Opinion: Elections in the Republic under Museveni is run like an Casino

If the Kayunga District By-Election results proves what some of us has been saying. It proves that the state machinery and the electoral commission is working in tandem. The state and the State House has all the advantages in a race. The state agencies and authorities are all coinciding with the memos, decrees and the whims of the “high above”. That’s why elections aren’t open, independent or fair. Free and fair elections is a myth here and it’s all rigged to fit the Presidency.

Let’s be clear, here is unwritten rule that you don’t challenge Museveni and expect to win. He might act like it is a fair fight or an open race. The President allows a few challengers, but they will not have the same spotlight, the access to media or even ability to campaign like him. They will be violated, silenced and stopped from doing their ordinary politicking. While the President can canvass, campaign and be on every single media house any part of the day. Meanwhile, his authorities, regional leaders and whatnot blocks the main opponent from doing the same. They are blocking the venues and making the assembly illegal even during election road-map, which is just made to mask the proposed “election period” for everyone.

This has been occurring for so long. This didn’t only happen in 2016 or in the General Elections in 2021. There been so many By-Elections hit by this and we can surely go back to 1996 and forward to know. Anyone who has had a legit campaign and popularity have suffered by the hands of the state. These folks have been called any name of the book and been blocked for “safety” reasons. The state have blossomed into a war-machine, using the military and police to enforce the will of one man. That’s why they have no real chance of winning or ability to do so. The state has made it impossible, as the parties can only convene in the headquarters in Kampala and they are blocked from operating nationwide. Only the ruling regime can be able to do so and freely. That party will not have issues with primaries or anything. They are allowed and nothing will be illegal. While the opposition cannot even open a party office in up-country without meeting security agencies and have arrests as well.

That’s why the General Elections and Elections in general in Uganda is run like Casino. The state and the NRM is the HOUSE. In concern to a Casino, the house never loose. Yes, it allows some to win and make them hooked. They allow some big prices get taken, as it is a hook to get you tricked into the system. Alas, the House is rigged to win. It might give some the idea that they can win. Nevertheless, the whole race and the crab-table is rigged for the House to profit. You can play blackjack, poker or whatnot. Whatever game you play… the Casino will win and have profits from it all. If it didn’t it wouldn’t operate or roll out the games.

The Casino during Museveni have given away some prices and illusions of victories for the opposition. However, the whole elections are made in a manner of which he wins. Not only does he win, but the NRM will secure the majority across the board. The opposition will not able to field candidates or even hold primaries to have flag-bearers in newly minted districts. Neither does they have the cash to pay to stand as a candidate. While the state has endless funds and the state machinery behind it. This is why the opponents can have great cards on its hands, but it will not matter, because you might win one round… nevertheless the next race will be bloody. There will be no return and the Casino will ensure to get returns on every investment and game. Therefore, the opposition is only being another player, but a sucker who will inevitably loose.

Museveni and his Casino is opening the tables, but the dealer and everyone else knows the NRM will win in the end. The players might believe they have a shot and get some prices. However, they hope the opponent continues to play and will loose all the coins he had. Maybe even ruin their careers and have to borrow from loan-sharks to repay the Casino it’s debt. That’s where Museveni can come in and swoop the opposition candidate from the other parties. In manners of paying off their debts and make them loyal to him. This is what he has done and how he rigs it.

So, never expect Museveni or the Casino to let anyone really win. He only does to make it look like the illusion it is. That is the reality here and it’s tragic. Peace.

Kayunga By-Election: Some things never change…

It’s now official by the authorities and the state, that the winner is National Resistance Movement (NRM) own candidate for LCV Chairman in Kayunga District, Andrew Muwonge. We shouldn’t be surprised or shocked by this.

That the Electoral Commission and the state machinery has rigged it in their favour. Making magical numbers and ending up as “winners”. Hearing NRM sympathizers saying it was all fair game and righteously so. As the opposition have activists, polling agents and MPs barred behind bars as effect of this by-election. Heck, Zaake MP is still in the hospital because of it all.

The NRM can lie to themselves. They can do their pre-ticked ballot, stuff the ballot-boxes and come with all the security agencies they can muster. Still, they don’t have the popularity or the people behind them. If they did… then the Presidential convoy would have been met with masses on the streets and towns of the district. Which the pictures, the video-clips and everything else proves isn’t true. Even the paying 4k per attendance and ferrying crowds cannot shield the unpopularity of the tyrant and his men.

The Kayunga District By-Election only reflects everything, which is wrong with the political landscape and what the authorities is willing to do. This is not a reflection of the people or the district itself. It is the NRM that imposes itself and uses the state machinery to get their “win”. They are dubious and oblivious to the realities on the ground. Only to have a sort of show of force and “support” which are only made by ghosts and pre-fixed algorithms.   

If Mr. Muwonge believes he won, this fairly. His delusional and needs some counselling. There is a need for a reality check and the same with his party. Because everyone knows the drill and the deal here. It isn’t funny or a joke, but a brutal act of dishonesty masked as an “election”.

If it was sincere and true, the DR Forms wouldn’t be altered and neither the results to reflects the will of the high above. The High Above invested heavy in this election and used all tools at his disposal. He used the army and the police force to his benefit. This man didn’t stop at anything. That’s why we know he had to fix it and make it “believable”. However, you can put sprinkles on a piece of shit, but still, it won’t be chocolates.

So, the NRM can play this one out and claim victory. Though we all know it is hallowed and shallow. It is a fraud and a lie. Just like so many other elections held since 1995. This is just the mere reality and the system continues with the same charade.  

The NRM can celebrate the lie and live on it. However, that doesn’t make it true. In fact, it just makes them silly and look foolish. They are the false prophets who only contains power but doesn’t have the people behind them. Peace.

Kayunga District By-Election: Latest updates…

Electoral commission officials have admitted to being behind the pre-ticking of ballot papers which we found in the ballot box at 6:20am, they say it is an order from above” (NTV, 16.12.2021).

Today, it’s revealed that there are pre-ticked ballots and stuffed ballot boxes for this By-Election. The few polling agents able to cover and participate was able to reveal this online. That says it all about what the state planned for this race.

The state security agencies was busy last night arresting opposition activists, NUP polling agents, NUP supporters and journalists in the district. As unknown amount of people was ferried to the Naggalama Police Station. This just shows what extent the state does to win this by-election. They are not even trying to show some sort of modesty here.

The pre-election violence and the usage of state machinery isn’t new. The same with the house-arrest of Bobi Wine for “safety” reasons. As the same old trick and modus operandi. While arresting bodyguards and gardener. Shows, the state is exposing it’s tyranny to world to see.

This is done over a by-election and one districts need for LCV Chairman. That says it all and shows what the state is willing to do. The NRM cannot be popular or have the will of the people. When they are using these means to win. The Yellow isn’t strong, but mediocre and weak. Since, they have to pre-tick ballots, stuff ballot boxes and use the security agencies to stop eyes from watching the polls. That is just seriousness of it all.

We shouldn’t be shocked or surprised, this is what the state does and they have invested the army, police and the whole machinery behind it. Therefore, it would be a disgrace and be humiliating, if the public showed interest for someone else. Peace.

Kayunga District By-Election: Shows everything that is wrong with politics these days

The National Resistance Movement and the ruling regime continues to impose itself. Where it uses all of its might, state apparatus and means to silence it’s critics. House-Arresting Robert Kyagulanyi, arresting his bodyguards and even his gardener. While beating Francis Zaake MP to pulp.

The NRM showed up with buses and their black mambas. The whole Presidential convoy and team. Where all there to bash in glory and anticipate a easy victory. Harriet Nakwedde the NUP LCV Candidate for Kayunga District was beaten and hurt as well. This is really unheard of and shows the “multi-party” democracy that NRM preaches about.

The army and the police was all active during the day. It is clear that the NRM does intend to use every trick in their book. The state promised that anyone could enter and campaign in Kayunga district. However, that was big fat lie. As Bobi Wine was without any warrants or charges house-arrested. He wasn’t allowed to leave or participate in Kayunga district. While the Prime Minister Nabbanja and the President could easily pass through the district.

Nobody should care about Andre Nuwonge at this point. His just another pawn by the regime. Today was the final day of campaigns, which ended with tear-gas, state sponsored violence and impounding a sound-truck of the opposition.

While the NRM was busy with scheduled voter-tourism, using security agencies in their favours and trying to silence the opposition. That just shows what is wrong in the Republic. There is no fair playing field and the NRM just vicious attempt to bush-whack everyone else. Not that this is any new or anything. It is just so deliberate and the efforts are clear as day.

We know it’s bad when Zaake MP had to sent to Jinja hospital for treatment. That is just what the Special Forces Command does and what the security agencies are paid to do. There was several of others who was wounded too. Just so the NRM can prove a point in the district.

It is horrific, but this is how Museveni have made the political landscape and this is in his vision. He speaks of unity, but uses the violence against anyone in his path. There is no self-reflection or concern of civlians, but just the continued oppression of the ones who is in his way. Peace.

Bobi Wine house-arrested over a by-election of LCV chairman ….

More deployment by the Police and Military moves towards Bobi Wine’ s home in Magere. The NUP leader has been condoned off from his home ahead of his visit to Kayunga District and only Pedestrians allowed past the police barricades at Freedom Drive” (John Cliff Wamala, 13.12.2021).

Today, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine was scheduled to travel to Kayunga District to support his party and flagbearer for the Kayunga District for the LC5 Chairman by-election there.

The military has increased deployment around my home. No one is allowed to leave or enter. Our security guard and gardener have been violently arrested, beaten and bundled into ‘drones’ outside our gate. Their phones confiscated” (Bobi Wine, 13.12.2021).

This by-election is scheduled to be happening on the 16th December 2021. However, we are seeing very clear signs that the opposition and the ones who are dissidents silenced. Bobi Wine is blocked from supporting his own party.

That is the tragic here. Just as we know the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is sending the President Museveni to galvanize support. While we know the state has been busy to abduct journalists and the ones following the NUP candidate during the weekend too. Therefore, the government is putting a lot of stakes in this by-election.

They are violating people’s rights just to win a LC5 councillor. The state is really continuing to serve injustice and impunity. Peace.

The Medical Interns strike is a self-made crisis… and the state has the the tools to resolve it…

This is what empty promises and sending love letters between the bureaucratic institutions. The state and the government have promised a relief and added salary for the medical interns. This is going back to the first strike this year in June 2021 and the promises of the President and his letter to the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Economic Development (MoFPED) in July 2021.

Now, we are in mid-December 2021 and nothing has happened. The Federation for Uganda Medical Interns (FUMI) have rights to fight for their members and for the ones who is on the front-line. For a President who defends and wants to pay scientists. It is really weak that he cannot find the funds or allocate funds to fix this. Alas, this isn’t an priority.

That’s why on the 10th December 2021 the Ministry of Health has sent out an letter and said the medical interns can be evicted and vacate the Hospitals within a week to pave way for new ones in January 2022. This shows that the state was never interested in paying a fair salary and the covering their basic needs. As these are the future of the Ministry of Health and the ones who can become the Health Care professionals the MoH needs.

This government clearly doesn’t care about the Ministry of Health or the ones working there. They don’t prioritize it or have any concerns, because there is always an Non-Governmental Organization or United Nations Organizations covering the shortfalls. If not, the high ranking officials is taking trips abroad to get healing. The medical tourism of the big-men and the patronage is the reason for not valuing the hospitals and health centres.

When the President knows perfectly well the problems. He has even written a letter directing the MoFPED in July 2021. There is all the reasons to listen to the grievances and needs of the medical interns. This is if the government or the National Resistance Movement (NRM) even values the scientists or the ones who combat a pandemic. The NRM thinks they can assault and silence the ones who cannot even feed themselves.

On the 10th December 2021, the same day as the MoH went after the Medical Interns. “The Uganda Dental Association (UDA) hereby informs the general public that we will be joining the ongoing industrial action organized by the Uganda Medical Association. We sincerely apologize for any and all inconveniences caused” (UDA, 10.12.2021). They are joining the Uganda Medical Association, which is on their 5th week of industrial action and that’s all because the state cannot live up to their own promises. This is neglecting their mission and good governance, which is proving how bad the state is at governing at this current time.

Association of Graduate Nurses and Midwives of Uganda wrote yesterday a press release. Where the AGNMU states the importance of the medical interns. They are not only condemning, but stating that it’s a dangerous decision by the MoH, which will affect the 2022 cohort. Secondly, which was interesting was this line from the

AGNMU: “Ministry of health should pay medical interns as per the presidential directive. Why should a mother starve her children? Medical interns deserve to be paid for their great work they contribute to health care in Uganda” (AGNMU – ‘Press Release on Medical Interns Strike’ 11.12.2021).

It is clear, that the President, MoFPED and MoH have no plans of honouring their promises. This has been going on for too long and they have no plans of changing it. The state shows that with initially firing the interns and wanting to hire others. Which is not respecting or honouring the ideals of a strike. They are making the workers and the medical professionals into a commodity they can easily transfer or change. So, if these sorts of actions causes a brain-drain. The state created this by themselves and gave no incentives for the ones trying to be come a nurse, midwife or doctor to stay in the Republic. Since, the state doesn’t value your eduction or your profession anyway. That’s the message here and they been saying that with the inaction for months. Peace.

DRC: Joint Press release from FARDC and UPDF on the Operation Shujaa (11.12.2021)

Another “Last Word of Mwenda”: He belongs now in a den of thieves….

The editor and founder of the Independent Magazine, Andrew Mwenda is back with his articles on social media. Today he published an article called ‘Uganda’s anti corruption pretense’ which I will discuss. Last time I did this was in September and once in March 2021. So, this year I haven’t cared much about his writing. Neither, has he been so controversial either, but he always has a mannerism ,which puts him on my radar.

Mwenda did defend corruption on a TV Program yesterday on NBS Television. Since 2015 he has become a man who defends that and does it wholeheartedly. That’s why I have to address it. Because, someone needs to retort him and it just happens to be me…

President Yoweri Museveni came to power promising to fight graft. He has presided over the most corrupt government in Uganda’s history. This, in large part, explains why he has lasted longest. This is not a moral judgment on his leadership. I do not think he would (and can) govern Uganda without corruption. It is just a statement of fact. I believe many opposition politicians genuinely believe corruption can be defeated. However, if they came into power, they would be just as corrupt” (Mwenda, 10.12.2021).

We know that the editor doesn’t believe anyone else can rule in the Republic. He just another pawn of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). His paternalistic way is that everyone in a system just has to get corrupted and continue the what the previous leaders did. Because, nobody has agency or ability to choose themselves… secondly, if life was as tragic as this… than there would never be reform or development. In the way Mwenda looks at things… cars would never have been created and people would still use horses to get from A to B. So, the opposition should get to try and some might get caught in the greed of power, but hopefully some will be morally strong to compete against the greed and easy money.

There are many sources of legitimacy for governments. However, critical to the legitimacy of the modern state is the ability of the state to provide a large basket of public goods and services to all its citizens. This governance model requires high levels of social organization and lots of money. Poor countries don’t have these two endowments to govern this way. So, they rely on cheaper and affordable strategies of governance – repression and patronage” (Mwenda, 10.12.2021).

Mwenda starts his defence of it and does it deliberately…. and it’s not funny anymore. It’s like the poor countries doesn’t have money, but if they have money to pay the patronage and use corrupt methods they are depleting the funds, which could have been spent on the government service. The same government services only the rich countries has and not spend it on vehicles for MPs for instance. Alas, this is an flawed argument, because the incentives is taken away and the poor are just supposed to stay power. In the same manner, which no opposition can ever reform or transform a nation. That’s a lie, because some might fall in the same trap of the past, but others might resolve the issues and find another way to govern. That implies another ending, which repression and patronage doesn’t become the end-game for any government.

Poor countries of today inherited the ethical and moral architecture of their governance from departing colonial powers and/or as copy and paste values based on “best practice” in rich Western countries. Yet reading the history of the West showed me that these ethical and moral values had not always been the basis of their governance. When still at the same level of per capita spending as us, the state did not provide a large basket of public goods and services to all citizens. Instead, governments in the West managed their societies using similar cheaper and affordable strategies of governance our leaders employ today – repression and patronage” (Mwenda, 10.12.2021).

Here is what is ironic here… yet, part of it is true too. Yes, the undefined “poor countries” have inherited a state, laws and institutions of which was based on the nations, which held them captive until liberation from the previous colonizes. However, in plenty of these nations, the rulers and the elites have thrived in using the same means, as the colonizer did. They have inherited it and used the same tricks to salvage wealth and create a microscopic local middle-class and wealthy elite. This elite is most likely connected to the political elite. That’s what his neglecting here.. by just saying the leaders employ repression and patronage.

Secondly, in this manner, yes, the West and multi-national organizations have imposed the governance and government policies, which has been strings reflected on the barrier or stipulations of loans. If not these has come as a costs for cheap loans, grants or development funds. These are money and funds the state could have blocked or not taken. Therefore, the state is doing this to cover for own deficits and shortfalls. Third, as a matter of truth here. The leaders and the elites has used the means of the new governance to assault and stop the others in the tracks. Also, issue in new forms of agendas to be the “new breed” of leaders, which has paid of in the West. One man doing so was Museveni and his party. He promised all of this, but instead only paid of the patronage. That shows that it wasn’t his priorities, but he masked it by following “western” objectives to get funds to cover the shortfall of his cronyism. Which is an ideal, that Mwenda masks over with brush of the pen. It is like it’s no need to mention that, but just take it under the rug and forget it about it.

Poor countries adopted this architecture of governance without the financial and a developed social organization to deliver on it. So, our nations are over developed in functions but under developed in capacity – their reach goes far beyond their grasp. The consequence of this mismatch between ambitions and resources leads inevitably to corruption. Meagre resources are spread too thinly across a large territory that is sparsely populated. Then they are placed into the hands of myriads of state employees with limited skills and oversight to do the job. Corruption and incompetence are inevitable byproducts of this effort” (Mwenda, 10.12.2021).

Here again he continues. It is like the states and republics, the former colonies or anyone didn’t have a choice. Yes, there would be reactions and efforts would have been made to change it. We know the former colonizers and the Western powers used all means and ploys to get their favoured leaders in office. Therefore, the will and abilities wasn’t huge.

However… every nation and head of state has choices. Like Museveni could have invested in education, schools and the such. Instead he has decided to spend on huge patronage, cronies and the army. Which isn’t means to an end, but to secure his longevity. The state could have used the resources and decided to spend on education, infrastructure and create policies of which had made thing reform in a positive direction. Nevertheless, when that isn’t the goal, but the end-game has been set-up differently and for only the ones that breathes lives to the rulers. That’s why things are not moving forward, but stagnate. It’s like Mwenda doesn’t want to see that and only wants to defend the corrupt and the ones eating of the plates of others. Instead of sharing the resources they actually have… that’s pathetic.

Because financial and human resources available cannot deliver the large basket of public goods and services, governments find it cheaper (and affordable) to invest in buying-off elites in the different ethnic or religious communities with patronage. In exchange, these elites create a bridge between the state and their constituents. This forms the basis for the politicization of ethnicity – as ambitious people make moral, cultural and psychological appeals to identity to gain the following of particular constituencies. They leverage this following to gain positions of power and influence; and they sustain these through the distribution of material benefits to their constituents by indulging in activities that are largely corrupt” (Mwenda, 10.12.2021).

Here his saying it’s cheaper and easier, which is partly true, but also shows the ideals or the supposed states has given up on their mission. It is like he accept the idea that the state only serves an elite or the patronage of the state. They are accepting to buy up a small patronage, but not use the resources it has to serve it’s citizens. That is devaluing the state and what it could do. This is showing the needs for reform and change things. The government and the state could actually try to serve the communities or the citizens, but the focus isn’t on them, but a chosen few who can get to eat. That is a tragic pattern and prospects for the state.

At the top corruption is the glue that holds the flabby and heterogenous coalition of powerful religious and ethnic elites together. Then below, corruption is the grease that turns the wheels of the state because public sector employees work in large part because their official incomes are supplemented by unofficial earnings through corruption. Therefore, corruption is the way the system works not the way it fails. By adopting the ethics of a modern state at very low levels of public spending, we have criminalized the very governance strategies that allow our states to function. This conclusion is frustrating but realistic. It means that we need to see corruption not as a problem which we can solve but one we should manage” (Mwenda, 10.12.2021).

Here is the end to this sad tale of defending corruption. The magical way of building society by stealing, thieving and siphoning funds. The way of taking money and eating of other people’s plate. The state and the elites are allowed to run rampant and only give scraps away to the majority. Because, that keeps the status quo alive and everything dandy for the elites of Mwenda. He lives with the wealthy and hang around the greedy guts… this is maybe why he endures corruption and gets a few kickbacks himself.

The editor and the journalist should think more straight ahead. The patronage, the cronyism and the corruption is only making everything costly. That’s why roads are so expensive to build, so many needs their envelopes and it gets plenty more hurdles to get things done. The state isn’t becoming better, but everyone needs to be greased. That’s not how to build anything and the values of life will go away as well. Since, everyone is down to be bought and possibly corrupted. If Mwenda believes that is how he builds society. He surely belong in a den of thieves.

This pseudo-intellectualism at it’s finest. Some will buy into it, but anyone who can see through it. Will know it is nonsense and deservingly so. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni believes in corruption [surprise, surprise]

Be careful on lifestyle audits. We are lucky the thieves are still keeping the money here. They build Five Star Hotels. They will begin to take the money out, and we fail to trace” Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (09.12.2021).

This here statement from His Excellency and the Fountain of Honour at the official launch of the National Lifestyle Audit Campaign on the Anti-Corruption Day. I wish it was made up, but it shows his intention and what he wants out of it. It is clearly a hallow mission and a launch. When the guy ordering and directing everyone around, says this to general public.

Yes, everyone with a working mind knows there is a need for funds and investment to start a business. It costs to trade before selling. Both in inventory, furbishing a location, taxes and registration to various government entities. As well, as the basic needs of salaries and other components to make the business legit. However, the President is setting a bad precedence here. He is initially saying that they are lucky having corrupt thieves to invest in building businesses….

It is a curse to get wealth through corruption. I don’t want to give examples. God is up there watching. I can tell you he doesn’t bless people who do evil. Even the people who took slaves got problems” (Museveni, 09.11.2021).

What is funny about this… he gave an example with the 5 Star Hotel. I am sure there are several of companies built with these sorts of funds in the Republic. The President and his cronies knows this and they don’t want the IGG to look into them. I wouldn’t be shocked, if the President have directed the IGG or Auditor General to look away from certain people. Because, the State House wouldn’t accept the closest associates or family members touched by this. The President will for certain not accept all investigations or audit. That will hurt the patronage and his whole regime. Therefore, his worried that some of the big-men might be implicated or having corporations touched by it. That is just inevitable.

You are fighting for money because I have generated money for you. The NRM has generated money for you. The UPDF has created peace. That is why you have the money to steal. There is no reason we should not do things correctly. The economy would grow faster” (Museveni, 09.12.2021).

This here is really typical. The President cannot come out without the army or the guns. The ammunition and the arms are the saving grace. It shows the lack of progress and status of governing. When you have to cling on the guns and the army to be the salvation from desperation. The UPDF shouldn’t be the safeguard of the economy, but keep the Republic’s territorial integrity. This is the misuse of it and how he operates the army to fix everything in the state. We know the UPDF is participating in the economy and using it as a means to his end. Plus, the directing of decrees from the State House also is compelling in this disregard.

When the President can utter words like this. It isn’t promising for the IGG. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t expect much either. The men who was done this grand corruption before has gotten of the hook, while the small-fish has been fried in public. That’s what we have seen. The big-men with connections gets away from the law, but the civil servant thieving a coin gets years to shave behind bars.

Nobody should be above the law and everyone should be equal before it, but expecting that in the Republic in 2021. Is asking a bit but too much sadly. Peace.

A brief look into Maj. Gen. Abel Kandiho

I don’t think the US can risk engaging us in an offensive. The most they can do is just to impose sanctions and that is all” Maj. Gen. Abel Kandiho (Emmanuel Busingye – ‘CMI boss Kandiho brags about detaining US citizen’ 02.05.2021, Ekyooto.co.uk).

The Chief Commander of Chieftain of Military Intelligence (CMI) Abel Kandiho is now under fire, as his one man who is sanctioned by the United States Treasury. Maj. Gen. Kandiho was appointed to this position on January 2017. He has been ruthless as the leader of CMI and been unforgiving to anyone in his path.

Kandiho have followed orders, kidnapped and arrested people without any hesitation. While taking in Rwandese refugees and others too. He has even bragged about detaining a U.S. citizen during this calendar year. That’s the sort of fella he is.

As a leader of CMI his said to be uneducated and haven’t even finished P-7. The CMI is known for kidnappings, arrests, torture and murder of Ugandan citizens as well. The CMI isn’t a friendly security organization or a fair enterprise.

We also know that Kandiho have coordinated and worked with the RNC in Rwanda. He has supported and aided the guerrilla outfit, which works to overthrow the leadership of Kigali. The CMI have also supporter FDLR during his tenure. So, this man has no issues supporting militias and rebels who intends to overthrow a foreign power. That is all done on behalf of the State House and their intended missions.

Lt Isaac Rutagatina Sankara have written this about him: “Our P.7 graduate can’t even measure up to any responsibility. This has been clearly manifested in his methods of work and management style, that’s why he has even shied away from facing any committee in Parliament because he can’t even understand budgets and policies and this is an area where CMI should be having a big impact. On May 25th 2011 when US president Barrack Obama gave a keynote address to both houses of British Parliament gathered at Westminster Hall in his opening remarks he said that and I quote “Am told the last three speakers have been the Pope, Her Majesty the Queen and Nelson Mandela which is either a very bar or the beginning of the joke” Your Excellency the appointment of Maj. General Kandiho as the chief of military intelligence was a big blander and one of the biggest jokes in the intelligence circles” (Lt. Isaac Tutagatina Sankara – ‘#CMI_Files: The appointment of Maj Gen Abel Kandiho as the Chief of CMI and the implications of the appointment on both regional and nationa#cmi_files’ 19.09.2020, CMIFILES.Wordpress.com).

While on the other hand, there been reports, which was never verified that Rwandan government after the appointed of Kandiho as the CMI chief. They intended to send commandos to Kampala and assassinate him. He has worked in the early 2000s in Kigali, but he wasn’t a favoured character and maybe he earned his resentment for the Rwandese, because of his time there. However, that is mere speculations.

There also unverified information that the Maj. Gen. have been imprisoned twice. Some calling him a uneducated crook and a henchmen, who worked for gangsters in Kampala and pimps who sold prostitutes. However, that cannot be verified either. Nevertheless, if even a little of this is true. Than it says a lot about his character and how unfit he is for office. Neither educated and a thug who is just a brute without any concern for anyone else. Who just follows orders and directs his merciless attacks on civilians and dissidents of the state.

““According to analysts, this is another reason Rwandans are never tried in court. The charges against them will be bogus, and there will be no evidence to charge them in court. They will just torture them in CMI dungeons. Rwamucyo and Rutayisire would be transferred to CMI headquarters after some weeks in Mbarara, and by then the accusation had changed from “involvement in a robbery plot” to “illegal possession of weapons”. The same happened to Moses Ishimwe Rutare, a Rwandan businessman in Kampala who in December 2018 happened to step out of a church service to answer his phone. Unknowingly, he ambled next to the residence of Abel Kandiho where CMI men asked him to show his identity. When it was discovered he was a Rwandan they whisked him off to their torture chambers in Mbuya, accusing him of “espionage”” (Grace Kamugisha – ‘The strange case of arrests of ADEPR members in Uganda ‘ 05.08.2019, The New Times Rwanda).

In 2020, the Gahigi Safari wrote this story: “The movie was set in motion after Nyamwasa (who was scared that Rutabana was about to challenge him for RNC leadership) told his friend Kandiho in CMI to abduct Rutabana the next time he came to Uganda. Kandiho did. “Kandiho and Nyamwasa thought it would be just very easy to ‘disappear’ Rutabana – the way they normally kill people and no one asks,” a knowledgeable source said. “But with Rutabana they have run into a big problem. The wife and relatives have not stopped asking. The Western embassies (Rutabana has French nationality and Belgian residence), have not stopped asking. An American organisation has been investigating, and has released a damning report on both CMI and RNC’s Nyamwasa!”  So now, CMI is deploying their tools of misinformation, to try to fool people. It will not work!” (Gahigi Safari – ‘Seruga lies. Kandiho, Nyamwasa better produce Rutabana’ 04.07.2020).

So, it is easy to find stories and tales of grievances against Maj. Gen. Kandiho. It is too easy actually and proves the reasons for the sanctions against him. I am sure there plenty of stories, which I could gloss over in a hot minute.

Just as this is just two court case shows the pattern of the CMI:

1st: The grounds of this application are well laid out in the affidavit of Kenneth Munungu an Advocate but briefly they are that the applicant was arrested from Kampala in the morning on the 8th September, 2019 by plain clothed men who identified themselves as security operatives from CMI and ISO. Upon arrest, the applicant was taken to Mbuya Chieftaincy of Military Intelligent (CMI) headquarters and then transferred to the Internal Security Organization and back to CMI and thereafter his whereabouts became unknown. The applicant’s family members wrote letters to the French Embassy and to the Ministry of foreign Affairs in Uganda on the 28th October 2019, but to no avail. The applicant has spent 5 months in illegal detention, which unconscionably exceeds the constitutional limit of 48 hours and contravenes Article 23(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. The applicant has not been tried in any court of law and that it is in the interest of justice and fairness that the applicant be unconditionally released from detention since the government has failed to charge him before the courts of law” (Rutabana v Director General, Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence & 5 Ors (Miscellaneous Cause 18 of 2020) [2020] UGHCCD 132 (05 March 2020), 05.03.2020).

2nd: “That on September 15 2018, the Applicant was arrested from his work place by intelligence officers (CMI) and detained at a safe house in Mbuya for more than a month, where he was kept and denied access to his family. That he was later informed that he would only be released once they got the information which they wanted from him. Instead the applicant was produced before Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court where he was charged with the offences of belonging to a terrorist organization c/s 11 (1) (a) and 11 (3) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2002; and Aiding and abetting or financing or harbouring acts of terrorism c/s 8 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2002. That he was committed for trial on the 31st May 2019. That the Applicant has patiently waited for the trial of his case to start since then in vain, and owing to the busy schedule of the court, he is not certain when his trial will commence. That all the offences charged against the applicant are bailable by this honorable court. That the applicant is presumed innocent until proved guilty and his continued detention is a violation of the same right. That the applicant has a fixed place of abode within the jurisdiction of this honorable court and shall not abscond when granted bail” (Ahamad Ssebuwufu v Uganda (HCT-OO-ICD-CM 21 of 2019) [2020] UGHICD 1 (08 January 2020); 08.01.2020).

So, the CMI Chief doesn’t have a clean record, but a big one. If the CMI had the systemic reports of all the hidden reports about the arrests, kidnappings and how they detain people. Alas, also how the torture and killing of civilians as well. This would show what sort of horrific character the CMI chief is. His record will be bloodstained for life. He does this as a service to the Republic and the ones who has given his this career.

Maj. Gen. Kahindo follows orders and command. He is vicious and bloodthirsty. We will know more about him with time. This is just what I could access today. However, there should be reports written about his mischief. The U.S. sanctions on him only proves what he has done and what his willing to do. Peace.