Jinja East By-Election: FDC Candidate Paul Mwiru won the seat again and it wasn’t easy!

For the fourth time, the Forum for Democratic Change Paul Mwiru won the seat in Jinja East By-Election today. Earlier in the day it was dark, it was bleak, not because he lacks public support. The rallies has been packed and the support of the citizens been there. The police and the army was all out, they were doing the work of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). It would have expected to move it in favor of the NRM Candidate Nathan Igeme Nabeta. By the standard of things, the Electoral Commission would cook the numbers together with the pre-ticked ballots and proclaim Nabeta the winner. Because that would fit President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. However, the social media, the CCEDU presence and the people questioning the ill-behavior stopped the madness.

Even if the streets was filled with soldiers, even massive scores of soldiers at the polling stations. FDC activists and leaders detained. Even in the days before and today, the Deputy Secretary General Harold Kajja was detained today. We could have expected also Secretary General Patrick Amuriat Oboi too, who posted pictures with ballots earlier in the day, but Kajja wasn’t that fortunate. There are still many of the FDC activists, the ones meeting at the FDC Office after the final rally on the 13th March 2018. They are still not released. The NRM are not forgiving and has no problem with acting against the law, when coming to detaining political prisoners. This is not new in the Republic, but yet another election with this sort of intimidation and harassment of fellow citizens who is naturally loyal to the Movement.

So, the incumbent had his joys, even as the NRM used all their force, all the government extravagance and even the President rallying for his NRM Candidate. The same candidate that Mwiru has challenged since before 2011. With similar numbers as today. The state hasn’t sufficient support for their man in Jinja East, they are trying the same lingo, but dropping the spoiled goods every time. They have now called for new elections in between 2011 and now, therefore, he has been elected four times. We understand that Museveni wants his own guy, but Jinja East doesn’t support Nabeta that much.

Museveni can send the army, pre-ticket ballots counting 8000, when the total tally of counted ballots today was 12,103. That means with the numbers Nabeta got, he would have gotten today 5,043 + 8000 is totally 13043. If that had been so, it would have been more voters than possible. That meaning the EC was planning big scale locally cooking of the numbers to get Nabeta in Parliament. You should wrinkle your mind there. When considering that Paul Mwiru got 6,654 votes today. Which was significantly enough to beat Nabeta with the government backing.

The state even with soldiers, police force active in partisan politics and the machinery ready to move the rigging affair too. If it wasn’t for mobile phones and civil activist for electoral codes in CCEDU. The picture might have been a affair where the NRM had gotten their way. They had intimidated and shut it down in favor of Museveni’s man. Even if the population of Jinja East wants Mwiru again. Because, Museveni doesn’t get that. That is why they exposed all the madness, why the FDC camped there to secure it and not let it go.

It is good to see NRM loose, but it is costly, since they use all vile force, they doesn’t spare the security organizations, they use intimidation and tactics that isn’t favor of a free and fair election. It is so messed up and the ones who follow knows this. It shouldn’t be this hard to get an opposition Member of Parliament elected to the 10th Parliament. However it is, and it says everything about the NRM and Musveni at this point. Peace.

Jinja East By-Election: Return Form for Tranmission of Results (15.03.2018)

CCEDU: Statement on the Jinja East MP by Election (15.03.2018)

Jinja By-Election: Intimidation and Rigging – The whole NRM M.O. in full effect!

Nathan Igeme Nabeta voting at Main Street Primary School in Jinja town.

You know that your candidate sucks, when you have to send the army into the streets of Jinja East. That is at least the evidence found for the National Resistance Movement Member of Parliament Candidate Nathan Igeme Nabeta. Who can sleep and get sick as a future MP, because he will naturally work for the agenda and causes President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni wants him too.

This Jinja East By-Election is just a proof, that the NRM regime are doing whatever they can to stop any independent mind or opposition MP into the Parliament. They use all venues, they arrest FDC personnel, the arrests their activists and their people on the ground. Just this week after the final rally for the FDC candidate Paul Mwiru, the state went to FDC Offices in Jinja and detained 51 of them. Without no hesitation, just to hurt the final stages of the campaign.

This just shows again, that the Uganda Police Force, is more political motivated, than being an actual crime-fighter brigade. Because they are working in favour of the president and his will. They do anything, not just to secure the voters get to vote in peace, but to intimidate, as usual. That is why tear-gas vans and other mambas has driving down the streets. It is insane, but only natural in the republic, which Museveni resides.

There are 47 polling stations, but considering the amounts of police and army personnel, you would not think this was not a by-election, but a hostile takeover. That someone was invading Jinja East and making sure, they did the right thing. In this regard, vote for the future sleepyhead Nabeta. I do not even know if he had a message during his campaign, because all that came out of his rallies. Was the standing and words of the President!

I do not know if that was by accident, but clearly, we cannot mistake that. Just like the clips and photos of the police beating anyone who they think might vote for Mwiru. If you think this democratic, if it is justified, you are wrong. This is just a vicious attempt of taking control of the seat in Parliament.

At this point, the NRM owns the Parliament and has the advantage anyhow, so I do not see it. Nevertheless, Museveni must conspire something out of his sleeve or back pocket. Because he has sent the irons, the blades and the tricks of his trade to the Jinja East.

At this point, the results does not matter, because the rigging, the anticipation for a fair result is gone. This is the sort of staged affair. That should be cancelled and new re-run with serious contending parties and no partial policing in the district, I know that is a dream, but that is if the ruling regime would fair. Which is not and never intend to be.

We know now that Nabeta is a sucky candidate, a candidate not worth writing about, as the popularity is in the hands of previous winner Mwiru of the FDC. However, the NRM and the Police wants it otherwise. I should care about the result, but it’s hard to do so, when the Police and the army is used in this fashion. It is petty politics, where the Commander-in-Chief, where the President sends his forces to teach his people a lesson. This isn’t an election. At this point, it is a Presidential Selection. Peace.

South Sudan: Hon. Stephen Dhieu Dau Ayik – Congratulatory Message to Salvatore Garang Mabiordit (15.03.2018)

Opinion: I thought South Sudan would be broke much sooner!

It isn’t strange that the Republic of South Sudan has run out of money before? That this was only about time before this could happen. Before all the Reserves of South Sudanese Pound had left the Central Bank in Juba. Why is that natural? Maybe because of the constant civil war, the famine that is arising, the lack of produce and the lack of institutions. It is all effecting the economy, while the NGOs and Multi-Nationals are doing what they can to cover the basics, while the state is using the taxed funds and earnings of the crude-oil to secure ammunition and weapons from shady sources. This is happening while the United States has issued sanctions and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda has promised weapons. Therefore the recent reports kinda fit a narrative, where the reasons for the bankrupt state is very evident. But I will come into that after the reports are mentioned.

First the RSS broke:

President Kiir says the value of the pound also keeps on deteriorating and these facts have made South Sudan a “laughing stock” in the world. He said the leaders of the country have to think of ways to increase production so as to retain the currency’s value. “That [attempted] forceful taking of power has brought us now to this stage where we have no money in our bank, we have nothing and so we have become a laughing stock worldwide,” he said during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Minister of Finance, Salvatore Garang Mabiordit” (Eye Radio – ‘Gov’t is broke – Kiir’ 14.03.2018).

Secondly The Sentry reported: “One key document, part of a collection of material provided to The Sentry by an anonymous source, appears to be an internal log kept by South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mining detailing security-related payments made by Nilepet. The document titled, “Security Expenses Summary from Nilepet as from March 2014 to Date” (“the Summary”) lists a total of 84 transactions spanning a 15-month period beginning in March 2014 and ending in June 2015. In total, the document lists over $80 million in payments to politicians, military officials, government agencies, and private companies, many of which include captions that describe activities directly linked to the government’s war effort. Other documents reviewed by The Sentry include copies of correspondence that describe the petroleum ministry’s provision of fuel and other supplies to Padang Dinka militia groups” (The Sentry – ‘Fueling Atrocities – Oil and War in South Sudan’ March 2018).

And the Radio Tamazuj reported: “South Sudan’s government has awarded a major contract worth over $130 million to a private company to support military logistics operations, according to a document seen by Radio Tamazuj. The document bearing the signature of the country’s first vice president, Taban Deng Gai, said Tonga Investments Ltd has been given firm offers from the ministry of defense to supply food stuffs, assorted army uniforms, boots, vehicles and fuel to the army worth $134,703, 606.7. The document dated 7 March indicated that the Tonga Investments Ltd had identified Cyproil Trading Ltd based in Uganda as one of the willing and potential financiers with payments expected to be made by lifting of crude oil” (Radio Tamazuj – ‘Govt awards a major military supply contract worth over $130 million’ 12.03.2018).

So as seen there are clearly money to be spent, but they are not spent on salaries for teachers, for building roads, not even keep the central administration. But it is either squandered away on high-ranking politicians, which is the cronies and part of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) or the SPLM/A-IG and SPLM/A-IO – Deng fraction. Since the state is initially run by them and by the decrees of the President. The Parliament isn’t really functioning, therefore, the last word always falls of the President Salva Kiir Mayardit, who do whatever he please and uses whatever tactic he sees fit. If it is continuing issuing skirmishes or fixing deals with UPDF. Who knows how the army get all their gear, but clearly the SPLA has connections.

The government is able to spend the money on guns, ammo and other luxurious things. It is known that the South Sudanese elite owns posh homes in Nairobi. We can just guess where else they have homes and has stash funds from the looting of the state. Not like the state needs the funds to build stuff and take care of the state. There are dozens of Multi-National Organizations who are ready and who also pays taxes to be there. There are also smaller NGOs that offers support for the basic parts of government structure. So not like the TGoNU needs to consider that. They have it already, but built on donor funding and also run on donor funding. Therefore, very easy for the war-lords, the tribal chiefs and the cronies of Kiir to eat the cash of the state.

I am not surprised at all, I just thought it would happen quicker or by some other means. That it would be crack with arrangements of crude-oil pipeline and the rates paid to Khartoum. If not the Northern Corridor Project within the East African Community. Or even the start of paying the project funds for the new capital Ramciel. Even if the state even would pay some respects to the importance of New Site. But I doubt that.

While the insurgence, while the opposition have made alliances and actually made themselves deals within, as the SPLA/M-IG are trying to settle with SPLA/M-IO and the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) comes into effect. As the High-Level Revitalization Forum of the Intergovernmental Authority (IGAD) hasn’t bear any fruits. Since the ARCISS is officially dead, even if the International Community is trying to bring it back from its grave. While the War-lords continue.

The path already taken is clearly not the way of it, the elites around Kiir is eating. The men and clan’s men around having a field day, emptying the state, while the international community footing the bills for the rest. He is able to get guns, get equipment and get ammunition to continue this civil-war. At this point, he will not give in, unless he has secured power. He has fought for so long, that he will not give-way to anyone. The same with Dr. Riek Machar. He will neither step-down and give way. The people leaving SPLA/M-IO to different groups within SSOA should be sign enough too.

While the state is openly an open bazaar for Kiir to eat. Nothing is left untouched and not taken. If there is a cookie, if there is a piece of sugar and even just feeling of breadcrumbs. It going to be taken. Nothing is left behind. Because every penny is needed in the battle for supremacy. I am just waiting for the day he calls President Museveni and he sends a brigade or two. If the oil-money and funds will be sent his way. Peace.

Statement by Hon. Onesimus Twinamasiko on remarks he made in the media about women (14.03.2018)

Huge measles campaign in drought-hit Somalia aims to protect children and save lives (14.03.2018)

This week the campaign targets 2.7 million children in the southern and central states, along with 1.1 million children in Somaliland.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, March 14, 2018 – A nationwide campaign continues in Somalia to protect millions of children against the potentially deadly effects of measles. WHO, UNICEF, national and local health authorities aim to reach more than 4.7 million children aged from six months to 10 years during the overall campaign.

This week the campaign targets 2.7 million children in the southern and central states, along with 1.1 million children in Somaliland. The vaccinations will be available at health centres and temporary vaccination sites. Puntland implemented its campaign in January when over 933,000 children were vaccinated.

Over 2,800 cases of suspected measles have been reported since the start of the year, with the most affected regions including Bay, Banadir and Mudug. In 2017 there were more than 23,000 suspected cases of measles – six times as many as in 2016 – with the vast majority (83 per cent) affecting children under ten.

In early 2017, WHO, UNICEF and partners, together with national health authorities, vaccinated nearly 600,000 children aged 6 months to 5 years for measles in hard-to-reach and hotspot areas across Somalia.

“The campaign will intensify efforts to improve immunity against measles and reach unvaccinated children. As we saw last year when partners responded to a major cholera outbreak, with the right interventions, WHO and health authorities are confident that similar success may be seen in controlling this measles outbreak,” said Dr Ghulam Popal, WHO Representative in Somalia.

More than two years of severe drought has led to widespread child malnutrition, mass displacement, and a lack of access to clean water and sanitation, creating ideal conditions for infectious disease outbreaks.

“The situation is especially critical for millions of under-vaccinated, weak and vulnerable children who are susceptible to contracting infectious diseases. More than 1.2 million children are projected to be at risk of acute malnutrition in the next 12 months. These children are nine times more likely to die of killer diseases such as measles and acute watery diarrhoea /cholera than healthy children,” said Steven Lauwerier, UNICEF Somalia Representative.

Ahead of this latest campaign, in late 2017, WHO conducted a series of trainings for Somali health workers on early outbreak detection and response for measles. The trainings aim to enhance measles case-based surveillance and laboratory confirmation, improve measles case management during outbreaks, and achieve high routine measles vaccination coverage.

UNICEF has procured and distributed over 4.7 million doses of measles vaccine and organized 1,700 social mobilizers to encourage families to vaccinate children and adults who are not or think they might not be fully immunized. This will be accompanied by Vitamin A supplementation which will help to boost immunity.

The response is supported through funding from Alwaleed Philanthropies (Saudi Arabia), the United Nations Foundation, WHO, and the Somalia Humanitarian Fund.

Opinion: President Museveni burns the candle at both ends!

Even if the NRM MP is sick and sleepy, he’s still better than an acting opposition MP who’s very active. He might be inactive in other things but if he seconds the issues of govt, then he has contributed a brick to the peace of the country” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at a Campaign Rally (13.03.2018)

It is time to for President Museveni to stop his mixed messages. Because today during a By-Election Campaign Rally, he said there was no issues if a National Resistance Movement (NRM) Member of Parliament is sleeping. Why I am revealed by that, is that he is initially telling the crowds. Just elect my stooges, my cronies, I decide anyway, it is all my agenda. All that is done is on my time and my watch. The NRM MPs can be sick and can sleep. You shouldn’t mind them. Because they are just voting when I need them, the rest of the time, they are just lackeys that I have to take care off. So it’s good that the President is telling the truth. Because that is what he did.

However, sleeping was a problem 24 hours ago. Therefore, it is okay for his lackeys, but not for people in general: “President Museveni has said Ugandans, and Africans more generally, are poor because they spend too much time sleeping. “Africa is so rich because we have got water, land, minerals, good weather. So, how does this (poverty) come about? It is because of nino (Langi for sleeping),” Mr Museveni said. In Africa, he noted, there is also a lot of “oversleeping”” (Oketch, 2018)

Shouldn’t there be a coherent message, that sleep for NRM MPs is good because it fixes my agenda and my life as President. But the citizens has to awake and work? How come? Why them and not the representatives? It doesn’t add up?

Well, if the riches, the cronies can get away with sleep, why shouldn’t the people of Gulu and Arua sleep? Why should they stress collecting, hustling and doing whatever, when their NRM representative is always sleeping the few times they have to show up for Plenary Session in Parliament. What gives?

Museveni is showing his lack of well-thought thinking. One day saying sleeping is bad, the next day it’s good. Africa and Uganda is poor because people sleep. However, his cronies and lackeys they can sleep all they want. They don’t have to work, because Museveni makes the agenda. When they are representing the people, aren’t it okay that the people also sleep? If they have sleepy-face in parliament, cannot the constituents be sleepy in alley and the valley? Why not?

I know that you have to awake to able to work. You have to enough sleep to be productive, that is the same for a farmer, as much as for an MP. Unless the MP get instruction and just have to vote “yay” and the day is done. While the farmer still needs energy to toil the soil and make sure the seedlings grow. So an MP needs less. That is natural, but still the MP should be the most eager, since the delivery of the MP is for his constituents and for the Republic.

That is lost in all of this, because Museveni wants people to sleep and not see his double-standard. Peace.

Reference:

Oketch, Bill – ‘Sleep making Ugandans poor – Museveni’ (12.03.2018) link:http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Sleep-Ugandans-poor-Museveni-Dokolo-Africans-/688334-4337600-116na2m/index.html

South Sudan: Republican Order no. 01/2018 for the Relieve of the Chief of State Protocol and Acting Chief Administratior in the Office of the President (12.03.2018)