Internet Censorship: the UCC orders ISPs to block unauthorized Online Media Pages!

On the 19th April 2018, the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) has sent a letter ordering all Internet Service Providers (ISP), that they are ordered to block “unauthorized” Online Data. That meaning the internet service providers can because of this block pages and news-outlets that isn’t accepted by the Government of Uganda. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) are really having a warfare on the content online. As it has already added taxes on airtime, on mobile money and also now asking to block pages too.

We can surely know that UCC will really struggle to give authorization to media houses, web-pages and content that questions the government. The letter from the government says it very clearly:

The purpose of this letter therefore, is to DIRECT you to IMMEDIATELY SUSPEND the provision of caring services to any Online Data communication service provider (online/Electronic Media News provider) that is not listed above and/or has not presented an authorization certificate or other express clearance from the Uganda Communication Commission” (Letter from Fred Otunnu to ISP – ‘Letter to ISPs on Unauthorized Online Data Communications Service Providers’ 19.04.2018).

They have put a list of 14 companies, where only two are authorized, these are Nile Post News Uganda Limited and China Haijang Online Africa Ltd. There are dozens other which is not, these are in process, the ones known are Chimps Media Ltd and Trumpet Media Ltd. Therefore, many pages are not here. There are dozens of outlets not mentioned or asked for authorization from the UCC.

That the UCC are attacking the online content is clear. The UCC are using their power and force to silence certain media. This is to stop the content the government doesn’t see fit. They are now trying to get all companies, who are using the platforms online to register, to give license and operate. That the UCC are having sleepless nights is evident. As they have already made it hard to register sim-cards lately, also the same government who wants to monitor porn. So this is continuation of the trying to control all online content.

This should be a field day for the Attorneys working Pro-Bono for the Online Content makers as the censorship of the government comes into force. Just like it did, when the UCC had a black-out and VPN during the General Election of 2016. The NRM are really afraid of free-spirited people and the UCC are losing their marbles.

This is to show, that if your not registered at us, we will order the ISPs to not show your page, block your ideas, your content and everything you got through telecommunications. Only way to get through that is using VPN. So the citizens should use VPN to the content from pages and apps that the government has blocked. Peace.

South Sudan: Even more proof of a deep Warlord mentality from President Kiir!

“But when I watched television after I released them on the same day, I saw them being received on the red carpet by that country and they started talking politics after leaving Juba, so that’s why I regretted for saving their lives,” (…) “The same in 2016, when Machar went to my office with his cooped pistol trying to finish me in the office to declare himself as the president of South Sudan, which he didn’t manage,” (…) “After all when Machar’s bodyguards were completed during J1 fighting, I asked Vice President James wani Igga to offer protection to Machar by covering him with our bodies until we escorted him to his car and we saved him and now Riek is alive. I saved him just like the same way I saved his colleagues who participated with him in a coup attempt in 2013,” – President Salva Mayardiit Kiir (Radio Tamazuj, 24.04.2018).

Well, it is just weeks ago, when we heard that the state paid Gen. Paul Malong 5 million United States Dollars as a bounty on the head of SPLA/M-IO Chairman Dr. Riek Machar. Therefore, hearing this, you just know how bloodthirsty the regime is. There shouldn’t be any question about it. When the President speaks like this and the revelation of bounty on the head of Machar in 2016. You know what the forces behind it all does.

This just shows again the mentality at the top of the food-chain, that the President has no scruples in detaining or killing off opponents, as he sees himself as a Godly person who saves life, he doesn’t kill them off. That is very insulting and also shows the blatant disregard for other partners in the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU), it couldn’t be serious, when one of them is putting bounty on the other. Even if the SPLM/A-IO would be wrong with what it did in 2016, it could been talked or negotiated upon, not trying to pull the trigger. There is no sense of remorse or consideration, just that I saved these lives, because I could have ordered their deaths.

Just as this is happening, the Republic of South Africa is continuing to get new deals with the government of South Sudan. Therefore, the sanctioned army of SPLA are getting not only support from Uganda, but now also the RSA. It states:

“Defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has provided more details on the defence agreement signed with South Sudan in January this year. Responding to a Parliamentary question posed by Sibonakaliso Phillip Mhlongo of the Economic Freedom Fighters, Mapisa-Nqakula on 11 April stated that “according to Article 1 of the MOU, the Parties shall cooperate in the use of defence resource[s] and promote joint research and development, including procurement of defence equipment, promote cooperation in the field of training, promote mutual support by encouraging and facilitating the exchange of defence related information, cooperate in the field of military medical services including the exchange of medical personnel and information regarding military health aspects, encourage the exchange of military personnel visits at all levels and promote sporting and cultural links between the Armed Forces, identify and promote defence related activities, including peace support operations and disaster management which would serve the principles of standardisation and inter-operability, foster cooperation between their respective defence-related industries, and act only in advisory and training capacities and will under no circumstances take part in hostilities or operations of a warlike nature by any armed force of the Republic of South Africa or the Republic of South Sudan, nor any operation of any force concerned with the enforcement or maintenance of peace, internal security or law and order.” (Guy Martin – ‘More detail on SA’s defence agreement with South Sudan’ 24.04.2018, DefenseWeb.co.za).

So the Warlord Kiir got a grand old deal in the midst of sanctions with the RSA. When his saving grace, hasn’t killed off his enemies. That just shows his planning and I doubt that the RSA will only gain peaceful training of the South Sudan counterparts as they are busy in various districts to fight off opposition. Which the SPLA has done for years already. It is not like this MoU between the nations was signed in peace-time, no its in the midst of Civil War and with a President who has no plans of giving way to others.

The Warlord mentality of Kiir Continues, the evidence is in the pudding. There are nothing this man will not do or say, that counter that at the moment! Peace.

Telecommunications, Mobile Money and Cooking-Oil is hit by new taxes in Uganda!

You know there fiscal problems within the Government of Uganda (GoU). The GoU is on the rocks, as they are establishing more loans, more interests to pay and has leveraged their forex exchange, when they are levying today’s amount of new taxes. This is coming as reports of lacking hiring for the Civil Service, The Ministry of Public Service has suspended hiring of new positions in the districts and at the government institutions. This is happening, as the amount of cronies around the President is growing. Therefore, the wastage of funds are in and around the President, who can pledge funds as he wishes and give Presidential Handshakes to whoever he likes or needs. Therefore, today is sad day for transparency, as the state is eating itself, but not taking care of the needed services.

We know the state is poor, when the lacking banking-service and with the need of Mobile Money and Airtime on the Cellphones are getting hit by a tax. This is not social media tax, but is that the subscriber and user of the services, will get a withholding tax of 10% on transactions on Mobile Money and Airtime. This means, every time a Ugandan or someone buys airtime, in the price they are paying an added 10 % on the total price of the usage of minutes of airtime or making the transaction of funds between two funds more costly. This is really hitting the breadwinners and the ones who are servicing mobile money from the towns to villages.

Just to prove to how much the added cost on the Mobile Money is wished, as the withholding tax, they are adding direct also the excise tax on this from 10% to 15%, that means the added is 5% more on each transaction. If that isn’t excessive, just think about the two other taxes as well. Therefore, the state has added three taxes on using the phones. The citizens will have to plan more transactions, as they are more costly and will be less transactions of the amount, since the tax will shave off the amount of shillings sent to the fellow they wanted to give needed money through these services.

They are adding even more on every telecommunication services, not just the hit of withholding tax on it, but they are even adding an excise duty on it as well, meaning there are two pieces of taxes put on the same services, but at different times. Making the expenses of using the cellphones, hitting the roof and the value of the airtime dwindles, as you are paying more tax on each minute use. This excise duty is put on the level of 12% as well. So, expect the prices on airtime to rocket, as this hit both the agents to pay more tax on each, and also the cost of actually calling too. This is funds that the Telecommunication Companies will get back from the consumer, meaning citizens will pay more being in touch.

As they continue to give price hikes on necessities, they are putting a levy of 200shs on each liter of cooking oil, this meanings the price for making rollex or banana-pancakes will go up. Since before you buy the eggs and the flour to make your dish. You will pay more for each bottle, while the state gets simple taxation on this single item. It might seems pointless, but all fried foods will be more costly to make and a Samosa will cost more to make, therefore, expect a price hike on the hawkers foods in any stage where you waiting.

These are just some of the measures done by the state, there are several more, but this is really hitting the average citizen usage of phones and also cooking. This are just two items on a long lists of new taxes put on the people. Clearly, the state see the need for spikes of prices, growing inflation and lack of monetary control to come, as the chickens come to roost and the costs of debt services is hitting the fan.

The ones that has to pay for that, isn’t the elite, but all of the citizens who spends time outside their homes and buys into services. Which, means all of them. Peace.

South Sudan: Dr. Martin Ella Lomuro appointed as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs (23.04.2018)

Opinion: In the mind of Museveni, there is no need for a succession plan, just because…[Insert excuse]!

Again, again and again, he retort and blaze fire to show that he is the only one with a vision, the only one who can run Uganda, because no one else has the capacity he has. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the one who has run the Republic since 1986. Has to understand, even if it is hard, that his isn’t the only leader capable of running the Republic. Even if his deluded mind is destroying that vision, because everyone else makes mistakes and doesn’t do things correctly, so Mr. Sunday can come in and save the day. That is just how it is, and how it has been. Here is a report of what happen at a National Resistance Movement meeting on 20th December 2017, when the heist of the century occur, as the state and NRM was launching his Life Presidency, though the abolishing the Article 102(b) of the Constitution. Those was the days, and at that day, Mr. President aka Sunday had to defend himself.

According to an NRM MP who was part of the meeting, Baryayanga waited for Museveni to conclude his speech before he dropped a question that made the president lose his cool. “You have talked about so many things, and we would really want to support you on this [amendment] but in all your statements, you are not talking about the transition; when you intend to leave power yet some of us would want to be President of Uganda. When are you planning to retire?” Baryayanga reportedly asked Museveni” (…) “Museveni shot back; “You Baryayanga? You think you can be president? I don’t want to be president, I am only sacrificing myself for you.” (…) “Soon, he was back to the issue of the presidency. “Baryayanga, you think you can be president? You think you can manage my Generals? You? You?You think you can manage my Generals?! You think you can manage Tumukunde, Muhwezi… you? You?” Museveni asked Baryayanga” (…) “The MP remained silent for a while before he responded, “Your Excellence, with your help, I think I can manage. I am still a young and vibrant man, I really think I can manage.” In response, Museveni said, “Unless those Generals are dead, you can’t manage.” (…) ““I used to see [Godfrey Lukongwa] Binaisa posing around that he is a former president. What impact did he create? Then you see [Kizza] Besigye with walk to work…Besigye can’t be president for even three months,” Museveni said” (Kabuubi, 2018)

We can see that Baryayanga is just asking a fair question, that the President is losing his cool over. Like the paternal leader and eternal God of all, the only one that can manage it all is President Museveni. Mr. Sunday, Mr. The Only Man with a Vision. Couldn’t keep his cool and his temper. Surely, it is tiring to defend himself and always runs to the guns if people oppose him. It is like he thinks he is the only one who understand the NRM 27 Guns and the NRM Historicals and Stalwarts! It is insane, but that is how deluded he is at the moment. That he is the only one with the keys and no one else has the capacity or the strength to turn the door-knob.

Therefore, the President had again to back in history, to revisit the dead, because the ones who used to rule is all gone. He defeated them all and never gave anyone else a chance. Succession is poison to the blood-vessels of Museveni. It is like he thinks he himself will become an issue for a successor, he said it with comparing Godfrey Binaisa with fellow man Paulo Muwanga and Dr. Milton Obote, who all shared the throne during the year of 1980. The year and rigged General Election that brought Mr. Sunday to the Bush. Oooh those where the days. Well, he has to go there, to get legitimacy to still sit on the Throne.

Well, if Besigye cannot rule, who can expect you? What sort of rigged paradigm shifting focus of militarism are you implying Mr. Sunday? Why are you so special? There are nation of leaders and upcoming men, whose not Besigye, who can rule and can delegate people. I am sure they have more than enough skills to push the UPE to the next level and actually get proper use of UNRA and UMEME. Something you are not capable of Mr. President.

The issue is that you have created these Generals, but they will not stop following orders if someone else pays and comforts them. Unless, you give them reason to use the Crime Preventers as a militia and start war-lording against someone else who gets grip of power. Because that is the only thing you know, that is why Gen. Muhoozi, has been in the military and ran the Special Forces Command. To learn the tricks you needed in the 1980s. Oooh, you think we didn’t see this coming, did you?

We are not deluded Mr. President, you are and someone has to say it. I am sitting miles away with no fear. You cannot raid my living-room or touch my mind. But I can tell you, its long gone the time of your retirement. Besigye could run Uganda, Mbabazi could have run Uganda, even Otunnu or Ssemogerere could have been a possible men to become successors. But you have destroyed all of them and rigged yourself in.

I think there would be a learning curve and the need to find their way, they wouldn’t run it like Mr. Sunday, but they would be able to administer and to delegate the priorities needed to be Statesmen. Neither, of them got the ability to even try, so it is all just mere say, because we have no evidence. But we have the long history of mismanagement, patronage and rigging from Museveni. Therefore, it is foolish of him now to not try to sway people, that he has a plan for succession, but his EGO and his deluded mind is in his way. Peace.

Reference:

Kabuubi, Gyagenda – ‘When Museveni told MPs; Besigye can never be president’ 22.04.2018, link: http://intelpostug.com/2018/04/22/museveni-told-mps-besigye-can-never-president/

South Sudan: Gen. Paul Malong Message – “Re: Condolanences” (20.04.2018)

South Sudan: President Salva Kiir Mayardiit Condolances Message for Gen. James Ajongo (20.04.2018)

South Sudan United Front: Notice to Public and International Community (18.04.2018)

South Sudan: Public Notice – Rumor on Shutdown of MTN Operations (17.04.2018)

SPLM-IO claims the UPDF has returned to South Sudan!

“In peace one is despoiled by the mercenaries, in war by one’s enemies.”Niccolò Machiavelli (The Prince)

There has been speculations and even reports of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) return to the war-torn republic of South Sudan. President Salva Mayardiit Kiir and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has long-standing friendship and they have helped each other out in the past. This is a continuation of this; there has been reports of technical help and also support of weapons from Uganda. Now, the opposition and rebel force SPLM/A-IO are claiming they have returned.

“Rebels disclosed that Ugandan soldiers are already in Bentiu and warned that more troops should arrive in other locations within days or weeks to help Juba fight against the SPLA-IO. “We have solid information that Ugandan soldiers are now in Bentiu area,” Khamis Mawwil, an officer with the SPLA-IO intelligence branch told the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) in Maiwut. Khamis claims that the armed opposition has a good number of intelligence operatives in Uganda and that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni ordered the return of Ugandan troops to the war-torn young nation. “Uganda’s leader ordered the deployment of his troops to South Sudan, there is no question about that,” Khamis charged. “We will crush them if they don’t want peace,” he vowed” (South Sudan News Agency – ‘Uganda accused of secretly sending troops to South Sudan’ 17.04.2018).

This is not a surprise; this has been a waiting game for the parties. They have both worked slowly towards this. That the UPDF would support the SPLA would be like weapon brothers coming in to crush the all the rebels in the republic.

That the UPDF would support SPLA in their endeavours at this point is to be estimated. Especially, when during the last month, President Museveni said he would support SPLA even if the United States would enact an arms embargo. Therefore, the one who keeps the refugees from the South Sudan. Is also a major part in the reason for the refugees. The safe haven, is also the place where the support of military actions is from.

That should be a warning sign, that the SPLM/A-IG would say it isn’t so, is to be expected. That the UPDF without any mandate would counter it too, but every time the UPDF can be a hired gun in a conflict, they will take it. The need for foreign exchange and be used in mercenaries in foreign land, that is okay in the eyes of the President. UPDF are used in Equatorial Guinea, Yemen, Somalia, Central African Republic, sometimes in the Democratic Republic of Congo and possibly after reports now in South Sudan.

The Ugandan army doesn’t come in peace, but to gain monetary funds from conflict. They are doing this as a service to Kiir and his government. Not for the betterment of the Republic, but to secure their war-lord in South Sudan. The friend of Museveni, the man who is loyal to him. That is what matters. Not peace or justice. No, that comes short in this tale of weapons.

So, I am not shocked for the return of the UPDF in Bentiu area. That was expected, because that is how Museveni acts and one of the vital relations of Kiir. Kiir needs the help from Museveni, and Museveni knows this. Time will tell how long they will stay and what sort of manpower they bring this time around. Peace.