South Sudan: Kiir and Museveni celebrated the fresh peace-deal with flying in 1300 trained snipers(!!)

There are something special, that there are signing of the revitalized Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan of 2018, as the failure of the 2015 agreement are lingering. As the South Sudanese stakeholders has fought in-between them since June 2016.

What is significant is that the Ugandan counterpart has been so involved with soldiers and military equipment, as they have also involved themselves in the midst of the peace agreements. That seems like counter-punching, as Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are both bringing weapons and at the same time talking peace. Something that isn’t fitting.

While President Salva Mayardiit Kiir of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M) or the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) have accepted this and used his friendship with Museveni, who has promised to help even with arms in the middle of arms embargo. Therefore, we can wonder why this news are coming, if the SPLA/M or Kiir was serious about a peace-deal, why have he hired Museveni to train snipers?

Kampala/Addis Ababa, September 15, 2018 (SSNA) — Ugandan-trained South Sudanese snipers have arrived in Juba on Saturday night, a former Ugandan intelligence officer told the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) in Kampala. The new allegation comes two days after South Sudan’s warring factions signed a power-sharing deal” (…) “James further disclosed that Kiir and Museveni secretly flew the 1300 new snipers to Juba Saturday night and that the snipers are now divided into two groups strategically stationed around Juba. He also stated that new South Sudanese soldiers could soon arrive in Warrap and Buliisa district” (South Sudan News Agency – ‘1300 snipers arrive in Juba as South Sudanese celebrate peace deal’ 15.09.2018 link: http://southsudannewsagency.org/index.php/2018/09/15/1300-snipers-arrive-in-juba-as-south-sudanese-celebrate-peace-deal/).

It is a massive amount to have 1300 newly trained snipers to come as they government are celebrating the peace-deal. Seems more like they have trained new brigades to await their enemies to relent and relax their positions, before firing on all cylinders. Because, why spend fortunes and pay the Uganda People’s Defense Force for weapons training and flying them in, right after signing a new peace deal.

For me that is weird, as the trust levels should not be to get new highly trained brigades, but show prosperity for the newly created peace-agreement, as building up the measures within it. Kiir could have shown capacity and measures where he was seriously thinking of peace. As there are already reported breaches of cease-fire in Yei. Therefore, not like Kiir are progressing, more like looking for his opposition to lay low and find their weakness, while building yet another brigade. Stalling for time.

It is not a sign of confidence with 1300 newly trained snipers. That is more a sign of worry, as the UPDF and South Sudan Defence Force (SSDF), the former Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) are still active together, in both arms and training. As Museveni are participating in the mediation and sharping the knives behind closed doors.

I have never trusted the man, there was talk of 300 trained snipers, but now the total number are estimated to be 1300. That is a giant amount of highly trained killers for the government. They wouldn’t have this specialized soldiers, if they didn’t see it fit. They are clearly preparing for something, which we don’t know. Peace.

If Bosco thought this Security Presser was reassuring, it wasn’t!

People say I’m a dictator but I don’t know how I dictate. I must be one of the best dictators in the world”Yoweri Kaguta Musveni (15.09.2018).

Today, speech or Press Conference on the 15th September 2018. That wasn’t following his intention or whatever reason he decided to hold this. Because President Museveni are really on the bounds and feels hurt by the pressure preceding because of the Post-Arua By-Election aftermath.

Of course, we knew that these items were growing in number. However, we did not anticipate that evil minded people would want to kutokooza (Runyankore ─ for something bad like a fly falling into one’s food or drink) this success story, to turn something good into an instrument of killing Ugandans” (Museveni, 15.09.2018).

This speech and this sort of affair today is more forged spin from the President. As he is trying to look better than he really is and people has seen it all before, but more like he has to because he knows Bobi Wine aka Robert Kyagulanyi are pressuring him from Washington D.C. The quotes and pledges are not trustworthy.

Not like he couldn’t help himself lying to the public:

The NRM is expert in using guns. There are few organisations in the world that can use guns as well as the UPDF but we never kill people extra-judicially” (Museveni, 15.09.2018).

As we know perfectly well, how the NRM, the Army (UPDF), the Special Force Command (SFC) and the Police Force (UPF) have been killing extra-judicially around the nation. In Arua there was the driver of Bobi Wine, in Mityana after and also in Rukungiri. That is just a few of the people the NRM and the soldiers has killed over the year, extra-judicially. What is new, is that the international media actually cares, as Abiriga, Kaweesi, Kirumira and the other big-shots have also been taken out without anyone charged for these assassinations. Together with the killings of woman in Entebbe and the Muslim Clerics. There are so many killings and so little results to show for, other than the intimidation and the usage of force against civilians have appeared without any consequences. That is the worry and the speech of Museveni today, haven’t changed that.

So after hearing stuff like that, that can so easily be debunked as a solid lie.

That is why I have hard time taking him seriously, as he thinks he can sugarcoat everything. As he can put a few numbers, a few name-calling and also speak ill of the opposition. Also, the continued pressure on the CCTV cameras that will solve everything, even more micro-management of the Security Operations in Uganda.

We can really see, that he is just trying to damage control, thinking this is wise. I don’t know whom of the Presidential Advisors or in-charge of his PR that thinks these recent speeches has spread his message. If has done it on his own, he has really shot himself in the foot. As the reality is that the trust in the authorities isn’t built in his speeches, but actual feeling of safety and also seeing less of the military intimidating presence in the streets. However, that is most likely not happening in the era of Museveni.

The man trying make people feel safe, was actually not long ago ordering sharp-shooters for the Members of Parliament, which they have recently said “no” too. Therefore, it is ironic that Museveni have been talking about amounts of cars, motorcycles and cellphones in his Republic, as well as the method of communication of the Police Officers. As the micro-management continues from the President.

The pigs that have doomed their future by shedding the blood of innocent Ugandans, have only themselves to blame for their eternal damnation” (Museveni, 15.09.2018).

Surely, if Bosco thinks these Pressers are wise, it is not. The President has to act differently, but most likely he will not. The Perfect Dictator will not deliver anything, he rather lie to the public and try to peddle it in his favor. However, people shouldn’t let that happen, as we know the Security Organizations are not working for the people, but for him. That is why he will not find out the reality of Arua or the extra-judicial killings. Because that might hurt him directly and his cronies. Peace.

Hon. Zaake’s condition still in a limbo!

We can only wonder, how it goes with Honorable Francis Zaake, who was tortured and possibly poisoned by the authorities in the aftermath of the Arua By-Election on the 15th August 2018. He was able to leave for India after two weeks of fighting and also being closed off in hospitals in Uganda. Where he wasn’t getting needed treatment. As his deteriorating health condition, he was finally allowed leave on a second turn to leave on bond on the 3rd September 2018. As he has now been in danger and this is because the state did this to him, where he is representing people in Mityana Municipality.

The recent news on him is this:

The number of medical specialists attending to Mityana Municipality Member of Parliament Francis Zaake has been stepped up after he quickly relapsed upon being taken off life-support machines on Tuesday” (Daily Monitor, 12.09.2018).

Doctors at Manipal Hospital in India have identified foreign ingredients in the blood of Mityana Municipality Member of Parliament Francis Zaake, a likelihood that he could have been poisoned” (PML Daily, 12.09.2018).

We should really be worried, as the damage on his health, as he has been days upon days in coma in India, as the state was stopping him from getting treatment early, as they knew what they had done to him. Therefore, the damage and hurt on his body didn’t get the possible treatment in time, as it gets worse with the effects of time and prolong the suffering. That the MP is in coma as a result of what the Special Force Command, the Soldiers and the Police Officers, as this is really showing the impunity of actions. As he was a fellow campaigner and that has been costly. Standing on the side of the opposition and therefore, a viable target for the state to attack.

Zaake is hurt and in coma. This because of a By-Election gone bad and the state revenging on the opposition. They have never apologized or tried to mend the hurt, instead tried to deflect and ensure the spin was in high gear. This one more individual who was hurt and possible life-threatening. While the President and his Presidential Guards are walking around putting all blame on the ones the state has already hurt. That is the vile attempt of scoring double, while also making sure the opposition learns not to test the President. That is why they are tortured to learn a lesson.

Zaake, we can hope and pray the medics in India can save, as his life is in limbo, as the coma has been going on for days and the young MP was the prey of the state. This is what the world needs to know, that Musveni and his security organizations does this to representatives and public, which he disagrees with. Peace.

Somalia’s destiny lies in the hands of the people, highlights outgoing UN envoy (14.09.2018)

Despite remarkable achievements in Somalia in the recent past, structural challenges remain and continue to undermine the country’s security and political stability, the United Nations envoy for the country has warned.

DAKAR, Senegal, September 14, 2018 – Briefing the Security Council for the last time in his capacity as UN Special Representative for Somalia, Michael Keating called on all Somalis to draw strength from the positive transformations going on inside the country and work collectively for the common good.

“The future of Somalia is in the hands of the Somalis,” he declared.

In particular, Mr. Keating – who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) – urged unity among political leaders.

“The more [they] show unity, the greater the opportunity, and the responsibility, of international partners to invest in all parts of the country and its leadership,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr. Keating highlighted four key concerns the country’s leaders need to address, and issues that the international community should keep focusing on.

These include the threat posed by the Al Shabaab and other extremist groups; the risk of political differences overshadowing progress in legislative, reform and security areas; fragmentation within the international community; and the danger of a humanitarian “catastrophe”, especially with most of the population already living in precarious circumstances due to climate change and other vulnerabilities.

“Future crises will result from the combination of climate related shocks; armed conflict provoked by Al Shabaab and unresolved grievances; competition over natural resources; and systemic marginalization of certain groups,” warned Mr. Keating. He underscored the need to reduce the vulnerability faced by ordinary Somalis, through job creation and smart investments that safeguard natural resources and help unlock the enormous economic potential of the country.

Besides political will, Mr. Keating underscored, success will depend on leaders from the political, business and traditional spheres “working together for the common good, leveraging the country’s potential wealth to transform prospects for people – especially the young.”

On 1 October, Nicholas Haysom will replace Mr. Keating as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and the head of UNSOM. Mr. Keating was appointed the top UN official in the Horn of Africa nation in November 2015.

Women have brought ‘important voices’ to Somali politics

Alongside Mr. Keating, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the Executive Director of the UN gender equality and empowerment agency for women and girls (UN Women) highlighted the “once-in-a-generation opportunity” that Somalia currently has to establish lasting peace, and gender equality.

She commended the nation for improving representation of women in public office, illustrated by the “jump” in women’s representation in parliamentary elections from 14 to nearly 25 per cent of seats in the most recent elections.

This progress, she underscored, has brought many “important voices” to Somali politics.

She said it had brought to the centre “the fight to end child marriage, end female genital mutilation (FGM), and change laws that discriminate against women,” noting that the participation of women will be further boosted if more leaders, especially clan leaders, embrace gender equality and support women.

She also called on the international community and the Security Council to support Somalia’s federal and provincial authorities, advance gender equality, act strongly against sexual and gender-based violence, advocate for meaningful participation and recognition of women in all sectors, and support women’s groups in the country.

“Women’s organizations in Somalia are organized. They are dedicated to their country: they are activists, advocates, entrepreneurs, professionals, and patriots,” said Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka, noting that as the country prepares to confront the challenges in the days ahead, “women will make the difference.”

European Parliament: Uganda, arrest of parliamentarians from the opposition – European Parliament Resolution of 13 September 2018 on Uganda, arrest of Parliamentarians from the oppostion (13.09.2018)

Opinion: Bosco clearly lost his mind over VOA Panel Debate with Bobi Wine!

The reality is that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni aka Bosco lost his mind yesterday. He was surely sitting in darkness and mad, as he put out all of the electricity and ensured people that they could watch Voice of America and Straight Talk Africa with Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine as it was scheduled at 9:30 PM on the 12th September.

This program really made the President angry and unsure, as he has ordered the live-broadcast on the NBS Television and all electricity off as the program was about to start. Minutes after the black-out, the UMEME made statements and later claimed of technical glitches at Owen Falls, but this is never happening when Bosco is speaking, but only when powerful voices who are questioning his power. That is why he takes off all power of the nation, the nation who has surplus power in his eyes. They can clearly not have stable enough electricity…

Maybe cause Bobi Wine states the obvious so clearly:

“In Uganda, there can be a murder and the Police shows up after hours. But if youth gather to discuss the future of their country, Military Police will appear from nowhere in 2 minutes and beat up everyone.” – Bobi Wine (12.09.2018).

This is showing the blatant disregard for the dissidents, which has been known for years by the ones who follow, but are now getting exposed in the International Media. Also, this is being told in a manner, where the President cannot control the message. That is why he tried to block it, like he did with social media in and around the General Election of 2016.

However, this is 2018 and even with usage of gasoline to make electricity during black-outs, while also this video clips of the program will be spread online and shown for days, as the state cannot black-out or block the footage. Therefore, if the President thought his order would silence or stop the spreading of the messages from Bobi Wine. He is terribly wrong, but showing more of fear of the man. That the President has exposed his fear is really clear.

That Bosco struggles with Bobi Wine is obvious now, as he are turning of the electricity because of Straight Talk Africa, where his dissident is speaking. While when he is speaking for hours himself the other day, without any interference, but when Bobi Wine is on, the blackout is ordered.

If he thinks this was wise, it wasn’t, because he has shown his level of insecurity. The people should take notice, not only of the costs of losing electricity for a few hours, but that Bosco cannot manage his anger and frustration, as one MP are talking on an International TV station, there are also reports that the electricity has been turned of today, when NBS Television planned to do a re-run. Therefore, someone is really furious and not stable mind concerning Bobi Wine. Peace.

Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Uganda: Calls on government to stop blocking journalists from accessing accreditation (12.09.2018)

Museveni inspired by Treebeard: Spoke for three hours and made little sense!

War, yes. It affects us all, tree, root and twig. But you must understand, young Hobbit, it takes a long time to say anything in Old Entish. And we never say anything unless it is worth taking a long time to say”Treebeard (Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers).

In the dire time of need, what do you need? Yes, a long speech, longer than long Hollywood movies, so long that you forget time or even thinking of fact-checking. There was time my mind wandered everywhere, other ones that is following events, surely fell asleep in midst of the two hour history lesson and before the genuine interesting parts of the meat came to display, before that it was all liver and all fats, no pork-chops to barbecue.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni have clearly, learned a few tricks from the books of Ents, the people who speak Entish and are living trees in the middle of middle earth. Because, he used his time and wasted many people’s Sunday. Awaiting some of sort of care or consideration of the stalemate and the problems of our time. Little of that really got into the mix, as the President spoke more of his own deception and hopes that people will not questions his quotes or blended facts.

I never waste time finding out which pygmy is taller than the other one, which is a permanent occupation of some other actors; however, in terms of gauging Uganda’s recovery, it is not a useless yardstick” (Museveni, 09.09.2018).

This is just a proof of his vile ignorance and his words used during this statement, as he wanted to prove a point, at the same time he was mocking one tribe of the Republic. That shows how little sense this man has, as he cannot respect the pygmy people and their struggles, but instead mock them.

Secondly, the indisciplined Opposition politicians that are accused of terrorism against the population, conspiracy to commit arson or treason should be handled firmly by all concerned – the Police, the Prosecution and the Courts. We should not allow these wrong doers to intimidate our people. Telling lies to foreigners will not help them because the facts are on the ground” (Musveni, 09.09.2018).

That he again accuse the opposition of being in conspiracy with foreign entities and powers, while also committing treason, show how he intend to destroy those elements, as they are a threat to his existence, as they are questioning his legitimacy and are also another force he cannot manipulate and control, like he does in-house within the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Where everyone are following him blindly and being Yes-Men as they need his support and meal-ticket to survive. That is why he is attacking them and issuing threats, as the Courts will ensure their demise.

Therefore, Ugandans, this lengthy speech is to assure you that Uganda is on the ascent; nobody will bring it down, no matter how hard they try. We have very powerful internal forces that will combine to defeat the primitive fascists backed by external parasitic elements. We are in the process of tightening the weak points. Be calm and supportive. The rest we shall handle” (Museveni, 09.09.2018).

Just like the Ents, the Museveni had already spoken for long, when this quote came, as he continues ot pursuit the opposition and outside forces support of others. As he has to malign them and call them fascists, as he knows perfectly well, that they are not brown-shirts and oblivious to their intent. As he is just trying to picture them as something evil, to make himself look noble. While, not addressing these people with a humanizing way. Because they are primitive and parasites!

There has been so much talk about the torture by the security forces of people like Hons: Bobi Wine and Zaake. This talk is in the media and in other non-Court fora. Yet, these are matters in the Courts of Law. The questions in the minds of those who love fairness are the following: “What if those allegations turn out to be false? How will the accusers, local and foreign, rectify the injustice they have done to the Security forces? If any one of them implied or said that where I commented on the Arua events since I was on the scene, I was telling lies, will I be entitled to damages? That will be good for my Party, the NRM. Some of the NGO money via the Opposition may, in the end, help to fund the NRM. Final question in this connection: “Do the Security Forces personnel have rights according to these “human rights” activists or are they to be assaulted, beaten, stoned or maligned with impunity?.” (Museveni, 09.09.2018).

Just as you thought it wouldn’t be worse, as he wouldn’t push this narrative into a darker timeline. He had to push it further, because he is not to blame and his orders of evil intent. Isn’t that bad, as the state actors acted with restraint torturing the Arua 33 and the MPs arrested at the Arua By-Election in Mid-August 2018. That is why this mess is like this and why he had this address, as the continued insecurity and the reactions to state sponsored violence are continuing. He is just trying to deflect it all and trying to make himself the victim, while his state nearly didn’t give the MPs and the other tortured victims their needed care. That is insulting.

Also, does the Security Force Command have the right to shoot and kill the driver the of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, which you don’t even mention, because he is just mere victim of the evil opposition in your eyes, that your army and militias can attack to defend your honor. Because, your always the victim, even when everyone around are in dire straights and in the midst of violence. Your people still deserve credit and assurance, because the NRM and the ones you order around cannot act malicious. That is what your saying about the blatant disregard of people, as your SFC used bullets against civilians in Arua.

Ugandans you liberated yourselves from tyranny and death. See the mass graves in the Luwero Triangle. We are the only ones that can guarantee our future. The way it was in the past, so it is today and so it shall in the future. We are the ones to guarantee our future working with friends that respect our sovereignty and our intelligence” (Museveni, 09.09.2018).

He had to 1986 people in the end, use the Bush-War as a metaphor and epistle to long Entish speech of his. Because the graves of the past, the graves of today, will be ruled by the same people, as those graves are memory of the ones lost, so that people like the Ents. As today, the latest victim of his rule had his funeral, the former high-ranking police officer Muhammed Kirumira. Therefore, it is so rich of him to end this way, as his rule started with the killings and deaths of others, and with time even more victims are piled up. Never ending story of tragedy for this one to rule.

Enough of the Ents, enough of this President who has the nerve and ways of brutally attack everyone else, but not take responsibility for the reality on the ground. That is what is striking. The pygmies should also raise up as they were insulted by their President. They should not accept to toyed around like that. Neither, should the rest of the Ugandans listening to this man, he has overstayed and continues to play with them, use intimidation and fear to control the public. Peace.

In defense of Bobi Wine: Museveni wouldn’t have had a career if wasn’t for his foreign backers!

Now, that I have read the rubbish from Gerald Banghazi on the Nile Post called ‘Bobi Wine has jumped in bed with foreigners to destabilize Uganda’, which was published today on the 7th September 2018. This is in clear defense of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The National Resistance Movement wouldn’t exists if there wasn’t for foreign support and donations. The NRM and President Museveni wouldn’t have a career without foreigners and foreign intervention in Uganda.

That is why I write today, because this is foolish, the attacks on Bobi Wine aka Robert Kyagulanyi because he get medical treatment in the United States, get a foreign attorney Robert Amsterdam and is savvy enough to get international media on the hook. It is not like Bobi Wine has state apparatus behind him or any foreign powers giving him donations that matters.

That is why I have to say something, because President Museveni and the NRA wouldn’t have the position they we’re in. If there wasn’t for friendly foreigners, even before the NRA, Museveni was a part of a coalition, whose main subsidiary and monetary support from President Julius Nyerere and the United Republic of Tanzania. After the fall of Idi Amin and the Obote II government. The Bush War until 1986, in the that time, the 27 guns got lots of military support from Muammar Al-Gadaffi and Libya. Even if Museveni claims to have done it with nothing and alone, that is not true, if it wasn’t for the guns of Gadaffi he couldn’t have lasted in the Bush.

Now, in more present time, if he didn’t military equipment, ammunition and training from the United States. The Uganda People’s Defense Force and the others Security Organizations in the Republic. The government wouldn’t run if there wasn’t foreign donations to the budget. Neither, if there wasn’t foreign loans and grants. The Ugandan government have for ages been addicted to Direct State Aid and the Multi-National Organizations donating to the state. Therefore, as it seen, the NRM and Museveni couldn’t last for long without the support from abroad.

Museveni wouldn’t be so relaxed about things and loans, if it wasn’t for the Western Powers writing off loans in the 1990s. This was done to help the Republic to not be hurt by old loans and build up a tax-base. However, he has instead raised new loans and creating new problems, as the state are still addicted to the loans and donations, not creating a healthy economy. That is why the need for the foreign support.

Because Museveni knows this, but The World Bank Database, where you scope this “Net official development assistance and official aid received (current US$) – Net official development assistance and official aid received (current US$)”, in 1986 Uganda got $ 191,560,000. While it grew steady in the 90s before it sky-rocketed, in 2002 it got $ 732,980,000, since 2006 to 2016 the Republic got every year over $ 1.6bn in development assistance and official aid. So, when the NRM attacks Bobi Wine for having foreign attorney. Just ask the NRM apologists to shut-up and listen.

Museveni wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t for foreigners and their support of him. Their fate in him and the deals he made with them. To take down Amin, Obote and the rest. Without foreigners he wouldn’t have the thrown today. With all the foreign donations, his folks should be silent. Maybe, they would like a return on their investment as well and not just barely scratching as illicit totalitarian dictatorship, who misuse their power and oppress the public with the worst sort of treatment.

That is why the sort of articles from the press in defense of the state and trying to deflect the reality. Has to be fact-checked and dismantle it. Peace.

Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine: Press Statement (06.09.2018)

Friends from around the world,

I address you all as lovers of peace and compatriots in the struggle for justice, human rights and good governance all over the world. Your response to the events in Uganda these past days has made me believe more than ever that those who believe in the basic dignity of every human being are many more than those who trample upon it or rejoice in its violation.

A few days ago, I released a statement in which I narrated the torture, suffering and indignities that I was subjected to by a section of the Ugandan security forces. I have received numerous messages of support from around the globe. I am eternally grateful for those messages and feel emboldened in our pursuit for better governance in Uganda.

I am grateful to the medical professionals both in Uganda and here in the United States who have attended to me since my brutalisation. Although my body is still weak and I continue to receive treatment and further diagnosis, my resolve is stronger and my hope for a better and democratic Uganda has never been so high.

I feel obliged to note that many Ugandans have and continue to go through worse experiences than myself. If they can do such things to members of Parliament and other public figures, we can only imagine what they do to ordinary citizens in their custody away from sight. Many have paid the ultimate price. Like many other political activists in the past, my friend and driver Yasin Kawuma was murdered in cold blood. Shaban Atiku is permanently disabled. Night Asara Eyoru, a young mother who had just had a C-Section, was badly beaten. She appeared in court with a discharge from her private parts and a broken leg. For over four years, Sam Mugumya, a political activist and Dr. Besigye’s former assistant has been languishing in the prisons of DRC. Ugandans watched the images of my bartered and bruised colleague Hon. Zaake Francis in shock. Hon. Mwiru Paul returned to Parliament with a broken arm. Many have been framed with all manner of charges and kept behind bars for years. These are the sufferings those who have dared to stand up for our nation’s redemption have gone through. I am privileged that my brutalization caught the attention of so many, but many more people have had to endure worse experiences and I call upon the world to stand with all of us.

Today, I called this press conference mostly to appreciate the world for standing with Uganda in this period. I am very grateful that people across continents appreciate the cross roads at which our nation finds itself. While incarcerated in the heart of military facilities, I was unable to appreciate the massive support of our struggle from around the world. Since being released on bail, I have read countless messages of support online and by mail. I am very humbled to see all the support rendered to us from all over the world. I am emboldened by the people of Uganda who have understood our message that power lies with them. Despite state intimidation and repression, they have persistently been vocal in saying that the power of the people is more powerful than the people in power. Our brothers and sisters from fraternal African countries who share our dreams and aspirations- Thank you! From Kenya to Nigeria. From Zambia to South Africa. From Djibouti to South Sudan. From Rwanda to Tanzania. Thank you all.

The Ugandans living in the diaspora, joined by citizens of those countries have stood with us and we are profoundly grateful. Peaceful protests have been held in USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Germany and China. The message has been uniform- Free Uganda! I therefore appreciate you all and remind you that we have more work to do together. We have already seen that we can achieve a lot when we unite and stand together.

The next thing I want to talk about today is about our struggle. Many people out there who may not be familiar with our country, may be wondering what we are up to. Some friends as well as some regime apologists in Uganda have been asking me why I do not give up, focus on my music career and earn a salary as a Member of Parliament, and live what they call a comfortable life. My message to them has been that I cannot claim to be free and comfortable when Uganda is not. When our people live in fear. When most of them live below the poverty line and cannot afford a decent meal a day. When the men, women and children of Uganda live under the yoke of repression. I cannot be comfortable until the youth in the ghettos of Kampala are comfortable. That is why we put on the red color- representing the blood which flows in our veins. Because we are one people. We are one Uganda. We believe not only in the freedom of Uganda, but the freedom of all oppressed people all over the world. That is the justification of the struggle we are involved in. We are the people and we believe that we have the power to shape our destiny. That is what the People Power movement is all about.

People Power is the people. It is not Bobi Wine. It is not about me. I am just a Ugandan like any other. A Ugandan who desires to live in a better country. A Ugandan who has risen from the Ghetto and was very lucky to be elevated by the people to where I am today. And when I speak, their voice is echoed through me.

People Power is the millions of young Ugandans who have gone to school, spent all their parents’ fortunes to get an education but cannot find employment. They have instead been marginalized in an economy that works for a lucky few.

People Power are those young people who start primary one but drop out soon after because of poverty and lack.

People Power is the 80% of the Ugandan population who have never seen another president in their lifetime. The young professionals- doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, etc. They are frustrated by the system, but their demands for a peaceful transition have always been met with brutal force from the state.

People Power is the Ugandan people who have been yearning for democracy for decades. They know that they got a raw deal under the different regimes after independence and have been longing for the day they will be in charge of their country.

People Power is the youth in the ghettos of Kampala. Year in year out, they have been promised a better life, and yet year in year out, their lives have only gone from bad to worse. Struggle is their life. People Power are the boda boda riders and taxi drivers.

People Power is the millions of struggling poor women who live in our villages struggling to make ends meet. When their children fall sick, they do not find drugs in government hospitals. Some have mobilized themselves in small groups and have to contribute small monies to support each other in times of calamity. Hoping against hope every day for a better day.

People Power is the ordinary citizen of Uganda who works so hard but does not earn enough from their sweat. The government instead imposes new taxes on them every day that passes. And the taxes collected are used to satisfy the greed of the few.

People Power is the religious leaders under their umbrella Inter-religious Council of Uganda, who have been calling for a peaceful transition. The government has responded by rudely sending them back to the pulpit to preach about people’s spiritual and not physical needs.

People Power are the elders such as Justice James Ogoola, Maggie Kigozi and John Nagenda who have been calling for deep reflection about the past and the future of our nation.

People Power are the journalists who want to tell the story but are subjected to blatant brutality by the police and other security agencies. They want a country where they can practice their calling without intimidation.

People Power are the thousands of Ugandans in Northern and Eastern Uganda who were displaced by war and violence. For most of them, their future was completely shattered even as they struggle to redefine it and the present conditions will not let them.

People Power are the artistes, comedians and other entertainers who are saying enough to oppression, suppression and exploitation.

People Power are the soldiers and police officers who have had the honor of putting on the Ugandan uniform with our badge. Those thousands who keep awake at night to keep our nation safe and yet earn peanuts at the end of the month. Every once in a while they are given orders to torture and harm those who they are meant to protect. They too are People Power because they have the same blood as the rest of us.

People Power are the millions of other young Africans living on the continent and the thousands who are scattered in other continents to look for opportunities which their own mother land could not give them because of bad governance. When you hear me speak therefore, you are listening to millions of voices crying for freedom and justice.
I therefore speak for those people. I say on their behalf that People Power is stronger. It will win in the end. They could eliminate some, but they will never eliminate all the people.

And what do we hope to achieve? Our hope is to build a new Uganda. We hope to build a country which works for everyone. Where opportunities come to all regardless of their history. Where unity reigns and we no longer live in a deeply divided nation. And yes, where a former president can live peacefully in the country without any fear. This is what we the people of Uganda are working for. Uganda is not looking for another strong man. It is looking for the People themselves reigning supreme. Where leaders are true servants of the people and not vice versa.

We are not giving up. We are not relenting. We understand the challenges which lie ahead, but we know that in the end the people shall win.

Therefore I call upon the world to stand in solidarity with us and with those who have paid the price working for a better country. We are grateful for the help we have for many years received from development partners. You have supported our efforts to end the HIV/AIDs scourge and you have supported our education. You have supported our troops at home and abroad. Thank you for standing with Uganda. The time is now to associate with the hopes and aspirations of the people of Uganda. To identify with the oppressed and not the oppressors. The choice is clear.

*Hon. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert Bobi Wine