The local radio-station (93.0 KBS Radio) was banned by the NRM from the rally in Kakumiro Town in Bugangaizi District

Kagadi Broadcasting Service Logo

Today another report have arrived in my hand that NRM and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is tired of yet another media station. This time it is the radio station Kagadi Broadcasting Services (KBS) Radio in Kagadi Town in Kibaale District.

The Radio Station owned by MP Barnibas Tinkasimiire for Bugyaga West. Who actually are a NRM MP. It is the State House officer that has revealed it and now it spreading like wild-fire in social media. In Kibaale District the Radio Station is not allowed to attend the rallies of the President. The Radio Stations is no longer accredited to cover him and his rallies, as they cannot be a part of the rallies the President will have in Kakumiro Town Council. The issues Mzee have with the radio is that yesterday the radio sent programs exposing the failures of the NRM-Regime. The State House said even that the radio can’t send journalist to the campaign venue and surface there.

NRM Campaign 25.01.2016

Seems like the issues with Media Coverage is grows on “the old man with the hat” as he can’t even handle a little radio station in Kibaale District. They did something as foolish right before him campaigning in the district told about the mismanagement of the nearly 30-year rule. That can’t be easy to hear as you are set in your ways. Mzee is literally again stopping the freedom of speech because it doesn’t fit his modus operandi. The President is more and more limiting the movement of the people around him and if you don’t speak his tune, he turn you away.

I am sure he would have a add-block on words I am writing about him. Not that I think he reads it, as I am teasing the leopard too much. As now the KBS Radio did as well. They are now banned and can’t listen in or broadcast the rally in Kakumiro. So the people in Kagadi get shunned from listening to Mzee as a result. I am sure they are listening to Bebe Cool’s Dembe instead of the old man’s speech with recycled pledges and wishes of loyalty to the local public and voter tourism to Kakumiro town. This is something that the radio listeners don’t really need. KBS radio will be Mzee free because of this and get other views and voices.

Kagadi Police Action to Banner

On the 15th of January there were two people who was setting up signs in Kagadi town, they we’re setting up signs that was “anti-Museveni” a week before Mzee himself was supposed to have rally in town. The Police did detain the activists and jailing them for putting up the banner in town. The message they had put up was: “Kidaga Town is the only town with no piped water, Tarmac streets, among others”. That was to violent message for NRM to have on the roadside while campaigning and also to violent. They breached the social contract between the public and police, therefore they was detained. It was so dangerous for society to read such a banner. They even threw tear-gas towards them who as setting it up! This here is yet another proof of the detail control the police and NRM have on the society, that hanging a banner in town that are soon having campaigns. When that report came out; I knew that the KBS report was true, because it is in the same line as NTV and wouldn’t be surprised at this point; Because the NRM have big issues with the media now-a-days! And when two men can put up a sign like that and be detained at the Kagadi Police Station, then you know something is wrong. They cannot help themselves!

Think that is enough of this today. Peace.

FDC Campaign Convoy traversed the Gomba and Butambala District; Youth show’s their local craft; Brief look at the Good-Governance-Level in the Gomba District

Buyana, Gomba District

Today the People’s President traversed the districts of Gomba and Butambala. The FDC Campaign convoy went to the districts and had rallies in towns and villages. Meeting the people and also saw the youth’s ability to produce, like they made their own type of gun. Also other activities that a certain Aspirant is having issues with affiliations and not sure if he is Go-Forward or FDC.

Gomba District FDC 25.01.2016 P1

As the Youth did in Kanoni in Gomba District and the pictures show their craft as they showed it Dr. Kizza Beisgye!

Butambala District 25.01.2016 FDC Campaign Rally

Butambala MP Aspirant Muwanga Kivumbi known to be Go Foward has faced it rough today as he tried to follow Kizza Besigye everywhere. Kizza Besigye campaigning in Butambala district; FDC supporters in the district kept on reminding him why; why he was a part of the Go-Forward and still tried to be hround Kizza Besigye. FDC has got a flag bearer by the names of Moses Kasule in Butambala!

At one point Kivumbe would plead to Kizza Besigye to tell our supporters to allow him seat on a platform. Besigye was a gentleman and later allowed him to address the audience. At the same time telling that FDC Flag-bearer in the district we’re Kasule. Kivumbi should explain to you where he belongs? Go-Forward or FDC? We know some of his colleagues have decided to move with FDC.

Madu 25.01.2016 FDC Campaign

Pretense before the FDC campaign in Gomba District:
NRM couldn’t help to stifle the local transport and movement for crowds for the FDC in a bitch move. NRM and Mzee invited all the Boda-Boda drivers in Gomba District to come to the Kisozi on the day that FDC happen to have campaigns in the district. So noble of you Yoweri!

I will now go into certain governmental issues in Gomba District as the government issues haven’t always followed procedures for procurement and also done it unaccounted for. So there is questionable behavior from civil servants. Also delayed works in the district and that it still is understaffed. Take a look!

Gomba District Logo

Hiring and signing public contracts unauthorized procurement:
“In eighteen (18) cases representing 36% of the sampled contracts with a total value of UGX 229,699,462/-, the audit team revealed that funds were certified by officers other than the Accounting Officer and without evidence of delegated authority” (PPDA, 2013).

Good Governance in Gomba district:
Unaccounted funds: “An amount of UGX.70,097,792 remained unaccounted for at the time of audit contrary to the regulations. Consequently, I was unable to confirm that the funds were utilized for the intended purposes” (OAG, 2015). Unaccountable advances: “a total of UGX.45,035,492 advanced to staff to execute council activities remained unaccounted by the close of the financial year” (OAG, 2015).

Delayed Staff house at Maddu:
“A contract was awarded to a private firm to construct a 3 unit two bed roomed staff house at Maddu HC IV under phase 1 which included substructure, roof, external walls, windows and external doors, internal walls and partitions, internal doors and internal finishing. The contract price was UGX.50,102,034 of which UGX.27,880,983(46%) had been paid at the time of audit. Although the contract completion date was 16th July 2014, inspection of this project in October 2014 revealed that the structure was not completed” (OAG, 2015).

Understaffed district:
“The District has a staff establishment of 419 positions. However, out of the 419 approved posts, only 256 posts were filled, leaving a balance of 163 posts vacant, representing 39% of the approved posts” (OAG, 2015).

I think that is enough for today. Peace.

Reference:
OAG – ‘REPORT AND OPINION OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF GOMBA DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 2014 ‘ (24.02.2015).

Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Asset Authority (PPDA) – ‘PROCUREMENT AND DISPOSAL AUDIT REPORT OF GOMBA DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2011/2012’ (April 2013).

Press Release: Toward the establishment of a Pan African Agribusiness Holding Company (25.01.2016)

AU 25.01.2016 MoU

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 25, 2016 – The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and the Chairperson of SOBEK Trade and Investment (Egypt), Mrs. Manal Abdel Moneim, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in support of an initiative to launch a Pan African Agribusiness Holding Company.

The MoU signed on Tuesday 19 January at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aims at developing women’s agribusinesses by mobilizing investments and providing capacity to such businesses in different parts of the continent.

During the signing ceremony, the AU Commission Chairperson expressed her excitement about this initiative of the private sector, which, she noted was in line with Africa’s Agenda 2063. “I am very pleased that women in the private sector who are doing so well have not forgotten to support and pull other women along. I am very much inspired”. Dr. Dlamini Zuma remarked.

The Pan African Agrobusiness Holding Company initiative was inspired by the AU’s annual themes of Year of Agriculture and Food Security (2014); Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development toward Agenda 2063 (2015), as well as the African Agribusiness Strategy.

Row emerges over NRM task-force composition (Youtube-Clip)

Mzee continues to struggle with the Media; Mzee defends his actions towards NTV; and mistakes the truth with lies

Press Conferance 24.01.2015 YKM
Mzee had today a Press Conference at the Masindi State Lodge in between campaign rallies. He has had issues with the press recently and this here is the memorable quotes from it!

The memorable quote worth taking from Today’s Press Conference:
“Is it not abuse of power to go in public and talk about something you don’t know?”  Mzee continued saying this: “Daily Monitor is also bad paper. Some of these groups like Monitor and NTV don’t know there is a God. They just tell lies. They think that they are the end of the world but God is there looking. You wait. NTV is bad television. NTV is an enemy television”. He continued to say this at the press conference:“Have I wasted my two hours talking since I have not bribed you? Will you air this program?” Also said: “Why do you publish naked women? Why don’t you publish the wealth creation message?”

Mzee doesn’t have it easy lately especially how he looks like a coward after not participating in the debate. A debate for schoolchildren where the other Presidential Candidates was speaking on live TV and discussing governmental matters; that is abuse Mzee that is democratic development where you try to find solutions and explain how they would run their government. As you did in 1980 as a UPM leader and failed. I am sure Milton Obote didn’t call out foul for how he was addressing the papers and radios at that present time. When you did go to the bush, didn’t really know how to run the government because you had run it for a hot minute and been part of Obote’s second term in charge. But is just me right?

Well, this here is pre-bush-war and liberation struggle of President Museveni. Who did what he had to do to reach power. He can’t help himself. Then he has be pastoral again, be preachy as Pentecostal pastor as God being mixed into the freedom of the press and the free speech scenario. NTV and Daily Monitor is now bad paper and telling lies. If so, why does New Vision come with the same poll 5 years apart mister Mzee?

His Excellency is proclaiming they are so bad that their bringing back the end of the world with their reporting. That is what he is initially saying to the other press today. That they have become his enemies; that NTV is about partisan politics towards him and also creating bad programs. As they don’t know they don’t know about the almighty lord. He is calling them bad and atheist! Since NTV is bad and doesn’t see God who is looking at their work.

New Vision 71% 2011 - 2016

The worst part of this address is that Daily Monitor and NTV is bad, and doesn’t know God. Mzee has lost the plot. This here is another level of harassment on the media from the President. The ban of NTV has burned like fire in dry grass and that is for reason. Nobody else then Mzee has had the media coverage or control of the media as him. Right now the Media isn’t telling the stories he want them tell. The adventures and fairytales of the NRM are not being portrayed in the Daily Monitor or on NTV. They ask questions to his reign, not as UBC and New Vision who process the stories of Ofwono Opondo or Mike Sebula without questioning it. Just like they did when they published the recent 71% lead to Mzee, the same lead he apparently had in 2011. We can’t help to question that or the motivation to get the same coverage in all parts of the media.

That an President proclaims in the end of the campaign period and at the same time says as it the end of the world; also that the media who address the world different than his party are enemies! Surely that is not democratic or justified. Sure he could use some drones to fill in the voter tourism at his campaign rallies or have less UPDF people to keep the people at the rally. So they can’t leave until they are told so.

NRM 14.11.15

The programming of the TV Station is for the TV Station or Radio Station to decide depending on what they see as relevant to their schedule and their viewers wish to see it or enjoy it. That is just rude from the President to tell the journalist: that he nearly decree them show his press conference without questioning if they have something else to show. I am sure because he moves his brain and mouth everywhere, so it not literally news anymore. Yeah, I know me playing with the leopard’s anus. But next time maybe not ban a TV Stations before telling the ones showing up their thinking of airing it that is just disrespectful!

Then you tell Red Pepper what to address in the paper, especially not write about human rights violations of the Police, which it is when an opposition woman get undressed in public while travelling to an opposition rally. Instead you want to them to write about your pyramid scheme called the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), that does not prove any yield yet, that is why I call it a pyramid scheme. You have come up similar programs  since taking power in 1986. They have a saying if you lie enough times you believe it as truth. You, Mzee have told the stories on how you will make the country prosperous, instead you have gotten wealthy, while the country you been running is not. That is the reason why Red Pepper writes about Human Rights violations instead of OWC.

Your address the journalist and media as underlings and people, who don’t understand anything, while wanting them to broadcast your stories. You don’t see the misconception in that? This here press conference proves the vile attempt of self-rule and justifications on his own behalf, instead of coming with the tone and gentleman’s approach to the media. Instead he goes gung-ho and address them in a manner that no statesmen would do. Neglecting the fact of how journalism works and that his dedication and presence does not entail a special treatment. You can talk for as many hours as you please and continue with your rallies, but as long as your progress is to stifle media, tell media what to broadcast and also put God into the mix; your losing the basics of news. Media would address you and describe your things if they we’re worthy, or if they we’re paid to do so, as your press are doing constantly like UBC and New Vision. They will have special reports on you and pieces on the achievements of the NRM if you order it. That will not happen from your so-called enemies. If you make them your enemies, then you expect them address your properly? Do you expect people to show you appreciation if you discuss them in volatile way instead being in dialogue? You’re even saying they doesn’t know the almighty God and his overview of the situation, something that you’re implying that your seeing. Isn’t that being a bit naïve and also telling your enemies to be unholy to clean your own hands?

Why should we trust your stories when you tell them the way it makes you look great at any given time, instead of giving the same story! That your implying that you speak the truth while NTV and Daily Monitor tells the opposite. Proves that he has already decided that they are evil and lying to the public, because they don’t tell his stories anymore in the reflection that he wants; because if you don’t tell a story as Mzee then you’re lying; that is my public announcement and keep that in your mind when writing about him. That is what he wants to control your mind so you write the stories he wants; so please Red Pepper, Daily Monitor and NTV address the Operation Wealth Creation, forget the woman of the country and human rights, that doesn’t matter, that is if: Mzee still have the authority to control the creative control of the media and take away the freedom of speech and freedom of the press. That is what he fought for in Luweero in 1980s so he could run the country, not have a free the press or freedom to the people, or have I lost the plot? Peace.

Press Release: Kenyan arrested on charges of Human Trafficking in Uganda (22.01.2016)

UPF 22.01.2016 Press Release

KCCA banning Besigye’s Posters in the City; KCCA have a Campaign Poster Paranoia that is on another level!

KCCA Poster Ban 23.01.2016

We are at a day where a poster from the KCCA is been released. Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is becoming more and more a NRM Unit as we speak. They have already been hard to their DP elected Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. This here is on the same level.

Jennifer Musisi and Frank Tumbawaze have their own mood-swings to show loyalty to their master. Mzee must enjoy the news and the order from KCCA. This here is in the 25 or 26 days of the Campaign Trail. KCCA can’t be seen as impartial organization or governmental organization that runs Kampala. They have also another character to help running KCCA which is the Presidential Advisor for Kampala Affairs. I am still not sure what he is supposed to do, but that is case and scenario that needs deep brief because of the NRM like to run and shield itself instead of telling their story.

KCCA have breached and become so impartial that their level is sky high and the Campaign Poster Paranoia, is just to an extent that is made of baboons. Singing jiggly and acting  with jiggy people in Kabalagala, instead they show no institutional integrity of a government outfit. It proves how the people who are hired of the NRM are not working for the people, but for the political party. This here is a breach of the ethical actions from the KCCA. They are the right-hand for the Mzee instead of working for the people of Kampala. As they show with this action as they proclaim their allegiance to the NRM. Not, being their for any kind of party or having the same rules and regulation for all of the citizens of Kampala. Because that would not be JUSTICE in the eyes of KCCA for the moment. There is a difference between the men who support Dr. Kizza Besigye and President Museveni. that is why his posters can hang and be pinned on the wall. While the FDC poster will be taken down! 

They should either take down that foolish nonsense regulations of taking pay for the posters or and at once stop the ignorance of KCCA to expel FDC and Dr. Kizza Besigye posters from being pinned in the City. Because this leaves NRM with full-fledges of the walls in Kampala. The City can even have UPC and DP poster, and whatever else until Musisi and Tumbawaze can run the city like wild-west in the mercy of Mzee.

There is something wrong with this. Another tale of BS from the NRM-Regime; I wonder who rubberstamped this?

Like in Bugolobi, Kampala the 6th January 2016:

Bugologi, Kampala 06.01.2016 KCCA

Think that was enough for today. Peace.

NRM Papal Poster; And other victorious ideas from Mzee’s team!

Papal Poster NRM Campaign

NRM has so little to show that they have to use the powers and goodwill of the Papal Visit in November to look good. NRM Campaign Team must have lost the plot, but Mike Sebalu is not the smartest trickster or campaign manager in the world, but the here take the Cake!

Uganda Campaign Poster 2016 Funny

This here is also so Priceless! Wonder if the candidates feels the same?

NRM Dumpster Posters

Wonder if Mzee feels that this is a perfect spot to pin the posters up? 

Well, there been more, but this the ones I could find now. Peace.

 

 

Today the People’s President travelled and Campaigned in Kibaale District; with a massive turn-up; Brief governance issues in the District!

Mugisha Muntu 23.01.2016 Hoima District

We can see today how the Kibaale district has turned up for the FDC Convoy and the Presidential Candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye, in high numbers and great spirit. This here is campaign rallies and proving the progress of the campaign where the local public shows trust to him and therefore rallies behind without asking questions.

Kiyazo IDP 23.01.2016 FDC Rally

Dr. Kizza Besigye has visited Kizayo internally displaced people’s camp in Kiziranfumbi sub-county in Hoima district.  Over 200 people were forcefully evicted february last 2015; one business man Kimera Robert using police. People displayed tear gass cansters which police used to forcefully evict them from the land they have been occupying for 20 years. The Evictee told Besigye that they took the matter to court and court put injuction on eviction which Kimera never heeded to.

Kibale District FDC Rally 23.01.2016

Dust repellent! ‘Rtd. Col. Dr Besigye Welcome to the world of dust Kibaale District’ reads the special T-shirt designed for Dr. Kizza Besigye by supporters in Kibaale District. Kibaale District residents do not know how it feels to have their taxes translate into tarmac as they do not have even an inch of tarmac! ‪#‎WesigeBesigye

Bukyinda Rally 23.01.2016 FDC

Dr. Kizza Besigye’s Message after the rallies today:

“Today we continued with Hoima and we rallied part of Kibaale we are thankful for the hospitality extended to us. Support is massive, it is our duty to protect it using our P10 structures. I call upon all our supporters and Ugandans who want change to continue building the Power 10 structures, this is our mobilization structure to protect our votes and make sure they are counted and in the end count. This is what we have to do in order for us to achieve equal opportunities and shared prosperity for the change we all deserve”. #Wesige Besigye

This here proves yet again how the campaign goes for the presidential FDC candidate and people are really behind him, he doesn’t ferry this people to the rallies and they show up on their merry. So let’s be positive about it 25 days to go, and the momentum is rising for Dr. Kizza Besigye.

Some Governance news form the district during recent years:

Here is a quick brief on governmental issues in Kibaale District like on Forrest Reserves and Schooling, as the government should have addressed already, since they have been in power for so many years.

In 2013 and on schools in the district:

 

One government aided schools in Kibaale District are conducting lessons under trees due to acute shortage of classroom blocks as the pupils enrollment shoots up. The need for provision of enough classroom blocks has been witnessed one week after the commencement of second term of academic year 2013 in different government aided primary schools” (104.1 Power FM, 03.06.2013).

On the 10th of August 2015:

“Ruzaire forest reserve in Kibaale district remains a shadow of its former thickness, following increased encroachment by residents, who have up to now defied the 31st July deadline by the National Forest Authority to vacate” (…)”NFA backed by the UPDF and Police on Friday reigned on errant residents, who continue making fresh clearing for another farming season instead of harvesting their produce as agreed. Our reporter was on location as NFA enforced an eviction in which many were arrested from Kabamba Sub County in Kibaale and taken to Kagadi Police” (WBS TV, 10.08.2015).

Albertine Graben

More on Forrest Reserves:

“Judicial and security authorities in Kibaale District have teamed up with civil society organisations to step up efforts to protect natural resources in the area” (Radio Ankole 99,3 FM, 21.09.2015).

On Cholera outbreak in Kibaale District:

“Medical officials in Kibaale District have registered more than 90 cholera cases, the district health officer, Dr Dan Kyamanywa, has said. The cholera epidemic was confirmed on November 9 and six patients have since died” (89.9 Spice FM Hoima, 07.09.2015).

Kibale School Plans 13.01.2016

Message on the 13th January 2016:

“This school need support any Person or Organization, Corporation, Charities, Christian Organization to Donate towards the construction of this Orphans school in Uganda, Kibaale District, the Plan and BOQs you can see by your self. Also the Dormitory Plan and BOQ is on. Thank you in advance” (Kibaale RURAL Development Foundation, 13.01.2016).

That is enough for today. Peace.

Political Parties spending during campaigns in November and December 2015; NRM buying shirts and ferrying crowds; while the others Parties use meager funds their campaigns

NRM Pakwach 14.11.15

This here has been address by others, but this is my view on the report released by NGOs recently. So here is my view on how the parties have spent on the two months, and the issue is that is very important to discuss. Since this is use of money to gain power or to shape the political landscape. The use of moneys and what you use it on show the values and to what extend you will pay to either continue or get power. The pages are after the counting system of Acrobat document, the official document will have different numbers because Acrobat count the empty pages in the beginning also. Therefore the numbers are higher then what it is in the report and don’t get that confused. I just do it to make it easy.

“The minimum amount of money observed to have been spent by parties and their flag bearers in the observed districts was UGX 49.6 billion in November and 88.1 billion in December representing an increase of 77% over the two months. This increase is largely attributed to the commencement of member or parliament campaigns having been nominated on the 3rd and 4th of December 2015” (…)”ACFIM observers reported use of motorcades, bodabodas cyclists, entertainers; and provided transport refund, food and drinks for supporters that accompanied them to nomination and attended the nomination rallies” (P: 8, 2016).

“Assessment of Minimum Expenses by Party:

According to ACFIM observers, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party candidates are leading by far terms of campaign spending. The party accounts for 87% of the total minimum observed expenditures reported by ACFIM Research Assistants/Observers in the months of November and December. NRM is trailed by Independent Candidates who have spent 7.9%, FDC (2.1%), Go Forward political group (1.1%), DP (0.5%), UPC (0.3%) and other parties (0.3%)” (P: 10, 2016).

Yellow Buses Luweero 081115 NRM

NRM Minimum costs:

There has been observed how the NRM have been using funds on their candidates and campaigning from June 2015 to December 2015. This here proves yet again to what extent the ruling parties secure loyalty and MPs. Every NRM Village has spent minimum UGX 15m. The delegates conference for the constitutional amendment they spent UGX 19M. The Second delegate’s conference to elect Flag-Bearer UGX 20M; then it’s the monies spent to MPs to secure the vote for sole-candidacy that was UGX 6M. They also spent money for Posh Cars for party officials UGX 10M. Last was paying for the NRM Primaries which cost about UGX 30M. That means the minimum cost for NRM we’re UGX 100M (P: 12, 2016). That is before you really start to campaign!

Page 12 Expenses FDC June - December 2015

Expenses of Presidential Candidates in November and December:

“The candidate Yoweri Museveni accounts for majority of the total minimum expenditure with 91.6% of the total minimum expenses recorded. Candidate Museveni is followed by Amama Mbabazi whose expenditure accounts for 4.6% and Kizza Besigye (3.3%). The rest of the candidates spent less than 1.0% combined” (P: 16, 2016).

NRM giving money away to gain support:

“The Money Man”; He is retired Leut. Gen. Henry Tumukunde. He was handing over UGX 20million to an association of vendors in Entebbe Market in December. He has been leading the advance party of candidate Yoweri Museveni. Observers in Arua reported that he handed out UGX 50,000 to 400 voters who claimed to have converted from FDC – they met him at White Castle Hotel in Arua” (P: 19, 2016).

Elton Joseph Mabirizi 17.11.15

Expenses on Journalists by Presidential Candidate (Nov & Dec):

“Yoweri Museveni outstrips his competitors in terms of expenditure on facilitation of Journalists on campaign trail. Observers report that candidate Yoweri Museveni has a team on 20 local journalists (electronic and print) that are covering his campaign trail, each of these journalists receives daily upkeep (per diem and incidentals) of UGX 150,000 from the candidate’s campaign coordination team. In addition when the candidate conducts regional press conferences, the facilitation for journalists attending the press conference rises to UGX 500,000 and about 50 journalists can be in attendance (i.e. the 20 on campaign trail are joined by 20-30 others from the region). Journalists on candidate Amama Mbabazi campaign trail get up a reported minimum of UGX 40,000 while journalists covering candidate Kizza Besigye and others get much less or nothing” (P: 31, 2016).

Starlink Buses for NRM 06.01.2016 P1

Voter Tourism:

“Voter tourism as the practice by candidates where voters are provided with buses, trucks, minibuses or cars and driven from their homes to campaign rallies or around the constituency as an inducement to voters in return for their support come polling day. Clearly a poor voter who has not sat in an automobile for a year or more will be more than excited to enjoy the ride provided by the political candidate free of charge. Voter tourism has been prevalent in November and December with candidates of the NRM party most commonly observed engaging in this campaign tactic. Voter hospitality on the other hand is a situation where political candidate host voters to a banquet or party or meal or retreat where are treated to a good meal, animals slaughtered and cooked or roasted, lots of drinks including booze, music/disco, live entertainment and sometimes lodging in a comfortable hotel, motel or lodge. Voter tourism and voter hospitality were prevalent in November and December with majority of candidates across political parties complicity to this” (P: 41, 2016). To continue why the candidates use this tactic; “Political candidates that have been observed to engage in campaign tactics like voter tourism and voter hospitality in November and December, do not do so because they are generous, but because they expect recipients to return the favour. The timing of these offers in the middle of an election campaign and the nature of intended beneficiaries for this generosity is clear manifestation that the aim is to induce voters in return for their support on February 18th, 2016. This clearly is voter bribery” (P: 43, 2016)

Handouts During Campaigns 2015 Uganda

Misuse of Government Resources:

“On the 9th of November 2015 a number of government vehicles were used on candidate Museveni’s rally held at Kasana Play Ground. Some of the vehicle registration plates observed in action at the rally include: UG2183C, UG 0178H, UG1427W, UG 0187D, UG 2688D, UG 2183C, UG 2043C, UG 2405C. UG 1832S, UG1768C. Observers in Katikamu report that on the same day government vehicle number UG 2708R was used to transport supporters to Kasana playground” (P: 44, 2016). “Similarly on December 3rd 2015 dependent candidate for Katikamu South Member of Parliament Patricia Magara was observed using a bus with government number plates to ferry campaign attendees from different sub counties to her nomination rally in Bulakasa” (P: 45, 2016).

Gen Tukumunde Entebbe Dec 2015 - Money Man for NRM

The minimum NRM expenses of only November 2015 are 125,219,922,000! (P: 50, 2016) That is a lot’s of money. I will point out some special expenses that the NRM party has used this giant UGX 125bn on campaign for November 2015! That is lots of lots money! For Voter Tourism they have used UGX 140m in November alone. Allowances for 500 Special Force Command men as Campaign Security total pay cost UGX 300m in November alone. On Yellow T-shirts the NRM party used UGX 15,806bn that is a lot on type of item, it surely is to sprite up those campaign rallies and Yellow crowds! After quick calculations they used close to UGX 1,4bn on media advertisements on TV, Radio and Newspapers. On campaign posters the hefty sum of UGX 1,7bn (P: 49-50, 2016).

Though FDC used a UGX 1bn as the biggest opposition party, it still proves the total use of funds from NRM. I am not surprised with all the knowledge of voter tourism and also giving away foods and items at their campaign venues. The tally has to get big for the ruling party with all the hiring of buses and such proves how much their viable to use to get the perfect crowds and pictures to the press. Like yesterday there we’re reports of a village that was the size of 500 people, the NRM had a campaign rally of 20,000. Surely they had some buses and shipped them to that venue as they have done before and hired bus-companies to travel and pay to get crowds. Something FDC and the other parties does not do.

NRM Terego East 17.11.15

The NRM proves to be the big-spender and would be surprised if the result from a NGO would be different, maybe if Ofwono Opondo would describe it differently.  He said this recently: “It is true that NRM is outspending other parties. It is true that we spent over UGX32b during NRM primaries” (…)”We are spending the money locally. We are buying t-shirts, water, paying musicians, hire cars from Ugandans” (…)”There’s no evidence that money being spent by political parties is causing inflation pressure” (TheInsider, 2016).

Mr Opondo is not a giant economic sense of a guy, the extended monies into use without monetary policy can lead into higher inflations, that is why the two recent elections periods in Uganda in 2006 and 2001 that the inflations rate we’re escalating and also led to higher prices on the household commodities. But Mr. Opondo has a way of forgetting such while his party is big spending. As they have their own “Money Man” during the campaign and continue to support the level of Voter Tourism. I am surely they have an own warehouse just for Yellow T-Shirts near a Headquarter of the NRM. They should they have used such a fortune on it and the ones they haven’t given away should be stored well.

The war-chest of NRM must be huge. As the reports before November was expected that NRM would use UGX 500bn, and by seeing the results of November alone in this report proves that those estimations was spot-on. If you can calculate the same amount for December and January; then you get up to the estimated usage of NRM party. Mzee surely like to make blast and bang while using spin-doctors to portray him as the national father of the country. While the other parties can nearly scrap enough funding for their own campaigns! And the other parties can’t use government equipment like the NRM does once in a while. As this report has pointed out and none of us who follows the NRM should be shocked and awe, it’s more the same old story. Well, that was enough for today. Peace!

Reference:

Alliance for Campaign – ‘MONITORING CAMPAIGN EXPENSES DURING

THE PRE-ELECTION PERIOD’ – PROGRESS REPORT NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015

The Insider – ‘Opondo: NRM money won’t cause inflation’ (23.01.2016) link: http://www.theinsider.ug/opondo-nrm-money-wont-cause-inflation/