UNMISS working to establish facts of peacekeeper involvement in the death of two civilians (21.01.2019)

UNMISS promptly informed the South Sudan National Police Service of the incident.

JUBA, South Sudan, January 21, 2019 – During a security incident at a base operated by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in the capital Juba on Saturday, two civilian contractors were shot by a peacekeeper and died as a result of their injuries.

UNMISS promptly informed the South Sudan National Police Service of the incident. The Mission is taking steps to establish the facts of the incident that occurred at Durupi and has convened a review team comprised of representatives from UNMISS force, police and security services.

UNMISS deeply regrets the loss of life and is providing support to the families of the two men who died.

The 200 Shillings of Doom: Tumwebaze mixed messages concerning the Social Media Tax!

We knew that the statements of 2018, as the loyal ICT Minister Frank Tumwebaze hadn’t done his due diligence, as the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) issued a Social Media Tax last year after President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni wrote a letter to the Ministry of Finance asking for the opportunity to tax this.

That has no been done over the last few months, but as the realization of the effects are coming. The forewarning of CSBAG and others wasn’t listen to. I wrote that it lacked due diligence of the tax in June 2018 and today. As I open Daily Monitor and seeing that Frankie Boy has changed his ways. He has opened his eyes and seeing what some of us saw all along. As the cost of content, the cost of using social media and that this has ensured that it is less viable. Since, its the elites who can use it, but the lower level civil servants cannot afford to be online. That was natural, that the 200 shillings per day would be taken directly of the plate and also evaporate funds for investment within the Republic. It is a negative tax, and therefore, naturally have reverse effect, than what the state promised when they levied it.

Tumwebaze statement in July 2018:

When Ministry of Finance is borrowing, we, the Parliament and civil society are grilling them for borrowing. But when we say this is a sector that has grown in the economy so let’s get a bit of it, let’s get Shs. 6,000 from every holder of a smartphone consuming OTTs, what production capacity will it stifle?” (…) “Is USD 1,4 too much for a citizen to contribute to tax yet you have money to buy a smartphone, minimumly at Shs. 300,000 that is data enabled, and you load bundles of over shs. 30,000? Logically it doesn’t make sense” (Frank Tumwebaze, 17.07.2018).

Tumwebaze statemetn in January 2019:

The committee chaired by Annet Nyakecho said Over The Top tax seems to negatively affect the consumption of ICT services and products. In response, ICT Minister, Mr Frank Tumwebaze admitted that the tax is has had adverse effects on the sector. He said they were “hoodwinked” by their counterparts in the Finance Ministry that the introduction of the tax on the basis that it would widen the country’s revenue base” (Ssebuliba, 2019).

ICT Minister Tumwebaze was so positive and thinking this was the future. This was how to widen the tax-base, but instead. It has as expected made the usage of Social Media expensive. Which means also there is lack of funds for the ones operating within the Social Media and making Online Businesses. This is both happening because of the hard hitting taxes on Social Media, but also the Mobile Money Tax. Both taxes has both the Mobile Money Industry and the ICT development, as they are both having less activity and less usage. Which is natural, when the costs are going up.

The ICT Minister should have known this before speaking so warm about it. Any tax are taking money out of the system. The 200 shillings of doom is clear. The state could have listen to the advice, but didn’t open the ears to it.

In June 30 2018, Daily Monitor reported this: “Civil society organisations have accused the government of trying to stifle debate online with this tax, while others like the Civil society Budget Advocacy group CSBAG, say the tax will have a negative impact on a business.” (Hinamundi, 2018).

So, if the ICT Minister Tumwebaze could have known and stopped this. They could have done the right thing and not continued this path. Instead they have hurt the industry, because they are all blindly following the orders of the President. That is what the state did and they levied the 200 shillings of doom, as it was anticipated by anyone else. Than, the authorities itself. Peace.

Reference:

Samuel Ssebuliba – ‘Parliament orders assessment on impact of social media tax’ 18.01.2019, link: https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Parliament-orders-assessment-impact-social-media-tax/688334-4940312-rph8g3z/index.html

Collins Hinamundi – ‘How government will collect the new social media tax’ 30.07.2018, link: https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/How-government-will-collect-new-social-media-tax/688334-4639596-juy8n3z/index.html

Opinion: The State Minister for Teso Affairs have forgotten her role as a Minister by getting people arrested over nothing!

Until you put these things to right, you’re not entitled to boast of the justice meted out to thieves, for it’s a justice more specious than real or social desirable. You allow these people to be brought up in the worst possible way, and systematically corrupted from their earliest years. Finally, when they grow up and commit the crimes that they were obviously destined to commit, ever since they were children, you start punishing them. In other words, you create thieves, and then punish them for stealing.”Thomas More

We have this week been really introduced to the State Minister for Teso, Honourable Agnes Akiror Egunyu, who has made headlines for not having patience to wait in a queue inside a bank in Soroti. She is supposed to be busy help the Internally displaced in Teso, following up Presidential Pledges in the Region and other matters. However, for her it was more important to get people detained for making her stand in a tiny queue.

I will, first show the six key activities, that the State Minister is supposed to focus on, but she has apparently other motives in her work. As the quote of the Daily Monitor first and than New Vision follow-up. Seriously, it is a real mess, because the Teso Affairs isn’t that important to her.

Minister of Teso Affairs is supposed to do this: “1, Monitoring and coordinating the implementation of PRDP and other Government Programmes. 2, Coordinating/liaising and collaborating with other Government MDAs delivery of services. 3, Following up on the fulfilment of Presidential pledges. 4, Resettling former IDPs. 5, Promoting peace building and resolving conflicts. 6. Implementing special and specific affirmative interventions” (OPM – ‘Teso Affairs’).

A bank teller, who spoke to Daily Monitor on condition of anonymity, said Ms Akiror entered the bank and wanted to go past other clients straight to the teller. When the queueing clients complained, she got angry and called Mr Ogwal. Mr Ogwal told Daily Monitor that he was contacted by the minister for help on allegations that she had been attacked at the branch by two men as she made her transactions. “She called me like any other person for help. It is the reason I ordered the district police commander to rush to the bank where the arrests were made,” he said” (Muron & Emwamu, 2019).

Two customers of dfcu Bank’s Soroti branch who were arrested for allegedly disturbing the peace of the state minister for Teso affairs, Agnes Akiror Egunyu, in the bank hall have been charged and released on Police bond” (…) “In an interview with the New Vision, Akiror accused the duo for abusing her while she was making a transaction. “I found clients queuing in the bank without a teller in the counter to serve them. One teller accepted to help me after I pleaded for help, but those men started abusing me seriously,” Akiror said” (Opio, 2019).

She is really acting entitled with this action this week. Seemingly, the State Minister has forgotten her work, he play in society and that she is not above the ordinary people. The State Minister should have no issues waiting in a queue. That she got the two people arrested inside the Bank. Really shows her ways and how she has gotten corrupted by the Public Office she has. Instead of working for any of the key activities, because that is not to get people arrested for being customers inside a bank. Because that is what she did.

If she had been serious as a State Minister, we would have read reports where she took charge in the plenty of Presidential Pledges made in the Teso Regions. State Minister Akiror Egunyu did this to the citizens, which happened to be in the bank at the same time. Just so utter disgrace for her role in society and her natural entitlement.

She thinks she is that special now, that she can force herself first, as she is a Minister. That shows what is wrong in society, when the Police is called upon for this and detains them. Just because, they didn’t let her first in the queue. Peace.

Reference:

Emmanuel Opio – ‘Two arrested over insulting minister in bank hall’ 17.01.2019, link: https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1492780/arrested-insulting-minister-bank-hall

George Muron & Simon Peter Emwamu – ‘Bank clients arrested for ‘disturbing’ Teso minister’ 16.01.2019, link: https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Bank-clients-arrested-for–disturbing–Teso-minister/688334-4936798-mklyiiz/index.html

South Sudan: National Salvation Front/Army – Official Statement (18.01.2019)

BoU Scandal: Mmaks Advocates – Press Release (12.01.2019)

South Sudan: UNMISS – PoC Update (12.01.2019)

Rwanda: FDU-Inkingi – Illegal Detention of FDU-Inkingi Political Prisoners Extended (09.01.2019)

Age Limit: The value of the Life Presidency is now about two Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita!

What if I told you that, based on the incoming numbers from today’s reporting and last year. We can establish the certain cost of the Age Limit Bill and how much the National Resistance Movement (NRM) or the NRM MPs has cost in total. An amendment of the Constitution, which in purpose have given President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Life Presidency.

With that in mind, I have calculated what each of the NRM MPs have gotten in payment. As it first was the cost of Consultations and the total value of that, later I have taken the direct payment for passing the bill. So take a look!

Latest report on the payment:

The first installment of Shs 40 million was paid before the amendment was passed in 2017 with another installment of Shs 100 million coming immediately after the passing of the Bill. The final installment of Shs 60 million was to be paid on November 30 last year. At the beginning of this week, the MPs received telephone calls from the leadership of the NRM Parliamentary caucus to go for the money but instead of the Shs 60 million, the MPs received Shs 45 million” (Kabuubi, 2019).

Lets do some calculations:

Each of the 317 Members of the NRM Caucus have gotten in total Shs. 85 million shillings or offered this, as it is reported. I will look at the whole sum for everyone, as it is to hectic to calculate the ones that didn’t receive it all, as they wanted the whole sum of Shs. 100 million, but the proof of cost is still up-to-date. As it shows how much the state anticipated to pay for the whole operation to the MPs in question.

So the sum for passing to date is about Shs. 85 million Ugandan shillings doesn’t say so much internationally, so if your using the foreign exchange today. Each MP would get in about $22,740 US Dollars. That is in both instances with the total fee, however, today, they got equlent about “only” $ 12,041 US Dollars or £9,415 Great British Pounds.

This is the payment done for the bill itself, but for the ones remembering back in time. This isn’t the first fee, these honourables got for doing so. The MPs got a consultation fee each. Which I stated like this in October 2018, when the MPs got Shs. 29 millions each for consulting their constituents.

To put the 29 million in perspective is about $ 8000 United States Dollars or £ 6000 Great British Pounds (With the exchange rate in October 2018). So it isThe whole cost of the consultation of the bill was $ 3,553.660 or about 3,5 million United States Dollar. That is the cost of the MPs consultations is equivalent of 13 billion Uganda Shillings or about 3,5 million US Dollars.

That was then, but now with the revelation, there are more money at play. Making the calculation more interesting. As the whole freaking project is getting under wraps. Because, we should calculate all the millions spent on these MPs, to prove the value of Life Presidency in the eyes of Bosco. As he sees this sums fit to give life to his dream of ruling until eternity. The $ 3,5m USD was premature. Since there was even the direct payments to the 317 NRM Caucus MPs. Which was revealed today.

With that in mind, lets do the Math:

Shs. 29m + Shs. 85m = Shs. 114m or $ 30,501 USD or even £ 23,844 GBP each.

That is what the MPs gotten each in Consultation Fees and Direct Payment. We should still look at the whole shindig. Therefore we have to look into how much Shs. 114m are times 317 MPs. That is about Shs. 36 billion or into $ 9,6m USD, or about £ 7,5m GBP.

To put that in perspective how much that really is. In Ugandan Perspective, it is as much as the Namugongo Museum Development Committee planned in 2016 to spend on Anglican Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo, as they would develop the museum, build a conference centre, guest house and a library.

To do another one, the value of the Age Limit bills as of today, it is about the value of two Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita, which is valued about $4.8m USD. Which is an upgrade, as in October last year, the value of the Age Limit was valued to one single Aston Martin. Which is fine itself, but a bit low, considering the value of the Presidency and its perks. The Presidency should cost more and be more expensive. This is still cheap, even if two Koenigsegg is a costly affair.

We should expect more, as we know how the prices on good players are in the Premier League, they are through the roof and a slot of the Presidency shouldn’t be sold for cheap, it should be some Gareth Bale, Christiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé or Neymar. The Ugandan President cost as much as the transfer of Nottingham Forrest Michael Antonio to West Ham in 2016, which in the schemes of things. Is nothing in comparison to the trade of Age Limit. The gift of extension of Presidency and being the Head of State, the Commander-in-Chief and so-on. That should be valued more.

Two fantastic Koeningsegg or a Championship transfer to the Premier League isn’t capturing the seriousness in the trade. To get the opportunity of becoming President for Life, should cost more. We all should agree on that. Peace.

Reference:

Gyagenda Kabuubi – ’Cash bonanza in Parliament as MPs get paid age limit balance’ 09.01.2019, link: https://intelpostug.com/2019/01/09/cash-bonanza-in-parliament-as-mps-get-paid-age-limit-balance/

South Sudan: SPLM/A-IO – Letter to Gov. Simon Oath Duol of Bieh State – “Subject: Reorganization of Cien Jak Counties in Bieh and Jonglei States (07.01.2019)

Opinion: Mzee is aiding the RNC and FDLR in the DRC!

Certainly, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is true to himself and his own personal gains. If there was someone to own and support militias within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Why do I say that, well, he earns fortunes on conflict minerals exported through Entebbe International Airport and gold refined in Entebbe as well. Therefore, the recent reports aren’t new in a way, but the senses of it.

In the past, Museveni has together with other neighbours supported the rebellion of M-23 and other outfits. It has been because of potential of exploits, but also direct control in the mineral rich Republic. That is what the President does to enrich himself on others suffering.

We can now, see from both Virunga Times and New Times, the connections and the way things are going. That Museveni are scheming again, this as in the recent months, FDLR or M.R.C.D. have attacked Rwandan soil. While the Group of Experts report from the UN on the 31st December 2018, proved a connection of support of the FDLR in Uganda. As the reported stated that, there was a meeting with Philemon Mateke, Uganda’s state minister for regional affairs, telling the objective from Museveni; while the FDLR operatives was later arrested on the border into DRC.

Here is the two important pieces of intelligence:

Indeed, this rigour on the part of the report’s authors is likely the reason that made Kayumba Nyamwasa sufficiently panicky to feel compelled to gather a few of his trusted partners in crime to think about ways to avert what is clearly an impending UN sanctions regime against him. Kayumba’s peronal assistant, Kennedy Gihana, and RNC financier Tribert Rujugiro’s publicist, David Himbara, were quickly mobilised and tasked with engaging media houses with the aim of undermining the UNGoE report, according to a source within top RNC circles. They were given talking points to deny that: Kayumba has ever travelled to the location of the operation base in the DRC; has any force anywhere; indeed, that he knows nothing of any “P5” formation” (Albert Rudatsimburwa – ‘Kayumba Nyamwasa in panic mode as sanctions loom’ 06.01.2019, link: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/kayumba-nyamwasa-panic-mode-sanctions-loom).

The objective, continued Museveni’s message, would be to gain support needed to popularize the rebellion in the international media and to bring attention to their shared cause. “Museveni is prepared to take the risk provided that they furnish him diplomatic cover that suggests that this is a broad-based rebel outfit with legitimate grievances,” according to an analyst familiar with politics of the region who happens to be aware of these goings-on” (…) “Most importantly, Museveni’s commitment for a “lasting solution” to their shared problem seemed to delight the representatives of the two outfits, who reassured the “messenger” that they were ready to close ranks in line with his guidance. As this website has reported, it is common practice for RNC senior officials to travel to Kampala where they are accorded protocol and armed security that at times is beyond what under normal circumstances is accorded even special visitors of the state. Indeed, their meetings with senior officials in security circles (particularly CMI and ISO) confirms that in the goals of FDLR and RNC, Museveni sees a shared interest worthy of serious investment” (James Wakabi – ‘MUSEVENI’S SUPPORT FOR RWANDA’S DISSIDENTS CONTINUES AS KAMPALA MEETING DETAILS REVEALED’ 07.01.2018, link: http://virungapost.com/2019/01/07/musevenis-support-for-rwandas-dissidents-continues-as-kampala-meeting-details-revealed/).

We know see, with these revelations, that there are conceptions and deceptions on the way. That both the militias, the government and the ones in-charge, planning and scheming behind closed doors. In meetings like gangsters and not keeping minutes, as they wants to get certain things out. That we see the activity and sponsorship directly from Museveni. This shows that he is gearing up again. For what real reason is not certain, until its revealed. What is clear, is that there is something sinister going-on. The Neighbours are sponsoring militias within the DRC and they are toying with each other with these forces for various of reasons and grievances. Who knows how this will end, but Museveni never stops to entertain these things, that is what is worrying. As he supporters and facilitate through Kisoro, Kasese and other places in Uganda, as the militias can cross easily into the porous borders there. Peace.