Opinion: The Son-In-Law is becoming the Coffee-Tsar…

“It’s morning in Baltimore, Lester. Wake up and smell the coffee” – Lt. Cedric Daniels (The Wire S4E11, 2006).

“Government is under the spotlight for allocating Shs37 billion to the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development, an agency headed by the president’s son-in-law. Mr Odrek Rwabwogo is supposed to spend this money on ‘coffee value chain, export, and industrial development promotion’, but the manner of the allocation raised suspicions in Parliament last week.” (Franklin Draku – ‘MPs query Shs37b allocation to Rwabwogo-led committee’ 23.05.2023, Daily Monitor).

Who knew? Well, in the Republic everything is possible. Especially if you are well connected or have ties with His Excellency. That’s why the Son-In-Law Odrek Rwabwogo even is getting a budget post and a fancy agency to run.

While it is striking, just like the Coffee Agreement with Pinetti. The whole saga of the Coffee Processing Plant and the Monopoly of it. This is now pushed further within the realm of the family and the President. It is like they are seeking all the profits from the cash-crop and commodity.

The republic already have an institution doing what Odrek is supposed to do. This was started early in the reigns of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). That was enacted back in 1991 just mere years into the “transitional” period of the regime. This is the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) with the mandate: “To increase quality coffee production, productivity, value addition, marketing and consumption”. If you feel it similar to the memo to the son-in-law, because it is a copy. Just more modern lingo with the “coffee value chain, export, and industrial development promotion”. The rest is the gist of it and more of the same.

The Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development will now compete with the UCDA. Which is already in competition with the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA). There are so many players and duplications in the Republic it is hard to keep up. Now the PACEID is competing directly with the UCDA and partly with the UIA too.

The Vinci Agreement just shows how the state plays and does its own bidding. Now the son-in-law is getting a slice of the pie too. That’s how it looks like. It feels a like a new day and we are smelling the fruits of others people’s labour.

This is making the son-in-law doing something someone is already doing. It isn’t enhancing or bettering the industry. No, this is a pay-day and a small heist. Because, he will not take the place of the UCDA or UIA. No, the son-in-law is just an extension and a useless addition. A bountiful receiver from the public coffers, but it won’t matter in the grand scheme of things.

It doesn’t matter that the son-in-law has no skill-set, education or proof that his experienced to do this. Well, it should, but in this case it don’t. The only thing that did matter was his close proximity to the President and that was it.

We are smelling the bitter coffee. A man that couldn’t easily differentiate between robusta or arabica is now becoming a Coffee Tsar. That’s the reality here. The head honcho of coffee beans and he knows squat about it.

This is how the President runs the nation and it shows how little he actually cares. Peace.

Karamoja Youth Agenda: On issues of Government Response and topical issues in Karamoja sub-region from January 2023 (12.05.2023)

Opinion: The Presidency shouldn’t be a family affair…

Just like everything is gearing up for “Project Muhoozi” and Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga is not only openly campaigning, building his political platform or movement. There has already been question about the in-law, Odrek Rwabwogo who is another family member with ambition. Now there is even talk of Natasha Museveni.

By this time… this is happening after His Excellency posted a tweet having talks with Natasha. Like he has had tweets with her before and showing her the ropes on the Rwakitura farm. Therefore, that isn’t uncommon.

However, now they are making 2026 Posters and recognizing her on Social Media. Like they are sprinting ahead and giving her way. As if she is a better candidate or a more sound of a candidacy. While none of the three should even be eligible or capable.

These three are in the lines of the Independent Candidates with no experience or public support to even consider running for office. Neither of them is beloved, has a mission or an official party to run with.

The Lt. Gen. isn’t even retired and by law his a felon for breaching the codes of the UPDF Act by acting like he does. We know he won’t feel the blunt force of the law or get law enforcement on tail. Because, his one of them and anointed by the state. Nevertheless, Muhoozi can play like a big-man and act like his building something. However, it is a house built on sand and the waves will take it easily.

Neither of the three is really viable or interesting. The only reason why they are there is the connection to Mzee, Bosco or the High Above. There is no supreme quality or even experience that suggest they are capable of pulling it off. They are there based on family ties and not on their beliefs or even how they handle themselves. No, they could be butchers, secretaries and low hanging fruit on a market-place for all we know.

We are seeing how busy Muhoozi is to build his name. Using any excuse to travel the nation. Act as an overlord and diplomat in Nairobi and Kigali. His acting like his the next in line and the only one who are worthy. Alas, he doesn’t have the mindset or the stamina to stick to it. While Odrek and Natasha is cannon fodder in this here game. They are not ready for what is coming their way.

All of the three are shielded of the worst. They are not in the boiling pot and getting tested in the real waters. They are just enjoying the perks of the beach and not even trying to set sail. That’s why Muhoozi think it easy. As the whole state machinery and his allowed to build up his own entourage while playing it out. Therefore, these are fooled to think they can do it.

Natasha is just a pawn. The same is Odrek and they all know it. That’s why all the cards are stacked towards Muhoozi. While he isn’t the man or the guy either. His just there acting it out and trying to be a reasonable guy. While Muhoozi cannot act with reason or confidence. Heck, he has no charisma and couldn’t even tell a moving story.

That’s why people are fending for the others in the family tree of Museveni. Still, none of them have “it”. They don’t and it must hurt the father. To see his son and daughter not being up for it. Seeing all this time and no suitable heir. None of these are trustworthy or people you would allow to inherit your legacy too. No, Museveni would rather choose someone else. Because, he knows Muhoozi isn’t it, but neither is Odrek or Natasha.

That’s why this family affair is depressing. The Succession has been lost in the wave of overstaying in power. By this time we are just seeing how lost and baffling lack of self conscience the family has. As they are trying to be viable and be the future. However, all of these are the past even before trying to succeed. They are all tainted by the father and his prolonged reign.

The Republic isn’t a family affair or business. It isn’t an enterprise for the Museveni family to inherit. Muhoozi and the others might think so… but isn’t and they will figure out that very quickly. Peace.

Opinion: Speaker Among cannot save face…

““If there was any diversion, it is not anybody’s fault, I saw iron sheets in Bukedea, I didn’t ask for them, but I ordered that they should be given to schools innocently. I didn’t open a shop to sell them, but they were given to government schools.” Among told Parliament last month. While chairing Wednesday’s plenary, Among told Parliament that she had decided to purchase 500 iron sheets and return them to the OPM to clear her name out of accusations that she had diverted the iron sheets meant for Karamoja’s vulnerable people. “l don’t want to be accused of grabbing iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people of Karamoja.” Among said” (Samuel Muhimba – ‘Among buys 500 iron sheets for OPM to save ‘innocent’ face’ 15.03.2023, Nilepost.co.ug).

The Speaker can all “innocent” she wants to try to save face. Speaker Anita Among is amongst a “den of thieves”. They did divert funds and equipment meant for the hungry, the poor and the ones in need in the Karamoja sub-region. Instead of going where it should be… it ended up elsewhere and some of that ended up in the hands of the speaker. She is just like the rest of them.

Speaker Among can act holier than thou, but she should apologize and “carry the cross”. This is her burden to bear. She accepted the iron sheets and took them when it was done in secret. However, when the reality hit public, and the scandal was official. She wanted to clean her hands of the dirt and come clean. Nevertheless, that is not how the story goes and she cannot reimburse what she has already stolen.

A chicken thief must answer for the stolen chicken. The speaker has to answer for the iron-sheets. The chicken thief will face the penalty and the punishment for taking the chicken. The same should happen to the speaker, the ministers and everyone involved in the iron sheet scandal of Karamoja. It should happen, but I wouldn’t count on it. The difference between them and the chicken thief. Is that the Chicken Thief has no suction, no power or influence, but the thieves in this saga does…

She knows she will face no consequences and what her master knows is that she’s corruptible. Meaning that her master can wave some monies or golden tickets her way. When doing so, she will do whatever he pleases and get his way in Parliament. That’s why she will face no trouble, no legal jeopardy or even taste “justice”. No, the chicken thief will linger in prison and face severe time in prison. While the Speaker can steal and take from the state with no further consequences or ramifications to her career. No, it doesn’t cost her anything…

Speaker Among can try to save face, but it’s pointless. She still stole and took unjustifiably so. The iron sheets wasn’t hers to begin with. Just like the others who took from the “aid” to Karamoja. All of them are thieves and they should accept that. Thieving is thieving no matter how you put it. It wasn’t even that sophisticated or a strategic measure to siphon funds from government accounts either. It was just blatant theft of government property to personal use. That’s it… and the Speaker cannot be run away from that now. Peace.

Karamoja Affairs: The minister made it a family business to loot the government…

“However, during a recent sting operation by officers of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the mother, brother and nephew of Karamoja Affairs minister Goretti Kitutu were allegedly found selling OPM branded iron sheets to residents of Namisindwa District. They were briefly detained and later freed” (…) “According to the notice, Dr Kituutu is accused of failing to deliver iron sheets and other supplies meant for Karamoja to support the ongoing disarmament exercise and the diversion of some items. These, the MPs say, constitute the offence of mismanagement and abuse of office or willful violation of oath of allegiance or oath of office, which are grounds provided in Article 118 of the Constitution for censure of a minister. The MPs further accuse the minister of misusing Shs25b meant for the procurement of goats to be distributed across the region, as well as picking 500 bags of maize seeds from Namalu Prison Stores, under the Feed Karamoja Project out of 200 bags were allegedly found in her house” (Emmanuel Muitaizibwa & William Kintu – ‘OPM in fresh Shs25b goat scandal’ 27.02.2023).

Hon. Mary Goretti Kitutu, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs is in huge trouble and have a vast scandal on her name. Just as the Iron Sheets are dragging out and the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) is starting a probe into that. The further revelations only show the sinister side of the cabinet and what they are willing to steal.

The Minister of Karamoja Affairs didn’t do it alone. We have seen the massive reports and the number of high-ranking officials involved in the robbing the state of iron sheets. Nevertheless, in this recent case… the Minister has involved her family in the scheme. Which are taking funds, tenders, and whatnot from the state. This is funds and procured items, which was destined for the ones in need in Karamoja.

They took money that was intended to go to buy goats and in addition they took seeds of maize. Meaning in a place of utter poverty and famine, the Minister took vital life-saving seeds and kept it in her home or relatives’ home. That is evil and not only theft, but possibly lethal to the ones who needs it the most. The ones that are in danger of starvation and the person who is supposed to ensure and implement government projects in the region is stealing directly from it. Instead of helping the ones in need, she was helping herself and her family.

This here is sinister, disgraceful and should be a sackable offense. Secondly, she should answer to the courts and be held liable together with her family. To do this and with such arrogance because she wasn’t afraid of doing it either. It is just modus operandi, and the state usually doesn’t care. That’s why it is so blatant and with no disregard for who this was intended too.

Karamoja is starving and hurting, but others are profiting of their misery. That is clear and the high-ranking officials has found a way of adding additional income to their names. It shouldn’t be this way, but that’s how they choose to represent and be leaders in the Republic. Instead of serving, they are stealing. That’s a vast difference… Peace.Mary

Opinion: The iron sheets are a part of a bigger problem…

“IGG Beti Kamya says she will go after the cartel of government officials who have been incriminated in the OPM Karamoja iron sheets scandal. According to Kamya, any govt official who absconds her summons will be prosecuted” (The Kampala Journal, 21.02.2023).

The plights of the people of the Karamoja sub-region are just the beginning. Just like the never-ending story of fighting corruption. There is plenty of government agencies and organizations, which are based around the idea of fighting it. However, they never cease to stop it or have the mandate to do anything about it. That’s because the high-ranking officials, ministers and close associates of the President is profiting of the mischief and the corrupt behaviour in general.

You know these things are out of order and part of a bigger problem. When several ministers and high-ranking officials can eat of the plate of the needy ones in Karamoja. These are:

“1. Moriku Kaducu

2. Rebecca Kadaga
3. Jacob Oboth Oboth
4. Rukia Nakadaama
5. Matia Kasaija
6. Kitutu Mary Goretti
7. Obua Dennis Hanson
8. Lugoloobi Amos
9. Bwino Kyakulaga” (New Vision).

This is not some random names, but people with interests and high offices. These people are connected and part of Government. They are not just random thieves in a den picking out their next victim. No, they are the ones in-charge and appointed to serve the state. However, they are instead self-serving and thieving from the ones in need.

It isn’t shocking, but apparent problem, which has been created over years. The illicit trades, tenders and usage of government funds are haunting it. The ghosts, the misappropriated and missing funds are now coming back to roost. The loss of domestic revenue, donor funds and ability to loan to cover the deficits are creating a sustainable environment either.

No one can be shocked those ministers and high-ranking officials in the National Resistance Movement is robbing, thieving and siphoning funds away from government entities, neither that they are absorbing or “losing” important money for others in need. That has been done for ages and is part of the imprint of this government. In some regards, you could say it is the blueprint created by the predecessors of this government. This being the Sam Kuteesa’s or Gilbert Bukenya’s of this world. The ones who used to be in-charge and stole vast funds in their hey-day. Now the newest leaders are doing the same…

This is the NRM-Way, the NRA-Way and whatever you call it. That’s why money are lost, projects are stalled and prices are through the roof for government development projects. The costs and the burden to make it happen is astronomical… and you need a spaceship to get from Gulu to Kampala. There is no boda-boda or special who will suffice. Especially, in concern to the ones in dire need or in distress. They are the ones that you can take from. These are the people that isn’t able to be vocal or speak out. The same people have enough issues just to survive. In the meanwhile, they are not only victims of circumstances, but also of the greed of the ones in power. Peace.

Karamoja: Hon. Agnes Nandutu, over 2400 has died of starvation, but it doesn’t sound like it…

 

“NUP taking food to Karamoja is just for cheap popularity. The government does things systematically. By the time NUP sent food, there was already food in Karamoja. NUP can’t even do 0.00% of what we did in Karamoja” (…) “There is no longer a crisis in Karamoja because we are now in charge. We have a strategic plan to ensure that there is food security in the region” – Hon. Agnes Nandutu (31.07.2022).

The Minister of Karamoja Affairs Hon. Agnes Nandutu is finally speaking out on NBS FaceOff on the food insecurity and army operation in the sub-region. However, she isn’t saying anything substantial and only comes of as arrogant. Certainly the little time she has had as an MP and Minister has changed her. The Independent NRM leaning MP is showing her true character now.

The state has ensured that over 2400 people has died of starvation. A crisis that was forewarned for months and while the UPDF had army operations there. The state had the ability and the time to help the people of Karamoja. Instead it chose to bring violence and possibly make it more insufferable. The Minister is taking anything to account here.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) is doing what they can and within their means. They are not a government and neither does they have the opportunity to seize or seek funds as such. The NRM and the government should do more. Agnes Nandutu her government is responsible for the deaths of civilians not only in the miliary operation, but of over 2400 civilians who died of starvation. This is showing how the state lacked the vision and the ability to organize help in time. That’s why people is dying and needlessly so. They are not a priority. If they had been, the monies had been scheduled in a supplementary budget like the funds for the UPDF operation in Karamoja. So, everyone knows what is important in the Republic.

Just as the Minister said that on TV today.

Just a few days ago… this was reported about the situation:

“– According to latest updates reported by district officials to the World Food Programme, the total number of fatalities in 2022 caused by the current food insecurity crisis in Karamoja is 2,465.

– Most of the fatalities were children and elderly.

– The last Acute Food Insecurity IPC revealed that approximately 518,000 people are in urgent need of food assistance in Karamoja, with almost 428,000 individuals facing crisis levels of food insecurity (IPC3) and almost 90,000 in emergency levels (IPC4) in the period between March and July 2022. Also, 91,600 children and 9,500 pregnant women are projected to be acutely malnourished for the period February 2022-January 2023” (ECHO – Uganda (Karamoja subregion) – Acute food insecurity and malnutrition (DG ECHO, IPC, WFP, UNICEF, FEWSNET, local media) (ECHO Daily Flash of 26 July 2022).

It doesn’t sound like the crisis is over. The food insecurity is still at massive levels and the amounts of deaths only signals that. Each individual should be counted for and be addressed. This are the short-coming of the state. Who is more eager to usher in violence and come with big-guns. Than to actually come to people with aide or help. That is the gist here…

The Minister blames outside parties for help, which never can be able to sufficiently support or help the needy. However, they are at least giving and without hesitation. The state had the funds and the machinery to do so. The over 2400 people wouldn’t have died. However, these are now dead and it happened on your watch. That shows how the Ministry of Karamoja Affairs failed and also how the Office of the Prime Minister has failed as well. Since they are both implicated in this and has disaster preparedness as portfolio.

Agnes Nandutu, you belong back on TV, because your certainly not fit to be a minister. You cannot even muster the courage or care for the ones in dire need. Karamoja has been burning and starving. While you have remained silent and inactive. That has cost lives and your politicking over beans and posho given to the starving. Your a massive disappointment and would have been a feature on ‘Point Blank’ if your were still running it. Peace.

Karamoja: Nakut Faith, Woman MP Napak – Food Crisis in Karamoja: A Focus on What Needs to be Done (10.07.2022)

Karamoja: The sub-region is starving on empty promises…

“Museveni promised that food insecurity in Karamoja would be dealt with by increasing fast maturing seedlings and an increase in relief by the Office of the Prime Minister. In a bid to build a self-sustaining household plan, the MPs proposed that the government avails agricultural inputs such as two tractors per constituency to facilitate agriculture on a large scale. The President however, disagreed with them saying that two tractors per constituency cannot support commercial agriculture. Museveni proposed that 5 tractors per constituency would be more plausible. He further challenged MPs to engage in large scale farming if they are to empower their communities and drive the country into middle income status. He promised to bring in experts to share in their best practices so that the members would get first hand information from them” (President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday evening held a special meeting with MPs-elect from Northern and Karamoja region to discuss pertinent issues affecting social and economic transformation, 20.04.2021).

The Government has a Minister designated for Karamoja affairs and has around 17 MPs from the Karamoja Sub-Region. However, all of these representatives and people being in high office isn’t delivering anything.

The news of starvation and famine shouldn’t shock anyone. The warnings from FEWSNET and other monitoring bodies like FAO has stated this too. The President has called the Karamoja green and pleasant. Nevertheless, that is far from the truth.

We know that the army, the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) have been operating and causing friction. As it is extra judicial killing and kicking people out of their homes. They are deliberately evicting and making people into internally displaced people. So, that the places of which they are burning villages and killing civilians. Is scaring the farmers and the people tending the land from cultivating food. This is done under the banner of “Usalalama Kwa Wote” to stop cattle-rustlers but also ensure the territories of mineral riches gets to the right “investor”. Therefore, this insecurity with the forewarned lack of food security was doomed to cause havoc on the sub-region.

Karamoja has been bleeding and suffering as a consequence of the military actions. The Sub-Region hasn’t been invested in. There has been creations of districts and electoral gerrymandering. However, there is only one referral hospital in Moroto. There is no real changes and the UN organizations comes in with aide and salvation every time things are dire. The President and his government isn’t clearly invested or concerned about the starvation or hunger in Karamoja. If the state did… they have seen this issue returning again and again. People are dying and the local government bodies should do better. The Office of the Prime Minister and the State Minister for Karamoja Affairs lack funds or mental minds to put programs that can save lives. Since this is a reoccurring event. That’s what is tragic here…

What is tragic is that the hunger and starvation was warned by FEWSNET in April this year. Which stated this: “For many poor Karamoja households, below-average purchasing power will continue constraining access to food from market purchases. Around August/September, the start of harvesting in Karamoja is expected to support improved access to food from own consumption and income from crop sales and reduce the number of households facing consumption gaps, though Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are expected to persist at the area level even during the post-harvest period. Overall, widespread Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are now expected to persist through at least September, with worst-affected households facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes” (FEWS NET, 06.04.2022).

We can sadly assess that the warnings of a IPC Phase 4 is now happening. The President promised already last year to secure food security for Karamoja sub-region. However, we easily that never happened. Now the World Food Programme and others has to cover the basics. They have to come with the food and the aide, because the state is a shortfall. Neither does it have the organization or institutions in order to help. The state has the army and the ability to kill civilians. However, it doesn’t have the ability to save lives or ensure food security. That is clear for anyone and is a sign of what is a priority in Kampala. As the Karamjoa sub-region isn’t only bleeding now, but starving as well. Peace.

Karamoja: The NRM got money for the army, but not for the starving…

“The recent surge in cattle theft and cross-border conflicts in Minister Kasiaja: Karamoja sub-region issues will continue to be addressed. In a recent supplementary budget, Government provided Shs.112.5 Billions to facilitate the UPDF to carry out operations” (91.2 Crooze FM, 14.06.2022).

“More than half a million people are going hungry in Karamoja – Report” (…) “A new report indicates that the Karamoja region is undergoing a crisis of food insecurity and may slump into famine if there are no measures to reverse the situation immediately. The report on integrated food security phase classification also shows that Moroto and Kaabong districts are in a critical phase of acute malnutrition. While receiving the report, the government committed to implementing some of the short-term recommendations” (NTV Uganda, 14.06.2022).

We know that the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) launched Operation Usalama Kwa Wote in July 2021 and they have continued ever since. The UPDF and the authorities have burned villages and killed civilians in their manhunt for cattle-rustlers. However, there been no oversight or proof of their operation really stopping violence or the murders for cattle in the region.

The only thing that has been shown is that the government has killed around 700 civilians and there is no direct justification or proof of the need to do so. There is no direct proof of the use of firearm or report on the use of the weapon. People are just killed and dying because the UPDF said so.

In this regard… the budget priorities are very clear. As the Karamoja is getting funds for the operations of the UPDF in the region. However, there is nothing scheduled or funds to cover or help the people in need. Karamoja is possibly getting into famine and people are now going hungry. That is a sign that the government has failed this people. They are now in the hands of the government.

The UPDF seems to be more important than the civilians it is defending. Since, it has funds and operational means, but the public don’t have what they need. Neither does the state has the mechanisms or the institutions to help them. That’s why they are starving and not getting help. This shortfall has to be covered by either a UN Organizations, CSOs or NGOs. Because, they have ability and funds to come to their aide. Since, the state don’t pay it no mind and would only care if it was profitable.

Karamoja have been targeted and the army has intervened as it has… because the minerals and mining operations needs land. The villages and the people have to flee lands and the use of former methods is to shield their operation. Now it is even more evident as Karamoja is getting money for the army, but not the people in need. This has been forecasted by FEWSNET and others. It isn’t like it happened without any forewarning.

Karamoja was in a danger-zone and the army operations there wouldn’t make it any better. No, the state has addressed its own needs, but the needs of the population. The region has burned because of the army and the soldiers haven’t helped the farmers or the cattle-keepers. Instead it has possibly worsened it and created more internally displaced people. Therefore, it is striking that the UPDF gets funds, as a reported half a million will live in food insecurity and live in hunger.

I don’t see the state doing much or taking action about it. This will most likely spiral into a famine. Because, the state doesn’t have mechanisms or the willpower to do what is necessary now. That’s because the ministries and the institutions haven’t been invested into and neither is there a working protocol for cases like these. That’s for the simple reason: The International Community and their aid organizations are the shortfall for the inept and corrupt elites of Kampala.

That’s why the Minister of Karamoja will do nothing and neither will anyone associated with it. They are awaiting orders from the Office of the Prime Minister and the State House. Which will wait and we shouldn’t expect any miracles. The army is stationed here and they will not bring hope to a troubled region. A region that has burned and now it’s soon starving too. It doesn’t get a minute of peace or hope. Peace.