Opinion: Among acting as a Speaker and LoP

“Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has rejected LoP Mathias Mpuuga’s decision to replace Ojara Mapenduzi as chairperson of the Local Government Parliamentary Accountability Committee with FDC Gilbert Olanya. Anita, who presided over plenary on Tuesday, insisted that Ojara’s committee is still working on key reports. “I am also aware the committee is in its final stages of reporting on the Auditor General’s Findings for the financial year 2020/21,” the Speaker said” (Jonah Kirabo – ‘Speaker Among blocks NUP from removing Mapenduzi from Local Government committee’ 03.08.2022, Nile Post).

The Speaker of the 11th Parliament this week rejected parts of the Leader of Opposition mini reshuffle of the Shadow Cabinet. The LoP is the one in-charge of the Shadow Cabinet and the ones that appoints the members of it. This is not the duty or the position of the Speaker to withhold.

However, she has already involved herself in using a social media post to launch a campaign and investigation into opposition Member of Parliament Francis Zaake. A man who lost his additional office and post in the Parliament. So, her actions stopping the removal of Ojara Mapenduzi is following a pattern. That is obvious.

Things are to personal and too close to home for the Speaker. She wants to not only control all parts of the Parliament, but also have a say in everything. I wonder, would she have blocked Norbert Mao from becoming Minister? Would she have dared to stop the removal of former Minister Justice because she liked him? Well, I don’t think she would dare to question or even consider asking about a motion or a protocol from the Head of State. No, she is just accepting and moving on.

The Speaker is playing impartial and acts like this for a reason. It seems like the opposition was an ally and the loss of prominence hurt her case. The LoP should be able to and be able to reshuffle the cabinet as he pleases. Just as the President can appoint and remove ministers. That’s their position and their offices. Yes, you can question the characters and wonder if they are fit for the job. However, the LoP is duty bound to have a shadow cabinet and the President to appoint his. The Speaker is just there to preside and ensure the appointees get into office through the right procedures- However, here she is indirectly telling the LoP to keep a member, which he deems unfit.

Would Among ever do that to Museveni about a Cabinet member?

The answer to that is a “no” and shouldn’t even think of double-crossing or questioning his reasoning. She is there to serve and collect salary. That’s why reading about the blocking of the LoP is infuriating. Since she is not doing her job but acting as she can control and decide for the LoP. Which isn’t her role.

Speaker Among should know better, but she prefers to be hostile and interfere in other people’s business. She acts like an overlord in Parliament. In this regard she isn’t securing business of the Parliament going as scheduled, but instead take a stance on how the LoP operates. Which she has already done once with the removal of Zake from another office in Parliament.

The Speaker should review her own actions and start to question if she is the problem or the one with serious issues. Since she wants to be the LoP and the Speaker at the same time. That’s how it’s looking to me. Peace.

Opinion: Nsereko MP wants to strangle all online utterances…

The Kampala Central MP Muhammed Nsereko has today presented the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill 2022 for the first reading in Parliament. This bill should be discussed, because in the climate and the sort of affairs of the state. Because, I would believe this would be used even more to strike against the opposition and activists who defies the state.

The new amendments of the Computer Misuse Act is very clear. Yes, the hacking and the child-porn articles are fine. That should be illegal and anyone understands that. However, the rest of the amendments can be questioned and Nsereko MP should know how this can be used. There is already restrictive laws, which can stop and go after individuals who speaks out of line.

The state is already using “cyber harassment” and usage of “offensive communications” against writers, oppositions and such. That’s why this law will be a spearhead by the courts and the authorities to muffle the dissidents. I don’t see this law as a tool to stop what it intends too do, but instead go after government critics.

The stipulations and articles in question should be these…

“234. Hate speech.

(l) A person shall not write, send or share any information through a computer, which is likely to-

(a) ridicule, degrade or demean another person, group of persons, a tribe, an ethnicity, a religion or gender;

(b) create divisions among persons, a tribe, an ethnicity, a religion or gender; or

(c) promote hostility against a person, group of persons, a tribe, an ethnicity, a religion or gender.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (l) commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding seven hundred fifty currency points or imprisonment not exceeding seven years, or both” (Computer Misuse Act Amendment Bill, 2022).

The ideals of this one is fine, but how do you deem these things? Can this be used for people mocking an MP from the North like Langi or Acholi for that matter. Because, it doesn’t take much to be seen or could be in the threshold. The idea is fine, but where and what is fitting here? That’s what I am wondering about, because this law isn’t that specific and could be used against someone. This is what I am fearing just be reading this one article alone. While he continues further in the law in the next articles too. 

“24A. Unsolicited information.

(l) A person shall not send to or share with another person unsolicited information through a computer.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding seven hundred fifty currency points or imprisonment not exceeding seven years, or both,”” (Computer Misuse Act Amendment Bill, 2022).

What is unsolicited information? Is that shared documents? Leaked DMs? There is so many questions here… because is this stopping leaks and dossiers, which the state don’t want published? That’s how it sounds like… The MP should know how things goes viral and how the Internet never forgets. When someone has published or shared something. Another person can easily share it and you don’t solicit any acceptance to publish it after that. Therefore, this laws should be specified too. Unless, he wants to be broad… since that opens up the gates and you can question easily what is what. It shouldn’t be like that with a law… but that’s where we are.

“264. Misleading or malicious information.

(1) A person shall not send, share or transmit any misleading or malicious information about or relating to any person through a computer.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (l) commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding seven hundred fifty currency points or irnprisonment not exceeding seven years, or both.”” (Computer Misuse Act Amendment Bill, 2022).

This here is the extension of “cyber harassment” and anyone can see that. What can be deemed as misleading? What is malicious? Which legal terms or measures can the courts or the judiciary judge things? This is defamation of sorts and then the authorities needs metrics of proof or evidence for the alleged criminal actions.

Because, what is really misleading? Is that any speech of Museveni in the recent years? Is that all the campaign pledges that haven’t been implemented over the years? Since, this law should be used against everyone and anybody. You can call it pledges and promises, but if you don’t deliver them… aren’t you misleading the public? Shouldn’t someone like the government and National Resistance Movement (NRM) be charged?

We know this law will be used as a tool against the opposition and activists. The government critics would fear this law and the articles is made for that. Nsereko MP has his own Public Order Management Act (POMA). The Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act of 2022 is just another of these. He must be so proud and hopes to get compensated by the State House for serving the will of the President. Peace.

Opinion: The Honourable Speaker should speak to her master…

Politics is there to stay we need peace, let’s preach peace for the good of our people. Politics is not a matter of death” – Speaker Anita Among (19.07.2022)

The Speaker of Parliament should know who is behind it all. The Speaker who was praised and ushered into her office. She should know who has created this system, the use of force and the state sponsored violence on behalf of the President. Honourable Speaker should know all this, but instead speaks of hearsay and what is supposed to be.

The system that’s currently in play is all fixed and nurtured by the President. He has made it in the image of himself. A man that is living by the gun and dying by the gun. The President is proud of getting into office by using weapons and killing. A sort of lifestyle that he has continued and persisted with. That’s why the second most important thing to always uphold is the Uganda People’s Defence Force and keep the authorities on guard.

The President uses violent words and wants to destroy his opponents. He hopes he can corrupt them, but if that doesn’t work. He throws the law-book at them or uses violent means to stop them organizing in their tracks. The use of political charged arrests, detaining without trail or even extra judicial killings. All done in the mercy of the master and the head of state. This has been going on for years and the Speaker should know this bloody well.

That’s why MPs are behind bars as we speak. Their cases are not moving along, but they have serious charges on them. It is opposition MPs who matters to their constituencies… However, the state is using them and silencing them. They are charged with murders and serious crimes, but that will never uphold in the courts themselves. That’s why they are lingering and never freed. So, it’s just like we are supposed to forget about that.

In the same vein. The state uses kidnappings, keeping people incommunicado and torturing them. That’s all done for their political affiliation and stances. They are targeted for who they associate with and what party they signs up for. Heck, even people who associate with the ruling regime can be assassinated or taken out. Especially, if their ambition is beyond the “standard” of pre-fixed positions made by His Excellency.

That’s why listening to the Speaker who said this in connection with the death of the student at the Guild Elections of Makerere University. It is all sad… but this is a mere reflection of the political atmosphere and landscape, which the state and the President has created over the years. It is wrong to die like this, but the state has killed several of others for their beliefs. They have killed by-standers to rallies and funerals. The state has killed drivers of political leaders and nearly even killed a Minister at one point. Therefore, the violence isn’t anything new. It is just what the state does and it hasn’t haunted the highest office yet.

Speaker Among can mean will and be sincere. However, she should address her master. Who uses rhetoric and orders, which are in dark contrast to her words. When the army, the security organizations and everyone is used for political gains. You just know that the merciless of men is coming to hunt down the competition. That is just the game and the game is rigged in favour of the “high above”.

So, dear Speak…. If you really meant these words. Please, talk with caution and send some vibes to your master, the high and mighty. The man that could change these things. However, dear Speaker, I wouldn’t count on it. Since he earns his bread and butter this way. Peace.

Opinion: The 40 million shillings which makes the world go around…

The 11th Parliament is as corrupt and filled with stooges as the previous ones. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker is the “visionaries” of it and it shows by what sort of characters they are. Therefore, the news of an envelope for voting in the budget of financial year 2022/23 wasn’t shocking. It was more of the same…

The Members of Parliament allocates themselves a higher allowance and a kickback for their services. While teachers, nurses and civil servants will sought far and wide to get any help with the rising prices or the cost of basic commodities. No, this is the representatives and the ones who are working for the people. Who is giving themselves a pay-rise and an additional money-grab. While the President and others tell people to live within their means or eat cassava.

The 555 MPs was offered a huge fee as incentive and a bargain for doing their actual duty. They should scrutinise and have general oversight over the budget. Every vote and need should be looked into. The MPs should state the needs or the usage of the funds. However, by the manner of which the budget is passed. It seems like its ceremonial and pre-fixed ordeal where the MPs just has to accept and move-on. As if the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) has everything covered and they should just nod their heads all along.

It is not strange that they accept the verdict and let bygones be bygones. When the money is coming in and it didn’t cost them anything. They are just accepting “free” money and can easily spend it however they deem fit. Nevertheless, their role as legislators and MPs is pointless. When they are not doing their job and is only stooges for the State House and the machinery of the “high above”.

We have seen this before and these sorts of votes will happen again. They called them suits or whatever really. As long as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and their MPs follows the program, which is whatever Museveni deems fit. That’s the gist of it. They are additionally paid for their services and they have already high allowances, salaries and levels of perks. It is not like the MPs is unfortunate or lack wealth. No, this is the gig to go after and the state abundantly pay you.

While the less fortunate gets even lesser. The value of currency and lack of revenue makes it harder to get by. Meanwhile their representatives are getting paid-in-full with add-ons. These ones are living the high life. They are living life like there is no tomorrow and topping up at any given opportunity. Therefore, there is no second coming or worry…

It just shows how there is one world for the citizens and another for the MPs. Peace.

National Unity Platform (NUP): Statement on the 40m Uganda Shillings given illegally to Members of Parliament (14.06.2022)

Opinion: The Speakers have become a Wasteland for Public Expenditure…

“Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, her Deputy Thomas Tayebwa get Shs 2.8billion cars. Prossy Akampurira Mbabazi, the Rubanda District Woman MP, also a parliamentary commissioner, confirmed the procurement of the two luxurious vehicles” (91.2 Crooze FM, 07.06.2022).

“The decision was endorsed by the parliamentary commissioners and money to purchase the Shs2.8billion cars [for the speaker and her Deputy] was approved,” Hon. Prossy Akampurira, the Rubanda District MP, also a parliamentary commissioner” (91.2 Crooze FM, 07.06.2022).

“Parliament has concluded plans to procure official residences for the speaker and the deputy speaker. Inside sources say funds have already been made available for the procurement, though the figures have not been disclosed” (NTV Uganda, 07.06.2022).

The newly elected Speakers of the 11th Parliament has no scruples spending from the state coffers. They are getting new cars, housing and they already has a vast money-pit of allowances, salaries, and perks in office. These two are already high earners but expect to get more for their services or contribution to the state.

You would think these two was running the nation and was the vocal point of it all. Since, they are so well paid off and has such funds to build houses for them as well. They had already cars as MPs and big-big salaries as part of the Parliament. So, it wasn’t like they weren’t well off already. These two had it all and now they want more.

This is what greed looks like and they are doing this amid rising inflation, lacking funds, and showing their ignorance of the plights of the people. The people they represent and works for as speakers to begin with.

These was two ceremonial vehicles and additional housing. When we know they have all the high-end salary, allowances, and other stipulated payments, which makes them rich in office. It is not like these would starve at any minute or be worried about dried out bank-accounts. No, these two would have a pay-day and would be well-off.

This is privilege and the burden of that is on the state coffers. The state covers the expenses and all the costs of the matter. These are luxuries and can only been seen as such. Since, the speakers has a pay and could afford to get a humble abode in Kampala. However, they are now living like royalties and expects to live as such.

That’s why they had to have new ceremonial cars, as the cars bought to fit Oulanyah and Kadaga wasn’t good enough. Now, they are also getting houses paid. It just shows how they can be reckless and spend like it is no tomorrow. It is their turn to eat and it’s evident that they think that way. Because it is like they fear that this opportunity is too good not to get well off from. Peace.

The Rise of the Cassava Republic: The MPs will eat, but not help the general public…

The speaker Among and the members of the parliamentary commission reportedly resolved a salary hike by at least 30% effective the coming financial year of 2022-23. Among argues that the inflation levels are affecting the performance of the lawmakers” (Emmanuel Busingye – ‘Mixed reactions over Among proposal to hike MPs salary’ 02.06.2022, Ekyooto.co.uk).

What is really striking is that the Members of Parliament has issued a possible pay-rise of a total of 193 billion shillings shared among the 555 MPs. If those billions of shillings are shared equally between the MPs than each of them would get an additional 347 million shillings each. That is happening while the rising inflation and commodity prices are hard for people to handle.

The public are not getting any direct incentive or help with the basic commodity prices. The President has told people to eat cassava and live within their means. While the MPs are collecting more money and they have already huge wages. The MPs has free vehicles, salaries, paid per plenary session and whatnot. Therefore, they have already more than plenty and not lacking in anything.

While others has to contemplate to buy soaps, cooking oil or petrol. There are so many other things that is hit by inflation and rising prices, which affects the households. The livelihoods and salaries of the ordinary worker isn’t being stipulated. Neither is the state doing anything in concern to targeted taxes, levies or ensuring the population can afford it.

So, now that this is happening, the lawmakers and the ones who can help the population with it’s needs. Are more concerned about their added expenses, but they already earn millions of shillings and live large on the public expenditure. The public are not even getting cents on a dollar or any sort of push in the hardships they are facing.

The President told people to eat cassava and skip bread. That just shows what sort of mechanism and lack of concern that is on the top. The elite and the MPs are not feeling it or are unbothered. They don’t care if they are vouching for money and topping off more expenditure. The State House has already additional supplementary funds and now the same is scheduled for the MPs. They are all living outside their means and has vast pockets filled by the state coffers.

The public is really being played around with and only of value in a election. The rest of the time the state doesn’t pay them no mind. If civil servants or people paid by state coffers like health care workers strikes… the MPs and Ministers speaks of mass-firing and axe their jobs. That’s because the workers cannot even pay electrics or the pay to get to work with their salaries. While the same folks in chambers of power has no scruples giving millions of shilling in addition to their bountiful payments, which they will have for years. Therefore, the double standard and hypocrisy is out in the open.

The MPs are worried about the rising prices and lack of value for money. While the Ministries and MPs are not covering the health care workers, teachers or local government civil servants. No, they have to make it on the own. These have to live on measly salaries and hope to get by. Meanwhile convoys of big-men and MPs are driving in SUVs through town. They are acting as big-shots and of vast importance, but they are not doing anything substantial. Because, if they did anything that did matter. They would look after the poor, the starving and the ones who cannot afford a bar of soap. However, they are disinterested in doing that and would only give away a bar of soap if there is a by-election or something.

So, the MPs doesn’t care and clearly Besigye’s “Wake-Up Call” is needed. Because, the gentlemen and ladies of the Parliament won’t bat an eyelid. They don’t care and neither does the State House. That is the revolution that Museveni brought, which was “our time to eat”. Peace.

Omoro County By Election: Return Form for Transmission of Results (26.05.2022)

Omoro County By-Election: The lessons of the “victory” of the Son of Jacob

The preliminary results are that National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag-bearer Andrew Ojok Oulanyah is projected to win. That will unlikely not change and the opposition will loose the chance to retake the seat, as the NRM retain it yet again. This is not shocking, because of how the state operates and uses the machinery for their advantage.

The NRM and the ruling regime uses all techniques possibly to win. They are using their appointed local leaders, national secretariat and government institution to serve their candidacy. This being the army, the police or any other sort of “help” for a push of their candidate. The Residential District Commander and the Regional Police Commander both will coordinate and fight for the NRM flag-bearer. Therefore, there is little left to chance or option to object to the one favoured by the state.

The ones who are canvassing and working for candidates of the opposition is naturally in danger of arrest, kidnap and kept incommunicado until the “victory” is sealed. This happened here and the soldiers will make people bounce. The county had road-blocks to stop people from entering and blocking “strangers” from entering. Meaning, anyone who could sway opinion or gain interests for anything, which wasn’t NRM isn’t allowed by definition.

The whole affair and polls just shows how important bribes, voter tourism and intimidation is to win at this stage. The NRM cannot pull or win with honest intentions. No, they have to rig it and block the opposition. They have to use force and be ill-willed. This is just the nature of things and the beasts are all out to play. The victims, the opposition or the ones associated with them are the targets. That’s their price of playing and participating in these elections. Even if the opposition plays by the rules or regulations, the goal-post changes and the authorities are using all excuses to go after them.

That’s why NRM can use government vehicles, institutions and appointees to secure their candidate gets elected. The soldiers and police officers will play out for their orders too. There is nothing that isn’t accessible for them and they uses all means to get there.

The by-election county looks like a war-zone. The Electoral Commission can put in guidelines, but the NRM don’t have to follow them. These are put out to limit the opposition and not for the ruling regime. Because, they can electioneer, rig and use violence to win. That’s what they do and they are proud of it too. Even if the election isn’t legit or the result isn’t transparent with the will of the people. Since, it has all been a game and it was rigged before the people stepped into the polling station to vote.

That’s why the NRM is a sorry state of itself. A place that used to have the Regional Party Vice-President of the NRM, the former Speaker who used to be the fourth high ranking official of the Republic. Still, in that constituency which the father won in 2011, 2016 and 2021. Even with that… the Son of Jacob needed all powers and all the help he could to get across the finish-line. It is not easy when you use all of this to get elected.

We are seeing that the Son of Jacob is happy about the result and becoming the winner. However, he should be concerned about how it happened. The whole system was on his side and there was no mercy served. It was a systemic brutality and usage of force to retain the seat. There was nothing in it showing a free and fair election. That is very obvious… therefore, it is false start to proclaim grandeur and solidify victory.

Ojok Oulanyah should know that he got elected not by the will of the people, but by the force of the gun. If that’s how he wants to be a representative and be known for. That’s his choice, as he got bills to pay and got a mansion to finish after his late father. So, most likely he doesn’t care, because he secures the continuation of his fathers legacy. However, he will also not be fondly remembered by all. As people have been scarred, taken into custody and been arranged by the authorities for just doing their mission for their candidates. That shouldn’t be the case, but is what went down in Omoro county.

The NRM cannot speak of being a nationwide party, when they operate like an army with a political wing. That’s how it looks like in these sorts of by-elections. Not looking like a strong or a popular people’s party, but an army with political figureheads. Peace.

Oromo County By-Election: Mass-Arrests of MPs, Polling Agents and Low-Voter Turn Out

Voting in the Omoro County by-election continues with low voter turn-up at most polling stations. Over 38,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots in a bid replace former MP & Speaker Jacob Oulanyah who died in March this year” (Daily Monitor, 26.05.2022).

It is clearly not all rosy at the polls of the Omoro County. That’s because of the usage of authorities and state machinery to gain advantage. That’s why the polling agents are arrested and the coordinators of the main opposition is out of play. This is deliberate acts to ensure the counting and the ballots are cast in darkness. As there is only government friendly polling agents and such in the area.

As reported by several media houses:

Police have cut off the Omoro Central Police Station after the arrest of NUP agents as well as MP, David Kalwanga. The police say that the arrested were conducting themselves in a manner contrary to the guidelines issued by the EC” (94.3 QFM Lira, 26.05.2022).

Leader of Opposition in Parliament Mathias Mpunga, NUP Secretary-General Lewis Rubongoya and other NUP party members are currently at Gulu Police Station after some of their members and agents in the ongoing Omoro by-election were arrested” (NBS Television, 26.05.2022).

Security personnel have arrested Chua West Member of Parliament Philip Okin Ojara and three other members of the FDC party in Omoro District. Patrick Oboi Amuriat, revealed that security personnel raided the FDC office in Opit Town Council before violently arresting Okin” (Baba TV Uganda, 26.05.2022).

Police has arrested several people in the ongoing Omoro by-election. According to the Police

spokesperson Aswa region ASP Ongom David said: We have intelligence that there are organised people with the intention of disorganizing this election” (Gugudde TV Uganda, 26.05.2022).

We should be worried that the authorities are using these tactics. That just shows that they cannot trust the voters and their choices. As they don’t want to have oversight or accountability for their actions.

We can anticipate the Special Forces Command (SFC) to put all the pressure on the pressure-cooker and ensure the results are boiled in favour of Andrew Ojok Oulanyah. That is all we can await for. The state has put all their prestige into it and wants to secure the Seat for the Son of Jacob.

Instead of having an honest, free and fair elections. The polls and the day of the by-election is marred with police brutality and use of force. That is not how you run trusted polls, but electioneer in favour of the ruling regime.

There is reports of kidnapping and keeping mobilizers and polling agents taken away in the polls ahead of the final hours of the vote. That is just proving that the regime don’t even want to try to conceal their actions to secure the result in their favour. Peace.