Uganda: “Response to FDC party, on intention to conduct assemblies and processions during the Independence week” (06.10.2016)

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Besigye under house-arrest, yet again!

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The Uganda Police Force has put the former Presidential Candidate and Forum for Democratic Change flag-bearer under house arrest as he just arrived from diaspora. Yesterday he was towed from the Central Business District of Kampala after visiting the Crane Bank.

Therefore this morning… the Police are keeping him under siege again without any court order as they fear his presence as it turns into processions and public reactions to the man being free.

“The police mouthpiece Andrew Felix Kaweesi told Chimpreports on Wednesday that the blockade was only precautionary in nature. “We stopped Dr. Besigye from leaving home today under preventive measures. We had received intelligence reports that he and his group had organized to cause havoc in the city,” Kaweesi told us” (…) “Whenever we get information of planned unrest we act. We’re also are using a containment approach which is keeping close watch on all his movements and activities,” he said.” (Waswa, 2016).

This is what the rule of law has boiled down to:

Besigye is not allowed to justice, freedom or liberty. While his “Treason Charge” is being prolonged as possible; Dr. Kizza Besigye is not allowed to leave his home anymore. The Uganda Police Force is claiming that he is the problem. Their reasoning is that Besigye is causing a stir; initially it is the Police who cause it together with orders from above high.

Besigye is claimed to be the problem, not the police who uses the tear-gas, batons on the civilians and roadblocks to create havoc. That is not something one political person is doing on his own that is the Police making. Since it is like that the innocent man Besigye who has fought for justice is deliberately taken away from him.

The unrest is created by Police as they are trying to contain a popular man who has the support of the people, that is why there are only hired crowds and many people on the parades of Museveni as they are served and paid for their travels; while Besigye shows up on every corner and shows that he is the legitimate leader. Something that the leadership cannot handle at the moment… that is why the Police have troubles with Besigye! Peace.

Reference:

Waswa, Sam – ‘Police on Why Besigye Cannot Leave His Kasangati Home’ (05.10.2016) link:

Besigye gets into trouble: because he waves at the crowd and goes to the Bank!

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There is reports that the house of Besigye is barricaded again by Police Officers as he earlier in the day went down-town central Kampala Business District to the Crane Bank to surely just take out some money so he could pay for food and running expenses. Something every man and person needs. So the news that the Police used force and even took him away at the Clock Tower today in Kampala proves the un-necessary effort to stop Besigye in whatnot he does on his daily basis.

A Police Officer around the bank told him: “That he was not allowed to wave at the people”. Mr. Officer which law is your presiding over and who asshole gave you the order today? Was it IGP Kale Kayihura who called it procession and wanted it stop; so we can hear the new fake news from AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi who will speak his nonsense later tonight.

The Uganda Police Force and their laws have an apparent problem with Dr. Kizza Besigye, as they have with the Pro-Change Youths that are often detained at any point when Besigye wants to congregate. If not just stopping by their political figure and show respect to the man who speaks for the people and not for the feeding of the bank-accounts of Mzee.

Because the Police had to take him out of his into the famous van and drive him back to Kasangati, his home after the people we’re circulating his car. As they took him into the van, they used on of their Anti-Riot vehicles to tow his car to his home. They knew that Besigye lack money for gas at this point (joking by the way). Nevertheless, there are striking issues here!

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Only on today’s heroics of Besigye, the Police Force is reported to have spent 500m shillings on the charade of brilliant behaviour and brutality to silence the opposition leader and legitimate leader, the people’s president as President Museveni we’re busy parading yesterday his Police at Police Day (ironically) at Kololo Grounds; his favourite show-off of power and parading grounds as the shut-off area make it look like he has some sort of popularity. But in reality the people flock around Besigye and Museveni gets the last end of the stick.

This here proves the issuing problem that doesn’t go away, even if the Uganda Police Force besieged the home of Besigye; his support doesn’t dwindle away and his party doesn’t cease to exist. The certainty is that the Police Force and the Government cannot afford to continue the belittling of them in the pursuit of nonsense deteriorating the procedures and rule of law with their impunity towards the man. So Mzee and his cadres looks more and more foolish, more desperate and more weak as their tools are soon exhausted in their rally to demolish and trying with acts of fatigue towards Besigye.

The Police Force isn’t looking professional or acting so as they are using any opportunity to crash, to detain and arrest FDC Youth and Besigye. They cannot help themselves and their cadres for these vile attempts of creating peace, but instead creating violence. They are violating basic rights and acts of citizens to be out. Just as they we’re doing to fellow peers yesterday as over 50 Youths we’re captured by Police in Entebbe. 10 of them we’re taken from Makerere University. Moses Byamugyisha we’re today in Entebbe fighting all day and reported gotten 16 out of jail, but still many lingering without trial or court dates as the impunity are static. Just like the values of Crane Bank who cannot be sold without consent of the Museveni family.

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Let me be clear, as long as this prolongs the KEY QUESTION for the Police Force is: “Are Besigye a legit citizen?”, “Does Besigye have rights?” ;”Is Besigye allowed to have justice?”, “Are Besigye a man who can have the liberty to walk, work and live?”

These are basic for the Police because they do not care to what extent they steal and thief time and ordinary life from the man. The same Police who doesn’t care if they detain innocent civilians or even tear-gas a couple for the mock of it. The failure of righteous and equal law is now on the forefront as the violent and brutal Police has nothing to deliver or compensate their acts of vile snatching of freedoms. As they do to anybody who is a subject near the Political figure and stature of Besigye. That is something the Police and Government should know, and knows very well, but will not admit as the cowards they are!

It’s time ask, how much can the people see of this acts and this attempts of political prison of a single citizen without acting with peaceful demonstrations against the aggressors and sponsors of this thuggery? Peace.

#BesigyeReturns and the Calvary goes into panic mode!

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“Police is not going to allow any activity that is going to disrupt normal activity in the city. FDC didn’t communicate changes regarding Kizza Besigye’s return. We expected him on September 29,” police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi on FDC’s planned procession to welcome the leading opposition figure” (NBS TV Uganda,2016).

It’s ironic that the Police Spokesman and that the Authorities has questions towards normal activity as of just hours ago the Kampala we’re busy with the KCCA sponsored Carneval where Dr. Jennifer Musisi drove a expensive Mercedes and the different sponsors had tents and concerts while the Kampala we’re decorated for festivities and other acts that the Police accepted, but that FDC and Besigye planning something is “disrupting normal activity” which means disrupting the embezzlement and power of the people like the regime does daily. Well, here is my reports and quotes from what happen on this day!

Just as the roads to the Entebbe International Airport we’re closed with roadblocks to close off the Airport as the Kenya Airways containing Besigye we’re arriving this morning. The Journalists wishing to attend and see the arrival we’re blocked from doing so. The Pro-Change Youth who wanted to decorate roads around Entebbe we’re arrested the numbers we’re up to 26 people alone there.

While at FDC Headquarters Najjankumbi we’re besieged by the Police Command of the area and there we’re even a military helicopter flying over. While 200 supporters and FDC leadership we’re stuck inside as the Police Officers and such kept the Political Party of Besigye under siege yet again.

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As the Airplane arrived and opened for the people to disembark the security outfit, somebody claims the Flying Squad aka Special Force Command that is under Museveni’s son Brig. Muhoozi. That they we’re going into the plane with Civil Aviation Authority clothes and kidnapped him one the spot as they whisked him into a CAA vehicle on the ground. They just took him without his passport and his luggage as he was taken away without knowing his final destination. Nobody knew but the captors.

In the early morning the FDC officials and FDC VIPs like FDC MPs we’re not allowed by Airport Security to even be at the VIP Lounge to congregate and make festivities for the arriving Besigye, as they didn’t know at that point that he would be kidnapped by CAA people or people we’re CAA clothes.

There we’re roadblocks between Kampala and Wakiso, to be correct into Kasangati where Besigye resides and famously known as Kasangati Statehouse. That we’re blocked and there we’re mambas and Anti-Demonstrations vehicles all around the roads as the fear of the government as the Political Party leader of FDC we’re coming home.

As in Kampala the Clock Tower we’re sealed off, there are even reports of tear-gassing the public on Jinja Road. While the Police Officers and Police Cars we’re everywhere taking civilians into jail or whisking them away.

“Moses Walugembe (NBS reporter): “We’ve been told journalists aren’t allowed to proceed to the airport. We have asked the officers why we are being blocked and an officer told us they are under orders. Access to the airport is limited to passengers” (NBS TV Uganda, 2016)

At Kitubulu on Entebbe road from the packed Kajjansi Police Post the traffic corresponding the area, all of them we’re checked by the Police Officers before being allowed to continue to pass towards Entebbe. The same Police even stopped a man for going with Matooke on the side of the road and took it from the man.

Doreen Nyanjura statement today:

Here at Entebbe police station, Police goons have come with stones, sticks and pangas! They want the activists to take photos With the stones, sticks and Pangas! Fortunately they are defying and I have joined them in the defiance. We have chased the camera man away. What nonsense is this! This is not the first time these goons are doing this!” (Nyanjura, 2016).

The Supporters ready to greet Besigye in Kampala with Blue Colours and gear we’re either whisked away or detained as the regime don’t want to look weak as the People’s President we’re arriving home.

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Kizza Besigye: ”What happened today is a clear demonstration that I am the people’s president. I got here with a whole convoy of police cars, all with sirens, bringing the president back. I have not come back officially. My passport is not stamped. My luggage is still at the airport. Some police officers went to claim my luggage, a thing Kenya Airways refused to do” (NBS TV Uganda, 2016).

At Makerere University Pro-Change students who we’re preparing for activity today we’re also detained as they we’re not allowed to celebrate the return of Besigye.

There we’re so much un-necessary behaviour of the Police, but this is the proud men of IGP Kale Kayihura and Mzee, they cannot do otherwise. The planned meeting and the regiment of Police earlier days ago we’re not transparent as they had to violently and with brutal misconception of freedom take him away from the airport.

The NRM regime is weak when they fear the man this much and does this to civilian without an army or a guerrilla. They do this to man who wants accountability and transparency, a government governed by the people. He is flogged and stolen away his freedoms for the cause of them. President Museveni and his elite is weak unit when they cannot muster a gentler force and better will power than this.

The FDC and Dr. Kizza Besigye knows that this cannot go on indefinite as the use of resources and time will trickle on the power and their reputation as the news of their unneeded activity towards the opposition like today. The repressive and oppressive behaviour that I hope leads into more Organizations and more Multi-Nationals like World Bank and AIG pulls out their support of funds towards the NRM regime and their eating of the poverty of their citizens while the voices of the citizens struggle to live and have freedom. Peace.    

All of a sudden President Museveni wants to cater to the World Bank? I thought he didn’t’ want Foreign Interference in his Uganda!

Museveni Swears In

The World Bank has suspended their budget loans and the financial support for the Government of Uganda in this calendar year. President Museveni is seeing the ramifications of his inactions of fiscal policies and the way it’s interpreted. What the World Bank can question is the ability for the Ministries of Uganda to take loans in their own ways.

World Bank Statement on suspension of Development Funds for Roads:

Following the cancellation on December 21, 2015 of the World Bank supported Uganda Transport Sector Development Project, overseen by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), the World Bank has suspended the disbursement of funds for civil works in two other projects in Uganda. Those projects, overseen by the UNRA, are the North Eastern Road-Corridor Asset Management Project and the Albertine Region Sustainable Development Project which are suspended pending a review and strengthening of the capacity of UNRA to adhere to the required  environmental and social standards. We are continuing to work with the Government to ensure all Bank-supported projects help Ugandans improve their lives while protecting the poor and vulnerable” (World Bank, 2016).

World Bank Statement earlier in September:

The World Bank Group took a decision to withhold new lending to Uganda effective August 22, 2016 while reviewing the country’s portfolio in consultation with the Government of Uganda.  We continue to actively work with the Ugandan authorities to address the outstanding performance issues in the portfolio, including delays in project effectiveness, weaknesses in safeguards monitoring and enforcement, and low disbursement. We reiterate our commitment to doing everything possible to work closely with the Government of Uganda, as well as with other stakeholders, to support the country’s development and ensure that all World Bank-supported projects deliver tangible and long-lasting results to all Ugandans, especially the poor and vulnerable” (World Bank, 2016).

President Museveni writes to the World Bank:

“President Museveni has written to the World Bank (WB) promising that his government is addressing the structural gaps and other loopholes that compelled the bank early this month to announce withholding of more than $1.5b (Shs5 trillion) in new lending until further notice. The President’s letter to WB, also copied to senior officials in the Ministry of Finance, is part of efforts by government to salvage the loans and save many projects whose failure could have wide economic and political ramifications” (…) “The other guidelines that finance officials will table in Washington, he said, is for all projects to have a “component of benchmarking by Parliament” before the loans are approved. Previously, he explained, ministries would push to get loans whose absorption and project implementation plans are not ready. “For all loans that have not been absorbed, I have evidence where the ministers say they were ready. But by adding a component of benchmarking, they have to justify the request and also satisfy that they are ready.” (Musisi, 2016).

These two statements prove the sentiment of World Bank towards the Government of Uganda and their Parliament how they spend and allocate their monies. As the structures of the Parliament are not budget-wise or coherent enough to be trusted with foreign money! So they have suspended and shown their acts towards the government who has used the loans as they please.

Here a proof of recent legislation that gave a free pass to the Members of Parliaments and the Government of Uganda how they can act without any supervision. Just read this lines!

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As shown by me before in 2015:

 “(5a) In addition to subsection (5), a loan raised by the Government as a temporary advance by the Bank of Uganda, which does not extend beyond a financial year shall not require to be approved by the Parliament” (P5, 2015, PFMA).

So if President Yoweri Museveni writes with the sweetest words, this legislations is active and gives way to the Ministries to take out money without filling it in the Ministerial Policy Statement before Financial Year Budget 2015/2016 or any year else as the small term loans can be taken by ‘Ministry for Higher Education and Sports’ can borrow 1bn from Bank of Uganda (BoU) without questions if it supposed to a be short-term loan. And the best it doesn’t have to be questioned the validity in Parliament.

President Museveni forgets that part and that he has created and accepted the loopholes of the economy because the legislation has been servicing him and his cadres. Therefore he feel compelled to write to ask for it and promise to fix it. The World Bank knew he made it happen and therefore seen enough of his ruthless behaviour and his mismanagement of funds.

And if President Museveni took time to read through the reports of the Auditor General John Muwanga and the Inspectorate of Government under the Inspector Government (IGG) Irene Mulyagonja Kakooza has in the recent Financial Year 2015/2016 written staggering amount loopholes and fiscal maladministration. This being that funds that is allocated not paid out on time and also unaccounted funds, even misspent funds in many ministries of the recent budget year 2014/2015. With this in mind, the President should read some of it and make sure they have procedures and will power to create government institutions that works properly.

Instead, Mr. President you have focused more on yourself and the same with the MPs who are greedy and known for seeking their own interest instead of their citizens. In this regard that the President pleas for the bailout World Bank loans are a bit too much for me; this from a man who said this not too long ago:

“I wouldn’t ask these foreigners, but I would never accept these foreigners to give me orders about Uganda. Or about anything in the world! They got their own countries to run. Let them go and run them. Uganda is ours. Nobody gives us orders here” – President Museveni at Kololo Independence Grounds Speech while celebrating the “Double Victory” on 9th April 2016” (Minbane, 2016).

So these man pleas when needing, but acting all bold when rigging the election. As he fixed the economy this way as he has had 30 years to make it this way. This is the powers of being the Executive for so long and he has seen how the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) do their loans to the governments in the past. I am sure he knows very well as he has been a recipient all his life. That’s why it’s so strange that he accept being told how to run his business now… when they suspend and sanctions his needed loans to run his operation and his government. But when they we’re doing it he could tell them to go to hell.

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It is like a moment of Nostalgia when it comes to this. President Museveni pattern are just like this. He continues to counter his own argument from a few months ago. This will happen again, but I hope the World Bank continues to stifle the “Old Man with the Hat”. Because he will one minute speak his peace and offer pleasant gifts, next moment he will be on the war-path and spread venom and after that try to fix it, but usually too late.

But the recommendation from World Bank isn’t a quick fix; it is a systemic change of policy of the economic framework that is there. Something the President already knows very well, as he earns his coins on the system he has ushered in. Peace.

Reference:

Government of Uganda – Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) 2015

Minbane – ‘Don Museveni says “I would never accept these foreigners to give me orders about Uganda”; Time to cut the direct donor assistance to the government budget of Uganda and after that let Don Museveni eat alone!’ (10.04.2016) link: https://minbane.wordpress.com/2016/04/10/httpwp-mep1xtjg-20m/

Musisi, Fredrick – ‘Museveni sends delegation to plead with World Bank over loans’ (30.09.2016) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-appeals-World-Bank-over-loans/688334-3399642-g0djk7/index.html

World Bank Group – ‘World Bank Statement on Withholding New Lending to Uganda (13.09.2016) link: https://minbane.wordpress.com/2016/09/14/httpwp-mep1xtjg-3fl/

World Bank Group – ‘World Bank Statement on Suspension of Roads Projects in Uganda’ (08.01.2016) link: https://minbane.wordpress.com/2016/01/09/httpwp-mep1xtjg-1jx-2/

Uganda: IGP Kayihura on “Home Coming for Dr. Kizza Besigye, 29th September 2016 (28.09.2016)

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The Auditor General Muwanga really told stories on mismanagement and maladministration of the NRM government (Quotes from the End of the Year AG Report 30th June 2015)

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As of yesterday there we’re the reported 111 cars that vanished and weren’t procured by a Ministry in Uganda. Because of that I had to look more through the report of the Auditor General John Muwanga. There are many stories; some of the ones in this Report have already been discussed on my page.

There so many stories to pick, but here is some of my favourites that shows all from a goats, expressways to other where money have disappeared, over-compensated or not allocated needed funds for the planned procurement and projects that the Government we’re supposed to do. Take a look!

Indebted to International Organizations:

I noted that a number of Government entities are indebted to International Organizations such as PTA Bank, ADB, EADB, WTO, UNIDO, COMESA and Shelter Afrique. A sample of five entities revealed indebtedness of UGX.77,724,089,603 and US$.4,968,950” (OAG, P: 36, 2015).

Overpay on construction of Kampala-Entebbe Expressway:

“An analysis was done and adjustments for the different features of the two expressways were made. It was observed that the unit cost for the Kampala-Entebbe expressway was US$ 2.315 million per lane kilometre while the similar expressway was US$ 1.204 million per lane kilometer” (OAG, P: 38, 2015).

NAO Project going nowhere:

“The protocol agreement between Government of Uganda (GoU) and Democratic People’s Republic of China (DPRC) was signed on the 27th June 2008. It involved establishment of a demonstration centre under the National Agricultural Organisation. However, it was observed that after hand-over of the site by Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to the DPRC, there was no proper follow up by Government on the project as such it was difficult to establish whether the anticipated funding of RMB YUAN 50,000,000 equivalent to UGX.26 bn was received and how it was applied to the project” (OAG, P: 42, 2015).

NCIP disbursed funds:

“Government signed fourteen (14) protocols under the Northern Corridor Integration Projects where substantial amounts of funds have been invested and implementation is on-going. For example amounts totalling to UGX4.2bn was disbursed to fund the power interconnection and the Hoima-Lokichar-Lamu oil pipeline. However, the protocols do not provide for regional coordination and monitoring as well as the audit framework to provide an independent assurance on the utilization of joint funds. This renders it difficult to track the progress of the projects and follow up the accountability for the funds disbursed” (OAG, P: 43, 2015).

Advances Unaccounted for:

Uganda National Roads Authority: 47,738,040,619 UGX” (…) “Ministry of Local Government:  3,827,011,454 UGX” (OAG, P:87, 2015).

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Bidco has avoided VAT:

It was noted that as of November, 2014, the outstanding VAT obligations for BIDCO stood at UGX.744,420,170, included in this figure was late payment interest charge of UGX.168,747,557. Accordingly, a sum of UGX.700,000,000 was paid to URA towards settlement of the tax arrears” (OAG, P: 93, 2015). “After the eleven (11) years, BIDCO would start paying VAT directly on its own and from the 12th year start refunding to Government the VAT plus 5% interest for the first eleven (11) years in (8) equal installments over a period of (8) years. This condition was subject to fulfillment of article 4(3) of the agreement which requires Government to have handed fully to BIDCO all the agreed 26,500 hectares of land” (OAG, P: 94, 2015).

ADB Susbscription:

“In August, 2010, the Governing Council of the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the sixth general capital increase of the bank allocated Uganda shares worth USD.19,759,798 payable over a 12 years period in annual instalments of USD.1,646,649. It was noted that the payment of Uganda’s 4th instalment of UDS.1,293,299 which became due on 16th March, 2015 had not been made. As a result, the callable shares related to the missed instalment had been suspended in line with the Board of Governors resolution on the sixth general capital increase of the bank meeting” (OAG, P:95, 2016).

Banana Project:

“The banana project owns land in Bushenyi together with other movable properties. However, it was noted that the land title is still in the names of the project without the legal mandate to continue owning this land of behalf on government unless the expired legal status is resolved following the legal opinion of the Attorney General to transfer the project under Agriculture sector” (…) “During the financial year 2014/2015, the PIBID project had a budget provision of UGX.9bn out of which only UGX.2.7bn was released as vote on account and as a result, activities worth UGX.6,682,145,000 were not under taken. The affected activities include: purchase and installation of machinery and equipment (UGX.2.5bn), Construction materials (UGX.1.457bn.), marketing of the tooke products (UGX.777,665,000) and procurement of transport equipment (UGX.780,000000)” (OAG, P: 102-103, 2015).

Delayed Construction of Katuna OSBP and swamp reclamation works:

“The construction of Katuna OSBP is undertaken at a contract sum of UGX.8,951,277,750 and Swamp reclamation for access road works estimated at UGX.12,000,000,000. The commencement date for the construction was 13th June 2014 and the estimated completion date was set for 13th June 2015. This was later revised to 30th December 2015. Inspection of construction works showed the following” (…) “The EU Confirmed funding on the 12th May 2014 and all the conditions set by World Bank were met including NEMA’s clearance that was received on the 30th April 2014. I noted that GOU was required to finance the building works for Katuna OSBP since IDA credit funding had been exhausted. The contract for construction of OSBP was finally awarded at a sum of UGX.8,951,277,750 on the 5th June 2014. The EU delayed to operationalize her support and the contractor could not commence on the major building works due to delayed reclamation of the wetland where the buildings were to be constructed” (…) “Management explained that heavy rains, poor terrain and lack of material sources in Katuna such as sand are the biggest challenges. The would be material sources such as hard core are not readily accessible due to the hilly terrain of the area and the contractor can only make a few trips only on a sunny day. For materials like sand, the source is Mbarara (about 150km) and the contractor can only make a few trips given that the road (Mbarara-Ntungamo and Kabale-Katuna) is under construction” (OAG, P: 137-139, 2015).

Uganda Police Force:

“A review of the statement of financial position revealed outstanding payables of UGX.16,454,307,782. Payables worth UGX.10,500,682,162 were incurred during the year which implies that management continued to incur arrears without establishing sufficient mechanisms to monitor and control them” (OAG, P: 183, 2015).

Ministry of Local Government:

“A review of the Ministry of Local Government’s expenditure revealed that the entity charged wrong expenditure codes to a tune of UGX.12,086,792,676. This constituted 40% of total actual expenditure for the Ministry of Local Government. Whereas the funds were spent on items for which they were not originally budgeted for, the accounts have been presented in a way that reflects that the amounts were spent on the earlier budgeted items” (OAG, 2015).

M/S Faw Limited:

“A local company was contracted by the Ministry to provide storage space for the various roads, sanitary and fire-fighting equipment procured under a Chinese loan in 2011/2012 financial year from their parent company. The providers were paid UGX.1,416,000,000 during the year 2014/15 for 20 months storage of the equipment delivered. A review of the procurement file revealed the following” (…) “It was noted that only the Contracts Committee decision on a submission (PP Form 209) approving the evaluation report and contract award at a monthly fee of UGX.70,800,000 were available on file. However, the Solicitor General’s approval and contract agreement were on the procurement file. No initiation of procurement, invitation of potential bidders, record of receipt of bidders, evaluation report and PDU submission of Evaluation Committee report to Contracts Committee were on file to support the award” (…) “A review of the availed documentation revealed that two conflicting pro-forma invoices were submitted by the firm with one quoting a monthly fee of US$.14,160 VAT inclusive for ten months, that is; from 1st June 2012 to 31st March 2013 totaling US$.141,600 and dated 17/5/2012 and another one dated 2/1/2012 quoting a monthly fee of UGX.70,800,000 VAT inclusive for twenty months without clarifying the particular months” (…) “The final batch which arrived in August 2013, was commissioned by the president in October 2013 and handed over to police on 19th December 2013 implying storage of at most five (5) months. This makes fourteen (14) total months of storage as opposed to the 20 months billed resulting into a loss of UGX.424,800,000” (OAG, P: 237-239).

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Ministry of Defence:

“During the year the Ministry’s total expenditure on land acquired amounted to UGX.1,119,388,145. However, it was noted that the government policy of capitalising the acquired land from the financial year 2011/2012 did not give guidance on what to include as cost of land acquired. As such, this amount could not be verified due to lack of guidelines on treatment of land costs in the financial statements” (…) “It was observed that a sum of UGX.1,000,000,000 was paid to an individual as part payment on a claim of UGX.2,958,668,733 for the compensation of 683 cattle and 119 goats which were handed over to 4th Division for safe custody during the insurgency period in 1986” (…) “It was not possible to confirm whether this claim had not been paid before since it is now 28 years since the purported supply of the animals” (…) “It also appears that these animals were for various people but instead the compensation was made to one individual” (OAG, P: 285-288, 2015).

State House Entebbe – Okello House:

“State House has been occupying Okello House for many years with a tenancy agreement that expired in 2013. However, it was observed that State House has not renewed the tenancy agreement and no rent payments have been made to the landlord despite continued occupancy. At the close of the financial year, a sum of UGX.1.272,363,507 was outstanding in rental arrears” (…) “National Housing and Construction Corporation owns properties on Plot 1 Kyagwe Road–Nakasero which is currently occupied by State House. Documents indicate that National Housing has been demanding arrears of UGX.201,100,000 from State House. These arrears have not been reflected in the financial statements”  (OAG, P: 294-295, 2015).

If you don’t find this interesting that the Government of Uganda is misspending funds in this way and that this is just a figment of imagination as this is pieces of a giant report. The most interesting is that one man got the whole piece of the pie of what happen in 1986 and secondly that the State House doesn’t even have an agreement with the tenant who owns Okello House where the President has gallant dignitaries. That shows the state of affairs, brothers, time for a change and also better procedures and practices! Peace.

Reference:

OAG – ANNUAL REPORT OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2015

Local Government Permanent Secretary Patrick Mutabwire 111 car’s we’re: ‘Gone in 60 seconds’!

Cars to RDCs Nambole 05.02.2016

The Auditor General John Muwanga was questioning the former Local Government and their use of allocated funds today the results of the check of use of monies is showing the lack of fiscal responsibility. The Local Government where allocated funds for cars for the Local Councillors and Chairpersons in the districts. As much as 111 persons where supposed to get cars to Councillors; what I wonder is it the same about the cars that we’re bought right before elections for the Regional Police Commanders (RPC) and District Police Commanders (DPC) that Hon. Frank Tumbewaze where showing off or Prime Minister Dr. Rukahana Ruganda did too.

But here are the main questions of the day and non-of-us is surprised at the actions of Local Government workers or civil servants diverting funds without following procedure. Take a look!

Misuse of Government funds:

“The former acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Patrick Mutabwire is on the spot over mis-allocation of 12 billion shillings. Mutabwire appeared before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on Wednesday September 28th 2016, to respond to queries raised in the Auditor General’s report of 2014/2015 financial year. One of the queries was on the diversion of the Ugx 12 billion, which was meant to procure 111 vehicles for all district chairpersons and six other vehicles for the ministry. However, it was noted that only Ugx 1.48 billion was spent on the vehicles procured from M/S Toyota Limited while the balance of Shs 5.5 million was diverted and utilized on recurrent expenditure without authority from the Permanent Secretary Treasury. “These funds were subsequently transferred to staff personal accounts, with Shs 4.3 billion paid for African Day of Decentralization celebrations,” the Auditor General said” (Parliamentarywatch.co.ug – ‘Former Local Government Minister On Spot Over Sh 12 Billion Misallocation’ (28.09.2016)

Link: http://parliamentwatch.ug/former-local-government-minister-on-spot-over-sh-12-billion-misallocation/).

What the OAG reports says:

“Diversion of funds meant to procure 111 District Chairperson’s vehicles:

During the year, the Ministry planned to procure one hundred eleven (111) and six (6) vehicles for the District chairpersons and the Ministry respectively. This involved a total contracted amount of USD 4,590,568 for all the vehicles inclusive of taxes. Funds totaling to UGX.7,013,611,179 (inclusive of taxes) were released to cater for part payment of the district vehicles and full payment of the Ministry vehicles. However, it was noted that only UGX.1,487,636,396 was spent on the vehicles procured from M/s Toyota Ltd and the balance of funds (UGX.5,525,974,783) was diverted and utilized on recurrent expenditure without authority from the PS/ST. These funds were subsequently transferred to staff personal accounts – UGX.4,361,949,108, payments for African Day of Decentralization (ADDLD) celebrations – UGX.118,277,664, cash withdrawals – UGX.120,000,000, fuel UGX.28,000,000, hotel bills – UGX.110,844,899, refund of borrowing to DLSP project and DTRF – UGX.315,674,140, rent – UGX.196,859,360 and others. I reviewed the advances to personal accounts and my observations were summarized in Paragraph 8.2. Use of Development funds to cater for recurrent expenditure is contrary to financial regulations” (OAG -ANNUAL REPORT OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2015, P:191-192).

So the question is from the report that is already out and wonders how much money that we’re diverted to private accounts without authorizations. These where allocated and where tenders out, but they couldn’t followed the procedure of that either. Since the M/S Toyota Limited agreement can only been for parts of the allocated funds; if not they couldn’t have diverted the allocated monies away from it. There are no other explanations to it.

Because of this, unless the Police act a fool tomorrow, I have to look through the report from the Auditor General of Uganda when I have time, to see if I can see other judo tricks done by civil servants and ministries that has allocated monies wrong or spent monies on themselves as there been a normal for many ministries to not follow procedure in Uganda. But hey, they learn that from up-high. Peace.

Opinion: Fear for tomorrow’s Homecoming of Besigye, not for the reasons you might think!

Entebbe Road Kampala 11.02.2016 FDC Convoy P2
Entebbe Road on 11th February 2016 – FDC Convoy!

I fear for tomorrow and for the roads from Entebbe International Airport tomorrow. That is because the Uganda Police Force have beaten civilians with batons and thrown tear-gas steady through 2015-2016. As long as the Forum for Democratic Change and former Presidential Candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye have drove or been around somewhere the Police Force has used excessive force towards the ordinary people.

I also fear for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), even as the organizers of the return of Besigye have been at the Police Force. They we’re detained as is tradition by now for the IGP Kale Kayihura colleagues and family. Who takes in Political Opposition into jail daily if they could for no apparent reason; but on this rare occasion the Police actually talked to FDC Youth and others who are behind the procession.

The Procession will happen if they we’re organizing or not, since if you have followed the political leader Besigye, you know his real popularity and the reasons for his epical rise. Also if you have followed the man you know the ending of it; if it is business as usual in Kampala.

The National Resistance Movement and Uganda Police Force are two tightknit bodies who work for the general calm and control of all people under the vision of the old man with the hat. That is an unwritten rule and guideline that was forgotten to amend into the 1995 Constitution; nevertheless, the outcomes are usually the same.

There will be Police Brutality and will be people detained tomorrow, the Besigye himself will be taken from his car at some point. Harold Kajja, Ingrid Turinawe, Erias Lukwago, Pastor David Ngabo, Doreen Nyanjura, Wafula Oguttu and others might be detained after their cars been taken away at the same time. The planned rally or consulting meeting will be dispersed by the Police Force as well.

Kale Kayihura Choose Peace

Afterwards the AIGP Kaweesi will sweet-talk on NTV Uganda and NBS TV using all kind of excuses and say the Police Officers was doing so because of criminal activity, looting, exodus of rats, thieving and the unauthorized movement not complying with Public Order Management Act; the infamous Anti-Besigye Act. Because it was created to silence the public and the opportunity for him to garn crowds without having the authorities to silence them with protection of a government sanctions towards him and his party.

With this in mind, I fear tomorrow, it should be jolly, but I don’t. I have no faith in the NRM and their Police Commanders doing something positive and something that resemble justice at this point .The rotten acts of misbehaviour and violence that has been sanctioned over decades under President Yoweri Museveni doesn’t just stop. Even if he is living in riches and ignorance of the commoners struggle. Hey, he is rich and has all the wealth he could dream of in the bush before overthrowing the Kampala Political-Junta of the time.

So, with this in mind he has taken it all for granted and his nemesis is arriving on Entebbe tomorrow. It will be hostile and the suspect of treason arrives from Europe. I am not hopeful, I am not; do I wish it was different? Yes! Do I think it will be different? No. Not unless there are some people who a filling in forms for redemption.

The Police Force I expect tomorrow to create chaos on the road between Entebbe-Kampala-Kasangati. That the FDC Headquarters in Najjankumbi might even also be hit as the Treason Charged Michael Kabaziguruka and Dr. Kizza Besigye both might still have evidence shelved there.

The Police and their henchmen will use all kind of accusations to validate the violence on the citizens and the FDC who organize tomorrow “Homecoming” of Besigye. If not there are clearly a charade of decency that is unnatural under the leadership of Gen. Kayihura and Gen. Museveni. They cannot do anything else than use their tools to oppress their civilians. Peace.

South Sudan: Machar’s War-Cry proves that the SPLM/A-IO making ready for a new Civil-War against SPLM/A or Kiir Government!

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“We have been driven back to the bush,” James Gadet, a spokesman for Machar, told the AP on Saturday in a call from Nairobi, Kenya” (New Wires, 2016)

This is serious, this is sad and this is dangerous. The fleeing rebel have gone back to his safe haven in Khartoum where he we’re back-in-the-day when the SPLM/SPLA we’re fighting for liberation from the Khartoum government and free the South Sudan republic. So we’re full-circle with that.

Dr. Riek Machar just came back in late April 2016 and not before long. He wouldn’t return if he didn’t get his military arm into Juba. As much as the Peace Agreement we’re supposed to get the SPLA-IO into the SPLA or the ordinary army; there seemed to be no intention by either party to really make that happening. Just as the TGoNU government we’re fixed together with enough ministerial positions for both parties. So the parties we’re starting of the parliamentary actions. So that the government we’re not only supposed to follow Presidential Decree, but with parliamentary procedures as agreed upon in the Peace Agreement.

Dr. Riek Machar we’re fleeing after the Skirmishes in July where the returned fights between Gen. Salva Kiir’s bodyguards and the soldiers of Dr. Riek Machar.

machar-khartoum

This was mentioned of the skirmishes before Riek Machar fled the country:

“War started in South Sudan at 5:10pm and all Riek Machiar’s bodyguards killed.As we speak both Salva and Riek are held up at statehouse in Juba and general Paul Malong whos the chief of staff has deployed tanks surrounding statehouse and he’s believed that he’s the one that incited Salva’s bodyguards to kill all Riek’s bodyguards and even the mad Paul Malong ordered his soldiers to open fire at American CIA vehicle” (Taifa Takatifu-News, Opinon and Analysis, 08.07.2016).

After this one and the return of skirmishes in Juba, the battles continued in Wau in Western Bahr El Ghazal and the SPLA-IO closed the Kaya Road in Yei at the Morobo County. There we’re also battles between the armies in the Central Equatoria.

So when the battles between SPLM/A-IO and the SPLM/A continued the rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar fled the country. These happen while the battles happen in Juba and the rest of the county. So the place where he where fled we’re questioned.

Until MONUSCO spelt the beans:

On 17 August, at the request of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and acting on humanitarian grounds, the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) extracted the former Vice-President of South Sudan, Mr. Riek Machar, his wife and son along with 10 aides from a location inside the Garamba National Park, Haut Uélé province, in the north east of the DRC. Mr Machar had crossed into the DRC from South Sudan, accompanied by several hundred people, including armed elements and civilians” (…) “In total MONUSCO has handed over 117 individuals, including Riek Machar, his wife and son to the DRC authorities. Weapons have been removed from all those transported by MONUSCO” (MONUSCO, 2016).

Just as all this was happening the TGoNU under the leadership of President Salva Kiir went on and asked for Dr. Riek Machar to come back, but not for indefinite time. With that in mind the TGoNU appointed Gen. Taban Deng Gai to the First Vice-President and take the position of Machar. This has been over time established as the return of Machar we’re more unlikely. Even a battalion of 6000 soldiers deflected from SPLM/A-IO to the Juba Government. While the Maribor Garang de Maribor resigned from his ministerial post and turned back to Machar. There been deflection both ways and also different reasons for why people does so.

By late August the Khartoum government we’re saying they accepted the fleeing rebel into their capital as he was healing from wounds and we’re getting recuperating there in safety. Just in the same days the FVP Taban Deng Gai where in the Sudan Capital discussing the peace-agreement between the nations in bilateral talks while the South Sudanese Authorities we’re disappointed in the Sudanese for letting him stay there.

taban-deng-pr

 

The new FVP Taban Deng said this in an interview 22. August in Khartoum:

Riek Machar did not comply with my advice when he arrived Juba. After he was sworn in, he chose to locate behind Jebel Kujur and continued the same practices that led to the outbreak of the last war in 2013. He is not aware of the things that might anger and please the president, which could influence the relationship between them. Choosing this isolated place after coming back sent the wrong message, suggesting that he was preparing a parallel army” (…) “We did not try to assassinate Riek. If I wanted to do so, I would have withdrawn his guards. He moved with a great force, which led to a clash between the parties. In my opinion, Riek planned to kill Salva Kiir because he moves with great guard force and Salva Kiir wanted to kill him. All his guards died and Salva Kiir assumed responsibility for returning Riek to his house and was concerned with this matter. He asked an officer named Marial to give him a ride to his house and told him literally, “I do not want Riek to be hurt” (…) “Angelina’s ambition to be the first lady led him to this situation. Machar has not looked back since 1991, when many people were killed. In 1997, he signed an agreement with al-Bashir and was not able to implement it, which led to splitting the Nuer into small groups fighting each other. There are problems with Machar’s behaviour – he did not learn a lesson from the previous events, especially with regard to Angelina’s ambition. I am sure the events of July 7 and 8, upon which Machar left Juba, were planned by Angelina who gives orders and says she is the defence minister” (Yam, 2016).

So when news broke about the recent outburst and plans of the SPLM/A-IO in Khartoum and the war-cry from Riek Machar, we all should know there are giant possibility of these men to fight each other with armies to secure supremacy instead of dialogue as the IGAD-Plus extraordinary meetings seems to be as fruitful to peace as the former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mpaka lead Inclusive Inter-Burundian effort. Nearly pointless as the Generals and their battalions are ready to fight over the spoils while the soils is not tilled and 1 million citizens has fled the scene and the United Nations forces are not capable to keep calm in the PoC camps. There are too many disastrous outcomes of the conflict and to many people hurt by it. This also leads to loss of food production and weaken efforts to build institutions and facilities to serve the public. Those who earn on this the suppliers of army equipment like the Canadian firm selling War Trucks to the SPLA and the others who serve it with loyalty and earning huge profits.

This is what Riek Machar was saying:

““wage a popular armed resistance against the authoritarian and racist regime of President Salva Kiir.” (News Wires, 2016).

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If this wish get into the hands of the soldiers and they listen to Dr. Riek Machar than there are more bloodshed awaiting with the ones who just lost their lives recently. Not only with the current news of possible draught and loss of food production; has this resulted into hunger and civil war in republic? This has been a battle between the two leaders who wants to run the cash-strapped nation who has been blessed once in a while by the Troika, U.S., UK and Norway. FAO has told about possible hunger and less farming as the fleeing citizens and the ones inside camps instead of having their own farming. They fled because of army battles and insecurity. This reacts into the unstable yields and safety. That with the war-cry of yesterday doesn’t make the outcome of food security any better. With the amount of South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda; the Adjumani refugee camps has grown substantially over the recent months. This is happening while the international community is not pledging enough funds for the men and woman who has left everything behind because of the battle to run South Sudan continues.

The War-Cry yesterday is not bringing hope of dialogue as these men are continuing to show that it is easier to grab the AK-47 or order tanks than speaking of process and making institutions. The War-Cry of Dr. Riek Machar against President Salva Kiir shows the wish of power by the opposition and the extent he will go to take it. This is happening as the return are just briefly months since it happen and the Swearing into be a part of the TGoNU. So the time and work for the Peace Agreement must be seemed as a sham deal by either party. The works of the IGAD and Troika have been a dodged even before the ink got dry.

So now in September, not far away from April; we are returning to 2013 and new rounds of ammunition as the uncertainty of the battalions, armies and loyalties. The friction between who is SPLM/A together with who is SPLM/A-IO?

Together with the resurgence of the SPLM-N in Sudan in the Darfur conflict that lingers on without any kind of stop from rebels and government forces. The peace in the region is continuing to be a question of utopia and not a reality. The Generals cannot talk and apparently only shoot at each other.

This is not the end of battle between Kiir and Machar, they will not stop apparently to one flees or dies. They use force to silence each other. The dialogue and Peace Agreement are not worthy of the paper and time spent on making it. As the months from when it was conceived, to when it was started implemented and now to its end as the SPLM/A-IO is dismantling it with a cry of bush-war and calling counterparts a rogue regime. While the FVP Taban Deng Gai claims the wife of Machar is the one behind the recent skirmishes in Juba.

There the fickle situation turns bloody quickly already in 31st July I wrote “Worrying signs of a new Civil-War in South Sudan”. Now the words of wishing to create it come from Khartoum by Dr. Riek Machar. None of us should accept this as there are already to many people who has suffered in this power struggle. There are too many who has fled their homestead in fear of rebels and government soldiers taking advantage of the situation. The burning of homes, fields and killings of neighbors will continue with the war-cry of Machar. The ones who believes he wouldn’t act upon it, has not followed the man’s wish for power by any means. As much as Salva Kiir Mayardit has no plans to step down from the Presidency.

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What we can now that the words and actions of July, the Ethiopians saying their borders are closing for Machar, that the little friends in diaspora is dwindling for SPLM/A-IO while the government of Kiir will have just defense war against Machar. While the U.S. might discuss a Arms Embargo, but to what effect it will have as long as Kiir has loyal support from President Yoweri Museveni in Uganda as long as he pays. Museveni has friends from Moscow to Washington if he needs arms equipment and training. Something Museveni has no problem to deliver as long as the payments are happening without the Parliament or the Central Government in Kampala really knows.

Machar doesn’t have that suction unless Omar Al-Bashir still wants to align himself with him as he let him be there to “heal”. What we can now that the peaceful nation building is getting further and further away as the heads are colliding in the bush and in words. We could hope for another outcome, but the Generals stay Generals and their knowledge of guns and ambush is greater than of process and procedure. That is the proof of the acts of these men and lost are the potential state-building of youngest nation in the world. Peace.

Reference:

News Wires – ‘South Sudan rebel chief urges armed resistance against government’ (24.09.2016) link: http://www.france24.com/en/20160924-south-sudan-rebel-chief-riek-machar-kiir-urges-armed-resistance-against-government?ref=tw_i

MONUSCO – ‘MONUSCO EXTRACTED HUNDREDS OF INDIVIDUALS FROM THE GARAMBA NATIONAL PARK ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS’ (11.09.2016) link: http://monusco.unmissions.org/en/monusco-extracted-hundreds-individuals-garamba-national-park-humanitarian-grounds

Yam, Bel – ‘Angelina Teny caused the war in South Sudan, says Taban Deng’ (04.09.2016) – Link: http://welyam.com/news/aangelina-teny-caused-the-war-in-south-sudan-says-taban-deng/#sthash.qSI7AW1u.dpuf