Opinion: Akena traded the UPC to become MP

James Akena, the son of Milton Obote. Who is now running for his second term as a Member of Parliament. Who is continuing to keep the agreement alive between Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and National Resistance Movement (NRM). The deal has clearly been sealed and been favourable for a few within the UPC.

The UPC have gained some MPs and also Cabinet Members. Some of them has left the UPC for the NRM. However, it would be hard to spot the difference at this point. Akena took over … for Otunnu and since then made a deal.

A deal that has secured Akena and few others. He has traded away UPC’s legacy over nothing. A coalition who has sealed the fate for some.

The UPC isn’t much, when the Party President is going for a slot as a incumbent MP. It is not like the UPC is supposed to be a brief-case party. Alas, the actions made and the way it operates. It is getting closer to that. The NRM is swallowing it and the relevance is becoming meaningless.

Especially, when there is no motivation to stand up to the Presidency. Sign a deal with the ruling regime. The regime who toppled the founder of the party and Obote II. The same party that this happened too.

This is the UPC of 2020. A party who has traded its soul for a quick fix. Instead of trying to act as a opposition and be a different breed. It instead became a crony and a lackey. A cheap trick for the President and his men.

Akena has traded away the glory. Signed of the legacy of his father. Just to become MP and live a lavish life on the public expense. He could stand for something. The man could have used the platform for change and make a difference. However, he chose the easy route … a road ahead, which was a simple pay-off.

Jimmy got paid and is happy to reconcile his fate as a lackey. A man who uses his party as a way of securing his life-style.

The UPC was used in a bargain. The President didn’t do much, but got his former enemy to its knees. That is how easy it was… just a few envelopes and titles. From there no stress, no issues, just a deal. That was it and how simple to get his way.

Akena becomes MP and the NRM has an ally. They don’t have to care or even sign them off. Just give them a few shillings. Then, they will remain silent and be buddies. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni doesn’t need to win, but he needs legitimacy…

The ones who thinks that the 2021 elections is about the polls and the ballots. They are blistering naive, because it couldn’t be further from the truth. The election in the republic isn’t about pledges, policies or even the legacy of the President. No, its about his legitimacy.

We can wonder, is the public willing to give him that? Is the public and international community prepared to cheer in the 8th Term of the President?

Yes, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is running for his eight term. The President who has been in-charge since 1986. The President and his party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) needs the legitimacy. They need credit and accreditation. The state needs to be relied upon and outside support.

The state is borrowing to its knees. The lack of proper grants and donor-funds is hitting the fan. The state is having an evil cycle of loans, borrowing new money to pay interests of the previous ones. While the grace period of major infrastructure development projects will come into action as well. The budgets will be strained and the lack of domestic revenue will be more vital. As the donors, the lenders and everyone else see the tragic demise and self-destructive ways of the regime. You cannot build a sufficient state on borrowed money.

The NRM knows and the President needs to accepted and respected. The results needs to be verified and result in overall positive vibes. The President cannot afford to be looked a cruel henchman, but a statesman. A man who used to be the future, but now is a wise lecturer. Who has the vision and knows what the state needs to be fixed.

Even though the old man, the President has promised the same development, the same economic turnaround and changes in society. He has had the three decades to deliver that, but he will speak of it. Claim people are lazy, opposition are insects and so-on.

While the things he needs the most is the craving for recognition. The President needs to be acknowledge and in high regards. That is why the election need recognized and legitimized. The results are already printed in stone. They were on the skyline since the mid-80s.

President Museveni doesn’t need love, but he needs credit and needs security. The state needs that and the NRM does so as well. Because, if it don’? Then the negative spiral and crippling economy will sooner or later hit the armed forces and the President will loose his most trusted allies. The soldiers and security organizations, which keeps a iron-fist over the republic.

He need that stamp and verification to move on into another term. Peace.

Uganda: Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development – Media Statement on COVID 19 Cases (24.08.2020)

Opinion: Mzee has to pose with soldiers ahead elections…

This is just like staple food. The President, the Head of State and the Commander-in-Chief Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are always posing with armed personnel, police officers and law enforcement ahead of the polls in 2021.

Soon, he will polish his rifle, wear an AK-47 and say he wants to crush his opponents. That is what this man does. Around the polls, the campaigns and such. He will warn, with stern words and use allegories to explain his position. The old man will use all means to address his opponents. While knowingly scare, intimidate and order force against them.

His allies will call them hoodlums, extremists and rascals. They are the ones who is to blame, when the tear-gas, the arbitrary arrests and extra judicial killings. The armed forces and the law enforcement will go hard towards the citizens who happens to attend or be close to the opposition candidates. That is just the way of life.

So, what the President does with this posing. Is not only to show his army, his soldiers and his police force. But trying to message that your not planning to mess with him and his agenda. You are supposed to listen and obey his command. If you don’t, then expect no mercy.

That is why he has the army, LDUs, ISO, CMI and so fourth to gather intelligence, get the wrong people into safe-houses. Ensure the public are silenced and intimidated. So, he can rule for life. Because, he cannot rule on popularity or love, but he can rule by the iron fist. It is with the power of the arms, the bullets and the possible he can run a nation.

Museveni is making sure of this. That is what he has and what he stands for. This is why his posing. Taking pictures and spreading the news of new enforcements. New trainees and officers to the rescue. To prove that the state is not only safe, but he has the force to combat anyone who pose a challenge. He got the guns, the trained personnel and the will to silence you. That is the message he sends.

He has done this before and now done it again. That is what this man does. Especially, ahead of another election. Just to prove a point. He just have too. He live by the guns and will die by the guns. Peace.

Opinion: Maybe the Arua treatment should be given to Museveni…

They[court] actually wanted to punish the boys [SFC] for torturing Bobi Wine. I said no! no! no! This was rubbish. It was the other people [Bobiwine] who were in wrong. This was because the SFC people who are not police minded because they are used to doing other things, went to the room where the MP and other people were,they tried to box them so they boxed them. They acted in self defense and so it was in order” Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the 21st August 2020

Sometimes I wonder if the President would have accepted the treatment his giving others. Because, if he did. He would accept being sheltered in a safe-house, being abducted, arrested and charged for no other reasons of annoying someone. Not even being a criminal. Robert Kyagulanyi was only arrested, tortured and abducted, because he offended the President and his team. They have served him injustice and his defending it.

For someone dropping bible-verse, saying he was supposed to be a preacher. The President should know a passage from the book of Matthews. He clearly need a fresh reminder. Because, what happened in Arua and in the aftermath. Is something that shouldn’t have happened to the Arua 33 and Bobi Wine. However, he said yesterday it was fine and dandy. That shows that the grand lecturer is cruel human being who wants people ill and not saint like he proclaims to be.

Just look what the words of the scripture says:

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” – Matthew 7,9-12 (New International Version).

Because, when I read the defence of the torture, impunity and cruel arrests of the opposition in the post Arua By-Election. Then you know, that the President has no hear, just like Beti Kamya stated years ago.

We are seeing what Jesus is saying to his disciples in the book of Matthew. It states that you should do unto others as you wish to be treated yourself. In this regard, does the President wants to be abducted, tortured and charged with treason for campaigning in a By-Election. That is what I get from the President.

I don’t want the President to get the treatment Bobi Wine got after Arua. I don’t want a single person to get that. However, if we are learning anything from the scriptures, then he wouldn’t have defended it. It shows a sinister side of the President and his allies. That they will defend it and stand by the torturing of a fellow human being.

So, the President wants to offer someone stones instead of the bread his asking for. He rather give a snake, instead of a fish.

Museveni, would you accept that the Special Force Command would storm one of your homes, raid it and abduct you. Family members, lawyers and such not knowing about your location for hours. Also, tortured and injected with poison by the law enforcement before charged with treason for being part of a by-election. Is that cool to you? Would you accept that?

I’m thinking, you as a man wouldn’t accept this. You would scream “hell no” and move on. Still, a a man you accept the fate of others. As a President you should condemn and charge men who does this to others. Alas, we know you promote those … Peace.

Opinion: Bobi Wine have a long way to victory

It is a reason why 4 times candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye is a Plan B ahead of the 2021 elections. That is because Besigye knows, Museveni knows and everyone else  knows the score. The cards of the deck is already stacked against Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. Whatever way through the polls will not work. It is just going through the motions and doing what everyone before he has done.

Bobi Wine does what Ssessemogerere have done, what Besigye have done, what Otunnu have done and what Mao did once. They have all gone through this, but they will enter this game empty handed. Bobi Wine has similar swagger and popularity as Besigye had ahead of 2016 and in 2011. However, that didn’t amount to much. Why?

The President and his team will rig the living hell out of it. The nomination as Presidential Flag-Bearer of NUP was a formality. Another milestone, but not a victory march. The incumbent will become the winner again. Not because of his popularity, his policies or his track-record. No, because the whole system is built to let him win by all means. Have the majority everywhere it means something. Ensure his people get appointed and the self-serving regime continues.

That is why a speech and message like this from Bobi Wine is sort of pointless:

Today, I feel very humbled for having been successfully nominated to carry the flag for the National Unity Platform for the position of President of Uganda in the upcoming election. Since nominations closed without another candidate expressing interest, I am delighted by the confidence placed in me by all of you distinguished Members of NUP. As I did pledge, I am confident that I will not disappoint you. We shall bring the crown of victory, by the grace of God. While today is a day to celebrate, it places before us all a challenge to renew our commitment to the struggle and begin working tooth and nail to conclude this mission. We know that the challenges that lie ahead of us are enormous. The regime is getting more vicious and desperate. They are determined to do anything and everything to keep themselves in power against the will of the people. But we must be stronger and more determined to overcome any challenges and redeem our country. Victory is in sight ladies and gentlemen. Let’s get to work” (Robert Kyagulanyi, 21.08.2020).

It is nice he shows humility, but this was expected and was the only natural position. This wasn’t for Zaake or anyone else. The Presidential Flag-Bearer was for him and him only. The crown of victory will not come through the polls.

Bobi Wine has a strong spirit and has a vision for the future. Wants to be a symbol and a liberator from the dictatorship. That is all fine, but his just going through the motions like everyone has done since 1996. There is no difference here and every 5 years, there been someone promising to beat the NRM.

It has been someone who has come up and shown some flex. Been able to gain some supporters and risen to the occasion, but hasn’t stopped the regime from using force or excessive rigging. They have come on top by using all means and ensured the state continues the status quo.

With that in mind, Bobi Wine better configure something else. Especially if he want to win. He will not win in the polls. The results are already in the negative. He will loose. It is just a matter of how much and the NRM apologists will claim he doesn’t have the organization, the support in rural districts of Karamoja and Acholi. That he doesn’t have support of the people in Rwenzori. Also, that they don’t know about him around Mount Elgon. There will always be something.

Therefore, the ideals of Bobi Wine is good and his determination is positive. However, if he runs like everyone before him. Then he will go nowhere. Yes, he has built a party and a movement. But that alone isn’t enough and Bobi Wine should know that.

Unless, he just want to continue this election cycle and become the leader of the opposition in the 11th Parliament. Peace.

Mzee’s unhinged speech

If you stand in the way of the NRM after patiently working and negotiating, we shall remove you. If you are doing other things, we may not be happy, but we shall ignore you” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (20.08.2020).

Today is the final day of the National Resistance Movement Delegation Conference ahead of the 2021 elections. It has been very standard, but the today the President is holding his Address to the Nation. Which is like most of his speeches. He has done the same over the years. Tonight is no difference.

He will do his thing and tonight was nothing different. That’s why I will just take a few small quotes. Address them and call it a night.

Here we go:

I thank NRM people for participating in the past election. Stop being enemies of yourselves. Our only enemy is the one who tries to block our forward movement” (Museveni 20.08.2020).

That is why we fought with Idi Amin. Some people say we fought Amin because he killed people. Even if he hadn’t killed people, we would remove him because he didn’t understand our mission” (Museveni, 20.08.2020).

‘I have met people like Full Figure, Buchaman. I demand that the NRM leaders avoid the politics of elitism. In Luweero, when we were fighting, we were with the people” (Museveni, 20.08.2020).

It is just like we are supposed to brush over these things. That the President goes to these attacks on people. He does it so easily. Makes people targets and shows his attitude. The president always got to remove, crush or get rid off. That is just his ways and he doesn’t know anything else at this point.

What is also striking is that he continues to forge the narrative around the bush-war. It is a story that never gets old. It a revolving door. He even proves what was his mission. The mission wasn’t to liberate, but for him to rule. To ensure that the NRM got power. The importance wasn’t to get rid of Amin and Obote. No, it was only for the NRM to rule and for him to stay in power. This is what he initially stated today. You gloss over that, but incidentally what his saying, which is showing the grim reality of his reign. When that was the goal of the whole bush-war for him.

That his continuing to pound for the ghetto as a result of Bobi Wine’s rise. His doing this to prove his stature that and also his party. However, that is a neglected area. He can try to softly make it into the struggle story, but that doesn’t make it more true. As the NRM haven’t done much for the ghettos, but now want to be seen as the saviours of it.

Therefore, the whole speech today was just another one. There was nothing brilliant about it. Just another rant… Peace.

Opinion: Is Bobi Wine’s 5 Point Programme a revitalized 10 Point Programme?

We are now in 2020 and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine is a rising star. His popularity is rising. To say otherwise is naive. The National Unity Platform (NUP) and the People Power Movement has a new grand stand. However, is he using the same formula as his arch-enemy and dictator, President Museveni?

I have looked through the Ten Point Programme twice and can easily say that President Museveni and National Resistance Movement (NRM) never finished it. They promised something huge and compact. However, they implemented a few, but lost their aim on several of the points. Nevertheless, the President and his cronies will say its the launching pad and there been other plans to follow it up. Still, the legacy of President has been depleted, because he gave way for his opening pledges in the 10 point programme. Will Bobi Wine’s do the same?

Bobi Wine’s 5 Points:

    1. Restoration of true Democracy, Rule of law and Human rights.
    2. Revival of the Health system.
    3. Revival of the Education system.
    4. Agricultural revival, land and natural resource management.
    5. National reconciliation and Unity.

Museveni’s 10 Points:

1. Democracy.

2. Security.

3. Consolidation of National security and elimination of all forms of sectarianism.

4. Defending and consolidating National Independence.

5. Building an independent, integrated and self-sustaining national economy.

6. Restoration and improvement of Social services and the rehabilitation of the war-ravaged areas. 7. Elimination of corruption and misuse of power.

8. Redressing errors that have resulted in the dislocation of sections of the population and improvement of others.

9. Co-operation with other African countries in defending human and democratic rights of our brothers in other parts of Africa.

10. Following an economic strategy of mixed economy.

If you look through the plans on just the headlines. You can see they are similar. They got the same sort of objectives. They are about the state, citizens and the liberties of them all. It’s about ensuring freedom, liberty and justice for all citizens. Also ensuring the basic functions and government functions are there to serve the citizens. This is all similar between them.

That is why the Bobi Wine’s 5 Points is a revised 10 Point Plan. It has the same sort of structure and has similar objectives. It is really weird that after 34 years power. The new rising star and the biggest challenger is re-issuing a revitalized programme, which you came into power with. That shows also how Museveni has failed. Why do I say that?

If someone is looking into the same issues 30 years later and see those as undone. Than, you know you have failed in office. That Bobi Wine are having similarities to Museveni here. It is not strange, as Museveni have become a full fledged tyrant and using the armed forces at his whim. That is why, Bobi Wine has to fight the same struggle as Museveni did in 1980s. Maybe, Bobi Wine isn’t in the bush, but the way the he will fight a rigged election and law enforcement. That will be in the same veins. Where Museveni is using the tricks of the ones he overthrew back-in-the-day.

This is why its sad we are in 2020 and Bobi Wine deems it fit for a revitalized 10 Point Programme, which he has coined the 5 Point Programme. Peace.

Opinion: Besigye’s noble approach to 2021

We are at the crossroads when the junta is organising elections to legitimize themselves. In 2016, I was engaging two gears, one for elections and another for defiance/fighting. That is not very efficient. Election gears are our Plan A, the fighting gears are our plan B. And Plan B is quite wide and involving. It’s my humble decision that I have intensively discussed with my colleagues that we get some body to lead Plan A and you leave Plan B for me. Never ever imagine that I can leave the struggle. Never” – Dr. Kizza Besigye (19.08.2020).

No one can ever say that Dr. Kizza Besigye is predictable or a typical politician. The main opposition candidate in 4 campaigns. A man who has been in the trenches. A man who has a record of amount of arrests, charges and a few treason charges as well.

This man has seen plenty of prisons, days in house-arrest and know the price of standing up against the government. The man who has used all his time since the fall-out. Been principal about the peaceful transition and battling to end the National Resistance Movement and the reign of Museveni.

Today is not different there, but his vouching for two of the candidates for the Presidency in the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). This being Birigwa and Oboi Amuriat. These two are the two official candidates, but Byamugisha should also be counted in. Even as the former Presidential Candidate didn’t mention him today.

Besigye is doing the right thing. His proving his character and his stature. He still wants to achieve them same goal, but not having himself as a price. The freedom fighter and resilient opposition will continue to battle it head-on.

But the ghost of his fifth candidacy vanished today. The ones saying he would copy the President for Life is proven again. He has done that with stepping down as Party President and now not taking the mantle again as the Presidential Flag-Bearer. Now, the party have decide what goals and what it wants to achieve. The character in play is very different and who knows what path they will choose.

Besigye did the right thing. Another honourable act by the man. A man who has fought so tirelessly for this cause. His like Moses going in the desert and never getting the ability to reach Canaan’s land. He just get to see into it, but never live in it. The same seems to be happening with Besigye.

At this point, Besigye is not ending. He will still have influence and his voice will matter. His maybe not on the campaign trail as a Flag-Bearer. However, his will and determination in combination with his coordinated plans to undermine the government. Who knows what sort of plans to usher in. Now, that he doesn’t have to beg venues, travel across the republic and give speeches in every district across the Republic.

Besigye has shown his wise ways by backing down. However, his not giving up, but tooling up another way. Don’t underestimate this, but his proving this again. That the cause isn’t about Besigye, but its about the cause. That is the sort of man Besigye is and that why he deserves credit.

If he wasn’t a threat and wasn’t someone the government feared. Then they wouldn’t limit this man’s movement and this man’s opportunity to do his party works. That’s the proof of how far reaching this man is. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni’s stern warning against careerism [is hypocrisy…]

Finally, the NRM needs to expunge the politics of careerism and re-instate the politics of mission-led leadership. It is not just the: “who”. It is, first and foremost, the: “what”? What is to be done for Uganda’s salvation, for Africa’s salvation? Once you remind yourself that the “what” in the case of NRM, means the 4 ideological principles: Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, social-economic transformation and democracy, then, it is easier for you to decide on the “who”.Who is it that seems to understand and adhere to the three principles? Do not intimidate, do not assault, do not insult, do not bribe, but persuade by explaining and exhibiting good conduct” (Museveni, 18.08.2020).

At this point of time in August 2020. A man who has ruled the Republic since 1986. The administration, the government, the Members of Parliament and civil servants are all a reflection of the President. All of the creations of institutions, policies and directives has been made by him or for him. It is not like the system isn’t in the vision of the President.

With this in mind. His speech of “who” and “what”. Goes back long in the lingo of the President. Museveni asked late 1980s and early 1990s. Then he even dropped a book with speeches “What’s Africa’s Problem?”. Therefore, this is following a pattern of this man.

The President have used this argument before to defend his overstaying and lingering in office. That it’s about the causes, the development and wealth creation’s instead of being about him personally. Even if that goes against everything he said and did in early years in office.

The same president that keeps the same entourage and cronies in close association. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) is filled with old relics, people who are having careers at ages when other are forced to retire. The NRM and the Cabinet is filled with old people and meal-ticket politicians. That is all like that, because of how corporate and cash-filled politics has become under his Presidency.

He knows “whose” the problem, but he will not go after himself. That would be out of character. He would never resigned or give way for succession. That will only happen … when he either stops breathing or internal coup d’etat against the man.

Therefore, his final ending and warning to politicians. The type of politicians he has created and awarded. If there wasn’t an incentive to be like that. They would operate like that. They would act differently, because they follow the leader and be examples for the Republic. However, he has made them like this.

He will never take the blame or the responsibility. He is the “who” and the man who never fixed “what”. The man could have appointed “who” and made it possible to fix “what”. Still, there was never a real interest to do so. If so, he wouldn’t need the grants, loans and multi-national organization to cover his tracks. The man knows this and blames for the ways the politicians have become.

President Museveni is the “who” is never solving the “what”. That is why his indispensable and have to continue… and the cycle repeats itself. Peace.