“Mateete trading centre in Sembabule district was rocked by gun shots and teargas as the police dispersed the supporters of Presidential candidates Amama Mbabazi and Col Kiiza Besigye allegedly found defacing posters of President Museveni the NRM presidential candidate. The angry opposition youth leaders were protesting against the security agents and NRM supporters whom they accused of defacing the posters of Besigye and Mbabazi” (NTV Uganda, 2016).
Tag: The Democratic Alliance
Political Parties spending during campaigns in November and December 2015; NRM buying shirts and ferrying crowds; while the others Parties use meager funds their campaigns

This here has been address by others, but this is my view on the report released by NGOs recently. So here is my view on how the parties have spent on the two months, and the issue is that is very important to discuss. Since this is use of money to gain power or to shape the political landscape. The use of moneys and what you use it on show the values and to what extend you will pay to either continue or get power. The pages are after the counting system of Acrobat document, the official document will have different numbers because Acrobat count the empty pages in the beginning also. Therefore the numbers are higher then what it is in the report and don’t get that confused. I just do it to make it easy.
“The minimum amount of money observed to have been spent by parties and their flag bearers in the observed districts was UGX 49.6 billion in November and 88.1 billion in December representing an increase of 77% over the two months. This increase is largely attributed to the commencement of member or parliament campaigns having been nominated on the 3rd and 4th of December 2015” (…)”ACFIM observers reported use of motorcades, bodabodas cyclists, entertainers; and provided transport refund, food and drinks for supporters that accompanied them to nomination and attended the nomination rallies” (P: 8, 2016).
“Assessment of Minimum Expenses by Party:
According to ACFIM observers, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party candidates are leading by far terms of campaign spending. The party accounts for 87% of the total minimum observed expenditures reported by ACFIM Research Assistants/Observers in the months of November and December. NRM is trailed by Independent Candidates who have spent 7.9%, FDC (2.1%), Go Forward political group (1.1%), DP (0.5%), UPC (0.3%) and other parties (0.3%)” (P: 10, 2016).

NRM Minimum costs:
There has been observed how the NRM have been using funds on their candidates and campaigning from June 2015 to December 2015. This here proves yet again to what extent the ruling parties secure loyalty and MPs. Every NRM Village has spent minimum UGX 15m. The delegates conference for the constitutional amendment they spent UGX 19M. The Second delegate’s conference to elect Flag-Bearer UGX 20M; then it’s the monies spent to MPs to secure the vote for sole-candidacy that was UGX 6M. They also spent money for Posh Cars for party officials UGX 10M. Last was paying for the NRM Primaries which cost about UGX 30M. That means the minimum cost for NRM we’re UGX 100M (P: 12, 2016). That is before you really start to campaign!

Expenses of Presidential Candidates in November and December:
“The candidate Yoweri Museveni accounts for majority of the total minimum expenditure with 91.6% of the total minimum expenses recorded. Candidate Museveni is followed by Amama Mbabazi whose expenditure accounts for 4.6% and Kizza Besigye (3.3%). The rest of the candidates spent less than 1.0% combined” (P: 16, 2016).
NRM giving money away to gain support:
“The Money Man”; He is retired Leut. Gen. Henry Tumukunde. He was handing over UGX 20million to an association of vendors in Entebbe Market in December. He has been leading the advance party of candidate Yoweri Museveni. Observers in Arua reported that he handed out UGX 50,000 to 400 voters who claimed to have converted from FDC – they met him at White Castle Hotel in Arua” (P: 19, 2016).

Expenses on Journalists by Presidential Candidate (Nov & Dec):
“Yoweri Museveni outstrips his competitors in terms of expenditure on facilitation of Journalists on campaign trail. Observers report that candidate Yoweri Museveni has a team on 20 local journalists (electronic and print) that are covering his campaign trail, each of these journalists receives daily upkeep (per diem and incidentals) of UGX 150,000 from the candidate’s campaign coordination team. In addition when the candidate conducts regional press conferences, the facilitation for journalists attending the press conference rises to UGX 500,000 and about 50 journalists can be in attendance (i.e. the 20 on campaign trail are joined by 20-30 others from the region). Journalists on candidate Amama Mbabazi campaign trail get up a reported minimum of UGX 40,000 while journalists covering candidate Kizza Besigye and others get much less or nothing” (P: 31, 2016).

Voter Tourism:
“Voter tourism as the practice by candidates where voters are provided with buses, trucks, minibuses or cars and driven from their homes to campaign rallies or around the constituency as an inducement to voters in return for their support come polling day. Clearly a poor voter who has not sat in an automobile for a year or more will be more than excited to enjoy the ride provided by the political candidate free of charge. Voter tourism has been prevalent in November and December with candidates of the NRM party most commonly observed engaging in this campaign tactic. Voter hospitality on the other hand is a situation where political candidate host voters to a banquet or party or meal or retreat where are treated to a good meal, animals slaughtered and cooked or roasted, lots of drinks including booze, music/disco, live entertainment and sometimes lodging in a comfortable hotel, motel or lodge. Voter tourism and voter hospitality were prevalent in November and December with majority of candidates across political parties complicity to this” (P: 41, 2016). To continue why the candidates use this tactic; “Political candidates that have been observed to engage in campaign tactics like voter tourism and voter hospitality in November and December, do not do so because they are generous, but because they expect recipients to return the favour. The timing of these offers in the middle of an election campaign and the nature of intended beneficiaries for this generosity is clear manifestation that the aim is to induce voters in return for their support on February 18th, 2016. This clearly is voter bribery” (P: 43, 2016)

Misuse of Government Resources:
“On the 9th of November 2015 a number of government vehicles were used on candidate Museveni’s rally held at Kasana Play Ground. Some of the vehicle registration plates observed in action at the rally include: UG2183C, UG 0178H, UG1427W, UG 0187D, UG 2688D, UG 2183C, UG 2043C, UG 2405C. UG 1832S, UG1768C. Observers in Katikamu report that on the same day government vehicle number UG 2708R was used to transport supporters to Kasana playground” (P: 44, 2016). “Similarly on December 3rd 2015 dependent candidate for Katikamu South Member of Parliament Patricia Magara was observed using a bus with government number plates to ferry campaign attendees from different sub counties to her nomination rally in Bulakasa” (P: 45, 2016).

The minimum NRM expenses of only November 2015 are 125,219,922,000! (P: 50, 2016) That is a lot’s of money. I will point out some special expenses that the NRM party has used this giant UGX 125bn on campaign for November 2015! That is lots of lots money! For Voter Tourism they have used UGX 140m in November alone. Allowances for 500 Special Force Command men as Campaign Security total pay cost UGX 300m in November alone. On Yellow T-shirts the NRM party used UGX 15,806bn that is a lot on type of item, it surely is to sprite up those campaign rallies and Yellow crowds! After quick calculations they used close to UGX 1,4bn on media advertisements on TV, Radio and Newspapers. On campaign posters the hefty sum of UGX 1,7bn (P: 49-50, 2016).
Though FDC used a UGX 1bn as the biggest opposition party, it still proves the total use of funds from NRM. I am not surprised with all the knowledge of voter tourism and also giving away foods and items at their campaign venues. The tally has to get big for the ruling party with all the hiring of buses and such proves how much their viable to use to get the perfect crowds and pictures to the press. Like yesterday there we’re reports of a village that was the size of 500 people, the NRM had a campaign rally of 20,000. Surely they had some buses and shipped them to that venue as they have done before and hired bus-companies to travel and pay to get crowds. Something FDC and the other parties does not do.

The NRM proves to be the big-spender and would be surprised if the result from a NGO would be different, maybe if Ofwono Opondo would describe it differently. He said this recently: “It is true that NRM is outspending other parties. It is true that we spent over UGX32b during NRM primaries” (…)”We are spending the money locally. We are buying t-shirts, water, paying musicians, hire cars from Ugandans” (…)”There’s no evidence that money being spent by political parties is causing inflation pressure” (TheInsider, 2016).
Mr Opondo is not a giant economic sense of a guy, the extended monies into use without monetary policy can lead into higher inflations, that is why the two recent elections periods in Uganda in 2006 and 2001 that the inflations rate we’re escalating and also led to higher prices on the household commodities. But Mr. Opondo has a way of forgetting such while his party is big spending. As they have their own “Money Man” during the campaign and continue to support the level of Voter Tourism. I am surely they have an own warehouse just for Yellow T-Shirts near a Headquarter of the NRM. They should they have used such a fortune on it and the ones they haven’t given away should be stored well.
The war-chest of NRM must be huge. As the reports before November was expected that NRM would use UGX 500bn, and by seeing the results of November alone in this report proves that those estimations was spot-on. If you can calculate the same amount for December and January; then you get up to the estimated usage of NRM party. Mzee surely like to make blast and bang while using spin-doctors to portray him as the national father of the country. While the other parties can nearly scrap enough funding for their own campaigns! And the other parties can’t use government equipment like the NRM does once in a while. As this report has pointed out and none of us who follows the NRM should be shocked and awe, it’s more the same old story. Well, that was enough for today. Peace!
Reference:
Alliance for Campaign – ‘MONITORING CAMPAIGN EXPENSES DURING
THE PRE-ELECTION PERIOD’ – PROGRESS REPORT NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015
The Insider – ‘Opondo: NRM money won’t cause inflation’ (23.01.2016) link: http://www.theinsider.ug/opondo-nrm-money-wont-cause-inflation/
Press Release: Sauti Ya Vijana denounce JPAM and now Support President Museveni (22.01.2016)

We salute the media, all Patriotic youth forums present, members of the public, ladies and gentlemen. Before you today is the National Executive Committee and Regional Coordinators of Sauti Ya Vijana.
Preamble; –
We are gathered here today after a series of consented regional meetings, consultations and guidance from all stakeholders including our partners in and around the world.
In these deliberations, Sauti ya Vijana unanimously agreed to revise our positions in regards to forthcoming national elections and conclusions have been drawn on these grounds:-
1.Declare our consented support for the NRM candidate Gen Yoweri K Museveni for 2016 presidency
2.Withdrawal of our petition to the UN Security Council for military support against a backdrop of the possibility of specious results of the 2016 elections.
3.Denounce our support for Rt Hon Amama Mbabazi and his Go forward pressure group.
Details.
1. Declaration of our consented support to Gen Yoweri K Museveni.
i) we Sauti Ya Vijana, on this day declare that we have decided to support Gen Yoweri K Museveni for president of Uganda 2016.
ii) The grounds of our support are clear minded. We are convinced that Gen. Museveni will offer Ugandans both the transformational & transitional leadership necessary at the time.
iii) We from Now henceforth join the NRM mobilizers to nationally canvass for votes for the president of Uganda.

2. Sauti ya Vijana withdraws its petition to the UN Security Council on the following grounds.
I ) After a 3weeks feasibility study (across the country) on the possibility of vote rigging, we express confidence in the Independent Electoral commission to deliver a free and fair election in February 2016.
ii) In our view a military struggle (war) will be unnecessary rather peaceful resolutions to any eventuality or uncertainty.
iii) Leaving nothing to chance we have set up sauti ya vijana election observation team. (SYVEOT) This team will monitor and observe the elections across the country. Consequently our findings will be translated into a report that will be published and distributed to government, International human rights organizations and all stakeholders.

3. Denunciation of Rt. Hon Amama Mbabazi and Go Foward.
I) we joined go forward with the confidence that it was the epitome of our aspirations as a transitional generation. However we have been dumfounded with the reality that ‘go forward ‘ is simply rhetoric with NO transparency, farsightedness, ego-centricism and smuggery fiefdom.
ii) Go forward has already failed. It’s a treacherous movement with self-centered individuals with cryptic intentions. We fear that these intentions are not in national interest and will only draw Uganda to Its perilous past.
iii) We have therefore unanimously agreed to revise our initial position and support Gen Yoweri K Museveni.
We thank you all for coming.
For God and my country.
Peter Mukiibi
Director; Information
Mzee bans NTV from the rest of the campaign trail; proves again how Two-Faced NRM can be; cries foul awhile ago about little media coverage

Today the NRM-Regime is in panic mode or just wants to look foolish; maybe even both depending on which side of the Penndel that is hitting them at the set moment. First they had the nerve to yet again shut down a radio-station where Amama Mbabazi the independent Presidential Candidate we’re scheduled to be a part of show on air. This was at the Mbarara Radio Station of Endigyito FM of the MP Nulu Byamukama.
That is not really news anymore because the NRM-regime and its cronies in all the government institutions like police, army or electoral commission stifle the Go-Forward at every step of the way as thorns on roses.

At a rally of NRM Sole Candidate Yoweri Kaguta Museveni or Mzee the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) told the NTV camera men and journalist from the Kidaga campaign rally. The UPDF told the NTV that they are now banned from campaign trail of the NRM from now on. That is deep, and second breach in 24 hours from the NRM-Regime and the NRM-O. They surely must have a hissy fit. If not its Mzee who feels bitchy; either or he is stopping the free press and free media from telling the story as they see fit.

While New Vision the Government paper drops in the same week the same poll as it did earlier last summer, it was like in 2011 when NRM had 71% in the polls, the same they happen to happen now in January 2016 again 71%. Like a photo-copy in the same paper and such. I haven’t checked if the same journalist, but if it had been it would surely been nearly the same kind of commentary since the number we’re practically the same.
It is rumored that Mzee is furious that NTV used another poll then the ones used in New Vision, the one manufactured to suit the regime. He cannot look weak in front of the world in the final stages of the campaign trail. There is now at a stage where the President does not want to look like a fool. That is why the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) to switch off transmission after hosting Presidential hopeful Hon. Amama Mbabazi on Tuesday from 9:30pm-12:00am. Because Mbabazi can’t speak his mind and deliver his message to the people at this moment. Just as they have closed KFM radio and shut Mbabazi out of radio-station in Karamoja during the campaign trail. There is also other media has gotten harassed by the police under orders of IGP Kale Kayihura and other leaders above him. Like the journalist during the Bukwo campaign of FDC who got destroyed cameras. Another one was the incidents where the journalist was shot on the first rally of Erias Lukwago in Kampala. Oulanyah’s men we’re also harassed journalists in Alalogi sub-county. I could go on, but the last straw at Parliament where the Ugandan Press Association Office on the 18th January 2016. There been so many incidents during the campaign trail this is just snippets.

So that the NRM-Regime yet again closes a radio as a result of a major opposition candidate has a show there proves the steady progress and free-thinking spirit of Mzee. Your free as long as the people eat out of his hands and doesn’t think for themselves. The next step was in hours to ban the NTV Uganda crew from following the NRM Presidential Candidate Rallies, we know it is boring and they struggle to get crowds that are why they had to hire 600 boda-boda drivers from the districts around to pick-up people and ride them to the rallies. That is so noble of the NRM, so they can get nice pictures and have the awesome shots of picturesque propaganda for #VoteSevo and #SteadyProgress Mike Sebula dream team.
National Resistance Movement can ban a media coverage, while they have earlier complained about the level of coverage while they hog the media and give little or less to minor parties or independent candidates. This here shows the arrogance and vile attempt of self-justified meager assessment of the media coverage and how the NTV is treating the NRM. It is so ironic that the party said this in November 2015.

The Secretary General of NRM Justine Kasule Lumumba said this: “You should take note that our candidate has so far addressed 70 rallies and some haven’t even covered 20 of them” (…)”I have observed that some media houses are biased and do not cover all the candidates equall” (FakeBeast, 2015).
It’s funny that the Secretary General said this for two months ago and then sudden attack on NTV today at their campaign rally. So that they act differently than how they speak, but that is just like their boss and Mzee! They can’t help themselves, the NRM can speak the most Nobel way and pledge to save the nation. Initally they can speak of freedom of the press and free speech, while aggressively attacking journalist, using police and IGP Kayihura to explain the journalist how to act, like he did through summer and before the presidential campaigns. Kayihura is a savvy media mogul and knowledge of all things, that is why he knows the proper ethics for journalist and a like, while his police-men undress opposition woman, but that is not his fault! My bad!

NRM can be so two-faced. This is the typical two-faced actions from the NRM and their regime. They call foul complain like cry-babies and second later complain when the actors finally acts because the NRM doesn’t comply or act as they say therefore the reports doesn’t add up to the reality. That is why when it comes to the media they want the perfect screenshot and Musevenist dream-land that tells how he liberated the land has still some works to finish his project. As Mzee has told time and time again; I am sure I could write one of his speeches just with my blinking eyes and the rising eagles of Luweero fly passed me while typing.
NRM can’t hold the facade and their wished story out to the people anymore. People know more and the educated masses will not eat of the hands of the Mzee. As the internet and social media can show, that is why NRM tries its best to fill the scope and streams to own it. Instead of letting other voices out; then NRM can’t have the issues of a National TV-station questioning the winning charm of the oppressive regime and long-time ruler of his Excellency. So that the NRM uses UPDF to tell them of instead of using proper formats to address the NTV instead of having men with guns telling them to step-off. But that is the NRM way; they can’t do it peacefully or with manners. They have to use guns as that was the way they got to power. This is just an extension of the vile actions of the regime. The behavior is so natural that Oulanyah a big-man had to use violence against journalist and FDC convoy because that is what NRM know. Not something else, that is why NRM use methods to destroy campaign material of opposition and block them with the police at every turn, I am sure there would be more tear-gas if the Police could afforded newer boxes and still not use the ones procured from the ‘Walk to Work’ demonstrations.

NRM can’t help themselves they have to play foul; NRM behave like this because they don’t know anything else. Mzee uses everybody as a tool, as long as they are useful for his project he proclaim their value and use in society and how he let them be able to work. If they counter and show his darker sides he either shut them down or bans them like now he ordered to ban NTV from his campaign trail. It’s because he is weak and can’t get the truth out, the ignorant and village people can’t watch in taverns in towns all over Uganda that he has less of appeal as he get Vision Group papers to put to press. That makes the stories fail. The Ugandan loyalty is proven when it is to NRM, and Mzee thinks so. So right now NTV is not loyal to the country, but foreign and dangerous belief that NRM doesn’t have all the answers; something Mzee can’t handle. His mustard seed and now 30 year old mustard tree hasn’t yielded as much as he has wished. Therefore when the media coverage is portraying the reality it is not the reality Mzee want the world to see. Journalist therefore as long as they tell the story Mzee wants the world to see, they can travel and show smiling pictures from the campaign trail or in Parliament, but if you question the NRM-Regime you are vile force of evil. NRM can’t handle the media anymore and doesn’t know all the ways of spin-control even Tamale Mirundi talks crap about them now and then. It’s like clockwork. Now the NRM has banned NTV and next is NBS, and then WBS! UBC will never be banned, but they are like New Vision and sister papers that portray the stories of the NRM-Regime. So clap-clap for the level of free speech where is the useless European Observation Monitoring of the elections. They are surely at some location in a studio talking about their magnificent work while not doing anything, but they had the nerve to shake hands with Mzee and swallow all his lies recently. But hey a few shallow muzongos are nice for the NRM-Regime to give legitimize them. That they can because the EOM is useful stooges. Mzee has still played the cards wrong and played the cards while the world is watching. NRM-Regime is so nervous and foolish that they continue their ploys against the opposition while now stopping the biggest TV-station to follow on their “magnificent” campaign trail. Might need to ferry some more crowds and pay more for more yellow shirts to make the NRM look like their winning YET AGAIN! Peace.
Reference:
Fakebeast – ‘Media ignores Museveni, Kasule cries out’ (26.11.2015) link: http://www.fakebeast.com/media-ignores-museveni-kasule-cries-out/
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.
The Calvary had to block a procession in Kabalagala today; when Go-Forward where planning to walk to campaign venue
The Uganda Police Force in actions yet again, they can’t help themselves! This here is a clip of how the Police blocked the procession in Kabalagala in Kampala. They are so Partisan-Police that they all could just wear Yellow and be hired to work in the new call-center to the NRM-Party. I am sure not alone feeling that.
Rwomushana says: “Aine a Symbol of Violence in the Elections” (Youtube-Clip)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2f2vo5ypcc
“Rwomushana says police does not have power to censure him. He says he is monitoring the Leopard” (NBS TV Uganda, 2016).
More tornmenting actions toward the Go-Forward campaign; IGP pays for damages after Besigye rally in Bukwo earlier this year

Just to show some of the actions done during the election period today, by the Calvary and this happening in Iganga, Sanga Town, Kazo County, Kiruhuru Disrict and in Bukwo. Go-Forward has had issues with Police and NRM-Regime, because of the newly appointed arch-nemesis Hon. Amama Mbabazi the former NRM big-man.
In Iganga town there was supposed to be a procession to happen unto the campaign rally venue in the town. While local police didn’t want that to happen and tried to block the main street; they did not succeed on the matter. Instead the locals were powerful enough to stop the block and walk in procession anyway. The Calvary did not win there today.
A man was certainly involved in tarnishing campaign posters in Sanga Town Council, destroying them and pinning them down. There been saying that he has been doing so since the campaigning started.

Planned reports on what the Police want to do to Go-Forward activists:
“Kazo county Go Forward coordinators to be arrested by state operatives any time from now” (…)“We are reliably informed on how security is planning to arrest all our Coordinators in Nkungu and Buremba subcounties in Kiruhura district today after their refusal to cross to NRM recently”.
Interesting police actions:
“GP Gen. Kayihura came to Bukwo yes to and paid Ush. 5m to the two victims shot during Besigye’s rally in Bukwo. And today he went to the IDP camp of Kapkwobor with UWA representative.
I thinks that is enough for today.
#UGDebate16 – Ugandan Presidential Candidates first ever Live TV debate of 2016; Mzee scared and ghosted the gracious event

Well, the day finally came and the Presidential Candidates of these elections have step-up to the plate and showed their platform while certain journalists would keep them in check.
Even UMEME had to tell the public today:
“#UGDEBATE16. We have standby teams to ensure you enjoy the presidential debate. All teams clothed, cars fueled, and tools in hand to ensure any outage is resolved as quickly as possible”.
Well, the UMEME has been reported that in Fort Portal, Entebbe, Jinja and so many other places the electricity went down so that the citizens couldn’t get the feed and watch the debate, even in parts of Kampala the power went off in Ntinda, Kiwatule, Naalya, Njeera around 21:00PM. This is just a little trait’s of the reported suspicious malfunctions and glitches in the system that let a lot’s off people lose the live feed, because Mzee was busy having his campaign rally in Bushenyi and wouldn’t let the people listen to the rest of the Presidential candidates. He was moving his mouth and brain there while the rest of candidates where explaining their manifestoes and programs in a civilian and peaceful manner to the citizens and the world.
There will be many set of commentaries on this, I am sure mine will be biased as, well as it should be, because this will be that. First my favorite quotes, then what I think about their performance. Seems fair right?

One memorable quote from each candidate:
Joseph Mabirizi said: “I am the only candidate who has Plan A, Plan B and Plan C. I won’t allow vote rigging so please vote me in”.
Amama Mbabazi said: “My clear answer is that I am not aware of election rigging. I have heard some stories, but I have no personal knowledge”.
Professor Baryamureeba said: “oil companies must publish what they pay to Gov’t and Gov’t should publish what it earns from oil so far”.
Maureen Faith Kyala said: “There is more tear gas at every police post as compared to medicine in the hospitals”.
Abed Bwanika said: “I have never mentioned that Baganda should support me, I asked for support from the people in Buganda”.
Gen. Biraaro said: “The only soldier who has been in power lives in state house, this regime has not served me well, that’s why I am here”.
Dr. Kizza Besigye said: “The real change is that power moves from those with guns to the citizens that is the project I am working on. The urgent change that our country needs is empowerment of our citizens. I have promised that in every Ugandan will walk with swagger”.

The moderators that the organizers put in place we’re BBC’s Newsday programme presenter, Allan Kasujja and KTN’s Nancy Kacungira. The one who was persistent with the candidates was really Kasujja, but it seemed that he was not a fan of Besigye, since he always cut him of in the middle of reasoning and addressing a question he had.
Kacungira was more the soft spoken mediator who levelled the hardheaded Kasujja, at one point I was waiting to see the red-eye-machine in light from wall to turn into the shades of mediator; so he would look a macho terminator. But that was just me.

Professor Bayra got the questions first, but didn’t earn that well, his quotes got easily forgotten and his stamina during the debate died down. I am sure in writing as professor he could have argued with strength, but he proved more to mayoral of a town in the eastern town in Tororo district then being a president. He has the words and etiquette of leadership, but doesn’t have the program or manifesto to really seem deemed for a lower-level position, as he has already been in-charge of the university of Makerere.

Maureen Faith Kayala seemed more focused on her gender as the questions tended to become focused on that. She was also on her own will more directly telling the issues of Busoga instead of the national issues, seems like she should become an MP for the district or a sub-county fitted for her in the area, since it’s also where she has moved the most and campaigned. When she hasn’t been lost in London; she could be more interesting with time and like wine become better in her game, but right now she is unfinished and seems to scattered to focus national.

Joseph Mabirizi must have had bad advice or lost his tongue at some point. Seem like he was stressed by the cameras and public watching his every move. He was walking through the wilderness stuttering and thinking… pounding the matters into the first thing that pop-up into his mind and wasn’t really address the question properly while saying it in such a fashion he was cracking Ugandans up, instead of making sense of the political issues. If he will gain crowds in the same stage as Professor Joel, no wait, Professor Joel should have come in President Museveni place, well, we come to the shadow of Bushenyi later!

Gen. Benon Biraaro the NRA historical who stood firm and was very apologetic in his tone. Much more than I expected he seemed clearer than and not as aggressive as the reports from the campaign trail. This man made more sense and was intelligent. Something I was not expected to say. But if this will make a giant difference in his whole campaign, I doubt it. The thing is that he will be more respected for his attitude and progression then some of his peers by the mere fact on how he precieve the matters.

Abed Bwanika was a gentle surprise and show lots of character at the debate. He had a much bigger presence then I expected, he ate of the hands and was shining actually. This was unexpected since he seems very uninteresting while following the campaign trail. The candidate showed that he had class and also thought through manifesto and plans for development.

Now I will take the two big-men who was at the shin-ding and debate the two of the three since the ghost of the event where in districts campaigning thinking that UMEME let the public miss the debate as they was ordered too. Who is the fool now? If his men will tell him something is that the Twitter #UgandaDecides and #UgandaDebate16 was going hectic in the hours. Before the start even discussion and had the spotlight of CNN telling about the historic event happening in the country that Mzee had to miss, because Ofwono Opondo and Mike Mukula said it was waste of time, seems like Bushenyi was really wasting time. For the NRM-members this must have been time is a wasting!

Let me continue on the two last candidates while done with Mzee and NRM for the moment, just have to throw a snag at them. They deserve them. Well, Hon. Amama Mbabazi, Mr. 30 years under the NRM and parts of the NRA. He was very defensive. Extremely defensive except for the matters of the detaining and Christopher Aine; also cleaning his hands on the land deal with NSSF which have followed him and still be a torn in his flesh. It did seem like he never was ready for the debate or that all the questions from the other candidates. It was like hot-water into a glass and not a cup that he wasn’t ready to hold it while drinking it. He addressed things more as an former NRM Prime Minister than actually address the Go-Forward manifesto or wishes. The most extreme was that he hadn’t heard or could talk well about the borrowing money that the government has done; and that it was a good thing! That bugs me and shows that he was just washing his hands instead of taking leadership, showing character like Gen. Biraaro og Besigye. So as knowing he was a lawyer before becoming a politician in the NRM, he has lost touch with good arguments that Bwanika and Biraao had compared to him. And they do not have the new machine for elections that Mbabazi has!

The last candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye he had for me a slow start it was a bit out of character for a man who has a gift for speeches and give’s the people show for the money; while at the same time address the matter at hand. This took time to get there and to show his plans to the public about the manifesto of the FDC. Besigye was slow, but had lots of energy when it came after the first commercial break. There where points where there was heavy with questions to him, like the other candidates singled him out, it often came to him or Mbabazi, not like Professor Bayra would ask Mabirizi some governance questions that would just be out of touch with formula of the debate. Besigye came after the accusations of the closeness to the first-family because of his wife, and his answer was clear that they we’re far away anything near them. Also with the answers on economic policies and how it was structured into the agricultural sector, we’re inspiring though sounding alike to Biraaro and Bwanika, though they had the luxury of always to answer before him. So Besigye ideas seemed less enthusiastic since there were modifications compared to them considered to them. I wished for my part that he we’re more on point in the beginning. I am a supporter of Besigye and his cause. Seemed like also one of the moderators tried to stop Besigye from finishing his arguments and answers, more than the other candidates, also cut him generally shorter than for instance Maureen or even Joseph they we’re not stopped in the same way, only Maureen jumped once into the whole madness when it was not her turn; Besigye proved leadership and calmness while growing into the debate and taking more and more space. I got more and more enthusiastic on his part, while feeling sorrow over the ways the Mbabazi was portraying himself like a sorry victim instead of being one of the big-men in the race for presidency.

Now that I have gone through the thing, let’s have one thing clear there was like a way of letting Besigye be last or late like every time while the other candidates got early shots, and also being more direct visible. I don’t know if that was fixed before Mzee we’re part of the event, since the empty seat would have eaten the issues and would have made the debate differently, though he would not have stopped talking while the mediator asked kindly to succeed spotlight to the next candidate. The ghost was there the whole evening since they we’re discussing governance, systematic failure and government inconsistency in general. The men who shined was not one or both presidential candidates who is in the top three. Bwanika and Biraaro had the smart ways of portraying and answering. All the NRA/NRM historical persons answered well, especially Besigye, but this was after his mojo was on fire. He ended the evening on the spark, the other last remarks was more humble and obliged then trying to convince them of voting on them.
What saddens me was the way Kasujja kept his composer and acted kind of differently between the candidates, he acted humble and nice against those who shined in the debate, while Amama Mbabazi and Dr. Kizza Besigye was either asked long-long questions or stopped in the middle of their arguments trying to answer the matter. The other mediator asked shorter and easier question, there wasn’t much fuzz about her and was more trying to keep cool while Mabarizi was answering questions. Mabarizi was like Professor Joel and a funny-character instead of acting as presidential candidate, he didn’t make the funniest face that was Mbabazi who looked lost at one point… The picture from that moment tells more than his answers in the debate, though the debate was not a good luck for Amama Mbabazi. That is clear, I myself have many unanswered questions about his past and what he really wants to achieve in the future.

The biggest and strangest about this is that the incumbent President Museveni, the almighty Mzee, the executive ruler and the one who reign in the land. Mzee have had the first chance to show together with other candidates his true self, instead he loved himself up-country where the people would listen to his voice without being asked any critical questions. If he had been in the studio he would have been shut-down while talking to long and had to answer the questions in a manner he is not used to. Mzee would be out of character and without his spin-doctors to make his message soft and beautiful. They could have prepared him, but he would have entered into the only mode he knows, his voice and his achievements, without seeing the issues that are there. Then he would go defensive like Amama Mbabazi and blame somebody else, since the executive wouldn’t order everything and opposition MPs has issues. Mzee would not be able to address the matter in humble way. But humility and humbleness is not in his ways as we all know. Therefore the empty chair show more his blissful arrogance then the attitude towards the debate. The brief and shallow seat where the camera sometimes went to; especially when the questions on the NRM-Regime were heavy! The NRM was not present or had their presidential candidate at the debate. So there was a lose end, and the losing end was not the other candidates, they had an ability show accountability and transparency towards the public. Something that is unusual and not the norm! The NRM can’t be looking weak and Mzee can’t handle not being seen as the almighty his Excellency instead of being just one of the candidates for the elections. He rather blast them in all of his papers and radios until the 18th February then being a man who could move his mouth and brain in the TV-studio, but being critical of him is a sin, therefore opposition mobilizers and members get jailed, while NRM members who insist on violence get’s supported either by the police force or by NRM organizers, then the police and electoral commission wonders why the FDC candidate have the campaign of defiance, since they taste the endless violence from the NRM-Regime. It would be an interesting event to see if Mzee could have given a proper answer on the matter.
Mediator: “What are your take on the recent election violence and campaign harassment of opposition parties?”
Wonder if Mzee would have had it in him to answer that or if he had gone the IGP Kale Kayihura road, and said it is the laws and people have to follow the rules, secondly there is also bad police and violent opposition so there can’t all be wrong in the NRM or the Police. Well, we didn’t get that kind of fashion because Mzee doesn’t have it in him to be together with the candidates unless he is in the spotlight like when the Papal visit we’re in November 2015. This here was a small-time event for him and Bushenyi was more important.
The other candidates were graceful and tactful, even when asked very critical questions. Hope the next time there will be a mediator who doesn’t act like Kasujja and stop Mbabazi and Besigye constantly while giving space to the other ones. There were some unjustified actions from his part, instead of being a peace maker and making the transition between the candidates going smooth. For me he was the Terminator with those shades and light. But that is just me. Hope this was enough of one evenings debate, and I sure there been pointed out at many venues and media-houses, but this here is how I saw it.
Look forward to the second Live TV Debate in the history of Uganda at the 10th Feburary 2016. When the second live presidential TV debate will be hold, and what a grand event that will be and in the closing stages of the campaign trail. Just a week before the polls and actual voting! Peace.
Go-Forward activist jailed for mobilizing today!

There are some strange laws in Uganda where the Go-Forward participations are forbidden. Charles Basoga where just doing duties for the polticial choice he has picked. Not touching the leopards anus.
I don’t know what law that they are specificly following, but somewhere between the Public Order Management Act and Gen. Kale Kayihura orders. Not sure one what term this happen, but surely not justified or court of law. This is just an typical act of the NRM-Regime because they can’t help themselves. Peace.

