The new cabinet isn’t that sharp [Museveni’s most intriguing Minister’s for 2021-26] Part II

This is the second edition of the articles on he 80 people the President has appointed to various of Ministries lately. President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni continues his extended government and additional offices. This term 2021 to 2026 is no difference. I will look into further of the appointees and what I can find that is significant.

What is very important to say. Is that many who has been retained or gotten appointed are there out of share loyalty to the President. They voted for the Age Limit and fought for it as well. It is a gratitude and proof of loyalty. Nevertheless, that’s not the whole thing, but an important… one nevertheless.

For some reasons beyond me. The inept and sorry excuse of an MP. Chris Baryomunsi is appointed as Minister for Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance. That means several of people have a new boss. The man who will control and have the UCC under his Ministry. The man who said people deserved to wait and die when the Cancer Machine didn’t work at Mulago. A person who didn’t understand why the standard and lack of investment into the education sector, as he visited a school. This man will now run the ICT and have this role. He will be a token soldier and run wild here. Not the fella who will make it better, but silence critics and be vile on TV. Just watch out!

The forever young Gen. Kahinda Otafiire. A man who is always selected and has a natural vibe of a Ministry. The previous Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister. Has now the prestigious Ministry of Internal Affairs. He will truly assault on the ones who is in the way of this Presidency. He is the sort of man who will try to corrupt an election to win and ensure his opponent linger in jail. So, this man isn’t that great, but entitlement is a bitch and the General will continue to pursuit it to the end of his days.

Raphael Magyezi, the one who is the definition of a autocrats best friend. The man who is willing to trade away his soul. Just for some pocket-change and benign trust that it will pay-off in the end. For now his at the mercy of the President. Who has retained him after “private” billing the Age Limit. Still, this man has nothing now. If it isn’t for the goodwill of the President. He knew he isn’t loved and therefore, he isn’t even an MP anymore either. An appointee with no future, except for the blessing of the State House.

Judith Nabakoba MP have perfected the unadulterated press releases in her last term in Parliament. Nobody gave out more information and more statements than her. She was steady with them and parroting the narratives of the state. This is why she was retained and will have another role. She is now appointed as the Minster of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. Where she might be more silent and be more knocking-on the doors of the State House for a safe journey.

One Independent NRM “leaning” MP Agnes Nandutu is the former ‘Point Blank’ reporter and journalist turned politician. Who lost in the NRM Primaries but was able to become MP in the General Election. She is now appointed as Minister of State, Office of the Prime Minister in-charge of Karamjoa.

Evelyn Anite returns to the Cabinet after double loses in the elections. She lost in the Primary and in the General Election. Still, the President is appointing her as the Minister of State for MoFPED in-charge of Planning. She has been a minister in the last term into business. The President is putting her as a deputy under Matia Kasaija. That will be good for her in one way. As she is proven as a soft-weight last term. Even if she is bold, brash and out of line. Going full steam ahead and the President have to clear out her mess like he had to with Uganda Telecom and other saga’s pertaining to Anite. She is living on the mercy of Yoweri and should count her blessings. Also, let us not forget that she is the “gateway to Koboko” and has the army behind her. Please. Remember that. 

Henry Okello-Oryem is another one of them who just has to be retained. His a State Minister of Foreign Affairs, in-charge of International Affairs. This is a role he has kept for years. Even as his boss Kuteesa is gone. His retained miraculously. We can wonder why, because it is not like he has worked magic or done anything significant in the previous of years. His there because Museveni trust him and nothing more than that.

Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke MP, the daughter of Dr. Philemon Mateke ran for MP in 2021 and won. She has been in Parliament in 2011-2016, but lost in the last term, but returned as this one. Ironically, she ran as an independent in the 2016, but lost to the the NRM candidate in Kisoro. She is one out of 6 Ministers appointed from the Kigezi Sub-Region.

Another forever Minister is Sam Okello Engola has been in good graces since he was appointed as a member of the Constitutional Assembly in 1995. Been in Parliament since 2001 and held various of posts since then. He is just one of those spirits on the wall that keeps getting retained and delivers exactly what the State House wants. This is why his such a fellow who get appointed and keeps getting high ranking official work by the President.

A giant shocker is Owek Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) politician. Who has been the National Chairperson of FDC and a former minister in Buganda Kingdom. She was part of a team who worked directly with Patrick Oboi Amuriat in the negotiations and talks with Muntu after the former Party President lost the previous election. She’s such a integrated part of FDC. It is astonishing that she accepted the appointment and now becomes a State Minister of ICT and National Guidance. Working directly for Uganda Media Centre and other entities spewing out propaganda for the state. That’s such a epic downfall from grace. A betrayal of the cause and a former confidant of Besigye going rouge for Museveni.

Here was another 10 more appointments and my comments. My research and looking into the cabinet for 2021 – 2026. This is very interesting and shows what sort of people Museveni appoints. It is a clear sign, but also a shocker. That Owek and Mateke get’s picked is weird. The others are more accepted, but needs a gist of their past and show how long they have been in the game.

The President drops a few appointees that you couldn’t expect, but also some staple. There is some who just have to get a Ministerial Post and be a High Ranking Official. That is just their livelihood and expectation. Peace.

Opinion: 536 MPs in the 11th Parliament [means an additional 217 MPs since 2006]

In the 10^th Parliament there is 459 MPs, out of them 77 MPs are above 60 years older. Today, these people added 5 MPs for elderly, so there are for the UPDF, People with Disabilities (PWDs) and Youth. The elderly is for the ones who are above 60 years old. That is 17% of the Parliament.

Maybe it could be less in the 11^th Parliament, but the growth of the Parliament is now going up to 536 MPs after the recent calculation by Parliament Watch. That is an addition of 77 MPs between one term to another. From 2016 to 2021. The 2021 will be a free for all. This because of the 46 new counties, 5 cities and newly created districts in the Republic.

In 8^th Parliament there was 319 MPs (2006-2011) to 11^th Parliament with 536 MPs (2021-2026), which is 217 MPs added since 2006. That is an addition of 21 MPs on average, each year since 2006. This is an astonishing feat by the MPs to make this many seats within the reach of time.

We cannot make this up, the amount of carved out districts and counties. The makings of counties into districts and sub-counties into counties. Which in the end makes the representation for smaller groups of population and gives areas so many MPs. While they are not delivering more services or more needed local government.

This has been shown that some districts has more MPs than doctors and specialized treatments for its citizens. That is just proving a point of how the state is using funds on salaries, emoluments, allowances and other perks they have.

Now, there will be 5 MPs for elderly there, as there isn’t enough with VP, Prime Minister and President of advanced age. All people who could easily gotten pensions from NSSF. The same MPs abolished the age limit, so that the President can be from the stone age and been a buddy with Fred Flintstones.

This is why the recent addition is foolish, as there are plenty of people who are old enough to represent this group. Soon there need to be MPs for newborns and albino. Just to ensure everyone is included and every seat is filled on Nile Avenue. This is just bamboozling the Republic.

The citizens deserves representation, but this is just additional costs without consideration of the revenue. This is just using their role as representatives for selfish reasons and securing another term. All of these additions this term is just to finalize an opportunity to control the next parliament.

To make the 11^th Parliament so big that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) can have overreaching manpower and gerrymander it to make it easy to rig another election. That is why the districts and counties are squeezed to pieces just months ahead of elections, while parties are working to find flag-bearers for everywhere. You just got scrap together candidates in the last minute before the campaigning starts, as there are new places to campaign with no second to prepare.

This is all game for the NRM to prepare. They are not minding the bill, they hope some foreign backer or multi-national will foot that. These people are hoping a loan will pay their salaries in the next term.

2021 cannot come quickly enough. The amount of MPs are growing every week and we are at 537 MPs. Could it become about 550 by next week? Why not? Maybe some snoozefest people in Kabalagala is forgotten and doesn’t have a proper MP. Peace.

Magyezi MP sealed his own fate…

“To a lackey no man can be great, for a lackey has his own conception of greatness.” – Leo Tolstoy

I cannot feel sorry for a man who is willingly and defending a private motion to change a constitution to create a President for life. In that regard, Raphael Magyezi have been in parliament for Igara West County since 2011. So, when this second term ends in 2021 he got ten years as a lawmaker and representative for National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Magyezi is a lackey, a proud one too. Who cannot understand why people hate him. He has made his bed and now he got to sleep in it. When you launch motions like the abolishment of Age Limit and preaches to the choir that the President needs more time. You are selling your soul for that cause.

Magyezi isn’t a victim, but a man feeling the consequences of his actions. That he did this and stood high is now costing. The MP for two terms has become synonymous with life presidency. That he wrote the motion and got it voted in.

The man can ask for sympathy and well wishes, but his a lackey. A loyal lackey who have delivered everything the President and his associates wants. If it was life presidency: check. If the president wants more gerrymandering: check.

The man always delivers to the needs of the Movement and the President.

Magyezi is tainted by his own actions. His bleeding yellow and cannot run away from it. Agent Yellow will flee the parliament and not run for a third term. The locals have thrown stones at him after the abolishment of age limit and he knows this was a unpopular move. However, he did it for selfish reasons to gain momentum with the President.

He has pulled out of the race for 2021. However, don’t be shocked if he get appointed to the cabinet or even a state agency. This man is done with politics. Just a man who knows his yellow heart isn’t appreciated.

Raphael did something great for one man, but he did not serve the whole republic. The MP did that for selfish reasons and it has backfired. The State House loves the man and NRM CEC vouches for him. However, in the streets he cannot walk in peace.

Magyezi MP has done this all to himself. This is self-inflicted and that why its hard to find mercy for the man. It is different if he had stumbled or fallen by mere unluck. However, the man did it all on its own and stood up like a champion for it.

In the end his just a lackey. Magyezi and the abolishment of article 102(b) is who he are. He stood on the pedestal and preached sermons for this matter. That is why he has to find solace on his own.

Magyezi MP is wounded, but he will not go away. He will be appointed or get a hack-job elsewhere. As the throne appreciate the loyalty and will offer some tokens for favours done in past. Peace.

Opinion: Nsereko MP is right, but there is no need for more MPs

“How can a district with [30000] thirty thousand people have six MPs and whereas in Kampala and Wakiso areas counties are populated yet they are not considered in this new move of creating counties, he questions the yardstick used by government to create new counties…” – Muhammad Nsereko (30.07.2020 in Parliament).

As there is new cities, 46 counties and new woman representatives coming to the 11^th Parliament. The capital is clearly left behind. As there are a lack of representation in consideration to how other districts and counties are carved up. That is easy to see and not quell over.

Nsereko MP is right in his argument, but is this how things needs to be? A republic that has added 208 MPs in Parliament since 2006 and will have 527 MPs in the 11^th Parliament from 2021. So, there is managed stretch of representation from various parts of the Republic. Where some are so have plenty more MPs than others.

That Kampala is left behind isn’t shocking, neither would it be in Mukono or in Wakiso too. If you look at population and amount of MPs it is easy math. As there are smaller constituencies and not as populated as some divisions and wards in Kampala. That is all natural, but are a simple reason for it too.

The opposition are usually supreme in Kampala. The opposition have a stronghold here and the President and the Movement would be reluctant to give more power to the opposition in Parliament. They rather carve out districts and counties where they would get more MPs themselves. This is why Kampala also is left behind.

National Resistance Movement are doing this all in areas where they know they can get MPs and more representation. They are not willing to do this. If you remember back in 2016, in the general election. The Electoral Commission and polls was later in the capital, even postponed a day, as the voting material was not delivered in time to the polling stations. So, its not like the state is doing the capital any favours.

We can anticipate the similar fashion in 2021. Sure, if the capital had similar representation as some smaller constituencies. It would have like 20 or 25 MPs or even more. As it has 9 in total today and Nakawa carved in two, making it an even 10 MPs from Kampala. With 15 more MPs, the Parliament would be at the extra-ordinary number of 542 MPs. This shows why this is a foolish game and just toying with expenditure of the state. Where they are just adding additional expenses without any added revenue. The amount of additions to the next Parliament is ridiculous.

Like I stated and I understand the argument of Nsereko MP. His right in his statement and there is no redemption there towards the ones who carved out the other counties to add MPs. However, the state doesn’t need another 15 MPs from Kampala either. No one wins on that. Yes, you create more seats and some people get a bigger voice in Parliament. However, the Parliament is already overstretched and this will just be an added burden.

I don’t see anything positive with the additions already made and clearly will see that with adding MPs from Kampala too. There is a need for restructuring, but not carving out more and making constituencies smaller everywhere. This is also true in regard to Kampala. The whole system needs new tools and this way is only ceasing to make sense and creating make-belief counties to get “men of honour” elected to Parliament. Peace.

Opinion: 527 MPs in the 11th Parliament [means an additional 208 MPs since 2006]

There been a rise in the amounts of MPs in the Republic. A such spiralling rise, that its epic. It is such a booming industry. That you would think the National Resistance Movement (NRM) had found the one way to get rich scheme. Ensure that everyone who wants to become MPs can be and ensure that the incumbents can win by making new counties to every single election.

First in the early years of this regime, there 38 NRA/NRM historicals members who ran the National Resistance Council. That was done between 1986 to 1996 and is called the 5^th Parliament. By the time of the 8^th Parliament (2006-2011) there was 319 MPs. In the 9^th Parliament (2011-2016) there was 375 MPs.

In the 10^th Parliament, the current day, its 459 MPs (2016-2021).

While the new legislation today with the new 46 counties, new cities and districts, plus the 5 elders MPs the amount of MPs in the 11^th Parliament (2021-2026) the amount of MPs is up to 527.

So within the years of 2011 to 2021 the skyrocketing business of expansion in the Parliament went from 375 to 527. That is 152 new MPs since 2011.

If you look between the 2006 to 2021, the numbers goes even more insane. The Parliament went from 319 to 527, which means there was an addition of 208 MPs.

This means from 2006 until 2021 the Republic has made constituencies for 208 MPs, some special reserved seat and some Woman Representatives. However, the amount of adding this much people to be representatives in the August House must be redundant. Just like no government needs the amount of cabinet or Presidential Advisors. Which are all made in favours of the President.

Imagine, the Republic have created 208 seats in 15 years. It is a reason why they have to restructure and rebuild the Parliament. There is no office space, no halls to hold plenary sessions and so fourth. There are too many who has to show up and the building wasn’t built for that amount MPs.

This here is gerrymandering and carving out counties to secure weak MPs and ensure safe passage into Parliament. To also secure more friendly MPs of the regime. Have more cronies paid and lackeys covered in Parliament.

Your ensuring a costly parliament, MPs who is paid and covered with allocated funds, allowances and cars. Sitting fees and everything else. These people are paid millions upon shillings, while people living in a gig economy.

To create these much counties and MPs is only securing loyalty from the top. This is not to better the Republic. Only creating more expenses without adding any revenue. Peace.

Magyezi MP up the ante: In two weeks gone from 27 to 46 new counties!

On the 22^nd July 2020 there was a proposed 27 new counties. By the time of 27^th July it had escalated into 31 new counties. Today, the third edition came into fruition and its now up to 46 new counties. This is just a trick to get more Members of Parliament and not more service delivery.

We can all act a fool. Act dumbfounded and stupid, but we all know the game that is played. As the Cabinet proposed one bit, another by a private motion and today Raphael Magyezi, the Minister have added to the list. Just like gift that keeps giving.

They are just creating these counties out of thin-air. Just as they are making new districts out of old counties and creating counties out of old sub-counties. At some point, every village will have an MP and a Woman Representative.

This is an old trick to also ensure there is no electoral history or known numbers to calculate. As the Electoral Commission and the regime can mix the stats. They can ensure a safe-guard for their local allies. So, that their men and representative wins.

If you ever wondered what mushrooming government is? This is it. The epitome, the definition and high rewarding gerrymandering. When the state just re-issues new counties, wherever it deems fit and without any forewarning.

That is why this is a political game, a way of getting men of honour into Parliament. Not to deliver anything, but continuing the steady programming and ensuring the State House has all the ducks in the row.

This is just an insane blooming of the state. When the state doesn’t have the resources nor the domestic revenue to pay of the current MPs. They don’t have the money for the districts and counties. Just like state doesn’t have the funds for Municipalities and Cities. Therefore, the actions made now is just for elections. They no plans for these counties. None at all, except getting a few more MPs into Parliament.

So, we have seen within weeks go from 27 to 31 and now suddenly into 46. That is why this an electoral game. This is not for the betterment of the Republic. This is a selfish act for the ones in power to ensure they have the most representatives and reigns supreme indefinitely. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee donates some beans, but should have slaughterted some cows…

“President, Yoweri Museveni, through the first lady, Janet Museveni, has delivered his contribution to the National Task Force against COVID-19 and its effects. The President has donated UGX 1.4 Million which is part of his salary” (SpyReports, 30.04.2020).

For a big-man and a President for 34 years, giving a half-month salary is only symbolic. It is trying to make a statement, but not a for-real. It is not like this will hurt the pocket of the President or even matter to him. His not afraid of that this will be detrimental for him nor his family. If it would, he wouldn’t do this now.

Why do I say this? Well, the President is estimated worth of USD $4 billion. Not like he needs help financially. He owns big farms, has state houses all across the Republic. The President owns hotels and other businesses. So, does the rest of his family. They are owning everything from Garden City to other well-known businesses. Not like the donation will hit them at all.

Plus, the President is covered by the funds spent on the State House budget, Office of the President and Classified Expenditure. There is always an escrow account or other measures to secure that the bills will be paid and expenses will be covered. It is just another scheme to get things out of the way.

I’m sure a man with a ranch and 1000 cows can afford more than a million shillings. Especially, if he do care and wants to be noble. Some will cry foul for me. Because, the gesture is on his own. However, when your know his richer than God and has more money than most will see in their lifetime. To be honest, the amount of money we would have the ability to run through if we was incarnated a 1000 times. We might be lucky to get close to a billion dollars. Until then, the President is giving away breadcrumbs and expecting praise.

The President has had the ability to get businesses, ownership of hotels, malls and whatnot. Factories and ranches. Not like the President doesn’t have the opportunity to spend more on the COVID-19 Fund if he wanted too. The President could cover the whole thing, but his not doing so. This is “his money” and only previously been state funds to enrich himself.

If he was an up-and-comer, who rose like a phoenix out of the ashes. However, the President is far from that. His the socialite and big-man of Kampala. The almighty kingpin of the Republic. The man who runs by decree and by his words. Not like he doesn’t have enough cash to double or triple the COVID-19 Fund. If he did that, he would have shown some sacrifice. Nevertheless, the act made by him is only a symbolic affair.

This is a PR Stunt. Not a big deal. That would be if he sold one of the estates he owns or donated a hotel to it. Even if he slaughtered a few cows and gave some of the Sameer Dairy Corporation milk to the COVID-19 Fund. However, he didn’t do that. Because, that would have hurt his pocket and he doesn’t want to do that.

He could even donate one of his cars from his convoy, maybe the luggage car? Show a little flex. That would have shown something. Until then, his only given breadcrumbs and wants praise. Who are you kidding?

He has billions of dollars and only gives a 1 million shillings? It is good, but not real. Only a tear-drop into the giant ocean. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: MP Arrested for Flouting Food Distribution Protocols (20.04.2020)

Uganda Police Force: Crackdown on Motorists flouting the Partial Lockdown (18.04.2020)

Bank of Uganda: Credit Relief Measures to Mitigate the Economic Impact of COVID-19 (17.04.2020)