Tag: Nakasongola District
Uganda: Letter – “Re: Heightened Index of Suspicion for Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Your District” (21.08.2017)
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MPS for Presidential Affairs FY 2017/18 proving massive spending on Mzee!
The Ministerial Policy Statement on the Presidential Affairs for the Financial Year of 2017/2018. These are clear of the priorities in the Republic. The Republic are putting as much funds into the State House, which is Ushs. 245 bn and under the Office of Prime Minister in the Development Expenditure Ushs. 245 bn. So there are certain aspects of government priority that isn’t healthy, as both the Office of the President and the State House get Ush. 300 bn in total. But take look at the beautiful priorities of the National Resistance Movement!
Office of the President:
“In the FY 2017/18, the total proposed allocation to Office of the President is Ushs 54.268 bn, reflecting a 2.8% increment against the FY 2016/17 approved budget” (GoU, P: 3,2017).
“The Committee noted that four (4) districts of Kagadi, Kakumiro, Omoro and Rubanda came in place in FY 2016/2017. In the FY 2017/2018, Namisindwa, Pakwach, Butebo, Rukiga, Kyotera and Bunyangabo will come into operation. The Committee however noted that additional cost implication of Ushs. 2.63 bn to facilitate 10 RDCs is not within the MTEF ceiling of Office of the President in FY 2017/18. The Committee further observed that facilitation for RDCs to conduct effective monitoring of Government programs is underfunded to the tune of Ushs. 3.0 bn” (GoU, P: 4, 2017)
Internal Security Organization:
“The Committee expressed concern without substantial facilitation to Internal Security Organisation, terrorists can successfully accomplish their interests of terrorism and insurgency activities and other forms of organized crimes including politically motivated ones without detection. This has in most cases resulted substantial spending in managing such acts” (GoU, P: 9, 2017).
State House:
“In the FY 2017/18, the total proposed allocation to Vote 002 is Ushs 245.567 bn, reflecting a 4.6% reduction against the FY 2016/17 approved budget” (GoU, P: 12, 2017).
External Security Organization:
“In the FY 2017/18, the total proposed allocation to Vote 159 is Ushs 31.343 bn, reflecting an increment of 16.4°10 against the FY 2016/17 approved budget largely on account of a 10 % budget cut on consumptive items” (GoU, P: 18, 2017).
Office of the Prime Minister:
“The Committee noted that the policy on refugees in Uganda is lacking. The Committee was informed that Office of the Prime Minister is in the process of conducting consultations with stakeholders to validate the Draft Refugee Policy. The Committee observes that in absence of the refugee policy, citizens are not aware of the right places and right engagement for refuges. The Committee undertook on-spot assessment of communities hosting refugees in Adjumani, Yumbe and Kiryandongo Districts and noted that in some instances, refugees have too much freedom and are more privileged at the expense of nationals” (GoU, P: 29, 2017).
“10.3.5 Lack of sustainable interventions for Disaster Preparedness
The Committee notes that Office of the Prime Minister has not made any efforts in putting in place sustainable interventions for Disaster Preparedness. In its oversight role, the Committee undertook a field visit to Nakasongola District, which is among the drought prone areas in the Country. The Committee was informed that during peak drought season, about 30 heads of cattle died per day and that the drought season occurs year in year out. The most painful thing to note is that Nakasongola District is surrounded by Lake Kyoga” (GoU, P: 29, 2017).
“11.1 VOTE 001 – OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Budget Item UShs. (Bn)
(i) Recurrent Expenditure 118,929,091,000
(ii) Development Expenditure 5,216,904,000” (GoU, P: 32, 2017).
“11.3 VOTE 003 – OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
Budget Item (i) Recurrent Expenditure Ushs. 64,786,412,000 bn.
(ii) Development Expenditure Ushs. 245,404,928,000 bn” (GoU, P: 32, 2017)
There are proof of enough lacking resources, lacking policies, even coming from the Office of the Prime Minister, that is the Ministry under Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the trusted appointee that was sought to fill the shoes of Amama Mbabazi. Therefore, the government are clearly not planning or having funds to keep the refugees in Uganda. There assistance is coming from donors, the Multi-National Organization and Non-Governmental Organization who apply needed help to the fleeing refugees in Northern Uganda.
We can also see the similar use of Development expenditure under the Office of the Prime Minister and the State House, which is Ushs. 245 bn. This is proving the misuse of funds on the State House, as the development expenditure should be more important than expensive water and all other projects under the State House. As well, as keeping the upkeep of the President. Even as under the Office of the President are alone getting Ushs. 118 bn. Therefore, the whole Presidential Affairs are really not a cheap ride for the Financial Year of 2017/2018.
The are really lot of spending on the President and Prime Minister’s portfolios, but still missing key policies to implement the spending. That is maybe why the State House needed supplementary budget before even getting the vote of the Ministerial Statement. If that isn’t bad planning or even misuse of State Reserves, than who knows! Peace.
Reference:
Government of Uganda (GoU)- ‘SUMMARY REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS ON THE MINISTERIAL POLICY STATEMENTS FOR FY 2017/18’ (May 2017)
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The Curious Case of Tamale Mirundi
The former mouthpiece of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the former Presidential Press Secretary Tamale Mirundi who has ever since been sacked by the State House he has been all around media blasting and commenting on politics. This has now been seen by the Uganda Communication Committee (UCC) as a volatile and meager expression of language and profanity that the media doesn’t need. This happens only two days after he appeared on AmamaRadio. He has been on NBS TV and WBS, also certain radio station talking ever since his sacking. Let’s look a bit on the fellow mouth-piece!
Some older news on the man:
In 2009 these reports came:
“FM radio campaigns by John Tamale Mirundi, encouraging squatters to attack land owners. Mirundi uses Star FM, TOP Radio and other FM stations to tell his targeted listeners: “When those land owners bring court brokers or surveyors and try to evict you, defend your selves. Be ready to use pangas (machetes), sticks and fire to get rid them.” In the last two months, mobs of bibanja holders have murdered two landlords in Bugerere county alone” (…)”As Mr. Museveni’s Presidential Press Secretary, Tamale Mirundi is widely believed by rural land squatters to be speaking on behalf of the Ugandan strong man. The emerging consensus among Buganda analysts is that president Museveni may be creating the terror because Mmengo seems to have successfully blocked his Land Act Amendment of 2009 the way they did with the his Regional Tier” (Kabaka Concern, 2009).
Here are some wonderful quotes in defense of the former chief and head of state Musveni:
“The President doesn’t have a key to State coffers. If there is extravagance, the MPs should be the ones to blame” (…)”They should tell us why they keep approving this money. And before they accuse the President of being insensitive to the needs of the people, let them come to Parliament on bicycles and cut their salaries” (…)”He must see what is going on, that is why under the Constitution he is obliged to take over the administration of a district if things are not going well” (Kiwanuka, 2011).
Also in 2011:
“Mashate’s case involves the government, so I’m not the right person to comment” (…)”“I’m not Museveni’s lawyer to know why the amount of money involved accumulate” (…)“I have to look for Museveni first before I can comment” (…)”The President’s office is not like a headmaster’s office. I am a highly trained journalist, I know you journalist what you want” (BlackStarNews, 2014).
In May 2013 Mirundi said this and did that:
“Sources have told us Mirundi was linked to Sejusa through the general’s phone call logs, which security operatives retrieved. Mirundi was reportedly asked to explain why the general was calling him regularly”. About that Mirundi said this: “They checked his (Sejusa) phone [numbers he has been dialing] and found out that I am one of the people who have been calling Tinyefuza.“I told them that ‘Yes Tinye is my friend and that I have been calling him.’ They later left” (UGO, 2013).
He said this in 2014: “spends hours… abusing members of parliament, abusing everybody and he says he is the president’s dog… the only person he spares is the president!”
“When Tamale was managing The Voice newspaper over ten years ago he failed to pay his workers numbering 17. Three of them, including his cousin Felix Kyeyune, sued him and the money (Ush 5m each plus legal fees) was paid just as the bus to take Tamale to Luzira prison waited outside courtroom in Mengo, a Kampala suburb” (Odinga, 2014).
In July 2014 he said this:
“My contract ended. It is now up to the president to either renew it or not” (…)”I entered State House when I had one suit. But look at what I have achieved. The President educated me and my children in some of the best universities in Scotland” (…)”Even if my contract is not renewed, I will not complain. I can assure you that I will never attack Museveni when I am outside State House” (Lumu & Anyango, 2014).
Salary he had in the FY 2014/2015:
What did he earn during the last budget FY 2014/2015 while being a statehouse employee that was the net sum off US$ 9.846.672, and monthly salary we’re US$ 8.20.566. If I calculate this salary with exchange rate in November 2014 the UGX that would make that year’s salary: 27.078.348.000 Uganda Shillings that is if the exchange rate is on the level of 24. November 2014; when it was 2750 to one US dollar; so he we’re surely more paid then the average Ugandan in that financial year.
In April 2015:
“Mirundi reportedly singled out Kabiito for his handling of a case in which Cairo International Bank was challenging its prosecution in the Anti-Corruption court in regard to the theft of an estimated Shs 169bn meant for pensioners” (…)”Musota said Mirundi took issue with the judge’s handling of a case involving 1,000 former spies who wanted their retirement benefits worth about Shs 39bn paid. According to Musota, what angered Tamale was the judge’s rejection of an application by the Inspectorate of Government (IG) that sought to block the payments” (Kiyonga, 2015). Tamale Mirundi said this about it: “Those judges are suffering from colonialism. They think they are important but they are not important, they are just servants of the people and as long as they are corrupt, we shall talk about them” (…)”By the mere fact that they have reacted to my statements, that is an indication that I have defeated them. If they think that I’m guilty of anything, let them sentence me to death” (…)”I want Kabiito to tell me how I got his judgment [of Cairo bank] before he could read it out. I’m sure it wasn’t written by him and I have evidence to that effect. I just don’t talk without any proof”. He also laughed off the judges’ call for his firing’” (Kiyonga, 2015).
In May 28th 2015:
“President’s Press Secretary, Joseph Tamale Mirundi, has been appointed as an advisor to the cabinet of Isaabaruuli Mwogezi Butamanya, the Baruuli cultural leader” (…)”Buruli chiefdom based in Nakasongola District, like Banyala chiefdom in Kayunga District, isn’t recognised by Buganda Kingdom and they have been on collusion course which has sometimes led to deadly riots” (Kaweesi, 2015).
And then he has since gone like every day said something vile on NBS as a commentator on the Campaigns and Politics. Trying to sound wise, but instead becoming a side-show and that is attacks on everybody from Bebe Cool, Dr. Tanga Odoi, Amama Mbabazi, Gilbert Bukenya and so on. The list is longer then the so called Membership register of the NRM that they said at one point they didn’t have before the NRM Primaries. Well, see why I took pieces of his history. Continue to look!
Today:
Uganda Communication Committee chairman Godfrey Mutabazi has said today after Tamale Mirundi in the recent weeks actually was on a show for AmamaRadio. Mr. Mutabazi said to the press: “The language used doesn’t deserve to be on the airwaves. The commission therefore directs you to stop broadcasting such programs with immediate effect” (…)”Some stations have written to us acknowledging the concern and promising to restrain their guest from such conduct” (NewVision, 2015).
Later today because Tamale Mirundi has a show on Radio Star 87,5 FM have been switched off or taken cutting their sender after the report and statement from UCC. The transmitter from the station has to be muted as a reaction to the UCC threat earlier.
He must have said something profane and vile that makes UCC react like this. We all know that he have after being fired… spoken wildly on every political topic on every format possible in country. They must be listening to you “mute” since July and since he dropped his wit on certain newly founded opposition campaign radio-station AmamaRadio. AmamaRadio the lamest name for a radio; where he must has said something hurtful spiteful crap that is more hunting then calling a political person a walking coffin or Museveni all-of-sudden is not the revolutionary mind that Tamale Mirundi always have claimed. Right?
An UCC has made Uganda and its ruling party and its leadership proud! Yep. The all-time and lifelong legacy of the President Museveni; I am sure the UCC is as afraid of somebody as the Electoral Commission is at the point. We have seen Kiggundu recently act upon Amama Mbabazi and Dr. Kizza Besigye and now Mutabazi acting as an arm of the NRM. Not surprising, it’s expected, right?
Peace.
Reference:
Committee on Presidential Affairs Meets the Office of the Precidency – (19.03.2014)
BlackStarNews – ‘U.K. Court Says Publisher’s Multi-million Dollar Case Against Gen. Museveni Still Active’ (27.11.2011) link: http://www.blackstarnews.com/others/extras/uk-court-says-publishers-multi-million-dollar-case-against-gen-museveni-still-active
‘Kabaka Concerned, Museveni and Mirundi Promoting Landlord Murders’ (27.08.2009)
Kaweesi, Samuel – ‘Tamale Mirundi appointed advisor to Buruuli Kingæ (28.05.2015) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Tamale-Mirundi-appointed-advisor-to-Buruuli-King/-/688334/2732166/-/gjeoad/-/index.html
Kiwanuka, William Kituuka – ‘TAMALE MIRUNDI REASONS CHILDISHLY’ (22.07.2011) link: http://williamkituuka.blogspot.no/2011/07/tamale-mirundi-reasons-childishly.html
Kiyonga, Derrick – ‘Judges want Museveni to fire Tamale Mirundi’ (24.04.2015) link: http://www.observer.ug/news-headlines/37533-judges-want-museveni-to-fire-tamale-mirundi
Lumu, David & Anyango, Aida – ‘My contract has expired, says Tamale Mirundi’ (24.07.2014) link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/657962-my-contract-has-expired-says-tamale-mirundi.html
NewVision – ‘UCC moves to stop Tamale Mirundi’s ‘abusive remarks’ (01.11.2015) link:
http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/676351-ucc-moves-to-stop-tamale-mirundi-s-abusive-remarks.html
Odinga, William – ‘Tamale Mirundi punches former employee below the belt’ (18.03.2014) link: http://williamodinga.blogspot.no/2014/03/tamale-mirundi-punches-former-employee.html
UGO – ‘Tamale Mirundi grilled over Sejusa calls’ (15.05.2013) link: http://news.ugo.co.ug/tamale-mirundi-grilled-over-sejusa-calls/
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Uganda – Civil Servants have delayed salaries for May and June 2015
Those who have followed this blog know that I have done this now for a few years. I continuously address this matter of delayed payments of salaries from the government to their own employees. The Ugandan Government has like a sickness when it comes to paying out monies to its staff. They have to sneeze it out. The strange thing for me is that we haven’t had a tornado of warnings and admission of words from Keith Muhakanizi the Secretary of Treasury. He is unusually silent. Well, the undersecretary of the Public Ministery Geoffrey Ettedu said his peace on the matter and as always Filbert Baguma Bates spoke his wisdom as well. Another silent man was the Minister of Public Ministery Henry Muganwa Kajura. But now let the stories tell them for them self.
At the Gulu University teachers and lectures stopped teaching for missing payment of salaries dating back to August last year. This was in March 2015. Last year in March they did the same kind of strike that time for compensation for extra work (Makumbi & Okot, 2015).
Filbert Baguma Bates says: “that teachers in KCCA, Iganga District among others have never received their salaries of May-2015” (…) “that they have given the respective accounting officers to pay the teachers’ salaries before Wednesday next week failure they will loose their patience” (RadioONEFM90, 2015). In another article Mr Filbert Baguma says: “More than 1,000 civil servants in Nakasongola District, majority being teachers, didn’t get their March pay. As I talk now, the salary for May is not yet paid for 2,000 teachers within KCCA” (…) ”When the problem is for government, they don’t give you genuine reasons. But I think this arises from underbudgeting. Non-salary payment is common in most local governments. You find a number of people missing salary and without reason” (Sibwe, 2015).
Geoffrey Ettedu the undersecretary of the Public Ministery says: “For starters, there should be a cleansing process in documentations from ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) plus local governments for all civil servants” (…) “Regional accounting officers should be able to update the list of servants quarterly; that way we [will] end the ghost workers epidemic”. If you thought that wasn’t enough Filbert Baguma Bates continues: “Every government employee is supposed to receive salary on the 28th of every month, but [the Kampala Capital City Authority – KCCA is suffering] budget shortfalls that always affect them at the end of almost every financial year” (…) “that the issue had been recurring for the previous three years with primary teachers affected the most” (Alitwijuka & Sekandi, 2015).
I will not discuss the matter more. I have used enough time on this. But have this letter in the end that everybody should read. Peace.
Reference:
Alitwijuka, Gilber & Sekandi, James – ‘Uganda: Accounting Officers Tasked Over Teachers’ Pay’ (22.06.2015) Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201506222413.html
RadioONEFM90 – ‘Teachers yet to receive May payment’ (13.06.2015) Link:
http://radioonefm90.com/teachers-yet-to-receive-may-payment/
Makumbi, Cissy & Okot, John – ‘Gulu University lecturers strike over delayed pay’ (04.03.2015) Link:
Sibwe, Patience Ahimbi – ‘More than 3,000 civil servants miss May salary’ (09.06.2015) Link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/More-than-3000-civil-servants-miss-May-salary/-/688334/2744528/-/po7sx2/-/index.html
MinBane 