Opinion: The iron sheets are a part of a bigger problem…

“IGG Beti Kamya says she will go after the cartel of government officials who have been incriminated in the OPM Karamoja iron sheets scandal. According to Kamya, any govt official who absconds her summons will be prosecuted” (The Kampala Journal, 21.02.2023).

The plights of the people of the Karamoja sub-region are just the beginning. Just like the never-ending story of fighting corruption. There is plenty of government agencies and organizations, which are based around the idea of fighting it. However, they never cease to stop it or have the mandate to do anything about it. That’s because the high-ranking officials, ministers and close associates of the President is profiting of the mischief and the corrupt behaviour in general.

You know these things are out of order and part of a bigger problem. When several ministers and high-ranking officials can eat of the plate of the needy ones in Karamoja. These are:

“1. Moriku Kaducu

  1. Rebecca Kadaga
  2. Jacob Oboth Oboth
  3. Rukia Nakadaama
  4. Matia Kasaija
  5. Kitutu Mary Goretti
  6. Obua Dennis Hanson
  7. Lugoloobi Amos
  8. Bwino Kyakulaga” (New Vision).

This is not some random names, but people with interests and high offices. These people are connected and part of Government. They are not just random thieves in a den picking out their next victim. No, they are the ones in-charge and appointed to serve the state. However, they are instead self-serving and thieving from the ones in need.

It isn’t shocking, but apparent problem, which has been created over years. The illicit trades, tenders and usage of government funds are haunting it. The ghosts, the misappropriated and missing funds are now coming back to roost. The loss of domestic revenue, donor funds and ability to loan to cover the deficits are creating a sustainable environment either.

No one can be shocked those ministers and high-ranking officials in the National Resistance Movement is robbing, thieving and siphoning funds away from government entities, neither that they are absorbing or “losing” important money for others in need. That has been done for ages and is part of the imprint of this government. In some regards, you could say it is the blueprint created by the predecessors of this government. This being the Sam Kuteesa’s or Gilbert Bukenya’s of this world. The ones who used to be in-charge and stole vast funds in their hey-day. Now the newest leaders are doing the same…

This is the NRM-Way, the NRA-Way and whatever you call it. That’s why money are lost, projects are stalled and prices are through the roof for government development projects. The costs and the burden to make it happen is astronomical… and you need a spaceship to get from Gulu to Kampala. There is no boda-boda or special who will suffice. Especially, in concern to the ones in dire need or in distress. They are the ones that you can take from. These are the people that isn’t able to be vocal or speak out. The same people have enough issues just to survive. In the meanwhile, they are not only victims of circumstances, but also of the greed of the ones in power. Peace.

Chapter Four: A Day to Honor the Life and Legacy of St. Janani Luwum (16.02.2023)

The Dead Silence: The Two MPs are temporarily free…

“According to one source, the Chief Justice may have knowingly or unknowingly been preparing the public for possible release of Mr Ssewanyana and Mr Ssegirinya. Another source said the Leader of Opposition was in court in person yesterday because he likely had prior information the legislators would be granted bail. Mr Mpuuga last evening denied any clandestine engagements, or bargains. Highly-placed sources said the protracted negotiations culminated in a senior government executive meeting the accused lawmakers last month. Insiders said the state has information against MPs Ssewanyana and Ssegirinya regarding their alleged dealings with overseas Ugandan-born cardiologist Aggrey Kiyingi reported to be their financier” (Tabu Butagira & Anthony Wesaka – ‘How MPs Ssegirinya, Ssewanyana walked to freedom’ 14.02.2023, Daily Monitor).

Yesterday, the news of the release of Ssewanyana MP and Ssegirinya MP from Kigo Prison. They have been in prison since September 2021 which means they have spent 18 months in arrest. Their case has been stalled, stopped and never produced anything substantial. While keeping them in prison.

They are the epitome of political prisoners and that was the case from the on-set. Since the charges and the case, itself was fabricated to implicate them in sinister crimes. These two was supposed to be behind the murder spree in the Greater Masaka region, which to this day haven’t been resolved. These murders are left cold and no answer to who is behind the killings there. Only that these was used as an excuse to arrest and detain the two opposition MPs.

That’s why they have started and claimed now that the Ugandan-Australian Doctor Aggrey Kiyingi, the failed Presidential Candidate and opposition figure are behind them. That just shows the incompetence and lack of basic knowledge. When they are doing whatever to create conspiracy and tales to keep the arrested. Instead, of knowingly investigate the matter and track down the ones that did the murders. Because that is the forgotten story in this shady political quagmire created by the state.

The MPs have been incarcerated for no apparent reason. That’s why the state could negotiate their release or bail. While on bail they would still have to report and be called in for the Courts. The case isn’t closed or seized from existing. The charges and the case are still pending. Just that they are released from prison. Which means the state can still prosecute them and find means to stifle their liberty.

We have seen how the state is using old cases from all across the Republic to stop campaigning or even participate in political activity of opposition leaders. This being Besigye or Lukwago called in for year old cases in up-country. The same can easily happen to the two MPs. If the case stands, and they got to answer a summons. These two just must appear and answer for it. Even if there are no new affidavit, evidence or anything substantially produced for the matter. They still must comply and be subjects to the courts. That’s just how the game is rigged against them.

So, trust me… they are temporarily free. They will face the courts again and the case is pending. They are out on bail and not exonerated or acquitted from the case. No, they are just out of the pen, but the state can easily access them again.

This is just the beginning and we have seen what the state has done for 18 months. They will not let this one slide. The state got them where they want them. These two will not feel much relief or peace. Because the state intends to make them suffer. Not because they have done anything, but for a simple reason: To make an example of out of them and show the detractors what could happen to them. Peace.

Uganda: Ministry of Foreign Affairs letter to OHCHR (03.02.2023)

Opinion: The “We Fought Tribe” is losing relevancy

This years “Tarehe Sita” seems to be downplayed and disregarded. Not that… it’s shocking or sincerely surprising. Since the reality on the ground is changing. The ones who fought and was part of the bush-war is dying, if not already dead. The few who is left behind is either defiant or betrayed. Except the few who is in the elite and the families who are benefiting from the 1980s war.

The National Resistance Army (NRA) and Museveni came with a promise. It came with pledges and words of fundamental change. We know by now that this has been thwarted and the goalpost have been changed as well. The reasons to go to war and the reason for resisting the ruling government are now gone.

The same ills, impunity and totalitarian government is served by the current regime. There is no fundamental change, when “drones” are taking civilians, civilians are charged in military courts and extra judicial killings are explained away. That’s what is happening, and the liberation of the NRA is long gone.

You know Museveni wants it to be his legendary tale, when he describes it like this:

“Congratulations all Ugandans on the occasion of the 42ndAnniversary   of   Tarehe   Sita.   To   inform   the Bazukulu, the 6thof February, 1981, at 0800 hours (Saa mbiri z’asubuhi), is when the 43 of us, but with 27 rifles, attacked the huge garrison of the Kabaamba Military Training  School  with  the  aim  of  regaining some of the 9,000 rifles, Fronasa had handed to the joint  force  created  after  the  defeat  of  the  Idi  Amin regime.   This   united   force   had   been   given   the designation of the UNLA” (Museveni, 06.02.2023).

We know that he wants it to sound prestigious and legendary. The mighty fell to a chosen few. Even when he boosted of a big personal army in FRONASA and as a part of the overthrow of Amin. Hard to imagine that these troops disappeared and went away that quickly after 1979. However, tales must be exaggerated and boasted with time. Just so it sounds supreme and glorious.

Just to put this into perspective:

“On December 23, 1978, rebel Museveni and his merry band of rebels (under the conductorship of Julius Nyerere) embarked on massive recruitment. Soon, Museveni had 200 fighters culled from Ugandan workers in Karagwe District, Tanzania. As he swept into Uganda, Museveni recruited more than 8,000 troops and that’s when Museveni’s Front for National Salvation (Fronasa) teamed up with Tanzanian forces to “liberate” Mbarara on January 28, 1979” (Phillip Matogo – ‘NRA’s 27 guns and tall poppy syndrome’ 02.05.2021, Daily Monitor).

The numbers speak for themselves, and the myth is created to make Museveni seem above it all. Because, if the numbers are better and larger army. The “Tarehe Sita” story makes it seems like an underdog beat the big dog. Instead, the reality might be more boring or more of the ordinary, which isn’t what Museveni wants people to believe. It is also easier to lie, when most of the “we fought tribe” is deceased and no one can counter his origin story. Alas, the records and the past tales will haunt him. Since, we all know that Yoweri cannot be silent or stop talking…

The ironies of the complaints of previous government from Museveni:

“Why such growth in such a short time?  It was on account of the following reasons:

(1) People being desperately   fed   up   with   the brutality and non-accountability of the old armies ─ UA, UNLA;

(2) UPC blocking the democratic process of genuine and constructive debate that we warned them about many times but never paid heed to our warnings:

(3) The collapse of the economy ─no consumer goods, no wealth creation, magendo, kibaanda, kusamula” (Museveni, 06.02.2023).

Again, Museveni don’t have enough insight or understanding of his own making. The words that his expressing here about the past leadership, the ones he toppled. They can be used against him. The same reasons that he gave to take down Amin or Obote. Can now be used against him and rightfully so. The same traits, the impunity and lack of good governance is all what he does. The same security threats, the same societal issues and bottle-necks haven’t been resolved. Instead, he has amplified it for his own personal gain. That’s why the security organizations are taking away people’s liberties, rights to assemble and be active citizens. Because, if they are… they are easily targets and get’s into legal trouble. That’s just the acts of his government.

That’s why the tales of the Bush-War and the “We Fought Tribe” is becoming irrelevant. The reasons for the war and the toppling of Obote has been forgotten. The leaders, the elites and the President have himself become the same dictator he claimed his predecessors was. Museveni have become everything he fought against. He is blocking the democratic process, the possible peaceful transition and isn’t creating a feasible economy. If the President did… he wouldn’t be where he is today. Peace.

Opinion: Nabbanja’s Faultline

 

Well, after reading the depressing statement “on alleged abductions” from Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja. We can clearly estimate and assess that the government is cleaning their hands or taking a blind eye to the fact. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and their allies are not clever enough or wise to bring forth a proper statement. Neither able to articulate or make their statement believable. However, then again, the President appointed fishermen and not brilliant technocrats.

Like the PM stated in her statement:

“To say that Government abducts people, Rt. Hon. Speaker, is to impute that the Government leads someone away by force or fraudulent persuasion. Rt Hon Speaker, Government cannot rule out the fact that the word “abduction” is being maliciously used by the opposition for purposes of blackmailing us, and we highly condemn this act. The opposition are deliberately referring to arrests as abductions. An arrest done by a Police officer cannot in any way turn into an abduction. Rt. Hon. Speaker, I want to categorically state that Government arrests suspected criminals and has not abducted or does not abduct anybody” (Nabbanja, 02.02.2023).

With these sorts of words in early February 2023 makes it unbelievable. The person who says and print it cannot believe it herself. These words are just obnoxious and sincerely troublesome. It is saying that the opposition is “crying wolf” and stating it doesn’t happen. However, there are enough reports and enough people pleading for their loved ones. Who has been taken away, arbitrary arrested, abducted, kept incommunicado and later arraigned in courts after the fact. Therefore, the PM hope people are naïve or stupid. I don’t know which, but one of them is what she’s aiming for.

Without a doubt, the PM explained the nature of the “drones” by default too:

“Indeed, due to the evolving nature of crime to sophisticated levels owing to technological advancement, sometimes the Government may be compelled to effect arrests using plain clothed oflicers and vehicles with civilian registration number plates and other unconventional methods of arrest to keep pace with the ever changing criminal tactics” (Nabbanja, 02.02.2023).

While she claims this is ways to capture and arrest sophisticated criminals. We know these tactics and means to an end is to take in opposition, activists and other people who defies the government. That is an deliberate act by the security organizations and the “drones” are used frequently. The news of abductions and arbitrary arrests are common placed. That’s because of how these state security organizations are operating without fear or consequences. They are doing it and with the blessings of the “high above”. Which is why some civilians are arraigned in military courts to answer for their “alleged crimes” too. It’s a scheme to deter and silence critics. The PM is clear about the activity but claims the victims’ fault for being “criminals” without any facts or evidence of any criminal acts. That just proves the fault-lines of the PM.

The PM ends with some utter baffling response:

“Sharing information on the particulars of an arrest, that is to say who has been arrested, from where, by who and how, will go a long way to not only assist the Government to explain the whereabouts of the arrested persons but also determine whether the arrest was conducted by authorised persons or whether indeed it is a kidnap by criminal elements. Like I stated earlier, the leader of Opposition has not positively responded to the Rt. Hon Deputy Speaker’s request to furnish Government with adequate details/particulars of persons allegedly abducted such as Village of residence, place of work, next of kin, telephone contact, police reference of reports of missing persons, among others yet they are very important for investigation purposes. This has made it difficult for our security teams to trace for these persons” Nabbanja, 02.02.2023).

This is like the right thing to say, but the PM knows better. That’s if she wanted to be sincere. However, we know that she is a part of the problem and a figure head of the state. Which is why she’s undermining and acting “holier than thou”. The PM is just showing how the state neglects the victims of abduction and acts like it got the laws on its side. That the mere gist of the whole statement. She is denying and acting surprised that the Opposition is coming with lists of missing people. Like it never appeared and didn’t really happen. If it did happen, then they were sophisticated “criminals” to begin with. Therefore, we know the malice and the malicious attempts of cleaning the slate for own personal benefits.

We can with certainty say that the Government and the NRM will not take responsibility. It will act like it never happened. They will state the Constitution and the laws, but not say that it acts beyond that. Which is something we already knows, because we heard the stories and read the pleas of the families who has abducted family members. Therefore, the impunity and saga is far from over.

This is the liberty and freedom, the fundamental change Museveni promised in the 1980s. No, I was wrong. He said the opposite, but he stays in power by taking away liberty from the ones who stands in his way. Peace.

Teso Affairs: The failure of Soroti Fruit Factory Part II – (2-year-old orange concentrate stored without a plan)

“Soroti Fruits Limited was incorporated to add value to fruits that were abundantly underutilised; to address the high post-harvest losses, provide market for the farmers produce, and create employment opportunities along the value chain, thus increased and diversified household incomes within the greater Teso Sub-region” (February, 2022).

The Auditor General Report of December 2022 isn’t spelling out a better story either. The Soroti Fruits Limited is a proof of mismanagement, lack of survey and planning. It is picking the wrong fruit, the wrong type of production and even not considering the markets itself. Nothing has been checked for feasibility or value for money.

That’s why the December 2022 report says this:

“I inspected the inventory stores at the facility and established huge volumes of orange concentrate in the cold room stores. The factory did not have a recognizable packaging line for ready-to-drink juices in PET bottles leading to choking in the Cooling Rooms. The inability to transform Concentrate into marketable juice because of lack of a commercial packaging line for Ready to Drink Juice, has meant that the company keeps huge volumes of Concentrate which are kept in cold rooms, thus increasing costs of production and inadequate products in the market” (OAG, 2022).

He further explains:

“I noted that the factory still had, in store, concentrate and pulp that had been produced close to two years ago and indication of limited market for the juice produced” (OAG, 2022).

If you ever needed a proof of how little viable the production, the factory and the lines made in Soroti. These sorts of statements say it. You don’t need the financial understanding or the liquidity of the company to understand it. It’s expensive to keep such inventory and to use electricity to keep it well. Secondly, the orange concentrate won’t last forever either. Therefore, there are risks involved.

The Soroti Fruit Factory, which was built for the wrong fruit and now also lacks the ability to tap or utilize the concentrate. Because, it doesn’t have the production facilities to bottle or can the goods. That means the State or Government must spend even more on the failure of a project.

This story is a tale of losses, lack of proper consultation and using local knowledge to benefit the famers in Teso. Instead, it has become a money-pit and a loss-loss project. You can certainly wonder who has benefited from this and why it happened in the first place. Because the famers and the ones who was supposed to be the beneficiary ones aren’t. They are the losing end, and neither is the consumer getting viable products to consume. This isn’t value addition, but expenses upon expenses without any sort of revenue. Peace.

Opinion: Muhoozi can act the way he does because his father carries his load…

Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba is now preparing himself for the bigtimes. He is holding rallies and have started his mission with he MK Army/Movement. In that regard, he has also appointed a long-time ally and associate Andrew Mwenda to be his spokesperson. The circle has ended, and the “Project Muhoozi” is now a main stay.

Media is hyping the man up. Even when he has no charisma, no flair, and no message. It is a shallow and braggadocios man. Who has never been accountable in his life, whatsoever…? A man who has never stood tall on his own. The only reason why he became a General and a Senior Presidential Advisor. Was for one sole fact – flesh and blood. It wasn’t because of a particular skill or education. No, just because he happens to be the son of his father.

The General do have the options and abilities others don’t have. He could hold birthday bashes, tournaments and now rallies. While the opposition cannot pray, hold conferences, or even visit fellow MPs in the hospital. No, they are blocked from accessing their own or even capable of running their own organizations. While the First Son, the Son of the President can early start with his “campaign” for Presidency with his boosted-up ego.

General Kainerugaba is clearly not that clever. When he uses voter tourism and ferrying crowds to his rallies. Just like his father does because he knows he cannot get them there on default. He must use buses and spend fortunes of getting them. While he does the same mistake to not take care of them. Only have them there for photo-ops and leaving them behind. Meaning, they are without food, shelter, or ability to return home. That’s the vibe over the weekend and we seen that too.

It is obvious that the General have started his MK Army or MK Movement now. He wants to be the NEXT. Though he has no birth right or ability to be there. The man only thinks so, because he has sat at the table of the State House since a child. True that he hasn’t seen anything else, but that doesn’t mean his fit for it either. Especially, considering his brutal and ignorant ways.

I just wonder how Mwenda will spin this, because he has been “Mao” guy and his now in the Cabinet. The editor of the Independent has traded all integrity for the quick buck. No one is shocked, but for someone calling out Bobi Wine and Besigye over the years. He surely needs to muster all of his intelligence to sell Muhoozi.

Why?

He isn’t a bargain and isn’t a winner from the beginning. The General is only high ranking and a man of the town, because of family ties. There is not substantial or unique about his character. He could just be a butcher or a tiny dancer in one of those nightclubs. It is nothing there and it must be artificially created around him. Since there is no justification or sort of persona to be inspired by. That’s why anyone who has the gig or the appointment to MK Army / Movement should feel blessed. They have an empty canvass and can paint whatever picture they want. Except for the brutal brute, which we know from the days of Special Forces Command and the Army Commander ways. That is a story they never want to tell. The stories of murder, torture, and kidnappings. No, that is fort others to tell.

Some says: “Heavy is the Head that Wears the Crown”. The crown is carried by the father and the son doesn’t feel that weight. That is why his so nonchalant about it all. He knows he can get rid of someone, and he has no burden to carry. That’s because of his father and the reign, which he has uphold for so long. Gen. Muhoozi is just the proof of how the elite and how they consider themselves above the average citizens. He just thinks so, by the simple of reason of his name and where he has resided. That’s all that matters to him.

The General just want power and be the next in line. Even if he was never fit for it or had the humility to be in that office. No, he just wants to be there… because he wants to continue where his father left off. That’s it and that’s not a winning formula. There is no service, no programme or ideology. Just an egotistic brat who wants to be crowned “King”. Peace.

National Unity Platform (NUP): Statement on Suspension of Leaders and Appointment of Special Committee to Investigate their Conduct (12.01.2023)

Uganda: Chapter Four – A Victory for free speech, digital freedoms and media rights (10.01.2023)