Uganda: PACEID – Statement from the Office of Odrek Rwabwogo, Chair of Uganda’s Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports & Industrial Development (PACEID) – (01.11.2023)

Opinion: Mzee, the way you describe Amin, we can describe you…

Let that history be forgotten” (Museveni, 05.10.2023).

The President of all the seasons…The President since 1986 and beyond. He wrote a letter to his wife, the Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni wrote a letter vetoing the building of a Idi Amin Institute, which was an idea from former Obongi County MP Hon Fungaroo Kaps Hassan.

What is interesting in the letter is reasoning of Museveni. The manner of which he describes and tells why we should not have any sort of thing. He states early: “First of all, Idi Amin’s Government was clearly illegal. It had no right to install itself over our country” (Museveni, 05.10.2023).

Isn’t that poetic coming from Museveni?

Not like Museveni won by a landslide in the 1980 election? Neither was elected when he was a Minister in the Obote II government after the ouster of Amin in 1979-1980. Therefore, it is not like he didn’t use the same means to get office as Amin. Heck, that has been his trademark since 1986. If you look into every election since 1996, you will see a pattern of election fraud, rigging and intimidation, which is similar to the election he contested in 1980. So, Museveni should be careful about talking about “illegal” and “install itself”, which he has done repeatedly since he took office.

He continues: “Apart from his unconstitutionality, he committed a lot of crimes – the killing of the Acholi and Langi soldiers in Mbarara, the killing of prisoners in Mutukula Prison, the killing of Ben Kiwanuka, Basil Bantanringaya and his wife and so many other killings” (Museveni, 05.10.2023).

Isn’t this a bit rich coming from him?

We know what his government been up too and his authorities. He is using the same tricks and there are several of unsolved mysterious deaths, which are never answered for. People are going missing, people are tortured, they end up dead and people are kept incommunicado too. Citizens who are dissidents and activists ends as prisoners of conscience or end up dead. Therefore, the President has enough life on his plate to lecture about Amin’s record. When we at it… Amin only had a few years, but Museveni has decades. Certainly, when the records come out and the proof of orders to commit extra judicial killings, torture and detaining civilians comes out. The record of Museveni will be dark, grim and depressing. Because, his authorities is as brutal as Amin, if not worse, as he had years to perfect it and create enough “safe-houses” to keep them in the dungeons indefinitely.

He ends the letter with this: “Therefore, it is not acceptable to licence an Institute to promote or study the work of Idi Amin. It is enough that the forgiving Ugandans forgave the surviving colleagues of Idi Amin. Let that history be forgotten” (Museveni, 05.10.2023).

Well, history has repeated itself and the lessons hasn’t been learned. That’s why drones are endangering the political active, the system has incorporate punishment before trial and accepts the blunt use of force on civilians. The state can kill at will and the ones following orders get promoted to higher ranks. There are certainly a need for an institute to show the grim reality, but also the effects of the Idi Amin era. As it reflects or gets mirrored in our time.

Amin would be proud of Museveni’s efforts. As he has shielded himself by vilifying the predecessors, but never ever taking to account what he himself has done and committed. There are plenty of families who will never see their loved ones again. That’s all because of the orders and the authority of which Museveni represents. In his time he has ended plenty of lives and scorned even more. He has done so over two generations and his words can easily be used against him.

It is rich that he wrote this letter to his wife dismissing Amin. Yes, Amin was a tyrant and had blood on his hands, but so does Museveni too. He shouldn’t throw stones in a glass house. Peace.

Opinion: The Republic is building Ghost Dams…

“What we found was that some of the dams that are being talked about are not even existing, for example Paylong dam which is supposed to help the community of Kotido isn’t even existing. What we saw at the site of Pylong is some pond with weeds grown all over the place and I think that one was constructed by the Ministry of Water. There is also one in Abim district that one isn’t functional at all and I think the work wasn’t completed and those facilities were never handed over to the district” – Janet Okori-Moe, Chairperson Agriculture Committee (27.10.2023).

MPs on Parliament’s Agriculture Committee have discovered ghost irrigation dams and valley tanks in Karamoja and Teso sub-regions, despite Government releasing billions of shillings for the construction of these dams in order to foster agriculture in the two regions” (Parliament Watch, 27.10.2023).

For over a decade I have heard of ghosts. These was “ghost” teachers, civil servants and sometimes even whole “ghost” schools. There been mentioned of “ghost” projects and others too. Where development was paid out and nothing was delivered. In just having additional budget posts or juicing up the stats to “cover a shortfall”. No, it is a deliberate act to siphon funds.

Today it was revealed yet another trick. The Republic is now building ghost dams. The Women Representative of Abim, Janet Okori-Moe MP says so. She knows her district and was re-elected on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket in 2021. This is her second term as a legislator and MP. Certainly, she would know and it’s a compellign story.

This is a systemic problem and manufactured by the inner-circle. Because, the system is creating these ghosts. Both on local levels and on national ones. Where Ministries and others are benefiting. They create these out of thin air and pockets the funds. Because, no one is paid to work, build or make it operational. No, it is just smoke and mirrors. There is nothing to it and the money is paid in full. The funds are allocated and dispersed. While the end-product is non-existing.

Just imagine billions of shillings are paid out and nothing in return. That means someone is eating and having a blast. These funds are spend, but not on the dams or the valley tanks. These projects or development projects was meant for the public good. They were meant to help the people of Abim, Kotido and Karamoja, but they never got to see it.

This is thieving from the ones who has none. Blatant and disgraceful. They get called “ghosts” and made up cute. However, this here is theft and stealing funds from the public coffers. The funds which had an intended purpose, but got spent elsewhere. They just went “missing” and the proverb of “missing funds” is viable in the Republic.

Just as there is missing funds, there are ghosts and these are connected to one principal. That there are money to take and gullible people who will not care if they loose out. The takers take and they are the spenders. Money is taken and used on other things. While the budgets and the Ministry had promised one thing. Suddenly, a need elsewhere appeared and the “ghosts” was created.

They can try to spin-it or make up stories. The fact is that billions of shillings was eaten. Some one within the inner-circle and close ties to power got a pay-day. They used the “ghosts” to fill a void and get paid. That’s just how the day goes and this was a heist. A heist happening in broad daylight and nobody really saw. It was done in the offices and within the elites. Those was the ones benefiting and having a blast.

While the up-country people never got see anything. Peace.

Opinion: The “drones” haunts the chambers of Parliament…

There is no amount of legislation that can atone for murders and disappearances, whether we are able to legislate and pass a bill on a daily basis, while the targeted beneficiaries of these legislations are being abused by Government and some of them are killed, then we are legislating in a void and we can never claim to be serious legislators” (…) “Lawmaking and legislation must be consequential and we can’t engage in inconsequential actions as legislators from the opposition, therefore, I want to assure Ugandans that these demands are legitimate and they constitute a top priority for us as the Opposition” – Leader of the Opposition Mathias Mpuuga (26.10.2023).

As the National Resistance Movement or the Government of Uganda wants the world to believe. That nothing shady or murky is going on. That the opposition is only making up fictional tales and has records of missing persons, but they are never revealed or re-appearing. There are unknown amount of people associated with the opposition that is kept incommunicado or without trial as political prisoners.

The “drones” or “panda gari’s” comes in the shadows and without warrants. The security agents just picks up people and take them away to unknown destinations. While family and friends has no clus for why. They are partaking in politics and activism, and that’s the sole reason for their demise. This is the state and how the authorities operates. People are gone for years without proper court cases, put in trial sometimes by court martial and some left in the dungeons (“safe-houses”). That is a well known “secret” and ungazetted ones are there too.

The security agencies are operating in the shadows and are happy to oblige to orders. Heck, reports are that high ranking officials that is offended or displeased with citizens has paid of agents to kidnap and silence critics. That’s how the system works now and the law enforcement is happy to do the dirty work.

Therefore, the words of Mpuuga is needed to be said. The boycott was necessary, but calling it off before anything substantial was done by the NRM is futile. The Deputy Speaker gave Gen. David Muhoozi a month to come and address the Parliament again. Meaning the Minister and General can ease off and have bought him time. In such time that people forget this and hope another scandal arrives. While the political prisoners continues to linger in prisons or dungeons like they currently do.

The LoP is in between a rock and a hard place. He has little to no space to manoeuvre, as the minority and it has little consequences what he does. That’s why the government spokesperson and others call it drama. I understand that… when they are so softly returning to the plenary and the boycott called off so quickly. The leader of the opposition could at least tried a bit longer and piled on the pressure.

Yes, his statements and addresses in parliament is fine. However, the NRM, the authorities and the “high above” won’t care. They will continue like yesterday and the yesteryears. There is no reason for them to stop. This system is functioning and the ones suffering is the dissidents. The elite and the ones eating don’t mind. They are not seeing the price and the sacrifices. These are only enjoying the perks and privileges of being on “top”. So, why should they bother about the dark side?

Well… Mpuuga is in a battle he cannot win. The NUP and the other opposition parties is in the same realm. The authorities and the NRM can just play around and continue with their persistent impunity and injustice. That’s what they do and that’s what keep the regime alive. Peace.

Uganda: Office of the Prime Minister – Press Release (25.10.2023)

National Unity Platform (NUP): NUP Institutions – Press Release (26.10.2023)

Opinion: U.S. Business Advisory warns about investing in Mzee’s regime

The Departments of State, Labor, Health and Human Services, Commerce, and the U.S. Agency for International Development, today issued a Business Advisory on Uganda. The Advisory informs U.S. businesses, individuals, and other U.S. persons, including health services providers, members of academic institutions, and investors, of potential risks they may face if they are conducting, or contemplating to conduct, business in Uganda. Businesses, organizations, and individuals should be aware of potential financial and reputational risks resulting from endemic corruption, described in more detail in the 2023 Investment Climate Statement, as well as violence against human rights activists, media members, health workers, members of minority groups, LGBTQI+ persons, and political opponents described in the 2022 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Uganda. Uganda’s enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) on May 29, 2023, further increases restrictions on human rights, to include restrictions on freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, and exacerbates issues regarding the respect for leases and employment contracts” (U.S. Department of State – ‘U.S. Government Issues a Business Advisory for Uganda’ 23.10.2023).

A man that is steadily promoting value addition and financial integration. The President of Uganda is failing the nation. It is going backwards and not forwards. Not in any sense and now with the latest news. The investors and other on the financial markets will shun the nation even further. This will hurt the economy and make it even less viable.

The Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) can dry up from certain parts of the world. Just like the lack of foreign donors and donor funds to cover the shortfall in the national budgets. The domestic revenue and lack of investors might some come too. As other nations will follow the United States of America (USA) and these are the ones that comes with funds. Meaning this can be a big blow to the President and his National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The U.S. authorities are late on this one, but better late than never. This is going after the pockets and advice people to spend their monies elsewhere. That’s a blow for someone who has been working on reviving an economy since 1986. The President who speaks of exports and getting products to market. Now the market won’t come to him and the ones who has the ability to purchase are asked to shun it. Meaning there will be less tangible investments and others will follow.

The NRM and the Government of Uganda should see the writing on the wall. This is continuing to damage the economy. It is continuing where the World Bank suspended funding and this will also take away the food from the plate. There will be less funds and less people will have a chance to eat.

We could see this one coming when the state and the legislators decided to target one minority on the behalf of everyone. That’s one of the main reasons, but there are certainly other aspects which is also mentioned in the text. Showing that the human rights violations and impunity has a price.

This here will hurt the pride and prestige of the President. He knows this will spark a wildfire and he cannot contain it. The World Bank didn’t seem to significant and he hoped someone else would cover the shortfall of funds. However, now… there is becoming less viable and sooner or later other reactions will come too. By that time… it’s to late and the crippling economy is upon the nation. A nation that has been run on deficit financing and now the options for fiscal stimulus or outside revenue is dwindling. People will follow this advisory and other nations will follow the U.S. line of action.

This here is tragic for the shilling and the ones who depend on FDI. Because, the message is spread and this will haunt the 11th Parliament, State House and everyone else involved. They could see this one coming, but I am sure they just looked the other way. Peace.

Opinion: There are no more road for Mpuuga…

The Deputy Speaker of parliament, Thomas Tayebwa has given a one month timeline to the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen David Muhoozi, to respond to the demands by the Leader of the Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, over the alleged unabated human rights abuses and the shrinking civic space. The directive follows a statement by Mpuuga, who demanded accountability of the alleged murder of 22 supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) during the campaign trail of the party president in 2021and justice for 18 persons who have been missing for close to four years now” (Capital FM Uganda, 20.10.2023)

The Leader of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga came in the Plenary Session with a plan and 7 demands to the Government. It wasn’t an ordinary quest or even ask. No this was directly challenging the government heads on about their “drones”, police brutality, arbitrary arrests, arrests without charges or trials, court martial of civilians and keeping people incommunicado. While also addressing the murders and extra judicial killings done by security officers on orders of the state. That was all done yesterday by the LoP.

Some are saying his too late and should have done this earlier. Yes, the LoP could have pushed for several of these things earlier. There is no doubt that he could, but a seasoned politician like him knows there is a time and purpose. Now it is the middle of a term and not in the beginning. Secondly, the 11th Parliament haven’t been friendly or been a place safe-haven for anyone. Therefore, it was wise of him to wait. We are already seeing how easily the Deputy Speaker can suspend people without giving reasons or why he could revoke a rule doing so.

We know that Gen. David Muhoozi and the rest of the authorities doesn’t want to shed lights on their operations. That is well known and isn’t a well kept secret. The state has blocked, arrested and stopped any lawmaker trying to find a “safe-house” or alleged “safe-houses” in the past. While Nalufenya and other entities are known for their brutalization of “inmates” or “detainees”.

Mpuuga can pressure the General and the Minister, but he won’t get far. The Deputy Speaker has given the man a month to present his “findings”… well… I don’t expect much and neither should the LoP. That isn’t in the interests of the state or the high above. This is how he operates and how he contains dissidents. That’s why he cannot stop the pain, plights and the suffering of the ones defying him. They have to pay a price, because if they can collectively put pressure on the state. It might lose control and lose power. The President and his inner circle could never ever risk that. This is why they continue with it and never ceases their injustice towards a certain part of society.

The LoP knows this too. Everyone does and no one is shocked in 2023. The system is created like this and the authorities can on one order take a person in without any investigation. Just because of who they align with or if they have even infuriated a high ranking official. That is all it takes… and it just tiring.

It is endless agony and hard to believe they can get away with it. Neither is it sophisticated or wise. They are just continuing the path of self-destruct and endless betrayal of the ideals of the bush-war. That’s what they are up too and they have become as vicious or more than the ones the NRA overthrow. They have even had a few decades to perfect the impunity and knows how to do it in the dark. This is the NRM way and they are proud of it too. It is an achievement and they can statistically show how much work they have done.

Mpuuga is at the end of the road. There is no more road for him. No matter what happen. He has no leverage or no cause of action within the chambers of the August House. The demands if they are not met. He is losing. The LoP is lost… and will most likely loose big. There is nothing to gain here. He gets a headline and some few signs of goodwill. However, the endgame is as brutal as the authorities themselves. There is nothing for them to earn to be transparent or accountable. That would show their crimes and illicit activities, which are done for a purpose. The LoP and others are not supposed to speak of these matters. That is just a chosen few and these are connected to the high above.

Let us not kid ourselves. We know the gist… and the ones suffering will either never return or come back as damaged goods. There is nothing hopeful and nothing sustainable about this. Only more pain and suffering, while the ones actually doing the bid or doing the time will never be heard. Peace.

Opinion: Nabbanja don’t know the role of the opposition, apparently…

You will realize that the political tempers are becoming high in our political divide. And so, people like to be seen doing something, so however much you tolerate them, they have a mission, their mission is to collapse Government and we shall not allow” – Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (19.10.2023).

It’s hard to imagine that the Prime Minister already has had a term as Member of Parliament between 2016 to 2021. She was re-elected as MP in 2021. Meaning she has been in office and a Parliamentarian for about 7 years now. While being Minister from 2019 to 2021, when she was promoted from a Ministerial Position onto the Office of the Prime Minister. Therefore, a person like that should be well versed in politicking, but clearly I am wrong.

Robinah Nabbanja just shows her ignorance and blatant misunderstanding in the roles of political parties. The Opposition should sought for her role and the Presidency. If they don’t… then they are not actively wanting change. They should believe they are more fit and has the capacity to run the nation better than the current one. That’s what an honest opposition should do.

What she is implying is that the Opposition is planning a coup d’etat or violently wants to overthrow the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The party that pays her and keeps her in office. She wouldn’t have a chance elsewhere and she just shows it.

The PM should learn more and even study some books. It would be helpful, because it is impossible to write anything sincere to her. As her stances are so obnoxious and naive. The opposition aren’t supposed to be in favour of government and is there to hold it in check. Because people like the PM will blindly praise anything and defend crimes if she has too. That’s why the opposition has to question and keep the government accountable. Everyone knows that will not come from within, but from the outside. This is what an honest opposition does… and it’s not about overthrowing, but about governance.

The Opposition are there not only to question, but to keep the government accountable. That’s a fact and by doing so… they are boycotting, walking-out and stopping government business if they have too. We know there will be ramifications from this, but that’s the only way a minority can cause some stir. That cannot be done from the stands, pulpit or anywhere else. The NRM won’t listen or budge, the votes will be in their favour and they will follow the command of the “high above”.

So, the PM should be careful and possibly listen a bit too. It would be healthy for her to take some advice. However, we know she is arrogant and entitled. She feels she’s special and one of a kind. Though she can easily exchanged and get another one in her stead. Not like the PM needs a statesman or builder of confidence anymore. If the President needed that.. he wouldn’t have appointed her.

This PM needs lessons and she needs to get civic education. Someone in Makerere or Kyambogo should offer her a lecture or two. Even after all these years in Parliament. She still don’t get the vibe or the mandate of the opposition. That’s why someone has tell her and if a professor could enlighten her. It would be beneficial for the Republic. Peace.

The Ghost of Otunnu haunts the UPC…

The Supreme Court has kicked Uganda People’s Congress president, Jimmy Akena out of office. In its ruling, the highest court in the land said there existed no exceptional circumstances that warranted it to hear an application without first obtaining the leave of the Court of Appeal as had been requested by UPC and its electoral commission. “From the foregoing discussion, we find that the application no longer bears exceptional circumstances as a basis for it to be filed in this court.” The Supreme Court’s ruling followed a 2015 ruling by the High Court that Akena is not the legitimate UPC president and consequently, threw him out office” (95.7 Radio Rupiny, 16.10.2023).

With passing time things can become fickle. The times of hardships, lockouts and even embarrassing means to undress an public figure. One that went through it all and didn’t catch much luck in office was Olara Otunnu. Since he took Office as the Party President of the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC). Even the party called him out as far back as 2011 for his decisions. It even did so publicly after decisions made to reform the party.

That’s why you know things get reckless and the wheels falls off when it storms. The UPC has gone through a prolonged court battle. It has been going on for years. Akena himself is on his second term as the Party President and the incumbent one at that. While Otunnu was forced into retirement and fellow peers left the party or has fought for it over the years.

The UPC of Otunnu is history. There is to much water under the bridge. The ones who stood by or believed in Otunnu won’t be there tomorrow. The UPC that they knew is gone. It is all Jimmy Akena. Akena has run the show and it’s in his image it portrays itself.

Not that its clever or wise, but it is telling. The Supreme Court will in all practicality have no consequences for Akena or the ones his associated with. Because, that term is already over and he will not budge. There is no reason for him to retreat and give way. Akena is the Party President and was re-elected one more time in 2020. So, even if he did cheat or rig the system in 2015. It doesn’t matter now. His not living on that term or needs to forfeit anything. Akena is charge and Otunnu got no say.

Otunnu can just stay silent. His winning without even saying a word. He can be in the shadows and lurk as much as he wants. There is no reason for him to be public either. It is the ones that was hostile and brutal towards him years ago who has to answer. They got to defend their actions and their methods of eviction. That’s what is happening now. It is to be blunt… bloody and dirty laundry for the general public to see.

Akena doesn’t want this out and neither his allies. No, they rather want to live in harmony and forget the whole thing. It is the past and no one should question the past. The past is the past and you can’t rectify the past. That is true, but the past is important in the present. It shows what intent and what you are willing to do for your own personal gains. That’s why Akena cannot morally or ethically be Party President. However, we know he don’t mind… he clearly lived on a lie and it wasn’t even an technicality. If it had been.. the Supreme Court wouldn’t have sided and ordered it this way.

Otunnu won’t return. If he speaks… it would be a surprise. He won’t get the title or the respect he deserves either. No, that’s not in the cards. The times of humbly taking over or doing things with caution is over. That is proven and it even got addressed in the courts.

The UPC had deserved better, it really did and the wounds are still fresh. As a man who looked up to and admired Otunnu. It was just tragic to see what went down in 2015 and he deserved so much better… but here we are and no need to moment of nostalgia. There is nothing to gain.

Just like the Supreme Court Order won’t change the dynamics or the formation of the UPC. It will cause a stir and question Akena. However, he will just swing through the storm and call it a night. He got it all and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Peace.