Press Statement: NRM Poor Youth Forum Position (17.09.2015)

Endorsment NRM Poor Youth

Our goal is to defeat President M7 in 2016 Presidential Election.Our Go Forward Candidate is H.E Amama Mbabazi.If TDA summit consider Mbabazi as TDA Presidential Candidate,we will commit our efforts towards actualising the principles of TDA but operating independently as NRM POOR YOUTH Forum as we struggle to bring an end to the reign of president M7.

As NRM POOR YOUTH FORUM, we have no problem with Col Kiiza Besigye contesting as FDC presidential candidate or an Independent candidate.We see no harm .We support this position and it’s an advantage in the struggle to defeat the 30 years dictatorship.We need to reach out to the masses, we must prepare the masses for the aftermath of the election.The bitter truth is M7 must go in 2016.

Lastly, If TDA summit consider Col Besigye Its presidential candidate, NRM POOR YOUTH FORUM will request Hon Amama Mbabazi to contest on Go Forward Ticket.

In other words, Both Besigye and Hon Mbabazi must contest for presidential election if we are to defeat M7 in 2016..M7 strength is only in rigging but with two strong candidates all against him, the rigging will not go him.President M7 has no support .He used to enjoy support in rural areas but things have changed, peasants are for JPAM only anxious for change.Col Besigye has great support in urban areas yet m7 has meagre support in urban areas, Jpam has support amongst the students,elites and middle class yet M7 has support from Asian investors in Uganda.

For God and my country,

We repair Broken Eggs.

Luzindana Adam Buyinza

Letter – Re: Verification of Mr. Kafeero Sekitoleko Robert Academic Documents (14.09.2015)

UNEB - Kafeero Sekitoleko Edit

DRC – Burundi Refugee Assistance #16 – 02 September 2015

WFP Burundi Sep 2015WFP Burundi Sep 2015 2

FDC Youth pleas against the inclusion of Amama Mbabazi into the TDA fold

AmamaNTV

There been friction in politics and will be like this, especially like in the recent months. With the thoughts going back to the NRM Poor Youth who first was celebrating the fact that Amama Mbabazi was standing for precidency inside the NRM to withhold this and change course to support the long reigning leader in Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. This piece will not be about that, it will instead be another tale in the remarkable transition of Amama Mbabazi and his move to sign the TDA Protocol and how that has affected the political bodies and people in one of the affiliated parties, the challenger and biggest organization Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).

“The party Chairman Wasswa Birigwa, who left the meeting before it ended says although a group of youth had wanted the party to pull out of TDA, they were still party of the political grouping” (…)”FDC’s Spokesperson Ssemujju Nganda says FDC is not intending to pull out of TDA, but the NEC members will tackle every matter which shall be tabled by the Party President regarding their collaborations with TDA” (Mukimba & Nsubuga, 2015).

“We are tired of you old men. You are to blame for the mess. You even decided to extend the nomination date for one single candidate without consulting FDC and other stakeholders. What kind of process of this?” an angry youth said” (Lule, 2015).

“Thomas Kayanja, the Mpigi district youth leader, said: “They asked Lukwago to return the DP ticket if he wanted to join TDA. Let them tell us when Mbabazi returned the NRM ticket if this whole thing is not NRM” (Lule, 2015). A further report says the he was even saying this: “He says they even took forms to Mbale for him to sign and waited for him to bring back the forms past the deadline they had set. He says if such actions are not explained properly, they will tell their flag-bearer to leave TDA” (SMSMedia, 2015).

Besigye himself says this: “He says they even took forms to Mbale for him to sign and waited for him to bring back the forms past the deadline they had set. He says if such actions are not explained properly, they will tell their flag-bearer to leave TDA” (…)”He says they even took forms to Mbale for him to sign and waited for him to bring back the forms past the deadline they had set. He says if such actions are not explained properly, they will tell their flag-bearer to leave TDA” (TheInsider, 2015)

DP Youth leader, Paul Ssembajjwe at DP headquarters in Kampala said this on the matter: “On this note, TDA presidential flag bearer selection process should not be limited to a handful of people because we are selecting a president to redeem Uganda from a cannibalistic regime not a parish chief” (…)”As DP youth, we demand that all the presidential candidates should address a live TV debate to address the country on the issues of the economy, security, employment, health, agriculture, administration, foreign policy and development cooperation as a way of sharing to the wider Ugandan community their strategy of delivering them” (…)”As DP youth we offer ourselves to organize and mobilize for these debates rather than hiding the process from Ugandans. We finally pledge our support towards TDA to ensure that it does stand strong despite the many storms that it faces currently” (Segawa, 2015).

Dr.-Kizza-Besigye-speaks-to-NTV-Uganda

Afterthought:

It is healthy that people express their thoughts on the inclusion of Amama Mbabazi into the coalition of oppression in the TDA. Which is an important question and how that will affect the bond between the ones who came to the agreement to move together for the campaign and election for 2016. This they have done in consideration of the manpower and richness of the ruling party.

That the FDC Youth Party branch is questioning the addition is a healthy thing and should be seen as a grown thing to do. Though claiming to bring out of the TDA already now is profoundly early to jump from the newly formed coalition. If so the premature change of Amama Mbabazi shows the fragile and weak organization. This shouldn’t be surprising considering how little time has run since the operation started. Everything that has happen is the first and never just procedure, though the protocols and codes of conduct is put into action. It proves how single people’s choices will make a reaction from branches further away from the core leadership of the parties. That’s why the FDC Youth question is a legitimate one. Though it might not be the right one or on point. It should still be asked because the coalition and its members have the right to question the movement.

That the FDC Youth have a right to do is, that is just the leaders who are loyal to their party and their flag-bearer and wish to succeed in 2016. The same wish the flag-bearer himself. That the DP Youth also talks about the issue is natural not only because of the issue with Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, but because they also can question and ask for certainty from the TDA. The TDA are a coalition of willing parties that work at a common goal instead of a spread force against one big party who has ruled since 1986. S

Nevertheless it will be an early victory for the NRM if the TDA already loose members and parties. It will be seen as strategic and securing place. With a fractions in the oppositions parties, they will not work together, instead only on their own agenda. This is something they are allowed to, but not correctly in the current time. The men and woman, the officials, the flag-bearers and members can and always question the TDA and the other members, but they can also go out! Issues will be between the parties and the movements. Certain issues will come up until the election in 2016. That is inevitable and wouldn’t be real people if that didn’t happen. The way forward is to move in ways that shows nobility and righteousness towards all parties. That inside parties can expect that some parts want to move away and go on their own is natural part of it. Though leaving alone instead of together is weakening the political power of the coalition. Especially if the FDC goes on the merry-go-round and the FDC Youth leaders knows this well. But the TDA need the FDC, as they need all the other ones as well, that is a natural one. If not they will all be running towards election time as they have done before with their own horses and structures, but not the strength of willing. This should be seen as a healthy movement and prove that the opposition parties have grown and want to make a change of regime, not only in words. Also in action! Peace.

Reference:

Mukimba, Norah & Nsubuga, Benon – ‘TDA awaits decision of FDC’s NEC’ (15.09.2015) link: http://www.elections.co.ug/new-vision/election/1000637/tda-awaits-decision-fdc-nec

Lule, Jeff Andrew – ‘FDC youth accuse TDA of favouritism’ (15.09.2015) link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/673431-fdc-youth-accuse-tda-of-favouritism.html

SmsMedia – ‘FDC Youth wants Besigye out of TDA’ (15.09.2015) link:

http://smsmedia.ug/2015/09/fdc-youth-want-besigye-out-of-tda/

Segawa, Nixon – ‘DP Youth Petition TDA over Presidential Flag Bearer Selection Process’ (16.09.2015) link: http://chimpreports.com/dp-youth-petition-tda-over-presidential-flag-bearer-selection-process/

TheInsider.ug – ‘FDC refuse to quit the TDA over Amama’ (15.09.2015) link: http://www.theinsider.ug/fdc-refuses-to-quit-tda-over-amama/

Letter – Re: Petition against Academic Papers of Amelia Kyambadde, an Aspiriant for NRM Flag Bearer for MP Mawokota North (11.09.2015)

Amelia Kyambadde - Academic Paper letter P1Amelia Kyambadde - Academic Paper letter P2

Amama Mbabazi went out of the desert and went into the lions den

MbabaziTDA110915P1

Today isn’t a normal day. Today is a day where it’s reviled after hazardous consulting meetings in Soroti and Jinja that a certain high caliber politician has switched sides. Amama Mbabazi is not any longer a Presidential Candidate in the NRM, but is becoming a part of the of opposition coalition The Democratic Alliance (TDA).

A man who had a special thing and now has gone from being the guy who has a vital part of the chambers in parliament, also and secretary of the party of the NRM party for years has gone into the lion’s den together with the opposition yesterday.

It proves the powerful idea behind FDC, JEEMA, DP, and UPC, so they are now accepting the brother into the camp when the internal parties has already picked their flag-bearers for the presidential election in 2016. He went from being a vital part of the NRM, a man Museveni trusted. Even if Mbabazi is famous for eating big slices of governmental deals and have even chartered high on corruption indexes, they are still letting him in the fold and umbrella of the TDA. This must be joyful reunion for Hon. Gilbert Bukenya who has trades silver coins from the CHOGM scandal in the past. Olara Otunnu knows the man well and has discussed matters concerning Mbabazi in length in the past. The same has Norbert Mao they all know him and how he has acted. As the public knows as well!

Well, so when the tides are turning and the opposition can prove greatness, while the NRM is losing ground. They still have the powerful army and police on their hand. We will sure see more teargas and venues in towns being under siege before the election in 2016. Since we’re still in the run-up! While we waiting we know that the ones that went independent earlier from NRM, might run back to fold to get feed and be underline of the main stem leadership protocol of the party. Though it seems that the fallout rate and big-men that has been around for ages is on the level of agony that Louis Van Gaal in Manchester United doing. Where certain former loved players has all left the club. Now the same is happening with the NRM. Though it is happens in other fashions and ways, but initially the same outcome. There consistency of harsh brutalities and the way people are getting out of the NRM, it doesn’t seem healthy.

MbabaziTDA110915P2

You’re either forced out with the skin on your teeth or you’re getting flogged in the main streets of Any-Town in Uganda. Amama Mbabazi I wrote earlier this year that he was starting a walk through the desert. He finally has found shade in the midst of darkness. The campaign he will run now will not be affiliated with the party he has been involved in for so long. This has been the end of it.  He lost when he questioned the power of the man on the top, that man would not accept somebody questioning the fact and realities of one sole candidate before preliminary voting inside the party. H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni would not have JPAM or Amama Mbabazi questioning his powers and reach, nor anybody else for that matter. That is why when other people are campaigning in the lands. The government bodies for securing peace will make fuzz and be violent against the crowds. We have seen all year from the campaigning of Dr. Kizza Besigye and recent attacks in eastern Uganda in Soroti and Jinja.

It shows that there are no nobility amongst the cadres of NRM especially when you look at the way they leave their people behind. There so many reasons for the end game of certain long serving politicians seems like their left to rot after being loyal subjects and done all in favor of the mighty president.

So yesterday’s signing of TDA protocol proves a vital point and strength of this unity. Also of the fallout of Amama Mbabazi was inevitable after the clippings of his wings in not so distant past. Which lead to his childhood friend Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda taking over his position as the PM. That was for the big-man on top fearing the issue of aspirations that Amama might have of one day wishing to succeed the fellow leader on the throne. Something that we all know isn’t acceptable by the sole candidate in 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and to come in 2016.

We will see what outcome and reach this symbolic turn of events will have. Though this signing of Protocol from Amama Mbabazi should by just the signature on the paper, strengthen the movements of the opposition since they have yet another former weapon-brother of the mighty Museveni.

This also leaves Mbabazi after months into wilderness and without shade, finally getting a gracefully sit-down with fellow peers. Who has for years and decades been under the scrutiny of regime that Mbabazi has partly put into effect especially with Public Order Management Act, which will always hunt him! Like a now evil ghost that was built to suppress anybody who wasn’t directly coordinating their movement with the government of Uganda, this is initially the cronies of the NRM.

So there we have it! TDA with Dr. Kizza Besigye, Olara Otunnu, Norbert Mao, Asuman Basalirwa and so on has now Amama Mbabazi in their ranks. They can soon be sitting together in the lion’s den and plotting their next move.

We can all wonder what this will say about the issues and coming elections while the parties themselves has picked flagbearers, who will be the main candidate of the alliance and the TDA. Will be race to follow and also see how the come-up to the 2016 in the end will be looking because if it follows the start, it will be violent and dangerous to be at other rallies then ones run by Museveni and his cronies. The rest will have to wear gas-masks and heavy gear to not taste rubber bullets of the police force and the rulings from the local DPC. Peace.

Amama Mbabazi had a plan to have a consultation meeting in Jinja that got spoiled by the UPF

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LJzgsejG4U

Jinja Mbabazi

The Government of Uganda and its security forces goes wild again in the Eastern town of Jinja. When Amama Mbabazi tries to have yet another consulting meeting in another town, we all know that there was issues with meeting in Soroti. Today the UPF went ballistic literally in Jinja. Which isn’t very democratic, and the Electoral Commission is objective the consultation meetings while the Museveni can do the same thing for some strange reason. Who wonder what he does before he went to eat sushi in Tokyo?

Jinja Police 10915 P1

One report:

“The Regional Police commander, Edgar Nyabongo, said they will not allow Mbabazi to hold a rally. The former premier is set to hold a consultative meeting at Kakindu and later address a rally at Kazimungu industrial park” (NewVision, 2015).

Jinja Police 10915

A well written timeline of the events transpiring today:

“2:14pm Mbabazi is 3km away from Jinja:

Jinja town is awaiting the arrival of former prime minister and presidential aspirant Amama Mbabazi. Mbabazi who left Mbale town in the morning is about to reach Jina. However, the road entering Jinja from Iganga has been blocked by the Police. Traffic is slowly building up as the vehicles are forced to use a narrow area the Police has left for the other road users. There are groups of people at the roundabout, occasionary shouting out at the Police’s decision to block Mbabazi. We are following his convoy, which is under the escort of Police” (Kirya, 2015).

“2:54pm Police clashing with Mbabazi supporters:

Mbabazi has arrived at his meeting venue, Kazimingi Industrial grounds with hundreds of supporters. He has been received by the Police and told he cannot use it. After a heated exchange between supporters and the Police, the Police fires tears gas and is still trying to disperse the crowds. The convoy is now moving towards Zamo Hotel, about a kilometre away. Mbabazi entered the town using a different route despite the fact that the highway had been blocked” (Kirya, 2015).

“4:00pm: Mbabazi bodyguards clash with Police:

Mbabazi convoy is still heading to another venue after he was blocked from using Kazimingi Industrial Park. After a heated exchange between Mbabazi and Kiira regional Police commander Edison Nyabongo, Mbabazi left for Zamo Hotel. However, the RPC had a fist fight with Mbabazi bodyguards and their leader Christopher Aine was briefly held before being released back into Mbabazi’s vehicle as they snake through the heavy jam to the meeting venue (Kirya, 2015).

Amama Mbabazi Jinja10915 P1Amama Mbabazi Jinja10915 P2

Other reports from what happen at the spot:

“Most of the residents fled towards the maize mills while others scattered towards Jinja Central Market, where they remained watching what was transpiring at a safe distances. Mbabazi closely watched was happening from the roof on his vehicle while raising his ‘go forward’ symbol” (…)”One of Mbabazi’s guards known as Aine was arrested while another was shot in the leg. This morning, David Kyasanku, the Jinja Town Clerk asked Mbabazi to look for alternative venues saying both Kakindu Stadium and Kazimingi were unavailable” (…)”Heavily armed Police officers led by Haruna Isabirye, the police director operations and Edgar Nyabongo, the Kiira Regional Police Commander intercepted Mbabazi at Lubogo road on his way to Travel Hotel” (URN, 2015).

I think the reports and letters was interesting, right?

The world should know more about what is happening in Uganda, right?

Peace!

Reference:

Kirya, Donald – ‘Mbabazi in Jinja’ (10.09.2015) link: http://www.elections.co.ug/new-vision/election/1000571/live-police-assures-mbabazi-security-indoors

NewVision – ‘Police ‘force’ Mbabazi out of Mbale’ (10.09.2015) link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/673213-police-force-mbabazi-out-of-mbale.html

URN – ‘Police disperse Mbabazi supporters in Jinja’ (10.09.2015) link: http://www.observer.ug/news-headlines/39791-police-forces-mbabazi-out-jinja-disperses-crowd

 

Uganda – UPF Press Release on the Amama Mbabazi Illegal consultation meeting in Soroti Town today (09.09.2015)

PR UPF 0909

Uganda – Reports on the Amama Mbabazi’s consultation meeting in Soroti; Where the UPF had an oppressive behavior and they used teargas as well.

Amama 090915

Yet another day in the wilderness for Amama Mbabazi, the former weapon brother of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who wishes to surpass him and become the president of the country from 2016. The reports saying even though Amama Mbabazi has sent in all the forms and letters recommended by the Electoral Commission, still the UPF harass the rally or consultation that was held on the Boma Ground.

Soroti Boma Grounds 090915 P6

Amama’s dream said in Seibei yesterday:

“It gives me great pleasure to be here with you today. I have come here on a consultative tour because I have a dream of becoming a president of this country” (…)”Kaguta Museveni has served us as a country and we as NRM have done well for the last 30 years but you see you still have some serious problems like poor education, poor roads, hospitals and land grabbing” (…)”Some people are saying that I have never visited the Sebei region but this is the first area I visited after we captured power in 1986 and the whole stretch is a food basket. You have the capacity to grow enough wheat to meet the demand of Uganda but because of roads you cannot” (Kay, 2015).

Kale Kayihura Letter to Amama 040915

The Electoral Commission says about Mbabazi’s meeting plans:

The Secretary of the Electoral Commission Sam Rwakojo says: “Presidential aspirant can only hold consultative meetings but not public rallies” (…)”so what Amama Mbabazi is doing wrong” (…)”We advice presidential aspirants to carry out nation-wide consultations as provided by law not campaigning at rallies” (Insider, 2015).

Soroti Boma Grounds 090915 P2

Reports from official sources:

“Angry residents did not only pull down President Museveni’s campaign posters off buildings and poles along Soroti streets but also dared security operatives in running battles following Police’s disruption of Amama Mbabazi’s rally today” (…)”Police was able to disperse the residents from the Sports Ground, they started pelting the officers with stones. The residents later regrouped and managed to cut off a team of about 30 Police officers at Soroti Sports Grounds and threatened to lynch them. The officers pleaded for their lives saying they were only following orders from above” (Kisakye, 2015).

Soroti Boma Grounds 090915 P5

The teargas arrived. Even if it is out of date!

Reason given by Gen. Kale Kayihura:

“Huge numbers on the independence grounds (Soroti public gardens) will destroy the grass, which will cost the municipal spent large sums of money to grow”.

Fred Enage the Police Spokesman to the New Vision via Soundcloud reports today:

“The respective territorial commanders edicted and other DPCs to ensure that to police the numbers that are actually involved. If there are a hundred, if there are a thousand. What is important is that the venues are efficient to accommodate the supporters who are going to be consulted. Is it a clear place? Does it have the consent of the owner of the venue? If it is outside a town hall then we have to assure that it have time-limits to 7 am to 7 pm. If it is within the town hall then its continues” (Nsuguba, 2015).

Peace!

Reference:

Kay, Julius – ‘I have a dream of becoming president—Mbabazi’ (09.09.2015) link: http://crooze.info/i-have-a-dream-of-becoming-president-mbabazi/

Kisakye, Frank – ‘Anger in Soroti as Police disperses Mbabazi supporters’ (09.09.2015) link:

http://www.observer.ug/news-headlines/39788-anger-in-soroti-as-police-disperses-mbabazi-supporters

Nsubuga, Benon – ‘DPCs to monitor Mbabazi meetings’ (07.09.2015) link: http://www.elections.co.ug/new-vision/election/1000522/dpcs-monitor-mbabazi-meetings

The Insider – ‘EC declares Mbabazi rallies illegal’ (08.09.2015) link:  http://www.theinsider.ug/ec-declares-mbabazi-rallies-illegal/

A Cup of tea: The recent Tea-export numbers from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda

TeaMombasa

There been in the recent days fresh export numbers. And they are either positive or staggering in the different countries. I have taken the massive cup of tea and how much of the leaf that are being sold abroad. So we can see the difference between Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Which has stories; the most significant is Burundian Tea Export especially considering the turmoil and issues after the “election and swear-in” on the third-term of Pierre Nkurunziza. But I believe the numbers will speak for themselves. I will take it country by country.

black-tea-330x265

Numbers from Burundi:

“Burundi’s tea export earnings in the first half of the year were up 61 percent on the same period of 2014” (…)”Burundi’s state-run tea board (OTB) reported first-half earnings of $17.9 million, against $11.1 million in the same period last year, on export volumes that jumped to 6,262,710 kg from 5,229,351 kg” (Nduwimana, 2015).

Tea-Board

Numbers from Kenya:

“Kenya’s tea output fell 22 percent in the first-half of 2015 from a year before, according to data from the industry regulator, after the country was hit by drought at the start of the year” (…)”The data also showed Kenya exported 247.57 million kg of tea, down from 249.8 million kg in the first six months of last year” (Clarke, 2015).

1361404042_RWANDA MOUNTAIN GREEN TEA.WGT.100g(50 tea bags.Price-US$3.1(Rwf.2000)

Numbers from Rwanda:

“Rwanda’s tea export earnings increased by 27 per cent to over $6 million in July, driven by better prices on the international market, the National Agriculture Exports Board (NAEB) monthly report indicates” (…)”Tea prices were up 55 per cent to $3.49 (about Rwf2, 617.5)/kilo in July, up from 2.25 (about Rwf1, 687.5)/kilo during the same period last year, according to the report” (Tumwebaze, 2015). Auctioned of sale of tea at the Mombasa Market: “Kenya, the leading contributor on the Auction, offered 5.6 million kilogrammes and was able to sale 4.5 million, indicating a 24 per cent sale” (Nakaweesi, 2015).

dscf3627

Numbers from Uganda:

“The data shows value of exported tea fell by 4.6 per cent or Sh5.3 billion ($51 million) in the period to stand at Sh110.4 billion” (Irungu, 2015). More scary numbers of this cup of tea:  “Uganda has about 200,000 hectares suitable for tea production, but only 14 per cent (28,000 hectares) is utilised both by small holder and estate owners” (Nakaweesi, 2015).

Afterthought:

That Burundi has gotten such a leap forward and Kenya going down because of drought. Rwanda is earning more per kilo and Uganda export also slowed down. And this is important for the rural agriculture and export business. The rural famers need security of export and prices. Therefore the worldwide change of prices together with the weak local currencies isn’t making things safe for farmers. That is not their business to keep the inflations at bay. They are making sure we’re drinking a superb cup of tea. Therefore when we see these prices the Governments has an issue to make sure the value of export is stabile for the sake of the farmers. This are not just numbers for crunchers to swallow and by “futures” to secure stock in the trade and a quick buck. They don’t see the hard-work on the ground. The farmers should be paid fair for their work and surplus of their produce. As everybody would be given what they deserve for their harvest, right? Peace.

Reference:

Clarke, David – ‘Kenya’s tea production falls 22 pct due to drought’ (08.09.2015) link: http://af.reuters.com/article/kenyaNews/idAFL5N11E2P020150908

Irungu, Geoffrey – ‘Shilling under pressure as export-import gap rises by Sh115bn’ (06.09.2015) link: http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Export-import-gap-up-by-Sh115bn/-/539552/2860600/-/item/1/-/yhbrw0z/-/index.html

Nakaweesi, Dorothy – ‘Regional tea prices go down’ (03.09.2015) link: http://mobile.monitor.co.ug/Business/Business/Regional-tea-prices-go-down/-/2471014/2856212/-/format/xhtml/-/3qljyl/-/index.html

Nduwimana, Patrick; Drazen Jorgic and Goodman, David – ‘Burundi first-half tea earnings jump by 61 pct’ (08.09.2015) link: http://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFKCN0R80S120150908

Tumwebaze, Peterson – ‘July tea exports rake in Rwf4.7b, earnings from coffee drop 21%’ (04.09.2015) link: http://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/article/2015-09-04/192182/