Uganda: Press Statement – Justification of procurement of OTT services for Members of Parliament (16.05.2019)

Metallon Corporation Sues the Government of Zimbabwe for US$132M for Failing to Pay for Gold (16.05.2019)

Opinion: Do you want to drive Tax-Free on the Toll-Road? Dip through as part of the Presidential Convoy!

“The House has passed a clause in the Road Bill, 2018 that provides for paying of road tolls. The clause provides exemption to presidential convoy, emergency vehicles like ambulances, fire engines and military, police and other security vehicles on emergency duty” (Parliament of Uganda, 14.05.2019).

Well, if you find it expensive or outrages the new toll-roads built by the government. Where the public have to pay down debts as toll to pass. Then, you have one way to get rid of that problem; this is all thanks to the gentleman and nobles at the Parliament. Yesterday, they put a clause, an exemption for the Presidential Convoy. So that the convoy doesn’t need to pay to pass on these roads.

This is opening new possibilities. So, if your driving on the Entebbe Expressway. If you have the time. Just wait until the President and his people is riding pass. So, that you can join the convoy, because who knows whose part of it or not. Especially, if you have a tinted SUV or a White/Black Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. You are set for life on this place. You might never have to pay again. Because your naturally part of the Presidential Convoy. Its all magic baby.

That is the gift of the Republic, where his majesty, His Excellency, the Fountain of Honour is blessing his peasants and servants, as they should oblige and follow suit. This meaning, every time they pass by the Convoy. They should dip through traffic and pass into it. Because, no one really knows whose a part of it or not. Except for the snipers, the luggage-cars and whatnot the President needs at all time. Also, a few of his advisors, as he has over a 100 of them to pick off at any moment of time.

That is why, the new way of driving cheaper is to tax into the convoy and drive through the tolls, as that is the way of exemption. Be a leech and a smart pawn. A person who is ruthless and has the ability to blend into the long line of cars, which is all supported by several of police cars, mambas, Special Force Command and an unlucky cousin. So, in that mix, a fellow random gentleman should pass by too. In such a manner, that he also escapes the added tax on the toll roads. That is just fair game. Peace.

Cyclone Idai casts a shadow over global disaster Conference (14.05.2019)

This warning coincides with the opening tomorrow (15 May) of the UN Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva.

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 14, 2019 – A major international conference on disaster risk reduction will take place under the shadow of Cyclone Idai – a disaster that underscored how little investment the international community makes in protecting vulnerable people from rising disaster risks.

Cyclone Idai hit central Mozambique on the night of 14 to 15 March. It killed hundreds of people and left an estimated 1.85 million people in need of help in Mozambique alone. In its aftermath, UN agencies, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and many other groups launched massive relief operations.

The price of Red Cross and UN relief operations alone came out to about 315 million Swiss francs – nearly 1,000 times the 340,000 Swiss francs of international funding that was released by IFRC immediately before the storm to help evacuate and prepare at-risk communities.

This gap is lessened when longer-term risk reduction efforts are taken into account. For example, in recent years the IFRC network has invested about 7 million Swiss francs in disaster risk reduction in Mozambique. However, the discrepancy remains.

Elhadj As Sy, IFRC’s Secretary General, said:

Cyclone Idai was a reminder that the way we respond to disasters is out of balance. Lack of investment to reduce and prevent disaster impacts results in more and more money needed to save lives and repair damages after the fact.

Such a model doesn’t work for people who are at risk of storms and flooding. It’s also a model that doesn’t make financial sense, especially as we anticipate increased weather-related disasters as a result of climate change.”

This warning coincides with the opening tomorrow (15 May) of the UN Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva. The Global Platform is the preeminent global forum for governments, aid groups and other stakeholders to discuss and address disaster risks.

While there has been a shift in recent years towards more risk-focused investment, IFRC is concerned that not enough of this investment is reaching vulnerable communities, in areas that are at highest risk of storms, floods and other weather-related disasters, where it is most needed and where it could prove most effective. More resources should also be allocated to preparedness, prevention and adaptation.

“This means investing more in early warning systems that reach the last mile. It also means investing more in local aid groups that are best placed to help people prepare,” said Mr Sy.

At the beginning of May, six weeks after Cyclone Idai, more than 1 million people were evacuated from coastal areas in India’s Odisha state in advance of Cyclone Fani. This incredible achievement is evidence that preparedness efforts, backed by long-term investment and strong political will, can have profound impacts.

The India experience shows that investment in local preparedness and early warning systems works. It saves lives and, in the case of Cyclone Fani, can prevent catastrophes. But unfortunately, this is still the exception to the rule. And that needs to change,” said Mr Sy.

Uganda National Oil Company: Press Release (14.05.2019)

Opinion: Seems like Duterte wins the 2019 Mid-Term Elections!

Well, if I understand the results I have seen so far, as they are only preliminary, they are in favour of the ruling party, their allies and of most of their well-wishers. Seemingly, this election is solidifying the position of President Rodrigo Duterte, not only in the Senate, but in local government too. As the wards I have seen its been all positive for him.

I might be that I am just checking in the right corners of the Republic. But he seems like winner now. That the PDP-Laban and the other allies are victors. The Independents and the Opposition many places are losing their steps.

Therefore, as this election goes, it seems that the President is just getting stronger. That is how it seems as off now, but when the official results are out. It might change, but this election seems like his.

While National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) own statement earlier today have sent stern warnings from their volunteers on the way the elections was conducted in various of areas. As there was technical glitches in the voting machines, there was acknowledged of buying votes and so on. Therefore, these elections aren’t perfect, as there are certain things that still needs to be addressed. This was from their statement of 2100H Filipino Time 13th May 2019. There will be surely more statements from them and the likes. Showing the other side of the Election too.

We have to see how this goes, but by now, the results are going in favour of the President and his allies. Unless, there is a lot of unverified results hidden somewhere. This seems like a giant haul for him and nothing else.

By the time I wake up, the results might be different. But as I go to sleep, the results are surely a vindication of the Presidency, as he has more of his people in positions, not only in the Senate, but also elsewhere. Peace.

Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC): Dr. Josephine Wapakabulo resignation letter as Chief Executive Officer (13.05.2019)

The South Sudan Civil Society Forum: Statement – Civil society’s 60-day countdown to the formation of the new government in South Sudan ends with disappointment and a call for a renewed sense of urgency (13.05.2019)

Opinion: NRM Manifesto Week is disrespectful to the rest of the public!

Let me just say this bluntly, there is nothing wrong in a party, a ruling regime nor a political activities as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have been doing this week as they celebrate their pyrrhic victory three years ago in 2016. That the NRM wants to have a Manifesto Week is cool too.

However, the reason why this is disrespectful is that the same forces that are ruling is reigning are blocking anyone else from hold meetings, radio-shows or anything engaging the public. This shows why the Republic is really not free or fair. The NRM can do this and get the public rallied up, even when there is no election, no election road-map and such. The Public Order Management Act is not used to stop a public rally in Koboko or Ntungamo, but if the Opposition would show up. The army and Police would block the venue and rally. We have seen this off late and its well known.

Even as the President holding rallies in Ntungamo, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) couldn’t even visit their local party office in Rubaga Division of Kampala, but had to have the same leaders in the Najjakumbi instead. This just shows the ordinary vision of the state. While the President can give his hand-sign to the public, but if Besigye does it is inciting violence. This is not satire, but sadly enough real life.

That is why the whole NRM Manifesto Week is disrespectful, if the NRM would let FDC even meet their local leaders where-ever in the republic. There would be a level playing-field. If Bobi Wine would be allowed to hold concerts or even public gatherings too. If Asuman Basalirwa could do his thing too. Not to talk about the Democratic Party or Uganda Peoples Congress for that matter, but don’t put your money on it.

It is only the President who can hold rallies, meetings and gatherings, the only one campaigning and paying bishops with cars, giving SACCO’s cash and whatever to buy votes for 2021. While a teacher who had a side-job could be fired, even if he haven’t gotten paid for 6 months. This is just the way the President does it.

If he thinks his bright, his not, his gig is up. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni rule is really tyrannical, not for the ones, whose the blessed elite, but the rest are scrambling for breadcrumbs. We could lie, but I am not part of NRM SOMA or any other. I am just seeing and explaining what I am seeing.

This NRM Manifesto Week is just insincere and done, because the President fears the Opposition, fears the People Power and People’s Government. That is why his touring to show his force, but I am not buying it. But then again, I am not Raphael Magyezi or another useful tool. Peace.

DPP: Press Statement on the Plea Agreement entered into with OCP (K) – (09.05.2019)