Opinion: Kusasira needed two weeks and she’s now the Queen of Kampala

“The position I have is more superior whether they want it or not. They have to formally write to me if they want me to meet them. To be a senior presidential advisor, it means I’m above them. They have to request me to go meet them to see how we can develop Kampala” – Catherine Kusasira (on the 9th November 2019).

It is 14 days since Catherine Kusasira was appointed as Presidential Advisor on Kampala Affairs. Already after two weeks she is now senior. Surely, that has to be explained to the 169 others who has the same capacity in the Republic. Three of them was appointed at the same time or in the same time. This being her, Jennifer Full Figure and Butchaman. These are all Presidential Advisors with new official cars.

Surely, the power goes to the brain of the public. She now thinks she’s so special and unique. That is just the way she is. Now, because of her role, she thinks she’s higher than the elected officials, the ones whose elected to represent the public. That she a bureaucrat and appointed leader are bigger than the Lord Mayors, the MPs and whoever else. That is the words she has.

A friendly reminder, when she was appointed:

“President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially appointed local Artiste Catherine Kusasira as presidential advisor on Kampala Affairs. Under this role, Catherine Kusasira will be charge of coordinating the young NRM recruits in the slum dwellings” (NBS Television, 26.10.2019).

It is not like Kusasira have done anything. Not that Catherine have a big name or proven her abilities to anyone. She has not even coloured her office or dirt on the wheels of the 4 Wheel Drive she gotten. Therefore, that she thinks so highly of herself is a bit far-fetched.

She should humble herself a bit. She only has it, because the President needs a few Ghetto passes and have some friendly faces from the ghetto. Catherine has a long way ahead. She can try to pull this stunt on Erias Lukwago, the KCCA Director or the Kampala MPs, but they will stop her. They will not accept this. She’s not bigger than the Minister of Kampala Beti Kamya and Lord Mayor Lukwago will also stand his ground. That’s why she’s crossing a dangerous path by doing this.

Kusasira better drop the act, she’s not a queen nor a super-high ranking official. She’s just another one of the needed stooges of the 170 Presidential Advisors. They are not that important. That’s why most of them are obscure and only fetching salaries. Therefore, she will soon be one of them.

Catherine should take it easy. Your not that grand nor great. You haven’t done anything to earns people respect. They didn’t even vote for you. Your not that special. You have been appointed a Presidential Advisor, one out 170. Kusasira, relax, your not a Queen, even Sheeba is more Royal than you ever will be. Peace.

Opinion: Too many cooks in Kampala…

The political landscape and the appointed leadership of Kampala is hectic. That is too be very frank. As someone who has seen this evolve over time. The amount leaders are staggering. Both with leaders in Wards, Divisions and district mayors combined with the City Hall. However, there is also the Kampala Capital City Authority too. So, there are so many heads and so little fish to fry.

Now, today there is reports from NBS Television about this:

“President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially appointed local Artiste Catherine Kusasira as presidential advisor on Kampala Affairs. Under this role, Catherine Kusasira will be charge of coordinating the young NRM recruits in the slum dwellings. Another local artist Mark Bugembe known by his stage name Buchaman was considered for the position of presidential envoy on Ghetto affairs” (NBS Television, 26.10.2019).

All of this is happening because of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and his support by youths and ghettos in- and around Kampala. However, doesn’t the President know how many people he have around him involved in the political landscape in the capital already?

First start with KCCA Executive Director Jamil Ssenyonjo, his just been there since January 2019. So, in the span of things his still fresh. You have also Ministry of Kampala and the State Minister Beti Kamya. Than, you have the elected Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and lastly by not least, Presidential Advisor for Kampala Singh Katangole. Not to forget the seven MPs representing the city at the Parliament too. Therefore, there is not a lack of cooks, but maybe lack of prep to make it fine-dining.

Since, now the President is adding a sixth and possible seventh avenue of leadership and roles attached to Kampala. This being the Presidential Advisor on Kampala Affairs, Cathrine Kusasira. By my count, which might be off, she would be the 164 Presidential Advisor, the President has appointed and if Bugembe gets appointed it would be 165 of them. But that is just the tally at the State House.

What is more vital is that Kampala will have at least one more person in the central leadership keeping posted and involving itself in direct operations. That is what the Kusasira will most likely do. In whatever capacity and together with Ssenyonjo and Kamya, even pop-by Lukwago.

One dude that should be hurt by this is Katangole, who has maybe to young starlets taking his spot. They are watering down his efforts or whatever his doing at his day-job. Because, they will fight with him and stand-by the President as newly appointed leaders. Surely, that must hurt the old man and his cause. Whatever that might be, because its not like Mr. Katangole has made anything relevant for months.

What we do see, is that the President prepares for 2021 and acts swiftly with appointing people like this. If Bobi Wine was a fisherman, he would have fetched one them fisherman at Lake Victoria. However, his an artist and therefore, the remedy is another artist.

Well, he must really think the idle and disorderly of Kampala is ignorant and stupid. When he thinks this trick will change their minds about his rule. This isn’t the way, because they are tired of his ways. Putting Bebe Cool at a Ministry wouldn’t make a difference either. Only show how his trying populism and thinking he can counter the uprising with decoys. But that is what this looks like.

This is just another crony and another cook in the midst of things in Kampala. Oh Golly, let see how this goes. Peace.

Kampala is a political mess: That is not Musisi’s fault!

That the political map and the organization in and around Kampala is frustrating. Is because there is first the Kampala Capital City Authority, who is a legal administration and Executive Director Jennifer Musisi. The Second there is the elected City Hall with the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and the Divisions and Wards. Thirdly is the Ministry of Kampala and the State Minister Beti Kamya. Fourthly is the Members of Parliament representing the Capital City itself and the fifth the Presidential Advisor for Kampala Singh Katangole. Plus you have the added interference of the State House and the President, who micro-manage everywhere and especially in the Capital.

When you see this and the stages, you knew Jennifer Musisi had a hard job. Surely it was easier when she and the Minister Frank Tumwebaze impeached the Lord Mayor in 2013. So, they settled the score and one less item to pass through. Because you don’t need to be a wise-guy to understand there are to many cooks and to many procedures to do anything in Kampala.

You don’t only has the elected from the Wards to the Lord Mayor, the ones elected in Parliament with their reasons and wants of change. The KCCA has their jurisdiction, the City Hall has their, the Ministry orders people around and the Presidential advisor says whatever he says to the President, who suddenly intervenes as well. That is why I have always been worried about Kampala.

The hierarchy and the political landmines are everywhere. There are no leeway, as the monitoring and the checks and balances comes into question. The KCCA answers to the Ministry and orders the City Hall. The City Hall is ordered by both the KCCA and Ministry, while the City Hall is trying to have a saying in the KCCA and the Ministry, without getting anywhere. As they are both acting as the City Hall is a symbolic enterprise. Instead of having elected leadership to make changes, the President has appointed the KCCA and the Ministry to try to evaporate the City Hall. To some extent they have managed that.

We know that even the Division Mayors have wondered what their tasks are, as they have little or less to do. As well, as the Lord Mayor are feeling override by the KCCA. The KCCA was established to counter the opposition and get in their way. Combined with the Ministry of Kampala, they are never giving space and when the State House orders the Minister. The whole chaos are happening. Like the kicking out of vendors from Owino Park Yard. This was done by the will of State House on decree by the Minister and met with hostile reception from the Lord Mayor. This is a sign of a messed up system and not of building a better Kampala.

There are too many cooks and for a reason. The President wanted to ensure the value of the elected leadership get as low as possible, while his loyal minions will overcome them. That is seemingly working, but must be tiring and Musisi gave up battling with the Ministry, State House and City Hall. That is unforgiving job, but she carried it and did what the President wanted her to do. The only thing she didn’t manage was to usher Ragga Dee in as Lord Mayor. Peace.

Opinion: It is Bosco’s own business deals that is the reason for the sorry state of Owino Market!

“The way to wealth is as plain as the way to market. It depends chiefly on two words, industry and frugality: that is, waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both. Without industry and frugality nothing will do, and with them everything.” – Benjamin Franklin

You can go back to 2013, when Ham Enterprises pitched the Nakivubo Stadium to takeover for the vendors at Owino Market or the Park Yard. Therefore, the actions of President Yoweri Kaguta Musveni calling out people is outrageous. As Bosco is forgetting his own business-deals and agreements that directly interfered with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and City Hall. All of these had to comply, as the buy-outs of the vendors and the lack of possible movements, the building of the Stadium has made issues since 2013 and boiled over in 2017. When the KCCA and the Ministry of Kampala Beti Kamya issued an order to throw them out.

That is why the sorry state of the area. This should be knowledge for the micro-managing President. However, he acts like it as a blank slate and he has no involvement, when the agreement between Ham Enterprises and the state, happen at the State House and he was signing the documents, ordering the Ministry, KCCA and take it out of the hands of the City Hall. So, it is really insincere what he was saying yesterday.

“The government is working out modalities of retrieving these market titles from the rich and hand ownership back to vendors. Kampala Capital City Authority will help oversee management of these markets. Whereas I commend traders in Owino and Nakasero markets for working hard to create wealth through their Saccos and responding to our NRM call, I am unimpressed by the poor state of the Old Taxi Park. I am told this is partly due to the leadership wrangles among the taxi park stakeholders facilitated by opposition leaders in the city. Stop electing selfish leaders who only care about their salaries. However, we shall fix this matter” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 05.10.2018).

That we can really see, thanks to all the propaganda and the pictures of yesterday, that the 2013 deal and changes of the Park Yard haven’t finished yet. As the President was most likely there to check his investments and his trade-offs. That is why he was bothered of the slow progress, as the planned stadium are still not done and there has gone 5 years. This is one year after the market and vendors was moved by decree of the appointed Minister Kamya.

The President is mad that Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago is a selfish leader, when in general, the deals done in Kampala and Owino is his. Meaning the President is selfish, not Lukwago who has fought for the vendors. That is the ironies, but also the reality. That is why the 32 years and going Executive, is forgetting his privilege and use of power. Ham Enterprise is surely working, but slowly, the stadium is in the building process and surely why he visited and complained, as he expected it to be done yesterday. So his investment could grow proper yields, like his farms. However, that is not how it works with urban development, especially when you need spaces for malls and other vendors, who was kicked out.

Would he ever fix their issues, the bad loans in the DFCU bank, which the vendors had in 2017? No, he wouldn’t care or carry them as their livelihood is at stake? But that isn’t the cup of tea that this President carries. Peace.

Former Buganda Premier Dan Muliika Spits Fire over Kampala Expansion (Youtube-Clip)

“Buganda Kingdom reviews documents of proposals on the expansion of Kampala, there’s still uncertainty on how the largest Kingdom in Uganda is likely to react to the plans. Former Buganda Premier Dan Muliika talks to Canary Mugume on the on-going debate about the proposed expansion of Kampala city to integrate fast-growing suburbs of Wakiso, Mpigi and Mukono” (NBS Television, 01.04.2018)

New Powers assigned to Hon. Beti Kamya: Not only a Minister for Kampala, but soon also Wakiso, Mukono and Mpigi!

“Museveni changes Beti Kamya’s portfoil ahead of extending Kampal boundaries, this means that Mukono,Wakiso and Mpigi are nolonger under Ministry of Local Government as they now form part of the Kampala Metropolitan area. Mukama otuwonya ddi Kitange?” (Betty Nambooze, 22.03.2018).

This can be said after a letter sent to the Chairman of Kampala District Land Board Yusuf Nsibambi, the Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority Dr. Jennifer Musisi and the Commandant of Kampala Metropolitan Police Office Frank Mwesigwa got a letter from Secretary Office of the President Samuel Emiku, the letter named: “Name of Ministry in-charge of Kampala”.

The new name the people get to know is the Ministry for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Area. That means the Ministry will get a bigger slice and more control. That meaning the Presidency has big faith in the acts of Beti Kamya, as her portefolio are now extending and also taking away from others. What you can also take from the Secretary, is that he didn’t notify neither districts mentioned by the Members of Parliament or the Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago. There was other who should have been informed like the 5 district mayors and the Wardens, the councilors of the capital should feel punished too. Also, the extended branch of the Presidential Advisor Singh Katongole. But what has said or done recently, other than cashing-in a paycheck.

This here is really an extension and rare, since the paradigm under President Museveni is to make things smaller and hire more cronies. Not extending and giving more power to individuals. This is tampering with the modus operandi of late. Kamya must have given a lot of incentive and promise over the recent time to be offered a higher stake. If not, he want the Residential District Commanders and the others in the near-by districts to be under the command. As it is a fitting way for the State House to control it even more directly, because Kamya will work on direct orders and not flinch.

So, just like the way Kamya has stripped the elected leadership in Kampala, she is set to control Wakio, Mukono and Mpigi. This is really to secure the will of Museveni even further and more detailed, as she has followed his instruction on every market and every decree. She has praised him and he now repays her. While taking away powers and limits the scope of the Ministry of Local Government, who will loose these areas.

The letter from the Secretary of the President is really showing this and proving how he wants to tangle even more elected officials, with the appointed minister Kamya. It is really a way of controlling mayors and district officials. Peace.

Uganda Local Government Workers Union (ULGWU) letter to PM Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda – “Reminder: Remunerations Enhancement for Local Government Workers” (29.08.2017)

Kampala’s BRT at this stage is a pipe-dream!

The Bus Rapid Transport system together with a Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (MATA), in the midst of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Kampala City Hall and Ministry of Kampala. This are having different heads combined with the mastermind on the top President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Doesn’t matter what the ones in the parishes are considering, the Division Mayors, Lord Mayor Lukwago, KCCA Director Musisi or even State Minister Kamya. The one rubber-stamping the initiatives is and will be the President. Since he has his finger into everything.

That is why I have no faith in BRT. Even if it is stop the congestion, the lack of public transport in Kampala and problems of control of the Boda-Boda’s, the authority of the Taxi’s and the Specials. There are still significant issues to be reached. It doesn’t matter if they are banning or stopping certain transport options. As long as the ones working, are the taxis and boda-boda’s. These are the ones who has designated routes and travels with licensing for their routes. The Taxis are usually used Toyota Hiace imported from Japan, second-hand ones who was former bread-trucks, who are rebuilt to fit as many people as possible.

While a BRT means there will be heavy investments in stages, in divisions and in congested areas to fit the paradigm of buses. It isn’t barely putting buses on the road and assume the population will start taking it. The need for steady implementation of road structure, of bus-companies, of driving schools and of time-tables has to be put on order to make sense for the citizens to use it. Since it needs to be better than the transportation options that are today, like the taxis, boda-boda’s and specials. At this stage the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) in their feasibility study estimates the needed funds to get it going at this point to be the staggering $612.06 Million. With today’s value of the Uganda Shillings it is about Shs. 2,193,883,999,999 UGX, in other terms over 2.1 trillion shillings. Which means one tenth of the Financial Year budget of 21 Trillion Shillings in FY 2017/2018. Just to put in perspective.

This infrastructure project of this size and ramification better make the roads of Kampala into bricks out of gold. Clear every single pothole and make sure the gravel grade more than standard. This project has been going on for ages without any movement or significant progress. Why I am writing about it, well there suddenly if it is true, some Chinese Investors who wants to touch the erratic transport system of Kampala. This are together with the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, at the State House discussing investments into it. Therefore, the sudden move of actual fueled money into it. As the 2.1 Trillion shillings doesn’t grow on trees.

President Museveni stated this today:

“The Kampala Metropolitan Rapid Bus Transport project is a necessity. We should not continue to have so many cars with limited capacity” (…) “The investor will construct 26 rapid bus stations, 420 stage shelters and an initial 400 buses with a carting capacity of 74 passengers” (Museveni, 18.06.2017).

With this unknown Chinese Investor, they are clearly indicating some infrastructure and some buses to put up. If this will see the light of day and will be honestly implemented, than there are start, but it takes time to find routes and needed ways to make it profitable, as there will also be lost oppertunities for the ones who used taxis, specials and boda-boda’s on these roads. That is if this isn’t a scheme and plot of manufacturing more monies through the state-house. Which wouldn’t be surprising knowing how the President often operate.

The BRT would be a bonus and strengthen the congestive traffic of Kampala, a needed one for more time working and less time stuck in traffic jams. It would be important for the citizens leaving the divisions and traveling across town to work. But the state haven’t been able in the recent years to pull it off. Maybe Chinese investments would help it and their involvement in it would see it moving. But it shouldn’t just be the President’s blessings over the investments. The KCCA, Ministry of Kampala and City Hall should all have a say and make reports on how to build it properly. As the UIA even states there have only been a feasibility-study. That is preparation for the solution, but not the white paper or even framework for the Divisions or Central Business District of Kampala to make the BRT a success. Right now it is dream, which most likely could turn into a nightmare before its shuttle.

NAMA Proposals in 2013 are even more costly: “The capital costs budgeted over the 15 year period were estimated to total some US$ 1.181 Billion”. That is the double of the estimates from UIA in 2017. Therefore, something has either been scaled down or the NAMA was considering more aspects in their plans, than the UIA has. But is not like the President today has delivered any paperwork or reveled any sort of information what sort of possible deal he done with the “the Investor”. He could be scapegoat or even a mirage for all we know. Because none is on the up and up.

Especially considering he had a meeting with them at the State House in Entebbe with none of the leadership of Kampala. The ones in Kampala will just later get the news of the building and investments, therefore has to figure out how to implement it and work-out the perks. Parts of me wonder if the President even has looked into the documentation and considered the needed partners in play. But that is just how the President operates. He just can build Rome on his own or Kampala for that matter. He has all the skills and the brown envelopes at his disposal. Peace.

Kampala City Power struggle continues!

The Kampala City and it’s local government structure is beaten to bits with the ideal of Ministry of Kampala. This with the appointed Beti Kamya. Kamya has her own tone and will-power. Therefore she has gone from the one of hardest critics of the regime, to getting appointed minister of Kampala. In the pay of Kampala, the are many actors. Some are entered through the ballots, like Councilors, Divisions Mayor and the Lord Mayor. Kamya sleeps bad just thinking about them, she has even problem with the vision of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) own leadership like the other appointed Director Jennifer Musisi.

It isn’t strange it creating fatigue for the Minister, she has to deal with the leadership of these Division Mayors who feels like extras in Kampala are: Kasirye Nganda (Makindye), Ronald Balimwezo (Nakawa), Joyce Ssebugwawo (Rubaga), Emmanuel Sserunjogi (Kawempe) and Charles Musoke Sserunjogi (Kampala Central). All of this kind folks has offices and jurisdiction in their divisions. As well, as meeting with the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. So there are handful of people to agree or disagree with. In part, the City has many hands as the KCCA and the elected leadership are two pieces in the same pond. Than, the Ministry that is fixated on top are supposed to overrule it. Even though the Local Government should have a budget and some control. Not just being a ceremonial affair of handouts and ass-kissing on Entebbe Road. There should be more to it than that.

So when Kamya, the Minister who is having a bad day or hard time settling in is saying this:

“Speaking on CBS FM morning talk show, parliament yaffe, which is moderated by Meddie Nsereko, Kamya said Musisi has lost direction. “Musisi has become a populist; you discuss something and then she rushes to leak it to the media. We meet every Monday; us the two ministers, the undersecretary, Musisi and her team. There is always an opportunity for her to ask anything she wants but when you bypass those channels and instead run to do your work from the media, then you’ve become a politician,” Kamya said. “That populism can’t take us anywhere; I don’t fight petty wars but what I don’t want is populism,” she added” (Lule, 2017).

Certainly, Kamya has gone tired of Musisi, surely like Musisi and former Minister Frank Tumwebaze went tired of Lukwago and impeached him. So they two could work alone and not have to deal with City Hall. Now one appointee wants to get rid of another. Strange that Presidential Advisor Singh Katongole hasn’t said anything. Since he should have the ears to ground and speak poetry at the State House. Surely, he might be busy with Mr. Mahogany at some party instead. What we do know is that Kamya, the minister wants to have all control and doesn’t want to have her decisions leaked to the media. I am sure that she thought she could clear the Park Yard market of Kampala without any fuzz. Kamya was so WRONG!

Maybe, Mr. Singh could have told her that, as the momentum of havoc upon poor traders doesn’t blink well. That isn’t populism, it is more that you honorable Kamya are a loyal crony of Museveni. Therefore, all your acts right now isn’t about justice or governance. More about control and you cannot handle that there are more hands taking decisions and making sure Kampala runs like it do. Clearly with all of those leaders, even Presidential Advisor and elected leadership. There are stirring troubles and strange it hasn’t been more. It is weird that the Division Mayors hasn’t been more outspoken and more direct about their issues. Since, Kamya likes to rule alone and have it all. But she is not alone in Kampala. She has to learn that, and that it isn’t only her words that are the final.

Be sure, she doesn’t want to hear that. If so, than there wouldn’t be a KCCA, City Hall, Division Posts and the Ministry running the same Kampala. Peace.

Reference:

Lule, Baker Batte – ‘Kamya, Musisi row at KCCA escalates’ (29.05.2017) link: http://www.observer.ug/news/headlines/53119-kamya-musisi-row-at-kcca-escalates.html

MPS 2017/2018 KCCA: A Political budget and a sorry state for the schools…

Honorable Beti Kamya have put forward the proposed budget for the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and it reveals certain aspects. For being such a loyal crony of President Museveni, Hon. Beti Kamya and Executive Director Jennifer Musisi are painting a bleak picture of the Capital City. Therefore, the reports from the leadership to the Parliament proves the initial mismanagement and the needed functions lacking resources. This is only in Kampala, just breath for a moment and think how it will be up-country! Just take a look!

“For the FY 2017/18, KCCA budget is projected at UGX 337.39 Bn of which UGX 162.8 Bn is Government grants, UGX 20Bn is from Uganda Road Fund, UGX 31.79 Bn is for the FY 2017/18, KCCA budget is projected at UGX 337.39 Bn of which UGX” (KCCA, P: 5, 2017).

Political budget:

“UGX 14.9 billion for Monthly emoluments for political leaders and their political assistant at Divisional and Authority level” (…) “ UGX 1.3 billion for Committee sitting allowances” (…) “UGX 103.4 million for payment of local council political leaders” (KCCA, P: 52, 2017).

Office advances:

The KCCA have put forward to the Town Clerks shs. 5 millions, to the Divison’s Mayor’s shs. 5 millions and the Deputy Mayor’s shs. 1,5 million, this is all office imprest, an imprest is an advance for government work. So the advance for office equipment comes for possibly service rendered (KCCA, P: 116, 2017).

Unfunded roads:

“Over the last four years, KCCA with support from the Government of Uganda has invested heavily in improving the City Road network however, unfunded road works are estimated at over UGX 25.4 billion” (KCCA, P: 64, 2017).

Improvement of Schools:

“KCCA inherited a total of 81 public primary schools many of which are dilapidated. The public schools accommodate a total of 67,700 children. Although efforts have been made to improve the conditions and facilities at some of the schools, many remain in a sorry state. The situation has also been compounded by the fact that KCCA does not have ownership of some of the land on which the schools are situated. KCCA requires UGX. 5 billion to reconstruct and upgrade 6 schools where title of ownership has been secured. These include; Kansanga P/S in Makindye (1200 pupils), Kisasi P/s in Kawempe (900 pupils), Kyagwe Rd P/s in Central (700 pupils and currently absorbing pupils from Nabagereka P/S), Bukasa P/S in Makindye (700 pupils), Mirembe P/S in Makindye (870 Pupils) and Kitebi P/S in Lubaga (2,100 pupils)” (KCCA, P: 64,2017).

This here says it all about the state of affairs in Kampala, there are planned expansions of roads and such, but that should be up to Kampala Express and Kampala Dispatch to discuss. Just joking, but the truth is that there is clearly a drainage problem and lots of the MPS is devoted to this, as much as the road construction as well. I just look at the total overall and what is most significant. Hope it gives you insights to how the new Minister and loyal crony Hon. Kamya thinks of the administration of the city. Peace.

Reference:

Kampala Capital City Authority – ‘MINISTERIAL POLICY STATEMENT For FINANCIAL YEAR 2017/18 VOTE 122’