Robert Kyagulanyi MP aka Bobi Wine – Labor Day Message 2018 (01.05.2018)

Today is the INTERNATIONAL LABOUR DAY.
We celebrate every Ugandan worker home and abroad whose labour sustains our mother land.

The men and women who dig the land from where we get food. The women who by 4:00am are in our markets selling commodities. The men who travel different routes transporting us in taxis and on boda bodas. Our citizens who put on uniform and stay up in the night to keep us safe. Our health workers who without proper facilities and equipments do everything in their power to treat us. The midwives who must use anything at their disposal to help our mothers bring new life. Our teachers who, despite little pay still make it to class every day to teach our children. And yes, all Ugandans whether in the formal or informal sectors, who work hard and earn their bread from their sweat- you guys are the champions: the heroes of our nation. HAPPY LABOUR DAY.

And Mama, those who simply exploit our people are also here. Those who impose taxes on anything and everything in the name of increasing the tax base when in actual sense they are just increasing their stealing base. Those who milk the tax payer dry. Those who have no compassion for the poor person, the common person. Those who undermine the sweat of our people. Mama, all of them are here. Give us a signal on what message to give to them on this Labour Day.

Uganda Police Force: Press Statement on the raid of USAFI Mosque in Kisenyi, Kampala (28.04.2018)

Opinion: Museveni has to assign the RDCs new tasks if he see them as irrelevant!

You budget for it. Have like one hour of abusing Museveni and then spend the other hours giving news and educating people. It’s also a problem of RDCs; they are turning out to be to not such a useful group”Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Lango Sub-Region on the 25th April 2018.

It was through the Local Government Act 1997, the Residential District Commissioners became a thing. Where the specification for their role is set, as they are appointed person with their duties in the districts. The law is saying, that the person is not only representing the President in the District, but also monitoring the District Chairman. Help to coordinate the district administration, advice the chairperson, if this is plans and programs, also inspect local government works. Therefore, the perimeter of the workload is put in that. Other than notify other government leaders and make sure the reports from the district. Then the works of the RDC isn’t put in stone. Not if this the final law and the one that is making the reason for the appointments of the RDCs.

President Yoweri Museveni blasts Resident district commissioners (RDC’s) saying they are becoming irrelevant. The president who is yet to meet District leaders from Lango sub region said RDC are not doing enough to implement gov’t plans as he tasked the technical staffs in the Army to explain the gap in operation wealth creation in the region” (NBS Television, 25.04.2018).

Therefore, I have to beg President Museveni a favor, if they are becoming an irrelevant group in the district. Then, it is time to amend the Local Government Act of 1997. That was a law made 11 years after the takeover in 1986. If not, he do one thing more, but first his own self-praise of the law back-in-day. 

What is interesting that you said this on the 10th October 1998:

For the first time in our electoral history many losers admitted defeat outright and congratulated those who had defeated them. In the past only victory was admissible. Admission of defeat was a giant step forward in the internalisation of the norms of democracy. With the election of local governments, devolution has truly come of its own. I appeal to all the elected local government and the district civil service officials to study and internalise the Local Government Act 1997. The wheels of local governance will move much move smoothly and quickly if those in charge are well acquainted with the law governing local governments” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – ‘Museveni outlines achievements’ 10.10.1998).

This is just two decades ago! When he told that everyone shou read and understand the law. The law of 1997, that perfectly states this part, which I will quote. That the RDCs can: “(e) carry out such other functions as may be assigned by the President or prescribed by Parliament” (Local Government Act, 1997). So if, the President see the RDCs are irrelevant, then he have to assign them differently. Something he has power to and the law also states. That is if the President remembers the law he signed 21 years ago.

If, the President sees it fit, he can assign other tasks than monitoring, inspect and advice District Chairman and Government programs in the district. That is very vague… so the steps of the works of the RDCs are to less extent, except if they have a lot of notifications to the Auditor General, Inspector General and the other Ministries to comply with Government Policy.

It isn’t that hard, if the President sees it fit, he can send a letter to all RDCs and assign them new tasks. If that is working directly with SACCO’s Operation Wealth Creations, Universal Primary Education or even just the Police Force’s Fika Salama campaign. All he have to do, is to write that letter or order a decree. Then they have to comply with the assignment.

I thought that the President didn’t care about and only hired empty suits, the long arm of cronyism and make sure the patronage got enough slots, that was why the President had appointed these people. Because their role and lawful position in government is vague. Therefore, he got one thing to do. Assign them more tasks. Peace.

Telecommunications, Mobile Money and Cooking-Oil is hit by new taxes in Uganda!

You know there fiscal problems within the Government of Uganda (GoU). The GoU is on the rocks, as they are establishing more loans, more interests to pay and has leveraged their forex exchange, when they are levying today’s amount of new taxes. This is coming as reports of lacking hiring for the Civil Service, The Ministry of Public Service has suspended hiring of new positions in the districts and at the government institutions. This is happening, as the amount of cronies around the President is growing. Therefore, the wastage of funds are in and around the President, who can pledge funds as he wishes and give Presidential Handshakes to whoever he likes or needs. Therefore, today is sad day for transparency, as the state is eating itself, but not taking care of the needed services.

We know the state is poor, when the lacking banking-service and with the need of Mobile Money and Airtime on the Cellphones are getting hit by a tax. This is not social media tax, but is that the subscriber and user of the services, will get a withholding tax of 10% on transactions on Mobile Money and Airtime. This means, every time a Ugandan or someone buys airtime, in the price they are paying an added 10 % on the total price of the usage of minutes of airtime or making the transaction of funds between two funds more costly. This is really hitting the breadwinners and the ones who are servicing mobile money from the towns to villages.

Just to prove to how much the added cost on the Mobile Money is wished, as the withholding tax, they are adding direct also the excise tax on this from 10% to 15%, that means the added is 5% more on each transaction. If that isn’t excessive, just think about the two other taxes as well. Therefore, the state has added three taxes on using the phones. The citizens will have to plan more transactions, as they are more costly and will be less transactions of the amount, since the tax will shave off the amount of shillings sent to the fellow they wanted to give needed money through these services.

They are adding even more on every telecommunication services, not just the hit of withholding tax on it, but they are even adding an excise duty on it as well, meaning there are two pieces of taxes put on the same services, but at different times. Making the expenses of using the cellphones, hitting the roof and the value of the airtime dwindles, as you are paying more tax on each minute use. This excise duty is put on the level of 12% as well. So, expect the prices on airtime to rocket, as this hit both the agents to pay more tax on each, and also the cost of actually calling too. This is funds that the Telecommunication Companies will get back from the consumer, meaning citizens will pay more being in touch.

As they continue to give price hikes on necessities, they are putting a levy of 200shs on each liter of cooking oil, this meanings the price for making rollex or banana-pancakes will go up. Since before you buy the eggs and the flour to make your dish. You will pay more for each bottle, while the state gets simple taxation on this single item. It might seems pointless, but all fried foods will be more costly to make and a Samosa will cost more to make, therefore, expect a price hike on the hawkers foods in any stage where you waiting.

These are just some of the measures done by the state, there are several more, but this is really hitting the average citizen usage of phones and also cooking. This are just two items on a long lists of new taxes put on the people. Clearly, the state see the need for spikes of prices, growing inflation and lack of monetary control to come, as the chickens come to roost and the costs of debt services is hitting the fan.

The ones that has to pay for that, isn’t the elite, but all of the citizens who spends time outside their homes and buys into services. Which, means all of them. Peace.

The Creations of districts: Shows growing expenditure, not only at Parliament, but also at local level!

Local governments are supposed to be financed with 30 per cent of the national budget but this has never been possible; sometimes it is as low as 15 per cent. This continues to stifle service delivery,” said Mr Cuthbert Felix Esoku, the Mbarara District chief administrative officer” (Mukombozi, Rajab – ‘Government lacks political will to improve district funding, say local leaders’ 09.11.2017, Daily Monitor).

Sometimes I wonder, if the government understand what it does, or if the sins of the 9th Parliament is hitting the 10th Parliament hard. Also, that the President is lax on caring, because he wants his cronies well off, just like former Prime Ministers and Vice-Presidents are getting 20 million Shillings Yearly as a Pensions, without the perks they are getting too. Therefore, the silence from them, as they are highly paid without doing anything for the NRM. Their ills and the growing Local Government is costing. Not only in Parliament, but in the districts itself. Today, the issues of Parliament is hurting, but none is addressing the local issues. Which is the reason for the lack of money and needed supplementary funds for the Members of Parliament (MP). Take a look!

Parliament is seeking Shs 3.3 billion for the emoluments of twelve more legislators starting July 1, 2018. According to the parliamentary service commission, the number of MPs will increase from 453 to 465 at the start of the of 2018/2019 financial year when new districts and municipalities come into effect” (URN – ‘ Parliament seeks Shs 3bn for 12 new legislators’ 22.04.2018, The Observer).

I am amazed about the amounts of districts and the rise of cost. This not only the share Members of Parliament, the lack of space for their seats and the possible rebuilding of the Chambers. Because the amounts of MPs wasn’t built for this amount of people at the same time. Therefore, the Parliament needs funds and budgets to fit. That says the foolishness of the new districts in that regard alone.

We know, by recent news that the state cannot afford to hire civil servants to Local Government that as is, and that is without the new enclaves or districts created by the state. That is not just the salary of the MPs whose recently elected, while the Electoral Commission are stretched in getting the by-elections and the MPs their seats. That is just beginning, as the growing debt and the interest are growing. While the Parliament is lacking space and the infrastructure and the local hires are not there.

That the state has under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni gone from 33 districts in 1986 to about 136/7 after 1st July 2019. Which was ushered in July 2015, a year before the General Election 2016 and fitted the needs of the National Resistance Movement and keep up with pledges made by the President. So every single town is a District and none is inter-connected it seems. Every hill and top is Sub-County. Just the way NRM Regime like it.

In 2017, the Parliament gave a tender about 260 Billion Shillings to ROKO to build a 500 seat size of chambers there. So the payments and monies are there, when needed, as the state can configure and find money for this. But they are usually lacking funds for the civil servants and for the ones serving in public offices in low-level positions. Even not hiring the needed ones in the districts, schools and so on, as there are thousands of jobs that the Ministry of Public Service is not allowed to hire by direction of Keith Muhakanizi, the Secretary of Treasury said there was no funds for that.

But now, suddenly, just like there is funds to athletes, there are funds for new MPs. This is happening as the new possible Social Media tax and also the Tax on Mobile Money. So not like they don’t have projects to use it on. It is all of them districts that needs mansions for District Police Commanders and Residential District Commanders, who all need a palace to live in. Also the need for a local government building and facilities, they cannot run the district from a shack. If that means all citizens has to bleed, that is okay, they deserve this cronyism.

This is the pile of bills made by the amounts of districts, the running costs isn’t just the 3 billions supplementary for the MPs there, it is the new civil servants, buildings and develop these districts. Unless, they want to be ghosts on the paper like schools, teachers, students, refugees, roads and development projects in general.

So, if you don’t see the issues I see, then your either in on it or your just thinking. Its a lost cause, because the President is ushering it in and sanctioning it. This to feed off his cronies and making sure they get jobs locally. Instead of building good districts, he has just chopped them in two or made new ones. So the development and local changes can be made right before elections. That to secure his own candidates for the Parliament too. So for the President its a win-win.

Nevertheless, this has clearly stretched the budgets, the need for public officers and civil servants, as well as more appointed local leaderships. All of these needs salaries and pensions, which means the grows and becomes more expensive with the growth of expenses like these. This is happening at a rate and time, as the growing debt and interest rates are rising. Therefore, the negative affects of it all needs to be put in perspective. However, that is not interesting to the NRM as they cannot question their king, without insulting his intelligence or his will of staying there. That is shown too…

Well, this was a bleak and sad story, but needed this perspective, since the cost of 136/137 districts should be discussed, not only the cost of MPs and the cost of building a new chamber at the Parliament. Peace.

Dr. Kizza Besigye: the President, Uganda never had!

Today is the 62nd Birthday of the founder of Forum for Democratic Change and the predecessor Reform Agenda. Before he became the biggest voice against the National Resistance Movement (NRM), he had joined the Bush War in 1982 and became Minister of Interior at the age of 29 years old in 1986. He has since his fallout with the regime, been a strong and hardworking voice in the midst of trouble since 1999. Because he hasn’t feared the regime, but been a voice of reason in the midst of trouble. Never giving in or giving way, but tried within reasonable doubt to make changes. 

When he wrote the piece ‘ An Insider’s View of How the NRM Lost the Broad Base’ in 1999, which he wrote this: “All in all, when I reflect on the Movement philosophy and governance, I can conclude that the Movement has been manipulated by those seeking to gain or retain political power, in the same way that political parties in Uganda were manipulated. Evidently, the results of this manipulation are also the same, to wit: Factionalism, loss of faith in the system, corruption, insecurity and abuse of human rights, economic distortions and eventually decline. So, whether it’s political parties or Movement, the real problem is dishonest, opportunistic and undemocratic leadership operating in a weak institutional framework and a weak civil society which cannot control them. I have shown that over the years the “Movement System” has been defined in the law in a certain way, but the leaders have chosen to act in a difficult way. This is dishonest and opportunistic leadership. I have also shown how changes have been made to the Movement agenda, and other important decisions have been made outside the Movement structures” (Besigye, 1999).

Why do I post this part today, because it seems important to remember, that he has been on the barricades for decades, that he has stood in the good fight for the rights and rule of law. He has been charged with treason steadily since 2001. It isn’t without a reason, that Besigye is the biggest enemy of Museveni. The reason why he has a record-breaking amount of time spent behind bars, house arrested and abducted by the government. The Police Force knows his home and his gate to Kasangati, Wakiso, better than they know the Police Force Headquarters at Naguru in Kampala. Because, that is partly true. This is not how it supposed to be as a politician, not supposed to be jailbird, but a man of policy and possible programs leading to better tomorrow.

You know that Besigye is powerful politician, who you should respect for his vision and his stamina. When the dictatorship makes the Public Order Manage Act, which is nicknamed the Anti-Besigye-Act. That one was made to give the Police possibility to monitor all political activity and have reasons for arbitrary arrests of the man. This was made to make sure the FDC and other opposition parties didn’t act with disobedience or unlawful assembly. That is something that have been made because of the activities of the FDC and Besigye. NRM wouldn’t have enacted this sort of law, if they didn’t fear Besigye at one point. If they didn’t fear his rallies of demonstrations, the Walk to Work and others. That they had to stop him and house arrest him, as he rallied behind the Defiance Campaign of 2015 and 2016. Even if it didn’t change it all, he still have to show up in Court for what he did. That means, the regime fears his activity and his message.

That is why he should be celebrated. Besigye deserves to be celebrated, a President that Uganda never had. He is not alone in this fashion, for me Paul Ssemogerere and Olara Otunnu could also been people who deserves to be in that bracket of people, who never got reign. Musveni destroyed their chances, but today I am praising Besigye. For his resilience, his fighting spirit and his voice in darkness. Many would have bow down and give-up after being detained, cars destroyed, house raided, house-arrested and charged with treason. Others would have given-up and left for exile forever. He went into exile, but came back. He has run as a challenger in 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016. His fight is not over, his campaigns are still on.

Besigye deserves credit for the message of hope and change, the message of values and governance of the government. That has been eaten by the Movement and the Presidency of Museveni.

I will finish with Besigye’s own words written in October 2017: “We live in a country that is controlled by guns since independence no leader has ever handed over power to another peacefully. So we are hostages of those who have guns. Mr. Museveni came to power 32 years old using guns, he has kept power largely using those guns. Now he is in the process of changing our 1995 Constitution, to remove the last check which is the age limit, having removed term limits in 2005. If the age limit is removed then he becomes a life president and this process continues” (Dr. Kizza Besigye, 03.10.2017).

BTW: Happy Birthday, Alutia Continua!

Peace.

Opinion: Museveni doling out gifts in the West again, this time in Rukungiri!

If you we’re ever in doubt of favoritism from the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, he has again proved how much love he has for the Western Parts of Uganda. He has an obsession, not only with hiring and appointing fellow cronies from the region, but also dole as much of the state funds into the area. That was proven today.

It is happening as the certain parts of West Nile Region are asking for help, because of their dire needs. The state and with the meaning of state, Museveni decided that Rukungiri district deserved some favors. They deserved suddenly more 500 billions of shillings into the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and 193 millions of shillings on the Rukungiri Municipality Carpenters. This is a district with over 300,000 citizens, but it is big step giving this huge amount of money to significant projects.

He gave away trucks and dozens of boda-boda’s to the district. At least there was photo-ups of this and the wood machinery to the Carpenters of the town. Clearly, in a way of showing the use of government and spreading the message of his government. This is again, a proof of his mismanagement. Instead of letting the businesses grow naturally or letting people themselves make it possible. He has to come with gifts like any random NGO to Rukungiri. This isn’t sustainable practice, but a patching of the hurt.

To think that these millions of shillings and billions spent on the OWC will create a miracle, is very naive, it is very stupid to think so. It is in the best interest for Museveni took keep things cool and get the needs at low levels. So he can spare a few dimes here and there, but keep most of it for himself.

Nice that he gave boda-boda’s to the district. But why aren’t this happening in the Easter or Northern Districts for that matter? Why was it that Mbarara Urban Poor was getting rations of food during the last year, but the Isingiro, got breadcrumbs? When another region was starving… That is what doesn’t make sense, even if it partly does.

Because the Western Elite is gigantic, the men who has represented the district of Rukungiri, isn’t only Dr. Kizza Besigye, but Gen. Henry Tumukunde and the late Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, to mention a few of the gentlemen in the this area. Therefore, this district has significant factors and backers, still the Western shouldn’t overshadow the rest. Even if it does at this point.

That is what is so obvious, so vindictive, how the state and Museveni dole out this funds and gifts to this region. Just like it has done at others too. Dropping Tractors and needed agricultural gear, while other regions cannot even get the 2016 promised hoes. That is the level of impunity and lack of institutions, lack of governance and structure. Something the Museveni has created and is proud off. Since he is eating the biggest slice of the cake.

What was dropped on Rukungiri District today is pocket-change, small-fry and no big deal. It is for the ones getting a boda, a truck or even parts of the OWC grants. No doubt about it, but in the grand schemes of things, it is pocket change. Not significant and worth mentioning in the minds of the budget or the audit of it.

However, don’t tell me the West of Uganda, isn’t favored, the proof is the actions. That has been known for long. That is why the main roads there has been better the rest. Peace.

Makerere University letter to all MAK students on tomorrow’s strike (15.04.2018)

FDC: “Re: Consultative/ Mobilization meetings” (13.04.2018)

Hon. Nankabirwa continues her cult-like praise of Museveni!

I would like to assure you that Museveni is here to stay. He has the power, the money and other resources that are necessary to push this country to greatness,” Nankabirwa said” (…) “Those who opposed the move to amend the presidential age limit are now living cowardly. They feel ashamed of the fact that their efforts proved them wrong at the end of the day. For us in NRM we proudly say that our stand was the best for Uganda,” she said” (Namanya, 2018).

Ruth Nankabirwa, the government chief whip continues her praise and being a loyal subject of the President. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni must be giddy to have someone praising him in this manner. She is now a useful mouthpiece, she is praising him and heavier, than Beti Kamya, which in itself is special. In the championship of praising Museveni in the current day, Nankabirwa is in the pole position, even in front of Lewis Hamilton.

She is now praising him and allying herself with him, in a way, where her fate is bound by what happens with Museveni. There isn’t anything of policies or political belief. It is just bound by her alliance with Museveni.

This here is just an act to solidify her position and show that she is loyal to the President. That is why she is even proud of the abolishing the Age Limit in the Constitution. Just to give more time and ability for the President to continue to rule. When the NRM speaks for the best, it is the best for the President and then the Republic. Because the President always comes first. Last mentioned was Uganda. That is because, Uganda has been blessed with Museveni in their eyes. He can do nothing wrong and if he does it you too blame.

That is why the President is quick to blame his cronies and his own people, there is never his fault. But he expects that people like Nankabirwa praises him and gives him the fountain of honor. Not that a man of his stature do wrong or doesn’t listen to advice. Even fellow peers at the time of the makings of the Constitution, warned him about term limits. That he didn’t want to hear, but had to revise when he had spent that time in office and didn’t want leave. The same appeared again, as his age was closing in on him.

Now, the President needs his fellow MPs and Cronies to praise him, even if it is wrong. The people who was against abolishing the age limit isn’t cowards, but they have just seen the Republic and the Parliament, mostly sold to the President. They are not representatives anymore of the people, but of the President. There are few who are real and who try within the system to represent the people. However, there is very few and those who does, like even within the NRM would be fined and sanctioned by the Party. The NRM Rebel MPs was even talks of sanctioning them.

Nankabirwa, we know your loyal, but your words are still not true. Museveni isn’t a visionary anymore, and your just trying to catch your next paycheck. We understand, we do and we are not blind sheep following without thinking straight. It is hard to believe that Museveni will bring the republic to greatness now.

Museveni has had 32 years and there is still very little progress made and the achievements of the past is now getting tarnished with time. Also, the lack taxation, the added debt and the cronyism that is destroying the state. If that is greatness in Nankabirwa eyes, than I am sorry, but I beg to differ. It isn’t greatness, its self-inflicted destruction of the state in favor of one man and his cronies. That is not development, but using the state as a racket. It has been done now for over 30 years. However, that is just me. Peace.

Reference:

Namanya, Job – ‘Museveni is unchallengeable, says Nankabirwa’ (07.04.2018) link: https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1475062/museveni-unchallengeable-nankabirwa