Kampala’s BRT at this stage is a pipe-dream!

The Bus Rapid Transport system together with a Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (MATA), in the midst of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Kampala City Hall and Ministry of Kampala. This are having different heads combined with the mastermind on the top President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Doesn’t matter what the ones in the parishes are considering, the Division Mayors, Lord Mayor Lukwago, KCCA Director Musisi or even State Minister Kamya. The one rubber-stamping the initiatives is and will be the President. Since he has his finger into everything.

That is why I have no faith in BRT. Even if it is stop the congestion, the lack of public transport in Kampala and problems of control of the Boda-Boda’s, the authority of the Taxi’s and the Specials. There are still significant issues to be reached. It doesn’t matter if they are banning or stopping certain transport options. As long as the ones working, are the taxis and boda-boda’s. These are the ones who has designated routes and travels with licensing for their routes. The Taxis are usually used Toyota Hiace imported from Japan, second-hand ones who was former bread-trucks, who are rebuilt to fit as many people as possible.

While a BRT means there will be heavy investments in stages, in divisions and in congested areas to fit the paradigm of buses. It isn’t barely putting buses on the road and assume the population will start taking it. The need for steady implementation of road structure, of bus-companies, of driving schools and of time-tables has to be put on order to make sense for the citizens to use it. Since it needs to be better than the transportation options that are today, like the taxis, boda-boda’s and specials. At this stage the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) in their feasibility study estimates the needed funds to get it going at this point to be the staggering $612.06 Million. With today’s value of the Uganda Shillings it is about Shs. 2,193,883,999,999 UGX, in other terms over 2.1 trillion shillings. Which means one tenth of the Financial Year budget of 21 Trillion Shillings in FY 2017/2018. Just to put in perspective.

This infrastructure project of this size and ramification better make the roads of Kampala into bricks out of gold. Clear every single pothole and make sure the gravel grade more than standard. This project has been going on for ages without any movement or significant progress. Why I am writing about it, well there suddenly if it is true, some Chinese Investors who wants to touch the erratic transport system of Kampala. This are together with the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, at the State House discussing investments into it. Therefore, the sudden move of actual fueled money into it. As the 2.1 Trillion shillings doesn’t grow on trees.

President Museveni stated this today:

The Kampala Metropolitan Rapid Bus Transport project is a necessity. We should not continue to have so many cars with limited capacity” (…) “The investor will construct 26 rapid bus stations, 420 stage shelters and an initial 400 buses with a carting capacity of 74 passengers” (Museveni, 18.06.2017).

With this unknown Chinese Investor, they are clearly indicating some infrastructure and some buses to put up. If this will see the light of day and will be honestly implemented, than there are start, but it takes time to find routes and needed ways to make it profitable, as there will also be lost oppertunities for the ones who used taxis, specials and boda-boda’s on these roads. That is if this isn’t a scheme and plot of manufacturing more monies through the state-house. Which wouldn’t be surprising knowing how the President often operate.

The BRT would be a bonus and strengthen the congestive traffic of Kampala, a needed one for more time working and less time stuck in traffic jams. It would be important for the citizens leaving the divisions and traveling across town to work. But the state haven’t been able in the recent years to pull it off. Maybe Chinese investments would help it and their involvement in it would see it moving. But it shouldn’t just be the President’s blessings over the investments. The KCCA, Ministry of Kampala and City Hall should all have a say and make reports on how to build it properly. As the UIA even states there have only been a feasibility-study. That is preparation for the solution, but not the white paper or even framework for the Divisions or Central Business District of Kampala to make the BRT a success. Right now it is dream, which most likely could turn into a nightmare before its shuttle.

NAMA Proposals in 2013 are even more costly: “The capital costs budgeted over the 15 year period were estimated to total some US$ 1.181 Billion”. That is the double of the estimates from UIA in 2017. Therefore, something has either been scaled down or the NAMA was considering more aspects in their plans, than the UIA has. But is not like the President today has delivered any paperwork or reveled any sort of information what sort of possible deal he done with the “the Investor”. He could be scapegoat or even a mirage for all we know. Because none is on the up and up.

Especially considering he had a meeting with them at the State House in Entebbe with none of the leadership of Kampala. The ones in Kampala will just later get the news of the building and investments, therefore has to figure out how to implement it and work-out the perks. Parts of me wonder if the President even has looked into the documentation and considered the needed partners in play. But that is just how the President operates. He just can build Rome on his own or Kampala for that matter. He has all the skills and the brown envelopes at his disposal. Peace.

Brexit: DUP-Tories makes it sound like a ‘Pick-and-Mix’ not divorce of a longstanding Union!

It is come to many ones ears what sort of reality the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is living in, as she is now a power-broker in London and in Belfast. As her steady relationship with Ireland is also needed. Therefore, that she states this about Brexit, seems a bit far fetched, but let’s take a bit of look into her words:

She described her meeting with Mr Varadkar as “very useful and pleasant” (…) “We want to see a Brexit that works for everybody, not just in Northern Ireland from my perspective but in the Republic of Ireland as well, so it is about a sensible Brexit,” she said. “I know people want to talk about soft Brexit, hard Brexit, all of these things but what we want to see is a sensible Brexit and one that works for everybody.” (BBC, 2017).

Conservative Party or the Tories under the leadership of Theresa May have to work directly with Arlene Foster. It is not Prime Minister May has come with Red, White and Blue Brexits, talked about hard or soft Brexit. They have come with all sort of combo’s that even a fast-food restaurants would be proud of. Like you can pick between a set-meal or add different sides.

It is not like there will be guidelines from Brussels, like the Member States of the European Union and the already set agreements between United Kingdom and the EU has to be settled. Also the finalization of border-control between them. The movement of workers, trading, certifications, licensing and legal framework. Therefore, it isn’t just a subject of getting polish workers to move back to the Union instead of working on low-pay at a building-site in Cardiff. It is more complex than that.

The whole process from the United Kingdom has been erratic and been a circus. The Brexit planning has been a shadow of bureaucracies that the Commonwealth and former Empire was so proud of. Instead, the government have been meager and weak, they haven’t delivered and not given them any flesh on the bones. Just a jellyfish, not even a proper tuna. The mellow belly-waging and wobbly progress will not leave anything behind.

That PM May only cares about her power, as she would have in the months ahead of the negotiations come with guidelines and also delivered some scope of how they anticipated the outcomes could be. However, the EU have put forward certain key aspects and motions that has to be put in order. Something that UK should have worked with and taken serious as a Member State leaving. Instead, they have had enough internal issues and lacking movement to be taken serious.

That the DUP and Tories coalition will make it harder is evident as the UK Government has to be more careful of the Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. That is how the Irish are supposed to co-exist. Not only if the Brexit will cut off the trading agreement between London and rest of Europe, but also if the Schengen passports and such is still relevant. This will not a be easy trade-off and be as anyone expect. The UK and EU will be former mates, trying to figure out an agreement that benefits the EU Member States and what completes the wishes of United Kingdom.

Certainly, that will not be sensible, but will be painful and also in the beginning hurt both the EU and UK. Since, they leaving and has to create another types of boundaries and border legislation. This will consider everything that today makes the imports and export working, as well as the production and all other aspects of modern-Britain.

Therefore, when I hear comments like this from Arlene Foster and DUP, also remembering the words of Theresa May, which has been staggering in the sense of Brexit. It seems like she thinks she had total control and could explain Brussels how it would be to leave. It wasn’t to cut the contract of gym-club, but the grand-partnership between the EU and UK. So she said this after triggering the Article 50: “ So Mr Speaker, in the letter that has been delivered to President Tusk today – copies of which I have placed in the library of the House – I have been clear that the deep and special partnership we seek is in the best interests of the United Kingdom and of the European Union too” (…) “We will pursue a bold and ambitious free trade agreement with the European Union that allows for the freest possible trade in goods and services between Britain and the EU’s member states; that gives British companies the maximum freedom to trade with and operate within European markets; and that lets European businesses do the same in Britain” (…) ‘Because European Leaders have said many times that we cannot ‘cherry pick’ and remain members of the Single Market without accepting the four freedoms that are indivisible. We respect that position. And as accepting those freedoms is incompatible with the democratically expressed will of the British People, we will no longer be members of the Single Market” (Morley, 2017).

Still, at this point and within her speech on the triggering. It seemed like a giant wish-list and easy taking the wishes and want the UK might need in the future. Instead of seeing the truth or telling the sincerity of it, which means that UK has to follow suit of the EU and European Commission. Even if they leave and has taken an important place in the Union. They now has to leave with the binding agreements they have signed in the past, the co-operative organizations and legislation that has to be left behind. This means it will not be little things to cover in the 2 years time and neither the aspects of just movement between the UK and the EU.

The UK cannot pick-and-mix with the EU. They never have and never will, they have to try to use leverage and fear. The Tories and DUP will clearly have issues on the 19th June 2017, when the negotiations start. As even the DUP are thinking of taking the sweat candies and either asking for cup of coffee or tea.

The Brexit will be costly for both the EU and the UK. How much and how dire, the time will tell, the internal affairs in both camps will be bloody. The dossiers and notes from the political sides will really show the effects and the true feelings of the negotiations. That even the most conning politicians doesn’t want to reveal. Peace.

Reference:

Morley, Nicole – ‘Theresa May’s speech as she triggers Article 50 and starts Brexit process’ (29.03.2017) link: http://metro.co.uk/2017/03/29/theresa-mays-speech-as-she-triggers-article-50-and-starts-brexit-process-6540860/

Jeremy Corbyn letter to PM May on ‘hold a full independent public inquiry into the fire at Grenfell Tower” (16.06.2017)

The new Financial Disclosure Form of 14th June 2017 – Doesn’t reveal anything about Donald Trump, because it isn’t verified value his supposed wealth!

Just as again this week there has been a new release of Financial Disclosure Form for President Donald J. Trump, still this is just estimates of his value, not the real-deal. That would be in a IRS Tax Returns. It is a reason why don’t surface, because the Financial Disclosure Form of 14th June 2017, is another bragging document and possible values of estates and businesses. But is not saying the real value, because how it is taxed is the real value.

Because all of the estate and values are from a possible value into a skyrocketed one, while the profits of it might be meager or decent. Therefore, a new released Financial Disclosure Form isn’t saying anything new. Other than President Trump is a coward, a little whiny bitch who cannot be transparent. Who doesn’t have the capacity or is so afraid of how he really has earned his money, that he knows it is damaging for him.

If he wasn’t afraid, if he wasn’t whiny, but was an honest businessman, we would have seen the IRS Tax-Returns in 2015 or even in 2016, but he doesn’t have the character. Even Hillary Clinton and her combined foundation with Bill Clinton, the Clinton Foundation had now troubles being open to society and disclose their earnings and profits. But Trump cannot do that because he is crooked and not honest.

I see no difference with this and what was delivered as his status as running Presidential Candidate, the ones that believes this paper is blind and has no vision. Since the various differences of value estimates are bananas. An estate cannot be either worth a million or ten million. It either is fixed to cost 1 million or cost 10 millions. Unless, the estate manager suck so much at his job that he cannot find people to give a just price for the prospect and the land it is on. So it seems like President Trump want to bloat his ego and try again to prove his wealth. That wouldn’t be surprising.

Like Trump Marks Istanbul II LLC a license deal with Ortadogu Otomotive Ticaret AS, the income amount in the paper says between $ 1,000,000 to $ 5,000,000. Because that is 4,000,000 difference of earning possibly, this is one company and it is amazing how much royalty difference and profits from this Turkish company or whatever it is. Since the Trump Organization and President Trump isn’t sincere. Since they would be straight forward with a set amount to the Internal Revenue Authority (IRS), since they don’t want to pay to much cents on the dollars of their profits. That is if they are really trying to earn monies on this company alone.

While the new Hotel in Washington D.C. the Trump Old Post Office has no difference in earnings and profits. It has a total income of $ 19,666,129 and value which is over $ 50,000,000. This means that still the agreed rent of the hotel and the total value of the property isn’t assessed, but since it has long-term rental facility, the Trump Organization doesn’t mind, secondly since it is important placed hotel they have to straight forward on the profits.

So when you have these sort of things, it is hard to believe as the steady lies and deception from the President. Someone like me, will only believe the IRS Tax Returns that isn’t being disclosed. Therefore, I cannot trust this man and his business practices, since his ways is not sincere and honest. Just like his misuse of students at Trump University and also the use of polish workers for building his Trump Tower. He has never had the ability to be truthful or use just behavior in his business practices. Peace.

Kenya: KMPDU – Press Statement “Health Sector Crisis Industrial Unrests” (16.06.2017)

My letter to President Magufuli: seems like you need some love 2.0

Dear Sir, His Excellency (H.E.) President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli of the United Republic of Tanzania.

I am writing to you again, it strange how it comes to this. I wonder why it has turned to this. There was so much hope for you. You we’re a breath of fresh air, acted differently and seemed decent. Instead, the power has eaten your soul and you cannot handle critics or possible dossiers.

It seems like you have a little-man complex or power fatigue, as you expected to get showers of confetti and not get rainy days. I know it is weird, but life is usually what you serve it. If there are issues and corruption in the Mining Industry, it isn’t the tabloid paper Mawio, but it is the Mineral Extraction companies and civil servants who are corrupted. You should not have issues with the tabloid journalists in Mawio, they are just telling stories from Tanzania and from the different people that lives there. You should know this better than me, you are the Executive and running the Republic. Let’s take a brief look!

The Information minister Dr Harrison Mwakyembe imposed the 24-month ban through a statement released to the media by the Director of Information services Dr Hassan Abbasi on Thursday evening” (…) “I have been left with no other option than to use powers conferred to me by the Information Services Act to impose a ban on Mawio from publication for the next 24 months,” read part of the letter from the minister to Mawio editor” (…) “Mawio was accused of ignoring a government directive on reporting of the former presidents. On Wednesday, President John Magufuli warned the media against linking Mkapa and Kikwete to the government minerals dispute with mining giant Acacia” (The Citizen, 2017).

I know you must feel hurt… feel the pain and the sorrow of maybe being involved in possible mineral dispute like your previous peers. I know that the precious heart of yours must be shattered. That this Mawio tabloid paper wrote such a hideous story exposing the current president, you Magufuli are compered with them. It seems like you have lost your heart…

That your heart was shattered, that the deep sorrow are coming over you. Magufuli you need love and passion, as you have so little compassion. As a president your expected to get support and praise, but this is opposite. What Mawio wrote was maybe distasteful of your wished reputation, but if your connected and letting the government do similar as your predecessors. Shouldn’t that be informed by the media?

Seemingly, you are the President and your precious feelings are getting hurt so often. That the press are writing stories and revealing the government matters, which they shouldn’t in your opinion. Well, many would be to differ, especially when try to dig deep, like even a weekly tabloid Mavio did on Wednesday.

Someone needs to give you love, make it compassionate and be a caregiver to you. Since you cannot handle criticism and critic of any kind. As President and as Executive, you should have the heart, have the understanding and handle the media, as they are there to be part of the checks and balances of your work, President!

Your government are weak and pathetic if it cannot handle that a tabloid write stories about it. President Magufuli, I know you need love, lots of it. You need it so much, that if someone now writes against you and your government you hurt them. The Ministry of Information are suspending them on your accord.

Your usually gets what your hearts seeks. Your emotions seems to run a bit hot lately, as over the last few months… you have been hard on the media and journalists for so, so long!

Can someone please… for the love of god and everything holy, give the President some love. So that he can act like fellow brother and not as heinous totalitarian leader, not as the leader people expected you to be!

Best Regard

Writer of Minbane

Mawio Newspaper Suspended – United Republic of Tanzania – Statement in Swahili

Reference:

The Citizen – ‘Tanzania slaps 2-year ban on newspaper for linking Kikwete, Mkapa to mining row’ (16.06.2017) link: http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Tanzania-tabloid-banned-Magufuli-minerals/2558-3973200-37oyx/index.html

PM May are walking on thin-ice with the Tories/DUP Coalition talks and the Brexit negotiation!

Just as Sinn Fein and Gerry Adams proclaim in-front of Number 10 Downing Street today alerted the world, again that the current arrangement between the Conservative Party and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), as the talks between them continues in London. The Northern Ireland peace-process and negotiations continues to linger on the Tories. They have officially opened the can of worms and cannot swallow it quick enough. Because there more problems lingering for the term ‘Confidence and Supply’ agreement aren’t finalized. The Queens Speech for the entering of new government has also been postponed, and none of the deals are agreed before the start of Brexit. Which was declared by the European Commission today.

The following joint statement has been issued by the Department for Exiting the European Union and the European Commission:“Michel Barnier, the European Commission’s Chief Negotiator, and David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, agreed today to launch Article 50 negotiations on Monday, 19 June.”(European Commission, 2017).

So the United Kingdom and their process of leaving the European Union (EU), as the notification has been triggered and the issues remain the same. The EU has guidelines for the negotiations with the Member State leaving. But the Party leaving is divided and weak, they not even prepared for the trade-off or even the future questions of sovereign state or even as possible state working together with European Union.

While the Tories are working on their coalition with DUP, the Northern Ireland party involved in direct in the United Kingdom government or Her Majesties Government. So the Sinn Fein statement from Gerry Adams of violating the Good Friday of 1998, seems fair and just observation by the Republicans of Northern Ireland. As the Unionist Party are involved directly and trying to figure out a way to get more power for giving majority to the Tories. This seems like Arlene Foster and Theresa May has no issues burring the Good Friday Agreement, making it all clear in Northern Ireland, that the Unionist are the right citizens and their needs. Not the general Northern Irish, as the people are still trying to fix Stormont or the local councils, are the wounds are still fresh. Therefore, the ties with IRA and other Unionist Militias are controversial, as the para-military brigades are feared for creating violence.

This can flair up when the dust settles and things starts to go south. The Northern Irish parties should fear the DUP influence and their capacity in London. British are now totally involved and also partial with DUP as their role in the government and as benefactor for the possible coalition. This would be what-so-ever party who would be in coalition in London from Northern Ireland; if it would be Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), Alliance Party of Northern Ireland or Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) the answer would still be the same. They are to involved in the government of London and United Kingdom.

So on Monday the 19th June 2017, the British officials will not government officials, as the government are not authenticated, not even deliberated by the Queen who officially opens the Parliament and the Cabinet. This will not happen before 21st June 2017. Therefore, the government, who is not official are negotiated. But you know they are on thin-ice when they have to release this statement:

Today I met Northern Ireland’s five main parties with a clear focus on restoring devolved Government to Northern Ireland as soon as possible” (…) “But time is running short and the parties must come together by the 29 June for the return of a strong voice at Stormont and for a brighter future for everyone in Northern Ireland” (…) “My government remains absolutely committed to doing everything we can to help take this process to a successful conclusion, remaining steadfast to our commitments in the Belfast Agreement and its successors” (…) “The Northern Ireland Secretary will continue to engage with the parties before this crucial deadline and if no resolution is reached then we will need to consider what steps we need to take, to ensure Northern Ireland has the political stability it needs” (Prime Minister’s Office, 2017).

Prime Minister Theresa May are clearly not aware of the Belfast Agreement or Good Friday Agreement of 1998 and the Executive Agreement of 2008. So that the PM May are talking of short time for the future of Northern Ireland. Because the United Kingdom government is not official, not even as Brexit starts. The possible violation as the DUP are working their perks with the Tories to finalized the coalition. That secures the Prime Ministers position, but that is at the same time directly interfering with the talks of 29th June 2017. They are happening as the new government and coalition are appearing.

That the Unionist and DUP doesn’t care about the Republicans are clear by their actions in this matter. If they cared about that, they wouldn’t consider the coalition, as the peace and prosperity of the political agreements of Northern Ireland would matter more than UK Government. Alas, that is not the case and the world can see how power-hungry the DUP is. This isn’t the short-con or the long-con. This is the opening of wounds and destruction, just so someone can stay Prime Minister. That someone in London can with their impartiality in Northern Ireland, Belfast can be turned upside down because of this.

She might not only be remembered for breaking the Good Friday Agreement, undo the peace of Northern Ireland and also regain her wobbly government into the Brexit without a clear policy or legal authority. Theresa May may actually be able to in her lifetime to restart conflict in the NI and also create more polarization with the Holyrood and Edinburgh. As the Scottish Independence and Northern Ireland peace process might jeopardize lot’s of strength the Brexit and her own stability.

There brewing trouble in Belfast, there brewing grand-issues in London and in Edinburgh. Only Cardiff in Wales that are steady as it goes. And if there is issues in Belfast, the Dublin will react as well, as there is fellow Irish people who needs support. That means a Member State of the EU has issues with the way a current, but leaving Member State are handling internal-affairs. The Republic of Ireland will react as it has done with even a phone-call Taoiseach and the worries of Ireland. We can wonder if Leo Varadkar will do. The Irish will certainly not accept the breach of agreement, since the Good Friday Agreement was between the Irish, British and Northern Irish counterparts. That is because all of them see it their territory.

We can just wonder if Theresa May wants to risk so much, create such a fragile and troubled state, just for the sake her staying in power. That the Northern Ireland politics and agreement should be more important, that is if she was considering something else than her own career. Nevertheless, that doesn’t seem to be important. It would be humiliating to step-down and let another minority government come into power. But wouldn’t it be even worse to jeopardize the peace and open up the wounds in Northern Ireland! Peace.

Reference:

European Commission – ‘Joint statement by the Department for Exiting the European Union and the European Commission’ (15.06.2017) link: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-17-1656_en.htm

Prime Minister’s Office – ‘PM statement following Northern Ireland talks: 15 June 2017’ (15.06.2017) link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-statement-following-northern-ireland-talks-15-june-2017

UNRA: Termination of the Contract for Civil Works for Upgrading of Musita Lumino/Busia – Majanji Road (104km) From Gravel to Paved (Bituminous) Standard (12.06.2017)

USA: Memo for President Trump – Interim Report Pursuant to Executive Order 13792 for BENM in Utah (10.06.2017)

Tories-DUP Coalition: May needs the DUP more, than they [DUP] need the Tories!

Certainly the late night statement that the Democratic Unionist Party are still in talks with the Conservative Party. Proves that the Northern Ireland question is still not sealed, as well as the stalemate of power in London are still fragile. That Theresa May needs the support of Arlene Foster more than ever. Theresa May needs the DUP to have enough MP’s to have a majority. This is something important at play.

BREAKING: DUP leader Arlene Foster to meet Theresa May in London on Tuesday after Number 10 mistakenly announces agreement with the party” (David Blevins, 11.06.2017).

At this moment the ramifications of the power-play of the DUP who can really ambush the Tories. Therefore, the Number 10. statement of yesterday has been downplayed by the Northern Irish party. So the world and the United Kingdom will not know the implication of the deal before later next week. This proves the weakness of the Tories and May. Who has to walk slowly and be less rash, since the DUP can easily just back-away if they are not taken care of enough.

Surely, the Sinn Fein and other Northern Irish parties should ask for a place in the coalition, if not it is impartial and in direct conflict of the Good Friday Agreement. If not Theresa May’s will to regain power is in vain, as she destroys the peaceful agreement and creates a possible stalemate at Stormont and in Belfast. If she wants to regain it, it should be done with tact and care. It would at this point be better if the Tories went into a coalition with Liberal Democratic Party (Lib-Dems) over the DUP. But that would mean another type of coalition and also another type of negotiations.

But Theresa May doesn’t seem to be keen to have viable coalition, which doesn’t create problems in either Scotland or Northern Ireland. She prefers power at any cost. Even if the price is to destroy the Good Friday Agreement. That she will trade away the agreement for a possible cabinet and make ready for Brexit. Proves that she will use all means to gain power. Not for the betterment of the UK, but that she get to keep her chair.

The only winner is DUP, but they are also making themselves impartial in Northern Irish issues, as they are highly connected in London, instead of Belfast. The national assembly of Stormont will be proxy parliament, instead of a genuine chambers. They will be second-hand and not as respected as it needs to be. As the DUP would earn political mileage in London and by propping-up May! Peace.