Opinion: Again, we see that the Local Councillors are not a priority…

My Ministry has issued a number of guidelines on roles and responsibilities of Village and Parish Councils and their Committees while executing their various mandates” (…) “However, despite issuing these guidelines, there is need for an in depth induction for Village and Parish Councils and their Committees. This will be achieved as soon as funds are availed” (Tom R. Butime – ‘ RESPONSE TO A QUESTION RAISED ON FAILURE BY GOVERNMENT TO CARRY OUT ADEQUATE ORIENTATION OF ELECTED LOCAL COUNCILS I AND II’ 26.11.2019).

This is not new, as the Local Councillors election could be like picking a captain this last year (2018) on the football field. The art of peer pressure in the villages and towns all across the Republic. The lack of already having funds for the Local Governments, the lack of oversight and even plans for their operations, as effectively not solving the issues locally. As well, as reports of funding for health care centres, motorbikes and so-on. This is a never ending story of lack of due diligence and unnatural growth of a governing body.

With that in mind, as the government should have been prepared to school and teach them how the game was played. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) wasn’t prepared for this and never seemingly, they are more preoccupied with spending elsewhere than actually governing. That is why the LG isn’t getting the funds its need. Most of it given as donations from donors anyway like 60% of it is based from there. That’s why the LG and Local Councillors 1 and 2 haven’t gotten the support they need. This is after postponing LC Elections for over 18 years and they could have secured this for the post-election last year. Still, they didn’t, because they don’t care.

As we see by one report on the matter:

Conclusion: Financing of LGs is critical to the success of decentralisation policy in Uganda. However, the current level of LG financing is not sufficient to meet the level of demand for service delivery. There has been a decline in transfers from Central Government to LGs, in relative and per capita terms attributed to recentralisation of functions and resources which by law are mandated to LGs. This study found that that UGX 1.066 trillion will be retained by various MDAs, yet these funds are supposed to be allocated to LGs as mandated under the Second Schedule of the LGA (CAP 243)” (ACODE – ‘Financing Local Governments in Uganda: An analysis of Proposed National Budget FY 2019/20 and Proposals for Re-allocation’, ACODE Policy Research Series No. 92, 2019).

The Local Government is already lacking the resources it needed, the negative spiral of funds is also showing. Therefore, the state could show some little incentive if they cared, but they are more preoccupied with other projects and such. That’s why these governing bodies are coming second. The NRM shows their lack of care, they can easily make new districts, new sub-counties and municipalities, but they cannot find funds to keep the upkeep.

The LG could have been resolved, but the matters are not the concerning for the high above, the State House nor the Office of the Prime Minister. As they are eating the funds that should have gone here, even the army budget could have been cut to fix the issues within the local government. However, that is not happening with this rulers and this elite in power. They are not giving way and actually securing these bodies with the needed funds.

Instead, they are already giving them to little compared to what them need and the elected officials doesn’t get the guidance nor the lessons of protocol they would need to succeed. They are just going more and more steps ahead of failing. If this isn’t a failure, than its a bloody miracle if it actually would work. Because, people are just catching up as best as they can. Peace.

Opinion: RDCs getting cars isn’t governing, but a cheap trick!

The Minister for Presidency, Esther Mbayo has given out 65 cars to Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) from different regions to improve on service delivery. The RDCs who received the cars on Thursday constitute 50% of the total number of Resident District Commissioners currently deployed in the country” (Muhamad Matovu – ‘Minister Mbayo Gives 65 Cars To RDCs From Different Regions’ 22.11.2019).

There are 135 districts, which is operative in the Republic. This is November 2019. There will come more districts in 2020 and so-on. As the Republic is made into smaller and smaller units as political favours and for personal gains of the political elite. That is well-known, as well as a measure done to establish good grounds of new constituencies with no voting history ahead of any given election.

With this in mind, there is an up-coming election in 2021. It is not the first time the National Resistance Movement (NRM) run government have given cars to its officials. They are not only giving that to the MPs and the cabinet, but also anyone in association with the State House. Therefore, the State House and the Parliament should have a car-lot and a car-dealership, if they were supposed to run it smoothly and cheaper.

Because, back in 2015, the state bought 111 cars for District Chairpersons. Therefore, this sort of enterprise happens on near-regular basis. Just as the state bought cars for the CPC in Parliament in this calendar year. So, this is a business the state knows and deals with a lot.

The special thing about this, is that service deliver is important with a car. Not with a mandate or actual factual work that the RDCs do. The Residential District Commanders, the ones overseeing and oversight of the government works in the districts. This is 65 cars and in total, that is 50% of the appointed RDCs. This means there is 130 districts who has RDCs by what the Mbayo states. That means the state lacks funds, manpower and appointed leadership for 5 districts alone. Which is a rare move.

The President has the opportunity to give broader mandate, to give funds and opportunities to the RDCs to actually do more. But thinking a car would make a big difference is naive. As they have the same mandate, the same lacking structure and weak local government. Just today, the President and the state gives state officials cars, instead of building viable institutions.

The state is acting like a car dealership, not a governing institution nor following up on obligations in the districts. This is a cheap ploy for poor districts, for lacking funds and for not investing in all the created micro local-government units, which is now 135 districts and so-on. Where the RDCs and others has supervision and mandates to work. Therefore, there should be more than cars and more than a quick fix, which this is and nothing else.

To buy 65 cars will not fix the districts, it will only give for a short amount of time, mobility for some few persons in association with the RDCs. It doesn’t make the roads being built, schools being furnished nor town halls run properly. That is done over budgets, policies and actual governing being done.

To govern is an art and giving away cars isn’t building a nation, it is only cheap fix. You don’t give an alcoholic an beer, you take them to rehab and stops the availability to beer. Instead, here the state gives another beer and hope that it doesn’t catch on. Sooner or later, these cars will have a breakdown. As the cars are hit by driving miles upon miles every year.

Therefore, this isn’t it. Other than a rundown, over used idea, which isn’t scratching the surface. Peace.

Uganda Telecom Limited: President Museveni letter to Gen. Kahinda Otafiire – ‘Re: Administration of Uganda Telecom Limited’ (09.11.2019)

Opinion: Museveni used to be a darling of the West…

When I read that people have trouble that Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine is liked in the West for his ideals and his vision. They shouldn’t forget that the West named President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as a “new breed” together with President Paul Kagame in the mid-90s. It is a few decades ago and seems like a lost time. But, it is not so far away from the current time were in now.

When I read that National Resistance Movement (NRM) hard-liners and apologists says Bobi Wine is to loved in the West. The NRM wouldn’t have stabilized the economy, wouldn’t have had some economic growth or ability to built successive big-programs back-in-the-day, if it wasn’t a donor darling. The NRM wouldn’t have done this on Qaddafi funds nor the North Korean training of military brigades.

If Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and other Americans like John McCain didn’t have a soft-spot for the proxy armies of Museveni. He wouldn’t get as much funds, military support and so-on over the years in power. That’s why the same gentlemen fuzzing about Bobi Wine amplifying the diaspora, going and getting support in North America.

Should remember how Janet Museveni was stuck in Sweden during the bush-war. How the NRA tried to get support from the United Kingdom during the Bush-War. They finally got some help, reluctantly from Libya. They will not speak highly of that today, but that is a fact.

That’s why its hypocritical of Museveni and the NRM to say Bobi Wine isn’t legit, because he has support from the West. That’s because Museveni isn’t an donor darling of the West any-more. He was during the battle against the Lord Resistance Army (LRA), countering HIV/AIDs and so-on. Also the build-up of the Universal Primary Education (UPE) in the 1990s. This is all well-known now.

However, the NRM people will come with daggers, swords and harsh words for endorsements from Americans now. But they was all praise and giggly like teenagers around pop-stars, when their President and the NRM was praised by the West back-in-the-day. For all achievements, the following of policies pushed by the World Bank and International Monetary Funds. Therefore, the NRM and Museveni should look at Bobi Wine and wish it still was them. Not act like they didn’t enjoy the limelight back when.

So, when people bitch about the endorsement. Just look back at how Museveni enjoyed the love from Bill Clinton and others. It was fine when he did it and even postponed elections while being praised. Even supported the insurgencies in the DRC and Rwanda, by the same foreigners. Therefore, the NRM and Museveni should remember they used to be the darling, but is now a bitter EX.

They are like Kenzo, who still wish they had the love of Rema. But they have lost it, because of the cheating and lies. The deception and playing the guards wrongly. Even as long as the NRM and the army fights the battle the US doesn’t want in Somalia. They are still not as loved as they used too. That’s why Bobi Wine is a threat there too. Because, his a new darling and the NRM cannot accept that. Peace.

Opinion: Jajja recites the same old story to the EU ahead of 2021

Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” Edmund Burke

We have seen this movie before, we have seen the pledges and the promises. The Electoral Commission, the lack of electoral reform or even the lack of level playing field is a own going saga that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni continues to sing.

What we can expect that Museveni wins the 2021. If he doesn’t win, than there is something wrong with the world order, the mountains of Rwenzori will fall down and Lake Victoria will not have water. We just know that NRM and Museveni will win as long as he breathes. Mr. 1986 will not loose an election. The EU can play around, but Museveni believes his justified to rule and everyone is supposed to listen to him.

Therefore, the continued promises and pledges of free and fair elections is pointless. The ballots, he charade and the whole campaigning is the same story. The majority, the securing the MPs and the Parliament is in the cards, as well as making it impossible for an viable opposition candidate to actually win. That because the deck is stacked against anyone before the posters, before the parties are organized and the slogans are prepared. It is all a buffet ready for the Fountain of Honour.

Just look through a brief history. A very brief history.

Elections 2011:

In February, the European Union envoy to Uganda said the country was behind schedule to ensure free and fair elections in 2011, while the US Congress directed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in January to “closely monitor preparations” for the poll. “We know what we are doing. If there is anything that needs to be done. If there is anybody who knows how it should be done, it is us, not anybody else,” Museveni said” (Capital FM Kenya – ‘Museveni against poll observers’ 12.04.2010).

The head of EU Democratisation and Elections Unit, Ms Malgorzata Wasilewska told Speaker of Parliament Edward Ssekandi that implementation of the recommendations of the 2006 observers report must be used as a guide to ensure free and fair elections. The EU team was meeting the Speaker in his office at parliament to discuss issues related to the 2011 general elections” (Yasiin Mugerwa – ‘Uganda: European Union Observers Warn On 2011 Elections’ 09.11.2010).

Elections 2016:

The incumbent and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni has assured the European Union (EU) election monitoring team in Uganda that the forthcoming national elections will be free, fair and will be conducted without any form of violence. The President met the European Union election monitoring team led by their team leader and chief observer Mr. Eduard Kukan who called on him at his country home in Rwakitura in Kiruhuura district. The delegation was accompanied by the European Union head of delegation in Uganda Mr. Kristian Schmidt” (Daily Monitor – ‘Museveni assures EU observers free and fair elections’ 17.01.2016).

Elections 2021:

President Museveni said Saturday that government government is committed to ensuring free and fair elections ahead of 2021. According to him, relevant government organs are handling the necessary reforms are needed ahead of the elections. “On the political situation in the country ahead of 2021 elections, the government is committed to ensuring free and fair elections. Relevant government organs are handling the necessary reforms are needed ahead of the elections,” Mr Museveni tweeted on Saturday after meeting with the European Union delegation in Uganda led by the EU Ambassador to Uganda Attilio Pacific” (Daily Monitor – ‘Government committed to ensuring free and fair elections in 2021, says Museveni’ 16.11.2019).

What is very special about this, that the rebel who went into the bush because of supposed alleged election rigging 1980 elections. Has ever since done the same thing for himself and his cronies. The President knows his made his bed in 1996, 2000 (referendum), 2001, 2005 (referendum), 2006, 2011 and 2016. So, the man was elected five terms, but plan another 6th term, but has been ruling for another decade. Which means he has two more terms 1986-1991 and 1991-1996. These has to count, that is why it should be the President’s 8th Term.

However, we are seeing the same story. A story we have heard before, where the EU and other outside donors get promises and pledges. The EU and US get to hear what they want to hear. His telling them a sugar-coated tale of sweethearts and love. But the disaster and fear is in-coming.

The NRM and Museveni will use all tools at his disposal to get another term. To think otherwise is naive and stupid. The man will use ghosts, militias (LDUs/Crime Preventers) and the army to secure another term. The President has his appointed men in the Electoral Commission and the Judiciary, all ready to serve him. There is no middle ground or no outcome to say otherwise. Other than an upcoming, expensive charade and with a swearing-in ceremony filled with fellow dictators like last time. That is the what is at stake.

The EU can entertain this and accept the pledges. It is a new EU team, they might swallow it up and think its all good. But it isn’t and it will not be. There is no scruples in what Museveni will do to cling-on to power. Nothing. Use the Special Force Command, Flying Squad and the ISO to silence opposition, get activists behind bars in the DRC and so-on. There is nothing he will not do, if it matters the most.

His thrown and no-one, else than him is supposed to be their. Free and fair? Nah, more of the playing the facade and hope these white-men doesn’t catch the gig. Peace.

A NGO Crackdown: 10,000 invalid by the NGO Bureau!

Today, the Minister of Internal Affairs Gen. Jeje Odongo dropped an list of certified and verified NON-Governmental Organizations in the Republic of Uganda. The whole list was dropped together with the Press Release. Also, a moment of presser, which addressed the same numbers and information.

Clearly, this is important, as there are plenty of folks now, who has to deliver, register and quickly get verified. If not, if the state take them to court and punish them for organizing illegal activity through an non-registered entity. They might get high fines, be incarcerated or if they continue to violate the law. The NGO and the felon will be fined with a huge sum every single day until it ceases to operate.

However, upon verification of the 14,207 registered NGOs since 1989, as at 7th August 2019, it was noted that only 3,810 NGOs (27%) had valid permits while 10,397 (73%) had invalid permits” (Odongo, 13.11.2019).

All NGOs which do not appear on the validated register should not operate. Stakeholders especially the District and Sub-county NGO Monitoring Committees, Financial Intelligence Authority, Uganda Police Force, Banks, Hotels and other actors should cross check the status of any NGO with the register on the website or with the NGO Bureau to ensure that such NGOs do not operate in any part of the country or transact with their institutions” (Odongo, 13.11.2019).

NGO Act (2016) 40 Offence and Penalties:

(1) An organisation or a person commits an offence who-

(a) on being required to do so, fails or refuses to produce to the Bureau a certificate, permit, constitution, charter or other relevant document or information for the purpose of this act;

(b) knowingly gives false or incomplete information for the purpose of obtaining a permit or other requirement;

(c) operates contrary to the conditions or directions specified in its permit; or

(d) engages in activity that is prohibited by this ACT.

(2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding seventy two currency points or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both, and in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding fifteen currency points for each day during which the offence continues after conviction” (NGO Act, 2016).

This means the convicted fellow, who operates without lawful certification from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) could face fines up to 1,4m Shillings or USD$378, or 72 Currency Points (20,000 shillings). A daily fine could be 400k shillings or USD$108, which is a staggering amount of money.

Well, with that in mind. The NGO Bureau better expect that the Executive Directors or the General Secretaries of various of NGOs has to deliver more documentation and get the ability to get verified. To ensure the down-time and the suspension of activity won’t last to long. If not, they have to become local CBOs, which has other regulations and laws, where the local district and officials there verify and certify any organization. This is something the NGOs whose now illegally operating have to consider.

We can see by the list of organizations verified. It was plenty of national, lots of internationally bound and whose supported from the international community. The NGOs whose big enough and have the capacity was able to be verified by the NGO Bureau. The others whose too small or far from the capital have struggled to secure the certification to do so. The NGO Bureau should also ensure the education of the society and the civil society, which this entails. This is stopping the operation of possible 10,000 organizations. Who now have to do the whole ordeal to be legally operational. Because, if they follow the advice of the honourable minister, then they will cease to operate. But what they should do, if they are viable and working organizations. They would go out there tomorrow and seek documentation, follow the guidelines and work towards getting certified by the NGO Bureau.

That is it folks, but certainly many has maybe just few pieces missing. Others has more work to do. To prove and following the NGO Act of 2016. Whatever it might be, but it got to be something. Peace.

Opinion: 10,833 LDUs without pay!

“The LDU is not a new force; they are the reserve of the army. The security guards of the ministries are guarding ministries against break-ins. Terrorists are targeting soft targets, they are not bank robbers” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 15.09.2018).

We already knew in January 2019 that there was no money for the Local Defence Units (LDUs) in the budget year of 2018/19 and certainly not there in the 2019/20. Since today’s news proves this again. This is a re-issue of Crime Preventers Programme and a way to hire idle youth, but not do the due diligence of the actual needs to do it. That’s why the results is armed people with lack of pay, they will do anything to eat.

Look:

The Ministry of Defence has incurred a budgetary shortfall of 130.5 billion shillings as a result of the recruitment of LDU’s. This includes a wage shortfall of 40.9 billion for the 23000 LDU’s incurred in 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 financial years(Herbert Zziwa, 12.11.2019).

What does it mean:

This means, when they have an annual wage of Shs.2.4mn. Their wage shortfall, which was 14.9bn in 2018/19 means that 6,208 LDUs out of 10,919 are owed wages. Again, in 2019/20, 10,833 LDUs out of 13,000 recruited in 2019/20 don’t have their wages either. Meaning many armed and well-trained personnel from the UPDF is out awaiting their salaries (Mary Serumaga, 12.11.2019).

We can see by these calculations how it really is. The realities on the ground and the issues at hand. This is a launch to have back-up personnel for an up-coming election. To ensure the public, that they cannot have a popular uprising nor a revolution. Because, the state has enough armed forces to crush it. If it isn’t soldiers, ISO, CMI, Flying Squad, Special Forces Command or the UPDF. They will have something to target you with.

But, they are leaving them high and dry. The State is not properly approaching this. They are not spending the dimes on this as people would see deemed fit. Because, this is trained armed personnel, which can cause havoc, if they decided to do so. Why shouldn’t they? They got guns and knows how to aim!

This was a bad Ad-Hoc decision made in the wake of the violence: But he also did it to ensure up-coming elections, because that is what the President does. President Museveni doesn’t toy around with this. This is carefully estimated to secure his next term and the times ahead. Because, with these gentlemen with arms, he will have another group of armed personnel at his disposal, that can skirmish and get deployed in haste. There is nothing else too it.

His just misusing funds and the trust of people, in manners, which is extraordinary. However, very common here. As this isn’t the first nor the last time, the government lack funds for new projects, new ad-hoc decisions. As it is struggling to pay of gardening hoes from pledges made in 2015. Therefore, don’t expect magic, just more of the same. Peace.

Opinion: In Mwenda’s mind, everyone will turn into Jajja

Andrew Mwenda a former critique of the National Resistance Movement and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Has become his closest writer and supporter in his own media house, the Independent Magazine. Andrew is so positive to Museveni that it’s like he works directly for the State House and defends him without any sense. Especially, while telling that Dr. Kizza Besigye nor Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine are not up for the cut.

Today’s piece is more of the same, I will not address it all, because that’s a wast of time. Yours as a reader and mines as a writer. We only live ones, and the shade of one patron of the dictatorship shouldn’t steal to much of our precious time. So, I have only taken the last part of it. Because that shows his non-common sense, which is his staple.

Ideally Besigye and Bobi Wine can distance themselves from such social groups and start to continually condemn the behavior and conduct of their uncouth supporters. They could make it clear daily that they seek a politics of moderation and tolerance. But they haven’t and cannot. This is not because Besigye and Bobi Wine are bad people. Rather, both know that to take such action would alienate the base. To keep their supporters, they have embraced radical extremism and its sister politics of hate and intolerance. The defenders of both Besigye and Bobi Wine claim these two men will tame these forces once in power. In fact once in power, the forces of intolerance that today dominate Defiance and People Power will consolidate and drive the forces of moderation from the government and party. This is what has happened to the NRM over years. It is the logic of power that those who seek to strengthen it are those who win in any power struggle” (Andrew Mwenda – Uganda’s democratic delusions, 11.11.2019, The Independent Magazine).

What Mwenda has forgotten is that the NRM didn’t want to unleash the multiparty system in the first and needed two referendums to get it going. Secondly, NRM didn’t want to hold elections and suspended that after the coup in 1986. Therefore, the sudden change of high on power was from the on set and only changed because the donors and rebels to the first rebellion wanted to have a fundamental change, which the NRM never delivered.

Mwenda is forgetting that the NRM is using the tools of the previous dictatorships. That is their laws, the police force and the army to silence the opposition. Making it impossible to use their tools and using the authorities to get them into trouble for assembling, campaigning and building parties. That is why Mwenda is a bit wrong. It is not a power struggle and a dwindling values of the NRM over the time. It has been partly static, the difference is how it goes viral and how it can be reported.

Mwenda is implying that everyone will be corrupted and destroyed by the office. That is because, his blinded by the NRM. Not that it cannot happen to them, but not letting them get office is showing the lack of openness, tolerance or even democratic values itself. That because, one fella is just right for the highest office, like he was born for it and the others will become him.

Just because, the liberator became the oppressors. Doesn’t mean the next generation of leaders will not learn from the mistakes of the past. Especially, when they have tasted the brutal force of this one. It’s like he thinks that experience doesn’t change the pattern too. Since, his lack of judgement thinks everyone will turn into Jajja and emulate his hat. They will misuse the arms, guns and law enforcement to oppress dissidents of the state.

Andrew thinks this packaging is smart. That he brings the rabbit out of the hat. The only thing he exposes, is his narrative that everything is fucked the day Museveni leaves the crown. That’s sort of like a zombie apocalypse, which is only Armageddon and other prophecies of total destruction of society. That is what’s his initially saying. Because, that is to scare the possible peaceful turnover of power. What he should ask for is better institutions and rule of law. Andrew should wonder why everything is going through the State House and orders from Yoweri.

That’s what’s bugs me out. That he thinks the other side will turnout to be Museveni 2.0 when they get into office. Is what saddens me to see that. But that what gives, when someone has to defend the inevitable and the indefensible. As he now does and doing it so diligently over time. Peace.

Opinion: The NRM is fishing, but will anyone be tricked?

We are at a stage and time, when the National Resistance Movement (NRM) are trying to play smart by getting Butchaman, Kusasira and Jennifer Full Figure on their team. They are trying to be wise by making new sub-groups like the NRM Yellow Power. We can all see the mix.

While the old game of paying for relevance and need for meal tickets have come too. As in the past there was a big pushing group within the NRM called the Poor Youths, in 2019 it has become the Isolated Youths. We just know that the NRM is busy scheming and someone wants to get a handshake.

We all see the drill as we are in 2019. Two years ahead of 2021. We know what is up and what’s at stake. That is why the government is busy scheduling cities and new districts, even if the previously created ones cannot be sustained, neither have addressed the legally bound institutions nor buildings. Therefore, the state is crippling itself without any outside forces looking in.

While the government is busy finding new schemes to hurt the opposition. The Yellow Power group is just a mere reflection of the People Power Movement, but just a continuation of the NRM itself. We can be adviced that Bebe Cool might show up and the neera neera movement sings its songs.

There will be no fanfare, only a paid escorts and enterprises, which consists of old cronies and old slogans made lit by a new generation. The sort of build-up, where the saviour and the creator of the party will be a blessing until eternity. That is the sort of acts the NRM is up too.

They can lie about it, they can make splendid promos and photo-ops. They can look like a picturesque Hollywood movie, but the end of it is a Tarantino flick. Where everyone dies, except for the anti-hero, the President and the Self-styled President for life. His the one that survives it all and is the only person walking on earth.

We can laugh, but we know the game that is played. It is a mockery of the institutions, of the state and the republic. Where the President is only residing over whose eating and whose at the table. He controls and micro-manage the events together with his handlers. There are no middle ground. Because, the opposition is dancing in tear-gas, arrests and safe-houses. That is just the way it is.

The NRM Yellow Group is only a challenge to Bobi Wine and his folks. We all know that, the Isolated Youths and Poor Youths are only made because of the hunger, the lack of resources and places to go. Just like the justification of the ghetto-fication of the President and his party, that is only done to answer to Bobi Wine too. We can only look and wonder, why didn’t the government give a crap 20 years ago about ghetto?

Because, the voters didn’t matter. That’s why, not like they matter too. Only for shows and for tours, but not for real. Since, the elections are shams, rigged and prefixed to hail the king. That is what it is. We can lie, but than we’re like the NRM and we shouldn’t.

So, lets be real. If the NRM didn’t see Bobi Wine and People Power as a threat, why coping and why suddenly hire the Ghetto? Well, that is because they have seen what it does and how it connects. That is why they suddenly care and are there. Not because the President has any passion or concern, but because his image needs a boost. He will never play games on the streets, he will never ensure the safety of the kids in the ghetto. He will only play the façade and get the preside over the throne. That is what he does and nothing else.

The president and his men are building, but only for the need of themselves, but not for the real fundamental change. Because, that train has left a long time ago and the causes to do so are also not functioning anymore. We are at a point, where everything is done for short-term gain and not for building proper institutions. Since, everyone is supposed to have blind loyalty to his highness.

You do not challenge the Leopards Anus, only praise him. Not write poetry or words that express your concern, because then your in trouble. Peace.

Opinion: Is President Museveni taking the role of the IGP?

When reading the letter ‘Update on combating crime’, which was released today on the 3rd November 2019. It was like reading a spread-sheet from an Inspector General of Police. It was reading into the works of the police and investigations made by the Police Force. This wasn’t an letter made by actual President. The Head of State and the Command-in-Chief. No, this was the letter an Inspector General of Police (IGP) should have made.

That President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is micro-managing is now common knowledge. This is why just mere week ago or so, the Deputy IGP had to formulate a plan to criminal gangs, which was just putting basic policing onto a spread-sheet and call it a day. Therefore, what was made today, as a show of effort and work. The President really should have had the IGP J.M. Okoth-Ochola released this letter or something similar. Since, this is initially his job, if not let CP Fred Enaga do his thing and shred some cheese over it and call it a meal.

When saying all this. I will take some pieces of it and show why I feel like this. Because, that is the only way this letter from him makes some sense.

Greetings, after some weeks of absence. This time, I will, again, address you on the issue of combating crime because crime was appearing, again, after we had suppressed it with Operation Wembley in the year 2002. The criminal groups, in recent times, had killed people in the areas of Kampala-Entebbe, Ntungamo, Lyantonde and the Kisoro areas. I have not yet received the report for Kisoro. However, for Kampala Metropolitan, Ntungamo and Lyantonde, the gangs have been wiped out. These gangs had killed 13 people, injured 2 and robbed sh. 24 million in total” (Museveni, 03.11.2019).

Francis K. Butagira statement at the United Nations in New York on the 8th July 2003: The collection of illicit arms in an ongoing activity by law enforcement agencies. A Joint Task Force by the security agencies, code named “Operation Wembley” set up early in 2002 to tackle increased armed crime resulted in the recovery of hundreds of firearms” (Butagira, 08.07.2003). Sam A Akaki wrote: “Creation of ad hoc and unauthorised detaining agencies, such as Operation Wembley and its successor, the Violent Crime Crack Unit (VCCU)” (Written evidence submitted by International Lobby for Reform in Uganda (ILORU), December 2004). What this is showing how he promoted the Operation Wembly now and saying what is happening is the same the past ad-hoc action. This means, there are something similar in the path and usage of the police resources. Therefore, he could just have been an IGP and not so presidential.

After this he shows stories from several places in the Republic, where the been murders, thieving and gangs on rampage. Just writing a protocol of what is the gist of the criminal activity done and even whose name behind it. That is so not like a President, but like a Police Commander. However, he ended this piece with this:

You all can see that what was missing was vigilance by the public and the Police and increasing the speed of responding by the Police. The cameras helped in a few cases. Forensic analysis of cartridges helped in all of them. Police dogs, helped a bit in the Ntungamo incidents. It is easy to defeat these criminals as I said from the very beginning. You can see, how the criminals are trying to use our good roads and the good telephone system to move from Kampala and commit crimes in Ntungamo or any other far corner of Uganda. I will not use permanent road-blocks to catch them. It disturbs Nalumanya and Ssalumanya (the ones who are guilty and the ones who are not guilty). I will always use the technology of jigger extraction. You do not hurt the toe because there is a jigger there. You patiently pull back the skin, until you extract the jigger itself and reward it with fire with little damage to the toe” (Museveni, 03.11.2019).

We can all see, that his pleased by his own achievement like a Police Commander would be, if his policies and his methods was working. However, his the President and not the Police Commander. Even, if he has the overall leadership of the Republic. That doesn’t mean that he should involve himself as directly as this.

The way he wrote the stories of the crimes. The way he is saying that the roads, the telephones and everything else makes it easier for criminals. What makes it easier for criminals to thrive is the lack of policing, lack of rule of law and also an impoverished police. What has been done here is ad-hoc acts of sudden change of what the police was focused on. Instead of focusing on opposition police, it actually did police work and went after gangs. However, that shouldn’t be commended, but says more about the lack of work been put in the right places by the authorities, by the President and by the supposed IGP. Nevertheless, this will continue and this is not the final word in the saga.

We just know it comes more, but this isn’t the sound of reassuring President. No, this is the words of a proud IGP doing his thing. Peace.