A one-sided court system: Lukwago & 13 others Election Petition dismissed yesterday

What Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and 13 others shown the world is that there is one-sided court system or judicial system in the Republic. For the ones that didn’t know that, should know that by now. Because, the state can easily go after Lukwago years after the supposed crime.

Like for instance, Besigye and Lukwago had to answer for “crimes” committed during the Walk to Work demonstrations of 2012 on the 18^th July 2016 at the Kabale Chief Magistrates Court. That was fine, but when his filling in an petition in consideration of the voter registration and election road map for 2021. His too late to do so. That is a double standard.

We can see quickly by two statements by the judge, that the 14 respondents had no chance in hell to let this pass the devil. There was no plan to do so. The judge even called the Lord Mayor an activist, as everyone is supposed to be equal by the law. Not treated differently because of role or your participation in society.

Here is the two quotes that says it all.

First:

“This court also realizes that the nature of the complaint seems to be made by a group of political activists, rather than the actual persons directly aggrieved by the timelines set by the Electoral Commission. This form of public interest litigation challenging non-inclusion of names in the Electoral register should be discouraged and is not maintainable. But a political party should be the best complainant in such matters rather than political activists” (High Court Judgement 21.02.2020).

Second:

“If the applicants wanted to invoke the jurisdiction of this court they should have come at the earliest reasonably possible opportunity or sought leave of the court to file their application out of time but not to file the same as of right after such a long time of almost 3 years. The court could have exercised its discretion to extend the time depending on the facts to determine whether to extend the time to file for judicial review depending on the reasons on how the delay arose” (High Court Judgement, 21.02.2020).

We can see the judge determination to undermine the statutes with just this argument from him. Judge Musa Ssekaana had decided it. It doesn’t matter if Lukwago or anyone had merit for their arguments, when these sort of arguments runs the town.

Wonder if Musa could explain to me with statutes why Lukwago could be called for Walk to Work charges in 2016, when they were done in 2012? Why shouldn’t he and 13 others do this? They had nothing to loose to this.

Now that the case is dismissed, the ‘MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE NO. 431 OF 2019’ is now done. The chicken is fried and served. The dismissal sealed it. However, it proves on vital point. That the state is allowed to follow old cases on the opposition, but the opposition isn’t allowed to question old appointments nor cases. That is the double standard within the law.

Congs Musa. You showed the world that, maybe without even knowing. 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.

Bugiri By-Election: The Final Stages now and Museveni offers only development there if they vote for NRM!

The last day of the campaigns in the Bugiri By-Election, which the final polls are on the 27^th July 2018. This is where the candidates of Asuman Basalirwa (JEEMA), John Francis Oketcho (NRM) and Eunice Namatende (FDC). All of this candidates has massive backings from their parties and allies. Where the Police Force have started to follow Asuman Basalirwa especially and his ally Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, whose been followed and monitored by the Police Force. Therefore, you know that National Resistance Movement doesn’t want to lose this new district.

We know, that Museveni is behind his candidate, who will be part of the NRM Caucus and follow his every lead. That is why he went to Bugiri to tell his side of the story, because he couldn’t do without. Museveni have to be a part and also show his power to the tin-soldier he wants from the district. That is just the way he do.

“Bugiri by-election: President Yoweri Museveni has pledged to connect the people of Bugiri with clean water, construct for them better roads if they vote NRM’s Francis Oketcho. Museveni said the NRM is a party of action and this has been exhibited bvy the many things that have been done among them construction of better roads and the improved hospitals” (93.3 KFM, 25.07.2018).

What is the weirdest from all the final rallies from Basalirwa, Namatende and Oketcho where packed. That is just weird, all photos from these rallies are filled to the brim. Therefore, the pictures from Museveni rally isn’t alone. The FDC rally had Dr. Kizza Besigye and Patrick Amuriat Oboi, these two people could gain crowds on their own too. That Bobi Wine and Basalirwa would bring people are natural, as the swagger of Bobi Wine hits the masses. While Museveni could for all we know, be ferrying masses from other parts of Busoga and giving them food and gifts. That is what the NRM have done during the General Election last time. So why not do it now too?

Well, Voter Tourism might be a thing. While the bigger story is how Museveni continues to talk. The government will deliver project, only if Bugiri vote for his guy. The Bugiri people will get roads and such, if they do the right thing and votes for Oketcho. That means, the government is only there for you, if you follow the direct orders of the State House. This is the final implication and shows the lack of democratic values in the President.

He only gives, if people give him all power. That is what is just in the eyes of the President. NRM or nothing. No Remedy Mentioned (NRM) continues, as the pledges of roads hits Bugiri, a promise that Museveni have been given steadily since at least 2006 for certain parts of constituency. Therefore, as always with the NRM, there have to be recycled pledges. That is just protocol by now.

What is really insulting, is the state of “if they vote”, that means he will stop funding and stop being acting as President over the Constituency, if they vote for someone else. Bugiri will not get money or tax money for development projects, infrastructure development and everything else.

That is what he is saying.

Bugiri will be yet another place, that Museveni might wipe out of the map. As people will not follow his orders. They are not his property, even if he acts like it. Peace.

Bugiri By-Election: Otafiire spewing out utter nonsense in defense of the NRM!

If I was the National Resistance Movement Flag-bearer or MP candidate for Bugiri, I would be amazed and in awe over the sort of words Gen. Kahinda Otafiire had there. That being said, nothing has been said or reported of any value from the man himself. That being John Francis Oketcho, he could just be a tin-soldier in the ranks whose lucky enought run for the office. Because that is how it seems, since all the big-men and the other parties makes the headlines before the polls on the 27^th July 2018.

Everyone knows Asuman Basalirwa and Justice Forum is running with Robert Kyagulyani aka Bobi Wine as his vocal supporter with the masses there. People also knows that the Forum for Democratic Change have fielded their candidate, this being Eunice Namatende. Therefore, this is a contended race without any shadow of a doubt.

However, Kahinda Otafiire cannot help being himself, as he is reported to have said:

“The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, has cautioned voters against electing Asuman Basalirwa as Bugiri Municipality Member of Parliament (MP), saying “it will increase violence in the country.” (…) “My dear Ugandans, let us not engage in bad acts and vote for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidates in order to improve on the country’s economy” (…) “Some government programmes have not been implemented in constituencies across the country due to Opposition MPs fighting the (NRM) government” (Asuman Musobya – ‘Basalirwa will increase country’s insecurity if he becomes MP, says Otafiire’ 24.07.2018, Daily Monitor).

It is just weird how this man is a minister for Justice, when people have died because violence done by his party and the state own security agents, this being police officers and others in the name of the Republic. That he blames the surge of public recognition and care for the by-election is an issue, when Bobi Wine and Basalirwa are creating public rallies and movement on the grounds as the days to polls appear.

That is to be expected of the NRM and their co-conspirators, they are blaming everyone else. He just like his master Museveni. Otafiire wouldn’t even been in cabinet, if he wasn’t such a loyal stooge. He lost both the NRM Primaries in 2015 and the General Election 2016. His political life is only in the mercy of the President. That is why he is as he is, I suppose, indebted to the king and his crown.

It is not like the NRM have controlled the violence as is, they are not even make good measures and the police are more a front of peace, than taking real criminals to court. The NRM haven’t the best track-record or showing real justice, unless it fits the paradigm of the State House. The NRM Justice Minister should trade the waters a bit more careful, but he cannot, because he has only a political life for the simple reason:

Museveni gave it to him and now he has to pay back in return. The NRM shouldn’t blame the opposition, they are in majority and can vote anything they want, they can find the money if they please and could put in the effort to make a difference. However, the NRM are just blind tin-soldiers of the President and await him to call in the NRM Caucus to get right direction before a vote. Therefore, the lies are tiring. The people are tired and 32 years of nonsense has to stop.

Otafiire you know better, but you are just a loyal stooge. If I were Oketcho, I would hope that people say less and just hang around the campaign rallies, because this is just foolish and he should know it too. Peace.

Bugiri By-Election: NRM Press Release – “Re: NRM Mourns Dead Bugiri Voter” (20.07.2018)

Bugiri By-Election: My take on the squabble between Basalirwa and the FDC!

There is an upcoming Bugiri By-Election on the 10^th July 2018, this is the new district with a new MPs and councilors. However, this will be focused on the MP election, which has been heated even long before the polls. Like it was been discussion and hard words hit either way. The Opposition has attacked each other and also shown disdain as the FDC are having a candidate and also JEEMA. Therefore, some people are saying they are splitting the vote. But if the candidates are good, then that shouldn’t matter. NRM, FDC and JEEMA fights for the same slot in Parliament.

The Candidates for this By-Election is National Resistance Movement (NRM) John Francis Oketcho, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Eunice Namatende and Justice Forum (JEEMA) Asuman Basalirwa. Therefore, there are three candidates, they are competing for the same possible office. This shouldn’t be shocking, as the Democratic Party (DP) and the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) could in theory have fielded a candidate in this race. Even independents could run in it. So it is not a major crisis that its three candidates. Are the state of affairs so weak, that the opposition only feels safe if they field one candidate in every district?

There are many who is worried about fielding two opposition candidates, especially when many are standing behind JEEMA President Basalirwa, the UPC are standing behind him, Bobi Wine has endorsed him and parts of the rallies. There have been negotiations between JEEMA and FDC for a joint candidate. However, that stranded and the JEEMA team has attacked the FDC. Even went after Dr. Kizza Besigye, just like they did when he campaigned for the FDC candidate in Kyadondo East By-Election. So, we have seen this before. This is trying to tarnish FDC for their work and struggle.

To defend Besigye here is easy, as he has on both occasions just stood behind his party. It is natural, would Museveni rally behind any other party candidate? Both have been part or key person behind establishing their parties. Mao has helped other party candidates, but that is when their party doesn’t field anyone to be the flag-bearer like he did with Amama Mbabazi for President in 2016.

When people complain about the one candidate standing for this place, remember they already scrapped former Leader of Opposition in Parliament Wafula Oguttu. He is not just a random FDC leader and former MP. He was fielded for the slot in 2016. Therefore, Basalirwa should be Namatende is put forward now. That he is so bitter on FDC shows more signs of desperation, than of strength. That Bobi Wine wants the parties to prioritize is natural, but has already used his card and endorsed someone. The FDC has had talks with JEEMA without succeeding. Bobi Wine is also independent, so has not a structure to support or someone else to answer. That does the ones who has parties behind them. That is why it is more hard for a Party President not stand as an MP. Because that is the highest rank except for President. That is why James Akena stood as MP and Norbert Mao tried get in time before the 2016 without succeeding. So if Basalirwa didn’t stand he would show weakness to his party and no one wants that.

So please, just let it be. Let the challenge the NRM as two big opportunities for the Bugiri By-Election. Just like there were two possible candidate to pick from in Kyadondo East, there will be two in Bugiri. If the public want to go for them, then they should vote and stand-by as the counting appears. The NRM will use their tricks. But if they want justice and a fair candidate to elected. All of the parties should rally and be sure to get people behind their candidate. That Basalirwa is black-balling the FDC is just to post his narrative. Instead of seeing that the FDC tried to have talks at all. There is nothing automatic about that. Already Basalirwa have already gotten rid of Oguttu.

The ones blaming all on FDC should understand, that its all up to the parties itself to resolve this. Just like it is understandable that a party want their President to be an MP. There is nothing automatic about that, just ask Mao whose residing at home and waiting from reports from other DP MPs. Surely, Basalirwa want to be in Parliament and not at home.

That is why I say this, work for you cause and your candidate. The throwing shades between JEEMA and FDC will not further the fight against the NRM. Unless JEEMA wants to be a bitter rival who favorable to NRM, as they stood behind the TDC Presidential Candidate in 2016. If that is the case, the voting should be simple. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, the FDC has the same right to field their candidate as anyone, but the failed negotiations here is a blunder from both. If they don’t believe Basalirwa can beat the NRM candidate, unless he is alone. That is not a sign of strength, but weakness.

So please, Basalirwa, stop be bitter and spread your political agenda. Do that together with Bobi Wine. That is fine. Just as Besigye and other top officials from FDC support their candidate. That is all natural. But expect the NRM to come with funds and the military like they always do. So, be alert and woke, guard the voters if you believe you have the strength to conquer the NRM. We haven’t heard much about the NRM candidate. Because Basalirwa and the candidacy of Namatende has been so hostile. When it has no reason to be so, unless JEEMA have so little message to spread to the people of Bugiri. Peace.

Uganda: MoDVA – Supplementary Expenditure Schedule No. 3 for the FY 2017/18 Budget (22.05.2018)

Greed 101: The 10th Parliament MPs are doubling their own salaries!

“They have plundered the world, stripping naked the land in their hunger… they are driven by greed, if their enemy be rich; by ambition, if poor… They ravage, they slaughter, they seize by false pretenses, and all of this they hail as the construction of empire. And when in their wake nothing remains but a desert, they call that peace.” – Tacitus

These Members of Parliament is are the definition of greed. They already have cars paid by the government, and then not some off-back neck-in-the-woods ones, but something with 4 Wheel Drive and usually a SUV. These same MPs got tax exempt in 2016, that gotten suits, foods and other benefits in their salaries, they are so caked up with funds for themselves, it isn’t funny. And comparing these fellow brothers and sisters to average salary rate in the Republic. Would be an insult to salary rate in the Republic.

They are now in 2018 trying to get their salary doubled from 11 million shillings to 24 shillings. When they are already paid hefty sums for the cars, the monthly gratuity, medical expenses covered through insurance, wardrobe grants, furnished offices, mileage facilitation, constituency facilitations, sitting fees, allowances for plenary sittings and airtime allowances as well. There is nothing that is already covered, expect for the side-dish allowance, so if they have a man or woman on the side, the state will cover that too!

Because this is an insult to the state, the whole republic. They are already the special class who has a salary, which is tax-exempt, that they fixed for themselves in 2016. They have added and added for every Parliament, added more perks and more covering of their expenses, while their own salary has sky-rocketed.

It is a reason why they are unaccountable and not trusted, its because they are eating, while so many and plenty are living hand to mouth. While the state is figuring out more loans and added debt, these people are topping off on the loads of cash borrowed or donated. They are taking the aid and donations, the squeezing of every buck from the Republic as God-given right. They continue to do so.

So these subject isn’t new, at every twist and turn, these MPs are trying to hash out more funds from the public. Because of any reason within here and the moon. Let’s just be clear, this isn’t fair salary, this is a theft of a nation and the MPs are the embodiment of it. If they weren’t thieving like this, they are still getting kickbacks, grabbing land and also getting paid to vote in favour of the Presidents bills. That is known as the handshakes and “suits” has been given in the past for favourable bills.

This is the National Resistance Movement paradigm, we eat and the rest of you starve, because we need everything and deserve everything. We liberated you so we could eat off your plate and everyone else too. Because we deserve that, while the rest of you fork-up the money, so we can represent you. That is what they are saying and continue saying, without showing any signs of accountability or responsibility to their constituents, because they don’t matter anyway.

As long as they are paid, and paid-in-full. Peace.

Uganda: Major National Review Recommends Ways of Ending Hunger in Uganda (27.07.2017)

10th Parliament MPs is extra greedy as they are eating another Shs. 100m. each!

You know there is something special, you know there is something out of bound and something compelling, when the Members of Parliament (MPs) who has no quarrels with eating without taxation, without thinking of their salaries compered to the ones who they represent. The constituency of the MP must feel betrayed as their allowances and their benefits are enormous, to say it at least, they are gigantic! But take a look at the latest big payment for the MPs!

“Parliament — MPs are smiling all the way to the bank after the government authorised the release of an extra Shs45b to Parliament, with each of the 449 lawmakers set to get an additional Shs100m, ostensibly to buy cars for constituency travels” (…) “In a June 13 letter titled: ‘Additional cash limit of Shs45.8b for the Parliamentary Commission’, Mr Keith Muhakanizi, the Secretary to the Treasury, authorised Ms Jane Kibirige, the Clerk to Parliament, to spend the cash as part of non-wage recurrent budget in the fourth quarter of the Financial Year 2016/2017. The clearance comes barely two weeks to the end of the Financial Year” (Arinaitwe & Manzil, 2017).

So the Members of Parliament are clearly getting another pay-day without passing to much legislation or any sort of consideration of the proposed budget or pledges they had for the financial year 2017/2018. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the NRM Caucus have clearly made together with the Parliamentary Commission to make a new pay-day for the MPs, yet again!

The National Resistance Movement and their MPs clearly like to get extra brown-envelopes without any considerations of the state of the budget or the way the funds are raised. It is not shocking, it seems like an ordinary event at this point. Not like it is the first time, the MPs uses their Noble place in the august house to enrich themselves and add cost to the state. Therefore, the added debt and interest payments should be feared by the MPs. Instead, they are adding debt and creating more interest without concern of the citizens.

The citizens are going to pay extra for this, they are the ones that are ripped off at broad-daylight. They are eating directly of the state reserve and does it with impunity. Also worth noticing, President Museveni is not sanctioning against it, since he can do as pleases. Since he is eating directly and misuse s it whenever he wants. Peace.

Reference:

Arinaitwe, Solomon & Manzil, Ibrahim – ‘Uganda: MPs Get Extra Shs100 Million Each for Cars’ (17.06.2017) link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201706190735.html?utm_campaign=allafrica%3Ainternal&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_content=promote%3Aaans%3Aabafbt