Opinion: Who is really the “Empty Suit”? Who might it be the Empty Suit in the Ministry of Health Care or KCCA? As the recent unfolded operations of maladministration in the public view… henceforth somebody who is just nodding to the Executive for the brown envelope.

The Wire Jimmy McNulty

McNULTY: “West Baltimore is dying and you empty suits are running around to pin some politician’s pelt to the wall. Thought you was real police, brother” (The Wire Season 2, Episode 13).

There is in this day and age lots of appointed government officials, they work supposed to be diligent and with honour of the codes of their work, not work directly for the ones that appointed them. That cannot always be easy as the station and the position would not been opened or given to the person if the appointee didn’t give that extended hand or blessing for the job. When you have that situation you need a strong state and strict regulatory regime that counter the possible backhand and kickbacks to the ones that appointed them.

Why do I discuss this at this point? Because it is a vital part of our government regimes and is a question that can be asked in nearly all parts of the globe. As all jobs in the branches of government does not automatically goes to the most educated, relied on or the one person who has the most integrity in the position. Instead the man or woman who gets appointed is an “empty suit”.

Krugman Boardroom

What some of them might do?

“What typically saves the empty suit is the tenuous relation between what he or she does and any actual business results. This may be a function of the job he’s in: a staff post, with lots of power to nix others’ initiatives but no responsibility to make or sell anything. Or a pocket of avoirdupois in a still-too-fat corporate bureaucracy, the kind of position that causes underlings to scratch their heads and wonder, ”Gee, do we really need all these vice presidents?” Or the empty suit may have come up through a system that rotates fast- trackers through a new job every 18 months, even though the effects of his tenure don’t become evident for two to three years. He hardly had time to get any grounding in the work his people do, and he may have royally screwed up the few decisions he was compelled to make, but when the chickens come home to roost, he has flown. If somebody has the bad taste to try to assign responsibility, the suit can easily fuzz the matter over by suggesting that the blame rests with his successor or former subordinates” (Kiechel, 1989).

There certainly similar like the ones described in our time in every department, every corporation and every single institution we know of. This might be the Electoral Commission of Uganda and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Kenya. As much as the regulatory chairs of the banking industry of Kenya must feel like empty suits these days as the confidence at that is low-key as well. The Chase Bank, The Imperial Bank and National Bank of Kenya have fallen from grace. The most likely selling of the Barclays Bank African Group might also make the fragile banking sector into more disarray as the leading regulators seems like the extra board-members instead of people who uses their position and chair with care and uses the mandate to make a difference and even square.

Soroti Hospital April 2016

The situations are different when the appointed is not hired for their knowledge of their field, but the loyalty of the regime or government that is running in the country. The likes of Ministry of Health in Uganda for the moment where the hospitals are creaking and the machines are criss-crossing between life and death. Electricity and other cases of depleted. As the missing extra blood for surgery, the copy-medication and the loss of necessary equipment; that shows the lack of management and reasons for empty suits. The highest empty suit for the moment must be State Minister for Health Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi who seems to be more concern with catching checks then doing his job at this point. This point comes with the correlation of Minster of Health Hon. Elioda Tumwesige and the State Minister for Primary Health Hon. Sarah Opendi Ochieng. One of the three must generate a valued pay-check and makes sure that the NMS delivers the Global Funded projects and the other government funded health care, but either Chris, Elioda or Sarah, one of them or more must be a hired “empty suit” as the three of them are put into ministerial position working for initially the same thing.

lukwago-musisi

It is just like the same mess with the KCCA where you have KCCA Executive Director of Jennifer Musisi. You have Frank Tumbewaze who is both Minister of the Presidency and Kampala Affairs. Then you have the third person who got a mandate the Presidential Advisor for Kampala affairs Mr. Singh Katongole what he does is surely only him and the Executive of Uganda who knows, since his appointment in December 2015 his silence must mean a envelope and letting Hon. Tumbewaze and Hon. Musisi does what they like. To make it more hectic you have the actual people’s elected through the ballot who supposed to run the Kampala Capital City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. So you have hon. Musisi, Hon. Tumbewazi, Hon. Katongole and Lord Mayor Lukwago. All of them are supposed to central people in the running of administration and regulate the divisions of Kampala politically and create policies that builds and secure the functions of KCCA. That must be hectic one of these men and woman must be a empty suit. Unless Hon. Katongole who I haven’t heard a word from since appointment is an ear-to-the ground and talking or addressing letters directly to the Executive or Head of State as his role has still not been served. As the accountability of the NRM-Regime is not strong they prefer keeping people in the dark.  Hon. Tumbewaze seems more to be the ones who was appointed to turn opposition Lord Mayor on his knees and therefore also gotten a permanent Executive Director in Musisi to shut down the elected person. But the end-game is that one of them must be an “Empty Suit” as the basic needs cannot be that big, and one of them is catching the brown envelopes without doing anything.

There are certainly more empty suits in the system as I started with the appointed men who is not educated for the position, but are there for the loyalty not because of the office is needed or there for a general purpose. That is the same as extra board-members in a corporation who is hired to vote for the general consensus in the board, but not to generate profits in some sense. They are there because the Corporation and LLC need useful idiots to be paid to follow the remarks of the stakeholders and shareholders, not the common-sense of their position.

Appointment of Nat. Gov. Spokesmen Kenya

We can all question the value of these leaders and honourable men-or-woman in a representative or appointed position by the President for instance. The level of credible men and woman and the need for expertise in the government organisations, into the department and the civic care from the road-development to the health care facilities need men and woman who knows the trade. As long the men does what is needed for the President or for the Stakeholders. The ones that lose are the ordinary person, employee or civil servants as they will either work under them or have to pay them tax-money to keep them. As they have to be paid an envelope to be the empty-dress. The person who is an empty dress doesn’t become that for free. Somebody has to be charge to keep him there. Most likely it is me or you. We can just ask ourselves. Who of the appointed leaders in government is an empty suit? Who in the corporate world are the extras?

Byandala

Lastly, why does the Minister Without Portfolio. Hon. Abraham Byandala gets away and is not questioned by the opposition or anybody else. Why is this man the free-man the invisible creature in the parliament that does not have scruples? This since this position is the epitome of a Empty Suit. He is a MINISTER, but does not have an OFFICE, Department or a MINISTRY to run. Hon. Byandala can do as he pleases and still get paid. You cannot check his ministry or running government portfolio as it is non-existence from the get-go. The Government Official without any oversight and anything to initial control or say in other words the official Minister of Nothing (MoN). Hon. Byandala is running the Ministry of Nothing. The Minister of Hot-Air and the checking the chapattis’ in parliament is fresh enough for Hon. Oulanyah’s taste.

Well, what do you think? Are the somebody you feels are an Empty suit? Somebody you question or wonder if really have anything more than pay-check from the Tax-Payers money, but does not use it’s office or even delivers anything. Then that person might be an empty suit who just nods the head to the Executive and the general leadership without exercising power or determine the future of the government institution, department or ministry. Even if the person is really doing anything in the boardroom or a needed voter for the stakeholders; if it is only the needed majority to follow procedure then the scheme need a check or reform.

River Okikolo FDC 13.01.2016

There will certainly be more stories and the existence of similar men and woman who can be described as “Empty Suits” and be stooges needed by any administration and corporations as they viciously need structure to control the citizens and the policies without questions from the inner-circle. Even if that means not procurement of needed medicines, fuel, transformers or building bridges to easier access the missing Okor Bridge in Kumi District: “This project was intended to connect Nyero and Mukongoro sub-counties in Kumi district” (MoFED, March 2015). A bridge that does not exist or is built by now so the sub-counties is not yet connect because of the altered situation and have to run long roads around the area than crossing straight over the river. So a project like this says there some empty suits as in 2009 as company was hired to build the river, by December 2012 the works by the river had stopped. Even if the departments to UNRA gave reports of progress of the project was last monitored in 2014 and by 2016 there not been done more to build the bridge since the monopoly of the Chinese Contractor have stifled the progression and in the end wasted government funds into a building a bridge who does not exist. Just like the Ministry of Nothing Hon. Byandala.

Think that is enough for today! Peace.

Reference:

Kiechel, Walter – ‘HOW TO SPOT AN EMPTY SUIT This breed of modern manager looks good and gets along splendidly with the brass. But is he contributing anything?’ (20.11.1989) link: http://archive.fortune.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1989/11/20/72761/index.htm

Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development – ‘NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FY 2015/16’ (March 2015).

Lukwago on Museveni-Councilors meet (Youtube-Clip)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ade11ajXOGY

“Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago speaks out on Museveni-Kampala Councilors meet at state house” (NBS TV Uganda, 2016).

Letter: “Re: Collection and Transportation of Solid Waste in Zone 2 Nakawa Division (20.04.2016)

KCCA 20.04.2016 Letter

Erias Lukwago statement after hectic day with the Police (19.04.2016)

Lukwago 19.04.2016

Statement from Erias Lukwago:

The notorious police van has just dumped me and Hon. Munyagwa Mubarak at my residence in Lubaga, and sped off with Dr. Besigye and Ingrid Turinawe still on board. We were bundled into the said van at Ntungamo police station where we had been detained after towing our vehicle at Butoberere and pulling us through the hilly areas of Rwamucuucu amidst a heavy downpour. Our vehicles were vandalised and teargas canisters hurled therein. Many thanks to the people of Ntungamo and Kabale for your unwavering support notwithstanding the excessive teargas and live bullets unleashed by the trigger happy police” (Lukwago, 19.04.2016).

Lukwago Bows to Pressure, Not Entering Office (Youtube-Clip)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VxcPRiDU2k

“Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has finally bowed down to pressure and accepted not to get into office until court finally resolves his issues. Lukwago was advised by the deputy chief justice to wait for the hearing of the Attorney General’s appeal against high court orders that reinstated him into office” (NBS TV Uganda, 2016).

Lord Mayor April 2016

Dr. Stella Nyanzi sacking and eviction letters; This is a obvious Political Motivated Sacking from Makerere

Stella Makerere Letter 2. 2016Stella Makerere Letter 1. 2016

My two cents: 

This can only happen, because she has showed loyalty to Dr. Kizza Besigye and been open on Social Media for his Presidential Candidature. She as a Doctor would have had the Posistion; if she was a Yellow NRM Party Member and also Stayed silent if she was a Opposition Member. So this here is a Political Move to prove that the Makerere University and the MISR. This can’t be because of lack of work or ethical modus operandi at the University. So this is just a pointless sacking with Political Substance.

The Racketeering has now wings into all organizations, all businesses, all poltical activity get chain-reactions and the ones that tries to defy Don Museveni. Apparently deserves a sacking. This also ends with an eviction from her home with her family. So the Dr. Stella Nyanzi lost her job and home because of her affiliation to FDC instead of NRM. Congratulation to Makerere University for proving that they are on the knees and bending their hands to get more into their pockets from the racket of the NRM. Peace.

The Lord Mayor Lukwago of Kampala has to fight for his position and the KCCA tries to override the Voter’s again!

“VIDEO: The Kampala Mayor elect Erias Lukwago who was meant to take office today stormed the Deputy Chief Justice’s office today. Find out why” (NBS TV Uganda, 2016)

Lord Mayor Kampala 13.04. P1

Erias Lukwago Statement today on the Matter: 

Addressing the press at my home earlier in the day. I reject in totality any suggestion, whether made in good faith or not, that I should halt all the arrangements for resuming my duties at City Hall until I have subscribed to a new oath in May. I need not labour so much to explain the current legal status, for it’s known by all and sundry that the purported impeachment was declared null and void by Justice Lydia Mugambe on 28th March 2014. The Attorney General never appealed against the said decision and, consequently, the interim order of stay of execution issued by Justice Kavuma lapsed upon expiry of the 21 days from 1st April 2014. Following the Solicitor General’s warped opinion that the 21 days were frozen by the Supreme Court direction of 21st August 2014, we elected to seek for a clarification and guidance from Justice Kavuma, and the Registrar, Court of Appeal, H.W Nizeimana Deo assured us that they will issue a statement on the matter before close of business today. As law abiding citizens, we have opted to patiently wait for the same before taking any other step. I will furnish you with all the developments as they emerge, and will give you details tonight on 88.8 CBS fm from 8.00pm. For God and My Country.

My statement: This is it for Now. History repeats itself and Jennifer Musisi enjoys the KCCA offices while trying to impress Mzee. Peace.

PS: Did she forget this – I think she doesn’t care about the voters of Kampala. Just like the spotlight on herself.

Irony Musisi

Letter to KCCA Executive Director Musisi: ED/KCCA/007/01 – “Legal Status of the Lord Mayor Kampala Capital City” (13.04.2016)

Lord Mayor Kampala 13.04. P1Lord Mayor Kampala 13.04. P2jpg

Muhammed Ssegirinya was arrested yesterday for “Unlawful Assembly” that for visiting Mulago yesterday; seem likes representatives are not allowed to access their constiuencies, unless they are approved by Mzee

Muhammed Ssegirinya Bond Paper 12.04

So this proves there is illegal for a elected chairperson of Kampala to access the state of government facilities in his constituencies. That is just insane and stupid. But the arrogance and ignorance of the NRM Regime cannot be stated as the relics of foolishness towards the Opposition never stops. This here is one case, that it was an “Unlawful Assembly” for walking and taking a peep at the situtation of Mulago Hospital Complex and the Uganda Cancer Institute. That the Politicians are doing something unlawful by showing up at Government facilities proves the vast foolishness of the ruling party and their use of the Police to harrass the Opposition leaders and Opposition members.

An explaination how this should go: 

He (Muhammed Ssegirinya) we’re arrested for nothing and detained for nothing, and will now have to answer for nothing. So the adjurned case should amount to nothing. But at the state of affairs it might end in “something” as they have planted a mustard seed of ignorance and a seed of Police State; that ends up with detaining and jailing people for trying to work for the peopel and the ones they represent while paying for do. The payment is going to court and answer for nothing. Also he would not have problem if he was associated or a made-man by the Don of the country, H.E. Museveni. Peace. 

Local Councillor elect of Kawempe, Muhammed Ssegirinya arrested while trying to check the state of Cancer Ward at Mulago Hospital earlier today!

Mulago NBS 11.04

We are living in strange days there is a crime trying to understand the situation of where you are elected to be civil representative. A representative of people is supposed to as ignorant as Hon. Ofwono Opondo. Then you are okay in the state of Uganda. As the local Councilor of Kawempe was not allowed to enter the Uganda Cancer Institute at the Mulago Hospital Complex as the Daily Monitor confesses about it today!

The Arrest of Local Councilor of Kawempe:

“Mr Muhammed Ssegirinya (in red tie), the Lord Councillor elect Kawempe III trying to resist police from arresting him today at the gate which is the entrance to the cancer ward in Mulago. Mr Ssegirinya together with others tried to force themselves into the cancer ward where they wanted to have a look at the cancer machine that was bought by the government following the breakage of the old one. Mr Ssegirinya at first wanted to solicit for money from the public so as to purchase a new cancer machine but was told that government had bought one. In the process of entering the hospital, he was arrested by anti-riot police on instructions of Wandegeya police DPC Brian Ampaire” (Daily Monitor, 11.04.2016).

Muhammed Ssegirinya Poster

This here is a sorry state, it is the Abim Hospital and the Police Force standing by each hospital where the FDC Campaign Convoy was passing by and where the Amama Mbabazi was around in the country; as they we’re not allowed to the discuss the state of affairs.

The arrest of Muhammed Ssegirinya for trying to look at the situation and get witness reports to bring to council and give memo to fellow politicians about the Cancer Ward at Mulago Hospital Complex, should be brought into question. Why should the Anti-Riot Police intercept him for being around Mulago and what crime is it for a councilman to actually look at the governments facilities to secure funding and see the works of government, which he actually represent. Don Museveni is hand-ons and sends his made-man DPC Amapaire to get rid of opposition who is playing in his playground. Only him as a politician or gangster can arrive there and make sure that he facilitates it.

As there we’re reports earlier this month:

“Early last week, President Museveni quietly visited Mulago on Tuesday and Naguru referral hospitals on Wednesday morning. Unannounced and without his usual large security detail, the president visited the hospitals, talked to shocked patients and caused panic among the health officials whom he found in their customary lazing mode” (Kagingo, Sarah, 04.04.2016).

So the Don, the Kingpin can walk everywhere as he pleases; the ones that are not made or associates can be detained or silenced as his wish. That is because Don Museveni is the ruler, the man and the regent of the NRM Mafia can do as he pleases, while the other ones have to kiss the ring to gain access and ability to represent the people. In Uganda you represent first the Don, then the people. Peace.