Opinion: Lt. Gen. Tumukunde history of indiscipline and sackings!

Well, I had written another piece earlier today, after being criticised for lacking research on the Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, whose has been taken out of action plenty of times and cried out for unfair treatment. His now changed from going for aspiring for Lord Mayor of Kampala in the up-coming election to now run for President. Because he does this, I will show some aspects of his past. Which the media and the ones paid to write, will not show. An some will say is unfair crtisicm, which it is not!

I got no loyalty to National Resistance Movement (NRM) nor Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). I look up and admire people like Dr. Kizza Besigye, but they doesn’t blind my critical vision. I have seen enough of what Brigadier Tumukunde has done over the years. People will say his a fine leader, why does he get sacked and called indisciplined all the time then, over the years?

Why was he so close to the Temangalo land scandal? Why was this great leader disgraced together with Gen. Kazini after his mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo? Also, why did he have a public spat with IGP Kale Kayihura for so long before being fired again in 2018?

Do you see what I did there?

Seeing the placement of certain activity, something that repeats itself, he was fired or sacked for his actions in 2003 and again in 2018. He has in the mean-time been charged, house-arrested and suddenly gotten hot-again; when he become political mobiliser in 2016 for the Presidential Campaign of Museveni.

So let me show you some sources to balance my claims!

Brig. Henry Tumukunde: Until recently, Tumukunde enjoyed all the trappings of the family rule. He is married to Stella Tumukunde, a cousin to Janet Museveni. Although he is now not on talking terms with his former boss, pundits say that Tumukunde is under rehabilitation and sooner or later he will bounce back. He once headed the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) and Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI)” (The Independent – ‘Museveni govt’s Family Tree’ 25.03.2009)

In 2000:

The ‘Sunday Vision’, said the leader of the mutineers, a certain Kitenge, was the former bodyguard of Nyamwisa. He and the other mutineers were flown to Kampala on Friday by the UPDF’s Chief of Military Intelligence Colonel Henry Tumukunde and “MONUC”. RCD-ML has been bedevilled with leadership wrangles in the past two months, forcing the party leader to seek reinforcements from the UPDF to quell rebellions” (IRIN News – ‘UPDF crushes yet another revolt in Bunia’ 04.09.2000).

In 2003:

A statement from State House later said that Museveni had also effected changes in other security agencies. He dropped the chief of his para-military Internal Security Organisation (ISO) spy agency, Brigadier Henry Tumukunde, and replaced him with his deputy, Elly Kayanja” (Spywar – ‘Uganda army commander sacked over DR Congo looting’ 06.06.2003).

In 2005:

Kampala — Brig. Henry Tumukunde not only violated army rules and regulations, but he also “talked too much,” the army has said. “For him to say the president must go! As a serving officer that does not concern him. He talked too much and broke army laws not once, not twice,” the UPDF and Defence Spokesman, Maj. Shaban Bantariza said yesterday” (Frank Nyakairu – ‘Uganda: Brig. Tumukunde Talked Too Much, Says Army’ 30.05.2005).

Ranking of Army leadership:

However, the UPDF chief political commissar, Col Felix Kulayigye, said Brig Tumukunde should not have expected to be promoted because he was on trial. “Did he expect to be promoted in 10 years of which eight he was on trial? Does he want to say that by the time he became brigadier, he was the most senior officer at that time?” Col Kulayigye asked” (Daily Monitor – ‘Tumukunde cries out on UPDF ranks’ 20.07.2013).

Tumukunde, was placed under house arrestand then later court martialled on allegations of making political statements in the media (after he appeared on a radio program), indiscipline and disobeying lawful orders contrary to the army code of conduct” (…) “Tumukunde was promoted in 2015 to the rank of Lieutenant General (by passing the rank of Major General) before being retired from the army, therefore allowing him to become a “political mobiliser”for the 2016 presidential campaigns” (Bore L, (2016).Army Representation in Uganda’s Multiparty Parliament – a critical review. CEPA Policy Series Papers Number 7 of 2016. Kampala).

In 2015:

In 2005 he was forcibly detained by troops led by General Kale Kayihura, now Inspector General of Police. Two years of extra-judicial house arrest continued until his eventual release and the dropping of charges. His rehabilitation was maybe not completely unexpected. His NRM and NRA history speaks for itself, and his wife Stella Tumukunde is a cousin of President Museveni’s wife Janet Museveni. Henry Tumukunde’s role is unclear, but includes managing the controversial ‘Crime Preventers’, a mass nationwide vigilante or community policing network. With their T-Shirts in National Resistance Movement yellow, their loyalty is clear” (Menas Associates – ‘Henry Tumukunde comes in from the cold as rehabilitated spy master’ 09.12.2015).

In 2017:

Tumukunde was convicted of the offense involving dishonesty or moral turpitude, thirdly, whether the appointment of Lt Gen. Tumukunde as the minister is a violation of Articles 80 (2) of the constitution and lastly whether the petitioner (Mr Kanti) is entitled to the declarations sought” (Anthony Wesaka – ‘Government defends Gen Tumukunde’s ministerial appointment’ 01.03.2017, Daily Monitor).

In 2019:

Watchdog Uganda understands that Kulubya failed the “PR” test four times and therefore has been served four publicity invoices amounting to Sh36 million. He published stories about Gen Henry Tumukunde planning to stand as Lord Mayor of Kampala which his bosses say were published to promote the general” (Lawerance Kazooba – ‘Kabushenga deducts Shs45 million from Vision Group editors for publishing Tumukunde, NWSC ‘PR’ stories’ 25.07.2019).

If you want a ghost-soldiering, spat-spewing and power-hungry man to be the Presidential Candidate, be my guest. Let the high ranking and former loyal subject Lt. Gen. Tumukunde be your guy. We can just wonder whose next to praise this man and follow the man.Who will blindy say his fitting leader and has the astounding record. If he had that, why has he had so many scandals behind him and been sacked for his actions? Why? That doesn’t make sense to me. Maybe to his clients and fans.

That is the track-record of this Lt. Gen. and it speaks for itself. Peace.

Opinion: NRMs Militarism is Back-at-It again!

Gen. Sejusa arrested on 11.05.2016

Isn’t it strange that the same days the associates and former aides of General David Sejusa, the man who has defied his master, the one who will not be retired as a General. Still, have the title and salary, even if he never does a working day again. His people is now also out of prison out of treason charges. Well, that was political manifested charges and therefore, the Court Martial had at one point to drop them.

Now, as this is happening. The army is boosting the Police Force again. Just as if it fixes mosquito nets, illegal fishing and even catch criminals, because the Police Force has enough to do to even follow up on the political activity of opposition. They got no time catching real criminals; those days are long gone in the Republic.

That is why the Attorney General, the Inspector General of Government (IG) and the other anti-corruption agencies needs the lieutenant from the State House to clear the shop now and then. Not follow procedures of the PPDA, OAG, IGG or anyone else, no awaiting orders from the Special Unit at the State House.

In the same manner, that the CMI and ISO suddenly together with the Flying Squad can ambush anyone, they can arrest and detain without any probable cause, other than they had the opportunity to do so. That is why, who knows even when next time the former squad, the Special Force Command of the now Presidential Advisor and Son of the President, Maj. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga will turn up in Parliament or elsewhere to arrest or burn a royal palace as ordered from high above. Well, to even think like that should be treason, but in the perspective of recent history. Not farfetched or even inconsiderable.

In this troubling time of ours, as the state is militarism yet again. As it does before elections, with new units, boosting of the Police Force, CCTV Cameras and more charges on opposition members. We can just await scandals of procurement in the Police, in the army and elsewhere in connection of power. That is just what they do.

They also start massive training of the LDU’s, they will fix more battalions, they will have own organization behind them; just like the Crime Preventers did and the funding will come. Just as big as the water-bill of the State House and even some, supplement budgets their way. Because, these military men are big function before the big days. The NRM and President needs these to spread his message and his memo. That this leadership cannot be there without excessive force and guns in the near proximity of the voters.

That is why Sejusa and his people is out too. So, that his ways can be in the way. That the former general and CMI leader can tell it like it is. That he can be charged again and used as a tool of how the UPDF and UPF are not supposed to act, they are supposed to follow the President blindly, not think for themselves. Sejusa thinks too much and his free thinking ways is not fitting the paradigm of the NRM. That is why his out loose and bouncing.

That the IGP now have more men around him with military background is more a sign, which the UPF cannot manage without the army behind it. The Police Force is weak, the various units are not boosted or having the manpower it needs. Not all the shifts, all the changes of leadership and such have helped it. They are sinking and doesn’t know what hit them, even if everyone else see it around them.

The militarism, the lack of other ways than the guns. Is the reason for all this news. That the NRM and the President are using these methods to beat the system into his ways. This is what he knows. That is why, there will be more movement of loyal army leaders, don’t be shocked and don’t b surprised if it is more frequent as the General Election are coming up.

The UPDF will come and save SACCOs, NAADs, Fishermen, Ghettos, and whatever it takes to get the throne. They will even run hospitals, if it was up to the President. He would send some of loyal soldiers to patch up the hurt, instead of having civilians running these places. He knows, they wouldn’t dare to challenge his authority or his decree as these doctors and specialists are doing.

Well, these is just our troubling times with yet more militarised institutions. New levels of intimidation and securing, facilitating and ensuring the next up-coming elections go in favour of the President. That is just what he does. Now, with a few more loyal cadres inside the Police Force, who he knows will follow his command. Peace.

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions Part VI: Press Statement on a Public Interest Litigation Case on the Closure of Uganda-Rwanda Border (01.07.2019)

Bank of Uganda Scandal: Printing lies and printing money!

Well, we are at this point and time, where the printing company have back dropped their information to the public. As well, as the ones in charge of spin control in the state, this being Uganda Media Centre, as well, as the Police Force itself plus internal statements from the Bank of Uganda.

While the Directors are under scrutiny, the spin is out of bound and showing that they are trying to deceive. That the Bank of Uganda had a scheme going on with the shipment of bank-notes, where the high ranking officials could eat of the spoils, but somewhere, somebody tipped the authorities off. Because someone didn’t get their cut.

That is why the state and Bank of Uganda is trying to back peddle it, while the State House, CMI and others are investigating the efforts of transporting the extra consignment of notes. The billions upon billions of extra funds.

We know there was a scheme and that it wasn’t supposed to get to the headlines, that they wasn’t supposed to fight over notes in mattresses, neither fight over blame either. The Bank was supposed to get these, share the spoils and move along like nothing. That is why the spokesperson for the government pins blame on police, while the Bank says its nothing and the Police says its investigating it. While the new Unit in State House confirms the raid on the bank. Surely, it is all a mess, as the institution and the state itself cannot configure the story, nor the procurement of the extra consigned notes. It is like a gift that keeps giving.

We know now that someone ordered extra notes from Europe. Someone had arranged it to happen, the planes with the notes was scheduled and the transfer was already made by the officials in the bank. The State let it happen and let it even come through customs. The state let the BoU do this and didn’t stop it. Until someone tipped off State House, as off they weren’t properly informed or getting their cut. Therefore, they had to cut it off and send a sign, that they are supposed to be informed of this and get their piece of the action.

That is why the Bank was early stating it was negotiating with the authorities, that it wasn’t a raid, even if the State House, CMI and others claimed it was. We can surely see where this is going. This a badly written novel, even a badly written scheme of soldiers of fortune, of financial mercenaries who couldn’t even pocket the funds without ghosting the procurement. They had to leave breadcrumbs and leave traces of deception.

That is why the Bank, the Police and the Uganda Media Centre, all look like fools. The directors, the consignments and the delivery is all there. The ones who was supposed to earn on this was there too. The whole operation was in session and the class was about to start. But was pre-emptively stopped by the authorities and since then, the people looking at it cannot keep their stories straight.

Time will tell, but this is looking like a heist, smelling like a heist and acting like a heist. Even if they are trying to conceal it. Someone got hurt that they didn’t get their pieces of silver and had to blow the whistle. Now, the ugly truth of the operation is peeled off, layer by layer. Peace.

Another day, another Bank of Uganda Scandal!

The Bank of Uganda has had their magical pens, they have had their crazy foreclosure of Commerical Banks and now they are procuring and producing banknotes without proper function of the state. This is inside trading and kleptocracy to another level.

The Bank of Uganda is already showing their acts, as they didn’t minutes to closure of a bank and not even following protocol doing that. In the same regard, surely there was no minutes written when the high ranking officials fixed and gotten specialized transport plane filled with billions of Ugandan shillings in freshly minted banknotes.

We know this is a game been missing and sudden death is coming quickly. Because this is a rotten institution to the core. There been proof over a long time, but with every scandal, there are meat to the bone. It is ready for a stew or barbecue.

This bank has been like this under the Presidency, ever since the cross-over of the double digits in 1987 and cut of 30% for the clients using it. This is how they do. The Bank of Uganda is the reserves and the securities for the regime. They do not care how they clear their tab, but the bank will fix it.

If the public cannot trust the inner-circle of the Bank. Who can trust it? Since the BoU is supposed to be the institution that ensures the currency and the economy together with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). They are supposed to deliver what the state needs and secure the economy together. These two institutions are supposed to be the bricks to secure the foundation. Instead, we are questioning one, that breaks down the bridge of trust. So, there is no possibility of crossing that river.

The Bank of Uganda has again come into trouble. Not that its shocking, been a minute where the bank was off the hook. But now the state is trying to fix it without arresting the ones doing the illegal deeds. Surely, these people will be off the hook and off the books, just like their mission was supposed to be. For some reason, the state want to reveal it and surely to embarrass someone behind it. Don’t expect them to spend time behind bars, because these people are connected with the kitchen cabinet and the high above. Since, if the BoU was really in trouble, they wouldn’t have gotten away with their previously done deeds. Therefore, there is more behind closed doors, than what we know.

The Bank of Uganda is in another scandal. It is not strange. Its anticipated, this bank is made to the fortunate and the ones in the inner-circle. The rest just got to beg for mercy. As long as this regime is in power. This will not change, because this not profitable. But as long as it is… it will keep up and the leadership will continue. Since, the President trust them and knows they are carrying water for him. They are getting a cut for doing it too, as long as they are not telling the public.

That is why this latest is a leaked story to get rid of a inner-circle dude, who the leadership doesn’t like or trust. They feel he cannot be one of them and need him to humiliated. The President knows this, the Speaker knows this and the Parliament knows this too. However, they will not say it.

The Bank of Uganda is rocked by another scandal and its not shocking. What it was that it wasn’t bigger and more people getting a cut. It should have been more of the big-men connected with a piece of the trade-off. Because, they didn’t get it. They had to blow the whistle, then it wasn’t acceptable. Peace.

BoU Scandal: Speaker Rebecca Kadaga letter to PAC-Cosase Chairman on “Re: Re-opening the Investigation into the Bank of Uganda Closure of Commercial Banks by the Committee on Commissions State Authorities and State Enterprises” (10.06.2019)

Rwanda Revenue Authority: Announcement (07.06.2019)

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions Part V: Deadly Deceptions!

The incident of 25th May 2019 is really haunting the Republics. Each Foreign Affairs has two different stories. The same has the respective Police Authorities delivered statements of similar fashion. Therefore, the incident itself is in question. Both parties claims the incident happen on their soil and that they were justified in their actions. The Ugandan claims the Rwandan crossed their borders. While the Rwandan claims it happen on the other side and that the smugglers fled the scene. However, this is stories that doesn’t fit well together.

Here is snippet of the statements dropped within the last 48 hours:

While the Ugandan Foreign Affairs today claims the Ugandan national was shot on their territory by Rwandan soldiers. Also, an Rwandan Business Man was shot and died on its land. As the Rwandan soldiers even tried to intervene and bring back the dead from its territory. But because of local intervention and brining them to the nearest Health Centre, the soldiers had to retreat back to Rwanda. The MoFA promise the delivery of his remains on the 27th May 2019.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs from Rwanda today claims the soldiers, which crossed the border was shot in Rwanda, but fled hurt and died in Uganda. They even says there was a meeting between Ugandan Rukiga District LCV Chairman and the Rwandan Nyagatare District Mayor, were the parties agreed the incident happen on Rwandan soil.

The Rwandan Police claimed yesterday that the suspected smugglers tried to cross the border from the Rwandan side, as the military intercepted them, the incident became violent. The authorities shot at the gang who tried to cross into Uganda. Killing two people, who fled across an un-gazetted border-point.

Earlier yesterday, the Ugandan Police Force in their statement, claimed that the incident happen on Ugandan soil. Where an Rwandan Business Man had crossed with merchandise across the border. Where the Rwandan Soldiers intercepted him, killed him and an Ugandan citizen as well. As they claim the Rwandan soldiers crossed illegally into the territory and then shot the two people, an Ugandan and the Rwandan national. Both got shot and died as they were taken to the closest health centre.

Doesn’t add up!

Certainly, these statements doesn’t add up. The last 48 hours, both parties have cried foul. There are two nationals, one Ugandan and one Rwandan national killed. The only thing that is consistent in the narrative, is that the Rwandan soldiers shot and intervened towards the deceased individuals. What is striking is how the people who gotten shot had the capacity after the violence to cross across the border to Kamwezi sub-county in Uganda. Just think about it driving on a boda-boda from Tabagwe, Nyagatare District to Kamwezi Health Care Centre. Which by Google Map is 15km and takes about 30 minutes. However, this is without stops and driving straight on target. Nevertheless, if the stories is told like it is.

There is a twist!

If driving while shot:

This is just the first weird thing about it, as the supposed smugglers crossed the borders on a motorcycle. One person was taking himself across the border, shot with used clothes and a deceased partner on it. As he was supposed to be able to cross, unnoticed with a body, smuggling merchandise and a bullet wound. That is part of the story that boggles me. Since, who else does this kind of stunts, except for a Hollywood Action Movie casting Jason Statham and Bruce Willis. One man with a bullet wound able to cross a border point and lack of strength. Certainly, the now deceased Ugandan national must have strong will-power in his final hours. I doubt the adrenaline or extra push from a shot fella can push this through. Unless, its scripted and his saving the world from an possible Armageddon.

That is why the conflicting stories doesn’t make sense. Unless the Rwandan counterparts are planing on exiting scripts for movies. Because, if the persons was killed on Ugandan soil. It makes some sense. Even if that means someone illegally crossed the border and without jurisdiction murdered two individuals of two different nationalities. This seems more reasonable, even if that implicates the Rwandan Authorities. Since, their stories make the Ugandan deceased man seeming like a superhero with the force of 50 Cent. We don’t know how and where he was hit, but the shot from the soldiers was fatal. Meaning, it wasn’t a flesh-wound, but something that stinged him.

We can wonder if the truth of this incident will come out, but right now. The stories are conflicting, and someone trying to deceive the public. One party is lying and the other party is maybe even not telling the whole truth. However, there are two people dead because of this and they deserve for the truth to come out. As they cannot speak on what happen, but only be used as martyrs and as tools in a narrative fitting each states agenda. Peace.

Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Uganda Ministry of Foreign Affairs: A Rebuttal Note regarding the Incident on the 25.05.2019 (26.05.2019)

Rwanda National Police: Press Release – Rwandan security shoot as smugglers turn violent (25.05.2019)