
Burundi: CENI – Communique (16.04.2018)



If you we’re ever in doubt of favoritism from the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, he has again proved how much love he has for the Western Parts of Uganda. He has an obsession, not only with hiring and appointing fellow cronies from the region, but also dole as much of the state funds into the area. That was proven today.
It is happening as the certain parts of West Nile Region are asking for help, because of their dire needs. The state and with the meaning of state, Museveni decided that Rukungiri district deserved some favors. They deserved suddenly more 500 billions of shillings into the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and 193 millions of shillings on the Rukungiri Municipality Carpenters. This is a district with over 300,000 citizens, but it is big step giving this huge amount of money to significant projects.
He gave away trucks and dozens of boda-boda’s to the district. At least there was photo-ups of this and the wood machinery to the Carpenters of the town. Clearly, in a way of showing the use of government and spreading the message of his government. This is again, a proof of his mismanagement. Instead of letting the businesses grow naturally or letting people themselves make it possible. He has to come with gifts like any random NGO to Rukungiri. This isn’t sustainable practice, but a patching of the hurt.
To think that these millions of shillings and billions spent on the OWC will create a miracle, is very naive, it is very stupid to think so. It is in the best interest for Museveni took keep things cool and get the needs at low levels. So he can spare a few dimes here and there, but keep most of it for himself.
Nice that he gave boda-boda’s to the district. But why aren’t this happening in the Easter or Northern Districts for that matter? Why was it that Mbarara Urban Poor was getting rations of food during the last year, but the Isingiro, got breadcrumbs? When another region was starving… That is what doesn’t make sense, even if it partly does.
Because the Western Elite is gigantic, the men who has represented the district of Rukungiri, isn’t only Dr. Kizza Besigye, but Gen. Henry Tumukunde and the late Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, to mention a few of the gentlemen in the this area. Therefore, this district has significant factors and backers, still the Western shouldn’t overshadow the rest. Even if it does at this point.
That is what is so obvious, so vindictive, how the state and Museveni dole out this funds and gifts to this region. Just like it has done at others too. Dropping Tractors and needed agricultural gear, while other regions cannot even get the 2016 promised hoes. That is the level of impunity and lack of institutions, lack of governance and structure. Something the Museveni has created and is proud off. Since he is eating the biggest slice of the cake.
What was dropped on Rukungiri District today is pocket-change, small-fry and no big deal. It is for the ones getting a boda, a truck or even parts of the OWC grants. No doubt about it, but in the grand schemes of things, it is pocket change. Not significant and worth mentioning in the minds of the budget or the audit of it.
However, don’t tell me the West of Uganda, isn’t favored, the proof is the actions. That has been known for long. That is why the main roads there has been better the rest. Peace.





We know by now, that former Reverent Simon Lokodo, the Minister for Ethics and Integrity is struggling and his whole ministry is flawed. The basic needs and the promises made are undercut, if not existing; why do I say that? Well, his Pornographic Machine to detect browsing and what else of that content has now been scrapped, that is promise that haven’t been kept. They cannot afford this sort of machine and therefore, has to figure out new ways to moral superior to the citizens.
Why where you lying in August 2016, promising this fancy machine would be delivered in September 2016? It has now gone 2 years and still nothing but empty promises. Not that I want the Republic to have that sort of equipment, because if people want to see porn. Let them see porn, it is their minds and their bodies that is enthused, not the whole public. It is not as if they are having public viewing like cinemas with it. Unless, the Ministry is fearing for that sort of activity.
In August 2017, the same Ministry said the Machine was coming soon, but it never did. That was year in and still nothing materialized, except for more lies from the Ministry of Ethics. Such a Noble place to be lying.
However, now in April 2018, the Ministry is saying it will buy software to monitor it instead, so the privacy breach is still important, but they lying itself isn’t? Double standard much, aye?
Therefore, it is bad to watch porn, but sanctioned by the state to lie. How convenient right? That the reverent is paid to lie and is doing it with a steady pace, surely he is running a marathon on this lie. Both in 2016 and 2017, as he was knocking down on the Porn Addicts. Instead of tackling the problem head-on, he has succumbed to narrowing in on software. The hardware has to wait, because of technical difficulties.
It is beautiful to have caught the magnificent gentleman and minister of Ethics in lying. Especially, when he has been so involved in catching other people and making a lesson out of people reactions. How he has attacked Stella Nyanzi for her demonstrations of oppressive behaviour. Therefore, it is about time someone says it.
Instead of backtracking, just say you lied and ask for forgiveness, I am sure there as some Catholics who can take you in for a while, so you can repent and ask for your sins to cease. The Confessions would uplift your soul and cleans your ways for the bad habit you clearly have.
It doesn’t matter at this point if the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) or the National Information Technology Authority (NITA), haven’t helped procure the machine, the software update to block pages is benign from the actual promises made. Therefore, time to repent from the lying ways. You cannot have a man preaching how sinful other people are and he is caught in lying. That is just bad and gives a sour taste in your mouth, doesn’t it?
Rev. Lokodo, please confess, it would be healthy for us and for you. That you would humbly ask the public for forgiveness and confess your sins. I don’t even ask for cash, for side-tracks or reasoning, just that you tell the truth. You are the head of Ethics in the Republic, we should expect you could have your tongue in check, if anyone in the Republic should, it should be you! Peace.

The Budget Framework Paper for Financial Year of 2018/2019 for the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development is really revealing how the financing of the sector is and how the state is involved with the manner. Also, how low-key the main factors are and lacking transparency is hitting the Energy Sector of Uganda. Not that is surprising, since the agreements, the licenses and the tenders are usually kept behind closed doors.
However, the main part of the Framework Paper is evident of the issues at hand:
“The indicative budget ceilings for the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development have been rationalised in line with the sector priorities and national priorities as communicated in the Budget Call Circular and in the Presidential Directives. The ceilings for Vote 017 for the FY 2018/19 are as follows: Wage Recurrent is UGX 4.23Bn; Non-Wage Recurrent is UGX 74,04Bn; GoU Development is UGX 307,84Bn and the Development Partner contribution is UGX 1,608.41Bn. Under Vote 123 ceiling is UGX 81.98Bn is for the GoU Domestic Development and UGX594.00Bn is from external financing” (Energy and Mineral Development, Budget Framework Paper FY 2018/19, 2018).
The building of vital infrastructure, the refinery, the pipelines and energy production facilities are all dependent on funding from abroad. If it is grants, loans or paid-in-full agreements done in secrecy. Because, there are more than the shadows of this budget framework paper. It is saying a lot and the votes for the future is showing the future too. That the Ugandan economy is prospering, as the budget are needing all funding from afar to be able to build needed infrastructure. Also, needs the grants for the Rural Electrification, the ones who the state has even borrowed to do.
Therefore, this Budget Framework Paper is showing the troubles ahead. This isn’t voting for better economy, know this is dependency and also proving how much the donors and partners are involved in making sure the economy gets addicted to it.
When it comes to the refinery, the details are clearly still in the wind: “The process of selecting of the Lead Investor is still progressing and the negotiations are ongoing between Government and the selected investor. The process is expected to be completed in FY 2017/2018. There after FEED and ESIA for refinery development will be undertaken with the Lead Investor on board” (Energy and Mineral Development, Budget Framework Paper FY 2018/19, 2018). So the selecting of it is not finalized, well, for some thought Russians had secured agreement and the reason for Museveni to visit Moscow. Clearly, that ship has sailed, we can wonder if Total or any other company would do this. As Total has the biggest chairs of licenses in the Lake Albertine Basin. Time will tell, but another proof of lack of transparency, when the Ministry has to write this.
“Procurement Bottlenecks including lengthy bidding processes that require no-objections from the external financiers at each stage of execution. There is need for PPDA to revise guidelines for procurements relating to flagship projects. In addition, the following measures need to be considered: financing agreements are signed, project is almost ready to kick off. PPDA should reduce the administrative review timelines that sometimes stall progress” (Energy and Mineral Development, Budget Framework Paper FY 2018/19, 2018).
This here is initially following the guidelines of the First Amendment of the 1995 Constitution of 2017, the Land Amendment that the National Resistance Movement put forward before the Age Limit. That would fit the narrative of the Ministry and their wishes. It is like reading the same idea, to give more power to the state and able to land issues quickly.
What we can learn, also and which is important, these developments, these infrastructures projects couldn’t have been built if it wasn’t for external loans, externals grants or direct aid, if not on the license fees and the parts that is taxed. However, the grand amount and the majority of the projects needs the external funding.
This is not surprising, it is to be expected because Museveni doesn’t want to use his money. He want to spend other people’s money and also the money of the future. To benefit him today, that is why the deals are done in the secrecy…. We don’t know the reasons and the value of the licenses, the ones who is to build the refinery, even the grand agreement between the Corporations who will build the Pipeline. We know that certain companies has failed to build the dams and used bad material, but that is because of the Chinese Contractors has saved money, while being paid-in-full.
President Museveni blessed that deal and got scraps back. Time will tell, but this isn’t a good look. Not because I want it to be bad, but because the money says so. Peace.


“I would like to assure you that Museveni is here to stay. He has the power, the money and other resources that are necessary to push this country to greatness,” Nankabirwa said” (…) “Those who opposed the move to amend the presidential age limit are now living cowardly. They feel ashamed of the fact that their efforts proved them wrong at the end of the day. For us in NRM we proudly say that our stand was the best for Uganda,” she said” (Namanya, 2018).
Ruth Nankabirwa, the government chief whip continues her praise and being a loyal subject of the President. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni must be giddy to have someone praising him in this manner. She is now a useful mouthpiece, she is praising him and heavier, than Beti Kamya, which in itself is special. In the championship of praising Museveni in the current day, Nankabirwa is in the pole position, even in front of Lewis Hamilton.
She is now praising him and allying herself with him, in a way, where her fate is bound by what happens with Museveni. There isn’t anything of policies or political belief. It is just bound by her alliance with Museveni.
This here is just an act to solidify her position and show that she is loyal to the President. That is why she is even proud of the abolishing the Age Limit in the Constitution. Just to give more time and ability for the President to continue to rule. When the NRM speaks for the best, it is the best for the President and then the Republic. Because the President always comes first. Last mentioned was Uganda. That is because, Uganda has been blessed with Museveni in their eyes. He can do nothing wrong and if he does it you too blame.
That is why the President is quick to blame his cronies and his own people, there is never his fault. But he expects that people like Nankabirwa praises him and gives him the fountain of honor. Not that a man of his stature do wrong or doesn’t listen to advice. Even fellow peers at the time of the makings of the Constitution, warned him about term limits. That he didn’t want to hear, but had to revise when he had spent that time in office and didn’t want leave. The same appeared again, as his age was closing in on him.
Now, the President needs his fellow MPs and Cronies to praise him, even if it is wrong. The people who was against abolishing the age limit isn’t cowards, but they have just seen the Republic and the Parliament, mostly sold to the President. They are not representatives anymore of the people, but of the President. There are few who are real and who try within the system to represent the people. However, there is very few and those who does, like even within the NRM would be fined and sanctioned by the Party. The NRM Rebel MPs was even talks of sanctioning them.
Nankabirwa, we know your loyal, but your words are still not true. Museveni isn’t a visionary anymore, and your just trying to catch your next paycheck. We understand, we do and we are not blind sheep following without thinking straight. It is hard to believe that Museveni will bring the republic to greatness now.
Museveni has had 32 years and there is still very little progress made and the achievements of the past is now getting tarnished with time. Also, the lack taxation, the added debt and the cronyism that is destroying the state. If that is greatness in Nankabirwa eyes, than I am sorry, but I beg to differ. It isn’t greatness, its self-inflicted destruction of the state in favor of one man and his cronies. That is not development, but using the state as a racket. It has been done now for over 30 years. However, that is just me. Peace.
Reference:
Namanya, Job – ‘Museveni is unchallengeable, says Nankabirwa’ (07.04.2018) link: https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1475062/museveni-unchallengeable-nankabirwa

There been many voices saying the same thing as Deputy Secretary of National Resistance Movement Richard Todwong. Not that they have been listen to or neither acted upon. Because the state sanction the nepotism, the family affairs of Museveni and his elite. That Todwong is still a part of, as he is a crony within the system. It is splendid that he says these things, but that the NRM and Museveni is most unlikely, the rampant corruption and ghosts, are evident even with the refugees and the other beneficiary structures surrounding this administration. Therefore, it is nice to hear in the ears, but has a hard time believe that the NRM will change, when Museveni is still the Kingpin on top!
“However, Todwong shocked the house when he turned guns on his own party, lamenting that they are responsible for a litany of issues that have gone wrong. “We also need to manage greed, during the debate of a transition, those in leadership position may want to collect as much as possible because they don’t see themselves coming back to power. That kind of greed, insensitivity to national issues makes people disgusted to those in government,” Todwong commenced his speech. “Corruption, greed nepotism are things that are making Ugandans more disgusted in the leadership of our party in government. I have to be honest because my church told me to, I have told this to the president,” he added” (…) “The former member of parliament lashed out at government officials for what he termed as “theft with impunity” and misuse of public resources, saying they are the reason the NRM will soon be pushed out to the streets. “If we can’t restrain or control our greed in how we use public resource, how we steal with impunity, then Ugandans will push us out of power. The hills of Kampala are expanding with buildings but schools and hospitals are shrinking, so where do people get this money from?” Toswong posed. “And the owners of these structures are commissioners, permanent secretaries, ministers and directors, people are disgusted,” he added” (Nelson Bwire Kapo – ‘We are stealing the country’s resources with impunity, people are disgusted- NRM’s Todwong’ 06.04.2018, NilePost.Co.Ug).
It is refreshing to hear it, but the state has made their ways, but they are not significant. Whatever regulations the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), Bank of Uganda (BoU), Attorney General (AG), Inspectorate General of Government (IGG) and The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) is clearly not sufficient. They are still able to get away with murder and see the paychecks go into thin air. Therefore, when you have all of these and nothing happens. You can wonder why they are going to work everyday and if they are really doing anything.
There are so many busy bodies and such, that the rampant corruption should be impossible, as well as the Uganda Police Force and the Courts, should sanction investigations and have cases that logs the corruption cases in the state. However, that seems like a far-fetched scenario where the beneficiary are the ones on top. While all the institutions and the government bodies are fleeing their responsibilities, because if they act upon their mandate. They will naturally hurt allies and friendly cronies of the Kingpin. Because a state with that many different bodies involved, should have capacity to stop. Unless they are all there to collect salaries, smile and move-on.
The Presidential Handshake and the tokens of gifts for the vote to abolish the Age Limit, shows how open the corruption is and how little it matters. Since the big-men are eating and the President wants it this way. Therefore, a nice gathering of thoughts of Todwong, but will the NRM act upon it? Nah, they have already dozens of institutions and mandates to hunt them down. Nevertheless, they don’t, because that might implicate the Kingpin and they don’t want to do that! Peace.