Opinion: Another bad Ad-Hoc Policy from Museveni – 20 Police Officers to 1671 sub-counties!

President Museveni has directed the police leadership to deploy 20 policemen per sub-county and facilitate them with two motorcycles for patrol and easy mobility. This as he castigated the Uganda Police Force for sticking to the conventional methods of policing amidst dynamic modern crime trends. This as he closed the 25th police council meeting at police headquarters in Naguru” (NBS Television, 19.11.2019).

Before we look into the new directive of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, we can by the statistics of the Electoral Commission in 2016, estimate that there is 1403 sub-counties, as there is 112 official districts by 2016 alone. There been since then more created and awaiting more before the 2021 general elections.

By this its 1403 times 20 police officers, the grand total of 28,060 police officers. Which should be trained, stationed and paid for. By 2015 statistics there is already, all in all 44,897 police officers. That means half of them will go to sub-county level. Also, in 2015 there was a total of 1399 police posts all across the republic, which there is a lack of enough stations for all the ones whose suddenly deployed elsewhere. As well, as by the 44,897 officers only about 7,000 had supported housing. The Police Force is already underpaid and understaffed for the amount of work it has. With the new directive, the Police Force needs more police posts and more accommodations.

If we follow the Electoral Commission of 2018, then the numbers of districts are 122 and the amount of sub-counties is 1671. By the measure of police officers is then 33,420 who has to be deployed sub-county level. With that in mind, the numbers are even worse. We can imagine the even more lack of housing and police posts for them to be in. Not to think about the movement of them all. Not to imagine all them who are in special units, special training and whatnot. As there are detectives and whatnot in the police force. Not like these wants to end in Kagadi, Serere or in Lira.

With the knowledge of deploying 20 per post, which exists now, there is only capacity of 27,980. That’s with the knowledge of the 1399 posts, which exists now. But the ability to build more, must be a priority and also station it sufficiently across the sub-counties. If this policy should make any sense.

Unless, this is a political gamble and a election ploy to gain rural voters. Because, this is not only to combat crime, but show the needed amount of force. From the same presidency, that already lack the funding to pay Local Defence Units (LDUs). The same one that didn’t do enough for the Crime Preventers in the previous election cycle. This is a continuation of that.

With that in mind, I have to quote Finance Minister Matia Kasaija:

We have discovered that many politicians simply agitate for the creation of new administrative units for creations of jobs. We already have 300 new sub-counties and 200 town councils, to get money for them to operate is a big problem” (Wilson Manishimwe – ‘Gov’t stuck with 300 newly created sub-counties’ 18.09.2019).

Seems like the President is busy creating jobs, but not having money to operate them. There are enough things that lacks funding and with this, is yet another government post, which lacks fiscal funding. Unless, the State House breaks the bank and use less on travel expenditure or payments of salaries for any of the Presidential Advisors. The Police Force might have some added funding. I am just smirking, but we know the gist.

The President is acting all out, doing quick-fix orders, ad-hoc without any thought of the budget nor implementation. It is just a snap of a finger and then suddenly things start to move. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni used to be a darling of the West…

When I read that people have trouble that Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine is liked in the West for his ideals and his vision. They shouldn’t forget that the West named President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as a “new breed” together with President Paul Kagame in the mid-90s. It is a few decades ago and seems like a lost time. But, it is not so far away from the current time were in now.

When I read that National Resistance Movement (NRM) hard-liners and apologists says Bobi Wine is to loved in the West. The NRM wouldn’t have stabilized the economy, wouldn’t have had some economic growth or ability to built successive big-programs back-in-the-day, if it wasn’t a donor darling. The NRM wouldn’t have done this on Qaddafi funds nor the North Korean training of military brigades.

If Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and other Americans like John McCain didn’t have a soft-spot for the proxy armies of Museveni. He wouldn’t get as much funds, military support and so-on over the years in power. That’s why the same gentlemen fuzzing about Bobi Wine amplifying the diaspora, going and getting support in North America.

Should remember how Janet Museveni was stuck in Sweden during the bush-war. How the NRA tried to get support from the United Kingdom during the Bush-War. They finally got some help, reluctantly from Libya. They will not speak highly of that today, but that is a fact.

That’s why its hypocritical of Museveni and the NRM to say Bobi Wine isn’t legit, because he has support from the West. That’s because Museveni isn’t an donor darling of the West any-more. He was during the battle against the Lord Resistance Army (LRA), countering HIV/AIDs and so-on. Also the build-up of the Universal Primary Education (UPE) in the 1990s. This is all well-known now.

However, the NRM people will come with daggers, swords and harsh words for endorsements from Americans now. But they was all praise and giggly like teenagers around pop-stars, when their President and the NRM was praised by the West back-in-the-day. For all achievements, the following of policies pushed by the World Bank and International Monetary Funds. Therefore, the NRM and Museveni should look at Bobi Wine and wish it still was them. Not act like they didn’t enjoy the limelight back when.

So, when people bitch about the endorsement. Just look back at how Museveni enjoyed the love from Bill Clinton and others. It was fine when he did it and even postponed elections while being praised. Even supported the insurgencies in the DRC and Rwanda, by the same foreigners. Therefore, the NRM and Museveni should remember they used to be the darling, but is now a bitter EX.

They are like Kenzo, who still wish they had the love of Rema. But they have lost it, because of the cheating and lies. The deception and playing the guards wrongly. Even as long as the NRM and the army fights the battle the US doesn’t want in Somalia. They are still not as loved as they used too. That’s why Bobi Wine is a threat there too. Because, his a new darling and the NRM cannot accept that. Peace.

A NGO Crackdown: 10,000 invalid by the NGO Bureau!

Today, the Minister of Internal Affairs Gen. Jeje Odongo dropped an list of certified and verified NON-Governmental Organizations in the Republic of Uganda. The whole list was dropped together with the Press Release. Also, a moment of presser, which addressed the same numbers and information.

Clearly, this is important, as there are plenty of folks now, who has to deliver, register and quickly get verified. If not, if the state take them to court and punish them for organizing illegal activity through an non-registered entity. They might get high fines, be incarcerated or if they continue to violate the law. The NGO and the felon will be fined with a huge sum every single day until it ceases to operate.

However, upon verification of the 14,207 registered NGOs since 1989, as at 7th August 2019, it was noted that only 3,810 NGOs (27%) had valid permits while 10,397 (73%) had invalid permits” (Odongo, 13.11.2019).

All NGOs which do not appear on the validated register should not operate. Stakeholders especially the District and Sub-county NGO Monitoring Committees, Financial Intelligence Authority, Uganda Police Force, Banks, Hotels and other actors should cross check the status of any NGO with the register on the website or with the NGO Bureau to ensure that such NGOs do not operate in any part of the country or transact with their institutions” (Odongo, 13.11.2019).

NGO Act (2016) 40 Offence and Penalties:

(1) An organisation or a person commits an offence who-

(a) on being required to do so, fails or refuses to produce to the Bureau a certificate, permit, constitution, charter or other relevant document or information for the purpose of this act;

(b) knowingly gives false or incomplete information for the purpose of obtaining a permit or other requirement;

(c) operates contrary to the conditions or directions specified in its permit; or

(d) engages in activity that is prohibited by this ACT.

(2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding seventy two currency points or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both, and in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding fifteen currency points for each day during which the offence continues after conviction” (NGO Act, 2016).

This means the convicted fellow, who operates without lawful certification from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) could face fines up to 1,4m Shillings or USD$378, or 72 Currency Points (20,000 shillings). A daily fine could be 400k shillings or USD$108, which is a staggering amount of money.

Well, with that in mind. The NGO Bureau better expect that the Executive Directors or the General Secretaries of various of NGOs has to deliver more documentation and get the ability to get verified. To ensure the down-time and the suspension of activity won’t last to long. If not, they have to become local CBOs, which has other regulations and laws, where the local district and officials there verify and certify any organization. This is something the NGOs whose now illegally operating have to consider.

We can see by the list of organizations verified. It was plenty of national, lots of internationally bound and whose supported from the international community. The NGOs whose big enough and have the capacity was able to be verified by the NGO Bureau. The others whose too small or far from the capital have struggled to secure the certification to do so. The NGO Bureau should also ensure the education of the society and the civil society, which this entails. This is stopping the operation of possible 10,000 organizations. Who now have to do the whole ordeal to be legally operational. Because, if they follow the advice of the honourable minister, then they will cease to operate. But what they should do, if they are viable and working organizations. They would go out there tomorrow and seek documentation, follow the guidelines and work towards getting certified by the NGO Bureau.

That is it folks, but certainly many has maybe just few pieces missing. Others has more work to do. To prove and following the NGO Act of 2016. Whatever it might be, but it got to be something. Peace.

Opinion: 10,833 LDUs without pay!

“The LDU is not a new force; they are the reserve of the army. The security guards of the ministries are guarding ministries against break-ins. Terrorists are targeting soft targets, they are not bank robbers” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 15.09.2018).

We already knew in January 2019 that there was no money for the Local Defence Units (LDUs) in the budget year of 2018/19 and certainly not there in the 2019/20. Since today’s news proves this again. This is a re-issue of Crime Preventers Programme and a way to hire idle youth, but not do the due diligence of the actual needs to do it. That’s why the results is armed people with lack of pay, they will do anything to eat.

Look:

The Ministry of Defence has incurred a budgetary shortfall of 130.5 billion shillings as a result of the recruitment of LDU’s. This includes a wage shortfall of 40.9 billion for the 23000 LDU’s incurred in 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 financial years(Herbert Zziwa, 12.11.2019).

What does it mean:

This means, when they have an annual wage of Shs.2.4mn. Their wage shortfall, which was 14.9bn in 2018/19 means that 6,208 LDUs out of 10,919 are owed wages. Again, in 2019/20, 10,833 LDUs out of 13,000 recruited in 2019/20 don’t have their wages either. Meaning many armed and well-trained personnel from the UPDF is out awaiting their salaries (Mary Serumaga, 12.11.2019).

We can see by these calculations how it really is. The realities on the ground and the issues at hand. This is a launch to have back-up personnel for an up-coming election. To ensure the public, that they cannot have a popular uprising nor a revolution. Because, the state has enough armed forces to crush it. If it isn’t soldiers, ISO, CMI, Flying Squad, Special Forces Command or the UPDF. They will have something to target you with.

But, they are leaving them high and dry. The State is not properly approaching this. They are not spending the dimes on this as people would see deemed fit. Because, this is trained armed personnel, which can cause havoc, if they decided to do so. Why shouldn’t they? They got guns and knows how to aim!

This was a bad Ad-Hoc decision made in the wake of the violence: But he also did it to ensure up-coming elections, because that is what the President does. President Museveni doesn’t toy around with this. This is carefully estimated to secure his next term and the times ahead. Because, with these gentlemen with arms, he will have another group of armed personnel at his disposal, that can skirmish and get deployed in haste. There is nothing else too it.

His just misusing funds and the trust of people, in manners, which is extraordinary. However, very common here. As this isn’t the first nor the last time, the government lack funds for new projects, new ad-hoc decisions. As it is struggling to pay of gardening hoes from pledges made in 2015. Therefore, don’t expect magic, just more of the same. Peace.

Uganda Episcopal Conference: Statement of the Catholic Bishops of Uganda on recent episodes of excessive use of Force and Brutality by Security Agents (08.11.2019)

Economic Fighters League: Stop Brutalising Makerere University Students in Uganda (10.11.2019)

Opinion: The NRM is fishing, but will anyone be tricked?

We are at a stage and time, when the National Resistance Movement (NRM) are trying to play smart by getting Butchaman, Kusasira and Jennifer Full Figure on their team. They are trying to be wise by making new sub-groups like the NRM Yellow Power. We can all see the mix.

While the old game of paying for relevance and need for meal tickets have come too. As in the past there was a big pushing group within the NRM called the Poor Youths, in 2019 it has become the Isolated Youths. We just know that the NRM is busy scheming and someone wants to get a handshake.

We all see the drill as we are in 2019. Two years ahead of 2021. We know what is up and what’s at stake. That is why the government is busy scheduling cities and new districts, even if the previously created ones cannot be sustained, neither have addressed the legally bound institutions nor buildings. Therefore, the state is crippling itself without any outside forces looking in.

While the government is busy finding new schemes to hurt the opposition. The Yellow Power group is just a mere reflection of the People Power Movement, but just a continuation of the NRM itself. We can be adviced that Bebe Cool might show up and the neera neera movement sings its songs.

There will be no fanfare, only a paid escorts and enterprises, which consists of old cronies and old slogans made lit by a new generation. The sort of build-up, where the saviour and the creator of the party will be a blessing until eternity. That is the sort of acts the NRM is up too.

They can lie about it, they can make splendid promos and photo-ops. They can look like a picturesque Hollywood movie, but the end of it is a Tarantino flick. Where everyone dies, except for the anti-hero, the President and the Self-styled President for life. His the one that survives it all and is the only person walking on earth.

We can laugh, but we know the game that is played. It is a mockery of the institutions, of the state and the republic. Where the President is only residing over whose eating and whose at the table. He controls and micro-manage the events together with his handlers. There are no middle ground. Because, the opposition is dancing in tear-gas, arrests and safe-houses. That is just the way it is.

The NRM Yellow Group is only a challenge to Bobi Wine and his folks. We all know that, the Isolated Youths and Poor Youths are only made because of the hunger, the lack of resources and places to go. Just like the justification of the ghetto-fication of the President and his party, that is only done to answer to Bobi Wine too. We can only look and wonder, why didn’t the government give a crap 20 years ago about ghetto?

Because, the voters didn’t matter. That’s why, not like they matter too. Only for shows and for tours, but not for real. Since, the elections are shams, rigged and prefixed to hail the king. That is what it is. We can lie, but than we’re like the NRM and we shouldn’t.

So, lets be real. If the NRM didn’t see Bobi Wine and People Power as a threat, why coping and why suddenly hire the Ghetto? Well, that is because they have seen what it does and how it connects. That is why they suddenly care and are there. Not because the President has any passion or concern, but because his image needs a boost. He will never play games on the streets, he will never ensure the safety of the kids in the ghetto. He will only play the façade and get the preside over the throne. That is what he does and nothing else.

The president and his men are building, but only for the need of themselves, but not for the real fundamental change. Because, that train has left a long time ago and the causes to do so are also not functioning anymore. We are at a point, where everything is done for short-term gain and not for building proper institutions. Since, everyone is supposed to have blind loyalty to his highness.

You do not challenge the Leopards Anus, only praise him. Not write poetry or words that express your concern, because then your in trouble. Peace.

EFF Condems Police Brutality in Uganda, Makerere University (06.11.2019)

CCEDU: Press Statement on Police brutality on journalists (04.11.2019)

Opinion: The impossible task of being Besigye

Former FDC President Dr. Kiiza Besigye defied Police orders & parked his vehicle in the middle of the road, blocking& inconveniencing other road users.The car was towed away and he was taken to Naggalama Police. At the moment no charges have been preferred against him” (Kampala Metropolitan Police, 04.11.2019).

At this point it must be impossible to be Dr. Kizza Besigye. Because by April 2018 he was already arrested about 1023 times, incarcerated 217 and indicted of 894 offences. Therefore, the opposition politician have been in plenty of courts, seen many lawyers and in prison. This is not calculation the time spent under house-arrest or even destruction of his property. Neither, the damages done to him to hurt him and torture him too.

Therefore, it is so much that Besigye has gone through in his pursuit of a peaceful transition from dictatorship. Not like it hasn’t cost him. The ones belittling him should try to be through his journey. The ones calling him a NRM stooge, would a stooge and enemy of state be able to pull that off with these sort of ridiculous numbers. Which is real, which isn’t a flawed statistic, but a reality that his been through. It continues to today.

He was arrested in April 2019 in Mubende district for visiting a radio show. That is what happens to happen and surely more than what I can remember right now.

Just like that, Besigye is still charged with treason, which happened on the 13th May 2016 at the Moroto Magistrate’s Court. Today on the 4th November 2019, its a total of 3 year, 5 months and 22 days. That’s a total of 1270 days, which he has had this hanging over him. That’s for swearing himself in as the President in the aftermath of the General Election of 2016.

That is why you know this man has a lot of suffering, pain and torment, which that state has obliged him again, and again. That’s why his been answering for “crimes committed” during the Walk to Work in 2011, all over the place during the campaign trail of 2015/16. Something, that hampers and put more strains on a campaign. Plus, the newly added charges and sentencing, which comes by him visiting various of districts and Police Force pinning whatever statutes or codes of law they could on the man. That is just what they do.

That is why he was standing on the wrong road, at the wrong time today. That he was in the middle of the road in Kireka, as he was supposed to address the press at a Press Conference at the Namboole Stadium. That is the reality. Because of that, he was arrested again, his car smashed and towed away.

It is impossible to be Besigye in the Republic. That is because the state has designated it to be this way. That’s why has been arrested so many times and how it continues to stack-up. It is an never ending journey of hurt, pain and suffering. It is never ending story of oppression, where he cannot express him, be free and liberated. As he can at any minute be arrested, be house-arrested or be kidnapped by some sort of authority. Because, that’s what they do to him.

This is the mere reality. This is not fiction, but a real life journey of one man. Who is not free and whose the symbol of tyranny right now. While others suffers too, while others get arrested for challenging the authorities. His been the one fierce-fully lightening the torch for the next generation. Peace.