Opinion: The Rise of the Cassava Republic

“If there is no bread, eat muwogo (cassava). Africans confuse themselves. You are complaining there will be no bread, if there is no bread, eat cassava. I do not eat bread myself” – President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni (01.05.2022)

Eh! Are you hungry? We don’t eat bread around here. No matter if cooking oil prices is skyrocketing, if other commodities are going up. The fuel has already gone up and so has so much other things of late. So, when the President says people should eat Cassava instead of Bread. That is being said with the backdrop of rising wheat prices, as consequences of the Ukraine war.

It is not like this is only on cooking oil and wheat. No, this is on fuel, soap and sugar. Reported by Ssekandi: “According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, the price of cooking oil increased by 21 % between December 2021 and February 2022, and the annual rise was 77.6 %. In February, a laundry-soap bar cost 20 % more than in December and almost 50 % more than one year earlier. The petrol price surged by 15.3 % in three months and by 34 % in 12 months” (Ronald Ssegujja Ssekandi – ‘Ugandan government sees inflation as external shock’ 02.05.2022, D+C – Development and Cooperation).

So, this is a real issue. This is starting to look like the inflation of 2011 and how things became to costly. Which was creating strikes and the activist organizations of Activists for Change (A4C). The famous “walk to work” and that could happen again. As the prices are too high and the salaries are too low. If not to low… they are not co-existing with the realities on the ground. The gig economy isn’t ensuring a safety-net or a real adjustment of salaries in comparison of the rising prices.

The way the President spoke by it was damage control, because his government and institutions could do something about it. The state could insert trade-incentives and erase barriers to the market. The state could for time being suspend certain taxes and even value added taxes (VAT) in such a manner, that the prices would drop a little. However, that is of no concern. The same is with the expensive imports and whatnot. The landlocked republic needs imports, as it is not self-sufficient on a lot of commodities.

Yes, food wise there are alternatives and the farmers can sustain a lot. The massive production of plantain, cassava and millet can patch the hurt. However, that is not what everyone eats on the regular. That’s why imported rice and other things comes into play. Even maize-flour is imported and we can just imagine the rising prices on that as well. Not to talk about the beans and meat prices in all of this.

The President is just trying to get away from the problem, as it arises and he has seemingly very few tools at his disposal or any sort of coffers to clear the windfall. The cassava is only to patch the hurt, but will not salvage anything. It is only the fruits of his labour and how he has not set forward or had any clues how to govern. He only knows get-quick-rich schemes and Ponzi-schemes looking like micro-financing policies. This was bound to fall and you cannot spend money you don’t have and not have any sort of collateral or assets to trade with. That’s why his encircled by his own financial policies and cannot catch up. The spiralling debt, the lack of domestic revenue and the short-sighted government programmes only deprecates the state and gives it less incentive to move forward.

That’s why this is a real Cassava republic. Where it’s soon to expensive to fry it in the pan. Either the gas, the charcoal or the cassava itself is too expensive. While, the bread is only for the elites anyway. Lord have mercy, the damage we do upon ourselves. The heir is also rising to the throne, but he will have no clue what to do. Except for torturing, extra judicial killings and spreading false-hood on social media. Peace.

President Museveni’s 2022 Labour Day was all about micro-finance and cassava…

“Before our time, no government was giving money to the people to get out of poverty. Getting out of poverty was everyone’s private business. If you wanted to get out of poverty that was your own private issue. But we (NRM) have been giving money [to citizens ] since the time of Entandikwa, then prosperity for all… But all this time, the responsibility was being taken by government officials. That was where the confusion started from” – President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni (01.05.2022).

It is just like President Museveni wants to sound like he invented everything. He speaks like no government have ever had social security nets or unemployment programs. Yes, he claims to be the first one, but there been plenty of governments who has made this happen. FDR in the United States did it through various of programs in the New Deals in the 1930s and several other nations has used socialist programs to get people out of poverty through various of social security schemes. This here is a fraud and a fake. A manner of which you take credit and say you invented the Micro-Financing schemes and the first to do it. That is really foolish, but that is the Ugandan President of 2022. Micro-Financing and Micro-Credit was introduced in the 1990s in Uganda, but it was already a thing from the 1970s. So, it wasn’t only done in Uganda, but done so in Bangladesh and elsewhere before Museveni came into power.

“I heard Filbert calling me a chief worker. I’m not a worker; I’m a bourgeois. I’m part of the middle class. You can’t call middle-class a worker. That’s not an ideological definition. Of course I work, but I work as a member of the middle class” (Museveni, 01.05.2022).

This is maybe the first time he doesn’t call himself a farmer or a son of peasant. I’m shocked and in awe. His one of the richest people on the continent and still he describes himself as “middle-class”. Like we are supposed to believe he only earns the millions of shillings he gets through his salary.

“We need a workforce of very many workers. There is a way for that. The Parish Development Model should kickstart us to have about 60 million workers” (Museveni, 01.05.2022).

Uganda is estimated to have around 48 million citizens by 1^st July 2022 based on projections of United Nations data. Out of this about 30% of these are adolescents, meaning a third of the population isn’t eligible for full-time work since they are not of age to do so. Because adolescence is from 10 years to 19 years old. This is based on data from UNFPA from a few years ago. Still, this all shows that the President have clearly the wrong memo about 60 million workers in Uganda. That means everyone from toddlers to the elderly… will work on the field or become a part of the rampant gig-economy.

Part I:

“We want everyone in the Parish who has access to land to join a Parish Development SACCO. It doesn’t matter if they have money to not. They should just prove that they have land to do agriculture” (Museveni, 01.05.2022).

Part II:

“If you have agricultural land, do not work only for the stomach. You should also work for the pocket” (Museveni, 01.05.2022).

It is really weird the way this is said on labour day. As the micro-finance scheme is so vital in it. The sort of amplified SACCO and NAADs called Parish Development Model (PDM). Where every farmer has to be part of it and register to have access. So, just like in the Soviets every farmer should be part of a scheme and earn from it. Which is very ironic, as he asks of everyone to work for their pockets. That is initially wanting everyone to be profit driven and incentive by currency. Not be content with having enough food or shelter, but supposed to also strive for surplus funds. However, if it was that easy. His government would have made it happen over the last 35 years or so. It is really tragic that all of the schemes since launching in the 1990s are not working and they continue to relaunch them in new names. Just like they did with the PDM, Emyooga and Operation Wealth Creation. It’s all the same gig, built on the same foundation, but changing its name and partly how it’s operating. Nevertheless, it doesn’t come to anything and is only a money-pit. As its not giving incentives or the ability to create natural growth. That’s why we are seeing this sort of talk and it’s the failure of the President who continues to beg people to think of profits and not of leisure.

Last quote:

“If there is no bread eat cassava. Africans really confuse themselves, they are worried about shortage of wheat supply caused by Russian Ukraine War. If there is no wheat, please eat cassava. Myself I don’t eat bread” (Museveni, 01.05.2022).

Do you ever wonder, if someone lives in a bubble and doesn’t see what people are seeing? Because, this man thinks this is splendid advice. The sort of talk that only shows his isn’t concerned and doesn’t feel the plights of the commoner. No, he is beyond that and telling the peasants to be happy with what they have and not strive for more. Which is ironic, as he has spoken of people wishing of wealth, think of their pocket, but they got to settle on cassava.

This shows how out of touch the President is and it’s not shocking as his ticking closer to 40 years in power. The President has lived in his bubble for all of these years and with more and more yes-men. People are just complying and not giving him any good advice. He orders, directs and tell how everyone is supposed to move. This speech was no difference. That is very obvious. As he believes in this 1990s mechanism and thinks the PDM will make a difference, which will be far from the truth. If the PDM would work, the Emyooga, the PDM and all the Micro-Finance institutions would have ushered in a new era already. However, it haven’t and that’s because the Republic and the nation isn’t built for it. The markets, the people and the structure isn’t ready for it. This is just a fact and it’s been proven time, and time again.

There is a need for a new direction and aims, which will improve people’s lives, as these short-term incentives only takes a few people that far and when the cash is low. They are back to nothing and with a loan to pay-off in their name. That’s why this is going nowhere and fast. It doesn’t matter how many times the President says people should work for their pockets. When there is few too little jobs, low salaries and rising prices, running inflations and lack of development in general. That’s all the fault of the President and his government who hasn’t served the community and citizens.

Nevertheless, the President will never take any accountability and he will blame everyone else. Now people should chew cassava, join a SACCO and think about their pockets. However, it isn’t that easy and when you cannot get your produce to the market or even have an ability to earn. Why should you or even be concerned with the pleas of the old man?

Well… he just wants to be right, but at this his wrong. His doing the same trick, as he promised in the 1990s and think it can work in 2020s. Well… the old man is late and he should reconfigure and find tricks that fits the vibrant markets of this era and not continue with the schemes of the Structural Adjustment Programs. Peace.

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Opinion: It is Bosco’s own business deals that is the reason for the sorry state of Owino Market!

“The way to wealth is as plain as the way to market. It depends chiefly on two words, industry and frugality: that is, waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both. Without industry and frugality nothing will do, and with them everything.” – Benjamin Franklin

You can go back to 2013, when Ham Enterprises pitched the Nakivubo Stadium to takeover for the vendors at Owino Market or the Park Yard. Therefore, the actions of President Yoweri Kaguta Musveni calling out people is outrageous. As Bosco is forgetting his own business-deals and agreements that directly interfered with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and City Hall. All of these had to comply, as the buy-outs of the vendors and the lack of possible movements, the building of the Stadium has made issues since 2013 and boiled over in 2017. When the KCCA and the Ministry of Kampala Beti Kamya issued an order to throw them out.

That is why the sorry state of the area. This should be knowledge for the micro-managing President. However, he acts like it as a blank slate and he has no involvement, when the agreement between Ham Enterprises and the state, happen at the State House and he was signing the documents, ordering the Ministry, KCCA and take it out of the hands of the City Hall. So, it is really insincere what he was saying yesterday.

“The government is working out modalities of retrieving these market titles from the rich and hand ownership back to vendors. Kampala Capital City Authority will help oversee management of these markets. Whereas I commend traders in Owino and Nakasero markets for working hard to create wealth through their Saccos and responding to our NRM call, I am unimpressed by the poor state of the Old Taxi Park. I am told this is partly due to the leadership wrangles among the taxi park stakeholders facilitated by opposition leaders in the city. Stop electing selfish leaders who only care about their salaries. However, we shall fix this matter” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 05.10.2018).

That we can really see, thanks to all the propaganda and the pictures of yesterday, that the 2013 deal and changes of the Park Yard haven’t finished yet. As the President was most likely there to check his investments and his trade-offs. That is why he was bothered of the slow progress, as the planned stadium are still not done and there has gone 5 years. This is one year after the market and vendors was moved by decree of the appointed Minister Kamya.

The President is mad that Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago is a selfish leader, when in general, the deals done in Kampala and Owino is his. Meaning the President is selfish, not Lukwago who has fought for the vendors. That is the ironies, but also the reality. That is why the 32 years and going Executive, is forgetting his privilege and use of power. Ham Enterprise is surely working, but slowly, the stadium is in the building process and surely why he visited and complained, as he expected it to be done yesterday. So his investment could grow proper yields, like his farms. However, that is not how it works with urban development, especially when you need spaces for malls and other vendors, who was kicked out.

Would he ever fix their issues, the bad loans in the DFCU bank, which the vendors had in 2017? No, he wouldn’t care or carry them as their livelihood is at stake? But that isn’t the cup of tea that this President carries. Peace.

Hon. Beti Kamya is a bit bitter, much?

“What else do you expect from the mouth of Betty Kamya, she knows that her career as a politician in Uganda without President Museveni is as short as her eyebrows” – Tamale Mirundi

Today, Beti Kamya the State Minister for Kampala, who was appointed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in June 2016. Wouldn’t have a political career worth thinking about. If she wasn’t appointed by him and that she let her succeed Frank Tumwebaze in this role. Therefore, she is now playing one of the main antagonizer against the Forum for Democratic Change, but to understand all of this. Will show a little of her political history after showing the disregard she has for the party today. This is from the woman who at one point asked if Museveni had heart, to years later saying he was wiser than his whole cabinet. So if you want to know someone who tries to finesse herself politically, she is one of them.

Kamya today:

““What is happening in FDC is very good for Uganda for many reasons, because it teaches us about real life politics in Uganda,” Kamya said. She said it is hypocritical for some FDC leaders to criticise NRM yet they are worse. “I am one of the persons who have faced the party’s wrath when the party’s constitution was changed during the nomination day, so what Winnie Kiiza is talking about has not started today but way back when the party has just started,” she said” (Esther Namutamba -’ Beti Kamya “happy” that FDC is in turmoil, says party has tasted its bitter medicine’ 07.08.2018 link: http://nilepost.co.ug/2018/08/07/beti-kamya-happy-that-fdc-is-in-turmoil-says-party-has-tasted-its-bitter-medicine/).

(1)Failed in Reform Agenda and needed FDC:

“Ms Kamya had argued that the criterion used by the FDC leadership to select the national chairman contravened the party constitution and showed discrimination against the Baganda, her tribe, within the party. She lost her post as minister of agriculture in the FDC shadow cabinet. Ms Kamya did exceptionally well in the 2006 elections, polling more than double the number of votes of her nearest contender, Mr Kayongo Tom (NRM). But will Ms Kamya poll so well without FDC support? Rubaga North has in the last two presidential elections consistently voted for Dr Kizza Besigye, who received 51.3 per cent of the votes in 2001 as head of the transient Reform Agenda and 55.1 per cent in 2001 as FDC flag bearer. She failed in her 2001 attempt to enter Parliament as a representative with the Reform Agenda. Some FDC officials say Ms Kamya’s victories in the constituency are because of her association with the party” (Katherine Haywood and Flavia Nalubega – ‘Rubaga North seat: Kamya abandons FDC’ 14.01.2010 link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/SpecialReports/688342-842382-otd4lxz/index.html).

(2) Before 2016:

“They reportedly told her to admit that she miscalculated when she took the decision to contest for the highest office and asked her not to waste time again. Ms Kamya was a contestant in the 2011 Ugandan presidential elections. However, Ms Kamya, who accepted to contest for Parliament next year, is said to have told her supporters that she participated in the 2011 elections not to win but to launch the federal ideology outside Buganda; she calls it ‘Ugandanisation’ of federo. Apparently, Ms Kamya’s return has taken current Rubaga North MP Moses Kasibante by surprise since he thought the former FDC strong lady would contest for presidency again” (Daily Monitor – ‘Kasibante on tension over Beti Kamya’s return’ 27.01.2015 link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kasibante-on-tension-over-Beti-Kamya-s-return/688334-2603590-nk1s8uz/index.html).

(2)After 2016 elections:

“Rubaga North Member of Parliament Moses Kasibante has retained his seat after successfully protesting what he called manipulation of the original results recorded at the polling stations. Kasibante garnered 17,802 votes representing 34% of the total votes cast. His immediate rival, former area MP Beti Kamya got 16,664 votes which is 32% of the vote. Kamya, the Uganda Federal Alliance party president, had been provisionally announced as winner yesterday forcing Kasibante to protest. Kasibante and his team queried the results which were being tallied alleging that the number of votes had been manipulated to favour Kamya” (Beatrice Nyangoma – ‘Kasibante Retains Rubaga North Seat’ 20.02.2016 link: https://ugandaradionetwork.com/story/kasibante-successfully-protests-election-irregularities-retains-lubaga-north-mp-seat).

As we see, she should be little more humble on her place, as she has her sponsor and only has a political life because of Museveni. Therefore, her throwing shade is a bit bitter. We can see that it didn’t work out in the Reform Agenda, but when she joined the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in 2006, she got enough votes to become a Member of Parliament because of the support of the party. From there she went to another party and founded Uganda Federal Alliance (UFA), where she ran for President in 2011. Where she got 52,782 votes and just a 1000 more votes, than Abed Bwanika; shows how little her reach was. However, she tried to run on the UFA platform for 2016 MP in Rubaga North, than against incumbent Moses Kasibante, the Erias Lukwago affiliate and Independent Candidate in the Rugaba Division. Therefore, she lost and wasn’t even in Parliament for the second time.

She wouldn’t have been in Parliament and in the Cabinet if it wasn’t for Museveni. When she had the support of the FDC, she won a seat in 2006 to 2011. However, by that time she gotten disgruntled, as she tried to go through the ranks, but the party didn’t deliver to her fast enough. Lost internal-party elections and didn’t get positions. That is why as the one in it to finesse it, she had to start her own and did so. However, that didn’t work well. She is now promising big wins in the opposition stronghold. Maybe, if she was sincere and knew the reality, she knows these are lies. But that helps her cause, which is serving Museveni.

And with her hypocrisy the Rugaba Division in Kampala, should know how she has changed. From being a full-blown Museveni critic, to become her vocal supporter. Going from Reform Agenda, supported and parts of FDC into UFA where it all failed and now appointed by the NRM. However, still being bitter that the Independent Kasibante, Lukwago affiliate can win over her in the polls. She has clearly a missed message and lack of real message. That is why she is mad at the FDC. Because, she haven’t had a real elected positions since she was in the FDC.

Kamya need to work on herself. Unless, she wants to be crony and loyalists for a cause, which is on rotten cause by the dictator. Where she has no way after the fall and where she will struggle to find shelter after Museveni is gone. Because everyone knows what she is and how little real she is. Peace.

Cholera Alert in Kampala and Mpigi: Could have been avoided with a state controlled sewage system!

The people of the Kalerwe, Kampala and people from Mpigi District should worry about their sanitary positions and their water quality, as the Cholera outbreak is because of simple mistakes by the Ministry of Water and Environment, also by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) that hasn’t done their job. Because when 7 people are caught with the disease and put in a hospital. The whole local government combined with the Ministry should be finding the sources for the mixing of feces and water in the pipes to people of a certain area.

“A person can get cholera by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacterium. In an epidemic, the source of the contamination is usually the feces of an infected person that contaminates water and/or food. The disease can spread rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water. The disease is not likely to spread directly from one person to another; therefore, casual contact with an infected person is not a risk for becoming ill” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – ‘Cholera’ 09.11.2016 link: https://www.cdc.gov/cholera/general/index.html).

Now one person might have been affect and transmitted this to his nearby kin or neighbors, however, this disease comes from practically bad sanitary areas and water quality. Where the lack of control over the water pipes and the sanitary efforts of the city in general. There are even speculations that the emptying of the sewage tanks costs 200,000 shillings at a time and people cannot afford it. So they let it all out in the midst of rain. Therefore, the mix and the conditions where Cholera could breakout and clearly it has succeeded.

This here is a lack of government control and reason of change of dynamics so that people can live in healthier conditions and not fear to get into bad cycles of more illness and capability of income. Due to sickness and shows the lack of good living conditions. If society and the state wanted, they would have a decent sewage system and securing that it didn’t mix in the streets. So that the sickness of cholera would be avoided, it isn’t that hectic. It do cost in urban areas to lay the pipes and set up a well-functioning sewage system, but when you do have that combined with a decent water-pipes, the waterborne sicknesses that can be fought and avoided. That should be a priority, especially for a republic striving to reach middle-income very soon.

The Republic has choices and should plan ahead to secure the citizens, so they can avoid getting ill, by waterborne diseases like Cholera. That should be a priority by any of the Ministries that are involved, if it is the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Kampala, Ministry of Water and Environment, Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and others should strive to succeed, that is if they care about the well-being and are serious in the part of society. If not they are their to pocket their salaries and live lavish, while others are catching diseases that can be combat by very simple means and also serious constructions of sewage systems. This would secure the health and well-being of the citizens. It wouldn’t be an issue at-large, if the state did offer this.

There are happening like this with that too, when pipes goes old or technical malfunctions, but its easier to become a major issue and spreading alerts, when the society doesn’t have the systems in place. It is more sufficient and healthy to actually install and build this. All of this isn’t revolutionary, even citizens around the world is paying levies on it to the state and counties to secure the water is clean and sewage system is functioning to satisfaction. Where the public can contact the directorate or county body to complain if it malfunctioning. That should be possible in the Republic too, unless the state and the leadership see this all as unreasonable. Please tell me, because then your blaming the public for your lack of oversight and control of basic functions in society. Peace.

Former Buganda Premier Dan Muliika Spits Fire over Kampala Expansion (Youtube-Clip)

“Buganda Kingdom reviews documents of proposals on the expansion of Kampala, there’s still uncertainty on how the largest Kingdom in Uganda is likely to react to the plans. Former Buganda Premier Dan Muliika talks to Canary Mugume on the on-going debate about the proposed expansion of Kampala city to integrate fast-growing suburbs of Wakiso, Mpigi and Mukono” (NBS Television, 01.04.2018)

New Powers assigned to Hon. Beti Kamya: Not only a Minister for Kampala, but soon also Wakiso, Mukono and Mpigi!

“Museveni changes Beti Kamya’s portfoil ahead of extending Kampal boundaries, this means that Mukono,Wakiso and Mpigi are nolonger under Ministry of Local Government as they now form part of the Kampala Metropolitan area. Mukama otuwonya ddi Kitange?” (Betty Nambooze, 22.03.2018).

This can be said after a letter sent to the Chairman of Kampala District Land Board Yusuf Nsibambi, the Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority Dr. Jennifer Musisi and the Commandant of Kampala Metropolitan Police Office Frank Mwesigwa got a letter from Secretary Office of the President Samuel Emiku, the letter named: “Name of Ministry in-charge of Kampala”.

The new name the people get to know is the Ministry for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Area. That means the Ministry will get a bigger slice and more control. That meaning the Presidency has big faith in the acts of Beti Kamya, as her portefolio are now extending and also taking away from others. What you can also take from the Secretary, is that he didn’t notify neither districts mentioned by the Members of Parliament or the Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago. There was other who should have been informed like the 5 district mayors and the Wardens, the councilors of the capital should feel punished too. Also, the extended branch of the Presidential Advisor Singh Katongole. But what has said or done recently, other than cashing-in a paycheck.

This here is really an extension and rare, since the paradigm under President Museveni is to make things smaller and hire more cronies. Not extending and giving more power to individuals. This is tampering with the modus operandi of late. Kamya must have given a lot of incentive and promise over the recent time to be offered a higher stake. If not, he want the Residential District Commanders and the others in the near-by districts to be under the command. As it is a fitting way for the State House to control it even more directly, because Kamya will work on direct orders and not flinch.

So, just like the way Kamya has stripped the elected leadership in Kampala, she is set to control Wakio, Mukono and Mpigi. This is really to secure the will of Museveni even further and more detailed, as she has followed his instruction on every market and every decree. She has praised him and he now repays her. While taking away powers and limits the scope of the Ministry of Local Government, who will loose these areas.

The letter from the Secretary of the President is really showing this and proving how he wants to tangle even more elected officials, with the appointed minister Kamya. It is really a way of controlling mayors and district officials. Peace.

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