Opinion: Museveni is a coward for blocking Bobi Wine’s Kyarenga Concert!

That the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the Police Force and the Namboole Stadium Management are a bunch of cowards. They are small belittled entitled men and woman, who doesn’t see their weakness and their lack of tolerance. They cannot even stomach a concert of a pop-artist and a Member of Parliament. However, the same party can show-up everywhere and do whatever they pleases. But if your a voice in the other direction. Than, you have to be silenced by the authorities.

Earlier this week in the media, there was talks and mentions from the Police Force, who the Observer reported: “Police casts doubt on Bobi Wine’s Kyarenga concert. Kampala police commander says they can’t allow the Oct 20 concert because Namboole stadium was already booked for other events. Police also says organisers haven’t sought clearance” (the Observer, 11.10.2018).

We have heard this sort of stuff before, than that was about the venues Dr. Kizza Besigye was showing up to hold rallies, that was closed and sealed off. For all the same reasons. We have all been here before.

On the same day, it is revealed that the management of the Stadium also sent Fire Base Entertainment and Bobi Wine a letter, explaining that the Concert wouldn’t be happen on the scheduled date. That suddenly a Wedding is happening and that the Stadium Management is also following that the event wasn’t cleared with Police. Clearly, the management have been foretold and following direction from above. Finding ways to stifle the possible concert, that Bobi Wine and his company had already booked for. If he hadn’t booked through his company and his people, they wouldn’t have made the posters and prepared it.

This is just a charade of ignorance from the authorities, as they don’t think we haven’t seen this action before them. That they are using the Public Order Management Act (POMA), the Anti-Besigye Act as the cancer to society it is. To settle the score with their mortal enemies.

Let us all, together when discussing this matter. Call out the Police, NRM and President Museveni for what he is. They are COWARDS. Weak little cowards, the small kid who wants all the toys and doesn’t want to share. The little cry-baby that cannot share the candies, but keep it to themselves and even eat it all until it vomits. That is what the authorities are in this manner.

They cannot manage to see, the MP do his profession, they cannot manage to see him run his business and do this thing. Not like the government are stopping the MP’s doing their farms, owning their petrol stations or whatnot. Why stop Bobi Wine?

Because they are cowards. They cannot manage to see their loosing face and loss of the power of the people. They are maybe blocking him right now, but his ideas and his words resonate with the ones the NRM (Museveni) wished they could gather themselves. They can only bribe and lie to the public, that is why they fear Bobi Wine and his agenda. Just like they fear Besigye and his vision too. Peace.

Namboole Stadium Management Letter to Bobi Wine: Music Concert Kyarenga Album Launch (11.10.2018)

Hon. Francis Zaake Returns: To be Arrested at the Airport and taken home!

Today, one of the tortured Members of Parliament (MP), who was a part of the Arua 33 of this August 2018 arrived back from treatment in India. This is Hon Francis Butebi Zaake MP of Mityana Municipality. He arrived back after being gone since 4th September 2018 and coming back on the 11th October 2018. That shows how dire the health condition of the MP has been and still is. As he has still not all recovered after the treatment he had in captivity.

They even blocked him once in August and ones from leaving for treatment in earlier in September this year, as well as dropping him off at Rubaga Referral Hospital before he was able to leave for medical treatment abroad.

Now as he has returned, the day before the Uganda Police Force had to tell the public, that no one was allowed to wish him welcome or greet him. Only family and friends at the Entebbe International Airport. But just like with Robert Kygulanyi aka Bobi Wine, when he came back from the United States, he was taken on the airport. There was no road-blocks and military presence like with Bobi Wine. However, the Police and Military had to ensure that he knew who runs the Republic and arrest him as he arrived back.

From there, they took him directly to his home. So he couldn’t visit anyone or see anybody. He was directly taken away, even if Hon. Zaake was on Bond awaiting trial and for the state to find evidence for his crimes. However, that has to wait, as the state haven’t produced anything yet.

Bobi Wine wrote this to him:Welcome back home Hon. Francis Zaake. I saw how you were manhandled and mistreated upon arrival, but man, these things give us more reason to struggle on and ensure that no citizen is treated like an outcast in his or her country. As I continue to wish you a full and quick recovery, I am very glad that your spirit is even more resolved. That is what matters. We shall overcome!” (Bobi Wine, 11.10.2018).

Also Dr. Kizza Besigye who visited him today: “I have visited Mityana Municipality MP Hon. Francis Zaake at his home in Mityana. He has today returned from Manipal Hospital in India for treatment. On arrival at Entebbe Internal Airport, he was grabbed by security operatives from the airport and transported to Mityana town without his consent- obviously a gross violation of his right” (Kizza Besigye, 11.10.2018).

We can see how the state treats their MPs and the ones who are defying the state are targets and the ones who will feel the state authorities. They will not rest on them and make sure their lives are in jeopardy, as the Leopard is attacking them. To teach them a lesson and silence them. Not accepting People Power or Defiance. He wants all control and therefore, he acts like this.

Zaake is a victim to the impunity and the devious power play done by President Museveni. If the government cared, they wouldn’t charge him, but heals his wounds. Instead, they have used all methods to make it worse and lie about his state. Peace.

Francis Butebi Zaake MP Statement: Broken but never changed, Thursday 11/10/2018 is the Day! (10.10.2018)

Friends, Foes and frenemies, it has been long since we last communicated. I must profoundly aver that life has not been easy especially in the period between now and the 13th day of August, 2018 when we were attacked by miscreant beings from SFC.

These guys battered me excessively to the extent that my body could no longer feel the pain, I think that after failing to kill me during the “Togikwatako” Saga, they thought that another opportunity had presented itself to them to completely eliminate me. Well, let’s say they had eliminated me. God forbid! Would that stop the incessant killings in Uganda or it would improve on the health care services in HCs? Would it in anyway construct standard roads or it would arrest the escalating pecuniary difficulties amongst the plebs in Uganda? Kindly enlighten us whether it would solve the conundrum of Corruption, nepotism and sectarianism in our Country? Would that really solve the unresolved Land problem in Uganda? If the answer to any of the above questions is no, then, God will erect many youths reading from the same script as myself, trust me when the late Cerinah Nebanda was brutally murdered, many of us joined the struggle and here we are exactly reading from the same script as her.

Last year, when I had just come back from overseas to seek medical treatment, I recollect making statements as to who has authentication to take away my life and I wish to reecho the same here. It is only God who has capacity to end my life at His will because he authored it and for the same reason, I am grateful to Him that I am now feeling better, no migraines, less pain in the neck and for the scars on my hands, back and other body parts, I shall live with them.

It is a public secret that, Health workers that attended to me in Lubaga Hospital were intimidated during and after my admission in the Lubaga Hospital by the state, but, you guys braved the storm by never relenting. In Mannipal Hospital through Ugandan Embassy, the state of Uganda attempted to conspire and obtain my medical documents but the professional ethics that these medical workers exhibit, made their efforts futile.

The other issue prudent for all to know is that, foreign chemical substances were detected in my body system, perhaps slow killer poison but luckily the specialists managed the situation early by a general body cleansing after which procedure the medics declared that, I am out of danger and that I can now completely heal from home an idea which was highly welcomed because this red pepper can really be boring but most importantly, I miss home. With such declarations, on Thursday 11/10/2018 at exactly Midday, I will be back home and home will be sweet home. I am just waiting for a fit to flight document.

Even though I am yearning for Mityana Municipality, the major challenge that befalls me as of now which I think my People should know is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder comingled with Panic attacks on recollection of events stretching way back from 27/09/2017 during the Togikwatako epoch, lack of balance while walking is also an issue now, I must support myself to walk but the good news is that I am told that after continued Physiotherapy sessions, I can walk again.

With much grief, I take this opportunity to commiserate with those families that lost their beloved ones during demonstrations all over the Country that were intended to demand for our freedom, in Mityana Municipality alone many People died in the hands of the Police which is by law mandated to protect life and property but in lieu resorted to killing innocent and unarmed civilians. That was so unfortunate!

There has been propaganda orchestrated by the state to justify their wrong doing that People Power is a violent group. That is not true, we are non-violent, and we associate ourselves with the principle of Mahatma Gandhi which states that an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind. We can never be violent and never shall we ever be, we have always advised our followers never to be violent because two wrongs can’t make a right. I want to iterate and reiterate here that People Power is never violent and also our People aren’t violent. We are just seeking transfer of power to a generation that will address the current constitutional crisis that befalls us as a Country and we intend to do this with utmost tranquility unless otherwise the state plants a bad group among us. Upon that, I wish to remind our People to be peaceful, we must show good conduct that distinguishes us from them.

Lastly and important, I wish to thank AAR Insurance for meeting my medical bills both in Lubaga Hospital and Mannipal Hospital whose doctors have been so kind to us, I appreciate your professionalism.

Thank you the doctors and all the medical workers of Lubaga Hospital for handling my situation with great care and love, may God bless you

Thank you the People of Uganda for praying with me, I am fine and I am coming home on Thursday this week. When I come I shall answer many unanswered questions by dispelling the myths about my story in Arua and I will surely disclose what exactly happened.

Thank you

Zaake Francis Butebi. MP Mityana Municipality

People Power Our Power

Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine: Independence Day Message (09.10.2018)

“It was the 9th October 1962 when a nation was born. Beatiful and endowed, with a promise of DEMOCRACY. With UNITY in DIVERSITY, all on a mission to build a nation that would make life better for the future GENERATIONS. Well, indeed WE ARE THAT GENERATION- the grandchildren of the independence generation and, oh yes, the grandparents of the future generations.
We must, within ourselves, find solutions since our leaders don’t seem to care for the #NextGeneration but instead care for the next general election.”

Our nation Uganda was born 56 years ago. It has been a journey of joys and sorrows. Hopes and disappointments. Achievements and failures. As we commemorate this day, may we make a new commitment to soldier on day by day, step by step, until Uganda is truly free.

Bobi Wine is shaking Bosco to his core foundation!

The sudden rise of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine is shaking the President and his allies. They we’re not prepared for his domain to be put in question by a new generation. That was only left for other Bush-War elites or even the ones who used to stand by him. Now, their voices aren’t big enough.

However, Bobi Wine isn’t from those clothes, he isn’t raised by these men and has only been ruled by them from his childhood. He has seen the suits and ties, but not seen their activity as a helpful enterprise, he has not seen the true liberation or freedom, as he has fought in his career and also been blocked while doing so. Therefore, he knows the cost of being political, even when your not an direct political operative.

While in the rise of Museveni, he promised and pledged to free the peasants, to ensure their voice and to not be used by the government. However, what his government has done, is using their poverty to gain loans and support of programs, without any strong achievements to show for. That is even as the 32 years of hold of power, the timely donations to the Ghettos seems a bit late and also shows the lack of progress in general. As the state is coming with charity, instead of coming with solutions.

Bobi Wine might not have grandest of messages, neither did dr. Kizza Besigye, but they are both saying what is needed, a real change and opportunities for the public to be represented and get service delivery. Not as usual today, where the state isn’t really seeing the suffering or the lack of service, as they are awaiting donor funds to fill the gaps for new programs and policy changes within the ministries.

The 1986ers have forgotten why they fought, as they are doing what processors where doing, the same rampant corruption, the same flashy cars and abroad health-care treatment, the same preventative arrests, the same assumption of colour connected to dissenting voice are arrested (24 red napkins “People Power” versus Green “DP” material under Obote) and so on. The use of colonial practices of caining people and also torture of dissidents, the new rulers are just like the same, but just more vindictive.

Museveni are forgetting the struggle, the impoverished and thinks he can PR manoeuvre and just sprinkle icing on the hurt and think it vanish. However, the dire realities are there, the political landscape is like this, because he made it like it too. Bobi Wine wouldn’t mean so much, if it wasn’t for the growing space between the State House and the people.

If the President didn’t need to hire more Special Force Command or even the new LDU’s, as that is the second coming of the Crime Preventers, but just more soldiers, than Police Officers. Just at another attempt of having more loyal paid guards, as the President cannot trust his own people or their loyalty to him. That is why he has taken all the men and people who are close to Bobi Wine and arrested them too, just to prove a point. Which is that he rules supreme.

This cannot last forever, he was maybe able to beat Besigye, as they are the same Bush-War generation, but he cannot continue to prolong this. Because the generation of Bobi Wine is not the same, they have only seen Bosco’s face and his tired of empty lies and deception. They are ready for governance and rulers who cares about their fate. Peace.

Bobi Wine and the “Arua 34” Treason Case deferred to 3rd December 2018: State procedure to postpone as long as they can!

Again, the Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and all his comrades from the Post Arua By-Election fracas had to answer the courts. This time they answered in the Gulu Magistrates Court. As per ordinary function, as the lack of evidence of the crime, lack of investigation within the month, close to two months. The Sate haven’t collected or bothered to explain the charges put on these people. They are just putting the pain on the individual, hoping they will buckle under pressure.

This is something is mandatory for any freedom fighter and anyone who is working against Bosco and his henchmen. If you’re a leader of some stature, you will be in Court and your charges will be fraudulent raised against you. That is the only outcome, as the state has already gotten rid of the forged gun charged, which was monopolized weapons and ammunition of the army. Which suddenly ended up planted in the Hotel Room of Bobi Wine on the fatal day of his driver in Arua. While the car, which was first a luggage vehicle, turned more important a few days later, as the President own admission has been altered since the day of proposed action. Where the glass was perfectly shattered and not even damaged on the paint of the car, which is magic in my opinion.

Here is today current state of affairs:

“Gulu Magistrate’s court has deferred to December 3 the case in which Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and 34 others are charged with treason over the violence ahead of the Arua Municipality by-election. The case resumed for mention on Monday in Gulu before Grade One magistrate Yunus Ndiwalana. However, the state prosecutor, Mr Julius Ochen, told court that they needed more time to gather more evidence against the accused” (Unity FM 97.7 Lira, 01.10.2018).

So if you think the saga of Bobi Wine and Arua is over. Forget about it. The Kabale Magistrate Court, prolonged the ‘Walk to Work’ case against them in 2012, but was still working on the case, even in 2016. Therefore, expect the same kind of nonsense in the manner of Bobi Wine. As he has enough supporters and have a generation behind him. That Bosco never will touch, unless he bribes them to oblivion and back. Nevertheless, they do not trust Bosco.

Now, that we are here and seeing this, expect it to last long, until 2019, maybe even 2020, if the NRM needs it to be. Because these court cases will pile up and stop Bobi Wine from campaigning and even be a viable candidate. This will stifle his affairs as he answers to forged up charges made by the state and these crimes has to be settled before he is really a free man. This is intended play by the authorities. The ones thinking otherwise are willingly to be fooled and thinking this is genuine. Then, they have learned nothing from all the issues and Court proceedings Besigye has had in his long career as a viable opposition candidate. Peace.

Bosco is the Rooster: Bobi Wine’s People Power is there to free the animals!

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is trying every way possible to deflect and dismantle the opposition. He has used all the tactics he can muster. Even the will of trying to make Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) irrelevant and also internal in-fighting isn’t helping the cause of the President. Because, there has come another force, another wave he cannot control or even interfere.

This one is Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine who represents the new generation and the ones ready for change from the status quo and is ready for proper representation. Not just a fake peace, where if they question the ruler and his party. You will face consequences. Bobi Wine has done this and has already paid. Now Bobi Wine are going through what Kizza Besigye has been through. Just today, the whole of Masaka was a militarized zone and road-blocks to the Masaka Liberation Square, where the Democratic Party Re-Union was happening and he was invited.

Bobi Wine proved there, why he has such a support and why people listen to him, as he said this:

We must remember that it will not come easy. As Nelson Mandela said, there is no easy walk to freedom. Our struggle will not be different from the others in the past. Some of us have already paid a price and we are ready, if it means paying more. Because I am convinced that freedom does not come to those who cry, but to who struggle for it. And those who struggle for it must be willing to sacrifice. Today we meet eight days after the commemoration of the Democratic Party founding father’s brutal murder by the Idi Amin regime. On 21st September 1972, Benedicto Kiwanuka was abducted from the High Court building and murdered by the regime of the time. Those who killed him thought that they had achieved it all. I am sure that day, they congratulated themselves for the work well done. Just like President Museveni has been congratulating some people for torturing us and killing our people. But the fact that we gather here today is evidence that ideas do not die. He was killed, but what he stood for could not be killed. Benedicto Kiwanuka envisioned a united country built on justice, democracy and equality. Today we are here speaking about those principles which he cherished. I have no doubt in my mind that those who oppress us today will one day go, and Uganda will be free. Our generation is called upon to step up and act” (Bobi Wine Address on 28th September 2018).

Because he speaks from the heart and he is like so many, who has been most part of his life living with the one ruler and his party. That is why he is different and knows that Museveni plans to go nowhere, as Bosco has shown no sign of succession even. Bosco cannot see, how the youths doesn’t respect him or his legacy. As the legacy and whatever he delivered, Bosco did it long time ago and the ones remembering that are either dead or advanced age. As Bobi Wine are ready for good governance and a representative government, not a military junta as off today. Which he has been tortured by and his drive killed. Also, his friends and business-partners behind bars because of his allegiance with them.

As we grew up, our parents used to tell us interesting stories. One of those stories went like this. Once upon a time, the cockerel was the king of all animals. At the time, it ruled over the lions, the tigers, the leopards, and the elephants. You can imagine a mere hen ruling over the animal kingdom. But what was its secret? It deceived other animals that its red comb was too hot. It made sure that propaganda was spread all over that if you came close to it, you would immediately burn. All animals feared it and for many years it ruled over them and made them do whatever it wanted. But one day, there was rain and it became too cold. All animals wanted fire but they hand no place to find it. So the rabbit organized a meeting and called all animals. It asked to be paid so that it would go and get fire from the cockerels’ head. When the animals had paid it, the hare went into Mr. cockerel’s house in the deep of the night. It moved very slowly and put a piece of wood on the comb of this cockerel. To its disappointment, the thing was as cold as ice. And as the story goes, that was the end of the cockerel’s kingdom. The day we understand our power, and the deception of those who rule over us, we shall free ourselves from oppression” (Bobi Wine Address no 28th September 2018).

If this story doesn’t show the signs of the future. Show the progression and also the use of tales to tell the needs for the struggle. Here is using the cockerel (rooster) as a metaphor for Bosco. As he has used his propaganda to trick people of his strength with his cockerel, which was powerless and just flair. Since the animals had believed and eaten the words of the hen. However, his powers was his propaganda and not his real strength. The same is what the people’s power needs to do and show the lies of Bosco. As his flex is bigger, than his real power. Since he has forgotten his place and his role, as he thinks he can rule all supreme and that the people shall just accept that. That is not how it works.

Bosco is the cockerel (rooster) and people have to become like all the other animals to overturn his kingdom. It is time, to use that power and show that there is alternatives, which isn’t made by the propaganda, but is within the people or all the animals as the tale is telling. This is the richness and also the grand message of Bobi Wine today. As the people have to free themselves and also calling up this generation to step up and act. That is strong words, but also needed words, as the NRM are using the military and police anytime Bobi Wine walks around. Peace.

Bosco thinks he can bribe the youth of Kamwokya: So they will not join the People Power Movement!

We know that Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are scared and aware of the power, the messages and the public surge for Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. That is why Museveni isn’t participating in the United Nations General Assembly, as he is back at his farm in Rwakitura and in-general doing official business at the State House.

That is why Bosco suddenly cares for Kamwokya and Kyadondo East Constituency, as it is there where Bobi Wine first made a name and his strongholds. That is the State House is suddenly dropping off pocket-change from the Donations Budget in the Presidential Affairs there. As the State House has to try to bribe the public with donations and gifts, as they doesn’t have any clear solutions to their dire needs. The State House and government should have ensured that this sort of charity wasn’t needed, but they can do this, because the NRM has kept them poor.

Col Bantariza was in the company of State House officials who on Monday, on behalf of President Museveni, handed over support to Ghetto Youth Community at Kamwokya Passover Harvest Church. “The president has given you this money but I urge you to use it well. You have been given 100m but if you use it well, in future you will get more than that,” Col. Bantariza said” (Michael Kakumirizi – ‘Six slum groups receive State House money’ 24.09.2018, Link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Six-slum-groups-State-House-money-Museveni-Bobi-Wine/688334-4775294-j00jz/index.html).

We surely knows why these funds suddenly rains over this part of Kampala, as this was the first place with riots after the arrest and torture of Bobi Wine in August 2018. That is why the State House and Bosco is trying to pay himself out with some small donations to the public. Hoping that these minor gestures are enough to silence them. This is really to bribe them off.

Bosco thinks he is wise. If he was wise, he would have given the youth, used his three decades into power to actually create opportunities and securing their future. Instead, so many percentages are without work and without possible hire, as the gig economy and the lack possible hires.

This is the mistake of the government, they are oppressing them and tear-gassing them, but thinking they will forget that over dropping a few meals and some shillings. They are not finding solutions or trying to figure out why they are dwellers, hawkers, boda-boda drivers and whatnot. They are not ensuring their future or such. This sort of funds is just temporary, as the long-term needs are met.

That should Bosco worry about and is the reason for Bobi Wine popularity, because he wants another future for them, not just some pocket change and forget them in a years time. That is what the National Resistance Movement (NRM) does. They haven’t done this in the past, in a way, but does it everytime there is a election. Then, they give money and hope for loyalty for the donations. But now they does it when it isn’t an election. Than we know the reason. They are trying to give breadcrumbs and hope they will not riot.

They should have delivered proper government services and secured their future. That part of legislation and policies have been forgotten. Seriously, if Bosco thinks people cannot see through this BS. Than, he thinks people are stupid. Maybe he should spend more time with his cattle and leave the people be. Peace.

Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine Press Statement after returning from United States (24.09.2018)

Fellow Ugandans home and abroad, and our comrades in the struggle all over the world, I greet you all and thank you for your standing firm and remaining steadfast in these hard times.

As you all know, more than a month ago on 13th August, many things happened which I do not wish to recount here. I must however say that whatever the enemy intended for evil, God has turned out for good in many ways. The torture, indignities and brutal treatment which my comrades and I endured at the hands of some in our security forces have made us understand the depth of the problem we have at hand, strengthened our resolve and focused the attention of the world on Uganda. Our officials have always duped the world into thinking that they are democratic and some innocently believed them- not anymore. They have been exposed to the core.

I am eternally hurt by the senseless murder of our brother Yasin Kawuma, who was gunned down by those who we pay to protect us. There are other people who were shot dead by security officers during peaceful protests in Kampala and Mityana. On the day I was released on bail, as we traveled back to Kampala, two young people who were among those gathered in towns to express their solidarity with me, were knocked dead by police vehicles. While we pray that the departed comrades rest in peace, we must remember that no one has the right to take the life of another. Article 22 of our country’s Constitution guarantees the right to life, yet like the entire constitutional order, this provision is so liberally violated with impunity by the same people who swear to uphold the Constitution and defend Ugandans. There is no respect for human life whatsoever.

Many more Ugandans were violently arrested, tortured and many of them are still languishing in jails without charge. My friend Eddy Mutwe tells of how he was arrested by the military, blind folded for many days, and tortured while some security personnel tried to extract information from him. Our legal teams are doing everything possible to follow up on these cases in very hard circumstances. As the whole world knows, our very lawyers who are trained to defend the oppressed, have been intimidated and efforts to compromise some of them are ongoing. We appreciate the Uganda Law Society for speaking out against the bullying and intimidation of their members. I can only pray that the entire legal fraternity joins the leadership of the Society in fighting for the right of advocates to practice their calling without being targeted or receiving threatening calls.

The killers of our people must be condemned by all. Those who torture and maim the citizens of this nation must be called to order. Those who give such orders are cowards who must be exposed. They should remember that throughout history, those who found joy in killing and causing pain to fellow human beings did not go far. No matter how fearsome the forces of darkness seem, they never win in the end.

My call to the citizens of Uganda is to realise that we are in this together. When we allow these extra judicial killings to go on unchallenged, sooner than later, even you who is disinterested in politics will get affected. Regardless of our different political opinions and any other classifications, we must all continue to unanimously challenge and condemn the torture and murder of our people. It is not enough to watch with consternation the kinds of videos we’ve been watching these past days- showing soldiers and police officers doing unimaginable things to fellow citizens. I implore us to do more in every small way. Whether you are a lawyer, doctor, student, farmer or boda boda rider, we all can play a role in ending this madness.

I send special thanks to the journalists and the media fraternity who have remained courageous and steadfast in their work. Many times you have put yourselves in the face of extreme danger, trying to tell the story. You have been bartered, tortured, intimidated and yes, many of you jailed for doing your work. The images of journalists being whipped on the streets of Kampala shocked the world. I can assure you that we are with you. Uganda stands with you. And indeed, part of our struggle is to restore media freedom in this nation so that you work in a free and safe environment. That is what you deserve. You did not go to journalism school so that you are bruised for doing your work.

I have said time and again that we have many professional and patriotic security officers. Not all of them are rogue. Not all of them are brutal. And we must appreciate many of them for doing their best in tough conditions to keep us safe. At various times, I have interacted with several officers from the top to the lowest ranks in the UPDF and the Uganda Police Force. I have met officers who are very disgusted and frustrated by the system. They understand that they too are prisoners. They fully appreciate that as a result of bad governance, they earn peanuts in a failing economy and cannot raise their children in a befitting manner. They know that as a result of bad politics, they do not live in dignity. My message to them remains the same- we are not fighting them. We are fighting for them.

Let me repeat my call to them- those who put on our uniform. It doesn’t help you to keep quiet as some rogue elements amongst you, taking orders from desperate regime elements, kill and maim your brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers. You should not allow the regime to turn you against the population. You are citizens of Uganda first, before and after you put on that uniform. Learn from those who came before you that from the population you came and to the population you will return! Those who still have values- please set yourselves apart. Restore confidence that you are pro-people! You put on our national flag and that should be a source of honor and pride; not a source of condemnation from those who watch your colleagues torture and kill their own people.

Before I move from this point, let me thank the world for keeping their eyes on Uganda. The government has for long committed grave atrocities on our people and tried to keep them in the dark. Uganda is part of the global community and we know that we cannot be free if some are not free. My plea to the world is to keep your eyes on Uganda, and on our struggle for freedom. As surely as the Lord lives, our nation will once again sit on the table of nations with pride.

To the people of this nation, I know your struggles, the shuttered hopes and the frustrations which stare most of you in the face every day. But here is the good news. I feel that your cry for freedom has reached the heavens. That God who throughout history delivers the weak from their mighty oppressors will surely redeem us by His strong and mighty hand. We only need to play our part. Remain steadfast. Remain committed. Remain devoted. Mwebelelemu. Don’t look to the right, or to the left. The day of redemption is at hand.

To President Yoweri Museveni, how do you feel when you do this to your people? I have read and watched your numerous communications to the nation since the events in Arua. Instead of calling your troops to order- the same troops which have murdered Ugandans and tortured me and others to near death, you have patted them on the back and thanked them for a job well done. Would I be wrong to say that these violations are sanctioned by you? Mr. President, you refer to yourself as jaja, and call us bazukulu. Most Ugandans who have their grandparents alive always speak fondly of them, because the jajas love, protect, and cherish their bazukulu. They are not always hunting them down for voicing a contrary opinion. But you have become a tyrant and turned us into fugitives in our own country. Last Thursday as I returned to Uganda, you turned Entebbe and Kampala into a war zone and our people were once again brutalized. It has now become a crime to put on a red t-shirt or say the words “People Power.” You and your lieutenants have described us as inconsequential, indisciplined hooligans. Why is the state very afraid of someone they have labelled as an ‘inconsequential muyaaye from the ghetto?’ How quickly did you forget that the regimes of the past described you and the guerillas you led in the 80s as bandits and lumpens? Respect the rights of the people because just like them, you too was once not in power, and you will not be in power forever. Treat Ugandans the way you would love to be treated. Be a statesman. Concern yourself not with the next election but with the next generation which is demanding for freedom. I hope you can redeem yourself before it is too late. As things stand, history may treat you worse than Uganda’s past leaders who you like to disparage. You are a good Bible reader. I will repeat to you what Moses told Pharaoh of Egypt on God’s orders- “Let my People go.” You have the option of heeding this message or continuing to stiffen your neck.

Let me now address a few questions about our struggle.

Some people have not yet understood what People Power stands for. I have addressed this before but I want to address it yet again. I want to address this so that all of us and our genuine allies can speak with a clear, solid and consistent voice.

People Power is not Bobi Wine. It is not about me or anyone else. People Power is not a political organization- at least not now. People Power is an idea! It is the idea that all power belongs to the people as guaranteed by Article 1 of our Constitution. The state abdicated its constitutional duty to promote and propagate the teaching of the constitution to all citizens of Uganda. What we are doing is simply do that- remind the citizens of this nation that all power belongs to them, and not to the President, any soldier or minister. We are raising the consciousness of the people who have been stepped on for such a long time, and turned into slaves in their own country. So far we are succeeding!

Therefore the state’s efforts to stop us will not yield much and I advise them to stop attempting because they will certainly fail. With or without me, the people of Uganda will reclaim their sovereignty and authority. No one can stop an idea whose time has come!

We are aware that the state has attempted to use some people to reserve and register the name People Power as a political organization with the Electoral Commission. The intention is to hijack this name and prevent us from using it further. We also have information that the state is planning to invoke Section 56 of the Penal Code Act and declare People Power an unlawful society. We have also heard state officials declare People Power a terrorist organization. We are aware of all these antics but we are not bothered about them. We are not even surprised- despots throughout history manipulate the law to oppress their people. We know that what we are doing is legal, moral and right. No one can hijack People Power because People Power is the People of Uganda. People Power is you and me.

People Power is you, young person who finished school five years ago but continue to struggle to find employment. People Power is you student who is in school studying very hard but you know that you will not get a decent job if nobody knows you

People Power is you Ugandan who left your country against your will and are living as a slave in a foreign land, doing odd jobs so that at the end of the year you can send some money home

People Power is you, young lady who is right now in labor but you are very worried about becoming added to the statistics of mothers who die in labor every day because of our ailing health care system. People Power is you who lost a loved one because there was no oxygen in hospital, or you couldn’t find an ambulance to save his or her life.

People Power is you journalist who is beaten on the street for doing your work; the lawyer who is told to back off if a case involves ‘abanene mu gavumenti’; the doctor who has been promised every year that things will get better only for them to get worse; the teacher who educates other people’s children but cannot afford to educate his or her own children because of very poor pay- that is People Power.

People Power is the religious leader who is branded an enemy of the state for preaching against injustice and oppression- who is constantly told to only preach about the spiritual needs of his flock and forget about their physical needs.

People Power is you who is struggling to run a business but the state is imposing heavy taxes on you with little to show for it in terms of service delivery. People Power is that market woman selling vegetables but cannot make ends meet because of the high market dues.

People Power is the ghetto youth who doesn’t know what the future holds for him or her. These past days, the ghetto youth have seen government officials come with brown envelopes, with handouts telling them to stop supporting People Power. The wise ghetto youth knows that for 32 years he has been neglected. He has always heard about the youth fund but the money is stolen before it gets to the ghetto. The ghetto youth knows that the voice which is speaking for him is now being silenced. He is not willing to be used, but the uncertain future still stairs at him.

People Power is the elite who is employed today but is not guaranteed of employment tomorrow because of the continuous lay-offs in companies as the economy continues to bite.

People Power is that wealthy investor whose investments are under threat because of the bad politics of those steering the ship called Uganda.

People Power is that politician who belongs to the NRM party but is bothered by the way things are going, and yet has no voice within the party to raise those issues without being labelled a rebel and fought by the state.

People Power is the several opposition members who have time and again been labeled terrorists simply because they don’t agree with the policies of the current establishment.

People Power is the artiste, the entertainer, the blogger, the boda boda rider, the taxi driver, the conductor, the electrician, the hair dresser.

Ladies and Gentlemen, People Power is every Ugandan who is interested in a better country. Many will come and claim to be leaders of People Power. Some are already using this to get money from the state and thereafter cause disruption. Ignore such people and remain focused on the cause. You shall know them by their fruits. People Power is all of us. Even myself, I am just like the rest of you- only lucky that you have given me a platform to speak with a louder voice. So just like you, I am also People Power.

I urge my fellow Ugandans to continue to strive for a better country. Use every opportunity to work for a free Uganda. The odds against us are many, but let us not tire. One American leader once said that ‘Even in the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it.” I have never been more hopeful that this country will rise from its current state of injustice and greed by those who govern us. Let us together work towards achieving a Uganda that works for all Ugandans. And that is our vision for the future. A Uganda where leaders don’t cheat their way to power. Where leaders are servants and not lords over citizens. A country whose economy thrives. A country whose people are proud to be called Ugandans. A country where citizens hold their leaders accountable. A country whose people are not oppressed and bartered, A Uganda that works for all Ugandans. A Uganda that provides equal opportunities for all, regardless of who they are.

I call upon all of us to be peaceful and non-violent in our quest for a better country. Let us not respond to state inspired violence with violence- we would have given them their desire to kill, maim and destroy. But we must be assertive. We must assert our rights peacefully, boldly and courageously. We must reject injustice, oppression, suppression and exploitation with one voice. One day, we shall be free.

I cannot end this address without once again sending sympathies to the family of my late brother and friend, afande Muhammad Kirumira. His brutal murder only tells us how much we have to do to heal our nation. I also once again send sympathies to the people of Tanzania for the loss of over 200 citizens in a ferry accident on Lake Victoria. I will soon announce plans to reach out and thank all those who have stood and continue to stand with us in this struggle against dictatorship. Specifically, let me assure our dear brothers and sisters in Kenya, as well as other fraternal African countries that I have read your countless messages of solidarity. Very soon, I will announce plans for us to meet, interact and sing songs of freedom.

#PeoplePower_OurPower

For God and my Country

Your brother and comrade in the struggle,

Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert [Bobi Wine]