Opinion: Have the NRM amended article 29 of the 1995 Constitution? [Since Besigye is warned about demonstrating again!]

1995 Constitution states in Article 29 (1):

“(1) Every person shall have the right to—

d) freedom to assemble and to demonstrate together with others peacefully and unarmed and to petition; and

(e) freedom of association which shall include the freedom to form and join associations or unions, including trade unions and political and other civic organisations” (Constitution, 1995).

You could think we are retuning back in time, but however… we are in 2022 and not in 2015 or 2016. Neither are we in the 2010 or 2011. The Public Order Management Act (POMA) is still enforced in combination with the Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) in consideration with the global coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Uganda Police Force (UPF) is directly warning Besigye in end of January 2022… is like a deja vu.

As reported earlier today:

“Addressing journalists on Monday, Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said security has got intelligence information indicating that in order to pull off the planned protests, Dr.Besigye is planning to reawaken the Power 10, a structure formed towards the 2016 polls as FDC’s election mobilisation task force. “We have intelligence information that Dr. Besigye and other opposition activists intend to reactivate Power 10 to cause acts of disobedience and mayhem in the city. They have so far recruited five persons per village and cell but we know Dr. Besigye as a professional agitator for violence and warn him that the Public Order Management Act is still in place and they have to ask for permission from police before carrying out their activities,” Enanga said” (Kenneth Kazibwe – ‘Dont be tempted to organise protests- Police warn Besigye’ 31.01.2022, Nile Post).

We know that this time around that Dr. Kizza Besigye has his own pressure group and coalition, which is the People’s Front for Transition (PFT) and the Red Card Movement. It is clear that the state still fears for his reach and popularity. As they are warning him to not demonstrate or riot. Which is blocking the rights of any citizen and it’s stipulated in the 1995 Constitution in Article 29.

It is not new that the Anti-Besigye Act or the POMA act has been made to stifle and stop demonstrations, after the near successful Walk to Work demonstrations in 2011. The POMA is made in such a fashion, that anyone has to apply and fill certain criteria to be able to demonstrate or protest. Therefore, we know if Besigye or any allies applies to do so. It will be denied or not get allowed to do so, in regard to public safety. While the state can gather and show-up everywhere with the convoys, meetings and conferences for that matter.

The PFT and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) will not be able to show a public disdain. That is deliberate by the state and we know it. This have been done for years and is nothing new. However, the state and the NRM would be more sincere, if they just amended the Article 29 and took away the right to demonstrate. As it is near to impossible… and the ones who wishes to do so cannot really do it.

Besigye is only one who would get this warning. This could be equally be given to Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and his National Unity Platform (NUP) or the People Power Movement. As they would get under the same scrutiny or pressure from the state to cease these sorts of activities. Since, the state wouldn’t allow that to happen. Just like they haven’t allowed concerts or plenty of gatherings by the NUP in the recent years.

Therefore, Besigye is just having … the same problems as before… the FDC and PFT should anticipate this and it’s nothing new. The UPF and the NRM is just continuing their oppression and lack of tolerance towards dissidents. Peace.

Opinion: The PFT of Besigye doesn’t seem well-planned…

It is not the first time that Dr. Kizza Besigye and his allies in the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) have worked alone and without much outside support. However, the establishment of the People’s Front for Transition (PFT) isn’t build on a strong foundation. At least not in concern with other opposition allies.

This week it is clear that Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and Democratic Party (DP) isn’t really involved as it was stated in the launch. Where some fractions of the parties was part of it. There was one piece of UPC members and the DP Block. Those have been dismissed by the parties itself.

As well, as the spats and dismissals from the National Unity Platform (NUP) which would be the most important ally at this stage and time. The NUP is the biggest opposition party and has a similar agenda, as the FDC. They are maybe different in the manner of which they operate. Still, the objective and the end-game is about the same. NUP and FDC both works for a peaceful transition from dictator Museveni.

That Besigye have the best intentions and will with the upstart of PFT. I have no doubt in my mind and with his experience of doing this. I know that he wants to succeed and wants to assemble a collective for change. He doesn’t want people to give up and stop the cause. A cause, which he has dedicated his whole career too.

The PFT has been painful from the start. There is usually growing pains of an organization, but this is just hectic from the early beginning. You can wonder how this was communicated and organized. Since everyone in and around is either distancing itself from it or they are minor fractions participating, except for the main party FDC.

This means that except for the FDC. Justice Forum (JEEMA), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and People’s Progressive Party (PPP). There isn’t much great support in the opposition for it. There is no joint effort here and there is nothing pushing it together. Because, the launch made it believe to be bigger.

The JEEMA, SDP and PPP isn’t parties of which has big significance. They are JEEMA and PPP have one MP each and that’s about it. The SDP was part of DP Block and seems like the Michael Mabikke’s briefcase party. Therefore, the strenght of the pressure group or coalition is on thin-ice.

It is not like it’s a big unite and brigade. Yes, they are collective, but not a sort of unifying you would need. The PFT is weak because of this. When the DP and UPC also reacts like they do. Then you know that the PFT wasn’t launched in order to have them sufficiently participating in it. Like there wasn’t meetings, consultations or even gatherings to make it happen. Therefore, it wasn’t only NUP who ditched out of it. Nearly nobody joined and the ones who did… well … they have to move mountains with their bare hands.

The PFT needs a boost and Besigye needs to consult with the others. That is if it has a mission and goal to be strong functioning unit of the opposition. Clearly, there has been an aftermath that the PFT didn’t want. This is just jaded and not how it supposed to look. Peace.

Opinion: FDC always wants to be United on its own terms…

Well, I never wanted to do this, but the way Patrick Oboi Amuriat and other FDC leaders have acted lately. It is time to challenge the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and their manners. This isn’t anything new… just like after the recent elections, the FDC and the leadership went on a rampage against National Unity Platform (NUP). Even after the NUP asked for meeting and coordination with the other opposition parties.

Now, this week the FDC has launched a new opposition coalition in the People’s Front for Transition (PFT). Nothing wrong in doing that, but they didn’t do in a way, which the NUP felt at home there. Neither has the FDC or NUP resolved the previous coalition of United Forces for Change (UFC) which was founded in 2020 ahead of the polls. So, it is really questionable to start a fresh one this quick.

The FDC wasn’t that diplomatic or helpful with all parties in the 2011 Inter-Party Cooperation. A coalition where the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and Democratic Party (DP) didn’t participate in. As they felt the way it was launched and created was to benefit FDC and their flagbearers. That’s why dropped out of it.

In 2016, there was another coalition made ahead of the polls. The Democratic Alliance (TDA) of which the FDC dropped out. Since, they didn’t get the flagbearer and they we’re afraid to support other parties within the coalition. As, the FDC was seen as the biggest party and they felt betrayed that they wouldn’t have the Presidential Candidate. The TDA eventually went for Amama Mbabazi, as he was independent candidate for a pressure group at that time.

Now, in 2021 after the polls and with an unsuccessful stint with the UFC. Dr. Kizza Besigye is again launching a new coalition. It is filled with fractions of the DP and UPC party. Also with Conservative Party, JEEMA, People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and others too. However, it does not have the biggest opposition party the NUP. That means it isn’t a totally united force. Neither, does it have the main fractions of the DP & UPC. Which renders the question of the power and ability to widen the objectives of coalition in question.

In this way, it seems like again the other parties have to accept the FDC terms and perspective join forces. Not that the FDC have to meet and greet the others. They just have to follow the suit and the ideals of what the FDC or Besigye is saying. Besigye means well and the ideals his committed too. We can all agree upon, but this haven’t been well coordinated or successful. When only these are showing up and showing intent.

Maybe, the likes of the NUP feels betrayed themselves and humiliated by the way the FDC answered the callings earlier in the year. When the FDC wanted to even revoke or relinquish the membership of the FDC MPs who joined the Shadow Government. Heck, the FDC leadership went high and mighty against the NUP. Therefore, the FDC haven’t been forthcoming or concerning the NUP. Until, the the launch of PFT this week.

It seems like the FDC needs to reconsider their movements sometimes. Especially, when people are supposed forget how they acted just a few months ago. When the NUP even tried to show an olive-branch and that got dismissed. Why should the NUP jump on the bandwagon without hesitation? Because, the FDC is so unique. That everyone is supposed to follow it blindly?

No, that isn’t fair to the NUP. Neither would the FDC accept that. That is why they would have felt betrayed, if they were automatically part of the TDA without a shadow of a doubt. This is how it looks like and it’s not cool.

The FDC should know better. I don’t know if it’s entitlement after years as the upper-dog in the opposition. They have fought and can be an inspiration for the next generation. The FDC isn’t dead, but isn’t as viable and strong as it was. Besigye has still power and ability to sway opinion. However, FDC better act more cordial and be more sincere. They cannot bushwhack others to submission. That is not how things works.

The NUP is free to join or not. Just like it didn’t IPOD either. They are finding their own path and that should be respected at this point. The NUP tried with the FDC in the UFC, which was useless. So, why should they trust in the PFT? Peace.

Opinion: Another year, another coaltion created by Besigye – Is this enough?

From the launch last year in 2020

Dr. Kizza Besigye have together with allies created “People’s Front for Transition” (PFT) recently with the slogan “Twetaase” which means “Let Us Save Ourselves”. The National Unity Platform (NUP) have declined to join the PFT. Therefore, the coalition or pressure group doesn’t have the biggest opposition party behind it.

Besigye isn’t alone, but it is lonely place in some regard. Since, there are long-term allies who joins him no matter what he does. He has held several of campaigns and ran with new slogans. That is something he has done with a steady pace. It is not long ago on the 15^th June 2020 Besigye and Bobi Wine announced the United Forces of Change (UFC). They would start with their joint campaign “No Nedda”.

With that in mind and it’s October 2021. The UFC didn’t do anything. The FDC went their own way and the NUP did the same. In this new organization of PFT there are fraction from the UPC and DP. People’s Progressive Party (PPP), JEEMA and the Conservative Party is part of it. The FDC is the main party when both Patrick Oboi Amuriat and Erias Lukwago was participating in the launch.

This time Besigye is trying to hard. He should have tried to work on the agreement, which was already done with UFC. A coalition that hasn’t delivered or done anything. That is very clear, as the UFC was invisible and non-active during the campaigns. Therefore, Besigye should have alerted and made it relevant for Bobi Wine to use during his campaign trail. Alas, that wasn’t the case and it ended up being an photo-op.

Some might say… NUP is ditching out and not using their means to properly participate here. However, there is no binding or expectations of them to do so. This is a initiative and there is nothing in the cards that says they should join either. Because, the merits of the previous one amounted to nothing.

Who thinks the PFT will be more successful than the UFC? Or is this another IPC?

I know that Besigye means well and wants to succeed. He has had this ambition and drive for a peaceful transition most of his career. Besigye should also question himself… why is he starting yet another one?

Is he gaining anything out of this. Except having several of outfits as his start-ups. It is time to deliver results and add pressure to the regime. Yes, plenty of the opposition parties wants the regime gone. However, should Besigye negotiate more and find more allies before launching anything?

He is not the “sole” leader. Yes, Besigye is inspirational and has told the stories on how to dismantle the current leadership. Alas, people haven’t listened or gained enough attention to follow him. There is hope that one day they would. However, he needs Bobi Wine at this current time. The NUP is a growing power and they needs to be in sync.

Has Besigye outplayed himself here? Should he have moved more smart and tried to work with the NUP more closely before launching?

Or did Besigye give up on UFC? Since he maybe felt like everyone else… that this was a useless coalition. So, why expect the NUP to join another one? Peace.

Opinion: Museveni can sleepwalk into the elections [as the opposition only aim at their own]

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) who are not caring about the guidelines or the regulations for COVID-19 or Coronavirus. Who are busy scheduling all activities ahead of the General Elections of 2021. also settling the final flag-bearers of the party. Which sometimes are the same-old, same-old and dozens of sole candidates. The NRM looks solid ahead of the elections.

At this point, as the President Museveni is busy preparing for this 8^th Term since 1986. The man, the legend, the dictator and the President for Life. The supposed Fountain of Honour and His Excellency can just sleep. He can be lazy, he can squander around and even have a few scandals on his hands.

The opposition are busy scheming tearing each other apart. The Uganda People’s Congress is the NRM-Light at this point. The big-man Akena and his wife is both in the sphere of the President. They have traded perks and agreement with the NRM .The UPC is only viable in small pockets and doesn’t have the organization nor trust in the public. Because of the trade-off that Akena, Son-of-Obote did in the last election cycle.

Democratic Party have been raided, taken by everyone. Norbert Mao should by crying at home this weekend. The day of betrayal was this week and he lost his MPs. He got none of the big-men and the party is weakened. There is little left and the promise in the months ahead can’t be much. Not like they can muster such voices and cadres over night. To take the space, which these MPs left.

Forum for Democratic Change are also weakened, also many questions about where they are turning. The ghost of Besigye. While Lukwago only created questions of protocol and validity of the nomination process. No matter what it does, it has lost plenty of the faction belonging to Muntu. The pragmatic part of the FDC has left and the defiance of Besigye lingers on. We can wonder what it will do and how it will become the biggest opposition party again. It needs to show flex and muscle ahead. Needs to drop heavy hitters of flag-bearers and show it isn’t just a punchline.

One of the newcomers, who has shown new strength is Muntu and his Alliance of National Transformation (ANT). Most of this has come by weakening the FDC. The ones who was supporters and allies of Muntu is the ones that left the FDC. There are very few independents who has come, except for Kassiano Wadri. Who is also a former FDC, but had left the party already. Muntu got some good people around him, but he seems like his trying to do the same thing he always does. Saying the right things, but not really challenging status quo.

The second newcomer is the People Power Movement and the National Unity Platform. Where Bobi Wine have really scored big and creating headlines. A man who is getting support from all parties and independents. He raided the DP party and gotten several of MPs standing for the NUP. Right now the momentum of the opposition is in his hands. He even got the nudge of the DP Block and the Justice forum for the Presidency. However, JEEMA will field own MPs and not do that under the NUP flag. Showing, there are a balance of sorts and there will be honest competition.

The DP is losing big, FDC is weakened and creating uncertainty, as the biggest party and the one historically challenging the President. Museveni must be giddy that the FDC is lingering like this. Instead of having a steady line and showing resilience. The up-hill battle that persist must be tiring and that’s why its showing some fatigue.

ANT and NUP are revitalized, but they are still not that big or organized like the FDC. Bobi Wine has momentum, but he needs support from everywhere to get the final push. He got friends all around, but with purges like recently in the DP: There might be fear that does happen elsewhere too.

The NRM should be joyful that the opposition looks like this. The message is distorted and the opposition is busy seeing whose deflecting and whose staying. Not to talk about finding out who is the flag-bearer and who gets the nominations. There are so much in-fighting.

There is more talk about what’s happening between the parties. The new and the old. If the old parties have the push or if they are out of steam. We can wonder ourselves. If this is all meal-ticket politics or actual battle for change.

Museveni is lucky with this. They are not pin-point at his failures, at him tanking the economy, taking up more loans and continuing his impunity in power. He can walk free of that. Only touched a small amount of time. Instead of being the target, the one people are aiming for and proving his recklessness. That is what they should do. Expose and show the intolerant and the state sponsored brutality, which is the image of this state.

Except he gets away with that. As he visits factories, radio stations and hold speeches on the regular. He walks and travels at ease like a bird. While the others are in cages and they are not even allowed to sing. Peace.

Opininon: The Ghost of Kantinti should haunt the FDC [and the rise of Bobi Wine]

That the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) nominated the nullified MP Apollo Kantinti to stand as a Flag-Bearer in the Kyadondo East By-Election in 2017 should be a friendly reminder what the FDC leadership did wrong. What has transpired since, has been a growing momentum and popularity politically towards the Independent MP and Opposition Leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. Who won the By-Election in 2017 over Kantinti. The loser has since then needed to go to court over bankruptcy.

We all know what has happen since and the groundwork the MP has done with his People Power Movement. A rising movement that even the People’s Government and Dr. Kizza Besigye have gone in coalition in. Which is just a small time ago that Bobi Wine and Besigye formed the United Forces for Change (UFC).

The FDC is really not pulling their weight, when the Party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat (POA) is saying this in a interview these day:

“It is very early to say that. What if Bobi Wine joins FDC tomorrow? For us we maintain an open door policy, he may change his mind and say I think I want a home. He is welcome to join FDC any time he wants and then he will be weighed against the other candidates” (Derrick Wandera – ‘Uganda: Bobi Should Join FDC If He Wants Coalition With Us, Says Amuriat’ 12.07.2020, Daily Monitor).

This is a bit late. The tea is freezing. To open the door for Bobi Wine now that he is in the upper echelon. When Bobi Wine get the same treatment by the authorities like Besigye. Than you want him to become part of the FDC? Also weigh him with others? Seriously?

Why should he step down and await vetting in the FDC? When he can run on own platform and own merit?

Because the same FDC said this before the Kyadondo East By-Election:

“Forum for Democratic Change [FDC] will not support popular musician Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine in the yet-to-be scheduled Kyadondo East by-election, party officials have said. The party said it will instead support Apollo Kantinti, its flag bearer in 2016, whose election was nullified by the High court and the nullification upheld by the Court of Appeal last week” (Baker Batte Lule – ‘FDC to Bobi Wine: wait for 2021’ 05.05.2017, Observer).

With this in mind, the party followed party protocol and let Kantinti stand again. However, with that they lost Bobi Wine too. As someone who has shown political finesse and ability beyond Wakiso district and Kyadondo East.

Bobi Wine is so big, that the President has tried to sing Elvis “In the Ghetto” to the public at times. That is why the FDC did wrong and should be humble in concern of Bobi Wine. They are the ones that lost out. That they are having talks and a coalition is showing progress in concern of results together as opposition. However, POA is not showing grace and demeanour, which understands what the People Power are brining right now.

The momentum isn’t on Besigye. It is on Bobi Wine. Nothing wrong with Besigye. He has carried the mantle, been the man in the line of fire and deserves credit for his hard labour. However, FDC doesn’t have Bobi Wine, because they played him wrong. That’s why the Party President of FDC acts like this. He wants to be the giant, but forgetting what they did themselves. It is not like he needed a party in the last election and he has only grown stronger since then. That is just common sense by now.

POA could have had the courage to show some humility, but instead he wants to bamboozle others. Hoping nobody see the game his playing. FDC is fighting for the good cause, so is the People Power Movement and they can do it together. However, that should be done by consensus and fair game. Not walking over one party and expecting it to roll over.

The FDC could have done better, hindsight 20/20 is always easier, than actually making good decisions in the moment of time. Still, the FDC is haunted by the ghost of Kantinti. He follows them and that’s why they cannot steer the conversation or get Bobi Wine totally on board. Instead, they have to talk and negotiate with him. This because of a simple mistake in 2017. Peace.

Opinion: Expect the Movement to celebrate mediocrity ahead of 2021

It isn’t enough that socialites like Zari Hassan is steering the conversation. That Bad Black switches camp and Jennifer Full Figure is all in this game. That Jose Chameleone trying to play both defence with the Democratic Party and offence with People Power Ticket. Meanwhile, Muntu and Mao will play second fiddle to Bobi Wine and Besigye. That is just the ways things are in the opposition ahead of 2021.

We all see this coming. But, expect one thing. The mediocre results will be cooked into greatness. The results since 1986 will be served like Michelin Star meal on high street. While the reality its a knock-off steak with very burned fries. Not really the high appeal nor the class its supposed to have.

The National Resistance Movement will use all its channels. Their Social Media Warriors, the media personnel they have hired. The UBC/NBS will be full fledged propaganda channel. Radios owned by sympathizers and own MPs will spread the message. All tarmac, all policies and pledges will be served like hot lava.

The NRM wants to look like the golden goose. They want to look like they did something. That they were meaningful and made a difference. These people will proclaim to be democratic, but the first moment a real opposition put its feet out. He or she will be arrested like a chicken thief.

The NRM will speak of infrastructure and rising development projects. However, they will not speak of foreign loans, grants and donors paying the high price of spiked prices. The most expensive road in the world nor the quality of tarmac or the work done by Chinese contractors. No, they will spread the message of the most tarmacked roads in the Republic. Because, who needs a functioning railway, who needs roads built for the rain or the upgrade of ferries. No, that is just hogwash.

The NRM will speak of its agriculture exports. Which it has amassed. Like it isn’t Nespresso and other foreign companies doing the bidding. Like the coffee exports before its time was good too. Not like the output didn’t matter in the past and the cash-crop idea is an old gift that keeps giving. No, they will profess magic. Even if the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), the NAADs, SACCOs and now Emyooga are all ugly ducklings of spawned projects waiting for a corruption scandal to come. Like there been no ghosts, bad seedlings and public wasted funds to pay the invisible piper.

The NRM will talk big game on their programs, which haven’t been properly implemented. We can go back to the 10 Point Programme. One of the National Development Programmes, the third edition is coming soon. The Uganda Vision 2020, 2030 or 2030. There are so many plans, but so little will to follow it. Seems like a cash-cow awaiting its next prey to get funding from abroad. You needs some visionary skits to get the comedians from afar paying for dreams.

The NRM will never say all of this. They won’t, because they don’t have a heart. They will come with polished pictures, fine and dandy statements. All sort of numbers. Take the most beautiful schools or hospitals. We did this bitches, but they will not look into depleted ones. The schools forgotten in rural district. They will not care that a hospital haven’t paid its nurses or have cash to pay for electricity. No, they will not speak of that. Neither that teachers are boda-boda drivers on the side, because the salary from the state takes months to come.

The NRM will praise its efforts, its greatness. Yes, the State House is a fortress. The President has a few Presidential Jets. Has a giant convoy of SUVs, even a car for luggage. The man owns the state and they are following his every whim. However, they cannot come with as a slogan or a party program. They have to look smooth, collective and grand. Nevertheless, that doesn’t make it true.

That’s why the drama of the opposition. The entertainment factor, the singers singing songs and the entitlement comes to forefront. That’s why Bebe Cool and Jose Chameleone is on one side. Why Bad Black and Zari is on another. That is why the NRM is using Bebe and Ragga Dee, also Full Figure just smash it all together. So, that people forget the mediocrity and life moves on.

Since, everything is about nonsense, about characters who doesn’t carry their weight, but expect the leadership to do so. The Red Pepper Politics, the Onion and the mashed potatoes. Not the reality, the deception and the lackluster offerings of the state.

The NRM hopes their mediocre delivery can be turned to gold. They hope the public adores that and praises their game. Even if they are returning with roots and not with lions. Peace.

Opinion: Bobi Wine’s Mission is to end the reign of Museveni

“Ugandans need to understand what their Electoral Commission is. They need to know that in this situation, we have a dictator who has been playing around. President Museveni is now facing a generation and dynamics he has never faced before. This is close to a coup” – Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine on NBS Morning Breeze (01.07.2020).

Well, this has been stated many times before, but the old man with the hat, the only man with a vision and self-styled President for Life. The Grand Dictator and ruler for Life is curbing the public. The President is putting himself in first before the Republic. That shouldn’t be shocked.

President Museveni will rig 2021 elections. As long as his one the ballot there will be other outcome than victory for him. Bobi Wine can challenge him, but this will not change the end result. The results was prepared and manufactured since 1986. That is just the reality on the ground. Yes, there is a new generation, but are they willing to take the cost or will they take a selfie? Will they go behind the banners and barricade the government buildings? Because that is the need. A revolution like the Republic never seen before. That is what the state needs and they needs leaders to inspire that.

Are you Bobi Wine ready to lead that revolt, stand on the barricades, be in the frontline and risk yourself again? Are you ready? Because, being on the ballot will not give you victory over Museveni. The Chief Rigger and Pre-Ticked Ballots Headmaster since the 1980s. That man will not loose in the polls. He will ridicule you and humiliate you. He will do what he can to bury your cause.

“Museveni is at his weakest point. I dare him to a real election. Any candidate comfortable with this joke of a scientific election is working with him. Our mission is to take off Museveni. We are not joking” – Bobi Wine (01.07.2020).

The President might be weak, scared and afraid of the situation his in. Still, he has the military, the authorities and the bank to carry a load. The foreign backers are still doling out money to him to bankroll his operations. He got the guns, the appointed cronies and the greedy zealots will still be behind him. They will be there until they cannot skim the public anymore. This is the reality. Yes, I know the People Power and other opposition are not joking about taking Museveni out.

But you need more than the right words and the will to speak. This has been done plenty of times. The lessons of the past are not reignited. If the President was to weak, he would loose hold of the army, the pseudo army outfits and the Police Force. When he has lost them and the ones bailing him out. Then his on a fishing expedition and not knowing what to catch. Right now, that’s not the drill. His maybe afraid of the virus and catching COVID-19. However, that doesn’t make him reckless, it just makes him strategic and finding reasons to pull social distancing moves to save his grace.

“I am here to put an end to the dictatorship. I have no business staying MP when Uganda is still under a dictatorship. This is not about me, Kyadondo was there before I was born. I just have to accomplish my mission now. I am here for a purpose” – Bobi Wine (01.07.2020).

That mission have to be amplified and harden its manners. To just be complicit in the activities of the state will not work. That behaviour has not won any favours in the past and will not challenge the President yet. Bobi Wine need to defy, civil disobedience and use other tools to beat the oppressive government. To be in the polls, on the ballot and campaign will not significantly change it. If that had been the cure, then Besigye would have secured the bill in either 2011 or in 2016. However, he didn’t and the “winner” was Museveni by the hook or by the crook.

The same will happen in 2021. To think otherwise is naive. It will be rigged and it will be a farce, all supported by the “high above” and Bobi Wine will be in the trenches seeking shelter from the rain of bullets. That is the reality and its coming for him quick. Peace.

Opinion: Besigye cannot win

We are in 2020 and Dr. Kizza Besigye cannot win… Yes, I said it. It is in this world that some persons are just destined to loose. Not because of their resilience or his vision. Besigye has fought, been in the midst of the battle and never gotten the pay-off.

No one has been arrested as many times as him for the cause of a peaceful transition of power. The fight for liberation from the junta and the military government of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The government with the sole candidate since 1986.

There will claims there is no difference in the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) if he stands in 2021. Since, he will have been their Presidential Flag-Bearer in 2006, 2011 and 2016. Then suddenly he will return again in 2021.

Yes, Besigye have given away the Party Presidency and haven’t the same role as the President has in the NRM. The President is the Chairman of the Party and the President of the Nation. Not like the Secretary General of NRM has the power to change things, but has to meet the President to ask for the way forward. The same awaiting the decisions of the National Executive Committee (NEC).

Besigye is not in the same league there. Still, there will be questions, if he stands for the same position for the Fifth Time. That is all reasonable. That he is the automatic candidate. This is why Mugisha Muntu had to create the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) to become the King there. Since no-one can pass Besigye in the FDC.

That is not strange. The foundation and party is in his hands. When they are in 2020 asking for him to return. Just like he was forced to return in 2016. The delegates then vouched for him. Now that Muntu is gone. There will surely be the same energy before the 2021 too.

Besigye have deserved a better fate. No one is denying the man that. He has struggled, eaten the humble pie and been beaten so brutally so many times. No one has been arrested, detained and charged for political activism at the level of Besigye. The amount of times is ridiculous and outrageous.

Still with this mind. All the pain and suffering. All the hard work and dedication for the cause seems somehow to backfire. If he will stand again as the FDC Flag-bearer. Then he is automatic or the sole candidate of the FDC. Not by default, but by design. It makes it look similar to NRM. Even if the NRM just have one king no matter what and FDC has the party asking him to resume the situation, yet again.

The NRM diehards attacking Besigye is throwing stones in a glasshouse. The glass and mirrors are breaking right in-front of their eyes. However, Besigye by no default of himself has gotten into this place. As the Self-Styled President for Life has put him into a quagmire.

There is sort of the argument of sole candidacy, which can be put on him as well. Especially, when his the brother standing for the fifth time for the FDC. Yes, Besigye is a force to be reckoned with. That is why his arrested so much and house-arrested for so long for no other reason then his own self. However, that doesn’t beg the question: Is he the only one who can be the Presidential Candidate in the FDC in 2021? Is there no other man who can take up the mantle and finesse this game?

I don’t have the answer. I know that Besigye is unique and has a message for a peaceful transition out of this dictatorship. Still, people haven’t listened or followed suit. He has suffered and paid the price for standing up endlessly. He has paid the price for that, time and time again.

If he becomes the fifth time candidate for the FDC. The question will easily become personal too. Because, then there are similarities in the drive between Museveni and Besigye. Since they both are “owning” their parties as sole candidates. Yes one has all power and can force himself, while the other has delegates giving it to him. Still the perception is key too. The signal it might send. That should worry the FDC.

That should worry Besigye if he does stand. Since he then shows traits of a man, that his supposed to differ from and we know he differs from. Still, the inevitable will come up. That is why Muntu is a sole brigade in ANT. Since he had no shot within FDC to become king and he needed his own outfit to do so.

Now we got to see, if fifth time is the charm. In this regard, Besigye cannot win. If he stands he shows a sign of sole candidacy. If he doesn’t stand he cannot win either. Since his not playing and when your not playing you cannot win. It is the sort of game where it is all rigged for you to loose.

In concern of Besigye, that is his life work and his loosing. Not by default of himself, but by measures of the state working against him. That is why he continue to loose. Just like all opposition, but he has been there the longest and he continue to be there. Besigye cannot win and that is the default setting of the society and the systems around him. Peace.

Opinion: Bobi Wine will enter Luzira before 2021

“What we are going for are elections provided for within the law. We shall hold public rallies, talk to the people and move from district to another because there is no reason whatsoever for us to hold scientific elections” – Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine at Press Conference on the 24^th June 2020

I don’t want anyone pain, harm or suffering. I don’t, but still I can see on the horizon that Bobi Wine challenging the Self-Styled President for Life, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni only going to end one way. That way is being in bracelets and behind bars.

Not because Bobi Wine is a criminal. Not that his actions deemed fit to be in the pen. No, its just a matter of principal and modus operandi of the state. If you challenge the King, his Court and his Vision. Your practically an outlaw and a outcast. Someone who you can easily arrest, detain and block. That is just how things are.

Not that these ideas, ideals of the state are justified. Hell no, they are just methods of fighting dissidents and silence the opposition. We can all see this and feel it. We have all seen it happen, again and again. The return of the wagon, of the tear-gas, of the anti-riot police and the whole brigade to stop the opposition. Sometimes even barricade their homes, make them a makeshift prison and house-arrest without any warrants. That is just what this state does to its self-created enemies.

Bobi Wine is one of them. His aiming at the throne. He got vast part of the public behind him. A force to be reckoned with by now. That he even dares to do this.

If he does act upon his words. Mark my words. His going to Luzira Prison at one point. He is going there and staying there for a long time. Bobi Wine will be charged with treason, malicious attempts, dismay to public order and such such. That is just what state does. It is inevitable.

Not that I want the man to get this toll, to bear this pain and to carry this load. No, its unjust and unfair. Its injustice in nature and in spirit. The man only causes harm to himself, but further his cause. It’s a justified cause, but its costs. The cost is time and suffering. Something this man has already been through. The same with his ally Dr. Kizza Besigye. He has also gone through this more than once.

If Bobi Wine moves on this. The authorities, the police and army will be on his tail, asap. There will be no redeeming factor there, only begging for mercy. While being in a wagon on the way to Luzira.

The ironic part about this is that Museveni promised a fundamental change when he came to power. However, with time that change has withered, there is no change. Just another head of state who is willing to break the bones of the ones going against him. Peace.