Opinion: How many authorities does Bosco need to fight himself and corruption?

Today is the day, that the State House is launching the Anti Corruption Unit, which will be based at the State House. This is a State House project and meaning that it is officiated and controlled directly by the President and the Office of the President. That means that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are pulling the strings.

What is strange about it all, is that there are already plenty of government organizations working against corruption, first and foremost the Law Enforcement of the Police Force. Second, it is the Judiciary. Third, its the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). Fourth, the Inspector General of Government (IGG), fifth the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) and sixth the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA). A sideshow that could accomplish and also recognized as organization who could inform the other authorities is the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), that is if they cared about illicit funds.

Well, when we know, the Republic has already, the UPF, Judiciary, OAG, IGG, FIA and the PPDA. They should all have the capacity to fight the corruption if the President and the state cared. There shouldn’t be a need for an another State House – Anti Corruption Unit, which we can ask about mandate and does it go into the ones that is already there?

Because, what will be the different between what the IGG or OAG are reporting to the Judiciary/Police Force? Will there be a different between what the FIA and PPDA are reporting about?

There are already so many chefs, but so little mandate or lack of institutionalizing, as the President haven’t given any of these the space or the ability to do their work. If they had, then the State House wouldn’t stop the OAG or IGG reports, as they have to be leaked or insiders has done it to destroy other big-men’s career.

I have little faith in the Anti Corruption Unit, from the same man that solicit deals from foreign investors and get the cash through customs without any questions at Entebbe Airport. Not like that man, will not continue to get Kickbacks or Presidential Handshakes for that matter.

He will clearly silence the arrangement done to facilitate deals at the State House. That is why the Unit will be an in-house thing. Who knows what it will do, other than take down smaller cases, but they will not go after the Untouchables. As the plenty of organizations isn’t doing today. They are even leaving the big-men behind and letting them go. You can steal a road from UNRA, but if your part of the cronies, they will let you go.

Therefore, this is a PR Ploy, another scheme and another way of getting more people involved. But not deliver anything significant, because then they have to take family members of the President, even the President answering for grand-corruption, that he himself has done. Peace.

Kuteesa and Museveni implicated in a U.S. Bribery Case!

Our people must be taught to desist from accepting bribes. The ability to say NO, must become a core value of our nation”Sunday Adelaja

It is such a convenience that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are planning an Anti-Corruption Drive and new measures on the 10th December 2018. As he was pledging that on the 4th December 2018. This case has been in the works, as it was revealed last year, that Foreign Minister Sam Kuteesa and Museveni was bribed for $1m by a Chinese Associate Patrick C.P. Ho. This news is vital, as it proves how untouchable both of these leaders are. As the Foreign Minister and President can do whatever and get whatever deals behind closed doors.

That Museveni and Kuteesa are doing this is not surprising, but the value and what was at stake. Shows how illicit and unknown the deals with the petroleum industry are in the Republic. They are clearly signing off deals and paying off the State House in Entebbe. As this deal shows how Kuteesa and Museveni operates. This is one of plenty, but one that is uncovered by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Look!

In or about February 2016 – after Kutesa had returned to Uganda and resumed his role as Foreign Minister, and Yoweri Museveni (Kutesa’s relative) had been reelected as the President of Uganda – Kutesa solicited a payment from Ho, purportedly for a charitable foundation that Kutesa wished to launch. Ho agreed to provide the requested payment, but simultaneously requested, on behalf of CEFC China, an invitation to Museveni’s inauguration, business meetings with President Museveni and other high-level Ugandan officials, and a list of specific business projects in Uganda that CEFC China could participate in. In May 2016, Ho and CEFC China executives traveled to Uganda. Prior to departing, Ho caused the CEFC NGO to wire $500,000 to the account provided by Kutesa in the name of the so-called “foundation,” which wire was transmitted through banks in New York, New York. Ho also advised his boss, the Chairman of CEFC China, to provide $500,000 in cash to President Museveni, ostensibly as a campaign donation, even though Museveni had already been reelected. Ho intended these payments as bribes to influence Kutesa and Museveni to use their official power to steer business advantages to CEFC China” (Department of Justice – ‘Former Head of Organization Backed by Chinese Energy Conglomerate Convicted of International Bribery, Money Laundering Offenses’ 05.12.2018, link: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-head-organization-backed-chinese-energy-conglomerate-convicted-international-bribery).

The Ugandans should be horrified how little the President and Foreign Minister cost, as they were selling off the petroleum licenses for the Lake Albertine Graben and Region. Where there are already dozens of Companies in. Even CNOOC! That is why this would be the second company who got a Petroleum Licenses in the Republic.

The Ugandans should also be terrified that the President only cost $500k and $500k for the Foreign Minister. They only cost A Milli, which is close to nothing. Especially considering what was at stake. These gentlemen are supposed to be there for the public and serve them. But showing only self-interest.

Now, the Chinese National Ho is found guilty in New York yesterday. Therefore, the evidence and the case was solid enough. That proves the reality of how he solicited bribes with the Foreign Minister and President. Clearly succeeded until the US Authorities caught a wind of it. Also, shows how the State House and the President is corrupted. Peace.

Uganda Peoples Congress: IPOD First Summit, 2018 (05.12.2018)

Bosco’s fight against Corruption gets old real quick!

The educated ones leave, the ones with the potential to right the wrongs. They leave the weak behind. The tyrants continue to reign because the weak cannot resist. Do you not see that it is a cycle? Who will break that cycle?”Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

There is something about a man who has run the Republic since 1986. The Republic which is now made in image and with his institutions, with his appointed men and woman. Where his cronies, businesses, lobbyist and friendly voices are living close connected. It is in a Republic with various of bodies working on Corruption and ensuring a legal remedy against it. However, none of them is able, none of them has capacity to follow the Ministries, the Cabinet, the Members of Parliament, the Government Organizations or the Bank of Uganda for that matter. They are all falling short, as the corruption scandals are in all corners of the state and still, the President says he has new remedies to ancient problem of eating on people’s dime without a recite.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has had the opportunity since 1986 to fix this. That is if he really cared about it . Mzee would have done with already, but he doesn’t. Because, he knows the eating of his cronies and himself is rampant. That is why he even sanctioned, the Presidential Handshake and other deals behind the scenes at the State House. That is the way to do business, that is why the Attorney General, Inspector General of Governor, PPDA or the Police Force for that matter. Cannot touch the corrupt souls, because they can walk. Abraham Byandala walking free after ripping away money from UNRA like M&Ms wutg the Mukono-Katosi Road Scam. While the Courts couldn’t find significant evidence and had let him go. Therefore, believing that the President cares about fighting corruption isfar fetch. If he cares he has to capture himself first and we know that is a fish he doesn’t want to fry.

On Monday December 10th, I will announce new measures and the direction we shall take in our renewed fight against corruption. That said, there is corruption in Uganda. It stems from the colonial times. However, when we undertook the liberation struggle of this country, there were more pressing problems than corruption” (…) “However, corruption will now be defeated. The corrupt civil servants have exposed themselves. The population is angry with them. Also, we now have more educated young people. The pool from which to pick their replacements has grown. The problem now is the law manipulated by corrupt civil servants. We now need quicker methods of accountability to deal with the corrupt. I have the political will but I do not want to deal with them outside the law. There must also be a reflection on the morals of our young people. When setting up the Uganda Revenue Authority, we carefully identified young people to work there. But now, URA has kawunkumi (weevils). We need to deal with it” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 04.12.2018).

To believe the President now is naive, as the deals and arrangement that matters are done behind closed doors. The same is done with the Oil Refinery, Petroleum Pipeline, the licensing for oil exploitation and so on. These are major deals and been postponed. It is already a tax case concerning the oil industry that unleashed the Presidential Handshake. There are already other major donor scandals, not only the recent UNHCR and OPM, who has messed up the allocated aid money, there been the GAVI-FUNDS and CHOGM Funds. There are so many corruption scandals, that the National Resistance Movement, has always found a short-cut to eat of the public plate.

Not only when building road, building buildings, but everywhere. Ghosts of all kinds, expenditure that cannot be found or plans that are only made in the thin air, but would never ever exist. That is the manner of how the NRM and the President are eating on people’s dime. They are not accountable, neither really transparent. That is why there are leaks and documents surfacing proving the ills of society and the misuse of money. Which again and again show the Top Officials and ordered from High Above, who steer the money in their way. They are securing their cut and then the businesses can set-up shop or get the land for a factory, hunting ground or some sort of project. While the people are becoming landless and Internally displaced People in some NGOs Camp. That is how the government have fixed the matters and it happens, again and again.

That is why I have little or no faith in the President and his battle against corruption. If he was serious, he would hurt himself, even go after the likes of Amama Mbabazi, Jim Muhwezi, Salim Selah or Sam Kuteesa, but they are untouchables. Just like the Master himself. Peace.

UNHCR statement on the refugee response programme in Uganda (30.11.2018)

The UN Office of Internal Oversight (OIOS) audit report into UNHCR’s Uganda operation, released this week, contains findings that show clear gaps and weaknesses in risk management in a number of areas during the period between July 2016 and December 2017. The audit followed the massive influx of refugees from South Sudan in 2016 – mid 2017, when UNHCR’s staffing capacity in key functions and in remote locations was very low, followed by a rapidly expanded operation in the second half of 2017 with many new staff and partners.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is in the business of saving lives and protecting people. Maintaining the trust and confidence of our donors and of the general public is of utmost importance to us. A number of internal reviews and technical oversight missions had identified risky areas in the operation during 2017. UNHCR worked closely with the OIOS auditors, who came to Uganda in February 2017, identifying issues and providing information that was used in the audit. We have accepted the recommendations of the OIOS auditors and have been working to address them well before this report was issued on 27 November, including in conjunction with Uganda’s Office of the Prime Minister.

Underscoring the urgency with which UNHCR was seized with these issues, the High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, visited Kampala in January 2018 to assess the complex challenges being faced in the refugee response and meet with the government at the highest level. Amongst other measures introduced, he agreed with the Prime Minister to launch the verification exercise into refugee registration data just completed. He also upgraded the leadership of the UNHCR operation to manage these challenges. Various corrective measures have been put in place, supported by a plan for ongoing and future actions. There is continuous follow-up.

Measures we have taken to date include revising or redesigning and rolling out new Standard Operating Procedures for the reception of refugees, their registration, protection, assistance (food, non-food items – core relief supplies) and case management. The complaints and feedback mechanisms for refugees have been strengthened with a new inter-agency call-centre. We have also strengthened staffing in key operations functions, in particular with regard to reinforced capacities in oversight and management. These include the establishment of a senior post in risk management and compliance. Monitoring and reporting functions have additionally been reviewed, revised and enhanced.

In regard to road construction, an investigation is ongoing and we are pursuing a full recovery of funds from any project partners of concern. Allowances paid to civil servants are verified through attendance records and payment to individual bank accounts with overall responsibility lying with the government.

To address concerns about the accuracy of registration data, a countrywide biometric verification exercise of the refugee and asylum-seeker population was conducted between March and October 2018. The Government of Uganda is now committed to using the appropriate tools for continuous registration, which is their responsibility, and to ensuring the integrity of the registration process. The strengthened registration and case management systems will improve service and assistance delivery, including distribution of food. UNHCR is working closely with the Office of the Prime Minister in the roll-out of these new systems and jointly addressing obstacles that emerge in their practical application at field level.

UNHCR has also closely reviewed its monitoring of water delivery trucking in remote refugee settlements. We are doing top-to-bottom reviews of contracts, invoices and delivery verification before proceeding with any payments. Significant progress has been made in reducing water trucking, which is expensive, from 37 per cent in May 2017 to 7 per cent over the course of the year, following completion of several water schemes in Rhino, Imvepi and Palorinya refugee settlements in northern Uganda. With the new measures in place, we expect a further reduction to 5 per cent in December 2018.

The audit recommendations vis-à-vis partnership management, performance monitoring, procurement procedures, non-food item distribution and warehouse management are being addressed and toughened measures have been put in place, including with partner organizations and the Office of the Prime Minister, where these activities are jointly implemented. Progress will be reviewed regularly.

UNHCR has additionally established a high-level dialogue with the Office of the Prime Minister and other government authorities on the audit findings, including regarding recovery of funds as may be needed. Fuel cards and vehicle tracking have been introduced for implementation in 2019. A task force has been set up to review projects implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister. A preliminary report is due in mid-December.

UNHCR is determined to ensure the full integrity of the refugee response in Uganda and is addressing all issues identified in the audit report.

Bank of Uganda Scandal: BoU Confidential Memorandum – “Removal of Documents from the office of Mrs. Justine Bagyenda located at Plot 45 Kampala Road without following the Bank procedures” (10.05.2018)

Opinion: The sad realities of the Ugandan involvement in South Sudan!

Today, it was two vital reports that came out on the subject. Both was how the National Resistance Movement, the NRM and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his government have been involved in the South Sudan civil war. For me this wasn’t shocking or really news. The reports locally has been there.

That the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) have supported the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) with arms, guns and weapons training. Even in the midst of an United Nations Embargo. Which wasn’t long ago, that the Uganda President promised to continue to supply the South Sudanese counterparts. However, none of that has gotten as a MEMO to the Western partners of Ugandan war-machine. Who has continued to supply them with arms and later on been traded to third parties in South Sudan.

While the guns and arms been flowing, the refugees has seek shelter and relief in Northern Uganda. As the same Western partners has donated funds as the massive refugee flow from across the border. As they are fleeing the conflict and civil war. The same Ugandan government, to trick the numbers and schemes to fund various operations of the state, even buy an expensive plot for a parking lot for the Office of the Prime Minister, has used them. This is the sort of activity happens from the government, who supply arms to the conflict, they are asking the same foreign donors to help with trouble it creates.

The UNCHR has spent a total of $129,9m in 2016 and $210m in 2017 on the Refugee operation in Uganda. This while the Ugandan authorities has ballooned the numbers and added over 300,000 refugees, which was ghosts. Therefore, the UNHCR and OPM had to after the scandal have a registration and verification drive, which also cost the UN Agency money. For instance, the OPM claimed to pay for 72 civil servants working on UNHCR projects and paying them salaries, but there was no clear documentation if they really existed or had a job. There was also procurement done without prior authorization or documents going up to about $34,4m, which was not approved off or cleared by the UNHCR.

When you combine these reports, show how blatant disregard the Ugandan government have, how they are both the mediator, the arms supplier and the refugee relief. While getting both the value for money for the arms, they are getting benefit on the refugees and they are supplying high-ranking government officials because of it. You can clearly get the gist of the operation.

The Ugandan government have been earning and using the conflict to gain monetary gains, in each side of the bargain. By circumventing the arms-embargo, while being a mediator and official “peace-maker” and hosting the refugees from the same conflict. That is really staggering, when your combining all the efforts and tricks done, to get another buck. Earning fortunes on others misfortune. Peace.

Joint Press Release, the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization: Clarification on alleged Ebola Death in Kabarole District (28.11.2018)

Rukungiri on fire: Because the FDC Planned a Thanksgiving Prayer!

If you ever thought, there would be justice in a place called Rukungiri Town. You most certainly wrong, there been plenty of occasions over the past few years where the Police Force and other Security Outfits has ambushed and besieged the town. Because the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) are planning a rally or like today, they were planning to hold a Thanksgiving Prayer. However, the Police Force came there as if it was terrorists on a jihadi mission.

Today, is just another meagre sign of the lack of tolerance, freedom of speech and assembly in Uganda. Again, another proof of how the Police Force is pre-occupied with arresting, ferrying and taking away FDC leaders and activists. As the home of Dr. Kizza Besigye was sealed off early in morning. While, Ingrid Turinawe was taken away from the FDC Offices in Rukungiri and in custody in Ntungamo Police Station. There was countless others who was arrested and who knows to what extent of hurt. Because the police didn’t only fire tear-gas to the public, but also live-bullets. Surely, these stray-bullets can kill.

That they without warrants and any legal effort are putting Besigye again under House Arrest. Shows their intent and the fear of the popularity of the FDC leader. They are clearly sending a message again. The same with the continues arrest of Turinawe, who has been steadily in legal jeopardy. This is all happening because one scheduled PRAYER. Not a defiant rally or uproar to resistance against the authorities. But a GOD-DAMN PRAYER. What is wrong with the authorities to stop these activities and these events?

The Police are calling it an Illegal Ceremony, they are using the Preventative arrests and Public Order Management Act of 2010 as if there is no tomorrow. We know the Drill, but still, it pains to see it returns again and again.

This is what the Police did:

“Police in Rukungiri District in western Uganda Monday blocked the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party from holding thanksgiving prayers for the deceased supporters” (91.2 Crooze FM, 26.11.2018).

That is showing what extent of impunity, as they are trying to pray for the fallen ones, the supporters who stood by the party and lost their lives. Because of that, there is more tear-gas and live bullets, more people detained and huge caravan of mambas, vans and police officers on the ground. Ensuring that the FDC doesn’t hold the prayer.

This is yet another sign of how oppressive the NRM Regime is, how President Museveni carries himself and his brigade against the opposition. Nothing else to say really. Impunity in action, Impunity in orders, and the only correct line is to honour Bosco/Jajja/Mzee/M7, or whatever you call him. Peace.

OPM – Ministry for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees: Press Release – Clarification on the Status of Rwandan Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Uganda (22.11.2018)