Dr. Kizza Besigye: “We live in a country that is controlled by guns since independence no leader has ever handed over power to another peacefully” (03.10.2017)

Fellow Ugandans we are approaching 55 years of Independence, 55 years of Independence for Uganda has found us with the greatest majority people unemployed, poverty, poor health, poor education, people dying of hunger and insecurity increasing.

Why is this?

We live in a country that is controlled by guns since independence no leader has ever handed over power to another peacefully. So we are hostages of those who have guns. Mr. Museveni came to power 32 years old using guns, he has kept power largely using those guns. Now he is in the process of changing our 1995 Constitution, to remove the last check which is the age limit, having removed term limits in 2005. If the age limit is removed then he becomes a life president and this process continues.

What should we do?

Please understand our country is not divided into parties, don’t be confused yellow, blue, FDC, NRM, DP no! Our country is divided into hostage takers and hostages. And then, there are those who help the hostage takers to keep us, hostages, what we need to do now is to start the process of retaking our country, regaining control of the country.

Let us isolate the hostage takers and those who help them. Anytime you have a gathering whatever it is, whether it is the church, school, sports functions, let us identify together and let us isolate those who are helping the system to keep us in this situation.

Demonstrate your support for change, oppose what is going on in trying to change to our Constitution. Clearly, tell whoever is attempting amidst you DON’T TRY, TOGIKWATAKO not this time again.

  1. Starting this Tuesday 3 October 2017, I invite you if you identify with the people of Uganda that have been kept hostage all this time use the colour RED to show that we are together. Tie a ribbon on your body or use RED colour anyway on that day to show that you are with the people.
  2. Secondly, you have been traveling in private means, in your own car, in my car, it is time on Tuesday starting with 3rd October to leave your private means at home, identify with the public by traveling public means. Use a bus, use a taxi, use a boda, use a bicycle.

Again we will try and see who is with us and who is not with us, those who will be in their private vehicles, we will start identifying they are not with us and it is the beginning of isolation of those who are not with us, we shall not cooperate with those hostage takers and the people who help them. We shall not go to their business and help them get richer. We shall not go their meetings when they call meetings, let us isolate the hostage takers and those who help them to keep us hostages.

The struggle is on it starts now, show where you fall starting this Tuesday

Age-Limit Update: More oppression, which means more arrests and blocked MPs, as the bill goes to Committee at the Plenary Session!

There are sometimes you wonder why certain things take so long and why they just have not happen already. Today is not such a day, since it was late last week that the Hon. Raphael Magyezi of Igara West allowed to seek leave to finish his bill. It seems like he was already before the vote last week and prepared with the finished product. Because today, the Member of Parliament is ready for reading. This without the suspended opposition MPs, who either has their house ambushed with grenades, detained on public transports or directly taken from their homes.

There is nothing subtle about this act or bill, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), are dwelling at Sheraton Hotel to deal with the ones who might vote against it. To see if they can list them, so they don’t get their cash-out, like the loyal MPs to the President does get. In addition, that Don Wanyama proclaims that Opposition leaders gathered at City Blue Restaurant at Nakasero, where they was discussing the way forward. These fellow leaders was Mugisha Muntu, Olara Otunnu, Winni Kiiza and Norbert Mao. Who knows what these fellows discussed.

Since Dr. Kizza Besigye house was blocked, Robert Kyagulanyi been arrested by the famous police van, Hon. Karuhanga and Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi got detained in the same car. Ingrid Turinawe was arrested again earlier today. Hon. Francis Mwijukye on the way to the Parliament in a taxi, was stopped, but not arrested as they only confiscated his red-ribbon. Lord Mayor of Kampala, Erias Lukwago arrested at his home, like the last time the bill was up for Plenary. Clearly, the Police is busy cracking down on dissidents today.

Robert Kyagulanyi stated this towards the intimidation today:

“GRENADES have for the second time in two days been thrown at my house and exploded. Property damaged and no one hurt! But what kind of country are we now living in? I had decided to ignore the blasts and these threats, but it seems they are now getting real. Let me announce to the whole world that these past days I have been receiving death threats on an almost daily basis. I have also been advised by some friends who know more than I know that I should be very careful what I eat or drink, how I drive and from where, whom I meet, even who touches me while I go to Parliament. Apparently something could be done to me during the kind of scuffle that happened when state agents invaded the Parliamentary chamber! Reason? Opposing the removal of age limits in the Constitution! Anonymous calls targeting not only me but my family as well. I have been told that if I don’t leave that thing a lone, I will just be terminated or disabled. These are cowardly acts which must be condemned by all people of good conscience. We are not involved in war. We are just citizens who are interested in a good country for ourselves and the generations to come. WE SHALL NOT BE INTIMIDATED. Let them know that NOTHING can stop an idea whose time has come. If you kill one me, perhaps a thousand more will rise up. The world is watching!” (Kyagulanyi, 03.10.2017).

Just so show how blunt the Police Force was today about their motives, they even stopped the critical NRM MP Muhammed Nsereko from appearing and he was blocked from being part of the Plenary Session today. Certainly, if they tried to go, the ones on the Uganda Police Force list of 28th September 2017, they would all get into trouble.

While the kingmaker himself has been posing with youths who support his cause:

“In other news: Kick Age Limit Out of the Constitution(KALOC) youths pose for a picture with President Yoweri Museveni” (The Observer, 03.10.2017).

Because there is no money involved or any kinds of tricks into play when these sort of gatherings happens, just like in the recent rallies and recent election, when crowds was bought with money, food and t-shirts. Therefore, they could all bash in the glory of Museveni, as the new coined term – voter tourism became a thing.

No surprise when this happen after the first reading of the bill:

“The Constitution (Amendment) Bill has been tabled & referred to the committee on Legal and Parliamentary affairs” (NTV Uganda, 03.10.2017). “MP Magyezi Tables #AgeLimit Bill in Parliament. This afternoon Hon Raphael Magyezi of Igara West has tabled his Constitution Amendment Bill for first reading. The Bill has been sent to the committee on legal and Parliamentary affairs. The rules of procedure require the committee to consider the bill within 45 days. The Opposition MPs were absent in the house following the suspension of some and the ongoing boycott by others” (Parliament Watch Uganda, 03.10.2017).

In Ordinary lingo:

That means the NRM Caucus together with friendly forces will meet, discuss and find out when and how they will benefit. When they will meet in the State House, to hear the proposal and possible pay out. So that the forking out of cash flow can come in time for the second reading and the votes. The Second reading will either be in the end of this week or early next one. Since this will be landslide and secure funding of new suits and ties to all of them.

So the Police and the authorities is on the tale of the opposition and opposing MPs. They are arch-criminals in the eyes of the state. They are followed and some are even in the line of fire. Meaning they are getting grenades thrown at their houses. There are no stones left untouched for this system at the moment.

This tale of the Age Limit is far from over, there will be more arrest, more intimidation and more propaganda like the ones with the KALOC group suddenly appearing when needed. To show “support” of it. Even if it is real, unless they stomachs are hurting and need some quick cash, just like the NRM MPs. They all must be starving for having the capacity to sell the country to Museveni and in this speed! Peace.

Uganda Police Force: “Re: CCTV Time Stamps taken from the 26th September CCTV Surveillance Situation during the Parliament Session” (28.09.2017)

Age Limit Bill: Raphael Magyezi MP proposed “The Constitutional (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2017” (28.09.2017)

Uganda Press Freedom Forum: “Re: Ugandan Journalists Protest Gagging by the State” (02.10.2017)

Ugandan Journalists Protest Gagging by the State (02.10.2017)

Opinion: It’s ironic that President Museveni is talking about disciplining the government!

The three arms of government and their sub-branches must have discipline. For example I have been involved in disciplining the army. We should do the same for other sub-branches of government. If the Judiciary is also disciplined in fighting corruption, citizens will lead a good life. – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the 1st October 2017, State House Entebbe.

Its just one of these days that hearing the news and seeing the tweets of the President, makes me laugh and wonder if he listen to himself. He knows his system and has made his garden. The way the government steers and govern is because of his policies, his regulations and his support. It is not like there been other ruling for last 30 years in Uganda. The Republic has been under the control of Museveni and his National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The NRM has suffocated all other free-will and control. Therefore, Ministers, Members of Parliament and others seek guidance and funds directly at the State House in Entebbe. Even foreign investors meet there to make agreements. Everything is nearly sanctioned out there. The Discipline now is more on the narrow-minded government that is run from there. The institutions and the procedures are not so important. Since most things happening is with the words from “above”, meaning the President and his close advisers.

It is not rocket science to know where the benefactor or the reason for lacking structures. That is because government waits for their go sign by the State House, they are waiting for funding of the projects and institutions from the State House. The projects and the works of the State House and under the Prime Ministers Offices are the key organizations within this government. They might say all of the massive cabinet has part to play, but that is the facade.

Therefore, it is ironic for a man so controlling and so disorganized that it gives sometimes way to the unthinkable. Just like the Presidential Handshake, that was sanctioned by the State House, but taken form the wrong account. That was the problem for the President, not that the corrupt behavior was occurring on his watch. Its like he talks against himself. Because he has no problem speaking anti-corruption, but if corruption benefit his cronies – its fine and dandy!

I am not surprised by him at this point of time, its fit his narrative. He says what he expects and wants out of others, but the next day he finds a way to benefit or use the loyalty of his cronies. Not like he would have excepted the UCC not to listen and stop the suspended MPs to hit the airways and be broadcast on TV. He rather being himself on radio and in the spotlight, but will accept anyone else sharing the same space.

President Museveni is the proof of someone saying something noble, but doing opposite. He might say something insane, but act rational. Therefore, you never know where you have him. I will never believe him actually disciplining the government, if doing so. It means they are all blindfolded and following his guidelines. It does not mean building proper governance and protocol, neither is institutionalize the departments and ministries, it is all about his will and his stature.

When it comes to Museveni, discipline is about following him. Not building transparent and proper government institutions. Peace.

Age Limit: No Media House is allowed to host the 25 Suspended MPs, the new UCC Guidelines say!

This here is not shocking, but this is the state of control the National Resistance Movement has and are controlling the other parts of society. It is not enough that 25 Members of Parliament was suspended from taking part in the Plenary Session on Wednesday 27th September 2017. That they we’re taking out by force and violence inside the Parliament. This should be enough of oppression and proving how far the NRM goes to own the Republic. Clearly that was not enough as the MPs had to show up at Central Investigation Division at Kireka. There they we’re interrogated on the 28th September 2017. All of this should be enough as the Age Limit Motion got passed on the 27th and the praise of Parliamentary Speaker Rebecca Kadaga happen on the 28th. All of this proves how belittling the NRM are to voice of opposition and dissidents.

Today, it is proven even worse, as the NTV Uganda Reporter Sudir Byaruhanga spelled out this: “No media house is allowed to host the 25 suspended MPs according to the new UCC guidelines” (Byaruhanga, 30.09.2017). This proves to what extent the NRM goes to silence the message and the ones wanting to stop the Age Limit Bill. That the ones who are defying and speaking ill of the possible bill. Is not allowed on the airways, on live broadcast or expressing their concern.

He was not alone to reveal the controlling efforts of the state. Oskar Semweya-Musoka, the ones running the favorite political radio talkshow ‘The Capital Gang’ reveled: We received phone calls that stopped us from hosting Bobi Wine on The Capital Gang today” (Semweya-Musoka, 30.09.2017). Both of them is media personalities and has knowledge of how it is.

That NTV and radio stations are silenced, that has happen when radios has shows with Dr. Kizza Besigye, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has ordered direct orders to stop transmitter s and closing stations for not complying. They also stopped the live-broadcast from the Parliament on the Age Limit Motion on Wednesday. Clearly, they know the toils of oppression and is complying with orders from above. They know that they have the obligation to comply and put in the sanctions. If not the NRM will find other heads to run the UCC.

But we now know the extend, the manner in which the NRM state are ruling. We know now that the democratic values is dying, freedom of expression is getting shrunk in everyday. The longer Museveni rules, the state wants to control it more. The possible closure of newspapers like Daily Monitor and Red Pepper might happen too. The Independent Magazine will live, because Mwenda and Museveni is as close as kin these days. The Observer might be raided, but the wealth of the owners might make it stick for a while longer, as long as they are not pushing their message to far south.

The NRM can clearly not accept defiance, the civil disobedience and the belittlement of the cause, the cause being life-presidency for Museveni. Since he can acts as he pleases go on radio and lie until his lips goes dry, while people questioning his right rule, get silenced or stopped from doing so. That is why the 25 MPs are now stopped from taking part of the conversation. Being in the public sphere by the media and their channels of information. This is vital for discussion and debating the Age Limit. The NRM and Museveni wants to control the debate in their favor and therefore blocking the rest. If people do act outside the spectrum of the NRM, there will be sanctions as seen earlier this month. Freedom FM in Kabale, know whats happen if you do.

It means these are not allowed, as reported on 27th:

The Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has named 25 Members of Parliament who have been suspended and asked them to exit the Chambers. The suspended MPs are; Kibuule, Ssewanyana, Amoding, Lyomoki, Kasibante, Nambooze, Kyagulanyi, Zaake, Kasozi, Nzohgu &Olanya. The other suspended MPs are; Osegge, Niwagaba, Odonga Otto, Mafabi, Munyangwa, Nambeshe, Mbwatekamwa & Mugume. Ssewungu, Tinkasiimire, Muwanga Kivumbi and Medard Ssegona are the others suspended. The Speaker has suspended the sitting to allow the MPs exit the House or be evicted by the Sergeant at Arms” (New Vision, 27.09.2017).

All of these MPs are now banned from shows and media houses. If the media comply with these sanctions and these acts of excessive breach of freedom of speech. You know that the debates and the stories that are told will be one sided. It will never be the whole story, neither the factual or critical thinking towards the Age Limit. Not that Museveni wants that, because if you look critical at him, you will finds sculls and blood. Stories that’s not reflect the so-called “statesman” like story he wants portrayed of himself.

But you the NRM are weak, when they cannot carry discussions and debates of opposition. When they don’t have the arguments and the reasoning to let them go-on. Since Museveni knows his weakness and he cannot stomach it. That is why the orders from above was to clear the Parliament Plenary Sitting, since he couldn’t manage to humiliated, even if it meant destroying the sanctity of it.

Now they are proving their lack of tolerance and understanding of need of an open media that discuss this vital matters. That the representatives should be allowed to talk and debate the manner. Not only looking and listening to the brilliant mind of Ofwono Opondo and his NRM defense no matter what or other loyal cronies. That will all be sounding the same and saying nearly the same. Defending the NRM and the President without concern that its burning, they see the smoke, but they will not talk about it like it doesn’t exists. Not until themselves are burnt by it, than their acts might change. Until then, they are accepting the republic is burning, but they don’t want to say it! Peace.

Buganda Kingdom statement regarding what transpired on Wednesday in the Parliament(29.09.2017)

Opinion: Kadaga and Kayihura will be remembered for destroying the sanctity of the Parliament!

The end may justify the means as long as there is something that justifies the end.”Leon Trotsky

A day after the chaos, the melee and the suspended Members of Parliament at the Plenary Session in Uganda. There are many questions and many been answered. As there is clear reports of orders from above high for the whole ordeal. Not that its surprising since the whole events was as he wished. That the President wanted and got in favor. Since the 25 suspended MPs didn’t walk-out or sing the National Anthem.

The Special Forces Command and Police Officers violently got them and dragged them out. Before sending them to Police Stations allover the greater Kampala area and also in Wakiso and Mukono Districts. Clearly, this was well-planned and that was evident as IGP Kale Kayihura was walking around smiling. The grim smile on his and his smirk should been a warning. As well as Francis Mwjikye facebook post about being directly followed by Police towards the gates of Parliament.

It is obnoxious to know that the day after that IGP Kale Kayihura goes out to the press, says he ordered the eviction and he did the detaining of the MPs. Like he is proud of his achievement, that he was able to go into parliament and use SFC in plain clothes to empty the chambers. So that in the hours after the violent eruptions there. The National Resistance Movement MPs and the lack-luster so-called Opposition MPs could vote and say “Aye” to the Age Limit Motion. If it was progress or regress, it is most likely the last. Since it had to use foreign, alien and strangers in Parliament to get the votes passed for the Motion.

There was nothing righteous, nothing right about yesterday, still the IGP Kayihura take the blame and want honor for his achievement yesterday. He gets nothing and should get none. The same should be said about Parliamentary Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, even if she was praised to the moon by the NRM MPs today. Not that they should share her glory of getting within reach of using military and special trained security officers to get rid of the opposition representatives. She actually breached the Parliament (Privileges and Power) Act of 1955. Since she assigned strangers to enter the chambers and do violence. Kadaga has no been in contempt of Parliamentary law. She has rights to suspend and get parliamentary guards and officers to bring them out if they create insecurity at the Parliament, but she is not allowed to bring in foreign and strangers into the mix; which she did and has been praised for.

Neither Kadaga or Kayihura should be remembered with greatness after yesterday, they should be remembered with horror and their will to destroy the institution. Destroy the Parliament and its values. Demean and belittle the Constitution in favor of the President. That is what they did, they made narrow road to justice and freedom even smaller. They have shrunk the place for liberty and rule of law. Both of them has now tarnished key principals on the altar of life-presidency for one man.

Kadaga and Kayihura for their acceptance of Special Force Command commanding the space and letting go of important principals. Even if the orders came from above. They are proven that they don’t care about the injustice and impunity done on their watch. That they have no honor and no deep understanding of their efforts to eradicate the state and republic. Clearly, this is in continuation of the rigged elections and control of the institutions by the State House. Still, these persons should know better, but they don’t. The NRM MPs are just interested in quick pay-off of for their support of the bill. They have no heart or soul, just another tool for Museveni to get his will.

Therefore, Kadaga and Kayihura should have acted differently, not be proud of yesterdays acts. Not accepted the fate they have put the Republic in. Their names will forever be connected with the violent oppression of the Opposition MPs and destruction of the Parliament. If they will use similar tricks to get it passed, you know there is nothing left to trust. Nothing left of the state to hold high. There will only be the Presidential Decrees and orders, nothing else, since that what matters. The rest will be a facade and the ones working there or representing it will all be props for his agenda.

There is now nothing left, unless people stand up against it and show defiance in all parts of society. If not they let him win and let him eat of all. Eat it all up so he can destroy and turn it in his favor. Just like he has done with everything else, with force and without mercy. Museveni will do so again, if it is with the hands of Kayihura or the orders of Kadaga. Peace.