Opinion: A never ending story called the Northern Bypass…

This is becoming a never ending story. Where the state, all the various ministries, state owned organizations and whoever gotten the tender has been able to finish the project of 21 kilometres or 23 kilometres. Since on that one this project even differs.

What we do know is that this have been in the courts over battle over payment for land. It has been postponed and stopped, because the company doing the work has been shoddy. There been plenty of controversy and not all good news. That is why these kilometres has taken so long to build and still isn’t finished.

It is really amazing how this continues and it seems that this will be prolonged even longer. Because, we know what season its getting into. Election season and then all sorts of budgets and campaigns whacks out everything else. Even if this one is now scheduled to be done by 2021. But we know how flexible the end-dates are. So don’t be confused if it is still unfinished in 2023 or 2025. Because this project that was launched in 2004 seems to be alive and kicking a little bit longer.

New Vision 2008:

“THE public is still awaiting the opening of the 21km Kampala Northern Bypass. The project was launched on May 20, 2004 and was to last 30 months, ending on November 19, 2006. It was later extended by 10 months to September 2007. This was later to change to March this year, which deadline was also not met. This delay is causing public concern. Apart from reports of extortion by the guards who allow motorists to use the road illegally, accidents are beginning to happen” (Chris Kiwawulo – ‘Will the Northern Bypass ever be completed?’ 25.04.2008).

JICA Report in 2010:

“The recent cooperation of the EU for the GKMA urban road sector is as follows:

• Kampala Northern Bypass: €47.5 million, Construction of 21 km bypass to relieve congestion in Kampala City (completed and opened to the public in October 2009).

• Technical Assistance to RAFU/UNRA: €2.0 million (on-going)” (JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY (JICA) – ‘THE STUDY ON GREATER KAMPALA ROAD NETWORK AND TRANSPORT IMPROVEMENT IN THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA –

FINAL REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – NOVEMBER 2010).

CSBAG Paper 2018:

“For example,the works on Kampala Northern Bypass registered a cumulative progress by end of June 2017 of 46.7% against the programmed 97.95%. The elapsed time was 98.81% based on the Original Program of Works. The major issues affecting progress is delayed site access, Design issues and Relocation of services” (…) “ Kampala Northern Bypass highlighted as a project to be concluded in FY 2018/19. This is not feasible as none of the six roundabouts which have sizable infrastructural and structural undertakings has been commenced on” (CSBAG – ‘CSO POSITION PAPER ON THE WORKS AND TRANSPORTSECTOR BUDGET FY2018/19’ 12.04.2018).

Article October 2019:

“The upgrade of the Kampala Northern by pass into a four-lane high way started back in 2014 with the completion date set for November 2018. However, the date has been pushed to 2021 due to a couple of challenges hindering the project which include; changes on the original design and compensation of the affected people. Mr. Allan Ssempebwa, UNRA’s media manager last month said that the works stood at 60% and mentioned that the interchanges at Sentema and Namungoona will be handed over to the government by the end of this year” (Patrick Mulyungi – ‘Uganda to launch three new footbridges on Kampala Northern Bypass’ 02.10.2019).

So, we are seeing the stages of building is either not done or postponed. This is all done by various of reasons. The Kampala Northern Bypass are really a long prolonged project that seemingly seems never to end. Even the government own paper wondered about that 11 years ago and we have to wait another two years. But knowing how this ones goes. Don’t expect the state to follow its timeline.

What I wondering about, how proud is the European Union for supporting the project and the longevity of this. There should be questions from the ones who has funded it and why it takes so long. Since, they are accepting it and surely gotten the explanations. Because, we who follows haven’t really.

There are lame duck excuses with the land and the state paying the ones living there. Where the state has to pay for the hurt of building a road on private land. If they planned this and commenced this in 2004. By the time of 2019, the state should have been able to settle this and know the route of the road. However, they are showing lack of due diligence and putting the work in.

Because, the Northern Bypass should have been done by now. That isn’t rocket-science. This is made like this since people are eating of this project. Not like it should take this long to finish a 21/23 kilometres long tarmacked road around Kampala. But apparently it does. Peace.

Opinion: Too many cooks in Kampala…

The political landscape and the appointed leadership of Kampala is hectic. That is too be very frank. As someone who has seen this evolve over time. The amount leaders are staggering. Both with leaders in Wards, Divisions and district mayors combined with the City Hall. However, there is also the Kampala Capital City Authority too. So, there are so many heads and so little fish to fry.

Now, today there is reports from NBS Television about this:

“President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially appointed local Artiste Catherine Kusasira as presidential advisor on Kampala Affairs. Under this role, Catherine Kusasira will be charge of coordinating the young NRM recruits in the slum dwellings. Another local artist Mark Bugembe known by his stage name Buchaman was considered for the position of presidential envoy on Ghetto affairs” (NBS Television, 26.10.2019).

All of this is happening because of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and his support by youths and ghettos in- and around Kampala. However, doesn’t the President know how many people he have around him involved in the political landscape in the capital already?

First start with KCCA Executive Director Jamil Ssenyonjo, his just been there since January 2019. So, in the span of things his still fresh. You have also Ministry of Kampala and the State Minister Beti Kamya. Than, you have the elected Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and lastly by not least, Presidential Advisor for Kampala Singh Katangole. Not to forget the seven MPs representing the city at the Parliament too. Therefore, there is not a lack of cooks, but maybe lack of prep to make it fine-dining.

Since, now the President is adding a sixth and possible seventh avenue of leadership and roles attached to Kampala. This being the Presidential Advisor on Kampala Affairs, Cathrine Kusasira. By my count, which might be off, she would be the 164 Presidential Advisor, the President has appointed and if Bugembe gets appointed it would be 165 of them. But that is just the tally at the State House.

What is more vital is that Kampala will have at least one more person in the central leadership keeping posted and involving itself in direct operations. That is what the Kusasira will most likely do. In whatever capacity and together with Ssenyonjo and Kamya, even pop-by Lukwago.

One dude that should be hurt by this is Katangole, who has maybe to young starlets taking his spot. They are watering down his efforts or whatever his doing at his day-job. Because, they will fight with him and stand-by the President as newly appointed leaders. Surely, that must hurt the old man and his cause. Whatever that might be, because its not like Mr. Katangole has made anything relevant for months.

What we do see, is that the President prepares for 2021 and acts swiftly with appointing people like this. If Bobi Wine was a fisherman, he would have fetched one them fisherman at Lake Victoria. However, his an artist and therefore, the remedy is another artist.

Well, he must really think the idle and disorderly of Kampala is ignorant and stupid. When he thinks this trick will change their minds about his rule. This isn’t the way, because they are tired of his ways. Putting Bebe Cool at a Ministry wouldn’t make a difference either. Only show how his trying populism and thinking he can counter the uprising with decoys. But that is what this looks like.

This is just another crony and another cook in the midst of things in Kampala. Oh Golly, let see how this goes. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee suspends the use of Penal Code Section 167, but his not repealing it or amending the law!

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni have ordered the Police Force to stop arresting people for being “idle and disorderly” and also release them. Especially, the ones taken in by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) enforcement. The President want their prosecution discontinued and also stop arresting illegal traders there.

This is clearly a mission from the President who orders this, but if the Republic is supposed to be a land of law and order. Than, the President should get some of his minions to repeal one of his colonial laws, which he has kept and used when in need. Now, his saying the Police Force should stop using it. I will first show, the Penal Code part, which is used and a little history behind why its there today.

The Penal Code Section 167. says:

“Idle and disorderly persons.

Any person who—

(a) being a prostitute, behaves in a disorderly or indecent manner in any public place;

(b) wanders or places himself or herself in any public place to beg or gather alms, or causes or procures or encourages any child to do so;

(c) plays at any game of chance for money or money’s worth in any public place;

(d) publicly conducts himself or herself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace;

(e) without lawful excuse, publicly does any indecent act;

(f) in any public place solicits or loiters for immoral purposes;

(g) wanders about and endeavours by the exposure of wounds or deformation to obtain or gather alms” (Penal Code Act of 1950).

Short history of the Penal Code:

“As such the Africa Order in Council, 1889 was applied to it. Under this Order in Council, statutes of general application in Britain at the time applied to Uganda. One of these was the ‘Idle and disorderly’ Act, 1824. In 1902, the Uganda Order in Council gave powers to the Governor to make laws that apply to the protectorate. The governor passed the Applied Indian Acts Ordinance in 1907, which made the law applicable to India at the time applicable to Uganda. Thus Uganda started using the Indian Penal Code, 1860 until 1930 when the Uganda Penal Code Ordinance was introduced. The Indian Penal Code did not criminalise idle and disorderly conduct or being rogue and vagabond. Similarly, the 1930 Penal Code Ordinance did not criminalise being ‘idle and disorderly’. The criminalisation of both ‘idle and disorderly’ and ‘rogue and vagabond’ was introduced under the 1950 Penal Code, which is still the Penal Code Act in force today, now designated as the Penal Code Act, Chapter 120 of the Laws of Uganda, 2000” (HRAF – ‘ THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE ENFORCEMENT OF‘IDLE AND DISORDERLY’ LAWS ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF MARGINALISED GROUPS IN UGANDAP: 23, 2016).

So, now, the President is now suspending the arrests of the idle traders and other people taken by the section of society, which the KCCA and Police Force deems them as “idle and disorderly”. This is part of the Penal Code, which has been historically used by the state to restrictive laws of society control. However, the state has kept it, because its a useful tool by the state.

Now, the President suspend it and stops the Police from using it. However, the law is still enforced, unless the National Resistance Movement or some MPs are amending it or repealing this law. Therefore, the act of the President today with ordering the UPF to suspend doing it. Can only be seen as a temporary suspension or even a PR stunt. Because, the law is still enforced. The law is still active.

This means, the state can still use the law, even if the President has sent a circular and order from above. The law is still there and looking at the public. The Colonial heritage is still there and the usage of it is still common practice. Just wait to the campaign season and general election in 2021, the state will use the Penal Codes like no tomorrow. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: Curcular – Sub: Arresting People for the Crime of “Idle and Disorderly” (01.10.2019)

Opinion: No-One throws people under the bus like Museveni! [Example: Musisi]

“I paid Musisi a lot of money to clean up Kampala but she didn’t, But that is a simple sin. I can repent it and and withdraw all those salaries of the City Council so that we fix your salaries (teachers)” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Jennifer Musisi on the 26^th May 2019

Well, again the double standard and the usage of person is only when they are serving President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. However, when you have left him or betrayed him, your totally useless and your record or even achievements matter. Because, then he will say whatever that makes him look good. That is who the Executive, the head of state is.

Today’s example is how, one year later does to a person. That the former Kampala Capital City Authority Chairman Jennifer Musisi has gone from being a HERO to a ZERO. She has gone from being Kampala’s Wonder Woman to a useless prick. She went from having Midas touch to be used condom like she suddenly today.

In October 2018, the President said the same about her:

“You all can see what Jennifer Musisi has achieved in a short time. We need about 2,000 Musisis to lead the ministries, districts and sub-counties in the war against corruption” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Musisi

Surely, she was more valuable, while she was stepping down, but now that she is far away and not serving the President. She is a useless, a previously expensive commodity, who didn’t serve him properly. Because, its her fault now, the UNATU and teachers couldn’t get a bump in their salaries. Which all know is nonsense. Because, if the government would, they would have raised it by the budget. Just like they have raised their allowances and privileges as MPs. This they have been capable off and if they cared about the teachers, they could have voted for bigger raise for them during the budget votes. However, they don’t and doesn’t care about that.

This is why the President is complaining and throwing Musisi under the bus, when she is not there. As she has left after serving Kampala for 7 years from 2011 to 2018. Musisi is now at fault, while at office and still an appointed figure. She was valuable and a wanted asset.

That is showing the usage of a person in the eyes of the President. While in OFFICE they are valuable and even STARS. However, when they leave office, they DIM and DISPOSABLE. Even just pure trash, whose was a TOTAL FAILURE. Which is very special and shows that it doesn’t matter how you perform for the President. At the point you leave, your will be reason for someone’s misfortune, because the President should have picked better people, instead of you. This is what we can learn from today. Peace.

Kamya kicked out of her own party: Given up federo for Bosco!

There is a joke here somewhere, certainly there is, as the former reform agenda and founding member of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). After that, the founder of her own party and own agenda, the now Minister of Kampala, Beti Kamya has been kicked out of her own party. As she has shown to much loyalty to the party and President that appointed her.

This is really funny and tragic, not that the Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA) ever has had any significant impact, other than being an avenue for Kamya to have a voice and call herself the President of something. Not that she has had a big voice, as she even struggled to become a MP in the Rubaga North, which she even lost in 2016 and still was pronounced the winner. That is because of her sudden loyalty to the President. Who later appointed her to a Ministry.

That is why the news of her down-fall in her own party wasn’t shocking, but more fun actually. Which I will explain more after the news.

“BETI KAMYA CHASED OUT OF HER OWN PARTY!

Minister for Kampala, Beti Olive Namisango Kamya has been kicked out of Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA), the party she started in 2009! According to the members of UFA, Beti Kamya betrayed them when she joined the ruling government in 2016! According to the UFA Spokesperson, Baker Byayi Ssenyonga, Beti Kamya was given enough time to change her decision and go back to the party but has failed! Hon. Beti Kamya is yet to say anything because she’s currently in Kyankwanzi for the NRM retreat!” (87.7 BABA FM, 16.03.2019).

Kamya has been arrogant, been bitter and been a busy body within the Cabinet. Trying to show her worth and really doing whatever she could to be relevant and also loyal to the President. But that comes with the job. When you have been appointed by the President and comes from another party. You need to go overboard and show your value. Because, the President has to see your intent. That is why she has counter the will of the KCCA and the City Hall. That is just what she has done.

Kamya is really a victim of her own work. She has ditched her own party of ten years, she knows it is a mess, a structure built on her own personal ambition and being a vessel for her career. That it has been, as it was supposed to also work for the federo and federalism in the Republic. This has been shattered, as she turned a yellow fellow, whose mellow jell-o, who sucks at playing cello.

However, lets get serious a minute, she was so unpopular, she had to get the credits and mercy to become a MP, who happen to get a Ministry, because the President wanted to assault the Opposition. She has been a tool of that and a massive suck-up the President. Into levels of ridiculous. Into a manner, where even Opondo, Mwenda or anyone else of the praising brigade cannot follow. Kamya, looks like a fool, as she couldn’t even follow protocol or even build her own party. Why do I say that? Well, her attacks on Besigye and Bobi Wine. She should not attack them for building things as opposition in the Republic. She couldn’t even manage to stay loyal to her first Reform Agenda, neither stay in the FDC, couldn’t even say in the UFA and now is loyal suddenly to the NRM. It is so rich.

That is why Kamya, should go off her high horse. Surely the power, the prestige and the office makes her feel untouchable, as long as the President see a use of her. However, the day she isn’t valuable. The President will drop her, she is soon a party member, a NRM MP and another person in the patronage and official cronies of the President. That is because, she couldn’t even build her own party and be loyal to it. She didn’t even believe in the cause and the political agenda of her own party. Where she was initially running the show. Still, that wasn’t enough.

Dear Beti Kamya, hope you enjoy your minutes in power, your place in the corridors of the President and the ability of being a useful minion of the president. Because, the day when that ships ends. You will not have anywhere to turn. Not even to the UFA, as all the other bridges have been burnt or destroyed by your lack of will or your own empty ambition. This just show your an empty vessel ready to get used. Kudos. Do you, but don’t expect a handout, when the NRM and Museveni era is over. Peace.

Kampala is a political mess: That is not Musisi’s fault!

That the political map and the organization in and around Kampala is frustrating. Is because there is first the Kampala Capital City Authority, who is a legal administration and Executive Director Jennifer Musisi. The Second there is the elected City Hall with the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and the Divisions and Wards. Thirdly is the Ministry of Kampala and the State Minister Beti Kamya. Fourthly is the Members of Parliament representing the Capital City itself and the fifth the Presidential Advisor for Kampala Singh Katangole. Plus you have the added interference of the State House and the President, who micro-manage everywhere and especially in the Capital.

When you see this and the stages, you knew Jennifer Musisi had a hard job. Surely it was easier when she and the Minister Frank Tumwebaze impeached the Lord Mayor in 2013. So, they settled the score and one less item to pass through. Because you don’t need to be a wise-guy to understand there are to many cooks and to many procedures to do anything in Kampala.

You don’t only has the elected from the Wards to the Lord Mayor, the ones elected in Parliament with their reasons and wants of change. The KCCA has their jurisdiction, the City Hall has their, the Ministry orders people around and the Presidential advisor says whatever he says to the President, who suddenly intervenes as well. That is why I have always been worried about Kampala.

The hierarchy and the political landmines are everywhere. There are no leeway, as the monitoring and the checks and balances comes into question. The KCCA answers to the Ministry and orders the City Hall. The City Hall is ordered by both the KCCA and Ministry, while the City Hall is trying to have a saying in the KCCA and the Ministry, without getting anywhere. As they are both acting as the City Hall is a symbolic enterprise. Instead of having elected leadership to make changes, the President has appointed the KCCA and the Ministry to try to evaporate the City Hall. To some extent they have managed that.

We know that even the Division Mayors have wondered what their tasks are, as they have little or less to do. As well, as the Lord Mayor are feeling override by the KCCA. The KCCA was established to counter the opposition and get in their way. Combined with the Ministry of Kampala, they are never giving space and when the State House orders the Minister. The whole chaos are happening. Like the kicking out of vendors from Owino Park Yard. This was done by the will of State House on decree by the Minister and met with hostile reception from the Lord Mayor. This is a sign of a messed up system and not of building a better Kampala.

There are too many cooks and for a reason. The President wanted to ensure the value of the elected leadership get as low as possible, while his loyal minions will overcome them. That is seemingly working, but must be tiring and Musisi gave up battling with the Ministry, State House and City Hall. That is unforgiving job, but she carried it and did what the President wanted her to do. The only thing she didn’t manage was to usher Ragga Dee in as Lord Mayor. Peace.

KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi Resignation Letter to President Museveni (15.10.2018)

Opinion: It is Bosco’s own business deals that is the reason for the sorry state of Owino Market!

“The way to wealth is as plain as the way to market. It depends chiefly on two words, industry and frugality: that is, waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both. Without industry and frugality nothing will do, and with them everything.” – Benjamin Franklin

You can go back to 2013, when Ham Enterprises pitched the Nakivubo Stadium to takeover for the vendors at Owino Market or the Park Yard. Therefore, the actions of President Yoweri Kaguta Musveni calling out people is outrageous. As Bosco is forgetting his own business-deals and agreements that directly interfered with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and City Hall. All of these had to comply, as the buy-outs of the vendors and the lack of possible movements, the building of the Stadium has made issues since 2013 and boiled over in 2017. When the KCCA and the Ministry of Kampala Beti Kamya issued an order to throw them out.

That is why the sorry state of the area. This should be knowledge for the micro-managing President. However, he acts like it as a blank slate and he has no involvement, when the agreement between Ham Enterprises and the state, happen at the State House and he was signing the documents, ordering the Ministry, KCCA and take it out of the hands of the City Hall. So, it is really insincere what he was saying yesterday.

“The government is working out modalities of retrieving these market titles from the rich and hand ownership back to vendors. Kampala Capital City Authority will help oversee management of these markets. Whereas I commend traders in Owino and Nakasero markets for working hard to create wealth through their Saccos and responding to our NRM call, I am unimpressed by the poor state of the Old Taxi Park. I am told this is partly due to the leadership wrangles among the taxi park stakeholders facilitated by opposition leaders in the city. Stop electing selfish leaders who only care about their salaries. However, we shall fix this matter” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 05.10.2018).

That we can really see, thanks to all the propaganda and the pictures of yesterday, that the 2013 deal and changes of the Park Yard haven’t finished yet. As the President was most likely there to check his investments and his trade-offs. That is why he was bothered of the slow progress, as the planned stadium are still not done and there has gone 5 years. This is one year after the market and vendors was moved by decree of the appointed Minister Kamya.

The President is mad that Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago is a selfish leader, when in general, the deals done in Kampala and Owino is his. Meaning the President is selfish, not Lukwago who has fought for the vendors. That is the ironies, but also the reality. That is why the 32 years and going Executive, is forgetting his privilege and use of power. Ham Enterprise is surely working, but slowly, the stadium is in the building process and surely why he visited and complained, as he expected it to be done yesterday. So his investment could grow proper yields, like his farms. However, that is not how it works with urban development, especially when you need spaces for malls and other vendors, who was kicked out.

Would he ever fix their issues, the bad loans in the DFCU bank, which the vendors had in 2017? No, he wouldn’t care or carry them as their livelihood is at stake? But that isn’t the cup of tea that this President carries. Peace.

Makerere University Professor Nawangwe letter to Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago: “Re: Unacceptable Conduct of KCCA representative to Makerere University Council” (28.09.2018)