Opinion: Nantaba MP should sing for justice for Robert and not arrest Gerald

There is still an unanswered case in concern with MP Aidah Nantaba and what happened in Naggalama, Kampala on the 24th March 2019. When she claimed she was getting assassinated, but a citizen Robert Ssebulime was killed. The murder charges was dropped on the 9th September 2019 by DPP Mike Chibita. While the family of Ssebulime haven’t gotten any answer and the case is still pending without anyone being arrested and indicted for the murder of Robert. Which is tragic, as it has been a year and still nothing. The typical style of case, where the deceased is forgotten, but the high ranking official can still rule with impunity.

Why do I say this, because this happen:

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed that Kiwewa has been arrested and is currently being interrogated at CID. “We have arrested Gerald Kiwewa because we recorded a complaint from Hon Idah Nantaba saying the lyrics in the song directly attack and defame her,” said Onyango” (The Observer – ‘Musician Gerald Kiwewa arrested over ‘Nantaba’ song’ 23.07.2020, URN).

The MP has said the mafia was after her and she was in danger. However, she has no issues using the police to detain an artist for writing a song. It has hurt her pride, but she was around a possible murder, which has gotten no justice last year. It has just vanished like nothing.

MP Nantaba should secure the family Ssebulime. She should be on the barricades to secure the truth and ensure the kids of the deceased lives in safety. That they have future without their father. This should be a key thing for her, but I doubt she has cared.

Since, her pride and honour is so important that she makes a case and get another citizen arrested for mocking her in song. As a high ranking official. Aidah Nantaba should expect people to mock, ridicule and chants of discontent towards you. The MP shouldn’t just expect praise, glory and tales of wonders.

Maybe, the language of Kiwewa wasn’t that tasteful and even tone, which hurt the MP. That is fine, but then you rebuttal it or argument against it. You don’t send the police on them. If so, then only the MP can speak ill of the mafias, but nobody else can speak about her. She maybe wished Zaake wasn’t married, but be her man. That is why the song hit a nerve. God knows why, but she should be more humble.

Why?

Robert is why. Robert and his family still have no answer to what happen. The MP is still walking around with full force and have the probable cause for the arrest of Kiwewa. She should have thought it true.

It just shows how petty she is and she can kick and scream in public. However, when shit hits the fan. She blazing with fierce force. The MP should do something about what happen last year. Not that she cares.

Her ego is more important than justice. That is why a musician is in jail and there is no answer for Robert. The MP have proven yet again what’s her priorities are. Her own self is more important than anything else. Peace.

Opinion: LDU becoming the new SRB?

The more I see, the more vicious, more outrageous and more devastation there is. The Local Defence Unit (LDU) are a paramilitary, trained military outfit in the streets. The thousands of trained soldiers on the beat. Going around “supposedly” to secure the streets and the people in their area.

Instead we are seeing footage, pictures and reports of sudden death. Fatalities, people murdered in cold blood by these LDUs. Old people, students, farmers and roughing up Local Councillors. These LDUs got no nerves and can pop-off at any minute. They can be the judge, the hangman and the undertaker at the same moment.

It is just more of victims of these LDUs across the Republic. From Karamoja to Kampala. There is no place where they don’t kill. Where people are not murdered by the state paramilitary organization. Just within the lockdown there been about 60 people dead by the LDUs. While none has still officially been registered as dead as of COVID-19.

This is in 2020, where the only man with a vision. Where the self-styled President for life. The man who took the mantle and made peace. Inevitably have made his own State Research Bureau (SRB). Maybe Hotel Serena isn’t a torture house or a “safe house”, but there are plenty of other ungazetted “safe houses” throughout the Republic. There is also Nalufenya and Luzira awaiting political criminals any day now.

The LDUs with their potential of death. Could easily be our days SRB, which is profound. As the current day President always claims to be better than Obote and Amin. Still, he commit the same sins as the predecessors. Just think about the killings of Kasese, Muslim Clerics and High Ranking Officials who has died without any follow up in the courts or investigation over the years.

Life was cheap under Amin and Obote, but so it seems also under Museveni. Unless, your part of the Kitchen Cabinet and one of the inner circles. Then your life is more valued the gold minted in Entebbe.

When they easily assault, harm and kill individuals all across the Republic. That sets a bad precedence, but also signals of a starch warning to whom they come across. There is no justification, just being at the wrong place at the wrong time and you life can be ended.

If this so-called revolution of the 1980s was supposed to spark a difference, a fundamental change, why does it smell like the past?

Why does the actions of today’s paramilitary group act like the predecessors did?

Shouldn’t there be a difference and occasionally see significant change?

No, we are at the same junction. If it wasn’t for cellphones and footage of the violence, the extra-judicial killings. We wouldn’t know about it this quickly. It would be later in the bulletin in the Daily Monitor or New Vision. It is now for the world to see and its viral.

The same issues of the past. The ones that this administration, this regime was supposed to be different from. Apparently, it was all a lie. A rouse, a mirage, which triggered donors and believers. However, the innocent still dies on the hand of soldiers. They are named LDU, but could have just been the ugly cousin of the SRB. Peace.

Opinion: LDUs kill and it’s deliberate

We have started and you have seen on television. For us we shoot to kill. We are not breaking people’s legs. We shall shoot to kill; the head and the chest are our target. If you play around with our Ugandans, we shall kill you. If you prepare to come and steal at night, you will lay down in your blood…” – Colonel Felix Abucha (01.01.2020)

In the new-years, on the first 1st January 2020 the orders of shoot to kill orders was given to the Local Defence Unit (LDUs). That order has been followed, every month and nearly every week someone dies at the hands of paramilitary fellow in the LDU. It is like the bullets are in for the bulletin. After that the Police Force is ordered to investigate it and it never gets solved. The victim of the extra-judicial killing isn’t returning, but the case is cold.

It is a murder in Oyam. It is a son of a commander in Kampala. A Makerere Student. It is cattle-thieves in Karamoja. Head-teacher in Mukono gets gunned down. Shot an old man in Kakiri Sub-County for playing loud music. They killed one man in Kween district.

People are scorn everywhere. A random bloke breaching the curfew to get some food for his family. His gunned down too. Because no need to reason with him, but shoot to kill. That solves everything. Who can afford “equal before law”, when you can kill people at random.

The army or the UPDF calls their mandate of the LDUs crucial. If killing innocent civilians is a crucial task. Then what is the value of law enforcement and the police? When the LDUs can be the hangman and judge without any just cause to enforce the action towards the citizen. The citizen is judged and hanged or shot before it makes any sense.

The LDUs can act a fool. They can be hasty pulling the trigger and end someone’s lives without any consequence. Someone can just get taken away. The pubic are just living on mercy. Hoping they are not passing by a hungry and ignorant, armed LDU who can pop-off at any minute. The man with a weapon can end you. There is no need for justification or explanation. The victims doesn’t matter and if they do. The LDU might suffer, but that’s because of the rank of the victim. If it is an ordinary citizens. The conspiracies and cold cases is the way to let the deaths be forgotten.

The LDUs can kill. It is not like they are well-paid or anything. They are a paramilitary force trained and to ensure the public is intimidated ahead of the 2021 election. The state needs local armed people to get people sensitized and lectured into patriotism. When they say that, the lingo means: “Loyal to the Movement and its President to death do you apart”.

The LDUs are allowed, there is no cost to kill. The extra-judicial killings can appear anywhere at any given time. The citizens can be killed for any reason. If not the authorities will make up excuses, justifications and merit for the bullets. They will make the victim seem like Bond Villain. While the killers are walking scot-free.

So, who needs courts and the police investigation criminals, when you can just have loose canons shooting random? That seems like the trick. Instead of pulling a “rabbit out of the hat” and the authorities are pulling a man with a gun. The man can use it and end the criminal case before it begun. Since he shot it to pieces. Peace.

African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) – Kasumba: Police should conduct speedy, open and legal investigation (21.04.2020)

Opinion: Samson offended the Don

NBS News Anchor Samson Kasumba was arrested last night for seditious activities against the President. Kasumba’s house been raided and his been held at Kira Road Police Station in Kampala. A law that Andrew Mwenda claims was already thrown out by the Constitutional Court. However, the Uganda Legal Information Institute(Ulii.org) says is still active. This being the colonial law of the Penal Code and the articles 39 and 40, which states the matters.

This part of the law is direct. These sort of articles and sections of the law has been used against critics before. That they are malicious and such towards His Excellency and his kin. If it was speaking ill of the “Leopards Anus” or addressing “Project Muhoozi”. They have gotten into trouble. Therefore, Samson is in a long line of people scorn by daring to write-up on them. Used various of laws against them from the Computer Act to whatever, even write some silly poems too.

The Penal Code states:

39. Seditious intention.

(1) A seditious intention shall be an intention—

(a) to bring into hatred or contempt or to excite disaffection against the person of the President, the Government as by law established or the Constitution

40. Seditious offences.

(1) (a)

(b)

Any person who—

does or attempts to do or makes any preparation to do, or

conspires with any person to do, any act with a seditious intention;

utters any words with a seditious intention;

(c) prints, publishes, sells, offers for sale, distributes or reproduces any seditious publication;

(d) imports any seditious publication, unless he or she has no reason to believe, the proof of which shall lie on him or her, that it is seditious” (Penal Act of 1950).

We can anticipate the authorities postponing the court date. They will hold him for as long as possible. This is done as a message to society. That even a NBS News Anchor can be taken like cattle into custody. That there is no one the Authorities cannot touch. If they dare to insult or insinuate things about the ways the government organize. Than they can end up like Pastor Joseph Kabuleta or anyone else. Even spending months upon end in Luzira like Dr. Stella Nyanzi.

This is not a new way or method of this government. He is just the recent big-fish for the big-men to shallowly call a victory. Fred Enaga and the whole Police Force can come with their ordinary statements and releases. He can be smug and call him a chicken thief. Surely, the statements made on Social Media hurt the pride of the state. However, they must deserve it when one of the major News Anchors of the Republic says it for everyone to see.

Like stated already. His not the first nor the last. The authorities does this, critics are fair game and allowed to challenge. Samson is just another one. He will pay and be a prized possession of the Police Force. They can show a token of loyalty to the “High Above”. Enough BS. Peace.

Opinion: Planning to make it rain on the LDUs

There is dropped an Corrigenda of the Budget for the Financial Year of 2020/21. This is always put adjust after the voting on the original budget and change the placement on funds. We are now seeing the state plans to make it rain on the Local Defence Unit (LDUs). Which is already made to ensure the political pressure and insight fear towards the General Elections of 2021. This is a common thread in the mind and the spirit of National Resistance Movement (NRM). They always have one para-military outfit to secure the public is kept of guard and doesn’t challenge a rigged election.

Therefore, the state needs to ensure the para-military organization is fed and has enough equipment. Even if there is legal basis for it and its a ad-hoc idea of the President. He still will implement and use this tool, as it is convenient. That is why suddenly the LDUs getting billions for their work. This is well planned behaviour.

Vote OO4 – Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs: Ushs. 90.6Bn provided to cater for arrears on LDUs food, fuel, clothing, medical as well as maintenance of vehicles” (Corrigenda Report FY 2020/21, 06.04.2020).

This is how suddenly the state needs funds to secure their para-military organization, whose created with one motive and motivation. This group isn’t there for securing the borders nor a foreign enemy. Neither for insurgency or terrorism. No, this is to incite fear and secure the elections. They are not there for pickpockets nor anything else, that is the Police work.

Therefore, this funds, these billions is part of the re-election charade of the NRM. Peace.

Opinion: Awaiting for the UPDF to shoot a hole in COVID-19

There are some stories you cannot make up, there is a supplementary budget for the COVID-19 or Coronavirus in the Republic. All over the world the nations are scrambling funds, throwing it into a basket and hoping it solves the crisis at hand. However, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have their solutions, it is the usual suspects, but also some new ones too.

Here is the breakdown from URN:

The Budget committee has made some adjustments to the supplementary budget for COVID-19 intervention.

Health 107 Bn from 62 Bn

Security 75 Bn from 81 Bn

ICT 6 Bn from 14 bn

Disaster remains at 59 Billion

KCCA has seen over 12 Bn cut of the 30 bn requested” (Uganda Radio Network, 02.04.2020).

Because, originally, the state planned to offer the most funds to Security, this meaning the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) or Uganda Police Force (UPF) would get a huge chunk of the funds. Which is still true, they are still billed with billions of shillings. The Ministry, which is the most vital are getting the most, his being Health. However, just about more than 30 billions shillings.

The Ministry of Health should have gotten even more. Especially since they need funds for testing, for treatment and for keeping the needed equipment across the Republic. That is not cheap. If the President complains about the cost of testing. He should worry about the costs of treatment, ICU beds and ventilators to keep people alive. Also, ensure UMEME and NWSC keep the electric and water going for the hospitals and everyone else. That should also be ensured by the state, as they need this to keep their hands clean and stay home.

We can just be sure the Police Officers will stay on the road-side, make road-blocks and the LDUs will be marching around. Soldiers will outside the barracks and if you offend the Don, they will shoot at someone. We anticipate more police brutality, even as some unlucky souls are trying to pass to get milk, matooke or help their kids as their home is empty of stocks in their pantry. However, the soldier will not care and show no mercy.

At some point, some will be so afraid to go out during the lockdown, even as their kids and relatives are sick with symptoms. That they will be beaten and under fire to try to pass to the next Health Care Centre or doctor in the near area. This wouldn’t be shocking, as the cars, the public is stopped from driving and they cannot hawk someone to drive them to the Hospital. No, they have to beg for mercy and hope the security isn’t beating them to pulp. Which we have seen to the unlucky brothers who are passing in the streets.

That is just the way it is. Peace.

Opinion: Section 8 of POMA is Null- and Void, what does that mean?

Well, now the Constitutional Court came today with a striking judgment. That the Section 8 of the Public Order Management Act of 2013 is unconstitutional. Section 8 of the POMA is very clear. That gives the powers to officers and give the police the authority to block any meeting. It also gives the powers to the Police to disperse a meeting. Also, finally the sub-section also issues the officers in question the powers to assess if a person is disobeying the law or unlawfully assembles. Which makes that person liable for sentencing according to the Penal Code section 117.

Therefore, today’s judgment is vital, as the Police Force by definition now doesn’t have the authority to block any gathering. Neither disperse it or issue an order to stop the public from participate in any public meeting/gathering. This here is an direct consequence of the judgment today.

We knew this law was draconian. The whole law isn’t null and void, just one part of it, but it takes away the powers to enforce it. The Police Force, the authorities is limited by this. This law has banned concerts, public gatherings, consultation meetings, anniversary rallies, opening of political party offices and so fourth. The state has given all sorts of orders and usage of the law to an extent, where the opposition is futile. They couldn’t conduct either internal party organizations nor actually try to gain new followers, since the state stopped it or never allowed them to publicly to gather in the first place.

This law was deemed the Anti-Besigye Act, ABA, the act against Besigye and his political effort to undermine the regime. This came after the Walk to Work. Now, the opposition has one an important battle in the Courts.

There was on judge who didn’t see it like this, that was Stephen Musota. Remember that man, because he stated this, he was the one voting in favour of Section 8 of POMA. Because, there was 4-1 and therefore, it was null and void. However, Stephen stated this: “The limits are now cast in stone and are no longer at the whims or imagination of the Inspector General of Police or his authorized officers”. That is why the whims of the IGP shouldn’t be the factor to allow people to assemble or not. This is why its unconstitutional, which is stated by the other judges on this matter.

What I am suspecting will happen is that the National Resistance Movement will revise and amend this bill. To ensure they have the powers to stop meetings and such before the General Elections 2021. They have had the good need of this bill for years. This will not go away without a blast. I don’t believe the NRM will concede and give way that easily. Not when the rise of Bobi Wine and Besigye is now allowed and cannot be stopped. That is what the NRM worried about and will find new ways to silence it. Especially, when the Police Force has been preoccupied with this partisan politicking for years. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: Enforcement Mechanisms by Police Against the Corona Virus (20.03.2020)

Opinion: Nangalama forgets the grim reaper

There are one of those days, when you let your anger strike you too hard and you write something in an infuriating state. Where you mind boggles the facts and deeper understanding of the things. What the Ugandan blogger based in Canada did was very easy microwaving the message without considering the implications of it. Like, the Opposition should react, instead she said it shouldn’t campaign or shouldn’t even try create change. If she got her will, the demolition of opposition would be fixed. Mzee, Bosco or Mr. Sunday would be very happy, because people listened to Nangalama. They put down their swords and became silent like graves. 

Here is an out-take from Red Pepper, which has resurfaced on social media:

Ugandans should be demanding from their opposition leaders why their kids are being killed. Opposition leaders should not be taking the killings as political capital. They should suspend all their rallies, consultations and kwekalakasa to demand justice for the dead and imprisoned. You surely do not think we have opposition in Uganda. Here is the BIG News, there is no opposition in Uganda” (Martha Leah Nangalama – ‘People Power Movement Should Not Use Death for Cheap Political Capital’ 29.02.2020).

All of this happens because People Power Movement (PPM) are seeing their activists killed and associates being murdered. She is initially stating that Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine is wrong and doing it badly.

As she started her piece like this: “Bobi Wine should sack his media team and hire a professional.  Capitalizing on the death of two young people is not my cup of tea. Those two kids are in the same age group as my kids so I fly to Toronto, Canada to capitalize on deaths!! With a poster like this. Who is gonna raise their kids? The opposition needs to learn from Gen. Mugisha Muntu” (Martha Leah Nangalama – ‘People Power Movement Should Not Use Death for Cheap Political Capital’ 29.02.2020).

It is like this have never been done before, all political movements has had their martyrs, especially the ones who fought against a junta or a miltiary dictatorship. Because, the junta will use their force, because they have no other methods of control of dissidents. That is why the opposition is so split and attacked by the authorities. All means are used against them, even killing by trying to stop the opposition from gathering or even assemble in public. This is something Nangalama knows, but doesn’t care to dig into. Maybe, that isn’t important to her?

She just want friend sheep like Mugisha Muntu, whose loved by the NRM and whose so pragmatic, that he cannot even pass a street without asking authorization by the local RDC. That is how it seems. This from the lady from ‘Peril of Africa’, the lady who always goes hard. However, here she went a bit left. Especially, if she yearns for change or more of the same?

It is like she wrote in rage, I understand and we both agree. That no one should die because of politics. Each life taken is one to much. However, the brutal reality is that the army, all security agencies and so-on use all means to shut-down the opposition. They know everything, because the opposition needs to notify and spell out their activity to the authorities. Therefore, they got no way to hide or escape the armed forces, either if they like it or not.

In that reality. She wants a compromised leader, a leader who doesn’t dare the authorities nor the structure itself. A man whose not honest in his approach to his start-up party Alliance of National Transformation (ANT). She accepts this, because, she wants that easy-picking approach. Not even use the ills against you. However, Muntu like anyone else uses burials and funerals as rally grounds for political messages, but that is cool right?

I understand her frustration, as the dead is named and put on like martyrs. No one wants to have that. No movement wants that, but when your fighting the powers to be with all their forces. They use all means to stay in power. They are not redeeming or a forgiving organization. No, they come with bullets, tear-gas and prison. This she knows, but wants them to silent and not speak up about it.

Only lay-down and die. Not speak out, not address it or continue. She wants suspensions and not civil disobedience. If you think that works, then you will give life to the Movement for a few more decades and a Muhoozi Presidency when Yoweri “calls it a day”. Because, why fight them or undress them at all?

When you want men like Muntu? Why even use time to blog or speak of the ills of society? Only when it doesn’t cost? Should the opposition suspend it all and really die? In your eyes, they are dead anyway?

I am sure Kizza Besigye and POA will disagree with that. The same will Bobi Wine, who you disagree with. There are opposition, but nearly impossible to do party work or assemble. If they do so, there is costs, there is pain and suffering. Unless, people stand up against that. The cycle of violence, arrests and misuse of power will continue. However, the stance in her piece. Isn’t creating anything positive. It is neither showing any will of stopping of it, but instead giving ways to the authorities who is sanctions this actions towards the youths who dies for their political affiliation.

Even if I believe it comes from a true place, that Nangalama means well. It doesn’t serve anyone. Except for the ANT and Muntu. Who easily speaks with everyone, but is of no concern to the State House. That is why his out there. However, the ones who is a of a concern and who creates fire is dismissed and said to lay their tools down.

How will that generate change? It will not, especially, if the ones whose new and who has the youth behind them. Suddenly, supposed to suspend their actions and be silent. Not even try to be relevant. That is reality of what she wrote. Because, of the deaths and the usage in public. The PPM and Bobi Wine should lay their tools down and not do anything.

With that sort of thinking, Bobi Wine is never winning. It is just the matter of which ways he looses. He looses if he acts and looses if he stands down. He cannot even participate without someone saying his actions are wrong.

Wonder if Nangalama thought of that? I didn’t think so. Peace.