Opinion: If you want Jim Muhwezi back as an MP [then don’t cry if his involved in a grand corruption scandal]

I don’t know about you, but there are some individuals who has shown what they are worth and has misused their office. One of these men are Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi. The In-Law of the President and therefore, has gotten of the hook. Because, the President cannot punish his own family.

That is even has stolen funds from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), involved in scheming funds in the program of Universal Primary Education program. Under both times he served as minister of either Health or Education. He saw an opportunity to steal funds. Still, he was acquitted and not serving time. However, he lost the status of being a minister. But for a man of his cadre, that is just a slap of a wrist and moves on.

He has even bought junk helicopters and been known for robbing resources from the Democratic Republic of Congo during the wars, which Museveni approved off. Where Muhwezi could enjoy the spoils without any consequences. Alas, the reputation lingers on.

This sort of man, that is a walking scandal. A man who is willing to find any way possible to embezzle, steal and corrupt a situation. The Republic is better off, that his lingering and pounding on the loss of power. Instead of giving this man yet another chance to become a lawmaker and government official.

That would only be because of his relations. He has a name, his known, but not for the reasons a man should. Muhwezi and Mbabazi is known for the same reasons. They can land-grab, corrupt deals and take kick-backs to the oblivion. That is what they do. Its not me just saying that. This is something they had done all by themselves.

Jim, Jimmy or whatever have even a questionable past from the beginning of the NRM government. As the man in charge of Intelligence Services, as the Director General. Who was in-charge of the death of a witness or a person connected to the assassination of Andrew Kayiira in 1987. As he condemned the action of the ISO Officers, however, he still let the death of Kasirye in 1988 and a number of other prisoners died too. This all happened on his watch, as the Director General. It should not be forgotten.

With the knowledge of all this. Muhwezi shouldn’t be suited for another term in Parliament. There are so much he has done. When you have a public record and known for certain things. Know that it will haunt you.

Muhwezi your ills, your plundering and your corrupt behaviour should catch up with you. It should not be a trait that get you re-elected. Neither, should be an in-law to the President be a secure way of getting a ticket and become a returning MP.

Jim should answer for his old crimes and connection to shady activities. This should not be glossed over or forgotten. He can pay some ignorant influencers now, but his past will haunt him. We all has to ensure these old acts get in the spotlight again. So, that the ones voting in his constituency chooses differently. Peace.

Memo to Museveni: Its not a level playing-field in campaign season..

I would address one subcounty and bring delegates from the other remaining three to address them. So, I would not reach all my people. But you can reach more people on radio when the Electoral Commission (EC) allocates politicians time, especially in the evening when people are at home”Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (Chris Kiwawulo – ‘Museveni speaks out on opening schools’ 16.08.2020).

President for Life, the Eternal Prince and the Don of the Republic, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni can act like its a democratic playing-field, where everyone can act accordingly and have their say. However, that is far from the truth. His people can do whatever and they are allowed to breech presidential directives and campaign guidelines from the Electoral Commission. Heck, himself doesn’t have to abide to it either. It’s all fair game and they will be ensured the victory in the end.

His Excellency can act like its an good idea to be on the radio. The President can say there will be delegated time-slots and opportunity for all candidates to be on-air. However, the issue is that the broadcasters, the editors and the owners are holding control over these. There are stations owned by relics, historicals and backers of the Movement. Will these open up the air for Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine or someone swinging for the FDC ?

Like we are supposed to forget there has been initiated two specialized units, one for media control and one for population control. Where one is part of the army and the other police force. Both will in general be used to disperse and arrest opposition candidates and their supporters. To think otherwise is to foolish at this point.

President Museveni can think we are all stupid. That we are all dumb and don’t know his ways. Not like he have opened the floodgates and given way to the opposition. It is not like they can run on any narrow street and spread their gospel. No, they have to get a nudge from the authorities, they have to secure a venue and then pray to the Gods that the authorities actually let them.

So, when they struggle so hard to do party politics outside their headquarters. You can wonder, if the President would have been able to walk so proud and with high regard. If he had to go through what the opposition does on his watch. The old man with the hat clearly doesn’t see the ills of his ways. The way his destroying the political sphere only for short-sighted personal gains.

The President is winning this election. Just like he has done with all the other elections. Not because of his popularity or his standing in the public. No, his winning because he has the guns and the loyalty among the authorities. The men he feeds and appoints serves him. However, when these rented men betrays him. At that point he will loose it all.

At this very moment. The opposition struggles to have a voice. Within the small space they have. They are trying to reach the public, use the digital means, while the Movement can campaign like usual. Clearly, there is a mixed bag of approach to the guidelines. One for the NRM and another for the rest.

The President knows this as well, but will act differently. That’s why he takes us for fools. That we are so dumb and doesn’t understand his vision. However, his vision is blurred, his foresight isn’t that clever and at one point of time. He will understand his failure, but he will not profess it. Because, that means he has to redeem his soul and his conscience. Two things he sold a long time ago for the golden opportunity to stay in power for life. Peace.

Opinion: When the NRM is more important than the elected officials…

For years there been promises of bicycles to the Local Councillors 1, the village leaders and it never happened. This was supposed to deliver for the about 69.000 villages. The state was bound to buy 70,000 bicycles and State Minister of Finance David Bahati renewed this pledge in 2019. However, it never amounted to anything. So, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government have pledged this to the LC1 Councillors for about a decade without delivering.

However, today the same NRM suddenly have 65,000 bicycles to the NRM Village Chairpersons across the Republic. In the middle of August a year after the renewed pledge to the elected village officials. The state and governing party is giving the same amount of bikes to their own.

The “Yellow Bicycles” is just so fitting. This is a easy ploy and usage of an old pledge to their own. Instead of giving it to whoever represents the villagers across the Republic. They are instead only giving this gift to their own. This is making the NRM greater and flex. Because, everyone cannot have VW Beetle like late Abiriga. That is something we know the Movement cannot afford…

Nevertheless, these Yellow Bicycles are just so conveniently fitting into a government scheme and appear right before the elections. It is just like naming the LC1 Councillors Bicycles into the Yellow Bicycles schemes. It is about the same amount of bikes and has the same means even. Only difference, instead of being shared between all sort of political parties. It is a inner-party act.

It is to show greatness in 2020. To give a small donation and usage of billions of shillings on bicycles. In 2010/11 it was bound to be 11 billion shillings for the same. Now years later it might be more costly and could be in the amounts of 30 billion shillings. Who knows at what cost and who traded them.

We are seeing that old promise, an old pledge has been renewed, sort of delivered, but its biased and have become NRM thing. It is not a national thing or a government one. It is a party scheme and a Movement drive. This is not for the villages representatives, but for the NRM village representatives. It is not like Resistance Councils are still alive and kicking it. The system is a multi party one. With that in mind, the NRM only giving to their own, which is fine.

However, this is supposed to be all village councillor, not only the ones wearing yellow and members of the Movement. This was supposed to be to all village councillors, no matter what party or creed. Nevertheless, that is clearly not the aim anymore.

The Movement is showing its greed and selfishness. Who knows where the money comes from and who earns on the trade. The NRM Village Councillors are used for this and toyed with. They are giving a small token for their loyalty, but the big-men is eating the whole plate all year. That is why something like this is only a ploy, a small arrangement and act of charity. However, this is not building long lasting structures.

This is for the NRM and by the NRM. While using a scheme that was supposed to be a government act for elected village officials. They can rewrite and change the narrative, but that doesn’t make it true. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni can sleepwalk into the elections [as the opposition only aim at their own]

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) who are not caring about the guidelines or the regulations for COVID-19 or Coronavirus. Who are busy scheduling all activities ahead of the General Elections of 2021. also settling the final flag-bearers of the party. Which sometimes are the same-old, same-old and dozens of sole candidates. The NRM looks solid ahead of the elections.

At this point, as the President Museveni is busy preparing for this 8th Term since 1986. The man, the legend, the dictator and the President for Life. The supposed Fountain of Honour and His Excellency can just sleep. He can be lazy, he can squander around and even have a few scandals on his hands.

The opposition are busy scheming tearing each other apart. The Uganda People’s Congress is the NRM-Light at this point. The big-man Akena and his wife is both in the sphere of the President. They have traded perks and agreement with the NRM .The UPC is only viable in small pockets and doesn’t have the organization nor trust in the public. Because of the trade-off that Akena, Son-of-Obote did in the last election cycle.

Democratic Party have been raided, taken by everyone. Norbert Mao should by crying at home this weekend. The day of betrayal was this week and he lost his MPs. He got none of the big-men and the party is weakened. There is little left and the promise in the months ahead can’t be much. Not like they can muster such voices and cadres over night. To take the space, which these MPs left.

Forum for Democratic Change are also weakened, also many questions about where they are turning. The ghost of Besigye. While Lukwago only created questions of protocol and validity of the nomination process. No matter what it does, it has lost plenty of the faction belonging to Muntu. The pragmatic part of the FDC has left and the defiance of Besigye lingers on. We can wonder what it will do and how it will become the biggest opposition party again. It needs to show flex and muscle ahead. Needs to drop heavy hitters of flag-bearers and show it isn’t just a punchline.

One of the newcomers, who has shown new strength is Muntu and his Alliance of National Transformation (ANT). Most of this has come by weakening the FDC. The ones who was supporters and allies of Muntu is the ones that left the FDC. There are very few independents who has come, except for Kassiano Wadri. Who is also a former FDC, but had left the party already. Muntu got some good people around him, but he seems like his trying to do the same thing he always does. Saying the right things, but not really challenging status quo.

The second newcomer is the People Power Movement and the National Unity Platform. Where Bobi Wine have really scored big and creating headlines. A man who is getting support from all parties and independents. He raided the DP party and gotten several of MPs standing for the NUP. Right now the momentum of the opposition is in his hands. He even got the nudge of the DP Block and the Justice forum for the Presidency. However, JEEMA will field own MPs and not do that under the NUP flag. Showing, there are a balance of sorts and there will be honest competition.

The DP is losing big, FDC is weakened and creating uncertainty, as the biggest party and the one historically challenging the President. Museveni must be giddy that the FDC is lingering like this. Instead of having a steady line and showing resilience. The up-hill battle that persist must be tiring and that’s why its showing some fatigue.

ANT and NUP are revitalized, but they are still not that big or organized like the FDC. Bobi Wine has momentum, but he needs support from everywhere to get the final push. He got friends all around, but with purges like recently in the DP: There might be fear that does happen elsewhere too.

The NRM should be joyful that the opposition looks like this. The message is distorted and the opposition is busy seeing whose deflecting and whose staying. Not to talk about finding out who is the flag-bearer and who gets the nominations. There are so much in-fighting.

There is more talk about what’s happening between the parties. The new and the old. If the old parties have the push or if they are out of steam. We can wonder ourselves. If this is all meal-ticket politics or actual battle for change.

Museveni is lucky with this. They are not pin-point at his failures, at him tanking the economy, taking up more loans and continuing his impunity in power. He can walk free of that. Only touched a small amount of time. Instead of being the target, the one people are aiming for and proving his recklessness. That is what they should do. Expose and show the intolerant and the state sponsored brutality, which is the image of this state.

Except he gets away with that. As he visits factories, radio stations and hold speeches on the regular. He walks and travels at ease like a bird. While the others are in cages and they are not even allowed to sing. Peace.

Mzee asks for people to wake up, again!

The medicine for poverty is money, enough money” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (12.08.2020)

The republic must have been slumbering for 34 years now. The President is saying this again. Insulting his own citizens, who he has represented his whole adult life. Where he is telling them what to do. However, it is a reason why these schemes his promoting isn’t working for the general public. If they had worked, it wouldn’t be reissued and renamed over the years.

With this in mind, he has steady over the years said his people is sleepy, lazy and eating. They are enjoying the perks, but not working. Today he said the same thing. That they are not participating in work and paid workers. They are informal workers on the outside of the registered work-force. That because of the lack of opportunities and jobs. This is never in question from the President.

Everyone is supposed to be in micro-finance schemes, make things, grow beans and sell blood. There just have to ways to push in a gig economy. That is why the President speaks of Wealth Creation, NAADs, SACCOs and Associations. Instead of development through grander schemes to actually create business opportunities and fiscal growth.

That is why he barks like this:

According to the a 2014 survey over 68% of the households are sleeping. He urges the youth to wake up and take part in meaningful development and stop sleeping” – Museveni (12.08.2020).

Youth, please wake up from the sleep that you are in. Let us stop talking without acting. I am a former youth, so whatever you are telling me, I know it very well” – Museveni (12.08.2020).

He has used these rhetoric before. Instead of actually delivering and making opportunities, which brings fruits. Instead, his giving tokens with help of donors. While his not investing proper infrastructure and policies to make a change.

The President blames others, while have not contributed or made anything substantial. That is why its easier to say the citizens, the youth and society isn’t acting up. When you as the leaders for over three decades haven’t pulled them out. The President knows this, but its easier to blame others, than actually do something about yourself.

The government haven’t had the ability to make a difference, in such a regard that most people could get employed. The NRM and the President have had three decades to set-up a stable economy, have policies and measures for natural growth. Instead of ensuring this, he is making small moves and not long-term fiscal stimuli, neither policies to ensure work. This is handing out small pockets of funds, but not something to generate steady growth. Which have been the sort of action made by this government.

Therefore, the President should not call people out for sleeping, but for his inaction and lack of proper policies. This is why they are sleeping. There is no opportunities or chances to get a job. This is something the President knows, but is brushing over.

Sleep is the curse of death, but saying this again and again to the public. Only shows the President is doing a blame-game. Instead of actually delivering a substantial policy and a robust economy. Where the citizens have the option and can join a workforce. However, at this point of time. There is little to none and that’s why they are “sleeping”. Peace.

Opinion: Tumukunde is in for a rocky ride

Lt. Henry Tumukunde who have recently worked to get a party ticked and failed. Have now come out officially this week as an Independent Candidate. This is not shocking or a big reveal. It is a loss, as the man couldn’t sway fringe parties to let him be the big man ahead of the elections.

Tumukunde who is often praised for this works in government. This man has been a go to guy, but also been sacked for wrecking things. Wants now to be IT. The dude, the grand old man and the chief. At least he wants to look like that.

I am sure his trying to sell himself in the same stature and leading ability like Amama Mbabazi did. While Mbabazi was able to takeover the TDA last time. Tumukunde would be lucky if they ever considered him into the DP Block of Mao. However, that will not happen.

Tumukunde might act like a big shot and talk like a big shot. However, the reality is that his game is smaller than he thinks. People talk that he got support within the NRM. But, wasn’t that the game of Mbabazi too? And that amounted to nearly nothing in the last go around?

Who will think it will be different in 2021, then it was in 2016? They are all blind followers of Museveni. They will not shift their gear, because suddenly one of the big men turns into a renegade. If so, Amama would have a much bigger team with him in the last election.

Tumukunde is playing this one out. It will fail, it is just a matter of how much. We can wonder how he will growl and beg after the polls. How much he will bend his knees and kiss the ring?

That time will tell. The damage and the hurt will depend on how much the man will risk. Nevertheless, expect him to return to the NRM and asking for appointments. He will, because he needs to eat. There will be pictures and there will be stories.

Indeed, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Peace.

Opinion: Matembe wants to be the anointed one

“God has made a miracle. I didn’t know that there was intention to create such a position.I left parliament 14 years but now I can’t resist God’s calling because he called me to come and rescue the elderly”Miria Matembe

I don’t know, if it was the holy spirit or God that made it happen, but it was surely the curse of common greed. That was the reason for the motion and amendment before the General Election of 2021. Which gave way for 5 Elderly MPs in the 11th Parliament.

Trust me, God does not favour greed as a virtue. Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu press statement and motion to add these Members of Parliament wasn’t so godly. It wasn’t a divine intervention or belief that made this happen. No, this was about inclusiveness. It was no mention of any deity or the holy sphere among men. No, it was just a way to argue for more MPs into Parliament.

That is why Matembe is out on a limb. Maybe, her pay in the CCEDU isn’t that good? Maybe she doesn’t feel as relevant or have the space to participate in society there?

Who knows, but its wasn’t God who created abundant of new MPs in the 11th Parliament. No, that was done by greedy gerrymandering MPs and their associates. They all saw it fit to alter the counties, districts and cities ahead of an election. Also, to add 5 Elderly MPs to sufficiently secure the mix.

Because, the likes of Kamutu felt that the elderly was marginalized, even if plenty of MPs are in the age bracket of the elderly MPs. They are all older persons and some advanced age. They could all be on NSSF pensions and be secured for life. Instead, they decide to continue to serve and collect funds.

So, in my mind this is not because of a deity or a divine intervention. That the common greed and the personification came from the professor and not from God. Yes, Miria wants to be anointed and have a new entry to Parliament. However, that is more of the same and not because of her holiness either.

The salaries and the pay-off to be in Parliament is to great to leave behind. Especially for someone who has been there and who knows how much more they are getting in allowances, salaries, cars and whatnot. These people are eating good on the public’s plate. They are getting obese and fat, while the others are starving. So, its not so much, practice what you preach; but don’t do what I do, but what I say.

She should call upon Mr. Kamuntu and thank him. Give him a blessing, a prayer and maybe even a holy communion. To give the credit to God is to make good greedy and his lessons in the Bible is against that. Therefore, the usage is beneath the transcendent and all powering God.

I doubt God in his mercy looked upon a few and wanted to make them millionaires, while the rest must live in a gig economy. In that name we pray, amen. Peace.

Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force: Re-Engaging Local Defence Force on Targeted Operations (11.08.2020)

Besigye’s Sole Candidacy haunts the FDC

We shall hold nominations and elections for the presidential flag bearer for FDC. If Dr Kizza Besigye offers himself as a candidate then there will be no election, that’s the position of the party’s top executive. Should he decide that he is not going to run, then there will be candidates for the presidency of the FDC. We will not allow Mr. Museveni to have a free ride to victory in 2021” – Party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is in a real pickle. They can either look like National Resistance Movement (NRM) or act similar. There are certain things that they are arguing about the NRM and that shouldn’t emulate themselves. The politics of the parties, the internal party shouldn’t run like the running regime.

Even if Dr. Kizza Besigye isn’t in the FDC National Executive Committee (FDC NEC) or the “chairman” and Party President like the President in his Movement. Still, Besigye have been the Presidential Flag-bearer for the FDC four times already and would run for his fifth time. That is isolating the highest candidacy from others.

That shows why Muntu had to run elsewhere. Why others left too. They couldn’t have the ambition or run in the party. Just like there is no shot for others in the NRM: Yes, the FDC doesn’t have the power, the ability or the titles, which the ruling regime has.

Still, if the party wants to signal difference, change and be a vehicle for difference. Then they cannot send the same person. That is having a sole candidate and not having real internal democracy. As there is in effect one man who is predetermined. That is how this looks.

It is the image. Besigye has fought a just fight, he has over all the years educated and told the narrative of which people should have listened. However, he wasn’t able to get the public to want enough a peaceful transition of power in the Republic. His been able to build a party and being a viable contender, even when the state has done everything it can to ban or dismiss their activity.

Besigye have done the right thing. Yes, he says in public it isn’t about titles, candidacy or his role. However, if he has the big-man role and runs again. At some stages and on some avenues his alike the ones he supposed to challenge. On this one, the image and the act of doing so. Questions if the FDC are able to see anyone else in this position.

This is not Kizza Besigye fault, as the successors of Museveni have never had the possibility to get their or even battle for it. Besigye is the President the Republic never got. However, if he runs again. He looks more like the ones he wants to challenge. By doing so, the FDC is acting more alike the NRM, than it wants too.

POA is by default making the differences between NRM and FDC less. They are by the opening of sole candidacy of Besigye doing what the NRM is doing to Museveni. The only difference is that his not part of the Secretariat or NEC. However, the role as Flag-bearer and Presidential Candidate is only for him. That is carbon-copy of Museveni.

FDC is for Besigye, NRM is for Museveni.

2021 elections is the fifth time Besigye would run against the NRM. That shows his resilience, but also no other could rise up in his shadow. This is the reality in the midst of this. FDC as a opposition party and as a challenger. Shouldn’t copy the regime it works hard to transition from. Because, if it does the same without power. What can it do, when it gets into power? Peace.

Opinion: Andrew Mwenda mocked himself [by running against Bobi Wine]

Today, the Independent Magazine owner and editor Andrew Mwenda in a striking publicity stunt has picked up nomination forms and membership cards for the National Unity Platform (NUP). Where he plans to challenge Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine for Party Presidency in the NUP, the political party of the People Power Movement.

Mwenda who has called the People Power the bastard child of Defiance. Mr. Andrew who has called People a ‘cult’. This man suddenly picking up forms and a membership-card is just ridiculous.

This is mocking both the party and Bobi Wine. Also ridiculing himself as he does it. Not like we can take him serious anymore. Since he predetermines the stakes and what will happen to others. Not just alleging or questioning, but saying these are flawed enterprises. Andrew knows this…

He does this to make a point, as he doesn’t believes in sole-candidates. However, he doesn’t have issues with Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) or the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Andrew is not going after the Chairman position in the ruling party or National Coordinator of ANT. No, he goes for NUP.

That is just so striking, neither is going for Party Presidency in the Democratic Party (DP) or Uganda People’s Congress (UPC). This gives way to Mao and Akena. Two other people who Mwenda admires now and then.

So, Mwenda has no issues with Akena, Mao, Muntu or Museveni. However, his going after Bobi Wine. That is just so striking. He knows he cannot win in the Forum for Democratic Change. As they have changed recently and knows how Patrick Amuriat Oboi got into the reigns.

He just strikes at the newcomer and the rising star. Just because he can and can use his platform to distort the conversation. This is a political scheme at the highest level.

If there ever was a mole. This is the neon-lights of one. A man who has despised the People Power Movement and Bobi Wine. I have never seen anything positive from the “old man of the clan”. The man has only done what he can to distort and destroy it.

Mwenda might think his bloody brilliant, but this a move of fool. He thinks the blind is leading the blind. Andrew just showing his ignorance and intolerance on full display.

What is even more striking is that this time around to cause controversy. He puts himself in the middle of the firing line. Mwenda knows people will not listen to his words of wisdom or subscribe to his Facebook rants. No, that ship has sailed and gotten old.

That is why he put himself in the middle of the game. Trying to prove a point and media houses will go off the chain. However, he is only making himself naked. Showing his true colours and sooner this scheme will fall flat.

Bobi Wine will be the man and is the man in NUP. He can challenge, but its an empty candidacy. A publicity stunt and an elitist trying to prove something. Mwenda isn’t this. Just like Bukenya and Mbabazi wasn’t opposition either. They were just in the wind a minute and went home after the campaigns. The same will happen to Andrew. He has made a deal and is now playing it out. Peace.