Opinion: The NRM CEC needs some self reflection

Today the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC) delivered their verdict after becoming second and losing the Kawempe North By-Election. The striking matter is that the NRM acts like its an outside force and not the government itself. As they expect the Electoral Commission to investigate and audit the election. That’s really telling, as we haven’t seen how the state operated and acting during the whole proceedings.

The NRM should sit this one out. They already used all the tricks of the book. They used the whole state machinery and was prepared to rig the election. They just waited for the thumbs up and make it happen. There was every bits and pieces in action for one purpose only. So, it is rich that the call the EC out and wants this now.

The NRM rejects the results too and also says it will legally challenge it. If it does all of this… do they want the courts to see the videos, pictures and the altered return forms? What do they want to provide of evidence? What stories doest the NRM want to tell?

Do the NRM wants the stories of the NUP activists arrested, the double arrests of the NUP candidate and use of JATT to stop the NUP from properly campaigning? Do the NRM wants the courts to look into the soldiers, special forces command and the soldiers intimidating during the polls?

What does the NRM wants to prove? That they didn’t block Pearl FM from providing proof of the rigging for the NRM. Do the NRM wants the proof of how they tried to make the Kawempe North into a war-zone and harassed the media into darkness. So, that the polling agents and others was left without media having oversight of the activity during the polls. What sort of evidence does the NRM wants to provide courts?

Nothing that happened was in favour of the opposition or the NUP. If the blood, torture, arrests, detained civilians and use of NRM or state operatives for self-serving interests. These was all parts in the play and we know about it. The state even used cars without registration plates and such too. There was nothing this state didn’t do to outsmart and outwit their own electorate. Still, they voted in defiance and in protest of state itself.

The NRM CEC don’t want this all portrayed in the courts. What is there to gain and what does the NRM win? They have already caused the pain, plights and suffering… just over a seat and a ballot. Still, they couldn’t cause enough harm and damage to stop the people from standing up for themselves. That’s just what should worry the state and the NRM itself.

If there are any characters left with some sort of clear mind in the NRM CEC. They would reflect on the matter and reasons for the fall in the Kawempe North By-Election. There are so many reasons for why they lost. There is not only the knowledge of the historical pattern of voters voting for opposition. Secondly, why would the people, trust the party who orders soldiers to streets to beat them up? Seriously, it is such an easy argument and everyone can digest that.

Nevertheless, that is just to deep and to hard for the NRM to comprehend. Maybe their delusion and lack of realism is hitting in. They are just living in their own bubble and cannot understand the real sentiment out there. That’s why they think gun-slinging on unarmed civilian is the righteous act to get their will done. This is what we are seeing and hearing. It is infuriating and insulting the people who are just trying to live life. Peace.

Justice Forum (JEEMA): Democratic Alliance (DA) Coordination Team (15.03.2025)

Kawempe North By-Election: The three unfortunate losers

Today the final result of the Kawempe North By-Election is here. We know the National Resistance Movement (NRM) lost this one, but that was expected. The National Unity Platform (NUP) was estimated to reclaim this seat. So, the victory in itself isn’t a shock or the public sentiment of protesting the government by, yet again putting their trust in a NUP Member of Parliament.

The others who should feel the pain here is Sadat Mukiibi aka Khalif AgaNaga who ran as the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flagbearer only 239 votes. The others are independent candidates who is NUP leaning. That being Muhammed Lussuwa Luwemba who got 240 votes and Moses Nsereko who got 32 votes.

It is just showing how they struggled in this campaign. We could have discussed the Democratic Party (DP) and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) who also fielded flagbearers that went nowhere. That’s why there is no need to address it. Just like the fallen out of grace NRM leaning flagbearer who didn’t do well either.

The three ones that needs to reflect on themselves are the FDC and NUP leaning candidates. These are the ones who supposed to make an impact. They were supposed to get the voters galvanized and be a better viable than the assessed and the one who was vouched for by the NUP.

The ones that who tried to be nominated and become the NUP flagbearer. They still rebelled and ran on their own. These two are the biggest losers. Those two has already gone against the grain and tried to sway voters away from that party. Their candidacy could easily have destroyed and taken away the NUP momentum. Nevertheless, that wasn’t even that trustworthy.

We know that people have tried to use the association to the deceased family and the direct connection to the late Muhammed Ssegirinya MP. The former Personal Assistant Lussuwa Luwemba tried that. The NRM even pushed one of the kids of the late on the final day of campaigning. The former P.A. changed religion, did a publicity stunt at the gravesite and also has tried to prolong the legacy of Mr. Update. Still, it went badly for him.

Moses Nsereko went the whole mile and tried to act like his was the next big thing. Even a mockery attempts on first nomination day with the wheelbarrow. The whole charade fell flat, and he needed to return the next day with the right documentation. He went on a public debate claiming to be the most significant guy there. The same man that collapsed when he wasn’t announced as the NUP flagbearer back in February.

The third loser is the musician that ran his campaign with the FDC. A man who has just a hot minute ago been singing songs for His Excellency. That man became the FDC flagbearer and shows how far the party has fallen. This candidate didn’t even make a huge wave. Neither is this promising for the 2026 elections. As this is the state of the FDC at the moment… all flair and no momentum. Going door to door, holding rallies, but getting such a result. The former P.A. even got the same, but with a much more limited campaign. That is telling on the lack of recognition or even trust in the FDC. The public shows that by not even making it close to the NUP or the NRM.

Just imagine going in and thinking they could sway the public away from the NUP. Two of them even tried to run within the NUP and become the flagbearer before going independent after the loss. We have seen that has worked in the NRM, but it doesn’t work with the NUP. They have loyalty to the party-line for now and not just personalized leadership. That’s how this can be digested after the polls.

People are even associated with the late didn’t matter. The use of the family of the late MP didn’t help any cause either. They just became pawns and didn’t further the campaigns of the ones involved. These are the biggest losers after the Kawempe North By-Election.

They went out high and mighty but got nothing back for doing so. Except for wasting their time, energy and funds on running. It could have been better to be in the office or whatever day-job they had before trying to run. Because these people didn’t do much for themselves or for Kawempe North for that matter. These people have been humiliated. That is the gist here. Peace.

Kawempe North By-Election: A memo on the aftermath

This here is what resilience and what a resolute mind does. Even when all the odds are against the opposition and the National Unity Platform (NUP). The National Resistance Movement (NRM). The state used all of its instruments to get ahead and rig the proceedings.

They used all sorts of techniques, tricks of the trade and violence. That was from the state security agencies like JATT, ISO, UPDF, SFC and even use the RDCs. All of them was deployed for a mission and they tried to undermine the efforts of the people.

That Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola is the victor here and the population of Kawempe North. They stood tall in midst of it all. The state through everything into it. They tried and did what it could rig the election. This By-Election was marred with violence, intimidation and misuse of power. That’s what we have seen with arrests, harassment and painful actions made against the electorate.

If the NRM thinks they are winning the hearts of the Kampala by doing this. They are wrong. They picked a candidate that was validated through the party and was a long legacy family of the ruling regime. That’s what they do and how they operate. It is really weird that the party who wants the seat and takeover from the opposition is using violence, torture and preventive arrests too. They tried to block rallies and even arrest the NUP flagbearer twice. The state used all means to an end, which got them nowhere.

The Kawempe North shows loyalty and that it continues to trust in the NUP. Even when the NRM creates havoc and make the By-Election into a warzone. It looks like the state goes to war against their own civilians. When they use tear-gas, bullets and even crashes vehicles to block one from driving to their final campaign venue. That’s the sort of action the state does, people have torn bodies, damaged and suffering as bystanders, as journalists and whatnot.

This is what the NRM does and what they represent. Kawempe North By-Election is just a symptom of what is wrong with the regime. They have shown who they are and what they are willing to do. The ones in office, the ones who orders the security agencies on the streets and the ones who is willing to defend their actions. That there are spokespersons and high-ranking leaders willing to defend it by any means necessary.

They just show their true colours here. It is so blatant and without any regards of the victims. The victims are blamed, and they shouldn’t be there, but their votes or their reporting matters at another time. The state is allowed to use it all… and they always righteous. The ones ordering the bullets and the guns on unarmed civilians are in their rights. Instead of asking the question, why are the soldiers and anti-terrorist squad partaking in the elections. It just shows what sort of ordeal and what message the state send.

The civilians and the people should be commended for their actions here. Even as the state tried to bribe them and intimidate them. They still voted for the opposition and the successor. No one would have been shocked or in awe, if they had given way, because of the acts of the state. However, the people are tired of it and don’t trust the ruling regime. That’s why they are voting and protesting against the state. It shows…

Even when the people are locked in at the barrel of a gun. They still dares to question it. That’s remarkable. This will be remembered and is a token ahead of 2026. The NRM acts like it can use the state machinery against the citizens. However, they cannot overcome them all, even if they bring all the guns out. That’s what we are seeing… and that should worry the State House. All of his arms and all of his agencies cannot sway the public. Not even the little cash given to the voters helped the case either. It was eaten, but they voted for the other guy. That’s a compelling case… Peace.

Kawempe North By-Election: Return Form for Transmission of Results (14.03.2025)

Kawempe North By-Election: The authorities create a warzone during the polls

“”I was talking to people who had not voted when UPDF soldiers arrived in two patrol vehicles and started arresting some people. When some of the security operatives saw the camera, they came and attacked me, beating me with sticks and even damaging my camera. I ran into a nearby building but since they had already identified me, I removed my press jacket and scarf and ran into a toilet for safety.”- one of NMG-U journalists, Hasifah Nanvuma” (Daily Monitor, 13.03.2025).

“Two opposition MPs and journalists are among several people who have been arrested in the ongoing Kawempe North MP by-election on yet to be known charges amid heavy military deployment and brutality from security operatives” (Daily Monitor, 13.03.2025).

“UPDF soldiers and cane-wielding men believed to be security operatives in plain clothes filmed arresting journalists covering Kawempe North MP by-election in Kazo Angola on March 13, 2025” (Daily Monitor, 13.03.2025).

“UPDF officers have assaulted journalists and confiscated their cameras while covering the Kawempe North MP by-election. This blatant attack on press freedom is unacceptable! Authorities must hold those responsible accountable and ensure journalists can work without fear” (HRNJ-Uganda, 13.03.2025).

If you believe the Kawempe North By-Election would be free and fair. The campaigns proved how bleak it would be. The signs were everywhere… and now it is official as the polls are happening.

Journalists are now vacating the By-Election, as they are targeted and gone after from the authorities. That is happening as the last few hours of voting is going on. Mere hours left of the polls and voting. They are going back to its headquarters or leaving Kawempe North as a whole. Because their gear is confiscated, harassed, hurt or even arrested. This means the eyes and ears are taken away. The public loses the vision of the journalists and means they cannot analyse the acts of the state.

It is really outrageous that the National Army, the UPDF are manhandling people and that the authorities are arresting the ones who are broadcasting the acts of the state. They are taking away the eyes on the By-Elections because they want it silenced or in the dark. The state doesn’t want the truth and their actions known to the public. That’s why the journalists are in the aim, and these are nuisance for them.

We know the NRM is busy having their organizers and people pre-ticking ballots to ensure the flagbearer is elected. That’s why they don’t videos or proof of it. The state doesn’t want their the truth out or their rigging known. Even if everyone knows and it is just business as usual. That’s why the Electoral Commission would work in coordination and with helpful manners to ensure the state wins. Regardless of the will of the people or what they want to achieve. This is why… NRM leaders and appointed leadership are participating in pre-ticking of ballots. So, expect the results to be reflected like that.

The electorate itself didn’t use violence or use any sort of force, but the state did. The state came with orders and with significant use of brutality against unarmed civilians. Therefore, we know the reason and it is evident what it wants to achieve. It wants to be able to rig the election in its favour without eyes on it. That’s why the media is in the spotlight and feeling the heat. Peace.

Opinion: Is the UPDF Act even “active” or is it just “guidance”

40. Agreement relating to deployment of troops outside Uganda

Where troops are to be deployed outside Uganda under a multilateral or bilateral arrangement with other countries, the Minister shall enter into an agreement, in this section referred to as a Status of Forces Agreement with the host country or organisation” (UPDF Act, 2005).

The UPDF acted decisively on the request of the government of South Sudan to avert a dangerously developing situation and deployed forces accordingly. This action is also in the interest of regional security. The Hon Minister of Defence is never involved in the operational matters of UPDF. His job is simply to represent us in Parliament” (…) “The Hon. Minister will in due course be brought up to speed with the relevant details of our role in the fast unfolding security situation of our crucial ally and northern neighbor. It was important for the UPDF to act with expediency to contain the situation” (Col. Chris Magezi, 12.03.2025).

There is a need for clarification and a need for enlightenment in regards to the Uganda People’s Defence Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Force Act of 2005. As the UPDF Act, which we know seems to be long lost file. An ancient scroll and a relief of the past. Why do I say that in 2025?

Well, no one adheres to it and abides by it. The texts and the laws that is coded in the UPDF Act is meaningless and pointless. The Commander of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga is living beyond its merits and we know others are toying around with it to. Now ones of their own is saying the Minister of Defence is just a puppet and a face of the UPDF. Not that he has any sort of role or oversight. Meanwhile, the Article 40 of the UPDF Act says he does has power and influence over the army itself. Therefore, something got to give.

This here all steams over the “Silent Guardian” Operation in South Sudan that came into force earlier this week. That was never announced or was informed. Neither was there any revelation or any sort of publication. Seemingly, the Minister of Defence got the news as the General tweeted about the matter the other day. Just like the rest of us. Meanwhile, we know his supposed to go into an agreement with the respective nation. Alas, that never happened and the CDF or the High Command did so without his knowledge. That shows the institutions and personification of state is the most valuable assets of Republic.

The Minister of Defence is bound by law to have a say in an Operation of the UPDF. The deployment is supposed to go by him and an agreement shall be entered by him. So, this Colonel clearly haven’t read the UPDF Act or think it is a worthless document. We know the General thinks so and he is spitting on it on a regular basis. Now the UPDF just shows lawfulness and righteousness is beneath the army.

The National Army has other structures and command, which are more supreme than the UPDF Act. That’s why the Minister is just a mere representative and not a head of sorts. No, the civilian in the Parliament aren’t supposed to dictate or any word in it. However, the UPDF act says he “shall enter into an agreement”. That’s where the problem is and where the UPDF is failing at its core. They are just showing how they disregard code and protocol, by jumping over the Minister and mocking his role.

We are all seeing it and the display isn’t even that wise about it either. It is a forewarning about the consolidation of power and what a few heads are allowed to do. As they are not following print or procedure. They only acts on whims and instinct. These people cannot even address the matters or adhere to laws binding them. That’s why people should be worried. When the army is acting above it all and thinks it is justified to be so. That’s memo here.

The gist isn’t any good, but a compelling one regardless, as we all see what they do. The UPDF Act is history and it has been made irrelevant in front of our eyes. Peace.

Kawempe North By-Election: A memo on the run-up to the polls tomorrow

The ones believing in a free and fair by-election they are in for a reckoning tomorrow. The authorities and the law enforcement is in high alert. Tomorrow is D-DAY and that will be inevitable clear. There is no subtle message or sincere acts of the government in this regard. That’s why they defend the indefensible and accepts the brutality against civilians. This is just who the government is and how it operates.

This By-Election is a sign of how botched and brutal the up-coming elections will be in 2026. The ones believing things will be better in the campaign period or during the elections road-map are false. There will only be more hurt, pain and suffering. The ones who dares to take up the banners, flag-bearers and activists on the grounds. Those are the ones who will be touched and will feel the pinch. That’s the bleak reality and Kawempe North By-Election only shows it and spells it out.

This by-election is marred with election interference, intimidation, voter buying and usage of brutal force to stifle the opposition. The opposition and the ones who dared to be in the public eye. Those got a taste of the violence and what the law enforcement does in the name of “rule of law” or the “correct way”.

This is just who the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is in 2026. It is just what the NRA fought for and how it wants to kids of 1986s Generation to get elected. The NRM shows its ugly face and how it runs government. The Electoral Commission, the Police Force and even Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) is all at play in this. They are all doing the bidding of the NRM and are there on behalf of them. Not to be security, but to work for the will of the President and his appointed cronies. They all danced, went door-to-door and even gave bank-notes to possible voters. That’s just what the NRM does in election season.

We can act like this By-Election is different than all the others, but it is mere reflection of all the previous ones too. It is just what this sort of ordeals has become. The NRM has created these games and mockery of “democratic values” while arresting, detaining and tear-gassing the opposition. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister says the voters has to vote “NRM” to have a “direct line to the President”. Because that you only get through a NRM MP. I am sure plenty of districts or counties with NRM MPs feels left behind or never gotten a pledge through Parliament or even fulfilled by Presidential Donations for that matter. So, we know the PM lies on stage while she pushed a kid of Mr. Update to get sympathy and use the legacy of the man the state killed incarceration. That’s how cold these cronies of the President is and willing to do to further the cause of the state. Nothing is holy and nothing is to far for them.

We know there will be pre-ticked ballots, polling agents arrested and possibly a “black-out” of sorts. We know the army will be on the streets and the law enforcement will go harshly out tomorrow. There will be nothing good really… they want a low turnout, as that will be beneficial for the NRM. As this is a stronghold for the opposition. Though don’t expect anything positive to come out. Expect house-arrests and leaders of the opposition in trouble tomorrow. That’s what is coming. There would be road-blocks and other technical precautions too. They will make Kampala a war-zone and we have seen it before too.

The roads to Kawempe North will be hectic and hostile. That’s what is coming and it is all over a seat in Parliament. A seat that is only up for grabs for a few months before it is time for re-election. That’s the double tragedy in this, because the electorate has to go through this again and they have already been punished by the pressure and the attacks on civilians during the campaigns ahead of the polls. It just shows the character and the heart of the government, which is lacking. That is proven and we can all state that in 2025. Peace.

Kawempe North By-Election: The final NRM rally shows the sinister act of the state

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) used all tricks of the trade on the final days of campaign. As the acknowledgement of what is happening to the National Unity Platform (NUP).

We know the NRM acts like it is all sealed and they are winning in the Kawempe North By-Election on the 13th March 2025 polls. This is after the campaign of the NRM of Faridah Nambi has gone on full steam. Meanwhile, we see how the authorities, the police force and JAT are acting towards the opposition.

We know the pictures of the rally at Mbogo Muslim Primary School Grounds will look supreme. Nevertheless, the NRM has no trouble using the force or power to silence the others. Alas, we can see that, and this is just to common occurrence.

The NUP was blocked from holding their rally. The vehicle of their candidate crashed into, and he was arrested after that. The Police Force went in full swing and stopped the NUP from ending the campaign in fanfare. That was only for the NRM to do.

This just shows how the “playing field” and the NRM acts towards their biggest rivals. As the NUP is in a headache, but the NRM pays several of musicians to warm up the stage for their candidate. The President cannot have a smaller rally or be humiliated by the NUP. That’s why this all went down.

We have seen in previous elections with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni holding rallies in the same towns and counties with Besigye. The Besigye rallies was blocked and sealed off. Now the same happened in the Kawempe North By-Election. This is a pattern, and they did this deliberately.

Bebe Cool and Minister Balaam cannot save the day. We know they will preach the message of the state. They will entertain for His Excellency, but this doesn’t make this truer. As we saw for what it is.

The ones not getting the gist. The NUP was blocked, because the President himself held a final rally for his candidate. That’s why NUP was brutally blocked and silenced ahead of their rally. They got different reports and communicated with the Police and Electoral Commission to hold it, but it didn’t matter.

President Museveni and NRM can act like it is all gold. They can act like it is all great, but we know the drill. This is just what it is. The ones believing in the lies and deception of the NRM. This sort of act is getting old.

We know why the NUP was treated so bad today. It is all because of His Excellency and his ego. The dictator had to show his power and greatness, but his ego is so vain that it must make other people suffer. Peace.

Kawempe North By-Election: Authorities crackdown on the NUP on the final day of campaigns… [Arrests Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola again!]

“The wreckage of a police truck and NUP candidate for Kawempe North, Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola’s car filmed at a crash scene along Gayaza road in Kawempe Division, Kampala after chaos broke out when police attempted to block NUP supporters from proceeding to their venue at Komamboga for their finally campaign rally ahead of March 13 by-election. Police fired teargas and live bullets to disperse NUP supporters. One person is said to have been injured with several arrested” (Daily Monitor, 11.03.2025)

“Police arrest NUP candidate for Kawempe North MP by-election, Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi after he and his supporters were blocked from proceeding to Komamboga where he was scheduled to hold his last campaign rally ahead of the March 13 by-election. An unspecified number of his supporters were also arrested. One person sustained injuries as police fired teargas and live bullets to disperse NUP supporters” (Daily Monitor, 11.03.2025).

Just as the Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba appeared today in front of the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee in Parliament. Where he has the audacity to say these words, as we are seeing what the Police and the Authorities are doing on the streets.

Just reads this: “What I could add on this is that we don’t take any indiscipline lightly. Whatever happened, the contravening the laws is regrettable. And the action you have also mentioned, the processes are already going on and we shall not favour anybody and the law will take its course. And all this that is happening is work in progress. We shall continue improving where there are mistakes. And I think even when you allude to what is happening in Kawempe, I think from where it started is different from where it is. And that’s really a sign that we are concerned about to ensuring that we do the right thing when we are mandated to do our work” (Abas Byakagaba, 11.03.2025).

We are seeing how the Uganda Police Force (UPF) is destroying and taking charge in the midst of a campaign. A police force and authorities that has gone after the NUP directly. They have let the National Resistance Movement (NRM) do whatever it wants. We have seen the NRM Candidate even giving out money directly to voters. Meanwhile, the authorities stop, blocks and directly attacks the NUP convoys. That’s why we see results like this.

Today’s action is just showing the brutality and violence that is state sponsored. We saw the other day how peaceful a rally and a campaign the NUP can have in the Kawempe North. When they all appeared and had other party leaders a part of the rally too. We saw what the NUP can do when the UPF and JATT doesn’t interfere. However, today we saw the violence and misuse of power, which is modus operandi in the Republic.

Just like the NUP candidate was arrested after being nominated. His now arrested on his final day of campaigning before the polls of 13th March 2025. No other candidate has gone through worse than him. Neither has any other supporter or such been treated in this manner. It just shows what the state offers and how it targets the opposition. The NUP is who they fear and that’s why they intimidate the NUP. It is a reason why the DP or the FDC isn’t getting this treatment in the Kawempe North By-Election. They fear the NUP, and this shows…

This is just tragic. This is just impunity and directed to silence the opposition. Peace.