Opinion: The NRM CEC will decide who is the chosen one [2nd Speaker race in the 11th Parliament]

Today there are 13 National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs who has decided to stand as a candidate and field interests in becoming the next speaker in the 11th Parliament after Jacob Oulanyah died in Seattle, United States of America. Because of the unfortunate death of Oulanyah, by law and after Constitutional Law the Parliament had to focus on an election of a Speaker before transacting any business in Parliament. Meaning it couldn’t function or have plenary sessions without a speaker.

This is why the acts of NRM Electoral Commission and the Parliament itself to schedule a new election of speaker has come so quickly. Since, the Parliament would loose a lot of time and the term, if it awaited a long mourning period or whatnot. Sadly, things has to move-on, even when the biggest men or the highest ranking official dies. The Republic continues while the families are holding the memory of deceased near their hearts.

The NRM Central Executive Committee must be happy that so many stepped forward and was willing. Because, some of these 13 candidates are risking their current positions or offices to get another one. They have faith that the NRM and the President see them fit. Because, the will of NRM CEC and the NRM Caucus is usually final.

The opposition can field a candidate or candidates, but doesn’t stand a chance. They are fish out of water. Not because they are not eligible or have possible characters that could fit the description of speaker or deputy speaker for that matter. For one simple reason: The opposition don’t have the numbers or the majority on their side. The NRM tends to support their own and most likely will vote for own candidate.

What is striking is that current Deputy Speaker Anita Among is throwing her weight into it. As she is currently the deputy and thinks she is the right fit to become the current one. Yes, she has held most of the plenary sessions since the 11th Parliament started, because Oulanyah only had like 3 plenary sessions. So, she has had to some time and proven herself. There are even a letter circulating proving that she did resign. Nevertheless, it is all up to the NRM CEC and their choices tomorrow.

The NRM CEC can know about the support and the possible alliances, which are everything from the ones who are supported by the Acholi Parliamentary Group to the ones going on TV and going to the NRM EC in favour of Among. There is all sorts of interests at play. Clearly, some are eyeing a possible upgrade or a promotion. Others are hoping to galvanize support or get recognition. Since, some of these MPs aren’t all that.

We can wonder, if the Ministers in the race has resigned from their offices, this in concern of Jane Ruth Aceng, Sarah Opendi, Jackson Kafuuzi, Jacob Oboth-Oboth or Denis Hamson Obua. I am saying that… because by law and the articles of the Speaker they cannot be both Speaker and a Minister at the same time. Meaning they are possibly risking their offices and has to resign as well.

The likes of Deputy Attorney General Kafuuzi is awaiting recognition from the NRM CEC tomorrow before resigning. Therefore, his awaiting the outcome of tomorrow before going all in. This shows that he has thought ahead, but it is a risk…. Since this signals to the President and the State House, that there are many who wants to get prestigious appointment and get higher up the ladder.

We know that the President don’t approve of naked ambition, but he cannot deny the swaying power of it either. That’s why he creates so many offices and possible state organizations to appoint his loyal cadres. Therefore, he shouldn’t be shocked about it.

The only thing we can do is now to await the results of tomorrows meeting. We have to see who has a shot and such. Since we know the Chief Whip Thomas Tayebwa will get everyone or most of the MPs in line to vote in the direction the NRM CEC commands them to do. This is will be the final straw and the end of the matter. The election and the polls in Parliament will only be formalities after the NRM CEC decisions been made. The results are sort of made when the President and his council has decided.

The NRM MPs will follow that and this the end-game. Peace.

Opinion: Oulanyah is another mysterious death…

We cannot pretend that all is well because now we have more questions than answers. We continue to ask why our Children die shortly after elevation to positions of power. For all those who think

Jacob Oulanyah stood in their way, please Forgive us, forgive him and give us a chance to grieve peacefully. We shall all die, it’s a matter of time. We are all designed with a different mode of death” – Rwot David Onen Acana, Acholi Paramount chief (Entebbe One, 21.03.2022).

There is a planned move to eliminate all the sons of Acholi that are rising, government needs to explain” (…)The government should tell us clearly, if the people of Acholi are not worthy owning any key position in this country so that we tell our sons who are still remaining to resign”– Hon. Gilbert Oulanya, Kilak South MP (100.2 Galaxy FM Zzina!, 21.03.2022).

Well, the later Speaker isn’t alone dying in mystery. Riddled with questions and trying to find reasons for his demise. Jacob Oulanyah is following countless of people into the afterlife. While the living is trying to figuring out why he died and for what reasons. As he had the world by the balls and now everything was taken away from him.

There been high ranking officials who has fallen very ill and died. There been generals and opposition figures who has done the same. There been assassinations, murders and unsolved mysterious, which are haunting the authorities and the ones in-charge. As people are dying and without any sort of explanation.

What is also significant is that the murders, the assassinations and other mysterious deaths are left in the cold. With no redeeming answers to the ones remaining or the greater public at large. As the big-men, high ranking officials and other associates are found dead or killed, but nothing is said or done to settle the cases. Instead, the government, the authorities and whatnot shelves the cases and let them be gone from memory. That’s at-least how it seems from the outside.

As they are at one moment parading suspects and showing up possible culprits. However, none of them are tested or proven guilty. Therefore, it all falls flat and the ones behind the deaths are left alone. They can just find the next victim and move-on. Because, they know the authorities and the state will not seek after them.

With that in mind, the unfortunate demise of Oulanyah is following a pattern, which gets people to suspect poisoning. This sort of trick of the state has been done in the past, as they have claimed blood-clot and similar illnesses from people, which until very the end was deemed as healthy and fit. Alas, this being Generals and other High Ranking Officials who suddenly fell ill and died. This is why people and the Acholi leaders are questioning this as well…

It is very natural to do. Especially, with the knowledge of what has happened in the past and not so long ago. This make sense, but also sends a frightening signal, as this means the state and their authorities possible can be behind these mysterious deaths. Which in a sense, makes anyone possible targets and could at one point or another face the same fatal blow. Therefore, the need for resolve is apparent.

That resolve and report of what really happened and caused his death. Not only pre-texted statements, without further explanations. As this all happened after he got appointed to Speaker and since then his been very ill. That’s how conspiracies are starting and they can easily run loose. While we know of several of other cases, which has never been resolved. Therefore, we shouldn’t expect this one either. Peace.

Opinion: A new Speaker has to be elected before a new plenary or business is transacted in Parliament

The 1995 Constitution in article 82(4) states that no business shall happen in Parliament other than the election of a Speaker at any time the Office falls vacant. Now that it’s official that late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah died in Seattle. The stipulations in the Constitution is clear and sets the parameter of the next actions.

In other parts of the article 82(5) the Chief Justice, which happens to be Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, either himself has to preside of the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker. He can also designate a judge to do it for him in his stead.

What we do know by the other stipulations in the Constitution. The Speaker cannot be a Vice-President or Minister for that matter. Unless, Rebecca Kadaga now resigns from her position. She cannot be re-elected as Speaker. If she would be willing to risk that and again renegade for her own personal interests. Which she did with fielding her candidacy in defiance to the will of her party in 2021. Alas, things can become tense and interesting.

Because, we know things will run with a State Funeral and a transport of the body from the United States and back to Uganda. Where a Committee appointed by the President will preside over the proceedings and functions of the late Oulanyah.

Since he was sick, the Deputy Speaker Anita Among have run the business of the Parliament. While she was expecting a ceremony of forgiveness from Hon. Francis Zaake this up-coming week. That will clearly be abandoned and new things are bound to appear.

The Constitution is setting precedence and there is protocol to follow. The ones who calls this cold-hearted and out of order. Well, if they want an illegal plenary and stop parliamentary business. Then you skip these formalities and opens up a quagmire of problems, which can haunt the transacted business of the August House. The House should be order and it should follow the stipulated laws, as it’s the body, which enacts and proposes new legislation. Therefore, they should be the ones that honours it first and accordingly so.

Some might say… isn’t that mighty Noble and outside of purpose. However, if the 1995 Constitution hadn’t said this in the articles and the laws was reflecting this. I wouldn’t have questioned the legality either. Nevertheless, here we are and the justifications to ask for it is justified. The article 82 is clear in it’s wording and there is little wiggle-room.

The ones speaking of long mourning period and not hold an election for a new speaker. They are void of the fact of the function and the constitutional bound role of the speaker. This is why the importance of doing it and ensure the formalities for business transacting in the August House. That should for matter for anyone who wants things to be done legally and after constitutional order.

Deputy Speaker Among might feel justified to continue, as she has done so in the absence of Oulanyah. Since he fell ill, became bed-ridden and went to hospital, even before he was referred to get treatment in the United States. She has been the one in his stead. However, the law isn’t giving her the rights to automatically get in his stead. The laws are set to have new elections. Meaning new candidates and possible re-election. This can be a hurdle or she have to trade on the goodwill of envelopes of late.

Time will really tell. Nevertheless, we have to see how the 11th Parliament will operate, but if they will act accordingly to the Constitution. They have now one agenda and one objective, which the Chief Justice or the ones he appoints have to preside over. The new election of the new speaker and deputy speaker. Since the seat of the Speaker is now vacant. Peace.

Opinion: We can now await a Omoro County By-Election …

Today it was revealed that Speaker and Omoro Constituency Member of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah had died after months of sickness at the hospital in Seattle, United States of America. Now, the ramifications of it also needs to be addressed. Since, when an MP dies it automatically triggers a By-Election to get someone else to get his office. Alas, that will be the case here.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) first has to have a Primary Election and find a successor as a flag-bearer in Omoro County. Since, the NRM has had Oulanyah running steadily on their tickets since 2011. He has been the sole proprietor of it since then and only had one term in the past as a Uganda People’s Congress MP. Therefore, the NRM got to search for someone eligible there ahead of the polls. As Oulanyah went unopposed in the recent flag-bearer race in Omoro County.

Secondly, we can assess a return of the former loser and runners-up in the 2021 election race. This being Independent candidate Olal Andrew P’obong and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Terence Odonga. We should expect them returning to the polls and try to sway the voters yet again.

Obong has been reportedly saying this ahead of the 2021 polls:

You may have money, but power belongs to the people and they are the ones to decide. You have seen many strong politicians who have lost elections because they can’t account for their leadership. Leadership is not in a seat, it is how you mobilise your people for development” (New Vision – ‘2021 Polls: Two engineers threaten Speaker Oulanyah’s seat’ (18.06.2021).

We know that this seat has been contested before. In the 2016 General Elections, the then FDC candidate was said to have been kidnapped. The results pronounced even before the official counting. As well, as reports of boxes filled with pre-ticked ballots. Therefore, it is not like he was always a popular and an easy man to hit the polls.

What we can expect is that Olal Andrew P’obong might stage himself as the new NRM Flag-bearer, as he fought for that after moving from the FDC towards NRM in 2021. There is even further speculation that the failed Presidential Candidate and Democratic Party President Norbert Mao might seek re-election as MP and could vie for the Omoro County seat. However, that will be a different seat, as in the past he vied for the Gulu Municipality MP and was their MP between 1996-2006. By doing so, he still holds on to the resolution of only being the MP for Gulu Municipality for two terms. Nevertheless, that is just mere speculations and nothing is broadcasted yet on these matters.

Alas, we know things will move after Oulanyah is out of office and in the ground. There will be moves, the Electoral Commission will notify and prepare a road-map for By-Election on this seat. It will be heavily contested. As this is the first one in the 11th Parliament and a lot of prestige to keep it in the NRM. We can anticipate a much contested as the Arua By-Election in 2018. It would only make sense to think it could be like that. The whole state and whole machinery will do whatever it can to ensure victory. The Special Force Command and army arriving early. To think otherwise is naive and the opposition candidates will be silenced and struggle to have peace while holding rallies.

That is just my anticipations ahead of the polls in the Omoro County. Time will tell, but this inevitable to happen. The Omoro county cannot have a ghost representing it in the 11th Parliament. Peace.

Jacob Oulanyah was supposed to be the voice of the 11th Parliament, but the almighty decided otherwise

The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

The likes of former Speaker Jacob Oulanyah is the kind that aim for the top and titles. He is the sort of strategically goes for the best position and bet. That’s why he was first elected as a Member of Parliament as a Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) in 2001. While after losing re-election in 2006. In the middle of that term he crossed over to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and never looked back.

“Hon. Jacob Oulanyah’s efforts to develop Uganda’s copyright are commendable. However, it is the writer’s opinion that copyright legislation reform should continue to be relevant to domestic objectives by reflecting social values of domestic policies. Its evolution should be adapted by lawmakers to promote present day social values and priorities. A chasm has emerged between copyright law and the social values about culture and it ought to be addressed” (ACODE Policy Briefing Paper No. 10, 2005).

In 2011 he got re-elected to Parliament in 2011 and gotten back to Parliament ever since. He was then elected as Deputy Speaker, which he was for 10 years. Where he severed the interests of the state and served diligently the will of the President. That’s why when he was re-elected in 2021 he became the Speaker of the 11th Parliament. Which he got by the loyalty he had shown to the NRM and the President over the years.

There was a time in Uganda where people had no right of worship. Thanks to President Museveni and the NRM government that ushered in peace and security and promoting right of worship. Christians and all believers in this country should cling onto President Museveni because he protects their right to worship. Make President Museveni your spiritual hero for continued development in Uganda”Jacob Oulanyah (Daily Monitor – ‘Museveni is like Jesus, says Oulanyah’ 24.08.2015).

People will write rosy words about the deceased speaker. It will be all humbling and kind. While he was living he was thriving on the demise of the opposition and the personification of the state. That’s why he was able to go from the an opposition MP in 2001 to the Speaker of Parliament in 2021. Therefore, the NRM will celebrate him and give him a State Funeral.

Oulanyah did what the state and what the President wanted him to do. He served them and was willing to do it at any cost. In his time he and Kadaga allowed Special Force Coammand to attack MPs within the Parliament. He allowed and let the Constitution be revised in 2005 and again 2017.

So, he played the games, which His Excellency wanted him to do. There should be no denying in this. They might say he was a man of integrity and honour, but he still allowed strangers to enter into the chambers. That’s why he accepted violence and harm of other citizens in the service of the state. This should be acknowledged and even if his gone. History will not be kind to this… Just like the day former IGP Kayihura dies. People will remember how he used police brutality and extra judicial killings to silence dissidents and opposition parties in the Republic.

In the same manner, we are now remembering Oulanyah. As he allowed the SFC and the President to violate the Parliament. Those dark days will forever linger, as well, as letting the Magyezi motion and amendment of the Constitution to allow the President to be for Life. The President are now living longer and staying in power beyond the men who let him stay there. That says it all…

However, in his maiden speech as Speaker in 2021 he did say this: “We should agree that no view will be suppressed. All views will be received with tolerance and given fair treatment based on known facts and reason. We must pledge to overrule intolerance” (Oulanyah, May 2021).

Instead of becoming the big-man and being the Speaker of Parliament. He was supposed to be prominent and a loyal cadre of the President this term. That’s why the President and the NRM wanted him there. They wouldn’t want to have a renegade or disloyal person on the throne. He would serve their interests and with that in mind. The speaker would be compensated with all the things he needed. That’s why they spent billions of shillings on the treatment in the United States. The medical transfer and everything else.

This is just another elite and high ranking official that dies abroad. As the state can afford their treatment abroad, but cannot afford to build working hospitals in their own republics. It is only the elites and VIPs who can do this. Therefore, Oulanyah was lucky to have medical facilities and ability to get special transport from Uganda to the USA. There should be no denying this… it is just a part of what is wrong with the system and a system he thrived in.

If Oulanyah would have been alive. He would defend and work for the causes of the President. A man who would stand on the barricades of the silencing of the opposition and stop the exposure of the brutality of the state towards the dissidents. That is the sort of fella Oulanyah was. They will paint him as a saint, but there is more too it. That’s why he was a voice of which the President respected, because he served him diligently.

Oulanyah was a man of the President and not of the Republic. He was a reflection of the President for Life and his tyranny. That’s who the fallen speaker is and his mirrored by the tyranny, which Museveni has brought onto the citizens of the Republic. Some might differ on that, but he has been a cog in the machine and the machinery wouldn’t work, if Oulanyah did serve like he did over the years. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni calls recent “Coups” as “Chaos” [while we are supposed to forget how he got into power]

You should know the story of National Resistance Movement (NRM). The story of NRM is a simple and straightforward story, and it is anchored on three principles. Number one is how do you create prosperity for the people of Uganda and Africa? Secondly, how do you create strategic security? There is a lot of chaos in Africa now. In Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso. The whole of that area, people are dying and running away. There is a reason why those things are happening. Then the third fraternity, in order to be prosperous, you need to love Uganda, you need to love Africa. When you you hear anybody talking in terms of sectarianism, religion and tribe, that’s the enemy of Africa” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (18.03.2022 Kyankwanzi).

It is like President Museveni is trying to sound like an old wise man, but his failing in his attempts. Because, the way he portrays things can easily backfire. It is not like he would be in office or have any sort of legitimacy, if the army and the security organizations didn’t back him. That’s why he wears military fatigue and act like governing is by the gun.

The history of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) was born out of a rebellion against an elected government. It was a bloody civil war that lasted for years in 1980s and parts of the nation was ravished with insurgency and prolonged war in Northern Uganda. Therefore, it took long time to silence the guns and make it peaceful. The skulls of Luweero is only one side of the story and the second is how the NRM has ushered more violence and war in the neighbouring countries like Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Therefore, the strategic security can be questioned itself.

So, that his so condescending against the new military junta’s of Western Africa. We know that he spoken ill about this before and his trying to hammer this in. As we have seen how the military has taken power in Guinea, Burkina Faso and Mali, which was regions that already had insurgency and security issues before these army commanders took power. That’s why Museveni is simplifying things to fit his narrative.

We know he had a bloody war and bloodshed, which ravaged the Republic of years. Even years after he took power in 1986 and beyond it. People are still dying for the political conscience in the Republic and being arrested for it too. So, it is not like his a democratic and a man of principal in this sense. Only when it benefits his interests, but that shouldn’t shock anyone.

His a man of coups and coup d’etat’s, but his still talking like he won power legitimately. Alas, we know if it wasn’t for the guns and the ammunition … he wouldn’t be where he is if the army or the militia’s wasn’t behind his banner. That’s how he toppled several of leaders and heads of state in Uganda. As well, as doing the same in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This is why when he speaks of strategic security … it for his benefits and continue to linger in power. While his speaking like this to his Foreign Envoys like we are not supposed to know how he participated in toppling Idi Amin, Godfrey Binaisa, Yusuf Lule, Paolo Muwanga and Milton Obote. That’s without mentioning the demises of which he helped outside the Ugandan borders. These are important too, as he tried to get leaders and head of state’s, which would be in his interests there as well. Therefore, when Museveni speaks of chaos. He has brought the same to Uganda and neighbouring countries over the years.

So, this man shouldn’t lecture or talk condescending about the new leaders of West Africa. He was like them in 1980s and 1990s. The old man can act like he lessons or lectures on things, but certain things he is the most experienced in. Because, his whole past …. is filled with it. Peace.

Opinion: Babalanda don’t know her own party…

Many of us who are leaders have failed to read, let alone internalise the four chore principles of NRM and as a consequence, we have become lazy yet we could do things right. These principles and guidelines by President Museveni as the NRM chairperson is the gospel that leads us. These principles are patriotism, Pan Africanism, economic transformation and democracy” (… ) “We are dealing with unpatriotic leaders. It is a betrayal of the great revolution” (…) “However the President’s office has made headways in spreading the message of patriotism. In this period we have had so many trainings conducted in this direction. I urge you the committee members to embrace patriotism and renounce acts of theft, negligence and violence” – The Minister for Presidency Milly Babalanda (Franklin Draku – ‘Corrupt leaders betraying NRM revolution – minister’ 17.03.2022, Daily Monitor).

We know that these sort of words are often said by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. He has spoken of it and lectured about it. This is the sort of typical topics of the President. These sorts of themes are common. So, that the Minister of Presidency is spelling it out isn’t surprising. She said it herself, there been plenty of trainings, conferences and at other venues.

That honourable Babalanda is saying these things aren’t shocking or anything. It is more repeating what Museveni has been saying. While that is fine and dandy, the National Resistance Movement and the regime isn’t directly working for all of these principals. Neither is it working to stop people from thieving, negligence of office or stopping violence. All of these three things are done by the NRM on a regular basis.

The Minister should just look into the cabinet and appointees, which happens to be NRM members. This is all going from the State House to the Local Governments. It is like Bablanda should just look into Muhwezi or anyone else for that matter. There are several of candidates that has been spewing violence and thriving on it. That is going from the top and the fear is what keeping the NRM alive it seems.

This is why Babalanda is saying the right things. However, she is oblivious to this fact. That is very clear or she’s looking sideways. It is funny that she says these things are unpatriotic. While she could deem these things are about her close associates and allies. The ones in her midst who is eating of the plate of the government and who is using their role to enrich themselves. People came into power piss-poor, but leaving this life richer than King Salomon. So, I am just sneezing, as the scandals and the lost funds doesn’t disappear. Neither does the reports of paying ghosts and not following protocol in concern to public tenders. Therefore, the Minister should look into that as well.

We know these sorts of statements are the sort of way of boosting yourself and trying to be vibrant. It is the sort of saying all the rights things, but we know these won’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Not like she will push the President or anyone else with a high ranking position. There are plenty who has committed these sins, but never had to atone for them.

That’s why it’s really spicy to call it unpatriotic to do it. Because, that implies the members and high ranking official who does this isn’t in accordance with their patriotic duties. All of us know that those things are bad, but the NRM thrives on it and get loyal leaders to commit to it. Therefore, we know the words of the Minister isn’t really true.

It is a nice sentiment, but it is like throwing stones in a glass-house. Not a good look, but a look it is. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni – “China might be a problem in the future” – it will be if you default on your debt

Africa has been having problems for the last 600 years due to the slave trade, colonialism, neocolonialism — and none of it was from China” (…) not seen any serious problem, because their approach is different” (…) “They do not impose their offers if you do not want them, so we have not seen a problem for now. Maybe a problem in the future, but not now” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (Sinan Tavsan – ‘Uganda leader says China-style diplomacy ‘better than’ the West’s’ 17.03.2022, Asia Nikkei).

President Museveni had an exclusive interview with a journalist from Asia Nikkei and it was published today. These few quotes are from there and it is striking. The former donor darling of the West. The President who has pandered to the interests of the United States and their allies for ages. Who has eaten of the buffet of aid, grants and all sorts of prepositions, which has given him a larger than life persona.

That man is now blaming the West for if all. He is right in going after the colonial past of the West and the neocolonial structures, which are hampering development and continues the cycle of rich versus poor. This is justified, but he also shows a little nativity in concern to China.

It is just like he don’t think the monies, the funds and the China Exim Bank, which works like this:

The China Exim Bank is increasingly making use of a deal structure – known as the “Angola mode” or “resources for infrastructure” – whereby repayment of the loan for infrastructure development is made in terms of natural resources (for example, oil). While this approach is by no means novel or unique, and follows a long history of natural resource – based transactions in the oil industry – China has taken its implementation to a higher level. By providing preferred lines of credit to Chinese state-owned enterprises and foreign governments wishing to purchase Chinese made goods, the China Exim Bank supports the overseas expansion of Chinese firms in line with the country’s “Go Global” strategy, whose long-run goal is to increase the productivity and competitiveness of these enterprises vis-à-vis their global competitors. The arrangement is used for countries that cannot provide adequate financial guarantees to back their loan commitments and allows them to package natural resource exploitation and infrastructure development” (Institute of Developing Economies – Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) – ‘China in Africa’ October 2009).

What Museveni is not saying is what the costs of the debt and the structure of the Chinese support to Uganda or anywhere else. It is like Museveni haven’t seen what has happened when Republics or Nations defaults or fail to pay on the debts. Since, the Chinese Banks or Funds are coming with strings, which isn’t always public. That’s why we have seen what has happened to Sri Lanka and Tonga, which both has to give up key infrastructure to be licensed. The same has been told to happen Zambia and there are already fear of what could happen to Entebbe International Airport.

President Museveni should consider all of this, as it is next generation that will cover the debt he has been accumulated during his reign. There will be more than the Toll Road on the Entebbe Express-way to secure revenue for the added debt. It is like Museveni isn’t concerned about this and the threshold for repayments are coming closer. Therefore, at one point or another… if there is lacking domestic revenue… the Chinese companies or China can cease or capture collateral.

So, Museveni is right… China could become a problem. Especially, for all the nations who has eaten loans for the infrastructure projects in the Belt Road Initiative (BRI), which will pass the grace period and the debt of these has to be repaid. It wasn’t free money to build roads, buildings or rail-roads. No, it was an investment, which the Chinese plans to get profits out of. They didn’t give away this money. The first loaned the money, got a Chinese developer and Chinese Engineering company to build it and now later the debtor has to repay it with interests.

That is the brutal truth… I am not saying the loans are a problem, but they could easily become it. Especially, if the debtor doesn’t pay on time or in a fashion, which the creditor accepts. If they defaults or fails to repay. This gives the creditor leverage and possible freedoms or liberties to ensure collateral. Therefore, it could easily become a huge problem…

Museveni should also study how this happened to others. As sooner or later, this could happen in Uganda or anywhere else in Africa. The Chinese is right in doing this. The debtors signed the agreements and the stipulations on the loans are giving it legal binding rights to get it repaid. That is why … they might not use colonial techniques to get resources, ownership or have influence. They just borrowed money and with that has the upper-hand of their poorer states. It is a wise move, because the Chinese knows greed is an easy way of corrupting minds and get them into the fold. The same ways happens here. They don’t come with guns or war, but they are financially binding, which can easily be triggered.

In this instance, Museveni is partly outsmarted. Both are getting their interests nurtured, but at one point he could easily get into real trouble. It would be a huge problem and the state has to find currency or liquidity to actually cough up funds to pay on old loans. This is on the horizon and evidently, people are speaking to soft-heartedly about it. Peace.

Opinion: There more people than Norman who will disturb the Peace of His Excellency

It is the charges against Tumuhimbise Norman and Faridah Bikobere that are seditious. Both were tortured like the other journalists with whom they were arrested on Thursday 10th March, 2022 and released on police bond yesterday. Remanded to LUZIRA prison until Monday 21/3/2022” (Kiiza Eron, 16.03.2022).

Today the journalists Norman Tumuhimbise and Faridah Bikobere was charged and continues to be in custody until 21st March 2022. They have by that time already served equivalent time of 11 days in prison for the what they are charged with.

They are both charged on two counts, “Cyber Stalking” with wilfully, maliciously and repeatedly used electronic communication to wit Alternative DigiTalk Online Television which was directed against the President. The second charge was “Offensive Communication” which was directed to disturb the peace and quiet of the President.

When you read charges against these two. You have a hard time taking it seriously. Because, these sorts of things should only happen in fiction. However, this is non-fiction and reality. Where people are charged for these things.

It is sad when a supposed liberator and a freedom fighter does this to his citizens. The man who is supposed to have liberated them and given them fundamental change. Nevertheless, maybe that was all a lie and his just like the men he overthrew. Because, that is how things seems by the day. There is no difference between him or anyone he deposed back-in-the-day. His just like them…

That’s why the truth is piercing his skull. It damages his calm and he needs to address it. Since, he cannot use words or defend his actions. He rather order the authorities and silence the dissidents. Where he uses the authorities and the power of the security organizations to suppress the ones ho dissent.

Not that this is anything new. The same sorts of charges was put on Joseph Kabuleta and Dr. Stella Nyanzi. Therefore, we has this all happen before. Now it is just some new fellows who dares to question the President and his reign.

Let it be perfectly clear. Norman and Faridah is not alone in this. They are just the current ones who is vocal and in the firing line. However, there is more people out there that will disturb the peace of the President. There is more to come… since his reign will not last forever and the truth will set the Republic free.

You can only fake it for so long. The truth is getting exposed and the viciousness of his regime is just proven over and over again. The use of drones, torture and killing civilians for the political conscience cannot last forever. That is the mere reality of it. What Norman and others does is to shed a light on it.

That light the President prefers dim and not turned on. Sort of like his cadres who is blindly follow his every decree. Peace.

Opinion: The Luwero Triangle could pay the sacrifice for the bush-war, but it was forgotten afterwards…

The Luwero triangle ministry has not had impact on livelihood of the people in the area, leaders in Luwero district have said. They said the ministry, which was meant to mitigate the effects of the war in the region, has created no impact so far” (New Vision – Impact of Luwero Triangle ministry isn’t visible, area leaders say’ 10.08.2021).

The Ministry of Luwero Triangle was established in 2001 and by the end of 2021 the Ministry hadn’t done anything. In a region and area, which is said to be the mystical place and origin of the rebellion. A rebellion that is the groundbreaking reason for the existence of the National Resistance Movement or the National Resistance Army (NRM/A). Therefore, the NRM is clearly forgetful about it’s origins.

Here is what is reported to have happened in the Luwero Triangle:

However, it was the UNLA’s mass killings in the so-called Luwero Triangle, northwest of Kampala, which attracted most international attention. The triangle was formed by the convergence of the roads going north from Kampala to Bomba and Hoima. The Luwero area was chosen by the opposition guerrillas as a centre for operations against the government. Local people had resoundingly rejected Milton Obote ‘ s UPC in 1980 and there was undoubtedly considerable support for the guerrillas. The government’s response was brutal, not discriminating between the guerrillas who were elusive and not often captured and civilians, who were arbitrarily detained, tortured, raped and killed. Just how many died in the Luwero Triangle is ‘not known. The United States State Department estimated in 1984 that between 100,000 and 200,000 people had been killed. Certainly the population in that area declined dramatically under the Obote government although this was partly the result of the UNLA’s policy of forced removal of civilians population. On the rare occasions when it acknowledged that killings had occurred, the government implausibly blamed them on NRA guerrillas in captured army uniform. This was flatly contradicted by much eye-witness evidence. One of the best documented incidents took place at Namugongo, about 10 miles northeast of Kampala, in May 1984. Up to 100 unarmed civilians were killed, including the Reverend Godfrey Bazira, Principal of the Uganda Martyrs’ Theological College, and Sheik Yusuf Mollo, Imam of the nearby Kita mosque. UNLA soldiers entered the theological college, apparently searching for guerrillas. Staff and students were interrogated, fired at and beaten. Four individuals, including the Vice-Principal and another priest, were arrested. The four were held in military custody in Kampala and tortured before being transferred to police custody and released uncharged next day. The Reverend Godfrey Bazira was shot in the leg, beaten and taken away. When his body was discovered later, one eye was found to have been gouged out and there were other marks of torture and gunshot-wounds. Over the next two days many other people in Namugongo village and the surrounding area were beaten, tortured and killed by soldiers. Many women were raped. Anglican, Roman Catholic and Muslim religious ·places were desecrated and soldiers looted and destroyed property” (Amnesty International – Uganda – Human Rights Record, 1986-1989, March 1989).

You would think a war-torn region, which was the base of your rebellion would have gotten more after the liberation. Nevertheless, as the Ministry of the Luwero Triangle was established in 2001 and the war ended in 1986. The war continued in the Northern Uganda for many years to come, but in Luwero it ended with the hostile takeover of Kampala the same year. So, the NRA/M had its time and opportunity to make a difference there. However, it waited with a Minister 15 years and it’s been 36 years in power. After 35 years the people still couldn’t see any changes.

That says something about the NRM and how they haven’t supported the region, which gave it life and possibility to wage war. The NRM haven’t paid back to the ones that suffered the most. Still, the NRM boost on the daily about their magnificent record and how it fundamentally changed things. Alas, that is a lie. The NRM couldn’t even make a difference to the Luwero Triangle. That’s how disgraceful it is.

It only taken care of the NRA historicals and the ones who finalized deals with the rebel government in it’s early days. That’s why certain people are nearly automatically in the cabinet and has a plum-job. This is what is offered them and they will live lavish for life. While the families and the ones who was in war-zone for the whole bush-war hasn’t gotten anything substantial for it. That says something about the reigning party. Peace.