65 dollars and a dream: Mzee’s joke of an address

This is not a joke. This is a disease!”– President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

Today, the Sixth (6th) National Address on the Coronavirus outbreak was supposed to clarify the misconceptions of the 5th National Address of yesterday. The President and his team surely promised a lot during the day. As there was unanswered questioned, however, the answers given is surely leaving for more clarifications tomorrow.

The President and his handlers has surely not prepared the man, neither has he used any of the hundred advisors he has on his payroll. Because, Don Wanyama or anyone else whose sort of savvy with media should know that today’s address was a shit-show.

He can talk about 24 hours making coordinating teams in the counties, putting stickers on cars and whatnot. However, he should have task-force putting these sort of things in place before speaking aloof about it on-air. It seems like his sudden genius spats out.

We also learn that food-donations are only supposed to go to the Task-Force, they are supposed to find the people who needs it and the ones seeking to give food to anyone is greedy for power. That is rich coming from someone who has lingered for power for over 34 years and had a bush-war in 1980s to usher him in. Nothing like hypocrisy from the man himself.

Also, him talking about the expenses of testing people, that it cost UDS $65 dollars and therefore, will not mass test. This shows that the President prefer not knowing and not spending, as the state are not valuing life. Life has less of a value than 65 dollars. That is how I am interpreting it. That he doesn’t see it fit, as he believes people could catch the disease later and therefore, give the wrong message. However, with that sense, he cannot find the source nor trigger the scale of how the spread is happening. Not giving the professionals the needed data to figure out how the spread is going. The limited testing will only give more questions and also whose not in the system.

The President has surely not done his job. That is why he has quotes like this: “The LCV who slapped the RDC is going to jail for slapping a Ugandan”. It is made for slapstick humour and edutainment. Since, his not making a good case, but instead just showing the public that his not taking the needed measures ahead of the lockdown. Because, would the person not gone to jail if he slapped a Kenyan? I am just wondering if there is a difference, if the person is not a citizen.

Well, I am anticipating another address again tomorrow. Because, there is a need for clarification of what happen today tomorrow. Since, there is more blurred lines now, even with Pharrell and Robert Thicke not in the mix.

The President has clearly lost the memo, if he had one before this address. This here was a mismatch, not reassuring nor addressing the default needed matters. More like a fanfare of quick fixes and micro-managing, which is this Presidents Modus Operandi. Secondly, he will not deliver food to the ones in need, just a brief few. Therefore, not follow up on the pledge of yesterday. People have to walk to shops and not use cars. They have to manage themselves and not get help in these trying time.

Mass testing is very expensive and also meaningless, I hear each test costs 65 USD. When you test 10 people that is 650 USD. You may be tested and you are fine today but tomorrow, you get exposed. It ’s better to only test with signs” – Museveni (31.03.2020).

Not that they matter anyway, the tests are to expensive for them to get tested. They are less valued than USD $65 dollars. That’s the biggest news from today for me. He rather not test people, than actually do it, because of the cost. This means he values people less and wants to save the money. Instead of making sure and secure the general public. Better to be in the dark, than shedding light on the matter.

That is why the President needs some guidance, especially if he cares about governing. Now his just a fussy leader whose not acting righteous, but that is not in him. Peace.

Burundi: Communique de Presse du Ministere de la Sante Publique et de la lutte contre le SIDA sur la Declaration de des cas du COVID-19 au Burundi (31.03.2020)

Djibouti: Presidence de la Republique – Service Presse – Communique (31.03.2020)

Rwanda: Ministry of Health – Update on COVID-19 Coronavirus (31.03.2020)

Opinion: Orbán uses the Coronavirus like a true dictator

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his party Fidesz of Hungary is using the Coronavirus or COVID-19 like the pawn they needed to take all power. This is using a crisis and pandemic to ensure they can silence the opposition, can stop the media from publishing and rule by decree.

Orbán has always dreamed of this. Surely, he never wanted to be questioned or be under fire. Orbán wants to be grand chief. That is why he used the Grand Coronavirus Law of 2020 to ensure that for him.

Because Orbán doesn’t have to care about elections. He can rule be decree and also have the ability to silence the media, “if they do fake-news or misinformation”. That is coded for the ones who is writing the wrong thing for Orbán and his allies. State of Emergency without any timeline. All of this is simple methods to hold power without any consequences.

PM Orbán is using the pandemic like a candy-store. He pick and mix all the positive things for himself and the Parliament in Hungary voted in favour of it. They gave the man unlimited powers, where he can order whatever he feels and act as a supreme overlord without any questions. The Parliament gave away oversight and control to one man.

Orbán can do whatever he wants now in Hungary. Budapest is his playground and he can enjoy all the perks. By decree he can reissue whatever he feels like and the Parliament cannot block it. The law and the COVID-19 was the needed crises for him.

Some say they expect him to be voted out by 2022. However, if you have given him this power now, what will stop him then? He has ruled already a decade and now gotten more power yesterday. What really stops him? Yes, it is wasn’t only Fidesz who gave him the votes yesterday. There was the votes of KDNP (Christian Democratic Party) and “Mi Hazank” Our Homeland Party who did so too.

This is unlimited powers by decree, suspending the powers of parliament and giving way to Orban. No matter what you think of that, its giving one man all control and do whatever he feels. This is trusting a whole state into one person and therefore, by all means be under his mercy and his will. Instead of checks and balances of power, he can act as he see fit and without anyone stopping him.

It can be revoked by the Parliament, when they see it fit. However, will they and at what interest do they have that? They have already given the powers to one man and unless there is a revolution, what should stop Orbán?

Orbán is a man of power and said if the EU couldn’t help in the crisis, at least not hinder him. This is defending himself and the Hungarians for giving him all power. Because, that rule be decree like a dictator is the only way out for these folks.

This is using a crisis for a self-interest and adding more powers for a small group of people. This is not new, but yet another government doing it. They are not even concealing it.Orbán might act aloof and act sincere, but its not believable. Since, he wouldn’t do this, if there wasn’t anything in return.

It is not Saint Orbán, but PM Orbán and his legislative effort to maximize control and amend laws in his favour. Peace.

Opinion: From tomorrow a National Lockdown, but hope Mzee keeps ONE PROMISE!

There are from tomorrow a National Lockdown for 14 days in the Republic of Uganda. This means most of society is closed or barred. Only the necessities are supposed to be at work. This is following ideals from all across the world to battle the COVID-19 or Coronavirus.

The President has his 5th National Address in a short time. Every time taken it one step further. What is still missing is using the “State of Emergency” statute or article of the 1995 Constitution. However, the President prefers doing it step-by-step or erratic like most of his presidency. That is why his following the same procedure here.

What his closing and doing is the rational things and nothing that isn’t done elsewhere. He has not done anything revolutionary, even if his son calls him the African Revolutionary. Still, the President has promised one thing and in a Nation filled with poverty and a gig-economy. Where the lower class are living hand to mouth. This one promise has to be kept. It will show, if his all words or actually act upon it.

ONE Promise:

The Government anti-Corona-virus actions of stopping public transport and other measures have put the drivers and other people out of work. Besides, many of them live hand to mouth ─ the daily bread. Without those activities, especially in the towns, such people may not be able to buy food. The Government, after properly identifying these people will distribute food to them in the form of akahuunga (maize flour), beans, powder milk, sugar, salt, etc. In the meantime, I direct the Police to arrest the opportunistic and irresponsible politicians who try to distribute food for cheap popularity. Those are very dangerous to the health of the people. When you try to distribute food or money in such a situation, people gather around you. Many people can be infected in that process. You will, therefore, have caused the sickness or death of those people. Anybody involved in that effort will be arrested and charged with attempted murder” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 30.03.2020).

I’m looking forward hearing that the government are delivering food in the villages of Northern Uganda. Or if he delivers in the mountains around Kasese. Even seeing some government officials delivering food to ones in need in Busoga. There is plenty whose staying home and in need because of COVID-19.

That the President are issuing a 14 days a lockdown is a positive. Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has their work cut out with this promise. The informal part of society and the supposed about 20% in dire poverty needs special support during the lockdown. The state should always have a safety net for these, but it hasn’t so. That is why they are falling out and doesn’t have needed support. This is why, when the state promised to identifying them, that means the state has to find one in four. That should be easy and not hard to find. They can just avoid certain areas and certain suburbs. Than, the rest they got to deliver food and supplies too.

The NRM and the President has run this nation for 34 years has to see the realities. If not, he will shield it and make it into a mirage. That things are better then there is. As he will have a minor or smaller frame to only give to a chosen few. Just like the Presidential Donations and the other schemes made out of the State House.

The President has to deliver to big part of the population. This being the unemployed, the ones whose living under a dollar a day or in the informal sector. This is clearly a big part of the population.

It is easy to talk, but harder to act. Secondly, this will cost and would need coordination. Even for just two weeks. There is needs out there and he has failed over and over again. Therefore, people should follow up on this promise from the President. Because this is the leaf of hope in midst of despair. Peace.

IGAD Heads of State and Government Adopt a Regional Approach to Combating COVID-19 (30.03.2020)

Update on the COVID-19 Outbreak in Uganda (30.03.2020)

The WaBenzi must really be hurt because of COVID-19

The elites must really be hurt these days. They cannot scheme, do business or run their affairs like normal. These people cannot travel, move or act like they usually can. That is hurting them. The ones poor is also victims, but these people are even more damaged.

The WaBenzi in their expensive SUVs, Mansions and huge pay-offs are on-hold. They cannot earn money through the State House nor imports as usual. Unless, they are able to trick with medicines or medical equipment, which the state will struggle to get enough off. Since, the whole world is scavenging to get what they needs of masks, medicine and sanitizers.

The WaBenzi are usually able to get medical treatment abroad. Now the borders are closed, they got to go locally. Where the ordinary citizens has to go. Their fancy cars, the quick money and the huge houses aren’t saving them. Neither is their bank-accounts with their looted money. Instead of helping the state to build Hospitals and Health Care Centres during the sunny days, but now that its raining its a bit late.

The Wabenzi has had the opportunity to use their influence, their connections to high above and the cabinet. They are able to find deals and able to get money. These people have the association and the ability to earn funds in the country normally. Therefore, if they cared for the state they are from and reside in. They would have acted upon this, but they also had easy access outside. That’s why this haven’t mattered.

The rich, the wealthy, the ones with more money than God. The ones who could get to the State House. Could start businesses and give the kickbacks to launch their state officials in dire need. That is what they have done and it worked fine. Now, they cannot do this.

There is lack of ICU beds, ventilators or even ordinary medical equipment. There is also lack of skilled health care workers and systems picking up the ones who catch the disease. They cannot run from the disorganized and the lack of support the Ministry of Health has. Even if the Wabenzi can be at their homes, can afford to send servants to pick up food and supplies. They are still in close associated with the community and therefore can get the sickness too.

When they do, their pockets will not save them. The lack of care for the Health Care system and years of neglect will haunt them. They cannot run to India, Europe or the United States. They need treatment back-home and means in the lack of beds, nurses and whatnot. Which wasn’t a big deal when the aspiring WaBenzi was ageing and grow fat. They never considered that they needed to use their influence to ensure the health care would be good at home. Since they could always flea the nation and get help abroad.

Now, they are in trouble. They are in the depleted state with everyone else. WaBenzi is sinking, but that is because they never cared. Their insulting work over the years. They had not trouble eating the state funds and looting the nation together with the ones in-charge. These people was cronies and backers, who ate handshakes and got slices of bad deals. Which is the reason why the failure of everything now.

That is why the WaBenzi has more fly cars than the state has ICU beds. The reason why there are more expensive swimming-pools, than there are fully functioning hospitals. There are more mansions with fully functioning ventilations, than there are steady electricity at most of the nations hospitals. There is more likely more expensive HD LCD TVs in the homes of the WaBenzi, than there is educated and skilled personnel to save their lives. Still, they enjoyed the spoils and ate the soul of the nation.

Now, they got to live in it and hope they don’t catch the disease. That they don’t get the virus and get sick of COVID-19. They will swim with the common folk. They will drown with them if the packs of citizens get it. The virus will beat the Health Care system quickly, they are not prepared and the donors cannot help them. They are hurt themselves and has to save their own before sending help to you now. Cubans and Chinese helpers are already arriving in Italy, so its not like Wabenzi would get help now. No matter how fat their pockets of shilling is.

WaBenzi, you should have used your power, your close association with the ones in power for the common good. However, you always thought you could migrate and be medical tourists elsewhere. You could leave no mind the depleted state, which it is. You could have begged for investments and wondered why there was no care for this. However, you were to busy to live lavish and eat. So, now you live in your own vomit. Hope you feel it and worries too. You could have acted differently, but you never cared. Unless you could get a quick buck and consider the first plane to treatment in India, Singapore, China or elsewhere. Peace.

Update on the COVID-19 Outbreak in Uganda (29.03.2020)