[Not another look into] since I don’t care about Mzee’s Year End Address [the solemn 2023 edition]

“Same procedure as every year” (Dinner for One, 1963).

It is tiring, exhausting and feels futile. This year I don’t even care to listen or read the Year End Address of President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni. I just don’t care that much about it. It’s about corruption, parasites and adding value to society. We know the drill. He has said everything before, but maybe in another way. If not… his just repeating himself and thinking his a genius.

However… if he was that bright and had the clever vision that he think he does. He would have been able to implement these things and develop the nation forward. The President has had the years, the time and the ability to change. Nevertheless, that was never his priority.

Priorities is shown by spending and where the money really goes. That’s where the heart of man lays. If the man spends money on flowers, gifts and dates. The lady knows his spoiling her and trying to win her over. If the man spends money on the boys, side-dishes and on himself. She will feel left behind and wonder if he really wants her.

The same ability has a government. A government can either try to spoil their citizens with service delivery, government services and proper infrastructure. The government can try to invest in their education, the policies for creating good trading and steady financial framework for businesses. That’s something a government can do to please the citizens and make their lives better. Just like the man buying flowers and trying to please his lady. However, we know that the President doesn’t care about that…. and it shows…

The President could have made a difference and he cannot blame that he didn’t have the resources or the time. This man has had more chances than anyone. No one will ever has a long as reign or be in office for such a lifespan like him again. That will most likely never happen, unless the Republic becomes one Kingdom and a King will reign as a Sovereign. Alas, that is most likely very very unlikely.

Museveni could have done so much. So, listening to speeches and addresses in 2023 and now in the future of 2024 is a bit redundant. He knew the remedies in the 1980s and even in the early 1990s. Nevertheless, the old man with the hat isn’t clever enough to listen to his own self. That’s a ship that has sailed.

He rather come with “get-rich-schemes” and micro-manage the nation into oblivion. Because that is what his doing and his thinking it is bloody brilliant. I hate to say it, but isn’t that wise. Especially not for a man that wants to be the “father of the nation” and be revered “statesman”. No, his just a long-con and been able to mask his inability to make a difference. That’s all his good at and he hopes other people’s failures can make people forget about how reckless his running the nation.

The President cannot say anything that is surprising or shocking in 2024. Neither did he in the Year End Address. We have heard it all before… trust me… but with a twisted tongue or something. No, same old, same old story, but packaged for another year.

Nah… this isn’t it and the President should know that. It’s bad when I don’t care… but that is the brutal truth. He could speak for hours, but we have heard the lectures about the British Enclave and how the Republic produced little in 1986 compared to whatever year that is ending now. You know…

We have heard it all and he can say it again, but it doesn’t make it more appealing. It is just daunting how this man is still the head of state and people is bored of him talking. That’s saying something and I am not alone in it. Peace.

Opinion: SUVs for the “elite” are the priority and not you…

UPDATE: The Speaker of Parliament Ms Anita Among is set to handover vehicles to several former Speakers [of Parliament], including Al Haji Moses Kigongo, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Rebecca Kadaga, and Professor Edward Rugumayo” (933 KFM, 18.12.2023).

They have made the rules and decided what matters. The legislators and the Members of Parliament. By law the Speakers and Deputy Speakers has a massive retirement plan that others could die for. The vehicles given to them is set by law and by code. Speaker Among is only following up on legislation passed, which isn’t making her a villain her.

It is just what the National Resistance Movement (NRM) does to their own. They give new vehicles, chauffeurs, security guards and other perks. Heck, if they die and their spouse is still living. They are entitled to other funds for the remaining family. That’s how golden these tickets are and how they can life off it.

The ones complaining about potholes, lack of service delivery or dilapidated government institutions. Well, it is done by design. By law they have to accustom and acquire these things. The retired high ranking officials are entitled to massive pay-offs and retirement plans. These plans are better than people wages and even with more substantial benefits. Which shows how the elites thrives on tax-payers and donor funds. Because, someone has to cover this expenditure and the ones eating aren’t the one paying. That we all know by now.

The ones defending this should be ashamed. The NRM remedy to any sort of government policy is either a vehicle or a get-rich-money scheme. That’s all they are offering. Not long term solutions or even certainties or eventualities. No, that is long gone and the well written planning documents are for the archive’s. That’s just a given in 2023 and who believes the NRM will deliver or even consider to change?

Nah, change isn’t in them. The NRM is stagnate and happy to live in mediocrity. They are happy with the prospects of high ranking officials dying in hospitals abroad. The NRM is happy to see the brains and the well educated skate up into the sunset in the West. That’s what they while the civil servants and the rising poverty continues. The schemes and the facade is broken.

It isn’t just some potholes in Kampala. Neither is it just one hospital who cannot afford to pay electricity or lack medicine. Neither is it one school who cannot afford light-bulbs. No, it is the whole rotten system and the ones to inherit the republic will have a quagmire to fix it. As if it isn’t sold, stolen or rented. It surely is indebted and in cycle of bad loans coming home to roast. While petroleum-dollars aren’t coming fast enough to salvage the burden.

The NRM will confess to their misgivings, as they doling out SUVs and bashing in glory. As they are lost ducks trying to quack. They are just oblivious to the fact and cannot comprehend their own lacklustre performance over the years. This regime is brutal and inconsiderate. They rather bury its enemies and hoping its cousins dies on hospital-beds without mattresses. That’s what they are giving you and this is their pride and joy.

We can act like it wasn’t a priority to give former Speakers this perk. They served their master and now they got their price. That’s how they are living on the lie and expecting to be loyal to the cause. It is a small token to stay grounded and be within the realm of His Excellency. As they are still on his pay-roll. That’s the game here and we can act indifferent, but it doesn’t make it less true.

The SUVs are the solutions to anything I suppose… at least that the memo I am getting from the NRM. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee micromanages everywhere

There isn’t a place out of reach in the Republic of Uganda, that President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni cannot touch. When it comes to his power, directives, letters and orders… these are supreme and above anything else. He can just write a small note and send it to an appointee and that fellow has to fix it.

It doesn’t matter what it is about, as long as he hears about it and cares. He will tell the authorities, the ministries and the dignitaries what to do. If they have to make bins, buy trash-cans or even sort out a functional recycling plan. All of that can suddenly happen out of nowhere.

The President can give weeks or a month for a deadline, which has ramifications for whole villages and districts. His Excellency can just with a snap of his fingertips get the Bank of Uganda to print bank-notes or ensure a feasible supplementary budget. This President has all the powers vested in him and he knows it.

That’s why the Judiciary just have to jump when he says so. People cannot retire on their own accord, but on his. Civil servants has to stand guard and just follow the memo. The MPs and the Ministers only works within the mandate that he gives them. No one should ever outshine him or outwit him. No, if they do… they will be replaced or be demoted to a useless government institution.

President Museveni want to sound democratic and act like he ushered in a multi-party democratic system. However, that was forced upon him and he needed to hold two referendums to make it happen. Many things has happen by default, if not he has done so because the donors said so.

The President can act like his the voice of reason and holds on to common sense. However, his delusional and thinks his will is the only one. He is so used to get his way and never being tested. That he won’t understand or grasp the idea of a rejection. It is a long time since he needed to go to the bush and fight a war to into office. That is back in the 1980s and we are now in 2023.

Museveni has micromanaged for a long time. His word has become synonymous with the law. The order of the President is the final nail in the coffin. If the word from the State House says so: Then the minions got to do it. If he wants the soldiers to dance, they will dance. If he wants side-dishes to sent to Serena. The handlers will ensure some dimes are delivered on time and to the right rooms. That’s what he does and his so used to it.

That’s why letters like the ones leaked to the Chief Justice Dolo dated the 7th December 2023 is just telling. It shows how he undermines and decides people’s fate. That he can just write a letter and tell what others has to do. If it is about a building, a law or a personal request. Just like he decide what companies are getting tenders, which investor who gets monopoly. That’s all he decides and no one can question it.

That’s what Museveni does and no one should be shocked. He has been doing so for decades. Ever since 2016 it has been clear. The President has taken steps and decided on minor things, which should have either followed protocol or been within a mandate of a minster. If not a minister, maybe even a local council or other lower levels of elected officials. However, the President needs his way and his will to be adhered. That’s why he will tell and compose letters like these. Just to prove his point and his might. Peace.

Opinion: Odrek was sent on a mission bound to end in failure…

The son-in-law Odrek Rwabwogo, the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) who is a delegate and a government official on a mission for the Republic to salvage AGOA and keep good trade relations with the United States of America. His suddenly disappointed that his mandate and office isn’t bearing fruits in the Washington D.C.

It is like the Son-in-Law didn’t know what would meet him. Like he couldn’t see the Biden Administration and their policies. They have certain stings attached and ideals behind them, which won’t consider or be terms that they will consider to flinch on. That’s why the son-in-law isn’t getting results or any sort of positive vibe.

That isn’t strange either. Odrek was sent on a fools errand. There was nothing to gain here at the moment. Unless, he knew about secret repeal of a legislation or a sudden ability to revoke it. This all stem from the enactment and legalization of the Anti-Homosexuality Act. Whatever you think about that… this is the reason and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) should have seen it coming. They knew the sentiments of the donors and the West. If they wanted to play ball. They had to give way and not pass the act. However, it did… and now it faces consequences for doing so.

The loss of AGOA will be costly and exports will halt. There will be another tariff and make it more expensive to export to the United States markets. A market that is vital and big for exports. Therefore, the Ugandan businesses and value-addition industries will be hurt by this.

The Son-in-Law should know the sentiments and the reasons for the fall-out. It isn’t like the Government of Uganda or any high ranking official has tried to appease Washington D.C.. Instead, it has spoken ill of it and said they could keep the “plague”. When you do that… there is little good fate and neither trust or justification to rescind a decision. That’s what is so striking here.

The NRM and Museveni knows all of this and they have been here before. That’s why a similar law was thrown out. Just so the NRM and Museveni could get back into the good graces. If we would see something similar in December 2023 or early 2024 wouldn’t be surprising. As the deficit financing and businesses needs to cover their shortfall as a result of the law.

I have discussed the hypocrisy of the U.S. before and won’t copy that again. That has already been told. However, this is all about a son-in-law and government that knows the drill. They know what they have to do and is naive to think otherwise. However, here we are and Odrek isn’t as smart as he thought he was. Maybe he thought he could sell porkies and make gold. Nevertheless, that’s not how things works.

The NRM and Odrek have stipulations and articles to follow to be in accordance with AGOA. If they want to be there and be designated for the trade. They better adhere to it and then they will return. That’s up to the government and parliament to do. These has to decide and make amends. That’s if they want to be a part of it.

Regardless of just that… something got to give and the son-in-law just got to have his Damascus moment. Until then, nothing will happen. Peace.

Opinion: KaBobi was destined to be torn to pieces…

“In a recent interview with BBC, Kyagulanyi disclosed the immense pressure he is grappling with, revealing a shocking admission of his friendly relations with members of the gay community. Mr Wine asserted that; “the anti-gay law was strategically enacted to target me and my loved ones”. In a bold revelation, Kyagulanyi claimed that his party’s unanimous support for the controversial law in parliament was orchestrated by President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni, accusing him of manipulating NUP MPs to serve his political agenda. “He [Museveni] didn’t bring it in the interests of the people of Uganda – but to target the opposition,” Kyagulanyi claimed” (The Whisper Eye, 07.12.2023).

A life of a politician isn’t easy and it’s even harder in a dictatorship. Especially, when the dictator and the cronies around him is using populistic means to get people on its side. That’s when the opposition have to handle things accordingly and stand on a moral high-ground. However, sooner or later, that bubble can burst and it did happen this week with Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine.

The Anti-Homosexuality Bill is a quagmire for the politicians. It is a draconian legislation and targets one specific minority. The legislation in itself is repulsive, but it has enough popularity in a majority of circles. As there been no public outcry or dismay of the enacting of the legislation. All pressure comes from the outside and really not from within. The pressure from within is withering and if not gone silent, because of the legislation itself.

That’s where Bobi Wine comes in as the former Presidential Candidate and Party President of the National Unity Platform (NUP). His the leader of the biggest opposition party and he knows it. He has to take a stance and be careful about it. As a man of rising popularity. The man knows how quickly things can change or even be lost. That has been shown time and time again.

This Anti-Homosexuality Bill are an eye-sore for Bobi Wine. That’s why he has been so cautious to address it. It’s like he didn’t want to touch the subject or even address it. Bobi Wine rather talk about the mismanagement, the impunity of the state and the horrific human rights violations done on the watch of the state. That’s what he wants to address and make a statement on. He doesn’t want to touch or be known for anything in particular in concern to the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. No, he don’t and he intends not too.

That’s why he had no where to hide in the United Kingdom and the BBC Interviewer came knocking. He had to say something and speak out about it. Because, the UK and the West are in dismay over the law. They are rebuking it and wants the Republic to make amends. However, that is the interests of donor community and not the popular belief in Republic right now. If it was… there would have been another attitude and moral objection too it, which no one has seen.

This is why Bobi Wine is troubled. He knows this and so does his team. He can’t spin this one and become the victor. Either his a prick abroad or his a beloved character at home. In this instance, he cannot be both. Bobi Wine cannot be the revolutionary politician when he trades his moral compass to stay in good graces everywhere. He got to take a stance and abide by it. If it costs, well… then it costs. If not… he has to disregard it and downplay it abroad.

This BBC Interview didn’t do him any favours. Only shows him from another side and he has to make a vital decision here. He cannot spin the wheel and not think it doesn’t has consequences. Because, it does… and he knows that too.

He will be torn to pieces over this interview. Regardless of what he would say on the subject. It would be retorts and rebukes. Either in Kampala or from London. That was destined to happen and we could have seen it coming. Peace.

Justice Forum (JEEMA) letter to President of National Unity Platfom (NUP) Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi (04.12.2023)

Opinion: Supplementary Budget No. 1 of 2023 is a masterpiece of epic failures…

I don’t know about you… but the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) isn’t of a sound mind and never has been under the administration of National Resistance Movement (NRM). The recent years has been heavy and hectic. The newest addition of supplementary budgets is no different.

There is a talk of adding 3,5 trillion shilling to various of projects, budget posts and help re occurrent shortfalls in revenue. Meaning the state is lacking the funds to begin with and have to add these fill to the void. This isn’t a wise move or a brilliant one. It is another cash-grab.

Just like the State House just needs another 100 billion shillings to “confidential funds”. Like it didn’t get enough in the original vote and budget for the Financial Year of 2023/24. They had to add more and give the President another slush-fund. Because, what else there to give and spend money on right?

Well… you have 2,7 billion shillings to be spent on “supervision of the Lubowa Hospital” which is just amazing wast of funds. As we know the monies here are misused and the progress of hospital is at a standstill. The contractors, the companies behind and the state themselves haven’t even allowed the Ministry of Health or Members of Parliament to watch the “building site” so who knows where these billions of shillings will go to.

In addition the Soroti Fruit Factory through the Uganda Development Company (UDC) get another bailout and a friendly push from the state with 9,4 billion shillings. That’s a real treat for a failing state corporation, which wasn’t long ago deemed to be sold. The whole Soroti Fruit Factory has been a tragedy from the paperwork to the implementation of it. It hasn’t added value to the produce, but been a steady budget post of the state.

These are just few of the budget posts in the supplementary budget and it shows how blatant it is. There is no middle ground or progress here. Only more of the same and wastage of public funds. They are spent on either mischief or status symbols for a chosen few. If not on secretive missions and miscellaneous, which we have no idea about.

This Supplementary Budget is just showing how the NRM isn’t having fiscal discipline or even bothers to try. They know there is “free” money and someone else who can cough up the dough. That’s why the nation is run like this and they have all sorts of excuses for additional expenditure. This isn’t new in 2023… and we have heard all sorts of reasons before.

I can promise you… this won’t be the last in this Financial Year. They tend to have like three or so. Just to add on enough funds… because they hope someone will loan, grant or be able to get funding outside of domestic revenue. Peace.

Opinion: Kasaija proves that the rot of corruption is everywhere…

I don’t sleep, I’ve been looking for money. I’m abused by my colleagues that I don’t give them money. When I give them money, they don’t use it for the purpose it has been given. The question of corruption is getting to the nerves of some of us. The corrupt should not be in our government. We work so hard. We worked so hard to bring this county to where it is now but people want to derail us and take the country into wars unnecessarily” – Finance Minister Matia Kasaija (02.12.2023).

No surprises. No sudden changes. The winds haven’t changed. Neither have the tidal waves or the tides of the sea. No, everything is like normal. The cows are being fed. The chickens are being slaughtered and the eggs are collected. Nothing out of the ordinary. Even the nsenene are being sold on the market of Kampala.

The sun is shining and the flow of currency is on overload. There is no rash decision or law that has been amended. No, there is no new Financial Policy or White Paper that has been put forward. Neither has the OAG, IGG or PPDA issued anything of substance. Neither has the FIA or UIA for that matter. There is even a special unit operating in the State House too. Therefore, the state has enough organizations and authorities to combat the corruption. However, they are all ending up with nothing.

This is why nothing changes… because it is a whole lot of nothing. Only small fries, small fishes and the ones who are duped who get caught. The ones who has no leverage or connections. The little guys in the up-country districts to dares to eat of other people’s plates. They are captured and taken into custody. While the authorities says they captured someone who defrauded the state and misused funds.

We have heard of ghosts, missing funds and other tales of late. We are so accustomed to it. That the mabaati and the ghosts SACCOs, NAADs, Emooya, OWC and whatnot just become staple food. The lack of oversight gives the high ranking officials a power to create ghosts and get a pay-off. They just claim to build a bridge or procure furniture for their offices. However, the bridge or the furnitures will never exists, except for on paper and during votes on the budget.

That the Finance Minister is saying these words. It is fine that his calling it out. The deceased Governor of Bank of Uganda must feel good in his afterlife. Seeing how a colleague is ranting out in public. We know that the IGG or OAG have no intentions of shielding or securing whistle-blowers. Therefore, it is a danger to call out mischief and illicit funds. Because, why do that when your career is on the line?

That’s why nothing of his words matters. The system is rotten to the core and it’s been celebrated with Presidential Handshakes, tax-holidays and pay-off’s for service rendered. That’s why nothing will change and the President is fine with that. The daily pay-days are here to stay and the Finance Minister just have to cough up the dough.

Kasaija have served this regime for decades now. He knows the drill and his been fine with it. Maybe now and then been ranting, but his one of them. The President has entrusted him with the office and knows he delivers. That’s why his retained, time and time again. The Minister wouldn’t be there if the President didn’t know he would serve him correctly.

The message is fine in itself, but it is pointless. When you know the authorities, the organizations and the state itself in indifferent. The fellow peers and the ones above him don’t mind. They are jubilant and gets off easy. These are people who are used to eating of others people’s plates. The ones doing so have no intention or plans to stop. It is free food and a feast. The bounty is on the table and why call it out. When you get the meat, the beans and the matooki. It is just time to enjoy it and have some tea after the meal. Peace.

Mzee order of 1989 is cancelled in 2023: The Buruuli land is given back…

In 1989, President Yoweri Museveni instructed the Ministry of Lands and Surveys to allocate 10 square miles of land to enable them to set income-generating activities and education multi-faced agricultural projects. The Ministry of Lands identified the five square miles at government ranching schemes in Nakasongola district and another five square miles at the Ssingo ranching scheme which they offered to Makerere University. The Ministry of Lands and Surveys then offered land at blocks 9B and 9C at Buruuli ranching schemes located in Wabinyonyi and Kakooge sub-counties in Nakasongola.However, to date, Makerere University hasn’t taken possession of the land” (Unity Fm 97.7 Lira, 01.12.2023).

It is just rich that as President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni cancels the giving of land to the Makerere University in Nakansongola district or within Buruuli Kingdom. The President gave the land for educational purposes and the University never used the land. Therefore, the cancellation has no effect on the university or their programs.

Alas, as he called Baganda kingdom the “Mengo Semi-Colonialism” in regards to the Buruuli, which was annexed by the Baganda in the early 1900s. That is history, which is definitely remembered by the people of Buruuli. However, the land question here was always on orders and directed by the President.

He can pin blame of weakening the Buruuli on the Baganda, but that isn’t the case here. The President rectified both Kingdoms and they are now side by side. The land question here was an effort, which was instructed by him and now he chose to give it back. It took him 34 years to do so and you can wonder who will take it back now.

The crying of supporters and people of Buruuli wasn’t done because Makerere or the Baganda had did something. No, it was an outcry because Museveni had decided decades earlier. He now changed his own policy and returned the land to the ones living there. This is opposite of what he has done in the North recently, but shows how powerful letters and pleas are in regard to the President. This doesn’t cost him anything either and the University doesn’t lose anything of value.

It is just strange that he pins the “Mengo Semi-Colonialism” line in the letter. When they had nothing directly doing with it or wasn’t connected to this land question. This was all about him and his choices, but he still chooses these words. Just to justify his attempts and lack of implementation of it. Since the government and the university had over three decades to make use of the land and make it educational. However, that never happened and that is saying something.

Just imagine… since 1989 when he instructed the ministry, the University and the State have never been able to do anything about it. They had plenty of time and funds to do so. This just shows that it was never a priority or a willed act. You can wonder why the President did it in the first place and what motivation he had. Alas, that is another story. Peace.

Opinion: Mao is a lesson of selling himself short…

Now we hear those who joined yesterday trying to lecture us ok how the opposition should act. Being in opposition means you are opposing certain ideas. We are professors in opposition as the Democratic Party. We have a PhD in Opposition, others are still in kindergarten” – Norbert Mao (22.11.2023).

One thing is certain and that’s something Minister Norbert Mao cannot run away from. He is a Minister in Government, which means his not in opposition anymore. The Democratic Party ceased to be that the moment it signed the “No Surprises” Agreement with the National Resistant Movement (NRM). That was a choice and a decision made, which makes Mao and his Party in-line with the Government. They have to vote with them and follow the stipulations of the set agreement.

This is why Mao is now compromised and sold out. He gave way and has become one of them. Mao isn’t the first DP leader or MP to do so. No, there been people before him who did join the government and later they even became NRM themselves. They just saw the benefits of being it directly, instead of working from the outside looking in.

Mao hasn’t been in Opposition since he signed that agreement. He has years as an opposition candidate and as an opposition party. I can give him that and the DP Party has a long history of such. I wouldn’t deny it that, but his still not the guy to lecture others.

His reign and campaigns as opposition in 2011 and 2016 shows how he failed. Mao haven’t been capable or able to take the party further. Neither has there been any sort of successful momentum to give him a shot of getting close to the Presidency. No, his been a small time player in a sea of sharks who smells his blood.

Chairman Mao should know better, as his always tried to act wise and be an intellectual. However, his choices politically can be questioned and the results can be deemed thereafter. His not a serial winner or an overachiever. Mao has done the bare minimum and just gotten what he needs to get by. The DP Party won’t be stronger or more resilient the moment he leaves. No, it will be in shambles and most likely an infighting between the ones who are a part of NRM and the ones who defied that agreement. That agreement is bound to create more headache and hurt for the party. Not make it better or more functional.

That’s why Mao shouldn’t lecture others on how to play. He showed that he was such a mess that he lost out a chance to be on the ballot in 2016 and he had to vouch for Amama Mbabazi. That’s the sort of man he is and he has called Besigye a “serial loser” which is rich when you know how Mao has struggled in the polls.

Mao should just rest on the laurels and enjoy the perks of office. He has traded his integrity and moral high-ground for a brief moment of riches. Right not it’s all funky dory and his one of them. However, the moment his not useful. He will be tossed aside quickly by His Excellency. If not get a useless office and at a government entity, which gives him no prominence whatsoever. That’s where Mao is heading and he doesn’t even know it. Peace.