Opinion: There are two type of leaders in government I never trust… the warlords and the gangsters!

I feel there is two type of leaders in government, that I can never trust. They might never see themselves as this, but their act are like this. These leaders are fitted in other fashions, than of statesmen. They are leaders who could really be part of the Costra Nostra or even some armed militia. The only difference is that they have the power as head of states and is “elected” officials.

The two types I have to pin-point is the warlords and the gangsters. There are plenty of these in our time. They use the time in power, either to steal, kill or undermine the citizens while being in power. They are not serving the public, no, they are eating and destroying the state, bit by bit.

The warlords are military leaders, who has taken over the civil government, they are using the military for all sorts of actions, instead of building institutions. They are misusing the force, the intelligence and all parts of the security organizations of the state. All done to spread fear and control the public. If the public interfere or question the authority, these sort of government uses the army to arrest, detain and sentence the ones challenging them. This is what they do and the army can solve all trouble in society. That is what the warlords do, other than creating conflicts elsewhere, to be consistent warfare and using their skills in the military field. Instead of really generating peace.

The gangsters are the parties and groups of politicians, who uses the government as a racket. They are racketeering. Meaning, they are eating of the plate of the public, they are overtaxing them and not giving them services. They are expecting to be men-of-honour and deserve honour, even if they are emptying the reserves, creating fake problems and making laws, which takes away opportunities of the citizens, as they are expected to blindly follow the Don and his mafia. There will be extra-judicial killings, corruption scandals and continuously embezzlement. Therefore, the gangsters are working and earning of the plate of others. But don’t expect them to give you anything. If they do, they expect to get returns.

However, if they don’t, you will get in trouble for making deals with them. You should have known better, but maybe you had no other choice. Because, they run the government and they supply the tenders, so you had to deal with them. Expect to be extorted or taken advantage off, they are gangsters for a reason. Men for every season.

So, surely, if you follow the news, you will see these characters. They are maybe in the headlines, maybe making pledges and greeting you on the screen. Remember, that you cannot trust them. They are warlords and gangsters, there for self-serving and only there to misuse their power. If you don’t follow their codes, you will get got. If you don’t listen or try to fight these men. Than, your their prey and they intend to use your citizenship as a pawn in their game for ill-gotten wealth.

This is the way it is. Not that its right, but we let it happen. Time to make it right. Peace.

Opinion: Is a blow-job more of a constitutional crisis, than actual foreign interference?

I know that the one time the world was following an impeachment of an American President, live and in living-colour was back in the 1990s. Those was the days of Kool-Aid and a Presidential Affair turned into a Constitutional Crisis. This because the Republican Senators and Representatives took their shot at the Democratic Party President William J. Clinton.

They started impeachment inquiry in December 1998 over his affair in the oval office with a White House Intern Monica Lewinsky. By the end of February 2019, the whole case got acquitted, even after strong intentions and will from both Ken Starr and others to get rid Clinton. Still, it didn’t work.

Today in 2019 were seeing a move in this way today’s lucky bastard, Donald J. Trump, whose character and actions can be put into question. As his will to use Russian help, coordinated efforts and the investigation of over 2 years have shown. Still, the Congress is hell-bent on not acting upon it.

So, by this definition, in the 1990s a blow-job by an intern is more dire, than actually a foreign intervention and direct corrupt behaviour of present day government. Surely, in hindsight, people will say they would have supported the impeachment of Trump. But right now, the gravy-train, the slow train of reform isn’t there. It wasn’t as needed, as the strike and the fury of the acts of Clinton.

Sure, it was bad. He destroyed nearly his marriage to Hillary. He showed a lack of character and that he could misuse his power to get a happy ending. Well, the current day President has gotten a lot more and done a lot more in return. The President haven’t tried to stop a possible intervention in the up-coming elections in 2020. Neither has he tried to make the sanctions nor react to all the intelligence shown, that the Russians did interfere the previous election for the benefit of Trump.

Also, the obvious case of obstruction of justice, the ill-behaviour and the misuse of office. There is enough deeds to put this White House and this Administration under question. Clearly a long bucket list of foreign affairs and donations, sudden strikes of corporate deals done and to top-it off, the pay-to-play acts done by Trumps. Surely shows that the Tea-Pot Dome Scandal was only a fluke, but a daily occurrence in this government.

That is why the Congress, the House of Representatives should start an Impeachment Inquiry, where they will put the President under subpoena and by a grand jury to investigate the possible misdeeds of the President, as the Congress can do.

A CRS Report of 2005 states this: “The focus of the impeachment inquiry is to determine whether the person involved has engaged in treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. If the House Committee on the Judiciary, by majority vote, determines that grounds for impeachment exist, a resolution impeaching the individual in question and setting forth specific allegations of misconduct, in one or more articles of impeachment, will be reported to the full House” (CRS Report for Congress – ‘An Overview of the Impeachment Process’ 20.04.2005).

This is clear on the memo. As the Congress and House Committee of the Judiciary and the House Representatives can start an inquiry and start an investigation into the President. To see if there is evidence of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Just like in the past when they checked the blow-jobs of Clinton. In today’s world, the House of Representatives has to see if they can find clear evidence and in the collected reports of Special Counsel Robert Mueller; if there is anything that is criminal. This can be done by them. As there been plenty on the Trump Team and Campaign staff, which have been implicated in the probe and even sentenced ever since. This is why, with the knowledge of this and the secrecy, not only the release of all the volumes of the report. Plus the trying to deflect it all and overshadow the evidence collected. There is surely more to shed a light on, an underworld the President doesn’t want the public to know. Just like his hidden tax-returns, which is more secret than the golden showers in Moscow.

Alas, there is a need to start the proceedings, that is if a blow-job in the oval office is more critical to the state, than foreign interference from the Kremlin. Peace.

DPP: Press Statement – Investigation on Allegation of Irregular Payment of Kshs 68,000,000/= made by Nairobi City County to M/S Wachira Mburu, Mwangi & Company Advocates (26.04.2019)

EACC: Press Statement on Investigations into Two Allegations of Irregular Payment of Kshs 68 Million by Nairobi City County Government to Wachira Mwangi and Company Advocates (26.04.2019)

Hon. Otto Odonga: Notice of Motion to Censure Betty Amongin over abuse of Office (23.05.2018)

The NRM Way is Corruption, so please don’t be shocked when they do it!

You should never be shocked if a National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament (MP) or Historicals are caught eating of the public plate. No matter who it is, they are acting as they are entitled to this. They are entitled not pay rent, they are entitled to grab land and entitled to get kickbacks on government contracts. This is the system the NRM has built. To say otherwise is naive. This is the continuation of the “pay-to-play” system that Amama Mbabazi was known for. How do you think him and Gilbert Bukenya made their wealth?

They did not sell Nile Brew on the streets of Kampala, no these two used their positions to eat and therefore was synonymous with the word corruption, at one point they could have their face in the dictionary as they we’re always connected with some sham transaction. The same can be said the Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kuteesa, who always has some shady business deal or arrangement to make sure his pockets are fat. When the new generation of NRM MPs see how the old-guard did it. They want to be in on it. That is natural.

So when Betty Amongi does what she does, she has learned from her peers. Not that is right or by law, but by the activity of the party. The same can be said by Evelyn Anite, whose also has some shady deals now. Both of these are just the newest crop, in addition to the ones who has already played these games. I am just waiting for Frank Tumwebaze to have some sort deal with the Telecoms, so that he could earn something on the side with this Sim-Card Saga of his. That would have made sense and also within reason.

And we know the likes Jim Muhwezi and others has made enough fortunes, big enough homes, that is why the house of Gen. Elly Tumwine, whose trying to outshine the Gbadolite, the house of former Dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. Therefore, the NRM elite has money, while the government lacks it and borrows to keep the cash flow going. If not, they are begging for handouts to secure government projects. This is happening while the elite is finding all kinds of tricks to find new money.

These are MPs with a lavish pay, secured pay for cars and housing, these are MPs whose already getting well-fed on the government tab. So they shouldn’t need to do shady backroom deals, but still they do, because the ones with much, always wants a little bit more. The rich wants to get richer. That is also natural, but they are feeding themselves on a rotten root and hoping the tree will bear fruits next season. Which is impossible, as they are killing off the tree, instead of nurturing it and making sure it can last.

The NRM eating like there is no tomorrow, it isn’t only the President. The State House and the PM. They are the main beneficiaries, but the MPs want their part of the pot of gold. That is why we see Presidential Handshakes, bribes, kickbacks, graft, land-grabs and whatnot. They all want their slice, because they want to be like the previous NRM ministers who did the same. They are NRM and therefore entitled to eat. That is the system. Not a beautiful masterpiece, but when the predecessors did it, why can’t they?

I am not saying it is justified, but I understand why it happens, why they are acting like this. Because they want their loot and their fortunes. If not they wouldn’t run as MPs or part of the elites. This is the way to get it. Not by hard work or dedication, no by association and by office. That is how this system work. This is 32 years down the road, and nothing has changed…

So please don’t be shocked, its put into play long time ago. That is why even Mwenda was bitching about this a decade ago, before his “independent” magazine launch. Peace.

Eritrea: Press Briefing note on Attacks/threats by States against UN Human Rights Experts (21.11.2017)

Eritrea: Statement of ELS on the Protest of October 31 (02.11.2017)

The Eritrean Law Society (ELS) is closely observing developments that have led to, and that have followed after, the unprecedented civilian protest of 31 October 2017, which occurred in the heart of the capital city of Eritrea. The protest was prompted by the announcement of a drastic government decision that affected the status of educational establishments administered by Eritrean religious institutions. Another major motive for the protest is the arbitrary arrest of respected elders and spiritual leaders, notably Haji Mussa Mohammed Nur, who strongly opposed the government decision.

Although the details of causalities are not yet fully known, ELS is concerned by the fact that brute force, including live ammunition, was used to suppress the protest, which was nothing more than a peaceful demonstration against a drastic government measure affecting the lives of thousands of people. In our view, the protest signifies one fundamental reality. In today’s Eritrea, citizens have no choice of whatsoever nature in pursuing their individual and group aspirations, life plans, goals, and purposes. Eritreans do not also have access to independent and impartial institutions, including courts of law that can safeguard their fundamental rights and freedoms in the event these essential entitlements are wantonly violated by government authorities.

History dictates that no population can be ruled forever under the yoke of unbearable authoritarianism. There is an urgent need in Eritrea for a full return to a system of governance based on constitutional order, the requirements of democratic accountability, and respect for the rule of law, including the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of the Eritrean people. ELS would like to take this occasion to make a call on the international community and those who can play a role by pushing for a full return to a democratic system of governance in Eritrea.

Meanwhile, the following reminder is also important for all peace-loving and justice-seeking Eritreans. We shall stay the course and remain vigilant against all sorts of divisive and cheap political machinations orchestrated by the authoritarian regime in Eritrea, its brazen apologists and messengers. It is always important to remember that the regime will make continuous recourse to methods that promote its narrow political agenda as well as frustrate the momentum ushered by the protest of 31 October.

Eritrean Law Society
Executive Committee
November 2, 2017

Opinion: Mzee don’t want to bother foreign investors with taxes, just give him a Presidential Handshakes!

Well, I am biased, as the President are visiting Dubai for 4th Global Business Forum on Africa on the 2^nd November 2017. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is trying to cater to foreign investors. People who he usually cater to at the State House, so he can get favors and Presidential Handshakes. That is why he isn’t bothered with taxes, because the tax-holidays and possible offerings will be huge for the investors who comes in. That is what the National Resistance Movement (NRM) are doing, especially if it is for instance a nations offering the state loan, than the same state can come with state-companies to build infrastructure like Chinese companies coming in after offering loans to the same NRM government. Therefore, just look at what he was saying yesterday, which is weird, but fit a pattern.

“Since you are business people, we must be talking about profits. When you talk of Uganda and Africa, you are talking about peace as an enabling environment; which we have. We have raw materials, and have a population of 40 million people that’s’ a market. And if we talk of integration we have a four tear market” (…) “In Africa, the demand is there and growing because we have been under-consuming while the rest of the world the demand is falling because they have been over consuming” (…) “There are plenty of raw materials, minerals, tourism and so on so when you invest there you have access to all these” (…) “I don’t have to bother investors with taxes, what I want is for them to invest, use our raw materials, create jobs, add value and promote exports” (State House Uganda, 2017).

Well, so the President trying to say to foreign investors, you don’t need to pay taxes for your output, just cater to me. The state you don’t have to bother about, just bother about catering to the State House and me. We will add value and promote exports, we will agreements and make sure you get the value on our resources and low-payed workers.

We know who is the biggest taxpayers in the republic, because of Uganda Revenue Authority own statement in the media on the 31^st October 2017, which stated names like Mr. Alnasir Virani Gulam Hussein Habib, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, Mohammed Hussain, Nakayima Janat, Karia Minex, Karia Kunnal, Alykhan Hudani and Dayalijil Karan. Who are sounding like foreign investors and they are on the top 25 biggest taxpayers in Uganda. So the state has already connected families from abroad to invest there in various businesses. This shows there are already people who is not worried about taxes, but about the output of their companies.

Some of these investors has made big names, while others have worked more in silence. Still, this shows that the top earners even promoted by URA and Doris Akol. Proves how they are working, as there wasn’t that many own citizens on the list. That shows that the foreign investors must get a special advantage and special agreements at the state house for their dealings. Especially, considering how it has been done, just for tearing down markets in Kampala for own investors and financial agreements. This has been done and arranged from the State House without consultation with locals, neither KCCA or the renters of these markets. That is how the NRM and Museveni do deals in favor of him and if he get ill-gained funds, he will support the “development”. It is in similar fashion he exposes his intent in Dubai.

That the State doesn’t need taxes or need structures to facilitate for foreign investors, they just needs agreements with State House and then it is all fair-game. It is insane, but fits the Modus Operandi of the Musevenism and NRM regime. Give him a Presidential Handshake and you can operate as you want in the Republic. Peace.

Reference:

State House Uganda – ‘President Museveni woos Arab investors to Uganda “We have the raw materials, human resource and market”’ (02.11.2017) link: https://www.africa-newsroom.com/press/president-museveni-woos-arab-investors-to-uganda-we-have-the-raw-materials-human-resource-and-market?lang=en

Opinion: It’s ironic that President Museveni is talking about disciplining the government!

“The three arms of government and their sub-branches must have discipline. For example I have been involved in disciplining the army. We should do the same for other sub-branches of government. If the Judiciary is also disciplined in fighting corruption, citizens will lead a good life.” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the 1^st October 2017, State House Entebbe.

Its just one of these days that hearing the news and seeing the tweets of the President, makes me laugh and wonder if he listen to himself. He knows his system and has made his garden. The way the government steers and govern is because of his policies, his regulations and his support. It is not like there been other ruling for last 30 years in Uganda. The Republic has been under the control of Museveni and his National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The NRM has suffocated all other free-will and control. Therefore, Ministers, Members of Parliament and others seek guidance and funds directly at the State House in Entebbe. Even foreign investors meet there to make agreements. Everything is nearly sanctioned out there. The Discipline now is more on the narrow-minded government that is run from there. The institutions and the procedures are not so important. Since most things happening is with the words from “above”, meaning the President and his close advisers.

It is not rocket science to know where the benefactor or the reason for lacking structures. That is because government waits for their go sign by the State House, they are waiting for funding of the projects and institutions from the State House. The projects and the works of the State House and under the Prime Ministers Offices are the key organizations within this government. They might say all of the massive cabinet has part to play, but that is the facade.

Therefore, it is ironic for a man so controlling and so disorganized that it gives sometimes way to the unthinkable. Just like the Presidential Handshake, that was sanctioned by the State House, but taken form the wrong account. That was the problem for the President, not that the corrupt behavior was occurring on his watch. Its like he talks against himself. Because he has no problem speaking anti-corruption, but if corruption benefit his cronies – its fine and dandy!

I am not surprised by him at this point of time, its fit his narrative. He says what he expects and wants out of others, but the next day he finds a way to benefit or use the loyalty of his cronies. Not like he would have excepted the UCC not to listen and stop the suspended MPs to hit the airways and be broadcast on TV. He rather being himself on radio and in the spotlight, but will accept anyone else sharing the same space.

President Museveni is the proof of someone saying something noble, but doing opposite. He might say something insane, but act rational. Therefore, you never know where you have him. I will never believe him actually disciplining the government, if doing so. It means they are all blindfolded and following his guidelines. It does not mean building proper governance and protocol, neither is institutionalize the departments and ministries, it is all about his will and his stature.

When it comes to Museveni, discipline is about following him. Not building transparent and proper government institutions. Peace.