South Sudan: Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) – National Secretariat – Office of the Secretary General – Notice (12.09.2022)

Tchad: Conseil Militaire de Transition (CMT) – Presidence du Conseil – Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres de l’Integration Africaine et des Tchadiens de l’Etranger (12.09.2022)

Ethiopia: Global Society of Tigray Scholars and Professionals (GSTS) – Re: Objecting to the AU’s Decision to Extend the Mandate of H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as Mediator to the Ongoing Catastrophic Crisis in Ethiopia (13.09.2022)

UNRA is adding interest charges on it’s debt amounting to 235,6 billion shilling per day….

The Uganda National Road Authority (UNRA), which is a government entity under the Ministry of Works and Transport is clearly not fit for purpose. The whole government is showing how it’s failing it’s governance, by not being solid and considering the costs of it’s operations. The Republic and their financial muscles are clearly not aligned. That’s why the State Budget isn’t only filled with deficit financing, but other parts of the state is run by it too.

UNRA director Allen Kagina is to blame her, but we know she has been directed and told to follow up on agreements in letters from the President. Presidential Directives are intervening and stopping a fair judgment of the tenders and the contracts signed. That’s why the whole blame cannot be put on her. As we have seen that the President has directed and told who is getting the bid. Therefore, the Ministry and UNRA has less powers.

That’s why the report published on the 6th September 2022 called: “REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE DELAYED PAYMENT TO CONTRACTORS, BY GOVERNMENT OF UGANDA, LEADING TO UNBEARABLE INTERESTS” is very important. That signals what is missing and how the reoccurring debt is appearing. The UNRA and Ministry of Works and Transport cannot compete. No matter how Gen. Edward Wamala structures or do his job, or even tries to configure within his means. The Presidential Directives and the current leadership structure is eating his ministry up alive. That’s why this report is earth shattering and shows how badly this is run.

The UNRA is becoming a loss-loss operation and the contractors are now losing money. They are losing money in such a way that the state has to pay with interests and add more costs. As they are already run on deficits. This is practically eating the roads and the supposed “integration” to markets, which the President always promises during campaign rallies.

Just read the quotes here… it is really tragic…

On 4th May 2022, Hon. Richard Sebamala, MP, Bukoto Central in Masaka District raised a Matter of National Importance regarding budget suppression particularly in the Road Sector with its attendant accumulation liquidated damages to a tune of UGX. 334,000,000 per day in the case of debts accumulated by Uganda National Roads Authority(UNRA). The Rt. Hon. Speaker directed the Committee on Physical Infrastructure to investigate the matter” (Report, P: 2, 2022).

The Sky Rocketing Interest Rates arising from Government’s non-fulfillment of its obligations to Contractors amounts to foreseen trivial costs to Government. It is improper for the Country to incur foreseen trivial costs to a tune of UGX. 235.6 million per day in interest charges” (Report P: 9, 2022).

Failure to pay the arrears will continue to cause Government to incur trivial expenditures including interest expenses, idle equipment and reduction in the works by Contractors” (Report, P: 9, 2022).

The Committee considers that MDAs, specifically Ministry of Works and UNRA are the main contributors to the deficit of the UGX 573.5 billion with accruing interest rate of 15% per annum, and the resulting interest charges amounting UGX 235.6 billion per day. The non-payment of Certificates arose due to the shortfall in funding and the 40% budget cuts across the board” (Report, P: 11, 2022).

You can really see the key aspects of report by just reading these few quotes. That says it all. It shows what the state does and how the UNRA is run. The Government have failed the Ministry of Works and Transport, and in-connection to that the UNRA as well. This is from the top-down who haven’t acted righteous. It isn’t the direct fault of UNRA director or UNRA itself. The Ministry of Finance and the State House should answer for their faults too. They haven’t looked into the numbers and what things has cost. The President has directed and ordered certain projects and taken out loans to build them too. That’s why the UNRA only trying to cope with the work. While the MoWT only has to follow up and do it’s bidding too.

That’s why the new debt and added interests is only making every project more expensive. The state is only adding more debt. While it should have ensured and finance the projects it already has. This shows the the failure of the state and how badly it is run. The UNRA is bankrupting itself. The state cannot afford it and doesn’t have fiscal funds to cover debts. That’s why it’s gaining even more debt as the time goes. The daily interests and costs should worry the state… because this is just bad or going to worse even. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni has turned himself into a punchline at the Kasarani Stadium

I have not read Kenya Kwanza’s manifesto or that of Azimio but I Know H.E. Ruto…I have met him a number of times in Uganda and I know he likes ideas and frank talking” – President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni (13.09.2022).

Today is the inauguration of the 5th President of Kenya, William Ruto. It is his big day as the celebration and festivities at Kasarani Stadium where. Plenty of foreign dignitaries and foreign emissaries as well. However, there was one man standing out and making a scene.

That was President for Life and the “regional” father President Museveni. He stood out not only in the manner of which he travels. No, he stood out with his mobile Mercedes luxury and fortified van for toilet purposes.

There is also the very talk that Museveni has been parts of the inaugurations since the days of Daniel Arap Moi. Museveni has seen Moi, Kibaki, Kenyatta and now Ruto. He has spoken at the functions and greeted them all. Seen the Kenyan Presidents come and go.

Now his the forever Head of State and a living relic of the past. His not the future and partly so, His Excellency knows this. That’s why he comes with history lessons and lectures on a regular basis. That’s why he had to mention what has happened over 60 years and that creation of wealth is the most important. Because, he himself has gone from being poor to one of the richest on the whole continent.

Museveni isn’t a beloved character. No matter how much propaganda or media outlets in the his country spreading the good message. There is still no signs of love or concern for the old man. They rather see what is happening in Nairobi today. The people rather see a peaceful transition between Presidents. That is something the era of Museveni never have delivered.

Museveni will never leave office in peace. There is no end in sight of that. Only talks from the new Minister of Justice, but that’s to usher in a Parliament to elect the President on behalf of the Population. That’s because everyone knows the President cannot have the energy or the spirit to visit every district or rally across the Republic like he used too. This is why President Museveni loved the COVID-19 and excuses to have “scientific” elections instead.

So, the stage and the actions of Museveni is now turning into a punching-bag. Museveni is himself mocked and his own speeches are quoted out of order. That’s because himself is so self-important, but not the people his talking too. This for a simple reason, his is surrounded by “yes-men” and they would never challenge him. That’s why his speech is a lot of sloganeering and titbits of nonsense.

The time of Museveni being the “new breed” or the “future” is long gone. Neither is a respected freedom fighter or a statesman. No, his another autocrat and despot who overstayed his welcome. That’s why he has now attended several of inaugurations of Kenyan Presidents. It isn’t without merit why people question him or his reign.

Museveni should know that his ruling on borrowed time. That’s because he see new faces everywhere he goes. Unless, he travels to Djibouti, Eritrea, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), South Sudan or Equatorial Guinea. That’s where he get to see familiar faces of the latter decades. Not like the younglings in Burundi, Tanzania or in Kenya. No, they are not like him and that’s evident by now.

That’s why Museveni is a punching bag and a mockery of himself. His not made for this anymore and his not carrying himself for the times. The tide has turned… and it’s showing.

We know that Museveni will never accept this and neither show any remorse. He rather destroy, deplete and reign supreme until the final breath. That’s the sort of life he has chosen. Museveni has created this legacy and that’s why his speech is a foolery now. He is becoming a laughing stock just like Mugabe used too. We can soon await him reading the wrong speech or falling a sleep at the United Nations. That’s the future of Museveni.

He might not know it yet, but it’s so obvious. Peace.

Ethiopia: Tigray – Mekelle University – Press Release (13.09.2022)

Ethiopia: AGAW Democratic Movement (ADM), Benhangul Human Rights Foundation (BHRF), Gambella Liberation Front (GLF), Kemant Advocacy Group (KAG), Sidama National Liberation Front (SNLF), Congress for Somali Cause (CSC), Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), and Wolayta People Liberation Movement (WPLM) – Joint Press Release Concerning the Rescalation of the War in Tigray and Continued Civil War in the Rest of Ethiopia (13.09.2022)

Burkina Faso: Forces Armees E.M.G.A. – Communique de Presse (12.09.2022)

The state ordered to pay in total 400m shillings in damages to 2 URA employees after illegal detention and torture of them in March of 2021…

(i) The affidavit evidence of A1, A2, Capt. Isingoma, AIP Kisa Claire and Mr. Kabagambe when considered in totality look that like a movie. A1 and A2 are arrested through the use of trickery as if they were on the run whereas not. A1 is deceived that he was reporting for deployment on an operation. When he reports at the appointed time and place he is literally abducted. He is made to leave his vehicle unattended at a fuel station as if he was a terrorist.

(ii) A2 was called by a fellow driver at midnight claiming he needed help having got a mechanical problem. He is lured in the middle of the night and arrested like a terrorist” (High Court, 12.09.2022).

The state sponsored torture story of Robert Asiimwe Akanga (A1) and Kalemba Stevens (A2) is nothing new, but it needs to be told. These two gentlemen won their case against the Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). This case just shows how the state uses torture and keeping people illegally detained without producing them to the courts within the 48 hours deadline. That happened to the people of this case and it is significant, but not shocking.

This sort of case should be spread, because it shows what the state does and how it operates. The authorities are acting like this on the regular. They are allowed to operate like this and it has no consequences. The state is paying damages and costs of the case, but the officers and the authorities will not clean up their act. This is how they are and it’s only a few of these stories that ends up in the Courts. Most of the torture cases are happening in silence and the victims cannot or have no options but to stay silent.

Just read these quotes… and it should make you shiver…

It all started with this: “The allegation is that on the 28th day of February 2021, Al and A2 being employed by Uganda Revenue Authority as a customs officer and driver respectively stole USD 410,000 the property of GAK Express Co. Limited. The two deny the charges” (High Court, 12.09.2022).

So, this all starts with alleged criminal behaviour, which is directly false. The authorities have pinned two men and because of their role in URA. They were easily targets as the work of Customs Officer and a Driver. However, there was never any proof or evidence of this crime.

That didn’t stop the state from doing this to them, which is quotes from the Court Ruling…

About the Arrest and Torture methods used on A1:

In his affidavit in support dated 25th March 2022 A1 stated that on 3rd March 2021, he received a phone call from Paul Karatunga, the In-Charge Operations Team 1 informing him of a planned operation along Entebbe road. Karatunga assigned A1 to lead the team. They met at Total Petrol Station, Kajjansi at 6.30 am. Karatunga was in company of two soldiers namely Captain Charles Isingoma and Captain Winnie Kusiima plus two armed escorts. A1 was instead arrested under gun point and pushed him into a vehicle. He was taken to URA offices where he met other UPDF and Police officials attached to URA. He was handcuffed. Lt. Col Zaakye informed him, the arrest is in connection with theft of money belonging to a Sudanese national. He denied participating in theft” (…) “Col. Cassette Ignatius Wamundu asked him to confess to the theft of money or be tortured by the Joint Anti -Terrorism Taskforce until he does so. That he was denied a right to contact his lawyer or make any phone call. On 6th March 202l at 7 am was picked by a team from CMI, blindfolded and taken to CMI Hqrs at Mbuya where he was subjected to torture” (…) “It was executed by 10 well-muscled men using weapons such as guns, sticks, batons, metal bars, pliers, chains, ropes and electric wires. He maintained his innocence as they demanded for the money he is alleged to have robbed. He lost consciousness due to prolonged torture. He regained his senses to realise he was in a corridor. He was bleeding and still chained. He was taken back to Custody at SIU Kireka during darkness. He could not walk” (High Court, 12.09.2022).

About the Arrest and Torture methods used on A2:

A2, in his affidavit of 25th March 2021 states that on 2nd March 2021 at around midnight, hg received a call from Sekweyarna, a fellow driver at URA, claiming to be stuck near his home and needed help. A2 responded only to find army captains who put him under arrest at gun point. Col Cassette Ignatius Wamundu asked him about the money. He denied knowledge of where the money was. He punched him in the right eye and as he fell down. He was kicked in the ribs at gun-point before his children and wife who cried and shouted. He threatened to shoot him unless he admitted having stolen money on 28th February 2021. Present were Captains Isingoma. Diana Museveni and Winnie Karugwara. They took him back to his home” (…) “That on 6th March 2021 he was taken to CMI offices in Mbuya and taken to a room where four muscled men had assorted weapons including guns, sticks, batons, metal bars, pliers, chains, ropes, electric wires among others. He was undressed. He was badly and severely beaten using the electric cables, hang on hand cuffs up the ring as his legs were tied down and suspended in one position for a whole day as he was being beaten” (…) “He was tortured again on on 8th March 2021. His body became swollen with wounds on the legs, back, hands, ribs and abdomen. He did not receive any medical attention or have access to a lawyer or family members. Further mistreatment went on until he was produced in court after an ordeal of 16 days in detention” (High Court, 12.09.2022).

The damages they are getting for all of this:

Taking all these factors into consideration I award A1 as the main target and focus of torture a sum of 200 million as compensation for pain, suffering, and physical injuries. I award another 50 million to A1 as punitive damages for subjecting him to humiliation and embarrassment. I Award a sum of 100 million to A2 as damages for pain, suffering and physical injuries. I award another 50 million to A2 as punitive damages for subjecting him to humiliation and embarrassment. A1 and A2 are also awarded taxed costs of this consolidated application” (High Court, 12.09.2022).

We know the state will only condone but not act upon the mischief. These sort of cases never cease to exist. There is no retribution or stop of the practice. This has been going on since the inception of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and done by the government before it too. The NRM promised to end it, but they never will…

The damages of 400m shillings won’t make a difference in the grand scheme of things. The officers, the men who did the torture and the authorities will not go after the ones who did it. No, the mentioned high ranking officials and others will walk free. The only thing happening is that the gentlemen who was arrested, harmed and tortured will get damages. The system will not change… and that’s how the story goes.

A1 and A2 are reminders of how the NRM and the Authorities are working. This isn’t a one of or an isolated case for that matter. No, this is how they move and allowed to work. It just happens that this one ended up in the High Court. Peace.

Kenya: Raila Odinga Presidential Secretariat – Re: Invitation to H.E. William Ruto’s Inauguration (12.09.2022)