Uganda: The Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023 – Certificate of Financial Implications (09.03.2023)

Uganda: The World Bank draw the line [and shows how hopeless it is…]

Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values. We believe our vision to eradicate poverty on a livable planet can only succeed if it includes everyone irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality. This law undermines those efforts. Inclusion and non-discrimination sit at the heart of our work around the world. Immediately after the law was enacted, the World Bank deployed a team to Uganda to review our portfolio in the context of the new legislation. That review determined additional measures are necessary to ensure projects are implemented in alignment with our environmental and social standards. Our goal is to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in the projects we finance. These measures are currently under discussion with the authorities. No new public financing to Uganda will be presented to our Board of Executive Directors until the efficacy of the additional measures has been tested” (World Bank Group Statement on Uganda, 08.08.2023).

Yes, the Anti-Homosexuality Act is wrong, by all accounts and definitions, as it is a tool to oppress one minority and their lifestyle. The government are not only interfering in their lives, but it is by all sense criminalizing one minority for populist gains. Alas, I will not dwell on that.

However, what I will do… is say my displeasure with the World Bank. The World Bank is ceasing their operations or diverting funds to the Government of Uganda. The World Bank is by far freezing funds for development projects and other planned efforts, which it has coordinated with the state. That is what is happening here and it’s all because of one law.

The same bank never had these actions when people died on the streets because of election rigging. Neither did the bank say anything or act swiftly when people are prolonged in jail for their political associations. Neither is the bank saying anything substantial when the military is interfering in all parts of society. The bank is silent when people are kept incommunicado or kidnapped. The bank hasn’t uttered a word or cared for the extra judicial killings. Neither does it care for the lack of services, health care or government services as a whole. Schools can be faulty and roads can be mismanaged. While “missing funds” are going on overtime and trillions of shillings are siphoned any Financial Year. Alas, the bank is silent on all of these. Not saying anything.

The bank is fine that the military courts are used to sentence and keep people of the streets. The bank is fine with political parties not allowed to assemble or even gather in public. The bank is fine that the state targets NGOs and CSOs. The bank is fine that state has ungazetted “safe-houses” where the dissidents and activists of the opposition are kept. The bank is fine that army and security organizations are monitoring and trailing high ranking officials in the opposition. That’s all fine and dandy…

but the moment the gays or the homosexuals are in trouble. That’s when you cry havoc. That’s when enough is enough. The hypocrisy. The audacity. When so many people are scorned, in pain or has lost loved ones. When people are kept behind bars for years and the police start the investigation after they have detained them. Assets and vehicles captured for years. Charges never ceased and cases never dropped. Politicians have long rap-sheets and a big book of charges while awaiting trials or even some sort of relief from the cases itself.

When you know all of this and suddenly read this statement from the World Bank. It is disappointing. This is the hill they want to die on. Not when it is systemic oppression, but one minority is hit. The whole society and the general public can be muffled, but there is just the one special class you are not allowed to touch. That’s the message I get here and it’s beneath the organization and the World Bank itself. If they believed in these things. They should have done so when they saw people dying in the hands of the guns of the state. Alas, we haven’t seen that and it shows that one life is more valuable than another. It shows that some people are more worthy than others. If you are a certain way, you can get access and get credit. If you are the other way. Well, good look and you can only hope for a better tomorrow… Peace.

Opinion: The duo who is single-handedly destroying the FDC from within…

There is no more jokes. No satire. There is just plenty of bridges burnt. Since the middle of July the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has spiralled out of control. The inner-circle of leaders who are at behest of the party. They are acting like king-pins and ruling with an iron fist. The two gentlemen are Party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat and Secretary General Nathan Nandala-Mafabi.

These two are making things worse by the day. None of their actions are righteous. Neither are they perfected or even in accordance with the Party Constitution. That’s why you know things are off. Just the way the Secretary General just changed the Chief Whip of the FDC in Parliament. That was done with a notification from the SG and not from NEC. Just like the Secretary General and Party President was fine that the National Council Meeting, which didn’t meet the threshold of attendance to count. However, the men in charge didn’t mind.

Just like the same folks had no trouble publishing and certifying an Elders Special Report on “dirty money” which was a shoddy piece of work. That was only created to exonerate the two and malign the detractors. Therefore, they are creating a setup and now implementing the changes without any concern of others.

That’s why they are pursuing the party elections, even in the midst of burning fires. There is no dialogue or talks between grieved fractions. No, the ones in-charge is just bluntly deciding the way forward without any acknowledgement of the others. Except for trying to muddy the waters and project on the other side. That’s all the inner-circle is doing and they think it is working.

While they have not only changed the Chief Whip without prior authorization to do so. In the same manner they are starting disciplinary cases against 9 members. That has been selected by the Party President. This is vindictive and malicious attempts to undermine the ones who is challenging them.

It is just showing what sort of leadership and how easily you can come in contempt. While it is selective outrage and outbursts, as Besigye wasn’t one of the 9 and neither Francis Mwijuke. So, God knows what criteria or brain-storm the Party President had before sending the letter today. Because, it seems to be done to take allies of Besigye and the ones who opposes him. Not the ones who can be swayed or have the ability to compromise.

Alas, the Secretary General and the Party President is forgetting vital parts of the Party. They are violating not only a lots of their high ranking officials and they are maligning several of them. Secondly, they have never attempted to prove or give satisfying answers to the “dirty money”. While they are simultaneously trying to clip their wings. Just like the Party President did with Ingrid Turinawe. Now the same acts are in play, but with others.

They are just showing that their own interests, their own offices and prestige matters more than the party. Heck one of the guiding principles 8(b) of the party says this: “good governance, democracy social justice, transparency, accountability, honesty and integrity”. Certainly, the inner-circle isn’t abiding by this. Neither are they following the duty of the party 12(b) which says: “Work honestly and efficiently for the party”. We can easily assess that the gentlemen are in breach of both of these in the Party Constitution. While they are targeting and going after others who has apparently exposed the rot.

This “dirty money” is not only haunting them. The other allegations too of military attaches within the headquarters and other dealings, which is in accordance with the statements of a hostile takeover. A sort of situation that the inner-circle is dismissing, but the likes of Besigye is crying over. That is saying something and the ones in-charge has lost their way. They cannot even adhere to the Party Constitution. While they are using the same laws and codes as a weapon against others. Peace.

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC): Party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat letter to James Otto – “Disciplinary Cases Against Members” (08.08.2023)

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC): Appointment of Hon Yusuf Nsibambi as a Party Whip for FDC (07.08.2023)

Opinion: Besigye teary over the fall of the FDC…

Besigye gets emotional as he talks about the “dirty money” in his party during a press conference at his Katonga Road office today. He says the struggle has cost many people, some have lost lives and others beaten, arrested, among other things” (91.2 Crooze FM, 07.08.2023).

Today’s Press Conference was revealing in the fact of levels of betrayal there has been within the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). The FDC leadership at the Najjanankumbi has lost the trust and credibility. There is no soft return to normal within the inner-circle or ranks at the FDC. That’s why Besigye wept or cried today.

Besigye and others has sacrificed a lot for the FDC party. They have fought to keep it alive and make it a vibrant party. Not only as a founder, but an activist and a political enigma. Besigye has been on the front-line and the trenches to establish, ensure protocol and give the party a platform, which is why it has been so vital for the opposition over the years.

That’s why today’s presser only shows how the mighty has fallen. The Elders Report has already been dismissed and rightfully so. Besigye again just told the story and showed how it lacked credibility, as well as facts or even evidence to back things up. No, it was to simplified and easily produced to exonerate the current leadership of the party.

The last few weeks has been brutal and told a tale of a former astonishing party, which sadly has been compromised and sold. The FDC isn’t what we knew or thought we envisioned. Neither is the leadership or the inner-circle thereof, off the calibre we should expect either. They are charlatan’s that has been willing to trade the party for some “dirty money”.

The “dirty money” is now haunting the party and the ones who touched it. The FDC became compromised and captured by taking it. That’s why Nandala-Mafabi and Amuriat isn’t willing to budge or say where it came from. Neither are they transparent or accountable. Instead they intend to keep it a secret while they malign anyone who keep them in order.

That Besigye shed tears today was unique. It isn’t a common practice and it’s second to none… that he has done this in public before. Even when facing the brutality of the law enforcement, the treason trials or anything else. The man has stood tall and taken it as a man. Today he got emotional because his party is at stake.

No one can question that and it’s only common sense. Besigye have not only lost the party, but also lost allies who has sold their soul. That’s the tragedy here. The ones he trusted and thought would be the people who carry on his legacy. They have spoiled it and betrayed the cause. Just so they got some “dirty money”. That’s the gist… and Besigye is right to feel this way. He didn’t deserve this and the FDC is supposed to be better. Peace.

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC): Moses Byamugisha – FDC Party Presidential Aspirant – Open Letter (02.08.2023)

A look into Doreen Nyanjura’s Response to the FDC’s Special Elders Commitee Report…

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Special Elders Report was published on the 29th July 2023, but given to the Party President on the 13th July 2023. That’s why many of us dwelled on it and analysed it on the 30th July 2023. Today one member of the FDC and the Deputy Mayor of Kampala, Doreen Nyanjura have published her response to it.

The report itself was insignificant and lacking. It was a minute after minute of meetings, but no real flesh and blood. Only there to jade the waters and make the accusers look bad. The vilification of Dr. Kizza Besigye was obvious and the leadership of Najjanankumbi has continued on that path. That seems to be the only way they go. This is why I want to find the most key aspects of Nyanjura’s rebuttal and see what she retorts with.

She starts by saying this: “Article 20 of the FDC Party Constitution spells out the composition and functions of the National Council. A glance at the said article will show you that the National Council must have 250 members at a minimum” (…) “In this case, we have been told [by Hon. Salamu Musumba who addressed the press after the meeting] that the report was adopted by 66 members (58 voted for and 8 against). This falls below the one third threshold of at least 75 members. Hon. Nandala Mafabi, a lawyer and accountant of all people ought to know, preach and practise the best governance practices at least for the deepening of democracy and transparency in the management of party affairs” (Nyanjura, 30.07.2023).

If this is the case, then the National Council Meeting on the 28th July 2023 can be seen as “null and void”. That’s if the FDC leadership is honouring the party constitution and abides the codes of it. Alas, it seems like the Party President and Secretary General doesn’t mind or doesn’t care as long as they are exonerated.

She continues: “With reference to the foregoing, the impugned report by the Elders’ Committee does not show any attempts to establish and follow the money trail save for the verbal submissions of the persons they interacted with. Without any evidence of investigative effort made by the said Elders’ Committee, the report is not worth the paper on which it was printed and therefore MUST never have been submitted to the National Council” (Nyanjura, 30.07.2023).

Here she is stating the obvious and the reason why the Report is a shoddy piece of work. The Special Elders Reports lacks findings, proof or evidence. It is only hearsay and doesn’t have any sort of substance, which would clear the air or prove things otherwise. While it only disclose minor interactions and alleged activities, which isn’t resolving the matter.

She continues: “The impugned report highlights an estimated figure of 2.7 billion shillings [according to the Secretary General], we are not being told how much was borrowed from the ‘legitimate’ sources. Other than the verbal submissions of the party officials, there is no alternative evidence on the amount of money that was borrowed by the party from or by the Secretary General” (Nyanjura, 30.07.2023).

It is just compelling how in the open this is and what sort of charade the publication of the Report is. As it is so easy to digest and break to pieces. Just this here statement from Doreen Nyanjura shows how flawed it is and lacking credibility. As it is just all talk and no proof…

She dismisses the Secretary General: “In 6.3.7, the committee further claims that Hon. Nandala ‘demonstrated’ (I don’t know how) that the money was from ‘legitimate’ sources and he intimated that the money he lent to the party would be paid back with no interest. In just one paragraph, Hon.

Nandala morphed from being a mobiliser of the money to the actual lender to the Party. In short, he was the one who identified the funding gap[amount] to be filled, mobilised the lender, quickly became the lender and then wrote off the interest before going on to appropriate and spend the money. So, Hon. Nandala is/was the alpha and omega and star of this movie of dirty money. Unfortunately for him, he does not satisfactorily answer the question of who was the ‘lender’ or source of this money. In such circumstances, a reasonable guess is that the lender is a ghost or a heavenly angel!” (Nyanjura, 30.07.2023).

There was surely some angle dust involved and some other cheap tricks. Because, the Secretary General Nandala-Mafabi doesn’t dwell on facts or speak of how he got the cash. While there is leaks and informants who has acknowledge the sources from the State House. Which is something that the Secretary General doesn’t verify or speak of. Just that it’s a “legitimate source” whatever that might be…

She ends with: “Those of us who are dissatisfied with the conduct of the Party President, Secretary

General, Treasurer General and their acolytes especially around this issue of dirty money and the lengths to which they have gone to create a miscarriage of any processes pushing them to provide accountability need to embark on wide consultations with the membership of the party while imploring the dodgy leaders to do thorough soul searching. It does not matter how far you have travelled in the wrong direction, as long as you realise it and retrace your steps and move in the right direction” (Nyanjura, 30.07.2023).

In this here response Doreen Nyanjura just shows how clever she is and how thorough she can be. It was impressive and had more insights than the Special Elders Report. This here shows the finesse and the character of her as a politician. She totally destroys the report and rightfully so. I did so too, but with another manner and way.

The leadership of the FDC is sadly corrupted and has lost their way. The conclusion of Nyanjura gives hope, but if the Besigye fraction is allowed to enter these consultations and sideline Najjanankumbi. I am not so sure about and it will create more tension. Just like when Gen. Mugisha Muntu started his consultations ahead of the launch of a “New Formation” and later Alliance for National Transformation (ANT). Therefore, the Besigye camp is practically going in the same lane and got to consider where to go from here.

This was a great document and answer. I wonder if the FDC National Executive Committee (NEC) or the ones mentioned will retort to this one. Peace.

A look into FDC’s the Special Elders Committee Report

Today the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) published the Special Elders Committee Report, which was discussed and addressed at the horrific National Council meeting at Najjanankumbi headquarters yesterday. Therefore, I don’t have high hope or look forward to be reading and assessing it. Since I know it won’t be much and what it does say, is predetermined anyway. Especially, regarding several key leaders and their actions.

This here report does shed a light on a few things, but also show how the FDC has fallen. It has fallen from it’s mission and become settled. That’s why certain parts of it where they are trying to malign Dr. Kizza Besigye. They are instead undermining the ideals of the FDC and what it has stood for over the years.

Just read this paragraph: “Dr. Besigye also stated that around the same period within which he received money from Hon. Mafabi, a colleague visited him and reminded him of how they had suffered together, and how many FDC members are becoming desperate. In turn, Dr. Besigye asked him what could be done about the matter. The colleague advised Dr. Besigye to cause a formal agreement with NRM to establish a Government of National Unity. He asked the colleague whether he was advocating for terms of surrendering, and he answered in the affirmative. The colleague also told him that there were already some contacts with Museveni, and also requested Dr. Besigye to keep the information confidential” (…) “Dr. Besigye further informed the Committee that after getting the information from a person working in State House, he reached out to President Amuriat and asked him whether he had received any money from Hon. Mafabi. President Amuriat admitted having received some money from Hon. Mafabi to the tune of Uganda Shillings 280 million which was intended to help the Party during the electoral process. Dr. Besigye added that that is when the bad blood between him and Hon. Mafabi began to emerge” (FDC Special Elders Report, 13.07.2023).

Here the FDC is just showing it’s face and how it betrayed it’s core ideals. They were already in talks with Museveni and the State House. There was communication and even thoughts of a Government of National Unity (GNU). That’s copying Zimbabwe and what ZANU-PF did with MDC back-in-the-day. Therefore, this just shows how compromised the party has become.

The nail in the coffin: “Dr.Besigye concluded his submission by asserting that the FDC which is supposed to be the vanguard of challenging the NRM dictatorship has remained inactive in the last two and a quarter years” (FDC Special Elders Report, 13.07.2023).

We are seeing how Nandala-Mafabi tries to malign Besigye by just this quote alone: “Hon. Mafabi concluded with another allegation that Dr. Kizza Besigye wanted to micro manage the Party, yet during his tenure a lot of funds were mobilized from both covert and overt sources without being questioned about them” (FDC Special Elders Report, 13.07.2023).

The key paragraph about the money is this one: “The Committee found this issue a sensitive one and responsible for the dispute between Dr. Besigye and Hon. Mafabi as already highlighted. The disagreement stemmed from the fact that Hon. Mafabi asked Dr. Besigye to keep for him Uganda Shillings 300 million for the agents. In turn Dr. Besigye was allegedly contacted by a source from State House saying there was some money received by some FDC Party leaders from State House. This made Dr. Besigye to cause a meeting with some of the leaders who were directly concerned about the matter but that meeting and other subsequent meetings did not yield results. Dr. Besigye stated before the Committee that money released from Bank of Uganda is dispatched to three entities i.e. commercial banks, security agencies and State House. He further averred that he also took the initiative to find out and the serial numbers on the new notes he received pointed to State House” (FDC Special Elders Report, 13.07.2023).

While this report was a travesty and a lot of knowledge of it was already in public. There is little new substance here. There was no shocking or revealing factors. The defence of Nathan Nandala-Mafabi was the lacklustre one. It lacked the potential and the documentation to seem worthwhile. While Besigye just stood his ground. Alas, the party and the ones writing the report tried to make him look like a villain. That is obvious for anyone. They are totally going against him and everything he has worked for over the years. Therefore, the FDC is trying to dislodge Besigye now…

The only new info to me was the final paragraph that I highlighted, as it states that Besigye knew the source of the money and could even know so by the serial numbers on the banknotes. Meaning the source that Besigye had in the State House told him exactly what cash that was at play and the FDC had received it. Therefore, Nandala-Mafabi and the inner-circle of the FDC wasn’t honest about the “dirty money”.

The leadership of the FDC is tainted and this report only amplifies it. It is a shoddy and like minutes of a meeting written report. This doesn’t show any new perspective. The only thing it does… is showing how the leadership of FDC is disregarding the public and they are trying to keep things hidden. As they don’t want the truth out. Peace

Opinion: The FDC is corrupted now…

Corruption is not only when a government official diverts money intended for other use; corruption is also when people take up offices and fail to perform and serve to the expectations of those who entrusted them with these offices” (Nathan Nandala-Mafabi, 25.08.2012).

The Forum for Democracy and Change (FDC) has been in turmoil for a while now. It has been what feels like years with inner-circle bickering and in-fighting. Today was no different as the National Council Meeting was scheduled and the minutes was already set in stone. However, the day wasn’t as fruitful or useful as it could have been.

Today is yet another tragic day in the history of the FDC. The days of glory and prestige is over. That’s how it seems when certain leaders lock themselves inside their office. While others are violently kicked out, kifeesi inside the compound and the police even interferes to arrest 12 individuals. That’s happening as the party is just supposed to conduct a procedural meeting.

Alas, here is the brutal truth. The FDC is now captured. A corrupted elite and men who has resigned their ideals for a quick buck. They are now willing to burn the legacy and greatness of FDC on the altar of the tainted silver coins. That’s what they are doing and they think nothing of it.

There is already intel about the inner works, which the Party President and Secretary General never wants to reveal, but there is an External Security Organisation Agent within the FDC and another Military attaché… these have been leaked about and says something about how they now operate. That’s why the FDC Headquarters can easily be accessed and have the power of the authorities. In the past the authorities raided and confiscated equipment there. Now they are a part of it all.

Patrick Oboi Amuriat went barefoot in the campaign up to the 2021 general elections. Nandala-Mafabi stood by him and now they are brothers in arms. They are two culprits who works hard to twist it against Dr. Kizza Besigye and his allies. These two are trying to pin him on the cross and say his the sinner. While they are exonerating themselves from any wrong doing. Just showing arrogance and ignorance of the mess they have made.

Today’s report or results of the National Council Meeting is totally pointless. Regardless of what is said or done. The FDC is in shambles and blind ambition is interfering in build a cohesive party. The FDC isn’t a front runner or a party to look up too. No it’s a fallen giant and a has been. That is lead by corrupted gentlemen. Gentlemen who don’t mind concealing funds and keeping secrets. Instead of being transparent and example, which is differentiate them from the government that they are opposing.

Amuriat and Nandala-Mafabi are lost and so are the party. The FDC seems to be rudderless and without proper steering. It is just captured and corrupted. Taken for granted and sold for little to nothing. That’s it… Peace.