Opinion: Rushing City Statuses to get more MPs

This here is just happening ahead of elections, as the state who is already fatigued financially. That Minster for Local Government Tom R. Butime is putting in a motion for newly created cities across the republic. This means new measures, need needs and costs for the state. The City Status will not come without any consequence. Not only in regards to boundaries, but also the needed local government there.

It seems like the old presidential pledges are revamped just mere a year in advance of the next general election in 2021. The plan of 7 cities to take effect on the 1st July 2020, these being Arua, Gulu, Jinja, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Mbale and Masaka. While Hoima will first become a city on the 1st July 2021. Later than that on the 1st July 2022 then it will happen to Entebbe and Lira. The final stage of these upgraded towns to city status is on the 1st July 2023, these will be Moroto, Nakasongola, Soroti, Kabale and Wakiso. All of them becoming cities, which means the state, are in total planning the upgrade of 15 towns to cities in the small amount of time of 3 years.

That is five cities every year from now on. What law defines is that a city is equivalent of a district and wards of sub-counties. Meaning, this a way of also carving up districts and securing a more MPs to Parliament. Also, ensuring a more rigorous ways of gerrymandering before any given election. Though, not create by-elections, as they are deemed unfit, as law already represents these Cities.

We are seeing a haste, like Arua have about 62,000 in population. While Gulu on the other hand has about 152,000 in population. Jinja has about 72,000 and Mbarara has 195,000. Fort Portal only has about 52,000 in population. Mbale has about 96,000 and Masaka has about 103,000.  Also even smaller is the likes of Nakasongola, which is about 10,000, Kabale and Soroti is each about 49,000 close to 50,000 in population. While Moroto is only about 14,000 in population and Waksio have about 20,000. Therefore, with just a brief look into the numbers, you wonder what standard has the Minister and the Ministry put for a city status at this point of time. You can easily see the difference between Nakasongola, Fort Portal and Gulu. That makes a brother wonder about the status at all.

It seems to be a political game of changing districts and ensuring easier rigging, also new MPs from new “districts” than actually giving city status and urban services to these areas. As the state already suffers funds for the new districts it already has. That is no joke and been a revolving issue. So, for whatever reason Butime MP is pushing this. That can only be for electioneering. Because, who will defend calling a town of about 10,000 a C-I-T-Y? Really, Nakasongola is deemed to be a city?

I can understand Mbarara and Gulu, even Masaka. They have a population of a decent size. That you can understand and reason it out somehow. The others seems to be early birds, just because it supposed to make benefits, but it will also strain the budgets more. As with every expansion, every change of local government it will cost. The changes of municipalities, town and cities will cost. There will be carved wards and new titles for the local government. That is implied with these sort of changes. To think otherwise is dumb.

Someone has to foot the bill, someone got to cough up the dough for the operation at hand. It is not without costs. This will be more expenditure and more MPs. More leaders, more elections and more expenditure. Where will the Minister find the cash? Peace.

Opinion: Weah’s Corruption pledge is gone missing like a shipping container

President George Weah has only have had two years in office. Still, by that little time he has had some huge scandals. Lost containers and lost funds, which was supposed to get into circulation. Newly minted and pressed currency, which just happens to disappear. So, its not like the lack of belief is there. Well, it’s because of the way he has played this game. The way he has tried to circumvent the rules and not getting a card.

President Weah haven’t delivered, when billions have gone missing, when hundreds of millions of Liberian Dollars get lost from the port in Monrovia, as the authorities are supposed to take the millions into circulation in 2018. The same can be said about the unaccounted funds and incentives in 2019. Therefore, him pledging a battle against it now. Seems a bit like lingo to catch the crowds, but not his actions on the pitch.

Outtake from the State of the Union 2020:

“My Administration will continue to intensify the fight against corruption, which remains prevalent in our society and continues to negatively impact growth and development. Many believe this to be an unchangeable way of life here in Liberia. I think otherwise. I believe that we will succeed in our fight against corruption and will bring to justice relevant individuals and corporations who have and continue to defraud Liberia. To this end, we have hired the expertise of a world-renowned Asset Recovery firm to assist our local team to carry out a professional excercise to recover Liberia’s wealth stolen over many decades. Additionally, we will continue to show political will in the fight against waste and abuse of our national resources, as we have shown in recent times when a managing director and other high profile officials were dismissed, arrested and sent to court to vindicate themselves from accusations of corruption. There will be no sacred cows as we take stronger measures to end this societal menace” (George Weah – State of the Union, 27.01.2020).

I have a hard time seeing it, as the scandals are huge, they are the status of Grand Corruption. Not the belittling of folks trespassing and feeding a hungry police officer. No, this is the shipment of currency from abroad. Surely, the same can happen in any ministry and department too. When the first of the gate, before even getting circulation, the Liberian Dollars are tainted with corrupt behaviour. That is how dire the cause is. The money cannot even move from the Central Bank to the public before touched and out of bound. That is how serious the issues are.

Weah can scream and shout like a pissed off manager. He can act a fool, but the realities is that his battling himself and his authorities. Because, currency moved to the port and within the bounds of the Port Authorities and still gone missing. Show, that there are enough stakeholders combined with the inner circle of bankers, ministry of finance and possibly the office of the President who knows about this movement. So, they know these shipments get lost.

It wasn’t an direct theft of a vault, robbing a bank, no, it was well-planned inside trade and bazaar of the cash coming in. They didn’t even need to rob the bank or violently overtake a cash-transport. They just took the first landing and started eating right there. It is a robbery, but a sophisticated one, as they all know when it comes and who signs off on the shipment. While no one get to answer for the misgivings and sudden “loss” of a fortune. Which was a asset of the state, until it get into circulation.

Weah knows this, but acts like he doesn’t, its insincere. Like were all are dumb and not catching the whiff of smoke. When there is smoke, it is fire and in this instance it’s a steal. We can act like its not, but that wouldn’t be sincere. So, in that regard, Mr. Weah. Please get your act right. We are crying foul, you deserve a card, a red one, but do the right thing and stop the thieving. Really stop it; the words are meaningless as long as money keep disappearing. Peace.

Central Bank of Kenya: Monetary Policy Committee Meeting (27.01.2020)

Brexit: 31st January 2020 is the final Brexit day for now

Well, this are not yet finished. There are dozens of problems ahead for Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his cabinet. It is not like Tories have won or succeeded anything. The possible reactions or results of the end of membership with the European Union (EU) isn’t carved out yet. Hell, even the issues of trade, border patrol, fishing nor the Northern Ireland questions are finalized.

The celebration of a new penny on the 31st January 2020 is a mockery, but also pointless. The Tories haven’t bagged it. They are not packing their briefcases and securing their tickets for the destination. Yes, the final Withdrawal Agreement was voted for and the next stage of Brexit is happening. However, the possible outcomes are from sealed. The ink isn’t even dry on the paperwork.

Who knows what the businesses will do, when the borders are shut and the hardships of trading across the Channel hits the fan. Who knows what will happen when the costs of banking and City of London comes across. It is not like the Tories can get it any harder. Not like they are getting the best deals and not getting issues from across the pond.

The PM will not address this and will rather deflect this. Surely, the industries and the ones whose exporting products will be hit the hardest. There are no certainty, the ones moving are already templating it or has already left. Several of businesses has moved to Ireland, France and Germany as a result of Brexit.

That is why, the projected downturns aren’t far fetched and the possible projections of the Withdrawal Agreement are bleak too. Not like this will not be a big natural hit on the consumer, the public and on the possible revenue of the state. However, the Tories will celebrate the end of Brexit. Loosing influence in Europe and become the “independent” island it is. Nevertheless, they still want to trade and be a partner, but not married to it. See how that will go and what cost that may bring.

This Brexit has been shambles from the Referendum until today. Not like Theresa May did it well. Neither has Boris Johnson. Boris is more superficial and conning, while May wobbled ahead. None of them is winning this. We just have to see if Boris will loose more. He won a mandate in Parliament, but if the wrecks the economy and beats the living hell out of the ones giving him a majority. He will surely be remembered for utter destruction on his own. Instead of finding good ways out of it.

He had nice times in his Jaguar. Nice time with screaming matches with his girlfriend. Mocking Corbyn in the PMQ. But what does that matter, when the public will be self-inflicted by dodgy deals and shoddy political work from the core group of people in Whitehall and Downing Street.

Who knows what this will entail, what sort of tariffs, regulations and the initial costs, who will be damaged, scorned by this deal and at what end has it?

I don’t have the answer, but by all reports, all studies with some barren I have come across. The negatives outshines the victories. Its like celebrating the French Fries, when you got a juicy burger sitting right there. By all means, the French Fries are a neatly cut potato with right amount of salt and oil. However, the burger is fresh breaded bun, with lettuce, ketchup and a barbecued patty. It should be easy choice.

So, on the 31st January, the ones celebrating are the ignorant, the ones who doesn’t care about the consequences, but are enjoying a break with Europe. The ones in sorrow, are not necessarily in support of the EU, but the ones that wonder if they are losing the benefits or the trade-offs made by the Union. Which the UK are now loosing out off. They got to bargain and leverage itself with everyone as a single entity. They got to do the right and at the right price. However, that will take time and the UK doesn’t have that. Especially, if they plan to cover the lost base and the lost power within the EU.

So in a few days time. The next chapter of negotiations start. The UK will have to fight and battle, they are not through yet. It is now all damage control. We got to see, if the EU citizens in the UK will get rights to stay or if they have to leave. We got to see, if the Northern Ireland will be hurt by this. That we will only with time.

However, what we do know … is that the UK is self-inflicting harm. They are doing damage to itself and hurting itself. We just got to see how it will be and by what estimates. Peace.

A snap-shot into the Budget Framework Paper for 2020/21

It is budget season, this is out-takes from the Budget Framework Paper for the Financial Year of 2020/21. The Financial Year, which the General Election will be held during the early start of 2021. Therefore, the budget will be hit by this.

The Budget is estimated to be a total of 39 trillion Uganda Shillings. External loans to cover the budget is projected to be about 7 trillion shillings.

While the debt repayment is growing too. That is why in this budget year, the estimated interests payment is 1.2 trillion shillings.

In special usage, the Office of the President plans to spend 101,9 billion shillings under Public Administration. We got to address the needed Shs. 1,8 billion spent on medals, so that the President will not be embarrassed.

While the State House has the expenditure of 407 billion. From that one, I have a few snap-shots of the expenditure. First, the Procurement and maintenance of transport and specialized equipment including the Presidential Jet and Helicopter at Shs. 31.172bn. Which was put under the vote of the Public Administration. Shs. 34 billions on the ageing fleet of Cars at the State House. Also, Shs. 10 billion to refurbish the State House.

The Office of the Prime Minister set to Shs. 498,531bn.

In election costs, the total budgeted expenditure. The election will cost 1 trillion, 800 billion in security and another 200 billion shillings on the Elections Road Map. The Electoral Commission is budgeted to spend about 318 billion shillings on the management of the elections.

What the NAADs plans to do:

– 130 tractors and matching implements

– 1,000,000 hand hoes

Let see if the NAADs will keep their old promise, which was a big deal before the previous election. Even if you cannot find a budget post where the hoes are fitted in. Surely, they are hidden somewhere, but not somewhere obvious to the naked eye.

These was the most fitting things I found so far. Surely, there are plenty more juicy things. There wasn’t any water bills or explaining to do. The Budget Framework Paper is very straight forward. However, usually something daft get passed through. We really will see more.

But these are few tit-bits of it all. Peace.

Opinion: OTT Tax on Data Bundles is like a dual-VAT

“URA Commissioner General Doris Akol told the Finance Committee of Parliament chaired by Henry Musasizi that the controversial OTT Tax will be charged directly on data instead of mobile money to curb the evasion” (NBS Television, 14.01.2020).

I wonder if Doris Akol has thought this through or is winging it? As she see the losses and lack of results, revenue or tax base with the 200 shillings of doom. The whole OTT Tax is to expensive for the public daily. Now, she wants to move it and indirectly tax it instead.

Surely, they will get revenue, but this will make it more expensive to buy data-bundles for the customers and make the packages more viable. VPN and similar networks to circumvent the usage and payments of the daily OTT Tax have beaten the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). That is why URA does this now.

It is a sign of defiance and civil disobedience. They are trying to patch the hurt. But will this succeed? Will more try to only load data through Wi-Fi networks and wireless networks in general. Not load so much data on the go. Because, people are smart and tries to undercut extra taxes. Especially, when on the data is already paid VAT and the Mobile Company pay their taxes on the profits too.

Therefore, URA and Akol seems fishing. They will raise revenue, but also make the data bundles more expensive and with that stop plenty of people from buying bigger data bundles for surfing online on your smart-phone.

That is just the mere reality. It is a sign, yet again that the OTT is a failed project, who didn’t hit the targets and wasn’t measured right. If it was, the aim and the bargain wouldn’t be like this. That is not happening.

This method is a clever way of adding the costs of data, while charging for service not necessarily used. The OTT Services, which is the reason for why these are charged. Because, the data could be used for other things and therefore, is violating its attempt to make it costly for certain usage on online.

This is again, pushing one story, pushing one tax and trying to tax the public by any means. When the hook doesn’t work, they use the crook. Instead of doing directly, they want to do it indirectly and initially in some way adding a separate VAT on data-bundles masked as OTT Tax. That is really it.

We all know this, URA verify it today. That the only things certain in life is death and taxes. Thanks Akol for reminding us. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni ask his new ministers to desist from himself…

I call upon all ministers and public servants to desist from engaging in any form of corruption. Corruption by any government officials is a great betrayal to Ugandans who are desperately yearning for service delivery. I implore the general public to embrace this fight and report the crooked officials with evidence, as opposed to rumours and we will take action” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 13.01.2020).

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President since 1986, whose now richer than God, but came into power with little or nothing. Therefore, he knows what he did to get there. He knows the implicated scandals, the grand corruption and often noticed missing funds in the headlines in the Republic.

That is why these sorts of desisting from corruption Telling the Ministers and the Public from stopping it. Meaning it should stop and get all evidence on plenty of high ranking officials in this government. Get the evidence of state owned enterprises and authorities. There are plenty of officials who would easily be implicated and connected with government tenders and whatnot.

There is enough ghosts, over-inflated state contracts and some-what. Therefore, days like today. Feels futile. The state has created a lot of mechanisms, a lot of organizations fighting corruption. Still, the big-men, the men sanctioned by the State House and the secretive investment deals are overshadowing the supposed battle against corruption.

When there is lack of transparency from the top. There will be less from the bottom too. There is no reason for changes, when everyone is eating and the ones with influence of the State House. They got an ability to get kickbacks, suits, graft and so-on. This is not news, but a reality.

The NRA historicals can steal land, take property and easily, therefore have other perks too. The NRM knows this and let them go. If your big enough and has the blessing, you can eat UNRA funds, eat NSSF funds and GAVI Funds with no costs or damages. You get to build a mansion and own business, on stolen funds.

That is why statements like today is worthless. Not believable. He has the Public Procurement And Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA), State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Inspectorate of Government (IGG) and Auditor General (AG). Nevertheless, the big-fish is not getting caught. You have the Police Force and the Judiciary too. Still, all of these cooks cannot make a decent meal. Its a bland mix of watery soup, not even a good broth.

That is why President Museveni. We have to see you fight yourself. Not walk, not talk, but battle your own shadow and that’s not happening. Because, your not a cartoon character, but a self-styled President for Life. Peace.

RSA: Eskom – Stage 2 loadshedding to continue until 06:00 on (09.01.2020)

Zimbabwe: Government – Press Statement (06.01.2020)