South African: African Transformation Movement – ATM writes to Acting Public Protector Adv Gcaleka to follow up on its EMEA complaint against President Ramaphosa (12.06.2022)

South Africa: Public Protector Adv. Busisiwe Mkhwebane 31 Questions to President Cyril Ramaphosa [the questions she sent before she was suspended]

Amuru Land Grab: The Apaa Village evictions is never ending story…

Legislators from the Acholi sub-region were blocked from accessing the Apaa township, bordering Adjumani and Amuru districts. The eight MPs from the region were in Apaa on a fact-finding mission following an arson attack, displacement, and reports of gross abuse of human rights over persistent land wrangles. These were instead met by police officers and army men heavily armed with teargas and guns who blocked their access” (NBS Television, 10.06.2022).

This here story goes back in time. So far back that we are now soon two decades since the state gave the land to the investor. Since then the Apaa village has seen the forceful state, evictions and other sorts of tactics of the state to takeover the land. In the Northern Uganda land has been taken and given to “industrial” purposes like the plantations for the Kakira Factory for instance. Therefore, the ideas of taking land for “development” isn’t new. However, the state doesn’t give anything in return to the evicted and only creates more internally displaced persons. Which is another crisis in the making.

The Apaa village and Apaa community deserves better. They have been victims, which shown by this quotation from a report in 2014.

The case of land in Apaa Village (Amuru District) illustrates the suspicions of local people concerning the acquisition of large tracts of land. In 2005, when people were still living in the camps, land was given to Bruce Martin from South Africa who was investing in game reserves for sports hunting. When resistance from the community intensified, it is claimed that the government changed tactics and asked the neighbouring district of Adjumani to contest ownership and claim that this land actually lies within Adjumani District. The Adjumani District authorities then passed a council resolution giving the land away to the ‘investor’. Some participants in this research argued that the boundaries between the two districts of Adjumani and Acholi are clear, and that some district politicians are manufacturing the boundary conflict. During an interview with the District Chairperson of Adjumani, he showed a map of the area in dispute claiming the area belongs to Adjumani District” (Otim & Mugisha, P: 8, 2014).

What is striking is that this case has been a running case in the 9th and 10th Parliament. Now, it returns to prominence in the 11th Parliament too. That means the Apaa village never been resolved, neither has the rights of the Apaa community really been heard. Secondly, the former MPs and Local Councillors haven’t been able to voice it up. This because it is a stalemate and the land is still up for grabs.

We know in 2018 that Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) did some evictions of people in the area. This was done with the support of the army or the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). That just shows that the District Land Board and Area Land Board wasn’t able to petition or have a say. Therefore, the directives and the promise of land was already settled without considering the implications locally.

That’s maybe why the MPs are trying to investigate it. They are MPs representing the Acholi sub-region, but still not allowed to access the area. That says something about the what is going on and possibly could be furthering escalations. We can be rest assured that the State House has directed it and is silently behind it all. As they have promised the land for the investor.

It is tragic that this is happing to Apaa village. Wonder, if the President would have been so kind to an “investor” if it happened to his farm in Rwaiktura farm in Kiruhura district. As a Namibian “investor” was given land and for “development” purposes in the greater Mbarara area. Because, that would be the same and he would have to idly move without any compensation. That would have been a similar act of land grab, which is what’s happening here in Apaa village in the Acholi sub-region. Peace.

Reference:

Otim, David & Mugisha, Police Charles – Saferworld: ‘Beyond the reach of the hoe: The struggle for land and minerals in Northern Uganda’ (April 2014)

The Rise of the Cassava Republic: Low-Income turned into Middle-Income out-of-nowhere..

Remember, the locusts, the rising waters of the Lakes, the floating islands, the landslides, the terrorist bombs, the covid-19 and now the rising commodity prices artificially caused by the Ukrainian war. In spite of all these, the Ugandan economy, by the budget time in the next few days, will be standing at US$ 45.7billion by the exchange rate method and at USD 131.6 billion by the method. This means that the GDP per capita is now $1046. You remember, the entrance points for the lower middle-income status, is USD 1036. We have now passed that figure. Congratulations. However, to be declared a middle-income country, you need to sustain this for two to three consecutive years. I am confident, we shall over perform, in achieving that” (Museveni, 07.06.2022).

The President yesterday surely said a lot of things yesterday. I thought this one would be one of the myths and legends of old. That no one would take seriously… because the delusion is real. The powers of the State House and all of his Presidential Advisors should have told him “no”. Even the son who prefers to party and throw birthday parties should have advised him to say otherwise. Because, this is useless…

Museveni isn’t close to Middle-Income Country. Not by stretch, a mile or such. That’s because of the financial policies, the lack of financial integration and all the other means of which is a proper open economy. Alas, if it had been open and tradable, he wouldn’t have his hand in every cookie-jar. That’s why his butt-hurt that his coffee deal with Vinci is under fire. Because, no one see it as a viable enterprise or idea to begin with.

We know in a nation of hand-to-mouth, in a nation of gig-economy and 1 out of 5 is living in direct poverty. It’s hard to believe that nation is a middle-income. Heck, there isn’t even a growing middle-class either. If it had been a growing middle-class, there would be more stores and other sorts of outlets for people to buy luxurious goods. However, there hasn’t been a growth of that either.

The growing inflations, the deficit financing and the running debts of nation is proving otherwise. The state isn’t growing with domestic financing, but the budgets are bloated and covered by expensive loans. Which the next generation or the next President has to clear. Since, Museveni is possible dead when the maturity of these loans has hit peak. There is already trillions of shillings going out of the economy just to finance old loans, as the state is hiking up new one. That’s all to keep the upkeep of a huge entourage and cronies surrounding the President. With a mushroomed cabinet and gerrymandering of epic proportions, that is all costing and the amount 555 MPs says it all. They are all paid and has perks. So, the state is coving these expenses without adding any new revenue or such.

That’s why hearing a man like this saying… they have hit Middle-Income is nonsense. It is pure A QUALIFIED BS. It is utterly ridiculous. It would be funny, if it was a punchline or a joke, but he said this and meant it. Like it was fact. When the World Bank state the nation as a “Low-Income” and the budgets, the domestic revenue and everything else proves it. Maybe the lack of Governor of Bank of Uganda is haunting him. Since, he can now make things up on the spot and make it legit. There will be no push-back from the professionals… We know the MoFPED doesn’t read the papers or look over the numbers before voting on the supplementary budgets. So, the Minister of Finance is far from professional. His just eating and hoping his Permanent Secretary can save his behind.

Well… this is garbage. This is trash. We hope for betterment, but under the self-styled President for Life. I wouldn’t count on it. I would only count on cassava. Peace.

South Africa: Ministry of Justice confirms arrest of the Guptas (06.06.2022)

Malawi: Concerned Members of Staff-Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) – Unauthorised Contract Renewal of Director for Fuels by the CEO Mr Henry Kacha JE (02.06.2022)

Opinion: A decade changes a man, just look at Mpuuga…

Mpuuga’s own press release from 2012

“We issued the statement in parliament on behalf of our party relating to the running away of prices on essential goods. But the regime hasn’t considered anything. We asked them to cut on high taxes and to turn down their appetite for expenditure, but nothing has been considered” (..) “Stop questioning why we have not joined. Don’t wait for Kyagulanyi to do anything, do it yourself. Kyagulanyi is a leader, equally, you’re a leader in your own capacity because you head a family that is constrained. We want to invite fellow citizens to be alive. It is a matter of time. If you want change tomorrow, you will have it tomorrow. I want to invite you to participate in every activity” – Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga (01.06.2022).

We all change and we all are appearing different with times. Our stances are fluid and changes, as we see things differently. It is nothing different with a leader and a Member of Parliament. That the former resilient leader, Democratic Party MP and now National Unity Platform and Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga has changed over the years makes sense.

Mpuuga is a man of fire and bravado. A man who has stood amid fire and seen the price of rebellion. That’s why he was part of A4C/4GC and also a part of the rise of the People Power Movement and the NUP now. So, it isn’t like he has gone carefully ahead and been consistent in letting bygones be bygones.

I’m just dropping a part of a text showing how he used to sound like when the commodity prices were rising in 2011. When he was an active coordinator in A4C, because as the LoP his not the same. Maybe his gotten comfortable and wants to shield himself with the Parliamentary role, which he himself said wasn’t sufficient in the rising inflation of 2011. It is really striking how things changes.

Just take a look:

“The Walk to Work campaign is still on every Monday and Thursday for Ugandans to express their dissatisfaction with conduct of affairs of the state by the regime in power, especially neglecting the welfare of the common man. Take for instance the escalating prices of petroleum products.  Government’s instrasigence and refusal to reduce taxes on fuel is a major reason ordinary Ugandans sleep and live in the dark both in towns and the country side. And while crude oil prices have gone down on the world market, the government of Uganda has not reciprocated by compelling dealers to reduce pump prices” (…) “Activists 4 Change stands in solidarity with all Ugandans who are outraged by the news that Parliament seeks to increase their emoluments in the face of rising inflation.  Reports in the mainstream media indicate that an unholy alliance between some opposition MPs and some ruling party MPs put forward these offending proposals after throwing the media out of Parliament, blacking out television coverage and suspending formal recording of proceedings in the Hansard” (…) “If these reports are accurate, then it appears that MPs have prioritized their personal concerns ahead of those of their constituents in a very selfish and greedy manner.  All Ugandans are affected by inflation, high interest rates and taxes.  We send leaders to Parliament to address concerns that affect us all and not to sit behind closed doors and improve their personal welfare through lavish spending of public funds at our cost.  These reports have cast a dark shadow over the August House at a time when government has failed to offer meaningful solutions to address soaring fuel and food prices affecting constituents” (Activist for Change (A4C) – “The Walk to Parliament on Monday” 28.05.2011, Mathias Mpuuga).

I could have found several of other texts from the days of A4C showing how resilient and willing to budge he was. Where he was standing on the barricades and wanted to reform the government from the streets. Now, his speaking like the men he casqued and spoke ill of a decade ago. His just like the MPs and the Parliament, which he didn’t favour when he himself was a radical and a firebrand politician fighting for the people. Now, that train has left the station and he uses the protocols and the lack of care of the NRM.

Mpuuga is using the excuses of the men and woman he fought in the past. Instead of understanding that things haven’t evolved. Instead, things are more of the same and he has gotten into a position where has more influence. However, he don’t want to use it and the NUP should unite behind the campaign of Besigye. Because, that’s what a sensible person would do.

Nevertheless, maybe the Perks of the LoP and the Parliament is eating his soul. His afraid of losing the pocket and the fortunes of his office. That’s why his instead seeking other means now. Since, it seems to cost to much to be like he was back in the day. That’s how I view it.

Mpuuga of a decade ago would have been running wild and been out there. Now, his in office and wants other to fence for him. Maybe it’s tiredness, fatigue or maybe he isn’t even hungry. His content with life and other can take the mantle. That’s how it looks like to me. Now that the same issue of a decade ago is resurfacing and instead of following up where he left off in the A4C. He has turned into the people he spoke ill of then. Peace.

Malawi: Chakwera avoided mentioning Sattar’s name by default…

Secondly, while I was away, I was informed that both social media and main stream media houses in the country were reporting that at a court proceeding in the United Kingdom, some senior officials in my Administration were named as accomplices in acts of corruption allegedly committed by a British citizen under investigation there. Tonight, I come to address you on these two developments” – President Lazarus Chakwera (31.05.2022).

It is truly a State Capture case by now. The connections and the allegations of Zuenth Sattar’s business practices within the Republic of Malawi. The businessman has connections and direct influence of the current government and the previous one too. Since, he can get away with it and not even being addressed. When everyone who has been following for a minute knows that his connected to it all.

President Chakwera by this National Address only furthers the proof of what Sattar has accomplished. Since, he has been able to directly partake and pay-off high-ranking officials. To such an extent. That they are afraid of naming him. They are all on his “pay-roll” and are “indebted” to him. That’s why the President cannot even say it, but only mention the ongoing corruption in the United Kingdom. Like it is a mysterious and unknown hoodlum who has tricked the republic. Because, the reverend is a man of words, been so for years and therefore, it is telling when he avoids a name. It’s like the preacher-man don’t want to speak of the devil. When the devil is in the details…

He continues:

Admittedly, these are serious allegations, and I know you are anxious and filled with suspicion, and I understand the anguish and anger you all feel from hearing these allegations. I feel the same distress you do from hearing allegations of corruption in the highest offices in the land, and I am just as frustrated as you are to hear that the British suspect recently visited Malawi and none of the agencies actively investigating him here noticed, thus missing a golden opportunity to make progress on the matter” (Chakwera, 31.05.2022).

Chakwera implies that he was just a vagabond and a random person travelling to Malawi. Like he didn’t know or just implicated for some reason. That the public will take it for granted and not understand what has been going on. Sattar has been known and he has been able to have leverage over the state. In such a manner, that only the British or the UK Courts will take a hold of him. Because, Sattar knows that the scandal and the grand scale of this corruption is only showing what is happening behind closed doors. Something that the President doesn’t want exposed, as he was getting easy money and so was his associates in government.

Near the end:

More broadly, today I am also announcing a new nationwide campaign for driving corruption out of Government agencies, which will be launched this July at a National Anti-Corruption Conference that I will host. A nationwide campaign against corruption is necessary because going by the recent findings that many of you feel that corruption is getting worse, our campaign to fight it also needs to be intensified” (Chakwera, 31.05.2022).

This here is a lot of hot-air. Empty promises and new campaign to end corruption. Instead of fighting it directly and target the ones within the administration who is implicated or participated in the bad behaviour. His instead making a conference and a campaign out of it. Just like it is easier to look at crops and visit district of the Republic, than to actually govern. Therefore, this is an escape route and a way of shielding it. Since it looks like he intends to do something, but most likely he hopes the scandal and the case dies out by that time.

He ends with:

Going forward, my pledge to all of you is simple: no matter what challenges we face or what changes they demand, I will always act in your best interest as your servant and act in accordance with the law to the best of my ability, so help me God” (Chakwera, 31.05.2022).

The great pastor returns with his promise to the congregation. That he will not sin, disobey or be disobedient. However, no one in their right mind believes that now. He couldn’t even name the guy, the man, the myth and the legend. The man who has created the state capture and was able to run away with it. That’s why the case is overseas and not in Lilongwe or Blantyre. This is why the evidence and the courts of UK is dealing with it. Because, Malawian government and high-ranking officials would safeguard and shield the man that is feeding them. They are eating additional feasts because of his “generosity” which is on the back-end was giving him favourable terms to trade and operate in the Republic.

The scandal of Sattar only shows how deep this went. It is only showing what sort of leverage and at such a alarming rate he could get into the web of the state. That’s why the President fears his name and won’t even mention it. However, mentions the case in question, but not the man behind it all. Like it is a swear-word or a crime to even say it out loud. That is saying something.

Chakwera is afraid of mentioning Sattar. A Head of State is worried about speaking of and entertain the idea of the practices committed by one businessman. That says a lot about this case and how the preacher has failed to live up to his promises. Peace.

Central Bank of Kenya (CBK): Monetary Policy Committee Meeting (30.05.2022)

Opinion: The U.S. got a gun-problem…

The United States of America has a massive gun problem. The amounts of school-shootings and mass-shootings are staggering. The “lone-wolf” attacks with heavy weaponry and ability to shoot up schools are at imaginable levels.

ZeroEyes reports that 223,000 students have experienced gun-violence at schools between 1999 to 2018. The same NGO reports 229 schools have experienced school-shootings in the same time period. 143 people lives lost in these school-shootings 290 injured and the media age of the school-shooter was sixteen. That’s in the timespan of 1999-2018.

We can just think about the numbers between 2019-2022. As it has continued to spiral out and the numbers aren’t getting better. Everytown statistics from these years aren’t any good either. In 2019 130 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, 33 deaths and 78 injuries. In 2020 there was 96 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, 24 deaths and 43 injuries. In 2021there was 202 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, 49 deaths and 126 injuries.

These numbers are shocking and high. As the numbers of the last two gunfire incidents only in May month of this year will make it higher. It just barely weeks between them. They are happening at a rampant phase and never ceasing to end. This is an issue that cannot just be left alone. Children and innocent civilians are dying as a cause of all of this. It is a government who isn’t reacting or restricting the usage of firearms, which could stop this from happening. Instead, the representatives and the leaders of the nation is shielding the weapons and arms manufactures. If not they are dependent of the gun-lobby who is giving huge donations to their campaigns. Since, the deadly is persisting and nothing is stopping it from happening.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) and other organizations must have Congress by the balls. They must also have all the gun-friendly representatives in all important chambers or august houses of the 50 states. Since, there seems to be no end. The ones remembering Virginia Tech and Columbine High School ages ago. Would think these sorts of mass-shootings would be the stop of it. However, in the U.S. this has been continuing since then and is a never ending stories.

The only other thing that is constant is arming teachers, security guards and giving more guns in close proximity of the schools. The second constant is that the representatives are sending their thoughts and prayers, because their hands are tied or they are held at gun-point themselves. Since it seems impossible for them to either make legislation or even try to regulate the ability to purchase guns at any given moment. Instead it’s a free for all and everyone who with a pulse can get one.

That’s why the U.S. have a gun-governance problem and the price of that is the kids who dies on a semi-regular basis. When we know the U.S. isn’t able to fix the problem or the issues on the matter. They seems to need United Nations Experts to make a Report on the matter and handle that to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Since they could make a case and find a solution on it. If not someone should petition the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to discuss a possible peacekeeping force to stop this insecurity, which it really is…

United States is falling from grace. Their greatness is falling apart. Especially, when the Congress is so corrupt and hesitant to defend it’s own citizens. Because, that is the matter here. The U.S. comes to save people far away, but cannot manage to find measures to save kids in their own schools. That’s what’s tragic here… Peace.