


GoU – ‘Banning the Recruitment and Deployment of Domestic Workers to Saudi Arabia and Other Countries (22.01.2016)







I have now written down quotes from the 11th Value for Money reports from the Auditor General in Uganda of 2015, and we are in campaign season, so let’s see what the government can say about their own accountability and such. Beginning with this:
“Annual Report of the Auditor General to Parliament prepared under the Directorate of Value for Money and Specialized Audits. This Volume contains summary reports of the 11 Value for Money (VFM) audits undertaken during the Audit Year ending 31st December 2015”.

Let me begin with the MoWE:
“Water sources constructed were generally functional except for instances in Mbale, Rakai and the non-functional tap heads in Bundibugyo” (P: 23). Quick comment: So the ones they we’re building we’re from the get-go not functioning; what the need to use money to taps is and pipes that don’t work. Good work from the Government of Uganda.
Procurement in Ministry of Water and Environment (MoWE):
“Some districts i.e. Bundibugyo and Kamwenge executed works using “Force account” method of procurement without first obtaining a waiver from PPDA contrary to the procurement rules and regulations. While using this method of procurement the districts also irregularly deposited public resources on personal accounts of district employees without any justification which exposes grant funds to misuse” (P: 23). Comment: So the ones buying can by without showing the need or getting rights to use government funds to use them, so he can buy toothpaste for his kids without showing any report of where the money went? Good to know.
Last quote from MoWE:
“Delays in the payment for goods and services to Suppliers / Consultants / Contractors were observed. In some cases such delays exceeded 100 days with some noted for exceeding 180 days” (P: 25). Comment: There is 360 days in a year, 180 is half, 100 days is over three months; That is the shortest for waiting to be paid for delivered service to the ministry; If your unlucky than it can be up to 6 months. Half a year! Can’t you just tell directly that you weren’t sure you had the money to pay for the service in the first place? Since you expect that certain business who you work with has to wait that long for payment!
Utilization of the District Water and Sanitation Conditional Grant (DWSCG):
“A total of UGX 161 Billion was released by MoFPED to the 111 districts as the grant funds over the 3 years period under review. Out of this, UGX 30.8 Billion was received by the 20 districts that comprised the sample of this study” (P: 60). Here is one of the tests that the OAG did and found: “Audit established that Bundibugyo and Kamwenge executed procurements and works amounting to UGX 192,761,460 and UGX 64,571,498 respectively using force account method of procurement without seeking approval from PPDA as required. Force account is a method where the Procuring and Disposing Entity (PDE) procures materials and undertakes the works with the supervision of a technically qualified staff – in this case, the District Engineer and the District Water Officer” (P: 64). Comment: Here it’s more buying of the DWSCG or a department locally without checking procedure, just buying blindly what they need, though doing it and without supervision so the quality control for much of the bought equipment is done unsupervised.
Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) on Gender and Quality:
“47 government officers from the selected sectors were sponsored for a two-week training in gender and equity budgeting. However the training was mostly funded by donors, which was not sustainable” (P: 31-32). Comment: So the government can’t allocate money for training of their own and has to get the cash to educate their own staff from abroad, sounds not like development or steady progress, but a misuse of money, since you can’t cough up money to educate your own bureaucrats.

On Rice Development:
“The Promotion of Rice Development (PRiDe) project is a successor to three projects by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) projects: Agriculture Improved Rice and NERICA dissemination and Sustainable irrigated rice project (SIAD)” (P: 39). Quotes on the PRiDe: “PRiDe project has not established a system for collection, recording analysis and reporting of rice data and hence it was difficult to establish with certainty the progress the project was making towards the achievement of the set production targets” (…)”MAAIF should work out modalities that enable rice millers to access funding to acquire the required equipment like the mills, destoners and graders that will be used in improving the quality of rice produced” (P: 39-40). Comment: There isn’t any way to monitor the project or the progress, so they can build a stairway to heaven with the cash for what we know and not initially do any research on how to make rice better or yield better in Uganda.
More on the Rice Project:
“noted that although UGX 2,500,000 was paid to the database developer as part payment of the contract amount of UGX 5,000,000, the database was not yet in operation by the time of the Audit (January 2015) and the rice web page had not been developed.. Furthermore, Audit notes that UGX 21,232,912 was paid out to various staff to collect data from farmers and millers to update the non-operational database. Failure by MAAIF to operationalize a rice website and database denies the rice stakeholders access to vital rice information” (P: 217). Comment: There been paid out money to collect data, but not organize it, so it is lost at some office of the Ministry. Instead of being able for people looking at the experience of yielding rice or making rice better.
Performance of Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF):
“According to the project proposal document, GoU was expected to contribute about UGX Four (4) Billion for the five years (FY 2012/13 to FY 2016/17) as counterpart funding. However, the review of MAAIF PRiDe project expenditure documents indicates that only UGX 1,482,409,718 has been released to the project. The released funds represent only 37% of the amount anticipated for three financial years (2012/2013, 2013/2014, 2014/2015) and yet the project has less than two years to close. The failure of government to honour its obligation of providing the budgeted counterpart funding may affect the MAAIFs ability to sustain rice activities beyond the PRiDe project” (P: 223). Comment: Here it has been just dropped 37% of the funds in three financial years, while having two years left. That means that 31,5% of the funds have to be released in each year that are left; so the accounted money will go to the rice activities. Instead they have in three years used 37% of the total, and have to use close to the same each year. That doesn’t seem to happen unless they are starting to waste without waiver and procurement as the MoWE in Bundibugyo?

On External Debt:
Utilization of the Public Debt from the MoFPED (Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development):
“In Uganda, public debt is managed by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) in liaison with Bank of Uganda (BoU). Government of Uganda (GoU) external borrowing has risen over the years from (United States Dollars) USD 3.71 billion in Financial Year (FY) 2012/13 to USD 9 billion FY 2014/15” (P: 40). Comment: In two years going up USD 4 Billion from 2012/13 to 2014/15. That should be worrying for the economy getting this bigger debt burdens that gives the economy more interests rates to pay back to donors and banks who lent them, instead of development.
External debt overview:
“The Auditor General in his annual report further noted that commitment fees paid during the year 2012/2013 had increased by 40% from UGX9.023 billion in 2011/2012 to UGX12.7billion in 2012/2013” (P: 226). Comment: Following up the first comment on the debt, as the more loans you have, them more interest rates you pay to the lenders and banks. This here is expected things. Though this leave less money to be allocated to what the government needs and let more percentage of the budget go back to paying on debt, instead of investing or allocating to something sustainable, but then you need donors to training your own bureaucrats.
Paying back the debt on time:
“Failure to absorb borrowed funds within the specified timeframe of the projects has led to an increase in the cost of debt to Government in form of commitment fees and fines. This is because creditors, such as African Development Bank, Exim Bank of China, and African Development Fund, among others, charge a fixed rateon the loan amount that is yet to be disbursed. Government paid a sum of USD 26.8m in form of commitment charges between FY 2007/8 and 2014/15. The commitment fees paid peaked in FY 2013/14 amounting to USD 5.1m” (…)”the contractors for Tororo-Lira power line and Mbarara – Nkenda charged Government fees for implementation delays to the tune of UGX 23,353,168,480 and UGX 18,221,868,081182, respectively, which further increased the cost of the projects to Government” (P: 232-233). Comments: While the worry has been for more and more stacked up loans. Then the more increase fees paid for the loans that the Government of Uganda has gotten over time. With this knowledge the government and ministry who control the use of money should be sure of paying back the lenders and banks that facilitated the loans. This lead to more debt and fines to the government because they are not doing the job or delivering as promised back to the banks.
Continues:
“Although funds release performance improved from 22.2% as reported in the 2010 audit report to 71%, MoFPED was still unable to ensure a 100% release performance as promised” (P: 41). Comment: That the ministry can’t ensure that the payments are being served and secured after they had no issues getting the loans for the projects and other development programs, then they should ensure and make funds ready to pay back the fees, interest rates and fines for not releasing over the debt.

Construction of Jinja Market under MATIP:
“Originally the preliminary designs for the market considered four floors at an estimated cost of USD 13.3 Million; however the cost estimate was found to be higher than the project ceiling of USD 10 million” (…)”The original contract sum for construction of the Jinja central market was UGX.28,679,485,336; this was revised to UGX.32,335,198,075 vide addendum no.1 of UGX.3,655,828,962 (VAT inclusive) of 11th September 2014 incorporating additional works related to preliminaries, demolitions, lower ground floor extension from grid 10-12, storm water drainage, stall improvement works, slabs over entry voids, roof improvements and additional security requirements” (P: 43). Comment: Here is just a one project that has gone over the estimated limited and set up of a modern market in Jinja, the Local Government didn’t check the quality of the works and also didn’t do enough monitoring of the project as well. So the basic construction and planning of it haven’t been done that well, when you look at the level of extra expenditure.
Regulation of Construction from by the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT):
“The enactment of the UCICO Bill had been planned to be effected by 30th June 2012 but to date (5 years down the road) not much progress has been achieved. The major objectives of the bill were to establish the Uganda Construction Industry Commission to regulate and coordinate the construction industry, register contractors, consultants and other service providers engaged in the national construction industry” (P: 49). And this: “Out of the budgeted amount of UGX 1.4bn, the Ministry received a sum of UGX 1.02bn to cater for the development of the legislation under the programme for public structures as detailed” (P: 51). Comment: That the monitoring unit doesn’t exist while more and more roads cost then estimated, also with little progress of securing the funds used through the UNRA, there should be questioned why the government doesn’t want this transparency unit under the ministry and also checking the builder who seeks private contractors through UNRA.

Regulation of the Ministry and Energy and Mining:
“In efforts to revitalize the mining sector in Uganda, the licensees in the mining business have not been able to get support from banks here in Uganda because the mining industry has just begun to pick up after acquisition of new geological data. This gap of lack of financial support has a negative implication on the licensing process and mining operations, inhibiting the mining sector from developing as any other sector in the country. However, the Ministry will improve by sensitizing the banks on mining business to enable licensees get access to financing of their mining investment projects. In addition, the ministry will take extra care in screening mining applications and plans” (P: 104). Comment: That the banks don’t help the bank-industry. The laws is not yet set in fruition so that the companies in the mining business have proper banking operation, that means the mining industry seems as wild-west if the banks can’t monitor it properly?
Picture of Companies without returns!
“The DGSM takes note of this observation. The MEMD has continued to lobby the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Parliament of Uganda to make available adequate budget allocations for monitoring and inspections of mining and exploration operations to effectively manage enforcement of working obligations by licensees” (P: 107). Comment: Well, if you see how the banks are not build for the mining industry. This here is a follow-up and this is the second level of monitoring the mining industry and its exploration operations. Initially they have to wait for licensees and pay for them through the banks, to get sufficient structure through the banks to the ministry.
Affected persons of the late payment or compensations for work:
“This was the case with the Tororo-Lira power line project where 137 project affected persons since 2012 to date, claim UGX 3,084,420,624 in way leaves compensations and as a result 156 towers that had been established are not strung to date. Along the Mbarara- Nkenda power line since 2010, 60 project affected persons had unresolved way leaves compensation disputes to the tune of UGX 7,042,469,385 by the time of audit. Additionally, along the Mbarara- Mirama section of the NELSAP power line, 5 project affected persons claim UGX 1,143,401,900 in way leave compensations since 2013. This delayed the stringing phase of the projects because relay towers had not been erected in these areas of disputes” (P: 241). Comment: This is the same as the late payments earlier where business had to wait until 180 days. This here is another ministry, but the same kind of business structures and projects get disputes that leaves the levels of compensations to higher levels. That is shown the doubling of values in the audit as shown by the OAG this time. From UGX 3 Billion to UGX 7 Billion; that is a massive growth and added expenses on the set projects that the General Auditor has shown in the report.
I think the comments on each quotes is enough. Because they speak enough for themselves and the questions on how they used the governmental monies proves the validity on the matter and mismatches on the procurements. The scariest situation is with the rising debt and how the Ministry is dealing with the matter. Peace.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a US $76.7-million loan to finance phase two of the Uganda Farm Income Enhancement and Forestry Conservation Programme (FIEFOC-2).
The programme, which was commended by the AfDB Board on Wednesday, January 20 for its good design and high-impact development objectives, comprises agriculture infrastructure and agribusiness development activities as well as an integrated natural resources management scheme aimed to consolidate and expand key achievements of its predecessor (phase one), which was completed in December 2012.
Designed within the context of Uganda’s National Development Plan and long-term development strategy – the Vision 2040 – the Project focuses on improving farm incomes, rural livelihoods, food security and climate resilience. It will also support sustainable natural resources management and agricultural enterprise development.

In 2013, about 19.7% of the population, or 6.7 million people, were unable to meet their basic needs, according to a Uganda National Household Survey, which also disclosed that the incidence of poverty was highest among the food-crop growing category in the rural areas due to low income. Thus, the programme seeks to increase production and farmer incomes through improvements and expansion of irrigation schemes, development of agribusiness and adoption of sustainable land, forest, and water management practices and technologies to generate income from natural resources.
The programme will be implemented over a five-year period in five districts – Nebbi, Oyam, Butaleja, Kween, and Kasese – where irrigation schemes are located. The districts have an estimated 1.8 million population, 52% of them women. It will also benefit 300,000 households of which 20% are female-headed outside the irrigation command areas, by introducing or improving soil-conservation measures in the catchments feeding the irrigation schemes.
Furthermore, the project is expected to provide technical skills in conservation and other farming practices that promote environmental management and thereby increasing agricultural productivity in the project areas. It will also assist in the formulation and implementation of measures that reduce deforestation and promote agro-forestry which will lead to emission reduction and the protection of carbon reservoirs as part of the Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) agenda. Carbon dioxide (CO2) to be sequestered in 20 years through tree-planting is estimated at 245,000. Training under the project will provide an opportunity for special attention to be given to intensification of climate-smart farming operations.
The project is anchored on the Bank’s Country Strategy for Uganda (2011-2016), which focuses on infrastructure development and increased agriculture productivity as well as human capacity improvement and skills development for poverty reduction. It is also in line with the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy (2013-2022) and High 5s, which prioritize agriculture and food security as one of the key areas for the Bank’s future assistance.
The total cost of the project is estimated at US $91.43 million. In addition to the US $76.7-million AfDB loan, the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) will provide a US $5.6-million grant while the Government of Uganda will contribute US $9.13 million in counterpart funding.

Andrew Mwenda keeps with his flawed logic. Like he has lost the plot and forgotten his traits and his theories of old. But hey, he is hungry and wants to eat. Here is has ploy of arrogance on facebook:
“It is simplistic to argue that Uganda’s problem is Museveni. A better argument is Museveni has failed to solve the problems of Uganda” (…)”Museveni (with Besigye) once told us that getting rid of Obote would be a major step in improving anything. What happened?” (…)”Besigye’s weakness is to personalize Uganda’s problems to Museveni and argue that his removal is all we need. The problems of poverty, weak state, poor Government services and democracy deficit were there before Museveni” (…)“If we fail to diagnose Uganda’s problems, the solutions will always elude us” (Andrew Mwenda, 17.01.2016)
Well, in sum there has gone 29 years of the one-man rule since 1986. There have been many benefactors and Members of Parliament since them, but the main factor in the calculations have been President Museveni. Since he took rule he has marginalized or used tactics to get people loyal to Museveni and not directly to any state institution. Therefore he is a major problem, because if it didn’t really happen, then he didn’t sponsor the benedictional project or program. Museveni could only support a program if he could benefit from it.

That Mwenda has a problem with Besigye is that he is in stark contrast to Museveni. Besigye asks for accountability and transparency something that doesn’t fit the world of development and growth for the editor and creator of the Independent Magazine. Something that is weird considering his past at KFM Radio and trouble for blasting governmental cronyism.
It is true that Museveni isn’t the only problem, but he is the one that creates the problem and feeds the issues, instead of fixing them. He doesn’t mend or complement them. Instead he adds on the weight until he overpowers it; because he has to do what he can rule and control it. Therefore he is the problem, as he is the executive power and the man who has had the majority rule or even rigged himself the majority. So Mwenda must have forgotten that part of the issue, if not he is blind by his own ego.

It is true that all the issues that Mwenda mentioned in the government of Uganda as the bad governance, weak state-institutions and democratic deficit. This was inherited in 1986 from the Obote II and the short-term presidents in between like Yusuf Lule and Tito Okello. So there aren’t all Museveni faults, but he has had the time to fix many of the issues and defects in the governmental structures and democratic facilitation if he really cared about them. It is not like he was sitting for a hot minute and didn’t have the time to fix the corruption of UNRA, NSSF and other state-organizations.
When you see excellent record of higher and higher loan-rate on the government budget for any year, when the value of the currency falls and escalating inflations you can wonder if the government and economical institutions under the regime is for the people or the rich elite who is fed by the government. The Neo-Liberalization of Uganda has lead the government to expand the businesses into every part of society instead of governmental control as the Chicago School of Business wanted in 1970s, with the IMF and World Bank controlled Structural Adjustment Programs (SAP) that demolished state-financed agricultural and subsidized industries that was supposed to be controlled by market-powers instead of supported by tax-money to sustain growth and higher employment rate. The result of inflicting this on the Ugandan economy as the NRM-Regime has done with such a passion is that the business that has no cut for the government has been left astray and the ones that is not strong enough has gone bankrupt. Now Uganda has to imports of finished products and stop of productions from industry and factories in former towns like Jinja. Also with the historical institution of the Uganda Development Corporations, who from the 1950s gave growth through state-funds, and not through direct market power!

That must have been forgotten by the Andrew Mwenda, that President Museveni sold everything to foreigners or liberated the economy to point that the URA can’t tax, or control to tax without losing the control over the sold merchandise. That is why Uganda has one of the lowest rates of taxation on products since the URA doesn’t have the manpower or the regulations to without taxes. They can’t keep up with citizens and movement of money, if they had then they might catch up with more of the embezzlement and corrupted agreements between liberated companies or new structures in the market own by the ruling elite. But that is not good is it? Send cases to the DPP and OAG to fix the matters together with Uganda Anti-Corruption Commission which is so meager that they can’t keep the state of affairs and make government institution accountable, something that President Museveni doesn’t really want them to do, unless he want to get rid of somebody who has the dream of succeeding him. Then they will find something on the man or woman show some of the dirty laundry.
You don’t need to be giant man with much knowledge to diagnose some of the issues that the government of Uganda has to tackle, some the state of affairs and some tangible structures that need to be fixed. The government needs taxation with representation, also need to re-focus the money and also be more accountable for their actions. Not have a one-big-man rule as they have had since 1986 that keeps to eating of the plate, instead of serving the people. That is a problem: a problem that knows that he is the problem, if he stills remember what he studied in the end of 1960s and beginning of 1970 at the University of Dar-Es-Salam in Tanzania. President Museveni should know the issues and know how he made them, or prepared them through his loyal cronies. As Andrew Mwenda seems more like one of his mouth-pieces more as the time goes, instead of pseudo-intellectual as he wishes to portray himself.

This is a direct address to the issue, as he can try to clean his slate, but he has lost the plot. The problem and the real man behind it is President Museveni is only leader and nearly the only one who has been there from the get-go and have ruled so long that he know what has been done differently than under his wings. The reign will not be remembered as the ones who follow the dream story of liberation, but also of eating the riches and wealth while forgetting to feed the public, or let the get opportunity to eat and earn a living.

So Mwenda has a flawed view on the matter, that he at the same time says Besigye is wrong. Besigye has also said that the institutions need accountability and transparency which is starch contrast to Museveni. Something that is vital to rebuild them and prove that the government institutions are for the people and not the Executive to eat of. So if that have to change then the public funds and public expenditure together with strengthen them, not in ownership of the executive but by giving the civil servants power to execute the necessary flows of technical assistance or regulations to let the teachers, policemen, judges and bureaucrats to do their initial service to the public; now they are handpicked men to serve the executive. That is problem because the paycheck from the executive is more important than doing their job to the public who need the men to secure their daily life and be there to safely govern the territories of the state.

As we can see Mwenda has judged the matter very easy without thinking it through, if he has then his logic is very flawed as President Museveni is a problem in state clogged with issues and the problems. There isn’t a way solution to it all, how to fix the economy is there many theories, though the stability of the currency and inflation should be the first, also secure low loans-rate so that the growth can be similar to the inflation rate. There is also the level of building trust between government institutions and people as they are supposed to be connected and for each other. Not letting the state and its institutions being on an island, and when they need the public hire a ferry to let the visit. That is not the idea of the state, the state is supposed to be mirrored in the people with transparency and accountability where the public can question the behavior of the rulers, governors and mayors, as they are set to represent the public, not just execute the laws and regulations without mercy, then the government is an totalitarian state, where justice will not prevail unless you are on good term with the head or executive power on the top. That is how the system is now with government of Uganda. We can easily see that he is one of the major factors, why President Museveni is the elephant in the room when you discuss progress and development issues in the country, since he can decide where to go or who to hire to fix it.
That is it. Peace.

KAMPALA–The U.S. Government, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), transferred the recently completed construction of the National Health Laboratory in Kampala to the Ministry of Health on Friday, January 15. U.S. Mission Uganda’s Chargé d’Affaires Trish Mahoney and Minister of State Chris Baryomunsi presided at the handover ceremony.
The National Health Laboratory project began in 2012 when the Ministry of Health requested the assistance of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support the construction of a laboratory to address critical gaps in Uganda’s health service delivery system. Funding for the National Health Laboratory construction came from CDC and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. Construction began in 2013, and the more than $8 million facility is now completed and has been transferred to the Ministry of Health.
The National Health Laboratory will strengthen all of Uganda’s health systems by providing a valuable resource for the detection, control and ongoing surveillance of the diseases which impact the health and productivity of Ugandans. While the priority of this new facility will be HIV diagnosis, prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV and viral load monitoring capacity, many other disease areas and health needs will benefit from this lab. The Ministry’s sickle cell and Hepatitis B virus screening and the WHO-supported meningitis, cholera and typhoid screening program will make use of this facility. The National Health Laboratory could also be used for confirmation of bacterial disease outbreaks and for malaria diagnostics.
At the handover ceremony, Chargé d’Affaires Trish Mahoney noted, “This building represents our partnership with the people of Uganda and our commitment to helping Uganda build its future. We will continue to work with the Government of Uganda and the Ministry of Health in the coming years to strengthen Uganda’s health infrastructure and ensure it becomes strong, efficient and self-sustaining.”
For additional information, please contact:
Dorothy Nanyonga
Information Assistant
U.S. Mission Uganda

Well, the day finally came and the Presidential Candidates of these elections have step-up to the plate and showed their platform while certain journalists would keep them in check.
Even UMEME had to tell the public today:
“#UGDEBATE16. We have standby teams to ensure you enjoy the presidential debate. All teams clothed, cars fueled, and tools in hand to ensure any outage is resolved as quickly as possible”.
Well, the UMEME has been reported that in Fort Portal, Entebbe, Jinja and so many other places the electricity went down so that the citizens couldn’t get the feed and watch the debate, even in parts of Kampala the power went off in Ntinda, Kiwatule, Naalya, Njeera around 21:00PM. This is just a little trait’s of the reported suspicious malfunctions and glitches in the system that let a lot’s off people lose the live feed, because Mzee was busy having his campaign rally in Bushenyi and wouldn’t let the people listen to the rest of the Presidential candidates. He was moving his mouth and brain there while the rest of candidates where explaining their manifestoes and programs in a civilian and peaceful manner to the citizens and the world.
There will be many set of commentaries on this, I am sure mine will be biased as, well as it should be, because this will be that. First my favorite quotes, then what I think about their performance. Seems fair right?

One memorable quote from each candidate:
Joseph Mabirizi said: “I am the only candidate who has Plan A, Plan B and Plan C. I won’t allow vote rigging so please vote me in”.
Amama Mbabazi said: “My clear answer is that I am not aware of election rigging. I have heard some stories, but I have no personal knowledge”.
Professor Baryamureeba said: “oil companies must publish what they pay to Gov’t and Gov’t should publish what it earns from oil so far”.
Maureen Faith Kyala said: “There is more tear gas at every police post as compared to medicine in the hospitals”.
Abed Bwanika said: “I have never mentioned that Baganda should support me, I asked for support from the people in Buganda”.
Gen. Biraaro said: “The only soldier who has been in power lives in state house, this regime has not served me well, that’s why I am here”.
Dr. Kizza Besigye said: “The real change is that power moves from those with guns to the citizens that is the project I am working on. The urgent change that our country needs is empowerment of our citizens. I have promised that in every Ugandan will walk with swagger”.

The moderators that the organizers put in place we’re BBC’s Newsday programme presenter, Allan Kasujja and KTN’s Nancy Kacungira. The one who was persistent with the candidates was really Kasujja, but it seemed that he was not a fan of Besigye, since he always cut him of in the middle of reasoning and addressing a question he had.
Kacungira was more the soft spoken mediator who levelled the hardheaded Kasujja, at one point I was waiting to see the red-eye-machine in light from wall to turn into the shades of mediator; so he would look a macho terminator. But that was just me.

Professor Bayra got the questions first, but didn’t earn that well, his quotes got easily forgotten and his stamina during the debate died down. I am sure in writing as professor he could have argued with strength, but he proved more to mayoral of a town in the eastern town in Tororo district then being a president. He has the words and etiquette of leadership, but doesn’t have the program or manifesto to really seem deemed for a lower-level position, as he has already been in-charge of the university of Makerere.

Maureen Faith Kayala seemed more focused on her gender as the questions tended to become focused on that. She was also on her own will more directly telling the issues of Busoga instead of the national issues, seems like she should become an MP for the district or a sub-county fitted for her in the area, since it’s also where she has moved the most and campaigned. When she hasn’t been lost in London; she could be more interesting with time and like wine become better in her game, but right now she is unfinished and seems to scattered to focus national.

Joseph Mabirizi must have had bad advice or lost his tongue at some point. Seem like he was stressed by the cameras and public watching his every move. He was walking through the wilderness stuttering and thinking… pounding the matters into the first thing that pop-up into his mind and wasn’t really address the question properly while saying it in such a fashion he was cracking Ugandans up, instead of making sense of the political issues. If he will gain crowds in the same stage as Professor Joel, no wait, Professor Joel should have come in President Museveni place, well, we come to the shadow of Bushenyi later!

Gen. Benon Biraaro the NRA historical who stood firm and was very apologetic in his tone. Much more than I expected he seemed clearer than and not as aggressive as the reports from the campaign trail. This man made more sense and was intelligent. Something I was not expected to say. But if this will make a giant difference in his whole campaign, I doubt it. The thing is that he will be more respected for his attitude and progression then some of his peers by the mere fact on how he precieve the matters.

Abed Bwanika was a gentle surprise and show lots of character at the debate. He had a much bigger presence then I expected, he ate of the hands and was shining actually. This was unexpected since he seems very uninteresting while following the campaign trail. The candidate showed that he had class and also thought through manifesto and plans for development.

Now I will take the two big-men who was at the shin-ding and debate the two of the three since the ghost of the event where in districts campaigning thinking that UMEME let the public miss the debate as they was ordered too. Who is the fool now? If his men will tell him something is that the Twitter #UgandaDecides and #UgandaDebate16 was going hectic in the hours. Before the start even discussion and had the spotlight of CNN telling about the historic event happening in the country that Mzee had to miss, because Ofwono Opondo and Mike Mukula said it was waste of time, seems like Bushenyi was really wasting time. For the NRM-members this must have been time is a wasting!

Let me continue on the two last candidates while done with Mzee and NRM for the moment, just have to throw a snag at them. They deserve them. Well, Hon. Amama Mbabazi, Mr. 30 years under the NRM and parts of the NRA. He was very defensive. Extremely defensive except for the matters of the detaining and Christopher Aine; also cleaning his hands on the land deal with NSSF which have followed him and still be a torn in his flesh. It did seem like he never was ready for the debate or that all the questions from the other candidates. It was like hot-water into a glass and not a cup that he wasn’t ready to hold it while drinking it. He addressed things more as an former NRM Prime Minister than actually address the Go-Forward manifesto or wishes. The most extreme was that he hadn’t heard or could talk well about the borrowing money that the government has done; and that it was a good thing! That bugs me and shows that he was just washing his hands instead of taking leadership, showing character like Gen. Biraaro og Besigye. So as knowing he was a lawyer before becoming a politician in the NRM, he has lost touch with good arguments that Bwanika and Biraao had compared to him. And they do not have the new machine for elections that Mbabazi has!

The last candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye he had for me a slow start it was a bit out of character for a man who has a gift for speeches and give’s the people show for the money; while at the same time address the matter at hand. This took time to get there and to show his plans to the public about the manifesto of the FDC. Besigye was slow, but had lots of energy when it came after the first commercial break. There where points where there was heavy with questions to him, like the other candidates singled him out, it often came to him or Mbabazi, not like Professor Bayra would ask Mabirizi some governance questions that would just be out of touch with formula of the debate. Besigye came after the accusations of the closeness to the first-family because of his wife, and his answer was clear that they we’re far away anything near them. Also with the answers on economic policies and how it was structured into the agricultural sector, we’re inspiring though sounding alike to Biraaro and Bwanika, though they had the luxury of always to answer before him. So Besigye ideas seemed less enthusiastic since there were modifications compared to them considered to them. I wished for my part that he we’re more on point in the beginning. I am a supporter of Besigye and his cause. Seemed like also one of the moderators tried to stop Besigye from finishing his arguments and answers, more than the other candidates, also cut him generally shorter than for instance Maureen or even Joseph they we’re not stopped in the same way, only Maureen jumped once into the whole madness when it was not her turn; Besigye proved leadership and calmness while growing into the debate and taking more and more space. I got more and more enthusiastic on his part, while feeling sorrow over the ways the Mbabazi was portraying himself like a sorry victim instead of being one of the big-men in the race for presidency.

Now that I have gone through the thing, let’s have one thing clear there was like a way of letting Besigye be last or late like every time while the other candidates got early shots, and also being more direct visible. I don’t know if that was fixed before Mzee we’re part of the event, since the empty seat would have eaten the issues and would have made the debate differently, though he would not have stopped talking while the mediator asked kindly to succeed spotlight to the next candidate. The ghost was there the whole evening since they we’re discussing governance, systematic failure and government inconsistency in general. The men who shined was not one or both presidential candidates who is in the top three. Bwanika and Biraaro had the smart ways of portraying and answering. All the NRA/NRM historical persons answered well, especially Besigye, but this was after his mojo was on fire. He ended the evening on the spark, the other last remarks was more humble and obliged then trying to convince them of voting on them.
What saddens me was the way Kasujja kept his composer and acted kind of differently between the candidates, he acted humble and nice against those who shined in the debate, while Amama Mbabazi and Dr. Kizza Besigye was either asked long-long questions or stopped in the middle of their arguments trying to answer the matter. The other mediator asked shorter and easier question, there wasn’t much fuzz about her and was more trying to keep cool while Mabarizi was answering questions. Mabarizi was like Professor Joel and a funny-character instead of acting as presidential candidate, he didn’t make the funniest face that was Mbabazi who looked lost at one point… The picture from that moment tells more than his answers in the debate, though the debate was not a good luck for Amama Mbabazi. That is clear, I myself have many unanswered questions about his past and what he really wants to achieve in the future.

The biggest and strangest about this is that the incumbent President Museveni, the almighty Mzee, the executive ruler and the one who reign in the land. Mzee have had the first chance to show together with other candidates his true self, instead he loved himself up-country where the people would listen to his voice without being asked any critical questions. If he had been in the studio he would have been shut-down while talking to long and had to answer the questions in a manner he is not used to. Mzee would be out of character and without his spin-doctors to make his message soft and beautiful. They could have prepared him, but he would have entered into the only mode he knows, his voice and his achievements, without seeing the issues that are there. Then he would go defensive like Amama Mbabazi and blame somebody else, since the executive wouldn’t order everything and opposition MPs has issues. Mzee would not be able to address the matter in humble way. But humility and humbleness is not in his ways as we all know. Therefore the empty chair show more his blissful arrogance then the attitude towards the debate. The brief and shallow seat where the camera sometimes went to; especially when the questions on the NRM-Regime were heavy! The NRM was not present or had their presidential candidate at the debate. So there was a lose end, and the losing end was not the other candidates, they had an ability show accountability and transparency towards the public. Something that is unusual and not the norm! The NRM can’t be looking weak and Mzee can’t handle not being seen as the almighty his Excellency instead of being just one of the candidates for the elections. He rather blast them in all of his papers and radios until the 18th February then being a man who could move his mouth and brain in the TV-studio, but being critical of him is a sin, therefore opposition mobilizers and members get jailed, while NRM members who insist on violence get’s supported either by the police force or by NRM organizers, then the police and electoral commission wonders why the FDC candidate have the campaign of defiance, since they taste the endless violence from the NRM-Regime. It would be an interesting event to see if Mzee could have given a proper answer on the matter.
Mediator: “What are your take on the recent election violence and campaign harassment of opposition parties?”
Wonder if Mzee would have had it in him to answer that or if he had gone the IGP Kale Kayihura road, and said it is the laws and people have to follow the rules, secondly there is also bad police and violent opposition so there can’t all be wrong in the NRM or the Police. Well, we didn’t get that kind of fashion because Mzee doesn’t have it in him to be together with the candidates unless he is in the spotlight like when the Papal visit we’re in November 2015. This here was a small-time event for him and Bushenyi was more important.
The other candidates were graceful and tactful, even when asked very critical questions. Hope the next time there will be a mediator who doesn’t act like Kasujja and stop Mbabazi and Besigye constantly while giving space to the other ones. There were some unjustified actions from his part, instead of being a peace maker and making the transition between the candidates going smooth. For me he was the Terminator with those shades and light. But that is just me. Hope this was enough of one evenings debate, and I sure there been pointed out at many venues and media-houses, but this here is how I saw it.
Look forward to the second Live TV Debate in the history of Uganda at the 10th Feburary 2016. When the second live presidential TV debate will be hold, and what a grand event that will be and in the closing stages of the campaign trail. Just a week before the polls and actual voting! Peace.

You might wonder why people still shows up to the Mzee after 29 years. Let me tell you it is not because of his stamina or looks. It is not because of his statesmanship or pledges, even if his governmental policies, none of that that matter; all that is pointless! When it comes to get people to his campaign rallies there are other ways.
On the 11th January he hired the Global buses from Mbarara so there we’re no buses going from Mbarara to Kampala. The where even more hiring nearly every bus in the town was hired to ferry people to the Boma Grounds for the campaign in town. Therefore all lorries and buses where driving shuttle-traffic to get the full stadium that the President wanted that day.

As the campaign rallies going in Mbarara the UPDF or the army held the public so they wouldn’t leave the venue while the campaign rally was going on. Sure the Isingiro clips are hurting his mind and character.
There was the reports coming in that on the 12th January 2016 as well, the buses was hired to ride around in the districts to the venues of Mzee, so the buses was hired from Mbarara and if you thought you we’re travelling to Kampala, you were wrong. Even if maybe there one or two who made it, the most of it went to the districts as the Bus Pack where very silent and empty. As they we’re hired by Mzee. UPDF was even driving around the campaign venue with vuvuzela’s and whistle’s chanting in the town for Mzee.
In 13th January 2016 the NRM needed to do something to get full campaign venues for Mzee so they hired buses and shipped people to the venue in Bushenyi district. They paid the people 20,000 shillings and gave them free yellow t-shirts. As he was in Ibanda there been rumors all over Eastern District that Mbarara we’re there no buses today because they was hired to ship people for the mighty Mzee, who is surely using his war-chest to hire crowds instead of getting crowds to come to him. What a noble idea and what a way to be with the people, I am sure he is going to ship people on the 15th so they can’t watch the Presidential Debate that is useless. Hope they get more than 20,000 shillings for their travel and listening to the rewind of pledges from Mzee. Also, hope you had no plans of travelling from Mbarara to Kampala all buses where in Ibanda under the paid direction of Mzee! Peace.

Background introduction to why FDC couldn’t cross the bridge. It was procured for in 2009 and 2012, but in 2014 some reports said 50% and another said 72% while in the Kumi District there is nothing. The Bridge is not there and the reports tell that the company did not deliver. Okokor Bridge is a project and not finished product a typical NRM business and money spent on nothing instead of delivering steady progress. Let’s take a look!
Preview issues:
PPDA reported this on the report of set contracts on the matter in 2010:
“The Tender for the construction of the Okokor Bridge in Kumi District, cost for the open bidding UGX: 400,037,000. The date awarded the company was on the 9th December 2009. To the company called Ms. MML Road Construction Company Co. Ltd. And the construction by that is on-going” (PPDA, 2010).
“For Okokor bridge Work the contractor has been served with a vacation notice and MoWT will take possession of
the site” (MoWT, June 2014)
Construction of Okokor Bridge in Kumi District:
“This project was intended to connect Nyero and Mukongoro sub-counties in Kumi district. The contract was awarded in October 2011 to M/s MML Road Construction Co. Ltd at a contract price of Ug shs 400,037,000 and a contract period of four months. The works which had progressed up to the deck level in June 2011 were discovered not to be to the desired quality.This contract expired on the 27th September 2010. In the FY 2013/14, the MoWT took over the site since it was abandoned by the contractor. At the time of monitoring in July 2014, the Ministry was in the initial stages of procuring another contractor to complete the works. No works had been carried out since the last time the site was monitored in December 2012″ (MoFED, October 2014).
“On going Projects:” (…)”Okokor (Kumi) – 72%” (MoFED, March 2015).
(MoFED, March 2015)
“Details of Off-Budget Activities carried out by NGOs, Central Government, the Private Sector and Donors: Construction of Okokor Bridge along Kabukol-Kamenya-Nyero district road under Ministry of Works & Transport.
The three biggest challenges faced by the department in improving local government services:
There are issues here and money that are missing while the bridge is certainly not 72% done or 50% ready. So there is a reasons why FDC couldn’t pass the river today. Though I am not in the level that the FDC dropped of 4 Billion shillings wasted on nothing. Still the sums here are high enough and I don’t know if there are older projects of the same bridge that has been unfruitful in Kumi District. Peace.
Reference:
Local Government Budget Framework Paper –‘Vote: 529 Kumi District’ (Written by Ismael Orot) . Financial Year for Paper budget: 2016/2017
Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development- ‘Roads Sector Annual Monitoring Report Financial Year 2013/14’ (October, 2014)
Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development – ‘NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FY 2015/16’ (March 2015).
Ministry of Works and Transport – Ministrial Budget Policy Statement (June 2014)
The Public Procurement Disposal of Public Assets Authority – ‘REPORT ON CONTRACTS AWARDED IN EXCESS OF US$ 100,000 FOR THE PERIOD JULY 2009 TO JUNE 2010’

It’s hard for me to write this in all seriousness. Since I writing about an African President whom himself said this in 1986: “The problem of Africa in general and Uganda in particular is not the people but leaders who want to overstay in power” (Ross, 2011). The President in particular is His Exellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of Uganda for 29 years and counting!
Mzee said this in 1980 while running as a presidential candidate:
“Using a government position to a mass wealth is high treason. If the UPM is not going to be supported because it denounces such methods of getting rich, let it be”.
This he said while campaigning in Bushenyi and Mbarara districts(Weekly Topic, August 27. 1980).
So Mzee have had a few points back in the day and knew this was an issues. Now he deflects them to the extreme, to a point where it nearly get’s boring. Still here is his recents comments on the matter of riches and staying in power.
This was what Mzee said in November 2015:
““I have my own job at home of keeping cattle. Why would I stay when I have been defeated in the elections? I am not power hungry but I have missions to accomplish. I can’t leave without finishing with them” (Kazibwe, 2015).
Well, he has promised to step-down before, doubt he means this for long or even if this utter words was sincere other than for a show. This was for show from Mzee because of the coming Papal visit in Uganda (all seriousness the visit happen around 2 weeks after this interview). Well, let me continue on what he has said over the new-years and his ordinary modus operandi. When the pope has left the country and he could do what he normally do!

Mzee saisd this on 5th January 2016:
“I have been hearing people accusing me of sticking around; that I don’t want to leave government. Why would I want to stay in government?” (…)”First of all I am a very rich man. I have a lot of wealth and therefore it cannot be riches that I am seeking in government” (Waswa, 2016).
Well, you have in been in power since 1986. That is sticking around for a while in government and as executive power for nearly three decades. We know you are rich you have a giant farm in Ankole, you and your families own a dozen businesses, some hotels and even some transport businesses as well. You started earning big bucks on transport under the DRC war in the 90s, but that is a nearly forgotten chapter for you and your brother Salim Selah, right? Still you’re in government because you fear what will happen if you leave it. Especially when there is oil-money soon coming into the accounts of Uganda and you want that slice to. The minerals and wood from Kisangani will be small-fry a bogoya. Well, we know about that and as your businesses and family businesses can be lost if you leave government. Therefore you want to secure those, it is a valid argument to stick around in government for wealth as man men make their wealth that way, one of the reason why you went to the bush to eradicate corruption and embezzlement. Well, that chapter is also forgotten and loyal cronies is more and more important therefore we have NRM-Independent and NRM Flag-Bearers in the coming elections, this is new and the NRM-Independents are breach of inner-party law. We know it is okay as long as Mzee,says it’s okay; he even pays the fees for the NRM-Independents to the Electoral Commission. This is to gain their loyalty as well as the ones the members picked in the district and sub-county. That is beautiful right? So, that is the reason why people wonder why you stick around and what can you do now that you haven’t already done? Still, let’s continue to the 10th January 2016.

Mzee said this on 10th January 2016:
“cannot leave power now because all he planted has started bearing fruits” (…)”Those who say, let him go, let him go, they need to know that this is not the right time. This old man who has saved the country, how do you want him to go? How can I go out of a banana plantation I have planted that has started bearing fruits?” (…)”We can’t be in the middle of a forest and want the old man to go. This is not right. We must concentrate on development, my time will come and I will go. I don’t fear going because I have where to go, but we must first see where we go” (…)”We can’t be in the middle of a forest and want the old man to go. This is not right. We must concentrate on development, my time will come and I will go. I don’t fear going because I have where to go, but we must first see where we go” (Rumanzi, 2016).
Now he is proclaiming that he has made a country into a banana-plantation, where it is finally bearing fruits. That means sweat bananas with good yields. That must be from the mustards seed he planted in 1986. Wait, this isn’t a mustard farm, but still the metaphor can be extended to the Banana farm. Yes, he has made the country into a Banana farm or should I say a banana republic. Now that all of that was daft, but the point is clear.
The economic state is getting dire in Uganda, the loans rate on the government budget is going up while the aid and donor funds goes down. While the oil-price lowers before the oil-monies are getting in. The sale of coffee is growing but it has not the yielded price on it neither is the sale of the tea. Like they are not producing enough sugar for consumption and have to import from Kenya.

IMF in July 2015 wrote in their report this: “Short-term benefits of the oil price decline have been less pronounced in Uganda than in other countries in the region. In the past nine months, petrol average pump prices have declined by 10 percent in domestic currency”.
He surely isn’t done by seeing all the campaign teams struggling with the villages roads his been building since 1986. Since FDC Campaign Convoy have been stuck in Rwenzori and in certain northern districts, while Mzee himself needed a military vehicle to be able to get to campaign rallies in Abletong. Well, the Banana-plantations don’t need a good road as long as the banana gets to market?

Or is it the growing amounts of districts, sub-counties and municipalities? Is that your proud work to make sure that that every corner of the country have a local council to control 1000 people and have loyal payment from you? That seems like the final goal while going through your banana-plantation. In 1967 there was only 18 districts, by 1989 where already 34 districts and 150 counties. By my reckoning in late 2015 there are 111 districts and 167 counties. So the numbers has grown staggering amount of districts and steady rise of counties. Was this the big plan in 1986 make sure that there 3 times over district then when you came to power?
You might feel that you’re in the forest and not really in the mellow place of the banana-plantation since the situation economically, infrastructure, youth-employment, industrial-development, police-violence and so on. There are much darkness in the forest and not any sweat yields of the banana-plantation. The development that you have left is surely questionable; secondly the legacy you’re leaving behind is not the ones you wish you had. You could have been a man who led to real progress and stand for something new. Instead you’re the same old tribe of African leaders who overstays in power and does let other people rule.
The economic state, together with the lower prices on coffee and oil should be worrying. Together with edged prices on imports as Uganda imports are higher than their exports. The weaker currency and higher inflation makes the trading barrier even higher. There are so many signs that the general election together with the laws that parliament passes gives more and more power to the Executive and his regime. Ever since Public Order Management Act there been more and more laws who gives the government more stronghold over the public instead of giving them freedoms and opportunity to evolve and think on their own. The laws that gives the government carte blanche to borrow money through the new Public Finance Management Act; one section of this law says this: “Amendment of Section 36: (5a) In addition to subsection (5), a loan raised by the Government as a temporary advance by the Bank of Uganda, which does not extend beyond a financial year shall not require to be approved by the Parliament” (P5, 2015, PFMA). That says how the government can initially use the Bank of Uganda as an ATM, was that the problem you had in the forest or the fruits your having yield on the banana-plantation?

I know that you have no plan of stopping being in power, I am just wondering when you actual thought of leaving since you have been there as long as have lived. Something not many Presidents have done except your friend in Zimbabwe, and maybe aquatints like Paul Biya in Cameroon, and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatoral Guinea. But hey, they are from francafrique countries so I only expect you smile at them when you arrive at African Union meetings in Addis Ababa. Since they know and you know that all the fellows who meet with decades ago are no longer there.
We know that what you said before new years are utter rubbish since you have promised before to step down and haven’t. That has happened before 2001 and before 2006. Even before you got the multi-party system back into place; Gen. Benon Biraaro said this early part of his campaign in 2015: “When we captured power in 1986, Mr Museveni promised to rule for only five years and after he will go and look after his cows, I never knew his cows would be Ugandans”.

Surely, if his still is in the forest or in the banana-plantation or even with his cows in Ankole, it is for certain he is still the executive power and will do what he can to keep that in 18th February 2016 or make sure the counting is fixed to measure the right way. Mzee will make sure that the counting of the ballots from the Electoral Commission declares him the President, AGAIN! If not he has prepared the police with a bucket full billions of shillings for post-election violence. So he must have looked in the darkness of the forest and worried for the outcome. In the sense that he smells the people are not his anymore. They do not follow him blindly and let him guide them freely. The banana-plantation is not as peaceful as it once was; This means that Mzee is not directly entitled anymore, to get the fruits of the plantation without any questions, from the people who are working on it. Peace.
Reference:
Kazibwe – ‘Museveni: I am Ready to Hand Over Power If Defeated’ (19.11.2015) link: http://www.chimpreports.com/museveni-i-am-ready-to-hand-over-power-if-defeated/
Ross, Will – ‘Would Uganda’s Museveni recognise his former self?’ (07.05.2011) link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/9477930.stm
Rumanzi, Perez – ‘I can’t leave power now – Museveni’ (10.01.2016) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/I-can-t-leave-power-now—Museveni/-/688334/3027090/-/ldhhetz/-/index.html
Waswa, Sam – ‘It Is Never My Intention to Stick To Power – Museveni’ (05.01.2016) link: http://www.chimpreports.com/it-is-never-my-intention-to-stick-to-power-museveni/

Today the FDC Campaign convoy travelled through Serere and Kumi. From Apaipai to Serere Town Center to the Kumi Muncipality; I will take pieces from the campaign rallies that have been released and the rest is showing one of the districts to the world. As they are sometimes forgotten, because the big questions in Parliament and big men are in Kampala and Up-Country doesn’t get the spot-light it deserves. Therefore I have some extra and to show how the district of Serere has been and how the Serere governance really is. In the same way I did yesterday with Katakwi.

Dr. Kizza Besigye said today this:
“We are going to need all our energy and determination to run the least stretch” (…)”When they bring these t-shirts take them, it is your money, you can use them in your gardens” (…)”Teso will become again, we have a lot to do when we take over power, we will not betray you”.

I know that part is short, but the reports from the district are massive today. Therefore I have focused on that. So that people get some meat on the barbeque when it comes to Serere District since my focus have been there. Take a look at it!

Police in Kumi District:
“Kumi District Police Commander Mark Ajuna is arrested following reports linking him to the recent theft of exhibit money. Ajuna was arrested alongside the Officer in Charge of Kumi Police Post, James Lokiru Lorika and three civilians with whom they allegedly connived to share and conceal information on the theft of exhibit money amounting to 150 million Shillings” (Radio Buddu 98.8 and 95.5, 11.01.2016).
On Party Politics in the district:
NRM in Serere:
“NRM leaders in Serere district are divided over the Kyankwanzi resolution. While some have endorsed the resolution, others want the party to give opportunity to who-ever wishes to contest against President Museveni in 2016. These were some of the outcomes of a meeting that was held in Serere by NRM supporters, to discuss the Kyankwanzi resolution. The meeting was chaired by Teso affairs Minister, Christine Apor” (NTV Uganda, 15.05.2014).
NRM deflections:
“Over 80 NRM mobilizers in Serere District have crossed too FDC 04/01/2016 and were received by Hon. Stephen Ochola who is MP for Serere County”.

On the Good Governance in Serere District:
In October 23rd 2013 this happen:
“The chairman Francis Odeke of Serere district wants government to come out and explain to civil servants in the district, why it has failed to confirm them as permanent public servants for the last four years. Odeke Opit says out of about 200 civil servants, only two have been confirmed, which he blames for the poor service delivery in Serere” (WBS TV, 2013).
On the 9th January 2015 this was said:
“The councilor representing Kateta Sub County in Serere district council John Robert Eudu is unhappy with the community for claiming that their leaders are corrupt yet the voters themselves are also not clean” (EtopRadio Alca Na Ateker, 09.01.2015).

There we’re allocated Ush 400m to Urban Roads for Serere Town Council for FY 2014/2015. The comment on the non-delivery of the money in the financial year is this one:
“The funds were meant for FY 2014/2015, but the town council received funds in July the following FY (2015/16). The funds are to be expended in procurement of assorted road materials which by the PPDA law, a firm does that. Also by the time of need, MoW&T prequalified firms to do the supply had expired contracts, same to the District. We have just updated & renewed the supplier list and hopeful to get a supplier. NOTE: Out of the indicated 400M, we have only received 343M without any explanations from the relevant authorities”. Proves that still some money is missing, up to about Ush 57M never delivered to the Serere Town Council. Somebody else needed that without any explanation I suppose.
On the 9th December 2015:
“Farmers in Serere District have accused the implementers of the Operation Wealth Creation program of supplying them with fake sorghum seeds. The farmers expressed their disappointment on Tuesday during the commissioning of the Community Grain Warehouse built with support from World Food Program in Labor sub-county” (Uganda Radio Network, 9th December 2015).
21st December 2015:
“LCV chairperson Serere district was today thrown out of council after he refused to be inspected on suspicion of being in possession of a gun”. That is governmental of him, surely learned all his tricks from Mzee.
On the 5th January 2016 this happened:
“Serere county member of parliament, Mr Ochola Stephen and the local council v chairman Serere District Mr Opiit Okojo almost exchanged blows. Today 5/1/16 around noon the two got into an argument over the poor state of graded roads in the constituency. This happened at the district headquarters where Mr Agum the ACAO rushed to separate the two” (Serere Times, 05.01.2016).
I think the numbers and stories tell the story on their own. This shows the levels of troubles in the Serere District, that there needed change and also have to rebuild the governance of the government institutions and Local District Government there. As we also so malfunctions in Katakwi District; so it is a pattern. Here wasn’t NAADS that we’re missing, more Road Money and missing civil servants to serve the public in the district something that is worrying if it is still so. Peace.