Uganda: Press Statement by the Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity – Office of the President (28.04.2021)

Opinion: Lokodo’s prayers wasn’t answered….

Former Reverend Simon Lokodo, the Minister of Ethics and Integrity lost today in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Primaries. This after he ran for the first time in the new constituency of Dodoth West in Karenga District. The man has been in Parliament since 2006. So after being in office and a lawmaker for 14 years. This is the bitter end.

Lokodo can be known for a lot of things. How he wanted to arrest and go after Dr. Stella Nyanzi. How he wanted to stop people watching porn and wanted to procure a device to monitor people watching it.

This man really had a lot of nerve. He went after Ministers and acted holier than thou. This man wasn’t a man of faith nor of ethics. It was only what could benefit himself and his cronies. He was using his office to get personal gains.

That is why the loss today isn’t only a big defeat for the Minster, but should also show that the people was tired of it. He didn’t represent them and wasn’t delivering anything substantial.

He has gone after Bad Black and Stella Nyanzi, but not after people who has done anything harmful. Just the one that is blasting the NRM and the “high above”. That is why he couldn’t procure a machine, but go after dissidents. That is just the fashion of the business and how the NRM operates.

The reverend knows this. That is why he has defended Janet Museveni and the mother of Yoweri. However, he has not defended the ones who needed a Ministry or act as a representative in office. No, his just had to be another busy body.

I don’t this man wants to be remembered this way, but that is his legacy. As a man with fallacies and misconceptions. A man who didn’t know better, but tried to act as a wise Yoda. Even when he couldn’t even feel the force or have the natural Jedi within himself. He was just a brother on a mission to destination “unknown”. That’s why his delivery sucked too and the public didn’t want him to be a flagbearer again.

This man had his turn. He had 14 years in Office. Still, the man didn’t do anything to help. Only self-serving missions to nowhere. Now that only left him with a torn legacy.

As he was ex-communicated by the Pope for joining politics. The public have no disconnected him for standing as a NRM MP in the up-coming General Elections in 2021. He can run as an Independent MP. However, that maybe make him a looser twice, as it has done others.

Lokodo should really consider himself and his standing. He has had time and opportunities, but not served the public. It is about time to retire and maybe focus on retreats, biblical studies and even lessons in ethics. This man should be able to do so. Become the NRM Mbonye of sorts, the new preacher in town. The man with the connections to both the “high above” in Entebbe and the ones in the “Heavens”.

Simon knows this and whatever Simon says… well, it doesn’t matter. He should have acted more humble. However, that wasn’t his character and now his lost. Peace.

A look into the battle of the MPs in the new districts in 2021

In September 2015, the 9^th Parliament approved 23 new districts. I have looked through most of them. We can see whose are having new constituencies and new borderlines for ballots in the General Election of 2021. There are other districts also pushed, which are not mentioned. Because, the list would be insane. But it shows some people who are having another route to their incumbency than previously done.

This has been an issue in previous elections too. As the state has operated and changed district lines for years. This is a clever way to create new polls and statistics, also ensure there are no strongholds. As the districts and sub-counties become fluid. That is because there was 112 districts in the 2016 Elections, but by 2021 there will be 135 districts. As well as there was 1,403 sub-counties in 2016, while in 2021 there will be 2057 sub-counties. All of this has effects for the elections and the supervision of it. As there are new candidacies, there are new elected officials and ensuring the tallies are right with the right forms, ballots and counting according to the eligible to vote and whose registered to do so. Therefore, these sort of changes are brining a lot headache, not only to the representatives to date, but also for the ones following it.

Therefore, with this in mind. I made a similar list of interesting names, districts and whose MPs, who could have issues when the primary polls in 2020 and the initial polls in 2021. This will be interesting, as there was incumbent MPs and NRM MPs who came into trouble and lost in new districts last time. That is likely to happen again, as there are other parishes, towns and such where they have to get voters compared to last go-around.

District:	MPs:
Rwampara County into a district (Curved out of Mbarara District)	Charles Ngabirano (NRM) Former: Mujuni Vincent Kyamadidi (NRM turned FDC)
Karenga County into a district (Curved out of Kaabong District or Dodoth West)	Rose Akello Lilly (former Kaabong MP) Taking away constituencies from: Simon Lokodo (NRM)
Kapelebyong County into a district (Curved out of Amuria District)	Julius Peter Ochen (Independent)
Obongi County into a districts (Curved out of Moyo District)	Hassan Kaps Fungaroo (FDC)
Kazo County into a district (Curved out of Kiruhura District)	Gordon Bafaki (NRM)
Kitagwenda County into a district (Curved out of Kamwenge District)	Agaba Abbas Mugisha (NRM)
Madi-Okollo County into district (Curved out of Arua district)	This is taking away constituencies from Upper and Lower Madi. This hits NRM MPs: Isaac Etuuka & Ismail Ogama
Terendo East & West County into Terengo District (Operative 2020) (Curved out of Amuru District)	Mario Kania Obiga (NRM) – Terengo East Moses Angundru (NRM) – Terengo West
Kalaki County into a districts (Curved out of Kaberamaido district)	Clement Kenneth Ongalo-Obote (NRM)
Kagadi district of out Buyaya county (Curved out of Kibaale district)	Eric Musana (Buyaya East) – (NRM) Barnabas Tinkasmiire (Buyaya West) – (NRM)
Kakumiro district (Curved out of Kibaale district)	Barnabas Tinkasmiire (Buyaya West) Robinah Nabbanja – (NRM) Woman MP
Omoro County turned district (Curved out of Gulu District)	Jacob Oulanyah (NRM) Catherine Lamwaka (Woman MP) – (NRM)
Rubanda County turned district (Curved out of Kabale District)	Henry A. Musasizi (Rubanda County East) Denis Sabiiti (Rubanda County West)
Rukiga County turned district (Curved out of Kable District)	Herbert Kabafunzaki (NRM) – Rukiga County
Namisindwa district (Curved out of “East Bubulo County” in Manafwa District)	Apollo Masika (NRM) – Bubulo County East
Pakwach district (Curved out of Nebbi District)	Emmanuel Ongiertho (FDC) – Jonam County
Butebo County turned into district (Curved out of Pallisa district)	Fred Oduchu Mudukoi (Independent) – Butebo County
Bunyangabu County into district (Curved out of Kabarole district)	Adolf Mwesige (NRM) – Bunyangabu County
Nabilatuk district out of Pian County (Curved out of Nakapiripirit district)	Achia Remegio (NRM) – Pian County
Bugweri county into districts (Curved out of Iganga distict)	Abdu Katuntu (FDC) – Bugweri County
Kasanda counties into one district (Curved out of Mubende District)	Micheal I. Bukenya (NRM) – Bukuya County Patrick O Nsamba (NRM) – Kassanda County North Simeo Nsubuga (NRM) – Kassanda County South
Kwania county turned district (Curved out of Apac District)	Tonny Ayoo (NRM) – Kwania County
Kikuube turned district from Buhaguzi County (Curved out of Hoima District	Daniel M. Muheirwe (NRM) – Buhaguzi County Tophase Kaahwa Byagira (Woman MP)

I think this list is interesting, as it says something about whose has a new challenge. Who has new constituencies and where the might reside some lost hope. As there have been lacking funds to operate these districts. There been trouble to find financial stimulus to actually operate them. The NRM has made big changes with the districts, but haven’t considered the economic implications in doing so. Also the obligations of civil service, hospitals, health care centres and so-on. As well, as halls for the appointed leadership, the elected officials offices and so-on. Which is all on the back-burner and lack of funds too do.

Therefore, this list shows what is at stake and what the NRM does to ensure continued power in Parliament. As they assess these changes will give them popularity, as they are giving local government close look in the previously bigger districts. Even as they are all former sub-counties turned into a bigger and have more of a mandate as a district. Peace.

Opinion: State Minister Kiwanda indirectly saying, the Republic got Curvy Woman for Sale!

“In his efforts to upheave Uganda’s Tourism , Minister Kiwanda Suubi has launched Miss curvaceous Pageant where Ugandan Hot Ladies will unleash what their Mama gave them. Women with Body Curves will get into competition in the name of Boasting Tourism in Uganda” (87.7 Kampala FM, 06.02.2019).

When, the State Minister for Tourism Godfrey Kiwanda, whose been busy appointing different Tourism Ambassadors over the last 6 months. Has now fresh ideas to spark interest and create more tourism to the Republic. However, it is a bit worrying, the initiative and the idea itself.

“We have naturally endowed nice looking women that are amazing to look at. Why don’t we use these people as a strategy to promote our tourism industry?” – Godfrey Kiwanda.

What this really shows is how the State Minister objectifies the woman, the ones of his preferences, as he has proven that with who he appoints as Ambassadors under his ministry. That Kiwanda likes woman is now public. That he enjoys their company and hires them. That is more than proven. The reason why he changes and appoints new ambassadors for various of reasons.

Whatever that strikes his mind, that the Miss Curvy Pageant would be a good idea? Who knows really, but he is already in a Republic with Miss Tourism Uganda and other pageants for international shows of similar kind. What he has created is after his preference and what he looks for in woman.

But what is even more striking is that he is proclaiming, that Curvy woman is a product to sell the Republic. That the woman is a perk and speciality of the Republic. He is indirectly saying their sexiness and beauty is something that will attract tourist. So, is the State Minister indirectly saying, he is looking for Sex-Tourism and the ones going to the Red-Light Districts to solicit woman?

Because, when you make a person, a individual as a product, they usually tend to deliver a service and get paid for it. In this instance, it is disgusting, if that is the idea or the ideal of the Minister. That he wants to use the beauty of woman to allure people, who comes there to get laid. That is how it seems to me. That is if he really claims the curvy ladies should be a promotion tool to gain interest in tourism.

Woman are not tourism attractions, they are not objects for sale. That should be so simple and not hard to understand. Whatever way Kiwanda is looking at it. If he thinks this is smart move, he is foolish and makes his Ministry looking like an open-air bazaar.

Ugandan woman, woman in general deserves better. They deserves to handled and talked about in whole another manner. They are more valuable, than being a promotional tool. They are not for sale. That should be so easy to see and say.

Kiwanda should know this, because he is really out of bounds here. He should apologize and scrap the idea. This is chauvinism and also paternalism at its worst. Kiwanda isn’t honouring the culture or celebrating woman, but he is trading them away for some foreign exchange. That isn’t romantic or even noble, that is demeaning and disgraceful.

Time to step up and take a bow, Mr. Kiwanda. Peace.

Opinion: Rev. Lokodo need to look into Kiwanda’s business – Off hiring and firing Tourism Ambassadors!

Reverend Simon Lokodo, whose the Minister of Ethics and Integrity soon has to challenge and look into Godfrey Kiwanda, the Minister of Tourism. Because, this man is really into ladies. In a way that no other Minister in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is, except for Godfrey Bukenya whose leaked online photos with younger ladies all the time.

However, this more about how Kiwanda uses his position, not only to promote Uganda, but also handpicks a set of woman to titled and honourable work, like Tourism Ambassador of the Republic. That is what he has been working on lately.

There is already a yearly Miss Tourism Pageant, but none of them there has been hired for post. Which should be a natural thing. However, the Minister having been doling the Tourism Ambassador around. He has been hiring and firing for the last six months.

First, it was Zari Hassan, the socialite was hired and went all around with the Minister to Photo-Ops, even got a famous picture with guards with AK-47s as she was posing. That was just natural for the one and only Tourism Ambassador.

Second, in the middle of January 2019, as Miss World Africa of 2018 Quinn Abenakyo kicked Zari Hassan to the curb and became the newly appointed Tourism Ambassador.

However, that wasn’t as long or with anything memorable done. It was like a short-fling, nothing serious. Just puppy-love for the Minister, who lost interest very quick after the appointment.

As of today, it has been announced, that the busy-body of a Minister. The man, who always has a beauty on payroll. Has changed his mind. The Miss World Africa wasn’t up for the gig of Tourism Ambassador after all.

Therefore, he had to appoint the NBS Television Katch Up Host Anita Fabiola aka Fabiola as the newly minted Tourism Ambassador.

There has been more changes in this position as in any given other institution in Uganda. You would think that this is the most prestigious, the most honourable and best paid. That this what to aim for, as if you want to be somebody. You got to have on your CV, that you were the Tourism Ambassador. That is just it.

I’m wondering, when is Shanita Namuyimba aka “Bad Black” appointed, maybe by March 2019? Or anyone else for that matter?

Seriously, the Minister is too busy appointing these people for this one position. Is that the only thing he does? Haven’t he a Tourism Board and Wildlife to ensure? Doesn’t the Minister have enough Museums and Heritage sites to take care of?

We all know that those tasks cannot be as fun for a man, as the opportunity to bask in the glory of beautiful woman. That must be the reason why he does this and that is why Rev. Lokodo has to look into his ethics. Because, he has now passed through three ambassadors and for unknown reasons fired two of them. Therefore, Simon, you got a task to handle.

For the rest of us. Lets continue to watch the show. Peace.

Another Institution to fight Corruption: Rev. Lokodo didn’t plan the cost for it though!

Just like so many other things with the National Resistance Movement (NRM), they have giant plans and even laws to abide. As the Leadership Code Act Amendment of 2016, which stated that a Tribunal would be created and elected by the President and Public Service Commission. That Tribunal was supposed to follow up on the possible breaches of the Leadership code, have inquiries and collect reports of these within the government.

However, that has not happened, because the NRM, haven’t had the same wish for that or even tried to allocate funds for this They have anticipated that someone else is paying their tab. The Minister for Ethics and Integrity Simon Lokodo wanted, as he was the sponsor of the amended code. However, he never considered the costs of making a Tribunal, meaning someone has to pay for the manpower and the elected people for this. That is bad leadership in itself. As the Ministry should have had the funds before the Parliament enacted the changes of the law. The Parliament should also know about these provisions and the possible outcome of amending the Leadership Code. However, they didn’t!

“Government plans to spend a total of Shs117.7 billion to implement the new zero tolerance to corruption policy approved by Cabinet on Monday” (…) “Fr Lokodo said the European Union has so far given government Shs 3.1b to establish the Leadership Code tribunal. He said the tribunal should have been established shortly after the amendment of the Leadership Code Act last year, but did not take off because of lack of funds” (Draku & Wandera, 2018).

So, this isn’t only a story about the Government of Uganda has yet another body to fight corruption and doing it through the Ministry of Ethics and Integrity. As the Tribunal under Lokodo Ministry, will be a part of a collective of government institutions doing similar actions. This being Uganda Police Force, Public Procurement And Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), Office of Attorney General (OAG) and Inspectorate of Government (IGG). All of these should be more than enough, as even the Judiciary and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) are an investigatory body. Certainly, knowing the NRM, they could be involved in the manners of these. Especially, if the person was a big-man in their view.

Therefore, this is yet another expert facility and another institution to fight the same thing. As the mushrooming of the state continues. This is bound by law and until the law is repealed, the Tribunal is bound to appear. Because, it is in law and was enacted.

What I wonder, what will the Tribunal do, that the Police, PPDA, OAG, IGG, The Judiciary and UPDF isn’t doing already and what results will differ from what they are doing today?

I don’t think any of these possible institutions will really fight the corruption. As the finalization and the orders of confirmation comes from upon high. The President and State House is deciding what is happening in the end. The biggest deals are happening their without public insights in the State House. Therefore, if the NRM wanted it to be real.

They have to change the pattern of the President and his State House. The cronies and the elites around the President has to keep things transparent and open. However, they are not doing so. Therefore, any of these institutions will not make a significant difference. Peace.

Reference:

Fraklin Draku & Derrick Wandera – ‘Government to spend Shs117b on fighting corruption’ 01.11.2018 link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-spend-Shs117b-fighting-corruption/688334-4831334-jswwdm/index.html

Rev. Simon Lokodo Press Statement: Nyege Nyege Festival is On (05.09.2018)

Minister Simon Lodoko letter to Minister Jeje Odongo: “Re: MTN Nyegenyege Festival 2018” (03.09.2018)