A paid vacation for a week: The Gulu Sitting

“There are MPs who don’t know even the road to Gulu, but now this time when we are sitting in Gulu, you find all the hotels are full, all the food is being eaten. People are benefitting. But it is also important for us to take Parliament to the people. We are elected by the people, so it is just prudent enough for us to take Parliament to the people not always people going to Parliament” (…) “It is nothing peculiar, it has ever happened and it is going to continue happening. Those who are saying they are going to boycott or whichever, it is going to continue happening until we say stop. Parliament will sit here, and it will go to another region, but the first priority was Gulu for us to recognize that the Late Speaker, came from Gulu” (…) “The sitting in Gulu and greater North is a normal sitting. Parliament isn’t a building in Kampala, we can proclaim and sit anywhere in this country, even in the middle of the road, that is what the law says. And bringing Parliament to sit in Gulu is an added advantage to the people of Northern region. Gulu or Northern Region belong to Uganda and because it belongs to Uganda, it must benefit from what the normal sittings takes place in Kampala benefits”– Speaker Anita Among (27.08.2024).

The 11th Parliament isn’t the place to look for good governance or governing for that matter. The Members of Parliament (MPs) and the elected officials are more busy eating, indulging and living large on the expense of the public. The ones in power and in-charge are happy with this.

They are all corruptible and gullible. These people are using their roles as Representatives to get paid, perks and living life like Kings and Queens. These are the elected representatives of a constituency. They are all sitting in Parliament to answer for the nation at large, but also the constituency that elected them.

The MPs should be busy for causes in regards to their constituencies. These should be addressed in Parliament and in the Plenary Sessions. That should be reported and be part of the work as an MP. Meanwhile, when they are in the constituency, they should petition, and hold talks with the citizens to get knowledge of what they possibly need. As the Parliament is doing Government Business and is the legislative body of the nation.

The whole sitting in Gulu and in the other regions are just a way of ensuring the MPs get a long vacation with paid perks. They are holding one sitting in a week. They are travelling, living in hotels and spending fortunes on one single sitting. Which is a wastage of funds. These people are paid for taking a trip to Gulu and spending time with leisure. This is not work, but a paid vacation to the North. Just like it will be in the East and the West too. Certainly, the one in the Central Region will be a wastage too.

This sitting, even if all the pieces of plenary session is all about the Greater North. It still won’t solve it or be resolved. It is a publicity stunt and misuse of office. They aren’t building a greater North by doing this. Neither is the Parliament building anything substantial. If it was so, then all the multi-national and bilateral conferences of Kampala would build sustainable wealth there. As they are holding conferences and such on a regular. This is about the same and not a new invention.

Other than MPs wasting their time and only having one full days of work. They are getting time in hotels and spending leisure outside of Kampala. That’s what they are doing and they are doing it per diem.

This is an official vacation with a piece of work. Just to look like they are busy doing something, but they are really not. A week away from Kampala and away from the jams of the capital city. Peace.

Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU): Response to the Utterances of the “So-Called Disciples of Mr. Odrek Rwabgo”, against our Chairman, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba (19.08.2024)

The Disciples of Odrek Rwabwogo: Statement on Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga Twitter(X) Reckless Utterances against Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo (17.08.2024)

Opinion: Kampala and the KCCA is Museveni’s domain…

“You ‘Kampalanians’ might not know all this because you are here in Kampala with your NGOs” – President Yoweri Kaguta Musveni (12.012.2015).

We know the outcry and the reasons of the lack of good governance in Kampala. It is self-serving and a created structure to benefit the President. The President knows that he cannot get the majority or have his party in the elected offices of the capital. That’s why he has chosen to build structures above the elected officials.

This happens to be the Ministry of Kampala, the Presidential Advisor to Kampala and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). The KCCA is created to ensure the Lord Mayor and others are ceremonial leaders with no real say and no real power. They are just mere galleon figures and there for the charade of “democracy”.

While the KCCA and the Ministry is there to govern. The KCCA and the appointed Council are there to overturn and control the elected leaders. If they are division councillors or division mayors. They are all bound by the governing principles of the KCCA. These aren’t independent and the one who has the power is the ones leading the KCCA.

The Lord Mayor can only show up and be visible, but the one with all power and has the real mandate is the Executive Director of the KCCA. The Deputy as well, has more say than the Lord Mayor. That’s because the appointed leadership means more than the elected ones.

That’s why everything wrong with the KCCA comes from the President. It is the authority created by the President and for the President. This is to ensure his loyal subordinates works there and further his interests on his behalf. They are there to serve Museveni and not the Citizens of Kampala. That’s why they have a job and a title. It is to serve the President and his will.

This is why the KCCA Act was created in 2010 and later amended too. It has been done to secure the President and whatever whims he has. President Museveni is in-charge and make the final decisions. He directs the Executive Director and whoever he has appointed within the KCCA. They are all awaiting the letter or decree to do so. Therefore, if the KCCA doesn’t act or doesn’t appear visible. It is all on the mercy of the President.

So, when something isn’t adding up in the capital. Know that the High Above is behind it all. It is his men and his appointees that are in-charge. They awaiting directives and the final word before acting. The KCCA is a authority and an instrument to undermine the will of the people. It is a way of taking away the power of the ballot and of the citizens as a whole. This overbuilding and institution is there to overshadow and break the will of the people. That’s why its there, because they dare to vote for the Opposition and for the likes of a Erias Lukwago.

That’s why the President appoints the Executive Directors and other members of the KCCA. That’s why he appoints a Minister and a Presidential Advisor. It is all for a reason and that’s to secure his will and his say. Not for the betterment of the capital or the city. No, this is done for selfish reasons and for one man only. The sole reason for the demise of people and lack of good governance. Just so Museveni can have control and micro-manage the Capital as he deems fit. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee cannot be controlled…

Museveni buying shoes in Wandegeya, 02.06.2017.

“We can’t plan for it (Presidential Donations) because I don’t know whom he (President Museveni) is donating to. So there is no way I can say, let us plan for Shs500Bn because I don’t know, whom he is going to donate to. But we capture according to urgency and the capacity of the budget. It isn’t that we discriminate. But I think we can curb it via the political side, like now if I happen to go to Cabinet everyone is sending me a chit, I don’t know what to do because the budget can’t satisfy. I don’t know how I can advise on that because I can’t stop the President from donating” – Jane Barekye, State House Controller (13.08.2024).

Who knew that State House and the Government couldn’t have control or have an oversight of whatever whims or ideas the President has. That is what the State House Controller said yesterday in the Plenary Session in Parliament. Yes, this is in one instance, but it is compelling.

It is saying they cannot know what President Yoweri Kagtua Museveni donates too and who he has pledged funds for. Neither is there enough within the budgets or in the accounts to transfer the donations or gifts to whomever the President deemed fit. That just shows there is no plans for this and only done on a whim.

This is the problem of personalization of the state. When the state is all surrounded and being built around a person. This is dangerous individualism, which reflects badly on the government as a whole. Because the state doesn’t deliver and doesn’t do its duty. It promises funds and pledges, but cannot follow up on them. That’s because they are just empty words and rhetoric, but not something that necessarily implemented. Therefore, this shows what sort of structure and institution that is surrounding the President.

President Museveni can promise Peter, but he needs Paul to pay Peter. That’s how this looks like and he promises without any sort of idea what is budgeted or what is in the accounts. This shows the lack of good governance and even protocol for the matter. There is a lack of structure and mechanisms to ensure things get done. A lack of oversight and a lack of instruments, which should have been there.

The President shouldn’t be able or have the capacity to just do so. Especially, when there is no liquidity or financial backbone to do so. When the State House and the entities that is supposed to pay it out doesn’t have it. Then the President shouldn’t be allowed to speak or even promise anything. He should be silent and await the time the State House and the Office of the President has the money.

This isn’t a functioning government, but a one-man charade. A one man show that destroy the confidence and trust in the government. Because his pledges and supposed donations becomes pointless. When the Presidency and the State House cannot deliver or even ensure the words matters. That’s the endgame here and its obvious.

President Museveni shouldn’t be able to do this. His destroying himself and the state while doing so. Only creating more burden and more expenses without having the domestic revenue. The President isn’t fiscally responsible and neither does he think of the consequences of his actions. That’s for others to fix and pay the amends. Peace.

Opinion: More gerrymandering ahead of the 12th Parliament

The Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja revealed that the operaytionalization of; Entebbe, Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale, Wakiso cities will take place on 1st July 2025, before the 2026 general elections, a move that will see the number of MPs in Parliament increase further, from the current 553 MPs as at March 2024. Nabbanja made the revelation while responding to a question raised by Michael Kakembo (Entebbe Municipality) during the Prime Minister’s Question Time, during the Tuesday 8th August 2024 plenary sitting” (Parliament Watch, 09.08.2024).

If you felt the likes of 553 MPs are too much. There is plans to extend that even further. The gerrymandering of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) aren’t over. This is done in a manner to ensure more people in the 12th Parliament.

Just a friendly reminder that the 9th Parliament (2011-2016) had 375 MPs, the 10th Parliament (2016-2021) had 426 MPs and now it has in the 11th Parliament (2021-2026) has 553 MPs, which clearly isn’t enough. Just within a decade from the 9th Parliament to the 11th Parliament the additional seats is the massive amount of 178 MPs. That’s what that been created and in such a short time. This is the creation of districts and sub-countries, the splitting and creating new local governments. Just so they get a representative for every village and every former sub-county in the Republic.

If you didn’t feel the Parliament wasn’t bloated enough, as it has specialized MPs and such. It has all sorts of representation and which is why it has so many. The Parliament will add even more, as certain districts and such will change with the creation of cities. Which again means there will be more MPs and not just one, but plenty more. A city will have more and we can see this one coming. They will have more than one additional MP and this is a mess, which is created to ensure a bigger majority for the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Create new cities or districts to counter all polling data and secure new MPs for the ruling regime.

We know the Republic already has Youth MPs, Workers MPs or the UPDF MPs for that matter. It is just plenty of additional ones, which creates a majority for reason. They aren’t there for the “special interests” but for a security for the President.

Now we are seeing yet another plan to ensure majority. A way of creating even more division or more local government entities. Just so the Republic can have more Representatives in the Natioanl Assembly. The Parliament can just have more members. We can wonder if the goal is to get 560-570 MPs by 2026. Because, the creation of cities will cause split of districts and will create new sub-counties. Which we know will add plenty of MPs. That will even make sure with the wards and the division mayors within the cities itself.

In addition to the creation of the cities. There are new funding needed for the creation of it and have the entities ready for it. Meaning the local government needs bigger budget and the cities needs more funding in the beginning. Because they need to build and follow the protocol or stipulations of what a city is supposed to have. Meaning all other government services needs to be up to speed and have the additional manpower to run as a city. That’s most likely not in order or the state doesn’t have sufficient funds for it. Which we have seen in the past and the lacking resources to actually gerrymander like it does.

We will just see this sort of thing happening again. Especially when the state knows and cannot have a bigger burden. This is adding more expenses without having more domestic revenue. The state lacks domestic revenue, but still adds more public expenses. That’s really showing the bad side of this governance. Another round of misuse of funds and siphoning it too. The NRM knows all of it, but they are the ones that has created this system. Peace.

Uganda: Uganda Law Society (ULS) – Persistent Unlawful Interference by the Uganda Police with Citizens’ Rights to Peacefully Assemble and Demonstrate (05.08.2024)

Opinion: The PLU is telling what we already knew…

The new challenges of the youth need new solutions. The new solution is none other than Muhoozi Kainerugaba for Presidency in 2026” – Pascal Natamba (05.08.2024)

Everyone alive for the recent decade remember the closure of Daily Monitor and Red Pepper after the release of the documents or letter in relation to the “Project Muhoozi”. That was released by Gen. Tinyefuza and we will never forget that. This is why even a decade ago Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubage said the nation wasn’t a monarchy and he wasn’t seeking the throne. However, we all know that’s a lie and it all started by the “birthday parties” and “public rallies” for his future candidate.

It started with the MK Movement and the MK Army, which has become the PLU. The Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) is only an organization made for one reason. That is to further the cause of Muhoozi and legitimize him to the public. This is to sanitize him and make him familiar. In such a manner that it is reasonable for him to takeover. Therefore, everything is planned and this is way to make the army commander a choice and the second coming of the Republic.

The PLU presser continued:

We are the unstoppable and expendables. We are coming with our new power and new solution. Corruption and riots will not be heard anymore. Everything will come to an end with Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s leadership. The army is in a good state. We are praying that Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba resigns from the army and prepares for the Presidency of this country” (Natamba, 05.08.2024).

It is so basic and so evident what they are trying to do. This has been in the cards and we could spot it for a mile away. Muhoozi is being ushered in and has been promoted to the higher echelons for a reason. He is the next in line and the State House wants one of their own. It is to ensure the wealth and established presence in the nation. That’s to continue the family affair and the high command within the same ranks. Therefore, it cannot be run by outsiders, but only by the Kaguta and the family surrounding him.

This is the reality here… and Museveni hasn’t let anyone else takeover for a reason. He don’t trust them and fears for what would go down. The reactions to his end and the family would suffer. That’s why he needs his son to be the next to succeed him. This would save the family fortunes and continue his legacy.

That’s why the son has created the PLU and that’s a NRM 2.0 and we see that who is appointed or working within the PLU. The PLU is just an organization affiliated and part of the NRM. Even if it isn’t officially. Because, there are so many high ranking officials from the NRM who has a say and has title within the PLU. Therefore, this is a steady ship and calculated affairs.

The presser of today is just to normalize Muhoozi. A man with little to no charisma. A man who has shown little character or ability to govern. He is a military man and a man with a bad track-record in regards to violence. A man of vengeance and that what the father sought for him. This is why he won’t be fit for governing. Alas, that isn’t the values of the President who rather see the family run the Republic and everyone bowing down. As long as the Army and the authorities are loyal to the first family. When that falls… that’s when the nation will change and rapidly too.

Muhoozi isn’t new and isn’t there for the youth. His for the old and for the past. He is just there to take custody and prolong the agony. Muhoozi won’t bring change or a revolution. No, his there ensure the Rwakitaura farm is the command centre of the nation. Peace.

Opinion: Three MPs busy praising the President for doing his duty…

COGNISANT THAT His Excellency, the President called upon Ugandans to desist from corruption since it is a danger to Uganda’s rapid social-economic transformation;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that Parliament expresses gratitude to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda for his clear and concise position of the state of the nation, in the State of the Nation Address” (Dr. Emely Kungoza MP – ‘Motion that thanks of Parliament be Recorded for the Clear and Precise Exposition of Government Policy Contained in the Address on the State of the Nation by H.E. the President to Parliament on 6th June 2024’ 01.08.2024).

Yesterday, three Members of Parliament was busy praising the President for the State of the Nation Address, which was held on the 6th June 2024. It is really striking how MPs are doing this. They are bending the knee and praising the President for doing his job. These are Hon. Emely Kungoza MP, Hon. Cathrine Lamwaka MP and Hon. Kunihira Agnes Abwoli MP.

We have seen this before, but this is how they will be remembered. They want to be remembered as cronies and self-serving individuals who did this as a token of loyalty. That’s why they did this Motion and also dropped a Justification for the Motion. Not that either of them are well crafted or good work of the MPs. No, this is just smug work to show the President that they sing his psalms and hope they can can his recognition.

In the justification, this paragraph stood out:

Lastly, I thank the President, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa, for the impressive socioeconomic transformation, which has been achieved under the NRM Government since 1986. The wealth and job-creation initiatives have enabled low income earning Ugandans to be part of the money economy which has enabled Uganda to attain the lower middle-income status” (Dr. Emely Kungoza MP – ‘Justification to a Motion that thanks of Parliament be Recorded for the Clear and Precise Exposition of Government Policy Contained in the Address on the State of the Nation by H.E. the President to Parliament on 6th June, 2024’ 01.08.2024).

It is like people don’t see what is happening or isn’t getting the memo. The motion itself and justification is just rewriting the speech of the President. It is just verifying it and trying to make these statements real. Instead of working on the prospects of the speech and such. They are instead blindly worshipping the President for speaking to them.

It is really sad to see this and the display isn’t a sign of confidence. The MPs does to be recognized and be viable to the President. They hope His Excellency appreciate it and give his blessings to them. They need him to see them and hopefully give them some of his time. That’s why they are doing this and serving him this way.

We can just see how they are playing as servants of the President. Not as leaders or representatives of the people. No, they are just there to hoodwink people and be there to hopefully get into the good graces of His Excellency. That’s what they are doing and that’s why they took part in this shindig.

This isn’t a sign of greatness… but a sign of desperation, a need to be seen and get some recognition. That’s what happened here and the Honourables are wasting not only their time, but everyone else by doing so too. Peace.

Opinion: Munyonyo is a money pit…

It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to” – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

There is a need for discussions about the spending on the Sudhir Ruparelia’s Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort. The Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort and the Convention Centre, which have been updated for summits. However, the Munyonyo have been an issue since the 2007 CHOGM Conference, which was the first reason to begin with.

Since then… the Munyonyo have been a place of budgetary funds. The hotel has gotten billions of shillings. Meanwhile, the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) haven’t gotten dividends from. That is really telling after all these years and the UDC supposed being a big shareholder of the company itself.

Munyonyo and the agreements with the state should be looked thoroughly into… and not just petitions or the questioning by the COSASE in Parliament. Those seems not be enough. Neither the Auditor General Reports on the Munyonyo either. Nothing comes out of it and sooner or later the state will sooner spend more fortunes on it.

Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort should be questioned. We can wonder what sort function Ruparelia has and what sort of relationship he has with the State House. Because his business deals can cause a stir, but he can get off the hook. He has been involved in questionable transactions and takeovers before. Therefore, this just looks suspicious.

Where has the money gone and why aren’t the state getting anything in return? There should be some ends going to the state. The government has spent fortunes on this hotel. They have spent billions upon billions for so long. Not only before the recent summits there, but in other years too.

The UDC and the Government of Uganda can clearly prioritize Munyonyo. There is something magical about the place. It has some stars aligned and possibilities we don’t know about. The location and the hotel must have special place in the heart of the President. He must really have some sort of connection with the place. Because he is spending money like a drunk sailor on it and expect nobody to have a proper oversight over it.

Munyonyo … Munyonyo … Munyonyo are getting budget posts, but the UDC doesn’t get any dividends. That is telling and something isn’t adding up. The stat can just spend billions on billions for decades. Meanwhile the state see nothing in return. Only a place for conferences, summits and national functions instead of Kololo Independence Grounds. However, that doesn’t defend the state misuse of funds to build, update or keep the upkeep of this hotel.

Munyonyo… it is a dangerous business, I suppose. Someone went out the door, but we don’t know what happened after the individual went out the door. Peace.