawolf. That is who the President is. His starting all sorts of initiatives, but it only happens because his preparing for 2021. There are no other reasons for it.

That’s why he did this today:

Launched the NRM empowerment office for youth living and working in the areas of Kibuye and Katwe. The office will be a registration point for SACCOs and will make it easy for us to support the youth in their different productive groups” (Museveni, 27.10.2019).

We can lie to ourselves, but he hasn’t really been initiating much. He dropped 100 millions shillings last year too. But that is about it and this is a continuation of it. Instead of finding proper remedy his giving away charity and hoping it sticks. There is no difference between this and sudden drop from an NGO. As the NRM might open an office, but what is the budget and mandate? Who does it answer to? Is it under the State House, KCCA or the City Hall? Will they answer to the needs of the Katwe Council or is that not important?

Since, if the President did care or wasn’t only a visitor doing photo-ops and photo-bombing in the area. He would sincerely try to involve all the stakeholders and check their needs. Instead of patching the hurt by dropping a few dimes, hoping that would save someone’s day. Because, that’s how it looks.

We can anticipate that the President will do similar things now in Kamwokya, Kalerwe, Kisenyi and elsewhere. That is if he cares, but right now his just tasting the grounds and trying to eat of the spoils. He is dropping small currency and hoping to triple it in support. To think otherwise is naive at this point. The President is a screwed politician and to not think this is calculated is to think to well of the old man.

Therefore, he will go all ghetto. He will even hum the tunes of Elvis if he got too, with the sounds of “And his hunger burns

So he starts to roam the streets at night

And he learns how to steal

And he learns how to fight

In the ghetto”Elvis Presley on ‘In the Ghetto’ from the LP ‘From Elvis in Memphis’ 1969).

The only reasons he sings these tunes now is because of Bobi Wine. There is nothing else too it. He might soon make an Ghetto MP or even a Ghetto Ministry. Just to show that he cares, even if he never really has. Unless donors has paid for programs and ensured shelters. Some figments of micro-loans schemes and such. There aren’t much proof of care or change. Only, that his now boosting it up ahead of a up-coming election. That is the sad reality.

The President has had the time to fix and find avenues to make change in over 3 decades, 33 years and still not achieved anything. From 1986 until present day, he has had the time and ability to do something. But he hasn’t. This is a generation left behind by him and his accepted that. Until, the rising starlet and popular politician Bobi Wine MP showed up. Than he had to change the guards and move.

Well, to quote the old man: The power stays in the hands of the people. . . . I don’t see what opponents are so panicky about”Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in 1995. That might me 24 years ago. But still a friendly reminder, that the Poeple Power is powerful and that is why he suddenly cares about the slums/ghettos. Peace.

Robert Kyagulanyi MP aka Bobi Wine Statement on President Museveni being the “Man of Ghetto” (27.10.2019)

The folly of dictatorship! Ba dictator ensonyi baazinaaba. For 34 years, this man impoverished, marginalised & ignored the ghetto people. He evicted them from their land. He didn’t care about their health, their education or their lives. He over taxed them, tortured them and killed so many of them. He thought the ghetto didn’t matter.

After so many years, and tired of indignity, the ghetto people rose up to speak for themselves. Led by the Ghetto President, they made it clear that enough was enough. The ghetto went to Parliament and embarked on the process of taking over the nation’s leadership and changing the country forever.

He first dismissed us. But we persisted. He threatened us. We stood firm. He bribed some ghetto people but the ghetto youth stated on course. They asked me to continue shaking the tree, because that is the only time they saw government coming to them.

Having failed in all his schemes; very scared and desperate, President Museveni now returns as ‘Man of Ghetto.’ The sheer lack of shame! I can assure him that the authentic ghetto people will not permit him to mock them.

Museveni’s Ghetto Gospel

I feel His hand on my brain

When I write rhymes I go blind and let the Lord do his thang

But am I less holy

‘Cause I chose to puff a blunt and drink a beer with my homies?

Before we find world peace

We gotta find peace and end the war in the streets

My ghetto gospel” 2Pac – Ghetto Gospel (Recorded in 1992 but released in 2005).

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni have started to care about the ghettos. But it seems forced and it is. Because its not like this has been his thing. Most of his sudden government policies has been pushed either by donors or by random blurred lines to counter opposition figures. Now its another one of this. That is because the “Ghetto President” Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine has arrived with force. Something he cannot contain and totally control.

That is why the President has to care about the Ghettos. Not because he wants too, because he don’t. He would rather be able to bed the oil companies, get some kickbacks and chill-out with his family on several of his ranches. But, we know he cannot do that.

That’s why he does this:

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially appointed local Artiste Catherine Kusasira as presidential advisor on Kampala Affairs. Under this role, Catherine Kusasira will be charge of coordinating the young NRM recruits in the slum dwellings. Another local artist Mark Bugembe known by his stage name Buchaman was considered for the position of presidential envoy on Ghetto affairs” (NBS Television, 26.10.2019).

This continues from the arrival of things last year:

President Yoweri Museveni has donated Shs 100 million to Kamwokya ghetto based youth groups. The money was delivered today to six groups at Harvest Church, Kamwokya by a number of government and State House officials led by Col Shaban Bantariza. Two groups received Shs 30 million each while the other four groups received Shs 10 million each” (URN – ‘Museveni donates Shs 100m to Kamwokya ghetto youth’ 24.09.2018, the Observer).

We know all of this happening because the President has to react to Bobi Wine. That is his gospel. The whole salvation happens in the Ghetto since the old man fears the popularity of the Bobi Wine MP. He has such power and stellar trust in the community, that the President has to pay people there and now appoint people to look over them. That is why this happens.

This is a continuation and will be more as we get closer to the 2021 elections. These elections will be fierce in this regard. Especially if the ghettos starts demonstrations or protests, than the army and police will go all-in like they have done elsewhere. However, if he does it is not like he will be less popular, than he already is.

His trying to deflect that his failed this ghettos, these parts of the cities and slums in- and around Kampala. Not like he has done magical things in Mukono, Wakiso or in Greater Kampala. No, he hasn’t and that why it is seemingly a stronghold for the opposition. That is why KCCA came into action, as the state had to take away power from the opposition in Kampala. It is no other way to see it, as he could legally appoint a another leadership to the ones elected by the public.

That’s why its rich that the President appoints more advisors and they are working for the ghettos. He has had policies for them like Slum Dwellers in the National Human Settlement Policy (1986) and now the current policy of the Secretariat for Orphans and other Vulnerable Children (OVC). So the state has done something, but not that its really have changed anything.

This is why the President does this. It is because the upstart is shaking him and making him look weak. The President cannot be that, he needs to look good and be the friendly force in the State House. This is why His Excellency does this now.

He cares about the ghetto, because he needs them suddenly. His not changed their livelihood, neither made difference there. They will still have to hustle, still have to get-by and find avenues to live in their shelters in the slums. Not like the President will build high-rises and proper houses for them. He doesn’t have the funds for that. Because, public housing would been a significant change. That is out of the league of this Presidency. It is not in it.

All for the fear of one man. All is justified to entrap and take control of something that he lost. The people and the peasants, the ones who was on his side, but with time they moved on. Because, they saw that this President didn’t care or act in their interest. Peace.

Opinion: Bobi Wine, apparently, the Enemy of the State!

Bobi Wine went to America and said that people should not come invest in Uganda. That means he is an enemy of progress in Uganda. In the 1960s, I was a member of DP but when I couldn’t say, ‘don’t build the Masaka-Kabale Road because I am not in the government, because that road is my road –it’s not for the government. When you go and tell foreigners that they should not come and invest in our country, you are waging war on our prosperity. So why then do you want to come and take advantage of that prosperity? (…) “That may be one of the reasons [for cancellation of Bobi Wine’s concerts] I suspect, I have not talked to the police in details” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on BBC News Africa, 18.10.2019).

It is now evident that the Uganda Police Force and the authorities has blocked a total of 156 concerts, which Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine has tried to do. Also, in consideration the various of charges pinned on him. From being charged with treason, inciting violence and so-on. Like a common criminal not allowed to do his profession on the side of being a Member of Parliament. It would be like killing the cows and impounding, grabbing the land and expropriate the land to foreign investor to start ranching on one of the farms the President owns.

Because, what the state has done, is effectively stopping his other career and political messages through music. The have blocked him and his fellow artist to express themselves. There been all sorts of requirements, but the state has in the end blocked it.

If it is not a big enough venue, not enough toilets, not enough officers or the ability safeguard the venue in question. The Police Force will say that, as the artist and MP has to by law, notify the authorities and get rights to perform. This is what the laws are saying and he has complied to this.

Still, the state has blocked him and silenced him this way. It really shows how the state are using their power. Because, the state has an enemy and that is Bobi Wine. His now not allowed to pursuit his career, since he shouldn’t advantage of the prosperity of the nation.

Still, the President and his men can do that, all the time. The President can siphon, steal, land-grab or do whatever. Even spend the fortunes of the future, take out loans on the future and expect people to praise him for tarmacking roads.

Therefore, we know know the the enemy of the state. Even if it has been public knowledge for a while. Since, the MP and artist cannot move without getting into trouble. That is because the state are awaiting around the corner, if not they are trying to house-arrest him like other opposition leaders in the past. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee, what progress has Bobi Wine stopped?

Bobi Wine went to America and said that people should not come invest in Uganda. That means he is an enemy of progress in Uganda. In the 1960s, I was a member of DP but when I couldn’t say, ‘don’t build the Masaka-Kabale Road because I am not in the government, because that road is my road –it’s not for the government. When you go and tell foreigners that they should not come and invest in our country, you are waging war on our prosperity. So why then do you want to come and take advantage of that prosperity? (…) “That may be one of the reasons [for cancellation of Bobi Wine’s concerts] I suspect, I have not talked to the police in details” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on BBC News Africa, 18.10.2019).

Since June 2017, as he won the Kyadondo East By-Election his been an active troublemaker for the President, because he has stood up to him and his causes. That is why, the President tries to deflect and put blame on the MP, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. Instead of looking into own acts and mischief made.

It is not as if the MP tortured himself after the Arua By-Election in 2018. Not like him made the headlines of not being allowed to leave the country for treatment. It is not like its his fault, that the Police Force and their brigades are blocking every avenue and venue for his concerts. That is the state apparatus. Therefore, the enemy of prosperity and the enemy of good political PR is the state.

That’s why its insulting what the President is saying on BBC News Africa. Like he thinks that people are this damp. That he thinks people are not seeing through the shades of grey, that they cannot configure the ordeal and see the reasons for all of it.

This is like the evangelical prosperity gospel kind of nonsense too. You know, if you don’t follow the teaching of the pastor and his church. Your whole business will fail, your whole family will be deceased, and God forbid, if you’re a farmer your crops will not grow. So, with that in mind. The President is pin-pointing wrong.

If it wasn’t for Americans, many government programs wouldn’t have funding, lots of the UPDF equipment and training wouldn’t be there. The list goes on. Therefore, the man should come down about that. After his rise to power, he shake hands with Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. Therefore, be at ease, Mzee, take it easy.

I don’t see that Bobi Wine has stopped any progress, but instead shed light on some of the businesses. That the President doesn’t want light shed on. Because, you just want to rule indefinitely without any question or bargain. That is just the way it is.

His a threat to you, that is why his an enemy. Not because his a severe danger to the Republic. Nevertheless, you thinks the Republic will not stand the day you cease to hold the keys to power. We know that, but you can act as if we don’t already know. Peace.

Opinion: A little bit of defiance overpowered the independence celebration!

Let us reject being mere spectators in life, to becoming masters of our own destiny” – Dr. John Garang from the 1990 Torit Speech

Today was supposed to be the day that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni shined in the Bugisu Sub-Region and in Sironko District. Where he together with all the flair, the state machinery, the army and dignitaries. Even Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa was there to bring the festivities to the next.

However, the actions of his state apparatus, the acts of his own security organizations and their compatriots failed. They were supposed to have a smug party and celebrate the spoils of 57 years of independence. Instead, this day will not be remembered for whatever trophy or award Mnangagwa got or the speech of Museveni.

No. Today will be remembered by what happen in Wakiso district and in Kampala. There was another fellow taking the headlines and stealing from the military parades of Sionko. The man who overtook the mantle and the spotlight was Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine.

His not the first opposition figure (Dr. Kizza Besigye and Ingrid Turinawe) to sneak out his own home, as it is besieged by police officers and road-blocks. Which was the case today, as the news of Independence and Magere was sealed off. Still, Bobi Wine found away and he took off.

What is even more amazing was that Bobi Wine was able to dip through traffic and pass into Kamwokya. He was able to drive-in convoy during the day and even jump onto a boda-boda while the police tried to arrest him. This all made fuzz and the video-clip of this is online. It went viral. Because, it shows the lack of freedom and how one mad had to defy the authorities.

This is defiance in-action. Where one man took it and showed the world what it means to stand-up against the oppressors. He could have been a defeatists and been behind sealed of premises. Instead, his action showed the public what a little effort can do. He was able to shock and awe, but also show them that they can stand-up towards the people with guns and spike-strip or tire deflation device to stop him from passing.

Still, Bobi Wine did pass his home. He went and became the man about town. Bobi Wine didn’t only show his face, but he showed true defiance. Some calls him a hooligan, but his not a fanatic football support. His a man who stood up for his own freedom and as an example of someone who will not be shackled by an unfair system, which the NRM is putting the public.

A little defiance overpowered the festivities today. Who knew? Nobody did, that’s what defiance does. Peace.

Bobi Wine escapes house-arrest on independence day!

Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine released pictures earlier today of a cordoned home, road-blocks and a police siege at his home; and also on the road-blocks to his “One Love Beach”. Where he was supposed to hold an Independence Day concert. A concert that the authorities didn’t have the man-power to secure it.

However, they had the man-power to put up roadblocks, several of them, apparently. Both, in Wakiso District and in the greater Kampala area.

Well, that didn’t work out well for the Police Force. The Police Officers could detain the man in his own home. The artist and politician escaped on a motorcycle or boda-boda. As he was able to cross from Magere in Wakiso district and been able to ride to Kamwokya, Kampala. On route to Busabala, where the beach property is.

Surely, the state is looking foolish in all of this. As the boda-boda’s are even riding convoy with the man across town. As the President of the Republic is presiding over events elsewhere and totally forgotten. It proves his popularity and his rise, why the authorities fear Bobi Wine. Because, the public stand behind him and support him. Stops even police from arresting him again.

Therefore, even as this tale is far from over. The proof of his resilience and will is there. That his not following orders from high above. To silence himself and his comrades in the struggle against oppression. That he takes up the mantle and stands up against it.

By all means, for doing what he did today. He will get new charges where he defied orders, “incited violence” or trespassed Bosco’s mind. But that is something that impossible not to do. When without court orders, warrants or legal justification, they put him under house-arrest, which state did earlier this morning.

Alas, that is the proof of the sinister state and lack of freedoms in the Republic. When a man has to break away from his own home to get freedom on INDEPENDECE day. Not just a random day. BUT ON INDEPENDECE DAY. Just let that pickle cherish for a minute. Peace.

Only Museveni can celebrate Independence Day: Bobi Wine’s concert is blocked!

Besides, police would not be able to fully provide the requested for security as our main effort will be on securing the national Independence Day celebrations in Sironko district,” the letter reads in part” (NBS Television, 08.10.2019)

The Osabala Concert at One Love Beach on the 57th Independence of the Republic has been blocked by the Police Force for their ordinary reason. “Safety” and whatever else concerns the state has, as the musician and politician Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine was prepared to hold a concert at his venue again. Since, everything else is steadily blocked for him during the last two years.

This is the first concert his tried to hold in the Republic in a long while. Not the first nor the last time the National Resistance Movement will close of venues of other people and politicians celebrating independence day. Because, its only an independence celebration if the President and his cronies are there. If not its deemed unfit and dangerous.

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) are planning also an event at the FDC Headquarters at Najjankumbi, but don’t expect that to go through either. As the state has a gift of blocking these events.

I didn’t expect Bobi Wine to get this. Just like the other politicians who has tried to celebrate the day without His Excellency. That is just mere impossible in the Republic. The freedom is limited and only the one given by him. Your lucky if your free and have the liberty to celebrate it. Especially if your figure who oppose him. Than, your freedoms are limited and your moves are restricted. Just like in the manner of the concert of Bobi Wine.

He just had to be blocked. Even if there is no evidence, no clues or no intelligence saying it will be an issue. Just that the orders from high above says so. That the President doesn’t want to be outshined or be exposed for his hypocrisy on the 57th Independence Day. That cannot happen and Bobi Wine just have to shut-up.

That is initially what the President is saying. Expect arrests either today or tomorrow. Of fellow peers, of people going towards One Love Beach. Expect FDC leaders in trouble too. They are always in the mix. While President will bless an venue with his deception of freedom, liberty and liberation, which was made for him and his cronies, but not the whole republic. Peace.

Opinion: The UCC report on breach of “minimum standard” is the anti-broadcasting Bobi Wine Report!

The Uganda Communication Commission report on the breach of minimum standard is really about the media houses, radios and TV-Stations broadcasting events and court-trials. This investigation report goes on supposed breaches of broadcasting standards.

All observations and affairs in these circumstances just happen to be involving the People Power Movement, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and his affairs with the law. The demonstrations or the return from a police station.

This being the reports from Bukedde TV, BBS, NTV and NBS Television. What is really striking from all of this, is that the UCC recommends actions of “remain impartial and non-partisan in the course of their work”. Still, this whole report itself is only looking to breaches following Bobi Wine and sometimes Dr. Kizza Besigye,

These all stems from the same time and incidents surrounding Bobi Wine on the 29th April 2019. The UCC is all looking into the messages about this. Not about any other instance or investigating how the media houses followed the messages of the state. No, only how it blessed the air-ways with content following an arrest of unlawful assembly, as the politician tried to hold an Kyarenga Extra Concert on East Monday; Which the state blocked.

The report doesn’t look into how the state acted towards him. Neither is the mandate of UCC to do this. But it is interesting that their scope is on this and they are showing loyalty to the “high above” this way. Because, it makes it obvious.

That the reporters, the media houses, the radios and TV-Stations should be “non-partisan” the NRM way and not follow up on arbitrary arrest of opposition figures. Because, that incite violence, startle the public to demonstrate or even can cause “riots”. Since, this will not happen if they just show Museveni in 3D all day or make mash-ups of his latest speeches.

This is an targeted assault on media freedom from the UCC. This is biased attack on these media house. Nothing else too it. Peace.

Opinion: Gazetted injustice with the ban of red berets!

On the gazetted Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) dress code of 18th September 2019, the red berets, which has been associated with the People Power Movement and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. It is now banned from wearing them, except if your part of the UPDF. The same with the rest of the attires, which is gazetted.

This is limiting clothing, but also banning a sort of cloth, a headwear, which has been directly the image of the opposition movement. The UPDF again being used politically to ban. Not only is the army used to intimidate and to control the public. They are not only defending the territory of the Republic, but also used as a tool of oppression. That is why, special units of the UPDF have been used to arrest and detain civilian leaders, like even taking the Arua 26 and the Kizza Besigye to Military Court.

Therefore, this is not shocking. This is following a pattern, like when the Interim Order of 5th May 2016 banned all demonstrations and the defiance campaign. In addition, this means that the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) was officially by the state not allowed to demonstrate nor use defiance. That is why we have been here before.

The UPDF is used as a tool this time. To stop people from wearing a certain head-gear. They want to monopolize this headwear. Apparently, they can do that, even after the state known the public and the opposition has used this. This is a direct ban of wearing something of the opposition.

If the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the ones running the government wants a multi-party democracy or act like its there. Maybe not ban their gear in general. Because, it proves again, that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his minions in acts won’t a one-party state. That is why he was so reluctant to let go of the movement system in the past. This is a history we cannot forget.

In this instance, it is repetition of the past. The NRM and Museveni uses the state as a oppressive machine. Finds some significant faults with the opposition bans it. That is not new.

This is the red berets, which is now a cardinal sin, unless your part of the UPDF. Together with the other hand-picked attire, which they see fit. We can await the radios to ban Bobi Wine songs, we can await to see more of these issues. Just like the bans of concerts of Bobi Wine too. Therefore, this is following a common pattern.

This is not happening to the DP Block or the UPC for that matter. No, its happens to the Opposition that the President fears. That is why he can use the military, which the militarised politics of the NRM has personalized over the years.

This will be controversial, there will be arrests, the police force will enforce this and we will see an outcry. However, will this show the public how far the NRM does to control them? Is this enough or will laws of draconian acts continue without any actions against it. Will the public accept this and move-on, as the state again tell them how to think, act and how to be?

This is what the NRM does, just another proof. Peace.