Redefining the history of “freedom”: Detainment Spree!

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Happy 54th Independence celebrations. I salute all Ugandans and congratulate you on this auspicious occasion” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

Today, the National Resistance Movement and their junta regime under President Musveni is supposed to celebrate 54 years of Freedom and Liberty from the British Empire. Today there are supposed to be both Celebration Parties from the Government, but also the Opposition Party Forum for Democratic Change, something they even asked permission from the Police Authorities. Instead they are either behind house-arrest or like Dr. Kizza Besigye who tried to leave his home in Kasangati, Wakiso District; where taken from his gates and the put in the notorious “black van” or “torture van” and reported to spend the day at the Naggalama Police Station in Mukono. Something that has happen frequently in the recent months.

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Just as the NRM and their President are celebrating giving away awards to the Uganda Cranes and other dignitaries on this day in Luuka District. The Police are house-arresting several leaders in the FDC, because they fear the level of popularity and their connection with the people that will make the current leadership look weak.

The ironic about this is that Independence Day are celebrated by the Authorities using active colonial laws to oppress citizens who doesn’t validate the ruling regime and their methods of staying in power. This happens as Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago and Hon. Allan Ssewanyana has been arrested as well.

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In Katwe, Kampala the FDC’s Ingrid Turinawe and Hon. Geoffrey Ekanya we’re arrested by the Police as they started to have their own independent Celebration in the area.

But the President himself is priding himself with the army and Police in Luuka, because it’s not like he can get a lot of people to surround himself anymore because of popularity as the fatigue of his greed and depleting state of affairs.

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So the freedom that President Museveni provides is just if he is given loyalty or offers it, either because the citizen doesn’t matter or the person is not a threat to his existence of power. That proves the limited vision of liberty and justice under the current NRM regime and their force of aggravated assaults on the true independence of Uganda. Uganda should celebrate their liberation from the giant empire of United Kingdom. They might got rid of the control from London, but the control of Okello House of Entebbe or State House in Kampala isn’t that much better. They are still monitoring and controlling the civil society and impunity towards their own citizens… acting and using laws that we’re made under colonial times to silence the voices who wanted liberty back then from Whitehall.

Medals are given to these men it’s reported from the Uganda Media Centre: 

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The President shouldn’t congratulate, he is late and he doesn’t care of liberties and freedoms of his own, only about himself and his elite that has risen while he took power. Peace.

FDC leaders are now kept on a tight leash!

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Just as the Police Force AIGP Andrew Kaweesi has been blurring and telling the Forum for Democratic Change that their not allowed to do Public rallies or anything; which by his reckoning is bound by law. The FDC is really under siege. This is happening while the pictures surface of how many Police Officers and Guards around Dr. Kizza Besigye house and his compound in Kasangati, Wakiso.

Also that the FDC Spokesperson without any warrant, any court-order or any considered method of criminal justice we’re put under house-arrest by the Uganda Police Force, at his home in Bukasa Bweyogere. This proves how malicious the rigged system is against the leading opposition and the counter-argument against the NRM and their Executive. That they have without any reason or reasonable legal motivated care for justice put Honourable Ibrahim Ssemujja Nganda.

While that was taking place the Honourable Besigye we’re fleeing his homestead and cleared away from the massive guarded areas of his compound again. Dr. Kizza Besigye has been able to pass-out before as he has done with wits. Today he went out so he could pay his respect Mr. Richard Mafabi in Buteza, Budadiri West Constituency, Sironko District. The former Magistrate of Makindye, a man who he has encountered a few times in his career. So he wanted to be noble and honour the man.

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So now the Police Force is picking-up more of the Central Leadership of FDC. They cannot help themselves to do something else. They do this like in spite of the rules and regulation in the mercy of public safety, but they only does it to silence the Opposition. The legitimate party of the land and not the one that has to bribe itself into existence like the Movement does for the moment.

The FDC are under steady attack, not allowed to do its activity. Every time they try to do party works than their FDC Headquarters at Najjankumbi or some of key leadership are detained, under house-arrest or just under surveillance of the Police. The Police and Authorities are so vividly attached to upkeep of the FDC that their budget has to have giant space for the FDC and their activities. They have to pay out a lot of salary to keep up with the FDC and their work. This must be seen as wasted funds as they only further the purpose of defiance for the FDC and not strengthening the cause of the Opposition.

The Movement and their Police are just making this into a foul-play instead of what they are trying to achieve. They doing it with impunity instead of with legitimately… because when they have to take the step of house-arresting fellow MPs without any consideration and claim of illegal activity you know the government and their security outfits are totally out of bound with legitimate rule of law and justice. The Justice and Rule of Law is only serving the Elite and NRM not the people, because even the so-called representatives can be taken hostage and arrested without any court order or use of codes of law to present their case towards the person who we’re too be charged.

This is the illegal steps the government does to its own citizens and without any concern for rights. They are only caring about staying power, not serving the citizens therefore they detaining, house-arrests and personify their current impunity with the attacks on the FDC. Peace.

Opinion: Can’t Museveni create his One-Party state already? I’m getting tired of this nonsense!

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Today I read and not in aw that the Uganda Police Force have not allowed the Forum for Democratic Change have separate Luuka celebration or celebration or possessions on the Independence day and in the Independence week. So initially the only ones independent and free is the ones following allegiance to the ruling regime and National Resistance Movement. As the others has to follow their program and effort, bow in silence and with relief of their limited liberty.

The ashes and razors of the Movement are now clear. The dusts of past glories are now overshadowing the marginalization’s of the open multi-party democracy that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni never really wanted or in-accurately really wanted to usher in. As the double unknown ballots and elections got it in. Still, the well rigged machinery and securing control of selected men has continued as the skeleton of free democracy has been there, but none in the sense that people really elected the men and woman to rule the nation. Because that we’re chosen from the National Executive Committee of the Movement or from the head itself.

In clarity I am tired of the charades of courtship when there ones taken there are for show or for the reason of making it look like rule of law. When the reality seems more following orders, than following laws and the institutions of justice; the elections are more fragile fully fledged money hungry politicians who ask for favours than trying to come with real policies or political framework to change Uganda. The few who do is very few and the Electoral Commission leaves very little circumstance as they cook the ballots to fit the program of President Museveni and by no-chance in burning hell leave the Parliament to other parties than his beloved Movement.

The initial tiredness today is not only because of the House-Arrest of Dr. Kizza Besigye, the knowledge of many FDC Youths lingering in jail, FDC members and leaders with the same faith, Democratic Party Youth and Leaders detained and political activists waiting trial and detained at random. That is just vicious effect of the political space and thin air of judgement from the master on top that want to have total control of monies, power and trying to capture respect.

President Museveni, do yourself a favour, I am tired and those who see what you do is tired. Not as the recess of Parliament is until 14th November, after a lousy-goosy month of September when the Parliament even we’re closed-up for while many MPs travelled to United States on Seminar. No the tired Mr. President comes from one thing, the impunity and the accessibility of liberty and freedom for other than the Movement. It is so limited for the rest like a parade.

Beti Kamya M7 01.09.2016

Museveni, the Parade, see what I got, see what I got: I got the Democratic Party, Uganda People’s Congress and so on; though he won’t be proud of FDC and the other defiance chapter of Multi-Party democracy he wished in his heart that everybody we’re as soft as Hon. Beti Kamya of Uganda Federal Alliance or Hon. Jimmy Akena of the Uganda People’s Congress.

So when the Police Force is continuing to disallow a political party to act, to be apart or have their own. They are struggling just to be allowed to have consultation meetings before the Campaign trial of General Election 2016. This is the proof of the little wish the Police Force and the Movement wants them to co-exist. They only let the ones co-exists if they are no threat or just for show. There are times the Democratic Party have been taken by local Police by just campaigning at night, while President Museveni had a car and lights into the late evening on his trail. It’s just a façade of rule of law and multi-party democracy.

And when it is sham, a charade and a façade, because that is what it is at this point. With the main contender, the power-broker behind bars in his own humble home in Kasangati. Besigye is the one that cannot be contained behind his gate and President Museveni knows this. He is creating havocs on his own with the force of his security organizations called the Police.

President Museveni your games should stop. Your nonsense and your misbehaving should stop and you should just close the gates. Something you really never wanted to open. You are not a democrat and never wanted to act as one. This is your only way to rise to power we’re through a Bush-War and devious killings of close allies and enemies to settle score to stay in power.

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You can use all kind of laws to settle the score, to keep them at bay and silence them. That is why the oppressive behaviour and the continuation of deliberate acts impunity and taking away freedom and justice for the ones who allegiance to other than the Movement. This is the proof of the recent act of Luuka preparations. As the FDC did comply with Public Order Management Act to file in the request for a public political event; as they did so the Police ordered it unlawful as they often do.

There we’re rare luck that the FDC and even Go-Forward at some point in recent months could without any consideration act as free parties, they had to comply with the law; while the NRM and their henchmen could file in the last minute and still be allowed. They nearly did it to save face, not because they really needed it; it was on order from the President to have meetings and celebrations at Kololo Independence Grounds or anywhere else for that matter. But if somebody else where to have something going on, than they had to apply and by luck get allowed to have meeting of their party!

This is something that remains a factor and not a relief this continuation and pro-longed fake democracy and fake ballot-stuffing piece of nonsense that keeps the Parliament and the Local Government in the control of the President; nobody else vision matter, they never have that is why he helped overthrow the other and became a rebel. For President Museveni nobody else’s vision for Uganda matters only his. President Museveni doesn’t even trust enough in his heir of Brig. Muhoozi or Maj. Gen. Muhoozi to be able to rule over anything else then the Special Force Command.

FDC HQ 19.02.2016 Police Siege

At this point of time the Movement and their President isn’t really caring about liberty, freedom or justice; if so the FDC wouldn’t be in trouble over a having a citizen travelling back to the homeland. If the Movement and the ruling regime cared for democracy than they would let the FDC and their members be free to congregate and do party work; instead the Movement uses the Police to siege the home of Besigye, treason charge on Hon. Michael Kabaziguruka, besieging the FDC Headquarters of Najjankumbi and all the other Political Activists who are behind bars.

They are all in the Courts, Detained at the Police Posts and the ones awaiting trial for being part of the wrong party at the wrong time. That is not democracy or justice that is the vision and the will of the President who built this system and fragile institutions that cannot even be able to fight corruption; unless they report directly to him so he can fix it. That is 30 years of concrete planning and marginalize the institutions and procedures so they have to go by the President if they ever where to become something or help somebody.

The Movement right now is the only Party and Institution who are allowed to co-exist with the Government. Well, it is the Government and runs the Government so that Ofwono Opondo can spell-out his lies and deceit still getting paid by hour. That is the wishes of this gracious king, sorry His Excellency President Museveni.

So please, please President Museveni does yourself a favour this façade and charade is too old for the world, for your cow-farming and for your tricks of old. Its time relax; continue to thieving of government funds while getting NGOs to feed the starving refugees as you have had. This while foreign donors get to take land for their business and your citizens get into PoC camps. There is time to silence the critics and be your true self. That is being the anti-democratic person who only believes in his own vision. The vision of your own power and rule is the only one that matters; the rest is rubbish and nonsense. Peace.

Uganda: Police advises FDC against parallel rallies to National Independence celebrations, Luuka (06.10.2016)

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Uganda: “Response to FDC party, on intention to conduct assemblies and processions during the Independence week” (06.10.2016)

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South Sudan: “Under Fire: The July 2016 Violence in Juba and UN Response” (05.10.2016)

UN House Juba

South Sudan: UN Falls Short During July Violence in Juba

UNITED NATIONS (Oct. 5, 2016)—The United Nations needs to ensure transparency and accountability for the inadequate response of its peacekeepers during the July crisis in Juba, Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) said in a report released today. For its part, the Security Council should immediately impose an arms embargo, both to help protect civilians from further harm and in response to the national government’s obstruction of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The 84-page report, Under Fire: The July 2016 Violence in Juba and UN Response, documents how, during four days of intense fighting in Juba in July 2016, the parties to the conflict killed and injured civilians in displaced persons camps with indiscriminate gun and artillery fire. Government forces also broke into a hotel and apartment complex to brutally attack international and national aid workers, and, in the weeks following the crisis, raped South Sudanese women who went outside the displaced persons camps in search of food.

Much of the fighting occurred in close proximity to the main UNMISS bases, which were themselves hit by more than 200 rounds of likely indiscriminate fire. In that environment, the Mission’s defense of the 37,000 displaced persons sheltered on its bases was inconsistent, with some peacekeepers abandoning their posts during heavy fighting while other peacekeepers assisted civilians trying to enter the base perimeter. Outside the UN bases, the Mission’s protection was almost nonexistent, with devastating consequences for South Sudanese civilians and aid workers targeted by government forces.

“The UN peacekeeping mission faced a challenging environment during the July violence in Juba, but it underperformed in protecting civilians inside and outside its bases,” said Federico Borello, Executive Director at CIVIC. “To ensure that such problems are not repeated, it is critical that the UN be transparent about what went wrong and hold accountable any individuals or units that failed to live up to the Mission’s protection mandate.”

Many of the problems exposed during UNMISS’s response to the July violence are not new. In February 2016, government forces attacked the Malakal Protection of Civilians (POC) site, on which 47,000 displaced persons were sheltered. At least 30 civilians were killed and one-third of the camp was burned down. CIVIC’s investigation into that incident, as well as a UN Board of Inquiry (BOI), identified major failings. However, UN leadership refused to divulge which particular troops underperformed, and CIVIC’s new report also shows there was scant accountability, despite promises to repatriate units and specific officers.

In August, the UN Secretary-General appointed a Special Investigation to examine issues related to UNMISS’s response to the July violence in Juba. It is essential that the Special Investigation’s report be made public and lead to meaningful accountability for peacekeeping units as well as for individual civilian and military officials who underperformed, CIVIC said.

Although the Mission needs to perform better in protecting civilians under threat, many of its difficulties are compounded by the inadequate support it has received from the UN Security Council and UN leadership in New York. The crisis exposed major problems with medical care and evacuation; two peacekeepers died, including one who bled for 16 hours, after a UN position was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and the Mission was unable to get them proper medical attention. During critical parts of the fighting, peacekeepers were also unable to stay in their sentry posts along the POC site perimeter, as they were not reinforced with bulletproof material.

For almost three years, the Mission has been repeatedly blocked, harassed, and, at times, even attacked by the parties to the conflict. Civilians throughout the country have also been targeted deliberately, including for killings, sexual violence, abductions, and the destruction of homes and crops. In response, the Security Council has issued numerous condemnations, but failed to take effective action.

“The Security Council has sat idly by as the parties to the conflict have repeatedly obstructed UNMISS’s movement and used weapons, including heavy weapons, against civilians,” Borello said. “It is time for the Council to finally implement an arms embargo.”

Under Fire is based on more than 100 interviews during two weeks of field research in Juba in August 2016 as well as on meetings and Skype interviews in Nairobi, Washington, DC, and New York in July and September 2016. CIVIC also sent a letter to UNMISS requesting official response to seven specific issues related to the July violence. The Mission’s written responses have been incorporated into the report.

Notes to editors:

The Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) works to make warring parties more responsible to civilians before, during, and after armed conflict. We are advocates and advisers finding practical solutions to civilian suffering in war. We believe that warring parties should do everything in their power to avoid harming civilians and that it is never acceptable to walk away from the harm they do cause. More information available at civiliansinconflict.org.

All of a sudden President Museveni wants to cater to the World Bank? I thought he didn’t’ want Foreign Interference in his Uganda!

Museveni Swears In

The World Bank has suspended their budget loans and the financial support for the Government of Uganda in this calendar year. President Museveni is seeing the ramifications of his inactions of fiscal policies and the way it’s interpreted. What the World Bank can question is the ability for the Ministries of Uganda to take loans in their own ways.

World Bank Statement on suspension of Development Funds for Roads:

Following the cancellation on December 21, 2015 of the World Bank supported Uganda Transport Sector Development Project, overseen by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), the World Bank has suspended the disbursement of funds for civil works in two other projects in Uganda. Those projects, overseen by the UNRA, are the North Eastern Road-Corridor Asset Management Project and the Albertine Region Sustainable Development Project which are suspended pending a review and strengthening of the capacity of UNRA to adhere to the required  environmental and social standards. We are continuing to work with the Government to ensure all Bank-supported projects help Ugandans improve their lives while protecting the poor and vulnerable” (World Bank, 2016).

World Bank Statement earlier in September:

The World Bank Group took a decision to withhold new lending to Uganda effective August 22, 2016 while reviewing the country’s portfolio in consultation with the Government of Uganda.  We continue to actively work with the Ugandan authorities to address the outstanding performance issues in the portfolio, including delays in project effectiveness, weaknesses in safeguards monitoring and enforcement, and low disbursement. We reiterate our commitment to doing everything possible to work closely with the Government of Uganda, as well as with other stakeholders, to support the country’s development and ensure that all World Bank-supported projects deliver tangible and long-lasting results to all Ugandans, especially the poor and vulnerable” (World Bank, 2016).

President Museveni writes to the World Bank:

“President Museveni has written to the World Bank (WB) promising that his government is addressing the structural gaps and other loopholes that compelled the bank early this month to announce withholding of more than $1.5b (Shs5 trillion) in new lending until further notice. The President’s letter to WB, also copied to senior officials in the Ministry of Finance, is part of efforts by government to salvage the loans and save many projects whose failure could have wide economic and political ramifications” (…) “The other guidelines that finance officials will table in Washington, he said, is for all projects to have a “component of benchmarking by Parliament” before the loans are approved. Previously, he explained, ministries would push to get loans whose absorption and project implementation plans are not ready. “For all loans that have not been absorbed, I have evidence where the ministers say they were ready. But by adding a component of benchmarking, they have to justify the request and also satisfy that they are ready.” (Musisi, 2016).

These two statements prove the sentiment of World Bank towards the Government of Uganda and their Parliament how they spend and allocate their monies. As the structures of the Parliament are not budget-wise or coherent enough to be trusted with foreign money! So they have suspended and shown their acts towards the government who has used the loans as they please.

Here a proof of recent legislation that gave a free pass to the Members of Parliaments and the Government of Uganda how they can act without any supervision. Just read this lines!

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As shown by me before in 2015:

 “(5a) In addition to subsection (5), a loan raised by the Government as a temporary advance by the Bank of Uganda, which does not extend beyond a financial year shall not require to be approved by the Parliament” (P5, 2015, PFMA).

So if President Yoweri Museveni writes with the sweetest words, this legislations is active and gives way to the Ministries to take out money without filling it in the Ministerial Policy Statement before Financial Year Budget 2015/2016 or any year else as the small term loans can be taken by ‘Ministry for Higher Education and Sports’ can borrow 1bn from Bank of Uganda (BoU) without questions if it supposed to a be short-term loan. And the best it doesn’t have to be questioned the validity in Parliament.

President Museveni forgets that part and that he has created and accepted the loopholes of the economy because the legislation has been servicing him and his cadres. Therefore he feel compelled to write to ask for it and promise to fix it. The World Bank knew he made it happen and therefore seen enough of his ruthless behaviour and his mismanagement of funds.

And if President Museveni took time to read through the reports of the Auditor General John Muwanga and the Inspectorate of Government under the Inspector Government (IGG) Irene Mulyagonja Kakooza has in the recent Financial Year 2015/2016 written staggering amount loopholes and fiscal maladministration. This being that funds that is allocated not paid out on time and also unaccounted funds, even misspent funds in many ministries of the recent budget year 2014/2015. With this in mind, the President should read some of it and make sure they have procedures and will power to create government institutions that works properly.

Instead, Mr. President you have focused more on yourself and the same with the MPs who are greedy and known for seeking their own interest instead of their citizens. In this regard that the President pleas for the bailout World Bank loans are a bit too much for me; this from a man who said this not too long ago:

“I wouldn’t ask these foreigners, but I would never accept these foreigners to give me orders about Uganda. Or about anything in the world! They got their own countries to run. Let them go and run them. Uganda is ours. Nobody gives us orders here” – President Museveni at Kololo Independence Grounds Speech while celebrating the “Double Victory” on 9th April 2016” (Minbane, 2016).

So these man pleas when needing, but acting all bold when rigging the election. As he fixed the economy this way as he has had 30 years to make it this way. This is the powers of being the Executive for so long and he has seen how the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) do their loans to the governments in the past. I am sure he knows very well as he has been a recipient all his life. That’s why it’s so strange that he accept being told how to run his business now… when they suspend and sanctions his needed loans to run his operation and his government. But when they we’re doing it he could tell them to go to hell.

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It is like a moment of Nostalgia when it comes to this. President Museveni pattern are just like this. He continues to counter his own argument from a few months ago. This will happen again, but I hope the World Bank continues to stifle the “Old Man with the Hat”. Because he will one minute speak his peace and offer pleasant gifts, next moment he will be on the war-path and spread venom and after that try to fix it, but usually too late.

But the recommendation from World Bank isn’t a quick fix; it is a systemic change of policy of the economic framework that is there. Something the President already knows very well, as he earns his coins on the system he has ushered in. Peace.

Reference:

Government of Uganda – Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) 2015

Minbane – ‘Don Museveni says “I would never accept these foreigners to give me orders about Uganda”; Time to cut the direct donor assistance to the government budget of Uganda and after that let Don Museveni eat alone!’ (10.04.2016) link: https://minbane.wordpress.com/2016/04/10/httpwp-mep1xtjg-20m/

Musisi, Fredrick – ‘Museveni sends delegation to plead with World Bank over loans’ (30.09.2016) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-appeals-World-Bank-over-loans/688334-3399642-g0djk7/index.html

World Bank Group – ‘World Bank Statement on Withholding New Lending to Uganda (13.09.2016) link: https://minbane.wordpress.com/2016/09/14/httpwp-mep1xtjg-3fl/

World Bank Group – ‘World Bank Statement on Suspension of Roads Projects in Uganda’ (08.01.2016) link: https://minbane.wordpress.com/2016/01/09/httpwp-mep1xtjg-1jx-2/

South Sudan government tells Machar to stop violence, wait for 2018 elections (Youtube-Clip)

“South Sudan’s government is urging its former first vice president Riek Machar to denounce the violence and wait to contest the 2018 elections if he wants to take part in the country’s politics again. The government is also urging its neighbours not to support Machar’s declared war on South Sudan. CCTV’s Patrick Oyet speaks to South Sudan’s Deputy Information Minister, Akol Paul” (CCTV Africa, 2016)

The Auditor General Muwanga really told stories on mismanagement and maladministration of the NRM government (Quotes from the End of the Year AG Report 30th June 2015)

Ugandan shillings

As of yesterday there we’re the reported 111 cars that vanished and weren’t procured by a Ministry in Uganda. Because of that I had to look more through the report of the Auditor General John Muwanga. There are many stories; some of the ones in this Report have already been discussed on my page.

There so many stories to pick, but here is some of my favourites that shows all from a goats, expressways to other where money have disappeared, over-compensated or not allocated needed funds for the planned procurement and projects that the Government we’re supposed to do. Take a look!

Indebted to International Organizations:

I noted that a number of Government entities are indebted to International Organizations such as PTA Bank, ADB, EADB, WTO, UNIDO, COMESA and Shelter Afrique. A sample of five entities revealed indebtedness of UGX.77,724,089,603 and US$.4,968,950” (OAG, P: 36, 2015).

Overpay on construction of Kampala-Entebbe Expressway:

“An analysis was done and adjustments for the different features of the two expressways were made. It was observed that the unit cost for the Kampala-Entebbe expressway was US$ 2.315 million per lane kilometre while the similar expressway was US$ 1.204 million per lane kilometer” (OAG, P: 38, 2015).

NAO Project going nowhere:

“The protocol agreement between Government of Uganda (GoU) and Democratic People’s Republic of China (DPRC) was signed on the 27th June 2008. It involved establishment of a demonstration centre under the National Agricultural Organisation. However, it was observed that after hand-over of the site by Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to the DPRC, there was no proper follow up by Government on the project as such it was difficult to establish whether the anticipated funding of RMB YUAN 50,000,000 equivalent to UGX.26 bn was received and how it was applied to the project” (OAG, P: 42, 2015).

NCIP disbursed funds:

“Government signed fourteen (14) protocols under the Northern Corridor Integration Projects where substantial amounts of funds have been invested and implementation is on-going. For example amounts totalling to UGX4.2bn was disbursed to fund the power interconnection and the Hoima-Lokichar-Lamu oil pipeline. However, the protocols do not provide for regional coordination and monitoring as well as the audit framework to provide an independent assurance on the utilization of joint funds. This renders it difficult to track the progress of the projects and follow up the accountability for the funds disbursed” (OAG, P: 43, 2015).

Advances Unaccounted for:

Uganda National Roads Authority: 47,738,040,619 UGX” (…) “Ministry of Local Government:  3,827,011,454 UGX” (OAG, P:87, 2015).

bidco-uganda

Bidco has avoided VAT:

It was noted that as of November, 2014, the outstanding VAT obligations for BIDCO stood at UGX.744,420,170, included in this figure was late payment interest charge of UGX.168,747,557. Accordingly, a sum of UGX.700,000,000 was paid to URA towards settlement of the tax arrears” (OAG, P: 93, 2015). “After the eleven (11) years, BIDCO would start paying VAT directly on its own and from the 12th year start refunding to Government the VAT plus 5% interest for the first eleven (11) years in (8) equal installments over a period of (8) years. This condition was subject to fulfillment of article 4(3) of the agreement which requires Government to have handed fully to BIDCO all the agreed 26,500 hectares of land” (OAG, P: 94, 2015).

ADB Susbscription:

“In August, 2010, the Governing Council of the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the sixth general capital increase of the bank allocated Uganda shares worth USD.19,759,798 payable over a 12 years period in annual instalments of USD.1,646,649. It was noted that the payment of Uganda’s 4th instalment of UDS.1,293,299 which became due on 16th March, 2015 had not been made. As a result, the callable shares related to the missed instalment had been suspended in line with the Board of Governors resolution on the sixth general capital increase of the bank meeting” (OAG, P:95, 2016).

Banana Project:

“The banana project owns land in Bushenyi together with other movable properties. However, it was noted that the land title is still in the names of the project without the legal mandate to continue owning this land of behalf on government unless the expired legal status is resolved following the legal opinion of the Attorney General to transfer the project under Agriculture sector” (…) “During the financial year 2014/2015, the PIBID project had a budget provision of UGX.9bn out of which only UGX.2.7bn was released as vote on account and as a result, activities worth UGX.6,682,145,000 were not under taken. The affected activities include: purchase and installation of machinery and equipment (UGX.2.5bn), Construction materials (UGX.1.457bn.), marketing of the tooke products (UGX.777,665,000) and procurement of transport equipment (UGX.780,000000)” (OAG, P: 102-103, 2015).

Delayed Construction of Katuna OSBP and swamp reclamation works:

“The construction of Katuna OSBP is undertaken at a contract sum of UGX.8,951,277,750 and Swamp reclamation for access road works estimated at UGX.12,000,000,000. The commencement date for the construction was 13th June 2014 and the estimated completion date was set for 13th June 2015. This was later revised to 30th December 2015. Inspection of construction works showed the following” (…) “The EU Confirmed funding on the 12th May 2014 and all the conditions set by World Bank were met including NEMA’s clearance that was received on the 30th April 2014. I noted that GOU was required to finance the building works for Katuna OSBP since IDA credit funding had been exhausted. The contract for construction of OSBP was finally awarded at a sum of UGX.8,951,277,750 on the 5th June 2014. The EU delayed to operationalize her support and the contractor could not commence on the major building works due to delayed reclamation of the wetland where the buildings were to be constructed” (…) “Management explained that heavy rains, poor terrain and lack of material sources in Katuna such as sand are the biggest challenges. The would be material sources such as hard core are not readily accessible due to the hilly terrain of the area and the contractor can only make a few trips only on a sunny day. For materials like sand, the source is Mbarara (about 150km) and the contractor can only make a few trips given that the road (Mbarara-Ntungamo and Kabale-Katuna) is under construction” (OAG, P: 137-139, 2015).

Uganda Police Force:

“A review of the statement of financial position revealed outstanding payables of UGX.16,454,307,782. Payables worth UGX.10,500,682,162 were incurred during the year which implies that management continued to incur arrears without establishing sufficient mechanisms to monitor and control them” (OAG, P: 183, 2015).

Ministry of Local Government:

“A review of the Ministry of Local Government’s expenditure revealed that the entity charged wrong expenditure codes to a tune of UGX.12,086,792,676. This constituted 40% of total actual expenditure for the Ministry of Local Government. Whereas the funds were spent on items for which they were not originally budgeted for, the accounts have been presented in a way that reflects that the amounts were spent on the earlier budgeted items” (OAG, 2015).

M/S Faw Limited:

“A local company was contracted by the Ministry to provide storage space for the various roads, sanitary and fire-fighting equipment procured under a Chinese loan in 2011/2012 financial year from their parent company. The providers were paid UGX.1,416,000,000 during the year 2014/15 for 20 months storage of the equipment delivered. A review of the procurement file revealed the following” (…) “It was noted that only the Contracts Committee decision on a submission (PP Form 209) approving the evaluation report and contract award at a monthly fee of UGX.70,800,000 were available on file. However, the Solicitor General’s approval and contract agreement were on the procurement file. No initiation of procurement, invitation of potential bidders, record of receipt of bidders, evaluation report and PDU submission of Evaluation Committee report to Contracts Committee were on file to support the award” (…) “A review of the availed documentation revealed that two conflicting pro-forma invoices were submitted by the firm with one quoting a monthly fee of US$.14,160 VAT inclusive for ten months, that is; from 1st June 2012 to 31st March 2013 totaling US$.141,600 and dated 17/5/2012 and another one dated 2/1/2012 quoting a monthly fee of UGX.70,800,000 VAT inclusive for twenty months without clarifying the particular months” (…) “The final batch which arrived in August 2013, was commissioned by the president in October 2013 and handed over to police on 19th December 2013 implying storage of at most five (5) months. This makes fourteen (14) total months of storage as opposed to the 20 months billed resulting into a loss of UGX.424,800,000” (OAG, P: 237-239).

updf-south-sudan

Ministry of Defence:

“During the year the Ministry’s total expenditure on land acquired amounted to UGX.1,119,388,145. However, it was noted that the government policy of capitalising the acquired land from the financial year 2011/2012 did not give guidance on what to include as cost of land acquired. As such, this amount could not be verified due to lack of guidelines on treatment of land costs in the financial statements” (…) “It was observed that a sum of UGX.1,000,000,000 was paid to an individual as part payment on a claim of UGX.2,958,668,733 for the compensation of 683 cattle and 119 goats which were handed over to 4th Division for safe custody during the insurgency period in 1986” (…) “It was not possible to confirm whether this claim had not been paid before since it is now 28 years since the purported supply of the animals” (…) “It also appears that these animals were for various people but instead the compensation was made to one individual” (OAG, P: 285-288, 2015).

State House Entebbe – Okello House:

“State House has been occupying Okello House for many years with a tenancy agreement that expired in 2013. However, it was observed that State House has not renewed the tenancy agreement and no rent payments have been made to the landlord despite continued occupancy. At the close of the financial year, a sum of UGX.1.272,363,507 was outstanding in rental arrears” (…) “National Housing and Construction Corporation owns properties on Plot 1 Kyagwe Road–Nakasero which is currently occupied by State House. Documents indicate that National Housing has been demanding arrears of UGX.201,100,000 from State House. These arrears have not been reflected in the financial statements”  (OAG, P: 294-295, 2015).

If you don’t find this interesting that the Government of Uganda is misspending funds in this way and that this is just a figment of imagination as this is pieces of a giant report. The most interesting is that one man got the whole piece of the pie of what happen in 1986 and secondly that the State House doesn’t even have an agreement with the tenant who owns Okello House where the President has gallant dignitaries. That shows the state of affairs, brothers, time for a change and also better procedures and practices! Peace.

Reference:

OAG – ANNUAL REPORT OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2015

Local Government Permanent Secretary Patrick Mutabwire 111 car’s we’re: ‘Gone in 60 seconds’!

Cars to RDCs Nambole 05.02.2016

The Auditor General John Muwanga was questioning the former Local Government and their use of allocated funds today the results of the check of use of monies is showing the lack of fiscal responsibility. The Local Government where allocated funds for cars for the Local Councillors and Chairpersons in the districts. As much as 111 persons where supposed to get cars to Councillors; what I wonder is it the same about the cars that we’re bought right before elections for the Regional Police Commanders (RPC) and District Police Commanders (DPC) that Hon. Frank Tumbewaze where showing off or Prime Minister Dr. Rukahana Ruganda did too.

But here are the main questions of the day and non-of-us is surprised at the actions of Local Government workers or civil servants diverting funds without following procedure. Take a look!

Misuse of Government funds:

“The former acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Patrick Mutabwire is on the spot over mis-allocation of 12 billion shillings. Mutabwire appeared before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on Wednesday September 28th 2016, to respond to queries raised in the Auditor General’s report of 2014/2015 financial year. One of the queries was on the diversion of the Ugx 12 billion, which was meant to procure 111 vehicles for all district chairpersons and six other vehicles for the ministry. However, it was noted that only Ugx 1.48 billion was spent on the vehicles procured from M/S Toyota Limited while the balance of Shs 5.5 million was diverted and utilized on recurrent expenditure without authority from the Permanent Secretary Treasury. “These funds were subsequently transferred to staff personal accounts, with Shs 4.3 billion paid for African Day of Decentralization celebrations,” the Auditor General said” (Parliamentarywatch.co.ug – ‘Former Local Government Minister On Spot Over Sh 12 Billion Misallocation’ (28.09.2016)

Link: http://parliamentwatch.ug/former-local-government-minister-on-spot-over-sh-12-billion-misallocation/).

What the OAG reports says:

“Diversion of funds meant to procure 111 District Chairperson’s vehicles:

During the year, the Ministry planned to procure one hundred eleven (111) and six (6) vehicles for the District chairpersons and the Ministry respectively. This involved a total contracted amount of USD 4,590,568 for all the vehicles inclusive of taxes. Funds totaling to UGX.7,013,611,179 (inclusive of taxes) were released to cater for part payment of the district vehicles and full payment of the Ministry vehicles. However, it was noted that only UGX.1,487,636,396 was spent on the vehicles procured from M/s Toyota Ltd and the balance of funds (UGX.5,525,974,783) was diverted and utilized on recurrent expenditure without authority from the PS/ST. These funds were subsequently transferred to staff personal accounts – UGX.4,361,949,108, payments for African Day of Decentralization (ADDLD) celebrations – UGX.118,277,664, cash withdrawals – UGX.120,000,000, fuel UGX.28,000,000, hotel bills – UGX.110,844,899, refund of borrowing to DLSP project and DTRF – UGX.315,674,140, rent – UGX.196,859,360 and others. I reviewed the advances to personal accounts and my observations were summarized in Paragraph 8.2. Use of Development funds to cater for recurrent expenditure is contrary to financial regulations” (OAG -ANNUAL REPORT OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2015, P:191-192).

So the question is from the report that is already out and wonders how much money that we’re diverted to private accounts without authorizations. These where allocated and where tenders out, but they couldn’t followed the procedure of that either. Since the M/S Toyota Limited agreement can only been for parts of the allocated funds; if not they couldn’t have diverted the allocated monies away from it. There are no other explanations to it.

Because of this, unless the Police act a fool tomorrow, I have to look through the report from the Auditor General of Uganda when I have time, to see if I can see other judo tricks done by civil servants and ministries that has allocated monies wrong or spent monies on themselves as there been a normal for many ministries to not follow procedure in Uganda. But hey, they learn that from up-high. Peace.