Social Media Tax: PM Rugunda does a back-flip – Due diligence after levying it!

There are days, when you wonder if these people are sincere or real? I wonder if the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the whole organization and the Members of Parliament (MPs) ever thought their acts would have impact on society? They were just thinking it was rubber-stamping another budget and another relief for the deficit without concern of how it would impact the public. That can be put into question, after reading the statement made by the Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda at the Parliament earlier today.

Rt.Hon.Speaker and Hon.Colleagues, since the Act came into force on 1st July 2018; Government has noted public concerns regarding some of the elements in implementation of especially tax on mobile money transactions and OTT. H.E. the President has provided guidance on the matter and encouraged further discussion with a view to reaching consensus on how we should raise the much needed revenue to finance our budget and undertake the development agenda we have set for ourselves without causing unbearable burden to the citizens. Rt.Hon.Speaker and Hon.Colleagues, Government is now reviewing the taxes taking into consideration the concerns of the public and its implications on the budget” (Ruhakana Rugunda, 2018).

What this is evident known, that the state wasn’t ready for the impact it would have on the public. The public outcry and also the unfairness of these taxes. The phones are paid VAT, Income Tax of the Companies and now the Exercise Duty on it, therefore, double taxation when going in on Social Media, and triple when transmitting money through the Mobile Money Service.

What the PM is saying at the end is that they are starting to review the taxes, that should have been done in the first report delivered to the Parliament, as the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, should have shown the problems. They only was focused on the possible revenue, because of the status of revenue made by the Telecommunication Companies. Instead, of looking into the costs it would be put on the consumers and citizens. They we’re totally focused on the revenue to the state to fix the deficit.

That the state wants to review it now. They should have done it this way, as the whole thing started with letter written from the President and sent to Finance Minister Matia Kasaija on the 12th March 2018. Ordering to look into OTT and Social Media Taxes. In the midst of that, there was written a report and around 30th May 2018, the taxes was passed and got enacted, as the taxes started this 1st July 2018. It has been effective for only 10 days, but already shows all the flaws and fallacies in it.

It is like the NRM and the President, thought this would be a smooth ride of double and triple taxation. Where the excuse all along is that the Telecoms are eating the money and the development, the state has put into the industry, however, if that is the case, why don’t the state tax the companies more? Because now they are taxing the public into ridiculous levels.

So, the state is going circles, but instead of doing due diligence before enacting and levying the taxes. They are doing it after the fact, they are doing after the cat is out of the bag. The people see the ugly monster now, it isn’t an urban legend. It is real and they have no issues bleeding and destroying the economy on simple taxation. They are making it more expensive to pay bills and utilities. They are making it less viable to spread information and be part of a conversation. Because it is to costly to big chunks of the public. That is proven with the level of taxes put on each head passing into the digital atmosphere.

The PM have forgotten his role, as a Representative, but that what happens when you were the crown and forget the people. They are talking about reviewing it now. That should have been done long before it was tabled in the Parliament for voting and gotten passed in the plenary session in May 2018.

The report delivered should have enlisted the costs and the burdens, it should have been sincere, a document which numbers crunchers could have tested and seen if they were manipulated. Now, the reality is that the government didn’t collect the cost on each individual, neither the loss of certain low-level data-bundles and air-time packages. As they we’re abolished because of the added costs of taxes baked into the packages.

That is what the PM doesn’t even discuss or care. It is hard to believe that the state will seriously review it now, they will be busy bodies counting the shillings and add-ons to the state. I have little faith that they will looking into the lost meat boiled of the bone. They will not look after the wounded or the hurt from this.

They are might getting added revenue at the present by this, but they are also destroying a growing industry, that they could have taxed wiser and found ways to earn more revenue through. Instead, they are punishing the citizens for using digital ways instead of showing up in bank sending money there. Peace.

Reference:

Ruhakana Rugunda – ‘Statement to Parliament by the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister on the recently introduced taxes on Mobile Money transactions and Over The Top (OTT) services’ 11.07.2018 link: https://ugandamediacentreblog.wordpress.com/2018/07/11/statement-to-parliament-by-the-rt-hon-prime-minister-on-the-recently-introduced-taxes-on-mobile-money-transactions-and-over-the-top-ott-services/

#ThisTaxMustGo: Bobi Wine wanted by the Authorities after Demos earlier in the day!

The ironies of all of this, is that isn’t very special, as the Kampala Metropolitan Police are now looking for the Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi. Who was part of the leadership who held a demonstration in Central Business District of Kampala. Clearly, the Authorities hadn’t accepted this, as they themselves put violence into it, they shot tear-gas, live bullets and dispersed the public. He escaped himself and was able to get to the Parliament. Certainly this is not the end.

As the Chimp Reports reports later:

Kampala Police are set to issue summons against Kyadondo East Constituency Member of Parliament (MP), Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine for inciting violence and holding unlawful processions. Bobi Wine this morning led a team of protesters who marched from down town Kampala toward the City square. These, carrying banners were protesting the new social media and mobile money taxes” (Nixon Segawa – ‘MP Bobi Wine Wanted By Police Over Social Media Tax Demo’ 11.07.2018).

This here is continuing the methods of Kayihura and his ways. As they are using the Public Order Management Act (POMA) and use of the Penal Code to apprehend him to the Police Force within time. As the MP humiliated the Kampala Metropolitan, even as this would most likely not gotten the permit to demonstrate on it. IGP Okoth-Ochola has no quarrel using the same techniques to silence the voice of the people.

Bobi Wine is just showing way and doing what the other opposition leaders have done. As they campaign for cause and gain publicity for it. This here is a sign of will and how quickly he can get people behind him. That the MP could get as much and be able to organize this, even use the Social Media to get people to demonstrate. Shows the power of the people. Not that it changed much on the ground today, but shows the same-old, same old.

There are even arrests of other activists and demonstrators, which is held at the Kampala Central Police Station, while what they are arrested for is not clear yet. However, the police has taken them to custody in the manner, which they are known for. They are initiating violence and use weapons on the defenseless, the citizens who demonstrate for a good cause, one that are depleting their bank-accounts, double or triple taxation of the same services.

Still, the culprits of the violence walks, while the leaders of the demonstrations are demonized and arrested.

This seems like yet another day in opposite day. Where the rule of law is acting as vile criminals, while the public is deemed criminal for voicing their discomfort. It is surreal, but ordinary by the standards of the Police Force.

Bobi Wine is just a man, but a man of principal and fierce, he is young and vibrant. Everything this rulers of the land isn’t today. The NRM have forgotten why the exists. They have forgotten what their visions and their orthodoxy was in 1980s. Because Bobi Wine is speaking the same 32 years later.

It is tragic, but that is the way it is. Peace.

Finance Minister Matia Kasaija letter to UIA ED Jolly Kaguhangire to “Hand-Over Office” (09.07.2018)

More Musevenisms as the cronyism is real!

Danger, danger, be alert, this here will be sinful text. As the sins of the minds and spirit is shown again and again. By the same system and the same lord, nothing is changing only the names on the boards and on the appointments, but the same insignificant attributes continues. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has during the last appointed and re-appointed twice Residential District Commanders, he has also redirected appointments directly at Makerere University and to top it off, he has sacked and re-appointed a Executive Director and board for Uganda Investment Authority (UIA). All of these within days.

What is striking is how the State House is all involved in these matters, how connected the actions of the President and his will is the main factor in the decision made by the state. The government is de facto the President, we all knew this, but with the RDCs, UIA and Makerere, the Ministers and the Ministries, the experts and whatnot’s all have to wait for the blessing from Museveni.

It isn’t weird things are going slow, as the rubber-stamping son-of-a-gun in Entebbe has to deliver the verdict and put his seal on the matter, as he has to validate and secure every single appointment, even the janitors are surely hand-picked by the President. This is the proof of cronyism if there ever is one. The way he has to single-handedly decide and give people merits. After a month of speculation and a claim from Hon. Evelyn Anite that the Executive Director of UIA was corrupt and now the President has re-appointed someone else, while the former ED is challenging the merits of the case. It is really astonishing.

Just like the one day, a new batch of appointments and redeployment of RDCs came about, a day later revealed that some had been dead, one all the way back to 2014. Therefore, kind of hard to be a RDC when your deceased. That is why, on the 15th June 2018 the new list came into circulation and people started to speculate. However, by 24th June 2018, the RDCs fraternity had to be calm down await new orders, as the list was changed and by 25th June 2018, Uganda Media Centre had to write similar to calm it down. It just shows the madness in system and the erratic behaviour has consequences on the ground.

Jolly Kaguhangire, the now former ED of UIA is the crown-example of cronyism in the time of Museveni. The relative of the First Lady Janet Museveni. Who has been the ED since 2017 and now fired in mid-2018. Certainly, the stand-off, the whistleblower to the IGG and the whole farce will continue and persist as the family squabble will hit the headlines. There aren’t anything, which that will stop that at this point. The UIA is used as pawn in a game and the reality is that the Musevenism is the end-game.

This here will not end with the squabble between the board of directors, neither the IGG or even the Minister Anite who has used her role as the one with oversight to look into the activity of the UIA. But this will end with either ruthless activity, re-appointment or even being posted somewhere else, the ED of UIA is a family member, she will in the end be shielded. However, this shows why the family sagas and the interference are dropping the level of integrity and transparency, as they are obliged to be in-charge. Not on merits or skills, but because of their entitlement to the first family.

This is cronyism at its worst, where the ones either in family or loyal to the President get favours, either as RDCs or as Executive Director of some sort of government Authority. It is just a play of games with the taxpayers, with the citizens and the ones hurt is the innocent, while the elites created by the President continues to merge and surge. There isn’t anything that they will not do to get the cash-in-full. Peace.

Museveni statement: Confusion at the Uganda Investment Authority (28.06.2018)

[Militarism] MPs begs Mzee for soldiers to guard them!

A coward dies a thousand times, a soldier dies but once.”Tupac Shakur

Today on the 27th June 2018 after the recent assassinations of AIGP Andrew Kaweesi and former MP Ibrahim Abiriga, the President had to have a special meeting with the Members of Parliament, because of international travel and meetings in Khartoum. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni had its postponed second meeting on security. This time not in a speech of lecture for the whole world to hear his vision, but a closed session in Parliament, which even the Opposition MPs was shunning.

Therefore, the reports coming from this meeting is interesting, as the MPs have told they are afraid and also their police officers, which are in the car with them. The guards of the MPs are afraid of cross-fire and taking a bullet like the recent bodyguards and drivers of Kaweesi and Abiriga. That is natural, no one in their right mind wants to lose their lives on a job.

That is why the report from the meeting is not only saying the MPs own police officers are afraid and not wanting to stay in the cars. The MPs feels insecure with the Police and therefore, Museveni has ordered soldiers to guard the MPs.

The Members of Parliament will get soldiers around them, because they are insecure. There we’re earlier this month reports, that the Age Limit supporting MPs gotten the Special Force Command aka Presidential Guards to follow them. Now, the rest of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Will have soldiers guarding them and driving in own cars. They are shadowed and monitored by the army.

The people’s representatives, the ones who are supposed to be supported by the people and be in the hands of the people. Are needing the army, because they are afraid of the society they represent. They are so important, that the UPDF needs to be stripped and have own operation covering MPs.

Resurrection of the National Resistance Army (NRA) is in full affect. Because who needs the support of the people, when you can grab 27 guns and takeover with a bush-war. That is how the President did.

The NRM MPs are really showing their fear, the mediocre attitude, as their high importance are so staggering, that the citizens are lucky to even get their police report investigated if their has happen anything. While they are getting all the perks of the state and now also soldiers securing them. That shows the weakness of the state. When the NRM MPs needs this and wants this. That Museveni and the NRM cannot claim to live in a peaceful society, when the soldiers are following and monitoring the MPs.

It isn’t just in spirit and in actions from the State House, even the MPs knows this. Everything is solved with guns, therefore, stay loyal with the people’s with the biggest guns. That happens to be army and the soldiers.

It is really weak and forgetting who they represent. They think they represent the President, but they represent the people. They shouldn’t be afraid of the people, but apparently they are. MPs whose afraid of their own society isn’t a sign of strength. However, it is a proof of insecurity and lackluster institutions, who is supposed to control the safety and rule of law.

Who need the people, when you have soldiers, right? Peace.

The NRM have fixed Butebo and Pallisa District By-Elections before the polls starts!

The newly created district Butebo district out of Pallisa district, where the boundaries was even contested in Parliament before the creation of it in November 2017. Therefore, the coming election for 28th June will be with National Resistance Movement MP Flag-bearer Samuel Keddi. You know the district is poor, when the district itself only have one car, this is owned by Butebo Sub-County District Councilor Gabriel Enyaru. That is why this By-Election is showing how unfavorable the wealth is shared in the Republic.

So, the NRM today came out with Press Release mocking the Opposition for not fielding a candidate, however, that is untrue. With the creation of the Butebo District. Forum for Democratic Change was ready to field their candidates in the district, by they were all disqualified by the Electoral Commission. This was preliminary precaution of the NRM. To secure a victory without any real contest. The biggest losers here is the residents of Butebo and Pallisa, who doesn’t have real competition for their voters for their new District Chairman and Woman MP.

The reason we know this is because: “there is an affidavit certified by URSB and in The Uganda Gazette clarifying on the issue of names but the Mr. Museveni has still insisted on disqualifying the FDC candidate by Monday 18th June 2018” (Harold Kaija, 15.06.2018).

That is why the NRM regime is securing the Butebo MP without really trying and fixing the results before it begins. The NRM is afraid of any real effort. The Bugiri By-Election is already heavy contested and is a worry, combined with the Jinja East, Kyadondo East and Rukungiri By-Elections. The NRM doesn’t want the Butebo District and Pallisa District to become another win for the Opposition. It has been insulting enough. That is why Museveni have ordered the EC to deliver the results on a silver plate. That is why they have also disqualified Pallisa Woman MP Candidate Achola Catherine Osupelem from the FDC.

Seems like Museveni gets his will, the FDC will not be allowed to run their Chairperson Flag-bearer Sam Khalwa against Keddi. That is weak-tea. When the NRM claims there was no opposition candidate for that role, when Khalwa was ready.

How stupid does the NRM think the people are?

They have disqualified the FDC candidates in the Butembo and Pallisa Districts. Therefore, the retribution from the public, should be defy the polls and not show up on 28th June 2018 in Butebo, as the NRM has fixed the result in their favor already! Both Woman MP and District Chairperson have been barred from the race. Peace.

NRM Secretariat – Re: SG Lumumba in Butebo Today (23.06.2018)

Age Limit Petition: Asking for a Court Judgement (20.06.2018)

Opinion: You know your Constitutional Amendment Sucks, when the Presidential Guards need to be your safety afterwards!

You know that the repercussions of the activity from last year is now in full affect. When the Members of Parliament, the staunch supporters and ones who was the mega-phones for the will of the President. Needs the added security because they are afraid of their lives. They know that the people are not in favour of a President for life. That is why they are now encircled with the Presidential Guards.

“According to sources, the MPs and government officials’ security was enhanced last Friday. They each got additional soldiers from the Special Forces Command, an elite presidential protection unit. The beneficiaries include; Government Chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa, State minister for Privatization Evelyn Anite, MPs; Raphael Magyezi (Igara West), Jacob Oboth-Oboth (West Budama South), Grace Balyeku (Jinja West), Simeo Nsubuga (Kassanda South), Peter Ogwang (Usuk) and Doreen Amule (Amolator)” (Namuloki, 2018).

Clearly, the Movement MPs are feeling the hatred and the local dismay over the decision to make the President for Life. They have tarnished the Constitution in favour of one man and his lifestyle. They have given the NRM regime the life-line by a thread and is now afraid of meeting the people. That is what this is all about. All of them knew what they we’re up to in the end of 2017, when they we’re ushering this and their legacy will be remembered for this. They cannot run away from the status quo they have created.

The Movement are fixated and doing the bidding of the President, the most loyal now needs the Presidential Guards to shield them from the people. A real sign of the state of affairs, how they are not the people’s candidates and their flag-bearers, but instead the King’s Men. They are the loyal servants of the President and is part of his court. That is the reality and they cannot run away from that.

The Movement MPs have to responsible for their actions, they have to able to go to the Constituents and answer for what they did. They are in charge and threw behind their names in the name of abolishing age limit for the Presidency, and that is why they have to answer for that as well. Therefore, they should man-up and set it straight.

This is the aftermath and this MPs are afraid of their own community, that says more about their behaviour, than the community itself. The Community are just addressing their disbelief that the so-called representatives are opposing what the people want. That is why they are angry and displeased when they meet. Clearly, this is now addressed.

That is why they are hiding behind the Presidential Guards, since he sends them that as a token of their loyalty to him. Peace.

Reference:

Namuloki, Josephine – ‘Age-Limit MPs get more SFC guards’ 20.06.2018 link: http://www.observer.ug/news/headlines/57990-age-limit-mps-get-more-sfc-guards.html