Opinion: Hon. Kabaziguruka deserves his flowers

The former Member of Parliament, Michael Kabaziguruka deserves credit and accolades for what went down at the Supreme Court today. That he stood tall and persevered through the adversity. A man who has faced legal jeopardy and trouble.

The newly elected MP was facing charges of Treason and was supposed to behind a scheme to assassinate the Head of State, General and President Yoweri Kaguta Musevei. That’s why the authorities and the state tried this case at the General Court Martial of Makindye Barracks. Just like others has been since then.

Hon. Kabaziguruka pushed for it and has waited for. A man who could have given up and given way. No one would have judged him after all these years. Yes, his vindicated today, but the hurt must be alive for the man. As he knows the acts of the state at first hand and tasted the brutality of it. Not like he was walking off easily or even without a touch from it.

He got there because he won over a favoured candidate. The man became an MP and conquered one of the anointed men, Fred Ruhindi. That’s why he faced doom and was in dungeons of the SIU Kireka at one point. As the state schemed on how to prolong the pain and suffering. Making up charges and fabricating allegations to make sure he wouldn’t be released. That’s why he ended up it the General Court Martial. Just so the civilian courts couldn’t touch him or have him under their jurisdiction. That way they could keep him detained and make him a poster-child of the unfortunate who was more popular than the state’s own candidate.

Today’s verdict is a vital one and an important one. Nevertheless, this is just one stepping stone. Hon. Kabaziguruka took us here. Now others has to lead on to take it further. He has taken this journey and allowed for this door to open. Now others have to follow suit and challenge the other discrepancies and misuse of power, which is rampant within the authorities and the law enforcement of the Republic.

That’s why we should cheer for the outcome, because of the significance of it. However, I am not hopeful for the civilians tried in the General Military Courts. No, these are still in legal limbo and will face a continued pursuit of justice and freedom in civilian courts. These people won’t be freed on a whim and the state will make cases for continuing the persecution elsewhere. So, don’t think the political prisoners will be freed because of this verdict. No, if it is adhered too… the state only have to move dockets and chambers, but the game plan will be the same. The game is rigged and Hon. Kabaziguruka knows that well too.

This is why today is a good day, but not the end of the matter. It is just one step. One important step, but not the end. There is a lot more to give. Hon. Kabaziguruka did his part and now others got to step up to clear the courts, yet again. That to stop other practices that is unlawful and breaching with the codes or articles of the constitution. It is about time to end these actions and make them obsolete. However, that won’t happen over night and neither will the political prisoners be released without remedy or justification, which gives the state leverage to do so. These will not be free or at liberty tomorrow. No, they will linger in jeopardy and within the realm of the law. As long as they are in custody. They are endangered and the state can just find new allegations or criminal conspiracy to pin on the victims. That’s what it does… and we have seen that movie before. Peace.

Opinion: The General Court Martial is deemed unfit – but I won’t celebrate to early…

There is breadcrumbs and certainly if the authorities and the state was to abide by the Supreme Court, the civilians on remand and awaiting a proper trial at the General Court Martial. These are now celebrated and expected to get justice. The justice being released and getting their freedom again. However, I wouldn’t run that fast and be jolly.

The Supreme Court did the right thing, but it doesn’t let the buck stop. These cases will be moved civilian courts and the authorities will apprehend and re-arrest the ones that is pending judgment or sentence at the GCM. The ones believing in anything is naive.

The regime isn’t imposing these instruments of power and chambers for fun. They are using any aspect of the law and legalities to ensure the demise of its dissidents. That’s why I have little to no faith in the system. This system is rigged against the individuals caught in it. This is why they will not get justice or the freedom they are supposed to have. They have already lost their liberties and possibly the privileges that an ordinary citizen has. Because they have dared to question, act within the space of opposition politics and been public in their dissent. That’s why they are behind bars and awaiting trial and sentencing at the GCM.

We haven’t seen people being released or civilians being issued paperwork to get off from these cases. No, the state and the authorities will find technicalities and measures to continue the prosecution and persecution for the foreseeable future. They are now under the mercy of authorities and they aren’t forgiving. No, they will use all means and find all tricks of the book, which they will use to throw at these fellow peers.

The ones believing the National Unity Platform activists or supporters behind bars will be released. Nah, it won’t happen. The ones believing Dr. Kizza Besigye or fellow associates of him will be released. Nah, it won’t happen. These are there for a reason and to tell a story to the citizens of who is king. That’s why they are there in the first place and their master won’t release them just like that.

Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe is now famous for his operation at the General Court Martial of Makindye. He is now infamous and will forever be known for his actions within his chambers. The tribunal that acted like a prestigious court…

If I assess things in order. The civilians which are currently in custody. They might possibly get a release, but quickly will be picked up by drone or “Panda Gari” which later schedules them for another civilian court and will prolong the agony. They will either be there within the 48 hours or will be put into safe houses. Only the high profile cases will be put under jurisdiction of well known courts and be on public display. Meanwhile, they will be kept in prison and be under remand. As these “investigations” and such will prolong the agony of the ones who are state property.

That’s why I am not celebrating today’s verdict in the Supreme Court. There is no time for that. The state will use it and find ways of keeping these political prisoners, regardless of the verdict. That is bound what the Supreme Court even said today. It is just moved from entity to another. This is buying the state time and reasons to keep them detained. That’s why I am subtle and clear.

The ones that wants people freed from this torment. They have to target the tormentors and find ways of weakening it. Because right now they can install fear and use the rules of law as a weapon against the ones who dares to challenge its authority. That’s why they are in the slammer to begin with. Peace.

Uganda Law Society (ULS): Supreme Court Ruling on Civilian Trials in Military Courts: A Victory for Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law (31.01.2025)

Kawempe North By-Election: An update on the upcoming polls

The Electoral Commission has scheduled the road map ahead of the Kawempe North By-Election, which is now happening later this year. That was bound to happen after the demise and the fall of the late Mohammed Ssegirinya aka Mr. Update.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) is following suit and have asked for the ones who wants to be the flagbearer and become the next MP to step up. They have the time to express interests in it until the 4th February and the party will unveil their candidate on the 5th February. Surely within the guidelines of the Electoral Commission and in time to register the candidate as a contestant in the By-Election itself. Therefore, the NUP continues like no tomorrow.

The EC has settle the dates for delivering of the candidacy at the Office of the returning officer in the time span of the 26th and 27th February. This shows that the NUP is planning to be in advance and ensure their candidate is ready for campaigning early. As well, as waiting for the campaign period of 28th February to the 11th March 2025. Meanwhile, the polls are on the 13th March and we are seeing the MP will be elected on this day and either announced later that night or the day after. Depending on how the EC is planning to pull this one of.

The NUP is now working within the system and preparing to participate in this. The NUP want to replace Mr. Update and have the seat in the end of the 11th Parliament. Though that is a short stint before having to participate yet again in the 2026 General Election. By the time the MP is sworn in…

The MP would only have 6 months or possibly max 8 months or so. As the 11th Parliament has to accept the election and swear the MP in. That is up to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker to make it happen as Parliament Business. We just have to await… and see how that one plays out.

That the NUP is doing this isn’t surprising. There is already several candidates and people who wants to takeover the seat. These are running social media campaigns and published posters with slogans. They are ready to step up and take over as the flagbearer. It just shows how quickly someone takes over from the late. Instead of grieving or even honour the late. These cannot wait for their turn and be the next legislator who is getting in office.

Mr. Update deserves better than this. The system and the authorities doesn’t care, but the NUP should have honoured this man. They held the burial, but now they are contesting his seat like an ordinary day. The party just unleashing the ability to nominate themselves and telling when they will announce the candidate. Regardless of who this is… they will never be Mr. Update or live up to his potential. Mr. Update is one in a million and no one will be able to takeover from him. That heart and the voice of reason doesn’t come natural to plenty of others.

That’s why I wanted the NUP to boycott this one and instead held a longer period of mourning of Mr. Update. In this way have better time and be able to find the righteous candidate to step into the shadow of Mr. Update. Instead it will now be a petty fight within the party and also be a rushed campaign. The late MP deserves a better man and possibly someone who could revisit his love for the constituency.

The NUP cannot and aren’t able to find that suitable man within a hot minute. We shouldn’t expect magic, but surely … this is just rushed, and the constituency deserves better. They had a great leader and MP. They should have more time and now will be traded off in a hasteful campaign. That is where we are going… Peace.

Opinion: Kagabo MP finally came home

“That is their opinion, you know any opinion that ignores the facts is inclined to a fool or an idiot. This invite had an agenda, it isn’t perfunctory that you saw me in State House. I went to State House to meet the President, not NRM. Those are two different things. I pray to God that he gives you the wits to know the difference between meeting the President and party issues, they are very distinct. Just pray to God that He gives you that wisdom to demystify the two” – Twaha Kagabo (Bukoto South MP, National Unity Platform (NUP)) – (06.02.2024).

The journey is over. The former National Unity Platform (NUP) Member of Parliament of the Bukoto South MP is now vying to become the National Resistance Movement (NRM) MP for Bukoto South. He has within the term gone from the NUP to the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) to join the NRM.

This is a man that claimed to be an opposition and fight the dictator. To change his stripes when getting into office. Not like a fantastic or brilliant legislator. No, his not known for making motions or petitions the August House. This man has been busy finding new means to eat and find ways to get a meal-ticket. That’s who Kagabo MP is.

In February 2024 I said he should just turn yellow. That was how he engaged and talked anyway. There was nothing about him that was aligned with the NUP or the opposition. He could just be another crony and bootlicker of the state. That’s who he has become, and he found his path. Instead of having a moral code or even considering the implications. He rather sellout and become one of them.

That he went from the NUP and Bobi Wine to celebrate the dictator’s son. Just shows what sort of character he is and now he joins the NRM because the PLU won’t have separate tickets in the upcoming election. Therefore, he has to go to NRM and not stand on the PLU.

This is after the PLU said they were aligned with the NRM and no one should be shocked by that. The PLU is the NRM and the NRM is the PLU. It is just different fronts for the same message. They are working for the same regime and dynamic. Nothing is significantly different.

Just one man who turned on his cause and sold his soul. That’s who Kagabo MP is and everyone should know. He went from fighting the dictatorship to partaking in it. Just imagine that. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni is campaigning already [with the PDM assessment tour]

Now that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is touring the nation in the name of the Parish Development Model or the PDM. His doing the old bidding and using it as front for what his actually doing. This is campaigning and holding rallies outside the Electoral Road Map. That is using his authority and ability as the Head of State to vie the public with the carrot of micro-financing schemes.

This isn’t new of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) or the General himself. No, Museveni has done this for years and before the General Elections. It has been done in the name of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and Emyooga. Now it is PDM…

The State House will need Supplementary Budgets for it. It doesn’t matter if the PDM isn’t operational, functional or even having all mechanisms working to be the “silver bullet” to end poverty. It is just the newest scheme out of plenty. This President has promised the “golden goose” since the 1980s and made up schemes since at least the mid 1990s. So, we shouldn’t be surprised that he does it again and again.

When he goes to the up-country, up north, up east and central region in the name of the PDM. It is cookie cut campaigning to ensure longevity of his rule. That is done to be visible and let the villagers believe in his dream. This is to sell the promises and act like he has achieved something recently. Even if his selling the same story and re-inventing the wheel. That’s what his doing and still wasn’t prepared when launching the PDM. That’s why the PDM haven’t worked properly and is misused. It is paying ghosts and other non-entities in the name of ending poverty.

Alas, the President is coming with empty promises and pledging to heal the nation. Even if he doesn’t fix the institutions, neither have the funding for government services or even ensure the infrastructure is up to levels. That is just what he does and he will vilify the predecessors that has been dead for decades while his doing it.

This is just what Museveni does. He goes on these rallies and tours as early campaigning. Just to ensure the local NRM are ready and is on his side. His there to galvanize and hopeful corrupt the young minds with smoking mirrors. That’s all he has and those words are supposed to salvage his office. If not… he has to intimidate them to submission. Therefore, don’t expect mercy from His Excellency. That is a train that has left the station.

The ones thinking 2026 will be different than any other election. You got to be naive or an ignorant fool. As long as Museveni is on the ticket. The stars are aligned and we know the game already. Peace.

Opinion: Muhoozi’s threats are becoming a common occurrence

“Dr.Kizza Besigye used to call me a clown and a coward. The tree of traitors is waiting for hím in Gulu. We will hang KB on Heroes’s Day. That’s the best day for him to die.  After that we we will arrest ANYBDY who ever spoke ill of Afande Saleh ingovernement!” – Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga (16.01.2025).

Not long ago, not so far far away from today. The General and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Muhoozi Kainerubaga wanted to chop off the head of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. Today he pledges to get anyone in the National Unity Platform (NUP) arrested if they wear anything resembling army fatigue. Alas, that is the main game even.

His taken a step to send a message to incarcerated Dr. Kizza Besigye. That the son of the President and Army Commander is willing to hang him. Just like his was willing to chop the head of Bobi Wine. His just targeting opposition leaders and coming with lethal suggestions their way. This isn’t silly arguments or misjudgement. No, this is his character and who he is.

When we call him a brute and a violent man. It is for a reason. The General doesn’t have the character or the personality that speaks of peace. He rather strikes at the powerless and the weak with force. This man rather use weaponry and assault someone. Then trying to talk and navigate a situation. That’s who Muhoozi is and it is so obvious.

We shouldn’t take these things lightly. He is doing it again. Today it is Besigye and yesterday it was Bobi Wine. Muhoozi is just showing his entitlement and how he can just in all bravado decide life or death. That he is the voice of the government and can even invade Nairobi in three days. It is just who Muhoozi is and has become. The indiscipline brute who happens to in relation to the President.

The General wouldn’t be where he is at if it wasn’t for the President. That’s the only reason why he has power and is influential. This man would be wheeler dealer somewhere selling benign things if it wasn’t for just that.

However, we have to take this seriously and this shows his state of mind. This is what his thinking about and what his willing to do. It is no joking matter… and the General just shows his “heart” or lack thereof. Peace.

 

Besigye behind bars for 59 days [on the 14th of January 2025] without proper trial as a civilian…

“The General Court Martial (GCM) at Makindye in Kampala has overruled four-time presidential candidate Col (Rtd) Dr Kiiza Besigye’s objection to charges before it and trial, ordering him (Besigye) to plea to the charges slapped against him. Besigye, his aide, Hajji Obeid Lutale, and UPDF soldier Captain Denis Oola are charged with treachery, subversion and unlawful possession of firearms” (New Vision, 14.01.2025).

“The General Court Martial (CGM) says it has jurisdiction to charge and try four-time presidential candidate Col. (rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye. GCM chairperson Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe dismissed Besigye’s claims that the charge sheet was defective” (88.7 Arua One FM, 14.01.2025).

The tragic saga of forged criminal conspiracy against the state continues. The General Court Martial (GCM) and Brigadier General Robert Freeman Mugabe who is the tool to keep Dr. Kizza Besigye behind bars and detained indefinitely. That is the reason for all of this and how the GCM is reacting. Nothing new under the sun….

Only more misuse of office, misrule and weaponizing the GCM to arrest and detain dissidents of the state. That’s why Besigye is behind bars and now the state has opened up yet another case on him. His pending another criminal conspiracy without any proof or proper witnesses to prove the alleged criminal intent or actions. Therefore, we know the drill and they are just postponing the inevitable.

The GCM is a useful tool for the state and a way to keep people detained without the need of bonds or bails. As they have the power and jurisdiction to deny the charged individuals as long as they deem fit. Meaning they can keep them detained with a conviction or even a proper trial. Just defer it and adjourn it without any end. As long as the Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe deems fit. That means he can do this and continue this case as long as he likes without any remedies for Besigye or any of his associates.

We know that the case has been adjourned today until next Tuesday, 21st January 2025. That means the state have had Besigye and his fellow associate behind bars for 67 days without any proper trial, judgment or proof of a criminal conduct, which gives the state any reason to penalize or even prosecute them. Therefore, we know this is all political and a part of a play to keep Besigye off the streets. That is the reality here and it’s obvious to the naked eye. Peace.

Besigye behind bars for 58 days [on the 13th of January 2025] without proper trial as a civilian…

“At the Army Court in Makindye, the prosecution, led by Colonel Raphael Mugisha, has applied to amend the charge sheet against Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale, seeking to add a new offense of treachery and include Captain Denis Ola, a serving officer attached to the Armoured Brigade, as an additional accused. However, the defense team, led by Martha Karua, has objected to the move, citing a pending ruling on the General Court Martial’s jurisdiction to try civilians” (NTV Uganda, 13.01.2025).

Time is a wasting and it’s proven. Just as time goes by, the state just has to revise, add and make the proceedings even worse. The abduction case turned into a criminal case pending in the General Court Martial. This is just horrific and a tale as old as the National Resistance Movement (NRM). It is just what the state does to its dissidents.

Besigye and his allies are just mere targets and people that is plotted against. They are claiming Besigye travelled to buy weaponry, had illegal guns, which only the UPDF has monopoly over and was scheming to overthrow the legal government in the Republic. Now in addition to all that, his supposed to be treacherous too. Meaning he will be charged again with Treason.

Besigye have been charged with treason before and we are seeing it appear again. This is to make the GCM more viable and give it more time. It is a way of making the case more severe than a gun-case and conspiracy to conspire against the state. However, now it is direct attack on the state, and he had insiders working within the army to do so. Therefore, this is just making the status of the case more alert and more damaging. Giving the state and the GCM enough reasons to keep him behind bars indefinitely.

So now after 58 days in detention and behind bars in Luzira Maximum Prison. This means his still barred from an ordinary life and abilities to be an hardworking opposition leader. The new charges and amendment of it is just to keep him there. They have neither produced any evidence or witnesses of the first charges pinned on him. Now they are adding and amending just to ensure his longevity behind bars. That is just mere technicalities to keep him detained…

That is the story here and this is what the state wants. They have no case and nothing sufficiently to prove any alleged criminal conspiracy. However, they are willing to manufacture and create hogwash stories to narrate and persistently keep Besigye from the public light.

This is how these things go. It is impunity in action and misusing the General Court Martial to haunt, destroy and go after the opposition in the Republic. This isn’t for the peace or to address the rule of law. No, this is just sending a message and go after anyone who dares to oppose the one on the throne. Peace.

Advocat Eron Kiiza’s letter from prison (10.01.2024)