Opinion: Lumu MP wants the NRM to decide who becomes the LoP…

“Election is the epitome of democracy, I am a Catholic, there is an election of the Pope, the highest and respected leader in the world, if there is an election there, there must be an election here. We are in the Opposition, we were elected and we also elected you (Speaker), the very reason why you are seated in that seat. We also elect the President therefore, there is no reason why when we come to Parliament as the Opposition, we don’t elect our leader who is the Leader of Opposition” (..) “It is important that the pillar of democracy, which is election should actually be done by us the Opposition, who are actually bout to take power. We need an election, clear, in the Opposition. Section 8 of the Administration of the Parliament Act Cap272 provides for the election of the Leader of Opposition by the Party in Opposition having the greatest numerical strength in Parliament. The Rules also say that other parties should be consulted, my Party has never been consulted on that whenever there is a new or the other Leader of Opposition” – Richard Lumu MP for Mityana South, 29.08.2024).

The Leader of Opposition has been the Parliamentary leader elected by the party in opposition which is having the greatest numerical strength in Parliament. That has been accustomed way of electing or appointing the LoP. This has been done for years and been a regular, which the Speaker has later officially announced for the Parliament. That’s how the National Unity Platform has appointed the LoP, first with Mathias Mpuuga MP and now Joel Ssenyonyi MP.

Before that it was the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) who has changed the LoPs, as they have been the biggest opposition party before the 11th Parliament. Where the National Resistance Movement (NRM) haven’t always been happy with the figure or the leader itself.

This is making it a spectacle and a show of popularity, which is very ironic. It is taking away the power of the opposition to chose its own. Deliberately giving the power to the ruling regime and their majority in Parliament. It is significantly taking away the powers of the opposition and the one with numerical strength among the opposition. This post and office can easily become the one that is the “Good DP” or the “Good NUP” for that matter. Instead of being the MP who challenges and checks the government as its supposed too.

The Leader of Opposition should be chosen by the opposition and not by the whole Parliament. Just like the Government Chief Whip shouldn’t be appointed or voted on by all Members of Parliament. The Government Chief Whip should be appointed by the party in government. The LoP should be appointed or nominated by the opposition itself. If not… what is the point of the office?

The LoP shouldn’t be a majority contest. Just like the Party Chief Whips shouldn’t be a party contest either. If not… then all roles in Parliament should be voted over and be announced after a secret ballot. However, that wouldn’t be useful for others than the government with the majority. They will have say in the matters of the opposition and clip their wings.

If the MP succeeds with this legislation and get the law changed. He has initially given more power to the regime and written of the opposition. This is giving the NRM the power to decide who is the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. That shouldn’t be the role of the government to do so, but the biggest opposition party at the time. In the past FDC and currently NUP. Therefore, the DP MP is selling his soul for popularity points, but it doesn’t make the Parliament or Government Business running any smoother. Neither does he help the government to be held accountable or transparent for that matter. Because this law will only give reasons for the NRM to chose someone who is friendly and NRM leaning opposition as a LoP and that’s making the office completely useless. Peace.

Opinion: Bwanika MP needs to chillax…

“Following the absence of the Leader of Opposition in Parliament Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi in the Parliamentary sitting in Gulu this morning, Dr. Abed Bwanika has offered to represent him!”Article 82A:1 clearly says there shall be a Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP)” (..) “In the absence of the LoP, Dr. Bwanika is able, willing and ready. I’m MP for Kimanya Kabonera Masaka City and I’m a member of the National Unity Platform” Bwanika said” (IT Media, 28.08.2024).

Someone needs to take a chill-pill and await their turn. This isn’t the moment to shine or be the one requested. Dr. Abed Bwanika MP is just a sign of failure and lack of substance. He couldn’t lead his own party, but could find a meal-ticket under the banner of the National Unity Platform (NUP).

Bwanika wouldn’t be in Parliament without the red wave and the rising popularity of the NUP. The People Power Movement and the political rise of Bobi Wine. That’s what has given Abed Bwanika a chance to get to Parliament. His there in behalf and his lucky stars that they let him into their big-tent. That’s how he entered and was able to gain enough notoriety to become an MP.

Bwanika MP isn’t a leader, neither is a true opposition either. A man who defies his own party and has fought it for personal gains. A man who has fought the party on behalf of Mpuuga MP. That’s who Bwanika MP is, and it shows.

His not following party line or the ideals of the party. He is more busy eating and living large on the public’s dime. That’s why his not boycotting it and staying away from the plenary session today in Gulu. His there to show validation and be part of the charade. That’s why his there.

Also, while his at it… he should just go independent and leave the NUP. Heck, he should probably become Yellow and be part of the brigade. Because there is little to no difference between him and them. He just used the opposition party banner to get elected. That’s what he did and it shows…

Dr. Abed Bwanika MP is a disappointment of a representative. He should know better, but he doesn’t, and it shows. The lack of tact and concern, neither lack of loyalty nor following party lines shows too. He just disregards anything that isn’t personally benefiting him. If it can benefit him. He jumps on board, and if it doesn’t… then he is nowhere to be seen. A mere shadow of what man he could have been, but that’s too much to ask. Peace.

The Gulu Sitting: More braggadocio and lack of substance…

“This session is devoted for the people of Northern Uganda and for us to discuss issues regarding the Greater North, let us have respect for the people of the Greater North. We should learn to have respect. Issues that don’t concern this region, shouldn’t be issues to be discussed. You have your Kampala House there, where you can do all the manyanga (Nonsense)” – Speaker Anita Among (28.08.2024).

“You should be commended, together with the leadership of Parliament, economically, is a big boost to the Gulu economy, to the Northern Uganda economy, because, over 10 Committees of Parliament in the last two weeks were deployed in west Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja. All these members were sleeping in hotels within this region and for these days, we are sleeping in hotels in Gulu. We are eating from restaurants in Gulu, we are fueling cars from fuel stations in Gulu. Implying, a farmer growing cassava in Gulu benefits because we are eating food, locally grown” – Hamson Obua MP (28.08.2024).

The Greater North deserves better.

Say it after me, but the Northern Region deserves so much more than this. It is just a transactional affair and a short term feast for a handful of chosen few. They are masquerading it as a cause for the greater good. However, it is the MPs that gets  the perks, the allowances and the lavish life-style. Nevertheless, the public won’t gain much or even do good for them for long.

This Gulu Siting is a publicity stunt. That’s what it is. The MPs from the Greater North is grateful for it, but they are just getting paid for working one day and letting everything else be. They haven’t been there working hard or been delivering government services. No, they have been a public wastage and misuse of office. These MPs has been busy causing more public expenditure. The state has money to spend on these MPs and for their travelling expenses. However, the same government cannot afford to pay medical interns. That’s saying something…

We knew the MPs likes leisure and like to be vastly paid. This whole enterprise is a mini-vacation on the clock.  These MPs are getting paid and getting everything covered. It is just a fun week in the North. They won’t solve things or even handle things accordingly. They could have had the focus in the Parliament. These MPs could have had a Plenary Session on the Northern Region there. Which is possible with all the Northern MPs having a say and pushing the agenda of the region there. However, that wouldn’t be as “useful” or as “lavish” as travelling to the North doing so. Now they are paid and get to live life with all perks paid for. That’s a much better life and easier too.

It is just really showing what is important for the MPs. That they get to live lavish and get everything served for them. That’s what happened here.

The MPs are just eating. Their turn to eat. They found a way of massively doing so and taking the “parliament” to the people. However, these MPs can travers their constituencies and bring back the message from them in a plenary session, if they want too… but we rarely hear that or even concerns of that matter. No, they could go to the sub-county or their district, which elected them. Nevertheless, that isn’t as profitable as a Sitting like this. Gulu and the other districts won’t develop or get enriched by this. They will just get a small insignificant stimulus for a hot minute. Peace.

A paid vacation for a week: The Gulu Sitting

“There are MPs who don’t know even the road to Gulu, but now this time when we are sitting in Gulu, you find all the hotels are full, all the food is being eaten. People are benefitting. But it is also important for us to take Parliament to the people. We are elected by the people, so it is just prudent enough for us to take Parliament to the people not always people going to Parliament” (…) “It is nothing peculiar, it has ever happened and it is going to continue happening. Those who are saying they are going to boycott or whichever, it is going to continue happening until we say stop. Parliament will sit here, and it will go to another region, but the first priority was Gulu for us to recognize that the Late Speaker, came from Gulu” (…) “The sitting in Gulu and greater North is a normal sitting. Parliament isn’t a building in Kampala, we can proclaim and sit anywhere in this country, even in the middle of the road, that is what the law says. And bringing Parliament to sit in Gulu is an added advantage to the people of Northern region. Gulu or Northern Region belong to Uganda and because it belongs to Uganda, it must benefit from what the normal sittings takes place in Kampala benefits”– Speaker Anita Among (27.08.2024).

The 11th Parliament isn’t the place to look for good governance or governing for that matter. The Members of Parliament (MPs) and the elected officials are more busy eating, indulging and living large on the expense of the public. The ones in power and in-charge are happy with this.

They are all corruptible and gullible. These people are using their roles as Representatives to get paid, perks and living life like Kings and Queens. These are the elected representatives of a constituency. They are all sitting in Parliament to answer for the nation at large, but also the constituency that elected them.

The MPs should be busy for causes in regards to their constituencies. These should be addressed in Parliament and in the Plenary Sessions. That should be reported and be part of the work as an MP. Meanwhile, when they are in the constituency, they should petition, and hold talks with the citizens to get knowledge of what they possibly need. As the Parliament is doing Government Business and is the legislative body of the nation.

The whole sitting in Gulu and in the other regions are just a way of ensuring the MPs get a long vacation with paid perks. They are holding one sitting in a week. They are travelling, living in hotels and spending fortunes on one single sitting. Which is a wastage of funds. These people are paid for taking a trip to Gulu and spending time with leisure. This is not work, but a paid vacation to the North. Just like it will be in the East and the West too. Certainly, the one in the Central Region will be a wastage too.

This sitting, even if all the pieces of plenary session is all about the Greater North. It still won’t solve it or be resolved. It is a publicity stunt and misuse of office. They aren’t building a greater North by doing this. Neither is the Parliament building anything substantial. If it was so, then all the multi-national and bilateral conferences of Kampala would build sustainable wealth there. As they are holding conferences and such on a regular. This is about the same and not a new invention.

Other than MPs wasting their time and only having one full days of work. They are getting time in hotels and spending leisure outside of Kampala. That’s what they are doing and they are doing it per diem.

This is an official vacation with a piece of work. Just to look like they are busy doing something, but they are really not. A week away from Kampala and away from the jams of the capital city. Peace.

Opinion: Corrupt MP vindicated in Court [Mpuuga MP saved by the bell]

“The Court in its powers decided that some right thinking Ugandans and those who have been following the discussion that any MP that doesn’t understand the processes of Parliament is just a burden to taxpayers. The Court’s ruling is what we said from the start that all these matters were handled legally. Individually, this issue has been capitalized on by many people to disrespect me, but I want to thank all Ugandans who stood with me” (…) “With the court ruling, I will be informing Ugandans my next step especially all the things that have been done by individuals that have been trying to soil my image and reputation by hiding other such issue and it is a pity that some of these individuals claim they are educated, but I will leave that to God. Whatever the Court has given us, we shall move with that maybe, the people God gave heads that have mouths, ears, eyes and brains, the ruling of court could help them to know that they should never use their mouth alone, but they should use all the parts on their head” (…) “All those people that have been backstabbing me, I wait to see what they are going to tell the nation about me, but in all this, I will continue fulfilling my responsibility and I won’t waste my efforts on people that have been wasting my time. They have harmed me for the past 8months focusing all their energy on me as an individual but that is how things are now, I will be informing the nation of my next step” – Mathias Mpuuga MP (13.08.2024)

There is nothing new under the sun. The authorities and the system is safeguarding their own. There is nothing new in this and this has happened before. The Courts has ensured that the ones who is high ranking officials and with connections gets off the hook. They are getting a little touch of the law and later released. In this regard, the ones getting the “service award” is off the hook completely.

It is like the state is allowing the Presidential Handshakes and the Service Awards. No matter how they pin-point it. They are allowed to eat and doesn’t have to be accountable for their actions. Since they are within the realm of power and is in the August House. That’s why they can eat and enjoy the perks of their office.

Mpuuga MP forgets certain aspects of this. The legalisation of the Service Award isn’t saving his career or popular support. Neither is it vindicating him from his party or his former allies. No, it just shows that the authorities have decided to defend him and find reasons to support his cause. Which is a bad reflection on an opposition MP.

He is maybe momentarily saved from punitive actions. His maybe off the hook for now. The state doesn’t go after him or the other Parliamentary Commissioners. However, that doesn’t stop the public outcry or the dissent against the action in itself.

The illicit funds and misuse of office is still obvious. That a man without much or any merit gets a monetary award like this. That is questionable whether the laws are applicable or not. The MP is a representative of the people and a part of the Parliament. When his there and serving the public. His not there to eat and enrich himself, but is there to enlarge and help to make life better for the ones his representing. Alas, that is what he has forgotten and doesn’t care about.

A career politician and a money hungry one. A man who is eligible to eat and find measures to secure his livelihood. That’s what his busy doing and this award advance the cause of creating his own wealth. The wealth itself is coming of the agony and lack of service delivery from the government. A government that he is speaking ill about and wants to change. Nevertheless, the same man has no trouble eating of their plate and taking advantage of his office. That is what he did and we all will remember that.

He isn’t saved in the eye of the public. The elite and the authorities have cleaned his hand, but his vision is jaded. If he thinks this gives him a second life. His very wrong, it is only giving him relief for now. It isn’t changing the reasons and questions raised by the court judgement. Peace.

Opinion: Kenzo is yellow

“My relationship with Bobi Wine ended because he doesn’t need me. If he needed me, he would have done what is needed to be done and he knows that. There are many out there who would have loved to be behind his back if he needed them” (..) “Whoever wants to hate me because I don’t support Bobi Wine should move on because he and I are not on good terms anymore, that’s for sure. I have no problem with him, I wish him well but nobody should intimidate me” – Eddy Kenzo (31.07.2024).

This has been going on for years. That Eddy Kenzo now calls a stop and says he hasn’t a friendship with Bobi Wine isn’t surprising. Someone who wants to be in the inner-circle and has a function within the state.

Edrisa Musuuza aka Eddy Kenzo is within his rights to decide his association and who he wants to be aligned too. That’s all on his accord and we can applaud that. However, he cannot be held in the same regard when he chooses to do so.

He is now a pawn and a useful musician for the state. Kenzo follows the pattern of Jose Chameleon and Bebe Cool. They became vocal supporters of the state and got paid handsomely for doing so. These supported the NRM and the President. Partake in campaigns and perform on state functions. The same will most likely be the case in regard to Kenzo.

It is a move for business and allowed to operate. This is giving Kenzo a function and a usage in the Republic. Meanwhile his prominence and wish to be a big-man lives on. He can linger in the crowds and as long as his married to a minister too. This gives him avenues and reasons to stay there. His one of them and has a meaningful daily life.

A fellow crony and opportunist. A man who has sought fortunes and now want to get his. A musician who wants his ends and live large. He wants the riches and the wealth. That is something he can get with his wife. They are both held in high regard and are people who has become high ranking officials.

That’s why Kenzo doesn’t need Bobi Wine or his political capital. Kenzo gets all the fortunes and vast wealth by association with the state. Kenzo can easily become a NRM crony and he will bash in it too. We shouldn’t be shocked if he suddenly is appointed or have a say in the PLU. It is all aligned for it, as he becomes one of them. That has been the turn for years and he has grown closer to the President.

Kenzo is a man of the President. The President has seen that and he loves it when entertainers are behind him. They are the ones that brings the circus and he only needs to bring the bread. Kenzo fills a purpose and a use. He plays along and think of himself as a big shot. However, at one point, he will be useless and won’t be as viable. When that moment strikes…

He will want to return to the good graces and be friends with Bobi Wine. However, now in riches and prominence. He rather wants to dismiss old alliances and say he is “yellow”. That’s who Kenzo is and this is who he has become. No one should be surprised. This has been going on for years. It is just now… that he wants to cry out loud and get sympathy for his choice.

Kenzo decided to be a NRM and Yellow. That is his road… and he has to see where that takes him. Peace.

National Unity Platform (NUP): Statement on the High Court Judgment Condemning the Abduction and Illegal Detention of Suspects (10.07.2024)

Opinion: Bobi Wine’s lesson towards Mpuuga

You come and join the group led by Kyagulanyi whom you know are ‘drunkos’ and drug users? They appoint you to be deputy president to that one who leaders these ‘drunkos’ and drug users. You accept and even thank them. The same group appoint you the leadership of opposition and you even clap and thank them. The drug users appoint you commissioner, you accept and thank them” – Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine (05.07.2024).

Some day, somehow, somewhere they will discuss the stalemate and the political arguing between Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and Mathias Mpuuga MP. That will be the talk and show the vast difference between them too.

Today’s Press at the National Unity Platform (NUP) Headquarters was about more than internal squabble. It was about deeper issues and more pressing ones. I only reflect this one, because this the most direct Bobi Wine has been. The party itself has directed and given warnings to Mpuuga MP, which he has ignored. Only talked about further consultation and whatnot. While trying to look supreme and hold a Thanksgiving to look more prestigious. While he has shunned functions and haven’t participated within the ranks as he used too. Therefore, being defiant by the party that gave him room, trusted him and gave him the ability to live a lavish life.

Alas, that’s why its ironic that he said these things over the weekend in Mityana District!

Tell those interested in leadership positions to stop going to bars, getting drunk and smoking marijuana” (…) “If you want to be a leader, you must be sober 24 hours a day. The person we want to push away doesn’t go to bars, he’s always sober. And he doesn’t even drink wine” – Mathias Mpuuga (30.06.2024).

Mpuuga needs to listen to Bobi Wine. He needs to acknowledge what sort of role the NUP gave him. How they have entrusted him and how he betrayed their cause. Mpuuga MP was supposed to be working towards the same goal as his party. However, he went astray and found other greener pastures. That’s why his been eating of people’s plate and doesn’t want to be held accountable for feast he was served.

Certainly Bobi Wine cannot accept it. That’s why the NUP tried to direct and talk sense to Mpuuga MP. They wanted him out as a man of an honourable role in Parliament. They entrusted him with the role of Commissioner and that’s a role he misused. We can just wonder if he did the same as Leader of Opposition. Nevertheless, the trust is broken and there is no return back to normal. Especially, when Mpuuga is defying the party and not following the directions it has given him.

Bobi Wine only did what was right and called Mpuuga MP out on his nonsense. As his more working against the party that gave him a role and blessed him with opportunities. Not like he could have the same sort of opportunities or ability to national prominence in the Democratic Party. No, that wouldn’t be the case and Mpuuga MP knows that.

It is time for Mpuuga MP to reflect upon himself. Think why he went this way and why he corrupted his soul. It’s depressing seeing how he has become and what his willing to do. Such a character assassination and his pulling the gun himself. Doing a Russian roulette in plain sight and for everyone to see. He should know better, but pride is taking the best of him. The hubris and arrogance isn’t helping him either, Just because his eloquent in speaking doesn’t mean his a great character amongst men. No, it is just means he has some big words to flex and sound better than common folk. That’s it, but his not… and the “service award” will haunt him indefinitely. Peace.

Opinion: Mpuuga wants to be in the headlines…

“This country is looking for leaders in the coming years. It could be 2026 or beyond. They (NUP) know that in the corridors of power, my name is surfacing; those discussing politics and national leadership have my name on the front pages” – Mathias Mpuuga (July 2024)

The former Leader of Opposition and current Parliamentary Commissioner, the National Unity Platform (NUP) Member of Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga thinks high and mighty about himself. Not it’s shocking of any sorts, as he just held his Thanksgiving in Masaka, but it wasn’t as big or creating as much buzz as the man wanted.

Mpuuga MP surely wanted the welcoming factor, which the NUP Mobilization Tour had in Masaka. Nevertheless, he was able to have a gathering and look fabulous for one day. While there was no big fanfare or huge crowds cheering his name.

We know Mpuuga MP wants to be relevant. He needs to be in the headlines and be newsworthy. We are seeing how he thinks about himself. A man who thinks he is above the rest. A man with the head above the clouds. A hero without a cape.

That’s who Mpuuga MP thinks he is. The MP who has been able to be appointed to honourable roles and looked as a promising leader. However, his greed and ambition is self-serving. Instead of being a honourable and a representative for the betterment. His a man who fights his own wars for his own benefit. That’s why he cannot take orders and follow party line when it asks for it.

We understand why Mpuuga MP is a journeyman who has joined forces with Go-Forward, been a Democratic Party MP and is now NUP MP. Therefore, his a man who can easily change banners and does so for a meal-ticket. Before the 2026 he might join someone else or create his own. Meanwhile, he has not distanced himself totally from the NUP or the leadership that has rebuked him for his actions. The NUP tries to be credible and follow their principles, which is in contrast to Mpuuga MP himself.

Mpuuga MP would rebuke and come with strong warnings against people like himself. When he was a younger activist, he would have written Press Releases and Pieces as Activists for Change (A4C) Coordinator against greedy MPs like himself. That’s who he used to be and now he wants to be praised for his eloquent English. Alas, there is more than just being able to use “big words” to become a “big man”.

He can think his the future, but that future is thwarted by his own actions. People remember the Service Award and how he didn’t act righteous. How can you believe such a shallow and greedy man? What can be his next trick?

This man can easily find ways to eat of the public coffers and defend it with ease. That’s who Mpuuga is. Peace.

Opinion: Speaker Among lacks decorum…

We can’t say that our members are corrupt, even if some of our members have been arrested and are in prison, there us a presumption of innocence. Honourable members, can you shut up? Please! There is a presumption of innocence, you can’t say somebody is a thief. How many members are in the Budget Committee? There are 65 members on the Budget Committee” – Speaker Anita Among (02.07.2024)

Yes, the Speaker of the August House, Anita Among is right that there is an ideal that your innocent until proven guilty. That is right, but when there is already established siphoned funds, misuse of office and eating of the state platter for personal benefit. That’s when you know the person or MP has gone from innocent to guilty. An MP or a Minister who uses their office to take funds for personal benefit is in the wrong. As they are there to serve their constituents and represent their nation too.

Speaker Among is really all hubris. Sooner or later she will have a downfall, as she’s to arrogant for her own good. Just imagine the lack of character and finesse to speak gently in a plenary session. Speaking to MPs like a Primary Teacher does to loudmouth kids in class. Seriously, we should expect more much out of her. However, that we know is futile.

The grand corruption and misuse of office is such common place that she’s tired of defending it. She is tired of being a ring-leader in a den of thieves. The thievery is so common placed and daily appearance that we aren’t shocked of missing funds or lacking delivery of government services. While the MPs and other high ranking officials are spending money like there is no tomorrow. This shows the priorities and how money is used.

Speaker Among can act a fool and try to outsmart the naive ones. Nevertheless, the truth remains of the usage of funds and spending. The House is misusing funds and enlarging their own accounts on the expense of the public. The state is seemingly more involved in enriching its representatives over giving proper service delivery. Therefore, the Speaker can lie and deceive, but that doesn’t make it more true.

The Speaker should shut up and give evidence for her words for once. She’s a magician of hearsay and lack of documentation of her statements. As a speaker she should be credible, but that’s to much to ask.

Speaker Among is a disgrace and her manners shows it too. She expects others to honour her, but she has no courtesy towards others. Peace.