Mordecai Muriisa ™️
@MordecaiMuriisa • 47,639 subscribers
🎙️ Host of Mordecai Muriisa Live on YouTube. Author of the Odyssey of the Optimist on Amazon.
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I would like to see Olara Otunnu lose his bid for UN Secretary-General. Stay with me for a second. I don’t oppose Otunnu because he is Ugandan. I don’t oppose him because I hate Uganda. And certainly not because I cannot take pride in seeing a Ugandan aspire to one of the world’s most prestigious international positions. My objection is much more fundamental. I worry that Otunnu’s bid for the UN’s top job could become an opportunity to whitewash, sanitize or soften the record of the Museveni government a government whose decades in power have been accompanied by allegations of repression, political violence, abuses and impunity. And this is where Otunnu’s own record and relationship with Uganda matter. He has been in Uganda. He has seen what has happened. He knows the political reality. Yet, when confronted with the conduct of Museveni’s government and, increasingly, the political role of his son Muhoozi, Otunnu has too often appeared to retreat into the comfort of intellectual language, diplomatic semantics and carefully constructed platitudes. For me, that is not enough. You cannot aspire to become the world’s chief diplomat while avoiding the uncomfortable truths happening in your own backyard. Uganda does not need another international figure who can make authoritarianism sound respectable. It needs people willing to name abuse, confront impunity and defend democratic principles even when doing so is politically inconvenient. So yes, I would like to see Olara Otunnu lose this particular bid. Not because he is Ugandan. But because I believe the UN Secretary-General should be someone whose commitment to human rights and accountability is beyond political ambiguity including when the uncomfortable questions involve their own country. YouTube -
Mordecai Muriisa ™️69,940 просмотров • 29 дней назад
Today, NUP's President Kyagulani Ssentamu Robert's wife Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi was joined by a group of women in a vibrant dance as she made her way to the podium to deliver her remarks. Elegantly dressed in the gomesi (busuuti), a traditional Ugandan dress worn by women from different tribes across the country, the women danced to Mama by Rema and Mama Mbire by Bobi Wine featuring Juliana Kanyomozi, two songs that celebrate the love, strength, sacrifice, and importance of women and mothers. It was a beautiful moment that blended Ugandan culture, music, and the celebration of women
Mordecai Muriisa ™️71,498 просмотров • 1 месяц назад
Joel Ssenyonyi did what many never expected. Standing before General. Museveni, and sending a message to Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, top military commanders, and the country's political elite, the Leader of the Opposition could have chosen the easy path. He could have delivered a safe, emotional tribute to the late Gen. Moses Ali and walked away. Instead, he turned a moment of mourning into a powerful constitutional reminder. Although Joel Ssenyonyi's politics stood in sharp contrast to those of the late Gen. Moses Ali, he put political differences aside to acknowledge his service, leadership, and sacrifices. It was a display of statesmanship that few could criticize. But then came the part that changed the mood in the room. The lawyer in Joel Ssenyonyi took over. With Museveni and CDF Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba listening, he reminded Uganda's leaders that the Constitution is not optional. He stressed that the rule of law must be respected and that no one regardless of rank, office, or military power is above the law. In that moment, this was no longer just a tribute. It became a constitutional challenge delivered straight to the country's most powerful figures. While others chose emotion, Joel chose principle. While others praised the past, Joel confronted the present. His speech wasn't just about honoring a fallen general it was a reminder that the greatest tribute any nation can pay its heroes is to protect the Constitution they swore to defend. For many supporters of the Museveni regime, those words were unlikely to be comfortable. What was expected to be a solemn ceremony became, in my view, a moment of accountability, as the Leader of the Opposition used the national stage to remind Uganda's mis-leaders that power without respect for the Constitution undermines the very foundation of the state. Joel Ssenyonyi didn't simply deliver a tribute. He delivered a message the powerful could not ignore. YouTube -
Mordecai Muriisa ™️83,952 просмотров • 2 месяцев назад
During the NUP Diaspora Convention in Los Angeles, California, last week, I had the opportunity to sit down with Solomon Kampala, the son of NUP President Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert, alias Bobi Wine. At just 21, I was genuinely struck by the intellectual maturity and depth of thought he brought to our conversation. Solomon is young, but his reflections on Uganda’s political future go far beyond what many would expect from someone his age. We discussed whether he believes Uganda’s political climate can actually change. I also put a more personal question to him: Coming from a relatively privileged family, why involve yourself in a dangerous political struggle when you could simply stay away? That question is particularly significant given what his family has experienced. During a raid on his parents’ home, his mother was held at gunpoint by security personnel. Solomon subsequently took to social media and expressed his anger in no uncertain terms. I asked him whether, looking back, he regretted speaking out. And because he has already become increasingly engaged in Uganda’s political conversation, I had to ask the question many people will inevitably be wondering: Does Solomon Kampala see himself entering electoral politics and running for office one day? His answers offered a fascinating glimpse into how a new generation within Uganda’s opposition movement is thinking about politics, privilege, risk and the country's future. Here is our conversation. YouTube -
Mordecai Muriisa ™️27,420 просмотров • 1 месяц назад
Just for laughs. This young man voted to “protect the gains”, here are the gains 🤣
Mordecai Muriisa ™️47,915 просмотров • 2 месяцев назад
Will those who accused Baganda of unfairly opposing a northerner, Olara Otunnu, now apologize? And what about those who, without knowing NUP’s official position, prematurely declared that opposition to Otunnu’s bid represented the position of NUP or Bobi Wine supporters? Will they now acknowledge their preconceived bias and apologize to NUP, now that the party’s president has publicly stated its official position? For the record, I still oppose Otunnu’s bid, and I believe I am perfectly entitled to that position. And yes, I still support Bobi Wine because I know for sure that supporting a political leader does not require surrendering independent thought, and that’s what makes us better than Museveni’s cult political party.
Mordecai Muriisa ™️14,887 просмотров • 27 дней назад
A number of people like Nsereko Muhammad are calling on Museveni, the very man who unlawfully abducted Dr. Besigye from Kenya on 16 November 2024 and has kept him imprisoned for over a year in violation of his constitutional rights to "forgive" him. That framing completely misses the point. Like every Ugandan who believes in justice, I want to see Dr. Besigye free. But I'm not going to pretend I desire his freedom more than he does. Dr. Besigye has been consistent from the beginning: the treason charges against him are fabricated, and all he has demanded is what every citizen is entitled to a fair trial before an independent court. This struggle has never been about begging for the mercy of a ruler. It has always been about defending the rule of law against the abuse of state power. Justice is not a favour bestowed by those in power; it is a constitutional right owed to every citizen. As a believer in democracy and constitutionalism, I stand behind whatever decision Dr. Besigye makes. The fight is for justice, not mercy.
Mordecai Muriisa ™️22,861 просмотров • 1 месяц назад
🤣 I could do this all day; laughing at stupid attacks 😆
Mordecai Muriisa ™️13,311 просмотров • 29 дней назад
When confronted by Sky News on whether he intends to rule Uganda for the rest of his life, President Yoweri Museveni stopped short of a denial, instead deflecting the question by saying the decision lies with Ugandans. Coming from a leader repeatedly accused of mastering the art of election manipulation, the response reads less like reassurance and more like a thinly veiled confirmation of perpetual rule. As this statement reverberates, dramatic developments are unfolding on the ground. Early indications from the ongoing vote count suggest opposition leader Bobi Wine is gaining significant momentum. A flood of videos circulating from polling and tallying centers across Uganda shows ballots being counted in real time, electrifying the nation and heightening tensions as the country awaits what could be a defining moment in its political history. YouTube -
Mordecai Muriisa ™️75,045 просмотров • 8 месяцев назад
Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda may have intended to land a devastating blow on Bobi Wine, but judging by the reaction online, the attack appears to have backfired spectacularly. Speaking yesterday, Ssemujju argued that while Bobi Wine is undeniably popular, he lacks the ability to lead a political party, let alone govern a country. It was a statement that immediately ignited a firestorm on social media. But instead of joining Ssemujju's criticism, many Ugandans turned their attention to him. The first question they asked was simple: if leadership is measured by the success of a political party, what happened to the FDC? Ssemujju spent nearly two decades helping build the party, yet today it is a shadow of its former self, divided by internal conflicts and struggling to maintain its political relevance. Others pointed out an even more uncomfortable fact. If Bobi Wine lacks leadership qualities, how did Ssemujju himself lose his parliamentary seat to a candidate from the very party Bobi Wine leads? To many online commentators, that contradiction was impossible to ignore. As the criticism intensified, some accused Ssemujju of sounding less like a seasoned political analyst and more like the kind of commentator he has often criticized himself. Others suggested that what appeared to be political analysis was actually frustration with Bobi Wine's continued influence and dominance within Uganda's opposition politics. Whether those accusations are fair or not, one thing is clear: the conversation quickly stopped being about Bobi Wine's leadership and became about Ssemujju's credibility. In politics, attacks are supposed to weaken your opponent. But sometimes they achieve the opposite effect. Judging by the public reaction, Ssemujju may have discovered that criticizing Bobi Wine is one thing; convincing Ugandans of that criticism is something entirely different. Instead of putting Bobi Wine on the defensive, his remarks appear to have handed Bobi Wine's supporters fresh ammunition and left Ssemujju answering uncomfortable questions of his own. If the goal was to damage Bobi Wine politically, the internet's verdict seems clear: the attack missed its target and boomeranged right back at the man who launched it. YouTube -
Mordecai Muriisa ™️31,540 просмотров • 3 месяцев назад
The exiled NUP President Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has paid tribute to one of Uganda’s most celebrated playwright, Alex Mukulu, who passed away at the age of 72. Bobi Wine described Mukulu as a rare voice who refused to surrender his conscience, even at a time when, in his view, the Museveni government was using patronage and other incentives to win the loyalty of artists and silence critical voices. He praised Mukulu for speaking truth to power when doing so was difficult, arguing that his legacy goes beyond theatre it is also about courage, integrity and the willingness to stand by one's convictions. Bobi Wine called for a moment of silence in honor of Mukulu, remembering him not only as a great playwright but as an artist who, in his words, refused to be bought. Here is Bobi Wine's tribute to Alex Mukulu. YouTube -
Mordecai Muriisa ™️12,567 просмотров • 1 месяц назад
Reports circulated yesterday after exiled activist and author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija posted on the social media platform X alleging that President Yoweri Museveni was rushed to Mbuya Military Hospital at approximately 3 a.m. to bid farewell to First Lady Janet Museveni. According to the claim, she had reportedly been admitted to the facility for several days and was on oxygen support, with suggestions that it was too risky to transport her abroad for further treatment. Although these reports remain unverified, they quickly triggered strong reactions online, with some individuals expressing premature celebration. Such responses raise important concerns about the state of public sentiment and discourse. While the accuracy of these claims is still uncertain—and I personally do not condone celebrating the potential death of any individual—the situation prompts a broader reflection. It highlights the extent of public dissatisfaction and the intensity of emotions directed toward the leadership. In light of this, one might ask the President and the First Family to consider the depth of public discontent and whether a peaceful transition of power could serve the nation’s best interests. At this stage, however, a critical question remains: is the reported condition of Janet Museveni accurate, and is she still alive? YouTube -
Mordecai Muriisa ™️42,236 просмотров • 6 месяцев назад
The Uganda Police Force’s credibility has once again been called into question, this time amid alarming threats from President Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba. In a move that has intensified public scrutiny, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke claimed that opposition leader Bobi Wine was at his residence and not under house arrest, adding that if he were to be arrested, the police would publicly disclose the alleged crimes he had committed. Shortly after, Muhoozi Kainerugaba took to his Twitter account, Muhoozi Engaged, issuing a stark warning: Bobi Wine must surrender to the authorities or be treated as a rebel and outlaw. The tweet, delivered in his trademark threatening style, has amplified fears and tensions across the country. This sequence of events raises a troubling question: if Bobi Wine has committed no crime, why is he being ordered to surrender? The situation underscores the continued aggressive posture of Uganda’s security apparatus and highlights the precarious position of opposition figures in a climate where dissent appears to be met with intimidation rather than due process. YouTube -
Mordecai Muriisa ™️52,650 просмотров • 8 месяцев назад
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa took to the parliamentary floor to air his dirty laundry. The embattled politician lashed out at Senga Acid, a Canada-based individual who allegedly defamed him by claiming he was having illicit affairs with Sheila Gashumba an entertainment show host. Desperate Attempt to Save Face? Tayebwa's decision to defend himself against these claims has raised eyebrows, with many questioning why he's investing so much time and energy into disproving what he calls lies. Is he hiding something? A Marriage on the Rocks? As the drama unfolds, sources close to the Deputy Speaker reveal a marriage in turmoil. Tayebwa's wife, Anita Rukundo, has been noticeably absent from public events, fueling speculation about the state of their relationship. Parliament or Personal Soapbox? The incident has sparked outrage among Ugandans, who are demanding to know why their elected officials are using parliament as a platform for personal vendettas. This is crossing the line and I explain why. YouTube -
Mordecai Muriisa ™️107,331 просмотров • 1 год назад
After Parliament declined to approve Dr. Lawrence Muganga for the position of Minister of Internal Affairs, an interesting debate quickly emerged. A group of Banyarwanda in Masaka publicly appealed to President Museveni, arguing that if Muganga could not get the job, then another Munyarwanda should be appointed in his place. Well, it appears their wish has been granted. President Museveni has since appointed Uwitonze Kisekka Juma to the position. Let me be clear from the outset: I have absolutely no problem with Ugandans of Rwandan heritage—or any other heritage—serving in positions of leadership. Every Ugandan should have an equal opportunity to serve their country based on merit. My concern is something entirely different. What does it say about our politics if the President can be publicly pressured to reserve a particular ministry for a particular ethnic group? And if one community successfully argues that a ministry belongs to them, what stops every other tribe from demanding its own ministerial slot? Public office is not a tribal entitlement. Ministries are not ethnic trophies to be shared among communities. They are national institutions, and the people appointed to lead them are supposed to serve every Ugandan equally, regardless of tribe, religion, region, or political affiliation. In my view, the moment we begin treating Cabinet appointments as rewards for ethnic identity rather than positions of national service, we risk creating a dangerous precedent, one that could deepen divisions instead of strengthening national unity. Here is my commentary. YouTube -
Mordecai Muriisa ™️15,999 просмотров • 1 месяц назад
After threatening to shut down NTV and the Daily Monitor, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba may have expected fear and silence. Instead, Uganda's most prominent media houses appear to have called his bluff. In what many viewed as a direct challenge to the country's Chief of Defence Forces, NTV's evening news bulletin revisited a series of controversial incidents in which Muhoozi has been accused of openly boasting about kidnappings, illegal detentions and other actions that critics say violate the law. The broadcaster posed a question that is increasingly being asked across the country: Is Muhoozi Kainerugaba above the law? The Daily Monitor has also continued reporting on the controversy despite the threats, setting up a confrontation that many Ugandans never expected to see. For years, critics have accused powerful figures in government of operating with impunity, but now major media institutions appear unwilling to simply look away. The bigger question is what happens next. Will Muhoozi back down from his threats, or will he attempt to act on them? Can a military officer, regardless of rank, decide which media houses are allowed to operate and which ones are not? And what does it say about the state of Uganda when journalists and media organizations find themselves in a public standoff with the country's top military commander? To many observers, this is no longer just a dispute between Muhoozi and the media. It is becoming a test of whether the rule of law still matters, whether freedom of the press can survive political intimidation, and whether powerful individuals can be held accountable for their actions. In this commentary, I examine the growing confrontation between Muhoozi Kainerugaba and Uganda's independent media and what it means for the future of the country. YouTube -
Mordecai Muriisa ™️22,482 просмотров • 3 месяцев назад
Former presidential candidate and outspoken Museveni and Muhoozi critic Joseph Kabuleta is making a chilling prediction: the Museveni regime may be much closer to collapse than many Ugandans realize. Kabuleta argues that the regime is showing classic signs of a government approaching its breaking point—growing brutality, increasing desperation and an apparent scramble by people within the system to secure their own escape routes. According to Kabuleta, when regimes become this extreme, the real danger isn't necessarily the opposition outside the system—it is what begins happening inside it. Officials and their families, he argues, start preparing for life after the regime by seeking alternative citizenship and securing their futures abroad. And Kabuleta draws a striking historical comparison. He points to Mikhail Gorbachev's Soviet Union, arguing that from the outside the Soviet system appeared heavily fortified and almost impossible to defeat—until suddenly, it collapsed. His warning is blunt: military strength can make a regime look invincible right up until the moment it isn't. So, is the Museveni system actually crumbling from within? Are insiders already preparing for what comes next? And could Uganda be much closer to a political earthquake than anyone expects? Here is Joseph Kabuleta making his case—and my commentary. YouTube -
Mordecai Muriisa ™️11,722 просмотров • 1 месяц назад
Yesterday, I shared a video of a young man who had reached a breaking point in his life. Instead of making a tragic decision, this man — whom I know as Kasule Paul — chose to courageously speak out. In the video, he explained the challenges he was facing after his merchandise was stolen, leaving him uncertain about how he would return home to his young family — his wife, who had just undergone surgery, and their baby — and explain what had happened. I posted a message on Facebook asking for help in locating him, and I am grateful that we were able to connect. We have since spoken, and he has shared the kind of support he needs during this difficult time. I kindly ask for your compassion and support as we come together to assist him. Thank you.
Mordecai Muriisa ™️36,427 просмотров • 7 месяцев назад
In what many are calling one of the most explosive live TV confrontations in recent memory, activist and journalist Natumanya Andrew, popularly known as Ninye Tabz, completely turned the tables on NBS TV's Canary Mugume during a tense interview. Canary appeared determined to push a narrative suggesting that despite his abduction and outspoken criticism of President Museveni's government, Tabz could actually be a state agent. But Tabz shut that line of questioning down instantly. "If I am a state agent, then I am a state agent who wants Museveni to leave power," he fired back, leaving Canary with little room to continue the argument. From that moment on, the interview took on a life of its own. This was not the diplomatic, carefully worded Ninye Tabz many expected. He came prepared, confronted every tough question head-on, and refused to let the discussion be steered away from what he believes are the real issues. His direct, uncompromising style quickly caught the attention of viewers, with many online praising him for standing his ground. In this commentary, I break down the explosive interview, Tabz's most memorable exchanges with Canary Mugume, and why this television showdown has become one of the most talked-about political interviews on the Ugandan internet. YouTube -
Mordecai Muriisa ™️17,649 просмотров • 2 месяцев назад