President Musveni letter to Minister Matia Kasaija: “Delays in Clearing Imported Machinery By M/S Guangzhou Dongsong Energy Group (U) Co. Ltd” (14.08.2018)

UPDF Press Statement on Boda Boda 2010 (29.01.2018)

Opinion: The Liberation Day can only be celebrated with Mzee and with no one else!

The NRM Day, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) day, the Liberation Day. The day that the National Resistance Army liberated Uganda. Are in the making and being prepared so that the President can hold his speech and be crowded by his soldiers, his Crime Preventers and who ever he has bought out from obscurity in the recent months.

So the news today, was rare or unique. It is more of the same. That other people are not allowed. It is just like when he hold the State of Nation Address, all channels and broadcast on TV and Radio had to send his speech. The same can surely also happen in this instance. Because the only man who is clearly free and can be opinionated is Museveni. The rest have to follow his suit and his orders. The State House commands. So that the President and his men, are now putting orders on how they are celebrating the 32^nd Liberation Day isn’t surprising. It follows a pattern of control from above, from His Excellency, who cannot be that excellent, when he has to micro-manage every detail and get everyone in-line for every event. Every function and every order, has to be rubber-stamped by him. It’s just his despotic mind, who speaks democracy, but orders everyone around and wants everybody to accept his hollow mind. That is just the way it is, so when Daily Monitor says this today:

“The government has cautioned the opposition and any other groups against any plot to hold parallel liberation day celebrations. The caution was sounded by the minister for presidency Esther Mbayo during a press conference at media centre ahead of the celebrations slated for Friday January 26, 2018. She said every time government organizes a national function, there are groups that threaten to organized parallel arrangements. She said this will not be tolerated this time round. “I am just warning whoever is organizing to stage a parallel function to desist from it because the long arm of the law will catchup with him,” minister Mbayo said. She said there will be only one national function accepted that day and it will be held at Boma grounds in Arua Municipality. “So whoever wants to stage parallel arrangements should stand warned,” Mbayo said” (Jumbe, 2018).

This is the memo, the gist and the story. That the Minister Mbayo is warning and coming with stern signals of how to behave. The public can only have one key celebration, nothing in Kololo or on another field. The only one matter at Boma Ground in Arua. The rest has to cease, where the President is, is the only place to be liberated, the others have to follow orders and be under the spell of the President. No freedom, no celebration in Kampala, Jinja or Mbarara, no no, only celebrate in Arua at Boma Ground.

The Liberation Day celebration only matters at the function of the President. If he isn’t there, it doesn’t matter. It is not about liberation, if the supposed liberator isn’t there. The kingpin of the NRA has to be at the function if it supposed to have any value. President Museveni have to show up and be graceful, spill his beans and everyone got to listen to his wisdom. If not, they are not liberated. The liberation was for him and his men, not for the republic. The people was just tools for his liberation. Therefore, a party is only a party, if he started or joined the party. Peace.

Reference:

Jumbe, Benjamin – ‘No parallel liberation day celebrations shall be allowed – govt’ (26.01.2018) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/No-parallel-celebrations-shall-be-allowed-govt/688334-4276634-ioin6/index.html)

UPDF: “Arrest of Murder Suspects” (21.01.2018)

Opinion: Should we be worried about the power-struggle between IGP Kayihura and CMI’s Gen. Tumukunde?

We can think of the recent days as a visible power struggle between two loyalist to the Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. This weekend has filled with stories and captures of the men and woman behind the Boda Boda 2010 syndicate. A Syndicate and organization who has followed orders of the Inspector General of Police Edward Kale Kayihura. He has supported them and used their services. That is why the leadership of Abdallah Kitatta felt safe, not only as a NRM Chairman of the Lubaga (Rubaga) Division in Kampala. So he had connections to power.

Still that power was not enough the visible actions, the violence it followed has been questioned and people have struggled to believe the reason for having outlaws running the law. That was sanctioned from the IGP. Now, this weekend its enough for some reason. Chief of Military Intelligence and General Henry Tumukunde have now gone in and settled the case with the Boda Boda 2010. Kiatta has even been interviewed after the arrest by Intelligence Security Organization (ISO), therefore, the organization supported by Kayihura is now publicly dismantled.

If this is sanctioned by the State House, then Kayihura should really worry. As well as all the men and woman who is Crime Preventers too. They might be the next group that the state is dismantling through arrests and investigations. Because, this has all been useful tools of the Police Force to quell demonstrations and rallies. Both, has been used for that and the NRM could need to save the costs of having them. Instead of using political means, they could use CMI and ISO to silence them.

Gen. Tumukunde are now using his power to silence the extra organizations of Kayihura. This is happening in broad daylight and Kayihura cannot do anything about it. The men and woman of Boda Boda 2010 that has been used to enforce orders from Kayihura is now going away. We can just wonder if the CMI or the Police Force who knows who really killed Andrew Kaweesi or the one behind the murders of innocent woman in Entebbe last year. Since none of the murders has been solved, they are just a left stain on the Security Forces.

We know now that Boda Boda 2010 has killed for cars and equipment by the released information during this week. Who know what else crimes that has been sanctioned by this criminal syndicate. It is far from criminals to police officers, that is maybe a reason why the courts are extra botched. They cannot see the difference between criminals and the police. That isn’t a sign of hope or of peaceful society. That is destroyed security organization, that has to use military enforcement to stop criminals.

Gen. Tumukunde might win support over this and also shows his strength towards a man he despises. That is known and there been criticism of each other in public, with spats in the papers and even on TV between the men. It is well-known. These men has disputed and also questioned each others methods. Tumukunde is using his good standing with Sarah Kagingo, the NRM spokesperson of some sort, who owns the Soft Power Communications LLC and the Softpower.ug, to spread the positive message of the arrests and actions of Tumukunde. Just check the track-record, the friendliness of Softpower to it all is staggering.

We can know that these sort of stories will make the actions of Tumukunde sound like masterpieces of intelligence, even if the CMI and ISO are doing this as retribution for something Kayihura has either said or done. Because the Boda Boda 2010 was not an for Tumukunde in 2016 or 2017. But suddenly became so in 2018. We know that this is a sign of power-struggle between the two leaders under Museveni.

We will follow this and we should worry if this escalates, if Kayihura will try to take allies and leaders close to Tumukunde for something criminal. Even establish sort of monitoring over his men like he did to Besigye. We never know. Kayihura is surely blocked and under fire. As his supportive group has been taken down by the military and their operatives. Peace.

Issa Arinaitwe Furaha letter to President Museveni – “Re: Threats on My Life by Gen. Kale Kayihura and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame through Rwanda Inteligence Operatives and their Embassy in Uganda because of my Exposure of their Deadly Actions against You, Ugandans and Rwandan Refugees (04.01.2018)

Uganda: Major National Review Recommends Ways of Ending Hunger in Uganda (27.07.2017)

Possible problems with carving out Budama district out of the Tororo County!

There are again new allegations and old pledges from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and its local problems it create. The political patronage and possible benefits of certain creations of districts seems harder by the day, as the share numbers of district is sky-high. Not to think about the already carved out counties and sub-counties inside each district. Therefore, the vast patronage already created through these sort of arrangements cannot be easier when carving out more districts.

It seems like a hard bargain to make a Budama District in the Tororo County, as the Adhola Community meeting today in Kampala spells out. There does not seem to be reachable, unless there is significant plans whey they sufficiently think of the new boundaries, considering there have not come the other planned in Mukujju district back in 2005. So it is not like pledges from the President before has become reality for the Adhola community. They have been left behind in the past. Therefore it should be important for the state to listen to one part of the meeting resolution, which stated: “2. The Japadholas never asked for the district, so no district shall be accepted by the Jopadholas” (Adhola Community, 12.07.2017).

Therefore, when you read the Annex of the meeting, you will see the sentiment and the no-need for a provision of a carved out district. Unless, there political patronage and promises not kept from President Museveni. Someone from the area shielded him during a battle in the 1980s and he has to pay it off now. Since he still can pay him!

New Vision reported back in 2009: “The Iteso, on the other hand, do not see why the name Tororo should not be dropped. Etyang states that the people of Tororo county have been agitating for this for the last 10 or so years. “This decision leaves West Budama alone whether or not the Jopadhola have asked for a district,” he argues. He says it is virtually impossible for Tororo municipality to remain with West Budama because it was part of Tororo county before the municipality was created. For this reason, the new Mukuju county has the right to have its headquarters in Tororo town. War over wealth: If the split finally goes ahead, West Budama will lose the most in terms of property. It will lose the key industrial town of Tororo, which has become a hot cake following the discovery of huge phosphate deposits, the revival of Tororo Cement factory and the planned construction of an inland port” (New Vision, 2009).

So the promises and thinking of the carving this area into more districts has alreay been into the minds of people for a long time. Paul Etyang is also clear of the lines and the values in doing so. Also, the ramifications that we’re in 2009, which would be similar today. There we’re talk of West Budama and not East Budama, which it we’re in the meeting today. But still proof of the sentiments that was already there.

Enough talk, but if you want to understand it more. Read the annex. Peace.

Annex Meeting Protocol:

MEETING OF ADHOLA COMMUNITY IN KAMPALA HELD TODAY 12TH JULY, 2017 AT NATIONAL THEATRE.

AGENDA

1. Prayer
2. Remarks based on the President’s Proposal
3. Reactions to the Proposal.
4. Resolution.

MINUTES

1. Prayer by Tefro Ochieng Brian
2. Opening Remarks from Lazarus Oketch.

CREATING BUDAMA DISTRICT ON PRESIDENT MUSEVENI’S PROPOSAL FOR JOPADHOLA AND GIVING TORORO DISTRICT TO ITESOS:-

Concerns raised:-

1. We Jopadhola ask Mr. Museveni, what happened to previous reports from Dr. Kiyonga’s commission, Byabakama’s commission and other commission that was instituted under Presidential directives?

2.Why change from the previous positions where Mukujju district was granted to the people of Tororo County (Itesos).

3. Jopadhola are a Mother tribe in Tororo – why would you give away the District Headquarters to Itesots now? After ignoring all the reports for 11 years??.
4. We are aware of influence peddling from Teso Parliamentary Caucus. Where the game of numbers has caused all these sudden change of mind and opting for illegalities.
5. The integrity of the Surveyors, who appointed them, their names and who supervised them? Boundary opening must be supervised by leaders.

RESOLUTIONS

1. Contrary to what we expect, we shall go a long Journey to defend our Mother land and the greater Teso people will never hold that District unless when we are all dead.
2. The Japadholas never asked for the district, so no district shall be accepted by the Jopadholas.
3. We tasked Mr. President to tell the Jopadholas what he is going to do with the Mukujju district he granted to in 2005.
4. If Mr. Museveni is talking of creating Budama district, then we demand for the old Boundary with East Budama (Tororo County) inclusive – Bordering Kenya, Bugishu and Busoga in its original form.
5. Since Teso Parliamentary Caucus resolved to back/support the East budama (Tororo County) People, we the Jopadholas call upon the greater Luo people to come and stand with us especially Members of Parliament from Lango, Acholi and West Nile.
6. We are aware that Mr Museveni tried to extinguish the Acholis – Part of Luo – He even said that we Luos are mad people and for that matter, we are ready for war.
7. We need to know how Mr. Museveni grants disputes, based on requests?, tribe? reward for support to NRM? or through Defiance?
8. We are aware that Mr. Museveni has been planning genocide in Padhola for long because of his hate for Luo people but we want to assure him that we are ready for anything.
9. Going forward, no Japadhola shall be allowed to meet Mr. Museveni anymore, or else that person shall be burnt alive. On the same note, Mr. Museveni should not step in Padhola for any activity any more.

It is a well known fact that we Jopadholas, are scattered all over the Country, we have MPs representing different groups in many Constituencies, but we have never claimed ownership of those constituencies or districts, like is the case in Buikwe, Mayuge, Bugiri, Namayingo and Kayunga.

We also warn our Members of Parliament that should they fail to defend this, we are recalling all of them from Parliament by invoking the Constitution.

Reference:

New Vision – ‘Is it time up for Tororo?’ (26.06.2009) link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1210608/tororo

Bukedea district: NRM Government neglect to another level, they are stealing from their starving citizens!

“Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.” – Harry Truman (Special Message to the Congress on the Internal Security of the United States, August 8, 1950).

Certainly, the National Resistance Movement and their government doesn’t seem to care how they look. None of their pledges or even written letters to the Local Government matters. Not even in the midst of famine and starvation. You would think that a government and their agencies had sense of keeping their promises to the ones who needs the most basic in life – as their plates are empty after droughts and bad governance. Therefore, the NRM has no sense, when the Bukedea district are reacting that their promised food relief is less; than promised from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Dr. Ruhakana Ruganda and his department. Certainly, this is disrespecting the people and the citizens of Bukedea. Take a look!

“Mike Okwii, the district secretary for health and social services wants the matter investigated expeditiously before they can distribute what they have received. “According to the letter signed by the commissioner of disaster and preparedness, Bukedea was supposed to get 800 bags of posho and 400 bags of beans. But the district has received only 400 bags of posho and 50 bags of beans, which is shocking. So for us at the district leadership, we have decided not to distribute this food. Not until when OPM delivers all the food items”, he said. Okwii confirmed that as of now, nobody has given them any response as to why the Office of the Prime Minister delivered consignments that have fewer supplies that what was declared. “Nobody has given us the right answer why they delivered less food compared to what is on the delivery note. The minister for Teso Affairs is going to follow the matter because you can imagine the minister came to Bukedea to allocate food to the sub-counties. Little did she know that she allocated food which is not even there”, he added (URN, 2017).

The reason for the disrespect is staggering as the reports of termites and insects to survive, proves the lacking governance and upkeep of institutions. Also, the agricultural sector has been left behind, as the irrigation and thinking of how use water in farming. Certainly, the food relief is a way of making sure the people eat while they wait for next season and possible time to start farming again. These in regions that has been hard hit and the government had been warned by FAO and FEWSNET, so these reports should have forewarned them.

“Food is required besides the medication. If someone is sick, the first treatment is food; medicine works well on a well fed body,” said Dr. Chebitai” (New Vision, 2017). Therefore, with the knowledge that the state still has the capacity to not deliver what so needed and necessary is not only a theft, but taken food of the plates of those who starve. That the NRM has the audacity to this proves how they can easily neglect their citizens. Even taking away their first treatment, that is the level of disappointment, the ruling regime can to do their own. Peace.

Reference:

New Vision – ‘Parliament staff donate food items to Teso’ (07.05.2017) link:http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1453187/parliament-staff-donate-food-items-teso

In the Teso Region they are eating termites to survive the famine!

There are something deeply wrong, so sincerely wrong when the citizens doesn’t get needed food relief and have to eat termites and insects to survive. This is the state of the famine now in Teso Region, in Katakwi, Amuria, Bukedea and Kaberamaido district.

“Mr Robert Okitoi, the Amuria District council chairperson, said “The situation is bad, people are now eating termites. I think the government should just declare a state of emergency for the regions of Teso, Karamoja and Lango.” (NTV Uganda, 01.06.2017). On the 26^th April 2017 the Parliament has passed a motion to declare ‘State of Emergency’ in Uganda, but the President and the State House has not done anything about it.

Still, a local farmer wrote a piece to the Chimp Reports that has some valuable assessments:

“The current hunger in Teso has largely been attributed to drought, while this assertion may hold some truths; there is increasingly evidence that the Ministry of Teso Affairs has not done its part. Hunger in Teso is as a result of both internal and external factors. For many years, the region has been experiencing declining productivity and this was recently worsened by drought. For districts like Ngora, Bukedia and Kumi, land fragmentation has heavily affected productivity” (…) “Clearly besides drought, Teso food systems are in a crisis and our expectation was that the Ministry of Teso affairs working with other stakeholders would work to address this problem. Our view is that hunger should be among the ‘affairs’ that Ministry of Teso Affairs should be engaged in.Agriculture remains a major livelihood for our people in Teso and therefore we require urgent response from Ministry of Teso Affairs on its plans to help our people get out of the current hunger crisis”(Akorikin, 2017).

This here proves that the drought is just the last piece of the straw in a bigger problem, that even the State Ministry has not been in-charge and had the oversight of the Teso Region. There are lacking the support they need. Still, the government still have done something now and then. Like this one relief to Kaberamaido district: “Kaberamaido district has finally received 12, 000 kilograms of relief food from government valued at Shillings 33 million. Kaberamaido is among the districts battling a severe food crisis resulting from crop failure due to prolonged drought. The most affected areas in the district are Ochero, Bululu, Kobulubulu, Kaberamaido, and Apapai sub counties. With over 5,000 households facing starvation representing about half of the total population in the district, the 12,000 kilograms of flour delivered is far from solving the food crisis” (Odongo, 2017). That means on the 30^th April 2017, the government delivered 12.000kgs of flour that is estimated to be 231,000 citizens in the district alone. Therefore, you don’t have to be rocket scientist to know that this food relief to the one district isn’t enough…

“The minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Hilary Onek, has offered a bit of advice to the hunger-stricken; stop selling the little food you have left. Onek said the weather has become so unreliable for Ugandans to hold on to the little hope for better yields. “They should consider family needs first before selling all the food. Districts like Lira had a lot of food but it [food] was sold to traders from Kenya, South Sudan and even Rwanda because people want money,” he said in an interview. Asked whether government would consider banning the sale of food to outsiders, Onek said they wouldn’t, in the spirit of the East African Community. “That is not an option we will consider; we only want people to behave responsibly to take care of their family needs before they sell all the food,” he said” (UMDF, 2017).

So now the Minister Onek gives advice to the impoverished citizens, so that they are careful with their food stocks, as the relief of the districts are not up-to par. Therefore, that they didn’t stock the extra foods and now they tell the families to take of it. The government could have used their resources and built food-stocks, instead of living hand to mouth. The small-time farmers in the Teso-Region certainly, needs more than fear of selling what they don’t have, they need support and food relief.

The state also has to facilitate the farmers, not in Operation Wealth Creation or Jerry-Can irrigation, but real projects, storage of food-stocks and recreate farmers Co-Ops in the districts and sub-counties to collectively earn and work together to get better yields and also productivity in general. But that isn’t a scheme and way the National Resistance Movement can corrupt or thieve the funds from. Therefore, that will not happen and is the reason why the similar institutions are gone during the decades of President Museveni.

The Teso Region and these district needs help, the man-made famine together with the drought that has worsen it. So the Government has to charge and actually make a difference, not just thieve monies away from Kampala. Peace.

Reference:

Akorikin, Francis – ‘OPINION: Government Should Review the Relevance of Ministry of Teso Affairs’ (05.05.2017) link: https://www.chimpreports.com/opinion-government-should-review-the-relevance-of-ministry-of-teso-affairs/

Odongo, Ronald – ‘Kaberamaido Receives 12,000 KGs of Food Relief’ (30.04.2017) link: https://ugandaradionetwork.com/story/govt-delivers-12000-kilograms-of-posho-worth-ugx-33m-to-famine-hit-residents

Uganda Media Development Foundation (UMDF) – ‘HILARY ONEK TO HUNGER VICTIMS: DON’T SELL FOOD’ (01.05.2017) link: https://www.umdf.or.ug/?q=content/hilary-onek-hunger-victims-don%E2%80%99t-sell-food