Omoro County By-Election: The Son of Jacob will not help people out of poverty, but finish his father’s mega-mansion!

We want to express condolence for the death of our son Oulanyah. He had showed good leadership. I’m sorry that we lost him but I am very happy with the people of Omoro. You are civilized people and know how to behave well because you reasoned rationally and said this was Oulanyah’s term. He didn’t finish it, and so let us send his son to finish it. This is Oulanyah’s term” (…) “These people are not sending you but sending Oulanyah back. If you work well, next time they will send Ojok back” (…) “So, I hope Ojok will continue Oulanyah’s work and help people get out of poverty” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (24.05.2022).

The late speaker and former Member of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah wasn’t only the breadwinner of the family, but he also built up a massive estate. Where he had a plan of a vast and huge mansion in Omoro County. That is left behind and unfinished. The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) and President Museveni promised to fulfil the mission and deliver the mansion to its glory. While also support the kids and relatives of the late speaks intuition fees as well. Therefore, Andrew Ojok Oulanyah isn’t finishing the mission of his late father, but ensuring that his mansion getting built.

It is hard to say that the late speak did much or anything to combat poverty. Even if the statistics between 1999 (over 80% under the poverty line in Acholi sub-region) and in 2017 (68% under the poverty line in Acholi sub-region). That can just be mere luck or the long effects of the peace after the prolonged war since the liberation war in the 1980s.

What is striking is that the sub-region is one of the most impoverished and lacks government structures. However, the late speaker still saw it within reason to build a mega-mansion worthy of a hotel complex and beyond. A such huge estate, which only benefits the high and almighty of the nation. That’s the sort of thing that the Son of Jacob is inheriting and the state is finishing it for him.

That’s why I doubt he will continue anything. Not like his father did much ado about nothing. We cannot expect much either. His a novice and just a pawn for government majority. Just like the Deputy Speaker was to continue her term and finish it. Now the President wants Andrew to finish Jacob’s term in Parliament.

Again, Andrew just wants to finish where his father left off. In a lavish lifestyle of perks and envelopes. That’s why his father could start to build a mega-mansion. As it seemed plausible to finish and live in a large mansion eventually. Where he could recuperate and chill behind the battles of Kampala. As he could have shade and all sorts of luxuries in the North. Because, that mansion when it’s finishes oozes prestige and glory.

I don’t see Ojok making a difference… but instead just getting a better life for himself. That’s why his indebted to the voters. Because, the party had no choice but to accept his nomination and candidacy in this election. That’s because Museveni decided. Just like he wants the public to follow his choices and his vision. This would be the same…

Do you believe the Son of Jacob? Because I don’t… I expect him to finish the building and cashing in the Parliamentary Salaries. That’s what is expected of him. He will build the mansion and get a vehicle as an MP. Ajok will get perks and kick-backs… that’s just the nature of the game of the current affairs. He will surely enjoy these and ensure the family has funds to keep it’s upkeep. Nevertheless, ending poverty or working to stop poverty in the Omoro county?

No, that’s not happening. It is his turn to eat and continue to build on the fortunes of his father. Peace.

Omoro County By-Election: NUP Mobilizers and Activists kidnapped and kept incommunicado…

Police Mount Checkpoints to Screen ‘Strangers’ In Omoro Ahead of By-election. According to the Aswa River Region Police spokesperson, David Ongom Mudong, the checkpoints will help Police to screen people.…especially those who are strangers and entering Omoro District at the time campaigns are ongoing. But NUP Candidate, Simon Toolit Akecha says the checkpoints being erected in the constituency are targeting their campaign teams and supporters” (Unity FM 97.7 Lira, 22.05.2022).

This here was reported about yesterday. Now it is verified from the radio station in Lira. The By-Election in the Acholi Sub-Region we knew would be contested. The authorities and the state is using all their means to succeed.

The checkpoints are clearly made for arresting people associated with the National Unity Platform (NUP). As there are reports of both well-known activists and mobilizers in the area that is kidnapped and kept incommunicado.

As reported underneath:

I’m told the army arrested NUP supporters and members on the campaign team last night in Omoro. Some were picked from their hotel rooms” (Kelvin Omukungu, 22.05.2022).

This brother uses the profile name Maush Mo on Facebook, alongside some others he is said to be held incommunicado in Omoro by the Police. The leadership NUP is making efforts to establish reason for the arrested” (Kato Festo, 22.05.2022).

There was also reports yesterday that the Special Forces Command (SFC) was using violence, beating and brutally arresting people who was associated with the NUP. Therefore, this is a continuation of that and just shows what the NRM is willing to do to “win”.

There is also reports that the NRM is giving away money to villages and their team is spending millions of shillings to buy voters in the Oromo County By-Election. So, the NRM is not “wasting” any resources on the prestige of getting the Son of Jacob elected. Peace.

Omoro By-Election: Bobi Wine and the Campaign Team released after hours of arrest under military supervision…

The latest report from Omoro By-Election is that Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and his Campaign Team has been released. They are now returning back to Kampala. As the Special Forces Command (SFC) has released them after keeping them under arrest.

This is directly stopping the National Unity Platform (NUP) from campaigning and using their national figures to gain voters in Omoro County By-Election. It is just a proof of how the state intimidate, incite fear and uses their means to “win” an election.

The arrests today and the military supervised arrests of civilians, activists and political leader Bobi Wine. Only shows what the state is wiling to do. Just so their candidate can “win” and nothing else.

It is only 5 days to the 26th May and it shows the dire distress the NUP causes to the National Resistance Movement (NRM). That is so clear as the NRM has all their people campaigning in the election, but the NUP is blocked from doing the same. Just another proof of the “free and fair” elections in the era of the NRM. Peace.

Omoro County By-Election: Bobi Wine and the NUP Campaign Team arrested

Tonight, as the violent and brutal arrests of National Unity Platform supporters have been occurring in Omoro County ahead of the By-Elections there on the 26th May 2022. There are several of other reports of which shows the fierce force of the authorities in the area.

As the road-blocks and checkpoints are put up to stifle any movement or any sort of possibly public outcry of the residents there. There is reports that the NUP Campaign Team has all been arrested. This includes Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, as well as Noah Mutwe, Maush and others too. That is happening as they were campaigning for the NUP flag-bearer Simon Toolit.

The Special Forces Command (SFC) of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) is said to be deployed and using force today. These are the ones that is behind the arrests and taking them to unknown locations. This is similar to what happened in the Arua By-Election of 2018.

Now it is repeating itself and the arrests are occurring before the polls. Even before the NUP is able to canvass and campaign whole-heartedly in the county. That shows what the state is willing to do and how it uses it’s resources to stay in power. As they are fighting for the Son of Jacob to “win” this election.

Bobi Wine is reported to be under military supervision after the arrest hours ago. We don’t know where and with what charges, but everything is up for grabs here. Over the weekend everything will become clear. As we will here the UPDF drop a statement and the UPF as well. That is just happening whether we like it or not.

Alas, this just shows that the NRM doesn’t believe in their own candidates and own political platform. When they have to arrest the opposition and use military force to stop them from campaigning. That’s because the NRM and the army fears to lose even more influence in the Parliament. Even if it just a means to regain a seat the NRM already had.

A By-Election shouldn’t be bloody, vicious and need the usage of brutal force like this. However, this is the only way the NRM knows how to win and it shows. The Son of Jacob should feel weak and be praying to the Gods that the almighty forgives them. Because, his campaign is the reason for other people’s plights. The authorities are doing this on his behalf and he should remember that. Peace.

Uganda: FEWS NET projected food security levels as stressed in the Greater Northern Region and a crisis in Karamoja

Staple food prices have continued to increase in recent months and are higher than prices recorded last year and five-year average levels across most of Uganda. Prices of staple sorghum and maize are now significantly above average in several key reference markets across the country. In Karamoja, terms of trade for sorghum against firewood, charcoal, and goats are below average and worse than last year, significantly restricting food access for poor households. After the first season bimodal harvest in June/July, food prices are expected to decline but are now expected to remain above average given expectations for below-average production, increased net exports, and impacts of the war in Ukraine on global supply chains and prices” (FEWS NET, 06.05.2022).

The Cassava Republic is getting hit hard by not only the rising commodity prices, but the weather. The agricultural production will be slowed down and that will hurt the farmers of the regions in the Northern Uganda and in the Karamoja sub-region. That is very evident and FEWS NET together with the World Food Programme is clearly having an oversight here. This here should worry the state, as it has targeted and had a military operation in Karamoja. Which is not mentioned here, but the burning region of Karamoja isn’t having a better times ahead of it. To the contrary things are only getting worse.

The Cassava Republic is also hit with an impactful war, which is not only hitting the exports of wheat, but in general. That’s why prices of commodities will go up and has gone up over the last year. Things are not getting better there either. Just read the quote below, which is a continuation of the first quote from FEWS NET on the matter.

In general, prices of food and non-food commodities have increased notably since late 2021. The main driving factors include rising transportation costs due to increasing fuel prices, seasonally declining market stocks, and reduced production prospects from the upcoming first season harvest following below average rainfall. More recently, impacts of the Russia-Ukraine crisis have driven further fuel price increases and increased the rate of general inflation of food and non-food commodities, further reducing household purchasing power. In March, retail prices of maize grain and sorghum increased farther above five-year average levels. Retail prices of beans and cassava generally remained below average in March, though prices of beans increased by 9-20 percent across monitored markets from February to March” (FEWS NET, 06.05.2022).

Here is the worrying statement:

However, rising food prices will likely result in some higher selling prices for famers, increasing access to income for those with near average production. For pastoralist households, pasture and water availability is expected to improve in May given the forecast of above-average rainfall. Overall, most households in bimodal areas are expected to access sufficient food and income to meet their essential food and non-food needs, with Minimal (IPC Phase 1) outcomes expected to persist at the area level throughout the projection period. However, given revised expectations for a third consecutive below-average production season as well as rising prices of food and non-food commodities including fuel, Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes are now expected to persist throughout much of northern Uganda for the majority of the projection period. In Karamoja, availability of food and income is expected to remain seasonally limited as the lean season progresses. Given delays in the agricultural season, the lean season is now expected to last through July, longer than usual by about three weeks. During this time, insecurity is likely to continue constraining limiting income-earning, including from livestock production and sales. When schools reopen for the new term in early May, households will likely experience some improved food consumption due to WFP’s food and nutrition programming for school children, including school meals, take-home rations, and supplementary food for households with malnourished children. However, food prices are expected to continue increasing through around June until the harvest from bimodal areas begins to boost market supplies, with an increasing number of poor households likely to face consumption gaps and Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes during this time. Though some seasonal price declines are expected following this, prices are expected to remain above average. For many poor Karamoja households, below-average purchasing power will continue constraining access to food from market purchases. Around August/September, the start of harvesting in Karamoja is expected to support improved access to food from own consumption and income from crop sales and reduce the number of households facing consumption gaps, though Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are expected to persist at the area level even during the post-harvest period. Overall, widespread Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are now expected to persist through at least September, with worst-affected households facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes” (FEWS NET, 06.04.2022).

We are seeing changes and the next coming months will be impactful to say the least. As the farmers and everyone else will struggle. There will be lack of food and a distress in some parts of the Republic, but it can become really dire in Karamoja. The Karamoja where the army has attacked, burned villages and gone after the citizens. That’s where things are getting worse and where they will have a terrible food insecurity to the levels of crisis. They can possibly get into Emergency, which should worry anyone. This just really speaks of how the state is failing its citizens and things are not getting any better.

The state should act upon this and think of safeguards. Nevertheless, don’t think they will. They rather send more soldiers and have more birthday bashes for Muhoozi. Than being concerned with the lack of food or ability to plough their fields. No, the state is more busy scheming and enterprising for their own. That’s why this sort of news needs to be spread. Because, the citizens of Karamoja and the Greater North will be hurt by this. That is the message from FEWS NET and it should be heard. Peace.

Opinion: When a soldier tortures a toddler, then the army can violate anyone…

Residents of Buvuma islands are living under fear after a Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) soldier only known as Robert brutally assaulted a 4-year-old boy for allegedly laughing at him while he was mastering how to ride a bicycle. Robert, who is attached to a detach in Nandala forest, Nairambi sub-county allegedly brutally beat a toddler identified as Najib Iguru, claiming that the boy had stoned him near his home. According to the boy’s mother, Aisha Namugaya, after the battering, the boy lost his body balance, his right leg started swelling while also struggling to breath” (URN – ‘Soldier tortures boy for mocking him, holds Buvuma village at gunpoint’ The Observer Uganda, 01.05.2022).

As long as I can remember and at every given moment, the President, His Excellency, Yoweri Kaguta Musveni has told the wonders of how disciplined his army is. He has spoken about the greatness and how he achieved peace. The President has spoken about how he came with fundamental change and how he revolutionized the Republic. However, things are not how it seems…

To the contrary, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and various agencies connected is as vicious, brutal and lacks order like the predecessors. The acts of torture and extra judicial killings is still rampant. The kidnappings and keeping civilians incommunicado persists. The acts of injustice and impunity is never far from sight. There more stories about these vicious acts than what we know. As either people are not allowed to tell, people are bruised or scared for life and many who fears to speak.

We have heard the stories of activists, political candidates and bystanders to campaigns. Now it is happening to kids or toddlers who is not fully grown. Neither should there be any sort of reaction to an action of a toddler. If the soldier felt mocked and hurt by the act of toddler. He should have spoken to the mother and the parents should have punished the toddler they saw fit. The soldier shouldn’t act as the judge, the jury and the executioner. The soldier did take it further and held the whole village at gun-point. Striking fear and avenging everyone know the toddler. That shows what sort of power and what the soldiers believes they are able to do.

The ones defending it… should think that this could be their own cousin or family member. This could happen to any villager or toddler across the Republic. The innocent civilian who isn’t eligible or able to be punished by law was still touched and violated by a soldier. The soldier took the law upon himself and tortured a toddler. Just writing these lines disgust me. The thought of a child being used blunt force against. No matter what he said or did, his reasoning and mental capacity to understand isn’t there. That’s why a toddler isn’t a legal subject, but the parent would be. Therefore, the soldier just shows how he was a brute and indisciplined.

We can just wonder else the soldiers are up too. They are allowed and follows orders of destruction, contempt of law and can act with vicious operations like the ones in Karamoja sub-region. That’s why we know their violence and know they can cause massacres with their bare hands. They can kill and without consideration of the justice or righteous reason to use the firearm. However, they do and the regime applauds it.

That’s why the incident of torturing a toddler isn’t directly shocking, but shows how far the army is willing to go. There is no decency or courtesy even. Just a brutal transgression and act with violence. Doesn’t matter if it is a civilian, toddler or anyone of stature really. As a soldier it is within your rights to destroy and violate someone. That is the message of the story.

The soldier should secure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic. Meaning defending the borders from invaders. Not being a tool of oppression and injustice. However, the latter is what the UPDF is known for and it shows. Peace.

Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF): Statement on Alleged Torture by CMI of one Mariwos Alexandria aka Esther (22.04.2022)

Opinion: Karamoja is burning over mineral explorations…

A total of 17,083 square kilometers of land in Karamoja is licensed for mineral exploration and extraction activities, according to official data. Twenty-six companies currently have exploratory or mining rights in the region. In 2018, Chinese mining company Sunbelt was given 3.3 square kilometers of land to set up a $13 million dollar marble mining factory in Rupa sub-county. A year later, the company expanded its operations to cover an additional 4.1 square kilometers, ostensibly after a deal with local leaders. Hundreds of families have since been pushed out of their ancestral homes, local officials say. Locals accuse Rupa Community development trust, a community trustee group created three years ago, of conniving with investors to steal their land” (Diana Taremwa Karakire – ‘Mining Rush Threatens Indigenous Peoples in Karamoja, Uganda’ 01.09.2021).

What I feared the most seems to be reason for the joint operation of the Uganda Police Force (UPF) and Uganda People’s Defence Force (UDPF) in the Karamoja sub-region. Which is an continues operation and it is persisting. The state is even furthering it’s investments into it by deploying 6,000 Local Defence Units or LDUs in Karamjoa. Therefore, the burning and bleeding will persist for a long time.

The lack of accountability and transparency is very clear. The obvious reasons for that is the licensed land and territories given to mineral extraction corporation over the indigenous people. The people and the citizens are neglected. They are perpetrators and the unlawful one in the mind of the state, but not by their rights as people.

The Government and the Authorities are coming in as a colonial government. They are occupying and violently removing people. The state is blaming the cattle rustling, but it is obviously more too it. Because, it is not like the government would create so much and damage over some livestock. However, it would do so over the mineral extraction and possible gold-rush in Karamoja.

We know they have given this state operation the name of “Usalama Kwa Wote” to disarm and take away illegal guns, but I wouldn’t be shocked if it was an alternate motive. A cash enterprise and a possible profit objective of the state. As they know the values of the land and what it possesses. When knowing that… they might find it easier to scare people away and not take ownership of land. Make them displaced and ensure their fear to return. As the mineral exploration and exploitation can start. In such a manner, that the government and the companies can start their trading.

The unfortunate families, villages and the Karimojong is just dying. While they are defending their land and we don’t have any idea about the amount of fatalities. As the GoU, the State House and UPDF doesn’t release any sort of update on their Joint Operation there. Only in the beginning and stopped when the public outcry ceased to exist.

The Karamoja sub-region continues to burn, be looted and is destroyed by government entities. While they are blaming old cultural factors and blaming the herders. That just shows their sinister motives. Because, we are not supposed to know about the vast licensing agreements and the planned mineral exploitation, which has been sanctioned without the concern of the locals or the Karimojong in general. They just have to accept the loss of land, livelihood and where they have lived for generations.

Because, that is the “steady progress” and “securing your future” means for Karamoja these days. The state don’t mind violating or destroying, as long as it has a prosperous future ahead of it. Peace.

Opinion: Karamoja is bleeding and nothing is being done…

The Karamoja Sub-Region has been burning and bleeding of late. This has been as a result of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force and Uganda Police Force, which are doing a joint-operation to stop cattle-rustlers, but clearly acting out of their means. As the 7 Karamoja districts are hurt as a result.

These districts are Kaabong, Kotido, Abim, Moroto, Napak, Nakapiripirit, and Amudat. All of them are touched by the state sponsored violence and savage killings. People are becoming internally displaced. Houses are being burnt and people are forced to flee. The amount of fatalities are unknown, as the UPDF have only dropped one update and the numbers from there is certainly an understatement.

The Joint Mission Update was what the authorities had done between 19th and 29th March and we are now on the 3rd April and the violence is still occurring at an uncertain rate. The verified 309 people must have add-ons as people are seeking shelters in mosques and elsewhere. Karimojong are really under fire here.

There are even a viral video clip of some soldiers in Abim district who killed an alleged cattle-rustler and burned the remains. While showing the skull in one of the hands of the soldiers as the burning fire of the remains was continuing in the back. That sort of video clip is haunting and show what sort of sinister acts that is going on.

We know that Commander of Land Forces Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga has promised them “hell” and his serving that on a plate. They don’t need to wait for the after-life to be in danger or meet the devil. The forces of Muhoozi is the agents of the Hell is already there and to get away from them would be like heaven.

As before in the month. There been speculations of mineral resources, findings of petrol and wider implications of foreign investors possible getting viable land. If not there is also reports of possible heists of livestock and thieving cows from the sub-region. As well, there is also reports of poisoning of goats there.

Whatever the reasons why it’s happening now. The citizens and the ones that dies… it happens without due process and without the courts of justice. The civilians are guilty before proven innocent in Karamoja right now. This is injustice and extra judicial killings. With the murder of over 300 people. Some might easily say massacres is going on and we don’t know to what extent. Since there is little to none reporting on the actual actions going on. The fatalities is therefore totally hidden and the bloodshed is happening in darkness.

The justification for the amount of death and it’s scale should be really crucial. As these amounts of deaths would be close to war or skirmishes between enemies of a civil-war. Alas, the state is behind a huge operation, which is causing harm that will linger on in the sub-region for decades. The fatalities and the insecurity isn’t becoming better, but worse. The devastating results will linger on and the damage cannot be mended. The souls taken and the land scorned will not be viable quickly. The needs for dialogue and peace. There isn’t a need for war or more guns. It is only causing more fatalities and more death.

That seems to be the devil in Muhoozi. He comes with death and thrives on the burning region of Karamoja. That’s the devil in the details… and how it can be perceived. Peace.

Uganda: Ministry of Defence & Veterans Affairs – Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) – The Situation in Karamoja is Under Control (29.03.2022)