Opinion: Hon. Kipoi is in a land of trouble, but is the charges justified?

Today Tony Kipoi, the former Member of Parliament in the 9th Parliament in the constituency of Bubulo West. In 2014 he had issues that he had no excuse for not taking part of 15 sittings in the row. Therefore, the Parliament threw him out and had a By-Election to chase him out of his seat. Well, just a year into his term (2012) as MP he was arrested for his connection with rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, however, that didn’t stop him from serving a few more years, before he was kicked out. Therefore, in retrospect, the issue wasn’t really there, but somehow it became one.

Other than this, there are a Press Release from 24th December 2012, where the Police Force states this: “Yesterday, Sunday, 23 December 2012, the Police with its sister security agencies, arrested Hon. Kipoi Tony Nsubuga of Bubulo East constituency at 10:30 in Matimuku Guest House, Njala Village, Fort Portal, Kabarole district, while he was holding a meeting with some Ugandan security officers and Congolese rebel officers. The Ugandan Officers and Congolese rebels were also arrested. For, some time, now, the Police with its sister security agencies have been closely monitoring subversive activities of Hon. Kipoi Tony in and out of the country. In particular, he has been recruiting personnel from our security services as well as Congolese rebels belong to a Congolese rebel group called COGAI, based in areas around Bunia, Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo. He had promised to support the rebel groups with fire arms.We also have information, that Hon. Kipoi Tonny has foreign sponsors who at this point it would not be wise to disclose” (Ugadna Police Force, 24.12.2012).

In April 2014, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni expressed this about Kipoti:

You elected a mad man Kipoi and when he got there, he wanted to overthrow the NRM government with guns. We threw him in. But because of the courts which are confused, they released him on bond and he fled to Congo. You have been here for long without any representation” (State House, 14.04.2014). T

What is striking with this, if this fellow Member of Parliament was already monitored and already had an issue with the and had to be arrested one year after becoming MP. Why wouldn’t the Electoral Commission disqualify him and his candidacy in Bubulo West? Since he was already known for his foreign support of the COGAI in Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo?

The strangest thing, is that there is no direct connection with COGAI or FPRI. Which the state tries to put forward, and when it comes to making such accusation the state has usually delivered easily against detractors. Therefore, I had to look into possible sources and finds very little proof behind the accusation and the actual connection. Other than police in 2012, but nothing else connecting Tony to any warlord in the DRC.

The pure evidence of a Ugandan connection to FPRI or COGAI is this one from the UN Security Council in 2012: “FRPI also sells gold directly to Ugandan armed forces officers posted along the Congolese border. A regular client, cited by Congolese armed forces, militia members and a Lendu community leader, is a former Ugandan armed forces officer, Alex Mugisha. In exchange for gold, he has delivered arms and munitions to FRPI at the Semliki border crossing” (UNSC, P: 25, 15.12.2012).

With this evidence, there are clear indication that the group of rebels connected to Kipoi has traded their conflict minerals or gold with Ugandan counterparts. Therefore, to have middlemen in Uganda seems natural at this point. That is why the Presidents family is involved in this business as well.

But going back in time, the Observer had an article in 2nd November 2014 written by Sadab Kiatta Kaaya which stated: “In November last year, he was arrested by the DRC authorities but was later accorded a guest-of-the-state status, accommodated and protected by the DRC government. “You know he is a crafty man. I think when he got arrested, he told them that he has a rebel group and given the problems we have with them [DRC], they felt he would be of value to their interests,” Ambassador Kinobe said, when asked about Kipoi’s whereabouts” (The Observer – ‘DR Congo refuses to hand over ex-MP Kipoi’ 02.11.2014).

So after the troubles with law, even as a lawmaker and MP. He still had issues, which followed him from 2012 and also with the refusal to show-up in the Parliament. Tony has been one whose been in the spotlight of the President and the NRM. He has been one of many who has been alleged connected with militias and charged with treason. Kipoi isn’t the first one. He won’t be the last. What I wonder is who is connected to Alex Mugisha and does the business with the Congolese Rebels from Ituri. That would answer a lot of open questions.

It is hard to believe the information directly from the state, especially considering how they are not transparent about their looting of Congolese gold to through the Ugandan businesses. These are kept low-key and used to earn vast fortunes on others misfortunes. While supporting militias and insurgency inside the DRC. That is not news, but a fact that has been stated through international investigations and through the system of the United Nations Experts.

I’m just also wondering why Museveni turned on Kipoi and as he made him MP before taking him down. Now he is supposed detained and jailed in Uganda after a being in exile in Botswana. Why is suddenly back in the spotlight and getting into issues. What did he really do, pee on the lawn outside of the State House? Did he offend the buttocks of the Janet Museveni? What did he really do?

Would be nice to get some proper representation of the possible crimes he did, if he did any, since the evidence and the investigations of UPF isn’t representative and the criminal investigations can be turned in favor of the will of the President.

Why I can also question the government, is because the National Equality and Democracy, a liberation party from the diaspora wrote this on the 3rd December 2016: “The red notice meant that the Bubulo county West parliamentary representative Hon Kipoi Tonny Nsubuga would be arrested if found in any of the Interpol member countries. Interpol found that the organisation was being used wrongfully by the regime to pursue its political opponents. The winning of this case is historically a wakeup call and is a sign of injustice that all Ugandans are going through. Innocent Ugandans have been victims of circumstances for years under Museveni Rule. Since 2012 kipoi’s legal team has been battling political cases with Uganda government for an equal society. He emphasized much on Mr [ Museveni ] to do whatever he could in order to assist in restoring democracy, and stop unnecessary constitutional meddling which has lead to political instability in the country. The regime after falling out with him over political differences, he was accused of trying to overthrow the government, Kipoi left to exile in neighbouring DRC. The government continued to pursue him and even sued him under CRB No 1034/2013and secured a red notice 2014/11357 in Lyon France” (NED, 03.12.2016).

So we have the right to question the state, as the facts will not come from this regime, they will play it in their favor, just like they have done with other dissidents. Kipoi is just one of many in line of fire. Museveni isn’t graceful when coming to opponents. Peace.

A Monster Museveni Created: The Failing Kayihura Police Force!

Gen. David Sejusa wrote this in a letter on the 7th July of 2014:

I wonder if Mr Museveni really knows what is going on in his own security institutions, or has he been rendered powerless by the very monster he created, i.e., personalised rule? It is because the officers who give him intelligence are the same arch criminals who need to cover their tracks. With no functioning systems, you wonder what information the head of state depends on to rule the country. Otherwise, how can he not see the danger he is putting the country into and himself? Not that it matters much though, because either way, he, Museveni, is personally responsible” (Gen. David Sejusa letter- ‘LOOMING WAR AND GOVERNMENT COVER UP: Government agents target civilians to scare population’ 07.07.2014).

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Edward Kale Kayihura, again you get on my radar, you are offering bounty for killers of innocent woman, who was dropped on the street like garbage. That is happening after dozens of strange foreign deaths are appearing all over the Republic. There so much weirdness going on, just like the Boda Boda 2010 relations and the Crime Preventers Program. All of this doesn’t add-up.

The sour relationship with Gen. Henry Tumukunde, the Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI) and the problems the police has with the Internal Security Organization (ISO). It’s like the Security Organizations are working not together to sting the criminals, but are trying to incriminate each other. As Muslim Clerical leaders died mysteriously last year, like group of woman in Entebbe too. There been so many strange unsolved crimes that the death of Assistant IGP Andrew Kaweesi seems like detour. Instead of the biggest hit-piece in the recent decade.

Within all of this as the Boda Boda 2010 leaders of Abdallah Kiatta and Paddy Sserunjogi aka Sobi. We can question how the police sanctioned this gang and let it off. And why suddenly it had to fall. Since the Police needed someone to go down and the Tumukunde had to pick someone to teach Kayihura a lesson or two. The striking revelations is how short distance it is from becoming a officer to act a criminal. That is what is worrying and also the signal, the only difference between the police officer and the criminal, is that the officer has the blessing of the state and a badge, the criminal has none. There is supposed to rules to the game, but clearly it is not.

On top of that and ICT scandals, the ICT frauds, that has escalated and became a big-deal, even the ICT Manager Amos Ngabirano fled from the country recently, because of how he was involved and that he feared for his own life. In all of this, the State House, the External Security Organization and the Police are also fighting for how to monitor the mobile money market. This is after who they should assigned the program and who can monitor it, if the its the Uganda Communication Commission, the Police or even the State House. So all of them can use the software to monitor the spending of Ugandans. This is happening, while people are busy seeing the external fights between Tumukunde and Kayihura.

They have even pushed further a New Vision reporter was abducted and gone from the paper for days, this Charles Etukuri, who has had close relationship with Kayihura and nicknamed his “Social Media Manager”. Therefore, this was another assault on the pride of Kayihura, who had seen many of his men taken and his lieutenants.

We can question what is going on, as the crimes are not solved, the bounty on Susan Magara killers proves the lack of mentality to solve the crimes and the lack of honest work within the Police. That is not strange, as the state of affairs isn’t getting better. All of this has happen quickly, as Kayihura has to even beg the Parliament for additional funds, since only 5 % of his operation are getting salaries. They are lacking funds to pay salaries as the police squad has increased and also the equipment of the police has become better. That is not strange as before the General Election of 2016, they got everything from new mambas, tear-gas and more manpower.

To top it all off, the Minister Jeje Odongo, Internal Affairs Minister has told Kayihura to polish the image of the Police. Kinda hard to do that on a little candy and not even paid-in-full. While the structures are even smashed by other security organizations. This is happening while the monitoring of the political parties and the enemies of the state. Not following the criminals and such. They have spent fortunes to follow and monitor the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Even more on house-arresting Kizza Besigye over the last two years, even the financial costs of tear-gassing, live-bullets and the misuse of power against political opponents of the President. That has all to cost a fortune, the extra hours and the equipment. Even the famous van and mobile terrorizing place, can be seen as project made out of nothing.

The sudden loss of funds, the lack of budget to an organization blown up to be political and block politicians cost. When they are not serving the people, but the will of man. Who want to beat everyone into submission. Especially the ones he cannot bribe into it.

We you combine all of this factors, I have not even addressed the saga of Crime Preventers, who has been used by the Police and the State during the elections, paid for uniforms and weapons. This together with all the other factors, the training and the constant move of leaders. The strategic forces and questionable work of the police. The sudden Fika Salama campaigns are cool, but the issues are deeper, than just on the surface, that cars are overloaded.

The police force is up-to something and certain things kept quiet about. Even the stories of Gen. Sejusa might have some power in them. As his warnings year back is now coming into light. The darkness and lack of institutions, the lack of oversight and use of gangs to keep things at bay. Are now shown, as much as the police is acting as criminals. Just as the sudden militias that came and went, where police-shootings was appearing in Kapchorwa Police Station attacks with SUN, Gulu Central Police Station with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the insurgency of Kirumiramutima in Kasese. All of this had violence and killings involved, but they silently stopped without any resurgent attacks by anyone of them. The government sanctioned violence was the one visible against the Rwenzururu Kingdom, as it was also on these two Police Stations.

We can clearly, see that the vision of Gen. Sejusa has power, as he saw this all coming. It is now visible, the lack of clear leadership, the reckless behavior of IGP Kayihura and Security organizations. That his involved other questionable activity and use of organizations that was beneath and beyond the services supposed to be delivered by the Force. Also the lack of investigations and the lack of actually policing. More of just brash PR stunts and picturesque shows of public display, instead of actually catching the murderous, the ones picked up is quickly released.

All of this madness is connected, the lack of funds, the growing organization, the battle of supremacy between Tumukunde and Kayihura. All of this isn’t a game, but real life at stake, they are all doing all of this because the President wants it like this. They want to use the Security Organizations to make insecurity to fake their own agenda.

This would been a pulp-fiction novel, a quick-fix book you buy at a flea-market. Instead, this is happening right in front of our lives. They are misusing the state funds and violating our intelligence, while they are proud of their craft.

There is to many things missing, the plots and the ideas, the scenarios where this is making the regime winning, other than spreading fear and silence people. If that is the only goal, they are using high-power weapons and expensive monitoring of politicians. While they are using the police to create crime and not actually fight crime. Which is weird in itself. It is visible and vicious!

Kayihura, should wonder and be boggled, he has lack of funds and giant mission, he needs manpower to fulfill the Public Order Management Act and the others things he want to do to serve the President. He is the presidents loyal servant. That he knows, but the actions and the now internal squabble between him and Tumukunde. We can wonder who else will join in and if the Mobile Money, will make the UCC and other go against him too. Who knows at this point, but the words of Sejusa should be with all of us.

The words we should remember today, as the police are in tatters and the public played for fools, we should remember: “I wonder if Mr Museveni really knows what is going on in his own security institutions, or has he been rendered powerless by the very monster he created, i.e., personalised rule?” (Sejusa, 2014).

We should ask if he is powerless because of the monster he created and he made during his rule. If he is able to understand and get into his mind, what sort of violence and policing his has sanctioned. Kayihura and his business has been accepted by the State House for years. The ISO, ESO and CMI, are all organizations that Museveni has created. Not only the UPDF and Special Force Command, who are other groups he has given powers too and training too. They can now fight each other and use methods of state organized violence against innocent citizens and possible troublemakers. However, most likely they will create trouble themselves. These are the monsters Sejusa described, the reckless organizations that will make him powerless. That is why he tries to pull the strings on the Police Force, but is it too late?

Peace.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees steps up support for Uganda’s refugee programme (20.02.2018)

The data verification exercise is scheduled to be completed by September 2018 – including introduction of biometric checks at food distribution sites.

GENEVA, Switzerland, February 20, 2018/APO Group/ —

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, announced today new measures to support the government of Uganda’s refugee programme, including through a major biometric data verification exercise.
“We are taking extremely seriously recent developments in Uganda. The refugee programme in this country is of critical importance, given the scale of the emergency and the role model played by Uganda in welcoming and receiving so many people seeking international protection,” said UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, George Okoth-Obbo.

“On 1 March, in support of the Ugandan government, we together with our partners are launching a massive biometric verification exercise of all refugees in Uganda. This nation-wide re-enrolment and verification process will be key to help the government in fixing discrepancies in refugee data,” added Okoth-Obbo.

UNHCR has already deployed staff, with partner emergency teams, to start the exercise. In total, more than 400 staff will register refugees.

The data verification exercise is scheduled to be completed by September 2018 – including introduction of biometric checks at food distribution sites. The tried and tested UNHCR biometric system has already been used in 48 countries across the world and helped register some 4.4 million refugees.

In parallel, UNHCR’s independent Inspector General’s Office is rigorously pursuing its own oversight and due diligence measures, including investigations of several serious allegations received in 2017 on fuel embezzlement, one allegation of sexual exploitation and abuse, irregular tendering of water trucking, and fraud in procurement and food distribution.

Uganda initiated a probe in January after reports received by UNHCR and the World Food Programme (WFP) alleged corruption and grave misconduct by government officials involved in refugee assistance.

“Let me be crystal clear: the allegations reported so far are not focused on UNHCR. Our investigations aim at supporting the recently launched probe by the Ugandan prime minister to fight corruption and grave misconduct by its officials,” said UNHCR’s Okoth-Obbo.

“At UNHCR, we have zero tolerance for misconduct, abuse and exploitation. Every possible report or allegation is thoroughly assessed,” stressed Okoth-Obbo.

Allegations concerning other UN agencies or implementing partners have been referred to the respective organizations for internal investigation, and those concerning government staff or entities have been referred to authorities in Uganda. UNHCR is closely monitoring the outcomes of these investigations and is closely cooperating with the Ugandan authorities and other partners.

UNHCR is also strengthening its monitoring and oversight to prevent a reoccurrence of the events, including the deployment of more senior staff to help put in place additional safeguards.

These new measures are being implemented as the current Representative is reaching the end of his term and a more senior replacement is about to arrive.

“Throughout his time in Uganda, Mr Bornwell Kantande has demonstrated deep commitment, steering the UNHCR operation in a particularly challenging environment characterized by multiple refugee influxes, with Uganda now hosting the largest number of refugees of any country in Africa. After almost three years as Representative, he will shortly move to a new assignment and in the meantime continues to enjoy my full support and trust,” said UN High Commissionner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

Uganda provides protection to well over one million refugees, keeping an open-door policy for people fleeing conflict and persecution.

“We need a strong and collective response which aims at strengthening the refugee programmes in Uganda, while drawing lessons from the current situation,” concluded UNHCR’s Okoth-Obbo.

Uganda: UPDF and Guardian Primary School Authorities Standoff (13.02.2018)

Opinion: OPM “Ghosting” Refugees are following a long-history of “ghosts” from the Ministry!

I wish I could make this up, but there are to coincidences that just doesn’t happen, that the Prime Minister of Uganda Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi meets on the 2nd February 2018 and just mere days after the sources are revealing to the Daily Monitor about Ghost Refugees. Because the PM went into agreement of monitoring and scaling the Refugees after UNHCR standards.

As the official note of the meeting said:

Rugunda said the Government is committed to the noble cause of supporting refugees in the country, adding that government has agreed to embrace the UNHCR registration system to enhance its work in the refugee settlement areas. “Government has accepted to use the UNHCR system of registration for refugees to enable proper identification of refugees which will enable us to serve them better. The system will also enable collection of reliable data and records of refugees,” Rugunda said.” (OPM, 2018).

It is just so fitting that it happens just day before these ghosts was revealed on the 5th February:

Our sources said a number of spot-checks were made to test the accuracy of the refugee numbers that have been reported. Daily Monitor understands that one spot-check was conducted in Kampala. When the more than 26,000 refugees, who were purportedly receiving provisions were asked to physically turn up and collect their share, only about 7,000 showed up, suggesting that about 19,000 were “ghosts” whose monies and other resources had been pocketed by some individuals in OPM. The sources also pointed to collusion between OPM officials and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to steal the monies and other resources meant for refugees” (Serunjogi, 2018).

That means the UNHCR and OPM had no problem to fix funding for 19,000 ghosts in their systems. This meaning both the government and the UN Body in Uganda used the Refugee crisis to eat the money. They was initially eating on the people fleeing civil war in South Sudan and Internal Conflict (silent war) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These individuals needs shelter and support until they can return home to their war-torn regions.

This means that the fleeing people are used in schemes to gain fortunes. You have merchants of death, selling weapons to warlords. Then you have boosters of the aid-industry to create crisis to get careers by the misfortune of people. This is what the latter did, made fortunes and crimes against refugees for their own benefit. It’s sick and disgusting.

The OPM and the Ugandan authorities accepted the UNHCR methods days ahead, but their where people on the inside of UNHCR who accepted ghosts. However, the OPM have had similar scandals with cars, civil servants, teachers, schools, “air supply” and students. All of the been ghosting and even phantom projects, which only exists on paper, but not in reality. This is scandals only going back to 2012, 2013 and thereabouts. It isn’t ancient or back to the stone-age. The OPM is known for this and has done it under the PM Mbabazi and now under PM Dr. Rugunda. Different childhood friend, but the same narrative.

Therefore, it’s nothing new that the OPM are ghosting in Uganda, it is just demeaning and disgraceful that they do this to refugees. And on the payment of foreign donors and after pleas of pledges during the Refugee Summit last year. Where Museveni felt they should get funds for local development too, not only benefit the refugees. When that sentiment is clear, showing that ghosts are made to benefit the locals and not only the refugees. The leaders are eating on the misfortune of the fleeing individuals.

That should be sickening. Clearly its not for the OPM and UNHCR. Peace.

Reference:

OPM – ‘UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES VISITS UGANDA’ (02.02.2018) link. http://opm.go.ug/2018/02/02/united-nations-high-commissioner-for-refugees-visits-uganda/

Sserunjogi, Eriasa Mukiibi – ‘OPM hit by refugee corruption scandal’ (05.02.2018) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/OPM-hit-refugee-corruption-scandal-/688334-4291600-13m30m6z/index.html

Local EU Statement on Alleged Fraud and Corruption Cases in Refugee Settlements in Uganda (05.02.2018)

Dr. Ruhakana Ruganda (OPM) Government Statement: On Allegations of Possible Abuse of Refugee Funds (05.02.2018)

The NRM continues their evil financial circle, as the state debt grows to 31.2% in the FY 2018/19!

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) have over created a growing the debt. This meaning parts of the Financial Year of 2018/2019 is directly going to repay debt. NRM Regime is clearly paying more and more on the debt, than what they are paying for government services and also interest payment. The citizens of Uganda should be worried about how the NRM is projecting and using their funds, how they are adding debts to pay old debts. They are really disrespecting the wise people and the Republic. Since, they are over the time, not making the economy more healthy, but making it more sick. The signs has been there the last few years, as they are projecting petroleum profits. Even before it hits the ground running. It is worrying, that they are showing it this month in the numbers from the Parliamentary Budget Office.

The Present Value of public sector debt to GDP stood at 27.1 percent in FY 2016/17 and is projected to increase to 31.2 percent in FY 2017/18 below the thresholds of 50 percent stipulated in the Charter of Fiscal Responsibility” (Parliamentary Budget Office, P: 2, 2018).

If you wouldn’t worry that the debt in the public sector rises with 4.1 percent in one year. I don’t care about the charter. When a state is able to make it rise with 4.1 percent in budget year, it shows that the economy is not fiscal responsible, neither healthy. It’s like continue to super-size burgers, when you already fat and having high blood-pressure. It will weaken the system with the continued eating of the super-sized burgers, instead of trying to find a healthy diet. Which will change the blood-pressure and how the body will feel with a balanced diet. However, when it comes to economy, the NRM doesn’t believe this.

Domestic refinancing (borrowing to finance domestic debt) will account for 22 percent of total domestic resources” (…) “Domestic borrowing for purposes of financing the deficit is projected to

amount to UGX 939.9 billion” (…) “Project support will account for 97 percent of the total external resources while budget support will account 3 percent (from the World Bank and part of the PTA loan)” (Parliamentary Budget Office, P: 4, 2018). “Interest Payment projections include UGX 2,279bn for domestic securities (Treasury bills and bonds) and UGX 422bn for interest on external debt” (Parliamentary Budget Office, P: 5, 2018).

This here shows how the state is financing the debt and the repayment. Also how high they are pushing the domestic resources to repay domestic debt. This is clearly hitting the economy hard, when so big parts of the budget and resources is spent on repaying debt. This is all destroying the possibilities, since its taken a giant slice of the budget and using it on debts instead of paying salaries of teachers and civil servants.

This are the numbers, that people should take to heart. Because this debt and the rising debt is eating the budgets. The state is making it grow and is not containing it. That should worry anyone. Especially, the NRM who is in-charge and the President who has created this avenue and has to make sure this get payed. Peace.

Reference:

Parliamentary Budget Office – ‘INDICATIVE BUDGET AT A GLANCE – FY 2018/19’ (January 2018)

UPDF: “Allegations by Lt. John Harrison Obote” (18.01.2018)

Chapter Four Uganda Statement: “First Anniversary of Kasese Killings: We Remember” (27.11.2017)

One year ago, more than 55 people – including at least 14 police officers – were killed in the Kasese clashes on November 26. A day later, the military and police forces launched a deadly assault on the Rwenzururu palace killing more than 100 civilians – including children.

One year later, we know more than 180 civilians were arrested and charged in court. However, no military or police officer has been charged for the killing of civilians. Families continue to narrate their ordeal of missing relatives and the palace remains cordoned off by security forces as a crime scene.

We call for an independent and impartial investigation into the role of security forces in the Kasese killings to deliver justice to the victims and their families.