Opinion: New strict campaign finance limits in the new Electoral Reforms…

I got to go at this law one more time, as there is one more consequential thing in it, that cannot be understated. This is real worry, because, this really limits the reach for the candidates, as they have to prepare in advance all the funds and everything before the elections. They have only two weeks to declare how they have raised funds, by whom and also the amount to able to campaign.

That is vital information, as this limits indirectly, the reach of the opposition and their campaigns. This should also stop the National Resistance Movement (NRM) from finding new funds, new money to suddenly have gifts, voter tourism and whatnot, which they didn’t announce two weeks after the nomination.

Take a look!

Section 22:

“(1b) candidate shall declare to the commission, within fourteen days after nomination day, the source of funds for financing his or her election.

“(4) (a) A candidate or candidate’s agent shall not- obtain, solicit or receive any financial or other assistance from any foreign Government, institution, body or person which or who has demonstrated an intention to overthrow the lawfully established Government of Uganda, or to endanger the security of Uganda;

(b) obtain, solicit or receive any financial or other assistance from an organisation which has been declared a terrorist organisation under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2002” (Presidential Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2019).

The law is also scary vague on key components like the issue of financial or other assistance from foreign government, institution, body or person, whose intention is to overthrow a legal established Government of Uganda. This means, any sort of organization, whose funding is foreign and who works with governance could get into trouble to finance NGOs and others, which implies in a Multi-Party Democracy, that someone else than the incumbents should actually have the possibility to win. Alas, we know, in an Ugandan election that is impossible. Because, the House always WINS, sort of like the rigged Casinos.

This amendment is clearly stifling the ideas like we saw in the previous election, where the citizens gave gifts and donations all along, as Kizza Besigye travelled across the Republic to give small donations here and there. Clearly, because, the NRM and their allies want to underscore and know how much they have on the books and verify their sources. Since, we know, they will not tell how much of the State House budget, the OPM or others goes directly to the President and his team of associates. No, they will make a way to be the smooth operator, but this law is get more strings attached to the opposition.

By all means, no political party or candidate should be used a foreign party to intervene or to overthrow an government, neither should money or funding play into it. That is fine, but that the Electoral Commission needs to know 14 days after the nomination, are really limiting the scope for fundraising, especially with all the conditions put into play.

The rest of the law is straight forward and understandable by all accounts, it is a measure to secure where the funding is from and not laundering money from unsolicited sources, which can be connected to terrorism and other illegal activity, which is fine. That shouldn’t be the case anyway.

But it’s the rest that put real strains on a campaign and ensures, that the candidates have to have a vault of funds to able to campaign and be running in 2021. That is if this goes through parliament and becomes actual law. Peace.

Opinion: Are the electoral amendments a way of outlawing NRM’s own “Independent” MPs?

Well, the first initial reports of the Presidential Elections (Amendment) Bill of 2019 wasn’t accurate, the rumours and speculations wasn’t all truthful. Who knows who leaked it like that and for what reason. That is up to TVO to conspire and show the paperwork off. That is his dish to serve and he does it with such skills.

Alas, this piece will be about independents candidates and their eligibility as candidates. Because, that was also important in the leaks and also the associations between organizations/pressure groups and party members. There are still legal boundaries to this, but now more restrictions, than in the past. Just take a look.

“9A. Eligibility to stand as independent candidate.

(1) A person is eligible to stand for election as an independent if that person is not a member of a registered political party or organisation having ceased to be a member of a political party or organisation twelve months before nomination day; or having never been registered as a member of a political party or organisation.

(2) An independent candidate shall be taken to have ceased to be a member of a political party or organisation under subsection (1) (a), if that person has complied with the constitution, rules and regulations of the political party or organisation to which he or she belonged, that relate to cessation of membership of that political party or organisation and was discharged by the political party or organisation.” (Presidential Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2019).

Well, this is straight forward, but this outlawing a practice, which has been done in most parties of late. Most notably in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) where the incumbent loser in any given district or county, have re-run as independent candidates, even while being members of the party. There was even meetings with about 20 Incumbent MPs who lost their Primaries in 2015 at the State House mid-December 2015 ahead of the 2016. Surely, there was also some more who ran on their own accord after losing their primaries earlier in the year. There was also a rise in the amount of Independent MPs in the 10^th Parliament. This means, that this method will not be allowed from neither the UPC, DP, FDC or the NRM for that matter. Especially,as the NRM as they have had the most these type of candidates in the previous election.

What this also does, limits and restricts the Independents, meaning if they are Independent. They are not even running under an organization. This means, that possibly, running as independent while being part of People Power. Would be impossible, that is if I understand it correctly. That means, someone running for People Power or for Go-Forward in the previous election. Would have to be registered as member and therefore, not really independent. But aligned to the organization or the party. That would limit the ability for certain individuals.

The original law from 2005 stated only this for any candidate:

“9. Sponsorship of candidates by political organisation or political party

Under the multiparty political system, nomination of candidates may be made by a registered political organisation or political party sponsoring a candidate or by a candidate standing for election as an independent candidate without being sponsored by a political organisation or political party” (Presidential Election Act 2005).

Clearly, that law was more liberal, more free and gave way to more various of ways into parliament or into public office. However, this is now showing that the NRM wants stop their own practice and also make the road to the 11^th Parliament harder. Even for the guy himself inflicting this law. Who did use this method, the Minister of Justice Gen. Kahinda Otafiire ran as an Independent Candidate after losing the NRM Primaries. He lost twice, but got the Ministry still, because his one of the loyal subjects of the President.

Nevertheless, expect this to have ramifications. As this law is limiting the people running for Parliament. Unless, the NRM Primaries and others are held 13 months ahead of the up-coming elections. Also, that is if the Electoral Commission allows the parties to hold the Primaries early. Because something got to give. Peace.

Opinion: Why does every By-Election these days look like a War-Zone?

Let us be honest for a minute, the recent By-Elections under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, have become more hostile and more militarized, where the big guns, the soldiers and the mambas are all over the place. That is happening today in Sheema Muncipality in Ibanda and in Bugiri Muncipality in Busoga sub-region. Both National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidates and opposition contest in both of them.

What is striking today is the efforts of the police and the army to intimidate in both places. In Sheema Muncipality and in Bugiri Muncipality, the Army and Soldiers are armed to their teeth. Like there is a war going on, and not a democratic exercise on who gets to represent the people in the newly created districts. No, no, it looks like a war story and someone is going to die!

Seriously, who brings the war machine to an election, if they are not fearing for losing it? Who isn’t bringing the police to arrest opposition activist on the day of the poll and not afraid of losing it?

If the NRM was so steady and had a message, had a mandate and trust in the community, would they need the UPDF and the Police Force to settle intimidation into their eyes. Seriously? I beg to ask!

You can say what you want about elections and about campaigning, but when the ruling regime and the orders from above, is to send a brigades of soldiers to the polls. You know something is wrong, you know that these elections are no good. That is just a common knowledge. Maybe not for Ofwono Opondo or Frank Tumwebaze, but for the rest of us it is.

This isn’t a sign of strength, but more of weakness, of a justification of harassing and intimidating the public. Just because you can and because you have the army. This isn’t there to secure democratic values or secure the public. Than, the soldiers would have bases there and await a sudden strike from an enemy. Not suddenly come out of their barracks and post up in the middle of towns and poll stations in the early mist of morning. No, that isn’t it.

Maybe, just maybe, the NRM thinks so, but than they are gallantly, stupid and I cannot blame them anymore. They are just the National Rwakitura Movement, where all citizens are his cows and he is just waiting to spoil their milk. That is just what is up.

Are the NRM so afraid of losing, that they have to order soldiers in the street to prove they exists and that they can hurt you, if you don’t obey every command made by Museveni? Is that it, is that the magic potion to get people on board. If so, than the President have forgotten Franz Fanon and his wisdom.

As the war-zones of Sheema and Bugiri have smiled to us today and God knows how the tallies will be. Let me end with the words of Fanon.

“The state, which by its strength and discretion ought to inspire confidence and disarm and lull everybody to sleep, on the contrary seeks to impose itself in spectacular fashion. It makes a display, it jostles people and bullies them, thus intimating to the citizen that he is in continual danger. The single party is the modern form of the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie, unmasked, unpainted, unscrupulous, and cynical” (Frantz Fanon – ‘The Wretched of the Earth, P: 164, 1961).

That is enough of the nonsense. Peace.

Opinion: If the Sheema Rally is how you feel Mzee, please reinstate the Resistance Councils and abolish Multi-Party Democracy!

“That is why it is important to elect representatives who sit in the NRM caucus where decisions are made and who can lobby for projects for you” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the 20^th July 2018.

I think the time is up for fooling everyone. I am tired of the old man and his wisdom. Yesterday, he proven again, that the Multi-Democracy of Uganda isn’t important to the President. The act of putting it into law in 2005. Was just to make the donors happy, because he really shows disregard for the people’s will to pick the candidates and not the ones he has prepared for them. He wants loyal tin-soldiers to follow his whims from the State House when he calls in the NRM Caucus, which means all elected majority of Parliament at his place. That is why he shields the opposition out and silence them.

“Stop playing with politics. I have told you that in 1962, people though politics was a joke. The resultant was loss of lives; we suffered.” (…) “That woman [opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Virginia Plan Mugyenyi] will not help you at all,” said Museveni. Also the NRM chairman, Museveni said Mugyenyi, like Mwijukye, would have no access to the party’s caucus meetings which discuss development projects. He reminded the voters that NRM had the numbers in parliament and it would be safe for them to vote for Tumwesigye if they wanted to see Sheema Municipality develop” (Samuel Kamugisha – ‘Museveni: Mwijukye Is A Useless MP; I Struck Buhweju Off Uganda’s Map’ 20.07.2018).

Let’s be clear, if you feels this way Mr. President, stop the charades, be the real self and reinstate the Resistance Councils of 1986-87. So that the Local Councils and Local Government can be all in-house and controlled from the State House and through the Office of the President. Just the way you want it.

While you at it, since the Members of Parliament from other parties have no value. Pleas, just Please, make the state a ONE-PARTY State. That will be real you and the sincere judgment of what you are Mr. President. Museveni, you are already showing disregard for Mwijukye and his time as an MP. Therefore, why do you even bother with elections and doesn’t just ask for having direct elections of MPs through the NRM Primaries and internally. There isn’t any reason to have Multi-Party in Parliament if they are not existing to you.

You are directly diminishing the districts and sub-counties that has voted in favor of the opposition. You are showing what sort of disgrace of a man you are. Mr. President if you represent that other than your own narrow mind, you would be there for all communities, no matter who represents them to in Parliament. However, that is not the case and is shown with your meager display in Sheema Municipality.

Be real, be honest Mr. President. You are not representing the whole country, just the NRM. If you want it all NRM, abolish Multi-Party Democracy and also reinstate the Resistance Councils of the 1980s. Than, you would be honest with yourself and your dictating ways, also the public would know the real you. Not the fake forgery of a man you really are.

President Museveni, we are tired of lies and deception. Just show the real you, as you are directing everyone of your tin-soldiers from the State House, through your decrees and decisions. Instead of having several other parties within the Parliament. Just let the people decide who they think is the best within NRM and not have others. If you are for this.

“Upon capturing power, the NRM introduced the Movement political system, under which all Ugandans belonged. The Movement united Ugandans under one political system and partly cured the deep-seated sectarianism that has been sowed by the political parties. Political party activities were formally suspended in 1992” (Pascal Kwesiga – ‘NRM’s political achievements’ NEW VISION, Tuesday, January 26, 2016).

So, please Mr. President, just go back to the real you. Suspend political party activities and make sure all are under the umbrella of the NRM. If you have the feeling that opposition MPs are useless and their areas doesn’t exists anymore. Than, you might just abolish it and stop the faking it to the Republic. You might have done this to please foreign donors, but those you don’t care about anymore. We know this and they know it too.

Stop playing and show the real self. Your already President for Life. Show the reality and stop playing. It is getting real old. Peace.

Opinion: MPs Security Detail is prepared to be modern day Santana Scandal!

Shiish, there are just some news that doesn’t capture your eyes quick enough. I have read the letter, but didn’t capture all the details, neither the costs. However, there was several of gentleman at the Daily Monitor, that did. Therefore, I am writing here today, because of the possible cost of buying cars for MPs new security detail. This has been ordered by the President and his words is law. No matter how expensive or how insane it is.

Here is the case from today:

“On June 29, President Museveni ordered Finance minister Matia Kasaija to urgently procure bullet-proof cars with “sharp shooters” from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to protect lives of the MPs against what he termed “terrorists”. However, he did not give specifics on the cost of the vehicles and other related expenditures. Daily Monitor interviews with car manufacturers revealed that a 2017/18 model bullet-proof Land Cruiser pick-up costs about $520,000 (about Shs1.9b) while a 2017/18 model bullet-proof Hilux pick-up costs about $166,000 (Shs630m). Therefore to procure bullet-proof Land Cruisers for the 456 MPs at Shs1.9b each, the government would pay out Shs866b while to acquire 2017/18 bullet-proof Hilux model at Shs630m, it would cost government Shs287b” (Solomon Arinaitwe & Moses Kyeyune – ‘MPs security cars to cost Shs1 trillion’ 13.07.2018 link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MPs-security-cars-cost-Shs1-trillion/688334-4660322-shcp27z/index.html).

This here deal is made for corruption and for ghost costs appearing out of nowhere. This here is just built for that. It is amazing if the government starts procuring, knowing with its history and misuse of state funds. This is the perfect blend, buying vehicles and add-ons on the spread-sheet, claim later added cost without explaining where the funds went. If not order things that never appear. That is also a beauty.

With this in mind, here is the old story that could be re-produced by buying the security detail:

“However, in mid-1988 when Balaki Kirya, minister of state in office of the President in charge of security went to Spain to sign an agreement, he found 260 Santana ‘Land-rovers’ valued at $6.1 million had already been shipped while the agents/lobbyists were negotiating for the importation of another 260 ‘Land-rovers’ now valued at $8 million. The saga leaked to the press. The Weekly Topic of May 3, 1989 had a lead story: ‘Old schemers at their game again, STOP MISUSING PRESIDENT OFFICE’. When contacted, officials from the National Treasury said the purchase was done without the knowledge of the Bank of Uganda (BoU). However, from the BoU archives, on April 8, 1988, a memorandum on the foreign exchange position, by the governor indicated among other payments to be made in the year was for the 260 Land-rovers from Spain for the President’s office and 600 Land-rovers for the ministry of Defence as well as the army uniform from Spain” (Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi – ‘High-profile corruption scandals registered under NRM’ 24.02.2013 link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/High-profile-corruption-scandals-registered-under-NRM/688334-1702448-ndh6w6z/index.html).

I wouldn’t be amazed if the Ministry of Defence, the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister would make a scheme worth paying off for. They would secure kick-backs and additional funds, this is a too important project and the safety of the MPs is the highest priority. Everyone knows that. Not that this is misusing of funds and making sure the MPs are driving around like hostages in their Republic. Nah, that is not important at all.

That the 456 MPs who already are allocated money for cars and upkeep of them. Still, they need a second one, with specialized produced safety gear, seems more like they are traveling past war-zones, than friendly neighbourhoods, what about the actual people that live there, are they safe?

Well, that was bit of subject. However, the reality is that this is made for corruption. Someone in the regime will eat and use this as package to get loaded. We can just wonder who and who will be put in charge, who will fake needed equipment and who will give away knock-offs instead of the real deal.

This MPs security deal can be a gold-mine to the right individual. However, whoever that might be, he has to remember to give the king his cut. That meaning the President in the State House, if not your see quickly the other side of the barrel. He has no issues getting rid of people. That is proven in history too.

I wish I could be hopeful, but to me, they are cooking another Santana Scandal. This time it might be the Hilux Scandal or the Land Cruiser Scandal of 2018.

I just know we will get there, but how, that is up to the magicians within the Kings court. Peace.

Museveni’s Presidential Donations are made for two reasons: Honouring himself and pay his cronies!

“Parliament votes money for state house, they appropriate money for welfare, another president would have chosen to buy booze for those who go to visit him but President Museveni has decided to give it to out as donations.” – Ofwono Opondo on NBS TV Frontline on the 3^rd May 2018.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni isn’t a big giver or anyone who cares about the state, even as the State House budget every year is bloated on mismanagement and out of proportions. To say otherwise is to defend the stupidest and naive among us. If the President was generous, he would borrow as much money in the recent years to cover the deficit and then give scrap-metal in districts of by-elections. He would have figured out proper ways to finance the budget. Not come with specialized taxes later, as well as borrowing more from the World Bank to health care. That is all mismanagement.

The giant budgets for the State House, for the Office of the Prime Minister is for the betterment of the Republic. But for the ego’s and direct control of the President of the state funds. That is why the President has all the perks, all the expenses paid for and all the estates run with government funds. It is not privately run, that is lie. The donations are not from his pockets, but from the state pockets and from state coffers. It is directly taking a straw into the Bank of Uganda. Drinking until the toxic levels in the veins are too high.

The problem with the defence of the donations, is that the President has all the direct power over it and trust in that shouldn’t be, as the corruption scandals, Presidential Handshake, Santana’s, CHOGM Money and everything else always lead to the State House. To say otherwise, is to lie and forget the facts, even the NSSF issues and UNRA scandals has been ordered from above. Therefore, to believe that the donations will go nicely and to good causes is to have to grand thoughts about the man who never brought steady progress. The President has given to ghost projects and businesses not existing of late. Then you know someone close connected and cronies is getting those funds. Not some random citizens who is trying to sell shoes on the street. That would be a marketing plot from the United Nations, and not from the State House.

With this in mind, the Donations in the budget for the State House. Is made so he can look good every time he visit any district. So that the pockets are endless. These funds will not solve much, only be there for a short-term gain for a selected few. Instead of helping the schools, the police and the infrastructure. These are for the benefactor to look good. There is no difference between these funds and any foreign NGO. There are no real governance and real proof of the end-game. If it will be fruits and be sustainable. The donations either goes to bring water to a districts for decades or into the pockets of cronies. Who knows right? They might even pay off ghosts like they did in Rukungiri?

Ghost always eat, shits and sleeps like people too, they need castles, Bentley’s and a salary for the upkeep. That is why the donations comes suddenly as the Ghosts are ready to feast. The giant party and the giant wedding, where the bride and the Burro can get their day.

So my trust in these donations are slim, more slim than Slim Shady. The won’t be an aftermath, even as ruthless as the President is. This is rigged to make the President look like the shiny star when needed. To be the fountain of honour, God’s grace on planet earth and take away the dust of the shoulders of the common men. Even just for a hot minute and after that the people has to continue their Grand Hustle. Because the President won’t offer anything when he has left the stage. When the cameras is gone, when the speeches has been hold and the locals are back on duty.

The President won’t offer a thing, a minute, even a second as the twists and turns are happening. The donations was done, the pride and greatness was severed, even on borrowed time. Now that His Excellency is elsewhere, the dwindling funds and luck with have ordinary meagre budget to live upon. They have to wait for his next return to get extra help. Just like an NGO who comes and goes, unless they are stationed and have missions in the district. That is expected of any NGO, but the state is supposed to stable, the factor of life and making sure the citizens has services to enrich daily life.

Instead, the public are awaiting donations, not out of goodwill, but out the need for the President to be grand, to be big and to be Noble. Because he cannot build systems for this. He cannot make this within the other parts of the institutions and public service. Since that takes away the glory of him giving away these donations. He needs to rubber-stamp it directly and be the man. Be greatest, even if he just faking it until he is making it. If some of his cronies get a something extra by his visits and his rallies while doling away gifts. Its perfect because then he knows they will defend him and his causes. While he just gave away small tokens that he doesn’t have to show any transparency about. Just say, I gave away these things and it will bring development. Even if there is no proof or anyone following up on the donations. Why should they? It was gifts, people can use it as they see fit. Make scarecrows or make castles.

He hasn’t done his duty, if he had, then he wouldn’t need to give donations. The State House wouldn’t have that post on the budget, the State House wouldn’t have such big budgets and expenses. However, they do, because of the EGO of the President. He needs everything and control of everything. Even tiny gifts to locals when he pop-by, because he don’t trust anyone, but himself. Peace.

Mzee promises millions of shillings to athletes, but keep general upkeep? Nah, not important!

“He then asked he president to stop funding wells and toilets and use the money to buy grain. (Because really, how can you use a toilet if you never eat?)” – William Kamkwamba

Well, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has started to promise things again, like he does now and then. It is a habit, he has done this for over three decades, to keep up with all his pledges. We would need a wall in a library and dozens of reports to check if he kept his promises. Many would be lacking, but that is for another day. Today, he was celebrating after returning from London and the Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting (CHOGM). He has always liked to bask in glory on those occasions, because it is all talk and no need to play or pay. Now, he has returned and promised something again. Therefore, I wonder, how come the state has money to pay lavish salaries for athletes, but cannot hire needed civil servants?

Priorities, the state got none? Is that what Mr. President is saying? I understand he wants to celebrate, but has the ones in past gotten their perks? The Olympic winners of the past? Have they gotten their check and built their house, even finish building the stadiums in their names? After my calculations, there are many who is left behind. Just like so many other projects under Museveni. Because it is fun while cooking and eating. But very, very boring to clean up the mess and paying the farmer too.

First, the recent news of lack of funds:

“The Ministry of Public Service had earlier directed all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) that filling of structures should be done in a phased manner subject to availability of funds. “I further emphasised in the Second Budget Call Circular (2nd BCC) dated February 15, 2018, that wage allocation for 2018/10 was only for staff in posts and no funds have been provided for recruitment,” Mr Muhakanizi states” (…) “Mr Muhakanizi’s order comes after Parliament’s Public Accounts (Local Government) Committee report on the 2015/2016 findings of the Auditor General pointed out that of the 77,713 posts that are established in the local governments, 23,093 are vacant, implying that nearly 30 per cent of the jobs are not filled” (Arinaitwe, 2018).

Second, the sudden announcement that there are funds available:

“I made a promise that whoever wins a gold medal at an international or continental competition would get a monthly salary of Shs5 million, a silver Shs3 million and Shs1 million for bronze. The five medalists today will get onto the payroll. I have also been told of some arrears to other athletes, they will be cleared. Likewise, I will build a house for Cheptegei and Chesang who won gold medals, like I have done for previous gold medalists” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 22.04.2018).

Maybe, I am stupid or maybe the system is foolish. Because how come there is no funds for paying the teachers, hiring principals and other needed civil servants in the government, but the Ministry of Sports and Education has capacity to dole out millions to several individuals. So the sudden victories are important, than the future generations own lessons in school. All Ugandans should get the memo. That the victories done on the Commonwealth Games are more vital to the Republic, than studying or even getting educated. If you want to secure a decent pay and salary in Uganda. You got to start running and the government will find you money.

However, if you need administrators, secretaries, teachers, principals or whatever else, there is lacking off in the districts, at schools and at hospitals. You can linger unemployed and even with the education to go into the field of expertise, the state cannot find funds for you. But if you had run on dilapidated stadiums and run around pot-holes, gotten a chance to be picked up by Uganda Athletics Federation. Than you have hope for a decent salary and a future. Unless, you get picked in NRM Primary and rig yourself into Parliament. For that matter, get a name grand enough to become a Regional District Commander (RDC), then you get a salary and also a house.

If you are just a commoner applying for job, it will not be easy, even if the government institutions hasn’t hired what they need and lack to fill the positions, because of lacking funds. Trust me, if you get into the field and get a medal. You will secure your future. That is the promise. But remember, Museveni, as always promise a lot, but don’t keep it. Just like he has done to previous winner and gold medalists.

So in reality don’t expect anything, you should be worried about those promises. When the President cannot even have the needed funds for needed civil servants within his own government. The signs of problems and lacking structure should be there. The gravitas of nonsense should strike you. But someone will buy into the soft-words, but others will be. I have a way out, but that is not certain.

Peace.

Reference:

Arinaitwe, Solomon – ‘Uganda: Govt Stops Public Service Recruitment’ (19.04.2018) link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201804190159.html

Baryomunsi has lost the plot on NBS Frontline: Defending, the Presidential Donations in Rukungiri!

In the Republic of the Presidential Handshake, there been talk about the Presidential Donations in Rukungiri recently, where trucks, tractors, boda-boda’s and monies to SACCO’s are coming days ahead of a By-Election there. That President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his party National Resistance Movement (NRM) was giving funds directly to certain people in the district. That is why this became a topic on NBS Frontline.

I am glad I am not a NRM Apologist, because they have to defend murder, assassination of institutions and the well-established nepotism within this regime. Therefore, I am glad I wasn’t Chris Baryomunsi on the TV today. The Cabinet Member said this:

“All the donations made can’t total to UGX5bn. It’s not correct to say the president was in Rukungiri to bribe voters. He has a passion to fight poverty. It was a genuine donation” – Chris Baryomunsi on NBS Frontline (19.04.2018).

Because the NRM have no trouble with this and defending what he did, because of the coming election of a Woman MP for Rukungiri District. Like it is just happening days ahead of the By-Election, that the President can use from his coffers at the State House and dole out gifts. This is Ad-Hoc Cash from the giant box of Presidential Pledges, that he can give where ever he likes. Instead of actually building institution, more just patching up the hurt, instead of building something genuine.

“The president is a very generous person and it’s not fair to say that the donation in Rukungiri was an unfair. He donates to all parts of the country. He has not broken any law by donating” – Chris Baryomunsi on NBS Frontline (19.04.2018).

Well, it is still questionable, even the Parliamentary Elections Act 2001 states: “26. Use of Government resources:

(1) Except as authorised under this Act or otherwise authorised by law, no candidate shall use Government or public resources for the purpose of campaigning for election.

(2) Where a candidate is a Minister or holds any other political office, he or she shall, during the campaign period, restrict the use of the official facilities ordinarily attached to his or her office to the execution of his or her official duties” (Parliamentary Elections Act, 2001).

So if the WMP candidate for the NRM are getting credit and the use of the bribes, the Presidential Donations or Pledges, than the public resources has been used in campaigning for elections. That is questionable, even if it wasn’t the NRM Flagbearer for Rukungiri, but the WMP candidate would benefit for the kindness and use of public resources.

So Baryomunsi should question the Electoral Laws if Presidential Pledges, Presidential Donations or gifts are acceptable before the polls. That is what the Minister is saying and the apologist of the NRM is saying. That Museveni is getting of the hook, instead of being questioned. Even the not-so-new Chairman of the Electoral Commission Justice Simon Byabakama said it was an evil partner of the elections with bribes. It is proven again that the NRM is following their M.O.

If Byabakama really believed it destroyed the Democracy, he wouldn’t have accepted the pledges, the donations and the gifts from the President in the month before the election in Rukungiri. However, he did, not condemn or done anything. Because he knows he is a crony of the President, whose lucky to have a day-job.

Because 5 billion shillings as gifts and sudden donations from the President is questionable. To say something else, is to be blind. That is what the NRM wants people to be, because the President has no plans with it. Other than trying to bribe and give things. So the District will look favorable to him and that the people cannot vote for someone else, who gave vans, tractors, boda-boda’s and so on. Peace.

Opinion: Bribes are NRM’s M.O. during elections, however EC Chairman Byabakama says its a “evil partner”.

Today I am writing about certain comments made by the guy that took over the Election Commission after Dr. Badru Kiggundu, he is legend for his ways and his math. So Dr. Kiggundu will not be forgotten, that is why I have struggled to take this fellow serious. Because Kiggundu destroyed the EC and made it look like a foolish organization filled with cronies who has a love-affair with Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. That is true and therefore, all By-Elections since the General Elections 2016 have been in favor of National Resistance Movement (NRM), except Kyadondo East, which Bobi Wine topped with his huge star-power and speeches. So that Justice Simon Byabakama hasn’t been on my radar. This because the NRM has controlled and in-certain themselves in the by-election, where the opposition parties and independents has no control. Byabakama couldn’t do anything wrong and the NRM can just do whatever. That is how it has been for various reasons, but the NRM are really not trying to have a multi-party state, that is just a piece of flesh on the bone for donor-aid, but not for reality.

So before I rant, here is the statements on the EC Boss I will discuss today:

“According to Byabakama, bribery has become an evil partner with elections in Uganda. “But we are made to understand that bribery has become an evil partner with elections in this country, this undermines the quality of democracy,” he said” (…) “The law says an election result can be cancelled on grounds of bribery, despite the amount involved” (…) “Can you imagine an exercise that has cost the stakeholders, including security about sh1b being cancelled because of sh1,000 or a sachet of waragi or bar of soap? Do we really have to go to the school of economics to understand that this is not tenable in economic terms?” Byamukama wondered” (Nambogga, 2018)

Well, Byabakama have been under a rock or not followed what the party that appointed him and anointed him to become Electoral Commission Chairperson. That the Chairperson didn’t know how the ruling regime and the ruling party has acted during elections. It isn’t only misuse the army and the police as a political tool during elections. All of the state coffers and reserves are used.

Therefore, that the Chairperson Byabakama are now saying bribes are bad. He should start discussing this with the Entebbe State House. Who has sanctions the give-aways to Pastors, Residential District Commanders and others who was getting Prado’s and SUV’s within days of the Election. That is the big buys of loyalty and bribes.

The others are the voter tourism, a definition that came about because between 2015 and 2016, the NRM party and their organizers hired buses, paid t-shirts and food for villagers to bigger local rallies. They even gave smaller sums of cash to the people to listen to Museveni and the group of musicians that was also paid massively for their campaigning for the President. It is sort of hard to forget the massive amounts of shillings spent on the Campaigning of the President. Only for November 2015, the NRM Party spent massively 125bn shillings. That is something one report said and could calculate. The other months up-to February 2016. Can question the whole spending of the NRM. Every single rally before the February 2016 was biggest breaches of bribery of voters. It’s like the Chairman was blind to this or was himself in Finland while it was happening.

The evil partner of bribery is built in the system of corrupt behavior from the State House. They misuse all parts of government and all parts of society. If there isn’t loyalty, it can be shut-down. That is how Museveni works.

So my question to Byabakama: Will you ask His Excellency, if the Party has any plans of stopping to bribe the public every time there is an election?

If you do? Can you also get the New Vision to publish that too? So we can again see how to-faced Museveni is. Thanks. Peace.

Reference:

Nambogga, Jackie – ‘EC Boss warns against bribery in politics’ (04.02.2018) link: https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1470404/ec-boss-warns-bribery-politics

NRM failing on bills again, this time to New Vision!

There been sent a letter to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) from the New Vision Group. The NRM and the President paper, who usually write all the favorable propaganda for the NRM Regime. Therefore, that the New Vision sent a letter on the 13^th June 2017, didn’t pay for its adverts in the Vision Group in 2010 and 2011. In 2010, the party haven’t paid the bill of 508,886,927 Uganda Shillings and in 2011, the bill is 406,578,614 Uganda Shillings. The total lacking funds are 915,465,541 Uganda Shillings. So the NRM are closely behind to 1 Million in debt to the Vision Group.

Just like another report from the same campaign in 2016:

“Judgement on admission is hereby entered against the respondent (NRM) in the amount of Shs4.9b. The issue of cost of the application shall be determined by the suit” Mr. Opesen held yesterday” (…)”The money arouse of supply 60,000 T-shirts, one million scarves and 200,000 sleeveless shirts” (…)”Kampala Modernity Stationers and Printers sued the ruling party in 2013 for contribution of the said money to be paid to Dubai based firm, Bright Arrows Trading which supplies the ready-made garments” (…)”M/S Bright Arrows Trading have sued Kampala Modernity for breach of contract leading to third party proceedings compelling court to add NRM as party in the case” (Buule, 2016).

So the NRM Party and the NRM Campaign of 2011, clearly the NRM Campaign of 2011 was not run well. The NRM Organization clearly doesn’t respect the providers of the needed materials for their campaigns. This are old bills from the previous presidential election campaign.

You can wonder if they have stifled the men and woman making campaign material for 2015 and 2016. As they have done for 2010 and 2011, as if the providers want to come forward and leak it now? It would be natural to complain a year after for the missed tab created by the ruling regime and the ruling party. Seemingly, the funds from the NRM party are not sufficient, as even parts of 2016, the NRM wasn’t paying out salaries to their own staff.

The organization isn’t functioning or have good audits of their accounts, since they are not paying on time or being able to plan their actions and campaigns. That is why the old bills keeps pumping. This is just another one. There might be more skeletons in the closet, we just have to wonder if the NRM has paid the bus companies and the other one delivering services during the campaigns. Peace.

Reference:

Buule, Jon – ‘N.R.M. in 4 billion debt over poor quality Yellow T.Shirts!!!’ (01.03.2016) link: http://mycampusjuice.com/2016/03/01/n-r-m-in-debt-over-poor-quality-yellow-t-shirts/