OF recent, the public has been treated to internal wrangles in Justice Forum (JEEMA) Party, that date back to last year when I showed interest in the party’s top seat.
First, I was condemned by some founders for wanting to lead their party without their will and consent, and for that, I was ‘indisciplined and bad hearted’ for that matter.
For them, the person to lead JEEMA and critical decisions in the party must be made by them and the role of the official structures of the party should be to rubber stamp their decisions. This is something we object to because it is contrary to democratic principles and common sense.
I found their problem to be “foundism” also known as “founder syndrome” which has affected progress in many organisations and some opposition political parties.
Founders tend to forget the principles set by themselves in management of affairs of organisations and get obsessed with; “twatandika ekintu kyaffe,” (luganda for – we started our thing) craze; like Gen Museveni’s; “we hunted our animal…” assertion which is affecting us as a country.
My contention is that; the makers of the law governing political parties envisaged a situation where a group of people can start a political party and would want to govern it as a private company.
So, they put in place a regulation requiring citizens that want to start a political party to collect 50 signatures from two thirds of the districts of Uganda. Unfortunately, some of the founders of JEEMA have not yet come to this truth.
Therefore it’s the members responsibility to tame them by putting Article 12 (i) of the party constitution in practice, which states that: “Members shall have a right to vote and to be voted to any position, provided they are of voting age.”
Additional to that, the conduct of our leaders also calls for an immediate action before the wider membership of the party is affected. Because of their conduct, the public thinks JEEMA is one of the parties in cooperation with the regime. Members of the party who want to vie for various positions in the elections are faced with a challenge of tagging them to actions of the regime because their leaders have become regime apologists.
The last nail in the coffin, came a few weeks back when they disregarded the party constitution and the constitution of Uganda by extending their term of office to 2028.
In the first place, they are in office illegally because the JEEMA National Delegates Conference of 2020 extended their leadership for two and a half years that ended in April 2023 but since then, no NDC has ever convened to give them another mandate. Their purported extension if not challenged puts their term in office to 8 years contrary to section 10(3) of the Political Parties and Organisations Act (PPOA) and 16(e) of the JEEMA constitution. Obviously, we are soon challenging this in the courts of law.
Lastly, I think the JEEMA founders should accept that, the party has to be run by its set rules and that all members have equal rights. They might opt to register a private company limited by share capital where their will could not be challenged.
Today, whoever challenges their authority, is either rewarded with suspension letters or told off to exit for there is free entry and exit from their mighty JEEMA kingdom. I want to remind founders of political parties that political parties and organisations are public entities that feed on the tax payers purse, members subscriptions, donations etc.
So a few individuals and their founders can’t claim exclusive rights in making un democratic decisions on behalf of their members. I thank you.
The author, Ssentongo Abdulnoor Kyamundu is aspiring JEEMA president and Chairman of the Holy Alliance pressure group.
PHOTO: From left; Nakibinge (Kojja Ham), Hamis Kiggundu smartly dressed in a suit and Ambassador Godfrey Kirumira. Second photo: President Netumbo welcoming tycoon Ham before her swearing-in
BY MOSES MUGALULA
ON Friday March 21, 2025, Uganda’s leading investor and owner of Ham Agro Processing Industries, Dr. Hamis Kiggundu, in a company of H.E Godfrey Kirumira, the Honorary Ambassador of Namibia to Uganda, received a high level of attention and preferential treatment in Namibia, as this SADC member country was swearing-in its first female President, Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, commonly known as NNN!
SO HELP ME GOD! President Ndaitwah swearing-in
Madam President acknowledged Dr. Hamis Kiggundu, during her inauguration at the State House in Windhoek, Namibia.
HAPPY TO SEE YOU MY SON: President Ndaitwah welcoming Dr. Hamis Kiggundu to Namibia for her inauguration. The two held a meeting after President’s swearing-in
Outgoing leader, Mbumba aged 83, handed over power to Nandi-Ndaitwah at a ceremony attended by Heads of State from several African countries including Angola, South Africa and Tanzania. The inauguration coincided with country’s 35th independence day.
President Ndaitwah becomes the second directly elected female President in Africa, after Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The continent’s only other female president at the moment is Tanzania’s Hajjat Samia Suluhu Hassan, who took up the role after her predecessor John Pombe Amos Magufuli (JPAM), died in office in 2021. We will come back to this, later!
In company of the Ambassador of Namibia to Uganda His Excellency Godfrey Kirumira, Business mogul Hamis Kiggundu who owns over 10 local and international multi-billion companies received extra attention and personalized service, going above and beyond standard protocols. A team of Government officials were assigned to ensure tycoon Hamis Kiggundu is catered for as a special guest for the swearing in Head of State in Namibia.
From left: Dr. Hamis Kiggundu with entourage from Uganda
This leading investigative News Website can authoritatively report that, it is Madam President Netumbo who personally invited Dr. Hamis Kiggundu and on his arrival, the two held a meeting before the swearing-in fete.
‘I AM HERE FOR THE MARKET OPPORTUNITIES OF AGRO PROCESSED PRODUCE’, HAMIS KIGGUNDU
Speaking to us from Namibia, businessman Hamis Kiggundu revealed that he wanted to exploit the market in South African Nations for his Agro processing produce.”We want to export our agro processed products to the entire South African nations. So we have to exploit the opportunities.” Said, Mr. Kiggundu adding that, “It is indeed an honour physically attending the swearing in of the Namibian new president… a mother and a friend…..may Allah bless the work of her hands.”
For starters, Kiggundu owns Ham Agro Processing Industries with headquarters on Entebbe Expressway.
PHOTOS: Headquarter of Ham Agro-Processing Industries in Uganda
He believes that Uganda is a non tapped food world Bank. “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Agro-Processing and value addition is the only clear path from poverty to prosperity. We need a productive Agro food chain through value addition to cater for the domestic, regional and international markets.” Said businessman Hamis Kiggundu.
He aims at adding value to Ugandan agro produce, market farmers produce domestically, regionally and internationally. He says, this will improve farmers incomes, create employment opportunities and widen the tax base in the long run.
A year ago, Hamis Kiggundu travelled with President Museveni to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and discussed with richest investors, business partnerships for Agro-Processing, value addition and setting up Ham Agro Bank which will see majority of Ugandans become direct beneficiaries and participants in the development of their country.
Ham wants to be a leading supplier of Agro produce in South African Nations with headquarters in Namibia. And his friend, President Netumbo welcomed him with open hands. That is the secret behind his invitation as a VVIP at her swearing-in.
PRESIDENT NETUMBO & HAMIS FRIENDSHIP
All started in January 2024, when, then Namibia’s President in-wating, Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah Netumbo visited the newly constructed State-of-the-art Hamz Stadium Nakivubo, located in the heart of Kampala, Uganda’s Capital City. The Stadium was constructed by Hamis Kiggundu, CEO Ham Enterprises (U) Ltd.
The impressed Namibian leader who was in Uganda to attend NAM and G77 plus China Summits, invited tycoon Hamis Kiggundu to Namibia to exploit business opportunities. She saluted Ham for putting up such a magnificent facility saying, Africa can only be truly developed by sons of the soil! No wonder, on her swearing-in, she had to proudly invite Ugandan Businessman Hamis Kiggundu.
In attendance when she visited Hamz Stadium, was H.E Godfrey Kirumira, Namibia’s Honorary Ambassador to Uganda.Kirumira heads Bagagga Kwagalana, an association of Wealthiest businessmen and businesswomen in Uganda. Ham, as a leading local investor in Uganda, automatically subscribes to Bagagga Kwagalana Association.
BRIEF NOTES ABOUT NAMIBIA’S NEW PRESIDENT NETUMBO
She was sworn in on Friday to lead a country facing high rates of unemployment, inequality and poverty. In addition to that, she will be be dealing with it with the additional burden of being the only ever Africa’s second directly elected female president and Namibia’s first female head of state.
“If things go well then it will be seen as a good example,” Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told BBC’s Africa Daily podcast. “But if anything then happens, like it can happen in any administration under men, there are also those who would rather say: ‘Look at women!“
The 72-year-old, won November’s election with a 58% share of the vote.Nandi-Ndaitwah has been a long-term loyalist of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) – which has been in power since the country gained independence in 1990 after a long struggle against apartheid South Africa. She joined Swapo, then a liberation movement resisting South Africa’s white-minority rule, when she was only 14.
While the party has made changes and improved the lives of the black majority, the legacy of apartheid can still be seen in patterns of wealth and land ownership.
“Truly, land is a serious problem in this country,” she told the BBC ahead of the inauguration. We still have some white citizens and more particularly the absent land owners who are occupying the land.” From freedom fighter to Namibia’s first female president,Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said, she is committed to the “willing-buyer, willing-seller” principle, which means no-one is forced to sell up.
Namibia is a geographically large country with a small population of three million.Government statistics show that white farmers own about 70% of the country’s farmland. A total of 53,773 Namibians identified as white in the 2023 census, representing 1.8% of the country’s population.
It is one of the world’s most unequal countries, with a Gini coefficient of 59.1 in 2015, according to the World Bank, which projects poverty is expected to remain high at 17.2% in 2024.The unemployment rate rose to 36.9% in 2023 from 33.4% in 2018, according to the country’s statistics agency.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the economy, which partly relies on mineral exports, should work more on adding value to what the country extracts from the ground rather than exporting raw materials. She also wants Namibia to focus more on creative industries and get the education sector to adjust to new economic realities.
Nandi-Ndaitwah is only the second African woman to be directly elected as president, after Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.The continent’s only other female president at the moment is Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan, who took up the role after her predecessor John Pombe Amos Magufuli (JPAM) died in office in 2021.
She wants to be judged on her merits, but she said that it was a “good thing that we as countries are realising that just as men [can do], women can also hold the position of authority”.
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PHOTO: Can you identify your RDCs attending Kyankwanzi retreat?
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
JUST IN, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) who are in a retreat at National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi, today morning chased away officials from National Water Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), NEMA and Forestry Department who were invited to brief them about service delivery.
CLASS TIME: RDCs and NRM District chairpersons at a retreat. 2026, things will be different according to the notes they are getting!
RDCs and NRM District Chairpersons arrived at NALI on Sunday to be fine-tuned ahead of 2026 General Election. At a six day retreat, RDC and NRM District Chairpersons have been given instructions on how to decisively deal with the opposition supporters whose leader, Hon. Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi yesterday deployed his saints country over to plan for 2026 in advance so that they give Mr. Museveni sleepless nights. The Head of State H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to meet and address them any time from now.
PHOTO: Kagenyi Lukka addressing colleagues on arrival at Kyankwanzi
The retreat is focusing on reviewing the NRM manifesto as the current political term nears its end. It is also attended by top government officials.
Our reliable sources at NALI revealed to us that, there was a heated confrontation between RDCs and officials from NWSC, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and the Forestry Department over poor service delivery which RDCs insist is doing a deservice to the ruling NRM Party.
During discussions on service delivery, RDCs led by Mukono District RDC Kasibante Hassan commonly known as ‘De mayor’, Yahaya Were (Mbale), Simon Peter Kaswabuli (Nakaseke) and Kagenyi Lukka (Manafwa), expressed frustration over continued poor service delivery by the government water body, Environment body and Forestry Department saying this is killing NRM votes.
PHOTO: Mukono RDC Hassan Kasibante (extreme right) with colleagues at NALI
NWSC officials tried to defend themselves, claiming they were doing everything possible to supply clean and safe water to Ugandans, but all this was in vain!
The four RDCs dismissed the explanations, citing persistent water shortages in many communities, and every time people dont have water, they look at the NRM government and see it as a failure, which is not true.
“Government has given you all you want to supply clean and safe water to all Ugandans, but you have failed. Every time people are complaining of water shortages and this affects farmers, factories, schools, hospitals, business people, and other homesteads. You don’t know how much loss our people are making. You, as NWSC, don’t have to lose, NRM, instead, are losing on its support and, of course, tax collection.” Said one RDC.
RDCs accuse some NWSC officials of liasing with opposition politicians. When they supply water to their respective areas, these politicians mislead people that it’s their effort.
“Then you find that these opportunists carry the praise before voters instead of saluting NRM government which enables NWSC to supply water. Some of your officials are traitors.” Said RDCs before telling off NWSC officials before they were chased to go back and work on water supply improvement.
Recently transferred RDC to Nakaseke, Simon Peter Kaswabuli raised a matter on last week’s Kawempe North MP by-election.
Without mincing words, Kaswabuli told NWSC, “You should stop being in the offices. Come to the field and listen to people’s problems. We were in Kawempe North for the by-election. Most toilets were filled up, and people wanted to empty them, but you were asking for a lot of money. Your charge goes from UGX 300,000 to UGX 400,000. Our people can’t afford that much! Your vehicles (Cesspool emptiers) are parked at your offices. Why don’t you come out, give our people service at a lower charge, utmost UGX 50,000?”
PHOTO: Nakaseke RDC Simon Peter Kaswabuli on floor
NEMA and Forestry Department officials were not spared! RDCs accuse NEMA of giving out eviction orders without involving them.”It’s true we can’t allow people who build in wetlands. But why should you evict and demolish people’s property without involving us? Don’t you know that the victims put the blame on government and President Museveni in particular, and this affects NRM support?” RDCs asked NEMA officials.
RDCs talked about illegal encroachment on public land and environmental degradation in some areas where NEMA keeps a closed eye. “You give permits to some people to encroach in Wetlands, yet when it reaches to Wanainch, you demolish their property! What a double standard? All this affects the popularity of NRM. People look at the government as an enemy, chasing them from wetlands, yet some connected people are busy encroaching on wetlands. This must stop.” Said RDCs. NEMA was accused of negligence and failure to protect the country’s natural resources.
The Forestry Department officials also got a similar doze! They were accused of sleeping on duty as trees are being cut by timber and chacoal dealers, hence a catastrophe like that, which hit the people of Kalangala last week!
In a dramatic turn, the commissioners ordered the officials to leave the meeting, signalling their dissatisfaction with their performance.
The retreat continues, with leaders expected to propose solutions to the service delivery challenges affecting the country.
President Museveni’s upcoming address is highly anticipated, as he is expected to provide guidance on implementing the NRM manifesto and tackling governance issues ahead of 2026 presidential campaigns.
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PHOTO: Hundreds of NRM supporters ready to receive Party Chairman Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at Kawempe Mbogo Mosque when he went there to campaign for Party Candidate Faridah Nambi Kigongo on Tuesday this week. Ballot Paper boxes from this area were destroyed. Museveni wants to know who destroyed them and why
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
THE Head of State, who doubles as Chairman of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has written to Ugandans and Bazzukulu in particular on the outcome of the Kawempe North by-election.
In a four paged document, Mr. Museveni want answers on who destroyed ballot paper boxes in Kazo-Angola and Mbogo Centre, NRM stronghold saying, such violence intended to destroy NRM candidate Faridah Nambi Kigongo votes.
“Investigation will show us who destroyed the ballot paper boxes at Kazo-Angola, Mbogo centre, etc and why. Could it be because of the big support the NRM has there because of the anti-poverty programmes in the area?” Mr. Museveni, want answers.
PHOTO: Some NUP supporters who crossed to NRM a day Museveni campaigned for Nambi in Kawempe
Meanwhile in the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) which Museveni chaired on Friday last week, resolved to reject EC declared results which gave a win to NUP candidate Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola, finishing NRM’s Faridah Nambi in second position. CEC resolved among other resolutions, to instruct its lawyers to immediately challenge the results of the Kawempe North by-elections in courts of law.
This leading investigative news website reached out to NRM lawyers, confirming that they already have the instructions.
President Museveni has also defended deployment of JATT and UPDF in the Kawempe By-election saying, “It is because of the indiscipline of some opposition groups.” Museveni however admits, “There are also organisational mistakes on the NRM side, especially not working collectively and reaching the Wanainch. CEC is addressing those mistakes. We had a meeting on Friday, last week.”
HERE IS MUSEVENI’S FULL STATEMENT
“Fellow Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu, greetings.It is good that we are getting the rains after a very hot season. Stop damaging the environment, please, wherever you are.
In this piece, I am writing to inform you that an electoral and criminal investigation has started in the Kawempe North by-election.The following allegations have come up; ballot paper stuffing, results alternation, destroying ballot boxes in Kazo-Angola, Mbogo Mosque zone, etc, because, apparently, some people did not want those votes to be counted, campaigning at the polling stations, intimidation, violence, etc.
The heavy deployment of security forces may have stopped mass violence but it could not stop these micro crimes that should have been managed by the election officials.
PHOTO: Museveni campaigning in Kawempe
Some people really miscalculates. To think that you can commit such crimes against the law and the people when the NRM is in charge of the country is the highest form of shallowness. We shall hold everybody responsible accountable.
Those who intimidate NRM supporters must stop and apologise to those you intimidate. Those of the language, ‘ye mmwe abatusibyeko NRM’, must stop. Respect Ugandans’ choices.
Ballot stuffing has been going on since 1961. That is how Uganda ended up being unstable. Leaders do not concentrate on solving people’s problems because they know they can cheat and be in power whether the people support them or not. This will stop.That is why we are insisting only on bio-metric verification. No body else who is not bio-metrically verified will vote. I hope all the Ugandans who want peace, will support this. It must be one person, one vote. Some body was arrested with 18 ballot papers.
The NRM people must not involve themselves in ballot cheating by saying that the opposition is doing it, they must also do it. Work to crush that disenfranchisement of the Ugandan people. That is why the NRM went to the bush.
I have heard people talking about harsh methods by security elements, against the journalists. We are studying this.
However, the original question should be, “Why should the UPDF and JATT have to be deployed in crowd management?” Uganda is like an island of peace in the Region. Why? It is because of the UPDF. They have enough work fighting ADF, the Cattle-rustlers in Karamoja, Kony in Central African Republic (CAR), al-Shabab in Somalia, etc.There, they shoot to kill. That is why night dance goers can dance the whole night in peace.
Why then, do they get diverted to deal with crowds? It is because of the indiscipline of some opposition groups.Who organised the Kabaka riots of September 10th-12th, 2009? Who organised the 2020 riots of November 18th -20th where people were killed, NRM women were undressed, Policemen were attacked? Where was the army in all that? I deployed the Commandos on the 20th of November 2020 and they crushed the insurrection. Who organised the panga groups in Masaka? Who destroyed ballot boxes of 50 polling stations out of 197 polling stations in Kawempe North? You have been inviting the NRM to attend to you, we shall exactly do that.
The mistakes the soldiers may do could be on account of preparing for those non-lethal roles when they are diverted from their work of fighting on account of indiscipline of some actors. These are the criminal mistakes of the Opposition.
However, there are also organisational mistakes on the NRM side, especially not working collectively and reaching the Wanainch.
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PHOTO: On left, President Museveni handing NRM flag to Party Candidate Faridah Nambi Kigongo on Tuesday in Kawempe. Right, Hon. Kyagulanyi campaigning for NUP candidate Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
IT is not yet over for the Kawempe North by-election! Declared winner, Counsel Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola’s camp should hold on partying for winning Member of Parliament seat on Thursday March 13, 2025 until the end of the court battle!
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) lawyers have confirmed receiving instructions from Party Chairman H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to block swearing-in of Kawempe Division North Constituency Member of Parliament by-election winner Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola, saying elections were marred by malpractice, rigging of votes and failure by the Electoral body to declare results from a number of polling stations. Angry Museveni gave them instructions on Friday shortly after Chairing the Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting in Entebbe!
PHOTO: President Museveni talking to Acholi political leaders who visited him at State House Entebbe. He preached unity
NRM lawyers say, total number of votes which were not declared are more than the number of votes EC used as a yard-stick to announce Nalukoola as the winner of the by-election.
Government Chief Whip Hon. Obua attended CEC
“That is unacceptable. The NRM government which mothered the rule of Democracy through which citizens elect their leaders, can’t tolerate such a shum election in Kawempe North. The declared results by EC don’t represent Kawempe North voters therefore, the election must be cancelled, or EC announces results from the other polling stations.” Said counsel Barata, one of NRM elite lawyers.
ABOVE: The Head of State in Kawempe campaigning for NRM Candidate. BELOW: NRM’s Nambi kneels down to get instructions from her Dad Haji Moses Kigongo and Primier Robinnah Nabbanja Musafiiri
In a hotly contested by-election on Thursday, Henry Makabayi, the Returning Officer for Kampala City/Electoral District having added the number of votes cast as recorded on each Declaration of Results Form in accordance with Section 72 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap 177, declared that the total number of valid votes cast for candidates are as follows; Engena-Maitum Edward Stanley (Independent) got 22 votes, Kasacca Henry Mubiru (DP) 100 votes, Luwemba Lusswa Muhammad (Independent) 240 votes, Luyimbas Elias Nalukoola (NUP) 17764 votes, Mukiibi Sadat (FDC) 239 votes, Murerwa Hanifah Karadi (Independent) 381 votes, Musiitwa Ismail (PPP) 39 votes, Mutazindwa Muhamood (Independent) 186 votes, Nambi Faridah Kigongo (NRM) got 8593 votes and Nsereko Moses (Independent) collected 32 votes.The total number of votes cast for candidates was 27596, the total number of rejected (invalid) ballot paper was 406, the total number of ballot papers counted was 28002, and total number of spoilt ballot papers was 49.
EC DECLARES NALUKOOLA, WINNER
PHOTO: Nalukoola campaigning in Kawempe North
“Accordingly, as Returning Officer for Kampala City Electoral District and in accordance of Section 77 (1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act CAP 177, I declare Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola who has obtained the largest number of votes, to be the elected candidate for the Kawempe Division North Constituency, Kampala City/Electoral DistrictSigned Henry Makabayi
STATEMENT ON THE RESOLUTION NO. 12/01/140325 OF THE 4TH CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (CEC) OF THE NATIONAL RESISTANCE MOVEMENT (NRM)
PHOTO: Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, NRM SG
At its 16th meeting held on Friday 14th March 2025 at Entebbe, the 4th Central Executive Committee of the National Resistance Movement received and discussed the results of the Kawempe North by-elections.Aware of the Pillars of The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Organisation/Political Party, such as Patriotism, Pan Afrcanism, Social Transformation and Democracy:
COGNISANT of the fact that peace, stability, and security that Ugandans enjoy today was attained out of protracted people’s struggle:
MINDFUL of the dangers that the country might face or degenerate into if these kinds of undemocratic behaviours and practices are not checked;
NOTING that the acts of violence that were reported in the several polling stations within Kawempe North constituency were carried out by supporters and sympathisers of the National Unity Platform (NUP) Political Party;
NOTING FURTHER that the cancellation of the election results from several polling stations by the Electoral Commission disenfranchised about fifty thousand (50,000) registered voters from exercising their democratic right in a free and democratic way;
NOW THEREFORE, The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of The Ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) RESOLVES as follows;
1.THAT The Party totally rejects the results of the Kawempe North Constituency that was declared by the Electoral Commission.
2.THAT the Party calls upon the government to carry out a forensic audit to bring all the culprits who participated and messed up the election to book as soon as possible.
3.THAT the Party instructs its lawyers to immediately challenge the results of the Kawempe North by-elections in courts of law. Signed Todwong Richard Secretary General.
BOBI SPITS FIRE!
In a response posted on his social media pages, NUP President Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, was shocked to hear that President Museveni has rejected Kawempe North by-election results. Here is the full statement:
“But where did SHAME go? Just heard on the news that Museveni is saying he was rigged in Kawempe North! People who abducted our agents and supporters, beat up our people, spent days bribing people, deployed mambas inside polling stations, commandered goons to raid polling stations, changed several DR Forms to give their candidate 700, 400, 300 extra votes, etc , AND WE STILL BEAT them.
How can a man of his age decide to go down accompanied by so much shame? Apparently, Museveni thought that he had won over some support in Kampala and other places after sending Gen. Ddamulira into the ghettos with billions (most of which is stolen anyway), sponsoring propaganda against us, buying off several artistes and other socialites and using them to fight us, investing in some failed politicians to abuse us on the media everyday, constantly keeping his boot on our neck with abductions, arrests and beatings, etc etc.
He is very surprised that despite spending billions on all these and other efforts, the people of Uganda have continued to reject him flat. He even sent the young people who are at the so-called skilling centers to vote, but I believe most of them voted for us.
Anyway, it is this same Museveni who recently shamelessly claimed that we rigged him one million votes in the last election after he robbed our victory in broad daylight. I wrote to him challenging him to an independent audit of that election. He has never responded!
We need to seriously pray for our nation, but most importantly for our children so that none of them ever grows into such a shameless human being.
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PHOTO: From left, Journalist Charles Bukenya Muvawala who was abducted last week, tortured and dumped on a swamp, journalist Mood Katende who was abducted since 2023 and still missing and right is New Vision’s Ashraf Kasirye who was shot while covering Bobi Wine’s presidential campaigns in 2021
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
YESTERDAY March 12, 2025, Journalist Steven Kibwika working with NTV Uganda was badly beaten and his camera taken away by security officers while covering Leader of Opposition Rt. Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi together with NUP SG Lewis Rubongoya and NUP candidate for Kawempe North Counsel Elias Nalukoola Luyimbaazi who had gone to establish allegations concerning vote rigging by the ruling NRM agents at a house in Nameere-Kawempe North ahead of a by-election today, Thursday.
By press time, journalist Kibwika was still admitted at Medical Doctor’s Centre Mperere. LOP Ssenyonyi checked on him.
PHOTO: LOP Ssenyonyi (in a suit) when he visited journalist Kibwika who was admitted after he was beaten by security men
Security attack on journalist Kibwika came a few days after another journalist Charles Bukenya aka Muvawala was abducted and later dumped in a swamp located in Buliisa District. It is also about two years, since journalist Mood Katende working with Voice of Africa Radio, went missing. Katende was so vocal on matters of Muslim Sheikhs like Muslim cleric Sheikh Ibrahim Hassan Kirya who were killed by unknown assailants.
PHOTO: A day, Mood Katende (in a white tshirt) was arrested by police men and dumped in Safe house said to be a torture chamber
On Wednesday, 5th March 2025, around 1am, Hon. Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, leader of a leading opposition political party NUP in Uganda, posted on his facebook page about the abduction of another journalist Charles Bukenya aka Muvawala.
In a statement, NUP leaders claimed Bukenya was allegedly kidnapped from Happy Boyz Bar in Nakulabye and that his whereabouts had remained unknown.There and then, opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) Party leaders and supporters flooded social media and other mainstream media, to demand for the unconditional release of their key mobilizer in Diaspora, also the Vice President of Uganda North America Association, UNAA.
Hon. Bobi Wine posted, “We are deeply concerned by the disappearance of Mr. Charles Bukenya ‘Muvawala,’ a citizen of the United States hailing from Uganda. His family says he was abducted by gunmen from Nakulabye, Kampala, around 01:00 AM today (Wednesday) morning while on a visit to Uganda.”
Muvawala is the vice president of the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA), an organization that brings together Ugandans in the US. He is also a former member of Bakayimbira dramactors and a former presenter of the ‘Binsangawano’ show on Radio Simba.
Kyagulanyi said that at the time of his abduction, he sent a message indicating that operatives had come for him. “Given the recent spate of abductions targeting opposition-leaning Ugandans and journalists, we know that this too is the handwork of the cowardly NRM regime.” Posted, Kyagulanyi.
He wrote, “We demand for his immediate release from illegal detention or his swift arraignment in courts of law if he committed any offence. We also call upon all Ugandans in the diaspora to exercise extra vigililance while in Uganda because the regime, in its last days, has gone completely insane. No matter what comes our way, we shall overcome!”.
Two days later, Muvawala was found. Kyagulanyi posted on Facebook that, “I have just spoken on the phone with our comrade, Charles Muvawala, the Vice President of UNAA, who was abducted after 1:00am on Wednesday and has been missing since. He says that his captors dumped him in a swamp in Buliisa District earlier today after many hours of torture. He is gravely shaken by the ordeal. We must all unite in fighting against the lawlessness that has come to define our country!”
Disturbing photos showing how Muvawala was tortured
Mayanja Godfrey commented that, “Am in a great belief that Ugandans must stand up and fight for themselves, every person abducted is the same as you. We have a kind of people who think they have God chosen powers to treat others bad and wrong. It can never work that way, the country belongs to all of us, and we all have equal rights and responsibilities. Ugandans should know that abduction is evil and sinful.
Sarah Kateregga wrote: “Oh no, that’s horrific! I’m so glad Charles Muvawala is safe, but the fact that he was abducted, tortured, and dumped in a swamp is absolutely appalling. We can’t let this kind of lawlessness continue to plague our country. We must stand together and demand justice and accountability from our leaders. Justice For Charles, Stop Lawlessness, United We Stand.”
Precious Patience said, “The atrocities happening in Uganda is a criminal offence towards the citizens.”
WHAT UGANDA POLICE SAID ON MUVAWALA ABDUCTION
Uganda Police Force (UPF) Spokesperson Kituma Rusoke in a press statement said, Old Kampala Police initiated an investigation on receiving reports about a missing person by Mr. Businge, Muvawala’s driver. “Preliminary finds show a CCTV footage of Muvawala leaving the bar and briefly speaking with unidentified individuals. He then took a motorcycle to an unknown location.On the evening of March 7, 2025, Muvawala’s brother informed the police that Muvawala had been found in the Buliisa district. When police re-engaged Mr. Businge about these new developments, he said he would revert after seeking guidance from the Secretary General and deputy spokesperson of the National Unity Platform (NUP) for further details. We call him upon to come over and aid in our investigations.Uganda Police is committed to investigating the allegation of kidnap to its logical conclusion.” Read Police Statement which was shared on its social media platforms.
WHEN BOBI VISITED OTHER TORTURE VICTIMS
In a statement released by NUP Supremo on Saturday, Bobi Wine said, “We spent part of the day visiting some of our comrades who were terribly tortured and injured by JAT and other criminals yesterday. Some of these are in hospitals, while others are recovering from their homes. You can not imagine how these thugs aimed live bullets and rubber bullets at unarmed civilians and cut some of them using knives and bayonets.”
Kyagulanyi gave them a message of encouragement and assured them that their sacrifices would never be in vain. “Surely, there will be accountability for these crimes against humanity, one way or another. He Wished all of them a quick and full recovery!” Wrote Mr. Bobi Wine.
ON TORTURING OTHER JOURNALISTS
As said earlier mentioned, Muvawala is not the first journalist to be abducted and tortured by state operatives over standing against dictatorship, corruption, and judicial killings in the country.In fact, a number of journalists have run out of the country for their dear lives while others went missing. No one knows their whereabouts.
One Ashraf Kasirye, formerly working with New Vision, was hit by a rubber bullet and almost lost his life.He was on presidential candidate Bobi Wine’s campaign trail in 2021.Thanks to Mr. Kyagulanyi who rushed him abroad for surgery.
Another journalist, Culton Scovia Nakamya, was arrested in Kalangala during Bobi Wine’s campaign. She has since ran out of the country.
JOURNALIST MOOD KATENDE MISSING
Journalist Mood Katende, who was working with Voice of Africa radio in Kampala, was one day abducted from radio studios. There was a time when a group of armed men picked Mood Katende from his home and arrested many times under unclear circumstances.
PHOTO: Journalist thrown on a Police Patrol pickup
When Mityana Municipality MP Hon. Zaake Francis was arrested and dumped in a torture chamber. He met Mood Katende, who asked the legislator to alert his relatives and colleagues in media. ON his release, in a press conference Zaake held, he mentioned Mood Katende, who was rotting in a torture chamber.
Ever since May 2023, and up to today, journalist Mood Katende’s whereabouts are not known. Katende was so vocal on Sheikhs like Ibrahim Hassan Kirya’s killing in 2015, murder of Muhammad Kiggundu, and other sheikhs who were killed by gun welding men. Mood Katende, a senior investigative journalist in Uganda, through his radio talkshows, tasked the government to explain the killing of sheikhs and also preached against corruption and bad governance in the country. Little did know that this would cost him dearly!
Haunting journalists has led to many of them throwing in the towel and running out of the country for their dear lives.
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LEAD PHOTO: Minister Kyofatogabye clad in NRM t-shirt. On right is NUP MP Allan Mayanja Sebunya ‘AMS’ during the campaigns of Kawempe North NUP MP candidate Elias Nalukoola
STORY BY: MARY NABADDA
STATE Minister for Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Kabuye Kyofatogabye has shocked the people of Nakaseke Central where he intends to contest for Member of Parliament in the 2026 elections how he can kill his opponent!
In a leaked video footage (Posted on our facebook; News Editor online), this junior minister in President Museveni’s government, was closing a football tournament he organised at Katalekamese, Kitto Subcounty, Nakaseke Central Constituency in Nakaseke district. Kyofa is targeting NUP youngster Hon. Allan Mayanja Ssebunya, the incumbent Member of Parliament.
SCREEN SHOT: Photos cut out of Kyofa video clip
A motor mouthed Kyofa said, “I want all of you to understand this message, the person you are joking with, I will come and kill you. And those sent to sabotage my functions, i will die with you.”
An angry Kyofa said this, after a group of youth said to be Hon. Allan Mayanja Sebunya’s supporters openly told him not to waste his time, he has no votes in Nakaseke Central. In fact, everywhere Kyofa goes, we are told, he gets embarassed by Nakaseke Central voters who know that their Member of Parliament is among the best legislators of the 11th Parliament, having no genuine reasons to substitute him with a low starter.
Insiders say, Kyofa is becoming a laughing stock in that, even the functions he bankrolls are massively attended by Allan Mayanja’s supporters. These instead chant their man Mayanja Ssebunya’s name which hurts Kyofa and feels this must stop or else he dies with them.
PHOTO: Hon. Kyofa relaxing with his supporters after their meeting
In a one and half hours footage Kyofa is seen saying, “If it becomes to violence, i am the most violent man. I am a Captain in causing violence so stand warned.”
However, some members of the gathering sounded unbothered by the Minister’s threat as they continued shouting at him that he is just a barking dog.
PHOTO: Hon. Allan Mayanja on a matter of National importance in Parliament
The incumbent Hon. Mayanja is one of the youth fine tuned by Buganda Kingdom to join politics. He served as Speaker, Buganda Youth Council (BYC).
To enter Parliament, Hon. Allan Mayanja uprooted the then feared former Finance Minister Hajjat Syda Bbumba.
On trouncing Syda Bbumba, Hon. Kyagulanyi appointed Hon. Mayanja Sebunya the Deputy Chairman COSASE, one of the most powerful Committees in Parliament.
PHOTO: COSASE Vice Chairman Allan Mayanja, on duty
Analysts say, Kyofa will find an uphill in unseating Hon. Allan Mayanja Sebunya.
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SUNDAY 2nd March 2025 marked Five years, since Dr. Samuel Steven Kaziimba Mugalu was installed as The Archbishop Church of Uganda.
PHOTO: Archbishop Kaziimba Mugalu
In a Thanksgiving Service led by the Kampala diocesan Rtd Bishop Dr. Hannington Mutebi held at the provincial headquarter at Namirembe, he urged brethren to always acknowledge that God is the strong builder, saying, without him, “Whatever we build shall perish reflecting on the tower of Babel which was built by pride people.”
Bishop Mutebi noted that the Country is hit by corruption scandals because leaders failed to consult the strong builder and decided to do things on their own calling upon leaders to desist from pride.
He said, “Let us ask the Lord to teach us to profit as his Grace has profited the Church of Uganda through Archbishop Kaziimba Mugalu who traversed the entire province during the Covid 19 Lockdown, giving support to the Clergy, completing the UGX 60B debt of the Janan Luwum Church house which is now fully owned by the Church of Uganda and amidst that to build a stored guest house”.
During this event, the newly constructed Guest house named after the late Archbishop Dr. Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo was unveiled. This project was master minded by Hon. Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development and Chairperson of enthronment organizing committee of the 9th Archbishop of Church of Uganda. The former Kiboga District Woman Member of Parliament was the brain behind naming of the guest house in the name of Archbishop Nkoyoyo.
Present at the unveiling of the Nkoyoyo Guest House was Maama Canon Ruth Nkoyoyo who expressed gratitude to the Church of Uganda for remembering the works of her late husband and keeping his name sounding on Namirembe hill.
The provincial Secretary Rev.Canon Capt William Ongeng commended Archbishop Kaziimba for the developments in Church of Uganda within just 5 years.
In his Speech, the 8th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Stanley Ntagali thanked his Grace the Archbishop Kaziimba for the achievements he has done for the Church of Uganda. “I am now 5 years in retirement and God has surely blessed us and we were grateful for your visit when you came home and we pray for your ministry your Grace” Stanley Ntagali told Kaziimba.
Dr. Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu in his Speech said, “Today is a very special day for me, Maama Margaret, and our entire family as we celebrate five years of my ministry as the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda. Ebenezer – thus far the Lord has brought us!”
“As you may recall, I was enthroned on 1st March 2020 as the 9th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and installed on 8th March 2020 as the 8th Bishop of the Diocese of Kampala. Shortly after, on 20th March 2020, a nationwide lockdown was declared due to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing severe disruptions, including the closure of churches.” Reads Dr. Kaziimba’s message. He said, “By the Grace of God, we embraced media ministry to continue reaching our congregations. I am deeply grateful to the media houses that offered free live coverage of our services from my residence every Sunday in both Luganda and English.”
Kaziimba extended his gratitude to Words of Hope Ministries for their partnership, especially during the pandemic. They supported in streaming all Church services on the Church of Uganda social media platforms and their own. He saluted the Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF) Choir for not only singing but also offering their Public Address System. During this period, the Online Church of Uganda was launched. He thanked Rev. Prof. John and Rev. Dr. Lydia Kitayimbwa for their leadership in this innovation.
Kaziimba noted that, one of the greatest burdens on his heart was the debt on Janani Luwum Church House. He said, although the building was completed, the debt was significant, and his desire was that the Church is debt-free and that this building generates revenue for self-sustainability. He showed his gratitude to Hon. Canon Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa, who chaired the organising Committee.
In her speech, Hon. Nankabirwa Ssentamu thanked Archbishop Kaziimba for the trust he has in her ever since he was the Bishop of Mityana Diocese.
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HON. MUKASA Aloysius Talton Gold is back in Rubaga South Constituency trenches to hunt votes for his President Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi and all National Unity Platform (NUP) leaders in the constituency, ahead of 2026 polls.
In a campaign message dubbed, ‘Rise Against Oppression’, Hon. Mukasa combed all villages and zones in Rubaga South, going house to house, meeting locals, informal sector and other business people, encouraging them to be ready for the forthcoming elections saying, “In 2026 the country will go for a protest vote, oppressors must start parking! Ugandans are ready to liberate themselves. We are fed up of opposition politicians abduction.”
Everywhere Mp Mukasa reached, NUP supporters vowed to massively rally behind their party to cause a fundermental change in 2026. Hon. Mukasa will offer himself for area Member of Parliament in 2026. All indicators show, other contenders are fighting a lost battle!
Here is the pictorial of Hon. Mukasa meeting his constituents:
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PHOTO: Helpless Dr. Besigye on a wheelchair guarded by Prison officers. On right, the Author, Counsel Denis Nyombi dressed in a suit
OPINION BY: COUNSEL DENIS NYOMBI
“……. following the failure of the invasion, Amin’s soldiers had run amok and murdered very many people including Francis Walugembe, Shaban Nkutu, Bendicto Kiwanuka, Nekemiya Bananuka, Alex Oera, Oshua Wakoli and Picho Ali. The last three were captured alive during the disorganized invasion and murdered.
The illiterate, uncultured and cowardly ex-colonial soldiers thought that they could intimidate the people by committing such atrocities. Instead the conditions they created generated more resolve among the people and hatred for this gang of ignoramuses who acted extra-judicially even when they were in power.
The whole ethos of Amin’s army threatened the unarmed people of Uganda. Life was at its cheapest: an unfavorable opinion from one of the illiterate NCOs was enough to take away human life. This was the tyranny which we proposed to fight by protracted armed struggle….’’ “Sowing the Mustard Seed” by Y.K Museveni.
In the year 2016, Uganda held the first presidential debate. In his opening remarks Dr. Kizza Besigye said: “….this actually is a building that has profound influence on my being here tonight, because in February of 198…, I was incarcerated in this building, actually in the direction where candidate Museveni came from. It was a tough time. Many of the people i was with in that dungeon, have never been seen again. These were very respectable some of them elderly people and our arrest, both myself and those individuals arrest, had been prompted by a war that had started a short while earlier. A war that came out of a rigged election of 1980. In 1980 I had been a supporter of candidate Museveni……”
PHOTO: President Museveni shaking hands with former Physician Dr. Kizza Besigye on Martyrs’day, the two are now sworn enemies
Until today, the 1980-86 war is undoubtedly named, “the liberation war.” Dr. Besigye and Mr. Museveni are two persons whose role and stake in that war, is cemented in the historical write-ups of Uganda. Debatable however, is the conclusion that this was a liberation struggle as some of the participants of the war, vehemently state. Between 1962 to 1980, it’s not refuted there was apolitical cloud that covered the pearl of Africa with a fog of darkness.
Just like many other Ugandans that have been around since these times, the two stories are shared by majority in chorus.The recipients of these stories, are mostly the millennials (Abazukulu.) Not only do they find it hard to believe the narration around these stories, that 27 men with barely reasonable arsenal, could in five years, occasion a rebel assault to put down a government.
ONCE UPON A TIME: In the photo, then NRA Rebel leader Yoweri Museveni greeting unidentified old man. On extreme right is now, Rtd. Col. Besigye’s wife Eng. Winnie Byanyima
But at most, are vehemently disturbed by the reasons for the assault.It’s a story that they receive with two shades of doubt.The first doubt, whether the cause was for the common purpose, to liberate or people equitably or rather, for the liberation of some individuals.
NRA BUSH WAR HEROS: Rtd Col. Besigye and wife Eng. Winnie Byanyima
Primarily, individuals at the epitome of the “liberation struggle.”The second doubt, is whether this was actually a liberation per se! For to so be, its fruits need not be doubted but need be glaringly visible. Otherwise said, should be clear-cut.Clear-cut in all spheres. From electoral procedures and a transparent functioning of the entire electoral system, because the two statements, make confirmation, an electoral process at the time, was marred with irregularities, a thing not making news headlines in the contemporary times.
PHOTO: NUP President Bobi Wine and Dr. Besigye
Until today, the two individuals have a distinct line of approach. One believes, as a nation, we are on the correct line. On the contrary, the other believes we are on the incorrect line.
PHOTO: Opposition leaders in Uganda strategizing on how to fight Besigye’s arrest
It’s a disagreement that until today, finds the millennials conclude, since 1986, we still have a lot of unfinished work. There was and still is, a liberation unfinished. The liberation of not merely the people but of major government institutions, the independence of the judiciary, liberation of the electoral system from the captive state in which its sunken, liberation of the legislature, not to appease the political status quo, but to please the rule of law.
PHOTO: Besigye in cells
A liberation of distribution of national resources to an equitable share of the national cake. A liberation of systems from the dungeons where they were put in captivity.
The Author, Denis Nyombi is a seasoned lawyer and human rights defender working with Nyombi & Co. Advocates
