UHRC: Quotes for a thought; a must read on Human Rights breaches in Uganda!

uganda-masaka-prison

“I had a case of my brother who was arrested by police and was asked to pay UGX 100,000. But after the community meeting by UHRC, I learnt that police bond is free.” A participant in a community meeting in Luweero District (UHRC, P: 64, 2016).

As there been a hectic year for Uganda, with the preparation for the General Election of 2016, the report from Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), should have lots of instances where the breaches of violations towards political opponents and dissidents from the NRM-Regime. As the system is to uphold the status-quo and respect Mzee. I will today look through the Report and find the most staggering numbers and tales. To show what kind of actions the government does against their own citizens, in the name of the Executive and his reign to keep rule all for himself!

Alone alleged violations in Uganda that we’re registered in 2015 we’re “Torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment” total of 345, “Deprivation of personal liberty/detention beyond 48 hours” total of 247, “ and kind of violation in 2015 we’re 909 to all the offices of UHRC. As seen the registered complaints to the UHRC; the respondents are the once claimed to be responsible for the violations. Here is the one usually behind it:

“The top five respondents over the past six years (2010-2015) have remained the UPF, private individuals, UPDF, local governments and the UPS. In the six years, the UPF had a total of 2,646 (the highest number of complaints registered against a respondent), while private individuals had 1,271. The UPDF had 622; UPS, 205; and local governments, 200” (UHRC, P: 15, 2016). This here proves the level of violations from the Army and Police; the once that are surprised by that haven’t followed how the Modus Operandi of the security organizations in Uganda.

Kakira Prision

One testimony to the UHRC:

“I was told by the investigations team they would follow up my complaint of being detained for eight days at Kakira Police Station. Indeed the Uganda Human Rights [Commission] team did so. I was never at any one point in time asked for facilitation to conduct the investigation until it ended. I now await the outcome of the investigation. By the way, it is upon the Commission’s intervention that I was released immediately. Investigations were conducted objectively and thoroughly to the extent that the perpetrators asked for my forgiveness.” (UHRC, P: 15, 2016).

Second testimony to the UHRC:

“I was arrested by the police from Adjumani Central Police Station on allegations of theft. During detention, my money [amounting to] UGX 200,000 was taken and kept by the police. After conviction and serving my sentence in prison, I went to claim my money, but police told me it was an exhibit in court. When I reported the matter to UHRC, it was registered and investigated and all my money was paid back.” (UHRC, P: 16, 2016).

Complaints completed in 2015:

“In 2015, UHRC closed 382 complaints after investigations. Of these, 287 were backlog files and 95 were fresh complaints registered during the year. 382 complaints were closed for various reasons, including successful mediations, insufficient evidence, receipt of remedy by the complainant, requests from the complainants, referral to other institutions, cautioning of respondent and not revealing any human rights violation. Other reasons included merging of files, failure to trace respondents and death of complainant” (UHRC, P: 17, 2016).

Human Rights 17.11.15

Outstanding compensation from Attorney General to the Tribunal:

“Therefore, the UGX 758,552,86813 that MoJCA paid as compensation to victims of human rights violations in 2015 did not cover any beneficiary of the complaints decided by the Commission during the period 2013 to 2015 (refer to Annex A). As of 31st December 2015, the outstanding awards against the Attorney General was UGX 5,047,671,968 (Uganda shillings five billion, forty seven million, six hundred seventy one thousand, nine hundred sixty eight)” (UHCR, P:31, 2016). Here is the reason for the delayed compensation of the awarded through the tribunal: “Delayed payment of Tribunal awards. Respondents, especially the Attorney General, take long to pay tribunal awards. Although the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has argued that this is mainly due to limited budgetary allocations, UHRC has realised that the delay is sometimes caused by the bureaucratic processes that require the respective state attorney to form the first opinion on whether to appeal or clear payment of the award. This has caused untold delays, especially in cases where the state attorney may not be willing to recommend payment of the award, particularly where the Attorney General was not represented during the hearings” (UNHCR, P: 32, 2016).

Prisoners awaiting Ministerial Orders:

“K.S Awaiting ministerial order for 24 years. It was reported that he does not get visitors” (…) “B.E Awaiting ministerial order for the last 15 years” (UNHCR, P: 37, 2016).

Third Testimony:

The human rights training we attended were very helpful. I learnt that when I torture a suspect it is entirely on me and me personally…”said an officer from Kasangati Police” (UNHCR, P: 37, 2016)

A little on how the detainees and Prison conditions are:

Many places don’t have transport for suspects of crime, they are taken random by public transport in places like Kole, Erute, Lira, Anyeke, Otuke, Pece and Kinene. With this result on place as well: “At Kamwenge and Bigere police posts, suspects were transported to court and back on bodaboda at a cost of UGX 60,000” (UNHCR, P: 44, 2016). Also inaccurate salaries and compensation of Police officers: “At Buganikere police post, an officer had not received salary since December 2013 and at Hima police station, five staff members had missed their salary of September 2015. At Rwangara police post, staff could not easily access salary because the bank was far away and they would have to incur transport costs” (UNHCR, P: 44, 2016). Even lacking basic structures is a problem at Police Post, Police Stations and Prison cells: “Detention facilities that did not have adequate water for sanitation and personal hygiene included Kiboga, Kasangati and Rubanda prisons, as well as Buseruka Police Post and Nakaloke and Bunkhongo police stations” (UNHCR, P: 51, 2016). When it comes to sleeping facility for detainees: “UHRC found that 234 out of the 896 detention facilities inspected did not have adequate beddings; so, detainees used either tattered blankets, mats or pieces of papers. This was observed in 41 prisons, 192 police detention facilities and one military detention place inspected. These facilities included: Mutufu and Ngora prisons; Ngai, Iceme, Aber, Kwera and Kangai police posts; as well as Dokolo, Otuke (adult cells), Agawata, Adwari and Olilim police stations” (UNHCR, P: 52, 2016).

AGEWATCH-summary-of-summary

The Senior Citizens Grants for Empowerment roll-out plan:

UHRC noted with concern that although 1.2 million people in Uganda were aged 65 years and qualify for the SAGE programme, only 123,260 were benefiting. However, in August 2015, the government announced the roll-out plan of the SAGE programme to 40 more districts across the country over the next five years, beginning with 20 in the FY 2015/16 and subsequently adding five districts every year for the next four years until FY 2019/20” (UNHCR, P: 103, 2016).

Digital Privacy:

“There were allegations of infection by malicious software of communication devices belonging to various individuals, including journalists, believed to be instigated by state agents.156 It is alleged that once infected with this software, a person’s computer or phone could instantly be remotely monitored; passwords, files, microphones and cameras could be viewed and manipulated without the owner’s knowledge” (UNHRC, P: 141, 2016).

On the General Election:

“UHRC noted reports of the overzealousness and selective application of EC guidelines by the UPF, leading to their alleged interference in and denial of some campaign rallies, prevention of opposition accident victims from accessing a health centre for treatment, prevention of people from attending opposition rallies, violently dispersing opposition rallies and injuring supporters; and the arrest of opposition officials and confiscation of opposition materials such as manifestos. It is worth noting that the UPF took action on some of its errant officers and instituted investigations into the incidents” (…) “There were concerns about the alleged discriminatory nature in the way political players enjoyed rights and freedoms of assembly, movement and personal liberty, which did not, in many cases, favour opposition leaders during the electoral period” (…) “Although UHRC noted positive developments, such as strengthened internal mechanisms in political parties, the successful nomination of presidential, parliamentary and various candidates at the local government, and introduction of new technology, such as SMS and the online system, there were challenges that still hindered the realisation of the right to vote. UHRC also noted that some of the challenges identified during the previous elections, such as the timely review of electoral laws, had not been addressed in the run-up to the 2016 elections. In addition, UHRC notes that there is need to address evolving challenges, such as lack of internal democratic party processes, the emergence of crime preventers and militia during the electoral period, and the varied interpretation of laws, in order to ensure that the right to vote is realized” (UNHRC, P: 169- 172, 2016).

UPF 2008 Torture

Proposed amendment of the 48 hour rule:

“There have been proposals to amend Article 23 (4), which prescribes for the production of a detained person to court within 48 hours from the time of his or her arrest, on grounds that the prescribed 48 hours is insufficient to bring a person to court” (… ) ” UHRC, therefore, recommends that:

  • Article 23 (4) should be retained and priority placed on enhancing the investigative capacity of the Uganda Police Force” (UHRC, P: 203-204).

Uganda Police Force should urgently address the issue of detention of suspects without files. If there are no files or charges against them, they should be released:

UHRC made this recommendation to the UPF in 2013. In 2015, the UPF informed UHRC that police commanders and officers in the Criminal Intelligence and Investigative Directorate (CIID) were tasked to ensure that whenever suspects are arrested, files should be compiled, proper and timely investigations carried out, and the necessary procedure followed to take the suspects to court immediately. With the establishment of the Directorate of Human Rights and Legal Services at police headquarters and the deployment of regional human rights officers in 16 regions, this problem was partially addressed” (UNHRC, P: 223, 2016).

Aftermath: 

Here you saw the definition of Human Rights issues, there we’re even more labor questions and education on Human Rights. The certainty is the levels of force from the Uganda Police Force (UPF) and Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) that are extending themselves into the citizens sphere and not being there to create security; instead breaching the levels of trust from the security organization and the citizens.

If you feel I left something behind, please put it in the commentary. This is for me the most important details; I couldn’t pick it all; as there we’re many breaches and many questionable actions towards the citizens that could be posted today. Because this is close to 2000 words, but the report are 296 pages. So the amount of details in the report could fill many pages more and a bigger article. This here is just a hunch of the breaches that the government and their institutions are doing, also the missing pieces to the laws and the institutions that’s securing the rights of the citizens. Peace.

Reference:

Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) – ‘The 18th Annual Report of the Uganda Human Rights Commission To the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda’ (July, 2016)

Have hope in #ThisFlag; Still, it’s the darkest before a new dawn in Zimbabwe

santions Mugabe

“Dear Mr President. You cannot stop your sun from setting and you will most definitely not stop mine from rising #ThisFlag” – Evan Mawarire

There is a brewing something sinister in Zimbabwe. As the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) under the reign of long-long serving President Robert “Bob” Mugabe are using the Police and army as his prestigious bodyguards for his power.

The economic state of Zimbabwe is weak, weakest of the weak. Wiggling and broken as the civil servants and army personnel haven’t been paid in June and July 2016, as much as the people have been re-engaged in politics as the Zanu-PF elite has been eating. Lynda Masasira have been detained for speaking her mind on behalf of Woman organizations. #ThisFlag Movement Pastor and Founder Evan Mawarire have been taken to court on charges against the state, but a 100 lawyers showed up and the public demanded his release as the day went on; but after the release he fled into exile in South Africa. So the history repeats itself.

Only Morgan Tsvangirai is back home still, as his Movement for Democratic Change; are more and more fractioned. This being said while recently the former aide to Tsvangirai, Maxwell Zeb Shumba officially presented his new party at the 29th July 2016 to launch the Zimbabwean First (ZimFirst) Party.  This happens as the MDC-T party are losing their backing from the people is dwindling; while the people’s faith in Mwarire is showing, as his selflessness and casting of the bitter truth is astonishing. The opposition has a political movement, but not a political party that all men and woman trusts. With the Ruling-regime total control and focus around the family of Mugabe; the ability of paying and splashing funds on Zanu-PF loyalists.

That is been showing in the Vice-President Phelekezela Mpoko living in a luxury hotel for a year and half where he paid $ 1.000 a day at the hotel and that was including meals. This happens as the most of the Zimbabweans are living fewer than 2 US. Dollars a day, to sustain food and shelter; also with the wonderful late-payment of government salaries and other difficulties to get certain import products. The land has also from January to June 2016 been importing from abroad for $1bn. and most of that for agricultural products. That means the former breadbasket of the Southern Africa; needs help to feed their own. President Mugabe must be so proud of his land-reforms.

John-Mangudya-534x400

The Zimbabwean State have in control the foreign exchange rates and control the usage of limited funds, the government at one point suspended certain imports for businesses. But at the same time, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr. John Mangudya saying recently “We are importing foreign currency to pay ourselves instead of paying for fuel and capital goods. That’s inefficiency”. Surely he is spot on, but the grand dictator doesn’t mind because when he celebrates he eats splendid cuisine on the tax-money.

As the state deteriorate, even the most harden loyalists have been attacking the long-term president even been accused of overuse and overstepping his power. The latest is the Zimbabwean Liberation War Veterans Associations (ZLWVA) Secretary-General Victor Matemadanda. Also the ZLWVA spokesperson Douglas Mahiya, these been detained for speaking their mind, which after the President the day before said the War Veterans we’re not patriotic, that meaning not speaking of the deity called Mugabe. He has gone further than that as well: “Ruhanya said Zanu PF’s advertisements calling for former Zipra and Zanla war vets to converge at Zanu PF HQ tomorrow 26/7/16 to support President Mugabe” (…) “From the adverts in state media, it appears clear that G40 led by the President has declared war on the leadership of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association led by Christopher Mutsvangwa. Waiting to hear the views of this G40 group. But the problems raised wont disappear because of this meeting; economy remains dead and the president cant provide the economic and political leadership as he remains captured by wife and a cabal benefiting from Stone Age corrupt practices against the majority poor. Elite discohesion and authoritarian erosion.” (Harare24.com, 26.07.2016).

With the darkness of bewildered state of Mugabe the bitterness of Grace Mugabe as she was shopping in Singapore as the #ZimShutDown was going on in mid-July, as the salaries we’re postphoned again for the civil servants, as the June-Pay had not arrived and seemingly not the July either. Just as today in the Zimbabwe Today reported this:

“Speaker of Parliament Advocate  Jacob Mudenda called on workers  to work overtime and expect not getting paid extra remuneration” (…) “Mudende said this would steer productivity  and ensure companies remain afloat than for them to retrench workers because of low production” (…) “Mudenda ‘s statement is likely to steer animosity among government workers who are disgruntled  over delay in payment of salaries. A majority of workers have of late clashed with their pay masters over unpaid over-time and other benefits” (Zimbabwe-Today, 25.07.2016).  As this came a few days early when the industries and workers we’re expected the same fate as civil servants; work but non-pay. The government promised to rescue with an old cue: “In a media briefing after touring companies in Bulawayo, Industry minister Mike Bimha said companies in Zimbabwe were struggling due to lack of funding and cheap imports from other countries. To counter that, he said the government was working tirelessly to revive the Distressed and Marginalised Areas Fund (Dimaf). “We want to revisit the issue of Dimaf in terms of making it bigger and more accessible. I’m sure we can do that so that we can continue to have companies accessing a little bit of funding and making a difference to companies,” Bimha, who is attending the on-going Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries congress” (Nyoni, Mthandazo, 28.07.2016 – Newsday.co.zw). If this is true, then some of the men might not go without salaries, but seeing are believing… and the government have not been accountable; so why believe them now?

anti-mugabe-protests-in-zimbabwe

With all this the recent days that #ThisFlag continues, the sanctions don’t get lifted and the IMF/World Bank doesn’t give in to the Mugabe Government. Let me end with quotes from Mugabe in an article from Daily News Zimbabwe:

“I want to warn leaders of these churches that are emerging only for the sake of money, the likes of Mawarire that Zanu-PF will not tolerate any nonsense done in the name of religion, that once you begin to interfere with our politics you are courting real trouble” (…) “keep to your religion and we will respect you. We know how to deal with our enemies who have for a long time been itching to effect regime change. We have the means to do that. I say to our  people, when these other small (opposition)  parties demonstrate  out of anger, control yourselves in the knowledge that the police belongs to us so we will ask them to throw them in jail so they can also test life in prison” (Mugove Tafirenyika, 28.07.2016).

This comes from the man who once upon a time in Mozambique wanted to free his Zimbabweans from the tyranny of Smith-regime and was righteous in that claim. But now he does the same in his own actions against his population and calls a citizens and a pastor a enemy who deserve to spend time in jail. That he deserve apparently for asking the government, to actually govern and not only eat the tax-money. The pride of Mugabe and his reign are ending in tyranny on the level of Smith or worse as the liberator knew what he fought against; An with time turned into the same kind of leader as the ones he fought against. The injustice of the past, is the ones of the present; might not in post-colonial treatment, but in honor of feeding the Zanu-PF and the elites, the cronies of the state instead of serving the communities and citizens with decent policies and progress through transparent economic framework. Zimbabwe, the place where the Zimbabweans can trust their government for serving them and not the President alone! For the reason alone that Mugabe says the citizens who oppose his rule can try out prison, because the #ThisFlag is an enemy that the Police would control the nation in the powerful hand of Mugabe.

The sun-might set on Mugabe, but it is not his sun. Even if he has reign the land and the nation of Zimbabwe, it is not directly it’s his nation to own; he has had the power for decades and thinks now it is a God-given right to rule. Therefore the one occupying the country is his subjects, not the citizens as he speaks and his Ministers speak. They expect the citizens to work for no pay, because of the decisions and his will to stay without questioning the implications of his decrees. The Zimbabwe deserves another regime, which actually cares about the citizens, not only the president. The dawn of something new must soon reappear as this regime is becoming more and more draconian. The laws and lawmen are taking in anybody who has a smidge of questionable words against his rule. Mugabe wants the citizens to obey his rule and his Zanu-PF; not for Zimbabwe. Peace.

Press Release: World Bank Group Suspends Financing to the Inga-3 Basse Chute Technical Assistance Project (25.07.2016)

inga3_figure2

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2016 — The World Bank Group has suspended disbursements of funding to the Inga-3 Basse Chute (BC) & Mid-Size Hydropower Development Technical Assistance (TA) Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This follows the Government of DRC’s decision to take the project in a different strategic direction to that agreed between the World Bank and the Government in 2014.

On March 20, 2014 the World Bank’s Board approved a US$73.1-million grant from its International Development Association (IDA) for the project, consisting of Inga-3 BC development support (US$47.5 million) and mid-size hydropower development support (US$25.6 million). At the time of suspension, approximately 6% of total project financing had been disbursed.

The Inga component of the TA project aimed to finance a flexible suite of technical assistance, including strategic advice to the Government, complementary studies, capacity building, and institutional strengthening. The IDA TA project aimed to support a government-led process for the transparent development of Inga-3 BC as a public private partnership. The World Bank Group is in a continuing dialogue with the Government about the implementation arrangements of the project, with the goal of ensuring that it follows international good practice.

The World Bank Group remains committed to supporting the DRC in its efforts to provide affordable and reliable energy for its people and to drive sustainable sources of growth for its economy. Beyond the Inga project, the Bank Group will remain engaged in the electricity sector in DRC by focusing on improving the performance of the State Utility SNEL, rehabilitating mid-size hydropower plants, increasing energy access, and continuing support to regional transmission interconnections.

#Tajamuka, Reactions after Lynda Masarira was remanded in custody by Mbare Magistrates

Why Mugabe regime targeting Lynda Masarira (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EfjGpUVXkE

Zimbabwe – Woza Moya: Citizen’s Voices on the State of the Nation

Woza Moyo July 2016

President Museveni Kyankwanzi Key-Note speech today had deceit of NRM Economic policy and the similarities to Big-Men of old like Arap-Moi and Amin!

Kyankwanzi 26.07.2016

As the 10th Parliament of Uganda is starting and the vetting of Members of Parliament are touring the National Army Leadership Institute (NALI) at Kyankwanzi as they have the retreat to make sure the National Resistance Movement MPs and Cabinet are acting right. Especially the policies that is right for the Executive and his Elite. But other than that he had the Key speech today and said some questionable things again.

“Even to negotiate credible and durable trade deals with the USA, the EU, China, India, Japan, Russia, Brazil, etc., we need Pan-Africanism. It is only through the EAC (160 million people) and the whole of Africa (1.25 billion people) that the other foreign countries or trading blocs can listen to our voice in the long run. It is, however, not correct for the regulators not to take action against the Chinese and Indian retailers who unfairly compete against our retailers. Those foreigners should not operate at that terminal level. They should be re-directed to manufacturing in particular and other areas like construction. Retailing should be preserved for the Ugandans or, possibly, the other African immigrants as well” (Museveni, 2016).

Well, it got me thinking about another Ugandan president back in the day; that apparently President Museveni we’re proud to bring down together with the Tanzanian Army and Milton Obote, but that is forgotten saga in his head. As President Idi Amin said this:

“For instance, between 1962 and 1968, the government of Uganda sponsored as many as 417 Asians for training as engineers. Today, however, only 20 of the 417 Asians work for the government. Within the same period, the government sponsored 217 Asians to train as doctors, but to date not more than 15 doctors of these are working for the govt. Finally, within the same period, the government sponsored 96 Asians to undertake law courses, but of these only 18 are now serving in the government” (…) “I am further informed that some of these Asians who were sponsored to take courses abroad refused to return to Uganda after thy qualified, which means that thy have contributed absolutely nothing in return for the training benefits which they received from this government” (…) “it is painful in that about 70 years have elapsed since the first Asians came to Uganda, but despite that length of time the Asian community has continued to live in a world of its own” (Semuwemba, 2016).

Arap Moi Fronpage

Not only the former friendly Ugandan dictator had his say on the matter in the past, even the former Kenyan President Daniel Arap-Moi said this in 1982:

“Instead of Indians using their advanced knowledge in business to help Africans improve their profit margins” (…) “Asians in this country are ruining the country’s economy by smuggling currency out of this country and even hoarding essential goods and selling them through the backdoors” (…) “I am not discriminating against anybody, but I am against people who are out to enrich themselves through false means. From now on, anybody found hoarding or smuggling will be punished severely. If he is an Asian, he will be deported immediately regardless of whether he is a citizen or not, and if he is an African, he will have his licence canceled” (New York Times, 1982).

So now the Mzee is sounding in the same regard as Daniel Arap-Moi and Idi Amin Dada; with his new cabinet with Democratic Party MP, Uganda People’s Congress MP and Uganda Federal Alliance MP; the similarities to Democratic Republic of Congo former dictatorial President Mobutu Sese Seko comes to mind. He is really stealing from all the totalitarian leaders of East Africa. It is magnificent how he kept it up. While speaking progress and democratic values while contemplating that the Asian’s are the problem for doing their retail instead of Ugandan citizens, even if the Asian’s happen to be Ugandan; just another heritage than the Pan-African he speaks of.

M7 26.07.2016

Ironic that he said this a bit also today:

“We in the NRM, therefore, have never accepted the shallow social science of the Western countries that fetishized capitalism and elevated that useful social system, but one with limitations and weaknesses nevertheless, to the high pedestal of a deity (God-like). The position that capitalism was the only useful social system in the modern era, was wrong. The dramatic rise of the Chinese economy, in terms of GDP size, to the second biggest economy in the world today is proof of the correctness of our position. By mixing both the capitalist and socialist stimuli to the Chinese economy, the Chinese Communist Party has lifted hundreds of millions of Chinese out of poverty and registered gigantic steps for the growth and transformation of the economy” (Museveni, 2016).

Well, here is lie from the Executive as didn’t follow whole heartedly the Marxist or Communist paradigm or socio-economical structure as after the regime change by the rebellion of Museveni; he easily traded his ideal of the communist paradigm.

“Six years after Yoweri Museveni and his National Resistance Movement took power, Uganda has made remarkable strides in overcoming as grim a legacy as any African government has known. Improved security has been an important factor in allowing the country to rebuild. Economic policy has helped, too. The past six years has seen economic growth averaging more than 5 percent per year, as idled land and vacant factories were brought back into use. The economy has also achieved lower price inflation. Now, in 1992, Uganda is at a crossroads. Economic growth is slowing, and inflation is beginning to rise. Uganda is highly indebted to foreign lenders. Further increases in capacity utilization will be a costly means to grow and cannot represent a strategy for sustained economic growth. Infrastructure remains inadequate in transport and communications. The preferred road is clear: public and private investments are needed to continue the reconstruction” (Warnock & Conway, 1999).

SAP WB

Claimed impacts on liberating the Economy through IMF’s SAP:

“Two principal reforms mandated by the IMF arrangements were trade liberalization and the progressive reduction of export taxation. But as the external review points out, “Liberalization of cash crops had only limited beneficiaries.” This was the case because only a small number of rural households grow coffee. Liberalization had little impact on rural incomes over the period of adjustment- rural per capita private incomes increased just 4% over the period from 1988/89 to 1994/95” (…) “The IMF also mandated the privatization of state-owned industries, a process that has met particular criticism in Uganda. The Structural Adjustment Participatory Review International Network (SAPRIN), which was launched jointly with the World Bank, national governments, and Northern and Southern NGOs in 1997, has reported that the privatization process in Uganda has gone too fast and has been flawed from the start. A report by Ugandan NGOs who participated in SAPRIN found that “The privatization process in Uganda has benefitted the government and corporate interests more than the Ugandan people. . . The privatization process was rushed, and as a result, workers suffered. Some 350,000 people were retrenched and, with the private sector not expanding fast enough, unemployment sharply increased. Those laid off were not prepared for life in the private sector, with no training being provided.”(Naiman & Watkins, 1999).

So not only being anxious today about Asian retailers; today the Executive Museveni claimed there rewards of liberating the economy, which is not so very communist and even more capitalistic of NRM! Together with the liberation escalated the unemployed, which has happen to this day. And isn’t inspiring to read contemplating the recent numbers of unemployed and how this man still tries to ‘inspire’ MPs and Kyankwanzi. There is just something wrong with that picture.

M7 26.07.2016 P2

The thing that should be inspiring today, not only sound-bite of Amin and Moi, but the lie:

“We in the NRM, therefore, have never accepted the shallow social science of the Western countries that fetishized capitalism and elevated that useful social system, but one with limitations and weaknesses nevertheless, to the high pedestal of a deity (God-like)” (Museveni, 2016). When the IMF said this in 1999: “Two principal reforms mandated by the IMF arrangements were trade liberalization and the progressive reduction of export taxation” (…) “The privatization process in Uganda has benefitted the government and corporate interests more than the Ugandan people” (Naiman & Watkins, 1999).

So if you see this little detail, you see the deceit of Museveni to his own Elite and MPs. As he claims the mixed economy, but the IMF with their Structural Adjustment Program that Museveni accepted and agreed on. This was far from God-like more State-liberated economy through neo-liberal ideas that the IMF and World Bank wanted so that the Ugandan Government could get their donor-funded loans that the NRM needed.

So hope you learned something of the nature of Museveni today and his actions of the past or his nature of deception. There are certainly some who is not surprised, but as I have said before. President Museveni rewrites the history to his liking and today he did it again, just with a twist. Peace.  

Reference:

Museveni, Yoweri Kaguta – ‘Re-focusing on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Ideological Orientation’ (26.07.2016) link: https://www.yowerikmuseveni.com/statements/keynote-address-joint-political-leadership-nrm-central-executive-committee-cabinet-and

Naiman, Robert & Watkins, Neil – ‘A Survey of the Impacts of IMF Structural Adjustment in Africa: Growth, Social Spending, and Debt Relief’ (April 1999).

New York Times – ‘KENYAN SAYS ASIAN MERCHANTS RUIN ECONOMY’ (07.02.1982) link: http://www.nytimes.com/1982/02/07/world/kenyan-says-asian-merchants-ruin-economy.html

Semuwemba – ‘AMIN’S SPEECH BEFORE HE EXPELLED THE ASIANS WAS AWESOME!’ (27.11.2014) link: https://semuwemba.com/2014/11/27/amins-speech-before-he-expelled-the-asians-was-awesome/

Warnock, Frank and Conway, Patrick – ‘Post-Conflict Recovery in Uganda’ (1999)

DP Press Statement on current affairs in Uganda (26.07.2016)

DP 26.07.2016

Kampala July 26th 2016The Party seeks to inform all Ugandans that we are ready to participate in the forthcoming elections of the newly created districts particularly Omoro where we have received Applications from four excellent candidates. The NEC has in consultation with the branch been assessing the suitability of the candidates. The process will be concluded today afternoon and a Press Statement will be issued unveiling the Party candidate for the seat of Woman MP, Omoro District. We are still committed to working with other opposition friendly forces and we shall support the opposition candidates whenever and wherever possible.

The Democratic Party is greatly concerned about the state of the Health Sector in the country. We are disheartened that the few erected structures have no personnel and equipment; where the personnel and equipment exist, the facilitation is meager while the equipment has no technical personnel well conversant with its operating. However the regime despite such shortcomings isn’t ashamed to attempt to bail out phony businessmen who claim to be wallowing in debts yet they live a life of showbiz. Provision of health services in the country continues to be described by social class and political affiliation discrimination yet we have a regime that prides itself in surviving courtesy of peasant class support.

Last month our Vice President- Buganda region MP Betty Nambooze was in South Africa seeking better treatment. She is improving and we thank all those who have been there for her especially the FDC Chapter in South Africa. The former Woman Leader Mrs. Maxensia Takirambule has been bed ridden for several months and needs USD140000 to go to USA for surgery. There is also a Fundraising Dinner scheduled for August 12, 2016 at Hotel Africana. What the above cases show us is that the Ugandan Health Sector itself needs diagnosis. We can’t go on living life normally when we know that minus the capacity to seek foreign treatment, death is an assured deal whenever one is diagnosed serious ailments. The amount spent on treating government officials and their close of kin abroad should be invested here to build a vibrant and competent health care system. This is a call that all Ugandans should embrace regardless of our political affiliations and other divisions that may exist among us.

Prisoners’ Rights
The Party also seeks to address an issue most people tend to ignore until they find themselves faced by the same. That is the issue of Prisoners’ Rights vis a vis the right of access to information. Last week, Mr. Abdallah Kiwanuka, an eminent Party member while from visiting Mp Bakireke Nambooze happened to use a road passing by Ronald Kibuule the Government Minister’s home and came across a group of uniformed prisoners doing manual labor at the Minister’s home. He took a photo of them that was to ‘spoil’ his whole day. Road blocks were laid to ensure he didn’t get to the city. This was followed by abduction by the police and an attempt to force him to offer apologies to the person of Ronald Kibuule.

What the fracas that was a circus indeed revealed is that some people have the ability to use the police like one would use a personal walking stick. Involved was a one Ssonko the Traffic commander for Mukono, the Mukono DPC Fred Ahimbisibwe and the OC station Mbalala Police Station in Mukono. These Officers must know we consider Individual Responsibility for Individual Crimes and they will be taken on as individuals.

We do therefore condemn this use of the country’s security apparatus by some individuals just as if they are their personal militia; they indeed might be when we all along haven’t known. We do ask Ugandans to take the issue of Prisoners Rights as an issue of importance. Kibuule’s attempt to stifle the information about the use of prisoners’ labor at his home shows there was something wrong going on. We as a Party therefore will continue striving for the application of Truth and Justice as tenets that will help our country get back to the road of reason and rationale.

Kakande Kenneth Paul
Publicity Secretary

Hon. Kyeyune blames defiance; I blame lack of governance for frustrated investors!

Kapwocha FDC 080116 P1

Well, it is one of these days where the NRM-Regime continues to pound on the Forum for Democratic Change and their Defiance campaign. It’s like the Resistance Movement having a hard time settling in as the 10th Parliament. Mzee must be so darn proud of loyal subjects who attacks Besigye and Company without ordering it.

So here is what was been said and reported in the Daily Monitor today:

“The State Minister for Microfinance, Mr Haruna Kyeyune, has expressed displeasure at the ongoing defiance campaign by the Opposition, saying it could stand in the way of government’s planned 2020 middle-income dream” (…) “You can then pick it up from there, because it frustrates investors,” (Emwamu, 2016).

With all that in mind, let’s be clear the FDC are not the main reason for lack of investors or investors fleeing. They are not the ones with guns, ammunition or tear-gas. That is the Government, the NRM-Regime and their security outfits. Therefore the stalemate is mostly created by the Uganda Police and the UPDF for their disregard for the citizens.

Hon. Kyeyune blames the other party because that is the easy way out and it shows loyalty to his boss. While doing so he is washing the hands of blood and the tears, so they are clean even though they never will be. As the government doesn’t wish accountability or transparent policies either with Electoral Law and organizations. Neither with security or economy. With that in mind, the Government themselves are hurting prospect of business, as the investors have to facilitate with government officials with secret deals behind closed doors; instead of transactions though open business. That is what is hurting the investments, together with uncertain currency, levels of inflation and the steady growth of government loans. That together is creating a fragile economic outlook that worries a fellow investor. But the easy way out is to blame Dr. Kizza Besigye and his DMC. Eh! What else Hon. Kyeyune, is it the ‘rollex’ fault that there are potholes at Kalerwe, Kampala?

Peace.

Reference:

Emwamu, Simon Peter – ‘Defiance hurts investment, says minister’ (26.07.2016) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Defiance–hurts-investment–says-minister/688334-3310484-15qfnfz/index.html

Opinion: PM May cannot play second fiddle with Brexit; She cannot carry dissidents in her own Union; While drinking tea on the continent!

EU UK Flags

Let it be clear the race for leaving the European Union will not be an easy on for the United Kingdom and their noblest of men. They need to be calm, steady and hope that none of the other in their Union abandoned the ship called the UK. If they do so… it is not a United Kingdom, but British Isles. And that is a downer being the PM when the mainland got chopped in half and 300 year old Union went bonkers.

Not only Nicola Sturgeon in the SNP that doesn’t want to be disfranchised from the European Union and its graces; as the Scottish people are people who export their trade of either salmon, oil or something else. Not only getting Trident in their backyard as the defence with nuclear weapons happens to be there… I am sure Theresa May doesn’t want a backhanded slap and feel snubbed by a fellow British politician. Since Sturgeon has her loyalty in Glasgow and Edinburgh, not in the City of London, therefore the struggle for PM May to understand that she doesn’t get votes from Norfolk or Suffolk, but from Scottish constituency.

Gerry Adams

The same issue she has with the Republic of Ireland and their leadership as they don’t want to leave other Irish people behind, as the Northern Ireland and their leader Gerry Adams is not interested in losing the greener pastures of EU, than being even more controlled by London. So that him speaking of possibility of leaving UK, is even more worrying of PM May as she doesn’t only has disregard from Edinburgh, but now from Belfast as they are courted by Dublin and get into the European Union by unification of the Irish people and the whole Irish island. From a split and divide island into one united Irish Republic, something that must boggle the post-colonial British and minds of Boris Johnson.

It is so weird to see Boris Johnson trying to have tact and bravado after disgracing the British public and addressing fellow human beings wrong on the African Continent and disregarding the European Union, but he is not the only partner in softening the relationship with the world. As PM May also appointed Brexit Minister David Davis. David Davis must work slowly nowadays as the Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, gives ability for a country to disembark from the European Union as the Membership. So as long as that is put on the back-burner and trying to negotiate with fellow allies. The UK PM May have not a lesser hard road, as she cannot bully her own as she done with Jeremy Corbyn; while trying to win sympathy around the island.

Sadiq Khan

The PM May might been a hard an stubborn Minister in the PM Cameron’s cabinet, but as PM she should be careful as the Scottish and Northern Irish counterparts that has another play might not give in to the treats of London. The Treats of London lost their value when they accepted to willingly while getting free-trade and open borders with the Schengen-Treaty. While she has not even tried to discuss with new Mayor of London Sadiq Khan who wants more autonomy from the United Kingdom as they voted like Northern Ireland and Scotland. Secondly City of London, the business and bank trading is based with investors from abroad and with more closed borders. With more closed border equals less investors who aren’t really welcome since they are foreigners now and not as welcomed as before. They rather invest in Madrid or Paris instead of London.

The mind-set of sweet-talking of future plans with Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Francois Hollande can speak for themselves. But having a PM trip around Europe to be smiling and looking like she takes it seriously, while downplaying the terms of Article 50; seems more like play for the façade than actual actions to honour the pledge of the British Referendum vote of 2016.

Stansted to the World

The business that went down right after the Vote have come back, but the corporations and such are in worry of the signs of the future. What will bring and how long with the negotiations and how far the taxations will, the exports and the limitations be between United Kingdom and the European Union. Certainly, the problems are coming as even Michael O’Leary of Ryanair have today said he would less flights from Standsted (London Airport) to Europe in relation to the Brexit. Even if the Bank of England agents said to the Guardian yesterday that they had resumed to ‘Business as Usual’. The reality is that for a time being there will be limbo between the vacuum of being an EU Member State and becoming maybe part of the European Economic Community or the European Free Trade Association. With this they will maybe secure more their borders, but the trade-off will not be cheap.

The reason I say so is that European Parliament that have been under fire from Nigel Farage and UKIP. An all the other nationalists in Europe as they want to see France, Netherlands and other nations also out of the Union; still with that in mind EU Commissioner Jean-Claude Juncker of Luxembourg might become more diplomatic and act more of statesman. Since the Brexit blunder and the promised leave the Union the acts from him as been measly and worrying.

If the clause of possible leaves we’re only made in the Lisbon Treaty to be there as fulfilled agreement; then the Lisbon Treaty we’re a compromised to fit the bill of the Member State without seriously considering anybody actually would leave. To be frank: if you have a clause in an agreement, than one party who agreed to ratify the agreement, might eventually use and write upon it to the collective. That is what will happen when the UK initiate the Article 50. Than the negotiations are there to retract the place in Parliament, Commission and all the forums of the European Union; as they will be an outsider.

Theresa-May-Nicola-Sturgeon-600x400

PM May better act upon the vote and not be too proud and giant politician that she has acted as in recent week or so. As she trying to disenfranchise Labour Corby and the backbenchers, while trying to silence the wish for a another Scottish Referendum against the will of Holyrod; the real will of Northern Ireland and their Irish people as the Dublin government trying to reunite the lost brothers on the island.

I got nothing against Theresa May, but her ways are more in the spotlight and her actions will be described by pundits like me, if she likes it or not. I will never forgive her for appointing Boris “Doughnut” Johnson as Foreign Secretary in her cabinet. To show humility for the campaigners for the Brexit; if not it was to go and punch Michael Gove for his dagger against the opportunity for Prime Minister Johnson, which would be even more worrying for Europe and for the United Kingdom. The Northern Irish and Scottish would suffer in his reign, as he has the baboon traits and not noble statesman over him.

With this there are only one thing too, not sweet talk, but actually act and prove to business and people that being outside European Union goes well. I am not a fan of European Union, but I don’t like lying to the public for political gain by smooching princes and parliamentarians on the continent. The reality is that the Article 50 better be a focus and making sure a real team of negotiation are ready to make agreement between British and rest of Europe. Peace.