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.

Kamya kicked out of her own party: Given up federo for Bosco!

There is a joke here somewhere, certainly there is, as the former reform agenda and founding member of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). After that, the founder of her own party and own agenda, the now Minister of Kampala, Beti Kamya has been kicked out of her own party. As she has shown to much loyalty to the party and President that appointed her.

This is really funny and tragic, not that the Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA) ever has had any significant impact, other than being an avenue for Kamya to have a voice and call herself the President of something. Not that she has had a big voice, as she even struggled to become a MP in the Rubaga North, which she even lost in 2016 and still was pronounced the winner. That is because of her sudden loyalty to the President. Who later appointed her to a Ministry.

That is why the news of her down-fall in her own party wasn’t shocking, but more fun actually. Which I will explain more after the news.

“BETI KAMYA CHASED OUT OF HER OWN PARTY!

Minister for Kampala, Beti Olive Namisango Kamya has been kicked out of Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA), the party she started in 2009! According to the members of UFA, Beti Kamya betrayed them when she joined the ruling government in 2016! According to the UFA Spokesperson, Baker Byayi Ssenyonga, Beti Kamya was given enough time to change her decision and go back to the party but has failed! Hon. Beti Kamya is yet to say anything because she’s currently in Kyankwanzi for the NRM retreat!” (87.7 BABA FM, 16.03.2019).

Kamya has been arrogant, been bitter and been a busy body within the Cabinet. Trying to show her worth and really doing whatever she could to be relevant and also loyal to the President. But that comes with the job. When you have been appointed by the President and comes from another party. You need to go overboard and show your value. Because, the President has to see your intent. That is why she has counter the will of the KCCA and the City Hall. That is just what she has done.

Kamya is really a victim of her own work. She has ditched her own party of ten years, she knows it is a mess, a structure built on her own personal ambition and being a vessel for her career. That it has been, as it was supposed to also work for the federo and federalism in the Republic. This has been shattered, as she turned a yellow fellow, whose mellow jell-o, who sucks at playing cello.

However, lets get serious a minute, she was so unpopular, she had to get the credits and mercy to become a MP, who happen to get a Ministry, because the President wanted to assault the Opposition. She has been a tool of that and a massive suck-up the President. Into levels of ridiculous. Into a manner, where even Opondo, Mwenda or anyone else of the praising brigade cannot follow. Kamya, looks like a fool, as she couldn’t even follow protocol or even build her own party. Why do I say that? Well, her attacks on Besigye and Bobi Wine. She should not attack them for building things as opposition in the Republic. She couldn’t even manage to stay loyal to her first Reform Agenda, neither stay in the FDC, couldn’t even say in the UFA and now is loyal suddenly to the NRM. It is so rich.

That is why Kamya, should go off her high horse. Surely the power, the prestige and the office makes her feel untouchable, as long as the President see a use of her. However, the day she isn’t valuable. The President will drop her, she is soon a party member, a NRM MP and another person in the patronage and official cronies of the President. That is because, she couldn’t even build her own party and be loyal to it. She didn’t even believe in the cause and the political agenda of her own party. Where she was initially running the show. Still, that wasn’t enough.

Dear Beti Kamya, hope you enjoy your minutes in power, your place in the corridors of the President and the ability of being a useful minion of the president. Because, the day when that ships ends. You will not have anywhere to turn. Not even to the UFA, as all the other bridges have been burnt or destroyed by your lack of will or your own empty ambition. This just show your an empty vessel ready to get used. Kudos. Do you, but don’t expect a handout, when the NRM and Museveni era is over. 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.

Hon. Beti Kamya is a bit bitter, much?

“What else do you expect from the mouth of Betty Kamya, she knows that her career as a politician in Uganda without President Museveni is as short as her eyebrows” – Tamale Mirundi

Today, Beti Kamya the State Minister for Kampala, who was appointed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in June 2016. Wouldn’t have a political career worth thinking about. If she wasn’t appointed by him and that she let her succeed Frank Tumwebaze in this role. Therefore, she is now playing one of the main antagonizer against the Forum for Democratic Change, but to understand all of this. Will show a little of her political history after showing the disregard she has for the party today. This is from the woman who at one point asked if Museveni had heart, to years later saying he was wiser than his whole cabinet. So if you want to know someone who tries to finesse herself politically, she is one of them.

Kamya today:

““What is happening in FDC is very good for Uganda for many reasons, because it teaches us about real life politics in Uganda,” Kamya said. She said it is hypocritical for some FDC leaders to criticise NRM yet they are worse. “I am one of the persons who have faced the party’s wrath when the party’s constitution was changed during the nomination day, so what Winnie Kiiza is talking about has not started today but way back when the party has just started,” she said” (Esther Namutamba -’ Beti Kamya “happy” that FDC is in turmoil, says party has tasted its bitter medicine’ 07.08.2018 link: http://nilepost.co.ug/2018/08/07/beti-kamya-happy-that-fdc-is-in-turmoil-says-party-has-tasted-its-bitter-medicine/).

(1)Failed in Reform Agenda and needed FDC:

“Ms Kamya had argued that the criterion used by the FDC leadership to select the national chairman contravened the party constitution and showed discrimination against the Baganda, her tribe, within the party. She lost her post as minister of agriculture in the FDC shadow cabinet. Ms Kamya did exceptionally well in the 2006 elections, polling more than double the number of votes of her nearest contender, Mr Kayongo Tom (NRM). But will Ms Kamya poll so well without FDC support? Rubaga North has in the last two presidential elections consistently voted for Dr Kizza Besigye, who received 51.3 per cent of the votes in 2001 as head of the transient Reform Agenda and 55.1 per cent in 2001 as FDC flag bearer. She failed in her 2001 attempt to enter Parliament as a representative with the Reform Agenda. Some FDC officials say Ms Kamya’s victories in the constituency are because of her association with the party” (Katherine Haywood and Flavia Nalubega – ‘Rubaga North seat: Kamya abandons FDC’ 14.01.2010 link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/688342-842382-otd4lxz/index.html).

(2) Before 2016:

“They reportedly told her to admit that she miscalculated when she took the decision to contest for the highest office and asked her not to waste time again. Ms Kamya was a contestant in the 2011 Ugandan presidential elections. However, Ms Kamya, who accepted to contest for Parliament next year, is said to have told her supporters that she participated in the 2011 elections not to win but to launch the federal ideology outside Buganda; she calls it ‘Ugandanisation’ of federo. Apparently, Ms Kamya’s return has taken current Rubaga North MP Moses Kasibante by surprise since he thought the former FDC strong lady would contest for presidency again” (Daily Monitor – ‘Kasibante on tension over Beti Kamya’s return’ 27.01.2015 link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasibante-on-tension-over-Beti-Kamya-s-return/688334-2603590-nk1s8uz/index.html).

(2)After 2016 elections:

“Rubaga North Member of Parliament Moses Kasibante has retained his seat after successfully protesting what he called manipulation of the original results recorded at the polling stations. Kasibante garnered 17,802 votes representing 34% of the total votes cast. His immediate rival, former area MP Beti Kamya got 16,664 votes which is 32% of the vote. Kamya, the Uganda Federal Alliance party president, had been provisionally announced as winner yesterday forcing Kasibante to protest. Kasibante and his team queried the results which were being tallied alleging that the number of votes had been manipulated to favour Kamya” (Beatrice Nyangoma – ‘Kasibante Retains Rubaga North Seat’ 20.02.2016 link: https://ugandaradionetwork.com/story/kasibante-successfully-protests-election-irregularities-retains-lubaga-north-mp-seat).

As we see, she should be little more humble on her place, as she has her sponsor and only has a political life because of Museveni. Therefore, her throwing shade is a bit bitter. We can see that it didn’t work out in the Reform Agenda, but when she joined the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in 2006, she got enough votes to become a Member of Parliament because of the support of the party. From there she went to another party and founded Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA), where she ran for President in 2011. Where she got 52,782 votes and just a 1000 more votes, than Abed Bwanika; shows how little her reach was. However, she tried to run on the UFA platform for 2016 MP in Rubaga North, than against incumbent Moses Kasibante, the Erias Lukwago affiliate and Independent Candidate in the Rugaba Division. Therefore, she lost and wasn’t even in Parliament for the second time.

She wouldn’t have been in Parliament and in the Cabinet if it wasn’t for Museveni. When she had the support of the FDC, she won a seat in 2006 to 2011. However, by that time she gotten disgruntled, as she tried to go through the ranks, but the party didn’t deliver to her fast enough. Lost internal-party elections and didn’t get positions. That is why as the one in it to finesse it, she had to start her own and did so. However, that didn’t work well. She is now promising big wins in the opposition stronghold. Maybe, if she was sincere and knew the reality, she knows these are lies. But that helps her cause, which is serving Museveni.

And with her hypocrisy the Rugaba Division in Kampala, should know how she has changed. From being a full-blown Museveni critic, to become her vocal supporter. Going from Reform Agenda, supported and parts of FDC into UFA where it all failed and now appointed by the NRM. However, still being bitter that the Independent Kasibante, Lukwago affiliate can win over her in the polls. She has clearly a missed message and lack of real message. That is why she is mad at the FDC. Because, she haven’t had a real elected positions since she was in the FDC.

Kamya need to work on herself. Unless, she wants to be crony and loyalists for a cause, which is on rotten cause by the dictator. Where she has no way after the fall and where she will struggle to find shelter after Museveni is gone. Because everyone knows what she is and how little real she is. Peace.

Cholera Alert in Kampala and Mpigi: Could have been avoided with a state controlled sewage system!

The people of the Kalerwe, Kampala and people from Mpigi District should worry about their sanitary positions and their water quality, as the Cholera outbreak is because of simple mistakes by the Ministry of Water and Environment, also by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) that hasn’t done their job. Because when 7 people are caught with the disease and put in a hospital. The whole local government combined with the Ministry should be finding the sources for the mixing of feces and water in the pipes to people of a certain area.

“A person can get cholera by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacterium. In an epidemic, the source of the contamination is usually the feces of an infected person that contaminates water and/or food. The disease can spread rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water. The disease is not likely to spread directly from one person to another; therefore, casual contact with an infected person is not a risk for becoming ill” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – ‘Cholera’ 09.11.2016 link: https://www.cdc.gov/cholera/general/index.html).

Now one person might have been affect and transmitted this to his nearby kin or neighbors, however, this disease comes from practically bad sanitary areas and water quality. Where the lack of control over the water pipes and the sanitary efforts of the city in general. There are even speculations that the emptying of the sewage tanks costs 200,000 shillings at a time and people cannot afford it. So they let it all out in the midst of rain. Therefore, the mix and the conditions where Cholera could breakout and clearly it has succeeded.

This here is a lack of government control and reason of change of dynamics so that people can live in healthier conditions and not fear to get into bad cycles of more illness and capability of income. Due to sickness and shows the lack of good living conditions. If society and the state wanted, they would have a decent sewage system and securing that it didn’t mix in the streets. So that the sickness of cholera would be avoided, it isn’t that hectic. It do cost in urban areas to lay the pipes and set up a well-functioning sewage system, but when you do have that combined with a decent water-pipes, the waterborne sicknesses that can be fought and avoided. That should be a priority, especially for a republic striving to reach middle-income very soon.

The Republic has choices and should plan ahead to secure the citizens, so they can avoid getting ill, by waterborne diseases like Cholera. That should be a priority by any of the Ministries that are involved, if it is the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Kampala, Ministry of Water and Environment, Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and others should strive to succeed, that is if they care about the well-being and are serious in the part of society. If not they are their to pocket their salaries and live lavish, while others are catching diseases that can be combat by very simple means and also serious constructions of sewage systems. This would secure the health and well-being of the citizens. It wouldn’t be an issue at-large, if the state did offer this.

There are happening like this with that too, when pipes goes old or technical malfunctions, but its easier to become a major issue and spreading alerts, when the society doesn’t have the systems in place. It is more sufficient and healthy to actually install and build this. All of this isn’t revolutionary, even citizens around the world is paying levies on it to the state and counties to secure the water is clean and sewage system is functioning to satisfaction. Where the public can contact the directorate or county body to complain if it malfunctioning. That should be possible in the Republic too, unless the state and the leadership see this all as unreasonable. Please tell me, because then your blaming the public for your lack of oversight and control of basic functions in society. 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.

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