Opinion: The EU is too late to the Party, when they are now asking for Electoral Reforms in Uganda!

It feels deliberate, that Eduardo Kukan dropped a statement on the 8^th March 2018 as the General Election in Uganda was in February 2016. That is two years after, this is the Follow-Up Mission to the Electoral Observation Mission, that is long finished and didn’t deliver anything of significance. The whole thing ended up being a charade and mockery of the principals the EU is supposed to stand for. The rigging, the spending and buying votes, the inside deals and pre-ticked ballots should all say that the re-election to a fifth official term and unofficially 7^th shouldn’t be legitimized by any entity. This is the same fellas that left Kololo, because the President’s stance on the ICC. Like they didn’t know?

So, we are in March 2018 and its two years and a month since the entered the port and all of the containers are left, all produce is eaten, all parts of the products is sold, stolen or gone. Therefore, there is very little to regard about the process. Very little the EU can do, because they are beholden to the man they validated. They validated the Supreme Court ruling, they validated the Mbabazi petition, they accepted the stolen votes from Besigye and the obvious lies of the Kiggundu Electoral Commission in favor of Museveni.

The EU should have pushed for the reforms in 1995-1996 if they we’re serious. While the President still looked like he cared a little bit and was a donor-friendly guy, now he despise anyone questioning him and his authority. He is always right, and the rest of you is wrong or can be bought. That is President Museveni now. They could have had a short in 2000-2001, even 2005-2006. Even as the term-limits was deposed at the time. When the true reality was that Museveni had no place of really retiring and spend time with his cows. The EU could have pushed for reforms in 2010-2011, even as the Walk to Work demonstrations (W2W) and the Activists 4 Change (A4C) who both challenged the Presidency. Clearly, the EU could have done more as an outside entity, if they cared about the Electoral Reforms.

So now, that the last election went through, the syncopates, the technocrats and cronies of Museveni is elected, appointed as advisors and whatnot. The EU is asking and begging for changes, since suddenly now is the time. Like Museveni would care about the plight of the Follow-Up Mission in 2018, when he just gotten his carrot in December 2017, the Life Presidency. Did the EU miss that charade? Did they sleep in Brussels and eating Belgian waffles? That is how it seems to me.

That the President that has centralized most of the power around him and his State House would now care about the EU, is to say bluntly naive. That the EU comes with recommendations now will not be listened too. Unless, they are dropping bunch of external funds and juicing the rabbit a little bit. Because Museveni is eating, his cronies is too and there is nothing you can tell him.

So when the EU stated this on the 8^th of March 2018, its not hard to understand, why it is like this: “ The EU EFM has been heartened to find that the recommendations of the EU EOM have been disseminated across several institutions of State and that many interlocutors were familiar with the content of the recommendations. While there has been virtually no progress on implementation of the recommendations to date, awareness of proposals, and the grounds thereof, is a crucial first step in the achievement of the recommendations. Similarly, there is widespread awareness of the directives of the Supreme Court” (Eduardo Kukan – ‘EU Election Follow-up Mission to Uganda urges Authorities to take positive steps to improve electoral process’ 08.03.2018).

Like did you think the man, that has been running since a coup in 1986 would give in and change to a more democratic structure, the one who house-arrest his biggest threat without any jurisdiction or right by laws? Do you think the man who has all the state coffers, has all the bidders at his feet, will finally give way to your advice? Do you think the man who has used the guns to silence opposition and does it will kind of acronyms too.

I hate to say it to you Kukan, but your late to the party. The party-goers have left, they have their whiskey, their Waragin, their vodka and their Nile Brew, but are not interested in your anecdotes. They would have mattered some time ago, when the fire was burning, when Usher and Radio & Weasel was banging on the stereo. But now, the party has died down, the only left is the straws and the memories of the late night charade.

Kukan, you should have acted swiftly, you should have cared about the implications, but your entity and others validated Museveni. Just like you have done in the past. You let him of the hook and this here, will be a stain, but not something that covers the obvious. The theft of February 2016. That you accepted and did for selfish reasons beyond me.

You could have, you should have, but you never did. Peace.

A look into how little the Wakiso Vote mattered to President Museveni in General Election 2016!

You would think on a day like this as the final rallies in Kyadondo East, which is part of Wakiso District, that the National Resistance Movement and the Police Force would bring peace. But they didn’t, they created chaos and moved independent candidates, as well as detaining them for interfering in their campaign rallies. This is the proof of vicious ruling regime and how the basic freedoms are limited for others, than the NRM elite and the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, rallying for his candidate in the district. But it seems strange that he cares, since with all due respect. He didn’t care about their votes in the General Election of 2016, as these areas have been a stronghold for opposition party Forum for Democratic Change and because Dr. Kizza Besigye reside in Kasangati, which is a vital part of Kyadondo East.

“In Kampala and its adjacent districts, the Group observed voting delayed by as much as two to four hours and subsequently observed polling locations where voting was delayed by as much as six to nine hours. Anecdotally, in Kampala, there were several polling stations located within minutes of the premises of the Electoral Commission that did not receive voting materials on time” (…) “The voting hours were subsequently extended in Kampala. However, it appeared that this information was not extensively communicated, as voters and polling officials appeared confused and uncertain of the process. The EC announced that polling would continue in a number of constituencies in Wakiso and Kampala districts the following day. Turnout, however, was low on the second day – which was a working day – and it is possible that many potential voters decided not to attempt to vote, after having waited for many hours the previous day”(Commonwealth, P: 13-14, 2016).

“Furthermore, eight teams across the country reported that polling stations could not open before 10 AM. A number of polling stations, notably in Kampala and Wakiso, had not opened within six hours. Significant delays and a lack of effective communication by the EC fuelled frustration and tensions among voters, with EU EOM observers and media reporting about large crowds protesting against being deprived of their right to cast the ballot. In at least four cases, the police used teargas to disperse voters at polling stations. Only shortly before the official closing of the polling stations at 4 PM did the EC chairman announce the three-hour extension of voting in Kampala and Wakiso district. This was poorly communicated to the polling staff in affected areas, and EU EOM observers reported polling stations being closed at first and only after some hesitation did the polling staff improvise and try to re-open voting sites” (EU, P: 29-30, 2016).

“The EC failed to communicate and declare final results of presidential and parliamentary elections in a comprehensive, timely and transparent manner. The announcements of the presidential election’s preliminary results started while voting was still ongoing in parts of Kampala and Wakiso. The final results were declared within the legally binding 48-hour deadline, but they did not contain data from seven per cent of all polling stations, and therefore excluded some 675,000 votes cast. The EC delayed the publication of the final results broken down by polling station till 25 February and uploaded them on its website in a manner that did not allow for easy access or use. The EC also did not publish the scanned copies of the DRFs online although they were readily available in electronic format, thus further reducing voters’ access to information of public interest and in contravention of the principles outlined in the ICCPR” (EU, P: 3-4, 2016).

“The 2016 Elections witnessed a number of violations of the right to vote, most notably due to late delivery of materials in Kampala and Wakiso districts, described by the Supreme Court as evidence of incompetence and gross inefficiency by the electoral management body. A number of potential voters we’re disenfranchised during the voting exercise, in particular persons who turned 18 between May 2015 and February 2016, detainees, including some pre-trial dententions and Ugandans in the diaspora” (FHRI, P: 25, 2016)

So both, the Commonwealth report, FHRI report and the European Union Observer Group saw the same vast indifference for the votes and voter turnout in Wakiso, the same was seen in capital, but that isn’t where the By-Election is happening now. This proves the lack of care and common sense as President Museveni drives Tuk-Tuk and talk of importance of electing people who serves him. He might say he wants to be challenged in Parliament, but everyone knows that is a lie. Therefore, he detained Bobi Wine earlier in the day and moved him to Gyaza town, so his presence could be in Kasangati and at Szasa Grounds. Not like he could be more ruthless, but surely he would rig these election like he did in 2016. Nothing new there, if the turnout would be meager and lack-lusting that would hurt the old-man. Since he cannot show 90-100% turnout, when there would be no lines of people showing up. Harder to rig just a bunch of paper compared to buck-load, which can be pre-ticket into ballot boxes and look legit. That is how they do, especially under President Museveni. The man who made himself a revolutionary by claiming UPC rigging in 1980s. Such a class-act the President, becoming worse than the ones he toppled! Peace.

Reference:

Commonwealth – ‘Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group Uganda General Elections – 18 February 2016’ (18.02.2016)

COMESA – ‘COMESA ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION TO THE 18 FEBRUARY 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA’

EU – ‘Final Report – Uganda Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council Elections 18 February 2016’ (April 2016)

Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) – ‘COMESA ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION TO THE 18 FEBRUARY 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA’ (June 2016)

CCEDU claims the “electoral process was compromised” during the Kamuli By-Election!

The recent by election in Kamuli district has gotten a lot of flack for their evident ways of transgression against honoring the ballot and liberty of all parties to take part. Especially the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) won the race, but the reality is that the win cannot be seen as honorable one, as the Kamuli District was more than one place found evidence of questionable behavior of the state.

“80% of Election Day officials had arrived at the polling stations by 6:30am, only 20% had not. It is important for polling day officials to arrive on time because then the polls start on time” (CCEDU, 2017). When the CCEDU finds out that 20% of the Officials not showing up at the polling stations, show the lack of integrity and wish to really care for the voters. Like there are not really any justification to explain the lacking tolerance of the voters, when the persons who are checking and securing the ballots doesn’t show up on time. When one in 5 doesn’t care for showing up when the polls start.

“77% of observers reported no intimidation, harassment or violence during voting against any other persons, but 3% observers reported intimidation of election officials, party agents and observers and 13% reported intimidation against voters” (CCEDU, 2017). That there was reports of this and the police force was involved was clear by many reports, not only by the FDC. THe intimidation was found by 13%, which is a giant group of voters. As one in 10 was intimidated during the election, something that shouldn’t need to happen as the ballots should be able to be casted in peace. The 3% of intimidation of election officials, party agents and observers, is also to much and proves the irregularities of these polling.

“ The unauthorized persons inside polling stations during counting and closing, 68% observers reported they saw the police, 3% saw the army and 37% saw no one” (…) “97% of Observers reported that there was no intimidation, harassment or violence during counting, but 3% reported intimidation of electoral officials and 3% intimidation of party agents” (CCEDU, 2017). That most of the observers saw the Police and the Army was not unexpected, as the reports of intimidation stems from that.  But that there even was intimidation of any kind during the counting proves that the system is not fair.

Main conclusions from CCEDU:

“CCEDU observers recorded a number of malpractices that were orchestrated by supporters of FDC and the NRM. At about 12:00pm there were allegations of voter bribery, by an agent of Hajjati Wetongola at St Mark Primary School. The election was also characterized by incidents of violence and a voter wanting to vote in the name of another person. However, our Observer at Kyabazinga Senior Secondary Polling Station, was able to notice the anomaly and raised it with the authorities, who arrested the young man before he would vote as John Mawanga. All these issues mean the quality of  the electoral process was compromised. CCEDU was also concerned about the high number of unauthorized persons within the polling stations and noted that quiet a number of people were denied a chance to vote. The Kamuli by-election registered a voter turn-out of 51%. On the whole, the general management of the process was commendable with all polling stations commencing voting before 8:00am. It is also commendable that increasingly, more party agents are observing the electoral processes from beginning to end. Party agents have the ability to promote the integrity of electoral processes by raising a red flag on electoral ills” (CCEDU, 2017).
So a compromised electoral process isn’t what the Kamuli District deserves, neither the voters, as the incidents from both FDC and NRM in this sort of affair wasn’t justified, even as the Ruling Party was the Main denominator together with the Security Organizations, like the Police and Special Forces Command. That shouldn’t be needed during an election, when the public should expect something else. They should expect that the government facilitate the election without any intimidation and any sort of acts against the FDC. They shouldn’t have to go this far for a victory, but they did, because they do not know how to win without using force. Peace.  

Kamuli By-Election filled with excesive Police and Voter bribery!

The Kamuli by-election today has been marred with Police being besides men who give away 2,000 shillings to the ones going to the polls. The Police Force has created chaos in and around the Polling stations as the voters are targeted to be bribed, as well as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has even at some polling stations tried to campaign at the booth.

The proof of neglect of honest campaigning came after the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Proscovia Salaamu-Musumba we’re arrested right after she cast her vote. This is the proof of how malicious and little caring about the justice and honoring the ballot.

Because the Police Force has already been on the tail and securing the NRM cars driving around and giving away bribes to the public. Also Hon. Francis Gonahasa and Kasiono Waddiri has also been arrested by the Police during the election in the district. So the Police are really targeting the FDC and their leaders. As they are claiming and seeming justified voting bribery that is going on.

Just as of yesterday, the NRM and the Police was clearly making sure the result would go in their favor as the Armed Personnel Vehicles of the Police came in the numbers of 16. To make sure the district would be controlled by the NRM. So if Rehema Wetangola wins this race, it is not on her merit, but on the rigging machinery of the NRM.

The reason for today’s exercise:
“The President was addressing NRM supporters yesterday as he campaigned for the NRM’s flag bearer, Hajat Rehema Watongola at Kamuli district headquarters in Kamuli Municipa Parliamentary by-elections. The by-election followed the nullification of Rehema Watongola’s 2016 victory on the premise of lack of academic qualifications by the Court of Appeal. In a petition filed by FDC’s Salaamu Musumba, court heard that Watongola did not possess the required minimum qualification to contest for a parliamentary seat” (Museveni Neera, 11.04.2017).

So even if the Courts says the NRM candidate does have the qualification needed by law, she is still running for the second time on the same merit, as her new qualification has been showed to world as her husbands education. Therefore, the rigging is already administrative and not only by buying the ballots in the sub-counties of Kamuli. The NRM cannot at this stage win an honest election it seems.

The reality is that the car of the FDC candidate was also thrown stone on. So the NRM has done everything in their power to undermine the opposition candidate and her candidacy, as the election has been marred with issues, instead of being peaceful exercise. All of these reports proves that the NRM has no interest in the will of the people, but more the will of the Police. Peace.  

Uganda: FDC Party Officially welcomes dialogue between the FDC and the NRM (31.03.2017)

Opinion: Dear Swedes stick to IKEA, please forget the talks between Museveni and Besigye!

I don’t know if I should laugh or cry, but what sort of discussion should be from people who gave us IKEA, Volvo and tiny meatballs. We know that the Swedish needs to prove their worth in the world on other venues, than the Eurovision and hair-styles of Zlatan Ibrahamovic. Still, the recent of willingly sending Pro Bono people to mediate between the long serving, self reliance and thief in chief, the National Resistance Movement wizard, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the Opposition leader, creator of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Dr. Kizza Besigye are supposed to talk between cups of tea and biscuits provided with Swedish hospitality.

“The Swedish Government has confirmed that it has been approached and, has accepted, to mediate planned talks between President Museveni and former presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye” (…) “The government of Sweden is involved in supporting and promoting dialogue in many parts of the world, as part of its policy of conflict prevention and support to peace processes. Sweden has been asked to facilitate a possible dialogue in Uganda,” Swedish Foreign ministry spokeswoman Katarina Byrenius Roslund, noted in reply to email inquiries from this newspaper. The “discussions are still at an early stage”, she noted, adding: “When there is concrete progress to communicate, we will do so” (…) “Ms Annika Söder, the Swedish state secretary, has been agreed on by the principals as the mediator for the expected talks. She flew into the country last week and held separate back-to-back meetings with the President and Dr Besigye on Thursday and Friday, respectively, in what knowledgeable sources described as “exploratory” (Butagira, 2017).

First and foremost, can the Swedes explain the content of tear-gas into public meetings, police blocking, detaining of FDC Youths, falsified charges against the FDC leadership, the Public Order Management Bill who is created to stop meeting of anyone else, than the loyal men of Museveni. How can there be talks between the parties?

Secondly, when every travel and meeting of FDC and Besigye is met with heavy police force, blocking of main roads and tear-gas when they congregate. What is there to discuss? What perimeter of Kasangati he is allowed to leave before it is an issue? What sort of ideas do the Swedes have in mind, except selling Volvo and SAAB to Uganda, instead of Isuzu and Toyota!

Seriously, that the Government of Sweden must either be blind or ill-minded if they think this will give way. If they know the history of Nairobi Talks of 1980s. When the National Resistance Army and the other parties gathered to iron out the differences. Than that was used to forge more way for the NRA agenda and silence the others with guns and ammo. Not generate peace without knowledge of Museveni landing on top. So this is in his blood and the blood that is shed for him to gain all power.

Global IDP Database wrote this about his negotiations:

“In July 1985, conflict between some Langi and Acholi soldiers led to the overthrow of the Obote regime. The coup, which brought General Tito Okello to power, shattered the military alliance between the Acholi and Langi and escalated ethnic violence. The Okello regime invited all fighting groups and political parties to join the military government. Every armed group and political party, with the exception of the NRA, joined the administration. The NRA, however, engaged the regime in protracted peace negotiations held in Nairobi. In December 1985, the Nairobi Agreement was signed under the chairmanship of President Moi of Kenya. However, the Agreement was never implemented and Museveni seized power on the 25th January 1986” (Global IDP Database, P: 18, 2004).

So will the Swedish buy into the mantra that everything can be reassembled and rebuilt? Since they want to forge a relationship between Besigye and Museveni. Museveni, who rather take up guns and get rid of opposition and vowed last year to destroy the opposition. Well, I am sure the Swedish we’re busy finding ways to export designer materials, than following the post-election dogma of Museveni. Since a man who only believes “he is the only man with a vision”. That is the man who is supposed to co-operate and negotiate with an advisory! Really?

A man who doesn’t want to talk about succession and doesn’t want to speak about his lingering in charge. A man who has run a country and nation since 1986, has nothing more to win or to gain by playing soft. If he does so and the Swedish is dumb enough to buy into the fake wood and think they get mahogany, than they will offer donor-funding and possible other prices for the so-called negotiations between the NRM and FDC. Even as the FDC Headquarter we’re a year ago a crime scene and many members and leaders we’re detained on manufactured charges.

There shouldn’t be these sort of talks at this point, if so, than the Swedish are legitimizing the thieving of Museveni and his NRM elite. Does the Swedish government want that on their plate? Is that the Swedish people’s prideful mission to support and trust in a corrupt and militarized government, while they at the same time is using Besigye as pawn?

The Swedish government, if they care should back-off, go home to Stockholm. Cut their aid and stop the talks. As they will only give more way to dictator and his clientele at the Okello House. There aren’t anything else to give.

Did the Swedish government do any research and care about the track-record of the Museveni regime? Have they seen how many mysterious deaths and men who has worked close who has either had to flee or been detained by his regime? Have the Swedish considered their implications in establishing legitimacy of the current leadership? Who doesn’t care if they bankrupt their country? While they are driving expensive cars on the State coffers?

Does the Swedish government need this win or this talks to gain international recognition, and not only sell IKEA furniture? Time to take the dozens pieces and assemble that the chairs in Umeå, and step away from Kampala.

Or do the Swedish government and their team no problem with losing their credibility for helping a fellow dictator? Peace.

Reference:

Butagira, Tabu – ‘Sweden to mediate Museveni, Besigye talks’ (29.03.2017) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Sweden-to-mediate-Museveni–Besigye-talks/688334-3868674-b3fqil/index.html

Global IDP Database – ‘PROFILE OF INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT : UGANDA’ (17.06.2004)

Opinion: Besigye doesn’t need dialogue with Museveni!

Dr. Kizza Besigye and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) do not need to have dialogue or negotiation with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) or the President himself. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni needs more the dialogue than the FDC and their party needs it. It is the NRM government and NRM regime who needs legitimacy and needs funds. That is proven with Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) who proves with the 16 trillion shillings funds the for the 2017/2018 budget of the 30 trillion shillings needed. With this in mind there is certainly that the NRM needs more international support to fix missing funds.

That Museveni would need Besigye now a year after the General Election of 2016 shows how dire the situation is, the added debt and the troubling waters on the giant infrastructure projects, as much as the missing funds for the salaries or the other financial expenses that are occurring for the government. So the proof of issues is growing as the direct budget support has dwindled down as well as the elite and the cronies still expect to be fed by the regime.

Besigye has still a forged treason case, as much as Rwenzururu king Charles Wesley Mumbere has as well. The FDC headquarters was attacked and a crime-scene as the FDC Youth and FDC P10 was attacked as the defiance campaign was even banned by the Deputy Court Justice Stephen Kavuma. As well, the Police Force under IGP Kale Kayihura monitored and followed the leadership of FDC like they we’re criminal. There were many detained and house-arrested, there was more people hurt and hospitalized by state security organization. Also, the many inflicted and detained without warrants or court order shows the impunity of the state towards the FDC.

So after this impunity, after the illegal house-arrest of Besigye and the others who has been taken into prison without any justice served, why should the FDC try to sell their soul to the Movement? That is waste of time and waste of energy, it would be like the men who traded their political lives in Nairobi talks: “The NRA and the government signed a peace and power sharing agreement in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital Dec. 17 that called for an immediate cease-fire, the freezing of all troop movements and a half share of the ruling Military Council for the NRA” (…) “The provisions of the accord were largely ignored and both sides used the lull in the fighting to reposition and resupply their forces. The guerrillas claimed the military committed widespread human rights abuses after the accord was signed” (Charles Mitchell – ‘The National Resistance Army of rebel leader Yoweri Museveni…’ 26.01.1986 link: http://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/01/26/The-National-Resistance-Army-of-rebel-leader-Yoweri-Museveni/5549507099600/ ). So the agreement done by NRA in December 1985 wasn’t a big deal, so that Museveni could do a final sting and coup to gain power, which he has never left.

A negotiation with Museveni would only enforce his rule and his longevity in power nothing else. Besigye would not be offered anything substantial; his part in the matter would end in little or nothing. FDC would get the stick, but not get the price. Just like they wouldn’t feel a difference between now and then since the price of going into partnership would benefit Museveni. The Movement would get beneficiary funding and regard internationally since FDC has a higher standing abroad than Museveni.

Museveni is well-known now because of his 7 terms and his position of executive since 1986. The reality of this that a negotiation or dialogue with Museveni at this stage is redundant, unless the President all of sudden turns his own self sideways. That he would go back on all his empty promises and all of his glory. Certainly Museveni could do so, but he knows that he has too many people on his consciences to leave it all behind. The President has eaten too much of the state coffers and cannot leave the bank-accounts behind. The family is too connected and has all the leverage in the state. The movement is built around him and if he fails than the party does as well.

The Movement and Museveni would not co-sign their powers or the authority, not after the rigging and the massive misuse of the state funds, therefore the lacking funds for the current budget. Museveni knows that his loyal friends abroad will not give in to his ways anymore, therefore hoping to play other cards. Use his political brain to suck other donors in. That while waiting for more oil-monies and also trade of other with making the UPDF to mercenary army in Equatorial Guinea or South Sudan if needed. This is because they need to get fresh funding for the State House, which hasn’t paid their payment-arrears to the owners of the Okello House!

So Besigye doesn’t need Museveni at this point, he needs his party and the loyalty of his supporters. That is more than Museveni has who needs to pay for loyalty and to secure funding for the movement itself. Therefore the jobs and funds to come steady, there is always more mouths to feed and more people to silence with brown envelopes. So Museveni needs foreign support and foreign aid as the Uganda Revenue Authority has just enough regulations and taxes to bring in funds that scrape the surface, but not fill the state coffers.

So again I say and I stand by it, Museveni is the only one earning political capital on negotiations and dialogue, nothing is really to be earned by the FDC or Besigye. So with this in mind, Museveni will only gain and Besigye will only lose on it. If you know you would lose, why give way to somebody who comes to take it all and deplete it all? Peace.

Opinion: The next steps for Besigye and continued defiance against the Movement!

It’s not easy to give words of advice to the men and woman who are in the line of fire. But we cannot let the Movement and their spin-control run the mill. They are stealing and thieving with massive speed and impunity. They are trying to avoid the weakness of the economy, trying to find new ways of revamping the economy without too much state debt and without loving donor direct aid. They still have the military and equipment served from loyal allies in the United States, if that will happen under Trump and it has happen under Bush/Obama is not easy to know; certainly U.S. will still let other brigades do the dirt they don’t want to do themselves.

The ones who toll with the problems are Dr. Kizza Besigye and his Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), they work for a peaceful transition in Uganda from the militarized politics of the President Museveni’s Movement. So with this in mind, after a year of issues, a year of tribulations, arrests, detained and charges of treason against the government; the political change is still in the wind. Besigye had deserved a better start and a fresher place as he is still monitored and still has Police following all movement done by the man. The same with his party who cannot hold meetings and public consultations without police taking stereo equipment, arrests or intimidation of citizens who shows up or just happen to be around.

Besigye had started the Campaign of Defiance under the Election Road Map for the General Election of 2016. So in 2015 it was started and has been put under fire from the Resistance Movement, an ironic problem for a draconian and tyrant regime who cannot really be democratic as they tries to silence or get rid of the worst opponents. Besigye is only kept because of known place and international scrutiny of they try to attack him too much.

First Step – Defy with actions:

Besigye should continue and with more force, use more than just words and get the FDC to actually take a stronger stand against the ones that supports the regime. The Mafia regime or junta government, which he has described the Movement so many times. If FDC wants to be fair and wants to defy the Movement, they should suspend themselves first from Parliament. It is risky, but would be a grandeur position to take away the Shadow Government and the legitimacy of the current government.

Second Step – Defy with dialogue with other opposition:

Secondly the FDC should be in talks with Democratic Party and other smaller parties that are not involved directly in the Movement regime, as they can try to weaken and strengthen the other voices. As Besigye have already done with his friendship with Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Gen. David Sejusa. FDC needs to be connected with people of stature like Norbert Mao and others, who are real opposition to Museveni. Not talk to Jimmy Akena or others who just uses their parties as fronts of beacon of democracy, instead of actually challenging the Movement.

Third Step – Defy the Courts like IGP Kayihura:

Just as IGP Kale Kayihura defied his own court-orders, the same should Besigye himself start to do in 2017, to show that he doesn’t respect the unlawful character of the regime; as the peaceful acts of showing up for treason charge that continue running into oblivion. Time to just say it is a kangaroo court and is only doing it to silence his voice. Therefore not showing up and instead continue to travel around the country to meet and greet party officials and locals to prove the value of building institution over being a sole candidate in Museveni and the NRM.

Times is a wasting, it’s hard to do stuff when you’re behind bars or at court, it’s hard to always move when the Police Force and other Security Organizations follow your every step.

Fourth Step – Hurt the pocket of the Government:

Certainly the Defiance needs to be hurting the regime. Try to stop the foreign exchange rates, the taxation and the revenue of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), even the business that is inter-connected with the Movement. As much as it should stop the state owned businesses that is being used by the Movement. Museveni would hate that he couldn’t misuse the profits of needed businesses, the ones that are owned by investors who are supplying him funds to pay Special Force Command and other militarized outfits that keeps him as the Executive.

If the Besigye and his folks stood behind and hurt the pocket and legitimacy, not in words only, but also actions that could move the regime and also create a vacuum that Museveni and his movement couldn’t control. The ripple effect and the true hurt would be shown. Especially with the knowledge, that the Election already hurt the economy with massive effect. So if they continue pounding on it took out the cash out of the Museveni owned banks and stopped profits to companies that the Museveni clan partly own. Than the Movement and family would feel the pinch.

Defying the state institutions and the government procedures, stop respecting the Police and Courts, stop listening to the draconian laws and also stop the funding of taxes and funds to directly keep the Movement alive. Something that would really hurt Museveni and his elite; this would really make it hard for the Movement to continue to use Police Force and use the state to gain wealth.

Besigye can continue to talk peaceful transition and I respect that. This sort of acts is not easy. They are hard and costly. Many will be arrested, many more detained, more torture and more innocent dying, but there been so much over 30 years that the defiance campaign has to take it to the next level. Show disrespect, let the government lose its value and show the world that the ones behind Besigye don’t see Museveni as their President. Museveni is just a citizen, not an Executive, as he wasn’t really elected to be so; he coup d’état again when he got sworn-in on the 12^th May of 2016.

Time for acts, not talk, time for really defying the government and use the power of the people. Time to use the popularity and risk being harassed, as if you don’t than the Police will continue as they do; business as usual and also target the FDC as much as possible without it costing much for the illegitimate government it is. The illegal detained and the illegal arrests cannot be sustained, as much as the house arrests and unlawful behaviour of the Police towards the FDC is unbearable. This is not militant; it is fighting for a just cause. The real freedom and liberty, not to talk about a real legitimate government who represent the citizens of Uganda! Not a government representing Museveni and only his vision. Peace.

Mzee have finally wiped out the opposition as he promised after the announced victory!

“I will wipe out the opposition completely in the next 5 years. NRM is going to be stronger” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

Let be clear, right after announced victory from the Electoral Commission and Eng. Dr. Badru Kiggundu, President Museveni said that he would wipe out the opposition and he has done it with passion and certainly soon done it as his duty. In a way to make sure that the Multi-Party system in the Nation is a flop.

The opportunities and the silver coined framed opposition figures in the Forum for Democratic Change are joining forces in the Shadow Cabinet to gain some estimated figures from the coffers of Parliament and play the parliamentary pawns that Mzee needs this term.

While the Uganda People’s Congress are busy trading their soul with NRM, as they are getting two slots in the 81 size cabinet of 2016-2021. The rest of UPC under Olara Otunnu are distancing and in general might even create another branch, and party that becomes a new profile, since they don’t want to be part of the NRM and Obote’s son selling of inheritance to Mzee.

Uganda Federal Alliance have also sold their fortunes for a Cabinet position and is therefore silenced by the Mzee, as she the leader of the party want to serve him and also be a part of his established court.

The hardliners of FDC are either lingering in jail, detained, house-arrested or kidnapped by security forces as the rest of the party are playing hide-and-seek close to Yusuf Lule Road in Kampala. So the party of FDC is even into the half who wants to continue the defiance of Dr. Kizza Besigye, and the ones that are settling for the silver-coins with the lingering blood on it.

The Grand question is: where is the Conservative Party of Ken Lukayamuzi? They are not to be seen, JEEMA are they still out there? Justice Forum and their men who even have been besieged by the Police during the days of officiating Mzee; the smaller parties are totally silent or at a non-approach. Democratic Party and Norbert Mao have addressed concern and the initial connection with the shoot-out in Gulu, while that was not true and government made conspiracy, and with the newly dispatched Amama Mbabazi, the party should be stronger, though their lingering nothingness, proves that the ability that Mzee have had since leaving for his swearing in,

The Police Force monitoring and detaining, silencing and attacking the opposition, together with trading with weaker minded opposition have made the stalemate livable, as the mentor and ticking problem of Besigye, is going from court to court, and addressing charges after charges and even treason, as IGP Kayihura are paying criminals to be witnesses and uses all means, and even most brain-dead police officers to lie in court; like he did in Kasangati Court of late; when the justice had to listen to the testimony of the Police Officer who was a former colonel, but never been to the army. So the truth is that, as long as he doesn’t have a voice, the men are walking around unsure of how behave towards the oppressive and militarized government of National Resistance Movement.

All of the Opposition parties are toothless right now, the Human Rights Organizations of Kampala are raided and nothing happens. People and activist are kidnapped, soldiers are being shot and killed in made up conspiracies, while colonels and sergeants are detained as well. The paranoia of the state combined with the militarized politics and police force are taken freedoms and taken all parts of the state. The Opposition is on life support… Who is out there to save it, as the big man Dr. Kizza Besigye is away and nobody else have the legitimacy or the charisma to fight the powers with peaceful means while Mzee uses every tactic in the book to destroy and conquer them. Something he has been successful with ever since election and the reaping results are happening now, as he 10^th Parliament are soon in function and the government are soon departing into brown envelopes, as business is back to normal after a hectic year. Peace.

I Grieve over the MPs Officiating knowing the fraudelent Election

Usually, me a Political living being would be giddy and happy knowing that people who have worked hard and wanting to represent their constituency, finally gained their justice and the opportunity to work as legislators and men and woman working for the common good in the Parliament and in an chamber that, an august hall where the Members of Parliament would create and make policies for a better tomorrow.

So when they are swearing-in Members of Parliament in Uganda, I should be happy, but I am not. I am just, eh! Let’s say I am mediocre, or full of fatigue as the Electoral Malpractices, the sham-election and rigged election of 2016 still lingers on, I don’t believe the results of any of the Members of Parliament, even with the few MPs from the Opposition, but the way the practices and the total pictures is so flawed that even FDC men there; is just to show the Donor Countries that we have Multi-Party Democracy through the ballot, but I don’t believe that is the real picture. Even Norbert Mao couldn’t contest this election in Gulu Municipality.

There are little to celebrate as the elections are so hectic and fraudulent, nothing I see as the pictures of these representatives swearing-in on the Constitution or Bible. The words and the distinct participation, the regress of democratic values, while the Ruling Regime even tried with opening of new districts clear the citizens and the constituencies to secure the new hand-picked men of the Executive. The men and woman who even went uncontested for the position of becoming an MP; that is just questionable, as the NRM Primaries was just full of flaws, no matter how much Dr. Tanga Odoi thinks he is an election king and grand master of controlling elections.

Certainly the whole picture is a smear of sadness and grim anticipations of the 10^th Parliament. Usually it would be looking forward with some hope of real progress and sustainability of wise leadership to develop infrastructure, education, health care and all level of bureaucracies of the state; instead it’s with sadness of the strong grip of power by the Executive and his hands into all coffers of the government. There are no strings his fingers is not touching, none orders from above that is not directed from him. His words are now laws while the MPs are paid to secure his views or silenced by the payment structure instead of representing the Constituencies and being Nobel leaders of the land.

The Parliament and their MPs are not a force to be recognized, they are puppets dancing to the tune of the Executive and his war-chest. A war-chest he is using to dissolve and disperse the crowds to silence the opposition with house-arrest, phony charges, spying on political activity and creating special police forces that are monitoring the opposition without any care of laws or freedom of movement. The Executive does what he can to centralize the Power in his hands, while letting the loyalist amongst him being happy on breadcrumbs; while the Executive eats the whole Bakery.

The liability and guilt-ridden authorities that does what it can to be there and keep the other at bay, at any cost and even starting to get rid of the men and woman inside the Police Force who might have allegiance to the Opposition, as they did not accept the way the Former Presidential Candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye we’re able to get out of his home on the 11^th May and have a Mock Swearing-In 24 hours before the Executive himself Sworn himself for the 7^th term in Office.

The way he was able to Kasangati home:

“Besigye exchanged all the cloths and the helmet with the motor cyclist (Commonly known as Boda Boda) man. Immediately without wasting time, Besigye jumped on the bike and that’s how he managed to escape”.

The initial violence against the Opposition, the detaining, the sieged headquarters of Forum for Democratic Change, the raids against the rehearsal studio of Bobi Wine and the raid of JEEMA Forums headquarters in recent days. So the level of political freedom is dwindling, the FDC house-arrested MPs was only freed so they could be there and be parts of Swearing-in, not being really free.

Therefore today’s action at the Parliament doesn’t really matters to me, because of the state of affairs, the electoral laws and the war-chest of President Museveni. The way the Security Forces are used to silence the Opposition and the citizens are unbearable, the tear-gas and the live bullet towards fellow peers, is not justice as the civil disobedience should alter the actions of the government, not make it detain the ones that opposes it. This is the reasons, why people oppose this government, this Executive and the current Police State.

If the people and the government where in sync then the government would not need to deploy the army for the Swearing-In, would not need to deploy the army around the Election Day and would not need to use French Speaking Soldiers recently, as the Government would have trusted the people and the people would also trust their representatives in Government. This is natural beneficiary stations between the elected people and the people who are elected. But since the representatives are selected by the Executive instead of by the citizens that they are supposed to be; therefore the Executive uses the Army and Police to silence the ones that feels the representatives is not representing them.

Certainly, some of the MPs are proud of the Elections and finally made it after many tries, but the sham elections, would hope that they came into Parliament like FDC’s Francis Mwijuke who finally cracked into the Parliament. I wish people like him came into the Parliament without the questionable elections as then the legitimacy of his Honorable position. I would have congratulated him more for the honor, but he and the ones who have fought for become MPs had deserved to come there through a credible and fair election.

I don’t care what Hon. Jacob Oulanyah hoop’s and lies to get to his position again, as he had controversies into the ballots and other issues with his local Talley Offices and results. Others were in the same way, not everybody who was elected without contest like Hon. Sam Kuteesa. The others have to pay of their constituencies and use the NRM Village Fund and the 250k could not save the votes or the Local Councils who needed the money to clear the local pledges. There certainly too many issues with this election and violence to be happy about the Members of Parliament swearing-in.

It is not enough that Eng. Dr. Badru M. Kiggundu can announce whatever he wants and follow the Master, the Executive who is in control of the Electoral Commission, as he has appointed them and keeps them in order. Therefore the results are cooked in away the Executive wants them, instead of honoring the citizens and their votes. Therefore you saw on the Presidential Election that people showed up, but on the Local Councilors and Lord Mayor elections where the we’re less people showing up to the Polling Stations; shunning the ballots, because of the lack of transparency and value of their vote on the Election Day for the Presidential Election. The Electoral Commission together with the Authorities with their arrogance thought the people or the citizens would not mind the harassment or the violence from the Police towards the Opposition, they we’re wrong.

As we speak Dr. Kizza Besigye is sent from Moroto Government Prison and airlifted to the Luzira Prison. His second time treason charge as President Museveni cannot own up to his thieving and has to stifle the opposition by all means. Therefore he will blame the international community and others then looking into his own created problems. Henceforth he will deplete all outcomes and crash all institution to consolidate more power. That is also why on the same day Members of Parliament where sworn in, the UPDF had official promotions, which happen to be his son Brig. Muhoozi into Major General of Special Force Command of the Army or the Flying Squad. So the Executives works to secure all wings of Government are under the family, we will see Janet as Minister and other close connected NRM elites in the 10^th Parliament as the NRM are more unsecure about their security.

The Army and Police will be more draconian towards the Opposition as the people are not behind the NRM or their Executive. Peace.