UPF: Press Release – “Alleged ‘Ban’ of Age Limit Debate in Univresities by IGP” (15.07.2017)

IGP Kayihura bans debates on “Presidential Age Limit” or the Article 102 (b) of the Constitution!

“When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.”Nelson Mandela

“Age limit debate is strictly in parliament, but not in schools or villages. It is supposed to be debated in parliament and should be among MPs,” he said” (…) “Kayihura instructed security personnel to work closely with the leadership of universities and students to keep law and order in and out of the campuses. “It was an embarrassment to security to see students carrying the coffin with the picture of the president in Mbarara. It showed there is no intelligence network in Mbarara,” Kayihura reportedly said during the meeting. The police chief also told police commanders to work closely with crime preventers. “You must work with crime preventers in your areas to make sure that you block local leaders from discussing the age limit bill with residents because the bill has not been tabled in parliament,” another source quoted Kayihura as saying” (Taremwa, 2017).

Clearly, if even a small mind like Gen. Kale Kayihura can understand the powers of his words. That only the elite and the selected people of the Parliament can talk about laws and extent of the powers within it. The constitution that binds the Republic and set the standard of all laws in the Republic. Are now under order by him to allow simply put talking about it or debated in villages, schools, surely in canteens unless an MP are present.

The IGP Kayihura is clearly showing arrogance and lack of understanding of the value of freedom of expression. He knows his intent and the extent of his powers. When he can take one of the most controversial and flamboyant changes of the constitution and push only to one venue. Like the bribed and subdued MPs would stand their ground and all defend the just cause. When their master, the same master that the IGP orders them to vote for his life Presidency.

This is supposed to happen in silence, not allowed to talk about and not debated is insane. It is beneath all common decency and what is seen as just. Certainly, age limit is a touchy subject, because with time Museveni will need as foreign health care treatment for his illnesses as President Mugabe. Therefore, the steady new Presidential Jets will come in handy and not only for showing off to his other totalitarian mates.

That the Police Force and their security organizations plans to block debates and talks in public about it is just bonkers. There are not anything sane about such a move and proves the volatile state of the National Resistance Movement, when it knows the people’s concern about this sort of provision and law. That only benefit President Museveni and the ones who gets paid to vote for it. This will only make more people outlaws, as the laws are more for the subject of President Museveni, than for the common good of the state.

This sort of measure only provides the totalitarian effort to pass a law for the sake of keeping the skeleton of NRM alive. Not providing more development or concern for service delivery. Since the delivery of this sort of constitutional amendment is only for the life of President Musveni. As it was when the Constitution it was amended to abolish term limits for the President.

Now if you become a group standing up against it, even if you’re a NRM Youth member or anything else. The Police will detain you and if you speak against the age limit, and they will hurt you. Since speaking against the age limit is speaking against the patriotic movement and the President. Who has all rights and reasons to stay in charge until his last breathe?

That is the message the Police sends. That the Police can within their means and functions to silence opposition towards a coming law. A law that is only for ONE man out of the millions living in Uganda. The Republic with this amendment only serves one purpose and one cause, the cause being Museveni and his lifelong Presidency. No succession or no change of Executive. Only him. Only him and no one else. Apparently, that is what the Police believes as well.

Since the MPs and Plenary, those sorts of debates is the only one allowed by the Police. The citizens has to silent and not talk, the debates at schools and in village councils are not allowed, this measure is supposed to stop the controversy and let it go away. Instead, this sort of act shows the lack of morals, common sense and even core freedoms that are now swept away, because the President needs it to be so. With the help of Police Force who enforce his rule.

The IGP Kayihura have tried in the past to lecture media how to work, opposition parties how to conduct their party functions, and the newest steer public agenda. The Old Man with the Hat is clearly ordering him to do so. So now the talk of this will not be in the open, but behind closed doors in people’s homes. If people get the wind of it in church or in a pub, it might get rumors that spreads to a Crime Preventer or a Police Officer, who will detain the fellow who did the forbidden: “speaking about the old man and his will to rule forever”. This are our days and times. That is the price of oppressive regime of the NRM and President Museveni. Who has no issues with silencing the people for his own gain! Peace.

Reference:

Taremwa, Johnson – ‘Kayihura ‘bans’ age limit debate in universities’ (14.07.2017) link: http://observer.ug/news/headlines/53841-kayihura-bans-age-limit-debate-in-universities.html

This is what the Constitutional Amendment Bill of 2017 do: It makes it easier for the State to grab land!

The Constitutional Amendment Bill has been criticized and created worry, since the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have worked for and to get their leader to stay in charge and executive as long as he pleases. That is the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. So the article 102 (b) could easily been seen as possible change to fit the life and the age of the aging President. Instead, the gazetted bill of retired Major General Kahinda Otafiire is about making it easier for the state to compensate and take land from civilians. Since they want to make more cheap and make it legal to take land. If so make it easier to settle in court. This is clearly making the road development and pipeline building cheaper, also giving the government more power. Just by looking at the text from the government. Take a look!

The purpose of the Bill is to resolve the current problem of delayed implementation of Government infrastructure and investment projects due to disputes arising out of the compulsory land acquisition process. The problem of delayed Government projects has caused significant financial loss to the Government amounting to millions of dollars in penalties paid to road contractors for redundant machinery at construction or project sites as the courts attempt to resolve the disputes, most of which relate to quantum of compensation” (Otafiire, 2017).

Original Article 26:

26. Protection from deprivation of property.

(1) Every person has a right to own property either individually or in association with others.

(2) No person shall be compulsorily deprived of property or any interest in or right over property of any description except where the following conditions are satisfied—

(a) the taking of possession or acquisition is necessary for public use or in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; and

(b) the compulsory taking of possession or acquisition of property is made under a law which makes provision for—

(i) prompt payment of fair and adequate compensation, prior to the taking of possession or acquisition of the property; and

(ii) a right of access to a court of law by any person who has an interest or right over the property” (Constitution of 8th October 1995)

Amendment of Article 26:

(3) Where the owner of property or any person having any interest in or right over property objects to the compensation awarded under a law made under clause (2Xb), the Government or local government shall deposit with court for the property owner or any person having any interest in or right over the property, the compensation awarded for the property, and the Government or local government shall take possession of the property pending determination by the court of any dispute relating to the compensation” (Otafiire, 2017).

(4) The owner of property or person having any interest in or right over the property shall have a right to access the compensation deposited with the court referred to in clause (3),at any time during the determination of the dispute” (Otafiire, 2017).

(5) Parliament shall, by law, prescribe the time within which any dispute referred to in clause (3) shall be determined” (Otafiire, 2017).

So now the part of the article 2 (b) was already giving the citizens and land owners set of rights, but not telling how the procedure for compensation for possible value of the land and neither loss of possible costs of moving. The new part of article 26, is about giving the courts rights to find compensation and awards to fellow citizens property.

What is new is even as the pending award and compensation to the land owner, the government still has right to take possession of the land. Which means the government even if the land owner or the one who has the title of the land has to move before the case is settled in courts. This means that the government can cease the land and later pay the people who lives on the land. So if the state and need to build infrastructure or any other project, they can take possession of the land and pay-off the ones living there later.

The Parliament can put a time-table for the possible ending of land dispute, but the possession is already cleared by the state. Therefore, the loss of possession and pending time depends. The real issue isn’t only the dispute, but no consideration of the loss of title, livelihood or even the possible all other costs like moving to another property or housing. This should have been taken in consideration when writing new standards. This one only gives positives to the state, but the citizens and owners of land titles get the hurt.

It is easy to see the Republic/State are the ones winning with the change of article 26 in the constitution not the citizens. The changes of the law is only to benefit the state and the ones acting by orders of the state, not for the citizens. This should be itself worrying as there are no part that is positive for the citizens in the amendment. The land can be possessed and has to wait for the time-table put forward by the Parliament and within that time while the dispute happening hopefully get compensated. Clearly, this is only giving more powers to the state, while taking away the total ownership of land. Since the state can possibly take possession and pay the title-owner later. Peace.

Reference:

Otafiire, Kahinda – ‘Constitutional Amendment Bill of 2017’ – 08.06.2017 – Uganda Gazette No. 33, Volume CX, Bill Supplement No. 7

Possible problems with carving out Budama district out of the Tororo County!

There are again new allegations and old pledges from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and its local problems it create. The political patronage and possible benefits of certain creations of districts seems harder by the day, as the share numbers of district is sky-high. Not to think about the already carved out counties and sub-counties inside each district. Therefore, the vast patronage already created through these sort of arrangements cannot be easier when carving out more districts.

It seems like a hard bargain to make a Budama District in the Tororo County, as the Adhola Community meeting today in Kampala spells out. There does not seem to be reachable, unless there is significant plans whey they sufficiently think of the new boundaries, considering there have not come the other planned in Mukujju district back in 2005. So it is not like pledges from the President before has become reality for the Adhola community. They have been left behind in the past. Therefore it should be important for the state to listen to one part of the meeting resolution, which stated: “2. The Japadholas never asked for the district, so no district shall be accepted by the Jopadholas” (Adhola Community, 12.07.2017).

Therefore, when you read the Annex of the meeting, you will see the sentiment and the no-need for a provision of a carved out district. Unless, there political patronage and promises not kept from President Museveni. Someone from the area shielded him during a battle in the 1980s and he has to pay it off now. Since he still can pay him!

New Vision reported back in 2009: “The Iteso, on the other hand, do not see why the name Tororo should not be dropped. Etyang states that the people of Tororo county have been agitating for this for the last 10 or so years. “This decision leaves West Budama alone whether or not the Jopadhola have asked for a district,” he argues. He says it is virtually impossible for Tororo municipality to remain with West Budama because it was part of Tororo county before the municipality was created. For this reason, the new Mukuju county has the right to have its headquarters in Tororo town. War over wealth: If the split finally goes ahead, West Budama will lose the most in terms of property. It will lose the key industrial town of Tororo, which has become a hot cake following the discovery of huge phosphate deposits, the revival of Tororo Cement factory and the planned construction of an inland port” (New Vision, 2009).

So the promises and thinking of the carving this area into more districts has alreay been into the minds of people for a long time. Paul Etyang is also clear of the lines and the values in doing so. Also, the ramifications that we’re in 2009, which would be similar today. There we’re talk of West Budama and not East Budama, which it we’re in the meeting today. But still proof of the sentiments that was already there.

Enough talk, but if you want to understand it more. Read the annex. Peace.

Annex Meeting Protocol:

MEETING OF ADHOLA COMMUNITY IN KAMPALA HELD TODAY 12TH JULY, 2017 AT NATIONAL THEATRE.

AGENDA

  1. Prayer
  2. Remarks based on the President’s Proposal
  3. Reactions to the Proposal.
  4. Resolution.

MINUTES

  1. Prayer by Tefro Ochieng Brian
  2. Opening Remarks from Lazarus Oketch.

CREATING BUDAMA DISTRICT ON PRESIDENT MUSEVENI’S PROPOSAL FOR JOPADHOLA AND GIVING TORORO DISTRICT TO ITESOS:-

Concerns raised:-

  1. We Jopadhola ask Mr. Museveni, what happened to previous reports from Dr. Kiyonga’s commission, Byabakama’s commission and other commission that was instituted under Presidential directives?

2.Why change from the previous positions where Mukujju district was granted to the people of Tororo County (Itesos).

  1. Jopadhola are a Mother tribe in Tororo – why would you give away the District Headquarters to Itesots now? After ignoring all the reports for 11 years??.
  2. We are aware of influence peddling from Teso Parliamentary Caucus. Where the game of numbers has caused all these sudden change of mind and opting for illegalities.
  3. The integrity of the Surveyors, who appointed them, their names and who supervised them? Boundary opening must be supervised by leaders.

RESOLUTIONS

  1. Contrary to what we expect, we shall go a long Journey to defend our Mother land and the greater Teso people will never hold that District unless when we are all dead.
  2. The Japadholas never asked for the district, so no district shall be accepted by the Jopadholas.
  3. We tasked Mr. President to tell the Jopadholas what he is going to do with the Mukujju district he granted to in 2005.
  4. If Mr. Museveni is talking of creating Budama district, then we demand for the old Boundary with East Budama (Tororo County) inclusive – Bordering Kenya, Bugishu and Busoga in its original form.
  5. Since Teso Parliamentary Caucus resolved to back/support the East budama (Tororo County) People, we the Jopadholas call upon the greater Luo people to come and stand with us especially Members of Parliament from Lango, Acholi and West Nile.
  6. We are aware that Mr Museveni tried to extinguish the Acholis – Part of Luo – He even said that we Luos are mad people and for that matter, we are ready for war.
  7. We need to know how Mr. Museveni grants disputes, based on requests?, tribe? reward for support to NRM? or through Defiance?
  8. We are aware that Mr. Museveni has been planning genocide in Padhola for long because of his hate for Luo people but we want to assure him that we are ready for anything.
  9. Going forward, no Japadhola shall be allowed to meet Mr. Museveni anymore, or else that person shall be burnt alive. On the same note, Mr. Museveni should not step in Padhola for any activity any more.

It is a well known fact that we Jopadholas, are scattered all over the Country, we have MPs representing different groups in many Constituencies, but we have never claimed ownership of those constituencies or districts, like is the case in Buikwe, Mayuge, Bugiri, Namayingo and Kayunga.

We also warn our Members of Parliament that should they fail to defend this, we are recalling all of them from Parliament by invoking the Constitution.

Reference:

New Vision – ‘Is it time up for Tororo?’ (26.06.2009) link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1210608/tororo

Project abolish Article 102(b) is to extend the life-long Presidency of Museveni!

The National Resistance Movement and their henchmen are working hard to get this done in time. So their master and chief can continue to rule. The same they did when they abolished term limits in 2005. Before the 2006 General Election. The NRM and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni have made this into a sport of how to make the Constitution of 1995, a useless work of art. They can soon be used as a toilet paper, since the legal value get lost when it is amended to fit one mans paradigm, instead of fitting the whole Republic of Uganda. Previous Constitutions has been abolished and changed with the one made in 1995, because the 1962 and 1967 for instance had serious flaws, they also either gave limited presidential powers in the 1962 and abolished kingdoms in the 1967, while making the President an Executive as well in 1967. Now they are planing to amend it just for one man, which is insane. And it just talk of one article in the whole law. It is this one!

Article 102: 102. Qualifications of the President.

A person is not qualified for election as President unless that person is—

a citizen of Uganda by birth;

not less than thirty-five years and not more than seventy-five years of age; and

a person qualified to be a member of Parliament” (Uganda Constitution of 1995),

It is the Article 102(b) “not less that thirty-five years and not more than seventy-five years of age”. This is the sentence and law that are planned to change. Since it doesn’t fit the aging body of President Museveni. The NRM are preoccupied with getting enough votes and finding the right code to change the one that is giving way to Museveni. The change isn’t the make the Republic better or governance better. It would be only because it fits the paradigm of Museveni. His life and his aging body.

This is not for betterment or making steady progress, this is so the NRM MPs and NRM Caucus, the review of the Constitution is only for the purpose of making the longevity of Museveni legal. So he doesn’t breach his own Constitution. Even it makes the Presidential parts and articles pointless. Make the law and the codes into perfect for him. Not making it wonderful for Ugandans, because this is making it so he can rule for life. This isn’t in solidarity or wishing to make a difference. Only because the President is soon 75 years old and he wishes to rule in old age like President Mugabe and others. That is the motivation. Nothing else, the rest is hogwash, bullshit and propaganda.

This will only benefit Museveni and the cronies who are loyal to him. No-one else… the only one benefiting is Museveni and his yellow party NRM. The abolishing of Presidential Age Limit isn’t for the greater good, it will not stop famine, higher inflation and battle unemployment. It will not create better development of agriculture or anything else. More or less making sure the State House and all the other powers will be Museveni to own. That is why he speaks of Ugandans and Ugandan values like he understands it all. Also, that he has to look into every single problem and sanctions provisions for the changes and who gets the needed help. No-one else matters since it has get the needed decision from the President.

President Museveni has a plan and that is to stay in power beyond his constitution for the second time. Changing it when needed be, there will clearly be happening because the Article 102 will be made for him. This has been talked about ages and now it will happen. If not before he turns 75 years old. Peace.

CEG – “Re: Petition of the Amendment of Article 102(b) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, as Amended” (04.07.2017)

The Gazetted Constitutional Amendment will give Life Presidency to Museveni!

That the Minister of Justice Kahinda Otafiire and Constitutional Affairs has The Uganda Gazette on the 8th June 2017, so the Constitutional Review Commission will look into needed changes in the 1995 Constitution, that was last amended in 2005, so that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni could continue to run the Republic and make sure the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Still had the full-control of the state. This is how it has been today, since the two presidential terms got abolished in 2005, but now the age limit of the President is planned to scrapped to fit the age of President Museveni. So he can be the President until death.

President Museveni wasn’t a democratic demigod, instead he is the true President for Life, who doesn’t care about his own legacy and the state of affairs. This because the Republic are totally connected with him. Nothing else matter. This is the proof of the new Amendment, which most likely are made to be fitted his future. The future of a life presidency of Museveni. Nothing else, it is that simple. That a former revolutionary and liberator keeps now his republic captive.

He has captured the state and now keeps it hostage, he uses and spends the state reserves on his own, the crony capitalism, as the envelopes runs wild. There been reports earlier in June that the Members of Parliament to vote for a Constitutional Amendment would mean that they would cash-out Shs. 300 million. That means 426 MPs was elected and sworn-in after the General Election of 2016. That would mean in vast sum of Shs. 127bn. Which is more than the Presidential Donation budget in the Financial Year of 2017/18. And in the budget made for the Financial Year of 2017/18 he was given Shs. 70Bn, which means if the MPs are getting paid from the proposed Presidential Donations it would miss 56bn.

But, hey by then they already have new suits and shiny shoes fitting their brand-new SUVs granted on their Swearing-in as MP. Surely, the easy money as much all the other benefits for being representatives must be swell. The enrichment of becoming politician and representative in the 10th Parliament, if this means that the State House controls it and makes all the political organs as a vassal state. Because they just have to follow orders and comply. The Motion and the Bill might be written by Minister Otafiire, but he is only being a loyal subject of the President.

Since it isn’t the first time they tried to get the amendment of the 1995 Constitution and the changed one again in 2005. Therefore, the try in 2015 wasn’t successful, but now after recent election the MPs thinks it isn’t that striking the plan of the old-man. He just want to rule and without any consideration of the state, which is his vassal. They are just subordinate to his rule and all his subjects. Nothing else. It is so simple, the mere fact of the whole situation. Now if this law is enacted and becomes law, if they found a formula to make the Presidency owned by one man and continues to extend his powers. There aren’t any real state functions that matters, unless it gets his blessing and his provisions. They are all mere subjects, with titles and salaries, but not real ones, because they all just follows his whispers and his commands.

With the Life Presidency, the Vassal State under President Museveni will be official, not only mafia state, a despotic state, but a Vassal State, that is totally separated by the State House where all the powers reside and the decisions are made. Peace.

Tired of President Museveni’s “1986”!

I know I am born in 1985, but I am tired of the year of 1986 and the year National Resistance Army (NRA). The now National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The liberation movement that has run the republic since 1986. This war lasted from 1981 to 1986, the NRA went out of the Milton Obote II government after the illegitimate election of 1980s. Which from then on has been used as the scapegoat and the ones to put to blame for ever since.

The 1986 is the magical year that Museveni entered into supremacy. The Supreme kingpin and mastermind of all it. Sowing the mustard seed and creating a newer safer Republic. The one time the peasants was supposed to have their say in government and make the republic a democracy. The Republic of Uganda was going from strong-men and big-men to run the Republic. Instead, it has been now three decades with manufactured democracy in-line with the vision of Museveni.

President Museveni have used all techniques to fix election results, paying villagers and making new government forms to fit his paradigm. Instead of releasing his promises he has built elite around him that is loyal to his brown envelopes or public fearing his security organizations. This is a special coming from the man promises all the possible governance and government structures needed, if he got into power. Instead, he has done the opposite.

It was supposed to get into a middle-Income Country instead of the Less Developed Country, which is the state is in now. The LDC that Uganda now is because of the state of government that President Museveni has created around him. That can be seen with amounts of debt, the massive overspending on the State House and the pledges around the President. Government of Uganda, GoU have been built around Museveni, instead of institutions and procedures. Therefore, the state are following the orders of the President and his Presidential Handshakes.

That is why, every-time in a speech at any sort of occasion the President will mention 1986 and how the state used to be. As of today 1 out of 5 in the Republic or 21% are between 15 to 24 year old. And by 2016 there we’re only 2% who are older than 65 years old. Which means that the President are part of a minority age bracket. President Museveni 30 years old rule are older than many of the youths in the Republic. They should also wonder what is so special about the years they never we’re living and about governments they never lived under. There are big proportions of the population who cannot remember or has been apart of the first years of the NRA or the civil-war during the 1980s.

They would be like me, they would feel the same fatigue of the NRA and Museveni rule, the extension of the liberation from Obote and Amin. The ones that Museveni mention whenever he needs someone or somebody to blame. Certainly mention 1986. The 1986 that are the most important year since independence, therefore, the NRM Day, the 26th January 1986, liberation day. Instead of the Independence Day 9th October 1962. That one is not so often mentioned by the President, since he didn’t get them out of the British Empire and not be a British Protectorate anymore.

Still, the 9th October 1962 doesn’t seem to be important for Museveni, the 26th January 1986 is the most vital one. The one that sets the standard, the day that changed everything and gave him total access. Therefore, the celebration of 1986 is so key and be levied at any occasion, and at any speech. President Museveni praises his overthrow of Amin, Obote, Okello and Biniasa.

They all just had to be overthrown, he had to make coup d’etat and make folklore out of it. So his name can ring out and be praised. Let it be clear, the President sings 1986… 1986… 1986… like a jingle never stopping. Peace.

Bukedea district: NRM Government neglect to another level, they are stealing from their starving citizens!

Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.”Harry Truman (Special Message to the Congress on the Internal Security of the United States, August 8, 1950).

Certainly, the National Resistance Movement and their government doesn’t seem to care how they look. None of their pledges or even written letters to the Local Government matters. Not even in the midst of famine and starvation. You would think that a government and their agencies had sense of keeping their promises to the ones who needs the most basic in life – as their plates are empty after droughts and bad governance. Therefore, the NRM has no sense, when the Bukedea district are reacting that their promised food relief is less; than promised from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Dr. Ruhakana Ruganda and his department. Certainly, this is disrespecting the people and the citizens of Bukedea. Take a look!

Mike Okwii, the district secretary for health and social services wants the matter investigated expeditiously before they can distribute what they have received. “According to the letter signed by the commissioner of disaster and preparedness, Bukedea was supposed to get 800 bags of posho and 400 bags of beans. But the district has received only 400 bags of posho and 50 bags of beans, which is shocking. So for us at the district leadership, we have decided not to distribute this food. Not until when OPM delivers all the food items”, he said. Okwii confirmed that as of now, nobody has given them any response as to why the Office of the Prime Minister delivered consignments that have fewer supplies that what was declared. “Nobody has given us the right answer why they delivered less food compared to what is on the delivery note. The minister for Teso Affairs is going to follow the matter because you can imagine the minister came to Bukedea to allocate food to the sub-counties. Little did she know that she allocated food which is not even there”, he added (URN, 2017).

The reason for the disrespect is staggering as the reports of termites and insects to survive, proves the lacking governance and upkeep of institutions. Also, the agricultural sector has been left behind, as the irrigation and thinking of how use water in farming. Certainly, the food relief is a way of making sure the people eat while they wait for next season and possible time to start farming again. These in regions that has been hard hit and the government had been warned by FAO and FEWSNET, so these reports should have forewarned them.

Food is required besides the medication. If someone is sick, the first treatment is food; medicine works well on a well fed body,” said Dr. Chebitai” (New Vision, 2017). Therefore, with the knowledge that the state still has the capacity to not deliver what so needed and necessary is not only a theft, but taken food of the plates of those who starve. That the NRM has the audacity to this proves how they can easily neglect their citizens. Even taking away their first treatment, that is the level of disappointment, the ruling regime can to do their own. Peace.

Reference:

New Vision – ‘Parliament staff donate food items to Teso’ (07.05.2017) link:http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1453187/parliament-staff-donate-food-items-teso

In the Teso Region they are eating termites to survive the famine!

There are something deeply wrong, so sincerely wrong when the citizens doesn’t get needed food relief and have to eat termites and insects to survive. This is the state of the famine now in Teso Region, in Katakwi, Amuria, Bukedea and Kaberamaido district.

Mr Robert Okitoi, the Amuria District council chairperson, said “The situation is bad, people are now eating termites. I think the government should just declare a state of emergency for the regions of Teso, Karamoja and Lango.” (NTV Uganda, 01.06.2017). On the 26th April 2017 the Parliament has passed a motion to declare ‘State of Emergency’ in Uganda, but the President and the State House has not done anything about it.

Still, a local farmer wrote a piece to the Chimp Reports that has some valuable assessments:

The current hunger in Teso has largely been attributed to drought, while this assertion may hold some truths; there is increasingly evidence that the Ministry of Teso Affairs has not done its part. Hunger in Teso is as a result of both internal and external factors. For many years, the region has been experiencing declining productivity and this was recently worsened by drought. For districts like Ngora, Bukedia and Kumi, land fragmentation has heavily affected productivity” (…) “Clearly besides drought, Teso food systems are in a crisis and our expectation was that the Ministry of Teso affairs working with other stakeholders would work to address this problem. Our view is that hunger should be among the ‘affairs’ that Ministry of Teso Affairs should be engaged in.Agriculture remains a major livelihood for our people in Teso and therefore we require urgent response from Ministry of Teso Affairs on its plans to help our people get out of the current hunger crisis”(Akorikin, 2017).

This here proves that the drought is just the last piece of the straw in a bigger problem, that even the State Ministry has not been in-charge and had the oversight of the Teso Region. There are lacking the support they need. Still, the government still have done something now and then. Like this one relief to Kaberamaido district: “Kaberamaido district has finally received 12, 000 kilograms of relief food from government valued at Shillings 33 million. Kaberamaido is among the districts battling a severe food crisis resulting from crop failure due to prolonged drought. The most affected areas in the district are Ochero, Bululu, Kobulubulu, Kaberamaido, and Apapai sub counties. With over 5,000 households facing starvation representing about half of the total population in the district, the 12,000 kilograms of flour delivered is far from solving the food crisis” (Odongo, 2017). That means on the 30th April 2017, the government delivered 12.000kgs of flour that is estimated to be 231,000 citizens in the district alone. Therefore, you don’t have to be rocket scientist to know that this food relief to the one district isn’t enough…

The minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Hilary Onek, has offered a bit of advice to the hunger-stricken; stop selling the little food you have left. Onek said the weather has become so unreliable for Ugandans to hold on to the little hope for better yields. “They should consider family needs first before selling all the food. Districts like Lira had a lot of food but it [food] was sold to traders from Kenya, South Sudan and even Rwanda because people want money,” he said in an interview. Asked whether government would consider banning the sale of food to outsiders, Onek said they wouldn’t, in the spirit of the East African Community. “That is not an option we will consider; we only want people to behave responsibly to take care of their family needs before they sell all the food,” he said” (UMDF, 2017).

So now the Minister Onek gives advice to the impoverished citizens, so that they are careful with their food stocks, as the relief of the districts are not up-to par. Therefore, that they didn’t stock the extra foods and now they tell the families to take of it. The government could have used their resources and built food-stocks, instead of living hand to mouth. The small-time farmers in the Teso-Region certainly, needs more than fear of selling what they don’t have, they need support and food relief.

The state also has to facilitate the farmers, not in Operation Wealth Creation or Jerry-Can irrigation, but real projects, storage of food-stocks and recreate farmers Co-Ops in the districts and sub-counties to collectively earn and work together to get better yields and also productivity in general. But that isn’t a scheme and way the National Resistance Movement can corrupt or thieve the funds from. Therefore, that will not happen and is the reason why the similar institutions are gone during the decades of President Museveni.

The Teso Region and these district needs help, the man-made famine together with the drought that has worsen it. So the Government has to charge and actually make a difference, not just thieve monies away from Kampala. Peace.

Reference:

Akorikin, Francis – ‘OPINION: Government Should Review the Relevance of Ministry of Teso Affairs’ (05.05.2017) link: https://www.chimpreports.com/opinion-government-should-review-the-relevance-of-ministry-of-teso-affairs/

Odongo, Ronald – ‘Kaberamaido Receives 12,000 KGs of Food Relief’ (30.04.2017) link: https://ugandaradionetwork.com/story/govt-delivers-12000-kilograms-of-posho-worth-ugx-33m-to-famine-hit-residents

Uganda Media Development Foundation (UMDF) – ‘HILARY ONEK TO HUNGER VICTIMS: DON’T SELL FOOD’ (01.05.2017) link: https://www.umdf.or.ug/?q=content/hilary-onek-hunger-victims-don%E2%80%99t-sell-food