

Uganda: Ministry of Defence & Veterans Affairs – Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) – The Situation in Karamoja is Under Control (29.03.2022)





“𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢 𝐌𝐏𝐬 – UGX 312.9m” (NTV Uganda, 29.03.2022).
The Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) has consisted of 29 MPs and if that is still the case. Then each of them is 10 million shillings in a “special operation” surrounding the burial of late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah.
This is now reported and it’s obviously why, because the APG said it would boycott and not stand behind anyone else than an Acholi for the Speakership in the 11th Parliament. However, they voted like the rest of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in regards to the recent election of former Deputy Anita Annet Among, which is not Acholi. Therefore, their treats was pointless and fruitless. Also, their ideals of ring-fencing a position based on tribe. That totally failed.
Alas… they still got additional perks and a benefits drive, which is 10 million shillings into the bank. The APG MPs has clearly gotten paid off for their utter silence and continuing the cause of the State House and the President in the 11th Parliament.
As it is perfectly clear that the Acholi Parliamentary Group and the Acholi MPs pleas and rhetoric ahead of the poll on Kololo fell on deaf ears. The NRM High Command and NRM CEC had already decided. Well, even the NRM Caucus was falling in line and the vote was just a practicality and a necessary thing to do by law. Everything else was already settle a day in advance or so.
The Acholi hadn’t enough leverage and neither did have a man inside the NRM CEC. Since the late Oulanyah happened to be their representative. They had nothing to offer or show for it. This is why it was easily to see that it was more business as usual. Ensure the cause and the will of the President. Not assuring and re-assuring a sub-region of the Republic. No, that is just a cause, which you amplify when in need of votes. The rest of the time… they can fall in line and it is just as easy as dropping an envelope of few million shillings to silence them all.
The President and his merry men only needed 10 million shillings each to get them to back-off. He only needed a small kickback to get them of the hook. That’s all that he needed and that was their price. So cheap, so simple and it’s not even funny.
The Acholi MPs came at a bargain and they took it. Instead of standing their ground and trying to show some sense of solidarity. Nevertheless, they can easily be bought and it’s proven now. Peace.

“Frank Sobotka: You know what the trouble is, Brucey? We used to make shit in this country, build shit. Now we just put our hand in the next guy’s pocket” (The Wire – ‘Bad Dreams’ S2E11, 2003).
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has used lobbyist and paid representation in Washington D.C. since 1992. They have hired K-Street lawyers and lobbyist to fight for their causes. To get favourable coverage and also spread “information” to Congress members in both the House and Senate.
On that has represented Museveni and the Government of Uganda (GoU) for years is Joseph Szlavik of the Scribe Strategies & Advisors, Inc. The registration in FARA registry shows that his still representing and working for the interests of Uganda in the United States of America.
In 2021 he got two payments in June for his work as “compensation”. He earned USD$ 141,000. If you convert that Ugandan Shillings he was paid about UGX 507 million shillings.
In 2021 he sent dozens of emails to Representatives with the sole purpose of a “Meeting request for the Ambassador of Uganda”. He had two in-person meetings with Congressmen Earl Leroy Carter and John Kato. While holding a dinner event with the members of congress on the 24th June 2021 with Steve Chabot, Maria Elvira Salazar, Andy Barr and Claudia Tenny. He was also able to have a lunch meeting with Congressmen Chris Smith on the 26th July. While one man was willing to meet the Ugandan Ambassador in person, that was Senator Ted Cruz on the 29th July. The others who got emails didn’t do that and the list was endless in the filing. So, Szlavik is sending 100s of emails without any results, which is billed to the Government of Uganda.
So, the state is willing to pay over 100,000 USD for sending emails and such. With very little results. He is a professional lobbyist, but the results seems weak. It is like his emails are getting into the spam-folder and not touched. Since, his filling of 2021 emails to get Congressmen and Senators to meet the Ambassador was pages after pages, but only one registered meeting in person with ambassador and a few lunch meetings. That is barely anything substantial.
This is just like when the Baltimore Dock Union leader Frank Sobotka in the fictional tale of The Wire paid lobbyist Bruce DiBiago to get another pier and dry-dock by bribing politicians. The Union was paying this money to the lobbyist, but there was no results. Only that the lobbyist was paid and no results to show for it. Even in the end of the Wire season. Instead of getting the results and upgrade the port needed. It instead got turned into a condominium, meaning private housing and not furthering the attraction of the port. Which means the whole payments of the lobbyist was wasted and not bare any fruits what so ever.
Just like that fictional tale… Szlavik is the same in regard to Uganda. His getting paid, but clearly working and achieving very little. I cannot remember any of the Congressmen or that the prominent Senator Ted Cruz doing anything for the betterment of Uganda. To the contrary the United States government and their authorities are starting to sanction and make things harder for the regime in Kampala. Therefore, Szlavik has a lot of purpose, but very little to show for it. Peace.

“Today, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, I attended the special sitting of parliament to elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. I congratulate the NRM and the ally groups. I also congratulate the other group. Thank you for sitting and behaving properly. To those who have won (my own NRM candidates), I urge you not to go around celebrating, we are mourning and actually, this election should not have happened but the law required so. It is madness to have this election when Oulanyah is not buried, people can think we are witches. Now to the Honourable Members of Parliament, whether you are in the Opposition, NRM or in the Army, in order for us to succeed as a country, you must work for the people. You all know how we can get our people out of poverty but you keep meandering in other things” (Museveni, 25.03.2022).
The Parliament has become the National Resistance Council by definition. They are the House and the Parliament in name, but in action… it is just a big council of National Resistance Movement Members of Parliament (MP). These are following the guidance of the party and the will of His Excellency. Therefore, the only thing they will do is to follow his orders and decrees.
Because, we know the Office of the President or the National Resistance Army/Movement High Command writes their decree or order. The decree or orders is later designated to the National Resistance Movement – Central Executive Committee (NRM CEC), which is the first place to sanitize it and make it legit. After that, it’s implemented in the NRM Caucus before it is taken to the Parliament. So, all the steps and the journey of a decisions is all handled and controlled. There is no free will or direction where the NRM MPs can go without a direction and everyone knows it.
The NRM MPs are in majority and what they decide will happen. The President has ensured this with election rigging, gerrymandering and all the tricks of the book to secure total control. He does it with the use of the authorities, blocking parties from operating and all the other means of which has made it impossible for the opposition to gain any sort of power. That is why his ending up with the final say.
It is his system by making it out to be a multi-party system. However, it isn’t far from the no-party system. As the other parties only have minor votes and part of the Parliament. They are participating in the name, but got no say and their motions is easily dismissed. Their candidacies and opportunities is close to none.
When the President has decided, gotten acknowledged in the NRM CEC and later directed the NRM Caucus. The plenary session can happen in the August House and his “Council” will vote in his favour and after his bidding. The ones who rebels or acts out of line will be addressed. They will be questioned and possible get into trouble. These are the NRM Rebels, which tends to be manhandled and losing their perks. This is what he does… because nobody should question the only man with a vision.
We knew the results when the NRM CEC wrote their position earlier in the week. We knew that the NRM would just follow where the President pointed and nothing else would happen. It was written and executed according to plan.
The NRM High Command has it all in order and everyone else just obeys. There is no chance. Nothing is missed and the journey of the votes is only formalities. This is how things are and not expect MPs or dissidents inside to be left of the hook. They will be taken care of and they will regret it. Peace.

“I want to warn people who use the death of someone to do cheap politics. I have heard some people saying Oulanyah was killed. We’re coming for you. The police will come for you to help them because you seem to know what we don’t know. We cannot go on with this indiscipline. Oulanyah died in a reputable hospital. For somebody who is educated to claim. You must come to police and explain. We cannot continue with this indiscipline. I had somebody saying there is a camera. Where is the camera you are talking about? Which camera were they talking about? If you are talking about that vehicle, it is not a camera. It is for our security here” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (25.03.2022).
That the President is coming with a warning on the day the late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah is substituted with the former Deputy Speaker. Just show that his mind never rests and he always has to retaliate. There is never peace and never a moment of acting humble.
His coming with warnings and telling that the authorities will investigate the ones who is questioning the death of Oulanyah. It is not like National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the NRM used death as a means to their end. The NRM was forged in death and murder… the killing fields and the bush-war. That was cheap politics, which the NRA even used tricks to wear to UNLA fatigue and killed villagers to blame them for massacres. This was in the 1980s and how he rose to prominence and never looked back.
The President should consider his words. As he is the one that warns of destroying, rhetoric of demeaning opponents and saying his army will destroy anyone. When he does that on the regular. Why wouldn’t people question a sudden death like this? Just like they have questioned other deaths and sudden fatalities of high ranking officials over the years!
The NRM and the authorities haven’t really the trust or the ability of transparency, which would make the public believe in the messages of the state. However, the known secrecy and devious ways, always make people speculate and wonder what went down. And it doesn’t help in this regard, that there was a probe into poisoning of Oulanyah during 2021. We where supposed to forget these headlines in The Observer?
His Excellency should consider how his state failed Oulanyah and all the citizens. When the high ranking officials has to go abroad to get treatment. That shows the Ministry of Health and the Hospitals isn’t up too it. This is why they have to get treatment and medical care elsewhere. The Government of Uganda should consider this and that’s why people are speaking out about his travels to Seattle. However, the President seems to be delusional about this.
It isn’t cheap politics…. It is the sort of politics and questioning that actually helped himself at one point. Just like his speaking ill of coup d’etat these days. The same manner of which he took power in 1986. So, consistency is apparently too much too ask… Peace.



Now that it’s official and the voting tomorrow is in session. The news that Chief Whip Thomas Tayebwa is the anointed Deputy Speaker to take the place of the current Deputy Anita Annet Among. We know the drill here and the most likely result tomorrow is that both of these gets the promotions in Parliament.
So in advance, congratulations and hope you can resurrect your legacies. However, in the grand scheme of things of things. I doubt it… and these two cadres are the token loyalists and egocentric puppets, which are the sort of fishermen that the President has prayed for entering his party all his life. These sort of small-time schemers and elite, which is easily corrupted and tricked into thinking they are doing their own gains, but initially just serving the purpose of the State House.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni must be so happy. That his getting the partisan people of Tayebwa and Among to these roles is just a blessing for the old man. He gets the epitome of hacks and insufferable people to represent his causes in the Parliament. These will wait for the whistle and ensure the NRM is at the heart of things.
Tayebwa has proven this all on his own. That he says just censoring Muhwezi was a target against all of the members of the Movement. When he could say that as a Chief Whip and staunchly defend the merits and questionable act of the Minister. We know that he has the ability and heart to strike even harder as the Deputy. He will follow the foot-steps of Among and cause even more damage without proper procedure or protocol. Just to throw the opposition into a tail-spin and escalate even more tension between the parties.
Among already proven that with her handling of the Zaake case and removal of title as Commissioner. Therefore, we know how she plays and used the office as Deputy. Now that she’s the boss and the Speaker. She can be even more ruthless and insincere. I don’t expect her to change or suddenly become a person of integrity or honesty. As that ship has sailed and she has proven there is one standard for NRM and another for the rest. That’s just how things goes and now the Parliament has to follow these sets of guidance and rules. If not… she can use the same argument again to revoke or censor someone.
When we know all this and this is the outcome of the death of Oulanyah. It is clear that the cadres and the well-grounded MPs within NRM is becoming extinct. When this is the best they have to offer and who they are endorsing to such roles. Theses people should be trusted and be people who will follow the words of the procedure and the law. However, these are so partisan and so selective in their reasoning. That I doubt they will ever do so.
These people will bargain and ensure the NRM and the President decrees are followed. Without any oversight or accountability. I expect the 11th Parliament to be so partisan, that the Leader of Parliament will often boycott or not participate. Neither will many of the Opposition MPs. Who don’t see grounds or values in the Plenary Sessions. As they are muffled and not taken into consideration. The majority and the NRM has a head who will silence and brutally engage with them. Therefore, things are not getting, but instead worse…
These two running the show. It will be a circus and a partisan at that. There will be no middle-ground or sort of impressionable scene. The ones that is chosen has already proven that by their actions and words. The titles and ranks might change, but we know these two bleeds yellow. Therefore, the sights on the Parliament will be so too. These will not account or care, because these has only interest of the Movement and nothing else.
That’s why there should be other types of cadres and MPs elected to these roles. However, the NRM CEC and the likes doesn’t even shield the need to totally suffocate the opposition. Peace.

“But your ethnic leader, you who were demonstrating, was transported in a presidential jet on public funds he was not entitled. You did not demonstrate. Is it because Oulanyah is an Acholi? Is it because Oulanyah does not speak your language? Only a wicked person, can fight a person fighting for his life. Only a super wicked person can fight the dead. Actually for us it is an abomination which has no named” – Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo (23.03.2022).
It seems to always be fitting to target and speak of ill of the “Central Region” or Buganda. These sentiments are clearly in the back-head of many people. As they are speaking with a tone and manner, which doesn’t seem fitting.
It is now done by the Court Justice Dollo… who can easily go after the Kabaka and the Baganda Kingdom. As he took an KLM flight to Germany for treatment. While he forgets that the state paid for the special flight of Oulanyah to Seattle. Again, the hospitalization abroad isn’t the issue, but the tribe. That is tragic… as in both instances… the lacking health care and medical facilities to treat this people are worrying. When VIPs has to go abroad to get help and the expenses are on the state. Alas, CJ Dollo isn’t smart here, but playing along tribal lines.
What is striking is how easily the loyal cadres and people in the inner-circle of power can use tribalism. When the President is often quoted to speak up against preaching sectarianism. However, the first moment when the iron get hot. The people come out of the woodwork and does just that.
CJ Dollo is no exception to the rule, as his just doing this in regard to the Muganda and their cultural leader. If this had been towards the Bunyoro or the Busoga it would have been wrong. Heck, no one should do this to the Langi or the Acholi either. It just shows how things are backwards, instead of moving forward.
What his saying is lingering on hate speech and should be condemned. This is coming after the Acholi and Greater North MPs wanted to “ring-fence” the position in Parliament. However, we know that is not happening and the Deputy is getting a promotion. That shows the National Resistance Movement wasn’t following the pleas and the petitions to follow ethnic lines for a role in government.
Nevertheless, we know the NRM has a problem with this and not because Among is from the East. No, the NRM has a problem that they have favoured Westerner and Ankoli for a long time. They have a click and a power-base, which has been steady since the bush-war. Therefore, the ethnic and tribal accusations can easily be pinned on the NRM. That is a reaction to the NRA historicals and the manner of which the President has governed.
So, CJ Dollo is just going after the Baganda and the Muganda. A kingdom and a region, which has dared to vote against the NRM and pick opposition leaders. That is just showing how staged this is. The opposition run demonstrations wasn’t directly at Oulanyah in Seattle, but a reaction to the medical tourism and wastage of government spending. This was the reason and Oulanyah was just the latest high ranking official to do so. It wasn’t long ago since former minister Lokodo was abroad for treatment before his death too. Therefore, this is a lingering problem and not an Acholi or anything else problem. It is a system default which is bad for the whole society. Since the hospitals and the health centres cannot cater and deliver the needed health care treatment in the Republic.
However, this sort of speech does nobody any good and the CJ should be better. Nevertheless, the death and demise of Oulanyah exposed his true character, I suppose. Peace.

“Rt. Hon Anita Among has been endorsed as Speaker of parliament by NRM CEC, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong has confirmed” (94.3 QFM LIRA, 23.03.2022).
The news are now out of the bag. The waiting game is over and the finalization of what to come is here. The current Deputy Speaker Anita Among is getting the nomination and getting vouched by the National Resistance Movement – Central Executive Committee (NRM-CEC) that was anticipated and it’s not shocking.
Though now the NRM MPs from the Greater North in Lango, Acholi and West Nile have to either stand by their words or bow to the command of the NRM CEC. Because, the NRM CEC decisions tends to be final. Just like the direction and decisions made at the NRM Caucus at the State House. These are the end-game and how things are resolved. Where the mater is up for the high above and his final word settle the score.
In this round, it’s the Deputy becoming the Speaker. Meaning there will possibly be a double election. As if she wins the race as a speaker, which she is bound too. Among has the majority of MPs behind her and there is now way the numbers game change in any shape or form to help any opposition to counter it. Therefore, the decision and endorsement is the end.
This means that the 12 other was dismissed, even as one Minister had already revoked her candidacy and with doing so… only making it 12 candidates instead of the initial 13 reported. However, her candidacy was a long-shot and it was wise just to back-out anyway.
We will see the hurt and the pain in concern to the Acholi and the North, which wanted to ring-fence this position. They wanted this office to reflect the powerhouse of the North. That is how they have spoken since Jacob Oulanyah passed away. Therefore, the NRM CEC and the President didn’t want to honour that and instead picked the most loyal cadre, which is Among.
The ones thinking this is good choice. Well, they can look into the case of Zaake and how his been treated by the Deputy Speaker. Knowingly that is how she operates as the Deputy and would most likely be more fierce as the Speaker. The 11th Parliament will be a dungeon of partisanship for the NRM and there will be no grounds or trying to make it seem any different.
Anita Among isn’t the like or concern for protocols, neither is she worried about the grand scheme of things. She seems only to be worried about her ego and her titles. That’s why she fits well with the current NRM. Who doesn’t care about the laws or the ramifications of their actions. As long as the enemies suffer and the opposition lingers in purgatory. That’s how she operates and I can only expect more of that from her. She will use any excuse or deliberation to mock, take shots and even revoke their privileges. That is how she are and now she is promoted for it too.
While the ones wanting an Acholi or a Northerner is left behind. They shouldn’t expect anything else. There is no law or a wording, which stated this or said so. It was wishful thinking, but the President and his CEC didn’t see the value in it. They rather have status quo and call it a night.
Alas, the North and Acholi might feel betrayed… but the High Ranking Officials and the roles of government isn’t ring-fenced or bound by law to one group, unless it is a cultural institution or a monarchy where family lineage matters. Therefore, this was a mission impossible for the Northerners to begin with.
Everyone can say the Westerners and the family affairs of the President makes it seems like other positions are filled with this and the North should have their say. That is true, but it wasn’t in the cards and they didn’t have a fitting character or the leverage with CEC. Because, if they had a person who had the connection, the leverage and the needed qualification of the President. That person would get endorsed. However, that didn’t happen and Teso got the golden ticket this time around.
Am not shocked, as she was one of the front-runners and naturally so. Since she was already the Deputy. This is just continuing the current affairs and nothing else. Among will just pursuit her interests and be a cog in the machinery for the NRM. That is evident by how she was running things and now she has gotten a promotion. Peace.

“Members of Parliament from Acholi, West Nile, and Lango sub-regions have threatened to boycott the elections of the Speaker of Parliament if the Central Executive Committee of the NRM fails to nominate the candidates they endorsed for Speakership. The group wants the Speaker’s position ring-fenced in relation to the region’s contribution in last year’s general polls” (NBS Television, 22.03.2022).
The Acholi Parliamentary Group has already endorsed Hilary Onek, as the Minister and MP for Speaker. While the recent reports and the NRM Electoral Commission had a list of 13 MPs wanting to be the Speaker. Onek wasn’t on the list published by Dr. Tanga Odoi today. Meaning he has not shown interest or in time for the NRM EC to be eligible for the election.
By the list of NRM EC the ones who fits this description is Jackson Atima of Arua, Denis Hamson Obua of Abletong, Felix Okot Ogong of Dokolo, Jane Ruth Aceng of Lira and John Amos Okot of Agago.
So, out of the 13 MPs seeking to be Speaker … 5 of these are from the Greater North or the region of which they ring-fencing the Speakership of the Parliament. This is making it tribal and using the Acholi or North as a reason for someone to get elected. It is not saying they have the best person or the one who is fit to be the speaker.
We know that the Northern MPs and Acholi Parliamentary Group can petition all they want and say they want it again. Because, late Jacob Oulanyah came from the region. That all makes sense, but there is no ownership of the office of speaker. Just like there is no ring-fencing of the Presidency or anything else. There is no unwritten rules either. At least not by the Constitution or anywhere else.
This is just sentiments to ensure the Acholi and Greater North has a say. That all makes sense. However, the ideals will all depend on if any of the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) will put this into consideration or implement it. Because it all depends on this body and than later in the election the NRM follow this decision. That is how things goes and this will be no different.
If the Greater Northern MPs thinks so. They have to prove it, but they shouldn’t count on it. The NRM can use the tribalism and these grounds to not accept it. Since, they can speak of merit and qualifications. Nevertheless, the NRM has a hard choice and a region wants answers. This will not be easy…
The NRM CEC isn’t fileld with Northerners either. The NRM have an issue of appointing Westerns to the highest offices and become prominent within the party. So, if they want to give the Republic another picture. They can prove that very easily. Nevertheless, it is hard to count on it.
The nomination is up for grabs and everything is just speculations. The truth will be out tomorrow and the NRM CEC has a die to cast. No matter what eyes they get. It will have ramification and one favoured MP will become the next Speaker of the 11th Parliament. Peace.