Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF): Statement on Alleged Torture by CMI of one Mariwos Alexandria aka Esther (22.04.2022)

Opinion: Karamoja is burning over mineral explorations…

A total of 17,083 square kilometers of land in Karamoja is licensed for mineral exploration and extraction activities, according to official data. Twenty-six companies currently have exploratory or mining rights in the region. In 2018, Chinese mining company Sunbelt was given 3.3 square kilometers of land to set up a $13 million dollar marble mining factory in Rupa sub-county. A year later, the company expanded its operations to cover an additional 4.1 square kilometers, ostensibly after a deal with local leaders. Hundreds of families have since been pushed out of their ancestral homes, local officials say. Locals accuse Rupa Community development trust, a community trustee group created three years ago, of conniving with investors to steal their land” (Diana Taremwa Karakire – ‘Mining Rush Threatens Indigenous Peoples in Karamoja, Uganda’ 01.09.2021).

What I feared the most seems to be reason for the joint operation of the Uganda Police Force (UPF) and Uganda People’s Defence Force (UDPF) in the Karamoja sub-region. Which is an continues operation and it is persisting. The state is even furthering it’s investments into it by deploying 6,000 Local Defence Units or LDUs in Karamjoa. Therefore, the burning and bleeding will persist for a long time.

The lack of accountability and transparency is very clear. The obvious reasons for that is the licensed land and territories given to mineral extraction corporation over the indigenous people. The people and the citizens are neglected. They are perpetrators and the unlawful one in the mind of the state, but not by their rights as people.

The Government and the Authorities are coming in as a colonial government. They are occupying and violently removing people. The state is blaming the cattle rustling, but it is obviously more too it. Because, it is not like the government would create so much and damage over some livestock. However, it would do so over the mineral extraction and possible gold-rush in Karamoja.

We know they have given this state operation the name of “Usalama Kwa Wote” to disarm and take away illegal guns, but I wouldn’t be shocked if it was an alternate motive. A cash enterprise and a possible profit objective of the state. As they know the values of the land and what it possesses. When knowing that… they might find it easier to scare people away and not take ownership of land. Make them displaced and ensure their fear to return. As the mineral exploration and exploitation can start. In such a manner, that the government and the companies can start their trading.

The unfortunate families, villages and the Karimojong is just dying. While they are defending their land and we don’t have any idea about the amount of fatalities. As the GoU, the State House and UPDF doesn’t release any sort of update on their Joint Operation there. Only in the beginning and stopped when the public outcry ceased to exist.

The Karamoja sub-region continues to burn, be looted and is destroyed by government entities. While they are blaming old cultural factors and blaming the herders. That just shows their sinister motives. Because, we are not supposed to know about the vast licensing agreements and the planned mineral exploitation, which has been sanctioned without the concern of the locals or the Karimojong in general. They just have to accept the loss of land, livelihood and where they have lived for generations.

Because, that is the “steady progress” and “securing your future” means for Karamoja these days. The state don’t mind violating or destroying, as long as it has a prosperous future ahead of it. Peace.

Pastor “Mama” Janet Returns: It’s easy to be content when you live lavish…

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni returns with one of her sermons, which in the past was issued mid-week. However, this one came out of nowhere on a Monday. Maybe she had a spiritual awakening during the weekend or felt the need to create headlines. Nevertheless, here we go again.

Like always, I will not publish the whole thing. We don’t have the time or the need. I will take the paragraphs, which I see most fit and discuss them. As they are well deserved. Because, she is the First lady and wannabe Pastor. It cannot just be published and not be addressed in a proper manner. Therefore, we will discuss her latest piece: “The Power of Contentment”.

She starts with:

My dear friends, I would like to share with you my ruminations on the topic of contentment. The scriptures declare in 1 Timothy 6:6, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” Does this mean that we should be resigned to our fate in life and not work actively to better our condition? No, far from it! The Bible is clear that God desires for us to prosper and to grow from one level of glory to another. So what does godliness and contentment really mean? I will seek to answer that by looking at the opposite of contentment which is discontentment, or as the Bible puts it: covetousness” (Janet Museveni, 04.04.2022).

Here she is writing like a reverend and not like a state offical. This could be taken out of a lecture of priest and from Sunday School even. The Cambridge dictionary even states the definition of contentment like this: “happiness and satisfaction, often because you have everything you need”. So, that’s where she is going with this and will elaborate.

She will further re-instate the belief with Uganda:

The example that comes to mind is a conversation I had recently with somebody who asked me if I liked travelling and what my favourite destinations are. My response was very clear that I didn’t particularly enjoy travelling outside Uganda and only did so when it was absolutely necessary and in relation to my work. I added that my favourite place on earth is Uganda, and no matter how far I have travelled in the world, there is no place that compares to our homeland, Uganda. Whenever I visit other countries, it reinforces my belief that God gave us the most beautiful place on the earth to call our home. Our climate is ideal, akin to paradise and we do not experience the extremes of heat or cold that other countries experience. Our food is fresh, easily available throughout the year and almost anything can grow in our fertile soils. Our people are some of the friendliest and most welcoming people in the world and foreigners who visit Uganda can attest to this. Uganda is a gift from God, and to whom much is given much is expected (Luke 12:48)” (Janet Museveni, 04.04.2022).

The First Lady is within her right to boost about her county and the natural beauty of it. Uganda is bountiful of natural treasure and a friendly climate as well. Denying that would be foolish. Everyone is usually happy and caring about their homeland. When it comes to nature and climate it is close to tropical paradise. However, the ones running it and being in-charge isn’t making it a paradise. The ruling regime of her husband is the one that makes the nation less friendly and neither the best place in the world. Yes, the nation and the culture of accepting visitors is amazing, but the way of governing is far from good. That’s why calling it paradise… is far from it. Uganda is a great place, by the standard of nature and climate, but not by it’s government.

That’s why the next paragraph in her text is very interesting:

Sadly, I know that my position is not shared by all Ugandans or Africans. I know that Africans are often the ones seeking all means possible to leave their homelands in order to go to other countries where they are often mistreated and face countless challenges and racism. It always breaks my heart when I see the African migrants who are lured with promises of “greener pastures” risking their lives on the high seas only to be put in refugee camps when they arrive at their destinations or meet an even worse fate on the open seas! This is a calamity and shouldn’t be so. Is it possible that our covetousness for what belongs to others is blinding us from seeing the wealth we already possess and working with dedication and diligence to develop what is already ours?” (Janet Museveni, 04.04.2022).

What is striking about this text is that the First Lady went to exile herself when the husband went into the bush in the 1980s. Janet and the kids went first to Nairobi in Kenya in 1981. With the help of the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees, she was able to seek asylum in Sweden in November 1983. Where she stayed herself onto May 1986. So, she stayed there until it was safe for her and the kids to return to Kampala.

That’s why, if someone should understand why people seek greener pastures. She should be the first one to do so. Janet herself first lived in Kenya and for a few years in Sweden as the civil-war/bush-war was on-going. The reasons for why people are fleeing now. Is either brain-drain, lack of opportunities or better lives abroad. Which I cannot deny them. As there are chances of a more stable and better lives. The state is only good for the elites and the anointed of the Regime. The rest is struggling and not advancing. It is not like Uganda has a good and stable economy. No, it has not and that’s the fault of the husband and his cronies.

Janet speaks that people should develop their own and not seek greener pastures. However, it is the faults of the regime and the circumstances that it offers it’s citizens. That’s the reason why the VIPs needs medical treatment abroad and the daughters of the president even gives birth in Europe. These sorts of reasons why people seek elsewhere. Because, the state and the government isn’t giving any hope or real chances of development. That’s because so much of the state is just scheming and scamming for the next big pay-off and quick envelope for the ones connected.

If the sort of regime that her husband was running was in favour of the citizens and the inhabitants of the republic. The priorities would be different and what it does would also reflect it. As well, as the people are running away, because their lives are in danger or they could easily become prisoners of conscience. Since, the state can easily extra judicially kill, kidnap, torture or arrest the ones who dissent. That’s why people are fleeing and it was for the same reasons she fled in the 1980s… ironically, right?

She ends her text with this paragraph:

Covetousness brings no contentment to one’s heart; it is a trap that once gotten into may be difficult to get out of. Therefore, my encouragement to you all my friends and children, fellow Ugandans: let us not be blinded by coveting what doesn’t belong to us. Let us instead focus on the countless blessings that God has already freely given to us and work hard to make our nation a praise in the earth. My prayer is that in the months and years to come, we Ugandans will work even harder to develop our homeland so that the light coming from Uganda will not be surpassed by any other nation” (Janet Museveni, 04.04.2022).

The thing that is striking by this sort of lecture is how far-fetched from reality it is. The sort of elitist ideals without any real justification for it. It really shows why she is not fitted to be a minister or be state official. Since, she speaks of hard-work and dedication, but herself cannot show up in Parliament and deliver statements on the works of her Ministry. While she intends for the people to develop and create a great nation. Be content and happy with what they have. As people are struggling, lacking basic goods and having piss-poor salaries in a gig economy. Where the state isn’t creating social-security or programmes to help the poorest. No, it is just making micro-finance schemes with not proper study or if it will have the possible positive results. Therefore, it is really striking it is easy to be content when she is living a lavish life and have everything she wants. Janet Museveni never needs to worry or be concerned about tomorrow. The bills will be paid, the possibilities of health-care or imported goods will come to her door. While the average citizens has to worry about inflation, empty bank-accounts and possible black-outs. Therefore, we know the lecture is to boost her ego and not really help the Republic.

This is the sort of sermon that is lacking self reflection and how it can be judged. Since it is simplistic. It is easy for her to be happy and content. However for larger part of the population and for the ones that doesn’t see things changing. Why should they strive and be content with the status quo? Why should they strive for developing the nation?

It is her partner for life, the President and his cronies who should make it possible to develop the nation. The President and his decrees should be there to safe-guard the citizens. Secondly, the state should make programs and laws that reflects these ideals. However, that is not what it has done or tried to do. This is why after all these years in office. The problems of the past is haunting this one and the lack of development is only a result of the selfishness and lack of concern of the people from the ruling elite. They rather eat and hope that the donors can feed the poor. That’s how things look and it doesn’t get better by the day.

The First Lady can write her sermons, but she should put work in herself. Especially, in the Ministry and address the public in the August House. However, I will not count on it. That isn’t her style and her gizmo. No, she is to highly regarded and therefore, cannot be bothered to be questioned by Members of Parliament. Peace.

Opinion: Karamoja is bleeding and nothing is being done…

The Karamoja Sub-Region has been burning and bleeding of late. This has been as a result of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force and Uganda Police Force, which are doing a joint-operation to stop cattle-rustlers, but clearly acting out of their means. As the 7 Karamoja districts are hurt as a result.

These districts are Kaabong, Kotido, Abim, Moroto, Napak, Nakapiripirit, and Amudat. All of them are touched by the state sponsored violence and savage killings. People are becoming internally displaced. Houses are being burnt and people are forced to flee. The amount of fatalities are unknown, as the UPDF have only dropped one update and the numbers from there is certainly an understatement.

The Joint Mission Update was what the authorities had done between 19th and 29th March and we are now on the 3rd April and the violence is still occurring at an uncertain rate. The verified 309 people must have add-ons as people are seeking shelters in mosques and elsewhere. Karimojong are really under fire here.

There are even a viral video clip of some soldiers in Abim district who killed an alleged cattle-rustler and burned the remains. While showing the skull in one of the hands of the soldiers as the burning fire of the remains was continuing in the back. That sort of video clip is haunting and show what sort of sinister acts that is going on.

We know that Commander of Land Forces Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga has promised them “hell” and his serving that on a plate. They don’t need to wait for the after-life to be in danger or meet the devil. The forces of Muhoozi is the agents of the Hell is already there and to get away from them would be like heaven.

As before in the month. There been speculations of mineral resources, findings of petrol and wider implications of foreign investors possible getting viable land. If not there is also reports of possible heists of livestock and thieving cows from the sub-region. As well, there is also reports of poisoning of goats there.

Whatever the reasons why it’s happening now. The citizens and the ones that dies… it happens without due process and without the courts of justice. The civilians are guilty before proven innocent in Karamoja right now. This is injustice and extra judicial killings. With the murder of over 300 people. Some might easily say massacres is going on and we don’t know to what extent. Since there is little to none reporting on the actual actions going on. The fatalities is therefore totally hidden and the bloodshed is happening in darkness.

The justification for the amount of death and it’s scale should be really crucial. As these amounts of deaths would be close to war or skirmishes between enemies of a civil-war. Alas, the state is behind a huge operation, which is causing harm that will linger on in the sub-region for decades. The fatalities and the insecurity isn’t becoming better, but worse. The devastating results will linger on and the damage cannot be mended. The souls taken and the land scorned will not be viable quickly. The needs for dialogue and peace. There isn’t a need for war or more guns. It is only causing more fatalities and more death.

That seems to be the devil in Muhoozi. He comes with death and thrives on the burning region of Karamoja. That’s the devil in the details… and how it can be perceived. Peace.

DR Congo: UN envoy calls for strategy to address root causes of conflict (30.03.2022)

Civilian losses and displacement of populations have increased because of bloody reprisals by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants.

GENEVA, Switzerland, March 30, 2022 – Amid deteriorating security in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the top UN envoy in the country has called for a comprehensive political strategy that includes measures to address the structural causes of the conflicts.

Bintou Keita, who heads the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), was briefing the Security Council on Tuesday, on recent developments there.

She said that only three months into this year, nearly 2,300 civilian deaths had been recorded in the country’s eastern provinces. “This is proof of the inherent limits of only having security operations to resolve conflicts,” she said.

Armed groups

Ms. Keita said the security situation in the country’s east has deteriorated despite the joint military operations against armed groups by the national security forces, known as the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), which was joined by the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

She said civilian losses and displacement of populations have increased because of bloody reprisals by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants.

In the past three months, there has been an alarming increase in activities by the M23 rebel movement in North Kivu. On Monday, M23 elements carried out horrific attacks, targeting civilians in communities near Rutshuru.

In North Kivu, the situation has worsened because of the use of improvised explosive devices by the ADF. On 11 March, its leadership renewed its allegiance to Da’esh. MONUSCO has also documented a 10 per cent increase in human rights violations and attacks, since last December.

Helicopter crash: Investigation launched

Earlier on Tuesday, the mission reported that a search and rescue operation was underway, after a Puma helicopter lost contact with MONUSCO and crashed in the restive North Kivu region.

Speaking at the regular noon briefing, UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said there had been eight people on board, including six crew members – all from the Pakistani military – and two military personnel – one from Russia, and another from Serbia.

They had been on a reconnaissance mission in the area of Tshanzu, south-east of Rutshuru – the scene of recent clashes between Congolese forces and M23.

“An investigation is underway. We will update you as soon as more information becomes available”, Mr. Dujarric said.

“Our thoughts are obviously with the families and friends of those onboard the helicopter, and all of our colleagues of the UN Mission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

Civilians increasingly vulnerable

Ms. Keita sounded the alarm in the Security Council over the considerable erosion of the protection of sites for displaced persons as well as frequent attacks against medical services and other civilian infrastructure.

In the face of these security changes, MONUSCO has redoubled its efforts to better protect civilians in Ituri, working jointly with FARDC/UPDF, deploying support units for FARDC to increase the deterrent effect against M23 in North Kivu.

The Mission is also pursuing mobile deployments to protect displaced persons in South Kivu, she said.

However, without a combined approach addressing both the causes and the symptoms, the efforts of both the United Nations and Congolese forces will remain insufficient, she emphasized, adding that in Tanganyika province, the Mission is closely monitoring the evolution of the security dynamics ahead of its scheduled withdrawal in June.

Uganda: Ministry of Defence & Veterans Affairs – Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) – The Situation in Karamoja is Under Control (29.03.2022)

Opinion: Babalanda don’t know her own party…

Many of us who are leaders have failed to read, let alone internalise the four chore principles of NRM and as a consequence, we have become lazy yet we could do things right. These principles and guidelines by President Museveni as the NRM chairperson is the gospel that leads us. These principles are patriotism, Pan Africanism, economic transformation and democracy” (… ) “We are dealing with unpatriotic leaders. It is a betrayal of the great revolution” (…) “However the President’s office has made headways in spreading the message of patriotism. In this period we have had so many trainings conducted in this direction. I urge you the committee members to embrace patriotism and renounce acts of theft, negligence and violence” – The Minister for Presidency Milly Babalanda (Franklin Draku – ‘Corrupt leaders betraying NRM revolution – minister’ 17.03.2022, Daily Monitor).

We know that these sort of words are often said by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. He has spoken of it and lectured about it. This is the sort of typical topics of the President. These sorts of themes are common. So, that the Minister of Presidency is spelling it out isn’t surprising. She said it herself, there been plenty of trainings, conferences and at other venues.

That honourable Babalanda is saying these things aren’t shocking or anything. It is more repeating what Museveni has been saying. While that is fine and dandy, the National Resistance Movement and the regime isn’t directly working for all of these principals. Neither is it working to stop people from thieving, negligence of office or stopping violence. All of these three things are done by the NRM on a regular basis.

The Minister should just look into the cabinet and appointees, which happens to be NRM members. This is all going from the State House to the Local Governments. It is like Bablanda should just look into Muhwezi or anyone else for that matter. There are several of candidates that has been spewing violence and thriving on it. That is going from the top and the fear is what keeping the NRM alive it seems.

This is why Babalanda is saying the right things. However, she is oblivious to this fact. That is very clear or she’s looking sideways. It is funny that she says these things are unpatriotic. While she could deem these things are about her close associates and allies. The ones in her midst who is eating of the plate of the government and who is using their role to enrich themselves. People came into power piss-poor, but leaving this life richer than King Salomon. So, I am just sneezing, as the scandals and the lost funds doesn’t disappear. Neither does the reports of paying ghosts and not following protocol in concern to public tenders. Therefore, the Minister should look into that as well.

We know these sorts of statements are the sort of way of boosting yourself and trying to be vibrant. It is the sort of saying all the rights things, but we know these won’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Not like she will push the President or anyone else with a high ranking position. There are plenty who has committed these sins, but never had to atone for them.

That’s why it’s really spicy to call it unpatriotic to do it. Because, that implies the members and high ranking official who does this isn’t in accordance with their patriotic duties. All of us know that those things are bad, but the NRM thrives on it and get loyal leaders to commit to it. Therefore, we know the words of the Minister isn’t really true.

It is a nice sentiment, but it is like throwing stones in a glass-house. Not a good look, but a look it is. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni – “China might be a problem in the future” – it will be if you default on your debt

Africa has been having problems for the last 600 years due to the slave trade, colonialism, neocolonialism — and none of it was from China” (…) not seen any serious problem, because their approach is different” (…) “They do not impose their offers if you do not want them, so we have not seen a problem for now. Maybe a problem in the future, but not now” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (Sinan Tavsan – ‘Uganda leader says China-style diplomacy ‘better than’ the West’s’ 17.03.2022, Asia Nikkei).

President Museveni had an exclusive interview with a journalist from Asia Nikkei and it was published today. These few quotes are from there and it is striking. The former donor darling of the West. The President who has pandered to the interests of the United States and their allies for ages. Who has eaten of the buffet of aid, grants and all sorts of prepositions, which has given him a larger than life persona.

That man is now blaming the West for if all. He is right in going after the colonial past of the West and the neocolonial structures, which are hampering development and continues the cycle of rich versus poor. This is justified, but he also shows a little nativity in concern to China.

It is just like he don’t think the monies, the funds and the China Exim Bank, which works like this:

The China Exim Bank is increasingly making use of a deal structure – known as the “Angola mode” or “resources for infrastructure” – whereby repayment of the loan for infrastructure development is made in terms of natural resources (for example, oil). While this approach is by no means novel or unique, and follows a long history of natural resource – based transactions in the oil industry – China has taken its implementation to a higher level. By providing preferred lines of credit to Chinese state-owned enterprises and foreign governments wishing to purchase Chinese made goods, the China Exim Bank supports the overseas expansion of Chinese firms in line with the country’s “Go Global” strategy, whose long-run goal is to increase the productivity and competitiveness of these enterprises vis-à-vis their global competitors. The arrangement is used for countries that cannot provide adequate financial guarantees to back their loan commitments and allows them to package natural resource exploitation and infrastructure development” (Institute of Developing Economies – Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) – ‘China in Africa’ October 2009).

What Museveni is not saying is what the costs of the debt and the structure of the Chinese support to Uganda or anywhere else. It is like Museveni haven’t seen what has happened when Republics or Nations defaults or fail to pay on the debts. Since, the Chinese Banks or Funds are coming with strings, which isn’t always public. That’s why we have seen what has happened to Sri Lanka and Tonga, which both has to give up key infrastructure to be licensed. The same has been told to happen Zambia and there are already fear of what could happen to Entebbe International Airport.

President Museveni should consider all of this, as it is next generation that will cover the debt he has been accumulated during his reign. There will be more than the Toll Road on the Entebbe Express-way to secure revenue for the added debt. It is like Museveni isn’t concerned about this and the threshold for repayments are coming closer. Therefore, at one point or another… if there is lacking domestic revenue… the Chinese companies or China can cease or capture collateral.

So, Museveni is right… China could become a problem. Especially, for all the nations who has eaten loans for the infrastructure projects in the Belt Road Initiative (BRI), which will pass the grace period and the debt of these has to be repaid. It wasn’t free money to build roads, buildings or rail-roads. No, it was an investment, which the Chinese plans to get profits out of. They didn’t give away this money. The first loaned the money, got a Chinese developer and Chinese Engineering company to build it and now later the debtor has to repay it with interests.

That is the brutal truth… I am not saying the loans are a problem, but they could easily become it. Especially, if the debtor doesn’t pay on time or in a fashion, which the creditor accepts. If they defaults or fails to repay. This gives the creditor leverage and possible freedoms or liberties to ensure collateral. Therefore, it could easily become a huge problem…

Museveni should also study how this happened to others. As sooner or later, this could happen in Uganda or anywhere else in Africa. The Chinese is right in doing this. The debtors signed the agreements and the stipulations on the loans are giving it legal binding rights to get it repaid. That is why … they might not use colonial techniques to get resources, ownership or have influence. They just borrowed money and with that has the upper-hand of their poorer states. It is a wise move, because the Chinese knows greed is an easy way of corrupting minds and get them into the fold. The same ways happens here. They don’t come with guns or war, but they are financially binding, which can easily be triggered.

In this instance, Museveni is partly outsmarted. Both are getting their interests nurtured, but at one point he could easily get into real trouble. It would be a huge problem and the state has to find currency or liquidity to actually cough up funds to pay on old loans. This is on the horizon and evidently, people are speaking to soft-heartedly about it. Peace.

Opinion: Aye yo! The Movement wasn’t built for the up-coming generations…

If there is a youth (in Uganda) who is not NRM, they must have a problem in their head. Without the NRM, those youths would be what the Banyankore call Kaributi (the late). Many of them would have died in infancy” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (08.03.2022).

On the Woman’s Day of 2022 and in the speech on the National Celebration of the day. President since 1986 had to address everyone else. While also showing his disregard for many citizens in the Republic. Since, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) isn’t as popular as it ones was and certainly the youths aren’t seeing any of the promised progress, which is forever been pledged at any campaign since the 1990s.

The youths of the Republic has every reason to be dissatisfied, disgruntled and disembark from the Movement. A movement that left them behind and haven’t given them any reason to be loyal to the cause. Since, they are not the category or the ones who are eating of the plate. They are neither in the calculations or in the bargain of investments. Their equity and ownership is deluded, devalued and sold easily to third parties. Who can get access and live in comfort, while the average youth cannot come out of poverty, hardships or excel to any sort of place of middle-income life-style. Therefore, there is no reason to trust the Movement or the NRM as a youth.

The Youth are being tricked, sold and taken for granted. Their future is traded, loaned and the youth have to pay with interests. Since, the current state is taken up loans that it cannot cash. There isn’t domestic revenue and neither a promised pay-off, which will cover the spiralling debts. Debts and loans, which the old man and his cronies are eating off from. The debt that the next generation has to pay off and with additional fees as well. Heck, if they don’t, then they will loose collateral or the little leverage they have.

The President haven’t delivered a promising future for the youth. So, why should they stick to his programs and pledges? Why should they belong to a party, which have abandoned them? If it hasn’t left them behind. One of their siblings, relatives or friends has been touched by drones, abducted, kidnapped and charged for their political activism. Why should they sell their soul and their minds to a party that does this to their own?

That’s what the President and his like doesn’t get. It can torture, detain and silence critics, activists and political leaders. However, youth aspires to these people and feeds of their energy. Because, the ideals of these people lives among them. The NRM is living among the elites and the NRA veterans. They are not in the trenches, ghettos or lost suburbs. No, they are only their for a minute during campaigns and giving away T-shirts. Before returning back to a State Lodge. Therefore, the President has little to nothing to offer…

It isn’t the youths problem that the Movement isn’t selling. It is the Movement’s problem that it is viable for the youths. It is the President fault and the correct line, which is entail the suffering and the plights of people, which the party and the government has forgotten. That’s why the youth isn’t aspiring to it or feeling a connection with the Movement. Why should they? What is there to gain? Other than blind loyalty and hopes for a plumb-job in far distant future?

Well… that isn’t much and the sacrifice is so big too. You have to give up your ideals to serve a party and it’s leader. While not subscribing to the honest truths of the organization. That is the gist of it. While friends, family and neighbours are in pain, because of the regime. This is why the problem isn’t the youth, but the party, which doesn’t serve them nor their communities. Peace.

Opinion: Project Muhoozi is moving to the next chapter

After 28 years of service in my glorious military, the greatest military in the world, I am happy to announce my retirement. Me and my soldiers have achieved so much! I have only love and respect for all those great men and women that achieve greatness for Uganda everyday” (Muhoozi Kainerubaga, 08.03.2022).

The first son and Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga is on Women’s Day announcing his retirement from the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). This means the UPDF Commission and institutions has to be notified and told about the retirement. As the military career is suddenly over and his becoming a civilian. Alas, his still the third ranking Lt. Gen. who happens to be the Commander of Land Forces (CLF) and previous leading the Special Forces Command (SFC). Which is making today very unique.

Because, since 2013 there has been smoke and mirrors. There been slowly growing movements of his rising power. Where he has gotten momentum and more prestigious titles. He has gone up in rank and in responsibility. While only holding the Senior Presidential Advisor title at home. Therefore, we knew things was happening and in the cards.

Gen. David Sejusa aka Tinye aka Tinyefuza warned the general public in letters, which was so grading and so confidential. That the Daily Monitor and Red Pepper was ceased for a week after releasing the first one. Heck, the General had to flee into exile and lived in London for a stint too.

What Muhoozi should consider is that his time in the army and becoming a civilian will come with a cost. He will always be questioned by the actions of the SFC and whatnot. The former Lt. Gen. cannot act like he doesn’t have blood on his hands or have used violent means towards civilians, which can be deemed as terror or torture. Therefore, Muhoozi will now carry on to another office.

Muhoozi will get the next chapter into becoming a civilian and another high ranking official in the government. Where he will have the space and opportunity to evolve. So, the ones paying the gigs and praising brigade of Muhoozi will staunch his every move. They will praise him like a demigod. That’s who he is to them and they are creating an image of greatness, even when he hasn’t created anything substantial. Neither, does he have an impeccable record as an army commander. No, his just been a raunchy and loud individual who happens to have rank.

The ones that believe anything good comes out of this. They are fools. There is nothing good coming out of this. It is the eventualities of a succession plan and a monarchy ticket. That’s all there is and the National Resistance Movement will either be what it is or be rebranded to the new kingpin. Because that is what it all is. Just like there was an UPM and it had to become NRA before it was successful. The same will be with Muhoozi and his fellow cronies. They will dance and sing the songs he wants them too. However, they will not give any service or care to the designated office, which he will happen to take. Some other unlucky permanent secretary or fixed bureaucrat has to lift the burden away from the first son. Because, it is not like his enlightened or have the wits to capture it.

Muhoozi will go to “greener” pastures now, but don’t expect it to graze the fields quietly. No, he will come with all the big-guns and gravitas of his unceremonial presence. This man will not make strides or go through tribulations to go anywhere. No, this man will go without any hurdles or re-runs to get there. The way has already been paved and he can just walk on the tarmac as we speak. While someone else made the road and prospects of getting to that point. Peace.