Opinion: U.S. Business Advisory warns about investing in Mzee’s regime

The Departments of State, Labor, Health and Human Services, Commerce, and the U.S. Agency for International Development, today issued a Business Advisory on Uganda. The Advisory informs U.S. businesses, individuals, and other U.S. persons, including health services providers, members of academic institutions, and investors, of potential risks they may face if they are conducting, or contemplating to conduct, business in Uganda. Businesses, organizations, and individuals should be aware of potential financial and reputational risks resulting from endemic corruption, described in more detail in the 2023 Investment Climate Statement, as well as violence against human rights activists, media members, health workers, members of minority groups, LGBTQI+ persons, and political opponents described in the 2022 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Uganda. Uganda’s enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) on May 29, 2023, further increases restrictions on human rights, to include restrictions on freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, and exacerbates issues regarding the respect for leases and employment contracts” (U.S. Department of State – ‘U.S. Government Issues a Business Advisory for Uganda’ 23.10.2023).

A man that is steadily promoting value addition and financial integration. The President of Uganda is failing the nation. It is going backwards and not forwards. Not in any sense and now with the latest news. The investors and other on the financial markets will shun the nation even further. This will hurt the economy and make it even less viable.

The Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) can dry up from certain parts of the world. Just like the lack of foreign donors and donor funds to cover the shortfall in the national budgets. The domestic revenue and lack of investors might some come too. As other nations will follow the United States of America (USA) and these are the ones that comes with funds. Meaning this can be a big blow to the President and his National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The U.S. authorities are late on this one, but better late than never. This is going after the pockets and advice people to spend their monies elsewhere. That’s a blow for someone who has been working on reviving an economy since 1986. The President who speaks of exports and getting products to market. Now the market won’t come to him and the ones who has the ability to purchase are asked to shun it. Meaning there will be less tangible investments and others will follow.

The NRM and the Government of Uganda should see the writing on the wall. This is continuing to damage the economy. It is continuing where the World Bank suspended funding and this will also take away the food from the plate. There will be less funds and less people will have a chance to eat.

We could see this one coming when the state and the legislators decided to target one minority on the behalf of everyone. That’s one of the main reasons, but there are certainly other aspects which is also mentioned in the text. Showing that the human rights violations and impunity has a price.

This here will hurt the pride and prestige of the President. He knows this will spark a wildfire and he cannot contain it. The World Bank didn’t seem to significant and he hoped someone else would cover the shortfall of funds. However, now… there is becoming less viable and sooner or later other reactions will come too. By that time… it’s to late and the crippling economy is upon the nation. A nation that has been run on deficit financing and now the options for fiscal stimulus or outside revenue is dwindling. People will follow this advisory and other nations will follow the U.S. line of action.

This here is tragic for the shilling and the ones who depend on FDI. Because, the message is spread and this will haunt the 11th Parliament, State House and everyone else involved. They could see this one coming, but I am sure they just looked the other way. Peace.

Opinion: There are no more road for Mpuuga…

The Deputy Speaker of parliament, Thomas Tayebwa has given a one month timeline to the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen David Muhoozi, to respond to the demands by the Leader of the Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, over the alleged unabated human rights abuses and the shrinking civic space. The directive follows a statement by Mpuuga, who demanded accountability of the alleged murder of 22 supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) during the campaign trail of the party president in 2021and justice for 18 persons who have been missing for close to four years now” (Capital FM Uganda, 20.10.2023)

The Leader of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga came in the Plenary Session with a plan and 7 demands to the Government. It wasn’t an ordinary quest or even ask. No this was directly challenging the government heads on about their “drones”, police brutality, arbitrary arrests, arrests without charges or trials, court martial of civilians and keeping people incommunicado. While also addressing the murders and extra judicial killings done by security officers on orders of the state. That was all done yesterday by the LoP.

Some are saying his too late and should have done this earlier. Yes, the LoP could have pushed for several of these things earlier. There is no doubt that he could, but a seasoned politician like him knows there is a time and purpose. Now it is the middle of a term and not in the beginning. Secondly, the 11th Parliament haven’t been friendly or been a place safe-haven for anyone. Therefore, it was wise of him to wait. We are already seeing how easily the Deputy Speaker can suspend people without giving reasons or why he could revoke a rule doing so.

We know that Gen. David Muhoozi and the rest of the authorities doesn’t want to shed lights on their operations. That is well known and isn’t a well kept secret. The state has blocked, arrested and stopped any lawmaker trying to find a “safe-house” or alleged “safe-houses” in the past. While Nalufenya and other entities are known for their brutalization of “inmates” or “detainees”.

Mpuuga can pressure the General and the Minister, but he won’t get far. The Deputy Speaker has given the man a month to present his “findings”… well… I don’t expect much and neither should the LoP. That isn’t in the interests of the state or the high above. This is how he operates and how he contains dissidents. That’s why he cannot stop the pain, plights and the suffering of the ones defying him. They have to pay a price, because if they can collectively put pressure on the state. It might lose control and lose power. The President and his inner circle could never ever risk that. This is why they continue with it and never ceases their injustice towards a certain part of society.

The LoP knows this too. Everyone does and no one is shocked in 2023. The system is created like this and the authorities can on one order take a person in without any investigation. Just because of who they align with or if they have even infuriated a high ranking official. That is all it takes… and it just tiring.

It is endless agony and hard to believe they can get away with it. Neither is it sophisticated or wise. They are just continuing the path of self-destruct and endless betrayal of the ideals of the bush-war. That’s what they are up too and they have become as vicious or more than the ones the NRA overthrow. They have even had a few decades to perfect the impunity and knows how to do it in the dark. This is the NRM way and they are proud of it too. It is an achievement and they can statistically show how much work they have done.

Mpuuga is at the end of the road. There is no more road for him. No matter what happen. He has no leverage or no cause of action within the chambers of the August House. The demands if they are not met. He is losing. The LoP is lost… and will most likely loose big. There is nothing to gain here. He gets a headline and some few signs of goodwill. However, the endgame is as brutal as the authorities themselves. There is nothing for them to earn to be transparent or accountable. That would show their crimes and illicit activities, which are done for a purpose. The LoP and others are not supposed to speak of these matters. That is just a chosen few and these are connected to the high above.

Let us not kid ourselves. We know the gist… and the ones suffering will either never return or come back as damaged goods. There is nothing hopeful and nothing sustainable about this. Only more pain and suffering, while the ones actually doing the bid or doing the time will never be heard. Peace.

Uganda: State House – President Museveni meets Acholi leaders over Balaalo Operations in the Sub-Region (20.10.2023)

Opinion: Nabbanja don’t know the role of the opposition, apparently…

You will realize that the political tempers are becoming high in our political divide. And so, people like to be seen doing something, so however much you tolerate them, they have a mission, their mission is to collapse Government and we shall not allow” – Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (19.10.2023).

It’s hard to imagine that the Prime Minister already has had a term as Member of Parliament between 2016 to 2021. She was re-elected as MP in 2021. Meaning she has been in office and a Parliamentarian for about 7 years now. While being Minister from 2019 to 2021, when she was promoted from a Ministerial Position onto the Office of the Prime Minister. Therefore, a person like that should be well versed in politicking, but clearly I am wrong.

Robinah Nabbanja just shows her ignorance and blatant misunderstanding in the roles of political parties. The Opposition should sought for her role and the Presidency. If they don’t… then they are not actively wanting change. They should believe they are more fit and has the capacity to run the nation better than the current one. That’s what an honest opposition should do.

What she is implying is that the Opposition is planning a coup d’etat or violently wants to overthrow the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The party that pays her and keeps her in office. She wouldn’t have a chance elsewhere and she just shows it.

The PM should learn more and even study some books. It would be helpful, because it is impossible to write anything sincere to her. As her stances are so obnoxious and naive. The opposition aren’t supposed to be in favour of government and is there to hold it in check. Because people like the PM will blindly praise anything and defend crimes if she has too. That’s why the opposition has to question and keep the government accountable. Everyone knows that will not come from within, but from the outside. This is what an honest opposition does… and it’s not about overthrowing, but about governance.

The Opposition are there not only to question, but to keep the government accountable. That’s a fact and by doing so… they are boycotting, walking-out and stopping government business if they have too. We know there will be ramifications from this, but that’s the only way a minority can cause some stir. That cannot be done from the stands, pulpit or anywhere else. The NRM won’t listen or budge, the votes will be in their favour and they will follow the command of the “high above”.

So, the PM should be careful and possibly listen a bit too. It would be healthy for her to take some advice. However, we know she is arrogant and entitled. She feels she’s special and one of a kind. Though she can easily exchanged and get another one in her stead. Not like the PM needs a statesman or builder of confidence anymore. If the President needed that.. he wouldn’t have appointed her.

This PM needs lessons and she needs to get civic education. Someone in Makerere or Kyambogo should offer her a lecture or two. Even after all these years in Parliament. She still don’t get the vibe or the mandate of the opposition. That’s why someone has tell her and if a professor could enlighten her. It would be beneficial for the Republic. Peace.

Opinion: The Opposition got nowhere to hide in the 11th Parliament…

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Thomas Tayebwa, has suspended 5 opposition MPs from attending plenary sittings for the next 3 days. The MPs are; Betty Nambooze (Mukono), Joyce Bagala (Mityana DWR), Derrick Nyeko (Makindye East), Frank Kabuye (Kassanda South), and Francis Zaake (Mityana)” (93.3 KFM Radio, 17.10.2023).

The Speaker Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Tayebwa is just proving the Republic one thing. That they are on a vengeance and wants to prove a point. Not that they want to govern, do government business or further legislation. No, they want to prove to their master that their was worthy of their appointed offices.

This they are doing by displaying ignorance, reflecting badly of the August House and making a mockery of proceedings. In such a fashion that defiance and resistance is the only way out. Not being humble and follow protocol, because that gets you nowhere…

The Speaker and Deputy Speaker don’t mind controversy. No that sells and gives them credit where it matters. These two are only playing for the gallery and hoping the State House listening in. As they are using force and sticking it to the opposition. Just playing around with them and keeping them preoccupied with nonsense.

That’s all they are doing and the 11th Parliament is shoddy for it. The 11th Parliament is practically a place for begging the President for help and getting his guidance. While they are awaiting his judgement and his verdict on any matter. They are awaiting a NRM Caucus at the State House to direct them and tell them what to do. The rest is just well prepared and acknowledge the will of the Master. That’s all there is too it… and it isn’t even funny.

The strangest thing is how the Deputy Speaker just invoked the suspension and with no protocol. No reasoning in Parliament and just all of a sudden. That is unprecedented and shows the way they want to intimidate and silence critics. There is no sublime messaging here. The ones picked is for a reason and they are vocal MPs. They didn’t pick some silent back-bencher that could be swayed in the way of the yellow. No, they picked the renegades and the ones daring to question the government. That’s who the Deputy did this too and it just shows…

It just shows what matters to this government and its high ranking officials. They just want to want in silence and not be addressed properly. Neither does it want any pushback or questioning. Because shredding real light on subjects can cause havoc. Showing a video of evidence of how the state brutally kidnaps citizens was blocked. That’s because the regime doesn’t want to get exposed or address the matter. No, it wants silence and doesn’t want hear any of it.

The Deputy is just serving his purpose and trying to show loyalty to the cause. Not the cause of respecting or using his office for good. No, his using the office for personal gains and wants to be in a favourable position next time it comes up. That’s why he acts like this and is so partisan in the way he uses his role.

If we ever thought the 10th Parliament was a quagmire, the 11th Parliament is even worse. It won’t be better ever either. That doesn’t serve the President and his will. He need people vouching for his bills, budgets and expenditure. The President doesn’t mind the Speakers getting dirty tricks to outsmart someone else. However, in the long term… the trust and lack thereof is only growing.

The Deputy Speaker is only showing us why we cannot trust him or his ways. Because, his just a pawn and it’s a big fall from grace. Peace.

Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF): Press Statement on the Tourists’ Attack (18.10.2023)

Uganda: State House Uganda – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – Statement (18.10.2023)

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA): Two Tourists and a Guide killing along Katwe Road (17.10.2023)

Uganda: Should this be a final warning to the tourists who wants to visit the nation?

We have registered a cowardly terrorist attack on two foreign tourists and a Ugandan in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The three were killed, and their safari vehicle burnt. Our joint forces responded immediately upon receiving the information and are aggressively pursuing the suspected ADF rebels. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims” – CP Fred Enaga (Uganda Police Force, 17.10.2023).

BREAKING: Suspected rebels have killed tourists and burnt their car in Queen Elizabeth National Park along Katwe Road” (Pulse Uganda, 17.10.2023).

In the past there been kidnappings and other ones that has lost their lives in National Parks in Uganda. The republic has been hit by unknown assailants before and this isn’t a concept that is new.

This is yet again an attack on tourist who just happened to be on a game-drive in a National Park. They just visited the Republic wanted to see the sights, the wildlife and what else the nation has to offer. These won’t return home and neither will driver/guide.

It will cause a stir. This will have ramifications and will be a direct warning. Some might cancel their trips to Uganda. They might easily chose another destination and travel to another country. Just because the news of the fatalities and the terrorist attack.

The Police Force was quickly out with the culprits behind it. As it is only mere days ago that the President said the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) attacked and severely damaged the ADF capabilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, here we are and we can only speculate.

The innocent in the conflict died here. The tourists and national drive. All of them died without a connection to the grievances or the ones who is behind their murders. They died unknowingly and without a cause.

We just have to wait and see what the investigations does say, but the UPF was early calling it out. As the smoke hadn’t really been calmed. They just said it and you can wonder for what reason. Every time something bad happens, it is easy to call “ADF” but that’s the same “ADF” that President proclaims that is close to defeated or losing in the DRC. That’s why you beg to question and wonder who is really behind the mischief… I don’t know… but someone has wonder and be bugging.

Innocent lives was taken… lives that could have been spared. That’s the gist and it will have ramifications for several of tourist companies and employees. As this will spark headlines and be caught by foreign news networks. Which in the end… will make tourist change their plans and go elsewhere, even if the authorities says it is “safe”. They heard the news of the “murder” and now they want to go somewhere where that didn’t happen recently. Peace.

Opinion: It’s shameful to steal the spotlight from Mzee…

“By holding parallel independence day celebrations in Kamwokya, NUP had sinister plans to sabotage the main event and ashame the president H.E Yoweri Museveni. As police, we couldn’t allow that,”~state Minister for Internal Affairs Gen. David Muhoozi” (Ekyooto, 17.10.2023).

We have been saying for years that there is limited freedom in the Republic. Now the General and State Minister for Internal Affairs is saying why. We know the President, His Excellency and the “high above” is a shallow man. A man who doesn’t like to share or have people questioning his moves. He prefers being in the right and let anyone else suffer if he must.

Today the Minister and General revealed what we already knew. That the National Resistance Movement and the President cannot handle a parallel celebration. This is why there is only one “official” one where the President and dignitaries presides over. They can bash in glory and others will be blocked to oblivion.

As a result of their proclaimed aims and likely consequences, security intervened and disrupted their intended illegal activities. consequently, 14 of the leaders were arrested, detained at Kira Road Police station and charged and later in the day released on Police bond the same day” (David Muhoozi, 17.10.2023).

If you ever wondered why there is no UHURU in the Republic. It is because of this. The National Unity Platform had planned a prayer. A prayer for the families and for the loved ones who detained or kidnapped by the authorities on their bounds of their political conscience. That’s what the NUP was planning and that was the “disruptive” means of the opposition. To pray in their headquarters and call for the liberty of the political prisoners in the Republic. That was the deemed “illegal activities” of the OPPOSITION.

It just shows how concerned the authorities are about the opposition. They fear their prayers and their gatherings. In such a manner, that they are not only blocked but pre-emptively arrested too. That’s what they are doing and they are proud of it too. They know they feel no consequences and the President will be proud of their achievements. Because they ensured there was only one place in the nation where there was a celebration for the liberation of the Republic.

Only where the President serves and tells tales of glory is where the Republic can celebrate. The rest is in invisible shackles and cannot free themselves of it. If they try or do… the drones, the police officers and the law enforcement will come knocking. That’s what we see and this is what they do.

This is the freedom that Museveni and the NRM has to offer. It isn’t much and nothing to be proud of. They are afraid to make the President ashamed and by doing so. They are shamefully aware of their brutal dishonesty and lack of tolerance of others. This are the credentials of the state and how it operates.

This is the NRM Way. Peace.