A very brief look into the recent appointments of Permanent Secretaries

Yesterday, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has had his little reshuffle of Permanent Secretaries to the Ministries and Offices of the State. There wasn’t much juice to see. It wasn’t like he offered yet another Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader or stalwart to a position. No, Museveni just did more of the same.

Plenty of the secretaries retained their roles and continues to be “permanent”. This being Lucky Nakoybe and Dr. Kenneth Omona who is kept in the same office. Someone who is lucky and in good favours of the state is Keith Muhakanizi who went from the Minister of Finance to the Office of the Prime Minister.

The appointment of Dr. Ramathan Ngobi, the aide of Salim Selah, the brother of the President has been appointed to be the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). A clear indication of how family affairs mattes and this is why Muhakanizi was moved to another office.

The one that sent a begging letter recently to the President after losing in the election and not being appointed to a Ministry. The forever in the public eye, Adolf Mwesige was appointed as a Permanent Secretary as a Clerk in Parliament. So, the President has him still in his good favours, as he knows he will be loyal for yet another appointment.

All of the President’s appointments are more of the same. These are just the few I see worth mentioning. Museveni is recycling most of the same people. Just a few new faces, but these are known for the general public.

The NRM doesn’t change and neither does the President. This is just more of the same. It is just some changing chairs, but not appointing more qualified or better equipped people. No, these are hired after loyalty and not after merit. That’s why these folks continues to get retained and work like they do. Peace.

Opinion: Brig. Deus Sande follows a long line partisan army commanders

“They will not hand over power to ideologically bankrupt Politicians” – Brig. Deus Sande

There been so many National Resistance Army (NRA) Generals who has dismissed the opposition. That Sande is going after the National Unity Platform (NUP) and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine.

The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) is supposed to be non-partisan. However, they tend to usually sway in favour of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The army is working for the ruling regime and the President. That the will never hand over to anyone who they doesn’t deem fit. Usually they dismiss the opposition in a heart beat.

The Army Commanders and Officers also intimidate and say they will ensure the continuation of the Republic. The UPDF will never leave the Presidency to a doctor or a colonel. This they used to say about Dr. Kizza Besigye. He was never enough or good enough. He was an upstart and not even a good medic. A person who would never be the commander-in-chief of the army.

When they do that Besiye. How do you expect they react to a musician like Bobi Wine? Expect them to just give way and not speak out. These people are used to it and has done so for over a generation.

That is why there been countless of high ranking officials within the UPDF who has dismissed the opposition and their leaders over the years. The same with former Generals who are serving in the Cabinet and who are “elected” Members of Parliament (MP), which are there too. They are all doing the same as Sande.

It is not like his alone in this and speaking out like he did. No, his one out of plenty. There been so many saying these things. That it’s not shocking anymore, but more ordinary fashion from the NRA Historicals, UPDF Commanders and retired army commanders appointed to high ranking roles within the NRM. They are always throwing shade and saying they would never accept a civilian or somebody who is not anointed by them.

Now they are going after Bobi Wine and NUP. In the past it would be the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Besigye. However, we are in 2020 and Bobi Wine is the main target. Peace.

Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF): Operation to pursue escapees from Singila Government Prison in Moroto (17.09.2020)

Opinion: The UPDF is untouchable in the eyes of the President (!)

“f you are not working for the enemy, you cannot go on the social-media and demand that we publish the names of the personnel of UPDF, their ranks and their jobs. The only thing we can say and what you know is that recruitment into the Police and UPDF is by quota. Beyond that, leave our Army alone and I mean, leave our Army alone” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (03.09.2020).

In the response the President wrote today. He addressed a lot of matters. That is why I am making a second post on it. This time about the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) or the Army. We are seeing how the President is defending it. As there been inquiries and questions about how the army is a “western” Ugandan enterprise filled with high ranking officials from there. This is something Museveni doesn’t want to properly address.

I’m not shocked he is dismissing it. That his calling people enemies for doing so. Because, if the UPDF isn’t filled with loyal cadres. He would be frightened, as his popularity in the public is frail over the years. The President needs the army and armed forces, because the public isn’t behind him anymore. That is why the President doesn’t accept accountability or transparency in concern with the UPDF.

“Coming to the Armed Forces, especially the Army, my advice to all of you, is that leave your Army out of that nonsense. The NRA, the UPDF are Armies of sacrifice, all the time for no pay or low pay. They (we) put their lives on the line. Therefore, leave UPDF out of the circus of sectarianism. Fighters, real fighters, never have interests in tribes or religious sectarianism; but in comrade-in-arms” – Museveni (03.09.2020).

Because, we know the UPDF have a history of selective recruitment and promotions. If the President wanted to be against sectarianism and be open to all tribes of the Republic. There wouldn’t be an issue, if it wasn’t something there.

This has been known for a long while… the UPDF and the army is filled high ranking officials from Western Uganda. That is not just mere speculation, but facts at this point. If it wasn’t so, the President would say so. However, he doesn’t want people to question the reasons for it.

He wants the people to accept it and leave it alone. It is wrong to look into the armed forces and its structure. That shows that the President fears scrutiny and transparency about this. He wants to stop questions and silence it.

The president knows his only way to keep power is having the loyalty and the control of the army. If he looses that at this point…. he will loose power and it will end his reign. The President needs the soldiers, generals and armed forces all behind him. He needs to have their backs and not loose them.

That is why the President doesn’t want anyone to look into the army and what it does. The UPDF is therefore untouchable… at least in the eyes of the President. However, that is not good. As the UPDF should defend the territory and its citizens. Not be a weapon of intimidation or tactics to scare the public. It is there to defend them.

If the President is that defensive and scared of looking into the army. You know his in trouble and worried about the truth. He should be open, transparent and accountable about it. Alas, his not, because he knows… as we know that its not run like it should. Peace.

Uganda People’s Defence Force: Misuse of Armed Personnel by Political Contenders (01.09.2020)

A look into the battle of the MPs in the new districts in 2021

In September 2015, the 9^th Parliament approved 23 new districts. I have looked through most of them. We can see whose are having new constituencies and new borderlines for ballots in the General Election of 2021. There are other districts also pushed, which are not mentioned. Because, the list would be insane. But it shows some people who are having another route to their incumbency than previously done.

This has been an issue in previous elections too. As the state has operated and changed district lines for years. This is a clever way to create new polls and statistics, also ensure there are no strongholds. As the districts and sub-counties become fluid. That is because there was 112 districts in the 2016 Elections, but by 2021 there will be 135 districts. As well as there was 1,403 sub-counties in 2016, while in 2021 there will be 2057 sub-counties. All of this has effects for the elections and the supervision of it. As there are new candidacies, there are new elected officials and ensuring the tallies are right with the right forms, ballots and counting according to the eligible to vote and whose registered to do so. Therefore, these sort of changes are brining a lot headache, not only to the representatives to date, but also for the ones following it.

Therefore, with this in mind. I made a similar list of interesting names, districts and whose MPs, who could have issues when the primary polls in 2020 and the initial polls in 2021. This will be interesting, as there was incumbent MPs and NRM MPs who came into trouble and lost in new districts last time. That is likely to happen again, as there are other parishes, towns and such where they have to get voters compared to last go-around.

District:	MPs:
Rwampara County into a district (Curved out of Mbarara District)	Charles Ngabirano (NRM) Former: Mujuni Vincent Kyamadidi (NRM turned FDC)
Karenga County into a district (Curved out of Kaabong District or Dodoth West)	Rose Akello Lilly (former Kaabong MP) Taking away constituencies from: Simon Lokodo (NRM)
Kapelebyong County into a district (Curved out of Amuria District)	Julius Peter Ochen (Independent)
Obongi County into a districts (Curved out of Moyo District)	Hassan Kaps Fungaroo (FDC)
Kazo County into a district (Curved out of Kiruhura District)	Gordon Bafaki (NRM)
Kitagwenda County into a district (Curved out of Kamwenge District)	Agaba Abbas Mugisha (NRM)
Madi-Okollo County into district (Curved out of Arua district)	This is taking away constituencies from Upper and Lower Madi. This hits NRM MPs: Isaac Etuuka & Ismail Ogama
Terendo East & West County into Terengo District (Operative 2020) (Curved out of Amuru District)	Mario Kania Obiga (NRM) – Terengo East Moses Angundru (NRM) – Terengo West
Kalaki County into a districts (Curved out of Kaberamaido district)	Clement Kenneth Ongalo-Obote (NRM)
Kagadi district of out Buyaya county (Curved out of Kibaale district)	Eric Musana (Buyaya East) – (NRM) Barnabas Tinkasmiire (Buyaya West) – (NRM)
Kakumiro district (Curved out of Kibaale district)	Barnabas Tinkasmiire (Buyaya West) Robinah Nabbanja – (NRM) Woman MP
Omoro County turned district (Curved out of Gulu District)	Jacob Oulanyah (NRM) Catherine Lamwaka (Woman MP) – (NRM)
Rubanda County turned district (Curved out of Kabale District)	Henry A. Musasizi (Rubanda County East) Denis Sabiiti (Rubanda County West)
Rukiga County turned district (Curved out of Kable District)	Herbert Kabafunzaki (NRM) – Rukiga County
Namisindwa district (Curved out of “East Bubulo County” in Manafwa District)	Apollo Masika (NRM) – Bubulo County East
Pakwach district (Curved out of Nebbi District)	Emmanuel Ongiertho (FDC) – Jonam County
Butebo County turned into district (Curved out of Pallisa district)	Fred Oduchu Mudukoi (Independent) – Butebo County
Bunyangabu County into district (Curved out of Kabarole district)	Adolf Mwesige (NRM) – Bunyangabu County
Nabilatuk district out of Pian County (Curved out of Nakapiripirit district)	Achia Remegio (NRM) – Pian County
Bugweri county into districts (Curved out of Iganga distict)	Abdu Katuntu (FDC) – Bugweri County
Kasanda counties into one district (Curved out of Mubende District)	Micheal I. Bukenya (NRM) – Bukuya County Patrick O Nsamba (NRM) – Kassanda County North Simeo Nsubuga (NRM) – Kassanda County South
Kwania county turned district (Curved out of Apac District)	Tonny Ayoo (NRM) – Kwania County
Kikuube turned district from Buhaguzi County (Curved out of Hoima District	Daniel M. Muheirwe (NRM) – Buhaguzi County Tophase Kaahwa Byagira (Woman MP)

I think this list is interesting, as it says something about whose has a new challenge. Who has new constituencies and where the might reside some lost hope. As there have been lacking funds to operate these districts. There been trouble to find financial stimulus to actually operate them. The NRM has made big changes with the districts, but haven’t considered the economic implications in doing so. Also the obligations of civil service, hospitals, health care centres and so-on. As well, as halls for the appointed leadership, the elected officials offices and so-on. Which is all on the back-burner and lack of funds too do.

Therefore, this list shows what is at stake and what the NRM does to ensure continued power in Parliament. As they assess these changes will give them popularity, as they are giving local government close look in the previously bigger districts. Even as they are all former sub-counties turned into a bigger and have more of a mandate as a district. Peace.

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions Part XII: Communique (16.09.2019)

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions XI: Deportation in Respect of 32 Rwandans INV/357/19 (12.09.2019)

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions Part X: Meeting of the Ad Hoc Commisson for the Implementation of Memorandum of Understanding of Luanda between Republic of Uganda and Republic of Rwanda (12.09.2019)

Uganda-Rwanda Tension Part VIII: A look into the Parliament Report on the closure of Uganda-Rwanda Border

On the 23^rd August 2019, the Minister of State for East African Community Julius Wandera Maganda sent the report on the Closure of Uganda-Rwanda Border. This report has been made to update the EAC Committee. Still, the public deserves to get the numbers and the gist of the closure. What it really means in the hard numbers and with the cross-border trade.

Clearly, the closure has had an affect on both republics. As the Report states are that:

“Following the closure of Cyanika, Katuna and Mirama Hills Border Posts on the 27th Feb 2019 by the Republic of Rwanda, as part of their mandate, the Ministry of East African Community (MEACA) has undertaken a number of steps as indicated below”.

There has been certainly new rules for entry between Uganda-Rwanda:

“i. There is still free movement of persons (Ugandan Nationals and other Nationalities) to and from Rwanda save for the Rwandan citizens who are only allowed entry and no ex;.t from Rwanda.

ii. The only Rwandan nationals allowed exit from Rwanda from the borders above are the drivers on transit to Kenya and not to Uganda.

iii. It was also noted that the Ugandans who cross to Rwanda only go there mostly to attend Parties or Funerals, and not business as the environment for Ugandan goods and products is hostile.

iv. Whereas Ugandan nationals are allowed to enter Rwanda, it is unfortunate that Ugandan goods/products arc not allowed entry. These are rejected with no reasons given, no rejection notes/documents are provided. Many drivers have suffered the disappointment of being told to turn back to Uganda”

All of this has consequences. Just as the financial implications by this alone. The Ministry can show that in FY 2017/18 value the imports from Rwanda at 160,293,270,436 UGX and in FY 2018/19 it has gone down to 123,338,816,439 UGX. This is downfall of imports of 23.05 % from the last year.

The consequences for the export to Rwanda is also hit. In FY 2017/18 was 585,436,037,282 UGX and in FY 2018/19 is 426,884,832,406 UGX. This is a downfall of export in the amount of 27,08 %. from the last year.

The results of the closure of the border at Katuna has ensured that there was no trucks passing this pass, between March 2019 to the June 2019. When the trucks started to crossover again. Still in a fraction of what was done in the past. Before February 2019, the average inflow and outflow of trucks was above 3000. However, in the months of March to June 2019, there was less than 500 every month. Even ZERO in the months of April and May 2019. Before, the numbers has started to rise, but not more than 300 in June 2019. Surely, One-Tenth is a major change and has affect.

This has resulted in more traffic, within the inflow and outflow at the Mirama Hill. Until February 2019, there was usually about 300 passing in both directions. However after this it was around 2000 trucks passing through every month between March to June 2019. Which is showing that there are blocking of trucks and also the total numbers of trucks passing on both passes is less than 3000 in both directions. That is really hurting the cross-border trade between the Republic’s. It is easy to see.

The closure has had an affect and the new measures on both sides. Has hit the trading, but also general movement. That is visible and surely, would be nice to see what the Rwandan Parliament would write as a counter to the Ugandan side. To see if their have another explanation for this. Peace.