Category: Development
FDC Youth pleas against the inclusion of Amama Mbabazi into the TDA fold
There been friction in politics and will be like this, especially like in the recent months. With the thoughts going back to the NRM Poor Youth who first was celebrating the fact that Amama Mbabazi was standing for precidency inside the NRM to withhold this and change course to support the long reigning leader in Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. This piece will not be about that, it will instead be another tale in the remarkable transition of Amama Mbabazi and his move to sign the TDA Protocol and how that has affected the political bodies and people in one of the affiliated parties, the challenger and biggest organization Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
“The party Chairman Wasswa Birigwa, who left the meeting before it ended says although a group of youth had wanted the party to pull out of TDA, they were still party of the political grouping” (…)”FDC’s Spokesperson Ssemujju Nganda says FDC is not intending to pull out of TDA, but the NEC members will tackle every matter which shall be tabled by the Party President regarding their collaborations with TDA” (Mukimba & Nsubuga, 2015).
“We are tired of you old men. You are to blame for the mess. You even decided to extend the nomination date for one single candidate without consulting FDC and other stakeholders. What kind of process of this?” an angry youth said” (Lule, 2015).
“Thomas Kayanja, the Mpigi district youth leader, said: “They asked Lukwago to return the DP ticket if he wanted to join TDA. Let them tell us when Mbabazi returned the NRM ticket if this whole thing is not NRM” (Lule, 2015). A further report says the he was even saying this: “He says they even took forms to Mbale for him to sign and waited for him to bring back the forms past the deadline they had set. He says if such actions are not explained properly, they will tell their flag-bearer to leave TDA” (SMSMedia, 2015).
Besigye himself says this: “He says they even took forms to Mbale for him to sign and waited for him to bring back the forms past the deadline they had set. He says if such actions are not explained properly, they will tell their flag-bearer to leave TDA” (…)”He says they even took forms to Mbale for him to sign and waited for him to bring back the forms past the deadline they had set. He says if such actions are not explained properly, they will tell their flag-bearer to leave TDA” (TheInsider, 2015)
DP Youth leader, Paul Ssembajjwe at DP headquarters in Kampala said this on the matter: “On this note, TDA presidential flag bearer selection process should not be limited to a handful of people because we are selecting a president to redeem Uganda from a cannibalistic regime not a parish chief” (…)”As DP youth, we demand that all the presidential candidates should address a live TV debate to address the country on the issues of the economy, security, employment, health, agriculture, administration, foreign policy and development cooperation as a way of sharing to the wider Ugandan community their strategy of delivering them” (…)”As DP youth we offer ourselves to organize and mobilize for these debates rather than hiding the process from Ugandans. We finally pledge our support towards TDA to ensure that it does stand strong despite the many storms that it faces currently” (Segawa, 2015).
Afterthought:
It is healthy that people express their thoughts on the inclusion of Amama Mbabazi into the coalition of oppression in the TDA. Which is an important question and how that will affect the bond between the ones who came to the agreement to move together for the campaign and election for 2016. This they have done in consideration of the manpower and richness of the ruling party.
That the FDC Youth Party branch is questioning the addition is a healthy thing and should be seen as a grown thing to do. Though claiming to bring out of the TDA already now is profoundly early to jump from the newly formed coalition. If so the premature change of Amama Mbabazi shows the fragile and weak organization. This shouldn’t be surprising considering how little time has run since the operation started. Everything that has happen is the first and never just procedure, though the protocols and codes of conduct is put into action. It proves how single people’s choices will make a reaction from branches further away from the core leadership of the parties. That’s why the FDC Youth question is a legitimate one. Though it might not be the right one or on point. It should still be asked because the coalition and its members have the right to question the movement.
That the FDC Youth have a right to do is, that is just the leaders who are loyal to their party and their flag-bearer and wish to succeed in 2016. The same wish the flag-bearer himself. That the DP Youth also talks about the issue is natural not only because of the issue with Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, but because they also can question and ask for certainty from the TDA. The TDA are a coalition of willing parties that work at a common goal instead of a spread force against one big party who has ruled since 1986. S
Nevertheless it will be an early victory for the NRM if the TDA already loose members and parties. It will be seen as strategic and securing place. With a fractions in the oppositions parties, they will not work together, instead only on their own agenda. This is something they are allowed to, but not correctly in the current time. The men and woman, the officials, the flag-bearers and members can and always question the TDA and the other members, but they can also go out! Issues will be between the parties and the movements. Certain issues will come up until the election in 2016. That is inevitable and wouldn’t be real people if that didn’t happen. The way forward is to move in ways that shows nobility and righteousness towards all parties. That inside parties can expect that some parts want to move away and go on their own is natural part of it. Though leaving alone instead of together is weakening the political power of the coalition. Especially if the FDC goes on the merry-go-round and the FDC Youth leaders knows this well. But the TDA need the FDC, as they need all the other ones as well, that is a natural one. If not they will all be running towards election time as they have done before with their own horses and structures, but not the strength of willing. This should be seen as a healthy movement and prove that the opposition parties have grown and want to make a change of regime, not only in words. Also in action! Peace.
Reference:
Mukimba, Norah & Nsubuga, Benon – ‘TDA awaits decision of FDC’s NEC’ (15.09.2015) link: http://www.elections.co.ug/new-vision/election/1000637/tda-awaits-decision-fdc-nec
Lule, Jeff Andrew – ‘FDC youth accuse TDA of favouritism’ (15.09.2015) link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/673431-fdc-youth-accuse-tda-of-favouritism.html
SmsMedia – ‘FDC Youth wants Besigye out of TDA’ (15.09.2015) link:
http://smsmedia.ug/2015/09/fdc-youth-want-besigye-out-of-tda/
Segawa, Nixon – ‘DP Youth Petition TDA over Presidential Flag Bearer Selection Process’ (16.09.2015) link: http://chimpreports.com/dp-youth-petition-tda-over-presidential-flag-bearer-selection-process/
TheInsider.ug – ‘FDC refuse to quit the TDA over Amama’ (15.09.2015) link: http://www.theinsider.ug/fdc-refuses-to-quit-tda-over-amama/
Press Release: Tanzania Kick-Starts African Court Legal Aid Scheme Fund (16.09.2015)
Arusha, 14 September, 2015: The President of the United Republic of Tanzania H.E Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete has pledged $100,000 to support the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights Legal Aid Scheme.
The contribution was announced by President Kikwete when launching the Kiswahili version of the Basic Facts Booklet of the Court at its premises in Arusha, Tanzania, during a visit to bid farewell to the Judges and staff on 10 September, 2015.
Tanzania is the first AU Member State to contribute towards the Scheme.
He said that the contribution was to support the work of the Court which has recorded tremendous achievements in just a decade of its existence.
‘’It has lived up to its mandate and to the satisfaction of the [AU] Member States,’’ he said.
H.E Dr Kikwete is stepping down next month after serving the constitutional two fixed five year terms as the President of his country.
The President of the Court Hon Justice Augustino Ramadhani appreciated Tanzania’s generous contribution, saying that it would go a long way in justice delivery.
Further information can be obtained from the Court’s website at www.african-court.org
Parliament to Pay Tribute to Gen. Aronda Nyakairima on the 17th September 2015 (with PM Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda statement)
The Parliament of Uganda will, on Thursday, 17th September 2015 hold a special sitting to pay tribute to the late Hon. Gen. Aronda Nyakairima who passed away over the weekend. Hon. Gen. Nyakairima, UPDF MP and Minister of Internal Affairs died in transit to Dubai, while he was returning from an official trip to South Korea on Saturday 12th September, 2015. The Clerk to Parliament has communicated that the body of the Late Hon. Gen. Nyakairima will be brought to Parliament and lay in State for viewing by Members of Parliament and public after which a special sitting will be held at 2.00 p.m. in his honour. An overnight vigil will be held at his residence in Buziga. On Friday 18th September, the body of the Late Hon. Gen. Nyakairima will be taken to Kololo Independence Grounds for a Church Service before being flown to his ancestral home in Rukungiri for burial on Saturday 19th September, 2015. The Late Hon. Nyakairima was in the House between Sept 1 – 3, 2015, when it met to consider the creation of new districts, Supplementary Schedules 1, 2, 3 and the NGO Bill, 2013, which directly fell under his docket and some of which were passed.
CABINET PAYS TRIBUTE TO HON GEN. ARONDA NYAKAIRIMA, MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
Cabinet held a special meeting today, Tuesday 15 September 2015, to pay tribute to Hon Gen Aronda Nyakairima, who passed away suddenly on 12 September 2015, and to receive a brief from the Task Force led by Defence Minister, Hon Dr Crispus Kiyonga, on the arrangements so far made for burial.The Cabinet meeting was chaired by The Prime Minister, Rt Hon Dr Ruhakana Rugunda.
Dr Kiyonga informed Cabinet that Government had on Saturday 12 September 2015 dispatched a team of doctors led by the Chief of Medical Services in the UPDF, Dr James Makumbi, together with two family members, namely, Mr Henry Ngabirano and Mrs Jolly Ngabirano, to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to work with the authorities there to conduct investigations and to repatriate the body.
Cabinet acknowledged and saluted the significant contribution the late Gen Aronda made to the country’s stability and the unity of the people of Uganda.
Cabinet, however, noted that some elements of society, including some senior leaders in the country were using the tragic passing on of Gen Aronda, to spread falsehoods, negative and sectarian sentiments aimed at inciting and dividing the people of Uganda. Cabinet strongly condemned such acts.
Cabinet approved the burial arrangement plans as follows:
Wednesday, 16th September 2015: Arrival of the body.
Thursday, 17th September 2015: Body lies in State in Parliament for Members to pay tribute to the late Hon Gen Aronda.
Friday, 18th September 2015: Funeral service at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.
Sunday 20th September 2015: Burial in Rukungiri.
Ruhakana Rugunda (Dr)
Prime Minister
15 September 2015
Letter – Re: Petition against Academic Papers of Amelia Kyambadde, an Aspiriant for NRM Flag Bearer for MP Mawokota North (11.09.2015)
Amama Mbabazi went out of the desert and went into the lions den
Today isn’t a normal day. Today is a day where it’s reviled after hazardous consulting meetings in Soroti and Jinja that a certain high caliber politician has switched sides. Amama Mbabazi is not any longer a Presidential Candidate in the NRM, but is becoming a part of the of opposition coalition The Democratic Alliance (TDA).
A man who had a special thing and now has gone from being the guy who has a vital part of the chambers in parliament, also and secretary of the party of the NRM party for years has gone into the lion’s den together with the opposition yesterday.
It proves the powerful idea behind FDC, JEEMA, DP, and UPC, so they are now accepting the brother into the camp when the internal parties has already picked their flag-bearers for the presidential election in 2016. He went from being a vital part of the NRM, a man Museveni trusted. Even if Mbabazi is famous for eating big slices of governmental deals and have even chartered high on corruption indexes, they are still letting him in the fold and umbrella of the TDA. This must be joyful reunion for Hon. Gilbert Bukenya who has trades silver coins from the CHOGM scandal in the past. Olara Otunnu knows the man well and has discussed matters concerning Mbabazi in length in the past. The same has Norbert Mao they all know him and how he has acted. As the public knows as well!
Well, so when the tides are turning and the opposition can prove greatness, while the NRM is losing ground. They still have the powerful army and police on their hand. We will sure see more teargas and venues in towns being under siege before the election in 2016. Since we’re still in the run-up! While we waiting we know that the ones that went independent earlier from NRM, might run back to fold to get feed and be underline of the main stem leadership protocol of the party. Though it seems that the fallout rate and big-men that has been around for ages is on the level of agony that Louis Van Gaal in Manchester United doing. Where certain former loved players has all left the club. Now the same is happening with the NRM. Though it is happens in other fashions and ways, but initially the same outcome. There consistency of harsh brutalities and the way people are getting out of the NRM, it doesn’t seem healthy.
You’re either forced out with the skin on your teeth or you’re getting flogged in the main streets of Any-Town in Uganda. Amama Mbabazi I wrote earlier this year that he was starting a walk through the desert. He finally has found shade in the midst of darkness. The campaign he will run now will not be affiliated with the party he has been involved in for so long. This has been the end of it. He lost when he questioned the power of the man on the top, that man would not accept somebody questioning the fact and realities of one sole candidate before preliminary voting inside the party. H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni would not have JPAM or Amama Mbabazi questioning his powers and reach, nor anybody else for that matter. That is why when other people are campaigning in the lands. The government bodies for securing peace will make fuzz and be violent against the crowds. We have seen all year from the campaigning of Dr. Kizza Besigye and recent attacks in eastern Uganda in Soroti and Jinja.
It shows that there are no nobility amongst the cadres of NRM especially when you look at the way they leave their people behind. There so many reasons for the end game of certain long serving politicians seems like their left to rot after being loyal subjects and done all in favor of the mighty president.
So yesterday’s signing of TDA protocol proves a vital point and strength of this unity. Also of the fallout of Amama Mbabazi was inevitable after the clippings of his wings in not so distant past. Which lead to his childhood friend Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda taking over his position as the PM. That was for the big-man on top fearing the issue of aspirations that Amama might have of one day wishing to succeed the fellow leader on the throne. Something that we all know isn’t acceptable by the sole candidate in 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and to come in 2016.
We will see what outcome and reach this symbolic turn of events will have. Though this signing of Protocol from Amama Mbabazi should by just the signature on the paper, strengthen the movements of the opposition since they have yet another former weapon-brother of the mighty Museveni.
This also leaves Mbabazi after months into wilderness and without shade, finally getting a gracefully sit-down with fellow peers. Who has for years and decades been under the scrutiny of regime that Mbabazi has partly put into effect especially with Public Order Management Act, which will always hunt him! Like a now evil ghost that was built to suppress anybody who wasn’t directly coordinating their movement with the government of Uganda, this is initially the cronies of the NRM.
So there we have it! TDA with Dr. Kizza Besigye, Olara Otunnu, Norbert Mao, Asuman Basalirwa and so on has now Amama Mbabazi in their ranks. They can soon be sitting together in the lion’s den and plotting their next move.
We can all wonder what this will say about the issues and coming elections while the parties themselves has picked flagbearers, who will be the main candidate of the alliance and the TDA. Will be race to follow and also see how the come-up to the 2016 in the end will be looking because if it follows the start, it will be violent and dangerous to be at other rallies then ones run by Museveni and his cronies. The rest will have to wear gas-masks and heavy gear to not taste rubber bullets of the police force and the rulings from the local DPC. Peace.
What would the DA do if given the Police Ministry tomorrow?: Bokamoso by Mmusi Maimane
Press Release: World Bank Supports Better Statistics in Kenya (10.09.2015)
A new $50 million Statistics Program for Results will help better economic management, generate high quality data and strengthen KNBS capacity
WASHINGTON, September 10, 2015—The World Bank today approved a $50 million Program to support the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) to generate better and more accessible data to inform policy-makers and contribute to strengthening its capacity.
The Kenya Statistics Program-for-Results will support the Government of Kenya to fill data gaps, improve the quality of key official statistical products and processes, enhance dissemination practices and make data more accessible, and contribute to strengthen the capacity and management systems of the KNBS.
“High-quality data are critical to measure progress in growing the economy, reducing poverty and fostering shared prosperity. When statistics are up-to-date and regularly released publically, the data will inform decision making in the public and private sector alike,” said Diarietou Gaye, Country Director for Kenya. “Open data helps not only to measure progress, but also to push it forward. Kenya has made significant progress on the open data front, but more needs to be done to ensure the data are current and regularly updated.”
This successful development financing is about achieving results and institutional strengthening. Everyone—government officials, parliamentarians, civil society, and the private sector—is demanding programs that help deliver sustainable results and build institutions. To address this growing demand, the World Bank developed the Program-for-Results (PforR) financing instrument. Its unique features include using a country’s own institutions and processes, and linking disbursement of funds directly to the achievement of specific program results. This helps build capacity within the country, enhances effectiveness and efficiency and leads to achievement of tangible, sustainable program results.
The Kenya Statistics Program-for-Results funded by the Bank’s International Development Association (IDA)* is innovative and marks a global debut in the use of the PforR instrument to support the development of statistics in a country.
“As Africa’s newest lower-middle income country, Kenya needs to generate the high-quality economic statistics required to inform and attract investments and help grow the economy”, said Johan A. Mistiaen, Sr. Economist and the Program’s Team Leader.“Moreover, current estimates of poverty and inequality are based on data that are a decade old. This operation will support a program of economic and household surveys (including the ongoing 2015-16 Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey) to update these statistics and henceforth produce these data on a regular basis.”
The activities supported by the new operation are aligned to the Government’s Vision 2030 and the second Medium Term Plan, which underscore that data and statistics are essential for evidence-based policy making and also for monitoring the development impact. This will create new jobs, reduce extreme poverty and contribute to shared prosperity in line with the Bank’s Country Partnership Strategy for Kenya (2014-18).
The credit is provided under the standard IDA terms that include a maturity of 38 years with a grace period of six years.
About IDA
* The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, and helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 77 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change for 2.8 billion people living on less than $2 a day. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 112 countries. Annual commitments have averaged about $18 billion over the last three years, with about 50 percent going to Africa.
Amama Mbabazi had a plan to have a consultation meeting in Jinja that got spoiled by the UPF
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LJzgsejG4U
The Government of Uganda and its security forces goes wild again in the Eastern town of Jinja. When Amama Mbabazi tries to have yet another consulting meeting in another town, we all know that there was issues with meeting in Soroti. Today the UPF went ballistic literally in Jinja. Which isn’t very democratic, and the Electoral Commission is objective the consultation meetings while the Museveni can do the same thing for some strange reason. Who wonder what he does before he went to eat sushi in Tokyo?
One report:
“The Regional Police commander, Edgar Nyabongo, said they will not allow Mbabazi to hold a rally. The former premier is set to hold a consultative meeting at Kakindu and later address a rally at Kazimungu industrial park” (NewVision, 2015).
A well written timeline of the events transpiring today:
“2:14pm Mbabazi is 3km away from Jinja:
Jinja town is awaiting the arrival of former prime minister and presidential aspirant Amama Mbabazi. Mbabazi who left Mbale town in the morning is about to reach Jina. However, the road entering Jinja from Iganga has been blocked by the Police. Traffic is slowly building up as the vehicles are forced to use a narrow area the Police has left for the other road users. There are groups of people at the roundabout, occasionary shouting out at the Police’s decision to block Mbabazi. We are following his convoy, which is under the escort of Police” (Kirya, 2015).
“2:54pm Police clashing with Mbabazi supporters:
Mbabazi has arrived at his meeting venue, Kazimingi Industrial grounds with hundreds of supporters. He has been received by the Police and told he cannot use it. After a heated exchange between supporters and the Police, the Police fires tears gas and is still trying to disperse the crowds. The convoy is now moving towards Zamo Hotel, about a kilometre away. Mbabazi entered the town using a different route despite the fact that the highway had been blocked” (Kirya, 2015).
“4:00pm: Mbabazi bodyguards clash with Police:
Mbabazi convoy is still heading to another venue after he was blocked from using Kazimingi Industrial Park. After a heated exchange between Mbabazi and Kiira regional Police commander Edison Nyabongo, Mbabazi left for Zamo Hotel. However, the RPC had a fist fight with Mbabazi bodyguards and their leader Christopher Aine was briefly held before being released back into Mbabazi’s vehicle as they snake through the heavy jam to the meeting venue (Kirya, 2015).
Other reports from what happen at the spot:
“Most of the residents fled towards the maize mills while others scattered towards Jinja Central Market, where they remained watching what was transpiring at a safe distances. Mbabazi closely watched was happening from the roof on his vehicle while raising his ‘go forward’ symbol” (…)”One of Mbabazi’s guards known as Aine was arrested while another was shot in the leg. This morning, David Kyasanku, the Jinja Town Clerk asked Mbabazi to look for alternative venues saying both Kakindu Stadium and Kazimingi were unavailable” (…)”Heavily armed Police officers led by Haruna Isabirye, the police director operations and Edgar Nyabongo, the Kiira Regional Police Commander intercepted Mbabazi at Lubogo road on his way to Travel Hotel” (URN, 2015).
I think the reports and letters was interesting, right?
The world should know more about what is happening in Uganda, right?
Peace!
Reference:
Kirya, Donald – ‘Mbabazi in Jinja’ (10.09.2015) link: http://www.elections.co.ug/new-vision/election/1000571/live-police-assures-mbabazi-security-indoors
NewVision – ‘Police ‘force’ Mbabazi out of Mbale’ (10.09.2015) link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/673213-police-force-mbabazi-out-of-mbale.html
URN – ‘Police disperse Mbabazi supporters in Jinja’ (10.09.2015) link: http://www.observer.ug/news-headlines/39791-police-forces-mbabazi-out-jinja-disperses-crowd

















