Opinion: Nandutu has become a tale of self-destruction…

The well-known journalist and cum-politician, Agnes Nandutu isn’t someone that we would think become the centrepiece of stories, but that’s where we are. Her actions since 2020 has been spectacular and the fall been massive.

She went into the Primaries of the National Resistance Movement as a new flag-bearer and up-coming MP. Nevertheless, inside the NRM they wanted another person to represent the constituency. Alas, she defied the orders of the State House and the President and ran as an Independent candidate for Womans MP for the same Bududa district. In the General Election of 2021 she won the seat and was elected into the 11th Parliament on her first try.

That’s sound like a journey of failure and victory. She was resilient and NRM leaning. That’s why it was natural that the President could appoint her to Higher Offices. So after the elections and with a new cabinet in 2021, she was appointed to the role of Minister of State, Office of Karamoja. By this time it seemed like the sky was the limit.

The former journalist had within a short amount of time became both MP and a Minister. That’s a jump and created a prominent space in the Republic. This is what could have been a trip from the sarcastic remarks of “Point Blank” unto the role of a Minister. Everyone isn’t built for that and it’s proven she wasn’t prepared for what was coming.

Nandutu went into hot-water. The state was already using weapons and having operations of the army in Karamoja. There was questionable activity and lack of service delivery in the Karamoja sub-region. She couldn’t take that and the hunger of the region was also hurting her pride. As she was supposed to be glorified and celebrated for her rise to power.

Now in 2024, she has gotten sanctions from both the United Kingdom and United States of America. That’s all for participating in the thievery of iron-sheets destined for the Karamoja sub-region, which she was a minister over. She destroyed her reputation, career and her name over petty thieving.

Nandutu has lost her Ministry and lost her name. She is forever implicated in the graft and the corruption, which resided in her ministry. That’s why she cannot travel or be capable of residing in these nations. It must cost to see herself and her name in big letters in notifications of foreign government entities. That they are mentioning you and your actions. This got to sting your pride and lose your cool.

I’m sure she is okay with the earnings as an MP. That must be better than what she earned as a journalist. The “Point Blank” era will forever linger and the choices after is just abysmal. Nandutu cannot save herself or her grace.

The former Minister and journalist cannot revive her name. The iron-sheets and the misuse of office will follow her for life. She is known for this now. Just like others are known for Santana’s and GAVI-funds. Nandutu will be known for participating in taking mabaati without proper justification.

This is who Nandutu is and it won’t be forgotten. The U.S. and UK is even agreeing in their actions. They are designating the same sort of actions and it shows that they are going after the culprits. It is telling that it is happening from afar and not from the Courts of Kampala. No, it has to be foreign entities who keeps the high ranking officials accountable. Because, the President and his allies won’t… Peace.

Opinion: The Butcher of Kasese is finally sanctioned…

“Additionally, Peter Elwelu, former Deputy Chief of the Ugandan Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), is designated due to his involvement in gross violations of human rights.  Specifically, Peter Elwelu was involved, while commanding UPDF forces, in extrajudicial killings that were committed by members of the UPDF.  As a result of these actions, the designated Ugandan officials are generally ineligible for entry into the United States” (U.S. Department of State – ‘Designation of Ugandan Public Officials’ 30.05.2024).

Days and nights has gone without any sort of condemnation or any sort punitive action against the army commander who took part and was essential to the destruction and massacre in Kasese in 2016. A man who has gotten promoted, elevated and become an instrument of the government.

That’s who Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu is, he is now an UPDF MP and Senior Presidential Advisor. He has gotten higher ranks and become a voice within the government. That is all because of his loyalty and acts for the authorities. The army commander was willing to kill, destroy and annihilate if he needed. That’s why he burned the Royal Palace in Kasese and ordered the killing of anyone who was there. Therefore, the amounts of death and the massive massacre will forever linger on his name.

Lt. Gen. Elwelu is a bloodthirsty man. It is well deserved that his designated with sanctions by the U.S. The others that was sanctioned today was high ranking officials in connections to the Mabaati scandal. However, I want to focus on Elwelu, as he has usually tended to get promoted and positive vibes. Even when he has used force and been a vile human being.

It is nice to see Lt. Gen. Elwelu getting sanctioned, but will it matter? Would he travel and visit the United States of America?

It is a nice sign and a signal to send. Nevertheless, who ordered the killings and the massacre itself? Not like Lt. Gen. Elwelu acted in a vacuum and did it all on his own. There was someone above him and who outranked him to give him the “word”. Therefore, I wonder if there is someone else who should be touched for the same vicious acts in Kasese.

Yes, it is nice to see the U.S. government act upon the human rights violations and crimes against humanity, but why aren’t it encircling anyone who took part of the Kasese massacre and burning of the Royal Palace? Why only him and not the men above him? Because there have to others who ordered and knew.

I don’t think Brig. Elwelu at the time acted alone and on a solo-mission in Kasese. He wouldn’t be powerful enough or have enough sway to do so. Then he would have suffered. However, he did deliver and became synonyms with the murders of Kasese. That will be who he is and define him for life.

That the U.S. has sanctioned him… is fine and dandy, but will they do that to more people who was a part and who was as vital as Brig. Elwelu…. Peace.

Opinion: The NUP dismisses the DP Bloc(k)…

“Yesterday while busy with important work in Mukono, our attention was drawn to a press conference convened by a group of persons calling themselves DP- Bloc, claiming to end their co-operation with NUP. For the record NUP doesn’t and has never had any co-operation with the said group or the individuals at the said event. It follows therefore that you cannot end a non-existent co-operation. You cannot purport to get out of a non-existent marriage. People who joined NUP did so as individuals and received membership cards. Some of them ceased to be members when they ran for election as independents or under other political parties. The claims as well as the attention seeking persons in question should be ignored and treated with the contempt they deserve” (National Unity Platform, 30.05.2024).

The DP Block or DP Bloc lead by Lubega Mukaaku and Michael Mabikke are now under fire. They called “wolf” and acted like it had a case yesterday as it went after the National Unity Platform (NUP). Today the NUP dismissed it completely.

The NUP shows that there was no formal agreement to begin with. We know Bobi Wine participated and hold a speech at the DP block back-in-the-day, but there was no paperwork or release of agreement between the organizations. Therefore, it is most likely a figment of imagination and the DP block using it now to gain focus on themselves.

It is just funny that I thought nobody would care about the DP Bloc(k) yesterday, as they were disassociating themselves from the NUP. They were playing in figment of their own imaginations. That is really a telling story…

The leaders of the DP Bloc(k) is just showing their epic failure. They have maybe been on the NUP ticket or part of the People Power Movement as a way of trying to get a meal-ticket or get elected in 2021. Nevertheless, for these two gentlemen… that didn’t work, and they didn’t succeed. Therefore, they have to find other ways to get elected in and become relevant.

Maybe they hope to throw dirt on the NUP will gain traction enough to be noticed by State House employees. So, they can get appointed and get an office by the President. They want to be “useful” and be relevant. However, they aren’t winning hearts with the forged narratives.

These two gentlemen are only undermining themselves and looking like fools. That’s maybe not their intention, but how it looks like from afar. Peace.

Opinion: Among is getting tested…

I have always said that I have a permanent passport to Bukedea and Buyende district. I don’t need a visa. So, honorable members, you need to be very firm and fight for your position. Just imagine it is your kid who is being sodomized. I have interacted [with some officials] and we have gotten to know what the sanctions are about. At an appropriate time, the Head of State will also respond to it because it is an indictment on the Parliament of Uganda” (…) “These sanctions are politically-motivated. I am carrying a cross for the 48 million Ugandans because of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill we passed in this House. This may not be the only ban. Another one will come in the pretext of corruption and [many] others but we serve a living God. We will always not allow bum shafters in Uganda” – Speaker Anita Among (03.05.2024)

There is always a test and political leverage at stake. Speaker Anita Among has been lucky and able to gain lots of capital and wealth over a short amount of time. She is living a lavish lifestyle and serving the regime on her own accord.

 

Now a leaked letter shows that the Speaker is tested by the President. Museveni is now asking if she owns a certain property in London, United Kingdom. This comes after the British Government sanctioned the speaker over corruption. She herself and her publicity team claims it is “LGBTQ” reasons for this, but that hasn’t been proven by anyone.

Alas, the property in London is now questioned. The idea that she has spent her ill-gotten wealth on investing in the United Kingdom. A place where the Speaker doesn’t even have a cat. Now the Head of State has responded, but also is addressing her directly. That means the “flat” or property in London is a contested entity.

Now the powerful speaker has to speak out and address the allegation. This is checking and balancing act for the speaker. As she has to follow the codes and the ideals of the Head of State. She is serving him and knows what she has to do. This cannot be played in the papers or on social media. No, this has to be directly answered and with evidence.

President Museveni wants the truth and honest fact in the matter. It isn’t a good look to have a high ranking official sanctioned. Neither is it helpful to the cause that she has a connection or an option of a house or a flat in London. That means she might had a a plan or a vision for exile or immigrate to the United Kingdom in the future. You don’t know property or a flat without plans of using it.

Yes, she has the mansion and posh vehicles in Uganda. Nevertheless, who doesn’t want the NHS and other government services that the United Kingdom has to offer. Who wouldn’t right?

The social media response from the Speaker is telling: “Indeed, like the known principle of natural justice recognized in most jurisdictions of the Commonwealth (including Britain), the one who alleges must prove. Since the UK government claims I own property, it should be prudent of them to state which property I own as Anita Annet Among. Forgery should be the least the world can expect from them. I am sure this is the answer my President, our government, and myself want from them. Nothing else. The alleged house plot, Flat 4, Silk House, 7 Waterden Road, London, E20 3AL, United Kingdom, which they informed the President is owned by myself, surely has an owner who is registered in their own system (the UK Government), and this owner, as per their own record, is not Anita Among” (Anita Among, 29.05.2024).

It is hard to believe at this point. The President wouldn’t write a letter with a significant address in London without any intelligence or sort of evidence of his own. The Speaker trying to get public confidence, but what she does need is the trust of the President. Peace.

Opinion: Does anyone care about the DP Block?

“A team of DP block members led by Lubega Mukaaku and Micheal Mabikke have decided to end their cooperation with NUP. In their press conference held today in Kampala, the bloc members cited incompetence of the NUP leadership to push the struggle to the next level” (Spectre Media, 29.05.2024).

It is weird writing this… because I feel I am touching on a nothing burger. This is whole bunch of nothing. People trying to create controversy and destroy the National Unity Platform (NUP). I think that’s the plan but have doubt I about it.

The NUP and the People Power Movement spawned a lot of people’s careers ahead of the 2021 General Elections. Ever since the red wave and the openness of Bobi Wine to other people to join his cause. Has there been plenty of journeymen and people who sought a meal-ticket on his behalf.

The DP Block came as a force to try to get the People Power and the NUP under the wings of the Democratic Party in some ways. That’s why Mao felt betrayed and been vocal dissent against Bobi Wine. We have seen that and the end of the cooperation between the DP Block and NUP was bound to happen.

The DP Block doesn’t have the same sway or even crowds for that matter. They are not aligned and the leaders of the DP Block shows that. This is done at the time when the NUP is mobilizing it’s base and going out to a meet the public across the nation.

Just like the Eastern Revolutionary Platform (ERP) was created yesterday. This move is in the same fashion. People who has associated themselves with the NUP and People Power are going out on their own. They where maybe not so invested or in the struggle for the same thing. These people might thought it was an easy avenue to get to the meal-ticket. Therefore, they have to create other parties or platforms to be relevant now.

The DP Block can re-invent themselves and find new allies. Nevertheless, Lubega or Mabikke had briefcase parties and was irrelevant. The DP Block gave them a space and the NUP put more spotlight on them. However, they apparently never got the power or prestige that they sought after. That’s why these brothers are seeking other ways now.

No matter what Bobi Wine or the NUP had done. These people would never be satisfied. That’s the gist of this. The DP Block leadership wants to be heroes and lead people to salvation. Nevertheless, they aren’t seeking the remedy or the stories that could lead them into a better place. Peace.

 

Eastern Revolutionary Platform (ERP): Launching document (28.05.2024)

Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU): Frank Gashumba’s letter to Hon. Mawanda – “Re: My Tweet that has caused a Storm was Addressed to all Security Chiefs not Chairman PLU (28.05.2024)

Opinion: The censure motion is showing the true colour of the NRM…

The corruption in Parliament has become unbearable, for some of us who have seen some hidden documents, if you look at them, you wonder who is the clerk to Parliament who is giving out money in a wasteful manner with no details on what that money is going to do. I am asking all MPs who haven’t signed the censure motion to hurry up and if they don’t, I want to ask Ugandans to vote them out if they return asking for votes because they will be useless, and their actions would indicate that they support corruption” (…) “There are people who have been acting as saints like Mpuuga, I wasn’t accused of any corruption (during her censure) but he came out saying we want to sanitize Parliament and we want integrity, but I am not seeing his sainthood. We don’t want this process to be interfered with religious or traditional leaders, we can’t hold negotiations over corruption. Our party NRM is losing support due to corruption, so as me who is against corruption and wish to continue seeing my party in power, I have appended my signature to the censure motion” – Persis Namuganza (28.05.2024)

We have seen how the Censure Motion against the Parliamentary Commissioners are taking affect on the 11th Parliament. Today we see yet another high profiled Minister, Princess Persis Namuganza, the State Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. She is speaking her mind to the press, but telling some truths at the same time.

We have discussed the open corruption in the den of thieves, which is the Parliament. The Parliament Exhibition showed the darkness and grim face of the national assembly, as the Representatives, the MPs and Ministers are all dining on the expenses of the citizens. They are finding their ways of eating of the plate of others and don’t mind the cost.

Namuganza MP is speaking facts, which we have seen coming. The reports of the back-door dealing and wheeler-dealer enterprise to pay for voting for certain things in the plenary sessions. As money is moving hands and even have rendezvous spots for pick-up of envelopes with millions of shillings for services rendered. Therefore, there is something up and the Minister knows this as well.

No one shocked and in awe of the lack of transparency and accountability of the Parliament. As they don’t want the truth out or who is earning fortunes on being MPs. They have already perks, bonuses and salaries citizens can only dream off. The easy access to wealth…. And riches by just representing a constituency. That’s all you need and who wouldn’t like to sign off.

Namuganza MP knows the game she’s playing. This is an easy way of getting positive vibes. Sounding righteous and ready to face the music. That’s what she is doing, but we know the NRM won’t fight corruption sincerely. They will only do so…. With a few fall-guys and people who take a charge for the cause. They will not fight it totally or anything. Because, that would take away the leverage and ways of the President to have people under his spell.

The NRM will not end corruption, as it thrives on it and keeps itself in office that way. The censure motion only is a game for the public. It is to look like it cares, but the scandals and misuse of state reserves will continue. The heist and the looting will not cease to exist. That isn’t feasible for the elite or the ones in direct association with the State House. Therefore, it is all big talk, but no action.

It is a lot of “hot air” and nothing supporting the act. The signature is fine, but if she wanted to fight corruption. She should use the Plenary Session and bring wrath upon the ones she knows misuses their offices. However, that will not happen and we all know it. Peace.

Opinion: We have seen the Kisozi model before…

How can the Kisozi model be up-scaled to the whole country? Very easy. Every parish in the country is now getting Ushs. 100 million per parish. The soft loans are Ushs. 1 million per one person or homestead. Ushs 1million is able to give you 450 seedlings of coffee to plant in one acre and 50 seedlings of mangoes to plant in one acre. All this progress is before we add other elements, such as irrigation. Production and earnings, will go through the roof” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – ‘Kisozi Cabinet Meeting, 24.05.2024)

You can wonder how many times President Museveni has to re-invent the same scheme. It must be boring to re-invent and do the same thing over and over again… expecting a different result as well. That’s insanity, as the President expects a different results when he does the same thing over and over again.

That the President says it is “Very easy” is a blatant lie. The President has tried the seedlings, the micro-finance schemes and others, which haven’t created massive development. Museveni has since the 1990s issued various of schemes without any luck. The citizens haven’t gotten out of poverty or since proper changes in the era of National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The NRM have as a government offered both micro-financing schemes and direct agricultural support mechanisms, which haven’t been sufficiently institutionalized or even prepared for the needs of the citizens or the farmers themselves. That’s why the NAADs, SACCOs, OWC and Emyooga haven’t delivered the fruits. They have been spoilt and only been short-con ahead of the polls and created to gain popularity ahead of elections. Therefore, NRM are only showing up when they need people to tick them on the ballots. After that the whole thing falls like a house of cards.

That’s why hearing the “Kisozi model” is very easily to upscale for the whole country. I beg to differ, as the logistical bottleneck, the lack of institutions and the lack of procedures will be default issues that will destroy any sort of progress in this matter. The state doesn’t have the mechanisms or the machinery to pull it off. They have tried with the PDM, OWC and Emooya. They have proven they don’t have it in them or have the will to do so.

President Museveni can say it is easy and should have been easy. The State should have experience and knowledge of doing so. Nevertheless, we have only seen failure and misuse of office along the way. The state and ministries doesn’t have the capacity of the financial backing to do so. Neither does it has the idea or the plans to make it happen. It looks brilliant on paper, but we know it doesn’t have it or can achieve it.

The dream will become a nightmare. Yes, the public and citizens deserves proper government services. The farmers and the citizens deserves to be helped and get government subsidies to enrich their produce. However, we know it is futile and lacklustre. The state cannot finance or fix the issue. Especially, when it has failed in this manner time and time again. I wish it was differently, but all public reports on these mechanisms or schemes proves my argument.

President Museveni can lie… and say it is “very easy” but we know the truth. If it had been that easy. The NAADs and SACCOs would have solved this. The Emyooga and OWC would have done the trick. However, neither has and we know the drill.

The Kisozi model is nice for propaganda and beautiful pictures, but as an agricultural mechanism or support system. I don’t think it cut it. We have seen this sort of thing before and it only ends up in tears. Peace.

Patriotic League of Uganda letter to Frank Gashumba: “Re: Disciplinary Hearing” (27.05.2024)