Magyezi MP up the ante: In two weeks gone from 27 to 46 new counties!

On the 22^nd July 2020 there was a proposed 27 new counties. By the time of 27^th July it had escalated into 31 new counties. Today, the third edition came into fruition and its now up to 46 new counties. This is just a trick to get more Members of Parliament and not more service delivery.

We can all act a fool. Act dumbfounded and stupid, but we all know the game that is played. As the Cabinet proposed one bit, another by a private motion and today Raphael Magyezi, the Minister have added to the list. Just like gift that keeps giving.

They are just creating these counties out of thin-air. Just as they are making new districts out of old counties and creating counties out of old sub-counties. At some point, every village will have an MP and a Woman Representative.

This is an old trick to also ensure there is no electoral history or known numbers to calculate. As the Electoral Commission and the regime can mix the stats. They can ensure a safe-guard for their local allies. So, that their men and representative wins.

If you ever wondered what mushrooming government is? This is it. The epitome, the definition and high rewarding gerrymandering. When the state just re-issues new counties, wherever it deems fit and without any forewarning.

That is why this is a political game, a way of getting men of honour into Parliament. Not to deliver anything, but continuing the steady programming and ensuring the State House has all the ducks in the row.

This is just an insane blooming of the state. When the state doesn’t have the resources nor the domestic revenue to pay of the current MPs. They don’t have the money for the districts and counties. Just like state doesn’t have the funds for Municipalities and Cities. Therefore, the actions made now is just for elections. They no plans for these counties. None at all, except getting a few more MPs into Parliament.

So, we have seen within weeks go from 27 to 31 and now suddenly into 46. That is why this an electoral game. This is not for the betterment of the Republic. This is a selfish act for the ones in power to ensure they have the most representatives and reigns supreme indefinitely. Peace.

SONA 2020: Duterte wants to reach Betlehem before December…

Well, I cannot manage to look into all the details of the State of the Nation Address. Like I did two years ago, I will address the Telecommunication. Two years ago he promised to do something about the duopoly of Globe and Smart. However, President Rodrigo Duterte have reached that goal, but for whatever reason. There is still just two companies running the game and the others trying to follow their speed.

So, I will show one quote from last year and show what he said this year.

In SONA 2018 he said this:

“My administration remains firm in its resolve to ensure that the country’s telecommunications services are reliable, inexpensive and secure. A draft Terms of Reference for the entry of a new, major industry player is at hand. The terms will be fair, reasonable and comprehensive. It will be inclusive so it will be open to all interested private parties, both foreign and local” (Rodrigo Duterte SONA 2018, 23.07.2018).

This year he said this:

“I call on our [telecommunication] companies to improve their services lest we be forced to take drastic steps to address the less-than-ideal service that the public is getting from you. Alam mo sisingit na lang ako dito. I am… Sometimes we are a government pictured to be weak and incompetent because we cannot really force our mandate. Alam mo itong nagbibigay ng mga public services, you better improve” (…) “If it’s just a question of added capitalization or the infusion of money, go and look for it” (…) “we are a republic, a sovereign country, bear that in mind because the patience of the Filipino people is reaching its limit. At I will be the one to articulate the anger of the Filipino people. And you might not want what I intend to do with you. Kindly improve the services before December. I want to call Jesus Christ to Bethlehem. Better have that line cleared. [applause]” (…) “Tell us now if you cannot really improve on it because I will work by December. I have two years. The next two years will be spent improving the telecommunications of this country without you. I will find a way. I will talk to Congress and find a way how to do it. [applause]” (Rodrigo Duterte SONA 2020, 27.07.2020).

However, there been changes to the duopoly, but with no significant results. That why his focus is on the service and how reliable the telecommunication companies are. This shows that there is no magic wand to this and someone cannot just set up shop to elevate the market.

We have seen that DITO and Mislatel, who were both newcomers to the market have no range or capacity. Maybe, not strong enough ability to sway users from the old ones. As the President only mentions the two old companies. It is still a landscape controlled by Globe and Smart. That is why the President is bugging out about their services.

That’s maybe why he wants the two whose already operating to do it better. These have the ability to get away with it. Since, the customers are there and really it is not abundant of choices. They own the market and therefore, they put the standards and the needed work in. However, they don’t need to push it. In some ways they are alone. Since the people have not changed from their old ones or its to costly to become subscriber to the new services.

Globe and Smart can play this one out. I think Globe dropped a statement quickly after the SONA, but that was an act of defence, which is natural in the circumstances. The President talked about calling Bethlehem ahead of Christmas. I’m sure the Holy Spirit will guide him there. Because, I doubt the service will be revolutionized in the months ahead. Peace.

Opinion: AG William Barr is a dictator’s wet dream

Do you need someone to defend the indefensible and who doesn’t care to carry your load? Then you should hire a guy like Attorney General of the Unites States of America, William Barr. He is ready, locked and loaded. This man will tell stories, ensure you deeds goes unpunished and go after your enemies.

AG Barr will lie, in a fashion and manner like no other. He will create crimes, enemies and means to use force on civilians. Will claim usage of weapons, tear-gas or others are not a way to take away the constitutional rights to demonstrate. Neither is the misuse of it for a photo-op for the President either.

To take a political stance on the Mueller Report and investigation. Do what you can to favour the felons, the ones who lied to Congress and to the FBI free. Is fine, as long as these are loyal allies of the President. However, if they have turned on the President, then you use the full force of the law to make things hectic for them. Alas, that is what water-boys does for their Quarterbacks.

AG Barr will weaponize the Department of Justice to pursuit all means, close investigations, fire state attorney generals and make lenient charges on people who caused harm to democracy, to trade secrets and intelligence with foreign powers; and obstructed justice. That is all fine, as long as these men are loyal to the President.

This is just what any dictator in their right minds want to have. A buddy, a comrade in arms and someone who is acting as their lawyer. Using the state and its monopoly of rule of law to bring the enemies of the President to the Courts. To use the maligned Court system to criminalize the opponents and strike with vengeance filled fury.

AG Barr can ensure the public is feeling the pain for demonstrations. That there are no legal trouble for the state to send armed mobs to Portland and elsewhere. To ensure ICE can easily breach the peace to take students into vans and other immigrants. AG Barr will secure everything and doesn’t mind by showing loyalty to the President.

The AG will do whatever, even if it breaches the laws and the constitution. Barr will pursuit the needs of the President and not act independent from him. His just waiting to waggle his tail and bark the orders his getting.

President Trump must be proud, he finally found someone so loyal that he will break laws and do impeachable offences in office. AG Barr will destroy his whole legacy and his name, because the President tells him too.

Who knew that Trump had the ability to pick a man like this after having two Attorney Generals. He needed two more before he found his perfect partner in crime. A man who has no scruples and heart, a man who will use his office to defend and use the state to secure his allies. Instead of using the Department of Justice for its purpose.

It has become evident. It has become clear. To think otherwise is stupid and AG Barr is being a dictators wet dream. He will do whatever the President needs … and doesn’t care how he double-cross his past behaviour. It doesn’t matter if it is destroying the rule of law in the mercy of the President. That is the sort of man Barr is and this is legacy. The man must be so proud, that is how he will be remembered.

Plus he support police brutality, accepts foreign interference in elections and weaponize the Department of Justice in favour of the President’s Men like Paul Manafort and Roger Stone. This man would trade his heart to serve the President, at least that is how it looks and his name is tainted forever. Peace.

Malawi: Mutharika’s skeletons comes to haunt him

When personal aide and bodyguard Norman Chisale, former chief of staff of state residence Peter Mukhito, who both worked for former President Peter Mutharika have been arrested over 1,2 million bags of cement duty free using his “presidential privilege”.

The former Tip-Ex President is under the weather and in big trouble as the skeletons of the past comes to haunt him. The former Head of State and his allies can not hide behind the title and the highest office of the land. That the new Presidency wants to pursuit it. Is not vindictive, but to prove a point. A signal of might happen, if some of his cabinet members or state officials misuse their offices.

This is a K5 billion worth of cement bough without paying duty-free. In a Republic where MPs and Cabinet Members are getting a amount of duty-free cars as their salaries. This is a system, which has been rampant during the reign of Mutharika. This is not shocking.

We are surely seeing misuse of office and using it for personal benefit. Who knows what else is laying around or have been done in favour of the former President and his administration. There is most likely more skeletons. As there been cash-gate and maize-gate. In those, there should be some evidence and some high ranking officials eating of the plate of the public.

Mutharika knows this and the new President knows this too. However, if the new President looks to deep. It might implicate his Vice President Saulos Chilima who also worked closely with the former administration. That is known and he was a part of that too. This is why they are circling on scandals, which will not implicate their own.

This is clearly a win-win for current President Lazarus Chakwera. He is winning brownie-points doing nothing, while the investigation and revelation of former ills. Makes it easier for him to skate by the criticism of his cabinet and patronage he brought into office. The President knows this and the headlines is surrounding the former President. That is just a moment of freedom for Lazarus.

This cement dealing and misuse of power isn’t shocking or surprising. The usage of office and other scandals, which was revealed in the Mutharika years. This is a similar affair and therefore, it is following a pattern to enriching themselves while using the privilege of office.

These actions are now coming to haunt him. They were wrong when he was in office and is still wrong now. He might have used straw-men, but that doesn’t shield him. Might even have used several of tricks and schemes. There will maybe come forward whistleblowers who will expose more scandals. Time will only tell, but not be shocked.

However, don’t be shocked, if something is hitting VP Chilima too. As he was under the wings and the VP for years with Mutharika too. When your at the top, you usually work together and earn money together. So, it should be a matter of time before something goes in that direction too. Unless, they are only circling around the ex-President. Peace.

Opinion: Everything is rigged against the opposition [doesn’t matter if it’s “Scientific” or not]

The opposition in the Republic will not win at this point in time. It isn’t because of their lack of swagger and viable candidates. This is simply, because of the status quo and the whole state machinery is working against them. There is no chance that the President and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) will give way. That’s not happening anytime soon.

The Forum for Democratic Change and National Unity Platform (People Power) parties are the most high regarded opposition. The FDC has the history, while NUP and People Power are the new renegades. This is the Kizza Besigye and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine coming to full force as challengers to Museveni. They will gain attention and get popular. However, in the grand scheme things this will not matter. These two might win the election, might even be hugely admired by the population. However, the machinery will not let Museveni loose.

That is why the rigging will close the doors for the opposition. It is reason why I don’t mention Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Mugisha Muntu and Democratic Party Norbert Mao. Neither is Uganda People’s Congress, James Akena or Justice Forum Asuman Basalirwa. Or whoever is running the Uganda Federal Alliance, Farmers Party or People’s Progressive Party. These lastly mentioned have enough to get an MP elected into Parliament. Not even thinking of challenging the throne.

Muntu and Mao might want to be in the big-league, but we both know they don’t have it. Neither does Akena, he is cahoots with the regime with a deal. So, when your dealing directly with NRM. You cannot anticipate the brother will do anything about it.

This is why in reality it is a battle for the FDC and NUP. These two are the parties that has to challenge and show force towards the NRM. Not, that through the ballots will make a difference at this point. The Electoral Commission, the NRM is busy scheming and preparing the results. We know who will win and that is all in the cards. To think otherwise is either naive or foolish.

The NRM will conquer, they will use all means. There is a “scientific” elections going on. That is used on the opposition, which is stopped from campaigning. While the NRM candidates are doing so, either in secret or by using government programs as a shield to allow them to meet people. That they will use the state as tool to not only campaign, but also rig the elections. This is why the opposition has no chance.

NUP and FDC knows this. They will show flex, but will they dwell on the inevitable. The ones whose moderate and pragmatic, will only benefit a small group. While the big-men of the opposition got to stand up in the midst of oppression and hardships. Knowingly they will loose, but it is a matter of how much they willing to loose in the end. Not because of lack of popularity or having backing in the public.

However, because the NRM and the state uses all means. Every single piece of intimidation and scaring tactics. Also, the use of arbitrary arrests and other means to stop the public from gatherings and organizing. Except, if you have suction or a anointed by the Movement. Then you can set-up tents, set up rallies and meetings in churches. However, the opposition is not allowed to do the same. This is another proof of the whole charade, which is going on into the polls in 2021.

If your thinking this going to be free and fair. Forget about. The state is embedded. The Police is more into politics, than actually catching thieves.

This is all just a game and we all know who is going to win. Not because the public loves him, neither that its justified. However, that is how this is played out. We can act like its not, but then I would be disingenuous. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t be fooled and just play along, but call out the nonsense as it is. Peace.

Opinion: Boda Boda Free Zone to implemented in November [another failed launch by a government agency]

On 25^th July 2020, State Minister of Kampala Betty Amongi launched the Boda Boda Free Zone in Central Business District of Kampala, which was legislation and decision made by the Cabinet. Which was to be implemented within reach of 2 days on the 27^th July 2020. We are now on the 29^th July 2020 and Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Katumba Wamala announced that the Free Zone will be implemented instead on the 1^st November 2020.

What we are seeing is a reappearing act of the government. They implement new legislation and new policies, but have not thought through the implications of it and how to actually do it. This happen a few years ago with SIM-CARD registration. When that happen it was postponements and changes over a long time, before it evidently was able to do it. Also, getting all the ducks in a row and secure the process, which was not possible when announced.

The same might be felt now. That Kampala Capital City Authority, the Ministry of Kampala and Ministry of Works and Transport wasn’t prepared for the ramifications. That it would cause issues in the CBD. That the drivers are stopped and not allowed entering. That there was no clear guidelines for the certified package delivery boda boda companies. These should be able to pass, also if it is not a passenger service, but a personal motorcycle, should they be able to pass into the free zone?

The gazetted areas of boda boda stages. We can wonder, if the owners, stakeholders, drivers and the public really knows about these places too. Or if they are put on random and suddenly need to move around differently all across the city. Just like the Free Zone, the Boda Boda and all associates should have time to move and know the new regulation. Not just over night change, because the cabinet said so.

If you wonder why Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago struggles to reign in the capital. He has the Cabinet ordering and micro-managing without his input or no knowledge of connection to his team. The elected representatives should feel baffled, that suddenly the City changes without votes or outreach. Later, they will throw blame at his administration, even if all decisions was made from the Cabinet and Ministries, while not even consulting the elected leadership. Except they maybe do something with KCCA as they were involved in the launch on Saturday.

We are now on Wednesday and the implementation has been postponed. Maybe now the causes and effects can be scoped in. The costs and the ability for both commuters, boda boda’s and Taxis can be put into play. Also, the possible stages and need U-Turns for the boda boda’s needs to be considered. Especially close to the zone. If not they will cause more traffic chaos, as commuters have to switch to either walk, taxis or bicycles. This has to be considered, as in rush-hours the boda boda’s are a gift to dip through traffic. In the CBD it will not be possible from November. That is why the state has to secure a safe passage and safety for everyone involved.

When you push out policies to quick without considerations or checking effects. Than you get work like this. They are pursuing changes, which will change the traffic flow and where people can cross the city. However, that is done quickly and now the state backtracks. Maybe, they should have a sit-down with stakeholders, ensure the passage and policy actually working. Instead, it has backfired and that is why MoWT had to postpone the Free Zone.

It proves again, that the minds in-charge are sometimes reckless. Not thinking about consequences and just pushing through. Alas, that is not how life is and therefore, they have to retract and secure afterwards instead. Peace.

Haki Africa: Top Police Officers must take Political Responsibility of Torture and Atrocities Committed by Junior Police Officers (29.07.2020)

Zimbabwe: ZimRights files complaint against MP Patrick Chinamasa’s Hate Speech and Incitement to Violence (28.07.2020)

Proposed 27 new counties: Which incumbent MPs will be hit by this? [+ 4 more additional counties – Part II]

On the 22^nd July there came a proposed list of 27 new counties, which now has been extended to a total of 31 constituencies. This means the Parliament and the MPs came up with 4 more of those. That means there are 4 incumbent MPs who are either done a favour to or is hit by this. This is gerrymandering ahead of the 2021 General Elections.

The link to the original piece from last week is here: https://minbane.wordpress.com/2020/07/22/https-wp-me-p1xtjg-exp/

The first is in Nwoya district. Where they have Nwoya County and they want to create Nwoya East County. In Nwoya there is 4 sub-counties, 26 parishes and 199 villages. The current incumbent MP is Simon Oyet (FDC).

The second is Namayingo district. Where they have Bukooli South County and they want to create Namayingo South County. In the district they have already to constituencies, the other being Bukooli Island County. In Bukooli South, the incumbent MP is Stephen Mayende Dede (NRM). In the Bukooli Island, they are represented currently by George Ouma Abott (NRM).

The third is in Bulambuli district. Where they have Elgon county and they want to create Elgon North. The district have 9 sub-counties, 35 parishes and 461 villages. The current incumbent MP is Ignatius Mudimi Wamakuyu (NRM).

The fourth and last edition is in Busia district. Where they have Samia Bugwe county and they want to create Samia – Bugwe Central. Samia Bugwe is already carved into two, that being Samia Bugwe County South and Samia Bugwe County North. The incumbent MPs there are Julius Maganda Wandera (NRM) and Gideon Onyango (Independent).

This means 6 MPs are in question over the changes here. Because there will made changes to which parishes, villages and sub-counties that are in question in the new constituencies. This is together with the list I made last week. Shows that there is plenty of this going on.

Just to secure more MPs, but also ensure incumbents coming in. We are seeing this is happening to predominantly NRM MPs too. Where they are planning to more MPs for the ruling party. This is making constituencies so small, it is soon pointless.

Think about it, they are making an addition of 31 more MPs into one election. That in combination with the cities, municipalities and districts too. They are just mushrooming the state into the insane. Peace.

RDC: Le Congo N’est pas a Vendre – Communique de Presse des Organisations Membres de la Coalition «Le Congo N’est Pas a Vendre» a l’Attention de Son Excellence Monsieur le President de la Republique (28.07.2020)