Opinion: The Luwero Triangle could pay the sacrifice for the bush-war, but it was forgotten afterwards…

“The Luwero triangle ministry has not had impact on livelihood of the people in the area, leaders in Luwero district have said. They said the ministry, which was meant to mitigate the effects of the war in the region, has created no impact so far” (New Vision – Impact of Luwero Triangle ministry isn’t visible, area leaders say’ 10.08.2021).

The Ministry of Luwero Triangle was established in 2001 and by the end of 2021 the Ministry hadn’t done anything. In a region and area, which is said to be the mystical place and origin of the rebellion. A rebellion that is the groundbreaking reason for the existence of the National Resistance Movement or the National Resistance Army (NRM/A). Therefore, the NRM is clearly forgetful about it’s origins.

Here is what is reported to have happened in the Luwero Triangle:

“However, it was the UNLA’s mass killings in the so-called Luwero Triangle, northwest of Kampala, which attracted most international attention. The triangle was formed by the convergence of the roads going north from Kampala to Bomba and Hoima. The Luwero area was chosen by the opposition guerrillas as a centre for operations against the government. Local people had resoundingly rejected Milton Obote ‘ s UPC in 1980 and there was undoubtedly considerable support for the guerrillas. The government’s response was brutal, not discriminating between the guerrillas who were elusive and not often captured and civilians, who were arbitrarily detained, tortured, raped and killed. Just how many died in the Luwero Triangle is ‘not known. The United States State Department estimated in 1984 that between 100,000 and 200,000 people had been killed. Certainly the population in that area declined dramatically under the Obote government although this was partly the result of the UNLA’s policy of forced removal of civilians population. On the rare occasions when it acknowledged that killings had occurred, the government implausibly blamed them on NRA guerrillas in captured army uniform. This was flatly contradicted by much eye-witness evidence. One of the best documented incidents took place at Namugongo, about 10 miles northeast of Kampala, in May 1984. Up to 100 unarmed civilians were killed, including the Reverend Godfrey Bazira, Principal of the Uganda Martyrs’ Theological College, and Sheik Yusuf Mollo, Imam of the nearby Kita mosque. UNLA soldiers entered the theological college, apparently searching for guerrillas. Staff and students were interrogated, fired at and beaten. Four individuals, including the Vice-Principal and another priest, were arrested. The four were held in military custody in Kampala and tortured before being transferred to police custody and released uncharged next day. The Reverend Godfrey Bazira was shot in the leg, beaten and taken away. When his body was discovered later, one eye was found to have been gouged out and there were other marks of torture and gunshot-wounds. Over the next two days many other people in Namugongo village and the surrounding area were beaten, tortured and killed by soldiers. Many women were raped. Anglican, Roman Catholic and Muslim religious ·places were desecrated and soldiers looted and destroyed property” (Amnesty International – Uganda – Human Rights Record, 1986-1989, March 1989).

You would think a war-torn region, which was the base of your rebellion would have gotten more after the liberation. Nevertheless, as the Ministry of the Luwero Triangle was established in 2001 and the war ended in 1986. The war continued in the Northern Uganda for many years to come, but in Luwero it ended with the hostile takeover of Kampala the same year. So, the NRA/M had its time and opportunity to make a difference there. However, it waited with a Minister 15 years and it’s been 36 years in power. After 35 years the people still couldn’t see any changes.

That says something about the NRM and how they haven’t supported the region, which gave it life and possibility to wage war. The NRM haven’t paid back to the ones that suffered the most. Still, the NRM boost on the daily about their magnificent record and how it fundamentally changed things. Alas, that is a lie. The NRM couldn’t even make a difference to the Luwero Triangle. That’s how disgraceful it is.

It only taken care of the NRA historicals and the ones who finalized deals with the rebel government in it’s early days. That’s why certain people are nearly automatically in the cabinet and has a plum-job. This is what is offered them and they will live lavish for life. While the families and the ones who was in war-zone for the whole bush-war hasn’t gotten anything substantial for it. That says something about the reigning party. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni, running for his eight term… [1986-2026]

Well, the scholars will say its his 6^th Term, which I defiantly says “no” too. That is not true. They are currently saying his on his fifth term. That he was elected in 2016 for his 5^th. However, if you do that, then your taking away his first 10 years in power. You are initially deleting the years between 1986 to 1996 and that is not fair. That is unjustified behaviour and rewriting history. The Republic of Uganda doesn’t deserve that.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is currently in his Seventh Term. You can calculate the 5 times and see that I am onto something. That the man who has run the Republic are in his 34 years in power and by 2021 is at his 35^th. By the end of the next term he will be close to 40 years. Which by dividing 40 by 5 turns into 8. It is every simple Math.

I know, I will read in the big-media houses like BBC, AP News and others where it will say that his going for his 6^th Term. These fellas who write that doesn’t care that he went a decade in power without any elections. That he suspended it and didn’t want to hold any. No, they are just making click-bait and not holding the President accountable. He should be counted for the first years of his presidency. Even if his achievements from those years are long forgotten and his killing of enemies those years. Are also long time buried and dead.

Never the less. Let me just reissue this short time. So, that everyone understands my equation and how I get to 8^th Term for Museveni. This here should be the gist, but I am sad to say. The international media will say its 6^th because they don’t know better.

Short Timeline:

1986-1991 First Term by seizing power/coup d’etat,

1991-1996 Second Term by suspending elections.

1996-2001 Third Term by First Election after the coup d’etat.

2001-2006 Fourth Term, Second Election. Abolishing Presidential Term Limits.

2006-2011 Fifth Term, Third Election – First Multi-Party Elections since the Coup d’etat.

2011-2016 Sixth Term – Fourth Election.

2016-2021 Seventh Term – Fifth Election  -Abolishing Presidential Age Limits.

2021-2026 Eight Term –Sixth Election

This is just my gist of it and how easily it can be calculated. Something, I find important, because all years should count. Not only the timeline from the election in 1996 until now. Than the same media houses should say he has ruled for 24 years, instead of 34. Why?

They are not counting it in the sense of terms, when they are accepting not to count the 10 years of suspended elections and coup d’etat. If your straight about, be straight forward and not glean in the middle.

Take the whole account, the whole time served and not just from the first election. That is just fair. This President has rigged elections and will rig the upcoming one in 2021 too. It is just a matter of levels and to what extent. Also, what sort of play he wants to do. He decides. His legacy is already tarnished and this election will not make it better.

His the soon, eight term president. Remember that. It is insane, but still true. Peace.

Operation Wealth Creation Handles No Procurement, No Money (26.03.2019)

President Museveni: Eight Time the Charm?

“I thank my Colleagues in CEC and the NRM Parliamentary Caucus for forwading my name to continue adding more steps on our mission-oriented journey. Am therefore very pleased with your confidence in me and since am still very able and I happen to be among the most conversant with this journey, I happily agree to serve” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the 18^th March 2019 at Kyankwanzi Summit

I am tired of reading in the media, both local and international, that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is running for the Sixth Term starting on the 2021 to 2016. I beg to differ, because like last time before the General Election in 2016. They we’re stating and saying he was going into his fifth term, which for me was also false. I am the sort of man, that claims this President is already serving his seventh term and going into his eight.

I have in the past explained it thoroughly, today I will be more relaxed, because this should be common knowledge. If it isn’t let, me enlighten you about this old man with the hat. There is a reason why he has a magical date of 29^th January 1986, when he was sworn in for the first time after a brutal civil-war to seize power. Something, the President have never intended to leave ever since.

That is why he stopped elections until 1996, even if that a “No-Party” Elections and a part of the Movement System. This is where people start to count, as there was elections, but by doing so. Than, your deleting without thinking the decade between 1986 to 1996. That is disgraceful to the civil-war or the Bush-War and even to the ones fighting to hold elections in the mean time.

As the President ushered his constitution the year before in 1995, an Constitution he has amended plenty times since. So that he would be eligible for a re-election. Therefore, with all of this, we have a decade before the first election after seizing power and knowing the Republic have 5 year terms. Meaning, that before the 1996 elections. The President have practically had two terms already. So his third was between 1996 to 2001.

His fourth term was the 2001-2006, which was the term where the President abolished the Presidential Term Limits, so that he was eligible for another term and also had a referendum for a Multi-Party Democracy, meaning more parties than the National Resistance Movement (NRM) could run. Because, the government lost that Referendum, the other parties was able to run as well. So, that the Movement System, which was announced with the seizing of power had to be abolished.

From here, he went into his fifth term between the 2006 – 2011. He continued to push it to his sixth on the 2011 – 2016. It is here things started to get hectic. As he continues to be in power. A sixth term should be more than enough, than he had already had 30 years in power. However, this President is still power-hungry. Because of this he went on for the 7 term, which is between 2016 to 2021.

In the midst of this term, he has changed the Constitution to abolish the Age Limit, just like he terminated the Term Limits, he ditched the Age Limit, so that he is eligible for the up-coming election in the year of 2021. Which in is my opinion, the eighth term.

To recalculate and show by short list:

1986-1991 First Term by seizing power/coup d’etat,

1991-1996 Second Term by suspending elections.

1996-2001 Third Term by first elections after the coup d’etat.

2001-2006 Fourth Term, Second Elections. Abolishing Presidential Term Limits.

2006-2011 Fifth Term, Third Election – First Multi-Party Elections since the Coup d’etat.

2011-2016 Sixth Term – Fourth Election.

2016-2021 Seventh Term – Fifth Election. Abolishing Presidential Age Limits.

2021-2026 Eight Term – Carrying on Traditions, I suppose.

That is the simplification of the hardships, the toils, the sweet and the tears of dictatorship, where they are trying to make it look like he has spent less time in power.

His reign has been active since 1986, even if there was no elections, that time before the 1996 should still count. If not, the international media and others are only validating the time after 1996, which is foolish. That is distasteful.

That is why, his not going for sixth term, that was already done by 2016, before the recent term, which is his seventh. Now, as he is the not so breaking news, the sole candidate of the NRM. He is running for the eight time. Surely before his dead, he will have run for 10 terms and seen more American President, than the Queen of England. Peace.

Museveni’s Mixed Messages in Mityana district!

“People should not claim they are waiting for government programmes in order to develop themselves. A pig will not resist to be taken to the market for sale or slaughter just because the road is not tarmacked” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the 22^nd July 2018.

There are some ironies with today, especially the mixed messages from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. As he was saying that the public should not expect the government to deliver programs for their development, while he is supporting and his government through the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and the State Minister for Tourism Godfrey Kiwanda who was starting Kisboka SACCO in Mityana District. So, it is weird that he is donating money to a project for development, while saying people shouldn’t expect the state to contribute funds. Is he dumb? Just take a look!

“Our Commander in Chief H.E President Museveni officially launched and accepted to be the Patron of the poverty eradication drive called Kisoboka (It is possible) in Mityana North. The drive, that was initiated by State Minister for Tourism Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda aims to bring about positive mindset change towards poverty eradication, job creation and wealth creation mainly though agriculture; It is already very popular in North Mityana Constituency with over 250 households joining the bid to earn at least 21.5 million shillings per annum” (Operation Wealth Creation, 22.08.2018).

“I gladly accept the request that I be the patron of Kisoboka SACCO and I will make a Shs50 million contribution towards its activities” (Museveni, 22.08.2018).

It is really not much to say, but if this works, the SACCO might do something positive to the public and citizens of North Mityana Constituency, however the OWC is not known for good seedlings and neither well-organized model of development. Therefore, this might fall flat and be empty promises to the district and constituency. We can hope for something else, but it might change for a very selective few.

This might just be another PR Stunt and a way for Kiwanda just to pocket money from the taxpayers or even shield his funds he is earning as a State Minister and MP. What is more ironic, is that the President talks of not waiting for the state to deliver development, while his state is launching possible development projects through the OWC. It is should be obvious. If he was a sincere man, he would see that.

He talks of not getting promises of development, while delivering a development projects… It doesn’t make sense.

That is just me though… I cannot be alone, but when you just have empty suits and yes men around you. You turn into this creature, this bloated arrogant prick who doesn’t see poverty; while living in lavish luxury on the state. Peace.

UPDF Press Statement on Boda Boda 2010 (29.01.2018)

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)

Parliamentary Report spells out that the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) is a totally flawed initiative!

As the 10^th Parliament and one of their committee has written a report on the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), this one lead by the man who is named General Salim Selah. There has been seen to see fruitful results to the government sponsored projects, that is for the cash-crops and other agricultural outputs. But the report that is made today in Parliament isn’t really saying much positive about the initiatives. As this OWC that are part of the Office of Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, he surely will looked failed together with Gen. Selah.

It is clearly stating the OWC as failed initiative, as the delivery is flawed, it is done without information sharing, without local knowledge or input into how they want it. The leadership from the top has decided and gives the seeds and seedlings when they feel like it. Without any concern of the districts and their OWC administration, as they do not have facilities for the deliveries done by the OWC. Certainly, there are decisions made by OPM and the General without clear leadership, neither listening to the farmers they are supposed to help to enrich. Instead, they are more delivering sub-standard services and not working for others than the ones on the top. Just take a look!

“OWC is coordinated by the Senior Presidential Advisor on Defense and Security. He heads the team of directors at the headquarters in charge of inputs, low cost housing, value addition, pensions among others, They coordinate all activities of the operation such as planning, evaluation, supervision, monitoring and evaluation” (Republic of Uganda, P: 2, 2017).

“Operation Wealth Creation distributes inputs late. Because of this, people do not pick them especially seedlings and they go to waste. For example when the Committee undertook the field visit to Agago, Oyam and Nebbi, it was informed that the inputs had been delivered late in September/October and were also planted late. The crops planted could not withstand the long dry spell that run from late November till late March and ended up dying” (Republic of Uganda, P: 3, 2017).

“Most of the suppliers of seeds and seedlings do not own nurseries. They buy from uncertified nursery operators and end up compromising the quality to meet demand” (Republic of Ugandan, P: 6, 2017).

“Some people complained that OWC “dumps” agricultural inputs that are not required by the beneficiaries for example the people of Nakaseke complained that they are given too many mangoes and oranges yet they would prefer food crops like maize and beans instead” (Republic of Uganda, P: 7, 2017). “OWC uses the top bottom approach. People are not consulted before supplying therefore people are sometimes given what they do need for example people in Kubuku district complained that they were given the variety of mangoes that they not need” (Republic of Uganda, P: 7, 2017).

“OWC supplies inputs without informing the district leadership making it difficult for them to plan how to store and distribute the inputs” (Republic of Uganda, P: 7, 2017). “OWC does not monitor the performance of the inputs distributed. This leaves the programme without data on which it can base the supply of inputs in the future” (Republic of Uganda, P: 8, 2017).

If these quotes are not proving that the OWC is totally flawed, it is heavily run by the General Salim Selah and under the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, who are in-direct charge of the OWC. The OWC seems more like a fine slogan and signs, but the secretariat are not controlling or informing as it should. Neither is it listening to the ones that are supposed to benefit from it. Secondly, the programme doesn’t even monitor the results. Therefore, the results and the evidence of the having it is more on the feelings of Gen. Selah and the President Museveni. Not on the farmers who could instead have district boards on Co-Ops on Inputs. Instead of a centralized Museveni family controlled organization, that is clearly not doing what is supposed to do. It seems futile and not to be there for anyone else, then the ones appointed by the President and the companies they buy the seeds and seedlings from!

OWC isn’t for the farmers and for growing better yields, right now it is a non-transparent, top bottom leadership without any care for the districts who needs help and need government subsidized seeds and seedlings. If it doesn’t change… than the government can just pocket the monies, instead of just spending monies at the wrong time, for the wrong farmers and for the late season for growing the seeds. Peace.

Reference:

Republic of Uganda – ‘Report on the Sectoral Commission on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries of the Implementation of the Operation Wealth Creation Programme in Uganda’ (May 2017)