A walk through the current election time in Uganda 2015

Mbabazi M7 Besigye

We are coming to the years end. In a little week we will kiss the new-year and touch 2016. What a day that will be! We have seen and felt in 2015 what politics do and does to society in Uganda. This would have sounded differently a few months ago. This is a quick current pre-view and I hope you don’t mind! 

NRM-ballot-boxes-599x250

The General Election is set for mid-February that means we have over 50 days still of campaigning. The Campaign rallies will feel a déjà vu at this point and would not be different unless the NRM, FDC or Go-Forward does any major stunt. The minor candidates are dwindling in the wind and are gone as quick as they set of at their nomination day.

Badru EC

The Chairman of the Electoral Commission got a heavy pay rise and earns now 35 Million shillings a month. That must be to settle the score for the government and secure the rigging system. We can’t not believe earning all of sudden 29 million more shillings a month comes for free and not with a price. He surely will pay Mzee back.

Ntungamo 13.12.15 Yellow

The IGP Kale Kayihura went into the Ntungamo after the clashes in the town. The reports we’re blaming NRM big-men and Police to taking charge against the Go-Forward Supporters at the venue. Gen. Kayihura has said after “he only went on orders”. We can also see a week or so after there have been arrested many of the leaders and campaign officials for Amama Mbabazi, but none of the NRM men. Later Mzee has promised to pay a sustainable fee to the NRM-Supporters who was hurt, but not the others and it was 1, 5 million shillings each to mend their wounds.

FDC Convoy Attack 22.12.2015 P1

We can also see how the Police get more and more violent on the campaign trail. There been attacks by NRM men towards the FDC convoy when they trailed the north. Deputy Speaker Oulanyah was in charge of the men standing off towards the FDC and their convoy. Nothing has happen ever since that happened. The FDC has had stand-off near Fort Portal and in Gulu with no feedback from Authorities on the matters. The Go-Forward have also had issues in Northern Uganda. The police interfere and also shut down venues as they feel. They are interfering into politics more than the UPDF Members of Parliament do!

Rhino Health Care Arua 29.12.15 P4

On the 29th December a traditional day of rallying the FDC convoy got violent meeting with police while going to Rhino Camp Health Care facility in Madi. The Go-Forward aspirant Bright Muhumuza we’re supposable jailed in Ntungamo for his involvement in the Ntungamo clashes. While this was happen around the NRM who we’re sending men door to door in Kalangala and offering the people 500 meager shillings to shun the rallies of Go-Forward Amama Mbabazi. This is just another day in the democratic nation of Uganda.

Elton Joseph Mabirizi 17.11.15

An Independent Candidate Elton Joseph Mabirizi was early on the campaign trail taken and kidnaped. He we’re returned after that but his campaign has been silent and not made fuzz since.

NRM PRimaries Pre Ticket

We have seen the NRM Primary Elections which have been fraudulent and tragic events, not only for the losers, but for the party in general. Hard to take serious with the magnificent missteps and arrogance not only from Dr. Tanga Odoi and the other men running it. Okay that Secretary General Justine Kasule Lumumba can be mad and or whatever potion she is on to save face, still the NRM looks weak and foolish. The Unnecessary violence, rigging and bribing makes it looks a picked race from the get-go not a fully-democratic-exercise where the NRM members decided who is their favorite, instead sole candidacy and a few fallen Minsters are the outcome and NRM looks weaker than before, instead of a strong force behind their almighty Mzee.

NRM UPC Arua 16.11.15

The Uganda People Congress has had their wrangles before the up-coming general elections. First with the issues within the opposition alliance TDA or The Democratic Alliance! This shows that the TDA-wrangle proved to have split leadership something have been brewing for a while. Ever since Jimmy Akena became the President in the Party in November 2014 there has been issues. This been visible with the former-president Olara A. Otunnu who has led the party for a decade before, the wrangle led to the UPC going out of the TDA alliance as they picked their common presidential candidate and FDC went out of the TDA a little later as well. The UPC went further with their trail in this elections, the new leadership has lost in court and have to give back to Otunnu, even though Akena will reaffirm the party with a new National Council and get his position as president again. This is not the only thing Akena has been doing. They have no Presidential Candidate and pulled out of TDA. Therefore he has gone and done something that would be unheard and should be unheard of since looking at the history of the party, the UPC has gone into alliance and will collaborate with the NRM in the General Election, there been reports of decent pay-off to Akena, and that would surprise me or anybody else for that matter, but the legacy of his father is really vomiting on.

Mao Masaka Mbabazi 091115

The DP and Norbert Mao have also gone into a strange state. The UPC is two of many parties this time that doesn’t have a presidential candidate. Norbert Mao have been a vital part of the TDA and is as a rare breed, a President of a Party and not officially running for MP in his constituency even if he have been running there since the 90s. There must be somebody grinning in Gulu knowing that UPC and NRM can take the spot. The DP have weaken themselves with the alliance. They need a good result from Go-Forward Presidential Candidate to eat well and see the fruition of the alliance. Neither or they looks stupid with their loss of their main candidate. They have also missed their prime candidate in Kampala Erias Lukwago who have gone independent and is supporting Dr. Kizza Besigye for presidency instead of Mbabazi. Therefore the DP is struggling and will not be seen as a vital part or piece in the election. They will be more a tool in the tool-box for the TDA instead of strong force anywhere.

Police in Bugiri 21.10.15

If we go a bit back in time again, there been steady spread of fear and fear-mongering from Mzee. Something that I have seen all 2015! We can see that with the condition, that he is the only one who can control the UPDF; that is the definition of spreading fear.

Amama Mbabazi Masindi Police Station 27.12.15

There will be more empty promises from the NRM-Regime, be more police interference in the coming elections and after since they have promised much more money since they gotten post-election violence money.

There is too much who is wrong. There might be European Monitoring team of the election period in Uganda, but doesn’t seem to stop the violations from the central government. The only one who let it be peaceful in November was the expected and two-days of papal visit in Kampala and to the martyrs resting place. After that the Police and NRM have gone back to normal. The only one with some peace and only some attention from the Police is the FDC presidential Candidate.

Lukwago-Eria

The mayoral candidates of Kampala Erias Lukwago have also met strong opposition from the local community and police in the city. That might happen again. I would not be surprised. It is natural that they support the NRM candidate.  I am sure that the EC and KCCA have a plan to upset and cut the grip on the public that Lord Mayor Lukwago have on Kampala.

We will see more foolishness during election time and until February! The NRM-Regime and their forces can’t help themselves! They have a natural talent to throw BS towards the leaders of opposition. Still waiting to see one of the Presidential Candidate in prison or get preventative-arrest. The interesting thing is how little use there been of Public Order Management Act that been used more than toilet-paper by the Ugandan Police in recent times. We will see how it goes and how they will behave. We will also see how the NRM-Regime will continue to accept the FDC progress and the public acceptance of the Go-Forward campaign. We can’t expect it since it’s against the normalcy of the arrogance of Mzee and his loyal paid-off cronies. Peace!

Go-Forward met blocked venues and agressive Police in Apac today

Divine FM Apac 30.11.15 Go Forward Amama Mbabazi

Go-Forward we’re going to have campaign rally in Apac an on Boma Ground in the town. That wasn’t the case today because the governmental forces and NRM Police force decided they we’re not fit to do so.

There is a rift between Mzee and Amama Mbabazi, and the fear that the NRM militia called the UPF is spreading in this election comes to fruition in Apac again today. They have had issues in Northern Uganda where the Police forces have been violent and aggressive.

Barlonyo Memorial Ground 30.12.15

He and his Go-Forward convoy had plans to visit certain places on the way to Apac today. They we’re not allowed by the police. Amama Mbabazi was first locked out of the mass graves in Barlonyo. Later he and his convoy we’re supposed to visit the destroyed Aswa bridge, but we’re not allowed to go there either. As expected the local referral Hospital in Apac was also shut down by the local police in Apac! That must been from orders up high.

Police Aswa Bridge 30.12.15

Later in the day the Go-Forward Presidential Candidate went to Boma Ground in Apac, where the Police blocked the stadium for the candidate. The Police dispersed the public before the rally. Then the Go-Forward convoy had their rally instead at Divine FM (Radio) in Apac.

Then again the Police attacks and looks like fools in the Northern Uganda. The District Police Commander Alfonse Ojangole has gotten orders to do this in his area. His leadership is direct orders and eats what IGP Gen. Kale Kayihura says, as he follows orders from up high from Mzee. That is what this is, chain-of-command!

Police Apac 30.12.15 Go Forward Rally

So now Amama Mbabazi, his supporters and his convoy get to feel the wrath of Mzee, as Dr. Kizza Besigye has done in the past. I am surely Amama Mbabazi have more respect for the hardships the People’s President been through, only after this short time period. But the police is still trifling and unjust, they don’t do this to Mzee, but he is the ones that give the orders and pay the Police Force. Peace.

UPF Apac 30.12.15 Go-Forward

P.S: Thank you! the Government of the Netherlands to support the Apac police! So they can abolish democratic movement in Uganda and opposition presidential candidates. You be proud of your aid donation to the “democratic” NRM-Regime! Be proud! And thanks for your support!

Third time arrested in 2015: Bright Muhumuza!

Bright Muhumuzi

There is a guy who is famous in Mbarara, he was one of the guys who apparently robbed a bank while demonstrating against the regime. He must be a drifty guy since the Police is yet again detaining him today.

Last time he was one of a crew who was supposable behind the robbery in middle of Mbarara the same day they demonstrated. Today he got the same destiny. He was detained again as it happen in September 2015. The Government and local Police Force must hate his guts. Or that he is a vital supporter and organizer for Amama Mbabazi in the area. That must be the vital and key information and intelligence that CP Fred Enanga would say in an interview why they have conducted this actions against him. His crime is to be affiliated with the wrong political leader. Nothing else! He was also arrested in June 2015 for following Amama Mbabazi and standing by his precidency for those of you who might have forgotten that!

AmamaNRMElection2016

Bright Muhumuza a political aspirant for Go-Forward in Mbarara has ended up today in Ntungamo Police Station and Joseph Kiiza tries as we speak to get a Police bond on the Political activist and hopeful.

The CIID in Ntungamo Bosco Gume said: “Bright Muhumuza has been among those wanted by police over the Ntungamo clashes”. That proves how far the NRM-Regime goes to catch others and not inquiry on their own men after the clashes.

What Bright Muhumuza said 4 days ago:

“Going by today’s crowd, Besigye would be the president of Uganda but we all know who will be announced victorious though I am Amama Mbabazi’s die-hard”.

Hope this is enough news on the matter today, but proves how much and how impartial the Uganda Police Force is and by whom it is run, that the orders from IGP Gen. Kale Kayihura follows the words of Mzee and take everybody else then the perpetrators to save face of their own, even if they are the one that threw the gasoline on the fire and made it blast. Instead the Go-Forward and Amama Mbabazi supporters get behind bars as they are the worst people of men kind. This is happening while the NRM men and supporters are payed for violent behavior as promised by Mzee. Something that is initially wrong and the world know this! Peace.

Go-Forward get into trouble in Masindi and Bulisa today

Masindi Go-Forward 27.12.15

Today have been a tough day for the Go-Forward Group and it started with hassle where they had issues in Masindi. But the first start is how Mzee serves his men in Ntungamo.

In Ntungamo after the clashes the Go-Forward and Amama Mbabazi Team has been handled by the UPF and security agents. Now Mzee says he will compensate the NRM-Supporters with 1, 5 Uganda Shillings. This will go to the ones that we’re injured in the skirmishes and they we’re the one that was in charge of violence ironically.

Public Address System Go-Forward Compond 27.12.15

Early in the Morning in Masindi before the rally the Police confiscated his Public Address System. And the Stadium where the Campaign Rally we’re set as a venue we’re shut down by the Police as well.

Go-Forward Truck Driver Jailed 27.12.15

Also the Go-Forward Truck driver meets with DPC Bakashaba and was jailed while driving campaign material towards the Campaign rally. Amama Mbabazi had to pick up the Public Address System and the Truck Driver in the prison in Masindi. And we’re released both the truck and the driver after inquiry to the matter at the Masindi Police Station.

Amama Mbabazi Masindi Police Station 27.12.15

In Bullisa there became more issues for the Go-Forward because the boda-boda drivers we’re promised monies from the local coordinator to drive people before the campaign rallies. They we’re promised fuel money and weren’t delivered. Because of this they first went house to house to find the local coordinator who promised monies. Couldn’t find him; therefore they ended up blocking the roads towards the campaign venue. The Police to disperse the boda-boda drivers they threw tear-gas into the crowd.

Road-Block from Boda Boda Go-Forward 27.12.15

Later in Semuto near the Hospital there, the Hospital have been shut down by the police and sealed it off from any politician. That is because Amama Mbabazi is not to “disturb the sick”.

The rallies of Amama Mbabazi ended late because of the boda-boda troubles of the day and also the Police actions in Masindi. The Campaign trail will continue. It was later proved that the man promising the monies to the Boda-Boda drivers we’re not a part of the Go-Forward Campaign Team so the Boda-Boda people we’re tricked! Peace.

Go-Forward Campaign Staffers and Volunteers that have been arrested since Ntungamo Rally

List of Go-Forward Members Arrested Late-2015

We can now see how stupid and foolish the Police of Uganda is or they just follow blindly the orders of their president in arresting Go-Forward people like they are common criminals. This is no doubt unjustified. Since the reports was that the Police together with NRM-Supporters was behind the Election Violence happening in Ntungamo recently. The one that has led into a vile state. The NRM-Regime looking like fools and the world knows the truth of the matter. The pictures and videos shows the tale. the NRM machine can lie to it’s supporters as much as they like, but that still doesn’t change the fact of what happen and how the Crime Preventers, NRM-Supporters and Police attacked and tried to destroy the mood and venue where Amama Mbabazi and their Go-Forward Camp/Campaign Team where holding their rally. Peace.

Kampala 21.12.15 Go-Forward Hq

 

President Museveni on ‪Ntungamo Clashes (Youtube-Clips)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaLJOzKNGWw

“”Thugs attacked NRM supporters. They are being rounded up, you cannot attack Ugandans. How can you attack NRM supporters in Uganda?. They’ll regret it” (NBS TV Uganda, 2015).

Campaign Poster Paranoia

NRM - Go Forward 13.12.15

These election posters are both creating dismay and irregularities in this election period. The ongoing issues of the ruling-party have with the opposition. It is understandable that the Electoral Commission does do much about it. Since they are in bed with the ruling-party even if they are saying otherwise… Last piece of the puzzle is the Police that often help with the ruin of the opposition posters. So the opposition is alone fighting this, and final point is that the Presidential Posters are untouchable. That means if they have taken a spot on a wall or a dry-wall they have to stay there until end of times. Because the Police and Electoral Commission command the people to let it stays so. Let’s take look at recent movement on the ground concerning campaign posters in Uganda.

Recently there been issued statements by the Minister of Kampala Affairs Frank Tumwebaze that there is set fees for campaign posters in Kampala. This by all means is foolish idea and new way of grabbing money out of the pockets of candidates for Local Council members, Members of Parliament and Presidential Candidates. So there would be a giant pool of monies coming KCCA ways.

There have been all through the campaign and presidential campaigns people shunning, destroying or pinning over each others posters in the towns and villages where the campaigning goes on. Especially from NRM who has done deliberate actions against the Go-Forward Presidential Candidate Amama Mbabazi. Where they have either destroyed the posters like in Mbarara, Ntungamo or other places utterly displaced them. The pictures from the campaign trail shows it; at the same time the NRM posters are hanging like the holy father is hanging on the wall. Well, that is just plain foolish actions from the NRM and their police. Not unexpected. Here is some previous and recent attempts of foolishness from the same people!

Amama NRM 25.11.15

In June 2015 CP Fred Enanga said:

“The president is the fountain of honour and he enjoys absolute immunity for whatever actions and enjoys structural advantages. You cannot just pull down his pictures under whatever circumstances” (…)”But even then, he has not come out to make such pronouncement (that he will run in the 2016 presidential elections),” (Tumwine, 2015).

In Mbale in October 2015 this happen:

““We are following up on the owners. We are going to drag them to court for littering the town and the clock tower,” Mr Wambedde charged” (…)”He said it costs the municipality Shs20m to renovate the clock tower and littering it with campaign posters would cost more money to restore its face” (Namono, 2015).

25th November 2015 statement from Electoral Commission on Election Posters:

“The Commission warns the general public, candidates, their agents and supporters, that a person who malicious defaces or removes or tears any election poster of any nominated candidate commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment”.

The last one was written and published by Eng. Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu, that means that the Police and NRM supporters are to blame and liable for convictions for destroying and pinning over election posters of Amama Mbabazi, if your words actually means something right? Wonder why the Police doesn’t address themselves or they collect the NRM supporters who conduct this affairs. I wonder why, wait, they are loyal cronies of the regime and henceforth is free by law, or am I wrong? I don’t know, but that is what it seems by the minute, because Mr. Kiggundu hasn’t done anything in all the actions of destroying or pinning over posters across the country all of December. That means his words from November doesn’t comply to them apparently (it’s not stated by their words by the nature of their actions).

Honest NRM Poster 2015

A viral NRM Poster taking off:

“A honest political campaign poster of a Ugandan man who is seeking for a public office has gone viral and has got people talking on social media” (…)”An aspirant for Kisementi Municipality identified as Eric Mununuzi’s campaign poster has been making rounds on social media as he reportedly decided to tell the electorate the simple truth” (Nigeria News, 2015).

In Kayungu Hospital 18th December 2015:

“Dr.Kakooza on Wednesday blocked the district NRM publicity secretary Mutwalid Kizza from pinning Museveni’s campaign posters, saying the posters will damage walls during time of removal after campaigns” (…)”I got this job on merit and I am ready to be sacked for doing what I am supposed to do and if that one happens, I will go and work elsewhere in the world because I hold an international degree in human medicine and surgery,”(…) “Kakooza told New Vision when asked whether he does not fear to be sacked from the job” (Election.co.ug, 2015).

Early this morning the 19th December 2015:

“Kayunga Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr.Francis Kakooza Arrested For Blocking The Pinning Of Museveni Campaign Posters on the Hospital Walls”.

Amama 17.11.15 Poster

Afterthought:

There is reasonable ways of seeing this. Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) feels the need to levy laws to regain more money from the Local Candidates, Mayoral candidates, Members of Parliament and Presidential Candidates to pay for the service of having the ability to put up posters in and around Kampala City. I want to wish Frank Tumbewaze a Grinchy moment and wish to serve his greed. Even if it is Jennifer Musisi who thinks that this is the way to be able to gain the money they need to fuel the rail-service that they just opened in town, or maybe I am wrong. I am sure it is to keep the town in order or clean… no then I am talking about somebody else.

This poster thing has been an issue through the whole election period. It’s like a constant feature in the actions of especially NRM supporters and DPC who displays their lack of moral standing and ethics towards other parties. They are solely behind most of the destruction and malicious actions towards the others party’s posters in towns, cities and villages. Like the pictures of torn posters of the Go-Forward/TDA U from NRM, either destroyed or pinned over with a poster off Mzee. So there are issues there.

The other issue is that people fear taking down campaign posters of the Mzee or the NRM presidential candidate. Therefore earlier in the election before the Road Map was even started and the opposition rallies was bombarded by the Police, a police officers and military men was open to media telling they feared both the president and taking down campaign material. Therefore I am sure your still seeing campaign posters from 2010 and 2005 still hanging on walls around the country, not only the new for 2015. That’s because for the fear of taking it down for the repercussion as an act against His Excellency President Museveni.

This comes with the actions towards opposition parties posters proves that in this simple and easy step proves by all means that there is not a level playing field in this elections. When one poster has the ground and can be pinned over the opposition, even by police officers, while the same police guarding and supervising the NRM supporters or Crime Preventers to destroy campaign posters of the opposition, proves the malice that are from the governing party and the NRM-Regime.

The Mbale Clock Tower is a landmark, I understand that, that isn’t a political move, but more a placement of wrong material, and there are more fitting walls in Mbale. That is something the local politicians and national politicians should keep to make sure of the state of the town.

Kayunga Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Frank Kakooza has said no to all of the opposition candidates to put up campaign posters inside the Hospital. He was afraid of the dry-walls and also of the effect it might have on the patience of the hospital. There might also be the thing of how it will be perceived if there election material in a state institution, even if there is often NRM material in the Police stations, because we all seen their allegiance to the government and regime, there hasn’t been visible touches of that in health institutions. Still, since he has stood up against pinning NRM and Mzee Campaign posters in the Hospital. He said he feared of sacking and today that happen. The Superintendent did it for the best of the Hospital and not to be in the way of the NRM-Regime. That doesn’t seem to matter since he didn’t facilitate to hang up NRM campaign poster in the facility.

The Election Poster saga will continue and will not stop. As long as we have the NRM-Regime because they will keep their nest and power; showing that by keeping up the work and also posters in the towns. So this here will be discussed during this period until February 2016 and should be after. It is just about a certain point of showing your ways towards the ones who is not in your party. NRM can run it like they do and they have to give way for the opposition. Not like they have acted in this election. That is not acceptable. Peace.

Reference:

Election.co.ug – ‘NRM supporters force posters into hospital’ (18.12.2015) link: http://www.elections.co.ug/new-vision/election/1413694/kayunga-hospital-boss-nrm-leaders-clash-museveni-posters

Nigeria News – ‘Controversial Campaign Poster In Uganda Currently Trending Online (Photos)’ (12.11.2015) link: http://news2.onlinenigeria.com/africa/440589-controversial-campaign-poster-in-uganda-currently-trending-online-photos.html

Namono, Caroline – ‘Mbale council pulls down campaign posters’ (24.10.2015) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/Elections/Mbale-council-pulls-down-campaign-posters/-/859108/2926806/-/m8vt1g/-/index.html

Tumwine, Albert – ‘We cannot pull down Museveni posters- Police’ (16.07.2015) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/We-cannot-pull-down-Museveni-posters–Police/-/688334/2753854/-/lr6i1x/-/index.html

#Free Aine – “Today, It’s him, tomorrow? Stop Impunity!”

Go Forward 17.12.15 Free Aine

“The head of the Private Security of the former Prime minister and Independent candidate, Amama Mbabazi has gone missing. The Go Forward campaign team allege Christopher Aine has been kidnapped” (NTV Uganda, 2015).

“Police to blame for Ntungamo violence” – Written by Ibrahim Nganda Ssemujja

Ibrahim Nganda Ssemujju

On Saturday and Sunday last week, I joined Dr Kizza Besigye as he campaigned in Mityana and Mubende districts. On Monday, Besigye campaigned in the districts of Kyegegwa and Kyenjojo. He was in Kamwenge yesterday and will today traverse Bundibugyo and Ntoroko. Col Besigye will complete the Tooro sub-region tomorrow and return to Ankole through Rubirizi, up to Bushenyi.

The response in Mityana was overwhelming, but expected. It is Mubende that made a big statement. I travelled in the same vehicle with Kampala lord mayor Erias Lukwago and Lubaga North MP Moses Kasibante. Because of the crowds along the main road, we occasionally stopped to at least greet them.

A senior NRM leader from Mubende later told me that “the MPs may win, but for Mzee, I don’t know”. Mubende has in the past overwhelmingly voted for Museveni, the reason it was nicknamed the Karamoja of Buganda. But this Karamoja of Buganda has significantly changed.

At Busimbi grounds, where we had the main rally, the crowd was as big as has been the case elsewhere, almost bigger than Mukono’s. The enthusiasm, especially among young people, was even more humbling. And there is no better person that illustrated the need for change than Mr Odrek Rwabwogo, husband to one of President Museveni’s daughters. While campaigning for the post of NRM vice chairman in charge of western Uganda, Rwabwogo noted that his father-in-law seized power when Uganda had 10 million people. Last year’s national census put the country’s total population at over 34 million people. This means that at least 24 million people have been born when Museveni is president. And to Rwabwogo, the new generation needed some “fresh air”.

That is what I saw in Mubende. Blue T-shirts bearing the FDC logo and Dr Besigye’s portrait were not being distributed but sold along streets. And of course Besigye continued receiving gifts, especially goats, everywhere he went. There is a gentleman who gave him Shs 400,000 at the Mubende rally. This one did it more dramatically by handing him a Shs 50,000 note at a time as the crowd ululated. The same man again pulled out a bundle of Shs 20,000 notes and started showering lord mayor Lukwago with a note at a time. This was followed by the offering of goats, some draped in Besigye posters.

IGP Kale Kayihura 16.12.15 P1
The NRM leader I mentioned earlier told me “it will be difficult to resist the wave of change this time”.
I am sure Mr Museveni watches and analyses these images daily. He knows his days are numbered. It is the reason he has started attacking media organizations. The crime of NTV and Daily Monitor is to continue broadcasting and printing these images. At FDC, we actually think the media has not reported the full extent of this wave of change, but we are not editors to determine that. The truth is that Besigye has bigger crowds than all the other candidates combined. And these crowds are not ferried, because the FDC and all Besigye supporters don’t have enough resources.

IGP Kale Kayihura 16.12.15 P2
You remember the talk of switching off NTV? Thank God it was a rumour. I have been told other TV proprietors, including those of NBS and WBS, have been summoned by State House and warned. Of course for Daily Monitor, it is routine. When the paper had just started, Museveni always complained against it and its founders were dismissed as Acholis who wanted to remove the new government. All people with names starting with letter O – Obbo, Oguttu, Ogen and Ouma – have since left the Monitor but Museveni’s hatred continues. I will, in a future article, revisit this relationship.

Ntungamo 13.12.15
I want to concentrate more on the Sunday violence in Ntungamo. I saw images of young people wearing Museveni campaign T-shirts being battered by candidate Amama Mbabazi’s supporters. And this was also expected. There is no presidential candidate that has suffered at the hands of NRM hooligans like Amama. Television stations showed us NRM youths defacing Amama’s posters in Bushenyi in broad daylight. And Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde flew a Museveni campaign chopper to the venue of Mbabazi’s rally in Fort Portal, moments before his arrival! All these look like actions of a panicky dictator. I was happy when NRM Secretary General Kasule Lumumba condemned these actions and distanced the ruling party from them. But the fact that they have continued is a clear indicator that someone somewhere is encouraging and probably financing them. What the police should have done was to arrest Ronald Kibuule when he lined up NRM youths along Mukono town council streets to provoke Amama.

NRM - Go Forward 13.12.15
Again police should have arrested Ntungamo municipality MP Yona Musinguzi who was seen distributing Museveni T-shirts to youths that stormed the venue for a Mbabazi rally. The reason presidential candidates harmonized campaign programmes was to avoid such scenarios. What inspector general of police Kale Kayihura is forgetting is that when you unleash violence, you are actually teaching everybody to be violent. In fact, Amama’s supporters have tolerated this for too long. Instead of protecting a regime that has lost popularity, Gen Kale Kayihura should prepare and begin rehearsing how to lose and hand over power. This is inevitable.