Opinion: Nandutu shouldn’t worry about the fire, but acknowledge her mabaati…

I have been baptized by fire but I am firm. What I am asking is, why should Agnes Nandutu be committed to the High Court when the lower court has the mandate to deal with this?” – Minister Agnes Nandutu (19.04.2023).

The State Minister of Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu, has been remanded to Luzira Prison until 3/05/2023 on charges of Dealing with Suspect Property following the diversion of Iron sheets meant for the Karachunas in Karamoja Subregion” (91.2 Crooze FM, 19.04.2023).

Some people think they can do a magical trick and make things vanish. If you cannot see or touch it. It has just disappeared…. The same fashion plenty of the Ministers and MPs involved in the Mabaati or Iron Sheets Scandal are thinking. They are hoping the scandal goes out of sight and out of mind.

There have now been three ministers who has been touched, charged and spent in detention. These have been followed up and one was arrested out of hubris. When you are investigated and looked into by fellow Parliamentarians, you should just show up. Instead the Minister ended up in prison and pleading for mercy.

Alas, they were participating in a scheme. They did steal government property and did so with firm hand. All of them knew what they did, but they never thought that it would amount to anything. Heck, they just thought it was another Tuesday…

However, the President and the Authorities had another plan. The way this is moving and how the selection of Ministers are happening. It begs to question, why these? When there is like 48 more people to pick? What is so special or unique about these?

Nandutu is the third one now. All of them has been humiliated and taken into custody. They have gotten touched by the law and are facing charges. Nevertheless, I expect the state to just rinse and repeat. They are the chosen and appointed elite. These politicians will be off the hook and not be kept incommunicado or in safe-houses for months on end. Neither will they be charged in Military Courts or have unfriendly judges on their case. No, they will be shielded of the worst and only made as an example. Just to make it look they are fighting corruption….

She is just a nice flashy person to apprehend and keep in custody. Just like they did with the two previous ones. There is another minister behind bars now and a third one just released on bail. So, it makes it look like they are doing something. However, there are far more prominent ministers and high ranking officials who is implicated in this scandal. They are walking free and without any sort of legal jeopardy around their way.

That’s why you know this a “Point Blank” joke and a mockery attempt of “rule of law”. It is a show piece and a “we did this” sort of statement. This is the “dope on the table” sort of vibe. Yes, the police got the dope and could show it off. However, they never stopped the illegal transactions, the importation of drugs or the connects from getting new loads of illegal substances across the borders. Therefore, the ideals of showing of the dope is pointless. When it is only theatre for bosses and the mayors, but not doing anything to stop the illegal trade from happening.

That’s what the arrest of Nandutu seems to be for me. A pointless exercise to look like the authorities are doing something. While we know it will be “much ado about nothing”…. That’s just the way it goes and the sun will rise tomorrow again. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni is the wrong guy to condemn the misuse of force…

“I join my comrades, the Heads of State of IGAD to express our deep concerns on the current situation in Sudan  and immediately call for a cessation of hostilities between the two sides. I condemn the misuse of force in a situation that undermines all progress made through dialogue over the last many months. We cannot keep papering over mistakes of unprincipled politics year after year. An unconditional and immediate cessation of hostilities to stop the tragedy and mockery of Africa is of utmost importance” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (17.04.2023).

Sometimes, someone should just shut-up and listen. That is something His Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni should have done in regard to the conflict in Sudan. It is pure hypocrisy that he condemns the use of force. A man who wouldn’t be in power or in office without the use of force.

It is not like the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) would have won a free and fair election. Neither would the National Resistance Movement (NRM). When he had no power and real influence with the UPM. He couldn’t even become an MP. That after being a defence minister!

Museveni wouldn’t even be the guy he is if it wasn’t for weapons or conflicts. A man who got power by the use of guns. That’s why his trying deliberately to make it a legend how he rose to power. The way he went from nothing and unto something. The way the National Resistance Army (NRA) went from scraps and left-over bullets to a full-fledged machine conquering the status quo of the time. That’s how he portrays himself and he has since gotten into other conflicts across the continent.

As President he has tried to be the kingmaker by helping others take power by the guns. That being Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, or South Sudan. Museveni thrives in conflict and profits of proxy-wars. He has enforced and gotten credibility by participating in the wars on terror too. Therefore, violence has been his modus operandi and it’s profitable too.

Museveni has gotten political currency and goodwill by waging war. He is said to have prolonged the conflict in the Northern Uganda too. Not like he wants to portray it that way, but all evidence shows that he could have or should have ensured an earlier end. Nevertheless, he will never take credit for bullets, but only vilify the “enemies” for using such. Even when he strikes with fury against dissidents or activists who seeks his end. That’s just what he does, and he don’t mind the use of lethal authorities to get his way. This is all he knows and that’s the true NRA Way.

The ghosts of Garang, Mobutu and Habyarimana should haunt the Presidency. Together with all the civilian casualties and people who has lost their lives in the conflicts, which has transpired since Museveni entered the scene. The skulls of Luweero are only a place to start and not where you end it. There are enough extra judicial killings, questionable massacres, and participation in conflicts to bother your conscience. However, all of that is water under the bridge for a man like Yoweri.

That’s why it’s infuriating to me to read this post. That he dared to say these words. He shouldn’t say it, because we know how he came to power and how he clings onto it. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee says “colonial mentality” is one of the reasons for corruption…

This is not a failing system, but a growing system that could be faster if it was not for the corruption and the colonial mentality of some of the civil servants and some members of the political class. In otherwords, the progress could have been much faster and will be faster once we deal with the obstacles. Who has been responsible for the growth? Three players: the UPDF; the wealth creators (the farmers, the manufacturers, the service providers); and the infrastructure builders” (…) “That is why the whole issue goes back to the question of evidence and the need for the Public (the citizens, the farmers, the manufacturers, the artisans, the service providers), who, most of the time, are the victims of these corrupt officials and politicians, to be involved” (…) “The President is the head of the Executive and all Executive Authority is given to him or her by Article 99 (1) of the 1995 Constitution. However, he/she must exercise that power according to the Constitution and the laws of Uganda. Otherwise, that wonderful President, will become a problem himself or herself” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (11.04.2023).

The President of the Republic is a mastermind in pinning blame on others. His using all the tricks of the book. Just piling down the blame on others. It is like his Jedi Mind Trick. The force is strong with this one. He has had the years and experience in doing so. Ever since the beginning of time. Museveni has blamed others and that’s what he does now too.

His further explaining his role as the Executive and Head of State, while pointing at all other parts of government, which is ironically appointed by him and following his direct orders. The letters of the President is often mingled in and is changing the narrative. Just like the President Ordered the IGG not to look into Military Commanders and slow down the “lifestyle audit”. That just show the true power of the President and what his capable of doing.

President Museveni acts like we don’t know… we know he micro-manages and does it to his bidding. His acting like his just a “token” figurehead and not the Commander-in-Chief. We know perfectly well how he runs the Nation from the State House. It is his “enterprise” and his will is done.

The High Above” is directing and deciding matters. He can just send a “word” or a letter and things are moving. The President decides contractors and companies involved in development projects. The President orders the Office of the Prime Minister and everyone else to do his bidding. So, he can act like it is others who are too blame. However, we know the drill… and seen the actions over the years.

He can act like he cares or are concerned about “corruption”. We know he couldn’t care less and only does so to look pristine. The President knows what sorts of fruits, vegetables and other plants that grows in his garden. The President knows what sort of animals his breeding and taking care of on his farms. This man knows what is going on and cannot fool us now.

We know his pinning blame on others… when he in 2023 uses “colonial mentality” as an excuse for corruption. That is blaming the “British” and going back to the “enclave”. It just shows that his finding every way possible to pin someone else for his misgivings. This shows what his willing to do and say.

Only a fool would believe this fiction in 2023. Especially, when President Museveni is richer than God and has vast wealth. While the Republic is poor and debt-ridden. You just know the game is rigged and Museveni always comes on top. Peace.

Opinion: It was only a “mistake” to take the mabaati….

That is a political mistake that can also be subversive as you will see from my letter to the Prime Minister. That mistake, however, is totally different from converting those items to personal use. That is no longer just a mistake, but theft. Therefore, Kugonza do not worry, all those involved will be handled appropriately. Those who diverted the mabaati but not for personal use, must pay back the equivalent value in money or return the mabaati for the Karachuna, so that, that programme goes on. On many occasions, I have told leaders not to try and carry their Constituents on their heads financially (kubetikka) but show the families how to use the NRM programmes (NAADS, OWC, PDM, etc.) and make their own money. Kukulembera, si kwetikka abantu” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (11.04.2023).

A man who has claimed to fight corruption for over 4 decades are now calling it a mistake. A mistake is to forget your keys or forget to buy something on a shopping list. A mistake isn’t to divert, take or steal other people’s property. That’s what happened to the iron sheets or the mabaati. The Members of Parliament and the Ministers took government property, which was meant for government programs and supposed to be given to the ones in need in the Karamoja sub-region.

Alas, here is the issue. President Museveni needs to save face and show some action. Because inaction make him look weak. Though he cannot go to hard or too soft either. His in a position where he knows he needs the support and the cronies on his side. They are all used to and knows the drill. The system is built around looting, pillaging and finding schemes to enrich themselves of the government plate. That’s just the game that Museveni has put forward and built over the years.

The President knows very well that if he strikes to hard and goes after all the “thieves” he won’t have a functioning cabinet or party for that matter. Since there is no one who doesn’t know or doesn’t see what is happening. This is just the biggest scandal right now. However, there are plenty of other fish in the sea. It is a reason why 10 trillion shillings just vanishes in corruption every year. The iron sheets is just a manifestation of that.

That’s why he can act like this is a mistake, but this is the same man that accepts “kickbacks” from investors and was giddy to “handshakes” to people involved in Tullow Oil Tax Saga. So, we know how deep this goes. It goes skin deep and isn’t sincere. He only does it show heart, but it is meaningless. They will all be free and without a scratch in the end. Just like others before them. Ministers might been demoted and touched by the law. However, after the wind stops and normalcy returns. The same people are off the hook and re-appointed to greener pastures.

This is why I have little to no faith. The President can act like this and talk big game. Nevertheless, it doesn’t make it more true. We have seen his game and how moves. His a seasoned politician and has a set of procedures. The same will be happening here… and trust me. There might be a scapegoat or two, but they will be released and “forgiven” eventually. Since the President knows and they know the score. Peace.

Uganda: President Yoweri K. Museveni letter to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja – Brief on the Procurement and Distrubution of Iron Sheets by the Office of the Prime Minister (03.04.2023)

Opinion: Mzee thinks we are stupid [on corruption]

“However, the corrupt elements try to infiltrate and curtail the actions of these Agencies by compromising the personnel there.  With the NRM and myself in charge, however, they are fighting a losing war.  Why?  It is because of the fact that either the anti-corruption fighters do their work or, working with the public, the President will do it for them.  How?  Using the Public Barazas and relying on whistle-blowers. Do these work? Dangerously so.  During my recent tour of Acholi, I got so much information about the wrong-doers and the State House Anti-corruption Unit is hot on everybody’s trail – that was involved in any mistakes” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 11.04.2023).

The other day the President spoke like an Opposition Leader on Corruption. Today, President Museveni is acting like the Head State. Nevertheless, his pinning the blame on others and not the system he has created. A man that has ruled the nation for 37 years now. He should know that in the end, it was all his fault.

President Museveni is now to blame for the corruption, the graft, the scandals, and the eating of state coffers. That’s all on his watch. These are people appointed and designated by him. The laws and the institutions created to combat the problem has been mandated by him. His directing them and stopping them from “investigating” too. So, this is not only partly his fault, but also what he has to offer.

Museveni cannot act like there is other to blame. When he has allowed it to feaster. His the one that has thrived on shady and “tax-holiday’s” deals for investors. The old man has enriched himself on the grand corruption. Mzee has secured tenders and other kickbacks to make life easy.

So, when Museveni speaks like this… it is hard to believe him now. He has had the years and the ability to stop this practice. However, he has lavished himself in it and his inner-circle. It isn’t believable in 2023. This is just trying to make positive headlines and hoping the scandals are forgotten about. That’s the gist of it.

Has there been corruption scandals as long as Musveni has reigned the nation. It will continue, no matter how many entities or laws he enacts. Because his in the business to eat and so are his near associates. The easiest way to eat is of the plate of others and that they do with perfection. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee is acting like an opposition leader [on corruption]

It is, therefore, a great shame that those elected by the wealth creators, betray them and become corrupt- stealing government money, taking bribes to provide service etc. The list of wealth creators has now lengthened to include: cattle-keepers, crop farmers, artisans, fishermen, manufacturers, traders, service providers, building contractors, etc” (…) “All these wealth creators are suffering because of the parasites in the form of some corrupt civil servants and politicians. However, this suffering is artificial. It is because the victims of corruption do not report. If they report, the corrupt will be crashed” – Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni (08.04.2023).

A man who has been in office and in power since 1986. That man knows the system, the administration and the whole government at large. President Museveni has envisioned and created the current bloated government. It has been imprinted and created over time. All the various ministries, permanent secretaries, presidential advisors and everyone else has by some acknowledgement been appointed or directed by the President.

That’s why it’s his leadership and his arrangements that is creating corruption. It is embedded and part of the functioning body of government. That’s why ¼ or 1/5 of the yearly budget, which is estimated around 10 trillion shillings is gone in corruption. This is paying for ghosts, “missing funds” and just wasted on huge tenders, which all amounts to little or nothing.

President Museveni knows this and his cronies are eating of the plate. He has issued “handshake” and “tax-holidays” for the ones he favours. Allowing the state running state owned enterprises that are “white elephants” and never ever earning profits. While the taxes and public expenditure is rising. That’s why the State House always needs supplementary budgets and needs to pay of more “clients”. It is a business and the business is the state.

It is just amazing that Museveni says this in 2023. When he said this in the campaign up to the election in 1980: “This type of leadership where people just amass wealth without explaining how they obtained it is tragedy for Uganda. We will get rid of it” (The Uganda Times of June 30, 1980).

He is speaking with the same vigour now, but it isn’t believable. Because, he has had over 3 decades to change it. If anyone had the short or the imperative to stop these sorts of activities. Mr. Museveni had all the reasons to do so and he would have been applauded. However, he has benefited and enriched himself. He has ensured himself massive wealth and vast estates. His family owns businesses and profits of the plights of the wannachi. Therefore, he couldn’t be too concerned about the bribes, kickbacks or other pleasantries to settle a deal.

If he had been new in the game. We might have given him a cheers and a thumbs up. The message isn’t wrong, but it is the wrong person saying it. Since he has eaten, his patronage has done the same and nothing really changes.

These words are practically meaningless. He has created government institutions combating it, enacted several laws and still there are thieving done in broad-day-light. So, the messaging is good… but the one saying it isn’t believable.

You wouldn’t let a wolf look over your hen-house, would you? Would you let a wolf look over your sheep? No, you wouldn’t, because that is dangerous and some of the animals would be slaughtered by the wolf. The same is with Museveni… his the wolf and he never stopped the practice before and will certainly not do it now. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee have called you sleepy and now your lazy…

“…but we at the equator, we have two rainy seasons that is why these Ugandans are lazy because life is very easy for them. You don’t have to work very hard. Even a fool can survive in Uganda” – President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni (28.02.2023).

A man who has been the ruler for close to 40 years. A man who has held vital positions since the later 1970s and who took power in 1986 is displeased with the citizens. The same man who rebelled, started a war and later coup d’etat to take everything. This guy is speaking ill of the citizens. A man who has had his time and ability to change things, but reluctantly done so…

President Museveni cannot rest, cannot breathe or live properly. Especially, the way he coordinates himself. He must be afraid of his own shadow or any possible illness. His trying to act larger than life but falls flat quickly. All the empty promises and pledges. All the stories of old and supposed development isn’t worth the cost.

Yoweri should have been a retired old man on the farm. He should overlook the cattle and the yields of his labour. Instead, his preoccupied and prolonging the agony in office. The results and the achievements aren’t getting any better. His records is abysmal and certainly getting into a defunct status and where everything is up for grabs. If it can be stolen or cannot be schemed, it will not happen. The system he has created is rotten to its core and the main benefactor of it all. That’s why his complaining, because he could have built something better, but he was more focused on the short-cons, than the long-cons. Therefore, his is bitte and blaming the citizens. The same citizens he has hoodwinked and kept in fear for so long. Those are the ones that his now diminishing abroad.

No one should be shocked by him saying this. Only in 2020 he twice said the population needed to wake up. He called at one point that 68% of the population was sleeping. It is not like he hasn’t offended the people before or said they are not working hard enough. That’s one of the things that is a feature of his reign.

This is just who Museveni is and has been. He just got to tarnish and arrogantly strike at his own. Yoweri just got to be braggadocios and boosting his own ego, while brushing of the people of the Republic. That’s just what he does and it’s one of his sticks. While he can rob, steal and intimidate on a regular basis. It is just what he does and his proud of it too.

Sometimes it is just like he hasn’t been in office or seen what his efforts are doing. Because, why work hard or sacrifice a lot. It is just like he goes into a renegade mode or a opposition mode. When we all know he has had the time and the ability to make difference. One of the men of this earth who has had the power and the resources to implement changes. However, that hasn’t happened, because he was lazy and greedy. He rather eats of the plate of others, than share and contribute to the betterment of society. That’s why his bitching now and maybe in regret because he could have been so much more prosperous, if the Republic had invested time and energy on long term plans, and not short-term profitable schemes. Peace.

Opinion: Mpuuga have to prove his worth

As the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Parliament, you are having an unforgiving job. Your office is to excel and pushback the government. The spearhead of the opposition and the ones that whip the Opposition MPs against the wrongful and injustice of the current regime. However, that cost and is brutal. That’s why the LoP isn’t an office for everyone.

Mathias Mpuuga is feeling the pressure after the negotiations and the release of the two incarcerated MPs. His name has been put in the mud and tarnished for anyone to see. Mpuuga has been the point of subject and chastised from all sides. He haven’t only been questioned from the ruling regime, but also from within his own inner-circle.

That’s why you know Mpuuga and his prominence is costing. Not like the LoP has a majority or any hold of Parliament. A minority leader swimming in the whims of the Speakers and the National Resistance Movement (NRM). They are the ones steering the ship and his words means practically nothing.

The predecessors of this role has also paid a price for their acknowledgement of this. The way and manner which they pragmatically took part of the proceedings and let go of their defiant ways. Mafabi, Oguttu or Kiiza has all been there and tasted the mud. They have all taken their stride and lost out.

Mpuuga is in a position where he cannot win. No one can win in this office. There is nothing to gain. The only thing you can do is to renegade and inspire the masses. That’s the only thing an LoP can achieve. There is no legislative or possible political framework that can be implemented. The NRM is running the show and the State House has the Parliament by the balls. Not like the Parliament is acting without consensus of the “high above”. No, they are just carrying his water and doing his bidding.

So, in the grand scheme of things, Mpuuga got nothing and it’s deliberate. Just like the predecessors had nothing either. The LoP is a figurehead of a office, which could have a meaning and purpose. However, in the state of affairs it’s only a money-grab and a salute of a honorary title.

Mpuuga can only use this office to leverage public support and be vocal MP against the oppression. He can only stand on the barricades and be in the trenches with fellow allies. Because, he cannot sustain or have any sort of capacity to deliver anything substantial in Parliament. That is rigged against him and the whole opposition. They have no voice and no opportunity to sufficiently win. He and his fellow comrades are bound to lose and that is done by default.

That’s why Mpuuga needs to humble himself and possible atone for the lost time. The arrogance and entitlement is doing him no good. The only favour he has is with the masses, the ones who voted in the National Unity Platform (NUP) and gave him a role in Parliament. They are the ones that given him a chance and he can shine for them. However, will he ever or is he interested in doing so?

We know Mpuuga has fought and been beaten. We know Mpuuga has been active and been a vocal opposition since the Action for Change (A4C) days. So, we know he got it in him. He has been in Parliament now for years and he has to show some finesse. We know he won’t win, but that isn’t the goal anyway. The goal is to undress the king and show his new clothes. It isn’t to implement or directly reform, because that’s impossible. That’s why he got to undermine and make a mockery out of the rulers. That is his job and currently we are not seeing that from him. Peace.

International Criminal Court (ICC): Defence Team for Dominic Ongwen (16.12.2022)