Opinion: The GoU needs an additional 3 trillion shilling to cover for a shortfall only lasting for 38 days..

The government has tabled loan requests of up to UGX 3 trillion to finance the remaining days of the Financial Year 2023- 2024. However, legislators are questioning why the government is choosing to use Kenyan street money lender Amarog Capital Limited over established financial institutions” (NBS Television, 24.05.2023).

I remember a little time ago when the National Resistance Movement and their apologists was asking for financial education or if Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine knew how “fiscal responsibility” worked. That is a long forgotten time, because the reckless spending is a habit.

The Government of Uganda, the NRM is now adding more public debt and they are not doing it from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB) or any other multi-national financial institution. No, they seeking lone from another sort of institution. Meaning the terms, the conditions and the possible interest rates might be worse. Secondly, there will be no relief or no sort of awaiting maturity of the loan either. Meaning it is possible that the burn-rate and the responsibility of repayment comes “sooner” than “later”.

It is surely showing how badly things are operating. Not that his is anything new. We know the State is misusing funds and lacks good oversight. There is a reason why so much funds are ending up missing or misappropriated. That for a reason and done on purpose.

Money doesn’t have owners, but it has spenders said a fictional character in the Wire called Omar Little. His so damn right about it too. The State doesn’t expenditure but a vast money-pit. It can invent money and it can also borrow money without any consideration of the future. The domestic revenue isn’t growing, but the government debt is. The deficit financing is filled with burdens and problems ahead. This is a self-inflicted wound and sooner or later it will cripple the whole economy. Because, the state is borrowing not to build fancy institutions or industries, no it borrows to function it’s day-to-day operations. That’s what it does and the additional fees will pile up. There is no promise that the creditors will be forgiving or concerned about the nation. No, when the Republic starts to default. The creditors will take assets and future liabilities, which will generate them some revenue. While the state loses vital infrastructure and resources, which is bound by agreements and by loan deals made long ago.

That’s why an additional 3 trillion shillings for merely a month is a travesty. It is a waste of funds. Not only that the state needs this before the next Financial Year of 2023/24. That they are doing it and so blatantly. They are just seeking “free” money to spend like drunk sailors…

Seriously, this is messed up. They are granting themselves a lot of money and it has no sort of transparency behind it. That’s why it’s easy money and they hope the lenders don’t mind the mismanagement and lack of accountability. It is just the game the NRM and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development does. We have seen it countless of times before and the reasons for it is ridiculous. The manner of paying additional electricity at the State House or get more classified budgets for the State House and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). That’s just what they do and it’s getting old.

Deficit financing is never a good idea. It is an evil cycle and sooner or later the credit will run out. The old loans will default and no one wants to carry the load for you. Then the whole house of cards fails and the markets crash. That is just a matter of time and the state continue like this… unless they have a secret kryptonite to destroy the ageing debts. Peace.

Opinion: The Son-In-Law is becoming the Coffee-Tsar…

It’s morning in Baltimore, Lester. Wake up and smell the coffee” – Lt. Cedric Daniels (The Wire S4E11, 2006).

Government is under the spotlight for allocating Shs37 billion to the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development, an agency headed by the president’s son-in-law. Mr Odrek Rwabwogo is supposed to spend this money on ‘coffee value chain, export, and industrial development promotion’, but the manner of the allocation raised suspicions in Parliament last week.” (Franklin Draku – ‘MPs query Shs37b allocation to Rwabwogo-led committee’ 23.05.2023, Daily Monitor).

Who knew? Well, in the Republic everything is possible. Especially if you are well connected or have ties with His Excellency. That’s why the Son-In-Law Odrek Rwabwogo even is getting a budget post and a fancy agency to run.

While it is striking, just like the Coffee Agreement with Pinetti. The whole saga of the Coffee Processing Plant and the Monopoly of it. This is now pushed further within the realm of the family and the President. It is like they are seeking all the profits from the cash-crop and commodity.

The republic already have an institution doing what Odrek is supposed to do. This was started early in the reigns of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). That was enacted back in 1991 just mere years into the “transitional” period of the regime. This is the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) with the mandate: “To increase quality coffee production, productivity, value addition, marketing and consumption”. If you feel it similar to the memo to the son-in-law, because it is a copy. Just more modern lingo with the “coffee value chain, export, and industrial development promotion”. The rest is the gist of it and more of the same.

The Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development will now compete with the UCDA. Which is already in competition with the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA). There are so many players and duplications in the Republic it is hard to keep up. Now the PACEID is competing directly with the UCDA and partly with the UIA too.

The Vinci Agreement just shows how the state plays and does its own bidding. Now the son-in-law is getting a slice of the pie too. That’s how it looks like. It feels a like a new day and we are smelling the fruits of others people’s labour.

This is making the son-in-law doing something someone is already doing. It isn’t enhancing or bettering the industry. No, this is a pay-day and a small heist. Because, he will not take the place of the UCDA or UIA. No, the son-in-law is just an extension and a useless addition. A bountiful receiver from the public coffers, but it won’t matter in the grand scheme of things.

It doesn’t matter that the son-in-law has no skill-set, education or proof that his experienced to do this. Well, it should, but in this case it don’t. The only thing that did matter was his close proximity to the President and that was it.

We are smelling the bitter coffee. A man that couldn’t easily differentiate between robusta or arabica is now becoming a Coffee Tsar. That’s the reality here. The head honcho of coffee beans and he knows squat about it.

This is how the President runs the nation and it shows how little he actually cares. Peace.

Uganda: Uganda Medical Association (UMA) – Press Release (21.05.2023)

Opinion: Mzee isn’t a voice of reason…

Many of the people who are being urged to be patient for two years are buckling under the weight of a very high cost of living. Most of them can hardly put a decent meal on the table or meet the costs of education, healthcare, utilities and rent. It must, therefore, hurt that provisions are being made for a makeover of the President’s wardrobe when so many people are really struggling. Parliament has not listened to the voices of the masses. This, therefore, calls for the intervention of the person for whom we are providing; he does not need the provisions. Only his voice can help end such wasteful expenditure” (Daily Monitor – Editorial – ‘Museveni’s voice required to end wasteful expenditure’ 21.05.2023).

I don’t know what the Editor of Daily Monitor thought when he or she wrote today’s piece. However, to say it is utter garbage is just a mere fact. The ideals and the thought that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni would be the voice of reason in 2023 is absurd.

To believe that a man who has built a vast entourage, duplicated institutions and created a bloated government. Will ever… ever ever… be concerned about public expenditure. A man who needs confidential budget post and lack of oversight. A man who spends money like no tomorrow and hope that someone else will capture the fiscal shortfall. That he can either get a donor or a loan to cover the deficits.

Therefore, reading this text… how naive are you? Have you seen how many districts that has been created since 1986? Have you seen how many MPs that been added in the recent years?

Or have you missed that or isn’t obvious to the fact. It isn’t connected and part of the plot. That a man has created government units, institutions and commissions that are cross-checking each other. While his busy eating, investing and ensuring the future of his own grand-kids. Seriously, the proof is in the pudding.

That’s why the State House and the Office of the President got vast funds. This is why the UPDF and Ministry of Defence has massive budgets. That’s why the Police Force is well funded. Because, if the security detail isn’t paid and isn’t in order. Well, then the grand corruption and the heist of the state cannot continue on the “low”. It is low hanging fruits, but certainly edible.

Only his voice can help end such wasteful expenditure” (Daily Monitor, 21.05.2023).

He will come with words of fire and fury, but it won’t amount to anything. That’s why we are seeing thieves getting away, but the pickpockets are lingering behind bars. The President knows and he knows of various of schemes. He knows who is “investing” and who is “benefiting”. It is his system after all. Therefore, believing this man will be a reasonable dude in 2023… Please… get your mind correct. Please and do it fast.

Enough nonsense. The 1986 brigade got enough “yes-men” and paid microphones to defend its cause. I didn’t think I would see that in the Daily Monitor. However, that is where we are. This piece belong in the New Vision. Not in the Daily Monitor… Peace.

Opinion: Mzee’s reckless spending spree

The Minority Report of the National Budget for 2023/24 is out. Not that it’s shocking or anything. It is just showing how the President and his inner-circle is spending money like there is no tomorrow. While the state is busy borrowing funds and lacking domestic revenue. You would think the President who often speaks of moderation and use within your means would live within those words.

Alas, that is not the case. The President has a massive portfolio. The Office of the President and the State House are two bloated out units. They are Ministries in themselves and has far out reach of the buildings, which they are supposed to reside.

Yes, the State House isn’t only functioning as a residence and as a ceremonial grounds. No, the Office of the President and the State House budgets is an inner-cabinet in itself. It is a wild beast that breeds on everyone else. That’s why the billions upon billions of shillings are spent there.

That’s why Museveni needs vast budgets for vehicles, furnitures and clothes. He doesn’t need to beg and his salary is maybe “scraps” but the budgets for his office or home is lavish. The President can live like a King on those terms. People can defend and say this is well spent resources.

I am sure the Senior Presidential Advisors and the Units of the State House appreciate the spending. They are benefiting for the wealth and usage of funds. Also with the “classified” and “donations” budgets… the President has two secret ways of fund himself and his closest associates. Because, these funds won’t be traced and can be used as he deems fit.

The Office of the President is getting 250 billion shillings in the budget year. While the State House is getting 454 billion shillings. With those two major budget post the President is spending around 700 billion shillings and that’s before the Supplementary Budgets, which we knows goes in his direction. There is always a shortfall and lack of funds, which just have to be covered in the calendar year.

Therefore, even if Museveni and his inner-circle is budgeted to get 700 billion shillings. We know they eventually would need more. Either to buy a helicopter, a plane or even pay for Muhoozi’s adventures. God knows where the money goes, but millions of shillings doesn’t go to upgrade the President’s wardrobe. His wearing the same jackets, fatigue and shirts we have seen for years. The old man isn’t a fashionista.

We know he can be on a spending spree, because he has 38 billion to the Office of the President as classified and another 120 billion to the State House. Meaning out of the 700 billions in total, there is around a 150 billions he has no oversight or no need to account for. It is all secret and he can spend where-ever he deems fit.

That should boggle your mind. The President has such a money pit and such a vast enterprise. Yes, we know he has 100s of Presidential Advisors and a huge team at the State House. His broaden the mandate and the workplace. However, spending 700 billions on it… in just one year. It is just ridiculous.

Especially coming from a man who speaks of moderation and speaks of living within the means. He is living large on the public’s dime and he clearly doesn’t care. This is his throne and the citizens got to pay for his party. Peace.

Uganda Medical Association (UMA): Open letter to His Excellency, President Yoweri K. Museveni (14.05.2023)

Uganda: Ribe Pi Pace (RPP) – RE: Milita Approach of Commercial Charcoal Dealers & teh Uganda Police Syndicatted Involvement in the Vice (14.05.2023)

Opinion: Militarism has a price and Kampala is feeling the pinch…

Today, the recent tally in the hands of security, law enforcement and people in uniform has run up to five in 11 days. After another incident involving a security officer with a gun killing a colleague. That is happening within mere days of the assassination of the Minister. Therefore, the National Resistance Movement and their choices in ways of governing is coming back to bite.

The NRM has entangled itself a massive haul of guns. A nation filled with “hired” guns and with private security companies. Also in additional police and army units, which are mostly armed as well. If you didn’t that was enough… just earlier this month there was reports that 114,000 guns are unregistered. Meaning there is a lot of arms about without any sort of trace or ability to quickly find in the government registry. Which is giving leeway to armed and vicious people…

We know the NRM has a lot of blood on its hands. There have been like every year in its existence some sort of “mysterious death”. Where people has died in mysterious circumstances or has vanished. If not they have been bloody murdered, but no one can find the culprit or the ones behind the killing. Therefore, this isn’t new…

What is new is that Police Officers are killing civilians on tape. What is new is seeing and hearing security officers on the run after a shooting incident. What is new is hearing VIP Security Officers killing the one they are looking after. Because, in the past it’s been secret details or “hoodlums” who has passed by and done the deed. Before going into thin-air and no one finding out who did it or why…

Now… there is reasons for this. The NRM are stingy with it pockets. The Law Enforcement, Soldiers and Security are badly paid. Their stomachs are possibly growling. They are not living large or well. The men are armed and have bullets, but they don’t have sufficient pay or allowances. While the people they are looking after and ensuring the safety of … is easily bashing in wealth.

The Government have to handle this one. They are endangering society now. The ordinary day-to-day life. The livelihoods and daily operations is at stake if this continues. The men with arms cannot be hungry, distressed or concerned. That’s why they are pulling the triggers and causing even more suffering. They have no other way to go and the only thing they know is to pull the trigger. That isn’t solving anything, but at least they get of some “steam”. When doing so they are killing a third or an innocent party… who isn’t the reason for their troubles. The trouble comes from the “high above” and in the chain of command.

The NRM has used guns, the President is living by the gun and now his people is dying by it too. It isn’t just one rare incident. No, this is a systemic one now. It isn’t only stolen gun or one basket-case of an individual. No, this is a sign and should make people worried. Five people have now died as cause of this. That is a pattern…

The only thing NRM could thump up its chest about was “safety” and “peace”. Now the way and the NRM Way is hurting itself. The idea that guns can solve everything is biting back hard. The thought that the more guns, the more you are safe is wrong. Especially, if the ones holding the arms are hungry or at a state of mind… that this is the last resort. The gunman, the man of arms who are employed or part of a security organisation has to be taken care of. If his not… his a danger to society and can easily pop-off. He got training and knows how to aim. That’s his job and his duty. So, if has trouble and got no other avenue to rectify his troubles. He will go to the gun and follow the example of His Excellency.

That’s why it’s tragic. These people haven’t seen another way out. The sought this way, because of desperation and need. They were cornered and went to their “safe-have” – the gun.

Now… in 2023 the NRM got a gun problem. Not only the 114,000 unregistered ones. They got a massive undertaking of their whole security apparatus and how these things are organized. Because, they got to take better care of the law enforcement, soldiers and in general security personnel. If they don’t… we will see more incidents, more murder and more suffering.

The NRM has a choice now. They can either try to act upon the issue or hope people forget. However, the ones with the guns will not forget and they easily access weapons. That’s why this is a dangerous game to play. Sooner or later the bullets are flying. Sooner or later the blood is running and life is lost. That could have been avoided, but will NRM do anything about it?

It goes against the militarism of society, politics and everything NRM touches. Arms has been the go-to choice of remedy. We just have to see if the NRM can find another way. I doubt it… Peace.

Opinion: A “Ugandan way of war” is to fix potholes…

“Mission: To develop and operate a powerful and versatile special operations force that is situated within the unique Ugandan way of war and is responsive to the requirements of the UPDF and the nation” (UPDF – About Special Forces Command).

“First Son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba together with the KCCA Executive Director, Dorothy Kisaaka, tour the potholed 6th Street road in the Industrial Area on Wednesday. Eng Justus Akankwasa, the director of engineering at KCCA, said SFC and the UPDF Engineering Brigade have offered to join hands in rehabilitating all the roads in Kampala” (Daily Monitor, 10.05.2023).

When reading that the KCCA and UPDF Special Forces Command will have a hand in fixing the potholes in Kampala. It got me bugging. We already know that the UPDF is out there handling so much civilian activities and partaking in government works. Still, now a unit run and been controlled by Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga is getting in-charge and getting his hands on road maintenance in Kampala.

You can just wonder if this is a special operation or a unique one. Because, what does the SFC know about asphalt, bitumen or anything of that matter. When we know how faulty the likes of Dott Services is… how bad will it be with the SFC at the helm. This isn’t burning down a royal palace in Kasese. Neither is this a command operation to kill or assassinate a religious hoodlum either. No, this is building roads and the SFC got nothing to do there.

Seriously, the KCCA and UNRA should be ashamed that they are allowing this. They got no choice. The high above is allowing his kid to toy around in everyone’s backyard and act like an unelected overlord. However, they are only showing no backbone and no integrity.

Who believes the SFC has the engineers or the capacity to fix the roads? They are not a building company, an engineering one or have brains to do this. It is really weird seeing the national military being an engineering, contractor and a renovator. This is just out of bound for what a military is supposed to do. The UPDF should fix hospitals, stadiums or roads. No, that should be civilian entities with the government tenders from government entities. Not a military organization partaking in the action and getting a cut. Because, that’s how things are transpiring now.

That a Unit made for Special Operations and run by the First Son is now getting in-charge and acting as a engineering unit is weird. The SFC should be busy training for foreign invaders and securing the borders of the nation. They shouldn’t think of the roads of the capital. That’s for the KCCA and UNRA to work upon. How come there is money for the SFC to do this, but not for the ones mentioned?

Because I doubt the SFC will do this for “free” and out of “patriotic duty”. No, the SFC and UPDF will be allocated funds and budgets to cover the expenses of these things. They won’t touch it unless there is money to be made. That’s just the gist of things.

You can call this versatile, but a way of war it is not. The army and their commandos should be busy securing the borders, the national integrity and do army stuff. They shouldn’t be concerned with buildings, roads or any of those sorts. Because it is not in their mandate. That isn’t army works, but civilian works and with companies to do so.

This is dumb, stupid and dumb. It is utter nonsense, and they should get called out for it. Peace.

Opinion: BM7 is a sign that Mzee will be on the ballot in 2026

“President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Tuesday met the National Resistance Movement (NRM) youth leaders from Buganda sub-region under their movement – Buganda For Museveni (BM7) led by Ms. Hellen Seku. The discussions held at State House Entebbe, focused on opportunities for the NRM party in Buganda and challenges that need urgent attention to further strengthen the party’s support in the sub-region” (Watchdog Uganda – ‘President Museveni launches Buganda for Museveni Youth Movement’ 10.05.2023).

The old man with the hat is preparing himself for another term in office. He is preparing himself for the 9th term since 1986. That is the message I am getting, and this is done because his losing support in the Central Region or Buganda Kingdom. This has been obvious, and the opposition has massive support by the National Unity Platform and the Forum for Democratic Change. Therefore, Museveni is only trying to counter-act to that.

We have already seen plenty who has signed off and held ceremonies vouching for his 9th term. That has happened on the regular and loyalist has already showed their support of the President. This is just a mere fact and has been seen for a long time.

The ones shocked or feel this is breaking news… well… it is not. This is just continuing where the President left off and preparing himself for another contested election. When he knows his popularity is dwindling. The tiredness of the “no change” and lack of service delivery get so clear. The militarism of politics and tactic of short-sighted schemes doesn’t pay off either.

Therefore, he must start a fresh and do it early. Even if its years in advance of 2026. This is also a message to his son and daughter. That the father has no plans to sign off and not stay in office. Museveni don’t plan to retire.

So, for Muhoozi and Natasha, the family dynasty, the President is obviously signalling that the MK Movement and the others can slow down. They should back-down because the old man of the clan will run again.

I am not surprised, but this is steady programming. Museveni seemingly will be on the ballot until his last breath. There are no signs of him relenting or giving way. I doubt he would do that even to his own kin. He will only do so when his buried and dead and gone. Peace.