Preparation for General Election 2020/21: When these budget posts are served extra-funds!

As we are aware and since the National Resistance Movement (NRM) dropped their Road Map for the General Election of 2020/21, the whole system has started to flair up for it. Both with Electoral Reforms and other measures, to secure swift results in favour of the President and secure his cronies. That is just the way it is.

As we will see in the Budget Framework Paper for Financial Year 2019/2020, the government and their agencies are clearly gearing up for elections. As the NRM wants to make sure the appointed and anointed get their cut ahead of scheduled elections.

The first ones whose secured and getting well funded is the Residential District Commanders, they are getting 5,5bn shillings to promote government policies. There is also estimated right before the elections, the state will go from 128 districts in 2018/19 to 135 districts in 2019/2020, there the state has to use more on them just for the need of new RDCs too.

To give RDCs possibility to do their work, the Office of the President has asked for 25.4bn shillings to buy 165 Double Cabin Pickups, but there is only small fry for what is coming up.

The State House itself is gearing up, as the Office of President has asked for an allocation of 741.1bn shillings.. Just to give a feeling of the changes of gear, is that in National Budget Framework for Financial Year 2018/19, alone, the State House got 265,342bn shillings. We can see a significant change ahead of the coming elections.

To top it off, the logistical support, welfare and security to H.E the President, Vice President require 118.38bn shillings. Therefore, the Presidency, the State House and everything concerning that is much more expensive in Election Times and ahead of campaigns. As proven by the Report delivered to the Parliament.

This are just small pieces of what the Committee and what Jesca Ababiku MP delivered the Parliament, as requested to secure funding and also more funds to certain aspects. As it is fitting the elections and the timing for more cash to certain places. We saw it before the General Election in 2016 and is seeing it now. Repeating itself, getting budget for cars and more expenses paid. More funding to the State House and President. Just as programmed. To think otherwise is to be blind to what is up.

This is just what they do, not building institutions or such, but buying to time to linger in Office. Peace.

Reference:

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS ON THE BUDGET FRAMEWORIT FOR F’Y 2OL9/12O – 2023/2024, Parliament of Uganda, January 2019

RDC: B.C.C lettre au President Felix Tshisekendi – “Concerne: detournmentes des fonds du Tresor Public et de la Gecamines” (31.01.2019)

Zimbabwe: Press statement by Chief Nhlanhla Ndiweni on the Zimbabwe situation (31.01.2019)

Zimbabwe: Joint Statement by the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) and the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) on Industrial Action (Strike) – (31.01.2019)

IGAD: Statement from IGAD Special Envoy to South Sudan on Violations of Ceasefire (31.01.2019)

Zimbabwe: Press Statement by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet on the Situation at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission 31 January 2019 (31.01.2019)

Six months on, Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo now second largest in history (31.01.2019)

This is the 10th Ebola outbreak in the DRC and the country’s worst.

BANGKOK, Thailand, January 31, 2019 – Since the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was declared six months ago on 1st August 2018, more than 740 people – 30 per cent of whom are children – have been infected with the disease, including over 460 who have died, and 258 that have survived Ebola. Alongside the Government and partners, UNICEF is scaling up its response to assist victims, control the spread of the disease and ultimately end the deadly outbreak.

This is the 10th Ebola outbreak in the DRC and the country’s worst. It is also the world’s second largest Ebola outbreak in history after the one in West Africa in 2014-2016. The response to this latest outbreak continues to be hampered by insecurity, frequent movement of people in the affected areas, and resistance from some communities.

“While we have been able to largely control the disease in Mangina, Beni and Komanda, the virus continues to spread in the Butembo area, largely because of insecurity and population movement,” said Dr. Gianfranco Rotigliano, UNICEF Representative in the DRC. “We are scaling up our response and deploying additional staff in the health zones of Butembo and Katwa, where 65 per cent of the new Ebola cases in the last three weeks have occurred.” 

Since the beginning of the epidemic, UNICEF and its partners have deployed more than 650 staff to work with Government, civil society, churches, and non-governmental organizations – to assist people and families who’ve been infected and to raise awareness about the best hygiene and behavioural practices to prevent Ebola from spreading.

UNICEF’s Ebola response focuses on community engagement, providing water and sanitation, making schools safe from Ebola and supporting children and families infected and affected by Ebola. UNICEF aims to control and prevent the spread of the disease, and ultimately stop the outbreak; to reduce Ebola-related deaths among those infected; and to provide protection, alleviate suffering and give assistance to affected children and families.

People who’ve been infected, as well as affected families and their children, including children orphaned by Ebola and unaccompanied children, continue to receive psychosocial support to help them cope with the consequences of the Ebola disease. UNICEF is also providing a protective environment for children in schools and nutrition assistance, including to children and adults in Ebola Treatment Centers.

“Our teams in Mangina, Beni, Oicha, Komanda, Butembo and Lubero are working tirelessly with this multi-pronged approach to end the Ebola outbreak as quickly as possible, and to help affected children and families,” stressed Dr. Rotigliano.

To date, UNICEF and its partners have:

• Reached out to more than 10 million people in affected areas with prevention messages in collaboration with community leaders and through mass media;
• Provided drinking water to more than 1.3 million people in public places, health facilities and schools;
• Trained 8,146 teachers on Ebola prevention measures;
• Reached 157,133 children in 888 schools with prevention messages;
• Provided assistance to 830 families directly affected by Ebola;
• Identified 686 Ebola orphans and provided them with appropriate care.

Mass-graves found of at least 535 killed during ‘organized and planned’ inter-communal attacks in western DR Congo (31.01.2019)

The initial investigation conducted by the Joint UN Human Rights Office (UNJHRO), attached to the mission, has concluded that in addition to the dead, 111 other villagers were wounded.

NEW YORK, United States of America, January 31, 2019 – A preliminary UN investigation into a massacre reportedly carried out in western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) last month, reveals that “at least 535 civilians were killed in four attacks”, the UN Mission in the country, MONUSCO, said on Wednesday

In mid-January, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, said that according to “credible reports”, hundreds of villagers from the four communities in Yumbi, had been killed during inter-ethnic clashes between the Banunu and Batende communities, during several days, beginning on 16 December. She deplored the “shocking violence” and highlighted the importance of “investigating and bringing the perpetrators to justice”.

The initial investigation conducted by the Joint UN Human Rights Office (UNJHRO), attached to the mission, has concluded that in addition to the dead, 111 other villagers were wounded.

There has been no confirmation of exactly who carried out the killings but the mission said that “the attacks were conducted in an organized and planned manner, and were extremely violent and fast, leaving little time for the populations to flee”.

The wave of violence was allegedly triggered by a dispute over the burial of the customary chief of the Banunu community.

“The team identified a total of 59 burial sites in two of the attacked towns, but do not rule out more sites,” said a statement from MONUSCO on Wednesday. “Furthermore, 967 properties, including churches, schools and health centers were looted or destroyed, and at least 363 boats were destroyed.”

An estimated 16,000 people reportedly fled Yumbi and the surrounding area, to different locations including “some 7,000 persons who, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), sought refuge by crossing the river into the Republic of Congo. The Mission reports that the security situation is currently relatively calm, with national security forces having deployed to the area.”

Ebola outbreak in DRC’s east, now world’s second largest ever

In eastern DRC, the outbreak of deadly Ebola virus disease which began six months ago, has now officially become the second largest ever, the UN reported on Wednesday.

More than 740 people, 30 per cent of them children, have been infected so far, and 460 have died, with a total of 258 surviving the disease. UN Children’s Fund UNICEF, said that I was scaling up its response to help victims, as part of the Government and World Health Organization-led effort to end the outbreak – the largest in the country’s history.

“The response to this latest outbreak continues to be hampered by insecurity, frequent movement of people in the affected areas, and resistance from some communities,” said UNICEF.

“While we have been able to largely control the disease in Mangina, Beni and Komanda, the virus continues to spread in the Butembo area, largely because of insecurity and population movement,” added Dr. Gianfranco Rotigliano, UNICEF Representative in the DRC. “We are scaling up our response and deploying additional staff in the health zones of Butembo and Katwa, where 65 per cent of the new Ebola cases in the last three weeks have occurred.” 

The UN and its humanitarian partners have dispatched emergency help in the form of medicine, food, water tablets and malaria kits, and further assistance is on the way.

MONUSCO to support authorities, ‘bring justice to the victims’, promote reconciliation

The head of the UNJHRO has reported that each communal grave discovered so far – reportedly dug initially by local Red Cross workers and returning family members who had fled – likely contained dozens of bodies, while there were more than 40 other individual graves unearthed, following the joint fact-finding mission that was conducted along with local authorities.

The outbreak of inter-ethnic violence in December took place just weeks ahead of crucial Presidential elections, which had been delayed for two years. Voters in Yumbi were unable to cast their votes, as the Electoral Commission building was among those totally destroyed.

MONUSCO said it “strongly condemns” the violence and is calling for a thorough investigation. The mission said it was ready to support the Congolese authorities to “bring justice to the victims, and promote reconciliation between the two communities.”

Zimbabwe: Mmusi Maimane letter to President E.D. Mnangagwa – Request for a Formal Meeting in Harare Next Week (31.01.2019)

Opinion: Awaiting Museveni to appoint himself King of Rwakitura Kingdom and anoint his royal court!

“We are tired of a situation that our constitution is only amended when Mr Museveni feels that he desires something. When his term expires, the constitution is changed to give him another term. When attains the age limit, the constitution is amended to lift the age limit. When he becomes weak to campaign, the constitution is amended to have him on the throne without elections” – Betty Nambooze MP (30.01.2019).

Well, as anticipated, as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have delivered their Road Map for General Elections in 2020/21. We can anticipate that the NRM and their NRM Parliamentary Caucus, will either drop some Private Bills or direct Electoral Reforms directly right before the polls. Just like it has done in the past. Like changing the boundaries of districts right before and ensuring more favourable candidates in these compared to the Opposition ones in the same region.

This is well-known tactics now during the last day, there been speculations delivered by the fantastic reporting of Sadab Kitatta Kaaya in the Observer, that the President are tired of hungry MPs and want to self-appoint them as he see fit, according with the results in any given district. So if he win Arua Municipality as President, the MP there would got to the NRM. That is the principal.

Also, with this move, the President is evidently taking away the opportunity for the NRM Members to vote for their given candidate, as they can handpick one favourable crony. Like in October 2015, the loyal crony and Minister of Justice Gen. Kahinda Otafiire lost to the detained Capt. Mugabe Dononzio Kahonda. So, the MP for Ruhiinda County went someone else, than the one in favour with the President. However, with the new rule, no Captain Mugabe would win, but Otafiire would be the chosen one. That is just the slim-picking of the President.

With the Age Limit, with the change of Presidential Terms, the Self-Styled President for Life, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will fix the laws as it favours him. Expect more of that in the coming time before the General Election of 2020/21. As he has seen the fire and swift changes within the electorate as Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine has risen from the ashes of the ghetto into prominence.

He is not run-of-the-mill politician, neither is he part of the Bush-War Generation or anyone whose been associated with President. Certainly an Independent spirit, who the President cannot reside with and cannot contain. That is why, the changes of law, would be directed because he has seen the capabilities and the rigging couldn’t stop the new type of leadership. That is why the NRM and Bush-War Generation are calling him out and singling him out. Just like they did with Dr. Kizza Besigye.

For certain, the only awaiting the Republic is to change the form of government from Multi-Party Democracy and Republic, into a full fledged Kingdom, where the current day President Museveni turns into eternal King, the ruler of all Ugandans and with all it posses. Where his vision is the law, where his words are the fountain of glory and where his men is anointed into power. No need for elections, as the King by decree is levying who gets to be lawmakers, who gets to be merchants, who gets to be generals, who gets to be soldiers, who gets to be peasants and so-on.

That is what the game is missing after 33 years. As the NRM playing the court, playing the public and international community. With small legislative changes and rumours of twists, to ensure more control and less questions from anyone else. As the self-serving man and ruler, wants to reign without questions. That is who he is, the ones praising him for being the New Breed of Leadership in the 1990s, didn’t know him really. Because, with the years his character has been shown to the world and no PR Stunt can overshadow it.

President Museveni are ready to be King. Museveni, who is ready to become a royal monarch and let it be known to world. That the citizens of the former republic of Uganda, will be subjects of his Kingdom of Rwakitura. Where they are like livestock and not independent citizens, they are people who are there to serve the King and be his loyal subjects. The are supposed to bow for the King and feel blessed that he uses his time on them. Not complain and just be there as props in his Monarchy. Where he can order them around, but they are not supposed to address him back. Because, he as King is the word, that is holier than God and has more vision than anyone else. That is who he is, in his naked mind and how he acts.

He just need it enacted, get he ACTS and BILLS through Parliament. Than, it could be official. Also pay enough shillings to the NRM Caucus MPs. Time will tell, but by his actions and words. This wouldn’t be far fetched. Especially not his dreams of total control. Peace.