Opinion: Amama Mbabazi chosen silence is a token of his loyalty to the NRM!

“I have never left the NRM. I just happen to be an NRM member who wants change” – Amama Mbabazi

I wonder if some has to put a sign or use one of those big posters by the Constitutional Square or the Square in Central Kampala with a giant picture of Amama Mbabazi and have a quote over it saying: “this guy has been missing, if have any information, give it to the proper authorities”. Maybe, then he will reveal himself and actually speak in public. Its like he is paid to be silent, that after a long campaign since 2015 and the takeover of The Democratic Alliance (TDA) under the political umbrella of Go Forward. He just has gone missing after his election petition was dismissed. He had some days of siege and was under house arrest, but he haven’t been vocal. Utter silence. Nothing.

Mbabazi, the former notorious devious character within the National Resistance Movement, the man who was a giant supporter and organizer, the man who fought cases abroad and internally. The man that pushed the NRM in the direction that pleased the President. Was suddenly to ambitious and the man clipped his wings. Not like Gilbert Bukenya will ever play a vital role anywhere. He is a stooge and massive bouncing balls of jello, moving where the envelopes are given. Not sure if the same is now the activity of Mbabazi. But his silence is a statement.

Amama Mbabazi rocked the scene and made himself a viable candidate for many, even got the Democratic Party Norbert Mao supporting his candidacy. Mbabazi seemed like a real contender and used massive funds to use Go Forward and even build up offices around the country. Even as his consultation meetings met the same fortune as the FDC and Besigye. Met with tear-gas and often harassment by the police. He got the taste of the Public Order Management Act (POMA), that he had supported and used against Besigye. So he got the feeling of being on the fringes and standing on guards against his former President and party. Even if he said he was still a member of it. The former Prime Minister and Secretary General of the NRM.

Mbabazi silence on all matters is visible, it is a token of his dying loyalty to Museveni. The man that built him up and later destroyed him. Mbabazi was a loyal subject, but when he started to show ambition, he was thrown to the dogs. That is why Vice-President Edward Ssekandi just existing and not even in the public much. He is just collecting his salary and not saying much, if anything at all. Seemingly, like the outcast Mbabazi.

Mbabazi might do this in solidarity with the President. Just sitting in his home and saying nothing. Not acting, just living and taking care of his spoils. His businesses and whatnot he has. Only mentioning the Uganda Cranes of late, other than that nothing.

We knew you traveled through desert between 2015 and 2016, even passed through a den of thieves and came out with scratches and humiliating results. Still, you didn’t expect fanfare and being called a legend after what you passed while being a NRM cadre and leader?

Let’s be clear, the silence is a token of your loyalty. That is why he doesn’t say or do anything. He is a NRM Member and NRM loyal subject, who still wants to show that to the President. Mbabazi don’t have the character or the guts to do anything else. He wont risk his ill-gained wealth or proposed possible authority, that could be given him at a later stage. Since he knows how the President operates and he is anticipating his next move. Peace.

Opinion: Democratic Party and Uganda People’s Congress turns more and more into NRM-Lite!

“Power is a curious thing. Who lives, Who dies. Power resides where men believe it resides. It is a trick, A shadow on the wall.”  ― Lord Varys (Game of Thrones).

“Adjective: Denoting a low-fat or low-sugar version of a manufactured food or drink product” (…) “Origin: 1950s: a commercial respelling of light, light” (Oxford Dictionary – Lite).

This here isn’t something based on evidence, but more a genuine feeling I have is not only one I share, but many others. There is something at stake and someone who has agreed the negotiations so these so-called opposition parties isn’t really so. That is why the Uganda People Congress has some MPs in the Cabinet and the same with Democratic Party. The same can be said that both of these parties, still have slots or parts of the delegations to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) in Arusha.

What we do know is that James Akena, the newly concurred leader of UPC could easily do some trade-off with NRM in 2015. That isn’t just mere speculation as his party did decent and there haven’t been any controversy or lashing out from NRM MPs towards the UPC in ages. Secondly, the DP has become the good DPs and the ones that even are parts of NRM Celebrations. There is something up with these two parties, just like Uganda Federal Alliance and Beti Kamya all of a sudden is a bigger support of the NRM government than the former NRM historical’s and the NRM hardliners.

The President and his NRM CEC must see their State House visits as a blessed and ease ways of figuring out how to undress the opposition and how to deal with them. All needs a meal-ticket, the question is who will give in to the regime and at what cost. Therefore, the arrangement and the deals behind the close doors show the conning way of the illegitimate regime who uses all sorts of methods to undermine the opposition. The FDC has clearly given in too, in my book, with even becoming the shadow-government in Parliament. Something the FDC NEC shouldn’t have considered and agreed upon, because when NRM together with the President agreed to get a UPC minister and DP minister, it would be hard to have shadow-government with members from these parties. That would be rare and weird to explain.

We can even wonder if Norbert Mao even cared of losing his slot as Member of Parliament in the 10^th Parliament, as the DP was behind Amama Mbabazi Presidential Candidate through the The Democratic Alliance (TDA). Why I say that now? Since he is snickering and defending the NRM on NBSFrontline, attacking Lord Mayor Lukwago and the FDC when he can, just as we would expect Akena, since he has been bought sometime during the 2015. The price and the value of the UPC is for him and his closest allies to know.

DP’s Mao on the other hand is worrying, that Fred Mukasa Mbidde went so easily and elected into the EALA, also how little care the DP has given to the DP Cabinet Member Florence Nakiwala. Who could have thought the party would trade these folks that easily? That without any worry and without care has let it go, that they have set the standard of being a mediocre party who has no courage and no fighting spirit.

Maybe, Mao has gotten tired of fighting as the campaign he himself has a Presidential Candidate was sour, it wasn’t a joyful journey as the promises and the ride against the police force wasn’t ideal. Therefore, the battle even for his own MPs place got lost and as a leader who isn’t in Parliament, while the ones in Parliament are getting cosy with the NRM. That might be why Mao is complied with the forged friendships and trading in Parliament, to make sure they can gain the most. Still, the value and integrity of DP is dwindling, with every forged agreement with NRM makes them more and more alike, less different.

The NRM regime and NRM caucus in Parliament is adding DP and UPC, they are just turning into branches of the regime instead of being rooted on their own and on their own framework. It is just like Mao and Akena, just shift-bosses instead of being their own factory leaders. They work less for their own product and delivery, more and more to please the Executive through agreements and negotiations.

That is why the NRM has swallowed their paths and the lacking spine of DP and UPC has given way for this. Therefore, the current affairs and state makes them like a light version of the NRM. For this reason DP = NRM Lite and UPC = NRM Lite. Both parties are old and have a long history; they were established long before NRM, still the abolishment from Obote, made the other obsolete. So Museveni’s trick of being in the shadows of these parties before and after the parties, this is essentially killing of the multi-party system. That the NRM are tarnishing the DP and UPC to becoming NRM knocks-offs.

All of this is mere speculation, but still, there aren’t any official agreements in public between UPC and DP towards to the NRM, but their friendliness and co-operations are evident of certain negotiated deals. You will not hear Akena or the UPC complain about the NRM, just like Mao suddenly defends on national TV their position towards NRM and attacks Lukwago. There is just some uncertainty of how and what they have done behind closed doors. Beyond a shadow of a doubt some worrying signs that can and should be questioned, especially not accept as the acceptance of these parties to the NRM gives way to establish deep concerns of the value of opposition at all in Uganda. Since the DP and UPC have been thresholds for such, now it is FDC, even with a FDC NEC who doesn’t concern their legitimising the Parliament.

We all should ask and question the recent efforts from DP and UPC as legitimate opposition, even as parties without connections or how possibly they have accepted agreements with Movement. This surpass the judgement and the recognition of their existence, it is more the mere fact of lacking attention to transparency and accountability, as they are giving way to a regime who certainly does not care about procedures or acts or rule of law. The parties are therefore giving the Movement acceptance and are silently supporting their rule with these sorts of acts. Certainly, something the founders of these parties would turn in their graves and wanted to resurrect to adjust the malfunctions of these parties. Peace.

Opinion: Mao disappoints with grandeur…

Well, 20-17 just starts and with a bang, the former honourable Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party doesn’t care anymore about nepotism and autocratic regime, which if President Museveni gives away executive power to his wife Janet or Maj. Gen. Muhoozi that it doesn’t matter!

“The Democratic Party President Norbert Mao says Ugandans are so desperate for change that they no longer care to whom President Museveni hands over power peacefully. According to Mr Mao, just like many Ugandans especially those born after Museveni captured power in 1986; he does not care whether the president hands over peacefully to his son Muhoozi Keinerugaba or wife Janet Kataha Museveni” (Daily Monitor, 2017).

Well, it is understatement that I am confused about the peaceful transition it seems to be only that the business stays in the family. If Mao thinks that the Mafia, the elitism and the gravy eating regime going to drastically change with the wife or son of Museveni, he is sadly wrong. That is by the mere fact of the history in other countries where family members take-over as in Equatorial Guinea, Cuba, Syria and North Korea isn’t actually splendid evidence of totalitarian regimes handing over or coup d’état from family members to become the Executives.

That Norbert Mao wants to give way for another unelected family member to the throne is a mere demonstration of the meagre effort of opposition to the Movement. That he accepts the draconian and all eating Museveni and let his family go forward before the Republic. It’s an insult to all Ugandans. That only the Clan of Museveni is fit to rule the Republic. There we’re a Republic before Museveni and be one after his time. Still, now it seems that Mao is so tired and has so little faith in the Ugandan people, that he gives way to the Museveni clan.

He should care as he should be voice for the ones really wanting change and a peaceful change from the government and regime that only cares about Museveni. So Mao shouldn’t lose faith. Mao should fight with fellow comrades and want a substantial change for the Republic, that doesn’t owe anything to the Museveni clan. Peace.

Reference:

Daily Monitor – ‘I don’t care whether Museveni hands over to son or wife – Mao’ (01.01.2017) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-hands-son-wife-Mao/688334-3503756-format-xhtml-13ewxl2/index.html

Opinion: Post-Kiggundu – The brutal truth about the new Electoral Commission in Uganda

No matter who get appointed or picked as long as the His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is in charge and the Commander in Chief. So as long as he is there, his decrees and orders will matter. So the results and the final say are in the hands of the President. He will not care what the locals of Karamoja votes or the ones in Mbarara, what matters is what is needed for the Movement and in the end him!

The Electoral Commission under the Dr. Badru Kiggundu has been a useful tool for the regime. He has used all kind of ways to get the results that we’re needed. Also all kind of explanation to avoid the reasoning or even trying to shuffle the defence as the relevant laws to sustain the needed excuse to exhaust the courts. This has been done as the Opposition has questioned the legality and the just behaviour of the Electoral Commission.

The all of sudden 100% in counties, the ghost voters, the unregistered voters showing up and the moving of place of voting for the citizens, the lack of delivery of ballots and equipment to key areas. This has been tactics as well as fixing the elections into the schedule of the Movement. Free and fair was never important for the President as long as his loyal men and woman we’re plated and sent to Parliament. Or his loyal men and woman elected through the Resistance Councils and the Local Government positions as Local Councillors and such.

This will not change as the appropriate men and woman is not in circle of the new Electoral Commission. The cleared name from the President is more loyal men and woman who want to eat of the Presidents hand. They want to eat and are hungry like the rest of the MPs who has cars and no income tax. The same level is what the EC commissioner’s wants and therefore wants to be hired. So they can live in mansions and have government perks that citizens don’t get.

So no matter who is put up in the Movement and who they want to appoint will be working for the President and his elite. The regime will not change their pattern even if Badru Kiggundu is out of the picture. Will just be a new face that will eat the same level of crap.

The reality is that the names put forward now by the President is his loyal cadres, they are not bi-partisan or even becoming of people who the citizens can trust. That is for the same reason as the ones before, they will be the loyalists for the pay-check of the President; they will not be there for people. They are just useful props for the President to get his fake-elections and votes when needed, but not something he cares deeply about. If he did he would have set in place systems where the people wasn’t starving and had water-irrigation to secure the harvest even in dry season. He has 30 years, but hasn’t left much behind because what he has is fragmented and eaten by his ego. Therefore the EC will be marked of his loyalist, not of the ones who is best for nation, but who is the best for the “only man with a vision”. Peace.

Mbabazi your either a NRM member or a Opposition Candidate; You can’t be NRM and Oppositon at the same time!

If you was like me and wondered what was with the answers and figure of Honorable Amama Mbabazi on the #UGDebate16. Now he went on the first radio program after that. This is just days after and 30 days to go polls.

Why I react today is that he said this on the radio today:
“I have never left the NRM. I just happen to be an NRM member who wants change”.

Whatever he will say the rest of the program doesn’t matter. He has lost something or forgot something. Why is he still trying to be loyal to NRM? It might be true that you officially never left. The way you fired from being Primer Minister and losing your position in the party. Both Dr. Ruhakana Ruganda who took that place for you and how Justine Kasule Lumumba as the Secretary General in the NRM, both positions Honorable Amama Mbabazi had until recently.

In September 2014 he was fired from being the Prime Minister of Uganda. This happen after the PM was against the constitutional change in the party so that Mzee could be the presidential candidates for yet another time. So the power-struggle led to his downfall from the higher parts of hierarchy in the NRM party and in Government. The trying to topple the President Museveni and stealing the hot-seat, and becoming His Excellency in the ruling party were to be expected! That Mzee would not forgive him for trying to take his posistion as he has done before. 

Then this happen in January 2015:
“NRM’s National Executive Committee has approved members of the NRM Secretariat who were recently appointed by the party chairman President Yoweri Museveni during December’s delegates conference” (NTV Uganda, 08.01.2016).

From there it has been issues lasting all summer with his ambitions of being presidential aspirant in the NRM, even when you had the new laws and amendment on the constitution of the Party to fix the motion to make it work; so that Mzee could continue as party Chairman and Presidential Candidate. This was something Amama Mbabazi at some point couldn’t accept. Because of that he lost his meal-ticket in the government and also in the party. That has apparently not stopped him. AS we have seen all through 2015 and beginning of 2016.

Now today he was on the 93.3 KFM Radio and he was quoted saying that he never left the party and was still a NRM member. That is conflicting since he is a so-called independent Candidate running also as the front-man for The Democratic Alliance (TDA), a loose based opposition alliance to counter the NRM, or was that not so?

He might be a member of the NRM since he is a NRA historical as some of the other presidential candidates pointed out at the debate this weekend. Still, it is suspect on his motives in opposition if he still feels loyalty to the party he has been running as Secretary General and been in different positions in Government for. That we already knew and his display on Saturday on the debate pointed that out. Though this one was on another level, like he we’re literally saying “I never left it, but I never really left it”. Either you did leave or got kicked out. Depends on how blatant you see the specifics of the actions of his former executive, and how he executed his order to when he was his subordinate. That is just me I guess. Since that is something that has died down and not really been discussed because everybody knows that you do not go against the king, and the king is Mzee, the executive who knows how to deal with those who wants his place. As he done with Bukenya and other before Mbabazi, for some reason that get forgotten now and then.

It is decent of man wanting change, though he still want’s be affiliated with NRM that he never left. That is bugging me; if he really wants change then he should try to distance himself from the former executive and his party, even if Amama Mbabazi feels ownership in it since he invested such a great piece of his life into it. The matter is the impression that he still feels so interconnected with the party that he has had issues with all through 2015. Still he points out he never left it. Still, is a member of the party while being a presidential candidate for Go-Forward and under the opposition TDA umbrella alliance who kept most of the essential opposition parties in the country.

If you don’t see something wrong in that, how is it possible to be viable as a opposition leader in the newly started Go-Forward party/group and becoming a presidential candidate in a alliance of opposition and still be a member of the ruling party! How can you live with that? Doesn’t add up, there is an extra piece in the puzzle and shouldn’t be there, because Amama Mbabazi should be either or?

He can’t be a part of the ruling party and be an opposition at the same time, it’s like Pepsi will be Coca-Cola or Coca-Cola trying to be Pepsi. He can’t be part of the ruling party while being in opposition, that doesn’t work; he can support the ruling party, but not be genuine part of it. That is a hard task since you should represent a different approach and reaches other parts of the public and citizens then the ruling-party; also address the issues in the country in another way then the ruling party. Hon. Amama Mbabazi has to distance himself if not he will look more like a knock-off version of Mzee, something that will not be going forward instead going backwards into the same snake-pit that eats the government funds like ants going after sugar.

Amama Mbabazi have a great issues if he is still part of the National Resistance Movement; even if he didn’t take part of the general conferences and other bigger councils in the previous year; this after his sacking  as the Prime Minister. The issue is that he can’t be a serious opposition candidate while being affiliated with NRM. That is not a great way and paved way into change, that is a goal and manifesto that his outfit now is supposed to have. Go-Forward or is it Go-Forward-NRM, since you never left? Then there are issues for CP, PPP, JEEMA and DP who still is a part of the TDA, are they supporting a NRM-ish candidate or are they supporting a opposition candidate against Mzee?

Mzee is the ruling party and its commander as he has been from the get-go, Amama Mbabazi have been a loyal subject and subordinate to him, therefore seems to be embedded to him still; that is natural for him and therefore he was acting like he was on the #UGDebate16, that was cleaning himself of the actions of his past. This answer proves also the clear past that everybody knows and why you can ask questions to his real motivations as a Go-Forward and TDA Presidential Candidate while calling himself a member of the Ruling Party NRM. That does not make sense.

Any member of NRM are allowed to want change and make a difference, though to a state that they cannot break the chain in command and go against its Mzee. Go-Forward can’t be independent and opposition while their leader still affiliates with the ruling party. Then their mixing their roles and isn’t either or… A boat has to have harbor where it sets sails from, right now he seems to be middle of the sea and hasn’t decided which harbor that he want to anchoring at. He is either anchoring at NRM or at the Opposition. That should not be confused or played around with. Amama Mbabazi who has been a political person for so long should know this simple rules of engagement and codes of conduct as man involved in the politics.

Go-Forward has many former NRM as it is natural, as they have former men from Activist4Change, FDC and other opposition parties, even people who haven’t been affiliated with any party before. Therefore it is centered on the faith and belief that Amama Mbabazi will bring change and difference, be a viable candidate who can become the President. He tried to become the Presidential Candidate through the NRM during summer which leads to NRM CEC meeting during July 2015. So the issues is that it seems the man is either not sure what he is or who he sends the message for, if he really want to be president on his own behalf or want to have loyalty towards the NRM. Go-Forward is a fresh party and built around him. Go-Forward has alliance and built a machine around the TDA. This can’t be a sideshow to the NRM, and if so: they are not really opposition.

I feel that if he was saying the truth at the radio, than he is a NRM member who runs a Opposition party in an Opposition Alliance. That sounds wrong in all ways and make his Go-Forward/TDA/NRM kind of constellation mixed of ruling-party and opposition, so how does that goes on a political scale between liberation force and wish of change, and is the change that you’re going to be you hopefully getting the executive power and becoming the president, or making a genuine change in a new NRM outfit named Go-Forward. That is an honest question, because if you are a NRM member, then Go-Forward is a NRM-outfit since the creator is still being a part of them. That is what I struggle with and makes his quote and words on the radio worrying. But that is just me. Let me clear: there is not possible to be part of the ruling-party and opposition at the same time. That is something that everybody understands. Except of JPAM aka Amama Mbabazi aka Deflectionator. Deflectionator, I am just kidding. I had to. Peace.

Ugandan Presidential Candidates debate; serious attitude comes forward; two kings leaves the race while the servants stay put

We are at strange place when it comes the 15^th January and the general debate for presidential candidates in Uganda. People are throwing blame and I stand by calling Mzee a chicken-out from the debate. We all know why! He can’t spin it to his benefit and worried that he will look weak compared to the other men. His quotes will forever stay there and will be remembered, like Mzee has skipped before in 2011, 2006 and 1996. Well, let see what else been said on the issue during the day, this is starting to farce. Let me elaborate on that.

First the Presidential Candidate Hon. Amama Mbabazi said this: “There are 8 people in the race, if 2 have pulled out of the debate, then that doesn’t mean we can’t debate “.

Other that has verified that they will show-up for the debate is Prof. Venansius Bayramureeba and Abed Bwanika.

Also today Dr. Kizza Besigye commented: ““So this time when I challenged Mr. Museveni to a debate, I knew that he is averse to having a direct debate- which is unfortunate because in a situation like ours where there are deep contradictions, it is important to have a direct debate so that people are able to determine the candidates’ positions and policies.” (…)”The debate should be between two opposing sides its madness of me to take a day or two off my tight schedule to meet my colleagues for a debate”.

While we yesterday got the reports from two of his men and one of his men Ofwono Opondo clarified clearly to the people that President Museveni wouldn’t show up; because he has a busy schedule and would be missed because the trouble with the travel for 6 hours to be at the Serena Hotel and wants to rather be with the people!

So Mzee has decided to alter the debate and add a new figure to represent him. Today we have the new reports the change too southpaw; so he added of the mysterious Minister without Portfolio Richard Todwong. Hon. Todwong will be his mouthpiece when necessary it’s seems in a way to cash his paycheck. In that way we have the fourth candidate which happens to be a representative for the presidency and not himself.

While the James Ogola the spokesperson for The Elders’ Forum of Uganda (TEFU), the organizer of the public debate on live TV which is to be broadcasted through all channels in Uganda from NTV cameras, he said this yesterday: “If the candidate cannot come, we shall not accept representation. That chair will remain empty”.

The TEFU statement said this on the 7^th January: “During a meeting held with all the eight presidential candidates’ campaign managers and agents on January 6, at Protea Hotel Kampala, all the participants unanimously agreed that candidates have a lot to gain by personal appearance in the debates and much more to lose by non-appearance,” noted a statement that IRCU released on January 7^th 2016.

With this being said and written by the TEFU then the Minister without Portfolio Todwong will not be allowed to be in the chair instead of Mzee. So Dr. Kizza Besigye can’t send Nandala Mafabi or Mugisha Muntu in his stead, though I think they rather stay on the campaign trail as well. FDC have the honor to really shun the event because the President can’t take the time all of sudden.

That Hon. Amama Mbabazi want to be there is understandable he want to gain political capital by being the one left of the giant three to actually show up. He is one of the main candidates. We all know that the Professor Barya and Bwanika would be secondary or third wheels with Amama, Kizza and Yoweri, and they all know it. Ofwono Opondo went a bit far though on Friday on radio the Capital Gang when he said: “I don’t know who you are”. This Opondo utter out the mouth while Abed Bwanika where in the studio. Even I know who he is and that he have campaigned and been a presidential candidate at-least two times before and his party hasn’t the reach yet. Still are more popular than Professor Barya. Since some of his crowds are as big as lines for airtime in the morning Mondays after a busy weekend. Not enough yet!

I wish the People’s President also just showed up even if Mzee didn’t have the guts to. Even if I understand the motive of Besigye; that Mbabazi is trying to get political capital is smart, but he still doesn’t the machine as FDC has, that is why he has tried more than twice to settle the difference between them and get him to step-down for him. That hasn’t actually worked.

The President has already lost the battle of supremacy and it’s viable with the way this have gone, his spokesmen Opondo and the other guy the campaign manager can’t chant a tune to save this charade. Besigye get to look lost in the battle for defiance instead of being the true giant in the matter, he could be golden and righteous in a two-hour battle as well; Even if the commander in chief chickens out instead of proving that his mouth and brain moves.

So that Mbabazi and the other guys might have a ball. The debate will be powerful in its way, but without Besigye and Museveni it misses all of the top three presidential candidates. That is weak and foolish. We all know the TEFU behind it and this will make it look like they don’t have the touch to get them speaking live on TV that day. But it’s their choice and not the parties involved. TEFU is just a tool to Museveni as everything else, and Besigye don’t want to look foolish compared to his nemesis M7.

The other candidates will have the say The Independent Coalition Maureen Kyala Wamuumbe and Joseph Mabirizi will get bigger stage then normal. Just like the other rest of them. They will gladly show up to it instead of being campaigning they will capitalize on it. Besigye and Museveni thinks they earn on not showing up. Where is Gen. Benon Biraaro at this point? Or I am missing the channels where he is occupied all the space? Because nowhere spoken his mind on the matter!

The reason for why Mzee doesn’t show up doesn’t add up to his own fear for the platform and lose of creative control and editing power. Since he can shut-up and will utter some nonsense with the bush-war mentality that he thinks all Ugandans will eat up like matooki. Instead they listen and wonder why that argument where used for building roads between Masindi and Kampala. While the other candidate actually speaks proper policy or regulations on the question; the same is the actions of Mzee. Besigye would have answered properly though anti-NRM rhetoric. The same with Mbabazi who will add with the new fresh spin and also say that he wasn’t an executive power like his former chief. Well, we will not see the whole picture and live broadcast; the first time in history with all presidential candidates unless Mzee wishes to show balls and be a real presidential candidate for once. Presidential Candidates should be able to debate in public with other candidates instead of only singing their own tune on the campaign trail and rallies. Surely Mzee have checked the questions asked from media the press conference to secure him what message that comes out and have control of what is in the press, if the press doesn’t follow then he shuts them down. Like he have done with the Daily Monitor, KFM Radio and other media stations when they have gone too far with the wrong message.

Mzee can’t handle a person like me or the press who questions his authority and rule. So if he would be on a debate he would not have the ability to save his face. Besigye follows suit because he doesn’t see the other candidates as viable opposition and feels that if the incumbent president doesn’t show-up it’s the B-Team on Live-TV instead of the whole group of people. So Mbabazi is the golden kid in this because people will even blame Besigye for backing out and questions remain what it would have been with him in the mix. There is a loss that two of magnificent trio is out. You have the six candidates and one happen to be a major one that makes the tally weak. So Mzee proves yet again that he can’t or doesn’t have it in him to debate or argue for his longevity and perseverance, Besigye will not come with fighting spirit in it, we will have the usual suspect and meager attendance that doesn’t cover the spectrum from PRO-Yellow to the mellow and to the ordinary fellow. Peace.

I did not wield executive power as Prime Minister, Mbabazi tells Kotido (Youtube-Clip)

“With the election just  a month and  a dozen days away, former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi is, through his message,  steering his image out of the 30 year regime that he helped build, prop and sustain till he broke ranks to run as an independent candidate. Mbabazi, centred his rallies in Kotido and Abim on explaining that he did not wield executive power to make the decisions that would effect the change he wants.Raymond Mujuni brings us this report from Kotido” (NTV Uganda, 2016)

Go-Forward meet hardships in Kaabong; Plus election violence towards the Go-Forward/TDA in the rest of the country

Today the Go-Forward Group and the TDA Joint Presidential Candidate have been in hot water all day. Yesterday in Northern Uganda there we’re rumors and reports about booing him and making mockery of him while on stage because of his deliverance in NRM government. That is not something I will focus on, because with his history in mind. It is understandable, wish they would do the same to Mzee though! But then they the Police and Crime Preventers would make issues so understand their silence when he entered the town in Karamoja. I wish I was writing something profound and deep, meaningful and giving. Instead I litter of the sadness and tragedy that follows the Go-Forward and the TDA supporters and team.

Today in Kabong Town in Kaabong district the public and citizens we’re expected and told to wear NRM t-shirts. While the town and people knew that Amama Mbabazi we’re expected to hold a campaign rally there. DPC Peter Cherome has made his people busy today and the forcing the public to wear NRM clothes is just the beginning.

Well, Amama Mbabazi tried to visit Kidepo National Park, but the Police blocked it and closed it. So he could not check the conservation and resettlement of the animals in the National Park. That is not allowed I suppose! Yeah, it is not a prayer house? Not a school? Not a, well, house with sick people called Hospital! So why can’t and where is the rules from the Electoral Commission or Police stopping his movement? Please explain?

This morning in Kabale this happen:

“Hon. Stephen Kalibba, the former Prime Minister for Tooro Kingdom, and former Member of Parliament who has been Go Forward Cordinator for Tooro and Rwenzori sub-regions has defected to NRM”.

Yesterday in Bukedea district:

The Amama Mbabazi aid in Bukedea district we’re attacked and flocked by local NRM supporters and badly hurt. The pictures of the man are spreading online; the sadness of how the NRM-Regime goes against their opposition. I will not show the picture, but think the story should be told!

Reports from Amudat yesterday:

“Currently happening in Amudat one of the districts from Karamoja region the mobilizers of Hon. Amama Mbabazi have been identified and bundled in different cars including Police cars forcefully now crossing to Kenya”.

In Ntungamo and aftermath of the clashes in the town last year:

“Eleven supporters of independent Presidential Candidate Amama Mbabazi who were charged with assault, causing grievous harm and malicious damage to property, have been remanded for seven more days at Ntungamo Central Prison, due to lack of sureties and legal representation” (…)”Seven of them were first remanded five days ago after pleading not guilty, to the charges presented to them before Grade One Magistrate Richard Ndangwa. The magistrate said he needed more time to peruse through documents tendered in court by their sureties before granting them bail”.

Amama Mbabazi Security Team involved in a car crash:

“Three people were this morning injured in an accident involving members of the Security Team accompanying Presidential Candidate Amama Mbabazi to Karamoja Sub region. The team was on the way to Kaabong and Abim districts where Mbabazi is expected to hold a rally this afternoon when their vehicle, a Toyota Super Custom, registration number UAT 654Z swerved off the road overturning three times”.

“No one showed visible injuries at first but three of them collapsed and were rushed to a nearby hospital back to Moroto,” said the former Director-General of Uganda’s External Security Organisation Mr David Pulko, now working as Mr Mbabazi’s campaign mobiliser.

If you though this we’re worse. The planned campaign rally in Kabong town we’re blocked by Police and had to be held 70 kilometers away. This was happening today while the IGP Kale Kayihura told about 600 peaceful campaign rallies during the election periods. Not about the dirty dozen actions of his police in opposition Presidential Candidates hardships to actually work during the so called harmonized and Election Road Map worked together with Badru Kiggundu’s The Electoral Commission. Well, Hon. Amama Mbabazi had to move his main campaign rally because the local Police Force decided to do him wrong and he had to have the campaign rally in Karenga.

There been too much sadness brought to the table. Amama Mbabazi finally getting the Dr. Kizza Besigye treatment and harassment; nobody wishes to get it or feel the pain of humiliation and following of the police and governmental forces together with NRM-Supporters in the districts. Therefore the violence and extent of viciousness coming forward is dramatic and this just 45 days before the polls and general election proves that the NRM can only win on intimidation and fear, not on certainty of their political craft.

2nd Update of the hardship of the Go-Forward which continued after the publish of this article! 

Updated after first publish:

Amama Mbabazi we’re supposed to be attending and sharing his opinion on the Radio channel of Karamoja (Voice of Karamoja), but the Police continued their unbiased work and blocked him from entering the Radio’s premisis as the gentlemen of IGP Kale Kayihura usually do. Another proof of yet another type of place that other Presidential Candidates… can’t enter on their campaign trail. Be so very proud of your hardwork Police men in Northern Uganda hope you get your pay on time as teachers have struggled with in recent years in Uganda. Surely hope Mzee pays you well for tornmenting and harassing opposition candidates! Peace.  

Leaders of Opposition stay “United and support each other!”; Mzee works for a destabilized opposition; don’t help him!

There we’re loose talks between Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hon. Amama Mbabazi in Masindi recently. Just like the Kofi Annan talks in London in November we’re not fruitful. That would been seem like a pipe-dream with the way Amama Mbabazi won the race inside the The Democratic Alliance earlier in 2015. When Dr. Kizza Besigye pulled out of the coalition and went solo with his party as their sole-presidential candidate.

Therefore there shouldn’t be a stepping down at this point and this close to the General Election in February 18^th of 2016. That stepping down for both candidates would be risk. The FDC have an operational system of campaigning after doing so for a decade or nearly two. Hon. Amama Mbabazi have been on the bandwagon of NRM until recently so his formation and campaign team might have experience and some loyalty towards him, but it all based on the trust and support of him and his manifesto. Together with the men supported from the supportive parties in the Democratic Alliance (TDA).

So that some people wish for a united opposition would be big cut, still this election will not be like previous for the simple matter, the more the Mzee lingers the less of supports he gets. It’s proven by how much crime-preventers have to be driven around to campaigns, how much food that are bought to serve the public and boda-boda drivers paid extra for getting the public to the rallies.

That is seemingly not enough of the state of affairs. Mzee is not capable of letting there be a level playing field for all the presidential candidates. He uses police and military outfits together with the Electoral Commission to subdue and stop the other candidates to do their campaign trail in an ordinary fashion. They have Special Forces Command after them, Anti-Riot Police follows then, the DPC does look and keep track of the candidates, and the Police Force does shut down venues and public buildings and block roads. Mzee have a second campaign team combined with his fellow foes in the NRM-O party.

That is why the Opposition has to work together. Because the force against them isn’t just political, it’s the government and NRM-Regime uses the knowledge of these to its advantage. But that is something the Opposition knows well. Therefore they have to use other means to get the people behind them.

TDA with the FDC would be stronger and more united. Without FDC they are weaker because of the consistency of the parties and their structure. So with that in mind the UPC-NRM proves the weakness of TDA. FDC on its own have a structure and base. FDC have wise leaders under the presidential candidate that can reason and make changes to society. Go-Forward and TDA does so, but not so many on its own. TDA have certain left from DP, JEEMA, Go-Forward and the PPP. There are the places for the smaller parties except for the TIC and Farmers Party. Rests of the presidential candidates are solo and totally independent.

The small talk and craziness of blowing fire in-between Hon. Amama Mbabazi and Dr. Kizza Besigye, the Go-Forward and Forum for Democratic Change is unnecessary in the rest of the campaign-trail towards 18^th February 2016. This will not generate anything good! That Abed Bwanika would throw shade on Dr. Kizza Besigye as he claims to be the first speaking up against Mzee. Let him do that, but for the moment Mr. Bwanika doesn’t have the support or structure to go against either top three presidential candidates, he might have more supporters then Joseph Mabirizi and Maureen Faith Kayala Walube, seen pictures even from Kampala with meager crowds. These candidates might have a good wish and dream to be leaders of the country, but to be honest the public also know they don’t have suction to succeed yet.

The Mbabazi and Besigye story is the third time with talks and the outcome was expected for the simple matter, none of them will back down. Besigye have a real momentum and beacons of hope in the deep darkness between now and the future that he sheds lights on. Amama Mbabazi has become the unlikely enemy of Mzee. Therefore Mbabazi and Go-Forward feels the pressure of the police and the other NRM infested entities of the land.

While Dr. Kizza Besigye has the momentum he have had since start of Nomination Day in November. Every step of the way have been a ceremony of victories, even when the police have stepped out of line and crashed the party. The Electoral Commission can ban and police can block the ways, but still the power of people seems to be behind the People’s President. Hon. Amama Mbabazi knows this and knows the structure of the FDC, even when he was siting as the PM, he knew about the structures and situations in place, since he had the accommodation and put together with NRM in place Public Order Management Act in 2010. To help the NRM stop Dr. Kizza Besigye by any means take him down. This have led to Government of Uganda turns more because of this like a Police State, state protected from it own people with the Police. That is what the POMA laws have done and stops opposition parties to meet the people and follow ordinary structure and meetings without thumbs up from the police. So with this knowledge Amama Mbabazi knows that he has worked to help crushing opposition, which is where he is stuck himself and just a hot minute before the General Election.

Dr. Kizza Besigye has secured himself in a party built with structures, loyalty and values. Even with the deflections and such, there is still certainty that they have party level expertise and support to fetch and support their FDC members. The Go-Forward is a young organization who was birthed and came to fruition just in minutes before the nominations and picking candidates to deliver them to the Electoral Commission. The certainty is that every party and people leaving to create a party happens at any moment. But this here is a party built around Amama Mbabazi. The values and such is based on how he is and is quickly mended up, there are deflections from FDC to Go-Forward. That is expected!

Go-Forward would earn a lot on having FDC on board. NRM would lose on it. NRM is doing whatever to breach the momentum of FDC. Go-Forward have suction, but I don’t see the same level of the FDC. Though anything else then FDC would be bonus and the best. While I stand by the People’s President; Dr. Kizza Besigye is the leaders of the opposition and is why the NRM and former NRM PM Amama Mbabazi made the POMA. Therefore the defiance campaign got to continue but in great spirit to the Go-Forward, as we all wish Mzee to lose, even if know the rigging is extensive and police is interfering in the election more the Electoral Commission observers. The expected result is victory for NRM and Mzee, even if the momentum and honorary public seems to support Dr. Kizza Besigye, because the president has the army and police on speed-dial. That is why Besigye shouldn’t throw shades on the other opposition candidates. Hon. Amama Mbabazi should not talk trash about Besigye or other candidates than the NRM Flag-Bearer. The TIC, PDP, Farmers Party and independent can throw more shade, but their caucus and words means less since their structures and support is smaller at this point. It is the general feeling of the top-three that will set the standard of the campaigns.

We don’t need to go dirty when you have a ruling party who does that in extensive ways. They do everything in the book plus bonuses every day. Therefore the Go-Forward and Forum for Democratic Change needs to be cool and calm. Progress and continue the struggle. Because the candidates should work towards a better future already now; not continue with the struggles by framing each other. FDC’s Dr. Kizza Besigye has this and can have it. If this was a fair fight and a fair election he would win. Since we know about the rigging and the other malpractices there will be announced most likely somebody else, we know Mzee. But the issue is how we go about it and be gentlemen about it; something that the times as this are missing. Peace.  

The EC Bans Presidential Candidates from Public buildings

The Electoral Commission in Uganda have now officially banned all candidates from visiting hospitals, schools and places of worship during the campaign trail. They are not allowed to attend or have campaign rallies near public buildings.

That means that Amama Mbabazi or Dr. Kizza Besigye can’t visit the buildings that Museveni has built during his 29 years of steady progress. The Steady Progress is now that the chairman of Electoral Commission is showing his loyalty for getting more millions shillings each month.

This all happens after the painful pictures from Abim Hospital that shows how the kingdom of Museveni is looking and how weak his institutions are. That is why he can’t drive around in Personnel Armed Vehicle like he did in Abletong.

I just wait personally to when Amama Mbabazi or Dr. Kizza Besigye not allowed traveling on the roads to see the districts and villages. Because that will show how bad the structures are after 29 years of NRM. Though Bebe Cool will say they are magnificent!

We know that Yoweri Kagtua Museveni doesn’t have Statesmanship because that isn’t his ways. Just like the way he order police to follow and block opposition candidates or detain those loyal to his foes. He can’t help himself!

The IGP Kale Kayihura follows the order like a blind dog and can’t think for himself even his life depends on it. He is the definition of the mouthpiece of Museveni except for Captain Mike Mukula who is drinking the yellow drink and having yellow fever in this campaign season. Because he was quoting seriously saying: “Only Musveni have managed Uganda well”.

Well Captain Mukula the other ones running and managing Uganda is long dead and no other have tried. So your premise is kind of weak, but you have the yellow fever and are excused.

We can see that the Electoral Commission is more and more partisan because of the weakness of the Steady Progress. The is understandable about the issues of weak and sick at the hospital and their sorry state shouldn’t be pressured with campaigning. That is acceptable if that we’re state of excuse from the Electoral Commission. The reality is that they fear showing the initial state of the premises and excessive neglect from the government which it hasn’t provided the public for 29 years. That pains Museveni now, since he is supposed to be Teflon by now! But he is not…

The Schools and house of Prayers is just because the government and NRM knows the popularity of Dr. Kizza Besigye and don’t want to get the congregations and churches to validate his candidacy. Amama Mbabazi have not been in churches during the campaign or invited too much. The Electoral Commission and the NRM fears more the power and public perception it gives the People’s President.

The Independent Prof. Venansious Baryamureeba we’re showing pictures of schools early in his northern Uganda campaign and claiming foul play by government for not providing sustainable educational components to the kids and the public. This must have been a sore and sad for the Steady Progress campaign. As we have seen today when the Police barricaded the Karuma Primary School for Dr. Kizza Besigye so he couldn’t see the school and discuss the state of it.

We can see that the Electoral Commission is living now in the fear level of NRM, an is not acting as a political partisan but as a mouthpiece of NRM and Museveni. That is something we have known for a while. But this is pure proof of the matter. They will now serve the matters of IGP Kale Kayihura and Museveni, not think themselves. That is illegal and dangerous. FDC and Go-Forward will continue to have issues with the Police and the Electoral Commission. They will be barred from visiting public buildings and have more trouble in January and February into the final days of the campaign trail as Yoweri Kaguta Museveni fear them more and more. Peace.