Opinion: RDCs getting cars isn’t governing, but a cheap trick!

“The Minister for Presidency, Esther Mbayo has given out 65 cars to Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) from different regions to improve on service delivery. The RDCs who received the cars on Thursday constitute 50% of the total number of Resident District Commissioners currently deployed in the country” (Muhamad Matovu – ‘Minister Mbayo Gives 65 Cars To RDCs From Different Regions’ 22.11.2019).

There are 135 districts, which is operative in the Republic. This is November 2019. There will come more districts in 2020 and so-on. As the Republic is made into smaller and smaller units as political favours and for personal gains of the political elite. That is well-known, as well as a measure done to establish good grounds of new constituencies with no voting history ahead of any given election.

With this in mind, there is an up-coming election in 2021. It is not the first time the National Resistance Movement (NRM) run government have given cars to its officials. They are not only giving that to the MPs and the cabinet, but also anyone in association with the State House. Therefore, the State House and the Parliament should have a car-lot and a car-dealership, if they were supposed to run it smoothly and cheaper.

Because, back in 2015, the state bought 111 cars for District Chairpersons. Therefore, this sort of enterprise happens on near-regular basis. Just as the state bought cars for the CPC in Parliament in this calendar year. So, this is a business the state knows and deals with a lot.

The special thing about this, is that service deliver is important with a car. Not with a mandate or actual factual work that the RDCs do. The Residential District Commanders, the ones overseeing and oversight of the government works in the districts. This is 65 cars and in total, that is 50% of the appointed RDCs. This means there is 130 districts who has RDCs by what the Mbayo states. That means the state lacks funds, manpower and appointed leadership for 5 districts alone. Which is a rare move.

The President has the opportunity to give broader mandate, to give funds and opportunities to the RDCs to actually do more. But thinking a car would make a big difference is naive. As they have the same mandate, the same lacking structure and weak local government. Just today, the President and the state gives state officials cars, instead of building viable institutions.

The state is acting like a car dealership, not a governing institution nor following up on obligations in the districts. This is a cheap ploy for poor districts, for lacking funds and for not investing in all the created micro local-government units, which is now 135 districts and so-on. Where the RDCs and others has supervision and mandates to work. Therefore, there should be more than cars and more than a quick fix, which this is and nothing else.

To buy 65 cars will not fix the districts, it will only give for a short amount of time, mobility for some few persons in association with the RDCs. It doesn’t make the roads being built, schools being furnished nor town halls run properly. That is done over budgets, policies and actual governing being done.

To govern is an art and giving away cars isn’t building a nation, it is only cheap fix. You don’t give an alcoholic an beer, you take them to rehab and stops the availability to beer. Instead, here the state gives another beer and hope that it doesn’t catch on. Sooner or later, these cars will have a breakdown. As the cars are hit by driving miles upon miles every year.

Therefore, this isn’t it. Other than a rundown, over used idea, which isn’t scratching the surface. Peace.

Resident District Commanders Re-Shuffle: A list of Honourable Mentions! (October Edition) Part II

I just had to go over the list of one more time, as there are plenty of names and figures in it. The Residential District Commanders are the ones whose supposed to implement the government agenda. That is why they are there as appointed officials, which the President directly put forward their agenda for their work and also oversee the elected officials and civil service there. That is why the manner and the acts of the RDCs could be important, as they are the ones reporting to the President.

For instance the former Kitgum RDC Captain Okot Santos Lapolo are re-appointed for the Gulu District, which has been a career RDC first for over 12 years in Kitgum, before he has now been in Gulu since 2016. In early February 2018, he closed Radio Mara as he ordered the arrest of Choice FM editor there.

The Fred Bamwine, the former RDC of Nakawa, Rubaga, Bukiwe, Butambala and Ntungamo has now been appointed as the RDC of Mukono. He has addressed the amount of Ghost Workers in Ntungamo District in 2014. He is a career RDC, whose been often moved and not worked long. As shown by all the districts he has worked in, in 2017 he said: “What happens to districts that don’t get certificates of compliance so that they don’t do the same things,” (CSBAG – ‘Poor infrastructure, weak accountability hurting Local gov’t service delivery’ – CSOs, 18.09.2017).

The Former FDC Deputy Speaker of Kumi, Ambrose Oronia, gone from being a Deputy RDC of Amuria and is appointed to be RDC of Ngora district. She went from the FDC to NRM because she “wanted to serve the people”. That was back in 2008.

The newly appointed Rukungiri RDC Dan Kaguta is the former Wakiso District RDC. Kaguta has been called the brain behind the NSSF Bribe case of the IGG in the 2014, where he was an accomplice with Jane Mpeirwe. Back in 2012, he was involved in possible extortion of the KCCA. So this man has a record himself and been steady in questionable cases, however, that doesn’t stop the President from not appointing him.

Then there was Wilberforce Tukei, who lost the NRM Primaries in 2015 to become the NRM MP Flagbearer for the Bukedea district. He is now appointed as the RDC of Soroti District. He is the former LCV Chairman of Bukedea. Wilberforce has also fallen out with Rose Akol in 2015.

Richard Andama Ferua has been taken with forged academic papers (2006), jailed over rental arrears (2011) and jailed for debt in 2016. The former Arua LCV Chairman are now appointed to become the RDC of Yumbe District.

Then you have Maj. Ret. David Matovu, who is the former RDC of Mukono and Masindi. Before that he has been appointed as early as in 2008 by the President to be Chairman of the University Council at Makerere University.

In 2006 was the former Adjumani District Chairman Nixon Owole freed after being jailed for defilement. He has also been the LCV Chairman of the same district since. He is now appointed the RDC of Tororo.

This was just 8 more persons on the long list of appointed RDCs. Therefore, hope more people scan through and shows the past of the people, that Bosco put his trust in. Peace.

Resident District Commanders Re-Shuffle: A list of Honourable Mentions! (October Edition)

Again, there is shuffles within the Residential District Commanders, which not to long ago, he bitched about their uselessness, however, with that in mind. He still uses them and has them in his upkeep of his growing state apparatus, which he controls with an iron fist. Today, the list of the shuffles was released to the public. This changes was sanctioned by Bosco on the 30^th September 2018, but is public now on the 3^rd October 2018.

Former Tororo RDC Martin Oroch is moved from there to Budaka district, he is famous for saying this in July 2016: “He stressed that some of the students are in advanced stages of HIV/Aids so parents should not “waste their resources” on them. “I have heard about situations where parents have wasted resources to raise tuition and before completing university education, they [students] die. Parents should be aware of their children’ status before undertaking risks,” Mr Oroch said amid boos from parents and students” (Joseph Omollo – ‘Don’t take HIV-positive children to university – RDC’ 10.07.2016, Daily Monitor).

The Former Flying Squad Commandant Herbert Muhangi is now assigned as the RDC of Isingiro. Darius Nandinda continues as the RDC in Kabale, where his bodyguard earlier this year shot a civilian. Because of his loyal contribution through the election period, where his orders was to seal of a local radio station in 2015 and arrest panellist who differs from the stance of the government.

Lt. Joe Walusimbi is moved from Masaka and reassigned to Kasese district, one of the things done while his tenure in Masaka, was to close down the Mutesa 1 University after student riots in 2017. There has also been Taxi Strikes in 2017, as the local authorities has issued an illegal tax on them. Therefore, it is interesting times ahead for Kasese.

The former deputy RDC of Kasese Aminadabu Muhindo has been reassigned to Kiruhura district. This man is famous and infamous for working directly for the NRM Program, to an extent where he has warned radio presenters, parents to keep their properly for schools and engaging the army for the Kasese attacks on the Rwenzururu Kingdom. Therefore, this man will do whatever it takes to please the government. He is also a director and a board member for the Kilembe Investments Limited (K.I.L).

The former RDC of Kasese Maj. James Mwesigye have also gotten reassigned to Mbarara district. So the ones overseeing the Kasese skirmishes and clashes have been moved without any injury.

This are just a few on the massive list, but how easy it was to find weird and special events concerning this promoted individuals or re-assigned, is if the crimes or questionable behaviour would have demoted someone had been natural. Not be re-assigned to another district. Peace.

Mwenda’s recent Illusions of the ‘FDC versus NRM’ doesn’t make sense!

There are certain members of the media atmosphere, that is so deluded and so paid-off by the National Resistance Movement, that their vision is blurred. If someone would believe that this fellow was drinking or even lack of memory, than people would have believed that, since his reasoning is so far fetched and forged together. So, that the elitism and the favorable view is so in the open. That no matter what the Opposition would do. It would be wrong, anyone standing in the way of the NRM. They are vicious people and vindictive to be supporting the cause of toppling the dictatorship. However, that is the vision of Andrew Mwenda, the Independent Magazine owner and writer. The man whose lost his way, today. I will take extract of his two recent rants on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). I just have to scrutinize them, as they deserve.

First on disintegration of the FDC:

“Besigye himself did not start out as a radical extremist. However he adopted this position in order to keep the loyalty of his base. These radical extremists believe in a politics of blackmail, insults, lies and intimidation to get their way. They represent a worse alternative to President Yoweri Museveni’s politics of corruption and patronage. For all his faults, Museveni represents a more enlightened politics than Besigye and his extremists. He is to some degree liberal democratic – to a good extent – he has some tolerance of and respect for free speech and other liberal democratic values. But the radical extremists are fascists” (Mwenda, 2018).

This little extract shows how narrow-minded Mwenda has become, if that is in his own high esteem or his lack of vision. That he has to figure out a way to narrowly escape the perjury of his own mind. What we can see, is that no matter what Museveni does, it will be better than Besigye. Even if Museveni has all powers and made a crappy patronage system, that will be better than the FDC and Besigye ever will be. Even if no one has ever tried or succeeded in doing so. Therefore, just by this mere impasse, his reasoning are falling flat.

Secondly, how can liberal democratic values turn into fascists? Where in his right mind does this work out? It is just like reading political voodoo again. The mismatch of political in a petri-dish and use of tools to create an imaginary Nessie in the midst of Lake Albert. Because that is what Mwenda here does. If your members and supporters of Besigye, your fascists, by his reckoning, which is in itself a disgrace. As the Besigye supporters aren’t violent brown-shirt or ethnic cleansing individuals, even the P10 in diaspora isn’t supporting an armed struggle against the Museveni. So where in the mind of Mwenda makes these ideas. He surely need therapy or more schooling, because this doesn’t make sense.

FDC’s radical extremism:

“Here has been the tragedy of the struggle for democracy in Africa. Claims by any group opposed to a dictatorial government to be fighting for democracy are taken on face value. Its internal operations and the behaviour of its leaders and members are rarely questioned. And in many cases these groups have captured power and produced governments that are worse than those they overthrew. The lesson for Uganda is simple but fundamental: denouncing Museveni’s dictatorial tendencies is not enough to make a political movement liberal-democratic. Its modus operandi is more critical. FDC is the best positioned party to capture power from NRM. The radical extremists are its strongest faction in FDC. Hence a capture of power by FDC would be a victory for radical extremism and a danger to democracy in Uganda. Whatever the democratic deficits manifest inside NRM, Museveni individually and his party and government generally are fairly tolerant and liberal-minded. I built my career as a journalist exposing the rot in his government alongside its dictatorial tendencies. Yet throughout this period I frequently visited Museveni at State House and we argued over our differences. He would come to my radio show. He would telephone me to express disagreement over opinions or facts I had written. The same applies to NRM and UPDF leaders. They were regular guests on my radio show and my major sources of information” (Mwenda, 2018).

It is weird again that someone would be danger to democracy, while the other one are keeping a narrow hold of power in the State House. That is why someone whose been into power for 32 years are no problem for democracy, but the ones in opposition will cause havoc. That even without proof of it. This is just peddling lies and deception. That Mwenda says NRM are liberal and tolerant minded, why does everyone has to follow the guidance of Museveni and the ones who doesn’t get demoted.

If the NRM was so liberal and tolerant minded, why the NRM rebels get demoted? Why did the leadership throw out Mbabazi, Bukenya and others because of their ambitions? Mwenda, why doesn’t you mention that? While the FDC has had three Party Presidents by now since its inception since 2005, while the NRM since 1986 has had one in command from the State House. There has been lack of control from others.

So, therefore it is special, that ones ordering the army and police to be able to control power, have trouble with supporters of the opposition. This is just weird, that the NRM are okay with its mistakes, but the FDC will become fascists and extremists, but the armed military government of NRM are fine and dandy. If you don’t see flaws in that reasoning, than your right and Mwenda is off the chains.

We can clearly see the brilliant mind or the wacked head of Mwenda. His own head must be a battlefield, as the lack of reasoning and mental breakdown of the defense of Museveni is in the open. It is just like accepting the dictator and making the opposition criminal hoodlums. Not complaining about the ones ordering the killing, but saying the ones reporting the killings as the ill of society. That is what Mwenda is doing these days.

If you know, you know. Peace.

Reference:

Andrew M. Mwenda – ‘The likely defeat of FDC’s radical extremism’ (13.08.2018)

Andrew M. Mwenda – ‘The disintegration of FDC’ (11.08.2018)

What is Nabilah Naggayi Sempala problem: Everyone lies, but who is telling the truth then?

The Forum for Democratic Change Woman MP for Kampala Nabilah Naggayi Sempala has spoken out about the state of affairs in general politics. Especially after the FDC Reshuffle within the 10^th Parliament, where most of the loyalists to previous Party President Gen. Mugisha Muntu have been outcast and other people have been assigned roles within the shadow government. However, this has not gone without questions or even discussions. As the decisions to do so, has been done by the FDC Party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat. Which is a total normal procedure and has been done by the FDC for ages now. Therefore, the silent force and not so viable MP, Nabilah shows up to scene.

She is not the cleanest MP within the FDC, even during campaigns before the General Election in 2016. She campaigned both with Amama Mbabazi and Kizza Besigye. Seemingly, whenever the big-man was in town, she had to have support of both. Which is in itself weird and also disloyal. No-one should forget that. Maybe, that is why she is concerned about the state of affairs.

“The current state of our nation political health is majorly caused by the willingness of most people to listen to lies especially those who are passionate about party politics and will be quick to rationalize or diminish the seriousness of lies told by a member of the political party they support, but will be merciless toward any member of the opposing political party caught telling a lie of any kind. I strongly believe that all of the problems facing Uganda can be traced to people’s collective choice to embrace Lies. But even though they will claim not to like lying, they continue to tolerate the people and institutions that do the lying so long as none of the specific lies they tell happens to greatly disadvantage or displease them personally; But in the confines of their homes and amongst close friends or family; they embarrassingly admit that the Leader of FDC has lied on several occasions or that President Museveni has not been exactly truthful to Ugandans! Over to you, Ugandans! When will “LYING” be faced and confronted straight in the FACE? Whatever is eating up FDC is the same eating up NRM! Dishonesty!” (Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, 10.08.2018).

If there is someone who is electioneering or trying to finesse herself in Uganda. Nabilah is one of them. Especially if there is coins or loyalty points to get out of it. This is happening now, she is trying to forge a better pattern and make herself viable. Not that she had done that when it came to Age Limit or possible Land Amendments. You wouldn’t hear her speak or utter a word, but when its mere political splits or political infighting. She shows up like hunger strikes. Nabilah have to get that bread and this is how she gets her butter.

Nabila N. Sempala has done this and will continue to pursuit this way. Because her messaging is lack-luster and needs a political sponsor to get pass anything. Her character is coning and will look for someone to carry her. That she blames both FDC and Museveni of lying is to cover all bases. Both her FDC base, but also show wits. What falls flat, is the lack of implying, who is lying and what lie?

Is it that the FDC are trying to forge fresh MPs within the Parliament and foster their talents? Is that the FDC branch of Muntu is being faced out? The NRM lies constantly, that is their bread and butter, the one you are also trying to score point on. What is drive there? Museveni lies all the time and false promises is his livelihood. So what is your point there?

Nabilah is electioneering and trying to finesse herself again. Nsereko bangs for bucks, Nabilah gives loyalty for bucks. Let see where the buck stops for her, maybe she will change party to before next election. She was part of Mbabazi before going back to Besigye in 2015. Let see if she pulls of the same sort of stunt in 2020 before the 2021. Peace.

Uganda Law Society notice ‘ Re: Update on Issues Relating to the Notice from the Ministry of Lands, Housing & Urban Development’ (17.07.2018)

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

More Musevenisms as the cronyism is real!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Uganda Media Centre: Press Release on RDCs (25.06.2018)

Uganda: Office of the President – Press Release concerning RDCs Fraternity (24.06.2018)