Opinion: Minister Tumwebaze over-the-top tractor scheme… Part II

“Speaker, you made a pronouncement regarding tractors that were given to Northern Uganda by the President. And the pronouncement was simple, that the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Finance make sure that the tractors that they gave to the peasant farmers in Northern Uganda, specifically Acholi sub-region and Pader district do have ploughs with them. Up to this day, tractors are parked, they are rusting in the district, peasant farmers move by, they only have a glance and the tractors aren’t being used. I request that you direct that the tractors be availed with ploughs so that our farmers can receive them“– Christopher Komakech MP (27.11.2024)

Back in August 2022 … Minister Frank Tumwebaze launched the Over-the-top Tractor Scheme, which was planned to procure and deliver 6,000 tractors. Now over two years later. That Scheme is falling apart, and it hasn’t really been operative that long.

Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry & Fisheries have failed the peasant farmers, which it promised to help here. We can just wonder how the tenders and what was the plan of the Ministry here. As the Tractor aren’t even in use, the ones they have bought as they are missing vital equipment to use them. That’s like having a factory, but not building it for the resources surrounding.

Just read the quotes here:

“It isn’t only in Acholi region, but in many parts of the country, these tractors were given and the Minister promised that they were going to procure the ploughs and this hasn’t been done. I undertake to inform the Minister of the urgency of this matter so that he comes to Parliament and gives us the latest position” (Mario Obiga MP – Minister of State for Urban Development, 27.11.2024).

It is just amazing how I could see this one coming from a mile away. I wrote this back in August 2022: “We can wonder, if Tumwebaze ever looked into that or even cared to see how it worked. It is sort of ushering in the mechanical agricultural revolution by the parish model. In such a manner, that can be seen as similar to the ones of the Soviet. There are so many questions to this… not only the funding and the supposed operation of it. After that… how is the oversight? What are the goals? Are it to buy over 6,000 tractors and that’s it? What happens after that? If there is no plan or sort of objective after that. What does it really do? Except making the MAAIF busy and have something to say in Parliament” (Minbane – ‘Opinion: Minister Tumwebaze over-the-top tractor scheme…’ 22.08.2022).

Two years later I was right in my assessment, because this is how they do. They are preoccupied and making schemes, but never ever think how to make them work. Instead of just launching it and making headlines. The government isn’t assessing, making logistical plans or even have framework for how to make things operational. That’s why Tractors like these lingers and unused in the Northern part of the Republic. The state procured Tractors, but had no plans or sought to check out what equipment the peasant farmers needed. Therefore, they are just rusting and not being used.

This is public wastage of funds. MAAIF and the Minister should know better, but we know his one of the untouchables in this regime. So, nothing will happen to him. Even if he does epic failures like this. Peace.

Uganda Police Force (UPF): Halting of NUP Mobilization Tours Across the Country (15.11.2024)

Opinion: Amin’s ghost haunts Museveni

In around 1971, Amin had even destroyed the little gains Uganda had obtained from 1962. When we came in power, we really had a problem to first fix what Amin had destroyed and then also try to do what we wanted in our agenda of socioeconomic transformation. That’s how we created the NRM 10-point program” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (07.11.2024).

A man who has ruled supreme since January 1986. That man should be able to live on his own achievements and create his own legacy. Alas, that is clearly not the case. As this man has to continue to rewrite history and distort the legacy of the fallen ones before him.

Yes, Idi Amin and his government was terrible. The records of the Amin era was bad. That is on record and the historical documents proves that. So, there is no need to defend Amin or his ways. He was a dangerous man and would use force to get his way. That’s why his enemies was in trouble and his erratic decisions could hurt the stability of the Republic. Meanwhile that doesn’t stop his patriotic acts or trying to make a change too. Therefore, there is still proof of what Amin tried to build and what he wanted to see as a future in the Republic. That’s something the current leadership wants gone and forgotten, which is ironic.

The ills, the destructive and misuse of power during Amin has become main-stay and part of the ordinary usage of both lethal, human rights violations and stopping of assembling of opposition. During Museveni he has made security outfits, organizations and law enforcement that acts within the realm of what Amin did. He just had more years to perfect it and made it part of the status-quo. Therefore, his able to get away with it and it doesn’t cost him anything.

It is just striking that the Museveni government is now going after the cash-crop of Coffee. The Coffee that was vital and the biggest export of the Amin era. That who was giving the government of Amin the ability to run. It gave it forex and foreign funding for selling coffee. This was sold in bulk to America and even done with embargoes towards the Amin government. Which just shows how things was in the 1970s.

Now in 2024, the coffee exports are rising and profitable. That’s why Museveni wants more control over it by dissolving his own 1990s creation of UCDA. The predecessor of the CMB. That’s how Museveni operates and he has to pin blame on others. As his government had previously failed the same industry and agricultural output after taking power. It took them nearly a decade and foreign entities pressuring for liberalization and new methods to ensure a more profitable way of getting the cash-crop to the foreign market. That’s when things started to surge. Now that it’s in a rising market and one of the key crops of the Republic. This is when he plans to take it and get a piece of the pie. That’s what the President does…

The ones believing his mess. They are naive and deluded. Amin’s ghost is haunting President Museveni. The dead are now surrounding him. He see them and is worried about meeting them in the afterlife. His worried that people will deem him as bad as them and will write his legacy. A legacy he has self inflicted and created. The skeletons, the pain and the suffering committed to stay in office. Will forever be imprinted with his name. The golden letters and fanfare of opening institutions will not linger on. When the bodies, the stories and the pain is released. When the full extent of the massacres, the amount of political prisoners and the usage of systematic torture is released. That’s when the truth will come out and it will be a reckoning for anyone who stood by his side.

They knew that he fought dictators and he became a more vicious one. He thought he was clever, but the truth is more sinister. That’s the reality here and he cannot hide from it. This is why the ghost of Amin re-appears and comes to scare him. He don’t want to be an Amin, but deep inside he knows there is no difference between him and himself. Peace.

Achileo Kivumbi: Summarized Tall Tale of My Brutal Arrest and Detention (23.10.2024)

Uganda: Ministry of Defence & Veteran Affairs – Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) – UPDF Condemns Murder of People in Agago District (21.10.2024)

Opinion: Bobi Wine will “rinse and repeat”

The ones that think the 2026 General Election will be any different than the previous ones are false. This is doing the same thing again and expecting another type of result. However, that is lunacy and idiotic….

Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine isn’t stupid, neither is his team and supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP). The NUP will then run their second campaign and trying to establish itself as a viable option to the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Alas, that is given and is what it has too. The NUP and Bobi Wine had a red wave ahead of the 2021. Ever since Bobi Wine was elected as an MP, he galvanized the youth and reach new people. Therefore, he is a threat to the status quo and the elites of the nation. Nevertheless, we know the gig and the game’s that are in play.

He might be able to steer the ship and be able to continue the progress of the party in the midst of trouble. The Party President and leader of the NUP might be able to continue to be the biggest opposition party. However, that isn’t the cause and the reason for the existence of the NUP. That’s just making the People Power operational and a part of a new political elite…

Bobi Wine fought to get rid of dictator. His party was supposed to be revolutionary and be different than the predecessors in the opposition. The smartness and wit of the party was to be vastly changing the terrain. Nevertheless, it was meant to be deeper than this…

The NUP and Bobi Wine needs to engage and be part of it. To totally disassociate or be disengaged from the General Election will be to costly  at this point. They need the MPs and the polls to be viable. However, it is a race where we know the winner and who will have the majority. The NUP and the other opposition parties will only get a fringe minority and not have a final say in the end. It doesn’t matter how they do it or what they do. In the end…

Bobi Wine will fall.. the numbers this time around might be different, but the result is the same. NRM and Museveni will win. The NRM will gerrymander and ensure total control of the Parliament. The Presidency will Museveni’s regardless of his real popularity or not.

Bobi Wine can do this a second time. His within his rights to stand and be a Presidential Candidate. By him doing so… his legitimizing the affairs and contests in a ill-willed elections. That’s what his doing and continuing the path of the predecessors that went nowhere as well.

Just like Besigye stood countless times up to Museveni. Bobi Wine is continuing this tradition. His NUP is taking the place of the FDC. However, things aren’t really changing and only the name on the ballots. The rest is more of the same and we are repeating the sins of the past. Peace.

National Unity Platform (NUP): Party President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu letter to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – False Allegations that the National Unity Platform rigged One Million Votes in the Last Presidential Election (15.09.2024)

Opinion: Museveni has a million secret votes apparently…

I have now got all the evidence that in the last election, NUP cheated by one million votes. I have the facts. NUP can take me to court and say ‘Museveni has falsely accused them” – President Museveni (12.09.2024).

There been days and nights since the General Election of 2021. It is like a far distant memory cause of the COVID pandemic and everything that has gone on during the time. Feels like a decade has passed, but we are still in the same term and two years ahead of a 2026 elections.

Now that this is digested, we know how the state operates with the elections. They are part of it and it is all secured through the High Command. The NRM is the state and the state is the NRM. Museveni appoints and directs people he trusts to secure what needs and he has the final say. He uses all sorts of security agencies, deployment of law enforcement and media blackout to control his narrative. Therefore, anyone believing in the free and fair elections in the Republic is either blind or naive. In my life time… there never been a just election or a free one. No, it has been jaded ones and controlled operations to ensure NRM majority and the President for Life at the top.

That’s why yesterday’s statement in Munyonyo is foolish at best. When the Electoral Commission is his baby and they are directed by him. The authorities are all following his command and the opposition are barred from interacting or even operating to full capacity. Because the authorities and law enforcement blocks their entry and passage even during the elections road map. Therefore, the President is really talking out of terms when he claims what he claimed. There is no proof and no justification. Only self-projection, like we don’t know…

Just read the old and good wisdom of Tinye aka Tinyefuza aka General David Sejua!

The first is because of the nature of the current political structure in the country. Because the ruling party NRM is fused with the state, it is difficult to draw the line of who are real NRM supporters and those I consider INDIRECT CONSCRIPTS to the system. Since all the jobs are appended to the NRM party, including those in the Judiciary, parliament, civil service and even the OMBUDSMAN ( IGG) who must be a government functionary, people have lost the natural space to oppose the system. So the kind of opposition is COVERT (silent and hidden). That is why it is always a shock to Mr Museveni when he loses an election like what happened in Luweero recently. Or the many defeats he has suffered in Kampala city. To him, the easier explanation is that the opposition has stolen the vote! How can the opposition steal the vote when all the presiding officers are yours? The explanation here is simple. EVEN THOSE PRESIDING OFFICERS BELONG TO THE OPPOSITION AND SO DOES THE MAJORITY OF VOTERS. So the voting is genuine but he does not understand that his “conscripts” turn against him in the privacy of their voting booths. That is why armed thugs, in civilian clothes are now being trained so that they look into the voting booths in 2016 (the Kabalye graduates)” (Gen. David Sejusa – ‘ADDRESSING THE QUESTION OF UNITY/ COOPERATION FOR LIBERATION LEADERS’ 11.09.2014).

The words of Gen. Sejusa is now 10 years old, but is still relevant. It is the same President and same regime in charge. Things haven’t really changed and only a few modifications of empty suits and willing public servants to further the interests of NRM. That’s the only change and we know the elections are made to ensure longevity of Museveni and his party. This is the objective and what Museveni wants. He wants it to look legit and seem reasonable, but at the same time… he needs a majority in Parliament and in general in all elected offices. If he doesn’t get that… then he figures out ways to change the result and get the announced verdict that he needs. Therefore, everyone knows this aspect and elections are partly futile. Because, the end-game is the same and there isn’t really a say.

There is no will of the people, but the will of Museveni. So, when he speaks of stealing a million votes and he has the evidence. It is hogwash, when he gets his team to manufacture the results and ensure he has the upper-hand. That has been to perfection over the years. Every election since 2001 has been made in this fashion. Don’t matter who stood up against him. If it was Dr. Paul Ssemogerere, Dr. Kizza Besigye or Bobi Wine. Everyone was bound to fail and that’s for one reason.

The reason being Museveni himself. Museveni could never ever win in a fair fight. The Old Man with the Hat couldn’t win people’s hearts or their attention to get elected without the usage of violence, intimidation or election malpractices. There is a reason why Pre-Ticked Ballots is a thing. Why ballot-stuffing is a well known concept and the algorithms and Kiggundu math is subject that should be studied at Makerere or MUBS.

Seriously, this man needs to figure himself out. He claimed in 1981 that Obote stole his votes. Now in 2024 he claims Bobi Wine took his. Even a significant number, but not a substantial to change the “winner”. Therefore, who believes this nonsense and will we ever see the so-called evidence?

We haven’t seen the President dropping his credentials or paperwork like the opposition candidates has too. They have to be validated and certified to stand as a Flagbearer and a candidate for their party. However, the President doesn’t have to and can only use his thumb. That’s all he needs… and it shows how the system is rigged against the others.

So, if you believe Museveni in 2024. Please, re-read the wise words of Gen. Sejusa. He speaks the truth and a truth that resonate today. Peace.

Opinion: The Ghosts of Amin and Obote haunts Mzee…

He (Amin) does it with a small clique of idiots and don’t blame the people of West Nile for this. Even when we were fighting Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), it was the same. We told our cadres that don’t blame the people of Northern Uganda- of Acholi, Lango, for the mistakes of Obote. Distinguish between the misleaders and the misled. This is the line of the NRM. Always make a distinction between the misleaders who are few and the misled who are many. Even if they are misled, in most cases, most of the masses aren’t involved at all, it is just a small group of people” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (29.08.2024).

The predecessors and their achievements is haunting the current ruler. His legacy and his legacy is torn by them. The last victor has since his inception tried to pin everything ill and bad on the predecessors. We have even heard times when he blamed the Colonial British for circumstances and badly performed governance to this day. Therefore, this man will blame everyone else and even the dead.

President Museveni who fought a war to take power. A man who used arms and had a private army. A man who used a rebellion to overcome several heads of state. That man is still blaming the predecessors and the dead. The ones that will analyse his reign. They will see that he has used their tactics, their methods and their means to conquer. He promised to be different, but he has used their means to his end.

President Museveni has found every scheme of the book. His used the years to enrich himself and the cronies surrounding him. While not delivering government services, neither building functioning institutions or government entities. No, he has just made get-rich schemes and come with hallow promises. Meanwhile investing in heavy hardware and ammunition to keep himself in power.

That’s what he has done and in the Second Day of the Parliament Sitting in Gulu. As he came as a visitor and special guest to Parliament. He decided to talk about the President that came from the North. The late Idi Amin Dada and Dr. Milton Obote. Both who he conquered and destroyed to get into office. That’s what he did and he has enlarged himself on their downfall. Trying to forge a narrative and a story to benefit himself. Because that’s all he has… and he needs to vilify them at every turn.

We all know by now. There is little to nothing to show for the 40 years in office. This President haven’t ensured a working society. Heck, this man cannot even be trusted to ensure the Ministry of Health has enough money or functioning systems to secure the delivery of medicines to the government health facilities. There are so many more examples, but it just shows the abysmal track record that Museveni himself has.

That’s why he has to make the predecessors look bad. He needs them to be vindictive and cunning people. This is to make him look better and more pristine. When everyone knows how vicious and sinister his reign is. There are so many skulls that been bashed in his name. So many people who has been silenced and tortured to keep him in office. Plenty of people abducted and kept incommunicado. Therefore, this man has used the state for his benefit and the monopoly of violence to crush whoever stands in his path. That’s who Museveni is and a warlord acts just like this.

A man that took the power by the gun, will end the power by the gun too. Unless, he has an unfortunate demise or is relieved early of his duties. Alas, there is no end in sight… and the glory of 1986 will be told indefinitely. That’s all Museveni has… but it doesn’t make it more true. His just preoccupied rewriting his story and forging a narrative that is beneficial for himself. He needs others to be the villains, so he can be the hero. That’s the gist… and the ghosts are haunting his mind. They have captured his spirit and he cannot be released by them. These ghosts are in his conscience and most like creating nightmares that troubles his every step. Peace.

Opinion: More gerrymandering ahead of the 12th Parliament

The Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja revealed that the operaytionalization of; Entebbe, Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale, Wakiso cities will take place on 1st July 2025, before the 2026 general elections, a move that will see the number of MPs in Parliament increase further, from the current 553 MPs as at March 2024. Nabbanja made the revelation while responding to a question raised by Michael Kakembo (Entebbe Municipality) during the Prime Minister’s Question Time, during the Tuesday 8th August 2024 plenary sitting” (Parliament Watch, 09.08.2024).

If you felt the likes of 553 MPs are too much. There is plans to extend that even further. The gerrymandering of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) aren’t over. This is done in a manner to ensure more people in the 12th Parliament.

Just a friendly reminder that the 9th Parliament (2011-2016) had 375 MPs, the 10th Parliament (2016-2021) had 426 MPs and now it has in the 11th Parliament (2021-2026) has 553 MPs, which clearly isn’t enough. Just within a decade from the 9th Parliament to the 11th Parliament the additional seats is the massive amount of 178 MPs. That’s what that been created and in such a short time. This is the creation of districts and sub-countries, the splitting and creating new local governments. Just so they get a representative for every village and every former sub-county in the Republic.

If you didn’t feel the Parliament wasn’t bloated enough, as it has specialized MPs and such. It has all sorts of representation and which is why it has so many. The Parliament will add even more, as certain districts and such will change with the creation of cities. Which again means there will be more MPs and not just one, but plenty more. A city will have more and we can see this one coming. They will have more than one additional MP and this is a mess, which is created to ensure a bigger majority for the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Create new cities or districts to counter all polling data and secure new MPs for the ruling regime.

We know the Republic already has Youth MPs, Workers MPs or the UPDF MPs for that matter. It is just plenty of additional ones, which creates a majority for reason. They aren’t there for the “special interests” but for a security for the President.

Now we are seeing yet another plan to ensure majority. A way of creating even more division or more local government entities. Just so the Republic can have more Representatives in the Natioanl Assembly. The Parliament can just have more members. We can wonder if the goal is to get 560-570 MPs by 2026. Because, the creation of cities will cause split of districts and will create new sub-counties. Which we know will add plenty of MPs. That will even make sure with the wards and the division mayors within the cities itself.

In addition to the creation of the cities. There are new funding needed for the creation of it and have the entities ready for it. Meaning the local government needs bigger budget and the cities needs more funding in the beginning. Because they need to build and follow the protocol or stipulations of what a city is supposed to have. Meaning all other government services needs to be up to speed and have the additional manpower to run as a city. That’s most likely not in order or the state doesn’t have sufficient funds for it. Which we have seen in the past and the lacking resources to actually gerrymander like it does.

We will just see this sort of thing happening again. Especially when the state knows and cannot have a bigger burden. This is adding more expenses without having more domestic revenue. The state lacks domestic revenue, but still adds more public expenses. That’s really showing the bad side of this governance. Another round of misuse of funds and siphoning it too. The NRM knows all of it, but they are the ones that has created this system. Peace.