Opinion: Munyonyo is a money pit…

It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to” – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

There is a need for discussions about the spending on the Sudhir Ruparelia’s Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort. The Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort and the Convention Centre, which have been updated for summits. However, the Munyonyo have been an issue since the 2007 CHOGM Conference, which was the first reason to begin with.

Since then… the Munyonyo have been a place of budgetary funds. The hotel has gotten billions of shillings. Meanwhile, the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) haven’t gotten dividends from. That is really telling after all these years and the UDC supposed being a big shareholder of the company itself.

Munyonyo and the agreements with the state should be looked thoroughly into… and not just petitions or the questioning by the COSASE in Parliament. Those seems not be enough. Neither the Auditor General Reports on the Munyonyo either. Nothing comes out of it and sooner or later the state will sooner spend more fortunes on it.

Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort should be questioned. We can wonder what sort function Ruparelia has and what sort of relationship he has with the State House. Because his business deals can cause a stir, but he can get off the hook. He has been involved in questionable transactions and takeovers before. Therefore, this just looks suspicious.

Where has the money gone and why aren’t the state getting anything in return? There should be some ends going to the state. The government has spent fortunes on this hotel. They have spent billions upon billions for so long. Not only before the recent summits there, but in other years too.

The UDC and the Government of Uganda can clearly prioritize Munyonyo. There is something magical about the place. It has some stars aligned and possibilities we don’t know about. The location and the hotel must have special place in the heart of the President. He must really have some sort of connection with the place. Because he is spending money like a drunk sailor on it and expect nobody to have a proper oversight over it.

Munyonyo … Munyonyo … Munyonyo are getting budget posts, but the UDC doesn’t get any dividends. That is telling and something isn’t adding up. The stat can just spend billions on billions for decades. Meanwhile the state see nothing in return. Only a place for conferences, summits and national functions instead of Kololo Independence Grounds. However, that doesn’t defend the state misuse of funds to build, update or keep the upkeep of this hotel.

Munyonyo… it is a dangerous business, I suppose. Someone went out the door, but we don’t know what happened after the individual went out the door. Peace.

Opinion: The Government got a problem when it fears its citizenry…

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Government of Uganda is proving that its afraid of its citizens. The ones in charge are worried and striking hard against any dissidents. They are creating legal jeopardy over using their voices. Citizens are being detained and preventatively arrested for possibly participating in protests or demonstrations. People are detained for partaking in forums and abroad conferences. That’s what is going on.

The Judiciary, the Authorities and the Security Organizations are all working in tandem to silence critics. The Police and all other legal entities with law enforcement are on the case. If it is the ISO/CMI or whatever. They are there… the military too. There is nothing left to hide and people are paying huge fines for bails to be released. People are picked up before they even attend a demonstration. That’s how the state operates and they show its viciousness.

We know the state has operated “drones” the modern Panda Gari’s and we do know the state has “safe houses” or Argentina Houses to keep people indefinitely detained without court orders and where torture is common practice. That has been a part of NRM regime since its inception. It took over from the predecessors and never stopped doing it. Meanwhile, we are surprised to be shocked and in awe of this. As the NRM has co-operated and gotten training by North Koreans for a reason. That wasn’t for cooking potatoes or making kimchi. No, it was to extend their military brutality on civilians and its well known.

The state is afraid when the FDC Katonga Group had 36 people cleared to travel to Kisumu, Kenya for a week of leadership training. However, one return they were intercepted and is now charged with “terrorism” or such serious charges. This is what it does…

While the NRM itself brands itself in military fatigue and uses the army as a prop in their leadership academy of Kyankwanzi. They are using the military and the army as they see fit. The guns are everywhere and usage of military is fine and dandy. The President is either in a suit or in military fatigue himself. That’s what they do… and we are supposed to be shocked when MPs and other elites connected to the party wears military gear. Alas, if the Opposition wears a red beret, they can be detained indefinitely and we could see it coming.

This state of affairs are screaming and shouting at its citizens. If it isn’t doing that… then it is saying “foreigners” or “gays” are sponsoring their activities. While the state is openly saying they are funded by foreign donors and been so for ages. It is like they can eat money from the international community, but it is wrong if others does so. Especially, if it is someone who dares to question the state or ask for accountability. All battles against corruption becomes automatically a battle for the sovereign and the nations soul. Is the soul thieving then or state capture? Because that’s how this look like by the minute…

A government shouldn’t act like this towards its citizens who are only working for their best interests and wanting a righteous government. The citizens are allowed to demonstrate and also allowed to get leadership training. They are just targeting them… by the their affiliation or by who they are associated with, which isn’t the President or his party. Because, if these people was part of the Yellow Brigade. They would be safe and not sorry. These people would be viral and be writing articles for New vision. That’s why … we know the game it and its getting boring.

This is alienating a generation. The state is attacking its citizens and creating felons without merit. It is making people criminal for doing their duties as citizens. That’s what is going on and it isn’t a good look. This is destroying the reputation and the image of the Republic. The fault of that isn’t on the citizens, but on the government and authorities that is authorized to act this way. Peace.

Uganda: The Judiciary – The Judiciary is committed to exercising its mandate in line with the Constitution (27.07.2024)

Uganda: Kacita Uganda – Urgent Call for Dialogue (25.07.2024)

Uganda: Citizens of the Republic of Uganda – To the Judicial System of Uganda – Unconstitutional Rulings Infringing on Citizen’s Rights (26.07.2024)

Uganda: A Statement by Woman of Uganda on the Anti-Corruption March to Parliament (27.07.2024)

A look into Museveni’s message to “the Youth who Marched on the Parliament”

That demonstration, had two bad elements. Element no.1, was funding from foreign sources that are always meddling in the internal affairs of Africa for the last 600 years ─ slave trade, colonialism, neo-colonialism, genocide, economic exploitation, etc. All those involved, should know that Uganda is not a neo-colony where those shallow schemes can be deployed. The second element, was that some of the authors and participants of the demonstrations, were planning very bad things against the people of Uganda. Those very bad things, will come out in court when those arrested are being tried. It is possible, that some of the participants, did not know of the planned foreign funding and the planned bad things. That is why, they should have listened to the police advice, not to go on with the demonstration. But they rubbished the police advice” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (25.07.2024).

My oh my… this isn’t the happy days of the late 1980s or 1990s when people where eating the words of the President up. When there was a promise and hope in the Republic. The words of the President is tainted and disingenuous now. A man who has to vilify civilians and the opposition. That’s what the President does here and makes them pawns in a larger scheme, which isn’t true.

The President want to make it belief that the CIA or any sort of foreign interference was participating in this. When the foreign interests and foreign aide have been vital for the reign of himself. Someone who has eaten of the plate of foreigners for decades. The President should take it more calm on this, as this exposes his lack of composure and only further proves how he needs villains. If foreign interests had participated and such, t would have been more organized and been more bodies involved. There should have also been foreigners caught in the act and within the realm of the demonstrations. There been no arrests of foreigners or even proof or evidence pointing in that direction. This was an organic affair made out of internal disputes and tired youths who are seeing no proper change.

Just continue to read his nonsense…

However, those being funded by foreigners, should stop and report to the Minister of State for Ethics, those that have been funding them. We shall not arrest them. In any case, we know a lot about the goings on in those groups. Our interest is to immunize Uganda against the schemes of the imperialists and their agents” (Museveni, 25.07.2024).

Next week, I will make a broadcast and discuss more on the issue. I praise the Lord that there was no blood-shed on Tuesday. The fight against corruption, is in my hands. I just need evidence and action will be taken” (Museveni, 25.07.2024).

Let us first remember how the IMF, World Bank and the Bretton Woods entities have been vital for the Presidency of Museveni. Secondly, how the Uganda under Museveni has been an key ally and a helpful partner in the “war on terror” and serving American interests on the African continent. So, please Mr. President… you have been the servant and colonial headmaster that Washington D.C. needed after the fall of Mobutu in the region. So, you are just vilifying the youth and looking foolish doing so.

Another address on corruption will serve no one in 2024. The words and addresses only fills airtime on NTV and NBS Television. He will speak for hours and it won’t amount to much. Only more hearsay and lack of proper decorum. Only more words and less of official actions in regards to corruption, as the President only duplicates more offices, but doesn’t capture or stop the practice that is embedded within the high ranking officials who are encircling his State House. Peace.

Opinion: Protesters are idle and disorderly, apparently…

Today was a tense day. Luckily, there haven’t been news or reports of lethal use this time around. Neither been to vicious and violent crackdown on the protesters.

Still there been reports of arrests up to about 50. There been use of excessive force and man handling by the authorities. Therefore, civilians have lost their ability to demonstrate and petition the state.

We aren’t shocked by this. The army was in the streets. Roads to the Parliament was sealed off. Soldiers and police was prepared to use preventive measures.

Today the ones that was arrested are the heroes of the Republic. The ones who dared to challenge the state and speak out their peace. Civilians showing up and shouting their lungs our. These are heroes who stood up to the armed law enforcement of the state today.

They are now charged with being “idle and disorderly”. A part from the Penal Code, which is a relic of the British colonial times. The sort of legislation the Empire used to silence its critics. Now the liberators of the 1980s bushwar uses it again.

This isn’t a winning formula. It shows that the state is not there for the citizens. The state is there for the ruling regime. That’s it.

The March to Parliament today only proves that. The NRM and Museveni isn’t there for the people, but are there for selfish interests. Peace.

No one is safe tomorrow – the march to Parliament

The ones thinking tomorrow will be peaceful or even in respect of the constitutional rights every single citizen has to assemble and petition the state. Well..

I hate to be this blunt, but in Kampala that doesn’t matter. The authorities are already in high alert. They have preventive arrested opposition MPs and other elected officials across Kampala. Sealed off the National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters too. So, everything is in motion.

The ones daring to protest tomorrow will be met by lethal forces. The army, police force and whoever’s state sanctioned to carry arms. They will be armed and use swift force. They will crackdown and there will be blood on the streets. A body will be left behind on the pavement. That’s how the state operates and we have seen this play out before too.

The ones marching to the Parliament risks it all. They are daring a junta and rogue government.

I wish it was differently and that the Constitutional order mattered. However, we sadly know that isn’t the case. This is why press are tired and want to protest. They aren’t listened too or a concern for the state. Just pawns and assets they can trade in hours of need.

So, expect tear-gas  live-bullets and murder in the city tomorrow. The arms are prepared and in ordered to be there. These will be used against unarmed civilians pleading their case.

We should be worried, we should be aggy and it’s within our rights to be just that. Families scorn, families mourning and lives taken for granted by the authorities who deemed it right to take it. It shouldn’t be this way… but here we are. Peace.

Mzee is warning the youth whose planning to demonstrate on the 23rd July 2024…

When you demonstrate in a place like Kampala, people are selling their products on the road side. Are you going to step on people’s products? You are playing. Do not have such ideas in your head. What right do you have to seek to generate chaotic behavior? We are busy producing wealth; you are getting cheap food, people in other parts of the world are starving, and you are here, you want to disturb us. You are playing with fire. While we wealth creators are busy creating wealth for Uganda, some elements, some in the opposition are always working with foreigners to ferment chaos in Uganda: riots, illegal demonstrations, illegal and inconsiderate processions, etc. These people are unfair and inconsiderate. They should check themselves or we will have no option but to check them” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (20.07.2024).

It is like article 29(d) of the 1995 constitution doesn’t exists or isn’t enacted anymore. It is like the words of the Constitution is useless and just wasted ink. As the Republic and the Authorities isn’t bound by law and isn’t in need of abiding by it. Alas, that’s wherein the problems remain.

The article itself says this:

freedom to assemble and to demonstrate together with others peacefully and unarmed and to petition” (Article 29(d) of the 1995 Constitution).

This is under Chapter Four of the Constitution and parts of the “positive” rights a citizen has in the Republic. These words was written and put into place for a reason. Therefore, it is rich hearing and reading the words of the President.

The Self-Styled President-for-Life has chosen his path. The narrow road of impunity and collective punishment of the population. As if his the only man whose words matters and who is the embodiment of the law. That’s how the President operates and it shows.

He speaks of generating wealth and such, but his more busy scheming and finding new methods of looting for his elite. That’s what is his key enterprise and this is why people are tired of his system. A system and a state that is vicious against the dissidents and who makes an unholy elite richer than God. That’s why the elites favours the President and they hope his reign never ends. Because his the reason why they are eating and living so lavish in the first place. However, they are only a small minority and not the huge part of the population.

Citizens should demonstrate and revolt. They should do so peacefully and assemble in the streets. We know the President and the authorities won’t allow it. It is going against the nature of the National Resistance Movement and Museveni himself. His supposed to be the one with the final say and his word is the law after all.

President Museveni acts like he is the sole beneficiary and the overlord who ensures everyone, which he doesn’t and cannot do. He doesn’t have the ability or the skill-set to facilitate such a state. That’s why it’s all a mirage and empty pledges, which he never intends to fulfil. We have seen that for years. He can create more offices and cronies can be appointed to duplicated government entities, but they won’t amount to anything. Except for getting another one on the hook and being on the payroll of the state.

Meanwhile, the grievances and the losses of the citizens are falling behind. They are seeing the lacklustre attempts of governance. The numbers games and the jinxing of promises, which are never ever finished. Government schemes are collapsing or if not defaulting. Ghosts are appearing and lack of government oversight is rampant, because if there was someone being proper. That one would find a scandal, would find a heist and the whistleblower would be gone in a minute. Therefore, the President Museveni rather wants to silence his critics and have less talk.

Only his voice of reason matters anyway. The rest is just noise. His words and opinions can make a change. The voices of the people are just scattering and incoherent bickering, which won’t resolve any bottleneck. That’s why he rather dismiss them completely and threaten anyone for speaking up. That’s the liberation and the freedom that the President has to offer in 2024. A man who fought for freedom and liberation, but only freed himself and his fellow cronies. Peace.