Uganda: The Parliament of Uganda – Press Statement by Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kampala, Following Issuance of Level 3, Travel Advisory for Uganda, Dated June 12/2023 by United States of America / International Community Concerns (14.06.2023)

Opinion: Bobi Wine’s two important points on the current state of affairs…

I also drew attention to the persistent breakdown in national service delivery, especially caused by Corruption and Impunity. The recent disconnection of water supply to public hospitals and the delayed reconstruction of the Katonga bridge despite its strategic importance should remind us that we have no functional government. We must take urgent action to remedy this, that is why we have intensified countrywide outreaches with a significant number of our leaders deployed to re-mobilize the population” – Robert Kyagulanyi (13.06.2023).

The National Unity Platform (NUP) and People Power Movement leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine addressed the media the NUP Headquarters in Kamwokya today. This address had two very vital points. The first paragraph and a second one.

I will address that one before indulging in the second one, which is underneath here. It is a striking argument and reasoning behind his words. His going straight to the heart of government and how it lacks service delivery. He proves it by looking into the deteriorating state of the hospitals and the roads. While he can issue a will to re-mobilize the population. That mobilization has to come from within and with the will of the people. If his supposed to galvanize them. It cannot be for a gig or a short-term fix. No, it has to be for something significant and possibly a revolution. Because, that’s the only thing that can transfer power and unleash the will of the people. Until then… it is baby-steps and the pain is far from over.

Which is why I will now dwell into the second one…

The escalating insecurity in our country is another cause for alarm. Those responsible for citizens’ safety are instead fuelling insecurity as they are emboldened by the culture of impunity the regime has instilled among its officers. The lack of accountability for past incidents, including the massacre of unarmed citizens and the involvement of high-ranking officials including dictator Museveni’s son in abductions, torture and even murder means the situation is only going to get worse” (Robert Kyagulanyi, 13.06.2023).

We have seen this and the NUP leader isn’t lying. The evidence is in the murders and shootings. They are more prevalent than before and the NRM cannot hide from the fact. Yes, they pin-point the U.S. but that doesn’t stop the shootings locally. That is just proving because other people do it, I should do it too; which is such a school-yard argument or reasoning.

Bobi Wine is coming with harsh and sincere words here. Words that should be listened too. Especially before its too late. The cycle of violence will only make it worse. The hurt and plights will amplify and more people destroyed by it. This is people’s lives and livelihoods on the line. People are suffering and the only way out is the gun. That’s not how it was supposed to go and there was supposed to be other ways. However, NRM and the current regime’s violent approach to politics is now trickling down to the ones who carries guns. So, they think it’s within reason to shoot and kill too.

Bobi Wine’s warning should be cemented into stone. He is telling his supporters and everyone who follows that more people will suffer. The fight to end a dictator isn’t over and the pursuit moves on. Alas, the pursuit is dangerous and the ones involved in endangering themselves. They are possible victims of abductions, arrests, torture and possible extra judicial killings. Therefore, Bobi Wine’s words should be spread.

His saying what others doesn’t dare. His speaking out and people should listen. These words doesn’t come easy. The battle and fight against isn’t a combat for the faint-hearted. Peace.

Opinion: My two cents on the Amama Mbabazi situation…

When you have reached a certain level of trust and prestige, everything is possible, and you can touch the sky. That what happened to Amama Mbabazi who has been a loyal subject and a high-ranking official since the National Resistance Movement (NRM) took power in 1986. He has had several roles in government but was most famous for the years as Prime Minister and Secretary General of the NRM.

That’s why his been a man of influence and organizational skills for years. His said to be vital to whip the party and be able to run things. Mbabazi was revered and a man whose words mattered. Until he dared to face the music and challenge the President in the 2016 elections under the banner of Go-Forward.

Now a viral tape of him walking after an operation at a health care facility has leaked. Where you see him struggling and painfully walk on crotches. Therefore, times has changed, and he won’t be all powerful again.

Mbabazi has not only sought influence, but he captured it. He took it and earned on it. There has been plenty of scandals and even been nominated as one of the most corrupt government officials of East Africa at one point. That was well deserved by the way.

He is a man who known the system and been trusted by the President. That’s why he was first working as the head of the External Security Organization. Before later becoming the Minister of Defence after the preceding one was the President himself. While he would later be the Secretary General for the party for over a decade and serve one term as the PM. That’s why you know the President has trusted him and sought his services. He has proven that he will answer the calls and do the bidding of His Excellency.

That’s why you know this man still matters. Even if he is working for a Foundation and a role, which is insignificant in one regard. However, if the President would have time for his advice or talks. It wouldn’t be shocking or strange…. Because Mbabazi and Museveni have been close for so many years. The possible fallout over the Presidency and Go-Forward bid could be water under the bridge by now.

While those things are being said. It is sad that he needs to travel all the way to London to get healed and treatment for his back. That is a long trip to get adjusted and help with back-surgery. Some said it was blood-cloth and a stroke. However, that has been dismissed as fake news and should be handled like such.

What I have the most trouble with is that he needed to travel to Europe and get treatment. He has served diligently and been a vocal supporter of his government. His one of the brothers who should trust his own government and their institutions. As a former PM and Minister, he should have gone to Mulago or anywhere for that matter. Just like any random citizen… that’s where he would taste the efforts and the brutal reality of the government he was profited from.

Mbabazi is just showing us how his government has failed. That’s why he needed to go to London. He had to go to the colonial master and get help from them. That’s because his government and the ones he has served haven’t invested, cared for or been concerned with the hospitals at home. They have indulged, bought SUVs and eaten of other people’s plates. However, not cared about or addressed the lacking services in the Ministry of Health.

The back surgery he got in London should be possible at Aga Khan or Mulago. It should be possible at one hospital in Kampala. If not in one of the other cities of the republic. However, we know that isn’t so or the High-Ranking Officials doesn’t trust that. Therefore, they are flying high and mighty abroad to be medical tourists. Peace.

Kasese Massacre: The King is finally free, but injustice still prevails…

“BREAKING: The Director of Public Prosecution has dropped terrorism charges against Rwenzururu King Charles Mumbere and 217 others” (91.2 Crooze FM, 13.06.2023).

“JUST IN: DPP drops all charges against the Musinga of the Rwenzururu, Charles Wesley Mumbere, and 217 others. Mumbere has been facing charges of murder, treason and aggravated robbery” (NTV Uganda, 13.06.2023).

Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere have been kept in custody and had charges on him for over 6 years and 6 months. That is what happened to the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu and his royal court. They were targeted, killed and later charges as the culprits. While the state operators, the state security agencies and the army commanders have been promoted. Therefore, the ones who ordered the “shoot to kill” orders on the 27th of November 2016 in Kasese have prospered.

The number of arbitrary killings will never be known. The numbers of deceased have fluctuated and been very erratic. We know the authorities and the state itself held one big funeral for them and dug up mass-graves for them. Therefore, the knowledge and knowhow to get numbers aligned will be nearly impossible.

Just think about the state have charged a king and his court for over 2300 days and now they are off the hook. 6 years later when the state cannot produce or have the ability or reason to keep the king in exile or his court behind bars. Some of his guards has died behind bars and others has succumbed to sickness. These people will never get answers heard for this injustice. Just like the dead who was killed on that fatal day in Kasese.

You know plot was sinister when the “Yiira Republic” have never been seen or heard about. Neither has the para-military group “Kirumiramutima” or “Strong Hearted” ever been in the spotlight ever since. Both things just came out of thin-air and was used as excuse to do the operation and target the kingdom itself. Go after the throne and burn down the Buhikira Royal Palace as well.

“If this regime leader can treat a leader of over a million people like this, what will happen to the common man?” – Gen. Mugisha Muntu

The ones who issued the bullets and the orders was the First Son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga and Gen. Peter Elwelu. They were the voices and the army commanders who was in charge. This was their mission and they have since then earned good fortunes. These two has gotten prosperous and the ones hurting is the royalties and the people of Kasese.

Just because his out of possibly exile and without charges doesn’t mean this is over. The massacres and the pain is still fresh. 6 years doesn’t heal it when the culprits are walking free and the families are never getting to see their loved ones again. It doesn’t help either that there is no proper investigation or looking into the ones ordering the killings from the state level. That’s because of the power of the First Son and it was his brigade together with the Flying Squad that entered Kasese. Therefore, we know there are people in high-ranking officials and people who are connected to the President who never will face any retribution…

Time will tell how this goes… but we should never forget. Innocent lives were taken and people lost loved ones over power play by government officials. Peace.

A look into the Dr. Milton Obote’s “Common Man’s Charter”

“39. Principles are a good thing but they are no substitute for hard work. The success of the Charter demands full commitment of leaders to its realisation, acceptance by the mass of the population, and hard work by all” (Common Man’s Charter, 1969).

We can state the obvious first… I know this Common’s Man Charter isn’t relevant or directly important in the state of affairs. Nevertheless, the ideals and some paragraphs of it could be reasonable today. The vision of the document is worthy, even if the Republican ideas and the lack of respect for cultural monarchies is clear. That is something that will linger on and be a stain on the legacy of Dr. Milton Obote.

However, there is still a lot of gems and things that could be used in our time. Even if it is a long time since June 1968 and the implementation of the Charter on the 24th of October 1969. Some might say it got lost in the era of Idi Amin or the 10 Point Programme of Museveni. Even if so… it is still worth revisiting and acknowledging the parts that can be substantial for our time. The knowledge and the wisdom of the past shouldn’t be lost or forgotten. Instead, we should question it and see if it can be useful today.

There are 40 points in the Charter, but I will only dwell on a few chosen ones.

The first one is this: “4. We reject, both in theory and in practice, that Uganda as a whole or any part of it should be the domain of any person, of feudalism, of Capitalism, of vested interests of one kind or another, of foreign influence or of foreigners. We further reject exploitation of material and human resources for the benefit of a few” (Common Man’s Charter, 1969).

Why did I take this one first? Well, it is easy. It is accurately stating the facts and mirroring our time, as one family and one man has the Republic as his domain. This here could have been written with the National Resistance Movement and Museveni in mind. Because who doesn’t recognize the wordings here and see how it fits the current state of affairs?

The second one: “9. The Republican status, therefore, has taken Uganda further towards the goal of full Uhuru. It must not be accepted, however, that our new status by itself is sufficient, or that it has removed exploitation and has brought full Uhuru. We realise that it is, by itself, an advance towards the goal of full Uhuru, but because we are also convinced that more has yet to be done, this Charter has been adopted, and its strategy is in our view a logical development from the fact that we have been moving away from the hold of feudal power since 1966. For so long as that feudal power was a factor in the politics and economy of Uganda it could not be disregarded. Thus the reason for this Charter. It must also be noted that in a society in which feudalism is an important and major political and economic factor, that society cannot escape being Rightist in its internal and external policies. With the removal of the feudal factor from our political and economic life, we need to do two things. First we must not allow the previous position of the feudalists to be filled by neo-feudalists. Secondly, we must move away from circumstances which may give birth to neo-feudalism or generate feudalistic mentality” (Common Man’s Charter, 1969).

The ideals here are good and the UPC had thought it through. Though in the perspective of locking in the Republican status with feudalism is trying to kill two birds with one stone. That is the reason why NRM could rectify the kingdoms and still be a Republic. Because the Kingdoms wasn’t the unpopular ones, but the oppressive regimes were. Therefore, Obote and UPC did itself a disservice by fighting for a Republican Status and not just trying to fight for the rights of lands and against fiefdoms in general. The lords, the chiefs and the ones owning the lands was the issue and not the Kingdoms itself. That’s why the ideals are understandable, but a reason why no one else has tried to push it through since. Everyone has seen that it only spirals and creates more insurgency by taking away the rights of cultural and historical leaders of the nation.

The charter continues: “17. We reiterate the fact that the struggle for Independence was not a struggle confined to people professing one religion. The colonial power heard voices from all corners of Uganda. The struggle, however, was not that different parts of Uganda should return to the days of tribal quarrels, disunity and wars but to move to the new era wherein all people of Uganda are one and the country is one, and to regain our dignity as human beings” (Common Man’s Charter, 1969).

This here is a warning, which wasn’t adhered too. Since the words of 1969 easily got forgotten and the wars resided for a long time. The struggle for power and control resided for years. The “North vs. South” and the “West vs. the Rest” has been a vital staple and is a reason for why Museveni and the NRM came to power. They used the sentiments and they have persisted with it. That’s why these words from the UPC should still be vocally addressed in 2023.

The charter continues: “20. The emergence and growth of a privileged group in our society, together with the open possibilities of the group assuming the powers of the feudal elements, are not matters of theory and cannot be disregarded with a waive of the hand. Nor should the same be looked at from a doctrinaire approach. It is for this reason that in this Charter we do not intend to play with words, even if those words have meanings, such as “Capitalism” or “Communism”. We are convinced that from the standpoint of our history, not only our educational system inherited from pre-Independence days, but also the attitudes to modern commerce and industry and the position of a person in authority, in or outside Government are creating a gap between the well-to-do on the one hand and the mass of people on the other. As the years go by, this gap will become wider and wider. The move to the Left Strategy of this Charter aims at bridging the gap and arresting this development” (Common Man’s Charter, 1969).

Here we are seeing the warning and the pragmatic approach, which the UPC had in regarding to governing. These words are also fitting for today, as the NRM have created a privileged group and masses who isn’t well off. It is so evident and there is just a little minority who is prosperous in the Republic. The supposed plan to arresting this development was destroyed and depleted, because the rulers of the day don’t pay it no mind.

I just find these pieces of the Common Man’s Charter very interesting and insightful. It is rare that a document like this could issue such words and be relevant in our time. That’s just telling how forward thinking and ahead of its times this document was. Because it could have been lost in the wind and we could have paid it no mind. The UPC and the Government of Uganda had a vision and they wanted to achieve something. If it was achievable or even possible. Well, that’s another story.

The story we can dwell on today is how Obote and the UPC did drop a visionary charter and how it could foresee trouble ahead. They knew and could read the signs. While also sharing knowledge that is useful to this day. Peace.

Opinion: The Museveni conspiracy theories surrounding his coronavirus is crazy…

This week it was announced that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was positive for the COVID-19 virus or the coronavirus. That after doing all precautions and avoid close encounters for ages. Heck, the old man wore a face-mask and kept distance on foreign visits too. So, it wasn’t like he took easy or believed he could manage getting the virus.

That’s why he delegated his Vice-President and Prime Minister to handle certain affairs. Just like he delegated the Prime Minister in his stead on Victory Day on the 8th June 2023 in Luweero. That’s what he did and it was uncommon of him to do so.

What is official and announced is that his holding himself in isolation at his home on Nakasero hill. There he has been since it was official that he was with COVID-19. That’s where his been for 5 days and not much news has come out. There been some official statements and writings, but none has been in a manner that can up-ease people.

Now all sorts of conspiracies are going viral. That is happening because Tanzanian and Kenyan media houses are suddenly claiming that Museveni is at the ICU and his son Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga has called a family meeting. This news broke now on Sunday, but haven’t been verified or released statements from sources close to the State House. Meaning, it could just be hearsay or made-up “fake news”.

Alas, that’s why things are troubling. As conspiracies of the CIA involved with spies who fed him ricin poison on his matooke. That’s been one, because ricin make you feel feverish, damage your blood-vessels and then the heart. In addition of giving you diarrhoe and small cough. However, that is just words on the web and nothing proven of yet.

The same as the speculation that this is a retaliation of the West and they have made him sick because of the Anti-Homosexuality Act. Well, if that was true… why didn’t they go after him for the same reason in 2011 and 2014? They should have addressed it the first few times in the 9th Parliament and not suddenly strike in the 11th Parliament. Let’s just be legit about for a minute.

They are also pinning this on the same strange manner of death as with former Tanzanian President Joseph Magufuli. Which I find very amusing, because Magufuli worked against the virus and had all sort of hackwork ideas of combatting it. He did everything in his power to keep society open and spread the COVID-19 without any ways of stopping it or treating it. That’s why his died and it was a foolish way to die. The former President could have avoided it by putting in regulations and codes, which would limit the spread. Also, believed in the science and the possible treatment of the virus sooner. However, he never did and that’s why his gone. There is no major conspiracy and a big will of the West to get rid of him. No, that he did on his own accord, actually.

The same story can be written about former Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza. They went both the same path and the similar tragic ending. It could have been avoided and practically they had the authorities, the state apparatus and the ability to do something about it. However, their pride and their will was against doing so. Therefore, making conspiracies in connections with them now is futile.

President Museveni is a man of the lockdowns and a man who did whatever in his way to avoid it. That’s another beast compared to the gentlemen, which I have mentioned. Yes, I am critical of Museveni and his reign. That is being said with reason and with facts. Not just hearsay and utter ignorance. I will not cry havoc or claim someone is deceased before they are. The state might conceal it or hide the fact. However, that would make more reasons to get motive or issue for doing so. We know they would hide it and attempt to find the next way forward. Because, there is no protocol or justified way to a Presidential transition. Nevertheless, that is just hearsay and mere speculation, which I will not dwell into. Especially, when there is no proof of it. Neither is the wording of being air-lifted to Nairobi or abroad for treatment. That usually happens when big-men like Museveni falls seriously ill. They tend to fly to Paris, London or elsewhere to get treatment for their illnesses. That wouldn’t happen in Kampala or in a hospital up-country.

No, that’s why I am taking it with ease and not buying into it just yet. Peace.

A Brief Look into the LoP Response to the State of Nation Address of 2023…

Just as yesterday, I went through the speech, the State of the Nation address of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. It would only be fair that I do the same to the Leader of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga MP, and his retort to it. Not that I expect much or will be flabbergasted anymore. We have seen it all before and it is going in circles. I just hope there is more meat and less bones. That’s what I hoped for when I started to read the response.

The LoP dropped a huge document as a response, but I will bluntly just gaze at it and take the juiciest parts. In the same manner, as I did with the State of Nation Address. It wouldn’t be fair if digested it differently. Even if I have given more space to Museveni than the Opposition in this regard. That’s because Museveni is the Head of State and is the President. It is within these reasons why he gets more spotlight and questions of his actions. Then the LoP who is doing the same…

Last year the LoP dropped over 20 pages to address the SONA or State of the Nation of 2022. This year it was 2 pages drop and about the public wastage of COVID-19 tests and such. It wasn’t dwelling into the subject matters or the ideals of the speech. No, it was just looking at the blunt cost of the National Address and in that regard.

It is an understatement to say this is relaxed and the least effort. Maybe after last years response. He felt it was underwhelming and giving less feedback. Therefore, he could just address one simple point now and that’s the continues COVID-19 testing for public events at Kololo, like the SONA. However, that is a mute-point at this stage and not that interesting.

Secondly, the LoP didn’t dwell into the speech or even comment on the claims in it. Yes, the LoP and the Shadow Cabinet did boycott the proceedings. Nevertheless, just like I wasn’t at Kololo, the LoP could get access to the speech and retort to it like he should. Not just await the next plenary session and then maybe utter some words.

The LoP is within his rights and he should complain about the costs of 3 billion shillings for every event or the presiding activities of the President at Kololo. That is within reason… though I would expect so much more of his response to the SONA.

From an Opposition Standpoint, the whole two pages are disappointing. The ideals of the boycott and reasons for it should be so much grander. There are plenty of reasons not to show up or protest the government actions towards its dissidents. However, the reasoning and the response is lacklustre.

I’m disappointed in Mpuuga. He knows how this game goes and is a seasoned politician. This is forfeiting his role and not standing up for the principals. It just glazing it and making a mockery of it.

There was plenty of meat in the speech to make a feast on. That’s if he cared or was concerned about it. The LoP could have addressed it properly and not only talked about COVID-19 testing to attend the SONA. That is just the practical attendance and not even the objective of scrutinizing the speech itself. Even I did much more and I wasn’t even trying… Peace.

A brief look into the State of the Nation Address of 2023…

What more can I say to you? You heard it all” – Jay Z – ‘What More Can I Say’ (The Black Album, 2003)

Here we go again, and again, and again. This is the DJ Khaled with “another one” and “Listennn”. Well, we knew it was bound to happen and it’s sadly scheduled by law. That His Excellency, the Self-Styled President for Life, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was delivering his State of the Nation address to Parliament.

There is a reason why there is no real fanfare or joy for these occasions anymore. Just like Jay-Z dropped a song called “What More Can I Say” and Museveni should feel the same. Nevertheless, he never stops and with ease holding new speeches on a semi-regular basis. However, with time… it’s repetitive and a lot of fluff.

I will not deep dive into the matter. Only take a few quotes and say my peace about it. Because, that’s what I do… no guns or glamour. Just mere acknowledgement and move on.

PDM is saying; “Do it yourself; here is a grant from the government to your parish SACCO of UShs.100million, per year. Besides, the parish is near your home. Hence, no more excuses”. This is the strategy of PDM, the money is there, cheap and the Parish is near. Therefore no more excuses by the people who want to remain in poverty” (Museveni, 07.06.2023).

Well, if things was that easy Mr. President you would have done the magic bullet with Entandikwa in the 1990s. We know that didn’t happen and Museveni has launched several since. The PDM is just the latest rebrand of the same scheme and done so ahead of the polls. It is a cheap ploy and a trick to get the electorate hopeful for the future. Though we haven’t seen signs of it actually working with the predecessors either.

With our oil money, we shall be able to complete our targets of a Government primary school per parish and a Government secondary school per Sub-County. The railway, the electricity, technical and science education as well as some national roads, will be the elements our oil money will deal with. I intend to meet with the Petroleum Authority and the Oil Companies, to harmonise so that we do not miss the target of 2025 as the first oil date” (Museveni, 07.06.2023).

The President has been patiently waiting for the petrodollars to come his way. He has been anticipating and looking forward to the fortunes. However, with the way he has run the nation and the debt-ridden economy he has provided. The riches of the petrodollars might go to cover the shortfall and pay of debts. Because, the domestic revenue coming from it has to cover the recycled debts and the deficits his government has created. That it got to before it even considers to invest or suddenly have the funds to expand or even deliver government services to the public. It isn’t nice to say this, but when you have had re-occurring debts and not had revenue. The moment you get that… the creditors wants their cut and they should.

My stand on homosexuality has been repeatedly laid out to all and sundry. It starts with a few questions: “Why does somebody become a homosexual? Is it on account of genetic, hormonal or psychological reasons?” Discussions with our doctors and the other African doctors who had a conference with African Members of Parliament from 22 countries, unequivocally, led us to conclude, that homosexuality, is as a result of psychological disorientation at some point in one’s life- not genetic and not hormonal, as some of us initially thought” (Museveni, 07.06.2023).

If Museveni thinks his smart or wise, these sorts of statements doesn’t make him any friends in the donor communities or the ones who has been covering his lack of domestic revenue. Even if he thinks he got it covered with the future earnings of the oil in 2025, which he desperately needs now. Because, his becoming left behind and less accustomed to friendly gestures, as the time goes by.

He knew the Anti-Homosexuality Act would be troublesome. The old man should remember how he had to deal with it in the past. It is merely a decade since the last round. Now it is repeating itself and becoming a norm. While his getting the populist behind it and even the Opposition is numb on the question. Because, they all know that this is a popular sentiment. Even if it is targeting one minority and vilifying them. That’s what they do and it’s a cheap trick to have “delivered” something without doing anything in particular. It’s a gift that keeps giving and the gays are paying the price for the party.

I can just tell you… you don’t get wiser or smarter by listening to Museveni in 2023. No, it is the same-old same-old, which isn’t inspiring at all. We have heard the sentiments and most of the tales before. Just added a twist of the new type of means.

Well, however… bambi. I am tired of this. Goodbye. Peace.

Uganda Medical Association (UMA): UMA rejects any Inequality in Medical Internship Deployment (07.06.2023)

Uganda: Ministry of Health – Update on Medical Internship (07.06.2023)