Opinion: Mpuuga showing his greed…

Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga is opposed to the provision of term limits for Members of Parliament in the recently amended constitution of National Unity Platform. Hon. Mpuuga says the amendments will deter the development of the youngest political party, which currently needs experienced legislators” (NBS Television, 24.04.2023).

The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga is showing his traits. Not that it’s shocking or anything. Nevertheless, it is telling his priorities. Instead of showing the difference between the National Unity Platform (NUP) and National Resistance Movement (NRM).

His a seasoned politician and trying to scheme his way through. Using a tactic of growth and building a party. However, I feel this is a self-serving objective. Especially, considering that his already on his third term as MP and standing for the second party. He has twice Represented Democratic Party and also joined parties with Go Forward. Secondly, he has also switched districts and is now an MP as a part of the NUP. Meaning he has been able to find his way and gain the momentum to be re-elected three times.

Therefore, with that being said. I feel that this statement is being made for his own cause. The LOP isn’t saying this to better the NUP or create a better future. His just afraid he just have one more term and then he has to be left without an office. I am sure Mpuuga could do a good job in the secretariat and be political asset of the party. Alas, that isn’t enough for someone like Mpuuga.

Mpuuga has excelled and reached the “promised land”. His a man of stature and appointed with respect. He has come so far from the Action4Change (A4C9 days and Walk to Work Protests. Mpuuga has gone from being a Uganda Young Democrat (UYD) to A4C to DP to NUP. A man who has changed parties and moved forward.

Now that his a head of the curve. He has a say and a voice. It is by all means that doesn’t want to let go. Mpuuga has risen into prominence and gotten the office, which reflects his struggle to get there. Surely he knows the perks, as he has even had years in office in the Lukiiko as a Minister for a few years. Leadership roles is something that has come natural to him.

However, even if people has trusted him and given him responsibilities. That doesn’t mean it is rightfully his. Neither does it mean he should be an elected official for the rest of his life. Yes, his in his 40s now and has more years before retirement. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean he should serve all those years in Parliament. His already lucky that he was able to be a MP for three terms.

His asking for a possible fourth and also a fifth. Because, it is not enough for him to re-elected on NUP ticket a second time. He believes it is right for him to have more for the “growth” of the party. That’s why this sounds like a selfish expedition. I don’t believe it is in the best interests of the NUP. No, this is said and done for his own pockets. He knows the earning and perks of being an MP. Mpuuga will not give that up easily. Most likely after a second term in the NUP. The current LOP will seek another or run as an Independent in his 50s.

That’s just what I am guess at this point of time. Mpuuga is a seasoned and calculative politician. A man who has been able to manoeuvre and get results. He will do so again and no one should be shocked or surprised by it. Peace.

Zambia: Chapter One Foundation – Press Statement dated 13th April 2023 on the current mealie meal shortage in Zambia (13.04.2023)

Dr. Bayigga Michael Lulume MP: Open letter to President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhurwa Museveni (24.03.2023)

Zambia: Ministry of Finance & National Planning – We welcome the Correction by the Financial Times (13.02.2023)

Zambia: Chapter One Foundation – Press Statement Dated 1st February 2023 on the proposed Amendments to the Cyber Security and Cybercrimes Act (01.02.2023)

Opinion: Mao – A deal is a deal and these are the cards your dealt…

President Museveni has said the Memorandum of Understanding that the NRM signed with Democratic Party in July did not include any agreement on political transition. In an interview with NBS TV which will be aired tonight, Museveni said Norbert Mao, the DP president general, was brought on board as a strategy to “bring the opposition into government” but not to oversee any form of political transition” (Josephine Namakumbi – ‘Museveni: “My deal with Mao does not include political transition”’ 17.10.2022, Nile Post).

The secret and sudden agreement between the National Resistance Movement and Democratic Party shocked the Republic when it happened. Certainly, certain aspects of it was in the cards. That has been shown ever since. However, DP Party President Norbert Mao has over-promised his reach. The agreement has been made like this for a reason. To not give him overreaching power or mandate, which would be out of control for His Excellency.

President Museveni would never ever trade away his leverage or his office. Neither would he be foolish enough to risk his stay in power. He fought a war to get it and he never intends to leave. Mao can make all the wishes he wants, but the initial agreement is obvious. The stipulated article, which is in the realms of reform is clear. There are opening for electoral reforms and constitutional reforms on Parliamentary Term, but nothing stipulated about the a political transition. That’s not in the picture and the President isn’t lying. Secondly, who would be bold enough to suggest that while making an agreement? When he has shown no intention of doing so since the 1980s….

Read Article 17 of the July Agreement:

17. Beyond these stated areas of cooperation, it is also the Government’s intention to work with political parties from across Parliament (including the Opposition) on issues that affect our democracy, including the recommendations of the Supreme Court on Electoral Reforms. Recommendations made to the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee on Constitutional Reforms and the length of the Parliamentary term” (NRM DP Agreement, July 2022).

Then the day-dreaming of Mao:

The Democratic Party president general and Minister of Constitutional Affairs, Mr Norbert Mao, has asked youth to prepare for a peaceful transition of power in 2031. Mr Mao, who was speaking at the belated Youth Day celebrations at Bubangizi Secondary School playground at Mitooma on Saturday, where vice president Jessica Alupo was the chief guest, said the President gave him the assignment of ensuring a peaceful transition” (Felix Ainebyoona & Milton Bandiho – ‘I’m preparing Uganda for peaceful transfer of power – Mao’, 03.10.2022, Daily Monitor).

I have a hard time seeing Mao or the DP being able to pull it off. The agreement in other articles stipulates that the parties needs to consult before putting forward legislation. Secondly, there is supposed to be “no surprises” and private minister bill. Meaning Mao has to consult the President before doing anything. That is according to the agreement they both signed off. Meaning in the end, Mao’s hands are tied and he needs to get guidance before moving. He cannot act on his own accord or after his whims. No, he has to follow stipulations and get vouched for before putting forward any sort of reform or political transition for that matter.

Last fact is that Museveni only signed off on possible Electoral Reform and amendments of the Constitution. However, he cannot do so with a shocking twist or without coordination or consultation of the NRM. This means that he has to follow quorum and protocol before doing so.

Mao can lie about these things, but that’s doesn’t make it more true. Usually, I tend to think that Museveni lies. Because, he does that a lot and speak half-truths too. However, in this instance… Mao is naked and he forgotten his own agreements or proposed agenda. Peace.

Opinion: Is this the end of the prohibition era for marijuana…?

“The Justice Department today released the following statement from spokesman Anthony Coley regarding the President’s proclamation granting a full, complete, and unconditional pardon to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who have committed, or been convicted of, the offense of simple possession of marijuana in violation of the Controlled Substances Act, as currently codified at 21 U.S.C. 844 and as previously codified elsewhere in the U.S. Code, or in violation of D.C. Code 48–904.01(d)(1): “The Justice Department will expeditiously administer the President’s proclamation, which pardons individuals who engaged in simple possession of marijuana, restoring political, civil, and other rights to those convicted of that offense. In coming days, the Office of the Pardon Attorney will begin implementing a process to provide impacted individuals with certificates of pardon. “Also, in accordance with the President’s directive, Justice Department officials will work with our colleagues at the Department of Health and Human Services as they launch a scientific review of how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.”” (Justice Department – ‘Justice Department Statement on President’s Announcements Regarding Simple Possession of Marijuana’ 06.10.2022).

Things are moving and we should expect things to change with time. The pardons of possession of marijuana are only the beginning. The rescheduling of marijuana is really a beginning for Federal Law Enforcement to see it differently.

This move is most likely in the realm of legalizing and ending the prohibition of the substance. Marijuana goes into the legal position of alcohol and tobacco. We shouldn’t be shocked by this. Because this is creating not only new support for the President. Biden is becoming a hero for doing this federally if he pursuits it. However, time will tell if the Federal Government does more.

Now, the Federal Government is on the one of legalizing. That means the trading, the usage and everything in connection to the substance will be regulated, which means a new tax-base. That can mean the state will find new ways to monetize and ensure growing revenue from marijuana products. It won’t only be the sale of blunts, the chronic and others, but also medicinal marijuana. That’s where this is going.

If this goes like the most liberals want. This could be sold side-by-side of tobacco. It could be like prepared smokes or blunts of marijuana in the stores. That would be taxed and be a big business. It would be no difference from tobacco or alcohol. This will affect society, but that does all the things mentioned.

The pardons is only the beginning this will challenge the ones who calls it a “gateway” drug. It will also be a battleground points of the Republic Party. Alas, they are one the wrong side of the popularity here. The ganja, the chronic and everything associated with it is very popular. It is a substance that the United States population is ready for and to make acceptable with other recreative activities like drinking and smoking. It just follows that one and seems to be getting the acceptance of it.

The smell of weed will now be familiarized and the possession of it too. There will less fear and sooner or later it’s a accepted business and taxed too. It will benefit the Republic monetarily. Though we cannot know the consequences of it or how it will change society. It is a watershed moment yesterday. The announcement wasn’t expected and certainly there will be ramifications to this.

Time will tell… time will tell… but it’s only the beginning. Peace.

Opinion: Biden up on a high…

‘Cause I got high, because I got high

Because I got high”Afroman – ‘Because I got high’ (2000)

As I’ve said before, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.

Today, I’m taking steps to end our failed approach. Allow me to lay them out.

First: I’m pardoning all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession. There are thousands of people who were previously convicted of simple possession who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result. My pardon will remove this burden.

Second: I’m calling on governors to pardon simple state marijuana possession offenses. Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely for possessing marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either.

Third: We classify marijuana at the same level as heroin – and more serious than fentanyl. It makes no sense. I’m asking Secretary Becerra and the Attorney General to initiate the process of reviewing how marijuana is scheduled under federal law. I’d also like to note that as federal and state regulations change, we still need important limitations on trafficking, marketing, and underage sales of marijuana. Sending people to jail for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives – for conduct that is legal in many states. That’s before you address the clear racial disparities around prosecution and conviction. Today, we begin to right these wrongs” (Biden, 06.10.2022).

President Joe Biden has come with a real surprise to many today. He has finally stopped the drug-war on marijuana, which has been failed by the authorities and the government as a whole. His a man who has fought for these strict rules and legislation in the past. So, when it was his turn to be in the highest office, suddenly things has changed. There must be a reason for it and sooner or later this will be part of society at large.

With these pardons and the planned evaluation of marijuana. Expect it to be soon taxed federally like alcohol or in the realm of that. President Biden really came with shocker and it was a blunt out of nowhere.

This sort of war has lasted for ages and been a concern for several of administrations. It has been a battle it cannot compete with. That’s why the states like California has sort of made legal medicinal marijuana and such. Now, there can be expectation of more and positively in the ways of liberal Netherlands on that matter. Because, the pardoning and possible changes of law will be a game-changer. It can also free state authorities resources to look at bad law-offenders and not only capture people with possession of marijuana.

Certainly this move will be popular ahead of the midterms. It will also be a vital legislation ahead of the polls. He would have this one and the student debt forgiveness. He is following to actually do favourable acts in office. The Office of President has delivered here and showed finesse. The democratic party can get a boost over this and show it’s a total difference than the Republican party. This was shown with the student debt forgiveness and now with the marijuana legislation.

President Biden has come out of left-field here. There will be pushback here, but this is a piece of legislation that will be popular. This has been asked by progressives for a long time and the authorities has nothing to show from it. Only a lot of misdemeanours and possession cases, but not the cartels or the ones behind the export. With the changes… this can be a legal industry. Just like the alcohol industry could be legal after the prohibition era. The “Speakeasies” has turned into pubs and saloons again.

Time has to tell really how this will be played out. Marijuana might turn into the new tobacco and become part of that industry in the future. Biden has open up the flood-gates here. I don’t know how this will be played out. However, he will gain popularity and the Democratic Party will score brownie-points ahead of the midterms. There will be ramifications doing this and especially when he decided to pull this one off.

Now the Democrats can get high… Peace.

Citizens Coalition for Improved Service Delivery in West Nile: Follow up action points from the meeting on 1st September 2022 on the status of electricity in West Nile (03.10.2022)

Uganda: Kisembo Ronex Tendo, former EALA MP Candidate letter to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – Re: Grievances Arising from the Recently Concluded Elections for Uganda’s Representatives in the 5th East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) – (03.10.2022)