Opinion: Muntu’s launch of ANT(s) is questionable at best!

If a leader loves you, he makes sure you build your house on rockUgandan Proverb

The official launch of the Alliance of National Transformation (ANT) happen today at Serena Hotel in Kampala. A massive launch with several of former prominent Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Members of Parliament. The ones who hasn’t been in the good grace of the current leadership of FDC. Therefore, it comes as no shocker who left the FDC and become ANTs representatives.

They call it an Interim leadership while awaiting time to conduct time to make a Party Constitution and so fourth. As anticipated the National Coordinator or the Chief is Mugisha Muntu. The man who has left FDC awhile back and tried to find his way, ever since. It would have been a sincere move if he believes in the principals he speaks of, if Winnie Kiiza or Alicia Alaso, even Yokas Biandi. We all know these people from FDC. It is like he salvaged the ones whose wasn’t in favour Patrick Oboi Amuriat and left the scene.

Not that I wish Muntu any trouble. No one deserves trouble, but the whole party is started on the premise that Muntu didn’t win the Party Presidency in the FDC. It is built on the same shaky ground as Amama Mbabazi’s lack of respect for the Sole Candidate in National Resistance Movement (NRM) and started his Political Pressure Group Go Forward before the General Election in 2016. Which failed and was a flustering attempt without party organization to be able to show strength at the polls. That even with a famous and well established political figure.

Clearly, the politician and former General Muntu knows this, ANT is just the newest launching pad of the man. It is really what it is and the others ones following in hope for a resurrection in their career. The words used today is something that is done before, the bravado and the whole play. It has been seen before, even Beti Kamya have tried it and lost her own party with time. She came out of FDC and made a Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA). Something that is in the wind now.

That is why its really special that he said this: “If we continue claiming that politics is dirty, who on earth do you think will clean it up; as Alliance for National Transformation, we intend to do so”. I will claim the ANT isn’t cleaning the politics, as the way it has gone out from the FDC. Even with the Consultation Meetings done in the shadows and without direct talk with the new leadership after losing the Presidency in the FDC. Then, trying to play the Republic for a fool, until he postponed the launch and the allowed for the registration of the “New Formation” or the now ANT.

We can play a fool, we can act like it doesn’t matter, but it does. Surely, others will celebrate like it means nothing and all well-wishes on the new journey for Muntu. However, if you don’t know the main reason for this escape. Than you are forgetting the one vital thing. He is only doing this, because he cannot be second in command. He couldn’t manage to be under POA. It wasn’t in him.

Therefore, anyone joining him. Know that he will not accept anyone under him. That will only be a pretext for his rise and his redemption. ANT is a launching pad, it is at the take-off stage, but who knows how this bird will fly. Peace.

The 10th Parliament: The Patrons of Greed!

“Ugandan taxpayers to spend Shs 197.8m annually on social media tax and data bundles for Members of Parliament. Parliament will provide at least 5GB monthly data bundles at Shs 30,000 and Shs 6,000 monthly Over the Top (OTT) tax for the 458 legislators” (Kampala Dispatch, 16.05.2019).

Well, so there we have it. Yesterday is yet another party in the 10th Parliament of Uganda. Where the Members of Parliament indulges themselves with funds on the taxpayers dime. Instead of serving the public with working services, they are more afraid of their own pocket, in the limited time they are in office and in the capacity of MP. Therefore, they have to ensure, that all things are covered for the bottomless years in Parliament.

The MPs are already tax-exemption for their salaries, so that the pay they are getting for being in office is already non-taxed. With this in mind, they are earning about $8,715 monthly, this without the various allowances.

The MPs have a Free State funeral all covered by the state. They have free suits and tailor-made clothes. They have eating allowances, town-allowances, consolidation fee, committee sitting fees, housing sitting fees, town running allowances, free lunch, social security, and so on. The ways of eating, as an MP is boundless, a boundless empty pit.

These 458 MPs just have to eat like there is no tomorrow. They are planning to get fat. These people are now mushrooming all sort of expenses and putting it on the state. I am sure by next year, the significant others expenses are covered by the state, the side dishes and the remittance to relatives is paid in full. Because, there are endless roads for these people to get the state to fill the blanks.

This will be their legacy, that they were eating on an empty plate, a state which by all means take up loans to build and run the Republic. If not await donors to be able to pledge for basics of the state, in that one, the MPs are preoccupied with their own earnings than actually serving the public. Certainly, the financial system isn’t that great, but they are becoming a huge burden on state, by definition and by their own making, as they are piling on demands, which the state has to comply with.

That is why they are the Patrons of Greed. The ones who has no other way to sustain themselves, than eating the meat of the dying carcass, that as what these people does, while in power. No bounds, no stop and no plans to settle for less. Only to get more and more without any considerations of the implications. That is what the Parliament and the MPs are doing. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: Police Statement on Planned Political Activities (13.05.2019)

Opinion: Lt. Gen. Elwelu stern warnings to the MPs are foolish!

I have seen our honourable MP (Luwero District Woman MP Eng. Lillian Nakate) here. We love you very much, but you people (MPs) like causing chaos in Parliament, without knowing that chaos is our business. You try creating the chaos again and we shall come and bring peace in your heads again” – Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu

Surely, I would never anticipate anything of democratic values or understanding of Parliamentarism from the dude behind the burning Buhikira Royal Palace of the Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere Irema-Ngoma and killing of his royal guards plus other casualties. I would not expect that man to care about Members of Parliament, that they supposed to control him and give him as a Lieutenant General a mandate. As the Lt. Gen. Clearly doesn’t understand his role, but that is because the President is acting a militarised leader and not a representative of the people.

The whole NRM is praising the army and what it does. Therefore, it is not surprising that Lt. Gen would say this stuff. However, this proves that the army can easily invade and be strangers in the national assembly as they did during the Age Limit Plenary Sessions on the 27th September 2017. This is done to prepare for the President for the General Election of 2020. Clearly, the Lt. Gen. is ready to do this again. Who needs Parliamentary rules, when the army is ready to cause havoc, because of chaos.

The army man is not finished with his speeches, as the opposition also get also under fire. This being another stern warning, since this man cannot shield himself from himself nor the ability to understand his place again. That is not new, but his just repaying favours to the ones who has promoted him. Therefore, he is defending the UPDF and indirectly the NRM. Which he knows is the reason for his fortune.

You will not destabilize peace in this country when we as UPDF are here, UPDF will not allow this. We fought for this peace and we shall defend it at whatever cost because we are trained to do that. You will meet us ready, you will meet fire and you will meet a disaster” – Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu

The Lt. Gen needs some civic education, maybe even some understanding of politics and parliament, but we cannot blame him for this. He is just trained to be this way. We couldn’t expect a man whose proud of killing innocent civilians and being promoted for it. That he would care for civilians, neither caring for civic education either.

The Constitution of 1995 is very clear on the article 79: “Functions of Parliament.

Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament shall have power to make laws on any matter for the peace, order, development and good governance of Uganda. Except as provided in this Constitution, no person or body other than Parliament shall have power to make provisions having the force of law in Uganda except under authority conferred by an Act of Parliament” (Constitution of 1995).

Clearly, the Lt. Gen cannot grasp this, as he thinks the army has the control and set the bar. Instead of remembering the representatives of the people, the lawmakers are the one setting the standard. Something, the army man doesn’t understand. Maybe, he doesn’t want to. As he just want to show force and intimidate the MPs into submission like the President likes.

Also the Constitution says what the UPDF are supposed to do in the article 210: “Parliament shall make laws regulating the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces and, in particular, providing for— the organs and structures of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces” (Constitution of 1995).

Surely, it is not the army man whose supposed to regulate them, but the other way around. This is by law, by the Constitution, the one guiding law and principal document of the Republic. Therefore, the mandate of the UPDF is set by the Parliament. This is why the argument of the Lt. Gen is foolish. He should start to grasp reality, but then again his a hired gun for the regime.

I don’t expect the man has studied the Constitution, his been busy with weapons instead of picking brains, except exposing brain-matter. Peace.

40% Chance of Greed around Nile Avenue

“Members of Parliament have increased their allowances by 39 per cent and that of parliamentary staff by 15 per cent, citing rising costs of living.” (Yasiin Mugerwa – ‘MPs raise their allowances by 40%’ 26.04.2019, link: https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MPs-raise-their-allowances-40-/688334-5088588-jg82dn/index.html)

There are a big chance you can meet some Very Important People (VIP) or Members of Parliament if you may. They are so special and unique, that they should have high over heels raise. Even when the budgets are already in deficit and every project between here and the moon is paid either on loans, domestic or from international entities.

Still this MPs can afford to give themselves favourable treatment, huge salaries, entitlements and pay, as the government institutions, civil servants lack salaries and general upkeep is on the down-low. Even with all that, it is still cool to get a raise.

The lawmakers who themselves secure a hefty portion of the spoils, while not delivering anything substantial to the citizens who they are supposed to govern over. No they are just hassle and a hefty mess. The MPs doesn’t have to bother with them, unless it is an election and they have to smooch the crowds.

If you believed they had the best interest of the people at heart. They would be more than content with their earnings. Alas, they are greedy and expect to be royal kings, just like the Executive, the President who lives lavish and large on the state. They are just learning from the top and he accepts this. As he knows they can be bought to follow his guidelines and his rule.

The National Resistance Movement, the ruling party are clearly showing their motives for ruling. It is eating, and eating by any means. Not sparing the cost or the thought of the price of it. It is all okay and nothing is to huge. Its cool, it is grand and surely the people can cough up the dough, because they deserve it.

This are the men, the people who are ruling, the ones who doesn’t care or just exposes their narrow-minded approach to life. Not considering the implications, the price or the deficit, not thinking of the loans, nor the possible overspending of the state. No, just thinking about your own pocket and move-on.

From now on. If you’re a teacher, the word MP equals to Greed. Even Greedy guts or buffoons, whose only sole purpose is to eat and blindly following the submissions of Bosco. Peace.

Not Breaking News: The Supreme Court Validated the Age Limit Amendment today!

If you ever thought the Supreme Court would allow the appeal on the Age Limit or the abolishment of the Article 102(b) your wrong. The 1995 Constitution is a document that is to change, as the President see fit or as he is in need.

The ones that believed that the Supreme Court would dismiss it. The result 4 Judges to dismiss versus 3 to appeal. Seems more like trying to make it balanced, than it really is. Because, the judges could have just made it 7 to dismiss or even 6, maybe even 5. Since, the result is practically the same. Close, but no cigar.

There are nothing that is changed, only that all legal remedy before the General Election 2021 is gone. The road for the sole candidate of the National Resistance Movement. Nothing will stop him, yet again. Like it is child’s play, which it is. Because, everyone around him plays to his tune. The ones who doesn’t end behind bars for silly reasons like Besigye. That is just life in the republic.

Again, and again, all the remedy, all the legal and Parliamentary steps is taken to secure the Self-Styled dictatorship of the President. In the vision and way of Museveni. If you think it is brilliant. It is not, it is just misuse of state institutions and ensuring one man get everything.

This isn’t validating a constitution or rule of law. This is validating the Presidency and his cronies. There is nothing noble or justification of it. Except keeping the status quo and the misuse of the power, which the NRM and the ones around the President already does.

If you think the verdict of 18th April 2019 is splendid and worth celebrating. Than celebrate the arrests of opposition members, the assaults on civil society organizations, political rallies ambushed, concerts blocked, journalists silenced, radios losing their licenses and everything else that is used to stop the opposition from organizing. It will only get worse, before it gets better.

For one reason, there is less and less reasons for Museveni to play around. He has everything and all laws is in hands. All the security organizations is following his memos and the Parliament is doing as directed. There is no one questioning or stopping him from doing what he says. Even if it failure and foolish.

Don’t anticipate this verdict to make things better. It won’t, it will just give the President all the reasons to continue his run. To continue his persistence of stealing, dealing and killing everyone else seeking office. Ensuring overpower and control. Giving no way. Just being him. There is no other way to look at it.

This is again, giving all the powers to the same man, that has run the republic since 26th January 1986. We could joke, may even say Bosco is out of his mind. But he isn’t, his just using the Supreme Court, like he has used everything else for 3 decades.

He just got the final nudge, the final nail in the coffin. He has abolished the term limits, now he officiated the destruction of the age limit. Who knows what is next, but this man will do whatever it takes to be in power. To think otherwise, is a lie or you haven’t gotten the whole picture. If not you are naive and thinks this is a good. Which is not.

This is validating the corruption, the arrest of democracy and also the ability of others to compete. As it is yet another fixture ready for the victory of Team Museveni. Peace.

Parliament of Uganda: Speaker Rebecca Kadaga – Letter (06.04.2019)

Bank of Uganda: Monetary Policy Statement for April 2019 (01.04.2019)

Opinion: Muntu’s ANT(s) start building!

Even the sharpest ear cannot hear an ant singing. Sudanese Proverb

Today, the New Formation, the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) is unleashed, as the Party Name and certainly a logo/sign will come. Therefore, the awaiting new party of the retired general and former Forum for Democratic Change President, Mugisha Muntu is happening. This has been something in the works and been a slow reform.

However, we have really waited since Gen. Muntu left the FDC after he lost the FDC Presidency to Patrick Oboi Amuriat (POA) in November 2017. Clearly, he couldn’t manage to be uprooted and be lesser of a person, he wanted to lead himself and not be a part of a party. That is why he has used this time since he held a presser with several MPs in the end of September 2018. We can wonder if these MPs still will leave their parties and their stations to join this ANT.

These being Paul Mwiru, Herbert Ariko, Elijah Okupa, Angeline Osegge, Gaffa Mbwatekamwa, John Baptist Nambashe, Anna Andeke and Gerald Karuhanga. We can wonder if these ones are ready to be under the umbrella of ANT or if they just thought it was a good idea last September.

We can also wonder, if there are more NRM rebels joining or even people from the UPC/DP to go with Muntu. Not only a bunch of FDC MPs whose already been speculated joining him. We are even wondering if the ones close and the ones appointed him in the Shadow Cabinet like Winnie Kiiza and others would also jump ship. That they would do it in time before the General Election of 2021. To all show the strength of ANT.

At least, the ANT would have more force, than the Go-Forward of Amama Mbabazi had in 2016 Election, even as the political pressure group did have the The Democratic Alliance (TDA), but still not as plenty of regional and representatives like the ANT could have. Even before starting to recruit or becoming viable.

Even so, the ANT or the New Formation has to sing, it has to dance and it has to build a party in the climate of nothing accepted, unless the Police Force is knowing it in advance. Therefore, even putting up a Party Office can be a criminal affair. This is something Muntu knows well, that is why he really has to work hard. Since, there is no supporting structures, only himself and his close associates.

That already, by the slow time coming, people has been awaiting the official ANT since 29th November 2017. This is 475 days from losing in Party Presidency to get the Electoral Commission to accept his new party. Clearly, he has ensured funding and enough stakeholders to get a party. Since, he should have that done by now. That is why his been so silent and slowly working.

We are now awaiting more information about this infamous party, this new formation, this new breed into the politics. Even if it is with old faces and we can wonder, what Muntu means with Country Before Self, when he couldn’t even demean himself and be humble after the loss in the biggest opposition party. Alas, he couldn’t manage to be second fiddle, that is why his running around on his own.

Certainly he wants his ends. He wants his paycheck and his respect. Who would deny him of that. He has struggled with the FDC and before that the NRM. Now he has to struggle again with the ANT. Who knows if it will be successful. If not, he can do like Beti Kamya, bail on his own party and ask to be in the good graces again.

Nobody hears the ants sing, we can wonder if we will really hear Muntu scream as well. Peace.

New Formation: Press Statement (19.03.2019)