Kyadondo East By-Election: Most likely Winner for MP Seat is Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine!

All provisional results from the current tallies are in favor of Robert Kyagulanyi, the other two main candidates like Forum for Democratic Change Apollo Kitinti and National Resistance Movement Sitenda Ssebula, seems like they have to consed to the Independent Candidate Kyagulanyi. The By-Election in Kyadondo East have been a special by-election by all means.

Especially knowing that the Military Police arrived in the Constituency today, together with mambas and a 1000 Police Officers. All squaring of Kasangati Resort, reports earlier of staff doing the NRM bidding. Therefore, the NRM candidate after voting today, proclaimed that the Bobi Wine should call him and sing at his victory party. This all seems like a far fetched dream. The musician turned politician, proves his capacity, but how smart and wise he will be in parliament. That is time to tell. He knows how to gain crowds and sell his story and vision, but will that create policy. More important the vital step away from dictatorship and oppression. That is why himself was even detained for a hot-minute at Kiira Road Police Station before the final rallies.

The NRM was lost, unless they wanted to use Police Force and Military Police to change the result, cook the books like they did during the General Election 2016. No-one with a little heart or understanding believes the result of the Presidential Election in 2016. That is lie and even Ofwono Opondo knows so, but he has to say otherwise to get his paycheck. Why I mention him, because he says Bobi Wine already are beating the FDC and NRM.

That the Police had to shoot wild in Kasangati, had to throw tear-gas and the supporters throwing stones at the barricades of Police Officers at Kasangati Resort, proves the little trust in Electoral Commission, the Police and the State in general. Therefore, the rallies with President Museveni didn’t help much. Not even the reports of bribing voters with little tokens of joy and pleasures to buy a term in office. The rigging have clearly not worked or been stopped, if the preliminary results are real. Because a normal tally score is 50 % to Bobi Wine and about 25% for Kantinti and Ssebula. This proves their face value and the recognition of the new force.

That Bobi Wine has endured and been part of the struggles of Besigye is clear, he has been in the Court-Room, been at his house and asked for courtesy when running, he even went to the home of “Bad DP” Betty Nambooze and asked her guidance too. So he proves he is savvy in forging relationship among the opposition. This will be needed in Parliament. Not only his vision and what he want to stand for.

You know times has changed when the Police Spokesperson and AIGP Asan Kasingye at the tally-center where congratulating Bobi Wine on the victory, just like Besigye and others has done with pride on Twitter. Clearly, this election in Kyadondo East is moving. That the Wakiso District is answering with special ballot. The pure result, that is hard to interfere and get away with, even as the numbers of security personnel is out of bound. Still, they didn’t have it in them, though the Tear-Gas has rocked Kasangati today!

And you know, their short-shortsightedness when the NRM wanted to rig in Kasangati, the homestead of Besigye, the place and friend of Bobi Wine, there would not be anyone accepting it there. That is why the place has been filled with officers, live bullets and tears, barricades at the Kasangati Resort and the Crime Preventers that we’re rumored to be in the constituency didn’t even help Pre-Ticketing ballots. This was a landslide and the NRM couldn’t handle the wind of Dembe and the Bobi Wine.

Because the Police did set up all sort road blocks, they had the Mambas and had their presence in the constituency, but with no luck. Clearly, the supporters and people around Bobi Wine has been clear, that they will not give this one away. The amounts of Military Police didn’t even do the NRM any good. So their intimidation and their bribes didn’t turn it, not even their plans to rig the stuffed ballots, didn’t work either. This is how the game in a dictatorship should be played.

Take your ear to the ground and learn. This is maybe one MP to the 10th Parliament, but also a sign of the efforts to stifle the game for the NRM and their vicious attempt of thieving the National Assembly and the whole state. Peace.

Kyadondo East By-Election: Lock-down of Kasangati Restort and the Police involvement in the election!

I know victory is mine. I have already called Bobi Wine to come and entertain my voters”Sitenda Sebalu.

In Kasangati the Independent Candidate Muwada Nkunyingi got detained today at Kasangati Police Station. The candidate was also severely beaten into unconscious by the well-known DPC James Patrick Kawalya, before taken into custody, no backing down from the National Resistance Movement on election da in Kyadondo East By-Election. Even his lawyer Abdul Lubega is down at the Police Station trying to iron out the differences between the Police and his candidate. They even arrested the Local Councilor Abas Kiyimba, he is even an NRM guy himself, but while the votes are happening, that doesn’t matter.

At Kasangati Resort, the supporters of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine has been at, is where the supposed rigging of the election is happening. Therefore, the Police Officers and NRM Mobilisers has told the media to step-off. That can been seen as a provocation, as people are being arrested. The Mambas and the Anti-Riot Police Officers are also being dispatched to the Hotel in Kasangati. The Police has also barricaded the premises with bunch of Police Officers. Many of the Supporters of Bobi Wine has been arrested on the spot, as they have tried to defend their votes from rigging. The Supporters started to throw stones, while the police has answered with canisters of tear-gas. Clearly,

The are even reports that the NRM Chairman of Wakiso District Abdul Kiyimba held voters at gun-point to pressure voters, apparently, the NRM has their stash-house which is alleged at Kasangati Restort, but also needs their henchmen to spread fear directly at the Polling stations. The NRM are not playing around this time.

Clearly, there will be happening more around the next hours, as Benghazi or Kasangati are in the middle of this By-Election, the Wakiso District that the President didn’t care about in General Election 2016, but he has put up the Ante this time!

This is just the beginning of the day and while the polling is still going-on. We can just wait and see when the counting and the issues around the Electoral procedures with forms and final numbers. That will clearly be tense, as the Police Force are deliberately defending the NRM and their practices, even as they are arresting their own. Which is rare, as the epic show-down in Kasangati is happening. Peace.

Kyadondo East By-Election: Heavy deployment and reported electoral malpractices before the polling stations opens!

Just as the 10 Armored Personnel Vehicles have come to the district and the Police has dispatched over a 1000 Police Officers in the Kyadondo East constituency, as the National Resistiance Movement, the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are afraid for his candidate loosing. He has to spread fear and bring the brigades to prove his worth and value in the district. That could be all lost to an independent, a former musicians, who has no quarrels to attack the old-man and his legacy. Neither is the will of Forum for Democratic Change to stand-down in Kasangati and their heartland. In the land of Besigye and his loyalist. Therefore the NRM has used voter tourism and they also closed schools so there was someone attending the rallies. Certainly, the NRM doesn’t wanted to have a slap on their wrist by some Wakiso population.

That is why Rogers Mulindwa, has to claim foul play by the opposition candidates and their parties, while the NRM controls the Police and also the Electoral Commission. Clearly, if any rigging going-on, the skills of pre ticketing ballots and stuffing ballot boxes is something the NRM have done for decades and would easily do again. So not that I believe the NRM, but let just give you their meat.

NRM warning the public a day ahead of the polls:

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), has learnt of a plan by opposition camps in Kyadondo East Constituency of torturing voters on the voting day and in the night before. The plan to be reportedly implemented by opposition agents wearing NRM T-shirts or yellow shirts is intended to portray the ruling party as being non friendly to the people it serves. The main target behind this is to win sympathy from the voters. The opposition plans to use the same mission to scare away voters especially in NRM dominated parishes. Our party members and the entire public is therefore warned against these groups. Please note that donning NRM yellow attires is not necessarily an assurance that one is a party member. Those reportedly planning to steer these actions are also warned to desist from such unconstitutional behaviour. The party further advises that such cases should be reported to police or any other relevant authorities for timely actions” (Rogers Mulindwa, 28.06.2017).

It is ironic that the ones sending 1000 Police Officers to the Constituency to interfere a day ahead in the polls, but there are some reports of 500 Crime Preventers there. This with the report of the 10 APC’s as well. Certainly, the NRM doesn’t play around and wants their man in the slot from the Constituency, so there is another friendly voice to Museveni. Another one he can corrupt and know that he will loyally follow every whistle.

In Kasangati alone today, the Police themselves intercepted 6 boxes of pre-ticked ballots in favor of the NRM candidate Sitenda Ssebalu, which shows the per-determined mind of Museveni who is all in stick it where it hurts for Besigye.

CCEDU already stated this on the 21st June 2017:

Voter Bribery: Under section 68(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act 2005, bribery is an offence in the electoral process; and upon conviction one can be liable to “seventy two currency points or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both”. The act of bribery is defined by the Parliamentary Elections Act, as providing money or gifts to influence voters. CCEDU has noted with concern acts of voter bribery involving: candidate William Sitenda Sebalu (NRM), Apollo Kantinti (FDC) and Robert Kyagulanyi (Indep). The three candidates have been observed giving out money and other material gifts during their respective campaign events. On June 17th for instance, candidate William Sitenda Sebalu gave voters at Kyetume Gayaza to share sh200,000 immediately after his campaign. CCEDU implores the Police to remain keen on such acts that violate provisions of the electoral laws as well as bring the culprits to book” (CCEDU, 21.06.2017).

So it is not like there been proven ill practices by all three parties on the campaign trial, as the independent and observing organization CCEDU has seen. And can also show forward evidence of electoral malpractice. Clearly for all main-parties and candidates, they are risking everything to seal the Declaration Form in their way and with their name.

On the 27th June CCEDU statement said this:

On June 17 for instance, NRM candidate William Sitenda Sebalu gave voters at Kyetume Gayaza Ushs 200,000 immediately after his campaign. Most candidates were observed giving out food and refreshments to potential voters during their campaign meetings. In addition it was difficult to draw a line between the government and the ruling party at the local level: despite the bar against partisanship of civil servants, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and agents of various security services were omnipresent, occasionally taking a proactive role in the Constituency’s electoral process” (…) “Whilst the pre-electoral environment was generally peaceful, some stakeholders expressed anxiety with regard to the role of unidentified persons in Nangabo and Kiteezi sub counties who were seen photographing voters’ Identification cards, distributing between Ushs 2,000 and 50,000 per person and asking those that had received the money not to turn up for the voting exercise on 29 June. The motive and persuasions of the unidentified individuals could not be established. The occurrence was confirmed to have intimidated and concerned residents in the respective areas” (CCEDU, 27.06.2017).

So even if the laws bar the RDC and other Civil Servants from interfering the election, they do so for the mercy of the National Resistance Movement, as well as most likely the unidentified persons are collectors and people of the NRM paying people to not vote. To make sure the stakes are more controlled or in their best. As they are also tightening the security apparatus with Police Officers, Mambas and Crime Preventers. This all to make sure the citizens know that they should vote for the NRM candidate.

However, the NRM fear for Bobi Wine is understandable, also as they lost it even when they did everything in their power to stifle the election in February 2016 in Wakiso, when Apollo Kantinti won the first time. Therefore, all sort of tactics this time around would be seen as precautions from the President. So that he can get rid of a FDC MP at the same time. That is a double win for the old-man. If he cheats or rigs to do so. It wouldn’t surprise anyone.

So let see how the tricks of trades goes tomorrow, when the ballots and people show-up to cast their votes in Kyandondo East. But be warned, the NRM are working hard to stall and make sure anyone else who get in their way will have issues tomorrow. Make sure that some opposition members and leaders who pass by polling stations might be detained. That is just what they do. Peace.

A look into how little the Wakiso Vote mattered to President Museveni in General Election 2016!

You would think on a day like this as the final rallies in Kyadondo East, which is part of Wakiso District, that the National Resistance Movement and the Police Force would bring peace. But they didn’t, they created chaos and moved independent candidates, as well as detaining them for interfering in their campaign rallies. This is the proof of vicious ruling regime and how the basic freedoms are limited for others, than the NRM elite and the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, rallying for his candidate in the district. But it seems strange that he cares, since with all due respect. He didn’t care about their votes in the General Election of 2016, as these areas have been a stronghold for opposition party Forum for Democratic Change and because Dr. Kizza Besigye reside in Kasangati, which is a vital part of Kyadondo East.

In Kampala and its adjacent districts, the Group observed voting delayed by as much as two to four hours and subsequently observed polling locations where voting was delayed by as much as six to nine hours. Anecdotally, in Kampala, there were several polling stations located within minutes of the premises of the Electoral Commission that did not receive voting materials on time” (…) “The voting hours were subsequently extended in Kampala. However, it appeared that this information was not extensively communicated, as voters and polling officials appeared confused and uncertain of the process. The EC announced that polling would continue in a number of constituencies in Wakiso and Kampala districts the following day. Turnout, however, was low on the second day – which was a working day – and it is possible that many potential voters decided not to attempt to vote, after having waited for many hours the previous day”(Commonwealth, P: 13-14, 2016).

Furthermore, eight teams across the country reported that polling stations could not open before 10 AM. A number of polling stations, notably in Kampala and Wakiso, had not opened within six hours. Significant delays and a lack of effective communication by the EC fuelled frustration and tensions among voters, with EU EOM observers and media reporting about large crowds protesting against being deprived of their right to cast the ballot. In at least four cases, the police used teargas to disperse voters at polling stations. Only shortly before the official closing of the polling stations at 4 PM did the EC chairman announce the three-hour extension of voting in Kampala and Wakiso district. This was poorly communicated to the polling staff in affected areas, and EU EOM observers reported polling stations being closed at first and only after some hesitation did the polling staff improvise and try to re-open voting sites” (EU, P: 29-30, 2016).

The EC failed to communicate and declare final results of presidential and parliamentary elections in a comprehensive, timely and transparent manner. The announcements of the presidential election’s preliminary results started while voting was still ongoing in parts of Kampala and Wakiso. The final results were declared within the legally binding 48-hour deadline, but they did not contain data from seven per cent of all polling stations, and therefore excluded some 675,000 votes cast. The EC delayed the publication of the final results broken down by polling station till 25 February and uploaded them on its website in a manner that did not allow for easy access or use. The EC also did not publish the scanned copies of the DRFs online although they were readily available in electronic format, thus further reducing voters’ access to information of public interest and in contravention of the principles outlined in the ICCPR” (EU, P: 3-4, 2016).

The 2016 Elections witnessed a number of violations of the right to vote, most notably due to late delivery of materials in Kampala and Wakiso districts, described by the Supreme Court as evidence of incompetence and gross inefficiency by the electoral management body. A number of potential voters we’re disenfranchised during the voting exercise, in particular persons who turned 18 between May 2015 and February 2016, detainees, including some pre-trial dententions and Ugandans in the diaspora” (FHRI, P: 25, 2016)

So both, the Commonwealth report, FHRI report and the European Union Observer Group saw the same vast indifference for the votes and voter turnout in Wakiso, the same was seen in capital, but that isn’t where the By-Election is happening now. This proves the lack of care and common sense as President Museveni drives Tuk-Tuk and talk of importance of electing people who serves him. He might say he wants to be challenged in Parliament, but everyone knows that is a lie. Therefore, he detained Bobi Wine earlier in the day and moved him to Gyaza town, so his presence could be in Kasangati and at Szasa Grounds. Not like he could be more ruthless, but surely he would rig these election like he did in 2016. Nothing new there, if the turnout would be meager and lack-lusting that would hurt the old-man. Since he cannot show 90-100% turnout, when there would be no lines of people showing up. Harder to rig just a bunch of paper compared to buck-load, which can be pre-ticket into ballot boxes and look legit. That is how they do, especially under President Museveni. The man who made himself a revolutionary by claiming UPC rigging in 1980s. Such a class-act the President, becoming worse than the ones he toppled! Peace.

Reference:

Commonwealth – ‘Report of the Commonwealth Observer Group Uganda General Elections – 18 February 2016’ (18.02.2016)

COMESA – ‘COMESA ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION TO THE 18 FEBRUARY 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA’

EU – ‘Final Report – Uganda Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council Elections 18 February 2016’ (April 2016)

Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) – ‘COMESA ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION TO THE 18 FEBRUARY 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA’ (June 2016)

Kyadondo East By-Election: EC Letter to Apollo Kantinti – “Re: Supplementary Campaign Programme” (19.06.2017)

Kyadondo By-Election: Chaos as the President intervenes in the election!


Bobi Wine: “In order not to cause a presidential embarrassment, we have agreed to hold our rally in Gayaza” (at Kiira Road Police Station after release, 27.06.2017),

Today is the final days of campaigns for the candidates of the Kyadondo By-Election in Wakiso District on the outskirts of Kampala. There is three main candidates as the DP Candidate pulled out in support of the FDC Apollo Kantinti, the ones previous election bid who got canceled by the courts. Therefore, he is running again to win his seat back. While the independent candidate Robert Kyagukanyi aka Bobi Wine, was blocked today from having his final rally at Szasa Grounds in Kasangati, because of Police interference his final rally will be in Gayaza town.

This proves the ability of the Police Force to threat the opposition candidates in favor of the ruling regime, as President Museveni comes to rally for the NRM Candidate Sitenda Ssebalu, who has buses upon buses with voter-tourism sponsored by the party. Because of the hesitation and importance of this election, they had to detain without charges the Independent Candidate Kyagukanyi at Kiira roads, until he found another venue for his final rally. President Museveni doesn’t like to pushed or dishonored, as the prospects of slap in-the-face of a new politician wasn’t in the cards.

So when they released after a done deal at the Kiira Police Station, Bobi Wine went-on to another venue, than the planned one in Kasangati, but has instead to be in Gayaza town. Proves the powers of intimidation and control of the NRM in favor of Sitenda Ssebalu and President Museveni. This is a-typical and Modus Operandi of the NRM regime. The ironies of it all, was that before President Museveni put his shovel into the By-Election, the Independent had followed procedure and warned about his campaign rally in Kasangati. This proves there is two classes of political classes in Uganda. Yet, again by the way!

Bobi Wine has been arrested. He was meant to campaign in Kyadondo but police blocked him from accessing the grounds” (NTV Uganda, 27.06.2017).

As the final rallies are on, the Police presence is intense and at all venues. The Police are deployed at all venues to intimidate and silence opposition. There are many going from Kasangati to Gyaza as the rally shifted that way. Since the President Museveni and Ssebalu rally are held in Kasangati. Police has even interfered on the roads around Kasangati to get taxis to ferry people to the NRM rally. They really need their propaganda shots and the pride of the sensitized crowds in their favor. Since the NRM cannot win in a free and fair fight.

FDC Candidate was acting swift on arrest of Bobi Wine, stopped his rallying, went to Kiira Road and demanded the release of his competition. Apollo Kantinti didn’t do this because he had too, but proved his stance of vigilance as he as opposition has seen the cost of being so. Just by trying to figure out a way of making the NRM look better or alike it competitor.

The Communication Officer of NRM Rogers Mulindwa informed the public with this:

NRM wishes to inform its supporters in Kyadondo East Constituency and the public at large that its Candidate Hon Sitenda Sebalu has this Tuesday afternoon been arrested by police on unclear circumstances. He was arrested together with the district NRM chairperson Hajji Abdu Kiyimba from Wampeewo playground, a second venue for today’s rallies. Police could not tell the motive behind this act but the party continues to seek a clear explanation. The venue was also later invaded by the FDC supporters rendering it impossible for our rally to take place. As an exemplary political party, we have therefore taken a decision to shift our rally to Sir Appolo Kaggwa Church of Uganda in order to avoid causing nasty scenes.We call upon our party members to remain calm and focus on the victory within our sight” (Mulindwa, 27.06.2017).

Pardon me, NRM, but this seems staged, since you arrest the Independent Candidate for campaigning in your area and than blaming FDC for having their campaign rally. This is all knowledge the Electoral Commission should have sanction on behalf of the candidates and accepted previous of the Election Road Map for the By-Election. Therefore, I am buying that the Police arrested Independent Candidate Bobi Wine for his rally in Kasangati, as President Museveni weighed in his support in the election, but that Sebalu suddenly behind bars. Seems more like play for the gallery. There is also reports that the lack of crowds around the NRM, they have not only ferried people from afar, but also closed near-by schools so the students has to attend the rallies of their candidate. A real disgrace of the NRM.

While the FDC leadership stands strong on their final rally for Apollo Kantinti where Ingrid Turinawe, Mugisha Muntu and Kizza Besigye shows up at their rally in Wampeewo. So the solidarity for their candidate is there. While Museveni needed the Police Force to clear Bobi Wine away from the venue and have control of the area, because he knew he doesn’t have the natural crowd support anymore. There are also reports of clashes in Wampeewo, as the NRM and FDC are both campaigning on the site. The FDC supporters even tell the NRM to leave the official grounds as it’s supposed to be FDC Official rally site. Certainly, the Electoral Commission has done something wrong, since both parties says there rallies are being hold there. Seems like the NRM will detain some FDC leaders and FDC supporters today, so they can hold their voter-tourism rally there. Since they have already pushed Bobi Wine to Gayaza town. Even if NRM Communication call them exemplary party, they should explain that to Bobi Wine’s supporters and barred rally, especially when all news are about the Wampeewo Play Ground rally for NRM, as the FDC are still already there. It wasn’t an invasion, they we’re already there! 

So if there will be more detained opposition leaders, I wouldn’t be shocked, as this the NRM M.O. and that is what they do. Especially, since the President Museveni and his candidate for the district will arrive in the area and doesn’t want to have fair competition, certainly he will use the Police Force to get rid of the FDC in the area. Even if the FDC has followed protocol, as the Bobi Wine candidature also did in Kasangati earlier in the day. Peace.

The Presidential Handshake report doesn’t say much, but it was a clear “error” by Museveni!

I finally got the whole COSASE report of the Presidential Handshake, what has been reported on my blog or page, has been comments of it. This time it would be direct quotes from the report that was put forward in Parliament from the Parliamentary Committee. That the President had an “error” was been weak, the whole ordeal was a bribe and the Committee didn’t have the courage to say so. Even as the position of every one was spelled out in the Report. Every single person paid out bribe was spelled out and the whole part of the allocation was broth to the daylight. Not that the insights was saying much new. But it still, shows how the President is controlling the Parliament and the use of funds. Since he was shocked of certain acts and that he was making it bonafide, but it wasn’t so. This story has been written back- and fourth.

Before more comments, let’s look at quotes from the report!

The Committee was informed by the management team of URA led by the Commissioner General that before the final arbitration ruling, the Uganda Government team briefed Cabinet on the 19th of November 2014 on the progress of the HOGL arbitration and H.E. the President promised to reward the team if they won the case” (…) “The Final Award on the merits of the arbitration was delivered on the 24th February, 2015 wherein the full panel of three Arbiters agreed in favour of Uganda Government and dismissed the entire claim of HOGL and awarded USD 4,083,840 in cost. The then Attorney General Hon. Fred Ruhindi on the 13th April 2015 (App. B1) wrote to H.E. the President reminding him of his promise to reward the team and requested him to consider a reward for noble team. He also attached a list of 24 proposed beneficiary” (…) “The Committee was informed that the Attorney General further led the Government team to meet H.E. the President at his country home in Rwakitura on the 17th May 2015 where the victory in the Heritage arbitration case was among other things discussed. That the H.E. The President thanked the team and directed the Commissioner General of URA to propose an appropriate reward for the team. H.E. The President also guided that the other Public Officers who had tremendously Contributed to the success of the case but had not been included on the first list generated by the Attorney General be included too” (COSASE, P: 8-9. 2017).

As a follow up to the H.E. the President’s letter of 16th November, 2015, the Commissioner General of URA wrote to the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to Treasury (PS/TS) in a letter dated 11th December, 2015 (App. B6) requesting him to formally designate her as accounting Officer through whom the reward would be paid and to formally requisition for the UGX 6,000,000,000 (Uganda Shillings Six Billions Only)” (…) “The Commissioner General, as advised and in a letter dated 5th May 2016 (App. B8) sought authority from the Hon. Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to reallocate UGX. 6 Billion (Uganda Shillings Six Billion Only) from URA Tax Refund Account to URA Expenditure Account so that the 42 Public Officers could be paid and suggested that a supplementary to URA for that amount to be considered and handled by the Hon. Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The Hon. Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development did not grant this authority. However, by letter dated 19th October, 2016 (App. B10) he requested the Auditor General to issue an audit warrant for UGX 6 Billion” (COSASE, P: 10-11, 2017).

The Committee reviewed the budget for Financial Year 2016/2017, which was approved by the Board and subsequently appropriated by Parliament for URA activities and the UGX 6 Billion “handshake” was not budget for. The Committee further received evidence from the Board of URA to the effect that such money had not been provided for and they were hearing of that expenditure for the first time” (COSASE, P: 29, 2017).

The Committee observers therefore:

1. That it is true that USD 157 Million, which would have accrued as part of the Capital Gain Tax, was waived.

2. The contention arose out of a clause in the PSA which provided for waiver of tax signed by the then minister Hon. Syda Bbumba.

3. That the dispute would not have arisen if the PSA did not have a waiver of tax.

4. The then Ministry of Energy, Hon. Syda Bbumba, did not have authority to waive tax in that transaction and her auction of not having read the agreement before signing was irregular.

5. All the then Ministry of Energy who signed PSAs with similar clause acted ultra vires the law” (COSASE, P: 44, 2017).

Conclusion:

This “handshake” expenditure was not budgeted URA activity and therefore, a diversion of the UGX 6 Billion without lawful authority was contrary to the PFMA” (…) “H.E. The President’s approval of this “handshake” was bonafide. However, it was an error of judgement” (…) “That all funds paid out of URA account to the beneficiaries of the “handshake” should be refunded” (…) “The Executive should come up with a Bill within 90 days to regulate and streamline the Presidential Donations Budget” (COSASE, P: 45, 2017).

The Presidential Handshake has clearly showed the proof of how a visit at the Presidents farm in 2015 can lead-up to. President Museveni offered honorarium and bonuses to all the staff in the Tullow/Heritage Oil Tax Case, so all their work would benefit them. Without having it in budgets, without any votes or any sort of procedural activity, therefore it was an illegal allocation. That the Uganda Revenue Authority did allocations without proper actions, that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Ministry of Energy all actors did wrong in this scenario. They misused the tax to their own benefit and the President allowed it to happen. Therefore, it is weird that the only thing the Committee concludes with a new legislation to stop it. Secondly, also refunds of the benefits for the civil servants and the NRM cronies. That the act was done without lawful authority, but that was well-known and not rocket science. IT was clear misuse of government funds to give someone an extra payday, which wasn’t allocated or had the proper legal stamp. Therefore, a clear bribe… not solicited funds which the state should pay their civil servants. Peace.

Reference:

The Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and the State Enterprises (Cosase) – ‘Report of the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and the State Enterprises (COSASE) on the Investigations into the Circumstances under which the reward of UGX 6 BN was given to 42 Public Officers who participated in the Heritage Oil and Gas Arbitration Case’ (May, 2017)

Sekatawa claims the Presidential Handshake is Patriotic, I beg to differ!

The Ali Sekatawa, the Uganda Revenue Authority lawyer has this recent week addressed in his own way, the report from the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), that delivered the report on the Presidential Handshake to Parliament. This report spelled out the initial idea and talk of refunding the handshake back to URA, as the monies was commissioned correctly. Certainly, the Lawyer want to defend his responsibility and be part of illegal activity. Therefore, his defense is ridiculous, just take a look!

According to Sekatawa, the committee selectively evaluated evidence leading to wrong conclusions on certain aspects and was populist in certain aspects. He says he is angry with the fact that the MPs and sections of the public are challenging the patriotism he and his colleagues exhibited while arguing the tax dispute against two British firms then involved in Uganda’s oil sector. Sekatawa is also challenging the fact that Parliament went ahead to adopt a report, which was not signed by all the members of the committee that investigated the matter. He is also of the view that Parliament has no authority to call on him and others that benefited from the bonanza to refund it because the money wasn’t given by Parliament” (URN, 2017).

I wonder if doing clerical work as your supposed to do in a government organization, that is collecting taxes is so patriotic. In the mind of Lawyer Sekatawa it apparently is. There are certain aspects that I have to dive in to, as he explanation is weak tea. I cannot let this one fly for the sake of foolishness. If there are someone who defends corruption, it should be the corrupt leader President Museveni. Not one of his cronies inside the URA. URA are working and following provisions delivered by Parliament and the President. They follow the guidelines and regulations of taxation that has been given. The same happen as the paperwork on the Presidential Handshake has leaked. It isn’t a secret, it is in the open.

The lawyer is clearly blind by brown-envelopes filled with money, instead of working as a civil servant. The civil servants are working for the state and are paid for their duty. The duty of working inside their offices and get their designated salaries. They are not supposed be bribed or misuse state funds for their own personal gains. That is what happen in the case of the Tullow-Heritage Oil Tax Case that gave monies to all that we’re a part of the court case. The civil servants that served the state and tried to get the ill-gained funds from the companies that was supposed to be part of the consolidation fund. A fund that are used to pay for government and state projects.

Instead, the government and the URA employees we’re served with a Presidential Handshake, that the state didn’t get it designated funds, but the civil servants who worked the case. Which is a bribe and direct looting of state coffers. It isn’t anything other than thieving, a petty theft and it was sanctioned by all the cronies. Not being patriotic trying to build a state, this was state officials and inner-circle of the state giving themselves a massive pay-raise without any procedure or protocol, feeding of a criminal case and foreign investors. Not trying to build a possible foundation or security of the funds, but dole it out to the willing and the ones who knew about the transactions.

The ones that photo-copied the paperwork, the ones that took the phone-calls, the ones that wrote on the settlement, the ones that argued the case in the United Kingdom and the ones that are loved cronies of Museveni. That isn’t patriotic, that is misusing and breaking down a system for personal gains. You don’t love your nation when you sponge of it, when you eat taxes, instead of using it on schools, health-care and other necessities.

Sekatawa doesn’t love Uganda, he loves the Presidential Handshake, he loves the MONEY. MONEY is what makes his world go-around and pays for his SUV and his mansion. He doesn’t love Uganda, he isn’t loving the Republic or the history. He doesn’t respect it’s constitution and it’s laws, when he defends bribes and corrupt behavior. That he benefited from. That is lie… a damn lie. A big fat LIE.

A Presidential Handshake isn’t patriotic, neither are bribes, they are petty theft of state reserves and state funds, that was supposed to go elsewhere, than into the pockets of ill-informed men and woman who liked to corrupted by the state itself. He needs to figure this out and get his mind out the fat corrupted brown-envelopes, maybe even try to figure out the real value of patriotism. Because this is not! Peace.

Reference:

URN – ‘URA lawyer to sue Parliament over Shs 6bn oil cash bonanza’ (24.06.2017) link: http://observer.ug/news/headlines/53523-ura-lawyer-to-sue-parliament-over-shs-6bn-oil-cash-bonanza.html

NRM Letter to President Museveni: “Re: Memorandum of Important Issues Affecting Our Party and The Running of Government under the National Resistance Movement” (03.03.2017)

Upper Madi By-Election: Return Form for Transmission of Results (22.06.2017)