Opinion: Katuntu now have to bite the bullet!

Abdu Katuntu got to keep the position and chairman of the Parliament’s Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) on overtime to finish a report on the closure of 7 defunct banks in the Republic. He got the lifeline by the Speaker Rebecca Kagada in Parliament in January, as he wasn’t ready to deliver the report.

Katuntu as the MP who ran the committee decided on when to drop the report, which the report was dropped on the 19th February 2019. Now, today the IGG letter of the 19th February 2019 asked the Internal Security Organization (ISO) to look into the investigations and the possible kick-backs for a lenient report, which this was. The Report dropped was sleek, soft and guarded. Therefore, the question of what the COSASE is shielding or didn’t dig into could come into question.

If there was some bankers, some inside Bank of Uganda or anyone else of the Stakeholders of the defunct banks would enforce kick-backs to the Chairman and the Committee wouldn’t be surprising in relations to this is the Republic of Presidential Handshakes. In the Republic where the MPs are paid for voting in favour of favourable bills and motions of the Presidents agenda. Therefore, the initial idea of the IGG fits the state of affairs.

BUT, this is a hit-job, as this is leaked as the COSASE is getting new leadership, as the report has been delivered to the public and to the Parliament. The IGG and AG could act upon the work that Katuntu delivered. Nevertheless, there are more stakes at hand, as there are invisible hands overshadowing, as the cronies and investors, whose could be close to the President could be implicated. That is why the President was so adamant statements about the whole investigation and that it should have been done behind closed-doors. However, that didn’t happen.

Katuntu thought he did good, thought he delivered for the ones he made promises too. He thought with the extended time and promise of leverage, that he wouldn’t be hit. However, the President and his security organization is still on a vengeance. They are retaliating now, because the state suddenly looks into it. Because, the state is trying to save face.

It is weird timing that they are starting to investigate now, as they could have looked into the issues within the BoU before this, as there was plenty of banks closed wrongfully. Still, it didn’t matter then, but now it does. That looks weird and looks like a hit-job.

That Katuntu is now the latest victim… not the last, whose being used, tricked and later discarded. Peace.

BoU Scandal: IGG letter to ISO – Alleged Misconduct of Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) – (19.02.2019)

African Union: Press Statement of the 829th meeting of the AU PSC on the draft resolution on silencing the guns in Africa (26.02.2019)

Brexit: A “No Deal” will have significant impact for the UK!

We cannot trample upon the humanity of others without devaluing our own. The Igbo, always practical, put it concretely in their proverb Onye ji onye n’ani ji onwe ya: “He who will hold another down in the mud must stay in the mud to keep him down.” Chinua Achebe

Today, the Tories dropped an short assessment of the implications of the “No Deal” Brexit. Which for many has been seen as a damaging affair. This is sort of report, that is dropped today. Isn’t scaremongering, but more a reality check to the ones whose thinking the “No Deal” is good idea.

I will quote significant parts of the report, like this: “Despite the Government’s efforts to prepare for a no deal, a no deal scenario would have a range of significant impacts for the UK”. I will come more to the significant impacts, as they are issued in the report, even as sleek as it is. Only 15 pages, but still has enough meat to hurt your hopes.

Like this: “This estimates that the UK economy would be 6.3-9% smaller in the long term in a no deal scenario (after around 15 years) than it otherwise would have been when compared with today’s arrangements, assuming no action is taken”. That is all a major hit on the economy, as you are shrinking nearly one tenth of the economy, if the worst estimates are hitting the economy.

Another part of hard hitting new realities is this: “In a no deal scenario, both the UK and EU would need to apply customs and excise rules and VAT to goods moving between the UK and EU, as they are currently applied to goods traded in the rest of the world. Every consignment would require a customs declaration, and so around 240,000 UK businesses that currently only trade with the EU would need to interact with customs processes for the first time, should they continue to trade with the EU”. This has been forewarned by plenty, even the likes of me, but not that it has mattered. Maybe, the buck has to get this close only a few days and weeks away. For many businesses and people struggling with movement. To recognize the costs and lack of protocol to deal with so.

Here is the impact on the food import: “One of the most visible ways in which the UK would be affected by delays in goods crossing the Channel is our food supply, 30% of which comes from the EU. Although our food supply is diverse, resilient, and sourced from a wide variety of countries, the potential disruption to trade across the Short Channel Crossings would lead to reduced availability and choice of products”. This means that vital parts of the imports and needed food are stopped, because the availability will go down. There might be shortages and even withheld, because the proper documentation and such is lacking. This should be a worry and show how this is hitting home. To make matters worse: “ In the absence of other action from Government, some food prices are likely to increase, and there is a risk that consumer behaviour could exacerbate, or create, shortages in this scenario. As of February 2019, many businesses in the food supply industry are unprepared for a no deal scenario”. This doesn’t make it better. Only shows that the government haven’t done their job, preparing the industry or the importers who could have made sufficient preparation, as the government could have ensured this. Instead, the public is hit with higher prices and lack of certain food products.

For instance, the issues of Northern Ireland comes returning with fire and fury: “the cumulative impact from a ‘no deal’ scenario is expected to be more severe in Northern Ireland than in Great Britain, and to last for longer. This is because of Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances, including in particular its geographical position as the only part of the UK with a land border with the EU, and the current lack of an Executive in Northern Ireland. The Government has been clear that it is committed to avoiding a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland in any scenario”. This shows, that the NI problem, the whole Good Friday Agreement would be played around with, as the Brexit will hit Northern Ireland. They are making hardships not only there, but for the ones across in the Irish Republic. That is what seems to be happening with the No Deal Brexit. Not only hit the economy of NI, but in general not following the promises made to that part of United Kingdom.

Seemingly done this silently: “Government has been accelerating its preparations for a no deal scenario since September, with a particular emphasis since December 2018. However, the short time remaining before 29 March 2019 does not allow Government to unilaterally mitigate the effects of no deal. Even where it can take unilateral action, the lack of preparation by businesses and individuals is likely to add to the disruption experienced in a no deal scenario”. Seems like they haven’t done enough or kept it low-key. The preparedness haven’t been there, if it had been, than the businesses would have been more prepared. They have clearly not kept everyone informed about their accelerating plans or assessment of a no deal.

For the ones saying the Brexit wouldn’t matter, wouldn’t cost or wouldn’t change things in a negative perspective. You were wrong. The realities of possible losses of fortunes should frighten anyone. The possible troubles of imports of foods and other vital items should also be a sign of what sort of self-created nightmare the UK have made for themselves.

The government are trying to say they are not having mud on themselves, while pushing the public into the mud. To repeat from the beginning, like the Igbo says: “He who will hold another down in the mud must stay in the mud to keep him down”.

Enough of the mud of a No Deal. Peace.

Reference:

HM Government – ‘Implications for Business and Trade of a No Deal Exit on 29 March 2019’ Published: 26.02.2019

Hell Hath No Fury: 2 MPs Arrested in Tanzania!

Now it’s inching closer, trouble is near

But nothing’s there, when I look nothing’s there

I’m outta my mind, I’m runnin’ from guilt, but

It’s right by my side, there’s nowhere to hide”Pharrell on [Clipse’s ‘Nightmare’ 28.11.2006].

Again, there is more Members of Parliament who are in legal jeopardy in Tanzania. This is happening, as the assault on their political freedom is shrinking. The laws, which stop opposition from having meetings, lectures or Press Conferences. The state is monitoring all sorts of political activity like rallies and consultation meetings or even inner-party training. All of this is now under the scrutiny by the state. This because of the laws enacted.

Therefore, with this in mind, the Opposition MPs can only be sitting ducks, if they are trying to be active MPs or even working as Political Parties, they have to wait for the government to allow it. If not it is deemed as illegal. That is why its not strange, that more and more MPs in Tanzania gets into trouble. Also, more and more political activists, as the laws are so stringing to control them.

Morogoro. Kilombero and Mlimba Constituency MPs on Chadema ticket, Peter Lijualikali and Suzan Kiwanga, respectively, have been arrested and will appear before the Morogoro Resident Magistrate Court today. The duo have been taken to court after reporting at the Morogoro Central Police Station, responding to a police call, but instead, they have been arrested and connected to a case facing six other suspects” (Juma Mtanda – ‘Chadema MPs, six others arrested, arraigned’ 26.02.2019).

There are plenty more of MPs who has cases in courts, others who is awaiting trial. Others who just been released and surely will be in legal jeopardy soon. As the Courts, the Government and the President is giddy for their demise. If he wasn’t?

Why would the CCM make the laws like they do, while they have the majority in the United Republic?

The Opposition is a minority, a minority with nearly no rights or no voice. As they are silenced, muffled or detained. That is what they are doing. When someone comments that the MPs cannot keep themselves on the right side of the law. Just think for a brief moment.

Let’s say, if you were working as a baker and had to notify the authorities about every time your making a bread or announcing that the bread was being made. Even talking about the bread or educating about the bread. If the authorities don’t accept the time or the way you made the bread. They you either end up in Court or get Detained.

The same is now happening with the MPs in Tanzania. That is how foolish the laws are, as they are handcuffing the MPs for representing and voicing their concerns. They are not allowed to do their work, which is insulting to all intelligence and wisdom, this blue planet has. Peace.

Opinion: Kyaligonza, I will joke with you!

“Let me tell you, Kyaligonza is not a person to joke with” (…)“You must not forget that I contributed to the peace you are enjoying in the country, yet you ridicule me?” – Maj Gen Matayo Kyaligonza (New Vision, 26.02.2019).

Well, Mr. I’m Above the Law, because I went to the Bush in 1980s. What’s up?

How is it hanging? Right, left or straight? Because, your not entitled to force yourself on people, to harass and harm them. Because you took arms and brought down a government in the 1980s. How entitled are you?

When can this stopped being invoiced to the public? Since the public is continuing to pay for the misgivings and hardships, you and your comrades did in the 1980s. The bills never stops, the reality of it all is that it continues to this day.

The so-called liberation has only been for a few, the way you act Kyaligonza and other weapon brothers act. The high-ranking officials of the Bush-War, which has now their entitlement put into stone and the rest, can just vanish. They are just people that can used and let be canned. That is how you act.

You deserved to be mocked, as your act oblivious to the fact, that you act like your superior, above the law and like you’re the esteemed bourgeois, whose only supposed to get served and be high and mighty. The rest are your slaves, they are not supposed to order you around or tell you anything. Your so special, so unique and smell of royalty. That is who you think you are.

That the Bush-War and the legacy of that entitles you to slap woman, grab land, be grandeur and get away with any legal ramification. Since you picked up the guns in the 1980s and because of that, you should be shielded from the law, forever, ever since.

Let me be straight with you Maj. Gen. Kyaligonza, as you have to force yourself on woman, use your armed guards against a traffic officer and surely you would easily repeat this offence. Let me tell you this, your are a coward, the only difference between an ordinary coward and you? Is that you’re a coward with a gun.

You wouldn’t act like this if your were righteous, if it was correct, but because of stature, you have allowed to act this way. It is beneath your station and stature, but you think you can do it. That is who you are, a bonafide coward with titles and a bush-war legacy. Your not great, your weak and your only manhood is proven, when you take others freedom, liberties and even their dignity away.

Your not a man of principal or ethics, your not a man of honesty or of justice, you’re a man of entitlement and scaremongering. You are still a foot soldier for the President. He will not save you, even if you think so.

Kyaligonza… shish, you think your all that, but in reality your not. It is a reason you’re the ambassador to Burundi. You’re a crony and imbecile, who force yourself and your titles on people. Time for you to retire and maybe serve with grace, though it’s a waste saying that. Because, you never will. Your like your master, will linger in the realms of power until your last breath. Peace.

Ebola response in Democratic Republic of the Congo risks slowdown (26.02.2019)

Over 80,000 people have been vaccinated and over 400 have received treatment.

GENEVA, Switzerland, February 26, 2019 – WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus today called on donors to continue funding the response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or risk backsliding. There is an urgent need for US $148 million for all partners involved in the response to continue their work. So far, under US $10 million has been pledged.

The call comes a week ahead of Dr Tedros’ next mission to DRC. He is scheduled to meet President Tshisekedi in Kinshasa before travelling to the Ebola-stricken areas of Butembo and Katwa.

“The situation is unprecedented: there has never been an Ebola outbreak in these conditions, with such a highly mobile population and with many gaps in the health system .” said Dr Tedros.

“The security context is another major concern. I am deeply saddened by reports that a health facility run by Médecins Sans Frontières in Katwa was attacked on Sunday night. Nevertheless, together with partners and with the Democratic Republic of the Congo government in the lead, we have made major gains. Hundreds of deaths have been averted, maybe even thousands. But the outbreak is not over and we urgently need additional funding to see it through.”

Over 80,000 people have been vaccinated and over 400 have received treatment. Thousands of suspect cases have been monitored, tested and transferred to other centres once they were confirmed to not have Ebola. More than 40,000 contacts have been identified and reached daily for three weeks each to ensure they did not fall sick as well. WHO alone has shipped over 300 metric tons of supplies, including vaccination supplies and 470,000 sets of personal protective equipment for partners running treatment centres.

Alongside the response in the country, hundreds of health workers, border officers and other responders in neighbouring countries have been trained and prepared for a responding to a potential case.

Response partners have contained the outbreak in successive health zones, and prevented transmission to neighbouring countries, demonstrating that success is possible despite the difficult context. However, the on-going transmission in Butembo and Katwa, with the potential for the outbreak to reach into even more volatile and dangerous areas – where almost no partners could be able to operate. This is why support is needed now. Only if current actions are sustained and intensified will we be able to end this outbreak in the coming months.

The response plan for the period February to July, which brings together the planned actions and funding needs of all partners, was launched  by the country’s health minister on 13 February. It anchors the response in local health system structures, strengthening the capacities of local responders, especially at provincial and local levels, and deepening the involvement of local communities, especially women’s groups and survivors.

“We have a shared responsibility to end this outbreak,” said Dr Tedros, adding that the continuing generous technical and financial support from the donor community is proof of the global commitment to stopping the outbreak.  “We now need them to join us in the final push. No country or partner can face this deadly virus alone. The impact on public health and the economic ramifications can expand far beyond one country or continent. We promise we won’t relent until we’ve stopped this outbreak. But beating Ebola, wherever it may be, is expensive. It requires all of us to work together.”

Sudan: Al-Bashir’s Final Hammer Dance!

I’m in the club, bottle in hand doing my two step

While I got my gun in my pants, call it the hammer dance

Bitches dancing on a nigga, when they feel the gun

I tell ’em we’re doing the hammer dance

Two steppin’ with my weapon on me” – Royce Da 5’9” (Slaughterhouse – Hammer Dance, 13.03.2012).

For the ones thinking that President Omar Al-Bashir would go softly, would be a smooth jazz-singer and dance of stage. That would never happen, surely, he never was much of dancer anyway. He was and is a War-Lord, he makes the hammers dance. There are already reports that after he announced the State of Emergency, there been more fatalities and more vengeance from the Security Organizations, as the President has sworn-in a cabinet in army fatigue, because that shows his “temporary” measures.

However, today, as it isn’t enough that the army, the Janjaweed (Rapid Support Forces) and NISS is attacking civilians at Universities, in their homes and on the streets. The President are putting up the ante with the new decrees today. Showing no remorse and no slowing down. Only showing his ability to stick around and trying to bleed out the discontent against him.

First part on “uniformed units are now authorized to:

– enter any building & search any persons

– monitor any property or buildings

– confiscate money or properties or goods suspected of violating law till investigations are done

– restrict movements of people or their activities” (Wasil Ali on Twitter, 25.02.2019)

This is clearly a measure done to quell all planned demonstrations and riots, this is to ensure that public are living in fear and also can lose all their freedoms, all liberties, as even their homes and they are not allowed to trespass, if the government says its illegal to go out. They are under curfew like children, who cannot move without permission from the President and the National Congress Party.

Further Measures:

“-Restrict movement of anything including transportation means.

– Arrest anyone suspected of violating emergency rule.

– Any other powers conferred by the president.

– Attorney General empowered to lift immunity on certain people suspected of violating emergency

– Attorney General is to establish emergency courts

– Gatherings and demonstrations not given permits are banned

– Blocking roads or movement of people is banned

– Undermining the prestige of state or any of its officials or its agencies or its employees is banned

– Strikes or suspending work is banned

– Attacking public or private properties or people or endangering public safety is banned

– Public events or activities without permits are banned

– Any news that are produced or disseminated that harm state or people or call for undermining state or incite hatred or racism through any medium visual or audio or social media is banned” (Wasil Ali on Twitter, 25.02.2019). 

If this isn’t saying enough. The 30 year long rule under Al-Bashir is clearly on thin-ice. As he comes with these measures after 69 days of demonstrations across the Republic. Now, its illegal to demonstrate, strike and even block roads. The voices of the streets, the actions made by the various associations and unions in the Republic is now forbidden. The Commander in Chief and President have suspended the will of the people, their voices and made it illegal to riot against him. In a final nail in the coffin, not to secure the betterment of Sudan, but to try to salve his on fate.

Omar Al-Bashir is so weak, a giant WAR-LORD, a TYRANT, who cannot rule by popular opinion, but by decree, by taking away all liberties, freedoms and the free speech. What is worse, this isn’t the only measures done, but enough to prove what sort of a failure of a leader, Al-Bashir is. Since, nothing can done without permits and surely, the President and his Attorney General will not give that freely away. If so, he wouldn’t have created the National Emergency and taken the steps to form these draconian laws, which interprets the reality into a full fledged military dictatorship, where the President can micro-manage everyone and even arrest them at any point.

Not that this is so much more different than before, but now it is by decree. Not only by actions of impunity and inactive laws. Now, its official that gatherings, blocking of the roads, strikes, demonstrations, writing in social media and restrictions of movement. Is all steps to stop the continuation of demonstrations. Stop the momentum and the opportunity for the activists and revolutionaries to gain strength. This is done, to little by little take a lid on the fire. Stop it from getting oxygen and kill it off. Instead of letting the fire burn, letting the air brush the flame and give it more strength. Now, the lid is put over and the President hopes the trick works. As he has taken all power in his hands.

However, the public, the organizers and the activists who has fought, taken to the streets, the citizens and everyone who has participated in the last 69 days. Has shown bravery, courage and even risked their lives in the streets of Sudan. They have shown the world the power of the feet, the power of collective actions against an oppressive state. Which now is taking it further. Using the State of Emergency as a tool to try to destroy the movement and the will of the people. To stand up against the President of 30 years.

He is showing no mercy, he is showing no grace, only merciless and sinister acts of deliberate decapitating the voice of the people, their liberties and their freedoms. Nothing is there for them, they are just the servants, the slaves of the President and they are there to follow his command. Like he anticipate them to do. Not because they love him or support him, but because he wants them to fear him and his laws. That is who Al-Bashir is and always been. The War-Lord ruling by the sword and will only die by the sword. There is no diplomatic backbone in his body or threshold to pass into freedom for the public.

No, only more blood to spill, only more violence and harassment, only more sinister acts of a deluded Head of State, who doesn’t know what time it is. He thinks its the time for his Hammer Dance, instead of the time to “gracefully” retire. Peace.

UK finally lost the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius!

Sir Paul Gore-Booth, senior official at the Foreign Office, wrote to a diplomat in 1966: “We must surely be very tough about this. The object of the exercise is to get some rocks which will remain ours… There will be no indigenous population except seagulls…”” (BBC – ‘The Chagos Islands: A sordid tale’ 03.11.2000)

The Neo-Colonial Relic, the islands that departed unfairly in the 1960s, which the United Kingdom and its allies has made into a strategic military is now deemed illegal by the International Court of Justice.

That was about time, as the Republic of Mauritius is getting their territories back. This because the Her Majesties Government back in 1968 didn’t decolonize Mauritius properly. They clearly overstepped their boundaries and took the administrative role. As they ensured control and also made both Mauritius Nationals and Chagossian people into refugees and migrants. As they had to resettle elsewhere, because the United Kingdom took over the land.

Therefore, today’s legal judgement in the International Court Justice, have voted in favour of Mauritius and their claims to the islands, this means the United States and United Kingdom have to vacate or make arrangements directly with Mauritius, as they took the Archipelago without justification.

As it has stated today:

Is of the opinion that, having regard to international law, the process of decolonization of Mauritius was not lawfully completed when that country acceded to independence in 1968, following the separation of the Chagos Archipelago; Is of the opinion that the United Kingdom is under an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible; Is of the opinion that all Member States are under an obligation to co-operate with the United Nations in order to complete the decolonization of Mauritius” (International Court Justice, 25.02.2019).

This shouldn’t be shock, as this have been written about a decade ago: “Two chapters in particular are world-class journalism, reaching the heights of Pilger’s old friend and mentor Martha Gellhorn. “Stealing a Nation” tells the shamefully under-reported story of how the British government ethnically cleansed thousands of its own citizens – a “crime against humanity”, according to the International Criminal Court. In secrecy, during the late 1960s and early 1970s, British governments “tricked, coerced and finally expelled the entire population” of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean, to give the principal island, Diego Garcia, a paradise, to the Americans for a military base”” (Johann Harri – ‘Freedom Next Time, by John Pilger’ 09.07.2006, Independent).

So, today, this wrong is hopefully ending. That the theft of the islands in favour of a military base is soon undone. As the International Community should care for what it takes away. The sins of the past, which has hurt the Mauritius Nationals and Chagossians there. They should be relieved and also patch their hurt. Since, the United Kingdom and United States of America has held the islands without rights.

Their imperialistic and neo-colonial behaviour has been the pre-text for these actions. Seemingly, done it without any fuzz. Now, they should move on and even back-pay for the damages done to archipelago there. Mauritius and their population deserves so. Peace.

Kenya Revenue Authority: Press Statement – KRA has not abolished filing of tax returns as reported (25.02.2019)