Zimbabwe Youth Council Statement on the Support Rendered by the Minister of High & Tertiary Education through ZIMDEF (11.10.2016)

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The Ethiopian protests in the provinces end in ‘State of Emergency’ another way to oppress the Amhara and Oromo regions!

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Just as the months of demonstrations in Amhara, Oromo and Ogaden regions the Ethiopian Government under the Tigray Central Government under Prime Ministre Hailemariam Desalegne has order a State of Emergency. This happens as several foreign businesses are either pulling out of the regions or feeling the fear of being burned down by protestors. The reality is that the Government have already set in the Agazi Squad of the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) under the Ethiopian People’s Revolution Democratic Front (EPRDF).

The Amhara demonstrations and Ogaden demonstrations has been in general peaceful, but with some reactions towards the government has given land to foreign companies instead of giving the needed support to the locals. 

PM Hailemariam Desalegne said on TV:

“A state of emergency  has been declared  because the situation posed a threat against the people of the country” Hailemariam said on state run tv” (Reuters, 09.10.2016).

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State of Emergency:

“The Council of Ministers has declared a state of emergency that will be effective as of Saturday evening so as to deal with anti-peace elements that have allied with foreign forces and are jeopardizing the peace and security of the country,” the state Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation announced Sunday morning” (FaroukFahima, 2016).

Breaking News: The minority and most hated regime in #Ethiopia declares state of emergency. The regime is in war against the people” (ERITREA Hadelibi, 09.10.2016).

There has also been reported on Friday that both Dutch Flowering companies working in Oromia and Amhara are planning to shut-down production in the area. This being Esmeralda Farms, Africa Juice and other 11 companies has been or trying to close their operation in Ethiopia. Other businesses have been burned down by the demonstrators as they are feeding the government with tax monies and do it weakening the authorities. This company has also been reported being behind the land-grabs in the regions, something that are escalating the anger towards the Central Government and their policies towards the citizens.

Zewya Prison have been set a blazed by demonstrators as the government are using their army. There been heard of gun shootings as well.

There been reported that the TPLF are keeping their loyal henchman in Amhara, as the regional president Hon. Ato Gedu Andargachew are to stay in power. Even with all the problems and demonstrations he is still trusted by the Addis Ababa government.

The army and Agazi Sqaud have been reported being responsible for the killings amounting up to 700 people, because the #OromoProtests are violating the control and insecurity of the Central Government. The Oromo people are fighting for their justice as the Central Government are keeping them under control now with surveillance, army and curfew in the region. Since November 2015, the amount of fallen people during the Oromo Protest has been calculated to 2500. That is extreme numbers to die under protests in peace-time.

That is happening as the Army has also sent brigades to the Amhara region where towns has been attacked and taken over by the Agazi squad. They have had assassins on the roof tops of Bahar Dir and Gonder/Gondar.

There also been reports that the TPLF and the EPRDF has moved all ammunitions and heavy artillery to the Tigray district. As they have sent major armies that we’re reported a month ago or so to be in the levels of 25,000 soldiers to Amhara alone. That is not setting the levels of army presence in the Oromo region.

In Addis Ababa the roads are now blocked by the government as the locals and demonstrations are throwing rocks at the cars moving in the area.

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This here proves the vital problems of the State of Emergency created by the Central Government as they are trying to kill their way into silencing the Amhara, Oromo and Ogaden, this is happening the same week as the Government supposed to celebrate a feet of having a new railway between Addis Ababa and Djibouti where the Chinese are operating and training Ethiopians to run it.

The Central Government are now using excessive force as they are not even happy with the martial laws set in regions, therefore added their repressive behaviour and killing squads of the Agazi Squad of the ENDF. The ENDF are there to stop the burning of foreign businesses, because that hurt the pocket of the controlling TPLF government.

There will be more, when the reports are coming, this is a worry and the world should care that the country that has the African Union and seemingly are in-charge of the  Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). So with that in mind the Government should care more for their citizens as their responsibility to be a example is now far-gone because of the ways the silencing and killings of their citizens are happening in Oromo and Amhara regions. They are continuing as the government are not only having issues in Ogaden, as they are acting questionable in Somali Region as well. Peace.

Reference:

Faroukfahima – ‘Ethiopia Declares State of Emergency’ (09.10.2016) link: http://www.forumspotz.ng/ethiopia-declares-state-of-emergency/

Remarkable remarks made by Hillary Clinton in her Wall Street speeches!

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Some people have asked for this a long time as we all who has followed politics knows that the Democratic Party Presidential Candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton has a track-record for paid speeches and earnings while being a career politician. This is a legacy she has left behind, neither if she likes it or not.

Hillary Clinton has been asked if she can reveal her transcripts or manuscripts for the speeches to the dozen of companies who has earned her millions. Therefore the these scripts proves her real belief, she is not an progressive as she made to believe to kick-out Bernie Sanders in the Democratic Party Primary.

To the Xerox on her Political Stance:

“*Clinton Said That Both The Democratic And Republican Parties Should Be “Moderate.” *“URSULA BURNS: Interesting. Democrats? SECRETARY CLINTON: Oh, long, definitely. URSULA BURNS: Republicans? SECRETARY CLINTON: Unfortunately, at the time, short. URSULA BURNS: Okay. We’ll go back to questions. SECRETARY CLINTON: We need two parties. URSULA BURNS: Yeah, we do need two parties. SECRETARY CLINTON: Two sensible, moderate, pragmatic parties.” [Hillary Clinton Remarks, Remarks at Xerox, 3/18/14]

She is more pragmatic and moderate, than Progressive, something the TYT have for instance been truthful about all along, and me too as that has been playing for the gallery and not her true self. In the next ones she proves that the Perception of the leaders of the Market and Economic framework, as will be shown about her true belief in banking when talking to the Goldman Sachs, Banco Itau and the Duetsche Bank. Here she proves her real allegiance with the banks and not with citizens who pays for the wealth of the banks while their house-market defaulted.

To the Duetsche Bank in 2014 on the Economy:

“*Clinton: “Even If It May Not Be 100 Percent True, If The Perception Is That Somehow The Game Is Rigged, That Should Be A Problem For All Of Us.” *“Now, it’s important to recognize the vital role that the financial markets play in our economy and that so many of you are contributing to. To function effectively those markets and the men and women who shape them have to command trust and confidence, because we all rely on the market’s transparency and integrity. So even if it may not be 100 percent true, if the perception is that somehow the game is rigged, that should be a problem for all of us, and we have to be willing to make that absolutely clear. And if there are issues, if there’s wrongdoing, people have to be held accountable and we have to try to deter future bad behavior, because the public trust is at the core of both a free market economy and a democracy.” [Clinton Remarks to Deutsche Bank, 10/7/14].

To Goldman Sachs on Banking Regulations:

Speaking About The Importance Of Proper Regulation, Clinton Said “The People That Know The Industry Better Than Anybody Are The People Who Work In The Industry.”* “I mean, it’s still happening, as you know. People are looking back and trying to, you know, get compensation for bad mortgages and all the rest of it in some of the agreements that are being reached. There’s nothing magic about regulations, too much is bad, too little is bad. How do you get to the golden key, how do we figure out what works? And the people that know the industry better than anybody are the people who work in the industry. And I think there has to be a recognition that, you know, there’s so much at stake now, I mean, the business has changed so much and decisions are made so quickly, in nano seconds basically. We spend trillions of dollars to travel around the world, but it’s in everybody’s interest that we have a better framework, and not just for the United States but for the entire world, in which to operate and trade.” [Goldman Sachs AIMS Alternative Investments Symposium, 10/24/13].

As she has shown here is her real belief in the market handling them and she says that the ones knowing it is the ones working in it. Hillary isn’t really for regulations and even remarking that their either complaints about too much or too little.

To Banco Itau in the 2013 on an Open Market:

“*Hillary Clinton Said Her Dream Is A Hemispheric Common Market, With Open Trade And Open Markets. *“My dream is a hemispheric common market, with open trade and open borders, some time in the future with energy that is as green and sustainable as we can get it, powering growth and opportunity for every person in the hemisphere.” [05162013 Remarks to Banco Itau.doc, p. 28]

If you ever thought she was against the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement that will be beholden for the corporations and not for the citizens, the ones leading to the clear permits of more control of businesses over regulations. As the trading will counter the values of national states and governments as the work regulations is less important than the value of an Open-Market. Well, then some on technology.

On Blackberry and Technology in 2014:

“Clinton Said When She Got To State, Employees “Were Not Mostly Permitted To Have Handheld Devices.”* “You know, when Colin Powell showed up as Secretary of State in 2001, most State Department employees still didn’t even have computers on their desks. When I got there they were not mostly permitted to have handheld devices. I mean, so you’re thinking how do we operate in this new environment dominated by technology, globalizing forces? We have to change, and I can’t expect people to change if I don’t try to model it and lead it.” [Clinton Speech For General Electric’s Global Leadership Meeting – Boca Raton, FL, 1/6/14].

Here is even more news on Colin Powell, he seemed like ghost being mentioned lots, especially after his own e-mails we’re hacked where he profoundly spoke ill of Trump and endorsed Clinton, if I remember correctly. Here Clinton in Baca Raton in Florida and want to lead it, not being follower; that is what she asks of the men and woman in General Electric; she wants the giant company to lead and not follow. That shows her way of selling stories to her crowd. Surely something she has done during the campaign and will continue until she ends in the White House like her husband in the past.

What is clear is the manner of which she is proving to moderate, open-free-market, belief in self-governing banks and the will of TPP. So the talk that Obama made it into the Congress and Senate to shield Clinton is a blatant lie and the world should know it. Peace.

Zimbabwe: More on Bond-notes as they are coming while the banks are cash-strapped as ever…

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This week there are reports that some banks are only delivering cash of the value of $30 and most of it is in coins, not even bank-notes.

There are reports of cash crisis in Bulawayo, where the businesses and corporations are only allowed to take out cash in the values $100-300 at the banks.

The release of Bond-Notes has not delivered strength or given the citizens of Zimbabwe any more power in trading or living standards. The release of Bond-Notes only happens given the government new excuses to buy fresh cars.

Justas there are now reports of the Zimbabwe Development Fund used by the ZANU-PF and their Youth League to hold sham demonstrations in March as a counter to the #ThisFlag and #NERADemos. That proves what development funds are used to. What will so the vitalizing of the economy with the Bond-Notes?

This economy is so in shambles that the government has been reported sold over 25,000 baby Elephants to the Chinese, also tried to get farmers to swap from Maize to Millet to cash in on export of the crop instead of feeding their own.

All of this is happening as the nepotism of the government continues with the President son-in-law Simba Chikore getting a noble position in the faltering, but still viable Air Zimbabwe.

While this is happening the ironic so-called or somewhat of cornerstone of journalism are reporting about suit selling hawker in Harare, than all the cash-strapped issue the Republic has. But hey, the BBC has surely written enough about the Kardashians this week.

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This has been official reported:

“Zimbabwe’s vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa has just undone weeks of careful PR by the beleaguered central bank chief by saying the about-to-be-introduced bond notes will be a currency, if a report by the official Herald newspaper is to be believed” (…) “The Herald quoted the vice president on Friday as saying: “We need a mode of transaction which we can control in the country on the basis of security provided by the [African Export-Import] Bank 200 million.” (…) “will be able to have a currency that circulates within its jurisdiction” (…) “When reporter Bernard Mpofu telephoned Mangudya, he was reportedly told that his questions “did not help anyone” (News24/AllAfrica.com, 07.10.2016).

So the borrowed monies, that will add on debt to the nation and most likely give the country more inflation as the county is already cash-strapped by the little cash given to the citizens from the banks.

Next up is the 2008 formula and make emergency notes with Trillion upon Trillion in value to seal the inflation and debt level made by the government.

The Robert Mugabe only cares about himself and keeping his power at this point. Therefore he pays of his men with cars and bigger bonuses while the others who are not needed by him are in long lines asking for breadcrumbs and little given to them. Nearly none, and not even given to them what they have worked for because the banks doesn’t even pay out the salaries or needed cash to pay of their rent and food. Peace.

Footage: On 5 October 2016, AfDB President Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina receives his African Passport, symbol of continental integration

Somalia: Some 1.1 million people are unable to meet their daily food requirements (07.10.2016)

Somalia Draught Quotes

Five million Somalis – more than 40 per cent of the country’s population – are food insecure, up by 300,000 from February 2016, according to the latest assessment by the FAO-managed Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET). Among them are 300,000 children under age 5 who are acutely malnourished and over 50,000 severely malnourished children.

The assessment indicates that the food and nutrition situation is not showing signs of abating. More than 1.1 million Somalis are unable to meet their daily food requirements, while another 3.9 million require livelihood support. An estimated 1.1 million internally displaced persons are among the most vulnerable groups. Nearly 58 per cent of acutely food insecure people are internally displaced people.

Poor Gu (April to June) rains, floods and trade disruption, coupled with displacements, contributed to a worsening of the food security situation. The 2016 Gu rains started late and ended earlier than usual in most regions. The flooding that affected riverine livelihoods and adjacent urban areas in parts of southern and central Somalia (Hiraan, Juba and Jowhar District of Middle Shabelle) during the Gu season, exacerbated the deterioration of food security in these areas, according to the FSNAU.

Efforts to reduce levels of vulnerabilities continue to be undermined by irregular weather patterns. However, cereal production has been good in some parts of Somaliland, particularly the western regions which has brought relief in crop growing areas that were affected by drought. Drought conditions continue in pastoral areas of Somaliland and Puntland. Poor rainfall in southern and central Somalia, the breadbasket of the country, has led to a reduction in cereal production by nearly half, compared to the long-term average, according to the FSNAU. Conflict and access constraints, including increased refugee returns have also compounded the situation in Somalia. Humanitarian partners continue to deliver assistance to save lives and strengthen resilience of Somalis.

Authorities appeal for urgent assistance for drought-affected people

Authorities in Lower Juba on 28 September appealed for urgent humanitarian intervention in areas near Afmadow, Badhadhe and Kismayo districts. These areas have limited humanitarian presence and have experienced poor Gu rains. Water and food were among priority needs highlighted by authorities. And in Puntland, authorities on 5 October declared a drought emergency and appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance due to worsening drought conditions.

Press release by UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Uganda: A Motion for a Resolution of Parliament urging Government to make a Police that restricts the Charging of Rent in Foreign Currency by Landords of Business Premisses (06.10.2016)

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Och-Ziff Hedge Fund Settles FCPA Charges (29.09.2016)

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Washington D.C., Sept. 29, 2016 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Och-Ziff Capital Management Group has agreed to pay nearly $200 million to the SEC to settle civil charges of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

Och-Ziff CEO Daniel S. Och agreed to pay nearly $2.2 million to settle SEC charges that he caused certain violations along with CFO Joel M. Frank, who also agreed to settle the charges.
The SEC detected the misconduct while proactively scrutinizing the way that financial services firms were obtaining investments from sovereign wealth funds overseas.  The SEC’s subsequent investigation of Och-Ziff found that the fund used intermediaries, agents, and business partners to pay bribes to high-level government officials in Africa.  According to the SEC’s order, the illicit payments induced the Libyan Investment Authority sovereign wealth fund to invest in Och-Ziff managed funds.  Other bribes were paid to secure mining rights and corruptly influence government officials in Libya, Chad, Niger, Guinea, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The SEC’s order finds that Och-Ziff executives ignored red flags and corruption risks and permitted illicit transactions to proceed.
“Och-Ziff engaged in complicated, far-reaching schemes to get special access and secure significant deals and profits through corruption,” said Andrew J. Ceresney, Director of the SEC Enforcement Division. “Senior executives cannot turn a blind eye to the acts of their employees or agents when they became aware of suspicious transactions with high-risk partners in foreign countries.”
The SEC’s order finds that Och-Ziff’s books and records did not accurately describe the true purposes for which managed investor funds were used, and the company did not have adequate internal controls to detect or prevent the bribes.
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 “Och-Ziff falsely recorded the bribe payments and failed to devise and maintain proper internal controls,” said Kara Brockmeyer, Chief of the SEC Enforcement Division’s FCPA Unit.  “Firms will be held accountable for their misconduct no matter how they might structure complex transactions or attempt to insulate themselves from the conduct of their employees or agents.”
The SEC’s order finds Och-Ziff violated the anti-bribery, books and records, and internal controls provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and affiliated investment adviser OZ Management violated the anti-fraud provisions of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.  Och-Ziff and OZ Management agreed to pay $173,186,178 in disgorgement plus $25,858,989 in interest for a total of $199,045,167.  The order finds that Och caused violations in two Och-Ziff transactions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and he agreed to pay $1.9 million in disgorgement and $273,718 in interest to settle the charges.  The order finds that Frank caused violations in Och-Ziff transactions in Libya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and a penalty will be assessed against him at a future date.  Och and Frank consented to the SEC’s order without admitting or denying the findings.
As part of its settlement agreement with the SEC, Och-Ziff acknowledged that it expected to enter into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Justice Department in a parallel criminal proceeding, and its subsidiary OZ Africa Management GP LLC agreed to enter into a plea agreement.  Och-Ziff is expected to pay a criminal penalty of $213 million.
The SEC’s investigation is continuing.  It is being conducted by Neil Smith and Paul Block of the FCPA Unit and Rory Alex, Marc Jones, and Martin Healey of the Boston Regional Office.  The SEC appreciates the assistance of the Fraud Section of the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division as well as the assistance of the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, the Guernsey Financial Services Commission, the Jersey Financial Services Commission, the Malta Financial Services Authority, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission, and the Swiss Ministry of Justice.

Press Statement: Privacy International’s initial reaction to EU export control proposal (30.09.2016)

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PI Research Officer Edin Omanovic said:

“The European Commission has proposed sweeping updates [PDF] to trade regulations in an effort to modernise the EU’s export control system and to ensure that the trade in surveillance technology does not facilitate human rights abuses or internal repression.

Privacy International welcomes the intentions of the proposed changes in terms of protecting human rights as it does all such moves. More than half of the world’s surveillance companies identified by Privacy International are based in the EU. Since 1979, when it was revealed that a UK company had provided the necessary wiretapping technology to the genocidal regime of Idi Amin in Uganda, there have been calls for safeguards over the trade in surveillance technology. Recently, Privacy International has reported the export of various surveillance technology used in human rights abuses in Uganda, Ethiopia, Egypt, Colombia, Morocco, Central Asia, Bangladesh,Macedonia, and Pakistan.

A previous version of the proposals was obtained and published last month by Euractiv. Privacy International at the time published an analysis of the leaked proposals as they related to surveillance technology, below. Since then, industry and national governments have been lobbying the Commission, which is in charge of formulating policy in the EU, to make changes. The eventual proposals only differ slightly however, with the main change being that the definition of “cyber-surveillance” technology has been narrowed. The actual annex which contains a detailed list of what technology has been subject to control has also been published. In addition to spyware used to infect devices, mobile phone interception tech, and mass internet monitoring centres, the Commission has proposed to add unilateral EU categories. Currently these are listed as telecommunications monitoring centres and lawful interception retention systems.

The proposals encapsulate the best and worst aspects of the European Union. Their stated intent reflects Europe’s commitment to fundamental rights, and — as a regulation — it will be binding on all member states, massively magnifying the effect of any legislation. However, they come five years after initial calls for reform made during the Arab Uprising, when it was revealed that the spying apparatuses of numerous authoritarian states largely relied on European surveillance technology. The policy making process has been marked by technical and bureaucratic complexities detached from individuals, making it vulnerable to the interests of industry, powerful national governments, and civil society.

Privacy International will be working to analyse the full implications of the proposal and to ensure that effective safeguards are eventually implemented, and encourages everyone to do so.”

The Auditor General Muwanga really told stories on mismanagement and maladministration of the NRM government (Quotes from the End of the Year AG Report 30th June 2015)

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As of yesterday there we’re the reported 111 cars that vanished and weren’t procured by a Ministry in Uganda. Because of that I had to look more through the report of the Auditor General John Muwanga. There are many stories; some of the ones in this Report have already been discussed on my page.

There so many stories to pick, but here is some of my favourites that shows all from a goats, expressways to other where money have disappeared, over-compensated or not allocated needed funds for the planned procurement and projects that the Government we’re supposed to do. Take a look!

Indebted to International Organizations:

I noted that a number of Government entities are indebted to International Organizations such as PTA Bank, ADB, EADB, WTO, UNIDO, COMESA and Shelter Afrique. A sample of five entities revealed indebtedness of UGX.77,724,089,603 and US$.4,968,950” (OAG, P: 36, 2015).

Overpay on construction of Kampala-Entebbe Expressway:

“An analysis was done and adjustments for the different features of the two expressways were made. It was observed that the unit cost for the Kampala-Entebbe expressway was US$ 2.315 million per lane kilometre while the similar expressway was US$ 1.204 million per lane kilometer” (OAG, P: 38, 2015).

NAO Project going nowhere:

“The protocol agreement between Government of Uganda (GoU) and Democratic People’s Republic of China (DPRC) was signed on the 27th June 2008. It involved establishment of a demonstration centre under the National Agricultural Organisation. However, it was observed that after hand-over of the site by Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to the DPRC, there was no proper follow up by Government on the project as such it was difficult to establish whether the anticipated funding of RMB YUAN 50,000,000 equivalent to UGX.26 bn was received and how it was applied to the project” (OAG, P: 42, 2015).

NCIP disbursed funds:

“Government signed fourteen (14) protocols under the Northern Corridor Integration Projects where substantial amounts of funds have been invested and implementation is on-going. For example amounts totalling to UGX4.2bn was disbursed to fund the power interconnection and the Hoima-Lokichar-Lamu oil pipeline. However, the protocols do not provide for regional coordination and monitoring as well as the audit framework to provide an independent assurance on the utilization of joint funds. This renders it difficult to track the progress of the projects and follow up the accountability for the funds disbursed” (OAG, P: 43, 2015).

Advances Unaccounted for:

Uganda National Roads Authority: 47,738,040,619 UGX” (…) “Ministry of Local Government:  3,827,011,454 UGX” (OAG, P:87, 2015).

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Bidco has avoided VAT:

It was noted that as of November, 2014, the outstanding VAT obligations for BIDCO stood at UGX.744,420,170, included in this figure was late payment interest charge of UGX.168,747,557. Accordingly, a sum of UGX.700,000,000 was paid to URA towards settlement of the tax arrears” (OAG, P: 93, 2015). “After the eleven (11) years, BIDCO would start paying VAT directly on its own and from the 12th year start refunding to Government the VAT plus 5% interest for the first eleven (11) years in (8) equal installments over a period of (8) years. This condition was subject to fulfillment of article 4(3) of the agreement which requires Government to have handed fully to BIDCO all the agreed 26,500 hectares of land” (OAG, P: 94, 2015).

ADB Susbscription:

“In August, 2010, the Governing Council of the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the sixth general capital increase of the bank allocated Uganda shares worth USD.19,759,798 payable over a 12 years period in annual instalments of USD.1,646,649. It was noted that the payment of Uganda’s 4th instalment of UDS.1,293,299 which became due on 16th March, 2015 had not been made. As a result, the callable shares related to the missed instalment had been suspended in line with the Board of Governors resolution on the sixth general capital increase of the bank meeting” (OAG, P:95, 2016).

Banana Project:

“The banana project owns land in Bushenyi together with other movable properties. However, it was noted that the land title is still in the names of the project without the legal mandate to continue owning this land of behalf on government unless the expired legal status is resolved following the legal opinion of the Attorney General to transfer the project under Agriculture sector” (…) “During the financial year 2014/2015, the PIBID project had a budget provision of UGX.9bn out of which only UGX.2.7bn was released as vote on account and as a result, activities worth UGX.6,682,145,000 were not under taken. The affected activities include: purchase and installation of machinery and equipment (UGX.2.5bn), Construction materials (UGX.1.457bn.), marketing of the tooke products (UGX.777,665,000) and procurement of transport equipment (UGX.780,000000)” (OAG, P: 102-103, 2015).

Delayed Construction of Katuna OSBP and swamp reclamation works:

“The construction of Katuna OSBP is undertaken at a contract sum of UGX.8,951,277,750 and Swamp reclamation for access road works estimated at UGX.12,000,000,000. The commencement date for the construction was 13th June 2014 and the estimated completion date was set for 13th June 2015. This was later revised to 30th December 2015. Inspection of construction works showed the following” (…) “The EU Confirmed funding on the 12th May 2014 and all the conditions set by World Bank were met including NEMA’s clearance that was received on the 30th April 2014. I noted that GOU was required to finance the building works for Katuna OSBP since IDA credit funding had been exhausted. The contract for construction of OSBP was finally awarded at a sum of UGX.8,951,277,750 on the 5th June 2014. The EU delayed to operationalize her support and the contractor could not commence on the major building works due to delayed reclamation of the wetland where the buildings were to be constructed” (…) “Management explained that heavy rains, poor terrain and lack of material sources in Katuna such as sand are the biggest challenges. The would be material sources such as hard core are not readily accessible due to the hilly terrain of the area and the contractor can only make a few trips only on a sunny day. For materials like sand, the source is Mbarara (about 150km) and the contractor can only make a few trips given that the road (Mbarara-Ntungamo and Kabale-Katuna) is under construction” (OAG, P: 137-139, 2015).

Uganda Police Force:

“A review of the statement of financial position revealed outstanding payables of UGX.16,454,307,782. Payables worth UGX.10,500,682,162 were incurred during the year which implies that management continued to incur arrears without establishing sufficient mechanisms to monitor and control them” (OAG, P: 183, 2015).

Ministry of Local Government:

“A review of the Ministry of Local Government’s expenditure revealed that the entity charged wrong expenditure codes to a tune of UGX.12,086,792,676. This constituted 40% of total actual expenditure for the Ministry of Local Government. Whereas the funds were spent on items for which they were not originally budgeted for, the accounts have been presented in a way that reflects that the amounts were spent on the earlier budgeted items” (OAG, 2015).

M/S Faw Limited:

“A local company was contracted by the Ministry to provide storage space for the various roads, sanitary and fire-fighting equipment procured under a Chinese loan in 2011/2012 financial year from their parent company. The providers were paid UGX.1,416,000,000 during the year 2014/15 for 20 months storage of the equipment delivered. A review of the procurement file revealed the following” (…) “It was noted that only the Contracts Committee decision on a submission (PP Form 209) approving the evaluation report and contract award at a monthly fee of UGX.70,800,000 were available on file. However, the Solicitor General’s approval and contract agreement were on the procurement file. No initiation of procurement, invitation of potential bidders, record of receipt of bidders, evaluation report and PDU submission of Evaluation Committee report to Contracts Committee were on file to support the award” (…) “A review of the availed documentation revealed that two conflicting pro-forma invoices were submitted by the firm with one quoting a monthly fee of US$.14,160 VAT inclusive for ten months, that is; from 1st June 2012 to 31st March 2013 totaling US$.141,600 and dated 17/5/2012 and another one dated 2/1/2012 quoting a monthly fee of UGX.70,800,000 VAT inclusive for twenty months without clarifying the particular months” (…) “The final batch which arrived in August 2013, was commissioned by the president in October 2013 and handed over to police on 19th December 2013 implying storage of at most five (5) months. This makes fourteen (14) total months of storage as opposed to the 20 months billed resulting into a loss of UGX.424,800,000” (OAG, P: 237-239).

updf-south-sudan

Ministry of Defence:

“During the year the Ministry’s total expenditure on land acquired amounted to UGX.1,119,388,145. However, it was noted that the government policy of capitalising the acquired land from the financial year 2011/2012 did not give guidance on what to include as cost of land acquired. As such, this amount could not be verified due to lack of guidelines on treatment of land costs in the financial statements” (…) “It was observed that a sum of UGX.1,000,000,000 was paid to an individual as part payment on a claim of UGX.2,958,668,733 for the compensation of 683 cattle and 119 goats which were handed over to 4th Division for safe custody during the insurgency period in 1986” (…) “It was not possible to confirm whether this claim had not been paid before since it is now 28 years since the purported supply of the animals” (…) “It also appears that these animals were for various people but instead the compensation was made to one individual” (OAG, P: 285-288, 2015).

State House Entebbe – Okello House:

“State House has been occupying Okello House for many years with a tenancy agreement that expired in 2013. However, it was observed that State House has not renewed the tenancy agreement and no rent payments have been made to the landlord despite continued occupancy. At the close of the financial year, a sum of UGX.1.272,363,507 was outstanding in rental arrears” (…) “National Housing and Construction Corporation owns properties on Plot 1 Kyagwe Road–Nakasero which is currently occupied by State House. Documents indicate that National Housing has been demanding arrears of UGX.201,100,000 from State House. These arrears have not been reflected in the financial statements”  (OAG, P: 294-295, 2015).

If you don’t find this interesting that the Government of Uganda is misspending funds in this way and that this is just a figment of imagination as this is pieces of a giant report. The most interesting is that one man got the whole piece of the pie of what happen in 1986 and secondly that the State House doesn’t even have an agreement with the tenant who owns Okello House where the President has gallant dignitaries. That shows the state of affairs, brothers, time for a change and also better procedures and practices! Peace.

Reference:

OAG – ANNUAL REPORT OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2015