Obusinga wa Rwenzururu has returned, but the ones lost isn’t forgotten about just yet…

After close to seven years of no occupancy, the once glamorous palace of the Obusinga wa Rwenzururu lies in ruins. Overgrown grass and dilapidated structures are what Charles Wesley Mumbere found when he returned to his kingdom” (NBS Television, 04.10.2023).

The day of the 27th November 2016 will not be lost on us. As the mass-graves was hastily built and the people who killed was buried. The Buhikira Royal Palace was burned down, while Royal Guards and others was killed. As the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Special Forces Command (SFC) had “shoot to kill” orders, as they where trailing the “Kirumamutima” aka “The Strong Hearted” and even the ones that was supposed to work for the “Yiira Republic”. Which all has ceased and never heard of since the day of the massacre in Kasese.

The culprits and the ones in-charge on that lethal day has been living lavish. They have gotten promoted and gotten into good graces with the government. While the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu and 217 others was kept behind bars for years. They were all charged with serious offences and blocked from being on bond. Some died behind bars as the years went on from 2016… and that just show the sinister side of all this. People didn’t just die on that one day, but other victims happened later as a consequence of the brutality of the state.

That’s why it is hard to celebrate today. I see the pictures and the crowds celebrating the Kings return to Kasese. That’s all long overdue and the charges pinned on him was all “political”. It was done to undermine the Rwenzururu and the Rwenzori sub-region, which has for the most part voted for the opposition of late. Therefore, to take down the King would be a fitting message from the authorities.

They used a “terrorist” threat and “insurgency” as a way of masking their own interests in Kasese. That’s who defended their atrocities and massive murder spree. The November Day in 2016 will be forever marked in memory. As the burning palace and the knowledge of a massacre went down, which have never gotten rectified. There been no honest investigation or arrests of the ones who ordered it. That’s because this was accepted and done so from the top. The victims became the “culprits” and the “criminals” while the actual ones are left off the hook. That’s the double tragedy here…

That’s why it’s not strange that the King comes back to a destroyed court. His palace is gone and whatever that remains is only a faded memory. As he has been years in exile and in prison. Him and his fellow guards all suffered. Not only the lives of loved ones, but also loss of ordinary life. They couldn’t return or rebuild. These people was stuck in prison and couldn’t fix things again. The victims couldn’t mourn or even try to grief. They were in a legal jeopardy and seemingly there was no return in sight.

We know the Generals involved will not be touched. They are above it all and so is anyone else. Therefore, a real investigation could only happen after a transition of power and possible new leadership of the Republic. Because, the current one doesn’t targets its own and the ones loyal to its causes. That’s why we know the ones behind Kasese massacre of 2016 gets away with it. Not because its righteous or fair. No, because of titles and statures within the regime.

A regime that don’t mind the killing, murder or massacre to stay in power. It sent a signal and a region was hurt. A region that is still hurting and without answers. They deserve it, but will not get it currently. That would undermine the powerful ones today and the ones who wants to be in power tomorrow. Peace.

Opinion: The Ministry needs fresh funding for handwashing exercises…

UPDATE: The Ministry of Water and Environment needs about UGX5.6 billion to promote handwashing across Uganda” (91.2 Crooze FM, 02.10.2023).

Since 2007 the Ministry of Water and Environment have had the Hand Washing Comunication Strategy, which as been implemented by the National Hand washing steering Committee (HWSC) and the National Sanitation Working Group (NSWG).While the Hand Washing Secretariat has been hosted by the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation. Therefore, what the Ministry is asking for isn’t new, but begs to question the idea for it, right?

It is only days ago that the same Ministry had a Conference at Hotel Africana to hold “National Dialogue on Scaling Handwashing with soap across the Country “. That was the message given on social media on the 28th September 2023. So, it is mere days after the Ministry wanted help by stakeholders to make a road-map for this.

While the same Ministry has together with another stakeholder done this before. The PDFs are online and accessible. The training material and whatnot is already there and possibly only a decade old. As some of the statistics stops in 2012 in the “Hand Washing With Soap (HWWS) – Communication Strategy & Communication Toolkit”. Therefore, if the Ministry has any bright minds. They can just re-issue this and use their civil servants across the Republic to implement a new drive. That shouldn’t be costly when the Ministry already has done this before and has also studied the effects of it.

The Ministry even as a part fo the HWWS Communication Strategy had a Behavior Change Communication (BCC) campaign, meaning they have done all of this before and know how it is done. That’s why it shouldn’t cost that much and be so expensive to do so. Unless, they hope the Dutch or someone else can foot the bill. Because, that’s what the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is used too…

That’s how I see this one slide. The Ministry has finally found out that the donors aren’t running to their aide. Maybe the Dutch is reluctant after the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF) closure and this was a part of it. Another Ministry and another government entity hit by the downfall of DGF. Because, the donors wants strings attached to their money and that’s because they need to explain “value for money” to their citizens who is paying for these donations. Therefore, the NRM and Museveni has shoot itself in the foot here.

It is just amazing that the Ministry begs for the Money now. When they have all the knowledge and wits at its disposal. They should easily and cheaply be able to re-energize the old lectures or even achieved the material. There should be some old merchandize and others things that could be useful too. Since it is doing the same thing all over again and you don’t need to re-invent the wheel to get there. Peace.

Opinion: Nabbanja and Kasule Lumumba doesn’t do squat anyway…

With the ongoing wrangles between PM Robinah Nabbanja and her junior Minister Kasule Lumumba, over travel privileges to the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, there are fears that such wrangles could affect service delivery to needy citizens. Policy analysts and politicians are concerned that Ministers are wasting a lot of time in wrangles rather than pushing for development programs, simply because they don’t understand their roles” (NBS Television, 01.10.2023).

This here is much to ado about nothing. The Prime Minister Nabbanja and Minister of General Duties (Office of the Prime Miniser) Kasule Lumumba aren’t known for service delivery or delivering on government policies. No, these two are busy bodies and there are plenty more in the cabinet.

The Prime Minster should just chill. She’s not there because she’s clever or witty. Neither is she there for her class, ability to govern or to delegate. The PM isn’t even there because of her organization skills or ability to galvanize the other Ministers. No, she is there as a pawn and a usable asset for the President. A person who is a “yes-man” and someone who can be directed and will follow orders. It is that simple and that’s how she gets her salary.

In regard to the former Secretary General of NRM, Justine Kasule Lumumba who knows what she does as the “Minster of General Duties”. She is just appointed and never really been heard of since. Not that it matters. She had a more prominent role as the SG after Amama Mbabazi. Now she is a shell of existence and I cannot remember the last time I ever referenced her either. That’s because the office she’s occupying is a duplication and pointless.

So, when policy analysts and politicians are worried about these two. Well, I don’t get it. They are not there to perform anyway. These two ladies are there to fill a void and look like the government have everything in order. Not like they have to turn up or even do something substantial. That’s for the civil servants and whoever is working in the Office of the Prime Minister. The PM herself can read pre-made speeches and act holier than thou in public. While the General Duties can do her “general duties” whatever that means…

I think nothing was lost with the travels in regards to work or the Office’s these ministers has. It is sad to say, but these lavish expenses aren’t going anywhere. This is a system and modus operandi that the President has created. The bickering back and fourth is only showing how little they know or how ready they are to serve. Neither is it showing brilliance either.

The Prime Minister is lucky to be it and the Minister of General Duties is the same. They have gotten plum-jobs and easy commitments. These two doesn’t have to fear anything and someone else will collect the hardship. Their posts are easy and can get off the hook. They can act a fool and still have a pay-day. Therefore, it would be better to remain silent, show up on stage when needed be and be humble for once. However, that’s just too much to ask.

These two wasn’t appointed to revolutionize or even develop the nation. These two was appointed to entertain the masses and overlook the failure of the government. The PM is useless and couldn’t manage a restaurant of Kampala Road. The Minister of General Duties was able to handle the Secretary General position, but it wasn’t without unnecessary controversy. Therefore, these two are lucky to have these offices. They should pray to the almighty and hope Museveni continues to bless them. Because, that’s the only reason why they are there.

Nothing has been lost, especially when there was nothing to win to begin with. Peace.

Opinion: It’s now time for Speaker Among to beg Zaake MP for forgiveness…

Update: The Constitutional Court has quashed a resolution by Parliament to suspend Mityana Municipality MP, Francis Zaake, from the position of parliamentary commissioner. This decision comes after the court ruled that several parliamentary rules of procedure were illegally suspended. These suspensions included amending the order paper to include a resolution to expel Zaake from the commission” (NTV Uganda, 28.09.2023).

UPDATE: Court has rejected Speaker Anita Among’s decision to remove Mityana municipality MP, Francis Zaake as a commissioner on grounds that she offended the rules of natural justice and had no quorum in Parliament.” (UBC Uganda, 28.09.2023).

In March last year the Speaker and the Parliament itself removed Francis Zaake MP as the Parliamentary Commissioner. That was done in a vendetta against the opposition MP whose a staunch ally of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. It isn’t the first time his targeted and won’t be his last, as long as his an elected official in the National Assembly.

I’m not shocked to hear today that the Parliament and the Speaker didn’t follow protocol in concern to the removal of Zaake MP. That was done out of spite and with haste. Just to send a message and show the Opposition who was boss. It wasn’t done out of righteousness or within the rules of the Parliament. No, just a public disregard of the rules of engagement, which is ironic… when the Speaker is supposed to adhere to those and ensure the plenary session are going down accordingly. Alas, that wasn’t the case.

So, 17 months after the act and Zaake MP is vindicated. His not re-instated or gotten back his office. No, his still in the dark and without a way to turn. The Constitutional Court has taken his side and his argument won the court case. However, the Parliament and Speaker will take this slow. They will digest this one and I don’t expect them to rectify their mistake.

Even if the Speaker should send him a letter and have a session where she asks for his forgiveness. That would have been in order after how it went down. She should humble herself and beg for mercy. Because she wronged this man and didn’t act like she should. That’s why he was kicked out and it just shows how tarnished the 11th Parliament is. When someone can act like this and get away with it.

The Speaker has a job to do and especially if she wants to be honourable. Not only in her title, but in her actions. That’s all up to her. We know the verdict and I don’t expect the gentlemen of the House or the Speakers to re-instate him. Yes, on paper he should be there, but knowing how things are. Well, I wouldn’t put it past the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker to let this one slide. They will put forward other business and hope nobody notice. That’s how they roll and they are not people who can take it on the chin. It is beneath them and only others are to comply with their reasoning.

That’s why even in victory Zaake MP haven’t won. Yes, he did it in Court, but the Parliament is still the same. The same people who impeached him and took is office is still there. The Speaker who was vindictive and who acted out spite is there. She will not relent and doesn’t have the moral backbone to reconfigure things. Even when she’s in the wrong. That is not in her character or her modus operandi.

Speaker Among will act like the Supreme Leader and the Wise One. Even when it is not true. She will act like the most powerful one, but she’s not. That’s just how she acts and how she operates as Speaker. Instead of serving, she’s is ordering people around expecting them to obey. However, she will not comply to this Court Order. No, that’s not happening….

She should go to the Office of Zaake MP and ask for forgiveness too. Nevertheless, we know that will never happen in a million years. There will be earthquakes, Biblical plagues and other misgivings before that happens. Peace.

Opinion: AFCON 2027 will be a “bonanza” like CHOGM in Kampala

I received good news that our joint bid with Kenya and Tanzania to host the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 2027 was successful. I thank the organizers for putting up a good case for East Africa. This will promote our countries and positively impact our economies, especially the tourism sector” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 27.09.2023).

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was held in Kampala back in 2007. Ever since then there was massive scandals with procurement and the monies spent on it. The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 is a new avenue which the current regime can use for the same purposes.

Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) and Confederation of African Football (CAF) are the two organizations that will be responsible for the football in Uganda. While this is a joint bid with Tanzania and Kenya. However, I will solely discuss the narratives and possible junctions that affects Kampala especially. Nairobi and Dodoma will have their own issues and stories, which are interesting in itself, but I cannot dig into everything at once.

That’s why with the knowledge of FUFA and CAF they now have to coordinate with the Government of Uganda (GoU). This means that the Wife of the President will be involved, Janet Museveni. As well as other handlers of the state. Meaning President Museveni will have a say and we know Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga too, as he wants to promote sports for the youths. That is sort of his side-gig as a Senior Presidential Advisor and Presidential Candidate through the “MK Movement”. Alas, here is the problem already… and a family affair out of the gate.

We know that Janet has praised anything good on the sports sides of things, but she have never offered any papers, policies or documents of that nature in Parliament. She has never been tested or questioned by Members of Parliament either. Not in the latter years and her portfolio hasn’t been properly tested even.

The fall guy for the government isn’t Janet. No she is safe regardless because of her bedmate. However, the other Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang can easily get the axe. He has got to get the Namboole Stadium ready and possibly others too. In the joint bid there had to several of stadiums promised and also other measures to ensure not only safety, logistics and public transports for fans. Meaning the Minister and FUFA have to move fast. These things aren’t moving quickly and with that in mind.

The time aspect and the possibilities of shady inside dealings. There will be wheeler-dealers, quick-fixes and troublemakers. There will be people within the NRM and the First Family who wants their cut. The Kitchen Cabinet will be ready to find their venue and get pocketed. That’s what they do and this a perfect enterprise. As CAF and FUFA needs it ready and the NRM will arrange the matter. The costs will sky-rocket and there will be “missing funds”. Alas, CHOGM Money scandals and other epic stories.

We have Yoweri, Janet, Muhoozi and others who wants their piece of the pie. There are so much money suddenly and a bonanza of tenders. This will make Dott Services look like pocket-change. There will be vehicles, buses, food and construction tenders, which all have to honoured and services rendered. It is just a massive load and bottlenecks will come quickly. The GoU and the stakeholders suddenly have to fix things and they need to do so in stipulated time. Because, AFCON 2027 will happen and they have to comply. Meaning they cannot postpone and make it a forever project like the Northern Bypass or other prolonged “development” projects the state currently has. No, this has to made in short time-frame. That will cost, but also open up lots of opportunities.

This is a heaven for the ones looting and in need for a quick buck. They can just await the money-train and the allocated funds to make the nation operational and ready for the competition. It is also a golden opportunity to make the Republic shine and look extra good. The AFCON 2027 can be a winning stroke of genius, but can also be a heist. A perfect heist and a winning lottery for the insiders or members of the Kitchen Cabinet. There is certainly now enough funds to go by and now they eat. Peace.

Democratic Party (DP): DP to Challenge the High Court Ruling in a Case filed by a Disqualified Candidate for Secretary General (26.09.2023)

Opinion: Mao was the NBS Frontline “President” and not the DP….

This is to inform all DP members and the public at large that according to Justice Philip Odoki’s judgement in his order No.2, DP’s pre-prepared NEC in Gulu in 2020 is illegal, this means there is no NEC right now.. This is a very good development members opposed to Mao’ CA” (Democratic Party, 26.09.2023).

Time is a wasting. Norbert Mao who has been in-charge of the Democratic Party since 2010 and in his third term he should know the Party Constitution and be able to adhere to that. Especially, as a mindful individual and an educated lawyer from Makerere University.

You would think that such a bloke would have the finesse and the ability to steer the ship correctly. That he should know how to cross the murky waters and get the ship into safe-haven. However, today it’s proven that he was living on a lie.

Norbert Mao was willing to trade his legacy, integrity and the party he was bestowed to get a ministerial post in a National Resistance Movement (NRM) government. That’s what he was willing to do. This is why he didn’t inform or do the talks internally before signing the “no surprises” agreement with Museveni. It was all done, because he knew he couldn’t defend or be able to sell it internally in the DP.

That’s why we are here today… we are here because someone who likes to talk high and mighty. Someone who pinned and looked after faults in the rest of the opposition. Regardless of the shady and mischievous action within his own party. Mao is showing his character and why his fitting to dine with Museveni now.

We know Mao went after Bobi Wine and the National Unity Platform (NUP). He claimed he had evidence and proof of illegal activity. That Bobi Wine and the new leadership conned themselves into office and stole the party from the founders. While there is a clever paper-trail and obvious facts to what went down. Therefore, Mao was a fool on this one and he should have looked into the mirror himself.

That’s what is so shocking here. A man who was elected to the same role in 2010 and 2015. He wasn’t capable to do the same thing in 2020. A guy that knew the drill and had succeeded twice couldn’t pull it of a third time. That is saying something… we know he failed to register properly for the 2016 elections too. So, there is a sort of a pattern, but still… the brother should have been able to follow Party Constitution and Protocol when coming to his third re-election bid. Seriously, this is disappointing.

In 2023 he got the title, the office and the prestige of Minister. However, his reputation and skill-sets can be put into question now. It’s a reason why he haven’t achieved anything and is just all talk… well.. that’s all he did as a fraudulent Party President too. He sat down on NBS Frontline and talked big game, but had nothing to back it up. A man who called Besigye a serial looser, but he himself cannot even win a fair fight internally. That’s a compelling story and a giant fall-off from the sort of well-mannered individual…

Mao traded everything for a few tokens of silver. He has not only sold his own name, but his party. In two instances he have accepted to soil them both and done so willingly. Just so he capitalize and get an envelope for good behaviour. It is just depressing and he did so to one of the oldest parties in the Republic. That’s what he did and he didn’t even flinch.

The DP Party haven’t only fallen from greatness, but Mao is a sorry excuse of a man. Peace.

Opinion: Lubowa would be operational by now if it was a prison…

Since 2019 when the Government of Uganda went into a business-deal to let Finasi/Roko construct or build Lubowa Hospital. Things has stalled and money has gotten them nowhere. The government have doled money on the project and the development over the years. Billions after Billions of shillings, but nothing to show from it.

This specialized hospital with the special purpose vehicle to build it hasn’t happened. It is glacier slow and seemingly done so with a purpose. The people running the enterprise isn’t anywhere and the Parliament haven’t been able to assess or even get answers on the matter. Journalists are now arrested over it. It is a hide and seek where nobody is allowed to enter. Apparently to ask questions or even dig into the matter is “criminal trespassing” according to the police. So, people better not ask questions about it. No, no, no… don’t do that my brother, don’t you dare.

The loan of 1,4 trillion shillings should be answered for. That was given to build the hospital. A hospital which cannot be found or traced. It is a building site and nothing substantial has been built. If so… the President would be ushered around and he would blessed the venue with his presence. However, that will not happen in the near future.

This here is a possible Northern Bypass game again. As there will be plenty of hurdles, stoppage and bottlenecks. There will be loss of contracts, stipulated articles and also quagmire of accountability, which no one wants to touch. The agreement been made in secret and with the inner circle involved. So, we know the Auditor General, IGG or anyone else has to remain silent. Until, the state produces a “fall guy” and someone they can pin the “blame” on.

We all know this wouldn’t have happen by the same regime if it was building a new prison. This being the new Mutufu Prison in Sironko District, which was commissioned in April 2023 or the massive project which was finished in 2020, the Kitalya Maximum Security Prison. While in 2022 there was also new prisons farm opened “Odina” in Soroti and “Awea” in Ablebtong. These sorts of things get the funding on time and the they are actually built too. There is no news of lacking oversight or anything. They just follow on schedule and ready within time. Because, these are a priority of the state and a need it has. However, a specialized hospital is another matter. That’s why the Ministry of Health and the public hospitals is in a bad state as it is…

This just shows where the heart of the state is and where they want to invest. They clearly have cash and funding when these sorts of things works so well for the Uganda Prisons Services. While other places are lacking, stumbling and getting nowhere.

We know Lubowa Specialized Hospital is a money-pit. The whole shinding smelled rotten from the onset. There was little to no progress. If there was any, the Minister of Health would have showed it off and been proud. They would have defended it all and been on the side of the government. A government that cannot explain it and if they do… well, some of the ones involved should or allegedly could be entering one of them new prisons the state has built over the recent years. Because, fraud and money laundering is serious business.

Well, we know they will not unleash those people or the ones involved in the inner-circle. They don’t want questions to where the billions upon billions or even a trillion shilling went. No, that isn’t for the commoner to know. They are just supposed to believe in the dream and not catch on to the nightmare. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee has wasted everyone’s time since 26th January 1986…

My appeal to Ugandans especially politicians and the public servants is to understand the role of industrialization but also understand the role of investors; don’t waste their time” (…) “Don’t waste their time. Wasting their time is nonreligious, support them so that they move quickly because we have nothing to lose but everything to gain. This factory here is not in India but in Uganda, it is employing our people here, using our electricity, and water, and even if he takes the profits away, it will be only 10 percent of the value of the earnings” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (21.09.2023).

Well, I know it is pointless to say this, but ever since General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni went into office on the 26th January 1986, he has wasted people’s time and efforts. That is 13,752 days or 37 years and 7 months, or 451 months just to put things in a perspective.

For someone who has been in office for over three decades and ticking close to four. He should be a bit more wiser with his words. Especially when his the cause and the affect for most of it. His the guy that decrees, micro-manage and makes a final decision. The Presidents own directives and letters can change a matter quickly. Therefore, it is rich that he speaks of wasting time or doing things with haste.

When we know he involves himself and wants his cut. We know the investors has to be guided to the State House or through procedures, which entails the authorities, the state and whoever the President has anointed for the matter. That’s how these things goes and no deal is made without his prior authorization or thumbs up.

President Museveni can act or blame civil servants, but these are only following the strings and the organization he has created for them. The mandates, the budgets and the manpower, which he has decided or allowed to happen by proxy. In the end, it’s his government and his party that has the final say. It all is in his hands and he can by the strike of the pencil change things rapidly. He can appoint a governor of the Bank of Uganda whenever he deems fit. That he has proven and his happy to have an interim one there after the death of the previous one.

This is why it’s rich to hear that Museveni lectures people on time wasting. When his the sole proprietor of time wasting management. His the one and only who stifles, stops and put the breaks on things. The President is the one that made the system and has altered it in his ideals. It is his creation of the bloated and duplicated government institutions. That’s all on him and he makes things hectic because of it. There is so many cooks and everyone needs to get their stamps of approval. Therefore, who is he kidding here?

The President is the ones that offers tax-holidays and handshakes. His the ones that is allowing dubious deals and vast scandals. This is why the rot starts from the head. The wasting of time starts with him. It’s his laziness and overbearing nature that is the cause of it. He might not see it himself. But we do… and we have seen it for years.

The President can lecture people, but the lectures is also a mirror into his own failures. That’s because he cannot let go or doesn’t have the capacity to handover responsibility over to others. Only to do so… by the look of it, but he does the final decision in end. This is why things takes time and he knows it.

Sooner or later a letter will decide what happens. The Parliament and the other entities can have their say. However, when that letter is published and gotten to right authority. They just have to listen and change their ways fast…. Peace.