Political Parties spending during campaigns in November and December 2015; NRM buying shirts and ferrying crowds; while the others Parties use meager funds their campaigns

NRM Pakwach 14.11.15

This here has been address by others, but this is my view on the report released by NGOs recently. So here is my view on how the parties have spent on the two months, and the issue is that is very important to discuss. Since this is use of money to gain power or to shape the political landscape. The use of moneys and what you use it on show the values and to what extend you will pay to either continue or get power. The pages are after the counting system of Acrobat document, the official document will have different numbers because Acrobat count the empty pages in the beginning also. Therefore the numbers are higher then what it is in the report and don’t get that confused. I just do it to make it easy.

“The minimum amount of money observed to have been spent by parties and their flag bearers in the observed districts was UGX 49.6 billion in November and 88.1 billion in December representing an increase of 77% over the two months. This increase is largely attributed to the commencement of member or parliament campaigns having been nominated on the 3rd and 4th of December 2015” (…)”ACFIM observers reported use of motorcades, bodabodas cyclists, entertainers; and provided transport refund, food and drinks for supporters that accompanied them to nomination and attended the nomination rallies” (P: 8, 2016).

“Assessment of Minimum Expenses by Party:

According to ACFIM observers, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party candidates are leading by far terms of campaign spending. The party accounts for 87% of the total minimum observed expenditures reported by ACFIM Research Assistants/Observers in the months of November and December. NRM is trailed by Independent Candidates who have spent 7.9%, FDC (2.1%), Go Forward political group (1.1%), DP (0.5%), UPC (0.3%) and other parties (0.3%)” (P: 10, 2016).

Yellow Buses Luweero 081115 NRM

NRM Minimum costs:

There has been observed how the NRM have been using funds on their candidates and campaigning from June 2015 to December 2015. This here proves yet again to what extent the ruling parties secure loyalty and MPs. Every NRM Village has spent minimum UGX 15m. The delegates conference for the constitutional amendment they spent UGX 19M. The Second delegate’s conference to elect Flag-Bearer UGX 20M; then it’s the monies spent to MPs to secure the vote for sole-candidacy that was UGX 6M. They also spent money for Posh Cars for party officials UGX 10M. Last was paying for the NRM Primaries which cost about UGX 30M. That means the minimum cost for NRM we’re UGX 100M (P: 12, 2016). That is before you really start to campaign!

Page 12 Expenses FDC June - December 2015

Expenses of Presidential Candidates in November and December:

“The candidate Yoweri Museveni accounts for majority of the total minimum expenditure with 91.6% of the total minimum expenses recorded. Candidate Museveni is followed by Amama Mbabazi whose expenditure accounts for 4.6% and Kizza Besigye (3.3%). The rest of the candidates spent less than 1.0% combined” (P: 16, 2016).

NRM giving money away to gain support:

“The Money Man”; He is retired Leut. Gen. Henry Tumukunde. He was handing over UGX 20million to an association of vendors in Entebbe Market in December. He has been leading the advance party of candidate Yoweri Museveni. Observers in Arua reported that he handed out UGX 50,000 to 400 voters who claimed to have converted from FDC – they met him at White Castle Hotel in Arua” (P: 19, 2016).

Elton Joseph Mabirizi 17.11.15

Expenses on Journalists by Presidential Candidate (Nov & Dec):

“Yoweri Museveni outstrips his competitors in terms of expenditure on facilitation of Journalists on campaign trail. Observers report that candidate Yoweri Museveni has a team on 20 local journalists (electronic and print) that are covering his campaign trail, each of these journalists receives daily upkeep (per diem and incidentals) of UGX 150,000 from the candidate’s campaign coordination team. In addition when the candidate conducts regional press conferences, the facilitation for journalists attending the press conference rises to UGX 500,000 and about 50 journalists can be in attendance (i.e. the 20 on campaign trail are joined by 20-30 others from the region). Journalists on candidate Amama Mbabazi campaign trail get up a reported minimum of UGX 40,000 while journalists covering candidate Kizza Besigye and others get much less or nothing” (P: 31, 2016).

Starlink Buses for NRM 06.01.2016 P1

Voter Tourism:

“Voter tourism as the practice by candidates where voters are provided with buses, trucks, minibuses or cars and driven from their homes to campaign rallies or around the constituency as an inducement to voters in return for their support come polling day. Clearly a poor voter who has not sat in an automobile for a year or more will be more than excited to enjoy the ride provided by the political candidate free of charge. Voter tourism has been prevalent in November and December with candidates of the NRM party most commonly observed engaging in this campaign tactic. Voter hospitality on the other hand is a situation where political candidate host voters to a banquet or party or meal or retreat where are treated to a good meal, animals slaughtered and cooked or roasted, lots of drinks including booze, music/disco, live entertainment and sometimes lodging in a comfortable hotel, motel or lodge. Voter tourism and voter hospitality were prevalent in November and December with majority of candidates across political parties complicity to this” (P: 41, 2016). To continue why the candidates use this tactic; “Political candidates that have been observed to engage in campaign tactics like voter tourism and voter hospitality in November and December, do not do so because they are generous, but because they expect recipients to return the favour. The timing of these offers in the middle of an election campaign and the nature of intended beneficiaries for this generosity is clear manifestation that the aim is to induce voters in return for their support on February 18th, 2016. This clearly is voter bribery” (P: 43, 2016)

Handouts During Campaigns 2015 Uganda

Misuse of Government Resources:

“On the 9th of November 2015 a number of government vehicles were used on candidate Museveni’s rally held at Kasana Play Ground. Some of the vehicle registration plates observed in action at the rally include: UG2183C, UG 0178H, UG1427W, UG 0187D, UG 2688D, UG 2183C, UG 2043C, UG 2405C. UG 1832S, UG1768C. Observers in Katikamu report that on the same day government vehicle number UG 2708R was used to transport supporters to Kasana playground” (P: 44, 2016). “Similarly on December 3rd 2015 dependent candidate for Katikamu South Member of Parliament Patricia Magara was observed using a bus with government number plates to ferry campaign attendees from different sub counties to her nomination rally in Bulakasa” (P: 45, 2016).

Gen Tukumunde Entebbe Dec 2015 - Money Man for NRM

The minimum NRM expenses of only November 2015 are 125,219,922,000! (P: 50, 2016) That is a lot’s of money. I will point out some special expenses that the NRM party has used this giant UGX 125bn on campaign for November 2015! That is lots of lots money! For Voter Tourism they have used UGX 140m in November alone. Allowances for 500 Special Force Command men as Campaign Security total pay cost UGX 300m in November alone. On Yellow T-shirts the NRM party used UGX 15,806bn that is a lot on type of item, it surely is to sprite up those campaign rallies and Yellow crowds! After quick calculations they used close to UGX 1,4bn on media advertisements on TV, Radio and Newspapers. On campaign posters the hefty sum of UGX 1,7bn (P: 49-50, 2016).

Though FDC used a UGX 1bn as the biggest opposition party, it still proves the total use of funds from NRM. I am not surprised with all the knowledge of voter tourism and also giving away foods and items at their campaign venues. The tally has to get big for the ruling party with all the hiring of buses and such proves how much their viable to use to get the perfect crowds and pictures to the press. Like yesterday there we’re reports of a village that was the size of 500 people, the NRM had a campaign rally of 20,000. Surely they had some buses and shipped them to that venue as they have done before and hired bus-companies to travel and pay to get crowds. Something FDC and the other parties does not do.

NRM Terego East 17.11.15

The NRM proves to be the big-spender and would be surprised if the result from a NGO would be different, maybe if Ofwono Opondo would describe it differently.  He said this recently: “It is true that NRM is outspending other parties. It is true that we spent over UGX32b during NRM primaries” (…)”We are spending the money locally. We are buying t-shirts, water, paying musicians, hire cars from Ugandans” (…)”There’s no evidence that money being spent by political parties is causing inflation pressure” (TheInsider, 2016).

Mr Opondo is not a giant economic sense of a guy, the extended monies into use without monetary policy can lead into higher inflations, that is why the two recent elections periods in Uganda in 2006 and 2001 that the inflations rate we’re escalating and also led to higher prices on the household commodities. But Mr. Opondo has a way of forgetting such while his party is big spending. As they have their own “Money Man” during the campaign and continue to support the level of Voter Tourism. I am surely they have an own warehouse just for Yellow T-Shirts near a Headquarter of the NRM. They should they have used such a fortune on it and the ones they haven’t given away should be stored well.

The war-chest of NRM must be huge. As the reports before November was expected that NRM would use UGX 500bn, and by seeing the results of November alone in this report proves that those estimations was spot-on. If you can calculate the same amount for December and January; then you get up to the estimated usage of NRM party. Mzee surely like to make blast and bang while using spin-doctors to portray him as the national father of the country. While the other parties can nearly scrap enough funding for their own campaigns! And the other parties can’t use government equipment like the NRM does once in a while. As this report has pointed out and none of us who follows the NRM should be shocked and awe, it’s more the same old story. Well, that was enough for today. Peace!

Reference:

Alliance for Campaign – ‘MONITORING CAMPAIGN EXPENSES DURING

THE PRE-ELECTION PERIOD’ – PROGRESS REPORT NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2015

The Insider – ‘Opondo: NRM money won’t cause inflation’ (23.01.2016) link: http://www.theinsider.ug/opondo-nrm-money-wont-cause-inflation/

Today the FDC campaigns in Hoima; The Calvary had to act foolish; but with negations the activist was freed

FDC 22.01.2016 P6 Begining of Campaign in Hoima

Hoima starts off so well! FDC Convoy had their first stop-over at Katanga in Bugambe sub-county. Buhaguzi constituency in Hoima District. The fact that People’s President Dr. Kizza Besigye is addressing his people here in kiswahili points to changing demographics. Thanks to FDC Hoima leaders led by chairman Jackson Wabyona and candidates aspiring on FDC ticket on various positions for the good mobilization.

FDC 22.01.2016 P4

A police man at Kyarushesha police post threatened to shot at Journalists; who were covering the arrest of FDC supporters who were pinning Kizza Besigy’s posters at the venue where Besigye was scheduled to hold a rally there. The police man fired two bullets!

FDC 22.01.2016 P3

As he (the Police Man) contantly yells at journalists stoping them from capturing his actions. All the shootings happened in the presence of Kizza Bessigye before he start addresing the rally.

FDC 22.01.2016 P1

Defiance in action. We have held our rally at Kyarushesha Police Station; as we demanded the release of our mobilisers; who apparently were arrested by police for putting up Kizza Besigye posters. They fired bullets to chase the crowd away but nobody is moved and instead people continued to come.

FDC 22.01.2016 P2

By the time Kizza Besigye finished addressing the swelling crowd, our mobilisers had already been released! The power of numbers! #WesigeBesigye!

FDC 22.01.2016 P5 Hoima Main Rally

I think this was enough for today! Peace.

The People’s President successful campaign in Kiboga district; He got a injured man in the middle of the campaign trail into the local Hospital; Even when the Calvary was barricading the hospital

This is the story of how Dr. Kizza Besigye saved yet another traffic accident victim on his campaign trail in Kiboga. Showing yet again through character. As a leader should do and also showing humbleness towards the police in a incident where they could have made the event turned sour. He didn’t visit the hospital to show the world the state of the hospital, but to help the citizen in need. See what the reports said!

Kiboga Accident and Save - Kizza Besigye

Dr. Kizza Besigye has rushed a man involved in a nasty accident to Kiboga hospital. The accident happened in Kiboga town when two bodas collided. Dr. Besigye surrendered his car to rush the injured to the nearest hospital.

The hospital was found manned by police as always but Kizza Besigye had no time to negotiate with them.
He entered the hospital and witnessed how the injured was given the first aid. Police was seen perplexed but the DPC later gathered some courage and greeted Dr. Besigye with a firm handshake.

Health workers,Patients and care takers immediatly gathered and surrounded Dr. Besigye and demanded that he greets them as police helplessly looked on.

After delivering the injured man: 

Dr. Kizza Besigye addresses hia supporters right at the entrance of Kiboga hospital shortly after dropping a man who had got an accident in Kiboga town. Police men were just looking on in astonishment.

Kiboga Hospital Rally 21.01.2016

Rest of the Campaign trail:

FDC Lwamata 21.01.2016

Lwamata, Kiboga district. The People’s President making a conversation with voters about equal opportunities and shared prosperity.

Kiboga Town Rally 21.01.2016

He contined the campaigns. As follows: Kizza Besigye arrives in Kiboga town play ground. Kiboga has also made its statement. Residents here reported to him the problems in the district which include among others land grabing and illegal evictions from land. From here Team Kizza Besigye is to resume campaigns in Kyankwazi district.

 

FDC had massive campaign rallies in Tororo today; also the display of the dire situation of Paya Primary School

FDC had massive campaigns in Tororo, while travelling with the successive rallies in the area. They had a stop at schools and looked at the situation the NRM-Regime has kept. This here is one of the schools in the area. The police did not stop this visit because they we’re situated at some referal hospital in Tororo.

Tororo FDC 19.01.2016 School P2 Paya

That is Paya primary school in Tororo District, Eastern Uganda. It was built in 1971 by Amin-government but it has collapsed in NRM-Regime.“If Mr Museveni was talking about a UPE where, in a Kisoko school, teachers cannot ‘bend’ because of being surrounded by 150 children in a class; that is not what UPC was talking about in 1962. In Paya Primary School where Museveni was a couple of years ago – built in 1960s; the roofs are off and the latrines flow; that was not UPC’s idea in 1962” (Ochieno, 2013).

Tororo FDC 19.01.2016 School P1

The early Amoni stop-over in Tororo after many road-blocks mounted by our supporters demanding to atleast see their candidate and contribute to their freedom with the little they have.

Tororo FDC 19.01.2016 School P4 Amoni

The People’s President at a stopover in Kirewa Sub-County in West Budama North, Tororo.

Dr. Kizza Besigye message after the rallies:
“Thank you Tororo for welcoming us and coming in big numbers today we come to the end of our third leg of the Eastern campaign trail and we will be in Wakiso, Buganda tomorrow”.

Tororo FDC 19.01.2016 School P5 Main Rally

That’s enough for today. Peace.

BTW, interesting site review of the school in 2011:

Paya Primary School: Amount of teachers was 5. The amount of school-children: 345 boys and girls 405. There supposed to been Parent-Teachers Meeting in the recent 4 months when the check-up from the government. There was reported to be situated with latrines for both genders, and that there was a safe water-source at the school.

Budget for 2015/16:

“Shs 94.0 million were allocated by Paya to fund costs of running the Primary School July 2015 and June 2016” (…)”Shs 0.0 million were spent by Paya to fund costs of running the Primary School July 2015 and September 2015” (Budget,go.ug, 2016).

Link:

http://budget.go.ug/index.php?p=data-srch-top&flag=1

Ochieno, Joseph – ‘Museveni was wrong on UPC’s record in education’ (17.02.2013) link: http://mobile.monitor.co.ug/-/691260/1696678/-/format/xhtml/-/6fx42q/-/index.html

The People’s President has massive campaigns in Iganga district today; also a brief look at the governance level in the district

Iganga 180116 P3 FDC Iganga Town

Today have been a massive day for the FDC campaign convoy in the Iganga district, campaign rallies and travels through it and seen how the public of the district has reacted to Dr. Kizza Besigye campaigning there. The levels of appreciation towards him and his campaign team, take a look!

Iganga 180116 P2 FDC Kiwanyi

Hon. Abu Katuntu joins the campaign trail in Iganga, this morning we have rallied the people Kiwanyi as our second stop over.

Iganga: The Mamba is finally here Kizza Besigye campaign team’s security is tighter in Busoga region. This re enforcement is from bridged in Jinja town.

Iganga 180116 P1 FDC

Message in Iganga Town:
“For the last 30 years Busoga region has been the champion of poverty in Uganda. We want to remove that poverty from you. FDC has got comprehensive programs to handle the problems of Busoga. First of all we are to get rid of grass thatched huts in the region by providing 10 iron sheets to each house hold as a quick short term measure for improving the quality of housing.” Besigye said to a big roar of approval from the tens of thousands of supporters in Iganga town.

Besigye Iganga

Governance issues in Iganga:
Some information in the Iganga District, these different stories tell the level of money and how they have governed the area. Interesting, right?

Iganga District Logo

Misuse of funds:
“Iganga district officials have been ordered to report to parliament by Minister Adolf Tumwesigye after they misused district funds” (NBS TV, 19.12.2013).

Iganga NRM Cards 27.10.15

Paid loyalty in the district:
“Residents of Iganga town received shs 5,000 from MP Peter Mugema as an appreciation for supporting the NRM resolution that fronted President Museveni as the sole party candidate for the 2016 elections” (91.2 Crooze FM, 22.04.2014).

Push away from the market in town:
“Law enforcement personnel in Iganga have impounded merchandise belonging to 150 street vendors. The town clerk Iganga municipal council, Assy Tumwesigire says the street vendors had three months earlier been given a notice to vacate the streets of Iganga municipal council in vain. Tumwesigire says the vendors had earlier been instructed to take up gazetted areas like markets but have since become hesitant to comply. One of the traders whose merchandise was impounded, Janat Namukuve says she had borrowed 400,000 shillings from one of the microfinance institutions with a view of setting up a business of cooking food but now all her capital is no more and does not know how she will pay the loan” (Step FM/TV, 02.03.2015).

Hospital conditions:
“Residents of Iganga Municipality have expressed concern about the growing stench of dead bodies from Iganga Hospital. Dead bodies are dumped in a makeshift structure without a door leaving dogs and flies to feast on them. The structure also lacks a roof” (NBS TV, 11.03.2015).

Local Coffee program:
“The MP Kigulu South Milton Muwuma Kalulu has said that on Wednesday 15th April 2015 he will be distributing coffee seedlings to his constituents. Speaking from Iganga district headquarters, Muwuma said that this is a government program which is meant to be implemented by prepared farmers in the area. He said “that the government brought 50000 coffee seedlings plus eucalyptus trees, therefore farmers with prepared gardens are to benefit from this project” (Source: Ibrahim Ndogha, 14.04.2015).

Anppcan Iganga IDLC

Appreciation for a local NGO:
“Iganga District Local Government applauds ANPPCAN Uganda for the positive impact on the lives of Orphans and Vulnerable Children. ‪Together‬ along the path to ensure all children are protected, secure and cared for” (Anppcan Uganda Chapter, 24.06.2015).

Reactions after NRM Primaries in 2015:
“Court in Iganga has granted bail to the 4 suspects who were arrested yesterday in connection with abduction of NRM district registrar Kirunda Yazid. Toto Abdur Akimu Ali 40, Sserumbe Henry 25, Matende Beast 24, have been granted bail by the Chief Magistrate Iganga Court Komakech William after paying 250,000 cash each” (RFM Iganga Fans, 27.11.2015).

I think that was enough for today, hope you enjoyed it. Peace.

The People’s President campaigns in Namayingo and Bugiri; looking quickly at good governance level in Namayingo

Namayingo 16.01.2016 FDC P1

Today is the first day after the live TV debate and the campaign trail continues. Even if Mzee does his business as usual; the FDC campaign convoy trvels to Namayingo and Bugiri to follow-up on the performance of yesterday. Take look! And by the way have some governance issues from the district. And not on the gold-rush of Namayingo; that should get a separate piece.

Message from Team Kizza Besigye 2016:

“Namayingo district has emphatically welcomed Dr Besigye, congratulating him on his good performance during the presidential debate. We are winning. #WesigeBesigye”.

Bugiri Village 16.01.2016 FDC

At one town where Dr. Kizza Besigye and FDC campaign convoy was supposed to pass by the Namayemba village in Bugiri district. The villagers cleans the road for the coming FDC convoy.

Bugiri Town Center 16.01.2016 FDC Campaign Rally

Dr. Kizza Besigye message after the rallies today:

“Thank you Namayingo and Bugiri for the massive support. ‪#‎VoteBesigye on 18th February and all FDC flag bearers. ‪#‎WesigeBesigye”

Good Governance in the Namayingo:

Police for in the district:

“The police disciplinary court has found three top police officers in Namayingo District guilty of negligence of duty and recommended their dismissal from the Force” (91.2 Crooze FM, 14.02.2015).

Voter’s reacts in the districts:

“Voters in Namayingo district are up in arms against the arrest of Stephen Dede, the Bukhooli South legislator and Namayingo town council LC 3 chairman Dan Wanyama for their alleged connection to the Busoga murders” (Radiocity 97FM, 09.03.2015).

Little payment to locals for roadwork:

“Casual workers mainly locals from the eastern districts of Namayingo, Jinja, Mayuge, Busia are decrying the very little pay they are subjected to by the Chinese company constructing the road from Musita to Majanji. Reporting to the works and transport minister this problem today, the Namayingo RDC revealed that a casual worker at the road construction site is paid UGX.3000 per day something the residents and their leaders are strongly complaining about” (Radio Buddu 98.8 and 95.5, 24.04.2016).

Health situation in the district:

“Namayingo District had the highest HIV prevalence at 10 per cent, while Kaliro and Buyende districts had the lowest prevalence at 0.2 per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively. This implies that for Namayingo District, 100 out of every 1,000 adults are infected; while for Kaliro and Buyende districts it is two and one out of every 1,000 adults respectively. This information to the public means that there are many infected people in Namayingo, while there are almost no infections in Kaliro and Buyende!”  (Health and Care Foundation Uganda, 12.06.2015).

 

Electricity news:

“Mounting the first-ever transformer in Namayingo District” This happened apparently on the 23 July 2015, take a look:   

Transformer Electricity Namayingo 2015

Think that should open your mind a little for now. Peace.

#UGDebate16 – Ugandan Presidential Candidates first ever Live TV debate of 2016; Mzee scared and ghosted the gracious event

NTV Uganda Presidential Debate 2016

Well, the day finally came and the Presidential Candidates of these elections have step-up to the plate and showed their platform while certain journalists would keep them in check. 

Even UMEME had to tell the public today:

“‪#‎UGDEBATE16. We have standby teams to ensure you enjoy the presidential debate. All teams clothed, cars fueled, and tools in hand to ensure any outage is resolved as quickly as possible”.

Well, the UMEME has been reported that in Fort Portal, Entebbe, Jinja and so many other places the electricity went down so that the citizens couldn’t get the feed and watch the debate, even in parts of Kampala the power went off in Ntinda, Kiwatule, Naalya, Njeera around 21:00PM. This is just a little trait’s of the reported suspicious malfunctions and glitches in the system that let a lot’s off people lose the live feed, because Mzee was busy having his campaign rally in Bushenyi and wouldn’t let the people listen to the rest of the Presidential candidates. He was moving his mouth and brain there while the rest of candidates where explaining their manifestoes and programs in a civilian and peaceful manner to the citizens and the world.

There will be many set of commentaries on this, I am sure mine will be biased as, well as it should be, because this will be that. First my favorite quotes, then what I think about their performance. Seems fair right?

UGDebate2016 P6 Together

One memorable quote from each candidate:

Joseph Mabirizi said: “I am the only candidate who has Plan A, Plan B and Plan C. I won’t allow vote rigging so please vote me in”.

Amama Mbabazi said: “My clear answer is that I am not aware of election rigging. I have heard some stories, but I have no personal knowledge”. 

Professor Baryamureeba said: “oil companies must publish what they pay to Gov’t and Gov’t should publish what it earns from oil so far”.

Maureen Faith Kyala said: “There is more tear gas at every police post as compared to medicine in the hospitals”.

Abed Bwanika said: “I have never mentioned that Baganda should support me, I asked for support from the people in Buganda”.

Gen. Biraaro said: “The only soldier who has been in power lives in state house, this regime has not served me well, that’s why I am here”.

Dr. Kizza Besigye said: “The real change is that power moves from those with guns to the citizens that is the project I am working on. The urgent change that our country needs is empowerment of our citizens. I have promised that in every Ugandan will walk with swagger”.

android3

The moderators that the organizers put in place we’re BBC’s Newsday programme presenter, Allan Kasujja and KTN’s Nancy Kacungira. The one who was persistent with the candidates was really Kasujja, but it seemed that he was not a fan of Besigye, since he always cut him of in the middle of reasoning and addressing a question he had.

Kacungira was more the soft spoken mediator who levelled the hardheaded Kasujja, at one point I was waiting to see the red-eye-machine in light from wall to turn into the shades of mediator; so he would look a macho terminator. But that was just me.

UGDebate2016 P8 Barya

Professor Bayra got the questions first, but didn’t earn that well, his quotes got easily forgotten and his stamina during the debate died down. I am sure in writing as professor he could have argued with strength, but he proved more to mayoral of a town in the eastern town in Tororo district then being a president. He has the words and etiquette of leadership, but doesn’t have the program or manifesto to really seem deemed for a lower-level position, as he has already been in-charge of the university of Makerere.

UGDebate2016 P5 Kyala

Maureen Faith Kayala seemed more focused on her gender as the questions tended to become focused on that. She was also on her own will more directly telling the issues of Busoga instead of the national issues, seems like she should become an MP for the district or a sub-county fitted for her in the area, since it’s also where she has moved the most and campaigned. When she hasn’t been lost in London; she could be more interesting with time and like wine become better in her game, but right now she is unfinished and seems to scattered to focus national.

UGDebate2016 P4 Mabarizi

Joseph Mabirizi must have had bad advice or lost his tongue at some point. Seem like he was stressed by the cameras and public watching his every move. He was walking through the wilderness stuttering and thinking… pounding the matters into the first thing that pop-up into his mind and wasn’t really address the question properly while saying it in such a fashion he was cracking Ugandans up, instead of making sense of the political issues. If he will gain crowds in the same stage as Professor Joel, no wait, Professor Joel should have come in President Museveni place, well, we come to the shadow of Bushenyi later!

UGDebate2016 P7 Biraaro

Gen. Benon Biraaro the NRA historical who stood firm and was very apologetic in his tone. Much more than I expected he seemed clearer than and not as aggressive as the reports from the campaign trail. This man made more sense and was intelligent. Something I was not expected to say. But if this will make a giant difference in his whole campaign, I doubt it. The thing is that he will be more respected for his attitude and progression then some of his peers by the mere fact on how he precieve the matters.

UGDebate2016 P3 Bwanika

Abed Bwanika was a gentle surprise and show lots of character at the debate. He had a much bigger presence then I expected, he ate of the hands and was shining actually. This was unexpected since he seems very uninteresting while following the campaign trail. The candidate showed that he had class and also thought through manifesto and plans for development.

Besigye Amama

Now I will take the two big-men who was at the shin-ding and debate the two of the three since the ghost of the event where in districts campaigning thinking that UMEME let the public miss the debate as they was ordered too. Who is the fool now? If his men will tell him something is that the Twitter #UgandaDecides and #UgandaDebate16 was going hectic in the hours. Before the start even discussion and had the spotlight of CNN telling about the historic event happening in the country that Mzee had to miss, because Ofwono Opondo and Mike Mukula said it was waste of time, seems like Bushenyi was really wasting time. For the NRM-members this must have been time is a wasting!

UGDebate2016 P8 Amama

Let me continue on the two last candidates while done with Mzee and NRM for the moment, just have to throw a snag at them. They deserve them. Well, Hon. Amama Mbabazi, Mr. 30 years under the NRM and parts of the NRA. He was very defensive. Extremely defensive except for the matters of the detaining and Christopher Aine; also cleaning his hands on the land deal with NSSF which have followed him and still be a torn in his flesh. It did seem like he never was ready for the debate or that all the questions from the other candidates. It was like hot-water into a glass and not a cup that he wasn’t ready to hold it while drinking it. He addressed things more as an former NRM Prime Minister than actually address the Go-Forward manifesto or wishes. The most extreme was that he hadn’t heard or could talk well about the borrowing money that the government has done; and that it was a good thing! That bugs me and shows that he was just washing his hands instead of taking leadership, showing character like Gen. Biraaro og Besigye. So as knowing he was a lawyer before becoming a politician in the NRM, he has lost touch with good arguments that Bwanika and Biraao had compared to him. And they do not have the new machine for elections that Mbabazi has!

Besigye Debat16

The last candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye he had for me a slow start it was a bit out of character for a man who has a gift for speeches and give’s the people show for the money; while at the same time address the matter at hand. This took time to get there and to show his plans to the public about the manifesto of the FDC. Besigye was slow, but had lots of energy when it came after the first commercial break. There where points where there was heavy with questions to him, like the other candidates singled him out, it often came to him or Mbabazi, not like Professor Bayra would ask Mabirizi some governance questions that would just be out of touch with formula of the debate. Besigye came after the accusations of the closeness to the first-family because of his wife, and his answer was clear that they we’re far away anything near them. Also with the answers on economic policies and how it was structured into the agricultural sector, we’re inspiring though sounding alike to Biraaro and Bwanika, though they had the luxury of always to answer before him. So Besigye ideas seemed less enthusiastic since there were modifications compared to them considered to them. I wished for my part that he we’re more on point in the beginning. I am a supporter of Besigye and his cause. Seemed like also one of the moderators tried to stop Besigye from finishing his arguments and answers, more than the other candidates, also cut him generally shorter than for instance Maureen or even Joseph they we’re not stopped in the same way, only Maureen jumped once into the whole madness when it was not her turn; Besigye proved leadership and calmness while growing into the debate and taking more and more space. I got more and more enthusiastic on his part, while feeling sorrow over the ways the Mbabazi was portraying himself like a sorry victim instead of being one of the big-men in the race for presidency.

UGDebate2016 P2

Now that I have gone through the thing, let’s have one thing clear there was like a way of letting Besigye be last or late like every time while the other candidates got early shots, and also being more direct visible. I don’t know if that was fixed before Mzee we’re part of the event, since the empty seat would have eaten the issues and would have made the debate differently, though he would not have stopped talking while the mediator asked kindly to succeed spotlight to the next candidate. The ghost was there the whole evening since they we’re discussing governance, systematic failure and government inconsistency in general. The men who shined was not one or both presidential candidates who is in the top three. Bwanika and Biraaro had the smart ways of portraying and answering. All the NRA/NRM historical persons answered well, especially Besigye, but this was after his mojo was on fire. He ended the evening on the spark, the other last remarks was more humble and obliged then trying to convince them of voting on them.

What saddens me was the way Kasujja kept his composer and acted kind of differently between the candidates, he acted humble and nice against those who shined in the debate, while Amama Mbabazi and Dr. Kizza Besigye was either asked long-long questions or stopped in the middle of their arguments trying to answer the matter. The other mediator asked shorter and easier question, there wasn’t much fuzz about her and was more trying to keep cool while Mabarizi was answering questions. Mabarizi was like Professor Joel and a funny-character instead of acting as presidential candidate, he didn’t make the funniest face that was Mbabazi who looked lost at one point… The picture from that moment tells more than his answers in the debate, though the debate was not a good luck for Amama Mbabazi. That is clear, I myself have many unanswered questions about his past and what he really wants to achieve in the future.

#AskMuseveni 12.12.15

The biggest and strangest about this is that the incumbent President Museveni, the almighty Mzee, the executive ruler and the one who reign in the land. Mzee have had the first chance to show together with other candidates his true self, instead he loved himself up-country where the people would listen to his voice without being asked any critical questions. If he had been in the studio he would have been shut-down while talking to long and had to answer the questions in a manner he is not used to. Mzee would be out of character and without his spin-doctors to make his message soft and beautiful. They could have prepared him, but he would have entered into the only mode he knows, his voice and his achievements, without seeing the issues that are there. Then he would go defensive like Amama Mbabazi and blame somebody else, since the executive wouldn’t order everything and opposition MPs has issues. Mzee would not be able to address the matter in humble way. But humility and humbleness is not in his ways as we all know. Therefore the empty chair show more his blissful arrogance then the attitude towards the debate. The brief and shallow seat where the camera sometimes went to; especially when the questions on the NRM-Regime were heavy! The NRM was not present or had their presidential candidate at the debate. So there was a lose end, and the losing end was not the other candidates, they had an ability show accountability and transparency towards the public. Something that is unusual and not the norm! The NRM can’t be looking weak and Mzee can’t handle not being seen as the almighty his Excellency instead of being just one of the candidates for the elections. He rather blast them in all of his papers and radios until the 18th February then being a man who could move his mouth and brain in the TV-studio, but being critical of him is a sin, therefore opposition mobilizers and members get jailed, while NRM members who insist on violence get’s supported either by the police force or by NRM organizers, then the police and electoral commission wonders why the FDC candidate have the campaign of defiance, since they taste the endless violence from the NRM-Regime. It would be an interesting event to see if Mzee could have given a proper answer on the matter.

Mediator: “What are your take on the recent election violence and campaign harassment of opposition parties?”

Wonder if Mzee would have had it in him to answer that or if he had gone the IGP Kale Kayihura road, and said it is the laws and people have to follow the rules, secondly there is also bad police and violent opposition so there can’t all be wrong in the NRM or the Police. Well, we didn’t get that kind of fashion because Mzee doesn’t have it in him to be together with the candidates unless he is in the spotlight like when the Papal visit we’re in November 2015. This here was a small-time event for him and Bushenyi was more important.

The other candidates were graceful and tactful, even when asked very critical questions. Hope the next time there will be a mediator who doesn’t act like Kasujja and stop Mbabazi and Besigye constantly while giving space to the other ones. There were some unjustified actions from his part, instead of being a peace maker and making the transition between the candidates going smooth. For me he was the Terminator with those shades and light. But that is just me. Hope this was enough of one evenings debate, and I sure there been pointed out at many venues and media-houses, but this here is how I saw it.

Look forward to the second Live TV Debate in the history of Uganda at the 10th Feburary 2016. When the second live presidential TV debate will be hold, and what a grand event that will be and in the closing stages of the campaign trail. Just a week before the polls and actual voting! Peace.

The People’s President campaigns in Budaka and Namutumba; The Calvary tear-gassed Budaka town the day before

Namatumba 14.01.16 FDC

Yesterday in Budaka there have been events transpiring around 9:40 AM in Budaka Town to around 10:00 AM where the Police wanted to be scary. The Calvary wanted to show their power the day before the People’s President and Forum for Democratic Change campaign convoy have rallies in town. They was successful and proves the reach of Dr. Kizza Besigye! Take a look!

 

Budaka 13.01.2016

The Police claimed yesterday that the FDC would not be allowed to have rallies in the central of the town, and would be confined with having the rallies on the outskirts.

In Budaka Dr. Kizza Besigye said this:

“Instead of Mr. M7 using our taxes to provide us with social services, he uses it for his survival in power. After visiting Abim Hospital in Karamoja, now every health centre and hospital all over the country is guarded like a barrack”.

Besigye Campaign 14.01.2016

Message from the People’s President after the rallies today:

“Thank you Budaka and Namutumba for the support for my candidature and all the FDC flagbearers. Our pledge to you Budaka and Namutumba your vote for me and FDC on 18th February 2016 is a choice for Equal Opportunity and Shared Prosperity. One Uganda One People. For God and my country! #WesigeBesigye”. 

Campaign Rally Eastern Uganda 14.01.2016

Well, this will not be extensive on the one district because of my limited time, but this tells enough!

Good governance level of Budaka:

Schooling:

“The Budaka district local government is grappling with the challenge of inadequate primary school teachers. The district is currently short of about 227 teachers needed to cope up with the overwhelming number of children enrolled under the Universal Primary Education” (93.3 KFM, 18.11.2015).

Environmental issues in Budaka:

“Budaka, Mt Elgon and Moroto areas in Eastern Uganda. Today CISU, which administrate the Danida grants for small Danish NGOs, has approved our Environmental Awareness Project, nearly 1.9 mio DKK. The project will focus on the energy crisis, deforestation, waste management, water management, land pressure: reasons, solutions, capacity building and advocacy. A 4 year project in partnership with NFRE ( Nordisk Folkecenter for Vedvarende Energy ), JEEP and SNF in Uganda” (Good Source, 05.03.2015).

NRM actions in October 2015:

“A group of Kanyamas/ militias have been ferried to Kibuku district & Butebo county to torture voters. These have been dispatched & led by Kalangala action plans. These were brought by the yellow bus and they have had over a break at Iganga from where they will be distributed to Kibuku district & Pallisa district to help other candidates i.e Dr. Mutono Patrick. These incidences have rocked these areas where over 200 voters have been tortured, property destroyed. They have petitioned the president & the Uganda human rights commission & the case is due for hearing. The masses are determined and unless police intervenes, there is likely to be a catastrophy ever registered in the area. The voters have petitioned the RPC & IGP to intervene in time” (Good Source: 25.10.2015).

BTW – Forum for Democratic Change volunteers:

“TEAM BESIGYE VOLUNTEERS. Next meeting will take place on 16th Saturday January 2015 still at Katonga road and we shall be meeting according to our regions. Central and Eastern Uganda will meet in the morning at 10:00am; While Northern and Western Uganda will meet in the afternoon at 2:00pm. Every one who is ready to volunteer for Dr Besigye’s mobilization campaigns is welcome and come with a friend. For any details kindly contact 0752871050. We are winning!!!!”

Thanks for today and more later when I don’t have too much ordinary work! Peace.

The People’s President’s message in Ogooma Village and on the campaign trail today in Kumi and Bukedea district

FDC Kumi District 13.01.2016

Dr. Kizza Besigye message to the people after rallies earlier today:

“Our day was started at Nyero trading center at 9:00am. We addressing a mini rally of hard working men and women who were about the day’s work and young men and women who are in their holidays off school, others who have not continued with their education because their families cannot afford the raising cost of education.

I spoke to them about securing a future they want to own and be part of. Our government will give every children an opportunity to secure their future by acquiring first skills that will make them competitive in the 21st century this can only come through education.

At Ogooma Village we met residents who told us about the massacre of their beloved ones and we were also taken at the mass grave said to be having over 300 bodies. The cause of their death until today has never been made known. The residents told us that it was the NRA soldiers now UPDF that carried out these massacres.

The same reason we are in this struggle to liberate all Ugandans so that people can have the power to demand for accountability. in an FDC government there will be a process of reconciliation, truth telling and compensation for those families that lost their loved ones. The silence of those in power about injustices that were committed under their command can never take away the anger from those who lost their loved ones.

An FDC led government will Institute inquires to find out what happened and who was responsible in committing such atrocities, our people need to know and that is the only way in helping many to forgive one another, this will forge a new era that will unite this country for many years to come.

My brothers and sisters of the born again Church in Ongino Subcounty, Kumi you have blessed us with your prayers we thank you all.

The trail continues…”

FDC 13.01.2016

Dr. Kizza Besigye thank you message after the campaign rallies today: 

“Thank you Kumi and Bukedea for the tremendous support for my candidature and Forum for Democratic Change. #WesigeBesigye”

All the texts are written by Dr. Kizza Besigye!

The People’s President couldn’t come to certain campaign venues because of no Okokor Bridge

River Okikolo FDC 13.01.2016

Background introduction to why FDC couldn’t cross the bridge. It was procured for in 2009 and 2012, but in 2014 some reports said 50% and another said 72% while in the Kumi District there is nothing. The Bridge is not there and the reports tell that the company did not deliver. Okokor Bridge is a project and not finished product a typical NRM business and money spent on nothing instead of delivering steady progress. Let’s take a look!

Preview issues:

PPDA reported this on the report of set contracts on the matter in 2010:

“The Tender for the construction of the Okokor Bridge in Kumi District, cost for the open bidding UGX: 400,037,000. The date awarded the company was on the 9th December 2009. To the company called Ms. MML Road Construction Company Co. Ltd. And the construction by that is on-going” (PPDA, 2010).

“For Okokor bridge Work the contractor has been served with a vacation notice and MoWT will take possession of
the site” (MoWT,  June 2014)

Construction of Okokor Bridge in Kumi District:

This project was intended to connect Nyero and Mukongoro sub-counties in Kumi district. The contract was awarded in October 2011 to M/s MML Road Construction Co. Ltd at a contract price of Ug shs 400,037,000 and a contract period of four months. The works which had progressed up to the deck level in June 2011 were discovered not to be to the desired quality.This contract expired on the 27th September 2010. In the FY 2013/14, the MoWT took over the site since it was abandoned by the contractor. At the time of monitoring in July 2014, the Ministry was in the initial stages of procuring another contractor to complete the works. No works had been carried out since the last time the site was monitored in December 2012″ (MoFED, October 2014).

“On going Projects:” (…)”Okokor (Kumi) – 72%” (MoFED, March 2015).

(MoFED, March 2015)

“Details of Off-Budget Activities carried out by NGOs, Central Government, the Private Sector and Donors: Construction of Okokor Bridge along Kabukol-Kamenya-Nyero district road under Ministry of Works & Transport.

The three biggest challenges faced by the department in improving local government services:

  1. Under Staffing in Engineering department:
    Staffing gaps results to inefficiency hence poor service delivery
  2. Lack of heavy duty road equipment for Force Account operations:
    The heavy duty equipment was supposed to be at zonal base but these bases are not yet equipped hence negatively affecting planned Periodic Road Maintenance and Road Rehabilitation activities
  3. High breakdown rate of the new road equipment:
    The new Chinese road equipment are weak moreover the cost of their repair is higher since the supplier enjoys
    monopoly. The weak supervision pick-up has hampered supervision in the sector thus delay in completion of some of the planned activities” (Vote: 529 Kumi District Budget Paper for 2016/2017).

There are issues here and money that are missing while the bridge is certainly not 72% done or 50% ready. So there is a reasons why FDC couldn’t pass the river today. Though I am not in the level that the FDC dropped of 4 Billion shillings wasted on nothing. Still the sums here are high enough and I don’t know if there are older projects of the same bridge that has been unfruitful in Kumi District. Peace. 

Reference:

Local Government Budget Framework Paper –‘Vote: 529 Kumi District’ (Written by Ismael Orot) . Financial Year for Paper budget: 2016/2017

Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development- ‘Roads Sector Annual Monitoring Report Financial Year 2013/14’ (October, 2014)

Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development – ‘NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FY 2015/16’ (March 2015).

Ministry of Works and Transport – Ministrial Budget Policy Statement (June 2014)

The Public Procurement Disposal of Public Assets Authority – ‘REPORT ON CONTRACTS AWARDED IN EXCESS OF US$ 100,000 FOR THE PERIOD JULY 2009 TO JUNE 2010’