FDC Presidential Candidate Patrick Oboi Amuriat arrested in Jinja district…

4UPDATE: FDC presidential candidate Patrick Oboi Amuriat has been arrested in Buwenge town council as he headed to Jinja district from Kamuli” (Radio 4 – 103.3 FM, 27.12.2020).

As we speak the Police Force abducted Forum for Democratic Change Patrick Oboi Amuriat from his vehicle in Jinja district as he was campaigning.

The Police have been in the direct of Kampala, but for now we don’t know which way they are taking. Neither is there any knowledge of what caused this or what law his supposed to have violated. As he was taken brazenly from the campaign trail with no proper cause or warrant.

This unwarranted arrest of the FDC Presidential Candidate. Is yet another act of injustice during this campaign.

If he would enter some sort of Police Station before the night. That wouldn’t be shocking. Neither if he suddenly was detained at Nalufenya Police Station or anywhere else. However, that is just mere speculations as to God knows where they are taking him.

Nevertheless, the charade of elections continues and police brutality persists as the state is on overdrive to attack and assault its opposition. Peace.

Opinion: No way this election can be either free or fair…

I lack words today… just enough of the suffering. As yet another man dies on the roads to campaign. Yet more people are shot by the authorities in Masaka. As the 14th January 2021 is approaching. Like that is a final end of things.

These sort of actions. The abductions of political affiliates, the arbitrary arrests and extra judicial killings. The state is on full alert. Arresting and nailing the coffins on the ones associated with either the National Unity Platform (NUP) or the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).

Where activists, party leaders are going missing. Getting arrested like chicken thieves by law enforcement in the night. They are incommunicado and the news are breaking in the morning after. Since, suddenly these folks aren’t appearing or answering the calls like they used too.

This is the sort devious acts the government does. The usage of tear-gas, blocking and closing off public venues. The road-blocks, the arrests on the road and the live-bullets is bad enough. As the stray bullets are hitting civilians. Civilians are hurt by the state sponsored violence and the general public is tearing eyes as the pink tear-gas is appearing. This is happening again and again. A repetitive measure and the suffering continues.

If the National Resistance Movement (NRM) thinks this is cool. They are fools. They are allowing citizens to die on their watch. They are allowing citizens being deemed criminal before evidence and a fair trail ever happening. They are preventative arrests and usage of the power of the state to abduct and keep associated people hostage. This while they are neither getting justice or freedom. A freedom and liberty, a peace that the NRM claims the public has gotten under them.

However, doing this day and night ahead of the polls. Only shows the world one thing. That the President is a tyrant and a dictator. He got no back-bone to have real opposition. He cannot stomach a multi-party democracy. If he did, he would be happy that the NUP and FDC was campaigning and building up their parties. Alas, he rather destroy them with his military and his police.

While the President speaks of correct ideology. How can it be correct to use these means to silence critics? How can it be right to arrest people without warrants or evidence? How can it be right to use fatal force against civilians? You tell me, because I don’t have the answer.

This election is fraudulent and a charade even before the ballots are cast. These elections are marred with government sponsored violence and injustice. There is no justification to prolong the agony. The deaths and the injured says enough. The political prisoners and the issues of assembly. Says it all. Where the NRM can do whatever, while the others are tasting the brutal force of the state. They are coming in like the opposition are terrorists or serial killers. While the public are getting the blunt force right in their face. The authorities who are there to protect them are the ones that violates their space and their rights to gather and assemble. That is the tragedy here.

The President and his men can blame the victims, never take responsibility and call it “collateral damage”. Like they broke a glass at a pub during a brawl over who won the last game of Dominoes or something. However, the person who dies cannot be replicated like a glass. The person will not return, only the memory of what that person can linger in people’s heart. The death is the end of a life. That is why its tiring and exhausting knowing people dies over a campaign. Only to spread a political message and bring hope.

The NRM speaks highly of liberation from the past. However, these acts are like the past. The abduction, the arrests and usage of state to destroy the opposition. The amount of skulls, the amount of pain and suffering the NRM has caused. Will one day be tallied and be categorized. The day of reckoning and answering for its ills. Its injustice and impunity will one day happen. Even if it isn’t tomorrow.

Nevertheless, the 14th January 2021 is already set and the goal-post haven’t changed. The state is showing its insincerity and brutality. There is no way these elections will be free nor fair. That has been shown with this campaign. As Bobi Wine sleeps roadside in rural Uganda while awaiting a new day to campaign. That says it all.

These campaigns are rigged, the polls are rigged and the President is a bloodthirsty tyrant. If you don’t know, now you know. Peace.

Bobi Wine’s car shot at in Kyotera district

There has already been reported that the authorities have blocked Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine from accessing Kyotera town in Kyotera district. That is happening after he has campaigned in Rakai district earlier in the day.

So, as the authorities have blocked him. They have taken it further an flatten his wheels of his car. They actually shot at it again. This time as they we’re leaving Kifuuta village in Kyotera district. Clearly, the state is directly attacking him.

They have already done the same act in Jinja and Rwampara districts. Therefore, the state is really showing no signs of mercy. They are deliberately making it hard for Bobi Wine to campaign ahead of the 2021 polls. These actions are really stopping the NUP Presidential Candidate from doing job and speaking his message to the public.

They are always doing something that can thwart his work. This is another act of deviousness and shows the lack of tolerance for his campaign. When they have done this three times already. That says a lot. Peace.

Opinion: When Museveni stops, everyone else has to stop…

The EC has suspended campaign meetings in districts/cities categorised by Ministry of Health as having high spread of Covid19. From 26/12/20, no campaign meetings will be held in Mbarara, Kabarole, Luwero, Kasese, Masaka, Wakiso, Kabarole, Jinja, Kalungu, Kazo, Kampala & Tororo” (Paul Bukenya, 26.12.2020).

There is now reports that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is scheduled to finalize his ending of his campaign on the 30th December 2020 ahead of the January 14th 2021 Presidential Elections. It is therefore fitting that Electoral Commission cancel the abilities for all other candidates to campaign in several of opposition strongholds.

This is just areas where the President knows he lacks support and therefore, the opposition cannot campaign there. Even if the Electoral Commission lacks the mandate to do this. They haven’t issued “State of Emergency” neither has the President. The Parliament haven’t accepted it or even looked over the mandate to do so.

That they are doing this today 19 days ahead of the polls is really irregular and wrecking havoc. The President doesn’t care. He will bag this election with a rigged election and only going through the motions.

This here is really showing Kampala and Wakiso disregard. Just like the Electoral Commission and authorities did in the 2016 General Elections. They are continuing to do this and show repellent actions towards the citizens there. As they are undermined yet again. We are supposed to forget the vote delay and the postponement of polls in 2016?

Yes, the President and the Electoral Commission did that last time around. Yet, again in this election cycle they are doing things earlier. Just like they arrested Bobi Wine ahead of the polls already. Instead of house-arresting him to oblivion after the polls and not allowing him to vote. Just like they did to Besigye last time around.

This here is deliberately issuing and blocking the opposition from campaigning. Using COVID-19 or the Coronavirus as an excuse. This is all politicking and doing this stop the opposition. This is even breaching the Presidential Elections Act of 2000, which states:

21. Protection and immunity of candidates.

During the campaign period, every public officer and public authority and public institution shall give equal treatment to all candidates and their agents” (Presidential Act of 2000).

Not that the campaign period have given the opposition candidates the equal opportunity or the authorities have been fair during the campaign period. No, they hare been partisan and been blocking the opposition.

This is yet another move from the authorities to be unfair ahead of the polls. That its done in opposition strongholds isn’t surprising either. Just shows the state of affairs. The state and the President are just securing their bag, instead of the future.

President Museveni doesn’t care if the law enforcement is unfair and not giving equal opportunities to the opposition. That isn’t shocking… but just the mere reality. All the acts done by the authorities should be enough to challenge these elections in the courts. Though don’t expect favourable judgements, as these folks are appointed by the President and they are their to validate his reign. Peace.

Opinion: What if someone tear-gassed, brutalized and arrested Museveni like he does to his opposition?

What if the National Resistance Movement (NRM) was getting the opposition treatment? This meaning that the authorities would detain activists and the preparation teams ahead of rallies. If suddenly the handlers and bodyguards of the President went missing. What if his allies was hurt by swords or bullet.

What if the car of the President was tear-gassed and crowds greeting him met with brutality? If the state attacked his supporters and arrested them. We can wonder would happen if the old man had to hide and get away from violent security officials shooting live-bullets at his car. They would destroy his wheels while his driving to a rally.

All roads to several of districts blocked by road-blocks. The President would need to drive on smaller feeder roads, instead of driving on the highways to campaign hot-spots. Venues closed off and seeing him crying of the tear-gas. Seeing security guards destroying his car and brutally assault his convoy.

The President not allowed to sleep in state lodges. They were blocked. Him not allowed to pass into cities and getting into hostels or hotels for the night. RDCs and DPCs not allowing him to enter districts and not passing through them. Having stand-offs in roundabouts and middle of nowhere roads into towns and districts. Later being towed to the middle of nowhere. As they would not let him close of the roads into the same places.

The President would have been furious and called out people all sort of names. He would have sacked these people. The President would have answered in anger and sent his Special Force Command to take these one out of his way. Therefore, we know this is impossible.

However, the idea of the pink tear-gas all around the SUV of the President. Seeing the tents ambushed and violent oppress him. It would have been a little sweet to see the pain happening to him. Which he has served to the opposition for over a generation now. All along back to Dr. Paul Ssemogerere.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni have given this treatment to anyone opposing him. Allowing this tyranny and repetition of injustice. The indifference to this has to stop. The NRM regime should imagine it happening to them. That they are incommunicado for over 48 hours without any attorney or allowing the family to see the abducted political person currently held at an unknown location. Because, that what’s happening to the opposition. An act that shouldn’t happen in the first place, but it does.

The President who is a supposed revolutionary and a liberator. How come his people is treated like this? How come the authorities are doing this to the public? Why is it okay with stray-bullets and injury because of political affiliation?

What sort of freedom and liberty is it to get injured and possibly die because you are an support of someone else than the regime? You tell me… because it doesn’t seem like freedom to me. This is the suppressive and oppressive means of the state. A state that does this to the opposition.

The NRM should consider that the ills given to others shouldn’t happen. They scream rule of law, but serves infuriating injustice. What if that injustice was served him? Would the old man be able to carry it and still be viable? I doubt he would have it in him. However, he has no problems serving this to the citizens he serves and supposed to be their leader. Nevertheless, he acts like his above them and they are lucky to ever live in his time. Peace.

Opinion: Being bulletproof or barefooted will not overcome an rigged election

That Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and Patrick Oboi Amuriat (POA) have the spirit of defiance and resilience against the oppressive means of the authorities. The National Resistance Movement and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will not loose this up-coming elections. To think so is futile. The idea of winning by the ballot is naive. There is no way that will happen. If that scheme worked. Dr. Kizza Besigye would have been inaugurated either in 2011 or in 2016. However, that never happened. Because the President has the team, the operation and pre-fixed result to win in January 2021.

Bobi Wine can get shot at, tear-gassed and arrested. He can wear the helmet, bulletproof vest and be guarded 24/7 by loyal guards and cronies. All of these ideals are good as the authorities are relentless, blocking him and closing off roads. Not allowing him to sleep in hotels, attend rallies at scheduled places and so fourth. That is all fine and dandy, but he will not win.

POA can go through the same. Being arrested, charged and losing his shoes. The Presidential Candidate can be scuffled, blocked and challenged. He shows the spirit as the proud villager, but that will not cut it.

Bobi Wine is popular and able to sell an idea. That idea will linger on, but the way things are done. Systematic ignorance and usage of force will deplete all ideals. Because no matter how good these ideals are and how honest they may be. The government, the authorities and the law enforcement will ensure another term for Museveni. Not that its the will of the people and they are forced to have him.

The President, the incumbent of 1986 won’t risk losing to these two candidates. They are useful to legitimize the affairs and make it look like a race. However, the President and his team will be pre-ticked into oblivion. The state will ensure that more people suffer, use the live-bullets and fatalities will be on the rise around the polls. The fatalities will suddenly rise exponentially when protests and riots appear.

The barefoot is a nice way of showing strength through it all. Some has mocked that, but it is a neat trick. Nevertheless, POA’s drive and rallies will not strike the strong cord. The FDC needs more P10 organizations and securing the ballots. Then any sort of fishing for relevance these days. The Plan B is what they need to galvanize the public and explain why the ballots are pointless.

Going through the motions. Doing the same, again and again… and expecting another result is just bonkers. To think you will get a reckoning and a sudden change is outrageous. The fatigue of this is understandable. The public and the parties have run through the same procedures countless of times with nothing to little to show for it. The state have taken it all and fixed it all too.

The NRM and the President will have the majority, they will have the Presidency and the opposition will suffer again at the polls. Not because the opposition doesn’t have support or built a new base of supporters. No, that doesn’t matter, because these people doesn’t count with ghosts and pre-ticked ballots in favour of the NRM.

Bobi Wine bulletproof campaign and #WeAreRemovingADictator is genuine message and a needed one. However, it will not work. Unless, he ask for a revolution and for a risk of total disregard of the polls. Bobi Wine and POA can only overcome the President with defiance. There is no other way. The ballots are ticked and results will only serve the fountain of honour. The others will only receive breadcrumbs and not get the golden ticket. That is not happening. Just like it didn’t happen in the past either. It isn’t a matter of free and fair elections. It isn’t about accountability or transparency. It is all about power and regaining it. The state will not fumble this or risk losing it. They are all bound the fate of one man and they are willing to see the Republic burn as long as his reigning. They are all counting on him.

The bulletproof and barefoot is commendable, but they need to amp up the speed. These motions and the same as last election cycle will not be enough. The system isn’t changed. Yes, the NUP and FDC have shown character and been bold. I commend that, but know deep in my heart. That this will not push the state over the edge. They are not fearing enough and worried enough. They are not losing sleep and lost for words. No, they are continuing like Yester-year and anticipating similar outcomes as in past. Peace.

A Memo ahead of the polls: Museveni will only serve you threats

If you see anyone intimidating, it is their ideology and belief. What those people do of intimidating people is their ideology. The guns they say they have, we have the largest number of guns but we don’t intimidate people. A bull that wants to die tastes the axe” Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the 24th December 2020

In the middle of the Christmas, as Advent is over. The President and Head of State, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has decided yet again on the campaign trail to serve the public threats. Instead of showing humility, grace and kindness. He wants to further intimidate and be ruthless towards mankind. Not really Christmas(y) unless the man is the Grinch or Scoorge.

If you ever believed this man was of peace. You are wrong. His the man who rather arrest, kill and destroy the ones opposing his ways. Especially, the ones he cannot corrupt or get into his fold. They are the ones that he ambush, abduct and uses the rule of against.

It is ironic that he speaks of first warning people of intimidating personalities. While later saying he got the biggest guns. Initially coming with a further threat. Not a new one. As he always brag about his defence, his army and his security organization. That is able and ready to take down anyone. The ones who secures his future and his heirloom. Because, it is not like these forces are there for the civilians or for democratic purposes. These are there to fight on his bid and his bid alone.

He could have said “You should never take the bull by the horns”. However that would mean to do something brave or in a determined way. No, the old man wanted to prove a point that an axe can kill an bull. Just like his army and his security detail got the most guns. That is not the talk of someone not intimidating. This the school-yard bully saying he knows Kung-Fu and his father is strongest in the whole wide world. Initially, the President is coming with the same rhetoric.

The man is insincere when he speaks of not intimidating. He always scold and says his force will crush someone. If he was so lovable and sweet. These words wouldn’t be so easily accessible. The President isn’t dancing Bambi on the ice. Neither is a peace loving Guru from the mountains of Bhutan. No, his a warlord and has enough skulls on his CV. That is why the first things the trusts is the gun and not man. He trust the weapons and the artillery. The President doesn’t people and his instinct is to use force. Therefore, his go to measure is to use law enforcement against anyone who stands in his path.

That is why he comes with a picture of brutal death like the axing of a bull. That is a bloody picture. Just like the chopped of head of a horse in the Godfather movie. It is no difference here.

The President have to serve threats, because he got nothing else to offer. The only thing giving him an edge is the strength of the authorities and abilities to contain the rise of new power. As long as he can contain and control the opposition. He will still be in power, but when the centre doesn’t hold any longer and when they won’t abide the orders. The centre will loose and he will be rudderless. The President will be alone and his threats will be useless.

That is why he serves the threats and intimidates even ahead of Christmas day. Because he has nothing else. That is who he is.

Let me end with the proverbs after 50 Cent:

War, what is it good for absolutely nothin’

But niggas keep frontin’

Fuck a nigga, live like a soldier

Die like a soldier” (50 Cent – ‘Whoo Kid Kayslay Shit!’ of the “50 Cent is the Future” 2002).

Maybe that is mindset of this President. I wouldn’t be shocked. As he always cling on the guns and that’s his Modus Operandi. Peace.

National Resistance Movement (NRM): Response to Media Reports regarding Proposed Constitutional Amendments and Postponement of the 2020/2021 General Elections (24.12.2020)

Opinion: The NRM Way isn’t bettering the Youth Employment like Museveni claims..

At 76, I have no blood pressure because I don’t stress myself like some people who have been worrying too much yet this is not good to their health. You need to tell this to Ugandans that if they follow the NRM advice, the problem of unemployment will be solved” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (24.12.2020)

That the President is so proud of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ways really says a lot. As the numbers haven’t really changed much or the realities on the ground is much of the same. The public cannot eat the GDP or import numbers. Even if he proclaims greatness that way.

Just like the numbers of participation in the economy for the ages of 15 to 25 years old. Numbers from Macrotrends proves a steady 55 % from the year of 1991 until 2015 when the numbers gotten worse and by 2019 the numbers was down to 51,91%. Still no matter how you look at this numbers in a Republic full of youth and younger generation born after the “liberation” of 1986. Most about 50% of them are not participating in the economy and most of them have never had the ability to do so.

In a DHL Article from 2019: “The situation is grim. A 2015 study by the same organization revealed that the proportion of unemployed youths had risen from 12.3 percent in 2013 to 18.6 percent in 2015, while recent data by the African Development Bank painted a much gloomier picture, placing unemployment figures at up to 83 percent of the nation’s youth population” (DHL – ‘The solution to Uganda’s youth unemployment crisis’ 26.09.2019).

The gig-economy and lack of financial policies helping them. All the money schemes from the government haven’t helped over the years. The NRM haven’t delivered to the youth or made it possible for them to get work or participate in the society. That is why they are willing to do whatever to get food on their plate. This isn’t sustaining society or creating natural growth.

When the President says Ugandans should take his advice. The numbers of unemployment and non-participating is worsening. While the state is stagnate, deficit-financing and a huge debt-burden created by this government. Therefore, this President better seek other advisors and other skilled people. Since his drowning the economy and giving less good lessons to the public,

Instead of giving the public gifts and pledges with promising results. The President will bring bailiffs, sheriffs and undertakers to secure the loans and debts are repaid. The next generation has to figure out the problems created of late. It is the next government and next regime who needs debt relief and austerity means to settle the score. As the President haven’t made it better financially for the economy or industries in general. If he did, the participation of the youth would have been substantially better.

Therefore, the promise to follow the NRM way is really special and weird in concern with the numbers and the lack of proper results. It is not like he has revolutionized or made things possible for more people to get jobs. This is worrying and that his not considering his missteps or where he went lost.

The man has had the time to prove it, but he is careless about it. As the poverty and unemployment is a nice niche to get grants and donations. The rampant poverty is a good way to get multi-national organizations to fund his operations and if he switched this. He would actually have to rise the tax-base and state revenue. Which means the government would actually need to put the work in and deliver for its citizens. That is to much to ask for this President.

His getting free money and can use the poor as an scapegoat to be served funds without doing anything. That is how it seems. This is why your supposed to trust the NRM way and the polices of the President. Because, he needs the naivety and lack of understanding to continue to eat of other people’s plates. Peace.

Opinion: UJCC wants to give Mr. 1986 three more years for free

The Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) an umbrella association of Christian leaders in Uganda has urged the government to postpone the forthcoming 2021 general election for three more years, due to the growing cases of COVID-19. The Christian Council wants the elections to be held in 2023 when the COVID-19 pandemic is contained” (Jonah Kirabo – ‘Religious Leaders: Extend elections for 3 years, change constitution to allow Museveni lead’ 23.12.2020, Nilepost.co.ug).

The Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) wants to give President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni another three years in power. Another term without an election as we are awaiting the polls on the January 14th 2021. Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga now wants it extended when its only 22 days ahead. It is like 3 weeks to the due date. Therefore, the UJCC is really to late to the party.

An constitutional amendment needs more time. Even if the Special Force Command (SFC) invades the chambers and force the voting in favour. They still needs two or three readings. It needs to be sent to Committee and be voted for with possible changes to the law. Therefore, it needs time. Plus the National Resistance Movement (NRM) needs to convene NRM Caucus at the Entebbe State House. Also getting the final verdict from the NRM CEC. This is all making the process slower. There is also a need for accounted cash to be given to the ones that votes for this altering law.

It is just like the UJCC doesn’t care about the procedures and how laws are made. Especially altering the Constitution. This would be yet another change to benefit Museveni. Give him another term unelected like he was between 1986 to 1996. He has already had two terms without an elections in the past. It would be foolish to give him that again. Especially, when the elections of Tanzania, Burundi and United States went ahead even during these times of Pandemic.

If the government of Uganda is as great as the NRM always proclaim. They shouldn’t be weaker and lack courage to make safe elections happening like the other Republic’s did. These Christian leaders is just chasing the bag. They are vouching for the President and his cause. By coming with recommendation of keeping him power.

Giving a man who has been in office since 1986 doesn’t need another 3 years. There is no excuse or reason for him to linger. If he haven’t done it yet, it will never happen. The old man cannot sustain or be able to revolutionize government services. If that should have happened. It would have been in the early 1990s and not now. His not interested in that, but only keeping power.

If the UJCC suddenly receives envelopes and SUVs. I wouldn’t be shocked. They have done a service to the old man. They have shown token loyalty and been mouth-pieces for him. Just 22 days ahead of the polls. This is ass kissing and if they were trying to compete. Only Ofwono Opondo and Andrew Mwenda would be further up his ass.

UJCC is a disgrace for doing this. Giving Museveni more time? Who are they kidding here? That is mockery and wanting Constitutional Amendment to give it legitimacy. If the President wanted to do that. He should have pushed his majority MPs a while back and if COVID-19 was such a crisis. Why didn’t the President invoke “State of Emergency”? Something he never did, because then he would be even more accountable to the Parliament by law and that is hectic for him.

President Museveni doesn’t deserve more time. He should have retired a long time ago. However, he never did and the state shows it fatigue by having him there. Peace.