Opinion: RDC Nyakahuma is right that Besigye would be threat to the government, if…

Bugiri RDC Godfrey Nyakahuma blocked Dr. Kizza Besigye from being a guest on Eastern Voice FM Radio because his a “threat to the government”. That the same RDC has blocked him indefinitely to be hosted and warned the station of inviting him again. That says it all. Not that its shocking in 2020. Heck, the man will get into legal jeopardy by just trespassing Bugiri District, I suppose.

Besigye is a threat, in a sense, that his undermining the legitimacy of the ruler, the party and the whole regime. Secondly, if people listen to his vision and his way of undermining and wanting a revolution. Than he could dismantle the whole thing.

Besigye has had several of lessons of how people could defy, use defiance and use methods of civil disobedience to facilitate a peaceful transition from Museveni and the National Resistance Movement. However, that hasn’t given any fruits for all the hard labour. Yes, he has built a party and has a giant following. That is why the President and the authorities are blocking him at any given time.

Still, the message of Besigye is out there. Its already been released, countless of times. Rewritten and restructured, but the same sort of arrangement. Because, he knows that the ballots will not be the way Museveni is brought down. Neither by any sort of general election or ballot. A militarized structure of the NRM and of the Presidency will not be bounced by queueing in line to cast the ballots.

Well, the RDC of Bugiri is right in that sense. If people would actually listen and act upon it. Use the lessons, the tricks and start finding ways to directly undermine the government. So, that they don’t have the power enough to enforce its rule and have the ability to govern. It will not be easy, it will cost and there will horrific acts on its way. However, we are seeing horrific acts already. Zaake stumbling out of hospital, unknown amount of people in ungazetted safe-houses and so fourth. There is enough ills in society to start a revolution.

But… for that to really happen. The food security has to dwindle to starvation at this point. The living costs and the elites has to feel the pinch. The imports has to become stagnate and to total disarray of fiscal funds to operate for the government.

So, in this regard, since the President is a conning man knows the drill. He borrows on the future from whoever giving him trade. That is why his lucky getting bouncing checks from the IMF and such for now. This keeps the blood pumping, but it will not feed the belly forever. He knows, we know that, but we all still carry on.

Therefore, if there is a will, there is a way. Not that at this present junction is easy. The NRM and Museveni is built into the walls of government. They are inter-connected and his “high above” legacy will linger on for decades after his death. Nevertheless, if this sort of government is going to cease to govern. It will not happen over the polls. They will rig the numbers, ensure ghosts and the dead votes and boil the results forms into passing fad of a stew. To ensure victory, no matter what cost.

That is why the likes of Besigye is a threat. His message and his stance will be in stark contrast to the day-to-day operation of the status quo. That’s why the likes of RDC of Bugiri acts like this. I’m not shocked, but I respect his act. Because, his actually right.

His not right in the sense, that its justified to block Besigye from the radio. His justified in the sense, that his argument is true. Besigye would be a threat, if people actually listened and followed the codes of civil disobedience. If they did and if they pushed it for long. It would be really hard to govern and to not struggle with the insurgence of rebellion. A rebellion and a revolution, who could overpower, even the mighty and powerful men like Yoweri. Peace.

Furious Six: 6 Unlawful By-Elections in 2018!

From Bugiri By-Election in 2018

Surely, today the Constitutional Court has annulled the six by-elections held in 2018 in the new constituencies in the Republic. This is mere year in the electoral road map and campaigns. Next Christmas and New Years will all be campaigning. Therefore, a funny timing for a verdict on the petition to annulling them now.

That the case got this and got nullified. Means, that the ones who already represent in the county this municipalities or districts are carved out of. Will serve the remaining the time in the Parliament. This is as were ticking into 2020. These elections where held during the 2018 and isn’t that long ago. That means initially, the MPs in the 10^th Parliament for that time. Was representing ghost entities, which isn’t new in the Republic, but shows the shoddy work of the Electoral Commission and the Parliament itself.

There is no greatness to this, just are mere finalization of too much carving up entities in the Republic and these six MPs will carry the cross. Even when its not their blame, but the state itself. Which has initially held these By-Elections and has given them an office. Therefore, they it is rich that they suffer, even if these people most likely will get some kickbacks, until the next window of opportunity arises.

Constituency:	MP:
Bugiri Municipality	Asuman Basalirwa (JEEMA)
Nebbi Municipality	Hashim Sulaiman (NRM)
Kotido Municipality	Peter Abrahms Lokii (NRM)
Ibanda Municipality	Tarsis Rwaburindore (NRM)
Sheema Municipality	Elioda Tumwesigye (NRM)
Apac Municipality	Patrick Ocan (UPC)

Well, let me take a few phrases and snippets of the judgement to show the questionable acts of government, who in the end is the blame for this madness. Because, this is just significant, since the state should be able to know when something is running and something is not. Like which constituencies are actually existing, and which is non-existent.

“It must foremostly be stated that the creation of new constituencies does not lead to any vacancy in representation in Parliament of the newly created constituency when the creation is made after the holding of general elections. This is because, before a constituency is split into two or more constituencies, a member of Parliament is elected for the whole region which is subsequently split into two or more constituencies” (Constitutional Court Case. 20, 2018; 27.12.2019).

“The Electoral Commission cannot be generally directed and the petition only discloses a challenge to elections conducted in the municipalities of Apac, Sheema, Ibanda, Nebbi, Bugiri and Kotido. This is because the resolution of Parliament is lawful. As far as the municipalities of Apac, Sheema, Ibanda, Nebbi, Bugiri and Kotido are concerned, section 20 of the Electoral Commission Act is specific that elections can only be conducted in the next elections if no vacancy had been declared by the Speaker. The conduct of elections in such areas would be unlawful before vacancies are declared or fall vacant by virtue of the dissolution next before the election of new members of Parliament in general elections after the expiry of the term of Parliament” (Constitutional Court Case. 20, 2018; 27.12.2019).

It is really rich know now after all the campaigns and how much power was put into play in these elections. That they are now deemed unlawful and nullified. This means the ones representing these municipalities are only pure fiction. Which was playing out in-front of our eyes and all stakeholders put all energy into them. The President, the Police Force and the Army was all involved in them. While, the losers here are the general public and the constituencies itself.

That means for the ones wanting to carve new districts and such, it will only have an affect in the next general election. That meaning in 2021, these municipalities would be first up for elections. The same for the ones coming after 2021, if there are any other municipalities or districts created before 2026. Than, these has to wait too before they get any representation in Parliament.

That’s why its so rich in hindsight. Because the government and the Electoral Commission should have ensured this didn’t happen. However, they were so into their own hype, that they throw everything into it and hoped for magic. But, as we know now it wasn’t real.

What did we learn from all of this? Well, that the ones rigging the game, cannot even do that properly. Peace.

Opinion: Why does every By-Election these days look like a War-Zone?

Let us be honest for a minute, the recent By-Elections under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, have become more hostile and more militarized, where the big guns, the soldiers and the mambas are all over the place. That is happening today in Sheema Muncipality in Ibanda and in Bugiri Muncipality in Busoga sub-region. Both National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidates and opposition contest in both of them.

What is striking today is the efforts of the police and the army to intimidate in both places. In Sheema Muncipality and in Bugiri Muncipality, the Army and Soldiers are armed to their teeth. Like there is a war going on, and not a democratic exercise on who gets to represent the people in the newly created districts. No, no, it looks like a war story and someone is going to die!

Seriously, who brings the war machine to an election, if they are not fearing for losing it? Who isn’t bringing the police to arrest opposition activist on the day of the poll and not afraid of losing it?

If the NRM was so steady and had a message, had a mandate and trust in the community, would they need the UPDF and the Police Force to settle intimidation into their eyes. Seriously? I beg to ask!

You can say what you want about elections and about campaigning, but when the ruling regime and the orders from above, is to send a brigades of soldiers to the polls. You know something is wrong, you know that these elections are no good. That is just a common knowledge. Maybe not for Ofwono Opondo or Frank Tumwebaze, but for the rest of us it is.

This isn’t a sign of strength, but more of weakness, of a justification of harassing and intimidating the public. Just because you can and because you have the army. This isn’t there to secure democratic values or secure the public. Than, the soldiers would have bases there and await a sudden strike from an enemy. Not suddenly come out of their barracks and post up in the middle of towns and poll stations in the early mist of morning. No, that isn’t it.

Maybe, just maybe, the NRM thinks so, but than they are gallantly, stupid and I cannot blame them anymore. They are just the National Rwakitura Movement, where all citizens are his cows and he is just waiting to spoil their milk. That is just what is up.

Are the NRM so afraid of losing, that they have to order soldiers in the street to prove they exists and that they can hurt you, if you don’t obey every command made by Museveni? Is that it, is that the magic potion to get people on board. If so, than the President have forgotten Franz Fanon and his wisdom.

As the war-zones of Sheema and Bugiri have smiled to us today and God knows how the tallies will be. Let me end with the words of Fanon.

“The state, which by its strength and discretion ought to inspire confidence and disarm and lull everybody to sleep, on the contrary seeks to impose itself in spectacular fashion. It makes a display, it jostles people and bullies them, thus intimating to the citizen that he is in continual danger. The single party is the modern form of the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie, unmasked, unpainted, unscrupulous, and cynical” (Frantz Fanon – ‘The Wretched of the Earth, P: 164, 1961).

That is enough of the nonsense. Peace.

Bugiri By-Election: The Final Stages now and Museveni offers only development there if they vote for NRM!

The last day of the campaigns in the Bugiri By-Election, which the final polls are on the 27^th July 2018. This is where the candidates of Asuman Basalirwa (JEEMA), John Francis Oketcho (NRM) and Eunice Namatende (FDC). All of this candidates has massive backings from their parties and allies. Where the Police Force have started to follow Asuman Basalirwa especially and his ally Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, whose been followed and monitored by the Police Force. Therefore, you know that National Resistance Movement doesn’t want to lose this new district.

We know, that Museveni is behind his candidate, who will be part of the NRM Caucus and follow his every lead. That is why he went to Bugiri to tell his side of the story, because he couldn’t do without. Museveni have to be a part and also show his power to the tin-soldier he wants from the district. That is just the way he do.

“Bugiri by-election: President Yoweri Museveni has pledged to connect the people of Bugiri with clean water, construct for them better roads if they vote NRM’s Francis Oketcho. Museveni said the NRM is a party of action and this has been exhibited bvy the many things that have been done among them construction of better roads and the improved hospitals” (93.3 KFM, 25.07.2018).

What is the weirdest from all the final rallies from Basalirwa, Namatende and Oketcho where packed. That is just weird, all photos from these rallies are filled to the brim. Therefore, the pictures from Museveni rally isn’t alone. The FDC rally had Dr. Kizza Besigye and Patrick Amuriat Oboi, these two people could gain crowds on their own too. That Bobi Wine and Basalirwa would bring people are natural, as the swagger of Bobi Wine hits the masses. While Museveni could for all we know, be ferrying masses from other parts of Busoga and giving them food and gifts. That is what the NRM have done during the General Election last time. So why not do it now too?

Well, Voter Tourism might be a thing. While the bigger story is how Museveni continues to talk. The government will deliver project, only if Bugiri vote for his guy. The Bugiri people will get roads and such, if they do the right thing and votes for Oketcho. That means, the government is only there for you, if you follow the direct orders of the State House. This is the final implication and shows the lack of democratic values in the President.

He only gives, if people give him all power. That is what is just in the eyes of the President. NRM or nothing. No Remedy Mentioned (NRM) continues, as the pledges of roads hits Bugiri, a promise that Museveni have been given steadily since at least 2006 for certain parts of constituency. Therefore, as always with the NRM, there have to be recycled pledges. That is just protocol by now.

What is really insulting, is the state of “if they vote”, that means he will stop funding and stop being acting as President over the Constituency, if they vote for someone else. Bugiri will not get money or tax money for development projects, infrastructure development and everything else.

That is what he is saying.

Bugiri will be yet another place, that Museveni might wipe out of the map. As people will not follow his orders. They are not his property, even if he acts like it. Peace.

Bugiri By-Election: Otafiire spewing out utter nonsense in defense of the NRM!

If I was the National Resistance Movement Flag-bearer or MP candidate for Bugiri, I would be amazed and in awe over the sort of words Gen. Kahinda Otafiire had there. That being said, nothing has been said or reported of any value from the man himself. That being John Francis Oketcho, he could just be a tin-soldier in the ranks whose lucky enought run for the office. Because that is how it seems, since all the big-men and the other parties makes the headlines before the polls on the 27^th July 2018.

Everyone knows Asuman Basalirwa and Justice Forum is running with Robert Kyagulyani aka Bobi Wine as his vocal supporter with the masses there. People also knows that the Forum for Democratic Change have fielded their candidate, this being Eunice Namatende. Therefore, this is a contended race without any shadow of a doubt.

However, Kahinda Otafiire cannot help being himself, as he is reported to have said:

“The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, has cautioned voters against electing Asuman Basalirwa as Bugiri Municipality Member of Parliament (MP), saying “it will increase violence in the country.” (…) “My dear Ugandans, let us not engage in bad acts and vote for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidates in order to improve on the country’s economy” (…) “Some government programmes have not been implemented in constituencies across the country due to Opposition MPs fighting the (NRM) government” (Asuman Musobya – ‘Basalirwa will increase country’s insecurity if he becomes MP, says Otafiire’ 24.07.2018, Daily Monitor).

It is just weird how this man is a minister for Justice, when people have died because violence done by his party and the state own security agents, this being police officers and others in the name of the Republic. That he blames the surge of public recognition and care for the by-election is an issue, when Bobi Wine and Basalirwa are creating public rallies and movement on the grounds as the days to polls appear.

That is to be expected of the NRM and their co-conspirators, they are blaming everyone else. He just like his master Museveni. Otafiire wouldn’t even been in cabinet, if he wasn’t such a loyal stooge. He lost both the NRM Primaries in 2015 and the General Election 2016. His political life is only in the mercy of the President. That is why he is as he is, I suppose, indebted to the king and his crown.

It is not like the NRM have controlled the violence as is, they are not even make good measures and the police are more a front of peace, than taking real criminals to court. The NRM haven’t the best track-record or showing real justice, unless it fits the paradigm of the State House. The NRM Justice Minister should trade the waters a bit more careful, but he cannot, because he has only a political life for the simple reason:

Museveni gave it to him and now he has to pay back in return. The NRM shouldn’t blame the opposition, they are in majority and can vote anything they want, they can find the money if they please and could put in the effort to make a difference. However, the NRM are just blind tin-soldiers of the President and await him to call in the NRM Caucus to get right direction before a vote. Therefore, the lies are tiring. The people are tired and 32 years of nonsense has to stop.

Otafiire you know better, but you are just a loyal stooge. If I were Oketcho, I would hope that people say less and just hang around the campaign rallies, because this is just foolish and he should know it too. Peace.

Bugiri By-Election: NRM Press Release – “Re: NRM Mourns Dead Bugiri Voter” (20.07.2018)

Bugiri By-Election: My take on the squabble between Basalirwa and the FDC!

There is an upcoming Bugiri By-Election on the 10^th July 2018, this is the new district with a new MPs and councilors. However, this will be focused on the MP election, which has been heated even long before the polls. Like it was been discussion and hard words hit either way. The Opposition has attacked each other and also shown disdain as the FDC are having a candidate and also JEEMA. Therefore, some people are saying they are splitting the vote. But if the candidates are good, then that shouldn’t matter. NRM, FDC and JEEMA fights for the same slot in Parliament.

The Candidates for this By-Election is National Resistance Movement (NRM) John Francis Oketcho, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Eunice Namatende and Justice Forum (JEEMA) Asuman Basalirwa. Therefore, there are three candidates, they are competing for the same possible office. This shouldn’t be shocking, as the Democratic Party (DP) and the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) could in theory have fielded a candidate in this race. Even independents could run in it. So it is not a major crisis that its three candidates. Are the state of affairs so weak, that the opposition only feels safe if they field one candidate in every district?

There are many who is worried about fielding two opposition candidates, especially when many are standing behind JEEMA President Basalirwa, the UPC are standing behind him, Bobi Wine has endorsed him and parts of the rallies. There have been negotiations between JEEMA and FDC for a joint candidate. However, that stranded and the JEEMA team has attacked the FDC. Even went after Dr. Kizza Besigye, just like they did when he campaigned for the FDC candidate in Kyadondo East By-Election. So, we have seen this before. This is trying to tarnish FDC for their work and struggle.

To defend Besigye here is easy, as he has on both occasions just stood behind his party. It is natural, would Museveni rally behind any other party candidate? Both have been part or key person behind establishing their parties. Mao has helped other party candidates, but that is when their party doesn’t field anyone to be the flag-bearer like he did with Amama Mbabazi for President in 2016.

When people complain about the one candidate standing for this place, remember they already scrapped former Leader of Opposition in Parliament Wafula Oguttu. He is not just a random FDC leader and former MP. He was fielded for the slot in 2016. Therefore, Basalirwa should be Namatende is put forward now. That he is so bitter on FDC shows more signs of desperation, than of strength. That Bobi Wine wants the parties to prioritize is natural, but has already used his card and endorsed someone. The FDC has had talks with JEEMA without succeeding. Bobi Wine is also independent, so has not a structure to support or someone else to answer. That does the ones who has parties behind them. That is why it is more hard for a Party President not stand as an MP. Because that is the highest rank except for President. That is why James Akena stood as MP and Norbert Mao tried get in time before the 2016 without succeeding. So if Basalirwa didn’t stand he would show weakness to his party and no one wants that.

So please, just let it be. Let the challenge the NRM as two big opportunities for the Bugiri By-Election. Just like there were two possible candidate to pick from in Kyadondo East, there will be two in Bugiri. If the public want to go for them, then they should vote and stand-by as the counting appears. The NRM will use their tricks. But if they want justice and a fair candidate to elected. All of the parties should rally and be sure to get people behind their candidate. That Basalirwa is black-balling the FDC is just to post his narrative. Instead of seeing that the FDC tried to have talks at all. There is nothing automatic about that. Already Basalirwa have already gotten rid of Oguttu.

The ones blaming all on FDC should understand, that its all up to the parties itself to resolve this. Just like it is understandable that a party want their President to be an MP. There is nothing automatic about that, just ask Mao whose residing at home and waiting from reports from other DP MPs. Surely, Basalirwa want to be in Parliament and not at home.

That is why I say this, work for you cause and your candidate. The throwing shades between JEEMA and FDC will not further the fight against the NRM. Unless JEEMA wants to be a bitter rival who favorable to NRM, as they stood behind the TDC Presidential Candidate in 2016. If that is the case, the voting should be simple. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, the FDC has the same right to field their candidate as anyone, but the failed negotiations here is a blunder from both. If they don’t believe Basalirwa can beat the NRM candidate, unless he is alone. That is not a sign of strength, but weakness.

So please, Basalirwa, stop be bitter and spread your political agenda. Do that together with Bobi Wine. That is fine. Just as Besigye and other top officials from FDC support their candidate. That is all natural. But expect the NRM to come with funds and the military like they always do. So, be alert and woke, guard the voters if you believe you have the strength to conquer the NRM. We haven’t heard much about the NRM candidate. Because Basalirwa and the candidacy of Namatende has been so hostile. When it has no reason to be so, unless JEEMA have so little message to spread to the people of Bugiri. Peace.

Uganda: Major National Review Recommends Ways of Ending Hunger in Uganda (27.07.2017)

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 26^th 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 30^th 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