Balaam
Events promoter Balaam Barugahare of Balam Events has come out to address reports that he registered an organization named ‘People Power’ in the authorities.
By Monday evening, reports indicated that the Museveni die-hard had said that his People Power organization, is meant to help the old and elderly, and he therefore owns all rights to the phrase ‘People Power’, and anyone else who uses it, has to seek permission from him.
This development angered many followers of Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi popularly known as Bobi Wine who has popularized the ‘People Power’ slogan in Uganda. Bobi Wine supporters say Balaam’s move as a direct attempt to frustrate their idol’s alleged presidential aspirations.
However Balaam has stuck to his word and confirmed that what he did is constitutional has no plans to withdraw his organization.
Bobi Wine (in white) and his wife Barbie. The People Power movement popularised the red berets. PHOTO by Michael Kakumirizi
“According to the 1995 constitution, every Ugandan has a right to register any company in the registrar of companies. There are procedures that one should follow to register a company. One of them is to ask if an organization with a similar name has ever been registered. You can’t wake up and begin using a name and thinks it’s yours yet you have never registered it. If you have a phrase you want to use that would help your business even though it has been said by someone else, as long as no one has registered it, it’s not a crime for you to take it up,” Balaam said in an interview with BBS TV.
He said that there is a reason as to why he didn’t name his organization FDC or NRM.
“I can’t have registered FDC or NRM because they have been registered. So why do you think we should go with your beliefs that someone owns people power when it has never been registered?” he questioned before adding that, “Ugandans talk too much, it’s like they have nothing to do. Go sell samosas, grow avocados, cabbages but do not waste our time.”
According to a lawyer who majors in company law, this is a move aimed at ensuring that Bobi Wine does not get to register his ‘People Power’ party.
“They are trying to steal Bobi’s name before he can change it into something. That name will never be available for him because anything similar to an already existing name can’t be given. Even though it’s owned by an NGO. So they have out done him. If Bobi wants to register his party they will tell him to bring an entirely different name, not even ‘People Power Our Power’. I am sure they have given orders to registrars wherever he goes not to register any other entity called ‘People Power’,” the lawyer who requested for anonymity said.