Brexit: The Draft Withdrawal Agreement, is that the UK is about leave, but not really leaving!

The charade is up and the draft agreement was released. The hard bargain is that the United Kingdom would lose finalizing this agreement that is made now. Because of the predicament they are already in. they want to trade, but don’t want membership. They want to control the movement, but has to consider the Northern Ireland. Therefore, the Republic of Ireland vote in the European Union has values. Still, the ones who thought the UK would be sovereign by leaving the EU is wrong. They are still connected, but losing their vote and say in the Union. While they have to follow the Union, that they just left.

Brussels won this one. They really took the cake and ate it, but they just used the EU Regulations and Rules, the set-up and configured landscape that is made the EU Member States, which again control the Third States towards the Union; if they want to trade and be incorporated with the Union. In this regard the UK.

The UK and Tories was bound to loose, they have promised an easy road, but everyone on the outside knew they would loose. They just waited to reveal it, until the Withdrawal Agreement Draft was published.

Now, people want to distance themselves from it, the Cabinet and fellow MPs. Who has been solid Brexiteers and wanting to leave the Union. Because that would make the sovereign UK so much better. However, this deal that are delivering the protocols and the measures that any NON-MEMBER STATE would have to encounter, while still being association with European Union are going through. Is something the UK is not ready for.

The Conservative Party, the Theresa May legacy and the whole debacle over the two year work towards today from the Referendum on 24th June 2016. Are clearly showing the blatant disregard, but also the nativity across the English Channel. As the London based politicians thought they could maneuver and trick this one. To negotiate and make it look funky fresh. Instead, they have lost the Membership, their say in the Union and have just pay more for imported goods.

They are having an agreement where the Court Justice of the European Union still have jurisdiction and mandate, even binding force as they leave. The UK is also demanded even as they leave to contribute to the EU budget until the 1 January 2021. Also, ensure there is a Common Travel Area between Ireland and UK, as with respect of the Good Friday Agreement and previous agreed upon measures with the EU considering the Northern Ireland.

Clearly, there is a lot more, but the Tories and the PM May has lost big in this one. They have bound their state as a non-entity, but still giving powers to the Brussels. Seemingly lots of concessions without seeing the implications. Or if they saw it, they accepted because they knew consequences if they pulled out of the bodies or took power. Than, they would have a harder time trading with the EU.

The UK are getting more of the same, as this deal also ensures a Single Customs Union and also free movement of labor, just like today. While also losing their say. But they get a joint Committee, that they will share together with EU until the final withdrawal.

Clearly, the years in limbo will continue with this continued deal, but not the deal anyone really wants to sign. As the beneficiary isn’t the UK, but the EU. That is the funny thing about it all. As the ones wanting to leave, are the ones paying and not the ones remaining. Who would have a say and actually contribute as an equal partner. Instead, they are divorcing, but still kissing the ring.

Also, there was so something about Northern Ireland their rights, but the draft agreement had no sections mentioning special rules or arrangements for Scotland or Wales. They are just ugly ducklings who doesn’t matter to London. As London has to trade the waters carefully in Belfast, but not so much elsewhere I suppose. Peace.

Brexit: Jacob Rees-Mogg Letter on the Withdrawal Agreement (14.11.2018)

Brexit: Opposition Leaders (Corbyn, Roberts, Blackford, Cable & Lucas) Letter to Prime Minister Theresa May (14.11.2018)

Brexit: Opposition Leaders (Corbyn, Roberts, Blackford & Cable) Letter to Prime Minister Theresa May (13.11.2018)

HP partners with authorities in Uganda for double raid on counterfeit print supplies (13.11.2018)

Criminal organisation thwarted as HP’s Anti-Counterfeiting and Fraud (ACF) Programme collaborates with officials in Uganda to disrupt criminal dealings.

KAMPALA, Uganda, November 13, 2018 – HP (HP.com) and Ugandan authorities have conducted a highly successful operation to halt the trade of counterfeit HP branded print cartridges in in the Kampala area.

In August 2018, Ugandan officials carried out a massive double raid, successfully disrupting the criminal dealings of two large scale retailers of counterfeit HP print cartridges. Several premises were targeted as part of the raid, including extensive outlet stores and a hidden manufacturing site for fakes. As a result, the authorities seized over 18,000 ready-for-sale illicit print cartridges.

Counterfeiting is a crime. For users, such illegal imitations can cause a multitude of problems that can cause performance and reliability issues. Should your printer break as a result of using counterfeit printer ink or toner, you could also have issues with your manufacturer’s warranty becoming not applicable.

In contrast, original HP products are designed to meet HP’s strict quality and reliability standards, based on a long history of inventing and testing. Original HP LaserJet and HP InkJet cartridges, unlike counterfeits, benefit from superior performance and consistent results.

HP commends the cooperation and swift action of Ugandan officials and their determination to apprehend and prosecute counterfeiters who break the law. We are proud of our continued work to bring counterfeiters to justice, not only in Africa but throughout the world,” said Glenn Jones, Global Anti-Counterfeiting Program Investigations & Enforcement Operations Manager, HP. “Through our unwavering efforts and commitment to removing counterfeit products from the market, we continue to focus on the protection of our customers through our Anti Counterfeiting and Fraud Programme.”

Across EMEA over the last five years, approximately 12 million counterfeits and components have been seized by local authorities, supported by HP. HP has conducted over 4,500 audits and inspections (CPPAs and CDIs) of partners’ stocks or suspicious deliveries for customers.

Through HP’s Anti Counterfeiting and Fraud (ACF) Programme, the company actively educates its customers and partners to be vigilant against fake printing supplies. It also cooperates closely with local and global law enforcement authorities to detect and dismantle illegal operations that produce counterfeit HP printing components.

Opinion: BoU illicit acts was accepted by the regime for decades!

The Bank of Uganda (BoU) have during the last two weeks shown it blatant side and also its frauds to the public. As the acquisitions of failing Banks hasn’t been done with procedures or protocols. They have not acted in good faith. They have acted ill-willed and certainly not considering that their actions would be looked into. As they was the buffer for the state and the Movement itself. While they could monitor and configure the acquisitions of these failing banks.

That the leadership of the BoU are a proof of the how the state are triggering themselves on the common market. It is a rodeo, it is the Wild West, where the biggest head are getting the stakes and hopefully nobody will look into the transactions. That was until the Parliament and the Parliament’s committee on commissions, statutory authorities and state enterprises (Cosase) started to question the acts of the Bank. The realities of how the BoU has acted.

They can not hide it under the rug. This all is happening because the BoU couldn’t explain the transactions and trade-off with the recent Crane Bank. That is why they are looking into Greenland Bank, International Credit Bank, Cooperative Bank, Global Trust Bank and Teefe Bank. The BoU even sold three banks to Ghost Companies not existing, that was based on Mauritius. Which, shows how the leadership have failed their role or if not laundering money for the high above.

As well, as the most striking feature, is not only loosing the documentations for the COASE Committee in the recent takeover. But the evident acts of not having the assets, the inventory or even following any procedures doing so. What is worse, the lack of oversight or even critical eyes by the Parliament or even the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), as these should have seen it coming. They should wonder why securities, the statutes and the banks was sold without the procedures and needed clearances. This to secure the clients and also the assets of the banks.

It is like they have closed into thin-air, in major heists of the elites, where the BoU have used their tools of disposal, to clear the tenant’s and their liabilities without any scrutiny. Clearly that has been the message, as the Banks have been lost, but been transferred to new homes. These homes has gotten the fortunes or their assets without the BoU could tell what they pushed further. Even selling it to companies not existing.

That the BoU have problems are clear, but they are like the state in general. Who has Ghosts everywhere and creates them for a reason. To hustle and create ghosts to earn more on non-existing projects, this has been there as long as Museveni have been president. It is just a proof of illicit and the problems of society in general. BoU is just a mirror of the administration, of the government and the backwards ways to grabbing money, while the honest are thieved.

The BoU have all been wrong, done it horrific and massively underestimated their history, their practices and the realities, which they now suffer. Certainly for a reason. If the President wants to get rid of one of the leaders within the Bank. This is the sort of scandal that clears the house. But these transactions and these sort of activity will not go away. As the elites and the Presidency has accepted this for decades. This has been done since before the millennium.

Therefore, it will be more skeleton released and show more disgraceful acts from the BoU. They have done it, because the regime has earned on it. If not these practices would have been gone long time ago. Then the Special Force Command would have ambushed the Bank and barricaded it. Peace.

Philippines: Are we seeing a slow Chinese takeover?

Certainly, the massive loans given to the “Build! Build! Build” are starting to cost. As the big infrastructure projects and other loans are taking their toll on the economy. Therefore, the Philippines and President Rodrigo Duterte are trying to collect something. It seems like the Chinese counterparts are getting lots of collateral and salvage the spent funds in Philippines. Because, as the weeks goes by and the ASEAN friends, the one with the upper-hand is China.

This is surely not how Duterte want it too look, as they are having a bargain. There has already been putting into question the control of Benham Rise and the hard-won control of the island there. Still, the Republic haven’t fought with tooth and nail to get it back. This week, it seems like there are more installations on it. The sovereign Philippines are being toyed with by China. They are being fooled and has to accept deals, because of the loans to Beijing. Manila is indebted and has to give concessions. Why else, would this week be filled with new Chinese interference and getting licenses in the Philippines?

Weather Station Controversy:

“It is currently coordinating with concerned government agencies, as well as with the Philippine Embassy in Beijing to verify the existence or non-existence of these alleged facilities,” he said. Panelo earlier addressed this concern on Monday saying Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin jr. will “do his job” once the reports have been verified. China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang announced on November 1 that Beijing has already begun operating weather stations on the artificial islands in South China Sea. “These projects are designed to observe the maritime, hydrological, meteorological conditions and air qualities, and provide such services as maritime warning and forecast, tsunami alert, weather forecast, air quality forecast, and disaster prevention and relief,” Lu Kang said in a press conference” (Janine Peralta – ‘Philippines to take action if Chinese weather stations in South China Sea are verified — Palace’ 06.11.2018 link: http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/11/06/ph-china-south-china-sea-panelo.html).

Oil Fields:

One of the projects included an exploration between state-owned Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) and Chinese state-owned CNOOC Ltd., located off Calamian in southwestern Palawan province, Cusi told Manila Bulletin in a news briefing. Cusi was referring to Service Contract 57 which covers an oil and gas project awarded to PNOC’s exploration unit, and picked CNOOC as a partner. Cusi did not share details for Service Contract 72, an exploration permit held by the Philippines’ PXP Energy Corp. for Reed Bank, but clarified that the Reed Bank, another disputed South China Sea area, is not of the two” (Meanne Rosales – ‘ PH to seal 2 exploration deals with China’ 09.11.2018, link: https://powerphilippines.com/2018/11/09/ph-seal-2-exploration-deals-china/)

Chinese Telecommunication as the Third Telco:

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has lauded the entry of China Telecommunications Corp., or China Telecom, in his country’s telecommunication industry, saying the Philippines stands to benefit from the “good competition” that a Chinese company will bring to the industry” (…) “Duterte said that China “has proved to be of very incredibly high quality of electronics.” “(Xinhuanet – ‘Duterte welcomes China Telecom’s operating in Philippines’ 08.11.2018).

As we see, the sudden Benham Rise in the South China Sea and the will of China to takeover the place, while the Malacañang are preoccupied with sneering at priests, Rappler and who else who hurt their pride. They are not seeing or looking away from the sovereign implications on Benham Rise. As there are talks already of military installations, but now also monitoring equipment and a weather station. Clearly, the Chinese sees it as their land, while the PH are busy trying to find out what is happening there.

Than, you have the oil-fields in the same region, where the Chinese National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) have gotten licenses to drill oil there. Clearly, this is all intentional, as well as they are the lucky third Telecommunication Company and getting into the Cellphone business too. This is just fitting as a glove. They are both getting territory in the South China Sea, they are getting exploitation opportunities and steady profits through a cell-phone carrier. All this they have gotten for dropping some loans, that is hard for the Philippines to repay in cash.

That is why they are allowed to get these things, as collateral for the debt. This is a game the Chinese plays well. That is why this is all happening. We have seen similar efforts done in Sri Lanka. That will surely happen in the Philippines too. As the Chinese is not forgiving with their loans. They want points on the dollar. Not loose money and certainly not lose face on the investments made. Peace.

Opinion: OTT and Social Media Tax is failing as anticipated!

The Over The Top Services Tax and Social Media Tax can only be said as utter embarrassment by the National Resistance Movement (NRM). There are enough things to know this would happen, as the plan was for getting the revenue, but not thinking the consequences of the taxes. That is why, today’s revelations about the levied taxes isn’t that surprising.

Without due-diligence, it is hard to know the effects and the means for why it is put. It seems like the President and the NRM had a dream of cash-flowing into the Consolidation Fund without any consequences, but apparently it does. And when you add taxes on things, people either use less or plan more effortlessly to circumvent this added cost on their daily lives.

Daily Monitor Reports: “Government collected Shs20.5b from social media in the last quarter ended September, according to data obtained from Uganda Revenue Authority. The tax, which was implemented in July, was however, less than the Shs24.9b target that URA had hoped to collect in the period. URA has a monthly target of Shs8.3b. The tax was introduced in the Excise Duty amendments of financial year 2018/19 requiring all social media users to pay Shs200 per day, before accessing certain platforms such as Facebook, Whatsapp and Twitter, among others. Government intends to collect about Shs100b before the end of the 2018/19 financial year” (Christine Kasemiire – ‘OTT raises Shs20b in first quarter, URA fails on targets’ 07.11.2018).

While it is a few days ago, that the MTN Uganda promised the 24 hours since paying tax, that the tax would last from the time of payment of the tax until the time is spent. Instead of how it has been, until the new day coming. Meaning, that often you would only get half-a-day with the Social Media, as the taxation would start again, when the clock turns 00:01.

That is why this was news to: “Airtel Uganda and other telecom service providers have announced a fundamental change in the Over the Top excise duty imposed on social media following a directive from Uganda Communications Commission, the telecommunications regulatory body in Uganda. Since its introduction in July 2018, the tax commonly known as OTT or social media tax, was only valid up to midnight of the payment date for daily users. With the recent changes, daily subscribers can now enjoy internet services for a complete 24 hours – right up to the time that they subscribed 24 hours earlier. This also applies to the weekly and monthly users who can also enjoy services until the time that they subscribed” Brian Emorut – ‘Social Media tax validity to now last 24 hours’ 06.11.2018 – Guide 2 Uganda).

So now, Airtel and MTN has changed their pattern of getting the OTT tax. While URA is struggling to met the supposed the quota. This shows that the state had not considered all implications to the levied taxes. The NRM clearly didn’t envision, either the use of VPN and also that people cannot afford it. Because it is barrier to be even using the social media after the taxes.

Surely, the 24 hours usage and the lack of collection. That the Telecoms and the Mobile Money outlets has been pushed and lost revenue is certain. As the data-bundles and Air-Time had to be corrected from July on and also now the barrier for OTTs are changing again. This is surely showing that the Telecoms and the Republic wasn’t prepared for this, but doing it on orders from the President. Peace.

Opinion: Jubilee rocked by another Maize Scandal?

In this treacherous world

Nothing is the truth nor a lie.

Everything depends on the color

Of the crystal through which one sees it” – Pedro Calderón de la Barca

The Jubilee government have another level of corruptness over themselves. The President is brazen in his public fight with corruption, but the behavior of the government is corrupt as it possibly can be. The things of nature, is that it repeat itself. This time without government subsidizes like it was on the way to the Fresh Presidential Elections of 2017. When the maize was subsidized and the maize came from Mexico. Then rebranded and restocked as local produce.

Now, were in the middle of 2018 there was also extra attention to it, as the National Cereal and Produce Board had already bought imported maize to stock, while the locals had to get lesser pay while selling to the millers. As that has happen and the months has gone by, there are now reports. That the NCPB silos has destroyed 60% of its maize. That is imported maize that has already cost the taxpayers about ksh. 9 billion and now they have to import more. This is happening right in the 4 Quarter and before the festive seasons of Christmas Carols and jingle bells.

Clearly, this seems like a ploy, as the Deputy President William Ruto are promising farmers more money and another ksh. 2 billion to buy more stock. This is consequence of the importing of 4.4 million bags of maize. We can wonder who are earning fortunes on these games with the farmers and with the citizens needing to buy the maize flour, the UNGA. This is the staple food the government is making a mockery of.

This is meanest way of destroying confidence and also showing utter disgrace of office. As the NCPB and Ministry of Agriculture, the CS Mwangi Kiunjuri and Chairman Mutea Iringo. Both of them should come clean in this mess. It is evident there is something behind the curtain and someone is trying to fool someone. As the NCPB and CS Kiunjuri should spare no mind, explaining how they could buy rotting maize and toxic of it, while also struggling to pay local farmers. If not, there are something else going on.

As there other interests, than paying the farmers a fair price, as the imported ones from Uganda and Mexico is hitting the markets at a lower price. While the farmers struggle to sell their produce to the NCPB. This is all deliberate acts, as the millers and cartels are securing huge profits of the imported ones. While the local produce are wasted and destroyed. Now, even the foreign ones isn’t all good and suddenly destroyed. The utter chaos and the mismanagement is clear. Even as the NCPB are calling themselves “The Leaders in Grain Management”. When concerning Maize, they are not, unless they are following orders of cartels and from above.

This all seems weird, it all seems like a deliberate act of misconception to get higher prices, trick the citizens and get more profits for the millers and importers. Not to generate a better environment or even selling the staple food at a reasonable price. The Jubilee government have tried to trick the public before with UNGA. Therefore, I am skeptical about the beneficiary and the ones getting paid by this scheme. As the amounts of money and the toll on the economy, as the NCPB and Ministry should know better.

Clearly, another Maize scandal, but this government are rocking with scandals all the time. Peace.

RSA: EFF Statement on the Increased Unemployment Rate (30.10.2018)