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.

Hull City AFC get’s SportPesa as the Official Sponsor (Youtube-Clio)

“In an unprecedented gesture, leading African betting company Sportpesa are now the official shirt sponsors of newly promoted English Premier League side Hull City AFC. The three year partnership was signed earlier this morning in KC Stadium, home to The Tigers, the first by an African company to sign with a top flight team in the English Premier League. In the partnership, Sportpesa will also be the official betting partner for Hull City AFC” (SportPesa, 2016)

Footage: Drama as woman who was hawking onions in Nairobi CBD dives under matatu to avoid arrest by City Inspectorate askaris.

Opinion: Indifference from the public is a gift to the Political Sphere!

news-media-standards

We live in a day and age where the content of information is accessible at any time of the day on all kind of formats. It isn’t only pamphlets, posters, newspapers and books. But there are blogs like this; it is digital videos, cable-TV, social-media and all the other ways of gaining information with or without membership pay-walls for the content. In that world of constant ability to gain this, it can either feed the hunger for knowledge or become tiring for the people as the constant newsflashes and breaking news can make your mind boggle and wonder what is really important.  Therefore before I continue let see a main definitions of Indifference!

Definitions of the Word:

“lack of interest in or concern about something: an indifferent attitude or feeling” (…)” 1:  the quality, state, or fact of being indifferent

2a archaic :  lack of difference or distinction between two or more things b :  absence of compulsion to or toward one thing or another” (Meriam Webster Dictionary).

As I tried to explain brief in this time and day, we’re all access to information and ability to download reports, getting brief headlines and watching reports on TV or tablets the clarity of what is important can sometimes not sink in. As we check the normal suspects for the commentary or the capability to get news and become reasonable updated on the matters at hand. Though there are stories lost and we can’t know what happens at every corner of the world, than we are stuck between all screens and behind every tweet dropped every hour of the day. We’ll live in a forever groundhog day and wish that we had comic talent of Bill Murray instead of trying to get up to date with current news.

tabloid-6

The fear is with the level of information, the different formats and the ability of entertainment and tabloid news. The simplistic and breaking is taking over for the hardcore policy discussions as the direct terror threats and artists dismissals seems more important than the issues of trading and health care policies. The indifference towards the reasons behind the migrations and the reasons for the crisis in Syria for instance are lost in the battle against terror. The devastating idea for why Tunisia, Libya and other states who was has been under fire since the Arab spring have been lost in tales of Clinton and British death, instead of the iconic and important support to build state institutions for the citizens. In countries that before this we’re built around grand dictators like Ben Ali and Gaddafi. Therefore the indifference to the solutions and the real deal behind the fragile state is worrying.

The worrying indifference to the abysmal understanding of the financial structure of Greece and Italy, as the banks of Italy are in limbo; while the state sales and economic liberation while drowning a debt-burden Greece in more greasy debt as they trying to cope with the level of migrations. We should ask ourselves if the European Union forgot counting people or building swimming-pools for the new rich investor elites that got ability to buy state-resources and key installations like Piraeus port harbor for few cents on the dollar. Therefore the indifference for the swallowing the pride and the reactions this might have for the Greek state.

Kagame Kabila Nkurunziza

The indifference for rigging elections and supporting peacekeeping armies on the African continent, while the UN Peacekeepers in C.A.R. are using their power to rape and destroy, not only generate peace, as the UN Mission in Western Sahara is more a luxurious club for diplomates than generating mediation and justice for the people under siege from Morocco. But the world is silent. That the DRC are planning to exile more opposition or even detain them before the General Election for a third term for President Kabila and nobody flick their eyes. While the opposition is under siege in Rwanda, but President Kagame is hailed for the economic recovery as the totalitarian leader are oppressive and using forces in the Kivu’s to still steal resources from the Congo. The world doesn’t care or tries to forget. While the Burundi are still in crisis as the third term of President Nkurunziza is bloody, friends and foes of the President vanish and assassinated, while the Inclusive Dialogue by EAC and AU under former Tanzanian President Mpaka are at a standstill. So the state of affairs is far from beautiful. The indifference to matters is staggering as the knowledge of these actions shouldn’t be forgotten.

I wonder if I feel alone on it, like so many didn’t notice the skirmishes and the recent battles from the militias in Beni, in Democratic Republic of Congo. If it was just the Congolese diaspora who wore the yellow color clothes on Sunday’s to remember the dead and spread awareness of the continuing warfare in the region. As the world have forgotten the violence and want to be rest assure that the cobalt and other resources need in the smartphones are exported to factories far away.

The ignorance and indifference are so big as the cable-news and grand media-houses focus on the click-bait and easy journalism instead of digging deep and having questions to the matters. Only following the money, the money always says how the ethical principles a man or woman has; as a person will only spend money on the things and people that they care about. That is a forgotten one, at one point of time with the PanamaPapers, the big media-houses followed it, but when the leaks when silent the interest dwindled as quickly as the importance of Blackburn in British football, which division are they now in?

niger-militants_BH

We can question if the world really want to care, as the violence, the single handily gun-men going on shooting spree and the endless bloodshed is sad to read about and would make your hard. The continuation of news on the freedom fighters or guerrilla of Niger Delta Avengers would be less interesting as long as they’re a giant force in Boko Haram that are steadily doing abductions, kidnaps and killings in Cameroon and Nigeria.

We can’t be able to be refreshed and know about all issues worldwide, but at least not care more about Pokemon Go, Donald Trump’s latest racist tweet or a Stephen Colbert skit. They might a moment of joy and laugh, but with the possible knowledge of destruction, lose forces and able information, we as people shouldn’t let this just go on without questioning the powers to be.

Because as long as the public is kept in the shadow and not knowing, the people will not be able to see what the government or civil society is doing. That gives leeway to do whatever. So with this in mind the people should be interested and question, wonder and check the resources and ability to gain information on the matters. Either if it by Youtube, library or on the newsstand; the government have it easier with ignorant public sphere and indifference to matters both domestic and international, as they don’t have to take a stand and change policy as long as the people doesn’t act upon the issue. Therefore the knowledge and questioning the businesses, government and NGO’s happens when the citizen’s acts upon what we know. Indifference is only earning the government and the ones that already are in power, the danger for them is if we already knows and can anticipate their moves. Because if so, then they can’t away with thieving, lying and deceit of public will. Indifference of this gives way and is a gift to political sphere. Peace.

Reference:

Meriam Webster – ‘Indifference’ link: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indifference

“Zimbabwe must be built by the ideas of the citizens” – Pastor Evan Mawarire (Youtube-Clip)

DNCLeaks: Exposing Hillary Clinton Campaign donor vetting and the DNC damage-control of the internal procedure when it comes to “money-laundering” scandal!

Hillary Speech

It’s that time again, been a while since I looked and browsed through dozen of documents on Wikileaks, the once who has read my articles or blogs; have seen themed pieces on it. Today was a similar day, as the WikiLeaks released new-emails from Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee. The DNC have been smacked with their own-words; this is bigger than the latest release by an independent hacker Guccifer 2.0. Still, this is apparently the play of affairs from one of the two giant parties. What is worrying is that similar attacks and similar releases don’t happen with the Republic National Committee or the RNC!

But this is not about the gob-smacking charlatan Donald Trump, though in his mind he loves this, but since this is to many words; he will read anything about except the Rush Limbaugh headlines and Newt Gingrich comments on Fox News. So he could get stronger words against the competitor, but that wise he is not. This DNC Leak, is in favor of Trump and Libertarian Johnson… though none seem to capture the traction as the VP for Hillary Clinton overshadow the leak. This leak proves certain level of works when it comes PR tactics to slow down the money-laundering of Campaign Funds, also how the DNC vets donors and surrogates for the party; which is interesting insider information as the DNC Campaign Team and other ones proves their due diligence. Some things though is not all good news. Take a look at what I consider interesting from the E-Mail leak!

The DNC worked hard for instance to vet a scandalous donor to the Party, a honorable George Lindemann Junior, as the Democratic Party doesn’t care where the money comes from, even if the conspiracy and men have been trialed for it: “Lindemann was convicted of three counts of wire fraud in 1995 and was sentenced to a 33-month term in federal prison with two years probation after his release. He was sentenced to pay a $500,000 fine, $250,000 in restitution to the insurance company, and the cost of his prison stay. He was expelled from the American Horse Shows Association (“AHSA”), and upon his release, filed a $100 million antitrust suit against the AHSA for refusing to allow him to compete” (…)“CONVICT CONTRIBUTIONS “Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., has accepted thousands of dollars in campaign donations from convicted criminals. After being informed of the source of the donations, the Schumer campaign said it would give $17,000 in questionable contributions to charity. (…) He accepted $2,000 from George Lindemann Jr., who was convicted in 1996 of ordering the killing of a show horse to collect insurance money [The National Journal, 6/10/2004]”. Clayton Cox the DNC Regional Finance Manager still wanted to Donor Vet him on 9th May 2016!

On the 15th April 2016, Representative Wasserman Shultz wrote: “He called and wants to speak with DWS about a meeting between him, DWS, and Pierre Maroun. He says that Pierre wants to give 50K to the Democratic Party but wants to talk to meet with DWS to discuss first. Kate – who does this go to? Former Congressman Solomon Ortiz: 361-877-2220 (cell)”. This was later answered by Scott Comer on the same day: “Henry thinks she should take the meeting. Says he’s good for the money”. By 29th April the reasonable approach from Scott Comer to the Representative: “ We’re going to vet Pierre first”. Vetting meaning, making sure the money is coming without any issues from Pierre Maroun.

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Sanders place after Primaries:

On the 20th April 2016 Fox News Political Correspondent sent a mail to Hillary Clinton on questioning reports following: “Allies of both Clinton and Sanders have urged Democratic leaders to meet some of Sanders’s more mundane demands for greater inclusion at the Philadelphia convention. Their decision to do so is expected to be finalized by the end of the week, according to two people familiar with the discussions. But growing mistrust between Sanders supporters and party leaders have threatened to undermine that effort” (Washington Post, 19.05.2016), while he asked this: “Accurate? Can you confirm, please? Thanks.-Mike”. The Press Secretary of Hillary Clinton, Mark Paustenbach wrote this on to another staffer: “Told Mike we didn’t have anything right now and I’d get back to him if that changes”.

Talk to a Editor about Campaign funding?

As Mark Paustenbach wrote to Luis Miranda and Walker on the 29th April 2016, he wrote this about a possible donor: “David is hoping to chat with the Chair today about party fundraising and also the money to fund the convention. How the public funds/subsidies for the convention were cut by Congress and that since then the amounts individuals can give to the convention, and the parties more generally, have gone up. Does this help the party in the age of SuperPACs?”. David Goldstein happens to be the National Editor of McClatchy Newspapers.

Litigation against the DNC in Arizona:

On the 29th April 2016 this came up: “FELDMAN, ET AL. V. ARIZONA SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE, ET AL. – LITIGATION HOLD NOTICE – YOUR ASSISTANCE AND RESPONSE REQUIRED – ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGED/WORK PRODUCT” (…) “You are receiving this message because you may have materials potentially related to a voting-rights case in which the DNC is a plaintiff, Leslie Feldman, et al. v. Arizona Secretary of State’s Office, et al., D. Ariz. No.CV-16-01065-PHX-DLR. This lawsuit challenges three aspects of Arizona elections: (1) Maricopa County’s allocation of polling locations; (2) Arizona’s practice of not counting provisional ballots cast out of precinct; and (3) Arizona’s prohibition on ballot collection. This message contains instructions you must follow in connection with this matter until you receive further instructions from legal counsel” (… )” The allegations and statements in the Complaint (a copy of which is attached to this message), including, but not limited to, any documents that are in any way related to your, your members’ or your constituents’ experiences voting in Arizona generally and, specifically, in the 2016 presidential preference election, Maricopa County’s allocation of polling locations, Arizona’s rejection of provisional ballots cast out of precinct, and Arizona’s prohibition on ballot collection; * Get-out-the-vote, voter registration, voter assistance, or voter education efforts that you have or will engage in in Arizona , including documents related to any money and/or resources expended in relation to the same” (… )” Lindsey Reynolds | Chief Operating Officer Democratic National Committee”.

Clinton Campaign TV

On Money Laundering claims for the DNC:

““The suggestion there’s anything unusual about our joint victory funds has no basis in the law or reality. Independent experts like the Election Law” (…) “The money raised by the joint victory funds, even when the money goes to the DNC, still helps state parties. The funds help strengthen, for example, our national voter file and communications, research and digital support for state parties and down ballot candidates. That includes training across a variety of areas, for example, and access to media monitoring and rapid response support. This is helping the Party right NOW build the infrastructure we need for the general election”. This was quotes written by Luis Miranda, the DNC Communication Director, who sent this mail to Graham M. Wilson is a lawyer in Perkins Coie LLP, after he accepted the quotes. While the Chief Executive Officer of the DNC Amy K. Dacey wrote this today: “I like it with this additional thoughts”.

As this story continues:

Mark Plaustenbach wrote this on the 30th April to Luis Miranda: “The DNC offered to engage in the same joint fundraising efforts with all the major presidential candidates early in the cycle and we welcome the efforts of the candidates to help raise money for the DNC and state parties now to ensure we can build out the infrastructure to win in November”. His answer on the 2nd May 2016 we’re: “The suggestion there’s anything unusual about our joint victory funds has no basis in the law or reality, as recognized by numerous independent experts that have looked at this. The fact is both campaigns signed on to similar agreements. While only one campaign is currently using their joint victory fund we encourage both of our campaigns to identify opportunities to support the national and state Democratic parties now so that we can continue to build the infrastructure to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot in November”.

On the So-Called DNC rigging Clinton:

On the 3rd May 2016, the advice to counter Bernie Sanders claimed for rigged election in favor of Clinton, Marc E. Elias wrote: “My suggestion is that the DNC put out a statement saying that the accusations the Sanders campaign are not true. The fact that CNN notes that you aren’t getting between the two campaigns is the problem. Here, Sanders is attacking the DNC and its current practice, its past practice with the POTUS and with Sec Kerry. Just as the RNC pushes back directly on Trump over “rigged system”, the DNC should push back DIRECTLY at Sanders and say that what he is saying is false and harmful the the Democratic party”.

On 5th May 2016 a mail about certain vetted givers was Lawrence Benson who we’re wiring USD 50k to the Hillary Clinton Campaign and sending a baseball that he wanted to get signed, as the one he had from 2008 got stolen. At the same mail from Andy, this expectation was set: “Separately, I’m hoping for a six-figure wire from Eric Schoenberg in the next few days”.

The Hillary Clinton campaign through their own goodwill vetted Black Lives Matter activist DeRay McKesson, The DNC wanted him vetted as a surrogate for Hillary Clinton on the 16th May 2016. River Chadwick wrote this on a mail about him the 16th of May: “Finance asked us to vet DeRay to act as a surrogate, possibly with the Chair, at an upcoming event. He has been an issue since 9/2015 with no updates for his involvement in Black Lives Matter protests. I believe he is currently running for Mayor of Baltimore”.

Rubenstein Ad

On the 17th May 2016 lawyer Jonah M. Wilson sent a mail to Karina Marquez as he said this, also with security clearance so he come to a fund-raiser for the Clinton Campaign: “I will be buying two tickets – for $20,000. I would like to pay by check. We can wire the funds. Can you provide wire instructions? This is being done at the request of Robert Rubenstein”. By the morning on 18th May 2016, he had wired 20k to the DNC. By the evening Clayton Cox we’re triumphantly writing: “$20k wire in!”.

If this wasn’t interesting, then I don’t know what it is. This proves how certain part of the Campaign works for the DNC, one of the biggest parties in the world and also a key component in the “Democratic” tradition of the United States. So there you have it, this might not be televised. Peace.

Zimbabwe war veterans turn on “dictator” Mugabe, exposing rifts (Youtube-Clip)

“Zimbabwe’s National Liberation War Veterans’ Association has denounced President Robert Mugabe as dictatorial, manipulative and egocentric. It’s issued a strongly-worded statement in Harare saying it will no longer support Mugabe. The Association says the Zanu-PF leadership has failed to address the country’s mounting economic problems. The war veterans have traditionally been president Mugabe’s strongest backers.  The surprise revolt comes after a series of recent nationwide anti-government protests” (SABC Digital, 2016)

Seemingly the Ugandan Government bailing-out corporations… or is it way of Mzee to give monies to his loyal cronies?

Scambailouts Uganda

There are talks of bailing out businesses or corporations in Uganda, as the failing; it is not only the Republic of Uganda or the Government of Uganda is striking more and more debt to fulfil the budgets. As that happens, the businesses together with Ugandan Banks are sustaining investments and fiscal monetary situation for industries and businesses; something that is occurring with a steady pace.

The Steady Progress from the National Resistance Movement comes with a price of loyalty of the cronies and the elite; that happen to be fundraising for the NRM-O before the General Election of 2016 and building the famous “NRM-House”, for some strange reason never sees the light of day. Dwindling away in T-Shirt Money and other ways of funding the expensive campaign of ruling regime.

Here is some of the companies and some information on them. There are many more, but this shows certain levels of questions and also, the needed for funding should be gone, except if the owners have allegiance to the NRM-Regime. So it seems like the Executive wants them to have debt and all of a sudden he needs to save them.

Shumuk

Shumuk Aluminium who has failed on loans; these loans are Shs. 8.2bn to DFCU Bank, Shs. 6.6bn to Baroda Bank and Shs. 17bn to Crane Bank. The Shumuk Group have been an industrial manufacture that has made everything from steel to plastic bottles in Uganda since 1984. That is now troubled in debt, has also gotten donor-aid or grants through Danish Aid in 2008 on the level of USD 170.102 and in 2006 a total USD 167.940.; Still with time been able to get unsustainable, really?

Roofing Steel Mines have failed loans; Shs. 201bn to IFC and Shs. 8bn to Diamond Trust Bank. Company’s assets supposed to be Shs. 15bn. It’s a company that has existing since 1994. “Mr. Sikander Lalani, Roofings Group has recently completed its ambitious expansion plan by commissioning Roofings Rolling Mills (RRM) limited, a Ugx320 billion(US$127 million) mega project which is set to change the face of steel manufacturing in the East African Region. This state of the art complex is located in Kampala Industrial Business Park, Namanve” (Constructionreviewonline.com, 2013). In 2014: “Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and his wife Jacqueline were the chief guests at the Serena event, hailing the Lalani family for creating jobs for Ugandans in their business empire and contributing to economic development of Uganda” (Scoop.co.ug, 24.01.2014). Apparently now the business of Lalani is creating a debt issue and not jobs.

BM Steel has debt of Shs. 66bn. President Museveni said this about the company in the 2015: “The recycled steel that is being produced by Casements, Roofings, Tembo Steel, BM Steel (Mwebesa), Modern Steel etc. cannot be used for very high-rise buildings, hydro-power dams etc. It does not have that strength” (Museveni, 29.04.2015). With this in mind the quality of the steel is low, but their debt is still raising, and the same apparently with Roofing as well, who has debt. Worrying sign?

Salim Selah NAPIL

Namunkekera Agro Processing Industries Ltd (NAPIL) has an outstanding debt of Shs. 4.8bn to the Uganda Development Bank. It was incorporated 25.06.2007. It is a business run by the family member of President Museveni, General Salim Selah. In 2015 Gen. Selah said this: “made these remarks as he toured 40 agriculture projects under the umbrella of Namunkekera Agro Processing Industries Limited (NAPIL) in Kapeeka” (NTV Uganda, 20.03.2015). So the Government will on this bail-out the family member for his miscalculation on the Agricultural investment.

Job Coffee got a debt of Shs. 21.3bn to Stanbic Bank. In the month of September 2014 number 7 exporters from Uganda, with 7,960 bags of coffee. Total market share of 2013/2014 we’re 1.97%. What has happen since is not easy to know, but what is certain is that they have accumulated debt.

Simba Group owned by Patrick Bitature has debts of Shs. 210bn. In 2012 Forbes wrote this about him: “Bitature is the founder and chairman of Simba Telecom, East Africa’s largest mobile phone retailer with over 100 modern retail outlets in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya Telecom. The company is also the largest mobile phone airtime distributor in the region. Bitature owns Protea Hotels Kampala, a 5-star hotel located in the upmarket suburb of Kololo in Kampala. He is also chairs the Uganda Investment Authority and Umeme, an energy distribution firm which is gearing up for an IPO on the Uganda Stock Exchange” (Nsehe, 06.11.2012). In 2015 in the African Report said this: “When asked about his net worth, he says: “That I don’t talk about. I have shares in listed companies in London, Johannesburg and here. The share prices keep changing. All I know is that I have a portfolio of different companies.” He says Simba Group employs more than 1,700 people” (Mbanga, 19.06.2015). Certainly he should talk about his net-worth now as his being bailed-out in Uganda, maybe he should sell some of the companies in London and Johannesburg, if he is as rich as that or maybe it is just big-talk?

Freedom City

Grapes Construction has a debt of Shs. 100bn to Stanbic Bank. Who owns the Freedom City Mall in Kampala; The owner of Grapes Construction is subsidiary of Grapes Group who is owned by John Ssebalamu. In 2014 he had an issue with the Kenyan renter at the mall of the Company UCHUMI: “At the end of last year, it emerged that Ssebalamu the owner of Freedom City had sued UCHUMI for failure to pay him arrears amounting to over Shs340million” (Red Pepper, 2014). In 2015 he had monies to spend on the NRM: “John Ssebalamu shs100M”. This Shs. 100m was going to build the NRM House, so the coins given seems to give back profits. (Xclusive.co.ug, 28.06.2015).

Sojovalo Hotel has debt of Shs. 8.3bn to the Kenya Commercial Bank. The owner William George Kajoba also gave Shs 50M to the NRM House(Xclusive.co.ug, 28.06.2015). So with this new project from the government, the pledge in 2015 gave a hand back to the businessman and his Hotel close to the Kabaka in Kampala.

Krone Limited Uganda

Krone Uganda Limited owes Shs. 2.5bn to the Tropical Bank; the business has 3.000 empolyees. Krone Uganda Ltd is the largest miner and exporter of wolfram (tungsten). In the Daily Monitor in 2015, this was written about the company: “the ministry refused to allow them export three containers – 20 metric tons of wolfram worth about Shs1.4 billion ($450,000) that is stuck in various warehouses. They are charged Shs640, 000 ($200) every day as “demurrage” (charges that the charterer pays to the ship-owner for its extra use of the vessel) since February” (Musisi, 18.07.2015). So the government own policy on mining and Value-Added Producing is the reason behind the debt growth of Krone Uganda Limited.

MS Frank Ssonko Ltd owes Shs3.5bn to the Crane Bank, but got assets worth Shs. 9.9bn. Another one is Ahmed Zziwa owes Shs. 10bn, but has assets worth Shs. 20bn. Ahmed Zziwa are the owner of Anglo Fabric (Bolton) limited who imports and sells soap in Uganda. Steven Mukasa owes Shs. 10bn. While having Shs. 40bn in assets. Even owning land on Makerere University, at the level of 8 Acres and even at one point was putting Prof. Baryamureba for stealing Shs. 140m of building material from him in 2010. So he must be NRM guy!

I hope this was enough for now. Not to talk about too much tax-money given away in the name of saving them, instead of making the rich even richer! Peace.

Uganda: Single Entry Visa goes from 100USD to 50USD (15.07.2016)

Uganda Single Entry Visa July 2016