Uganda: Judiciary – We welcome partners in the corruption fight – Chief Justice (09.07.2019)

Opinion: The Kenyan MPs will now be paid a sleepwalkers allowance!

The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed”Mahatma Gandhi

There are some people who has no trouble getting other people to foot their bills. What is ironic is that these same people are asking for the constituents to live in austerity and poverty. While they are living lavish on their tab. The Kenyan MPs already have huge salaries (Shs. 1.2 million), added allowances and expenses covered by being in office. There is no boundaries to where they take the citizens for a ride.

Even before the dust settles on the outrageous Sh250,000 house allowance claimed by each MP, the lawmakers are at it again. This time around, the MPs and senators, totalling 416, have devised a new scheme to fleece taxpayers by claiming a “night” allowance whenever they are in Nairobi to attend parliamentary sessions. Dubbed the “Domestic Subsistence Facilitation”, the new scheme entitles each MP to between Sh18,200 and Sh24,000 per night” (Samwel Owino – ‘MPs set for Sh96,000 in weekly ‘night’ allowance’ 06.07.2019).

What is really unique about this situation, in a republic where half of the citizens only earn around 10,000 shillings per month, the MPs are now profiting up to 24,000 shillings per night to attend parliamentary sessions, which is what they is elected to do. This isn’t some random foreign enterprise or even meeting donors abroad, where usually the MPs will get per diem and allowances, while attending conference and such. No, this is an added pay-off for doing their natural job as they have to by their office.

The MPs and Senators are ensuring themselves more wealth by doing nothing other than going to the office. These honourables are securing the double salary of most Kenyans by just showing up to work. This without considering their ordinary salary nor the others perks of office. Therefore, this is really just greedy guts with no honour of the plea of the commoner. They are just in office and hoping to eat as much as possible.

They are sleepwalkers, they are empty suits only in it to get it and not to serve the public. Because, if they cared about the public, they wouldn’t rob them of these funds and not ensure all public services was working. However, all public services aren’t working and the continues thieving combined with the reckless spending is destroying the economy, but these MPs and Senators apparently doesn’t care.

If they did, they wouldn’t give themselves such an outrages raise on already high salary compared to all their citizens. They are eating like there is no tomorrow and maybe there isn’t, because surely they want to be prepared with bank-accounts the rest of only can dream off. Peace.

Ethiopia: Completion of Preparation of Reform Process of Ethio Telecom and Sugar Factories through Partial Privatization and Opening of the Sector for Competition (05.07.2019)

Zimbabwe: Press Release – Zimbabwe Gems Netball World Cup Participation (05.07.2019)

RDC: Katanga Mining Limited – Announcement regarding FARDC in area around Kamoto Copper Company (04.07.2019)

Uganda Telecom Limited: Gen. Otafire letter to Registrar General of Uganda Registration Services Bureau – “Revamping of Uganda Telecom Limited (UTL) – (04.07.2019)

Uganda Telecom Limited: President Museveni letter to Minister of Justice Gen. Otafire – “Revamping of Uganda Telecommunication Limited (UTL) – (03.07.2019)

RDC: Communique de Presse Conjoint – 《L’Etat conglais droit dispenibiliser des zones d’exploitatitions artisanale pour vigler durablement le conflict entre les entreprises minires》(02.07.2019)

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions Part VI: Press Statement on a Public Interest Litigation Case on the Closure of Uganda-Rwanda Border (01.07.2019)

Opinion: BoU and UTL share the same sins, just different institutions

We can lie to ourselves, we all do it now and then, and even the most holy of us does it, but acts like saints. Nevertheless, the realities are hard-hitting and not as people tend it too be. In the recent days, there been steady scandals in two institutions connected to the government of Uganda. This being the Bank of Uganda and Uganda Telecom Limited. Both whose place is vital and both under “ownership” of the state.

They have very different roles in society, as one is the Reserve Bank and the one that follows direct guidelines of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, while the same Ministry owns the other! That is why there are some of the same aspects, as the stories are pouring out.

The BoU is rocked by lack of due diligence, lack of minutes, lack of working after protocol and procurement. The UTL is lacking leadership, lacking structure or even basic control from the state. Both is run by the MoFPED and still has the same issues. It is like they are two ugly siblings and none of these bastards can get a date.

The BoU is the epitome of corrupt behaviour from buying pens, securing quick-fix funds for trading commercial banks and so on. While the UTL have shady-back-door deals with willy-nilly abroad in Mauritius or Nigeria, even some skeletons in Libya. Still, even if Hon. Evelyn Anite tries every avenue and use all parts of the dictionary, she still doesn’t have the powers to sack the ones running UTL, because the MoFPED is involved and who knows how the President Museveni micromanages these state owned enterprises. Since his known for guidance everywhere in the Republic. That is why Hon. Anite had to send a letter to him to further her cause in the UTL saga.

We can lie to ourselves, but not that it does any good. At this point, the involvement of the state, the known actors and only the small-fries are getting caught. The ones doing the heist, doing the handshakes and getting the kick-backs from there is working directly with the State House. That is well known and not unknown, they even ask permission before doing so. This is what they do. Its only the ones who doesn’t ask who ends in the files of various departments fighting corruption. Even if they end up there, they might lose the paperwork or minutes before investigation, as the loyal subjects clear the house. So, that the big-man on top, doesn’t get humiliated.

This is just what is up and what is going down. These men who runs these SOEs are allowed to what they do, because the higher power let them do it and they are all eating. Especially, when the “high above” sanctions it, its all cool, but if he doesn’t get a cut; than there is an issue and someone have to pay. That is the end-game, that is why it continues and why it floats like this. Not because this is a healthy practice or even a way that the state should govern, but this is what they are known to do.

The UTL and BoU have similar issues, they are doing similar acts, but with different enterprises. We can act a fool, but that will still not save the face of the ones running it. Sooner or later, someone will fall on the sword of their master. Right now its not needed, but when these two institutions needs a boost of confidence, someone will swallow their pride and do their last act of mercy. That is just how it goes. We just don’t know who will fall and for what cause, other than saving the high above from humiliation. Peace.