Opinion: Akena MP is right to defend his father [but it doesn’t make it more truthful]

It is very perturbing that people try to blame everything on the UPC government. There has never been a point where the UPC government has told police officers to take their guns and look for their salaries” (James Akena, 07.08.2024).

The last victor will always try to rewrite and vilify the predecessors. That is something we know the current regime is busy doing. They are undermining the ones before him and the Republic is used to stories, which sheds a negative light on the Presidents before Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. We all know this and heard several of stories. Therefore, we know there is spin and questionable narratives out there. Which is made to make Obote and Idi Amin worse than they actually where. Just so Museveni looks better and was the saviour of the day.

However, we also know that the sons and daughters of the predecessors want a better picture and image of their fathers. The sons of Amin wants him in a more fair and balanced perspective. Just like the son of Obote, Hon. Akena want his father in a more favourable image. I cannot blame them for that and their in the rights to do so. Nevertheless, the truth is usually in the middle.

That’s why I have to use an Intelligence Memorandum from the Central Intelligence Authority (CIA) to show what really went down… just to shed some light on Obote II and what they were known for. Even if the rebels and the guerrillas created a hostile atmosphere and made it hard to govern. Still, the government and the state itself carried itself in a manner, which could be breading grown for rebellion and armed insurrection. As there was no other way to answer it.

Just read this paragraph:

Most members of the Army come from northern Uganda. Thus, when undisciplined troops rob and kill civilians in Kampala and other parts of southern Uganda in the guise of antiguerrilla operations, they are endangering Obote’s chances of gaining greater acceptance in the south. Many of the deaths during the recent fighting in Kampala apparently were caused by troops shooting innocent bystanders. Such incidents are likely to continue if nervous troops believe there is a significant risk of further guerrilla attacks in Kampala. Tensions also have increased between the Army and the police. The often better disciplined police recently replaced soldiers on foot patrols in Kampala in an effort to reduce looting and other criminal activity by the Army. Cooperation at senior levels of the two organizations reportedly is good, but personal and professional rivalry between lower level personnel has led to armed clashes. The spread of such violence would be another serious blow to Obote’s effort to improve security in the capital” (CIA – Uganda: Obote’s Problem and Prospects – An Intelligence Memorandum, May 1982)

When you read this… the words of Akena isn’t totally sincere. Yes, the police wasn’t looting and thieving. Regardless of that… the army was really reckless and serving the public with insecurity. The army was using force and taken the law into their own hands. They were thieving and robbing people. That’s the story that lingers. Even known for killing and extra judicial killing of civilians. Which is a story that Akena and others doesn’t want people to remember. Not like Museveni is a saint and hasn’t done similar in power. He has stolen, robbed and extra judicially killed civilians too. Therefore, he isn’t vindicated…

Neither is Obote II government, the UPC Government of the 1980s. No, it maybe didn’t have police that acted out. However, it did have army and soldiers who was known for despicable acts. Real sinister acts to enrich themselves. This is why the Obote II gave reasons for rebellion and gave other people enough legitimate arguments to partake in armed guerrilla warfare. Which is the reason for why Museveni is in power today.

James Akena MP can try to defend his father and his legacy. That’s within his right. He is partly right, but the truth is also grim and it’s written in pages that will linger on for years to come. As long as the CIA memo is alive and people can read it. They can see what the army and soldiers did to the community. That should be known and it shouldn’t be hidden under a rock. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni is just using the ghetto

Ever since the People Power Movement and rise of Bobi Wine on the political spectrum. The President has been busy inter-mingling with the ghetto. It wasn’t a case or a consideration before that. So in the recent years he has appointed Butchaman, Kusasira and others all as a reason to tarnish and weaken Bobi Wine.

That the President has picked Jennifer Full Figure and others are for one reason. That’s to be a viable cadre and a person of interests in the ghettos of Kampala. That’s why he suddenly drops a billion on SACCO designated to the Ghetto. Just like he made an office for the Ghetto and also made one person the Presidential Advisor on Ghetto Affairs, but we have never seen any action or policy that has mattered over the years.

This is all a gimmick. It is nice photo-ops, but nothing else. Just like the IPOD Meetings and Head of Parties Conferences, which was nice for display, but he didn’t change things. The President doesn’t alter things that is working for him. His just duplicating offices and hiring busy-bodies with no real mandate. People who think they are consequential, but only useful idiots for the time being.

That’s why Ashburg Katto wasted his youth and his platform. He was used and spit out when he was out of use. The same will the people in the Ghetto SACCO see as well. Just like the others who has been appointed and entered into oblivion. It isn’t like Kusasira or Jennifer Full Figure has a say or matters in 2024. Yes, they got a high ranking official title and some perks, but that dwindles fast when their relevance withers.

That he again has the ghetto and some representative of them present is only a gimmick ahead of the polls. Because he knows that these are vital for Bobi Wine and the National Unity Platform (NUP). He wouldn’t have looked at them or been concerned about them, if otherwise. They are just useful people to make nice display of servitude.

The President haven’t cared or built structures to help the ghettos. Neither has his government policies been there to elevate their living standards. No, they have been left behind in his system and he cannot just dole out a few shillings ahead of election road map. Because that is what his doing now. Trying to sought relevance and bribe a few into submission. However, people should look through it.

We have seen this shallow ghetto gospel. He has singed these songs and left them astray after a hot minute. Only to show up and give a little token of appreciation. Hoping he can grasp one leader or one active fella to kiss the ring. Just so he can say – his or her is on my team. So we really care about the ghetto. We have Butchaman and Kusasira. See, see, we include the Ghetto. Even if it is only them who gets an envelope and their offices are practically worthless.

Therefore, the President’s games here is getting old. Just like his an old man himself and has to speak of ancient time when he “linked” up with the ghetto. Alas, no one is buying it. He only uses it now because its convenient for him. We all know it and he does too.

I don’t believe and neither should you. Peace.

National Unity Platform (NUP): Statement on the High Court Judgment Condemning the Abduction and Illegal Detention of Suspects (10.07.2024)

Opinion: The Ssabagabe gives you electricity…

You are in darkness because you voted for bad representatives; you voted for NUP. Now I have to shoulder your burdens and give you electricity” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (27.06.2024).

The King of Kings (Ssabagabe) orders and decree things. He lives supreme and have all powers. His a man of words and his opinion matters. He is the true definition of power and a demi-god amongst men. That’s who President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni thinks of himself.

After all these years in power. After all this time. His still as vindictive and narrow minded. There is no relent or forgiveness. Alas, there is wherein lay the whole problem to his reign. That his so fixated at micro managing and not taking the whole picture. He rather scope on one minor transaction or con. Instead of thinking of the whole system, the whole package and how it works. That’s why his regime is built like it is.

President Museveni can say to the people of Kalerwe that they voted for the wrong people in the recent elections and that’s why they don’t have elections. West Nile have voted for plenty of National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidates for years, but they are still not on the national grid. I’m sure Karamoja sub-region are well established as “heartland” for the NRM, but they lack electricity too. So, this isn’t a party thing and who is associated where. This is a broader based problem and a lack of institutionalized or proper budgeting for the basic infrastructure. That’s what is the key issue here and his politicking about it.

The President should be horrified that this is an issue in the capital and so close to the Central Business District of Kampala. It isn’t far from Kalerwe to the Square or the Nile Avenue for that matter. You don’t have to use long time on a boda-boda to get from Kalerwe to the most central parts of Kampala. This just shows how little development and how little investment there have been to basic infrastructure like this. When it haven’t even gotten to Kalerwe.

This is government failure to provide proper services. The electricity should work regardless who they vote for. That should be something the citizens has access too and can afford. This is a failure of the “middle-income” nation that King of Kings always speaks loud about.

Ssabagabe shows his tyranny and his ruthlessness with action towards fellow citizens. It isn’t a sign of a Statesman or a “father of the nation” which is how he wants to portray himself. Instead it shows his arrogance and his bitterness of not being a beloved character. That’s because of stuff like this. Because, who as a leader would speak like this and think they would ever vote for you. It is something he should have fixed decades ago. It should have been a priority from the year of 1986, but we are seeing that this isn’t the case.

The fraud, the fake and the hypocrite of a man is exposing himself. The self-proclaimed King cannot be humble or try to act sincere to people. Instead he malign them, but he is the one that should be begging them. As he is a custodian of them and he represents them all. However, that is forgotten thing in the mind of the President.

That’s because the Ssabagabe is supreme and the rest of us is just mere mortals. Peace.

Opinion: Gen. Moses Ali wants to die in office…

“Anybody can contest with me in 2026. I have no problem. It’s you to make your choice, I still have the energy to serve the people of Adjumani West. Let me repeat myself that I will contest again” – Gen. Moses Ali (26.06.2024).

The former rebel and close ally of the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Gen. Moses Ali has no plans to retire or stop being a high ranking official. He has been an Member of Parliament since 2011 and a main-stay in the cabinet as a secretive agreement with Museveni of old.

So, we have seen the General always getting appointed and it shows. Gen. Moses Ali have now had several of terms as MP and been in Cabinet. There isn’t a time where the 85-year-old haven’t been part of government. Therefore, he won’t give up his meal ticket anytime soon.

Gen. Moses Ali will continue to be in the cabinet and wanting the additional funds of being an MP. He has gotten that for decades now. President Museveni surely has him close because of the agreement and political framework they made back in the day. That’s why he has always a place for him and he cannot retire the old man.

The General seems to be an everlasting figure in the Republic. He won’t relent or give more youthful people space. No, he wants to eat and live the lavish life. Not that he has the energy or ability as in the past. That is part of life and aging.

The former rebel and token ally of Museveni should consider retirement now. We know he won’t do it himself. Because he knows the NRM Primaries will be easy and after that the system is rigged for him to return. That’s why he don’t have to campaign or act in any other way.

President Museveni likes loyal people like Gen. Moses Ali. A man who is there and who will be there for him. Neither creating drama, scandals or anything else either. Just another old bloke eating of his plate. Peace.

Public Square: Statement on Corruption at Microfinance Support Centre (26.06.2024)

Uganda Law Society (ULS): Statement on Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament’s Remarks Condoning Corruption (25.06.2024)

A look into Mzee’s “Statement on NRM’s fight against Corruption”

Greetings. Although busy celebrating Maama’s 76th birthday, I am also fully in the war against obwiibi (theft) of government money, obutagambirwa (not listening to guidance) and okweragyiira, okwetuminkiriza (doing things that are not agreed upon)” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (24.06.2024).

There was days when the sort of intellectual spirit and gravitas of His Excellency could inspire people. It was a time when that brought hope of a better future and another tomorrow. However, those days are long lost and people are yawning. People are tired of it and they know it isn’t legit.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni have no backbone, no urgency and no need to uproot the evils of corruption. If he did… it wouldn’t be as prevalent and as common as it is. The practice and usage of it within his government is obvious. He is even using it and expanding his cronyism over it. Therefore, he cannot combat something that gives his Presidency life.

That’s why a statement like the ones published today is just futile. There is nothing there. Just like the 2 hour long speeches and metaphorical makings of directives through letters to his Ministers. They look good on paper and possibly sounds good, but regardless of that… it won’t go anywhere and we know it.

Just read these quotes from the statement, before I finish this off with a little rant after it…

In the NRM time, we went back to the old system of the Civil service based on merit through competitive examinations by the Public Service Commission. That is why we never bothered with corruption for a long time, knowing that there are capable People handling money, personnel and procurement. We now know that many of them have let us down. We shall, therefore, have to work with victims of this corruption and some patriots to crush this betrayal. Are the patriots there? Yes. Where is the proof? The 20,000 fighters that attacked Kampala on the 22nd to the 26th of January, 1986, were mainly patriots. Otherwise, why would they do what they did without pay?” (Museveni, 24.06.2024).

Nevertheless, it is possible to crush corruption through the alliance of patriots (I count myself as one of them) and the victims, the masses. The masses can be encountered in the village barazas, etc. The patriots are to be found in the political leadership, some public servants, the churches, etc.

Corruption is diverting a lot of money that could develop the country. IGG estimates Ug. Sh.10 trillion per year!!” (Museveni, 24.06.2024).

Therefore, the thieves are parasites that must be stamped out, and the indisciplined are saboteurs of our fast development and must also be stopped” (Museveni, 24.06.2024).

One that never gets to old is the usage of the beginning of time or the essence of this Presidency. The time-frame and the need to go all the way back to the bush or the early stages of being a Head of State. That’s the prime and the moment of glory. When he won and took power from others. That’s what we need to salute and he ended everything. Created everything and made it his. Alas, that is part of the problem too.

Everything is encircling the President and his nearest associates. The government is based on his blessing and the representatives are all awaiting his verdict on any matter. They need his guidance and wisdom before doing anything. That’s why the rotten core and the foundation of the state is corruptible. Since the President acknowledge and doesn’t address the issue properly. He see it as a way of getting all ends to meet. The President benefits and enriches himself of it. That’s why he needs his underlings to partake and eat too.

He can promise to crash, destroy and annihilate the corrupt as much as he wants to. Use slurs and be vindictive in nature. However, we know that won’t happen and the ones in high power won’t be touched. Neither will the closest allies or the ones serving him. There will be some small fishes taken and some might have to fall on the sword for a minute, but they will be released soon or not even properly scorned even. That’s what he does to the Ministers who are loyal and who took what wasn’t theirs. Nevertheless, they will be off the hook and able to serve another day.

That’s why you know the Statement is useless. It is so abundantly clear. No matter what dogma or ideals he uses. It won’t matter at all. The President only does this to get headlines and act like he has a oversight over it. However, we know he won’t do a thing and this gig is up. Peace.

Opinion: Alootia Continua Ssebo…

“The biggest problem we have now is corruption. This corruption is not happening on the moon, it’s happening in the district, sub-county, and constituency. I have opened a war on the corrupt, so, make sure that you are not in my gun sight. We cannot let our people down” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 20.06.2024).

We have heard the “A Luta Continua” from the ones who fight the good fight and for liberation. This phrase is well known and a part of social fabric by now. It is used as a term and a we know it for a reason.

Now in 2024 after all the years in power. The usage is losing meaning, and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) cannot use this sincerely. “The Struggle Continues” aren’t what the NRM and the State House works on.

No, the NRM and the State House is busy looting. They are continuing the looting of the state reserves. The loot is vital and important for the government. The Government of Uganda and the regime itself thrives on the siphoned funds, corruption and graft.

President Museveni can act like it is just some small cases, but it is a system at this point. The grease that builds and destroys. The means to an end is the envelopes, the service awards, and presidential handshakes. That’s what is happening, and we have seen it happening for years.

Yes Ssebo, we know the drill and the modus operandi. If there is a wheeler-dealer and a foreign investor around. He or she has to visit the State House and get connected correctly. Just so the kickbacks and everything can circulate in the right direction.

The NRM and the government is so close to be run like a racket. They are saying they are cracking down on a racket within the Ministry of Finance, but certainly it is deeper than that. Because MPs are finding ways to eat. Cabinet Ministers are misusing their offices and suddenly government services are taken for granted. There are just such a vast enterprise of actions…

Museveni can act like he wants to fight it and stop the practice of corruption. Nevertheless, that would kill his government. He would stop the initiative and the means to his end. He corrupts the high-ranking officials and that way they will be loyal to him. They are getting ill gotten gains, but at the same time they have to be loyal to the President. He says nothing and acts like nothing. As long as they serve his purpose and does what he wants. They vote for his acts and budget posts, which enriches himself too. Therefore, it is a system created to eat and don’t care about the government services.

I have totally given up on the idea that Mzee or Museveni ever wants to resolve or chase the ones participating in these sorts of practices. That would mean he would dissolve government and revoke the whole Parliament too. He had to so destroy and deplete his whole system. Because none of the mechanisms and organizations that he has built is doing anything substantial either. It is more just busy-bodies and ability to hire cronies in privileged offices. However, they don’t have to do anything and challenge anyone of prominence.

That’s why we have seen it all and heard it all. The President can speak like he cares, but his inaction speaks much more. We have been here before…

So before we think he would do anything… 40 years in power and it is just a part of life now. It is what Museveni, and his cronies has created. It is a beast they have fed over the years and now it’s fat. Peace.

Opinion: Basalirwa is the Grandmaster of Useless Noise…

Three months after the birth of the Holy Alliance, the chairperson of the new establishment and president of JEEMA, Asuman Basaalirwa says they are working behind the scenes and soon, their activities will be made known” (NBS Television, 05.06.2024).

The Bugiri Municipality, the Justice Forum (JEEMA) and the People Power Movement must wonder if they were tricked or used, because the Human Rights Lawyer and MP Flagbearer at the time, Asuman Basalirwa sounded like a reasonable guy. At one point he seemed like a decent fella and someone who deserved a shot. However, in June of 2024 we can say everyone was wrong…

Basalirwa MP was a wasted vote and seems like a useless MP. Yes, he got the Anti-Homosexuality Act enacted. That’s his achievement in the 11th Parliament. The rest of the time he has betrayed the opposition and the People Power Movement. He could have resigned from the Opposition and just turned into a puppet for the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

If Basalirwa MP is running as a NRM flag-bearer in 2026. No one would bat an eye and be shocked. He has worked for more the causes and policies of the state. The idea of him being in opposition is foolish at this point. His only opposition in the name, but not in spirit or in action.

He is openly engaging in disputes and taking part for others in the Parliament. Saying he is offered being the lawyer of two other MPs and will sue the ones who petitioning the August House to censure the Parliament Commissioners. That’s what his doing of late and it shows how little tact or even humility he has.

There is no gravitas or even courtesy in regards to this MP. Basalirwa is unadulterated and lack of quorum. His just a brute and it isn’t cute. He can use religion as a shield, but that doesn’t save him from his sins. Neither does his greed or his naked ambition. A man who cannot be loyal or even stand by the people who helped him back to Parliament. Basalirwa MP has ditched and works against the people who entrusted him. That’s the favour he gives them and he does it deliberately too.

Basalirwa MP has become useless. I don’t know where the value for his seat or office. As a person, individual or even representative his just wasted airtime. He shouldn’t be there and isn’t worthy of representing others. Especially, when it becomes personal and becomes a cash-grab. The MP should just give way and let other represent the constituency. There must be a more credible, honourable or even honest character than him. His a career politician and seemingly a man who seeks validation and possible new revenue streams. Therefore, he isn’t great or deliver any grandeur.

That’s why it’s time to call out the jokes, the mockery and the insincerity of him. Basalirwa MP needs to booted out and Bugiri Muncipality has a short of doing so in 2026. That’s when they should vote for someone else and hope he/she serves them better. Not that they need to do much, because Basalirwa has set the standard so low. Peace.