Opinion: A man for his cows…

It is now revealed that the President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni appointed Dr. Nassan Tandekwiire to Senior Presidential Advisor on Indigenous Cattle on the 31st July 2022. Since then the individual has been banking 15 million shillings a month.

What is striking is that the Ministry of Agricultural, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has technically 4 ministers. With one Minister in Frank Tumwebaze and 3 other Minister of State, which one happens to be designated to Animal Industry, this being Bright Rwamirama. So, partly there is two high ranking officials on the matter, which would easily deem the need for Presidential Advisor on the matter.

No one can be shocked by this, because Museveni has been busy appointing cronies and associates for decades. His created so many positions, parastatals and whatnot to get people on the payroll. Therefore creating a new role or an office, which happens to be designated for indigenous cattle was bound to happen eventually.

Surely, Dr. Tandekwiire is the most well-versed individual on cattle. He must have a PHD. and have documents to prove his knowledge. Since you should be unique and brilliant about it. The good doctor should be able talk about it and enlighten the public at large on a NBS/NTV/UBC program in the near future. That man should explain the vast differences between the cattle in the Republic. And be more hard-hitting information that you can find on Wikipedia or any other platform like that. It should be levels of a scholar and not a random bloke from Entebbe.

I’m looking forward to Tumwebaze defending this, just like he defended Muhoozi lately. The President must be “pulling a leg” here. This cannot be serious. Isn’t there enough professionals and people who are technocrats knowing their field in the Ministry itself? Do they need a unique and special dude to be focused on one animal? Seriously?

The good doctor must have something about Ankole cattle. Why him and not Gen. David Sejusa? What is so special or significant by the Dr. Tandekwiire?

He must really be a living encyclopedia and have the knowledge we all never would ever know about the cattle. President Museveni has always been proud of his cows and his farm. This is just an extension of it. However, is it worth 15 million shillings a month?

I don’t know about that, because it’s hard to defend it. Especially, when the Republic already has so many ministers and possible technocrats in the Ministry itself to handle it. Therefore, the President really needs to explain himself. If not, I anticipate a funny explanation from Hon. Tumwebaze on the matter in the near future. Peace.

Tchad: Association de l’initiative nationale pour la cohesion sociale et la paix – Communique No. 08 (09.10.2022)

A look into Mzee’s 60th Independence Speech Part II [a story about the East African Federation]

It has, therefore, been long, ever since the NRM and its pre-cursors, started supporting the struggle for the realization of the dream of the East African Federation. If we had achieved that by 1963 as the elders had intended, this part of the World would be very far. Some of the political elite, let down Africa in 1963 by frustrating the effort. If the Federation had been launched in 1963, you can be sure that Idi Amin would never have taken power in Uganda, there would have been no genocide in Rwanda or the killings in Burundi, Congo would have stabilized long ago, the problems of South Sudan, would have been solved much earlier and the problem of Somalia may not have turned out the way it did. Even today, the sort of problems we are facing, would be easily solved” – President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni (09.10.2022).

Today on the 9th October 2022, yet again President Museveni held his Independence Day Speech, which he has year after year. These speeches are long and this year was no different. He held a two hour long speech at Kololo Grounds and certainly there was plenty of points or things to look into. However, in this here piece. I am only looking into the stories of the East African Federation.

President Museveni comes with strong claims and reasoning. He blames the ones in 1963 for not pushing through with the East African Federation. Nevertheless, the nations haven’t since then been able to agree or find the stipulations fitting for a federation. Neither has the nations been able to agree on an East African constitution. It has been plenty of stumbling blocks and this is why we are seeing an East African Community (EAC) in 2022.

Just read these insights here!

It was mainly Uganda’s objection to the surrender of sovereignty, the desire to preserve its fragile internal unity, and the fear of Kenyan control over regional institutions which led to the failure of East African federation. In fact, President Obote had made a statement that the Nairobi declaration did not commit Uganda to federation and that the questions of relationships and powers were still in the ‘exploratory stage’. For the Tanganyikans and Kenyans, regional unity involved ‘the concept of a tightly constructed federation’” (…) “By the end of 1963 the failure of the federation was clear. The last session of the Working Party was held in Kampala in May 1964, but the three Presidents found that the political union they had advocated so wholeheartedly was no longer feasible. It can be argued that national interests developed guickly in East Africa during 1963, as President Nyerere had prophesied:

We shall be increasing the number of human beings who have a personal interest in disunity – and because they are human beings most of them will be more conscious of the advantages of the present situation and the difficulties of change than of the long-term benefits which could come” (John A. Mgaya – ‘REGIONAL INTEGRATION: THE CASE OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY’ P: 14-15, August 1986).

Though the official start of the East African Community’s project lay at the beginning of the new millennium, the roots of the drive for East African unity actually extend much farther back. It began at the signing of the treaty of East African Cooperation in 1967, following the end of the British colonial period. While the treaty was abandoned a mere decade later due to faltering political will and disparate levels of development between the three nations, the idea would remain a powerful one. In fact, it was powerful enough for regional governments to revisit the possibility after the end of the Cold War” (Borgen Magazine – ‘The East African Community’s First Constitution’ 28.03.2020).

The East African Heads of State signed the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community in Arusha, on 30 November 1999. Prior to re-launching the East African Community in 1999, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda had enjoyed a long history of cooperation under successive regional integration arrangements. These included the Customs Union between Kenya and Uganda in 1917, which the Tanganyika later joined in 1927; the East African High Commission (1948- 1961); the East African Common Services Organisation (1961-1967); the East African Community (1967-1977), and the East African Co-operation (1993-1999)” (UNESCO – ‘RELATIONS WITH THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY (EAC) AND DRAFT COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN UNESCO AND THAT ORGANIZATION’ 2006).

After reading these it is easy to see why it didn’t happen and Nyerere was prophetic about it. His words has been proven and righteous. Museveni who has had the time and could have pushed further. His never done so or tried that much. Since, he knows he would give way on the sovereignty and the rights of Uganda. We know that Museveni wouldn’t allow or accept being controlled by Nairobi or Dodoma for that matter. This is why Obote was reluctant and wasn’t willing in 1963.

It is interesting that later in the speech today that Museveni further said this about the subject:

In the 1962 Independence elections, no Party could win by absolute majority because they had fragmented the electorate into sectarian groups that could never attract broad support. Guided by our principle of Pan-Africanism, when we won power, we worked with Mzee Hassan Mwinyi, Mzee Benjamin Mkapa, Mzee Daniel Arap Moi, supported by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere who was still alive, to revive the EAC, which was re-inaugurated on the 30th of November, 1999.Guided by the same principles, we stood with the African brothers in South Africa, Namibia, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, etc. It is this principle, that educates us not to aim at building a Latin America in Africa but build a United States of Africa in Africa –to ensure the prosperity of our people and the strategic security of Africa” (Museveni, 09.10.2022).

Here Mgaya reasons differently than Museveni on the matter, especially the reasons around 1962, which he says this: “While people like Tom Mboya supported Nyerere, in Uganda the Kabaka’s government and Obote’s Democratic Party stated that Uganda was not ready for federation. Therefore, soon after Tanganyika’s independence in December 1961 Nyerere stated that federation would now have to wait until all three countries were sovereign” (John A. Mgaya – ‘REGIONAL INTEGRATION: THE CASE OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY’ P: 13, August 1986).

Here we see there is nothing about sectarianism or such. It was about the independence and becoming sovereign republic’s themselves. That is all natural that you wouldn’t the same minute your getting independence, become a part of another entity. The new nations would need time to assess and consider their foreign diplomatic ties and trading partners. That is just natural and this is the reason for the downfall of the East African Federation in 1963. As there was internal fears and speculations into the balances of power and losses of sovereignty to others. Parts, which Museveni doesn’t dwell upon. He only speculates of the salvation from the worst damages and suffering, which has happen since. However, he hasn’t spoken about his involvement in these and how he sponsored the violence and military operations in several of the neighbouring countries over the years. That’s why it’s epic that he doesn’t look into his interference there for personal gains.

Last part about 1999 has also been stated in the little documentation I found. That Museveni mentions in the second paragraph of EAC or East African Federation part of his speech. He takes pride in the moment of the 1999. Nevertheless, since then and the ills he mentioned. The EAC should have ensured that his nation didn’t interfere in the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) or in South Sudan for that matter. Museveni has done this and been vital in it. Therefore, his own military activity across the borders has caused the pain and sufferings, which the EAC couldn’t deal with or had any say in. That’s why it’s really hypocritical of him. He wouldn’t have accepted their interference and totally blocking of it. We just know he wouldn’t have followed it anyway.

That’s why it’s interesting that he says this. We know the war to topple Mobutu and Laurent Kabila in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We know how Uganda supported the Rwandan Patriotic Front in the 1990s. There has been speculations for year in the Museveni involvement in the late death of Dr. Joseph Garang. We can also mention the involvement and support of Nkurunziza in Burundi. Therefore, he has interfered and ensured allies in the neighbour nation and done so deliberately. So, when he speaks of the ills of the people and the never ending troubles that needs to be solved. He has partook in the action and should take some blame in it. Since he has invested, used his armies and gained personal power by doing so. I doubt the East African Community or Federation could have stopped him. Within the time frame and the context, the nations involved wasn’t even signed up and would have been out of EAC/EAF. Peace.

A look into Mzee’s 60th Independence Speech [a story about coffee and the pipeline]

For the 35th time or the 36th time that President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni has addressed the nation in the Independence Day. This year its the 60th year since Uganda got independent from the United Kingdom. That day should have been held with fanfare and celebration across the Republic. However, the most vital and important place to be was at Kololo in Kampala. Where Museveni together with foreign dignitaries was at a bash. Which lasted and lasted.

President Museveni knows how to hold lectures and long one too. So, I will only take a few paragraphs here and there. That’s the ones that stood out to me. Because there is a lot of flesh and bone in a two hour speech and nobody with a sane mind wants to fact-check that on a whim. Therefore, I am only looking at snippets and addressing them as I see fit.

Like this one: “These achievements, have been in spite of the stiff opposition we have been facing from the parasites and their foreign backers, such as the Monitor Newspaper. To take an example, this paper, on the 22nd of May, 2022,it said that: “Coffee deal stinks; but key culprit will not be punished”. In other words, Museveni is committing a crime by trying to add value to the Ugandan Coffee” (Museveni, 09.10.2022).

By saying this we know his the Hawk Limited, which wasn’t addressed in the Parliament report. As the Government of Uganda and Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited has made agreements, which is practically creating a coffee-bean monopoly to a company that isn’t really built yet. Neither is the coffee factory built or ready for the levels of production either. That’s why this whole deals stinks and could easily destroy the agricultural output with the marginalized agreements, which isn’t benefiting the free-market or the spirit of producing it either. This is not an incentive or an adjustment anyone asked for, but a problem and bottleneck, which the President himself has created.

While on the subject. This paragraph is just amazing:

After that, I engaged the Nestle group in Davos. They made it clear that they already had their factory for coffee processing in the UK and would not build a new one. Hence, we had to remain as Raw-Material producers, getting only 5% of the value of the coffee we grow. They, moreover, try to muddy the water by claiming that “blending” of the different coffees can only take place in Europe etc. We told them that Uganda had all the varieties and the blending would be done here. That has been the war, I have been involved in until I got the Vinci Company to help me. You heard how some of the MPs were talking in that war. Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, had built a coffee processing factory in Bukoba, in Tanzania, near the border of Uganda. When I heard of that, I linked our people with that effort. They were producing an end product known as “Star Coffee”. Unknown to me, the officials of Uganda, allowed that effort to die out or get stunted. What blindness and betrayal this is!!” (Museveni, 09.10.2022).

It is interesting that Museveni mentions Nestle, which is only this year opening up a Coffee Processing Plant in Mexico. So, this means that Museveni is lying about the fact or that’s so long ago that the Nestle company has changed their perspective. Nevertheless, I don’t believe Coffee can only be processed in Europe. That is deliberately false and a lie. Just to malign Europe and direct his displeasure with Europeans in general. In this regard, there are already coffee processing plants in Uganda. Just to mention one other, which has been operating since 2015 is in Bushenyi district and run by APCU Union. This plant alone is sufficiently supporting 6,000 small-coffee growers in the Bushenyi district. So, the UVCC agreement with the monopoly is dismantling and destroying for instance that processing plant, which is already in operation since 2015. It just shows how his not interested in other visions than his own. His actually betraying the ones that already has started and is operating, which was also described earlier this in a Parliamentary Report. A report that the President don’t mention or even cares to assess. It’s his way or the highway…

On another note, he speaks of the petroleum pipeline:

Recently, there was yet another manifestation of Imperialistic arrogance and hegemonism by elements in the European Union Parliament whereby they decreed from Brussels that the East African Crude Oil Pipeline should not be constructed, until those arrogant actors permit us to do so. Parasitic elements from that part of the World, have been causing problems for Africa and the World for the last 500 years” (Museveni, 09.10.2022).

It is really astonishing the ways that he puts this. That’s why you know this is “his oil” and he feels tampered with. He isn’t describing or explaining the grievances of the EU Parliament Motion. Only describing them the worst way possible and putting them in sinister political context. Instead, of trying to defend with proper arguments for the continuation of it. While again maligning his detractors with language that isn’t fitting for a grown man of his stature, but we know that is common practice from him.

Well, enough for this piece, will write one more about his speech. Since it was over 30 pages and there was one more tale that needs to be addressed. It’s coming on the page as soon as it is finished. Peace.

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC): FDC Independence Message (09.10.2022)

Today, Uganda makes 60 years since the transfer of power from white colonialists to black colonialists.

In these 60 years of flag “independence”, our country has not witnessed a peaceful transfer of power from one government to another.

Our country continues to be governed by the force of arms, and this history is evident in how the force of arms, and military took over the power of politics in Uganda where citizens are still living under terror.

Almost all former presidents have died in exile. Presidents; Sir Edward Muteesa, Dr Milton Obote, Amin Dada, Gen. Tito Okello, and Prof. Yusuf Lule have all died in exile.

In modern Uganda, Injustice, which our elders challenged, has not been terminated, injustice committed by the political leaders who control power, Institutions, resources and tools of arm-twisting has reached unacceptable levels!

Torture, the killing of citizens, violation of human rights, the capture of institutions, stage-managed democracy, land grabbing, the rot of social services, and apartheid in health and education sectors, that characterised the white colonial rule are still evident up to now.

As Forum For Democratic change, we shall continue to mobilise people for a political transition, and restructure state institutions for the true independence of Uganda where a GUN will be subordinate to the people.

One Uganda, One People

Muhoozi Kainerugaba Army (MKA): Press Statement on Uganda’s 60th Independence Anniversary (08.09.2022)

Opinion: 60 years of grievances and still no uhuru…

On the ninth day of October, nineteen hundred and sixty-two (in this Act referred to as “the appointed day”), the territories which at the passing of this Act are comprised in the Uganda Protectorate (that is to say, all those territories which, whether designated as kingdoms, districts or otherwise, are specified in section one of the Constitution set out in the Second Schedule to the existing Constitution Order, and whose boundaries are as mentioned in section two of that Constitution) shall together form part of Her Majesty’s dominions under the name of Uganda; and as from the appointed day Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom shall have no responsibility for the Government of Uganda or any part thereof. No Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed on or after the appointed day shall extend, or be deemed to extend, to Uganda, or any part of Uganda, as part of the law thereof; and as from that day the provisions of the First Schedule to this Act shall have effect with respect to legislative powers in Uganda. The agreements which, in the Second Schedule to this Act, are specified by their titles as mentioned in that Schedule, and any agreement (whether made before or after the passing of this Act) whereby any of those agreements is varied or superseded, shall cease to have effect as from the appointed day” (Uganda Independence Act, 1962).

The phrase Alutia Continua should be chanted today. Today is the day of celebrating 60 years since the United Kingdom left the protectorate or the “enclave” to give Uganda it’s own independence. Since then there never been a peaceful transition of power, neither has there been a silence of guns. The arms has controlled and the power has been with the ones who was the last victor.

That’s why since January 1986, one man has ruled supreme. He promised fundamental change, but he never delivered. He squandered the abilities and the promises, but has instead delivered the same plight, agony and suffering, which was also served by the government in the past. The use of force, abductions, kidnappings, torturing and extra judicial killings even. This was promised to end in 1986 but it has never left.

President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni have vilified everyone who ruled before him. Blamed it on them and sometimes his still blame the colonialist for the troubles of the present day. While he uses their laws, which was enacted before the independence. The President uses the terms and the statutes of the colonial British to silence, apprehend and stop the ones who opposes him. While he also uses the same sort of techniques to arrest and move opposition leaders to the great North. He also ironically uses the military courts and the court martial to go after civilians like the colonial ones did too. So, as for someone celebrating independence from the British. He surely abides by their means to control and incite fear in the population.

We know he has spoken ill of Yusuf Lule, Idi Amin and Milton Obote. While he has enforced the same ills and done it deliberately. The predecessors has their crimes, ills and wrongs, which did linger on into the reign of Museveni. However, Museveni has re-invented and used the same techniques as them to keep the population under his spell.

Museveni hasn’t stopped the land-grab, he haven’t stopped the tyranny or anything like that. He has instead infused that with his own personal vibes. That is Presidential Directives and letters to get his way. Pushing ministers and government entities to create “white elephants” and “empty promises” that goes to nowhere.

That’s why the same civilian peasants are begging for help and the state only doling out small amounts of shillings. While the new elite is enriching themselves. They are eating like there is no tomorrow. Eating and drinking good in well-lit mansions in the hills of Kampala. While there is black-outs with no ends, lack of rural energy or even basic necessities. That’s why during the last campaign, Museveni was proud of launching a water-tap in one district. This is the sort of development his delivering after over 30 years in office.

He has opened up businesses, factories and other such facilities, but they are shortly after defaulting, indebted and lack the proper due diligence to even run. Either the shop-keepers cannot afford the rent or the traders don’t get the consumers to go there. If it is a factory it’s either built for the wrong fruit or lacking incentive of the farmers to sell to the entity. This happens again and again.

Let’s be clear, Ugandans can be proud of their resilience and their willpower. They have stood tall in the amidst poverty, oppression and never ending sorrow. Their kindness, greatness and open heart you met is beyond anything else. Ugandans can be proud of who they are and what they been able to push through. It has never been easy and no leader has given them proper peace. They have used the office to enrich themselves and grab more power. That’s things haven’t moved forward and the current one is another proof of that.

This is why it’s hard to celebrate today. The independence from one ruler to another type of ruler. However, the ills continues and the lack of freedoms are still there. The lack of liberties and ability to regain a foothold. That’s all done deliberately by the President and his Party, because he knows that this could be his end. He wouldn’t have the openness and the freedoms, if so, he wouldn’t have the popularity or ability to rule himself.

That’s why he rather be a new colonial master, but a local one. He rather be a tyrant and a dictator, instead of trying to convene or be elected through universal suffrage. No, rather rig or get himself imposed on the public. That’s why Museveni cannot really celebrate the 60th Anniversary.

Today should have been a glorious day. Nevertheless, the 36 years of Museveni and the predecessors haven’t made it happen. The leaders have betrayed the mission, their office and their duty to their citizens. They have forgotten the reasons for the independence and instead enslaved the citizens themselves under their rule. Getting people to suffer under similar rules, restrictions and lack of service delivery. Which wasn’t even seen by the colonial powers. That’s why the current rulers are medical tourists and cannot get treatment at home. This is why people are in exile and endangered for speaking out the truth.

The current President and leadership don’t want honesty or facts, it wants propaganda and lies. It wants deception and incite fear. To ensure the public is intimidated and silenced, in such a manner, that it will not rise up against it. The public shouldn’t fight for their liberties, freedoms or their rights. They should just beg for breadcrumbs and be happy with cassava. Peace.

Philippines: Atty. Leila M. de Lima – Statement on the Hostage-Taking (09.10.2022)

South Sudan: Western Equatoria State – Withdrawal from the Government of Western Equatoria State under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba after his withdrawal and indefinite Suspension of the Council of Ministers Meeting on the 7th October 2022 (08.10.2022)

Sudan: Hamdok won’t change the spots of the leopard…

Al-Jarida newspaper reported that there are expectations to form a government of national competencies next week, headed by Dr. Abdallah Hamdok and Al-Tijani Al-Sisi as his deputy” (Abdallah Hussain, 07.10.2022).

If there is one thing we have learned over the years is that a leopard never changes it’s spots. The Transitional Sovereign Council is still in power with the same military commanders in power. Only changes are a few militia leaders who has also become associated with it. The Transitional Period and Agreements in coordination between the civilians and military was squashed on the 25th October 2021. So, the last time Hamdok was in-office and was the second coup d’etat of the Transitional Military Council, which took over after Al-Bashir.

We know that Al-Burhan and Hemeti has looked for legitimacy. They have sought out to be trusted and get recognition. Nevertheless, their violent, oppressive and obstruction of progress. Haven’t really helped their cause. A return nearly a year after the last coup d’etat will not help the current Sovereign Council either.

It isn’t like the Resistance Committees with their RCPP and CEPA will join along Hamdok now. Neither does it look like Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) is that interested either. There is little to no reasons for the civilians and the outcast parties to be involved. The army commanders and their role is subjectively to keep power and have a technocratic puppet to be the face of the government.

If Hamdok is foolish enough to return and accept a new agreement. That means he has not understood or accepted his real fate. He will not be respected, his role is wasted and his only a mere useless puppet for the army. This will not benefit the transition or the situation as is. The only thing it will does is to give leeway to the oppressors and the ones who will not acknowledge the will of the people and the end if junta government in Khartoum.

That Hamdok joins now will validate the 2019 and the 2021 coups. He is initially accepting it and partaking in it. Since he accept their leverage and takes up a role. The former Prime Minister isn’t a technocrat from the civilian organizations anymore. His coming as a civilian and a familiar face. The warlords are already part of the council and it’s not like Hamdok is getting lots of possible power. They wouldn’t have done a second coup and ousted him. To later give way to him. That doesn’t make sense. Especially not a year later…

We cannot expect the Resistance Committees, the Sudanese Professional Association or Forces for Freedom and Change being part of it now. The Transitional Sovereign Council is a military outfit now masked as a government. They have former rebels and warlords in its midsts. However, they haven’t incorporated civilians or the organizations of the Sudanese revolution.

This is where Hamdok is not reading the room. Maybe he wants the prestige and the office this time around. Nevertheless, his not coming with a mission or as a voice of reason. No, his just a pawn for Al-Burhan and Hemeti. This is not even funny, but instead very tragic.

If Hamdok thinks a leopard changes it’s spots, his a giant fool and toyed around with. There has been no changes or meaningful differences from the moment he was ousted. It isn’t like the Sovereign Council has offered or delivered anything of value either. That’s why Hamdok is a fool trusting the leopard and not expecting to violated yet again. Peace.