Final Report on the By-Elections: NRM slams Opposition parties, but that was expected!

If you would think that the National Resistance Movement would leave the new Municipalities MPs and other elected officials to the Opposition parties. You know it would be a lie. That the NRM are supposed to celebrate, but as the ruling party, they still lost Apac Municipality to the Uganda People’s Congress and lost Bugiri Municipality to the Justice Forum.

What is striking is that in Apac the NRM lost to someone who has faked his own death, Patrick Ochan, is a unique character, who forged money from Centenary Bank and declared his own death in 2006. Still, that was not enough for Obote’s son or the NRM to beat him in 2018. That says a lot of the state of NRM and also the opposition.

That Asuman Basalirwa won the Bugiri Municipality was a big deal and the NRM used all the big-guns there to sway the public. While Robert Kyagulanyi used his star-power to boost his campaign. The Forum for Democratic Change tried, but didn’t succeed either. However, it ended in the hands of the JEEMA Party and their only MP in the Parliament.

The rest of the districts like Nebbi, Kotido, Sheema, Ibanda and Njeru went all to the NRM. Sheema was also heavily contested and worrying signs yesterday, when the reports of late evening voting past fixed time for it. That means, the NRM could have countered the methods and secured it by late voting, which is fixing the score in their favor. As the trailing FDC in Sheema, was very close and the reality shouldn’t shock you.

This is like giving the opposition some posts, just so they exists, but still making sure the NRM have the majority. Just like they always do. There is always rigging and bribery, even voting tourism, where the NRM are ferrying people to vote in their favor. That could have occurred yesterday, but because of lack of observers and also intimidation from the army and police.

The Opposition should not shake their heads. They are working against the machine, they are not in a level playing field. The President are doing what he can wipe them out of the map. Therefore, only the dreamers would expect the FDC to get big. NRM won most, but is what they have done in most by-elections since 2016. It is only Jinja-East, Rukungiri and Kyadondo-East where the Opposition have won. The rest the NRM have taken. The NRM are usually the winner of By-Elections.

It is forgetfulness that hits you when you remember back to the rest of the By-Elections. Therefore, getting 2 out of 7 is a good score in a way. Also, the President gets what he wants. The majority and security of the NRM Caucus. That is all expected. To think otherwise, is to be naive, that the NRM is going to give the opposition opportunity to overcome them. As long as the President is breathing, he will not accept that and will rig to secure otherwise. The President is not democratic and not planning to become so. Peace.

By-Election Updates: Return Form for Transmission of Results from MP races in Bugiri (28.07.2018)

By-Election Updates: Return Form for Transmission of Results from MP races in Ibanda and Sheema (27.07.2018)

Ibanda:

Sheema:

By-Election Updates: Return Form for Transmission of Results from MP races in Nebbi and Kotido (27.07.2018)

Nebbi:

Kotido: 

By-Elections Preliminary Updates: From Bugiri, Sheema, Apac, Kotido and Nebbi!

I have collected various sources the preliminary reports from Bugiri, Sheema, Apac, Kotido and Nebbi. This are not the official results, the are first released, when the Electoral Commission is releasing them Return Form for Transmission of Results, which is verified ballots from each polling station combined in the district. Therefore, until those are released, the numbers are jumping.

Bugiri have most likely gone to JEEMA, Sheema might swing between FDC and NRM, Apac could become a UPC MP, Kotido could go to either FDC or NRM, Nebbi are expected FDC, but might get rigged for NRM. However, this is just the preliminary results and the reality will be different when the EC and the machine have used their time. That is the longer the time for the results, the more worry is the for securing it in hands of the regime and not for opposition candidates.

Bugiri:

Asuman Basalirwa and the Justice Forum won the MP contest for Bugiri Muncipality, that after a knocking campaign together with Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. Therefore, the opposition got this post and carved this newly created municipality out of the map of the President. They should not expect any development there, if the words of the President is sincere. Forum for Democratic Change candidate and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) lost here, they didn’t have the capacity or the ability to gain popularity, like JEEMA and Bobi Wine. No one had that moxy to do so.

Sheema:

There is a tight race between the National Resistance Movement candidate Virgina Plan Mugyenyi and Forum for Democratic Change candidate Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye. All reports through the day have been tight and swinging. But with time the FDC candidate had better numbers, but the final tally will really tell.

Apac:

Patrick Ocan of the Uganda People’s Congress are expected to win the municipality over the National Resistance Candidate Akai Ayumu. The other independent candidates are trailing behind the NRM and UPC. This here seems like the stronghold of UPC get their votes, just like they have done in this area and the NRM are losing here too.

Here in the district, there been dozens of arrests of UPC members, the official number is 18 individuals on election day. Also, there are reports of ferrying voters and also open bribery.

Kotido:

Peter Abrahams Lokii was the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate here, while Moses Oryono Okot Mabeno are the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate. While the preliminary results in the newly created district have put the NRM in front, but only added independent candidates, therefore, you can wonder if the Electoral Commission have dismissed the FDC Candidate in spite before the election. Since, the reports was that FDC was gazetting a candidate.

Nebbi:

Robert Onega are the Forum for Democratic Change candidate, the National Resistance Movement fielded Hashim Sulaima, than you have Patrick Aloysius Okumu Ringa, running as an Independent, but leaning towards NRM. Three more key Independent Candidates are Betty Udongo, Berocan Okurulal and Enrico Opio. However, how all of this will work out.

In this district there been reports of low-voter turn-out. During the evening, local radio station and New Vision said Sulaima have won the district. However, that wouldn’t be surprising, as the election rigging that have been reported was massive, as even open boxed with pre-ticked ballots was coming to the district last night.

We just have to see how this goes. But there is a lot in the air and see how this falls to ground. Let see them forms and get these results verified. Don’t postpone that, but deliver credible results, even as the observers from CCEDU are suspended for these elections too. Which is concerning, because than the CSO of volunteers are not able to report and make sure the rights of the voters are taken care off.

By-Election done in darkness, deliberately done by regime. Remember that, so that they can come with other reports, if that fit their paradigm since the CCEDU and Opposition will just fight with arguments. While CCEDU could have come with issues on the ground and also filed reports for the future. That should worry every citizen, that the NRM does this. Peace.

Opinion: Why does every By-Election these days look like a War-Zone?

Let us be honest for a minute, the recent By-Elections under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, have become more hostile and more militarized, where the big guns, the soldiers and the mambas are all over the place. That is happening today in Sheema Muncipality in Ibanda and in Bugiri Muncipality in Busoga sub-region. Both National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidates and opposition contest in both of them.

What is striking today is the efforts of the police and the army to intimidate in both places. In Sheema Muncipality and in Bugiri Muncipality, the Army and Soldiers are armed to their teeth. Like there is a war going on, and not a democratic exercise on who gets to represent the people in the newly created districts. No, no, it looks like a war story and someone is going to die!

Seriously, who brings the war machine to an election, if they are not fearing for losing it? Who isn’t bringing the police to arrest opposition activist on the day of the poll and not afraid of losing it?

If the NRM was so steady and had a message, had a mandate and trust in the community, would they need the UPDF and the Police Force to settle intimidation into their eyes. Seriously? I beg to ask!

You can say what you want about elections and about campaigning, but when the ruling regime and the orders from above, is to send a brigades of soldiers to the polls. You know something is wrong, you know that these elections are no good. That is just a common knowledge. Maybe not for Ofwono Opondo or Frank Tumwebaze, but for the rest of us it is.

This isn’t a sign of strength, but more of weakness, of a justification of harassing and intimidating the public. Just because you can and because you have the army. This isn’t there to secure democratic values or secure the public. Than, the soldiers would have bases there and await a sudden strike from an enemy. Not suddenly come out of their barracks and post up in the middle of towns and poll stations in the early mist of morning. No, that isn’t it.

Maybe, just maybe, the NRM thinks so, but than they are gallantly, stupid and I cannot blame them anymore. They are just the National Rwakitura Movement, where all citizens are his cows and he is just waiting to spoil their milk. That is just what is up.

Are the NRM so afraid of losing, that they have to order soldiers in the street to prove they exists and that they can hurt you, if you don’t obey every command made by Museveni? Is that it, is that the magic potion to get people on board. If so, than the President have forgotten Franz Fanon and his wisdom.

As the war-zones of Sheema and Bugiri have smiled to us today and God knows how the tallies will be. Let me end with the words of Fanon.

“The state, which by its strength and discretion ought to inspire confidence and disarm and lull everybody to sleep, on the contrary seeks to impose itself in spectacular fashion. It makes a display, it jostles people and bullies them, thus intimating to the citizen that he is in continual danger. The single party is the modern form of the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie, unmasked, unpainted, unscrupulous, and cynical” (Frantz Fanon – ‘The Wretched of the Earth, P: 164, 1961).

That is enough of the nonsense. Peace.

Opinion: If the Sheema Rally is how you feel Mzee, please reinstate the Resistance Councils and abolish Multi-Party Democracy!

“That is why it is important to elect representatives who sit in the NRM caucus where decisions are made and who can lobby for projects for you” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the 20^th July 2018.

I think the time is up for fooling everyone. I am tired of the old man and his wisdom. Yesterday, he proven again, that the Multi-Democracy of Uganda isn’t important to the President. The act of putting it into law in 2005. Was just to make the donors happy, because he really shows disregard for the people’s will to pick the candidates and not the ones he has prepared for them. He wants loyal tin-soldiers to follow his whims from the State House when he calls in the NRM Caucus, which means all elected majority of Parliament at his place. That is why he shields the opposition out and silence them.

“Stop playing with politics. I have told you that in 1962, people though politics was a joke. The resultant was loss of lives; we suffered.” (…) “That woman [opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Virginia Plan Mugyenyi] will not help you at all,” said Museveni. Also the NRM chairman, Museveni said Mugyenyi, like Mwijukye, would have no access to the party’s caucus meetings which discuss development projects. He reminded the voters that NRM had the numbers in parliament and it would be safe for them to vote for Tumwesigye if they wanted to see Sheema Municipality develop” (Samuel Kamugisha – ‘Museveni: Mwijukye Is A Useless MP; I Struck Buhweju Off Uganda’s Map’ 20.07.2018).

Let’s be clear, if you feels this way Mr. President, stop the charades, be the real self and reinstate the Resistance Councils of 1986-87. So that the Local Councils and Local Government can be all in-house and controlled from the State House and through the Office of the President. Just the way you want it.

While you at it, since the Members of Parliament from other parties have no value. Pleas, just Please, make the state a ONE-PARTY State. That will be real you and the sincere judgment of what you are Mr. President. Museveni, you are already showing disregard for Mwijukye and his time as an MP. Therefore, why do you even bother with elections and doesn’t just ask for having direct elections of MPs through the NRM Primaries and internally. There isn’t any reason to have Multi-Party in Parliament if they are not existing to you.

You are directly diminishing the districts and sub-counties that has voted in favor of the opposition. You are showing what sort of disgrace of a man you are. Mr. President if you represent that other than your own narrow mind, you would be there for all communities, no matter who represents them to in Parliament. However, that is not the case and is shown with your meager display in Sheema Municipality.

Be real, be honest Mr. President. You are not representing the whole country, just the NRM. If you want it all NRM, abolish Multi-Party Democracy and also reinstate the Resistance Councils of the 1980s. Than, you would be honest with yourself and your dictating ways, also the public would know the real you. Not the fake forgery of a man you really are.

President Museveni, we are tired of lies and deception. Just show the real you, as you are directing everyone of your tin-soldiers from the State House, through your decrees and decisions. Instead of having several other parties within the Parliament. Just let the people decide who they think is the best within NRM and not have others. If you are for this.

“Upon capturing power, the NRM introduced the Movement political system, under which all Ugandans belonged. The Movement united Ugandans under one political system and partly cured the deep-seated sectarianism that has been sowed by the political parties. Political party activities were formally suspended in 1992” (Pascal Kwesiga – ‘NRM’s political achievements’ NEW VISION, Tuesday, January 26, 2016).

So, please Mr. President, just go back to the real you. Suspend political party activities and make sure all are under the umbrella of the NRM. If you have the feeling that opposition MPs are useless and their areas doesn’t exists anymore. Than, you might just abolish it and stop the faking it to the Republic. You might have done this to please foreign donors, but those you don’t care about anymore. We know this and they know it too.

Stop playing and show the real self. Your already President for Life. Show the reality and stop playing. It is getting real old. Peace.