Opinion: Kusasira is having buyers remorse…

“I feel a lot of pain that I can’t explain to you or to someone else inside me. But all the pain comes as a result of enemies who are fighting against me left and right that makes me just find myself in the center squeezed from there. My tears and pains are of a combination of many things that include my property that I have lost include that which I worked for as a musician because fans supported me overwhelmingly and I made some money but now all is gone. I am being fought by many individuals and I know the president’s word is a direct order. I support President Museveni as an individual but I request what he directs, let it be done because some of us who love him we face lots of challenges and difficult times. We are fought side by side and you find that those who don’t support him don’t fight us as much but those in the party play all sorts of dirty games against us” – Catherine Kusasira (07.10.2022).

The running up to the 2021 elections was like nothing else. That’s because of the People Power Movement and the rise of the National Unity Platform (NUP). The National Resistance Movement finally met an organic rise of opposition and within the means of youths who opposed the reign of Museveni. Not the like the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) haven’t been the Leader of the Opposition and rightfully so. However, NUP and People Power came in like a wind and caused a stir.

That stir was met with changes, President Museveni suddenly showed up in the ghettos and acted like he cared for a hot minute. He tried to sway former People Power associates and some he got into his fold. One of them was Kusasira. She went from being on the side of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine into an appointment of being Presidential Advisor of Kampala Affairs. That happened in 2019 ahead of the 2021 elections.

She was one of the people Museveni purged and got into the NRM. Just to prove that the mass-mobilized party could be relevant for the people that Bobi Wine talked to and was relevant for. That’s why he went for Balaam, Ashburg Katto and others. He appointed them, gave them a role and made them “special”. They became part of the state and was suddenly honourable people.

Kusasira was suddenly one of them. She had a V8 Vehicle, an Office and could afford to buy a mansion. Her place within the NRM was established and she was part of the ruling elite. She could travel with racks-on-racks and even act arrogant towards the Ministry of Kampala and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). That’s because she could just call President and get vouched for.

Now she is falling short. The money is draining up and she’s not relevant. Kusasira is feeling lost and isn’t in the wind. Her place and role is sort of outplayed. It is nothing she has to offer or relevance for the President. Museveni only needed her for the elections and appointed her to hurt the campaign of Bobi Wine. There was no real love, just like all the other ones who was “captured” or swayed over from People Power. They only did so to damage and possible break the popular rise of the NUP. However, that wasn’t the case and these folks lost their way.

It is tragic that she lost her house and feels betrayed by her own. She chose to be a pawn and pawns never lives long. The king stays the king, but she haven’t done anything to fight or change her role. The only thing she offered was arrogance and betrayal. That’s not valuable for anyone in the long-run. Neither is she a master mobilizer or a people’s champ. No, she’s just another of them. A washed-up musician who got caught in the web of Museveni.

Kusasira made her bed and she now has to sleep in it. Peace.

Opinion: The President spends around a billion shillings a day for the remaining days of the Financial Year…

The 2^nd Supplementary Budget of 2021-22, which is scheduled now in May 2022, as the end of the Financial Year is soon ending. The FY 2021-22 is only ending on the 30^th June, as the next Financial Year is starting on the 1^st July 2022. On that date start the FY 2022-23. Therefore, it must be something significant for the state to suddenly spend lavishly in the end of a financial year.

The Supplementary Budget which was voted on recently gave the State House 77 billion shilling in additional funds for “Classified Expenditure”. This is happening days before President tells his citizens to buy “less” and “survive”. As the state isn’t able or it isn’t capable of subsidising or cut taxes on basic commodities, as the prices are rising in the Republic. However, the same state can spend a billion shilling a day on the “classified expenditure” for his august State House.

The President can spend a billion shilling a day just on the supplementary budget. That is not taking into the account the already allocated funds to the State House Budget in the FY 2021-22 or the first supplementary budget, which most likely also had additional funds towards the State House. If not there is plenty of funds allocated and directed to the Office of the President. He has enough options and means to spend vast fortunes on a regular basis.

The latest is just a simple fact of how his beyond redemption. A man who speaks of being a revolutionary, but acts like a kingpin. A man who speaks of surviving and living within our means, but he himself has all the monies of the world. The State House and the President can buy whatever it wants at any given time. The State House can imports, buy and trade whatever it deems fit. It has the budgets and the sudden additional funds to do so. It is a huge enterprise and a growing money tree.

The State House has only by the latest budget a 1 billion shillings a day to spend and that isn’t even covering every single day. The State House would still have funds to spare and use. This just shows how reckless and how how the President is using money like no tomorrow. He might claim it’s for development and other projects. However, what results does it have or what purpose? Why not let other agencies, state enterprises or even ministries directly steer these funds?

We all know why… the President wants to be implicated and directly part of all pieces of the state. That’s why his directives goes into all portfolios and all parts of government. He wants to have a say and order as well.

That’s why his spending like a drunk sailor on himself, but speaking of frugality to anyone else. His office and State House gets huge slush-funds, classified expenditure and whatever else he points at. He can claim it is to save someone in the up-country, but everyone knows it is being eaten mostly by himself. His getting a big convoy, having over 130 Presidential Advisors and whatever else he see fit.

If you believe a man who needs a billion shillings day to live. That his the guy to lecture you about living a simple life. You are being lectured by the wrong guy. The guy who is living hand-to-mouth and selling New Visions on the streets of Kampala can explain how that life works. However, a President who spends more than any other soul of the Republic.

Well, he isn’t the guy to speak of living frugal. No, his the guy to listen to when you want to buy Evian or import expensive relics to his State House. Peace.

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 State House is the most vital ministry in the Republic

Again and again, the budgets and the supplementary budgets are revealing what priorities that matters. In the recent release of the 900 billion shillings supplementary budget. The Office of the President is destined to get 168 billion and the Office of the Prime Minister gets an additional 40 billion shilling. While the Ministry of Defence and the National Army is getting 79,2 billion shillings.

That just shows the priority, we know the UPDF is stretched in the Democratic Republic of Congo and suddenly deployed in Karamoja. That got to be paid and the soldiers equipment has to be reimbursed. Therefore, the necessity of added funds there makes sense.

However, the extended and added funds on the Office of the Presidency shows how the State House can mismanage and spend like there is no tomorrow. The President has already a massive budget in the first place and this addition only shows that they cannot manage these vast funds.

They are now claiming these funds will go to scholarships for students, Kiira Motors and whatnot. It is better than other eyars to water-bills and utilities. Still, shouldn’t the Ministry of Transport and Works fund the Kiira Motors? Why is that under the Office of the Presidency? Why is the Office of the Presidency paying scholarship? Shouldn’t scholarship be under the Ministry of Education and Sports? Isn’t that wifey material … and paperwork for her to handle?

That’s why you know these Supplementary Budgets are questionable at best. This is just a measure to ensure the President has more funds for his inner-circle. The lack of oversight is clear. When the Office of the President is paying for such projects and participating in other Ministries work. The Office of the President shouldn’t be entangled into so much of the Ministries of the Government. However, it is and it shows what sort of governing the President does.

This budget is questionable and shows what is priorities. The State House and the Office of the President is getting a huge slice of the cut. That isn’t shocking, but proves what is important and what the state see as important. They rather spend money on the President than on Health Care or any other Ministry, which is lacking or not having proper budgets. That could even be said about Ministry of Education for that matter…

Therefore, President Museveni is the one who gets the funds and get to spend the way he likes. That is the message of this Supplementary Budget. Peace.

Opinion: Kusasira fell off the bandwagon very quickly

“I have lost everything because of my party NRM,,there is alot of unfairness in NRM as a party..you work hard and be committed to everything in the party for the betterment but never to be appreciated..I really sacrificed alot during the last campaigns where I even went for bank loans and started projects as a way of motivating the youths as a tactic of fighting the pressure group that had arose(NUP).Why NRM..I have lost alot because of you.. business..friends and fans bkoz of choosing you as my party…I thought president MUSEVENI was the commandant and his was always respected by his representatives but then it’s vise versa bkoz for whoever he directs to perform they do the opposite..” (Kusasira, 29.01.2022).

It wasn’t a long time ago, as Cathrine Kusasira was appointed as a Presidential Advisor in 2019 ahead of the 2021 polls to takeaway and be a musician favourable for the Yellow and be vocal voice to the ghetto and the ones who would follow Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. That was an deliberate act of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) as a way of swaying the public and using the image of her and Butchaman ahead of the 2021 General Elections.

However, it is now January 2022 and a year since the polls, which means the need and use of Kusasira is up. Her own office and space is maybe out of date. She was appointed as the Presidential Advisor on Kampala Affairs, got an office, a vehicle and a salary. It was to boost the ego and the party own ability to be viable in the ghetto, but also in the slums of Kampala. Alas, that was something, which wasn’t built on a mountain, but on sand.

Kusasira is now crying out loud. She is on social media calling out for money and getting refunded for her loans. The loans she took out … to support youth and projects on her own merit. Which means that the NRM wasn’t involved and neither the state. Yes, she was a Presidential Advisor and a member of the NRM. However, she did it all alone and on her own accord. Therefore, the singer and advisor should carry the blame and the debt on her own.

It is really pathetic the way she post about this yesterday and today on Facebook. She is looking rather ignorant and was high on her own supply, as she thought everything would be covered by the state eventually. As she was the Presidential Advisor and did so as a state representative. However, it seems that she had to clarify yesterday’s statement, which only making it more obvious.

“I did it because I love my party so it was for swagger this is dotcom generation infact I used that money to buy welding machines that I distributed to youth from different parts of our country this intended to have a good image of our Government to our youth who were being driven to bad acts by selfish minded people during election period who ever is using this propaganda is not real, the car the mafia usually talk about it was a gift from the president, I know mafia must come back with such videos to tint the message with in my recent post (kisajjagwe ne Nekikazi gwe) yo the real first enemies of NRM in fact yo the real enemies to my family and the orphans I take care of I will not keep silent to the propaganda being accelerated by the idiotic Mafia so I assure you that I won’t keep quite see my properties go like that” (Kusasira, 30.01.2022).

What Kusasira should know… is that she’s just showing what we all have said all along. That she was a pawn and a tool, which would loose value. As the President and his team only invited her in to be in the way and gain attention away for the People Power Movement. She was supposed to inspire and elevate a part of the public, which the NRM has lost. However, that wasn’t something she was able to or had the grasp of doing.

Kusasira just became another mercenary for the yellow brigade. It like she cannot handle the truth and think she was more special. She was picked for a purpose and that was it all. Neither was she elected or had the capacity to be on a ticket. No, she was just a pawn and got played.

Kusasira seemingly didn’t get that and thought she was a unique maverick of a politician all of a sudden. Like she suddenly could shadow-play and forge a narrative like other seasoned politicians, sorry but not sorry. She wasn’t one of them and the tide has turned.

Kusasira was used, played and is now left in the dark. She has played her part and have to dance to another tune now. Go back to her roots, since she’s not a grand standing or an important part of the NRM. Catherine should wake up and smell the coffee, but I doubt she ever will. Peace.

Opinion: Kadaga says what everyone knew [A Ugandan VP is useless]

“The Vice Presidency Seat is not a position of decision making, that is why they want me to be appointed there” – Rebecca Kadaga (Crispus Mugisha – ‘Kadaga refuses VP job as Museveni calls for meeting’ 29.03.2021, Nilepost.ug).

The truth usually sets you free. The truth can unleash huge potential and change things. Now the speaker of 10 years in the Ugandan Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga has told the truth to the public. Not that it’s shocking or anything. No, we knew this, but its nice that the ones holding office feels the same.

The Speaker of 10 years, Kadaga is saying the Vice President is not worth anything. Rebecca is stating that its not a place worthy of being. Since she wants to be at a place where she has some sort of influence and power. A Vice President at this time and age lacks both.

Yes, a VP is the second of government, but we all know that this person at this point is the master of ceremonies and nothing else. The VP can look good on paper and be honourable subject. Even if the VP has no direct influence of parliament, cabinet or even in the NRM CEC. The person is just a token leader and a figurehead of the government without any sort mandate or ability sway lawmakers.

No, the VP in her eyes is a useless and redundant appointment. Where you are just a high ranking official, but with no initial power. That is sort of the dream and been the motivation for appointing Vice President Edward Ssekandi, which has held the office for two term and lost the MP’s election this time around.

VP Ssekandi will not be remembered for legislative victories nor his strides in office. No, he has been ghosting with a fancy convoy. He has been busy tearing up venues and showing his face. To prove that the office exists, but for no apparent reason. The VP has been selected as well, because he has no ambition to overcome or become the heir to the throne. No, his just there to officiate at weddings, burials and openings of roads.

That is all happening, because that is the role assigned by the President. The President could give the person of the VP a more powerful role and have bigger tasks. However, that is not what he has done. The President have given more prestige and more assignments to the Office of the Prime Minister. The OPM have a bigger function in todays cabinet and have more of powerful portfolio in comparison to the VP. That is why Kadaga doesn’t want to become the next VP. As she knows that role is worthless. She has seen it for years and doesn’t want to be in docket with no influence and mandate to her name. Especially, after having the mantle of the Parliament as the speaker for so long.

This is all a reflection of the manner of which Museveni is ruling. If he had faith in his deputies and in his second in command. He would have assigned them with a broader mandate and given them hurdles to pass. However, he rather takes it on himself or if not give it further down the chain-of-command. As they have a longer line to pass to get to him.

Kadaga is just stating the bitter truth and a simple reflection of the reign of Museveni. Museveni have made it like this. It is his decision to make it a Ministry/Office without a Portfolio or a Ministry aka Vice Presidency.

That is the making of Museveni and is in his image. If you know, now you know. Peace.

Opinion: Kyambadde knows the truth [but claims the youth doesn’t understand]

“Some would tell me that they like me, but they don’t understand the party I am attached to. People are blaming the party because of our over stay. Even with the services delivered, the youth think that they are not prioritised” – Amelia Kyambadde (19.01.2021)

The now former Permanent Principal Secretary to President and Minister Amelia Kyambadde has spoken the truth. That is actually not new. Now and then she has blasted the truth in the media and gotten the real in interview. This time is now different.

Even though Kyambadde is part of the Museveni clan. She has all the connections and enjoys the perks of that. Some things we do know is that she will not suffer as long as Museveni is in power. Because, as long as he is in power. She will have access and ability to enjoy the spoils of the Presidency. 

This week again she has spoken the truth. Not that its shocking or anything. It isn’t even that radical or brutal. Just a mere reflection of what is happening and the consequences of their actions. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) have been there and in-power too long. President Museveni have overstayed in office. That is just a mere fact and no reason to run away from it now.

The youth doesn’t feel the services is delivered. When they don’t have work, unemployed and living in a gig economy. In a Republic where one class eats all and the others cannot afford breadcrumbs. That is the sad reality of what the NRM has delivered. Not like Kyambadde was sincere about that part. There is to many lacking factors and options for the youth and citizens in general. Its a deprived state and depleted one. Which the next unlucky loser have to entangle and resolve.

Kyambadde is right the NRM isn’t a party to understand. Since it is a party who only revolves around one person and his whims. His micro-managing and erratic behaviour isn’t making it easier to understand either. However, the final end-game is in his hands and controlled by him. That is just the NRM way at this point of time.

The NRM haven’t cared or invested in the ones she points at. The only interest is in overstaying and securing power. Not to serve or deliver anything anymore. That is why the President could just re-hash old ideas and pledges, as he knows very well … that he didn’t deliver or have the ability to make it happen in the previous term or in the last decade. That is just who he is and the likes of Kyambadde have to act oblivious to the fact.

That is why I will not blindly say she “right” and saying the “right” thing. No, she knows perfectly well the game and how its rigged. Amelia knows how things are working and been in the chambers for so long. That she knows how things get corrupted, stolen and stopped. Kyambadde called out the GAVI funds back-in-the-day and surely seen other things happening too.

Still, she has been part of it and earned her coins. A loyal cadre and a yellow compatriot. That is why I cannot praise her insight. Unless, she wanted to reveal some underlying issues and be a whistle-blower. Alas, she is just stating the obvious, but forging a narrative that the youth doesn’t understand.

However, they do understand and see the game of the NRM. That is why they are voting for the opposition and other parties. In hope that they actually do something. That they are doing the things the NRM isn’t doing. So, that they can have hope for a better tomorrow. Peace.

HTTP 404: NRM Apologists not found on Facebook

This week an anomaly happened. The ones supporting and actively supporting the National Resistance Movement (NRM) on Facebook got blocked by the site. The Online Company and Social Media platform has de-platformed several of NRM associated bloggers, pages and groups on Facebook. Some of them has lost their profiles and been suspended from there as well.

That says a lot. There been a sudden purge on their position on Facebook. A place where views, perspectives and spread of information is happening steadily. What is ironic here. The NRM is crying foul. The same supporters and activists, the same bloggers and associates of the NRM has had no issues blocking, hacking or violating pages of the opposition. The same NRM associated people have taken over opposition media houses pages and even deleted them. That has been during the campaigns. Therefore, maybe the same fellow breached “community standards” by inciting these acts and the opposition just notified the company.

That wouldn’t be shocking here as Ghetto TV and others been under fire on the same site. It is just a mention in the quest of things happening to the opposition. However, these sort of things doesn’t tend to happen to the NRM. The NRM is usually above these things and acting untouchable.

Now, the NRM SOMA, GCIC and Uganda Media Centre is losing its grip. As Facebook is an important platform on Social Media. They are not getting the venue for their space to spread their message in the final days to the polls. That is an act that backfire. Especially, if the NRM plans to act upon the “Scientific” campaigns. However, we know how that has worked of late.

I do feel sorry for the inconvenience, but they are just tasting the blunt action made towards them. As the NRM can easily block radio-stations, take away broadcasting licenses and stop publishing of newspapers in the Republic. That is if they are having high ranking opposition as guests on air or even getting their messages across for a long time. They are only lucky if they get short windows and limited space. While the NRM covers most of it.

This is why in the traditional media, the NRM and the President is covering most of it. His owning it in practice. Though on the social media and on newer platforms the opposition has an edge. This is why the recent actions of Facebook to de-platform the NRM groups, pages and persons are really hitting home.

What Facebook is actually doing is what the NRM does to the Opposition at home. They are blocking and making it impossible for them to speak. How many times has a opposition candidate tried to access a radio station and been blocked? Countless of times. The same is now happening to the NRM. In a manner, which they cannot control…

That is just karma in my view. They are tasting the same spirit, which they have delivered on a daily for years to the opposition. The men loyal to Museveni and his cause. Is now seeing the effects of their actions. These folks are tasting their own medicine.

Yes, they have a right to free speech. Yes, they have a right to express it and that is all justified. However, there is no human right to be part of Facebook. Secondly, if your part of Facebook. Then you have signed an agreement to uphold certain standards. However, if those is breached. The company can suspend or de-platform you, which they have done here. That is all natural.

The NRM apologists, activists and bloggers can find other avenues now. They can use other platforms and other places to spread their message. However, there are few sites who has more people connected and people accessing on the daily. Therefore, the blocking to the site is hurting them.

The NRM could start to mediate with Facebook. The NRM could try to talk and figure out how to get access again. What sort of amends and promises they need to get re-activated. I am sure they would let it happen. Alas, they rather cry foul and be victims.

Nevertheless, these folks aren’t that much of victims. These folks aren’t in danger of prison, abductions, arrests or torture even. No, these folk are in danger of house-arrests or fatalities. No, these folks are safe and surrounded by the elites. These people are eating. That is why it’s hard to feel sorry for them. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni needed to warn the public on his Nomination Day…

“I hear chatter about those who intend to cause chaos. I am a Presidential candidate but I’m still President. I can assure you, nobody is going to threaten our peace. Those who will attempt it will regret it. We don’t joke around, NRM fought to bring peace. Nobody has more guns than we do, but we don’t go around intimidating people. I hear they are working with foreigners. No foreigner is going to change anything here in Uganda. To Ugandans, if you have information on such stupid acts, report it to authorities. It is possible some Police officers are corrupt, but you can use other channel” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on 2^nd November 2020 (Nomination Day for Presidency).

The President has today gotten nominated as a “presidential candidate” for the 2021 elections. Though this was just a automatic event for him and the National Resistance Movement (NRM). We all knew this day would come. It has been scheduled since 1986 and was a “non-starter” for the most of us.

It is not he would be annulled or be rejected from standing as a candidate. The President was confirmed and verified by the Electoral Commission first. The old man with the hat is only going through the motions. As he could have been riding in on a donkey or on a electric kick scooter, as he would pass through the suburbs of Kampala. However, we knew the man would never do that. He needed the Presidential Convoy and all of his guns on display. 

What we do know and what he did was incite fear and intimidation. That is his steady M.O. and what he has done forever. We know that he has the backing of the army and the police force. That CMI, ISO and other outfits works directly for him. This is common knowledge and isn’t new. He even have LDUs ready to aim at the ones standing in his way. Therefore, the cause of fear and stirring the pot. Is so common for this man.

A man that has been in power since 1986. Still has to use these tactics. Shows how far he has come. That he haven’t ensured real peace and true popularity with the people. If he had the popularity and the trust in the people. He wouldn’t swing out with the guns and the need to speak like this. Because, if he was truly popular. He would feel the love and would bash in it. Not use weapons, the army or the authorities to keep people in check.

However, that is what he does and got too. Because, this is the only way he stays ahead of the curve. This man wouldn’t be the President or have power, if it wasn’t for guns. That is why he clings on to it and uses it at any means. The guns and the soldiers are his buddies and the ones saving his day. He wouldn’t have the audacity or the power, if it wasn’t for them.

That’s why he had to say it. He wasn’t even discreet about it. The man just said it: “nobody have more guns than we do”. That is his message. That is his measure and his safety pin. This is what keeps him relaxed and at sleep at night. That he has the guns and the others doesn’t. He got the army, the police and everyone else armed to their teeth’s. As long as it stays like that.

He feels safe and secure. Not worried about anyone, because he can always aim those guns against the ones standing in his way. That is the memo we can get from today. Peace.

Opinion: It’s either another rap or another lie [the Mzee Akululu Saga]

There been stirred controversy this week as the former People Power singer and National Unity Platform (NUP) Ronald Mayinja released his song ‘Mzee Akalulu’. As song which praises the President and the National Resistance Movement. Today, there is even more ripple effect.

As Mayinja states this: “I said that I am not going to contest. Now that I am a musician, I got a client from NRM who asked me to do for them an advert and that is what I did” (…) “Just like a TV station like NBS TV will play an advert for NRM and in the evening they play an advert of an opposition party and we can not say that it is partisan, I also just want to work” (Jonah Kirabo – ‘Mayinja: I am still in NUP, I just recorded an advert for Museveni’ 31.10.2020, Nilepost.co.ug).

This here clear the air right? Well, it isn’t that easy. Since he wants to say his a bought musician and did trade his political affiliation. Only got used for a few tokens and a few silver coins. However, there is certainly more to this.

As Secretary General of the NRM Justine Kasule Lumumba said this: “We welcome musician Ronald Mayinja to NRM, but I must say, NRM didn’t pay him for the song. He did it on his own as a musician” (…) “This is a sensational hit that will boost the party’s mobilization for President Yoweri Museveni” (David Lumu – ‘We didn’t pay Mayinja for ‘Mzee Akululu’ song – NRM’ 01.11.2020, New Vision).

This seems like a prequel to this campaigns ‘Another Rap’ or last campaigns ‘Tubonga Nawe’. The NRM and the President surely has that prepared to fill the airways with their song. To hopefully go viral and have a clip that people talk about. Have the right amount of popular musicians and get the verses that sings of glory for the regime.

Ronald Mayinja did right on his song. He dropped the dime and showed the supposed “greatness” of this President. Put him into video-clips of big-man leadership. It wouldn’t be shocking if someone connected to NRM hired him to sing this. The song is a gig-song. The song is made to fit a campaign. Maybe, the NRM haven’t paid directly, but through a middle-man.

There is always some straw-men working and maybe Lumumba doesn’t know. It is also possible that Mayinja is lying and tried to get suction with the President. That wouldn’t be shocker either, but because of the backlash. He needed to back-track the tune and make it look otherwise.

Therefore, it is a lie here somewhere. Everything is speculations until the bank-accounts and the pay-offs are proven. Until then, there is only allegations and hear-say. Mayinja should know best, but he might come with a little fig to get off the hook. Lumumba might lie, because she either don’t know or had any prior knowledge to it.

There is also been reporting on giving a car to the musician, which wasn’t stated why. That shows there been some monetary gains for the artist. However, your not getting a vehicle for nothing. So, there is a possibility that Lumumba doesn’t know about the transaction composed with the Land Rover Model 2018 in question.

That is why the song have a questionable history. The origin and the reason for its existence is already questionable. This is before it has even hit the airways properly. We know what the songs presence and what it does, but if it was ordered by someone connected to the President.

That is why we can state that there is a lie here and someone is lying. We just don’t know who does it. To be frank it is just a song… a gig song and not the first nor the last to praise the “old man with the hat”. Peace.