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.

The starting point of a Political Stalemate in Kampala: Luwkago Vs. Kamya!

This had to come at some point, especially by the one that inherited the Minister Post from Frank Tumwebaze, this being Uganda Federal Alliance and best friend with the man in the Entebbe State House Beti Kamya. She is now taking the place of Tumwebaze and doing exactly like he did back-in-the-day. He stifled the powers of the elected Local Councilors and Divisions Mayors. By all means going against the opposition leader and Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. This is deja vu. We have been here a few years ago. We can just wait to KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi to jump behind Kamya and say Lukwago is all wrong in his acts. That is what we can anticipate. I just wonder when Presidential Advisor Singh Katongole will advise Musisi and Kamya. This will just start a fire, where usually the elected leaders get into the burning flames and not the selected people of Museveni. That is what history has learned us.

Therefore the news coming from Kampala today, wasn’t surprising:

“City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has suspended the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) council meetings indefinitely following a stalemate between the technical and political wings. KCCA directors have so far boycotted three consecutive council meetings. The impasse started on January 25 when the directors refused to participate in a council meeting that had been described as “null and void” by the Kampala minister, Beti Kamya. Kamya argued that argued that there is nothing called “resumed meeting” in the KCCA Act. The resumed meeting is a continuation of previous meeting’s agenda. Councillors blocked the directors for over an hour when they decided to walk out of the “resumed meeting”, saying they are only answerable to the minister” (URN, 2018).

We clearly knew this would happen at some point. That it took this long time was rare. Since Hon. Tumbewaze went in after the General Election in 2011. So he got the Lord Mayor impeached and removed in 2013. So he had grievances before entering his chair as Lord Mayor as incumbent in 2016. When he tried to get the lost salary between 2013 and 2016 returned. However, the new Minister Kamya dismissed that early in a letter. Therefore, the relationship between Kamya and Lukwago was settled from the start.

We know that Kamya is a wild-card, most likely why she was appointed this position. Since she can run fire and she is power-hungry. So we will not respect any Ward Mayor, Division Mayor or Lord Mayor. Even the Executive Director Musisi seemingly seems more distance and having less of appeal after the appointment of Kamya. Musisi had more say during the years of Tumbewaze. That is not so for now. She is more ceremonial and galleon figure in the spot-light, but not the real power. Kamya has all of that and shown that with directives and decisions within the City. This without consultation in the other boards, other than directives from the State House and such. That is why traders and hawkers has kicked out of important trading places for development projects. This is proven during 2017. It is now becoming now hostile. It is now lit between them .

Musisi seems happy that Kamya are attacking and making life harder for Lukwago. Seemingly, that will be next step. Since Lukwago has suspended meetings, which Kamya hasn’t honored. She is supposed to follow and write yearly reports to the Parliament, also she could veto if she disagrees. However, she has decided not to show up. While the other mayors of Kampala has done so.

This here is the proof of the tangled deliberate attempt of not only undermining Lukwago, but all sort of opposition to NRM in Kampala. That is why the Minister is trying to take control and that is why the KCCA came into function. So that the Lord Mayor whoever opposition candidate to NRM would be caught under fire and could be dismissed to the dogs. So that one of the appointed leaders could takeover and take credit for the development of Kampala. If that isn’t visible, why are even the Division Mayors and Directors of Kampala undermining Lukwago? Who just most like trying to make sure there are checks- and balances. The only thing mattering to Minister is her loyalty to NRM and State House. That is why this is good news for the State House.

If this is the first step for the second trial and taking hostage of the Lord Mayor. I wouldn’t be surprised. The whole build-up of political framework and organizations are built to destroy and deplete the Lord Mayor. The City Hall are supposed to be controlled directly by the Minister and KCCA. Not by the political committees or others. Who are just there because the President needs someone there, but they are not his cronies. Peace.

Reference:

URN – ‘Lukwago suspends KCCA Council indefinitely’ (05.02.2018) link: http://observer.ug/news/headlines/56822-lukwago-suspends-kcca-council-indefinitely.html

Uganda Local Government Workers Union (ULGWU) letter to PM Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda – “Reminder: Remunerations Enhancement for Local Government Workers” (29.08.2017)

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

MPS 2017/2018 KCCA: A Political budget and a sorry state for the schools…

Honorable Beti Kamya have put forward the proposed budget for the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and it reveals certain aspects. For being such a loyal crony of President Museveni, Hon. Beti Kamya and Executive Director Jennifer Musisi are painting a bleak picture of the Capital City. Therefore, the reports from the leadership to the Parliament proves the initial mismanagement and the needed functions lacking resources. This is only in Kampala, just breath for a moment and think how it will be up-country! Just take a look!

“For the FY 2017/18, KCCA budget is projected at UGX 337.39 Bn of which UGX 162.8 Bn is Government grants, UGX 20Bn is from Uganda Road Fund, UGX 31.79 Bn is for the FY 2017/18, KCCA budget is projected at UGX 337.39 Bn of which UGX” (KCCA, P: 5, 2017).

Political budget:

“UGX 14.9 billion for Monthly emoluments for political leaders and their political assistant at Divisional and Authority level” (…) “ UGX 1.3 billion for Committee sitting allowances” (…) “UGX 103.4 million for payment of local council political leaders” (KCCA, P: 52, 2017).

Office advances:

The KCCA have put forward to the Town Clerks shs. 5 millions, to the Divison’s Mayor’s shs. 5 millions and the Deputy Mayor’s shs. 1,5 million, this is all office imprest, an imprest is an advance for government work. So the advance for office equipment comes for possibly service rendered (KCCA, P: 116, 2017).

Unfunded roads:

“Over the last four years, KCCA with support from the Government of Uganda has invested heavily in improving the City Road network however, unfunded road works are estimated at over UGX 25.4 billion” (KCCA, P: 64, 2017).

Improvement of Schools:

“KCCA inherited a total of 81 public primary schools many of which are dilapidated. The public schools accommodate a total of 67,700 children. Although efforts have been made to improve the conditions and facilities at some of the schools, many remain in a sorry state. The situation has also been compounded by the fact that KCCA does not have ownership of some of the land on which the schools are situated. KCCA requires UGX. 5 billion to reconstruct and upgrade 6 schools where title of ownership has been secured. These include; Kansanga P/S in Makindye (1200 pupils), Kisasi P/s in Kawempe (900 pupils), Kyagwe Rd P/s in Central (700 pupils and currently absorbing pupils from Nabagereka P/S), Bukasa P/S in Makindye (700 pupils), Mirembe P/S in Makindye (870 Pupils) and Kitebi P/S in Lubaga (2,100 pupils)” (KCCA, P: 64,2017).

This here says it all about the state of affairs in Kampala, there are planned expansions of roads and such, but that should be up to Kampala Express and Kampala Dispatch to discuss. Just joking, but the truth is that there is clearly a drainage problem and lots of the MPS is devoted to this, as much as the road construction as well. I just look at the total overall and what is most significant. Hope it gives you insights to how the new Minister and loyal crony Hon. Kamya thinks of the administration of the city. Peace.

Reference:

Kampala Capital City Authority – ‘MINISTERIAL POLICY STATEMENT For FINANCIAL YEAR 2017/18 VOTE 122’

The NRM Regime have during the FY2015/2016 fallen behind on paying out UGX 2.7 trillion!

Today I am dropping numbers that are devastating, as the numbers of debt that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) isn’t paying, show’s sufficient motives for malpractice when it comes to budgeting and the structure of payments. There are certainly not enough transparency and clear audit of the state reserves, as the State is misusing seriously amount of funds. The NRM Regime and their President should be ashamed by their record.

Emmanuel Katongole is the Head Information Technology in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) in Uganda on the 12^th April 2017, he dropped a document on their web-page that show’s the domestic arrears of the Republic of Uganda in the last Financial Year.

If you wonder what Domestic Arrears means: “The amount by which a government has fallen behind in its payment of interest and principal on debt to lenders within its own country” (Encyclo.co.uk). So Katongole will literately show how bad the National Resistance Movement is on paying their bills and expenditure. All the sums of this report is in Ugandan Shillings (UGX).

Like under the Office of the President and the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) who itself leaves arrears in the margin of 3.8bn shillings and 8bn shillings in other payable arrears. That one part of the budget and current audit of the Office of the President as the total of verified arrears at June 2016 was 37bn shillings alone. So the Office of the President owes a lot of funds that it hasn’t paid, not only for the ISO!

The State House by the verified arrears at June 2016 was 1bn shillings. What is more unsettling is that the Pensions and Gratitude for Veterans are the sum of 183bn shillings, Survivors 315bn shillings, EXGRATIA 10bn and UNLA 26bn shillings. The Ministry of Defense by June 2016 verified arrears was 718bn shillings! So the MoD are a lax payer of their expenses and expenditure.

Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs owes verified arrears by June 2016 the amount of 684bn. Shillings Court Awards unpaid by the Ministry is 203bn shillings. The Electoral Commission has growing verified arrears by June 2016 because of Unsettled penal insterest for URA in the total sum of 3.2bn shillings. Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has by June 2016 billed up verified arrears by 283bn shillings.

This is just some of the government that has not paid their dues and their expenses, their salaries or pensions, even their lacking covering of funds to pay debt, either internal or external. So the National Resistance Movement are clearly running an economy and fiscal policy that isn’t healthy for the republic.

Just to drop the total sum that the Government of Uganda has failed to pay or failed payments on their debt are by June 2016 the total of 2.7 Trillions of Uganda Shillings! Which is an insane number and amount of misspent monies by the state. The strategy by the Republic to fail so miserably cannot be sustainable, as the invoices and the target to pay their debt should be the most important. Still, the NRM doesn’t seem to think so. They are surely missing steps to having a sound economy when the verified arrears are hitting 2.7 trillions by June 2016. So the Financial Year of 2015/2016, the Ugandan government failed to serve out over 2 trillion of their needed expenses!

What is troubling that the year before, the total state had not paid on their debt and failing expenses in the Financial Year of 2014/2015 as by June 2015 we’re totally 1.389 or close to 1.4 Trillion shillings. So the miss-match between FY2014/2015 and FY 2015/2016 are 1.3 Trillion shillings. So the clear picture is that the Election Year for the NRM is very, very expensive.

Just think about that… eat the bill and pound on the amount of lost monies in the system. Peace.

 

KCCA letter: “Re: Installation of CCTV Cameras and re-organisation of the Boda-Boda Operations in Kampala” (23.03.2017)

CSBAG Statement: The Budget We Want 2017/18 (20.01.2017)