Opinion: Deployment of medics at road-blocks is ridiculous

For the Joint Security Agencies, we are on track to continue enforcement of the lockdown, to help slow down the pace of the pandemic. This is because acts of impatience and complacence are still prevalent within the public. The bodabodas are steadily carrying passengers especially women, we are witnessing an increase in fake patients, excuses of going for vaccination and burials, use of fake stickers, opening of bars, etc. As a result we are also devising new tactics of additionally deploying medical teams at check points to counter fake patients, Inspectorate officers to supervise the removal of number plates from non-essential vehicles parked on streets, snap checkpoints etc. Such reckless behaviours by the COVID offenders will simply increase or delay the presence of the deadly variants in the country” (Uganda Police Force – ‘RETURNS ON ENFORCEMENT OF THE LOCKDOWN AND CURFEW’ 12.07.2021).

This is the second lockdown and on the 24th day of the 42 days of lockdown. The authorities and the Joint Security Agencies have now a new directive, as the Uganda Police Force was releasing this one.

What is striking is that the checkpoints and road-blocks will have a medical team. A team is based of a certain type of personnel. This could possibly mean doctors, nurses and other medical trained personnel. Instead of these actually being in service and working inside a hospital or health centre.

They will be stuck with police officers and other security agents. Who are on the road-block or the checkpoints wasting time. They are in the field singing psalms of nothingness and wondering why they are alive. Because, they are supposed to be in the hospital and heal people. They are supposed to help the sick to medicated and proper treatment. Not assess everyone passing by a checkpoint or a roadblock. To deem them fit….

This is a mockery. Especially, when the Hospitals, Health Centres and the Ministry of Health is understaffed. There has been a lack of jobs and filling the positions as is. It is not like there is growing doctors or nurses on trees. They are not appearing out of nowhere and suddenly entering our lives. No, it takes years of education and experience to be a good professional health care worker. That is a measurable skill and their knowledge is valuable. Especially in a pandemic. When the distress and the added cases is surging. So, that the hospitals are running low on staff and equipment.

At that time… the Joint Security Agencies are thinking it’s a good idea to deploy medical personnel on the roads. Misusing their time and their skills. When the hospitals need every hand and wise professional to do the right thing.

That just show how mismanaged and how foolish this government this. Instead of doing what is best and actually provide for the Hospitals and Health Centres. They are instead shooting them in the foot and asking them to dance. That will be painful and everyone will give the dancer pity. While wondering when the hurt person will go to the hospital themselves.

The authorities, the security organizations and the state itself shouldn’t allow this. They are depleting and deploying important people away from where their needed the most. The medical personnel needs to be where the sick and the equipment is supposed to be accessible.

These folks stationed at checkpoints will only take away their help and ensure more people’s demise. As they will waste their time. Not doing their job, but being additional people whose only there to validate what the police wants to hear. This will not end good, but only make things worse.

The ones who thought of this is stupid. Why are taking away professionals from their working place? When they are needed there the most. That’s not smart, but very very stupid. Peace.

Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA): UPDF set to take up road construction (10.07.2021)

Opinion: Todwong dines in a den of thieves

“The choice is in our hands and the responsibility falls on our shoulders to save our homeland from this ‘cancer’ of corruption and embezzlement of public funds with impunity” – Richard Todwong

The newly minted Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Richard Todwong have come out guns blazing as his tenure starts. However, he knows his comrades and fellow party affiliates. Its not like he don’t know and seen their modus operandi.

If fellow peers are corrupt and grand corruption is still a thing. They will not cease their operations over a few mere words. Then the striking, ranging thunder and tales of old would have made people go into fear mode a long time ago.

The SG will be no different. He has in the past addressed the mismanagement and lack of investments in schools. As he visited one wrecked school up-country. Nevertheless, the man didn’t do much or use much energy to invest more in the school system. He just raged a minute and let it all go.

Now, his talking of fighting corruption. I doubt he will challenge the Kitchen Cabinet nor the High Above. Neither will he go for the family enterprises or the lack of tenders. He will not delegate the PPDA, IGG or OAG somewhere useful. Also, he will not give a word to the Anti-Corruption Unit at the State House. That is only for the anointed one.

Therefore, this is just another lie for the façade. This is not for reality or for anything truthful. Don’t expect things to change. Not as long as the same fella is running the game and everyone is following his directives. There isn’t even a need for laws or legislation. If his directive is in play. Everyone will dance to the music he provides. The almighty DJ, inviting everyone to dance.

Todwong might mean well, but it seems like a ploy to sound legit. Since the game is already up and the corruption cases doesn’t cease to exist. That is just a mere fact. The Secretary General knows this, and he can act a fool, but his still not that stupid.

If he wants to treat this illness and go to core of the problem. Then the NRM needs to go to their roots, their rise to power and the reason for its existence. That’s where the problem is laying. Right in-front of them in plain sight. They all know it, but they are not allowed act upon it.

If they do. Then, they are challenging the master and that is something that is a cardinal sin. They will never be forgiven and will be feed to the wolves. There will be no return and the grave will await them. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni won’t retire…. [and we have heard this all before]

Please you people, I want to go and look after my cows. Create a centre of gravity, I push you there, then I go and look after my cows” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the 6th July 2021

We have heard this all before… this is not shocking or anything sincere. This President is unofficially in his 8th Term. President Museveni have ruled the nation since 26th January 1986. He has been the supreme moolah since the 1980s bush-war. That’s who he is and there is no real signals for a succession or him slowing down. There speculations into the “Project Muhoozi” and the continued promotions of Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga is a possible sign for that. They want to build a dynasty and run Uganda as a family enterprise.

Well, this President have abolished the term limits, the age limits and “won” six Presidential Elections since 1996. Not like this man is retiring. There been more people of his generation actually dying than him stepping down.

The young nation of Uganda is run by a man of the advance age. Who has total control of the army, but sooner or later something got to give. His in his 70s and ageing. Not like he has found the fountain of youth or become more likeable. No, his the same old tyrant coming with empty promises.

This man has promised greatness, pledge everything under the sun and haven’t delivered much. His most significant state programme, the 10 point programme hasn’t even been delivered and the ones picking up from where he left. Has not only a devastation debt, horrific atrocities and human rights abuses. With the lack of laws and protocols, as the state is personalized to Museveni. Therefore, the next Head of State have to fix that and ensure the state is sharing power. Not having all power within one office and one person. Because, that is one of the main reasons why things aren’t moving forward, but backwards instead.

President Museveni would not retire, even if the East African Confederation became a thing. Because, he would only accept that, if they crowned him king of East Africa. That’s what he dreams of and wants to be the ruler of all. He believes that everyone is more dumb and naive. That he needs to guide us all. Deep in his heart, if the United Nations was more powerful. He would have tried to be the Secretary General of the UN. However, he knows it isn’t that big of deal and that’s why he hasn’t tried to become that…

President Museveni will not retire. He will either die a natural death, be assassinated or get toppled in a coup d’etat. There will be no peaceful transition. As long as this man has the arms and guns on his side. Everyone else is just to bow to their king. That’s all he needs and he isn’t concerned about others.

He just hopes he can corrupt enough hearts and minds to continue his reign. That will continue until his heart stops. There is no official end… it will just happen sporadic and there will be certainty after his fall. That’s because the President made things like this and his ego couldn’t give way to anyone else. Peace.

National Unity Platform (NUP): Press Statement on COVID-19 Interventions (07.07.2021)

Pastor “Mama” Janet Returns: The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants continues!

At some point this got to stop. Because this doesn’t make sense. I don’t know why someone who has this role and place in society acts like this. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the President cannot score many or any points with this.

That the First Lady Janet Museveni is writing like she’s a Pentecostal preacher and singing the hymns of Watoto Church. Just held her sermon and communion with the “Born Again” there. Because, something got to give.

We know perfectly well and this is not funny. She’s wife of the dictator and the tyrant. The only reason she has a role in government and in the public is because of her marriage. She’s been appointed by her husband to be a minister and be in position. Not because of her vast knowledge or experience. No, that you can throw out of the window.

On the 5th July 2021 the Nile Post published a opinion piece of hers. Where she mixes, God and Patriotism like oil and water. Where she goes from acting holy and being patriotic within sentences. She even talks of various of means of fighting for your country. After speaking in debt of Gods design and whatnot.

That’s why it’s astonishing that she writes this:

If you are an adolescent boy at school like the girl I just talked about, you ensure you are an astute student, you lead others to refuse to wear torn trousers because Uganda does not respect those who mock our poor people by making a fashion of what our people wear because of poverty. You refuse long dirty hair because Ugandans are descent Africans who beautify God’s creation and not denigrate the African beauty to make Ugandans (Africans) look ugly, mad or hopeless” (Janet Museveni – ‘Janet Museveni to youth: Don’t wear ‘damage’ jeans, they mock the poor’ 05.07.2021).

First off, fashion changes and so does the times. Janet is old and forget this part. Some modern fashion of the day, which is a world wide phenomenon. Torn-Jeans is for some reason a fashion symbol. Not that’s my thing either, but its a symbol. Just like skinny-jeans was IT a moment ago and other fads that comes and goes. That’s not my cup of tea, but I don’t bug out about either.

Secondly, the poor have torn clothes and cannot afford to buy so much clothing. That is natural… and because the poor have to prioritize their spending with caution. They don’t have a safety-net or social security, neither a state who gives them allowance or have programmes to bring them out of poverty. That’s where Janet’s and her husbands government have failed the poor. Which is more a mockery of them, than ever wearing a torn piece of clothing.

That’s why her statement is insulting and insinuating. It is projecting actually. Mama Janet want people to believe wearing torn clothes is an insult to the nation and to the poor. However, her government and her regime have not helped them out of poverty. Even if they have had over 35 years to make it happen with help of the United Nations, Bretton Woods Organizations and all the NGOs of the world. Still, they have not had the capacity to stop poverty or bring more people out of the gig-economy.

Still, it is disgusting and a destruction of Gods creation to wear torn jeans. Wouldn’t that imply that the poor person is destroying it too? Not only the wealthy one wearing the fashion-fad? Because, they are both wearing it. One because of they are out of pocket and the other because they can spend out of their pocket.

Last point, how dare you as a representative say someone makes things ugly, mad or even hopeless? Shouldn’t you and your government help these people. Give them shelter and opportunities to get a proper livelihood?

That’s how I see this. “Mama” Janet please take these words to heart:

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7, 3-5, New International Version).

Because those verses is saying what you just did. You have mansions, State House, State Lodges and vast enterprises. Your family is running the Republic and done so for over 3 decades. Still, you cannot help people out of poverty. That is the ugly truth and the reality here.

You shouldn’t educate on how people wear clothes. “Mama” Janet you should ensure people a proper livelihood, shelter and food on their tables. So, that the next generation can have a better life. Instead your preoccupied as the elite looking into the smaller things. Fixated on torn clothes, instead of the issue of why people are poor and what’s missing to get people into a better life. Peace.

Opinion: Mr. President needs more supplementary funds than the average referral hospital

Today, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) in the first week of the budget year dropped the first supplementary budget of the budget year. What is striking in this one and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is loaning billions upon billions of shillings for a possible financial recovery after the pandemic.

However, the President is now getting more funds in the Supplementary Budget than the 15 referral hospitals. Yes, the Ministry of Health getting a huge slice of the pie this time. Nevertheless, the fine print shows that the President needs 6,964,000,000 to fight COVID-19. He needs 6.9 billion shillings on his own to combat this.

The 15 referral hospitals, which has been deemed fit for additional funding on the other hand gets the handsome sum of 575,500,000 or 575 million shillings. In total 8,625,000,000 or 8,6 billion shillings. That’s the total direct budget supplement from the state to 15 hospitals in the middle of a pandemic and the second wave.

The funds given to the hospital barely have over 1,5 billions shillings more than the President. However, each hospital gets less funding and they are on the frontline. It is not like the President is giving people vaccine in Kawempe or in Makindye. Heck, he will not even do it in Ankole. The President is rather safe behind bulletproof glass in his vehicle, than ever giving a helping hand. Unless, there are some elders willing to bend their knees for him and kiss the ring for his majesty.

This is a supplementary budget to fight COVID-19 not to further salaries for additional Presidential Advisors or whatnot. Neither it is to cover expenses from the general election or what else you can imagine.

It is just baffling that the state prioritize this way. Just like the External Security Organization gets additional 1.1 billion shillings and Internal Security Organization gets 4.7 billion shillings. You can wonder how these organizations combat this deadly disease. In combination that the Ministry of Defence is getting the 10.4 billion shillings and the Uganda Police Force for some reason has the grand total of 19 billion shillings. This is all security, tear-gas and to enforce the Standard Operational Procedures SOPs or the Presidential Directives plus keeping the officers and soldiers happy during the lockdowns. Because, what does these entities has to offer in the combat of COVID-19?

That is beyond the point, right? Just like the Office of the President has little to nothing to do in the ambition to stop the spread. This just shows how mismanaged the whole thing is and lack of priority. When such vast sums of money can be spent on these parts of government. This is not to procure or get vaccines. This is not to buy PPE or produce more oxygen. This is not train more nurses or doctors. No, this is to boost the fragile ego of one man and secure his reign. Why else would he spend billions on the State House and Security, as a measure to fight COVID?

He is not kidding anyone, only himself and his fellow cadres who eats this nonsense for breakfast. This a mockery and public wastage at it finest. Peace.

Auditor General Report says the government lacks ‘Fleet Management’

This is really special, unique and utter brilliance. For a government and a ruling regime so addicted to cars/vehicles. The Auditor General Report is really stating the errors of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The OAG is clearly not saving its words.

When it states: Management of government vehicles (Fleet management) is faced with a number of challenges, such as: inability to respond to national emergencies, like COVID 19; inability to support the delivery of public service by government entities; high government expenditure on purchase of vehicles; misuse of government vehicles; inaccurate vehicle management records; and a general lack of a comprehensive and standard government fleet management policy” (OAG, February 2021).

If you read those sentences… the challenges is the whole gig and set-up. There is nothing that is done correctly and neither is there any procedures to follow. That is the government of over 30 years for you. A NRM who is always in every election buying vehicles and gives away that to public officials. Therefore, they should have secured these things and ensured their ‘fleet’ which they clearly are not careful about.

Just in the last three years, 36 government entities bought a total of 677 vehicles with a total cost of 176 billion shillings. That is the average price of each vehicle for close to 260 million shillings each. While the COVID-19 donations to cars was only 38.98 billion shillings, which is used to acquire 202 vehicles. That is at a price of 192,5 million shillings for each vehicles. So, the prices on the cars have clearly gone down, but still expensive.

It is ironic that the Daily Monitor reported this earlier this year:

The industry price increase is estimated to be between 6.25 per cent and 9 per cent spread across all sizes and models. Uganda is a net importer with much of the country’s motor vehicle imports sourced from Japan, India, South Africa, UK and Germany. According to data from Uganda Revenue Authority earlier this year, a total of 5,188 units were cleared in December 2020, which was a 22 per cent increase from the 4,012 units in the previous month” (Dorothy Nakaweesi – ‘Prices of used cars increase 30.04.2021).

So, on that note alone the OAG report doesn’t make much sense. Unless, the state suddenly bought smaller cars and not just Toyota Land Cruisers with V8 or something similar. Now, they are buying Toyota Corolla’s or a Sedan, which is cheaper than a big SUV.

We know there is no proper guidance or protocol for the fleet or vehicles as earlier stated, as the OAG Report further says this:

Furthermore, I observed that 38 entities (76.0%) out of the 50 entities did not have a specific policy or guidelines on Motor vehicle management to guide the usage and eliminate theft, losses, wastage and misuse of motor vehicles. This was in addition to the absence of a comprehensive standardized fleet management policy of Government. Different aspects of government vehicles management are found in different policies and guidelines cited in various government documents, such as; the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders 2010, the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2014, and Treasury Instructions, 2017. This affects the entities’ ability to address the unique motor vehicle management challenges which may not be envisaged in the standing Orders and Treasury Instructions” (OAG February 2021).

So, the government haven’t any sort of idea what it needs to do, if the cars are lost, forgotten about or lack service. These cars can just dwindle or disappear into the thin air. Just like cars bought decades ago and suddenly found in a government organization parking lot dusting down. While the cars are falling apart without anyone knowing why and was a procurement deal gone bad or something. Therefore, this report isn’t shocking, but its proof of why this is a mismanaged cash-bonanza for the government entities.

To make things even worse, the OAG Report says this:

I noted that 33 of the selected entities holding a total of 4,979 vehicles spent UGX.123.4bn on vehicle maintenance, and had an increment of 35.3% of the average total maintenance costs per vehicle over the 3 year period. The increasing maintenance costs were attributed to the ageing fleet. For example, 1,794 vehicles (55%) out of 3,234 vehicles held by 27 entities had exceeded the recommended 5 years useful life or had their mileage above the recommended 250,000km” (OAG February 2021).

The Auditor General is clear in the message. Though this is only from 33 government entities and still shows a pattern. It also shows the massive car-park or fleet it has. Which is ageing just like the President and needs a peaceful transition to buy new ones. Since, the government is on a spending spree when it comes to vehicles.

That will clearly not stop as there is a possibility there is a need to downplay the value of the current fleet and even scrap the cars eventually… as they are not fit to be on the road. This here is another proof of no guidelines or planned procurement of the vehicles. As that is a short-term expense and not planned for what happens after a while. That’s how it looks and it isn’t shocking.

We can always remember the vehicles bought for the papal visit a few years back. Those cars was spent a small fortune on, but left behind. To never be seen and kept in a government parking-lot.

The OAG is just putting the truth out and this needs to be discussed, as this is horrible governance and misuse of government funds. They are wasting millions of shillings and cannot even take care of the car park it has created. Peace.

Opinion: When they don’t want to pin the assassins on the cross they point at the ADF

This a very common case and especially with the authorities in the Republic. After a high ranking or a public murders/assassinations. The Uganda Police Force (UPF) is showing up people charged and implicated in the cases. However, they are never sentenced or closing the cases. The murders or assassinations gets cold and the killers are on the loose.

That’s because the boda-boda assassinations are in on it and ordered to do it. They are well-trained and equipped to handle their mission. These have tracked and followed their victims. Therefore, they know their routes and routines. That’s why it’s easy to find a spot and time to make them stop.

This is how everything seems. The ones who becomes vocal or a worry of the state. Is just suddenly meeting their maker. The people who are doing it often or most likely are former Allied Defence Force (ADF) affiliates or combatants. That is what the UPF is saying after the fact and in the beginning of the spin.

It just happens to be a combatant with a funny nick-name and who has trespassed the Republic. Who happened to be engaged in local politics and had the knowledge of the high ranking officials. That was a big target and would a positive measure to create a public outcry. However, ADF is busy causing massacres and keeping their territory intact in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are known for their vicious attacks and also massacres in Beni. Therefore, it takes a special character to always have enough combatants to kill unique targets inside Uganda.

That’s why you know the UPF is full of horse-shit. They are pulling a trick and thinking they can lie like this. Because, if they did investigate the assassins and find them. Than they could quickly find out who hired them and who ordered the murders. That would implicate some other people, which doesn’t want to be named or even be close to the blood. The bloodshed and the murders are supposed to happen in such a manner. That the general public are frightened and in fury. The ones fallen have a following and people know them. That’s why there is a need for answer, but the acts will quickly forgotten.

That’s what the state is playing along with. There is new cases and new assassinations. That happens before the old ones are solved. There been murders of woman in Entebbe. Muslim Clerics, high ranking officials and other extra judicial killings, which has never been answered. They are just fallen civilians without justice. Their lives haven’t been answered for and their demise is just in the unknown.

Still, time and time again the UPF is implicating some ADF combatants for these assassinations. It just happens that they are never captured or officially sentenced. That’s why it seems like a lot of smoke and very little action. The Police just telling stories, but not proving the cases… or showing any legit evidence.

That’s why we are not whiffed and neither should Gen. Wamala Katumba. He knows this perfectly well and his in the middle of this regime. The man who was so close to get killed, but lost his daughter and personal driver. Still, he knows this is nonsense. Because, these stories have been recycled so many times and its not funny anymore.

It is time for police to do actually policing. However, in these cases we know they are not willing to do so. Because, if they started on the leads and looked at the evidence. They could easily get to places they are not supposed too. That would tarnish their roles and possibility to even be appointed and be in the good graces of the system. This is why nothing ever really happens with this cases and it’s a continuation of these tragic affairs.

Murders and Assassinations gone cold and forgotten. Cases never solved and justice never served. That is the reality of this all. However, the same police has all resources in the world to collect, charge and detain political opponents of the state. Heck, they can pre-emptive arrest them at will. That shows their mismanaged priorities. While always claiming former ADF combatants are involved. Peace.

Opinion: The Prime Minister shows the “dope on the table” in a den of thieves

Lt. Cedric Daniels: [leaving Burrell’s office] “Dope on the damn table” (The Wire, Season 1 – Episode 11, 2003).

Last year, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the President was asking for donations to fight COVID-19. This is year is no difference. Yesterday, there was a press conference with the Prime Minster Robinah Nabbanja after business tycoon Hamis Kiggundu gave 530m shillings. Which was shown to do the world as cash on the table. Like the Uganda Police Force (UPF) had done a raid and shown the evidence of the crime committed by someone.

This is the” dope on the damn table”. It is a show of money and a promise. This isn’t the first time… and not the last. It is a show for the general public during the lockdown. Last year the state wanted new cars from companies to fight COVID-19. That was the main objective of the President and not making better hospitals.

Now, the state again is asking businesses and companies to donate to the government. A government who has raised more loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Twice they have borrowed to fight and recover from pandemic. Still, those funds are not utilized and isn’t helping to procure either vaccines, PPE or upgrading the hospitals. Neither adding hazard pay for nurses, doctors and whatnot who is on the frontline during the pandemic either.

The NRM is insane and think they can sell this like a raid of a mafia. Like they found a mob and where they hidden the stash. They have found the bricks of drugs and showing their evidence of the criminal conspiracy. The state is proud that Kiggundu has donated funds, at the same time taking up more loans to supposedly fight this.

So, why borrow billions of shillings from the IMF and still ask for donations from struggling businesses? They are closed off again and not allowed to operate in the 42 days lockdown. Not like the money is growing on trees. Neither is there a fountain of youth helping people to natural immunity. Therefore, the state should use the IMF money and not beg from companies to bail them out.

The state have already been bailed out and taking out more loans without proper revenue to cover it up later. This means someone else have to find the revenue and the tax base to cover this deficit later. While the state is begging and showing finesse by having “dope on the table”. I’m sure the President was proud of that moment. Because, it looks like he was doing something…

Though the show off on national TV isn’t creating more ICU beds. Neither is it making more nurses ready for a new outbreak. It isn’t helping the families who cannot afford the costs of having their family members in the hospitals. It isn’t helping the ones struggling to get to the hospital and cannot get medicines or oxygen.

This “dope on the table” scene from the Wire and the Commissioners orders to have that. Is what we are seeing now in real life. A proof of work and of good deeds. The Prime Minister had her moment of shine and promise. Now, we are supposed to trust the government and donate. To a government who already borrowed to it’s knees and has nothing to show for it.

The IMF should question itself and wonder why it accepts these lies or tricks. Unless, they want to have leverage for a new Structural Adjustment Plan for the next generation. Not like the privatization has made things better, but then again. It is so the ones funding IMF can get their international companies to trade on the market and dissolve the local ones. They won’t state that, but that is the initial action in the end.

So, the quagmire is here. The dope is on the table and the deceit is happening directly in-front of you. Peace.