During the heat of the previous presidential elections, John Patrick Amama Mbabazi who fell out with the regime and joined opposition was portrayed as the strongest rival of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
However, the nation was stunned when he garnered only 1.4% of votes. Political analysts say Mbabazi was not as popular as perceived by the public but he simply had a well trained propaganda team which publicized him and his political activities.
Mbabazi propaganda reduced his counterpart Col Kizza Besigye to a failed opposition leader who had lost the will of Ugandans. Shockingly, Besigye gained over 10% of votes compared to the previous election in 2011. “Besigye was frustrated by Mbabazi to an extent that he almost handed over 20 years of struggle to the former premier,” a political analyst said.
As the powerful opposition leader repositions himself for 2021, Besigye is making early preparations despite 4 years left. He kicked off fresh mobilisation across the country with the entire FDC leadership until the retreats were suspended following the Rwenzururu tribal clashes.
Besigye, has quite often been abroad attending summits and meeting funders to strengthen his struggle to dislodge Museveni for the 5th attempt. The latest TrumpetNews has gathered indicates that Besigye has now invested highly in propaganda.
He has hired journalists whose role is to circulate propaganda work on social media and counter state criticism. Among the journalists is Ronald Muhinda, a distant relative of Besigye. He was working with Radio One reporting from Parliament until beginning of this month when he resigned.
Muhinda kept low key while still reporting for Radio One as his boss Maria Kiwanuka is inclined to government having served as Minister of Finance.
A source at Kasangati where Besigye resides tells us that Muhinda moves in Besigye’s official car and his job is to update all social media platforms about his boss’ schedule and engages whoever tries to oppose Besigye. H e was in 2011 shot in the leg while covering the return of Besigye from Nairobi hospital after operatives sprayed intoxicant substances in his eyes during the heat of Walk to Work protests.
It is reported that Muhinda rejected cash contribution from police chief Kale Kayihura as Besigye footed his medical bill.
Muhinda is already doing a tremendous job as he attacks those who are opposed to his boss Besigye. He was engaged in cyber exchange with Bugweri County MP Abdu Katuntu who recently shared his divergent views as to why he parted with Besigye.
Other journalists on Besigye’s propaganda payroll are Francis Bahene, veteran scribe Fredrick Womakuyu and many others.