Revealed: The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiques in Uganda have not appointed needed boards for their agencies!

The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiques came to sort of revelation in Parliament, that shows the lack of governance and institutionalism that is too common in the Republic of Uganda. That the National Resistance Movement has established agencies under the ministry, but have no-one running them. They have not even appointed boards or even have procedures to select the appointments to them. What a special event. Just take a brief look at the assessment that the Parliament Watch describes from the session today!

“The Committee on tourism trade and Industry has learnt that the different agencies under the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities have no Boards. For example, Uganda Tourism Board, Wildlife Education Centre, Uganda Hotel, Tourism and Training Institute. Members have urged the Minister to inform the Prime Minister and the President in the next Cabinet meeting that the Committee will not consider the budget unless the Boards are instituted by the Ministry. Committee observed that it is a deliberate move to control agencies through the line ministry” (Parliament Watch, 25.04.2017).

A definition of a board from Meriam Webster says this: “a group of persons having managerial, supervisory, investigatory, or advisory powers” (Meriam Webster – Definition of board). So the ministry do not at the current state have the capacity to involve people to have a managerial or a supervisory role over agencies beneath themselves. That must be the true definition of steady progress, as state affairs goes, aye?

Like Uganda Tourism Board was already established by 1994. So the NRM has had the time to handpick the men and woman fit for the works and roles, still they have none. So the one agency involved in marketing and promoting the republic as a travelling destination does not have a board. Even the web-page of UTB says this: “The Minister of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities, appoints the Board of Directors for Uganda Tourism Board on a 3 year term. The Board has an oversight and advisory role over the work and plans of UTB. The Board of Directors is headed by a Chairperson supported by members representing public and private sector tourism stakeholders” (UTB – Board of Directors link: http://www.corporate.visituganda.com/about-us/board-of-directors/ ).

So the Ministry themselves should have the ability to make decisions fitted for appointing the needed personnel, without having the blessing of the President nor the Prime Minister. This is just one of the agencies and it didn’t take long time to look into it, the funny thing was, when you tried to go to the “Management Team” link on page, the only thing coming up on the page was “Bad”. So the knowledge of missing links and personnel is even visible to the tourism flagship page.

That the Minister Ephraim Kamuntu has work to do and people to employ certainly, also to get budget to keep their salaries in balance, as the agencies does need funds. Certainly, he has a State Minster Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi, who must have some insights and knowledge of some heads to collect. In addition, the Permanent Secretary Doreen Katusiime got know somebody fitting the program and vision of the agencies. If none of these three smart and bright, fellow appointees of the President can pick someone to the boards. Than the Director James Lutalo, should be able to find someone, educated and experienced in the field to envision the progression of the tourism industry and the wildlife experience in Uganda.

With the abundance of Presidential appointments to the Ministry, they should have the capacity and the ability to get the boards up and running, as well as a check-and-balancing act, to see that they do what the Ministry are supposed to do. So that the destination Uganda, can be a splendid travel for tourists. To make sure that they can have the best time while being there. Peace.

What is so special about the Mbarara compared to the recognized districts with food insecurity?

Why do they deserve food relief with bags of rice in Mbarara? I wonder why, because there are enough places in Uganda where the reported about food insecurity and that was not in the Ankoli sub-counties. In the government own food insecurity report dated to 9th January 2017, the districts of Teso, Isingiro, Karamoja, Lango, Acholi, West Nile and Parts of Busoga.

So for me it is insulting that the Urban poor of Mbarara we’re even mentioned in the government report from January, where the closest area with stressed and half a meals a day in Tororo, still the Tooro kingdom isn’t Mbarara, Ankole sub-region is further and closer to the central region. Also closer to the Rwakitura ranch and Rukungiri of the Movement closest family.

I am sure there are needy people and who would need relief in Mbarara, as the unemployment in 2009 was about 61.2 %. So there are people of dire need and who needs jobs, who also lives on scraps. That was the stats from 2009 in Mbarara, so there are not that I want to be harsh.

But something doesn’t seem reasonable when the January report of 2017, doesn’t state Mbarara or the Ankoli sub-regions. Therefore the food relief being delivered here seems a bit strange. It would been better in Bidibidi refugee settlement, where 270,000 refugees are settled, surely some of the United Nations Organizations are serving them meals of millet and posho. While the rice of Ugandan government are delivered to locals close to the heart of the President.

There are something weird, days after the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) gave away rice in Toroma sub-county, as the Police Force and regional leadership stopped the needed relief in the area. Therefore, the opposition party had to do it in silence. While the NRM and the Central Government, with the pomp and bravado are establishing food for Mbarara. Seems like more help to their own, than he ones who needs it more.

It is hard to say it, but where the people are eating ants and whatever else left behind that is edible by the drought and lacking rains. The infrastructure and institutions are not there to support all of the ones lacking the food and relief, the safety net in the hard times, as the Ministry for Relief and Disaster Preparedness Musa Francis Ecweru hasn’t considered the ramification of the food insecurity, neither has the central government themselves.

That out of the Office of Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda is certainly showing loyalty to his President and his NRM, when he offers a token of help to Mbarara. There are certainly with the level of unemployment, there are people needing help there, but why not doing it the district in the own state report?

Why? Do the state not care about the people eating insects instead of food? Is the NRM forgetting the people and the ones they are supposed to represent, or do they only want to feeds the ones who can work on the ranch of the President at the Rwakitura ranch. That is how it seems to be, that the closer you are to the home of the President, the more you can possibly get from the State House. It isn’t rumor, but a mere fact at this point. Peace.

OPM Letter: Delivery of Relief 600 Bags of 50kgs of Rice to the Urban Poor in Mbarara Municipal Council (24.04.2017)

The Conference of the “Bad DP” get’s a hostile meeting with the Calvary in Masaka!

Hon. Mathias Mpuuga have today been detained at the Lukaya Police Station as the Democratic Party Conference and meeting in town was blocked and sealed off. This is similar fashion to how it has been with opposition party functions since the Public Order Management Act (POMA) was put into legislation. Therefore, what is happening in Masaka is sort of expected, especially after the DP NEC suspended the Vice-President of the Buganda Caucus Betty Nambooze, who had planned rally and conference in Masaka today!

Hon. Betty Nambooze and Hon. Medard Ssegona plead with police officers that had blocked blocked their way on the Masaka-Kampala highway. The legislators are headed to Masaka for a DP meeting. The police say the meeting is illegal” (93.3 KFM, 23.04.2017).

Also the ones following the cars of Hon. Nambooze and Hon. Ssegona on the road from Kampala to Masaka. There been several of journalists detained for following the trail of cars going to the meeting in Masaka. Just like it has been before in Uganda, there is dangerous to follow the ones who isn’t directly loyal to the NRM and their paradigm.

So the District Police Commander John Chrysostom Mwaule of Masaka took to the offices of Mathias Mpuuga and the Masaka Municipality legislator offices, a place where police presence was severe, as they knew of the planned event. They we’re even told to write to IGP Kale Kayihura on the 20th April of 2017 from the DPC, as the DPC could give clearance on his own turf. Shows how little institutions matters and more personal understanding of the legality. That the DP MP Mpuuga didn’t believe that IGP Kayihura wouldn’t allow it, as the “Good DP” are following the orders and directives of the NRM. Therefore, this conference has been blocked and stopped it. With the Tear-Gas and Police detaining journalists and MP’s in Masaka. This is something more common to occur for the FDC, not for the DP party.

So the POMA are now used against fraction who is not together with DP President Norbert Mao and his close associates in Hon. Fred Mukasa Mbidde and Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi. They are the “Good DP”, that have even been invited into the closed chambers of the President Museveni. However, the so-called opposition party, has a fraction that is not bought by the NRM.

Today the “Bad DP” got the vicious treatment and so has the journalists follow the cars who was going to the “Bad DP” conference in Masaka. Certainly, there are now officially to levels of opposition in Uganda, the ones that are paid and loyal to the NRM. And the one opposition who tries to be in real opposition to the NRM.

Because of these actions stores has been closed in Masaka, as the supporters of the “Bad DP” running chants and stampede against the Police, as they are worried that Mbidde and Mao have sold the party to the NRM. Even the Tropic Inn Hotel have been condoned by the Police Force as well, so there are acts of direct oppressive.

Police has dispersed off “Bad DP” supporters with tear gas at Lukaya on their way to Masaka ahead of a conference that was organised by Masaka Municipality MP Mathias Mpunga. This has also forced police to close Tropic Inn Hotel in Masaka where the conference was supposed to be held” (The Generation Newspaper, 23.04.2017).

So the “Bad DP” are now getting the treatment that Dr. Paul Ssemogerere did get when he did rally back-in-the-day, therefore, there are now proof of some people resurrecting the party out of the hands of the current leadership inside the DP NEC. Peace.

NRM’s oppressive behavior is the reason why the FDC had to give the citizens of Katakwi a silent food relief this weekend!

Picture from the 5th April 2017 in Toroma!

During the weekend the Forum for Democratic Change wanted to continue with their food relief program in Katakwi, the region that has been hit by famine and by drought. Therefore earlier in April the FDC sent a team and maize flour, that was on the 5th April of 2017. This was blocked by the Uganda Police Force and the Regional Police Commander Francis Tumwesigye. Take a look!

So on the 22nd April 2017 the FDC went through with it:

FDC officials secretly distribute food relief in Toroma County, Katakwi, after earlier being barred by police Earlier this month, the FDC team, led by Dr. Kizza Besigye were blocked from giving out the food to vulnerable persons who include child headed families, the elderly and persons with disabilities who are hard-hit by the famine that has ravaged the sub-counties of Toroma, Magoro ,Omodoi and Kapujan. However, yesterday the FDC officials resorted to giving out the food secretly with each parish receiving bags of maize flour and beans for the households in the county. This time, Katakwi’s Resident District Commissioner Ambrose Tumwesigye said FDC should have first sought permission from his office to distribute the food” (NTV Uganda, 22.04.2017).

Minister of Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru have had the whole month to deliver the State organized food relief to their own citizens, earlier him together with the Police shut-down the food relief. The FDC tried to the citizens something good. While the loyalty of the Police, RPC Tumwesigye and RDC Tumwesigye, are both prepared to stop the opposition.

That the FDC had to decide to do it secretly says more about the state of affairs, than of the will of going against the state. That the National Resistance Movement and the local state officials haven’t been positive before.

So even the State Minister Musa Ecweru had to apologize to the residents of Katakwi:

All willing humanitarian agencies or parties have the right to distribute food, if they consult with the line ministry, the Ministry for Relief and Disaster Preparedness,” Mr Ecweru explained. He added that FDC will be allowed to distribute food if they make arrangements with the Ministry for Relief and Disaster Preparedness in order to avoid duplication” (…) “The chairperson Teso Parliamentary Group, Mr Patrick Okabe, also at the weekend, condemned the actions of police to deny the people of Toroma County food, saying: “Teso Parliamentary Group stands firm with the people of Teso in this trying moment.” (NTV Newsnight, 11.04.2017).

So if the FDC had consulted directly with the minster and the regional leadership. Still, I doubt they would allow it, as the NRM hasn’t really been positive to anything involving the opposition parties, unless they are the “Good DP”. So the FDC would no matter what they do, get blocked and stopped, with tear-gas and get people into hospital treatment. Even if the RDC Tumwesigye had been informed or RPC Tumwesigye had been told, I doubt they would have said: “Yes be kind, just do it”.

Since the NRM and their government forces haven’t really showed any finesse in those matters. So that the FDC had to yesterday and this weekend do it in silence, because of their lacking faith in the government entities. That the RDC and RPC would stifle the efforts of the FDC. We can know how the oppressive behavior of the security forces towards the FDC, when they are doing food relief in silence and in the dark in Katakwi. As the last time the violence and disruption of it, destroyed the willing to help the drought hit region.

That the government doesn’t themselves show that they are grateful and the considerate effort of the FDC. Therefore, the reality that the Government says: “please just tell and we will allow” isn’t truthful or sincere. If it was so, then the FDC would have done it and pleased the government. Still, the reality of it is, that the NRM tries what it can to silence the FDC and their leadership. By any means possible, even when citizens who starve are blocked because of the giver. Shows the ice-cold hearts and the oppressive acts of the ruling regime. Peace.

Uganda: Civil Society Position on Tax Revenue Measures for FY 2017/18 (21.04.2017)

AG Byaruhanga silence several Media Houses on their reporting of the Assassination of AIGP Kaweesi!

Yesterday Attorney General (AG) of Uganda William Byaruhanga decided to take many media houses to court, these are the Red Pepper, Chimp Media, The Ugandan and the Investigator! The ones not taken to court we’re New Vision Group or Monitor Group, so the biggest was not challenged. Still, there are massive charges against 4 media-houses or publications.

The order from the AG is this:

An interim order doth issue restraining the Respondents/Defendants by themselves or through their authorized agents/servants/ employees from publishing the contents or running any series on the investigation into the murder of AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi until further orders in this court, pending the disposal of main suit and main application” (Attorney General, 20.01.2017).

The Grounds for it:
“That the publications of the confidential internal correspondences amongst security agencies on the murder investigation of AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi in injurious to the ongoing investigations and is bound to jeopardize the Security in Uganda” (…) “That it is just equitable, right and fitting that the investigations into the murder of AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi be left unexposed to the public eye until an official report is published by the government” (…) “That the applicant has filed a suit seeking inter alia, a permanent injunction restraining the defendants from publishing any matter relating to the investigation efforts into the murder of AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi” (Attorney General, 20.04.2017).

So many media houses and media is muffled with because of the murder and assassination of the then AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi. That the Attorney General Byaruhanga are showing his loyalty to the NRM, this could be out of the Modus Operandi of Deputy Chief Justice Stephen Kavuma playbook. Instead, he chooses to take down internet publications and the ones spreading rumors quickly. Like the Red Pepper who has become better on their investigative reporting. That Chimp Media, the Ugandan And The Investigator are all internet and no paper edition.

That the Attorney General going against them, as they have no quarrel to question the Movement and the National Resistance Movement. Therefore, I am not surprised that they have picked out, as I cannot settle with the relief that the AG didn’t even question the Monitor or the Observer. Which, seem like a strange move and trying to silent opposition voices. Since none of the ones picking are really afraid of picking cherries from the grand issues in the Republic.

That the government and their Attorney General steps this far, can we ask ourselves for real now, is the government and the security organization hiding something? Are the Police Force and the Special Forces Command in the midst of the crime? Are the government themselves the sponsors of the crime?

Why cannot I ask that question, as the revelations put into the public sphere could answer the lingering questions, as the trust between the government, the police and the public isn’t really there. This together with the Police Brutality, therefore the initial questions arising is the faith in the process, but the lingering questions of who inside knows it all. Since the Police could itself turn against the AIGP Kaweesi.

If the AG had trusted the media, the internal investigation inside the security organization who is working on it and might even spread internal secrets to the press. The leaks are now supposed stopped in these publications as they are ordered by him to be silenced on this matter. The government fear their position and weakness. They must be weak and have some tokens of silver coins involved in the sudden death of Kaweesi. Why else would AG order this?

Would he have dared to do so if it wasn’t so? If he would have stopped investigation reporting into the supposed treason charges of opposition party leaders? That should have been stopped as they could have reveled state secrets, since they have supposed done vital crimes against the state to get the charge put on them. Still, that is decent and okay, no issues and just continue to spread the good news of treason. But thinking of digging deep into Kaweesi assassination and your silenced!

So we can by this order know that their something sinister going on and someone has paid the thirty coins of silver to the assassins before the fatal morning of Kaweesi. We are righteous to believe so, if not the digging into the killing wouldn’t be stopped. If the government didn’t fear the revelation of the media, than they wouldn’t have anything to hide. Peace.

Opinion: Hon. Nambooze is officially a “Bad DP” as the “Good DP” suspended her!

You purport to take a disciplinary action against Hon. Mp Bakireke Nambooze, a senior member of the party, without even according her the inalienable right to a fair hearing!!! I thought my brother, Hon. Norbert Mao, could do better than that!”Erias Lukwago (20.04.2017)

The Democratic Party of Uganda must be weak party at the moment, when DP Buganda Member of Parliament Betty Nambooze. She was today suspended from the party leadership and National Executive Committee. They took her place away and her seat in the DP NEC. You know the party is weak, when the DP Legal Sam Muyizi also left the meeting after she was suspended for three months.

That she was suspended for holding a Buganda Caucus meeting that was also stopped by the Police Force during March 2017. This just shows what sort of party the DP has become. They have a Minister in the giant Museveni cabinet, they got another loyal man to Museveni put into the EALA and Mao has himself professed to be talking to the President. Real proof that the DP isn’t really opposition, but nearly integrated into the NRM.

The DP under Norbet Mao are now not only in dialogue but working directly with the NRM. If they we’re then they would accept that Hon. Nambooze tried to visit Stella Nyanzi, that she tried to have principal politics and work out to fix the difference between Museveni’s claim for “Good DP” and “Bad DP”. Certainly, Nambooze must be “Bad DP” as the “Good DP” are suspending her. They have such little spines.

The DP under this current leadership should just fold themselves into the NRM and become a official branch under the NRM-O, why not just co-operate with NRM Secretary General Justine Lumumba, so their acts and their vision can be alike. Than the “Bad DP” can form their new party and become a real opposition. If not they can go into parties that are really against the NRM regime and their rule.

The DP is really bad, not “Bad DP”, it is tragic DP… the Party of Dr. Paul Ssemogerere has become this settled with the state and the NRM. That the President now can control the “Good DP” to such a move and take away the independence of the party. The initial result is the proof of the suspension of the place in the leadership.

This is not settling the issues within the DP, as her popularity isn’t going down, her popularity has been soaring. So today’s disciplinary committee was striking and certainly capable of voting in grandeur for her suspension. 22 for it and 1-2 absentee today at the vote.

The illegal assembly made by Nambooze! Apparently the Police had to engage!

What is striking is the words of Doreen Nyanjura on March 29 2017: “What exactly is wrong with Betty Nambooze calling for a consultative meeting in her area of jurisdiction, she is the Deputy President in charge of Buganda Region. DP in full is Democratic Party! The ‘Democratic Party’ can’t allow it’s leaders to hold meetings in their constituencies! N’way I should leave things of DP to DP” (Nyanjura, Doreen, 29.03.2017).

So the “Bad DP” did something bad, she convened a caucus meeting in her constituency. That a Buganda MP and Buganda Deputy President couldn’t hold a meeting to find a plan forward. So because of that move and the Police Force was also stopping it. Therefore, the people know now the real DP, the tragic DP and the not-so-democratic party under control of Norbert Mao.

Norbert Mao and his NEC is now no different than the NRM, they smells the same and acts alike. They are even working together, when they can. DP Mao are certainly settling for little trade that gives him little space, as his own MP’s cannot act without his blessing. If they try to act they have to do it on his command now. And Mao has to wait on Museveni as well…

This is the price for being a Good DP! Peace.

Opinion: Apparently, the Crime Preventers program has lost it’s value a year after the Presidential Campaigns!

Yesterday (19.04.2017), the internal memo was sent out the leadership of the Uganda Police Force, to the district leaders to get back the Police Uniforms and Uniform parts from the Crime Preventers. The Crime Preventers even got motorcycles in 2015. The Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura have defended the program since 2015, as the political opposition inside Uganda has questioned the use of it.

That is natural, as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Museveni has used the Crime Preventers, they we’re important part of the campaigns and the use of fear during the campaigns between 2015-2016. They we’re usually at the rallies and also in the villages drumming up people for the President. By 2016 the numbers of Crime Preventers we’re about 65,000.

So after getting the amount of the unemployed youth, getting them trained and paying them for the loyalty to the state, they are now trying to disembark the giant project of Crime Preventers, since it cost to much and has to many people to take care off. The NRM cannot sustain the brigades of Crime Preventers, the youth who learned the Movement mantra and use of propaganda for two years. As the use of them was valuable in 2015 and 2016, in 2017 less, as the rallies and the opposition is easier to control.

The Police Force can easily monitor the Opposition in the non-election time, but during campaigns the strength of manpower is hurt, as the UPF cannot hire enough proper officers and train them, than it is healthy to use of the unemployed. The Unemployed can very easy just become Crime Preventers and then loyal to the NRM. That was the sufficient need and they could also intimidate the public and make sure they where loyal to the Movement.

So that today the start of dismantling the Crime Preventers and the stage of need is gone. They are not seen as so vital, as the NRM feels safe about their state of affairs. Since they don’t need the youth group who are trained by the Police to be Community Policing, the NRM needed them only to do so when the Opposition parties where campaigning, now they need to clear the unnecessary bills. That bill now is the Crime Preventers and they are approximately 65,000 civilized police.

The civilian trained police force that was the Crime Preventers and they we’re needed in the 2015 and 2016, but not now in the 2017, as the republic are cash-strapped and the economy isn’t booming. Therefore, the Police doesn’t need a big budget post, which is unnecessary. The unemployed youth we’re needed while campaigning and promising pledges, but in office again, they are just big bill. Peace.

Uganda Police Message: “Withdraw of Police Uniforms and Uniform parts from Crime Preventers” (19.04.2017)