South Africa: Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) – EFF Condemns Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill (24.03.2023)

Opinion: It has now been 425 days without a Governor of the BoU…

“The appointment of the Governor is a prerogative of H.E the President subject to Article 161 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, which states that; the governor, the deputy governor and all other members of the board shall be appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament. To that effect, if the Governor dies, resigns, or otherwise vacates office before the expiry of the term for which he or she was appointed, the President may appoint another person in his or her office, and the person so appointed shall hold office for the unexpired period of the term of office of the person in whose place he or she is appointed. In the absence of the Governor, the Deputy Governor will perform the duties of offices of the Governor and Deputy Governor until the new Governor is appointed. Indeed, The Bank is currently operating efficiently under the direction of the Deputy Governor. He is supported by a team of Executive Directors and technical officers. The appointing authority – H.E. will the right time and moment, appoint a Governor. So let us wait on him” (Bank of Uganda, 23.03.2023).

Since the 23^{rd of} January 2022, the Bank of Uganda has been without a Governor. The Deputy Governor has run the Bank since then. It has been 425 days or 1 year and two months without an appointed governor. That is really telling and compelling that the President haven’t appointed anyone for so long.

The Bank of Uganda is clearly not a priority, because By-Elections and getting people elected to office is coming first. The appointments of Speakers and other high ranking official roles gets pushed instantly. However, the BoU can just live without a head and a master at the helm. The Deputy can steer the ship and without question too, apparently.

You know the mission of the BoU when it states this:

“The Bank of Uganda (BoU) is the Central Bank of the Republic of Uganda. It was opened on August 15, 1966. It is 100% owned by the Government of Uganda but it is not a government Department.  Bank of Uganda conducts all its activities in close association with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development(MoFPED). Bank of Uganda is responsible for the formulation and implementation of monetary policy as well as regulating & supervising financial institutions” (BoU – ‘Overview – About BOU’).

It isn’t just a run-of-the-mill organization, but a vital one. It is the place for monetary policies and uphold the national currency. The BoU is by just these things an important piece of the puzzle in the Republic. That’s why its extra weird that it has been without a leader or a governor for over a year.

This shows that the President is just waiting and waiting. That the President isn’t mindful or caring about the concerns of the BoU. When he cannot find a suitable character or leader to become the next the Governor. We know he kept the previous Governor from 2001 until his death in 2022. So, he enjoyed the loyalty and the work of the predecessor. However, that shouldn’t stop His Excellency from appointing another one.

“The appointing authority – H.E. will the right time and moment, appoint a Governor. So let us wait on him” (Bank of Uganda, 23.03.2023).

It is just foolish that the institution and national bank is waiting this long for a new governor… seriously this is bonkers. 425 days and counting without a head or the appointed chief. This just shows that the President doesn’t think this is important or that serious. Peace.

Opinion: Basalirwa and the 11th Parliament will regret this…

If a law, which is so draconian and despicable as the Anti-Homosexuality Act or Bill can be passed in a haste in Parliament. The same Parliament can enact laws, which restricts you and your kind very quickly. This was a test from the President to see what the MPs was willing to do.

President Museveni has yet again gotten his minions running wild in Parliament. They did the same about a similar bill in 2014. Which was later challenged in the Courts. The same can easily happening to this one. Especially, when the elites, the NRM way of foreign donors and outside support doesn’t accept this sort of thing. Because we know there is a deficit and lack of domestic revenue, which has to be covered somewhere… and no money comes without strings attached.

The Majority Report on bill does it’s magic too:

“The Committee 1s aware that the Constitution of Uganda does not recognise a right to homosexuality but instead, bans and prohibits same sex marriages The argument advanced for recognition of same sex relations as mainly grounded under article 45 of the Constitution which provides that the rights, duties, declarations and guarantees relating to the fundamental and other human rights and freedoms specifically mentioned in this Chapter shall not be regarded as excluding others not specifically mentioned Thus provision of the Constitution, according to persons who advocate for rights and freedoms of sexual minorities, recognises “other rights” including the rights of sexual minorities as articulated in various international instruments, including Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 and other human rights treaties, quality and which contain provisions recognising the right to non-discrimination as core principles of human rights” (Majority Report on the Anti Homosexuality Bill, 21.03.2023).

When you read a text like this… you just know your in trouble. You are trying to sway an opinion and an idea, that going after and criminalizing one minority is still within the boundaries of international human rights laws. Which is foolish and dumb. You cannot go after and make it “illegal” to be a minority and expect it to fit the United Nations Conventions or International Law at this point. That is a futile enterprise, and the majority proves that… and still they committed to this.

Basalirwa MP who is a supposed Human Rights Lawyer and the MP from a party named “Justice Forum” or JEEMA. Certainly, is misusing the words “justice” and “human rights”. When can inflict this damage and suffering on one minority. It just shows what his willing to do… to gain popularity and be a populist in the Republic. Making laws which justifies severe pain and plights on one group of people. By religion and by codes of faith, that lifestyle and set-of-life might be wrong, but so is having side-dishes and being sugar-daddy’s; But we are not seeing laws enacted against that… Because, then their “bastard” sons cannot become MPs one day…

So, the moral outrage and means to sufficiently enact this law is bogus. If they had trouble with immoral activity and troublesome affairs. They would have cleaned house and acted on their own sins. However, they rather vilify and go after a minor minority based on faith and “nature”. It is really compelling and really evident of what the 11^th Parliament is…

We must see if this law will be able to be accented by the President and later tested in the Courts. Just like the 2014 bill of the same sort of vibe. Whereas today the 11^th Parliament should have known better and Basalirwa MP should have been wiser too. However, he rather burn bridges, than build new ones. Peace.

Opinion: Speaker Among cannot save face…

““If there was any diversion, it is not anybody’s fault, I saw iron sheets in Bukedea, I didn’t ask for them, but I ordered that they should be given to schools innocently. I didn’t open a shop to sell them, but they were given to government schools.” Among told Parliament last month. While chairing Wednesday’s plenary, Among told Parliament that she had decided to purchase 500 iron sheets and return them to the OPM to clear her name out of accusations that she had diverted the iron sheets meant for Karamoja’s vulnerable people. “l don’t want to be accused of grabbing iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people of Karamoja.” Among said” (Samuel Muhimba – ‘Among buys 500 iron sheets for OPM to save ‘innocent’ face’ 15.03.2023, Nilepost.co.ug).

The Speaker can all “innocent” she wants to try to save face. Speaker Anita Among is amongst a “den of thieves”. They did divert funds and equipment meant for the hungry, the poor and the ones in need in the Karamoja sub-region. Instead of going where it should be… it ended up elsewhere and some of that ended up in the hands of the speaker. She is just like the rest of them.

Speaker Among can act holier than thou, but she should apologize and “carry the cross”. This is her burden to bear. She accepted the iron sheets and took them when it was done in secret. However, when the reality hit public, and the scandal was official. She wanted to clean her hands of the dirt and come clean. Nevertheless, that is not how the story goes and she cannot reimburse what she has already stolen.

A chicken thief must answer for the stolen chicken. The speaker has to answer for the iron-sheets. The chicken thief will face the penalty and the punishment for taking the chicken. The same should happen to the speaker, the ministers and everyone involved in the iron sheet scandal of Karamoja. It should happen, but I wouldn’t count on it. The difference between them and the chicken thief. Is that the Chicken Thief has no suction, no power or influence, but the thieves in this saga does…

She knows she will face no consequences and what her master knows is that she’s corruptible. Meaning that her master can wave some monies or golden tickets her way. When doing so, she will do whatever he pleases and get his way in Parliament. That’s why she will face no trouble, no legal jeopardy or even taste “justice”. No, the chicken thief will linger in prison and face severe time in prison. While the Speaker can steal and take from the state with no further consequences or ramifications to her career. No, it doesn’t cost her anything…

Speaker Among can try to save face, but it’s pointless. She still stole and took unjustifiably so. The iron sheets wasn’t hers to begin with. Just like the others who took from the “aid” to Karamoja. All of them are thieves and they should accept that. Thieving is thieving no matter how you put it. It wasn’t even that sophisticated or a strategic measure to siphon funds from government accounts either. It was just blatant theft of government property to personal use. That’s it… and the Speaker cannot be run away from that now. Peace.

Amuru Land Grab: The Legacy of Atiak Sugar Factory – Part II

“Over the past five years, more than UGX 400 billion of taxpayer money has been spent on Atiak Sugar Project. The factory has remained closed for two years, and sugarcane meant to provide raw materials are now being sold to factories outside the region. If billions of shillings sunk into the project cannot be traced, who will revive this sugarcane factory?” (NBS Television, 13.03.2023).

This story has been going on since 11^th December 2014. We are now in March 2023 and two years of closure. Meaning one year after the President Museveni commissioned the Atiak Sugar Factory on the 23^rd October 2020, the factory itself got closed during 2021 and has ceased it’s operation. If this continues onto 2024. Than it is a decade lost in the trade, lack of due diligence and governmental oversight.

This is just another development project, another government investment into a cash-crop and adding value enterprise, which has fallen in dire straits. It is just horrific that people have internally displaced, lost their plots, their livelihoods and foreign investors has grabbed their lands. It is reported up to 8,000 people has lost lands in the region to facilitate the Atiak Sugar Factory. A Sugar Factory that only exists on paper, because it isn’t producing anything.

The state has already bailed out the Horyal Investment Holdings twice before 2016 and you can wonder if it will happen again. We can wonder if the state plans to it three or four times by 2024. While we know the state is working on overtime to facilitate lands in Amuru district for the Madhvani Group. It is clear that it’s an epic failure and the locals has been hurt the most. A giant massive cash-cow for someone, but not for the general public. Neither is it helping Kilak County or Amuru district.

No, this is just a painful enterprise and a lack of planning before investing, building and even considering to operate a sugar factory. It is just a wasteland of wasted potential and lack of concern of the people who was forced to move from their homeland. It is really tragic that their losses, grievances and livelihoods got eaten up by “hot-air” and nothingness.

This just what the National Resistance Movement (NRM) does… promises to save the people and securing their future. However, they cannot even get the state owned enterprises running. This is one of them and they have “lost the plot”. I am feeling sad for everyone who lost their land and was evicted. They lost the most. The investors and the foreign dignitaries thieving the land will escape any trouble. It is the poor that takes the hardest hit and the state will offer them scraps in return. Peace.

Opinion: National Promoters Association has re-invented the POMA…

“Halima Namakula, Music Promoter: The National Promoters Association is pleased to announce that effective 13th March 2023, all promoters organizing events in the country shall have first to acquire a letter of clearance from the National Promoters Association. Halima Namakula, Music Promoter: National Promoters Association is committed to ensuring promoters comply with the new guidelines irrespective of the associations they are affiliated with” (NBS Television, 13.03.2023).

There is nothing new under the sun, but here comes the rain. It needs to rain and thunder, because this is foolishness at its best. The National Promoters Association has no law or stipulated articles in legislation, which gives them a mandate, a right or justification to block promoters or anyone from organizing events across the Republic.

The ones in-charge of the events has to comply with current legislation or laws. Which means they have to file in documentation and get vouched for by the Uganda Police Force (UPF) through the Public Order Managament Act (POMA). That law stipulates certain criteria and needs of the organizers to file in time and get a go ahead from the authorities. There is nothing in the POMA stating they need to follow the “guidelines” of the NPA. This is just a money-grab for the secretariat and the leadership of NPA. That’s all this is, because there is no law or justification to implement it. Especially, when the authorities already has rigid laws and regulations to block, stop and justify reasons for organizers to not hold events.

Therefore, today’s presser and news is just flabbergasting. It is obnoxious and outrageous that an organization is putting this in play. This is done to play second fiddle with the authorities. Just so the ones organizing events has comply with yet another institution. The NPA is now copying the POMA and acting as a silent partner of the UPF. While the UPF has a mandate and law for their operating behaviour, the NPA has nothing.

The NPA is playing an air-guitar and thinking it’s playing an awesome solo. It is just hot-air and a mess. A tragic mess and a self-created one. This is playing footsie with the authorities and their draconian laws, which are blocking assembly of people and their rights to congregate.

Seriously, someone got to give way. Because, this is rubbish and nonsense, until a lawmaker, an MP or anyone with a marble has enacted a law. Until then, there is no reason to comply with the NPA and their “guidelines”. Since they already need to beg for mercy to the UPF. Peace.

Justice Forum (JEEMA): Press Statement (13.03.2023)

Opinion: Namayanja told the sacred truth which is hidden in plain sight…

“The NRM deputy Secretary-General Rose Namayanja Nsereko has advised Adventists to join political leadership instead of leaving it to those that are perceived as unethical. “Politics is a dirty game because you the clean people avoid it. So embrace this political space to make your nation better,”Namayanja said” (Kenneth Kazibwe – ‘Politics is a dirty game because the clean ones have shunned it, says NRM’s Namayanja’ 12.03.2023, NilePost.co.ug).

It is unique that the Deputy Secretary-General of the National Resistance Movement, Rose Namayanja Nsereko was saying this yesterday in Luweero. What the politician said isn’t revolutionary or anything new. Her own master and leader said the same… it is compelling that after ruling the nation for 37 years. The same President has the same issues of his predecessors and nothing has changed.

Because, President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni said this once upon a time:

“Cleanliness in leadership is one of the rarest commodities in Uganda” (Weekly Topic June 6, 1980).

Now in 2023 and one of his underlings is saying the same. She is using her words, but practically telling what Museveni believed in 1980. It is plenty of years and water under the bridge. There been several of cabinets, MPs and leaders changed since then. The ones that Museveni was silently mentioning and calling unclean is out of office. It is now his people that is “unclean” and partaking in the “dirty” game of politics.

If the Deputy Secretary-General thought this was wise… it is sort of scoring an own-goal. We know about the scandals, the support of injustice and lack of due diligence. We know about the rampant corruption, inept governing bodies and lack of proper oversight. That is common knowledge in 2023 and it’s a system created by her boss. His Excellency and his kitchen cabinet is siphoning and ensuring the depressing state of affairs. The unclean hands and lack of procedure is his fault. The bad leadership is coming from the top. It trickles down the chain-of-command and everyone is touched by it. That’s why things never change…

The Deputy Secretary-General of NRM might mean well and is considering the people she’s speaking too. Nevertheless, it just shows where the NRM has failed. Initially, the NRM through the NRM Way and the Movement System should have eradicated a lot of “bottlenecks”, but instead it has prolonged the agony and suffering of the people. It is serving because of army and the authorities, but not because of it’s popularity. That is the gist of things and the junta government holds a strong grip over the Republic. Which is why it doesn’t evolves and it has no incentives to do so. It is earning currency on continuing the modus operandi and following the orders of the “high above”. That why we are here and have such shady individuals in power or in office. They are more concerned with their tummies, than serving the constituency or the people at large.

So, the D-SG might be right, but she is telling a secret hidden in plain sight. People know this and Museveni spoke about it back in the 1980s. Now the same trouble is haunting him and everyone sees it. This time… it’s all his fault and he built this system. His party and NRM CEC have vouched for it and created this style of governance. That’s why we are here and all the hands are dirty. Peace.

Opinion: Muhoozi can’t even save himself…

There is a supposed momentum, a rise of power and prestige surrounding the son of the President. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga. Whatever it is… it is artificial, fake and a fraud. It isn’t real. Just like his speeches, bought T-Shirts and MK Army/Movement.

It is a house built on sand and the ocean-waves will take it all away. Muhoozi hasn’t built a strong foundation or anything. No, it is faked and manufactured, but he doesn’t know better. He might think this is wise and brilliant. His yes men are proclaiming his brilliance and leadership, but we all know its isn’t genuine.

Muhoozi is only mentioned because of his relations. He wouldn’t be in the spotlight or mattered, if he was a son of a rollex-maker or a boda-boda driver. Heck, he wouldn’t have the ability to rise through the ranks, if his father was a professor at Makerere University or NRA historical. No, it wouldn’t matter and the ambition would have fallen flat.

However, the gig stays the gig. The ones playing the violins will play the music and the dancers will shake their bodies. Nevertheless, the General might think it is legit. He might buy into the charade and be a useful idiot. Though everyone else can see the lie and it’s happening right in front of their eyes.

Muhoozi can act like his playing the game, but its a house of cards. Just waiting for the moment of weakness, a shortness of breathe or hesitation… which in the ends takes the house down. That’s how this will end.

“Project Muhoozi” isn’t built on the truth. Muhoozi isn’t popular through grassroot organizations or by popular demand. No, his not a tidal-wave or a the new rising sun. He is the relic of the past before he even speaks. His a memory of the old and a stain of the current regime. They can sell him has “youthful” and “next generation” but his really just a lesser relatable or charismatic than his father.

The General lacks finesse, charisma or even an ideology to sell. His just posturing and being braggadocios. Muhoozi has no story to sell or pledges to make a difference. The General is only there out of entitlement and expectation. However, his not there out of need or because he got a say.

Muhoozi is an empty vessel and a publicity stunt. That’s why he needs a strong team to sell him. Since he got nothing that resembles a beloved character or a political framework worth damn. The General is an empty bottle and there is no juice. There is no soda or brew to taste. Just a bottle with a label and a title. Nothing substantial or worth to pick up. Who picks up an empty bottle? When you can have a soda or a beer….

The General is a waste of time. The son of the father and a loser he is. Kabobi has shown how this is done. Besigye have shown how this is done. Muhoozi got nothing on them. The avenger and soldier of old will not regain or collect tokens that matters. He will only be in the conservation, because of the father. It is sad… but nobody will cry for the man. Except for the sorry individuals who are working tirelessly to make the man feasible. They have an unforgiving job and have to create propaganda to make him likeable. That’s the tragedy here and some naive fellows will buy into it, but they will regret ever doing so. Since, they will see the brute and the nonchalant man he really is… but by then it will be too late.

Muhoozi won’t win hearts, but he will crush the opposition. The General will not send a message, but he will mute the ones who does. That’s the only way he can succeed. He don’t have the character or the personality to do it any other way. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee have called you sleepy and now your lazy…

“…but we at the equator, we have two rainy seasons that is why these Ugandans are lazy because life is very easy for them. You don’t have to work very hard. Even a fool can survive in Uganda” – President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni (28.02.2023).

A man who has been the ruler for close to 40 years. A man who has held vital positions since the later 1970s and who took power in 1986 is displeased with the citizens. The same man who rebelled, started a war and later coup d’etat to take everything. This guy is speaking ill of the citizens. A man who has had his time and ability to change things, but reluctantly done so…

President Museveni cannot rest, cannot breathe or live properly. Especially, the way he coordinates himself. He must be afraid of his own shadow or any possible illness. His trying to act larger than life but falls flat quickly. All the empty promises and pledges. All the stories of old and supposed development isn’t worth the cost.

Yoweri should have been a retired old man on the farm. He should overlook the cattle and the yields of his labour. Instead, his preoccupied and prolonging the agony in office. The results and the achievements aren’t getting any better. His records is abysmal and certainly getting into a defunct status and where everything is up for grabs. If it can be stolen or cannot be schemed, it will not happen. The system he has created is rotten to its core and the main benefactor of it all. That’s why his complaining, because he could have built something better, but he was more focused on the short-cons, than the long-cons. Therefore, his is bitte and blaming the citizens. The same citizens he has hoodwinked and kept in fear for so long. Those are the ones that his now diminishing abroad.

No one should be shocked by him saying this. Only in 2020 he twice said the population needed to wake up. He called at one point that 68% of the population was sleeping. It is not like he hasn’t offended the people before or said they are not working hard enough. That’s one of the things that is a feature of his reign.

This is just who Museveni is and has been. He just got to tarnish and arrogantly strike at his own. Yoweri just got to be braggadocios and boosting his own ego, while brushing of the people of the Republic. That’s just what he does and it’s one of his sticks. While he can rob, steal and intimidate on a regular basis. It is just what he does and his proud of it too.

Sometimes it is just like he hasn’t been in office or seen what his efforts are doing. Because, why work hard or sacrifice a lot. It is just like he goes into a renegade mode or a opposition mode. When we all know he has had the time and the ability to make difference. One of the men of this earth who has had the power and the resources to implement changes. However, that hasn’t happened, because he was lazy and greedy. He rather eats of the plate of others, than share and contribute to the betterment of society. That’s why his bitching now and maybe in regret because he could have been so much more prosperous, if the Republic had invested time and energy on long term plans, and not short-term profitable schemes. Peace.