Opinion: Mengo cannot save Mpuuga…

Happening Now: The Commissioner of Parliament, Owek. Mathias Mpuuga together with Busiro South MP Owek. Medard Lubega Sseggona currently in a closed door meeting with the Katikkiro Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga at Bulange, Mengo” (GSTV Africa, 03.04.2024)

I’ll repeat it often: politics isn’t a game. Leaders who treat it that way disgust me. Politics involves the heavy burden of leadership since incompetent leadership has the power to destroy entire nations and claim lives. Therefore, in the event that conflicts emerge among you, try to find a solution because the Ugandan people look to you and your leaders for guidance. Don’t let little things pull you away from your main objectives” – Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga (03.04.2024).

We know that former Leader of Opposition and currently Commissioner of Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga has used Mengo and the Baganda Kingdom as shield for his actions. He has used his loyalty to the Kingdom over the ability to adhere to requests of actions from his party. This has ended in him being suspended as the Deputy President of Central Region (Buganda). Therefore, the acts of the “service award” is having consequences, but shows that Mpuuga has allies.

We are now seeing Mpuuga walking around with Speaker Among to Mengo. He didn’t attend the day in advance with the party he represents, National Unity Platform (NUP). The MP instead went with the Speakers and the leaders of the Parliament. Which is yet another sign of defiance against his own party.

Mpuuga MP shows his arrogance in regards to his actions. The party asked for him to resign from the Office of the Commissioner. That is something he won’t do and he has come with several allegations, which he never addressed before it started to burn on his feet. This shows that the supposed alleged illicit activities with in the NUP. He hasn’t showed this before, but did that when the party asked for reasons to let him stay in Office. However, he isn’t turned it on the party.

Now we see why, because his aligned with the Speaker and the Prime Minister of Buganda Kingdom. The Katikkiro is now undermining the efforts of the NUP and says it should mediate. As the “service award” is just a small matter. That just shows that the Katikkiro wants to muffle and stop the internal process of the NUP. This is helping Mpuuga and his allies.

We know Mpuuga MP wants to be seen as a Owek and a respected politician. They are selling him and making it seem like everything is dandy. You can wonder what is in it for the Katikkiro. As his using the influence of the Kingdom and trying to make Mpuuga seem more relevant. That’s what is the message, as his holding closed meetings and selling shirts to the Kabaka Marathon. Therefore, the investment into him is significant.

Mpuuga should be grateful … and feel lucky to have the allies currently. Things aren’t going better in the party and he hasn’t handled things internally. Neither has he acted upon the requests. This just show the defiance of him and his boosting ego.

Mpuuga MP is now an asset of the Buganda kingdom. His their Owek and the Speaker is vouching for him too. They are all in cahoot and working in coordination, as if they are earning on the demise and weakening of NUP. That’s how this is looking and it’s not brilliant politicking. As the Katikkiro is losing out and supporting a corrupt politician.

I am just wondering what the Katikkiro is getting out of the alliance with Mpuuga MP. Because, right now it is only a hot potato and not a winning ticket. If the Katikkiro thinks he can clean the image and make Mpuuga ready for another election. The Katikkiro is wrong there too, as the MP himself isn’t helping his case and no matter how eloquent you are… the actions speaks louder than words. The statements and the letters aren’t helping him either.

That’s why it’s tragic that the Katikkiro is now using his office to safeguard and shield Mpuuga. This isn’t what we want to see and it’s despicable. Mayiga should know better, but apparently he doesn’t and it shows. Peace.

Opinion: Lavish Prayers for Peaceful Elections…

MPs on the Legal & Parliamentary Affairs Committee queried the Shs1.119Tn Electoral Commission is seeking to start activities for the 2026 general elections, with some Lawmakers describing the Shs18Bn to be spent on legal fees for private lawyers & about Shs500M to hold national prayers for peaceful elections, as wasteful & exorbitant” (Parliament Watch, 02.04.2024).

The Government of Uganda (GoU) aren’t poor when a government entity or institution can plan a National Prayer costing 500 million shillings. They want to spend a “service award” on a prayer session. That is all for publicity and make belief. It is a way of being in the public and showing good faith.

The Electoral Commission (EC) which is gearing up for the General Elections in 2026. The EC has plenty of things prepare and set-up ahead of the polls. The Commissioners knows what is at stake and their mandate too.

Not that we can believe… or have proper faith in the polls in general. That’s because we know the “winner” years ahead and we know that the NRM will have the majority. This is regardless of the will of the people or who they align too. The Opposition can have whoever on the ballot and that person will never succeed. Therefore, the EC is just another tool used by the President to legitimize himself and his reign.

We can wonder why they want to spend millions on a National Prayer for Peaceful Elections. That in an environment, which has been filled with intimidation and authorities cracking down on dissent. It is like the EC doesn’t see what the law enforcement is up too and acts during the electoral road map. We have seen how the authorities are kidnapping, arresting and detaining opposition leaders, activists and associates during and after elections. Therefore, the prayers for peace are futile, when the system is rigged against just that.

The Electoral Commission won’t change the practices of the security agencies. We know they will crackdown and keep people incommunicado. That’s what they do… the drones will show up and people will go missing. Just because of their activism and their fight for their candidate or party. That is just the way things are going in the Republic…

The whole state apparatus will be used during the elections. There will tension and fear in the air. As the awaiting cooking of results are awaiting. The soldiers in the streets and the LDUs will be surrounding vital areas. They will be all around and we know the social media will be a key thing too. That’s how the state operates and this is the “fake peace” the state offers the public.

This here is wastage of public expenditure. Misuse of office and misuse of resources. The EC shouldn’t use these funds on a prayer. They should use on it something useful, which would build confidence or civic education about the electoral system. However, they rather hire a pastor, church and hold a ceremony to bash in glory in front of God. That’s who they are and its disrespectful and dishonest. Which is a bad start for a prayer.

Living on a prayer in dishonesty and being disingenuous is just a poor taste. While your spending money which isn’t yours doing it. That is just a sight and Lord Almighty, the ones in Power has failed us all. Peace.

National Unity Platfrom (NUP): Mathias Mpuuga MP letter to Dr. Lina Zedriga – “Re: Notice to Show Cause Against Impending Call” (13.03.2024)

Opinion: Mpuuga’s defiance isn’t endearing Part III

I appreciate and understand that you are under siege. I don’t know how to help you and support you. In view of the contents of the impugned document, that the person suspended failed to supply a satisfactory explanation, yet the same person was earlier on reported to have confessed and apologised, I don’t know how to rescue you and the party from the captors. The prevailing desperate situation and the circumstances we find ourselves in, will afford me more time and space to consult with the rank and file of the party for a way forward. Accept once again my sympathies for the unyielding siege that has impaired judgement at the highest echelons of the party” – Mathias Mpuuga MP (29.03.2024)

Yesterday was a proof that the former Leader of Opposition and current Commissioner of Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga believes his bigger than his party. His actions speaks louder than words. His resilience and lack of reading the room.

That’s why his undermining the party, which gave him a second life. A party that entrusted him and gave him confidence. Some call him wise, seasoned and a clever politician. However, this last month we have only seen a greedy politician living in denial. A man who doesn’t take accountability and think he is entitled to eat. That’s who Mpuuga has become.

Mpuuga is a far-cry from the man of the days of the Activists for Change (A4C). A man who looked at the Parliament and cried out loud of their impunity, corruption and misuse of office. Now that he has entered the August House and gotten into Office. He himself became like the people he protested against and wanted ousted. However, he thinks speaking in tongue can save him.

Mpuuga MP better act swiftly, as the messaging he is using isn’t saving him. Neither is it wise. It is just showing that he blames others and doesn’t look at himself. He wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the “service award”. Mpuuga wouldn’t be suspended and be handled by the Party President if he didn’t act accordingly.

Mpuuga MP was asked to apologize and step down. Nevertheless, the month has passed by and he has done neither. The Party has tried to exchange him with another MP, but the Speaker is blocking that person from getting in his stead. So, the Office is Parliament is sustained, but not by the party his representing, but by the powerful in government. Which is ironic, when his supposed to be an opposition of the set government.

Mpuuga MP has lost face and lost all credibility. A man who had a future, but sold it for a big envelope. He traded his legacy and legitimacy over a big bank. That’s who Mpuuga became and spinning the blame on Bobi Wine isn’t a winning ticket. It just shows that he undermines the authority of the party he represents and doesn’t want to follow party line when it doesn’t suit him.

This haven’t been a good look for Mpuuga. The National Unity Platform (NUP) will live on this scandal and tragic saga. It is one man who defied the party and acted above it. His a rebel and a man of the government now. That’s why he can skirt the obligations given to him and hide behind the Speaker. This isn’t a sign of strength, but of a man who is willing to sell his soul for a few shillings.

That’s who Mpuuga MP is… and we can all see it now. It is tragic that this man was in the trenches and fought men like he became. Mpuuga said we needed other type of leaders a decade ago and now he became just like the ones he fought. Peace.

National Unity Platform (NUP): Party President Robert Kyagulanyi letter to Deputy President (Central Region) Mathias Mpuuga – “Suspension from Office” (27.03.2024)

National Unity Platform (NUP): Abed Bwanika MP letter to John Bapitst Nambesha MP – “Petition for a meeting of a lawful organ to debate and pronounce the Party Position on LGBT-Q” (25.03.2024)

Rubanda Farmers Association: Press Statement (26.03.2024)

Parliament of Uganda: Speaker Anita Among letter to National Unity Platform Secretary General David Lewis Rubongya – “Re: Withdrawal of Mandate and Nomination of Commissioner” (25.03.2024)

Public Square: Public Square letter to the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) – Fraud, Corruption and False Accounting by the Speaker, Clerk of Parliament and Other Staff of the Parliament of Uganda (23.03.2024)

Opinion: Nandutu has fallen off so quickly…

The former journalist and show runner of the “Point Blank”, Agnes Nandutu MP is now back to the back-bench of Parliament. Nandutu MP was elected in 2021 on a Independent ticket after losing out in the National Resistance Movement Primary. So, she was a NRM leaning Independent MP and was lucky to become a State Minister for Karamoja.

That’s how she was able within a short window go from being a civilian to a Minister. The President gave her a prominent role and office. She was so lucky and giddy to be there. Bashing in glory and getting the honours of the office.

Instead of building upon the trust given her. She used her Ministry and Office to eat. The moment she was able to enrich herself. She took the moment and did just that. As much as the stockpiles of mabaati was emptied. As an MP and Minister of Karamoja, she stole Mabaati and misused her office.

At one point, she was one out of few that was made an example for. She was put on trial and arrested, arraigned and spent some time behind bars. However, she was never fully charged or sentenced. Therefore, the authorities just made her example… and didn’t penalize her totally. That’s why she isn’t behind bars, but on the back-bench of Parliament.

This week the MP lost her office and kicked out of the Office of the Prime Minister. As her role belonged under the Office of the Prime Minister. That must hurt her pride and being told she wasn’t a minister anymore.

Nandutu went from being a journalist to MP to Minister within a hot-minute. Now she is demoted and being made an example of. Even if she haven’t paid a hefty price. It is a subtle backhanded slap to be demoted like this. While others who partake in the thieving is still thriving and bashing in glory with His Excellency.

Agnes Nandutu MP will still be around, but the President has taken action against her. She wasn’t above it all and that’s why she was losing in the recent reshuffle. Nandutu couldn’t even be a Minister through the whole term. No, she gotten three years and one of them in trouble. Months after the trouble losing her office. That’s a telling story and show how she has fallen.

Nandutu MP would have made a skit and run a joke about this if it was another MP on Point Blank. She would have said something sarcastically and mockingly about how she went from thieving to losing it.

The former journalist now have to walk carefully. She is not above it all and could easily be used as a scapegoat again. That’s why she lost her influence and office. The President needed to remind the cabinet and use some of them to show some fight against corruption. While his still keeping several others implicated in the same scandal. Therefore, it isn’t a truthful or honest enterprise of His Excellency.

However, Nandutu is feeling the pendulum. The MP isn’t as prominent or important enough to be kept. Her independence and ability to win in the 2021 elections aren’t celebrated. That’s why she could get demoted and lose the office. If he wanted too… the President could have written a letter and pursuit the case even further with the authorities. Therefore, Nandutu is lucky to be here and still able to eat in the August house.

Nandutu MP is an example of how not to run a Ministry. She is an example of how arrogance and hubris can lead to your downfall. Right now she’s licking her wounds, but she will see another day. Already walking free and tasting the wealth of the back-benches of Parliament. Not like she’s paying huge price or being recalled as an MP. If the NRM did that and went further. That’s when she would have lost it all. Peace.