KCCA Press Statement on the cancellation of Kampala City Festival (12.09.2018)

Hon. Beti Kamya is a bit bitter, much?

“What else do you expect from the mouth of Betty Kamya, she knows that her career as a politician in Uganda without President Museveni is as short as her eyebrows” – Tamale Mirundi

Today, Beti Kamya the State Minister for Kampala, who was appointed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in June 2016. Wouldn’t have a political career worth thinking about. If she wasn’t appointed by him and that she let her succeed Frank Tumwebaze in this role. Therefore, she is now playing one of the main antagonizer against the Forum for Democratic Change, but to understand all of this. Will show a little of her political history after showing the disregard she has for the party today. This is from the woman who at one point asked if Museveni had heart, to years later saying he was wiser than his whole cabinet. So if you want to know someone who tries to finesse herself politically, she is one of them.

Kamya today:

““What is happening in FDC is very good for Uganda for many reasons, because it teaches us about real life politics in Uganda,” Kamya said. She said it is hypocritical for some FDC leaders to criticise NRM yet they are worse. “I am one of the persons who have faced the party’s wrath when the party’s constitution was changed during the nomination day, so what Winnie Kiiza is talking about has not started today but way back when the party has just started,” she said” (Esther Namutamba -’ Beti Kamya “happy” that FDC is in turmoil, says party has tasted its bitter medicine’ 07.08.2018 link: http://nilepost.co.ug/2018/08/07/beti-kamya-happy-that-fdc-is-in-turmoil-says-party-has-tasted-its-bitter-medicine/).

(1)Failed in Reform Agenda and needed FDC:

“Ms Kamya had argued that the criterion used by the FDC leadership to select the national chairman contravened the party constitution and showed discrimination against the Baganda, her tribe, within the party. She lost her post as minister of agriculture in the FDC shadow cabinet. Ms Kamya did exceptionally well in the 2006 elections, polling more than double the number of votes of her nearest contender, Mr Kayongo Tom (NRM). But will Ms Kamya poll so well without FDC support? Rubaga North has in the last two presidential elections consistently voted for Dr Kizza Besigye, who received 51.3 per cent of the votes in 2001 as head of the transient Reform Agenda and 55.1 per cent in 2001 as FDC flag bearer. She failed in her 2001 attempt to enter Parliament as a representative with the Reform Agenda. Some FDC officials say Ms Kamya’s victories in the constituency are because of her association with the party” (Katherine Haywood and Flavia Nalubega – ‘Rubaga North seat: Kamya abandons FDC’ 14.01.2010 link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/688342-842382-otd4lxz/index.html).

(2) Before 2016:

“They reportedly told her to admit that she miscalculated when she took the decision to contest for the highest office and asked her not to waste time again. Ms Kamya was a contestant in the 2011 Ugandan presidential elections. However, Ms Kamya, who accepted to contest for Parliament next year, is said to have told her supporters that she participated in the 2011 elections not to win but to launch the federal ideology outside Buganda; she calls it ‘Ugandanisation’ of federo. Apparently, Ms Kamya’s return has taken current Rubaga North MP Moses Kasibante by surprise since he thought the former FDC strong lady would contest for presidency again” (Daily Monitor – ‘Kasibante on tension over Beti Kamya’s return’ 27.01.2015 link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasibante-on-tension-over-Beti-Kamya-s-return/688334-2603590-nk1s8uz/index.html).

(2)After 2016 elections:

“Rubaga North Member of Parliament Moses Kasibante has retained his seat after successfully protesting what he called manipulation of the original results recorded at the polling stations. Kasibante garnered 17,802 votes representing 34% of the total votes cast. His immediate rival, former area MP Beti Kamya got 16,664 votes which is 32% of the vote. Kamya, the Uganda Federal Alliance party president, had been provisionally announced as winner yesterday forcing Kasibante to protest. Kasibante and his team queried the results which were being tallied alleging that the number of votes had been manipulated to favour Kamya” (Beatrice Nyangoma – ‘Kasibante Retains Rubaga North Seat’ 20.02.2016 link: https://ugandaradionetwork.com/story/kasibante-successfully-protests-election-irregularities-retains-lubaga-north-mp-seat).

As we see, she should be little more humble on her place, as she has her sponsor and only has a political life because of Museveni. Therefore, her throwing shade is a bit bitter. We can see that it didn’t work out in the Reform Agenda, but when she joined the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in 2006, she got enough votes to become a Member of Parliament because of the support of the party. From there she went to another party and founded Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA), where she ran for President in 2011. Where she got 52,782 votes and just a 1000 more votes, than Abed Bwanika; shows how little her reach was. However, she tried to run on the UFA platform for 2016 MP in Rubaga North, than against incumbent Moses Kasibante, the Erias Lukwago affiliate and Independent Candidate in the Rugaba Division. Therefore, she lost and wasn’t even in Parliament for the second time.

She wouldn’t have been in Parliament and in the Cabinet if it wasn’t for Museveni. When she had the support of the FDC, she won a seat in 2006 to 2011. However, by that time she gotten disgruntled, as she tried to go through the ranks, but the party didn’t deliver to her fast enough. Lost internal-party elections and didn’t get positions. That is why as the one in it to finesse it, she had to start her own and did so. However, that didn’t work well. She is now promising big wins in the opposition stronghold. Maybe, if she was sincere and knew the reality, she knows these are lies. But that helps her cause, which is serving Museveni.

And with her hypocrisy the Rugaba Division in Kampala, should know how she has changed. From being a full-blown Museveni critic, to become her vocal supporter. Going from Reform Agenda, supported and parts of FDC into UFA where it all failed and now appointed by the NRM. However, still being bitter that the Independent Kasibante, Lukwago affiliate can win over her in the polls. She has clearly a missed message and lack of real message. That is why she is mad at the FDC. Because, she haven’t had a real elected positions since she was in the FDC.

Kamya need to work on herself. Unless, she wants to be crony and loyalists for a cause, which is on rotten cause by the dictator. Where she has no way after the fall and where she will struggle to find shelter after Museveni is gone. Because everyone knows what she is and how little real she is. Peace.

KCCA: Management of Wandegeya Market (19.06.2018)

My letter to Janet Museveni: Stop mocking the parents whose living in poverty!

Dear Janet Museveni!

I am writing to you again, because of your statements to the Ugandan parents who isn’t apparently feeding their kids. Because this is epidemic and systemic default from your mans long-term government and his lack of integrity and also lack of building resilient institutions. Because all has to go through your husband, Yoweri. Therefore, he can write a letter and reappoint people your firing. Since he is the head, not only of the household, but also the Republic.

However, that is knowledge you already knew, Janet. That is why this is insulting, what you said in a Press Briefing today:

““It tells us something about selfishness that there are fathers who use Shs1000 for alcohol every day and mothers who spend money doing their hair and working on their nails but cannot buy containers to pack food for their children,” Ms Museveni said” (Daily Monitor – ‘Parents must feed their children or face the law, says Janet Museveni’ 02.06.2018 link:http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Parents-must-feed-their-children-face-the-law-Janet-Museveni/688334-4592282-4dh2vaz/index.html )

I find it selfish of you to single people out and to put everyone in one bracket. When you know the state of the budget, the misuse of government funds, the lack of funds for salaries for civil servants and teachers. The own ministry your running is controlling dozens upon dozens of depleted schools and lack of accountability. Therefore, you should be careful addressing others. When your not the perfect princess you want to be.

Janet, it is the government fault, that there are lack of jobs, lack of opportunities for the graduates from college and university and all the other compromised situations that your government is in control off. You should fix government, before blaming the poor for lack structure and lack of giving way. This belittling the poor, because you have the State House and all the riches of the world. Your entitled to be queen, while others struggle from hand to mouth. Not like the ones who are poor is deciding they don’t want to give food to their kids. But they have no option, because of the systems your government put in place or didn’t care about. Your reckless behavior, your vultures and your thieves are the reason for this poverty.

You Janet and the whole royal cabinet. Should look into yourselves, all your activities and all your policies, all the transactions and all the unaccountable funds and ask yourself. Did you do enough? Did you? Did you really do enough?

“The earlier preliminary report released last September had showed there was an increase in poverty levels from 19.7 per cent to 27.7 per cent. The current figure now puts the total number of poor Ugandans who cannot afford three meals a day to eight million” (MARTIN LUTHER OKETCH – ‘Poverty level increases to 21.4 per cent, says UBOS’ 18.01.2018 link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Poverty-level-increases-per-cent-UBOS/688334-4268774-format-xhtml-ubneas/index.html).

When one your watch there is 8 million Ugandans who cannot afford three meals a day, that is your fault and your mistake. That isn’t only the parents. Some parents are bad and do bad with the money. But I doubt that 8 million are drinking, getting boozed up beyond intelligence and getting pedicure. Lets that be clear. Unless, the NRM has configured the stats on that too.

This is disgraceful, that you did this and mocked this people. Instead of figuring out ways of making it better for 8 million Ugandans. You are lecturing them and blaming them, calling them alcoholics and wasting money on luxurious items. That is by the way rich coming from you, as your administration is overspending on the State House and on your family. The wealth and the funds which is around the President is enormous and vast.

Mrs. Janet, there are so much you can do with your power and influence, but you have decided not to care. Your acting as a lecturer, but your actions are lacking any moral substance. If you did care and if your husband cared. There wouldn’t be 8 million in poverty and lacking three meals a day in the Republic. Your family and your husband has had three decades to fix this. Apparently, you haven’t tried.

8 millions are not alcoholics. That is impossible.

Step your game up. Act within reason and be rational. Not demean them, because your responsible, not only for the Ministry of Education and Sports, but for what your bed-mate is doing too.

Best Regards

Writer of MinBane

Opinion: What did Janet do?

I wonder, as I read today that Janet Museveni, the Minister for Education and Sports was honoured with the dutiful award from the Buganda Leaders Caucus? I wonder at what rate and has she done?

Other than pissing off Stella Nyanzi, not being able to mediate in the sex-for-marks saga at Makerere, neither being there when the students was protesting the added fees. Neither being vocal when the husband was saying that public schools and the Universal Primary Education was crap. Still, with all of that in mind, the BLC still saw it fit to give her the honour. I think the name and her ties to the President is more important, than her actual achievements. Because, there is little or mediocre performance, also thin-skinned person who expected to be praised. Just like the BLC have done now.

If the minister was serious, why isn’t there any follow-up on the promises of building stadiums and others. Like the Gold Medalists and the Olympic winners are supposed to get patronage and salaries by the state, because of the glory they have done on behalf of the state. But, nah, that is just wishful thinking and lack of allocations.

To give her an award is nonsense, it is because of patronage, not because of her services, that is lie. A giant lie, the big giant elephant in the room and it is farting all over the place. We all know that and to say otherwise is to be foolish. We know and they know.

Janet Museveni the best Minister in the Cabinet? Really? Not because of her relation and her ties to the President. Get out of here. What real impact has she done? Other than telling parents to pack the kids with good food before going to school and secure the roads for the kids? What has she done that is profound and significant?

Because there aren’t really any impact or change, the lack of transparency and accountability is clear, as Up-Country the schools are depleted and falling apart. Even a little wind and the walls would shake, the lack of planning and resources are staggering, the lack of salaries and double-jobs for teachers are a huge problem. So to give her the award by the BLC is proper nonsense and waste of time.

Therefore, I will not write anymore, I don’t care about the leopards anus or his wife, but she doesn’t deserve this award. She don’t, not that the bar is high in the NRM government, but this is just foolish. It’s the UPDF that does the work when needed, so if there was any who deliver anything. It’s the Ministry of Defence, not that, it is something I want to say loud, but hey, at least they do something. They act upon their mandate and deliver, even if it is cruel and is insane. They still deliver within the SACCOs, Operation Wealth Creation, Delivering Mosquito nets, fighting army-worms and whatnot. They have results of some kind. The Ministry of Education and Sports, not so much. Peace.

Cholera Alert in Kampala and Mpigi: Could have been avoided with a state controlled sewage system!

The people of the Kalerwe, Kampala and people from Mpigi District should worry about their sanitary positions and their water quality, as the Cholera outbreak is because of simple mistakes by the Ministry of Water and Environment, also by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) that hasn’t done their job. Because when 7 people are caught with the disease and put in a hospital. The whole local government combined with the Ministry should be finding the sources for the mixing of feces and water in the pipes to people of a certain area.

“A person can get cholera by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacterium. In an epidemic, the source of the contamination is usually the feces of an infected person that contaminates water and/or food. The disease can spread rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water. The disease is not likely to spread directly from one person to another; therefore, casual contact with an infected person is not a risk for becoming ill” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – ‘Cholera’ 09.11.2016 link: https://www.cdc.gov/cholera/general/index.html).

Now one person might have been affect and transmitted this to his nearby kin or neighbors, however, this disease comes from practically bad sanitary areas and water quality. Where the lack of control over the water pipes and the sanitary efforts of the city in general. There are even speculations that the emptying of the sewage tanks costs 200,000 shillings at a time and people cannot afford it. So they let it all out in the midst of rain. Therefore, the mix and the conditions where Cholera could breakout and clearly it has succeeded.

This here is a lack of government control and reason of change of dynamics so that people can live in healthier conditions and not fear to get into bad cycles of more illness and capability of income. Due to sickness and shows the lack of good living conditions. If society and the state wanted, they would have a decent sewage system and securing that it didn’t mix in the streets. So that the sickness of cholera would be avoided, it isn’t that hectic. It do cost in urban areas to lay the pipes and set up a well-functioning sewage system, but when you do have that combined with a decent water-pipes, the waterborne sicknesses that can be fought and avoided. That should be a priority, especially for a republic striving to reach middle-income very soon.

The Republic has choices and should plan ahead to secure the citizens, so they can avoid getting ill, by waterborne diseases like Cholera. That should be a priority by any of the Ministries that are involved, if it is the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Kampala, Ministry of Water and Environment, Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and others should strive to succeed, that is if they care about the well-being and are serious in the part of society. If not they are their to pocket their salaries and live lavish, while others are catching diseases that can be combat by very simple means and also serious constructions of sewage systems. This would secure the health and well-being of the citizens. It wouldn’t be an issue at-large, if the state did offer this.

There are happening like this with that too, when pipes goes old or technical malfunctions, but its easier to become a major issue and spreading alerts, when the society doesn’t have the systems in place. It is more sufficient and healthy to actually install and build this. All of this isn’t revolutionary, even citizens around the world is paying levies on it to the state and counties to secure the water is clean and sewage system is functioning to satisfaction. Where the public can contact the directorate or county body to complain if it malfunctioning. That should be possible in the Republic too, unless the state and the leadership see this all as unreasonable. Please tell me, because then your blaming the public for your lack of oversight and control of basic functions in society. Peace.

Former Buganda Premier Dan Muliika Spits Fire over Kampala Expansion (Youtube-Clip)

“Buganda Kingdom reviews documents of proposals on the expansion of Kampala, there’s still uncertainty on how the largest Kingdom in Uganda is likely to react to the plans. Former Buganda Premier Dan Muliika talks to Canary Mugume on the on-going debate about the proposed expansion of Kampala city to integrate fast-growing suburbs of Wakiso, Mpigi and Mukono” (NBS Television, 01.04.2018)

New Powers assigned to Hon. Beti Kamya: Not only a Minister for Kampala, but soon also Wakiso, Mukono and Mpigi!

“Museveni changes Beti Kamya’s portfoil ahead of extending Kampal boundaries, this means that Mukono,Wakiso and Mpigi are nolonger under Ministry of Local Government as they now form part of the Kampala Metropolitan area. Mukama otuwonya ddi Kitange?” (Betty Nambooze, 22.03.2018).

This can be said after a letter sent to the Chairman of Kampala District Land Board Yusuf Nsibambi, the Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority Dr. Jennifer Musisi and the Commandant of Kampala Metropolitan Police Office Frank Mwesigwa got a letter from Secretary Office of the President Samuel Emiku, the letter named: “Name of Ministry in-charge of Kampala”.

The new name the people get to know is the Ministry for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Area. That means the Ministry will get a bigger slice and more control. That meaning the Presidency has big faith in the acts of Beti Kamya, as her portefolio are now extending and also taking away from others. What you can also take from the Secretary, is that he didn’t notify neither districts mentioned by the Members of Parliament or the Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago. There was other who should have been informed like the 5 district mayors and the Wardens, the councilors of the capital should feel punished too. Also, the extended branch of the Presidential Advisor Singh Katongole. But what has said or done recently, other than cashing-in a paycheck.

This here is really an extension and rare, since the paradigm under President Museveni is to make things smaller and hire more cronies. Not extending and giving more power to individuals. This is tampering with the modus operandi of late. Kamya must have given a lot of incentive and promise over the recent time to be offered a higher stake. If not, he want the Residential District Commanders and the others in the near-by districts to be under the command. As it is a fitting way for the State House to control it even more directly, because Kamya will work on direct orders and not flinch.

So, just like the way Kamya has stripped the elected leadership in Kampala, she is set to control Wakio, Mukono and Mpigi. This is really to secure the will of Museveni even further and more detailed, as she has followed his instruction on every market and every decree. She has praised him and he now repays her. While taking away powers and limits the scope of the Ministry of Local Government, who will loose these areas.

The letter from the Secretary of the President is really showing this and proving how he wants to tangle even more elected officials, with the appointed minister Kamya. It is really a way of controlling mayors and district officials. Peace.

The starting point of a Political Stalemate in Kampala: Luwkago Vs. Kamya!

This had to come at some point, especially by the one that inherited the Minister Post from Frank Tumwebaze, this being Uganda Federal Alliance and best friend with the man in the Entebbe State House Beti Kamya. She is now taking the place of Tumwebaze and doing exactly like he did back-in-the-day. He stifled the powers of the elected Local Councilors and Divisions Mayors. By all means going against the opposition leader and Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. This is deja vu. We have been here a few years ago. We can just wait to KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi to jump behind Kamya and say Lukwago is all wrong in his acts. That is what we can anticipate. I just wonder when Presidential Advisor Singh Katongole will advise Musisi and Kamya. This will just start a fire, where usually the elected leaders get into the burning flames and not the selected people of Museveni. That is what history has learned us.

Therefore the news coming from Kampala today, wasn’t surprising:

“City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has suspended the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) council meetings indefinitely following a stalemate between the technical and political wings. KCCA directors have so far boycotted three consecutive council meetings. The impasse started on January 25 when the directors refused to participate in a council meeting that had been described as “null and void” by the Kampala minister, Beti Kamya. Kamya argued that argued that there is nothing called “resumed meeting” in the KCCA Act. The resumed meeting is a continuation of previous meeting’s agenda. Councillors blocked the directors for over an hour when they decided to walk out of the “resumed meeting”, saying they are only answerable to the minister” (URN, 2018).

We clearly knew this would happen at some point. That it took this long time was rare. Since Hon. Tumbewaze went in after the General Election in 2011. So he got the Lord Mayor impeached and removed in 2013. So he had grievances before entering his chair as Lord Mayor as incumbent in 2016. When he tried to get the lost salary between 2013 and 2016 returned. However, the new Minister Kamya dismissed that early in a letter. Therefore, the relationship between Kamya and Lukwago was settled from the start.

We know that Kamya is a wild-card, most likely why she was appointed this position. Since she can run fire and she is power-hungry. So we will not respect any Ward Mayor, Division Mayor or Lord Mayor. Even the Executive Director Musisi seemingly seems more distance and having less of appeal after the appointment of Kamya. Musisi had more say during the years of Tumbewaze. That is not so for now. She is more ceremonial and galleon figure in the spot-light, but not the real power. Kamya has all of that and shown that with directives and decisions within the City. This without consultation in the other boards, other than directives from the State House and such. That is why traders and hawkers has kicked out of important trading places for development projects. This is proven during 2017. It is now becoming now hostile. It is now lit between them .

Musisi seems happy that Kamya are attacking and making life harder for Lukwago. Seemingly, that will be next step. Since Lukwago has suspended meetings, which Kamya hasn’t honored. She is supposed to follow and write yearly reports to the Parliament, also she could veto if she disagrees. However, she has decided not to show up. While the other mayors of Kampala has done so.

This here is the proof of the tangled deliberate attempt of not only undermining Lukwago, but all sort of opposition to NRM in Kampala. That is why the Minister is trying to take control and that is why the KCCA came into function. So that the Lord Mayor whoever opposition candidate to NRM would be caught under fire and could be dismissed to the dogs. So that one of the appointed leaders could takeover and take credit for the development of Kampala. If that isn’t visible, why are even the Division Mayors and Directors of Kampala undermining Lukwago? Who just most like trying to make sure there are checks- and balances. The only thing mattering to Minister is her loyalty to NRM and State House. That is why this is good news for the State House.

If this is the first step for the second trial and taking hostage of the Lord Mayor. I wouldn’t be surprised. The whole build-up of political framework and organizations are built to destroy and deplete the Lord Mayor. The City Hall are supposed to be controlled directly by the Minister and KCCA. Not by the political committees or others. Who are just there because the President needs someone there, but they are not his cronies. Peace.

Reference:

URN – ‘Lukwago suspends KCCA Council indefinitely’ (05.02.2018) link: http://observer.ug/news/headlines/56822-lukwago-suspends-kcca-council-indefinitely.html

Uganda Local Government Workers Union (ULGWU) letter to PM Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda – “Reminder: Remunerations Enhancement for Local Government Workers” (29.08.2017)