
UN OCHA: Humanitarian Coordinator Gravely Concerned over Six Missing Aid Workers in South Sudan (19.12.2017)



The Second Reading has now taken two days. Soon the reported time of three days after delivery is actually within sanctioned time. Since the morning plenary reading was chaotic and was a disarray. After 2PM the Second Plenary Sitting and Session in the Chambers. The tone seems different and the Parliament went more like normal. It lasted for over 7 hours with debate. Also 73 Members of Parliament said their peace. Both Opposition Members and National Resistance Movement MPs. Clearly, the Opposition was most direct against it, not surprisingly, but the NRM loyalists really want to show their heart.
This Plenary Sitting hasn’t been fruitful, even with showing know progress or any result. At least the MPs and the Speaker Kadaga can rest assure, that the public saw some calm and clear minded representatives. Still, the factor remain. When and at what point will they finish the second reading and all the needed motions, so they can deliver this bill to the President.
They are expected to take a vote after debate tomorrow. So expect a long day with lots of arguments. Even if the NRM regime and MPs are relaxed. Since they got the majority and near the levels of legal binding votes to get the bill over the finish line. Then they can eat the consultation money and also the bribes payed for doing so. That is ordinary, it isn’t only the 30 million shillings, but talk of even more shillings for the vote.
We can see that the NRM are ready and just wants to show loyalty and support to Museveni. Therefore, their support and their words are pure cronyism. There is no soul or address, that shows the positive changes. They are all swallowing the Majority Report and uses the arguments from there. Non has their own independent mind, however, that is not the will of Museveni anyway. So many of them said the Constituencies and their people said to touch it. That is why they are there.
It is hard to believe so, when the big statistics and polls has shown the districts in general are up to about 80% who wants the Age Limit to stay. Clearly, the MPs must have bribed their constituency, if not they are lying through their teeth.
What we can wonder, since there is a vote tomorrow. Will they try to push the law in or accepted the motion for ending the second and third reading. So they can gear-up the speed for voting it in and making it law. That would be convenient for the President and for the NRM. So they are done before Christmas, the gift that some wanted to put a yellow ribbon and call it a day.
We can wonder if there will strangers tomorrow. If the streets will be littered with Military Police, Special Forces Command and Police Officers. Since the times when it has been needed by the state. They have sent their security officials before to hold the opposition members. Expect them to be taken if they vote against the will of the President. Even if it means that Museveni are implicating himself even more.
Well, the law is all about him and his needs. This law isn’t about discrimination or older people’s place in society. That is just a front, because of Museveni’s age. The age that no-one can be sure about. Because different pay, says different thing.
Tomorrow morning, the whole thing starts up again. We cannot know and have knowledge how many who will be debating then. We know that Kagada is gearing up for a vote and that means the gloves will be off. The NRM and the Parliament needs closure of this. Museveni needs his stick, so he can continue to rule. Without any consideration of the implications of doing so. He is just self-centered and wants to be king as long as he lives. Peace.

Dr Sam Lyomoki: “since you have suspended the rule that governs debate on what rule should the debate proceed?”
Speaker Rebecca Kadaga: “just go on and debate”
We know that the 10th Parliament already has Uganda People’s Defence Force Members of Parliament, but these are generals and high-ranking officials elected there by some sort of function. Which is needed group to secure the National Resistance Movement will and overpower of the minority in the Parliament.
However, as it followed yesterday’s chaos. It has not been any better or faired any smoother in the chambers today. Again, it is not important what been discussed today or which laws that are amended. Even if it is talking about longer extensions of terms for Members of Parliament and by all means the President. This all about the will of the President, who wishes to rule for life. No matter how hectic, how foolish or ignorant of the laws he created in 1990s. There are no bounds to his self-inflicting wounds.
Today there are signs of unarmed police officers in the chambers and also de facto soldiers hanging around eating and enjoying themselves. All of that created massive chaos. So the discussions or debate got silenced. Even several of MPs tried to fight for the microphone. There has been mentioned that it was 300 soldiers within the chapel of the Parliament, fully equipped with arms. Clearly with intention of creating tension. They succeeded.
The Parliament for the second day in the morning was cancelled or adjourned until 2 PM! They do not like to do it the silent way. It has to be a mess, with suspensions and with soldiers. It is much at stake, which strangers has to be in the chambers and security officers of all kinds has to wander in the chambers of the parliament.
We can just wonder what is next. This battle for life presidency is not over and will take its toll and make people wounded. Either in spirit or in their hearts. Certainly, the National Resistance Movement and their President cannot be giddy. This is moving slowly and showing their ignorance of their own chambers, their own National Assembly, just so their master and leader can rule for life. Is that the price for his rule? Therefore, he can destroy the sanctity of the chambers. Make the assembly who creates laws into a place of heresy and make it ungodly? Is that the will of President Museveni?
There is very or little honor left in this men. If there was any, the NRM regime are ready to swallow all the venom, so Museveni can live and die as President. Not caring about the effect or the message, they are sending. The soldiers used the gates between the President’s Office and the Parliament to access the chambers. Clearly, in violation of the order from Speaker to seal of that way. If so, it might just been for the show and they knew all along that they planned to do it this way.
Let the ill-advised saga continue. Peace.






“Has this article been tested in this region? Can a court in Arusha say, ‘parliament close?’. That is why i want to find out the jurisdiction of the Court & will give my ruling. Let us proceed with the report” – Speaker Rt. Rebecca Kadaga
Today, the 18th December 2017, the Parliament was prepared for a rally and race against time to deliver a second and a third reading of the Constitutional Amendment Number 2, the Raphael Magyezi Private bill. The bill which just done in the Legal and Constitutional Committee. The Second Reading was starting and also the questions about the majority Report. While, there was no sight or follow up of a minority report from the opposition to the bill.
There was strangers in plain clothes. The rumored Special Forces Command was there again. The sanctity of the chambers is lost after the previous battle for the first reading of the same bill. This time it had no violence or expulsion of that kind. Still, not long into the debate, the opposition sung the National Anthem, as they we’re afraid of the plain-clothed security guards. That within reasons, last time they we’re there, they took the opposition out like trash and hurt them too!
Fist that was proven, was the bill had never been tested if it could fit the laws of the East African Court. The Legal and Constitutional Committee has not delivered anything on it, either has any other state actor or Member of Parliament. Therefore, the Opposition MPs tried to stop the debate until that happen. The Speaker just took it to consideration and moved on.
The Speaker then continued insulting Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju for not delivering a minority report. Since he is sitting in the committee and is opposition. While he questioned the authenticity of the bill, since it was not produced.
After that the Majority report is read, when it is questioned by the MP Hon. Karuhanga, who wants to follow rules and the rules are that reports are supposed to be read for three days and then debated. Here it is just delivered on the first day. The Speaker rules that the report was uploaded last week, therefore, the rule Karuhanga raised does not apply. So he was silenced while using another stalling tactic.
After some chaos and different noise inside the chamber. The speaker suspended the debate and would open again later at 2 PM. Soon after, she suspended Ssemujju, Karuhanga, Akol, Odur and Sewanyana. These we’re six MPs suspended from appearing on the later debate and plenary session.
Since the Speaker was not after re-starting the plenary sessions was not listening to grievances from the Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza and other MPs. Kadaga was just brushing them-off and saying we have to move-on. We need the second reading, this procedures can await. If people we’re wrongly designated or even added on wrongly to committee. That can wait. The reading of the report and the bill cannot. Since that occurred, the LoP and Opposition stormed out of the Parliament, while the other MPs took their places, since many was standing already. So after being out for about an hour, they came back and then the debate had to stop, so the NRM MPs was moved back in their own seats and standing places. Since the Opposition has their seats in the chambers.
After that the discussion the 201b ensured during the later part of the session. As MPs was discussing it, Kahinda Otafiire was heckling and trying to stop MPs for addressing it. He was working hard and several MPs was saying he was impatience and stressed about it.
In the end after a horrible day in Parliament. The Plenary Session was suspended the second time for problems with the microphone and it will continue tomorrow. Certainly, the plans of dipping through with little issues was stopped. Still, the Parliament and the rules are put into safeguard from a hostile takeover. Even as the National Resistance Movement are trying their best to deliver to their master and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu MP said this about today events:
“It has been such a long day and tommorow is probably going to be even longer. If there is any time that our Country needs our prayers and efforts, it’s now. Some shameless people are bent on raping our constitution and we must stop them.The house is adjourned till tommorow at 10:00am. All I can say now is;Jah give I strength and wisdom to handle this situation. #Togikwatako” (Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, 18.12.2017).
Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has really lost her mind and showed disgraceful attitude and also disrespect of the chambers, as she let again strangers appear and not following procedure. She has no troubling violating the guidelines and the codes of conduct. As long as she delivers what is needed. No pride and no glory, only creating a law at gun-point. Since there was Military Police at the National Theater down the road. To ensure that the chaos didn’t erupt and no-one wanting to demonstrate near-by. Peace.


The Plenary Sessions paper for Monday the 18th December 2017 is out. The Constitutional Amendment No. 2. or the Private Bill of Raphael Magyezi, the Age Lifting bill of Presidential Candidates is up. But not only up for a Second Reading, which is natural after the first reading and been scrutinized by the Legal and Constitutional Committee in Parliament during the recent weeks. Clearly, the National Resistance Movement have short time.
Since the Plenary Session on Monday is all in the name of the bill, secondly, it is not just the second reading that is up. If it was so, it would have been an ordinary bill. However, this is the life-line of the political life of Museveni. Therefore, it has to be speeded up. They are racing to the underground and hoping to find a gold mine. So they can live happily ever after.
Because the reading is filled with “Bills Committee Stage”, then the “Motion for the House to Resume” , after that the “Report from the Committee of the Whole House” and the “Motion for Adaption of the Report from the Committee of the Whole House”. This means by this stage, the Parliament is expected to follow the guidelines of the Committee and their majority report. Secondly, so they can move forward vote on the bill and do the third reading.
Which is apparently happening right after they have gone through the reports in quick minutes and made sure the legality is in check. The Members of Parliament and the NRM has then ensured the protocol and provisions. Even if rushed and in sensational speed. They are trying to take a Formula One instead of dipping through the jams of Kampala.
They are on the same day, after all those minutes already facilitated in haste. Its like the wig of Parliamentary Speaker Rebecca Kadaga is falling off. Like Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah has fire up his ass. That they are pushing it further. They are actually as they just voted for the acceptance of the second reading. Just as they finished discussing the report and everything else. The Parliament is actually having the third reading. Its like they should just get 2/3 of majority vote and get it all over with.
So Museveni can sign himself into life presidency, instead of keeping this charade up for another day. They are extending their legality and their methods in the Parliament. I am sure the Police and Special Forces Command will guard the city squares and the streets around Parliament. There will be a siege of the Parliament. Since this is the life work of Museveni and his will. His will is law in the end. Nothing else matter. To say so is a lie. The NRM and their syncopates has too lie. They cannot help themselves, they want to eat and needs mercy from their master.
Tomorrow will be a hectic day, a day of arrests and detained opposition. There will be violence and trouble. Still, the movement of the law will happen. Even if it is foolish and the world knows it. They are pushing it and doing it on the knives edge. Because Museveni needs it. So his blood still pumps in his veins. As long as it does, he anticipate to be the king and stay the king. No stone left unturned to stay there.
Tomorrow will not be different. It is just a mere signal and flash from darkness. That the steps to life presidency is there. If Mwenda, Mirundi or Ofwono says otherwise, you know it is false. They lie, just like their boss. Peace.





There is certain movements that will strike as more expensive for the East African Community (EAC). This being for the Government of Uganda (GoU) and the Government of Kenya (GoK), who has big plans of petroleum pipelines from their oil-fields and to the coast. That being from Turkana to Lamu Port. While the Ugandan oil goes from Hoima to Tanga Port in Tanzania. Both development and industrial projects will have issues with the funding. The World Bank has supported massive infrastructure projects in both countries.
Therefore, for the two counties big development and oil industry, this is giant set-back, since they have to find funding and loans for the pipelines on the open market. Even with higher interests and making the profits of it lesser, than it would have been with a World Bank loan. It would not hurt the pocket as much as it does on the open market. The banks wants more profits themselves and also make sure they are paid-in-full.
With all this in mind. There are speculations, but first. Parts of the self-answering service. Before we look at the reactions in Kenya and Uganda. All of are important, as the state is involved in the licensing and building the pipelines. They are directly into the development and procurement of the pipelines. That is why this is big blow for the administrations and their possible tax-profits on it.
Word Bank Q&A:
“Q. How is “upstream” oil and gas defined?
Upstream is an industry term that refers to exploration of oil and natural gas fields, as well as drilling and operating wells to produce oil and natural gas” (World Bank, 2017).
“Current projects in our portfolio would continue as planned. However, no new investments in upstream oil and gas would be undertaken after 2019, unless under exceptional circumstances as noted in the decision” (World Bank, 2017).
Kenya Pipeline:
“The announcement by the bank, which has significant interests in Kenya’s oil prospecting sector, does not bode well for the country’s anticipated entry into the club of oil producing nations beginning next year. Analysts said they do not expect an immediate reaction to the announcement even as they acknowledged that it takes the shine from oil in the long term” (…) “Locally, the World Bank is offering technical support to the Kenyan government, through the Kenya Petroleum Technical Assistance Project, to prime all stakeholders for commercial oil production and sale. The six-year programme is scheduled to run until February 2021 and involves the World Bank managing a Sh5.2 billion fund set up by investors from Germany, Norway and Britain. The World Bank’s private lending arm, International Finance Corporation, is however directly involved in Kenya’s oil fields, having a 6.83 per cent stake in Africa Oil, the Canadian exploration firm with interests in northern Kenya oil blocks” (Mutegi, 2017)
Uganda Pipeline:
“The pipeline, is expected to be completed by the year 2020, when the country is scheduled to start oil production. In fact, Uganda’s President, Yoweri Museveni and his Tanzanian counterpart recently commissioned the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline. The two leaders laid mark stones for the crude oil pipeline in Mutukula, Kyotera district and Kabaale in Hoima district. Total E&P Uganda, a subsidiary of French oil giant, Total S.A, is spearheading the construction of the crude oil pipeline on behalf of the joint venture partners. Adewale Fayemi, the general manager, Total E&P Uganda says discussions are ongoing to discuss on the formalities of how the pipeline will be run. Already, an agreement has been reached that the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) will be run and managed by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) – private pipeline company. This means that a private company will be incorporated with joint venture partners – Tullow Uganda, Cnooc Uganda Ltd and Total E&P Uganda, and the governments of Uganda and Tanzania as shareholders in the company” (Ssekika, 2017)
Certainly, this will put a strain on the projects. They have to deliver another type of arrangement to make sure they get funding and have the funds to pay the added interests the banks wants. The added points on the dollar and the interest-rates will hit state-owned firms and the state itself. Since the pipelines most likely becomes more expensive and will be less profitable.
That the World Bank is pulling out of these projects is all within line of the Paris Accord, as they have professed is the reason. Still, this will make these projects more expensive and make sure they are earning less on it. Unless, the crude-oil prices are going up to a level that makes these investments even more profitable. That is only for time to tell. Since it is costly projects and also sophisticated to build. There is needed lots of expertise combined state planning to achieve the development plans.
This is just the beginning, but the pipelines and these investments are vital for both Kenya and Uganda. As the governments are already borrowing state funds on the possible earnings from the oil reserves in their basins. Therefore, they need to drill and need the petrodollar as quickly as possible. Peace.
Reference:
Mutegi, Mugambi – ‘World Bank dims Turkana oil hopes’ (14.12.2017) link: http://www.nation.co.ke/business/World-Bank-dims-Turkana-oil-hopes/996-4227848-u02v8n/index.html
Ssekika, Edward – ‘East African Crude Oil Pipeline: The Inside Story’ (11.12.2017) link: http://www.oilinuganda.org/features/economy/east-african-crude-oil-pipeline-the-inside-story-details-emerge-of-how-the-crude-oil-pipeline-will-be-financed-managed.html
World Bank – ‘Q&A: The World Bank Group and Upstream Oil and Gas’ (12.12.2017) link: http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/climatechange/brief/qa-the-world-bank-group-and-upstream-oil-and-gas