What’s up doc? A brief look into Parliament Report on PRESIDE and the mismanagement of COVID-I9 funds in the Republic

“I like the unfortunate phenomenon of western countries halting exportation of the COVID19 vaccine until all their citizens are fully vaccinated. This will enable Africans to wake up and manufacture their own medicines. I like the bad things because Africans sleep too much, I have never believed in dependency. This selfishness in the world is bad but it’s a shame that the whole of the African continent is asleep waiting to be saved by others… In the short run, we shall see who can sell COVID19 vaccines to us. As far as Uganda is concerned, I assure you, we will never again be in such a situation, we are making our own vaccine” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (27.06.2021).

Another day, another Parliament Report exposing the rot of the Government. A government that isn’t follow the laws, codes and protocols of the republic. Direct Presidential Directives which have no barring and to ambition to be achieved. Neither was there anywhere close to be legit research or able to fulfil it’s mission.

The State House and Ministries clearly miscalculated their abilities and the promise of the project. Neither did it have the scientists or the manpower to do it. There was not enough time or enough research spaces to make it happen. The budgets was to slim and there was also spending unaccounted for. A sort of troubling project, which is meant to fail. A spending spree without any accountability or transparency. A money pit without without any sort of proof of value for money. The PRESIDE and associated projects was bound to fail. The Parliamentary reports published today is called: “REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION ON COVID-19 RELATED RESEARCH FOR FY 2019/20 TO FY 202/22”.

This report is a story of how a President and the State House directs, implement and execute without proper planning or direction for that matter. It is just headache and shows what sort of enterprise the whole COVID-19 vaccine programme PRESIDE was and that’s why the quotes of this report is so explicit.

It is a total utter failure and the President is implicated it, as it is his directive and run directly from the State House. This wasn’t a Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MOFPED) or Ministry of Health. No, this was an affair out of the State House and shows how it goes. Done without being bound by law or done correctly. That’s why this was bound to fail, which it did.

Just read these quotes from the report to get the gist:

“In his statement, he indicated that up to UGX. 20bn had been drawn from the consolidated fund for scientists under PRESIDE to manufacture a COVID-I9 vaccine and an additional UGX. 50bn was drawn on 2021 for PRESIDE, and yet supervising Ministry (Ministry of Science, Technolory and Innovation) had been disbanded. He further questioned the legality of the Presidential Scientific Initiative on Epidemics (PRESIDE), queried its staffing, operations and whether its premises in Ntinda that had no laboratories would be able to produce a vaccine” (May 2022 report).

“Overall funding for COVID- 19 research was as follows:

– UGX. 5.3bn for PRESIDE FY 2019/20

– UGX. 31.03bn for projects under PRESIDE, UGX. 3.35bn for PRESIDE secretariat operations, and UGX. 2.74bn under NRIP in FY2020/2l

– UGX. 25bn for project operations, a supplementary request of UGX. 50.4bn for a manufacturing plant and UGX. 27bn for additional operational funds for PRESIDE projects in FY 2021/22” (May 2022 report).

“A total of (seventeen) 17 projects (Project l-17) was presented before Parliament with a total budget of UGX. 25bn, for implementation in FY2021/22. When additional funds of UGX. 27bn became available through a supplementary budget, the total number of projects raised to 27, where 10 new projects (Projects 18-27) were introduced and two of the already approved projects i.e. (projects 6 (Immune Therapy – Convalescent plasma). and 14 (Herbal Products for Management of COVID-19) were dropped. The Committee found that the two projects should have been given funds for implementation whether there was a supplementary or not since their budgets had already been approved by Parliament in the Ministerial Policy Statement. No reasons were given for their exclusion” (May 2022 report).

“The Committee while interacting with the petitioner was informed that PRESIDE was a company formed by Dr. Monica Musenero and some of her family members including her husband. These allegations were disputed by Hon. Musenero, who informed the Committee that PRESIDE is neither an organtzation nor a company but a project under State House” (…) “However, the Committee noted that the establishment of PRESIDE violates governance rules, as it has no legal status. The initiative has not been incorporated in accordance with the laws of Uganda. Therefore it is not a legal entity. The Committee also observed from the concerned officials that no steps had been taken to have it legally established” (May 2022 report).

“Although PRESIDE was established with a visionary mandate, to be a vehicle to spear the pathogen economy, it has been mired with mismanagement, poor accountability practices and overall poor planning. At its inception, Government failed to define its legality, failed to analyze and optimize the structures that were already in place and build on these as a way of driving the pathogen economy forward. This went against the current government policy on rationalization and improvement of efficiencies within MDAs. The role of UNHRO, MoSTI, UNCST as regulators was usurped and replaced with PRESIDE which had a temporary supervisory framework in form of a MoU. With the expiry of the MoU, PRESIDE as a project remained operational yet not supervised because its Chairperson is the Minister responsible for the docket of STI and also the Special Presidential Advisor on Epidemics” (May 2022 report).

Reading a report like this is shattering. It just shows how the state is mismanaging funds and how the State House isn’t preparing things ahead. The whole PRESIDE shows how a Presidential Directive is put into life, but never able to implement, because the state doesn’t have the funds, manpower or the facilities to do it. The PRESIDE is an utter failure…

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) was all talk, but no business. They can start-up organizations and projects, but they have no plans of the implementation or protocols to ensure it is successful. PRESIDE is a proof on how not to run a project… as it has had no plan or any sort of proof that it would actually manage the mission from the on-set.

The ones that believes the NRM would be able to produce a COVID-19 vaccine was day-dreaming, because the whole PRESIDE can be seen as a nightmare. The ones running it should be ashamed and it was a waste of government funding. Nothing to show for it and only a name-tag, which runs back to the State House and the Presidential Directive. A

All of it is a waste … the President should be held to account as he ushered it in and it did nothing. They will fault everyone, but if it wasn’t for him… this mess wouldn’t exist and the report wouldn’t have been published either.

The PRESIDE should be lectured at Makerere University or something in how not to run things and be a case-study in bad-governance. This is a proof of how not to govern and nothing was done correctly. That’s why it deserve to be acknowledged and used as a learning experience. Since, the next government could do another properly and actually achieve something worthwhile. Peace.

Opinion: The NRM Shields their own [and the COVID-19 Lockdown scandal of 2020 is now water under the bridge]

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) is very forgiving to their own crooks. The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda office was in-charge of the procurement for relief food during the first lockdown in 2020 for the urban areas.

What is striking is that the officials secured deals, which ended in a loss of USD $528,000 in inflated in the prices of food. The ones implicated and arrested for these schemes was the Permanent Secretary Christine Guwatudde Kintu, accounting officer Joel Wanjala, assistant procurement commissioner Fred Lutimba and Martin Owor, the head of COVID-19 relief management.

Today, the Director of Public Prosecution has discontinued the case against them. Even when it is evident they acted fraudulent and massively public wastage of funds. The OPM Food Relief last year was a giant scheme of embezzlement and misuse of office. That’s why there was no tenders and no procurement protocol for in the food relief. It was all brotherly conduct and already using connects. That was the initial drive and this is why they inflated the prices on it.

This is why we know the state isn’t interested in fighting corruption or graft, when people like these are off the hook. The state is not going against the OPM and the ones involved. In the end… and they are able to walk.

That is the story here… and that should what the world needs to know. This isn’t the first or the last time people who is connected gets away from scandals. There been several who been in office and high ranking officials who can steal, embezzle and grand corruption. Still, they can walk to the Parliament, State House and now in the OPM without any consequences. The ones charged and detained on corruption is small-fishes. That’s why the ones sentenced in the Courts is teachers and headmasters eating of funds for ghost-workers and students.

The DPP is now giving way and letting them off the hook. The NRM has done this to others and this is Modus Operandi (M.O) by now. The President and the ones who is in the inner-circle can get away with murder and we know this. It just happened to be with COVID-19 Funds and Relief Food. The OPM wasn’t long time ago inflate refugee numbers to get more donor funds. Therefore, this is what they do to eat and does it deliberately. Therefore, the OPM needs to scheme to run it’s operation.

This isn’t shocking, but it’s a part of a pattern. Peace.

Opinion: The PM could Campaign in Kampala? [Wasn’t that suspended just a week ago?]

“PM Ruhakana Rugunda and first NRM National V/Chairman Moses Kigongo arrive at Kololo to meet a group of youth claiming to be NUP supporters. The organizers of the meeting claim it is about ensuring a peaceful election” (NTV Uganda, 10.01.2021).

It is just a mere week ago when the Electoral Commission suspended all campaign rallies and election activities in Kampala. That was done for all parties and all candidates to stop the spread. However, what happened in Kololo today clearly violated that.

As this was the report earlier in the month:

“EC to consult scientists over 14 districts campaign ban The EC suspended campaigns in Kampala, Mukono, Buikwe, Wakiso, Mbarara, Kabarole, Luwero, Kasese, Masaka, Jinja, Kalungu, Kazo and Tororo” (New Vision, 06.01.2021).

That Prime Minister Rugunda and NRM Vice Chariman Kigongo could hold this sort of meeting/rally is a clear violation of the guidelines and the suspended elections. This shows a double standard. As we know the arrests, the brutality and tear-gas, which would have followed the opposition candidates doing the same.

If Bobi Wine or Patrick Amuriat Oboi even considered this. They would be in shackles and chains. The cars would be towed and they would be detained. These folks would be targeted and the venue blocked. There would be met with force and there would be no mercy from the authorities. That is what the grand public knows and everyone who has followed this election.

However, even when the EC have banned campaigns in Kampala. The Prime Minister and NRM National Vice Chairman Kigongo held a campaign meeting in Kololo. That is an deliberate act. As it showed a supposed group of youth crossing over from National Unity Platform to the NRM. That is an act of campaign. To show force and strength.

Nevertheless, it shows there is a vast difference between the ruling regime and the opposition. The ruling regime can disregard all practices and laws. They can convene and hold meetings. Even when the state says its suspended. That all in proof of hubris and strength. However, it just shows how hallow the chambers of power is. As they have to breach laws and guidelines, which would be used with law enforcement against their adversaries. These folks wouldn’t even been able to gather anyone without some sort of havoc.

Alas, the Prime Minister shows his entitlement. That there are people who are above the laws and rules of the game. There are no level playing field. No fair campaigning and fair elections. Neither are they free, as there are only hurdles on the way for the opposition. Nothing is given, things are only taken away.

The PM and Kigongo have shown their cards today. They believe it righteous. This was a campaign meeting, a campaign rally. All for the scope of showing greatness. As it was a “victory” to get people crossing over to the NRM. That is a political ploy. However, we have not seen anyone giving away their member-cards. So, we can imagine that these folks might not even be NUP Members before becoming NRM members today. Don’t be shocked if that is true. Peace.

Opinion: NRM lacks 336 billion shillings for Village Radios

“The government plan for long-distance learning through the provision of the 9 million radios sets is on course, the money is available and those radios will be provided” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (20.09.2020).

In the upcoming Budget Supplementary No. 3 of the Financial Year of 2020/2021. In the 19^th edition of the COVID-19 Speeches this year on the 20^th September 2020. In the supplementary budget however, they are stating the troubles with both the procurement and the timeline of offering the village radios to the general public.

First of Orion Transformers & Electrics, the producer doesn’t even make radios of yet. They are making electrical transformers. The company needs a lot of training to shift their production. It will take up to 6 months before starting the production at OTE. The planning from Ministry of Education is already have an impossible timeline. As the state is supposed to be able to give 2 million radios in January 2021 and February 2021. So, that the radio learning program can start in March 2021. However, that is impossible, as we are in November 2020 and with the timeline of 6 months means OTE could earliest start production in May 2021. Which means the whole project is futile.

The other things is that this would cost 336.8 billion shillings to make the radios locally. The Ministry have also found no funds to make it possible to procure the radios. This means, the whole thing is impossible. Just like everyone of us said in September after the promise was made by the President.

A big big promise, but no execution or idea on how to actually do it. The only way the Government of Uganda could have made it happen. Was if they we’re able to get some of the United Nations Organizations hooked on the idea and they are covering the funds for the procurement. After that their logistics and such are able to transfer the radios across the Republic. That would be imported goods or radios. Not Build Uganda Buy Ugandan (BUBU). Still, it would benefit the general public and the needs for long distance learning. Which was the idea in the first place.

Just that the Supplementary Budget had the post in the paper shows how much work they put into this foolish enterprise. As everyone knew it wouldn’t stick. The government wouldn’t have the funds or capabilities to handle this. They are still lacking funds to keep old promises and funds to cover those as well.

The GoU with the NRM at the helm isn’t ready for this sort of affair. It is just to much work and needs a team who knows logistics, electronics and has the capability to use funds wisely. Not just handpick one company and hope they can solve the whole issue.

It is easily to see that this was bound to fail. The whole promise was empty hubris with no sort of idea how to implement it. The President wanted to talk big-game, but have no cards on his hands to win. Therefore, he hope the bluff would work. However, we all should see how his failing and how his government is pathetic.

Instead of promising within its means and acting fiscal responsible. The Presidential idea of greatness isn’t working. That is why this was bound to fail… Village radios won’t happen on the government dime. They will not invest and neither act upon it. These folk cannot manage it or have the funds to pay the engineers and technicians to fix it. Peace.

Keeping up with Kaguta S1E19: 9 million radios and running

“The government plan for long-distance learning through the provision of the 9 million radios sets is on course, the money is available and those radios will be provided” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (20.09.2020).

Yet again, the President, the marvel and the relic of the Bush-War is holding another National Speech on the matter of COVID-19 or the Coronavirus. To direct, deflect and buy time… as there are always underlining elements, which are either ditched or forgotten about. The President and his handlers doesn’t look at these or says it isn’t wise.

The President have hold these speeches on a semi-regular since the first lockdown in March. He has prolonged the journey and be careful to open up society. Something he continues, as the elections are getting closer and the usage of the pandemic seems more and more obvious. As he don’t want to open to much. As that would allow the opposition and others to gather more frequent in the time ahead.

Today, I will only digress into the favourite quotes of the evening, as the whole speech is to much. He will pledge, offer tokens, which will not be delivered. Just like the Village TVs and Food Delivery during the first lockdown stages….

Here is the best quotes of the evening:

“We plan to distribute radios for distance learning but the parents might take them from the children to listen to disco” – Museveni

“Long distance learning will continue. The rest of the world is learning online. This route of distance learning is a very good route, and we will consolidate it” – Museveni

“I therefore call NRM members not to fight. Why do you fight? Suppose you lose a tooth? Fighting is useless. Write a letter and send to Tanga Odoi. We shall come and audit” – Museveni

“Bars remain closed because most of them are in enclosed areas. But also because drunkards can’t control themselves, and would therefore struggle to comply with Covid-19 prevention guidelines” – Museveni

So, here we are… there are still curfews. Restrictions on bars, pubs and elsewhere. Churches can gather, but with a limited crowd. Also, sports can resume and play, but without any spectators. Gyms and casinos are closed still… months upon months with lockdown.

He can try to play cute and funny about things. However, his still serious about the pandemic. Using it as tools for the up-coming elections. This speech was no different. The promises of radios are re-used and it will be an empty pledge.

This is just another edition of the President. With new directives yet again. Also, defensive…but that is to expect. That he defends the NRM and the NRM Primaries. Even saying staying in line for voting isn’t called a gathering. That shows the foolish of the enterprise of this President.

President Museveni can talk… that’s why its no need to look through the whole speech. This is a little gist. Peace.

Keeping up with Kaguta S1E18: The Documentary….

Well, so there is another one. Would think there have been enough speeches and national addresses on the matter. Just like always, because I don’t care to be to specific or care. I will only address the funniest quotes. Address them and let, bygones be bygones.

There will be seriously pledges that the President cannot commit too. Neither have infrastructure or funds to do. Like he has promised, masks, radios and Village TVs. However, little to non has been given. Only more Presidential Directives and Guidelines, which have to be explained the next day by various of ministries and parastatal’s who has do the bidding to fix.

Therefore, this edition will not be different from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Who was late to the party, but still delivering his common posho and calling it a day. Also, today he dropped a trailer or a documentary, where undated clips from South Africa and Brazil, where the situation on COVID-19 is dire and harder hitting than in the Republic. A nice scare tactic to ensure him reasons for extended lockdown and continue to block public gatherings.

Favourite Quotes of the Evening:

“Like you’ve seen in the video, you notice that many of these countries have so many sick people but they don’t have beds. Because of the firm steps we took, that’s why we have few numbers, much less than beds” (Museveni, 21.07.2020)

“We shall not accept anything that threatens life. That is why I involve our scientists in everything I do. We are fortunate to have good scientists. If you attack our scientists, I can tell you to go to hell” (Museveni, 21.07.2020).

“Therefore salons shall open, provided they ensure masks for everybody and face shields for the operators, temperature guns, social distancing and no air conditioning” (Museveni, 21.07.2020).

“For the bodas, the boda rider shall put on a helmet to cover the face and enclose the mask. The person behind shall have a mask. The rider should record every person he transports. They will start on the 27th of July” (Museveni, 21.07.2020).

“With the schools, we have to make a decision before September because that is when the 3rd term is supposed to start. This is a big issue. We are going to put a lot of emphasis on distance learning like providing radios to learners” (Museveni, 21.07.2020).

“For the churches, I have asked the scientists to continue consulting with them on how they can meet safely. So for now, let them remain closed” (Museveni, 21.07.2020).

“The airport and border points will remain closed until the situation abroad settles down. I know we are losing a lot of money because of tourism, but life is better than wealth” (Museveni, 21.07.2020).

“This selfishness is not acceptable and in some cases, we’ll have to confront it. If you don’t care about our country, we shall not care about you. you must care, if you don’t care about us, go to another country. Those threatening to riot, we shall crash you” (Museveni, 21.07.2020):

My 2 cents to this mess:

What we are really seeing is that his proud of all his measures. That the Republic been able to stagnate the Coronavirus. It has cost, but it has been able to stop it by the lockdown. That is why his proud after dropping a documentary about elsewhere today.

We are seeing his defending the scientists. The scientists that finds solutions for him and decisions for him. He follows them or if not his guiding them to make sense.

Today, he will struggle to defend. His opening salons and arcades with strings, also in a weeks time opening up for boda-boda’s. All with measures and needs for both the operators of boda boda’s and the salons. These are now able to open, however the airport and houses of worship is still closed. Like there can be no measures there to stop the spread and scientific reasons for so.

It seems that the President keeps the churches closed, because if that opens than rallies and campaigns can be legal and he wants to keep scientific elections by any means.

Also, he continued the promise of far distance learning and radios for the villages. That shows that the previous promise returns, but still no proof or plan to actually do it. The state has to make up stuff and explain that one.

There will be guidelines made tomorrow. Statement from various of ministries will come out too. To explain the new measures and everything. That is just how things are and some ministers are busy writing to print tomorrow. Peace.

Keeping up with Kaguta S1E17: A hot stone for a hyena

“Therefore our scientists have been tasked to audit all the remaining restrictions and advise. In particular, some of the stakeholders have been petitioning that we lift them all” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (22.06.2020).

Another day, another speech. We have been here before and this is the 17^th Edition this year of these COVID-19 speeches from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. If your thinking this is getting old. Then its been like this for over a month and the best thing is that its been less of them of late. Maybe, there is a need for clarifications the rest of the week, but that is standard. That some authority, some ministries and ministers has to clarify and explain what the President said.

So with that in mind, we cannot take this too serious. Since, there will be backlash and will backfire. It is just a matter of how much and who will capture the burden. Some ministers should prepare their pen, their writing game and find solutions quickly to resolve the newly minted guidelines, restrictions or regulations inflicted on the Republic.

Like always, because I don’t want to bore you to death. That we already have the President to do. As he speaks two hours straight and says very little of use. He could have with a favoured made a compact speech and settled for 30 minutes. However, he wouldn’t be himself if he didn’t cover every angle, historically, military and civilian in extraordinary fashion. If he has done that 17 times. Therefore, I will do like always, drop my favourite gems. Discuss them briefly and call that a day.

Just look:

“Even me, I began to ask what the curfew was for, if cars were already moving, as long as they are three in the car. However the scientists say the aim of the curfew is to reduce the high risk of nocturnal activities” – Museveni, 22.06.2020)

“Don’t be like a hyena which found a woman, sought for meat and was lured by sweetness (Obunuzi) of fat and hot stone. It could neither spit because of Obunuzi nor swallow for the hotness” (Museveni, 22.06.2020).

“Boda bodas if allowed to carry people can spread the virus even further because of the numbers of people they carry and the areas they can reach” – Museveni (22.06.2020).

“There was the issue of increasing the number of people in private cars. This can be increased to four people in the vehicle but the requirement of masks to all passengers should be maintained” – Museveni (22.06.2020).

“With the school population, let us be patient. In the meantime, we are going to launch a big long-distance education programme, certainly through radios. We are going to give free radio-sets to all the homesteads. Radios will soon be distributed” – Museveni (22.06.2020).

After this I gave up, I didn’t care anymore. I’m sure there would be more gems, but the President seems not to change to much anyway. That is why churches is still closed, arcades too. Boda-Boda’s just for cargo and a prolonged curfew.

Empty promises of radios, as the free masks are not there. Neither is the food delivery to all the ones social distancing at their homes. The President haven’t delivered on his promises during these troubling months. He doesn’t have the capacity nor the genuine interest to serve the public. That is proven as he wants more cars, than medicine and pay the frontline workers.

Just like he wanted to save the daughters from drivers in the past. Now he wants to save them from hyenas. He really doesn’t have a positive view of the ladies and their urges, to repopulate earth isn’t a positive vibe and being intimate is also something he got issues with. Maybe, that’s why his hampering on this sort of thing at this given time?

Nothing here was shocking. More of the same. The same spirit, the same old man and therefore, I quit talking. Peace.

Keeping up with Kaguta S1E16: Village TV to the Rescue

“If drivers from other countries had not been sent back to their countries of origin and recorded there, we would have had about 800 cases registered today (at least)” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (01.06.2020).

Last time President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni held his traditional and steady National Address was on the 19^th May 2020. Therefore, his kept it low for a minute. This is the 16^th National Address, which is made in connection with the global COVID-19 or Coronavirus Pandemic.

Nevertheless, there will time to digress, but not today. As standard procedure in this manner. I will not deep dive. Just take my favourite quotes from the speech and drop my 2 cents on the matter. There is so much to life, than listening and analysing another speech word-by-word by the Self-Styled President for Life.

Here we go:

“Given that the vulnerable economy is suffering we cannot, therefore, lose earnings from the exports of coffee (by blocking the trucks) “the trucks also bring in raw materials for factories like Mukwano industries” – Museveni (01.06.2020).

“Fighters don’t panic, you should persevere in all the necessary efforts that are crucial ” – Museveni (01.06.2020).

“So really,there is no need to panic, what we are doing is in order” – Museveni (01.06.2020).

“Boda bodas have been agitating to resume work, but no. They cannot practice social distancing because the passenger is too close to the rider. What the boda bodas can do in the least now is to keep quiet & wait until the virus is over” – Museveni (01.06.2020).

“If you don’t have the right mask stay home. Be on sunshine for at least one hour a day to get vitamin” – Museveni (01.06.2020).

“Government to give two TV sets per village and a radio per household to ease distance learning” – Museveni (01.06.2020).

“The provisional food will continue, we have just finished one phase. I appeal to you to stop telling lies, don’t say, “I didn’t get food” when you got” – Museveni (01.06.2020).

Well, there we have it. I will not drop more gems, someone else can collect them all. I am tired of it. Sure, the ones living in the Republic is even more. As there are no clear cut direct message.

What is striking is his continues defence of the truck-drivers and their importance today. However, today he wasn’t afraid of the daughters touching the drivers, maybe that has changed with social distancing. Who knows, right?

Also, he had to drop a proverb on the 1986 and the bush-war, as the perseverance of it lingers today in his mansion and his enriched lifestyle. Living safe and sound in luxury, while most of his citizens and peasants are living in utter poverty.

He has even blocked the boda-boda further, one profession blocked from working. In the past, they were at least allowed to carry things and bob’s for people. Now, they are supposed to be stand-guard and await the cure of COVID-19. They cannot even carry cargo, if I understood the President right.

The issues of masks persist and surprise, surprise the state cannot deliver enough mask on time or in the fashion of need. They will struggle to do this and produce enough of it. The old promises (which is just a few weeks old, actually) is clearly to much to handle.

That is why today is even more rich, as the President has already promised steady food, masks and now will ensure TVs and Radios. There are 140,000 villages, if they are getting two TV’s each that is 280,000 TVs alone. LG and Samsung must pray to the gods if they get this order. Whose donating this or paying this bill? Secondly, isn’t there villages lacking electricity or having steady load-shedding? Last, but not least, wouldn’t that mean the village will congregate around the TVs and not follow the Scientific Social-Distancing?

The TV and Radio thing is a paradigm shift, the sort of Universal Primary Education sort of pledge. Where all houses are getting a free radio. Unless, he has a Chinese conglomerate on speed-dial delivering these at retail price. There is no way this is happening. Not now and not never, he has to burn his Switzerland account or something to pay this one off and he will not sacrifice his wealth at this point. Especially not for radios for everyone. Not even in a up-coming election year. He still haven’t delivered the promised garden hoes to all families across the Republic, which he pledges in 2015. So, aye aye Captain and good luck.

The last one is just disgraceful and distasteful, as the state haven’t delivered and haven’t supplied the public. If it has, it been one deliver during the 75 days of lockdown. Its beyond devestation and despair at this point of time. Instead of begging forgiveness for his mediocre performance, he instead expects applause. Something he doesn’t deserve.

I’m looking forward to see the receipts for the tenders and the procurement of radios and TVs as the state will mess this up. One way or another. Mask-Off or Face-Off, nevertheless, I’m awaiting the verdict of the Minister for Crocodiles. Peace.

Keeping up with Kaguta S1E15: Clarifications

“I thought that I could clarify about a few points that I read out yesterday. I read out a list of long restrictions” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (19.05.2020).

Today’s 15^th National Address on COVID-19 Pandemic is in response to his own National Address yesterday. No, this is not a joke, but our mere reality appearing in front of our eyes. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has to answer to his own stuttering words. He doesn’t even need someone to spar with, he just need to battle himself and that’s self-explanatory. Sadly, this is true..

So, here we are on the 19^th May 2020 and have to listen to the 15^th National Address and still confused. The President will back-track and make people even more fuzzed than the day before. Just expect someone be typing statements like crazy tomorrow and some ministers listening in. To ensure their authority and their ministries are covered with explanations ahead of the current lockdown. As the measures are as steady as the mind of the old-man and his lonely vision.

With this in mind.

Here is the quotes I find unique from this evening:

“Private cars will be allowed to move on the 26th but must wear the right masks and those who can get masks on their own, we don’t mind provided they are the right quality” (Museveni, 19.05.2020).

“For the other measures, like shops,hotels, restaurants, operations should start on the 26th of May but considering all the measures put in place” (Museveni, 19.05.2020).

“The Public service tried to convince me to be like other presidents and get a lot of money but I said NO. I have been earning just 3.6M since 1996” (Museveni, 19.05.2020).

The clarifications was a few more dates, as the uncertainty to what happens before the 2^nd June ending of lockdowns was there yesterday. Today, there are more uncertainty, but also a closure of people riding in cars. They cannot be half-full, before the passengers and driver wears masks, apparently.

We are seeing the “clarification” on shops and such too. So, its not like shops whose not connected to arcades or malls can open up. Neither can the ordinary ones with possibility of social-distancing. They all have to wait over the weekend still. So, there is no quick opening here. Just more waiting and suspense.

Last piece worth noting was the lie of his salary. That will be his nominal salary, but his State House gets billions on shillings every year. Everything is covered and the State House even has a giant donation budget. So, if the President boost about giving away money. He has allocated money for that every year. Secondly, we all know he own businesses, hotels and whatnot. He owns ranches and other things in the Republic. The salary he has is only a tear-drop into the Atlantic Ocean. His richer than God and the Vatican. The President can buy out Uganda, maybe once or twice. However, he will claim to be a “wealthy” man, but his filthy rich.

That’s enough for today. The saga continues. Peace.

Keeping up with Kaguta S1E14: Mask-on or Mask-off?

There is a season 4 of lockdowns, as there will be extended for another 21 days until 2^nd June 2020. The Republic is still under lockdown. Even as there are some measures, where the Presidential Directives giving way and letting people go back to work. With his 14^th National Address yesterday. He pushed it even further. What was also striking about yesterday, was that the Address itself was supposed to happen today. So, maybe the posho-stunt wasn’t enough. Therefore.. sigh.. he had to show up early to steer conversation.

“The government will provide standard masks to all Ugandans aged 6 years and above, these will be distributed through the District Local Council system. Each person will be allocated one mask which must be worn all the time when in public” (Yoweri Kaguta Musveni, 18.05.2020).

Earlier in the year, the President has said NYTIL is the local producer of COVID-19 Masks. However, there is a new statement where the machiens are working, but still their levels of production isn’t as high as the needs. This means, that the President has to procure like crazy to cover all citizens with free masks. Not like the state has been able to distribute food and steady enough. That is why he had to show how little posho a person needs to eat. Scientifically off course.

Just like it will be magically distributed across the Republic, as the Task-Force haven’t managed to distribute food to 1,5 million people in Kampala and Wakiso district. Therefore, it is very rich that the same folks are supposed to be able to give away masks to everyone. They need a streamline ordering from Taiwan yesterday evening or best in February. So they are sure the boat with masks are arriving in time for the two week deadline. As it has to secured paperwork in Mombasa Port too.

What is special is that there is a ban up to about 14 days to the public is supposed to have all free masks. While the borders are closed for 21 days. Also still a closure of mostly everything in every border district, which is plenty and all around the Republic.

What is more striking is also that the President opened at one minute for public transport if there was three persons in the car. However, is this with or without masks?

Yes there are still closed bars, saunas and gyms. Shops in malls closed, but the ones detached are able to open. As long as they can social distance. Also other things.

So, what we do need is maybe one of his bunch of ministers to follow the directives and directions of the President. Explain what this means and what really goes. Since, there will easily be confused by the old man. He says one thing, but it differs from the other statement.

Seems like there will be more hazardous problems ahead. Just like the empty promises in the past addresses. The same will happen now. It is no one who can produce the amount of masks the Republic needs in two weeks. Neither seems it like Ali Baba founder Jack Ma will suddenly do a “Dumbo drop” on Kololo Airstrip within a few days. Unless, he has some secret procurement from the public and actually uses the Confidential Expenditure for the common good. However, don’t expect that. That’s all for his spoils and his enrichment.

The public needs food and not only masks. The COVID-19 Fund haven’t done its job. That’s why the public is starving. Where they are struggling to eat, because of staying home, lacking funds to buy needed staple food or areas of landslides. Therefore, there are plenty of issues at hand, not only COVID-19 lockdown, but landslides, locusts and so-on. The state should answer to this, not only where they didn’t do the job. They are representing the whole Republic and need

So, you can wonder how hard this continued lockdowns without measures in place to help. There is too many people who hasn’t gotten the help they need. That should worry the President. Instead, he loves the flashing lights and stopping ordinary broadcasting. So, that he can ramble without a coherent ideas. That’s why there is report of a 15^th National Address tonight to address the uncertainties created last night.

Showing again. That the man and his handlers knows the problems with his utterance yesterday. Because, who knows what goes. He should be as direct as he was with the knocking down of a goat the other day. If he was a direct as that. Than, the LDUs, Police Force and everyone else would know what goes. However, with the man its hard to know.

Maybe, some of his advisors and press cadres could write it all and then he would read it to the public. Even give the old man a Teleprompter and ensure he gets steady on a topic. Instead of suddenly going into a pastoral mode and reading scriptures, instead of policies and new regulations to follow. That make sense right?

Let’s see, but don’t expect to be enlighten. Only brazen misuse three hours of your life and only getting a sentence or two, which makes sense. Peace.