My letter to H.E. Benjamin William Mpaka please give up the Inter-Burundian Dialogue!

Dear Sir, His Excellency Benjamin William Mpaka of Tanzania.

I am writing to you as the months since the third term of Pierre Nkurunziza happen in 2015. We are in the end of 2017 and nothing has changed for the better. The Inter-Burundian Dialogue and Peace Process has been flawed by your making and lack of legitimacy, as the dialogue has been controlled by the Ruling Regime or CNDD-FDD, the party of President Nkurunziza. Who is on his third term and planing to extend it. This has been proved by reports of possible rule for another three terms. As the IEBC of Kenya was behind the recent flawed elections of 2015.

Therefore with the total control of the state of CNDD-FDD isn’t minimizing as the partners of the East African Community (EAC), which is the Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, whose has his stakes in Burundi as a mediator by proxy. Not that he is peaceful and with dialogue in his own republic. So there is nothing Nkurunziza can learn that is positive from him. Neither is there from Tanzanian counterpart John Pombe Magufuli, who is becoming like his neighbors. He is detaining oppositions and closing papers who write bad about him. Therefore, his partners in crime to say, isn’t making the Inter-Burundian dialogue trustworthy.

You off all should know this Benjamin, you have been checked and controlled. The government has banished certain parties and civil society organizations (CSOs). This should tell enough for you, but still you have been mediator into this. The whole charade and non progress as time goes along and the CNDD-FDD get everything.

Nkurunziza has the control and the Inter-Burundian Dialogue is just a ploy for the international interests. Clearly, the Burundian government are trying to deflect trouble and with their violence within. As they have left the International Criminal Court (ICC), but surely it must hurt the government that they are still investigating crimes against humanity that occurred during the membership of the court.

Since your work to build a peaceful nation seems futile. Since the CNDD-FDD are assassinating, detaining and scaring people into exile. There countless refugees in Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Uganda. All of this because of the violence of 2015 and after. The political oppression and harassment, as well as senseless killings of its own. That should make you wonder why you are still involved. You are tarnishing your reputation and your legacy, by spoiling time on this mission.

Nkurunziza wont leave, he will kill you if tries to take his place away and leave someone else as President. Pierre has no intention of leaving, he will burn villages and spread fear to rule. He even has his own Imbonerakure, are the party youth wing who is militant together with the army and police, who are systematically targeting people who dissent. This has been done and people has disappeared.

Mr. Mpaka is your name and legacy worth losing over this? Is this job so well-paid and so honorable, that you will keep it? What is your motivation to stay put? As the progression and the stalemate continues. There is nothing left soon, as the constitutional amendment and real opposition is either deceased or in exile. Is that the dialogue you preserve and that you see as fruitful?

I just have to ask, because the time is going, the CNDD-FDD isn’t become better or changing. Neither is Nkurunziza who is using the state for his profit. There is nothing to give… nothing at all. You are on a pointless mission, a mission to sustain the draconian dictatorship and give it legitimacy as it is silencing its opposition. Is that your value? Is that what you want us to associate with your name?

Mpaka, the loyal stooge and nemesis of the Burundian democracy and freedom? Is that you Sir? It seems so, unless you leave and not tarnish your name anymore. Better to be in peace and work in quiet in Tanzania, than being used by Nkurunziza as a pawn for the international community. That is what you is, your role is worthless and a bother. But a needed stooge to keep up the facade of dialogue. Even when in reality, there is none and will be none.

Nkurunziza surely will pay you handsomely, even Museveni and Magufuli, but we will remember that you gave way for a leader who kill and destroy to stay there. That is who you are Benjamin, you might not like it, but you are. Remember that! Peace.

Best Regard.

Writer of Minbane

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Chapter Four Memo to Uganda Medical Association: “Subject: Legality of and Rights of Members during Industrial Action” (08.11.2017)

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Age Limit: Do not celebrate MPs donating Consultation monies to any public institution, ask for good governance instead!

Hon. Francis Mwijukye said: “Today I visited Karungu government secondary in Karungu subcounty- Buhweju district where I found students studying under very disturbing circumstances” (Mwijukye, 25.06.2016)

Let’s be clear and settle this straight, in the nations and a republic that cannot pay their civil servants, neither on time or within need of the inflation. Where strikes are shut down and oppressed. Where the civil servants are living in shacks, while the Members of Parliaments (MPs) are flashy individuals who has cars, houses, salaries and all the other benefits.

Therefore, I am not applauding that they are using the 29 million shillings on hospital bed and other needed upgrades of government facilities. This should be in the budgets and be in the trillions of shillings spent every year upon end to secure the schools, hospitals and institutions as a whole. Just the same with the procured donations from the MPs. The MPs should instead try to fix the governance and service delivery of the state, so that the MPs don’t have to buy goodwill, but instead be good representatives of their sub-counties and districts. This seems like far-fetched dreams at this point.

The National Resistance Movement who are giving pillau and foods to people to vote for the removing the Age Limit of the Constitution. They are trying with cheap tricks and spending, while using funds that the budget clearly not have, since they are struggling to even pay proper salaries to the doctors. Doctors who are vital parts of medical services. Still, they have to forced to work on salaries they are struggling to live, we can just imagine how much the clerks and nurses are getting.

We already knows that the Police Officers and Teachers are living on horrible salaries and are tricking for money. They are having gardens and all sort of play besides their work, someone can wait for salaries depending on which part of the country for months upon end. That is if the state actually pays out or having back-lash trouble on the payments, as the civil servants in the central district are stifling the money away from them on ghost teachers. This isn’t news, but a sad reality. Because the salaries of the central administration of a district isn’t good either. The Resident District Commander and Chief Account Officer might be well off, considering. But the rest might be living hand to mouth.

All of this is why it’s nice that the MPs are giving their extra funding to hospitals and schools. But they rather change governance, make sure the state protocol provides this as that is their duties as the people’s representatives. The Age Limit Consultation money should have went there, but has been spoiled instead. That is why it was so easy to give the monies to the MPs and they could use it as they please, on their cars, side-dishes or be nice to their communities. What would be grander and better, that would actually make sure the Ministry of Health actually delivered good working hospitals in their districts and schools that the public needs.

Enough of the buffoonery… Please… Peace!

Age Limit: Catholic Diocese of Fort Portal renounce all statements by by Bishop Robert Muhiirwa on Social Media, they are false! (08.11.2017)

Age Limit: PM Rugunda uses senility, but it is okay that its the age of an average older care recipient!

When you become senile, you won’t know it.”Bill Cosby

Another day in the Parliamentary Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs in the Parliament, as the discussed Raphael Magyezi Constitutional Amendment Number 2 are under review. This while many stakeholders are coming by, this time, the NRM could actually give some arguments for themselves. Not that they are any good or proper, because we all know the reason for the proposed amendment. Which is to spring to life, a life presidency for the long serving President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. To say otherwise should be treasonous or criminal, because we all know that the ones who doesn’t have positive consultation or helpful meetings with the public are either detained, tear-gassed or having trouble with the law like in Soroti or Lira.

Dr. Ruhakana Ruganda defense of the Constitutional Amendment today:

My opinion is that many things changed both in the NRM and politics. Views change, thinking changes, people’s age changes, and, therefore, it is not a surprise that after 20 year of the constitution, there is consideration and reconsideration of some of these situation” the Prime Minister told the Committee” (…) “Rugunda went on to say that,: “So, I think in this particular issue of age limit, it would be unfair to country to say somebody should not stand for President because he or she is 35 years and below” (…) “Age is not the best determinant for performance. People are able to perform differently. One can make a general statement that one becomes senile at old age, but some start at a young age” (Gyagenda, 2017).

Because of his mention in the end of senile age. I have to bring common knowledge of aging and what it does to your body and need for special care, when coming to advanced age. There for instance numbers from the United States, from the Health in Aging Foundation that says: “The average age of older care recipients is 75 years” (Health in Aging Foundation). That means the Age Limit is set on fixed age paradigm, that is ordinary in the West and also proves the need of more care to average human beings. Even if President Museveni is the only man with a vision in the Republic, he still is just made out of flesh and blood. With his aging and his hectic scheduled for the last three decades must have taken lots of his strength, but also made his body fatigued, since he hasn’t had months upon months end at luxurious hotels in Switzerland like his fellow Cameroonian dictator-buddy President Paul Biya. Therefore, the articles on old-age should be more fitting to paradigm of changing the constitution for this man himself.

Here is some quick brief article on the average age of 75 years:

As people age, they tend to deal with multiple medical conditions. According to the Alliance for Aging Research, the average 75-year old person has three chronic medical conditions and uses five prescription drugs, as well as multiple over-the-counter remedies. For many older people, the incidence of depression, incontinence, and memory loss are a direct threat to their ability to live independently. “Careful management of these conditions by a multi-disciplinary team becomes paramount to maintaining long-term health, vigor, and the capacity for personal growth and independence,” the AAR said in a report critical of current medical staffing ratios” (O’Boyle, 2003).

Therefore, it is strange that the NRM and their government want to open for people with more depressions, incontinence and memory loss. That is clearly neglect of the state and also of a transparent government. Museveni could have been biggest genius the world has ever since, but alas that is not the case. This is self-serving mission for himself and his family, the party is just puppets on the ride of it all.

So what I am hearing, is that the NRM want the average older-care patient as their President, I don’t know if I should be sad or shock and awe. But the latter is to depressing and I am only in 30s. I need to get to 70 years old myself and become generally depressed about the political affairs of the day.

Let’s be clear and know the reality. That the NRM will not open up or let any contest when they are 16 years or 18 years, because Museveni isn’t that age now. But he is soon clocking in 75 years and therefore, they need the sudden change within time. To say something else is lie.

The power lies all in the Executive, in the President, but that doesn’t mean it is rightfully his. Museveni has no plan to go, or leave or even be a farmer in his elderly years. Even if it means he will be travel more abroad for treatment. Since he has not built good health-care system in the republic. Therefore, he will be at the average of an older care recipient. That is what is waiting, not that it is humbling or justified. But there should be someone more sound and with vigor in the Republic, than a person who possible are becoming an older care recipient. This is just to be frank, since the PM Rugunda spelled out the senility bravado earlier today.

What do you think? Peace.

Reference:

O’Boyle, Richard – ‘When Do You Need a Geriatrician?’ (2003) link: http://www.ec-online.net/Knowledge/Articles/geriatrician.html

Gyagenda, Mivule – ‘Rugunda Refutes His Party’s Claims That Article 102(B) Was Smuggled Into Constitution’ (07.11.2017) link:http://www.softpower.ug/rugunda-refutes-his-partys-claims-that-article-102b-was-smuggled-into-constitution/

PPS Molly Kamukama letter to Dr. Obuku Ekwaro – “Medical Doctors Issues Raised by Uganda Medical Association” (06.11.2017)