Opinion: It takes nothing to “disturb the peace” of the Speaker…

“A young man accused of tweeting an inappropriate joke about Speaker of Parliament Anita Among was yesterday sent back to jail after the presiding magistrate said she was indisposed. Mr John Sentamu, aka Kelly Slender, 26, was picked up by a drone at his workplace more than a month ago in connection with disturbing the peace of the Speaker on Twitter” (…) “According to the charge sheet before court, Mr Sentamu, between July and September in Kampala, willfully, and repeatedly, used his twitter handle @JOHNKELLYTON 5 using user name Kelly Slender to disturb the peace of the Speaker of Parliament with no purpose of legitimate communication” (Precious Delilah – ‘Shop attendant remanded for tweeting ‘joke’ about Speaker Among’ 19.10.2022, Daily Monitor).

Some people have little spines. They have such little ability to grasp reality and be in the public sphere. It is like their entitlement is outrageous. The feel so unique, special, and prestigious that you should just bless them. That’s how it seems with the current day speaker of the 11th Parliament.

Speaker Anita Annet Among is the new breed of entitled and enriched cronies of the regime. She is the sort that can say obnoxious things about detractors or dissidents. However, the moment they retort. They got to bend the knee and apologize. That’s the sort of rank and office has now.

The Speaker is acting out of line and cannot stomach her office. We have already seen her actions towards Francis Zaake MP and now against a civilian too. The civilian she is serving for in office. If it wasn’t for the civilians, she wouldn’t have an office to go to. However, when your up high and mighty, you forget those things. It is only when the buck stops and the master your serve is gone. That’s the moment she needs the like John Sentamu.

Alas, the Speaker should be able to take jokes, because she is becoming the pun in plenty. She couldn’t manage her cool with the words of Zaake and now she couldn’t get the joke of Sentamu. Certainly, she needs to buckle up and get a grip. However, that’s to much to ask. Maybe, that’s why she became an ex-wife this year? She cannot manage a man who has the balls and the tenacity to question her? She is so supreme, that she got to be the Kingpin of everything!

Well, life isn’t easy on the top. When a joke can get you in a tailspin and order a drone on a civilian. Your life is surely precious. The Speaker’s mind is so fragile and so easily fatigued. That someone cracking a joke is a direct offence. You know that isn’t much a person or a leader when she resorts to this. If it is a joke of a nobody on Twitter. She could have responded or mocked the person for written it there. A tit-for-tat, but that’s apparently beneath her.

The speaker is a coward and a reckless individual for making life so hard on a civilian. She should put herself in his shoes. What if Kadaga had done this to her while she was civilian. Would that have been fine and dandy? Would it have been accordingly, if Among had cracked a joke about Kadaga on Facebook back in the day?

I don’t think so, but then again… with power comes prestige and prominence. However, she is clearly not able to carry the weight of the office. It is a burden that is to much. Especially, if a civilian’s joke is disturbing your peace. Your mind will never rest or be “tewali”. The Speaker needs guidance or help. But I know it’s futile, because everyone is just supposed to bow their knee to the almighty Speaker and the Leader of the August House. Peace.

Opinion: Endorsing Mzee for 2026 [the ones who does it is either hungry or foolish]

As the struggle for win the hearts of the youths by Uganda’s presidential hopefuls continues, NRM youth leaders from Buganda have endorsed President Museveni as the sole presidential candidate for the 2026 elections. Museveni, who has been in power for 26 years, has not yet indicated that he will run for 2026” (Farish Magembe – ‘NRM Buganda youth endorse Museveni, not Muhoozi, for 2026’ 18.10.2022, Nile Post).

In Masaka there was a group of youth leaders from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has already endorsed President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni. A man who has ruled the nation since 26th January 1986. A President that has already reigned supreme for 36 years is still viable some youths.

You can wonder what is their incentives and reasons to do it. Certainly, they must be hungry and wants to show loyalty. If they show loyalty and proves their services to his government. That’s what the youth leaders of Buganda did or Central Region. If it is the opposition it’s the Central Region, but when it’s NRM – it is back to the Kingdom and calling it Buganda. Ironically, right?

Well, NRM Youth Leaders of Buganda signing off an endorsement in 2022 is a sign of poverty, lack of vision and also utterly ill-advised. This isn’t done in the run-up to an election. Neither is there any signs of Yoweri standing as a candidate in the next election. Though, we shouldn’t kid ourselves. Museveni is doing this every-time and claiming the “people will decide” and “so will his party”. Though we know the drill and his most like the flag-bearer for NRM in the next term.

They haven’t even published a road-map or the committee to write the manifesto. Therefore, settling now only shows your motivation and that you are hoping for incentives to do so. The NRM Youth here is only showing their soul is sold and they have traded all integrity. That’s what legit has gone down…

Because, we know what is happening ahead of the election new NRM umbrella groups are popping up to fit whatever narrative and stories the NRM needs. We know also that these groups will praise the President and supposed achievements. That’s why there is plenty of youthful groups, which is sort of a part of the NRM. These are now mentioned without any particular order, NRM Poor Youth, NRM Youth League, NRM Isolated Youth, NRM Yellow Power and NRM Generation Seven.

All of these ha been made to ensure elections and continuation of the NRM regime. The NRMYL is the most significant ones, but the others has been made to cater the needs of NRM ahead of the polls. That really their mission and this is why you haven’t heard from them in forever. They only comes in a hot-minute before the polls and to be there for a campaign pledge.

You are seeing so many youth groups… and this week a group of youths from Buganda… suddenly endorsed the President for Life out of nowhere. They are certainly hoping for a pay-off, either a plate or a brew. These youths hopes for opportunities and recognition. The clearly made some headlines and got some people talking. However, they are too early.

These youth should have waited for the RDCs and the NRM Vice-Chairperson for each regions are out hunting for positive groups or stories. At that point ahead of the election wants as much credibility and youthfulness as possible. They want to look more popular than pop-stars or the Lord Saviour. However, now… this is futile, except, if these people are hungry and hoping for a plate.

They could get that and a free t-shirt. Nevertheless, these folks won’t be Kings, because they are already peasants. They might become glorified peasants, but they will not reach the throne. That place is sealed and they are already proving it with their action alone. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee, are you okay with such a indisciplined General?

We shall not tolerate indiscipline in the army. If you cannot perform well, we shall axe you and create room for disciplined and competent officers” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (New Vision – ‘Be disciplined, army told’ 02.12.2006).

There is so much wiggle-room and allowed actions by General Muhoozi Kainerubaga. A man can be horny and be a man-whore, all he wants. He can be insensitive to the other gender and want sexual satisfaction. However, that doesn’t fit a man of the stature of General and a Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations. That’s who he is and his demeaning people and the other gender online.

The twitter account of Muhoozi is a quagmire for himself and anyone surrounding him. His wife should be horrified, unless she’s okay that a man is thirsty for other women in the open. She’s maybe well versed in his introgressions and nothing is new to her. Still, the humiliation must be deafening and hurting.

Yesterday’s long rant of bravado is really not unique, but as a public figure and a man who wants to assert into the future leadership roles. A man who clearly has a streak of chewing people and deny it later. Because, we know he randomly professes his love to his wife. Though, the way he spreads pictures and talks of the ladies, shows that he has an another side too.

As a soldier and former Commander of Land Forces he should know what the UPDF says about itself: “UPDF is a nonpartisan force, national in character, patriotic, professional, disciplined, productive and subordinate to the civilian authority as established under the constitution” (UPDF). Certainly these words cannot be written about Muhoozi. He cannot even restrain himself online…

How is he in person? When his this character online?

Someone needs to deactivate his twitter account and restrain him from social media. His so indisciplined. His a laughingstock and only demeaning his wife and himself in it. Practically, he can be soon in the realms of Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act of 2022. Which is not to drop unsolicited information and pictures… ironically, I doubt these ladies who he posted wanted this sort of public display.

It is really foolish and Muhoozi should listen to Ashanti in his mansion. Because, he needs some guidance and the father has clearly not been a good teacher. Since his not isn’t following protocol or sincere advice. His just speaking vile and being a brat online.

Muhoozi is calling the UPDF “My Army” and is it this indisciplined now? Is that okay for the Commander-in-Chief and President for Life? Is this what the UPDF has become?

Because, Muhoozi isn’t resembling an honest actor, a leader or a trustworthy character overall. His a faux revolutionary and populist. When he has nothing else that empty boosts of his ego and yesterday he clearly wanted to get laid. That’s his prerogative, but not a good look for the whole world watch.

The General should know better, but we can see that a General from the UPDF is openly indisciplined. That’s not what the State House or the big boosting “Project Muhoozi” people wants. Unless, they are fine with a man-whore and a loose-cannon. Because that who he is and they will defend it. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni knows the ills, but he doesn’t’ diagnose them correctly…

Bad politics in Uganda produced bad governments which have plunged the country into the present crisis” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – Speech at a rally at Kawempe, Kampala, Uganda Times, August 3, 1980).

If President Museveni had been a doctor the patient would either get more sickly or be close to it’s deathbed. Because, every cure he comes up with or adjustment of treatment, things are not getting better, but worse. The body isn’t accepting the pills or the medicine. Neither is it taking in the exercise or the regiment of food. It is just not working and it’s only getting closer to the final breathe.

Right now, Museveni is continuing to enact draconian laws. The latest addition is the Computer Misuse (amendment) Act of 2022 and it follows a string of laws, which is creating lack of rights to assembly, political party freedom and now attacks the liberty of freedom of speech. We know this has been with charging people with either “annoying the President” or “offensive communication”. We have seen how the Public Order Management Act has stifled public gatherings, demonstrations are banned, political party works are monitored and total earth-shattering exposure of the daylight oppression of dissidents. Kidnapping of dissidents, extra-judicial killings and torture is the modus operandi of the authorities. The whole system is gathered and laws are created to silence its critics.

That’s why I have to go back to a speech that Museveni did to the United Nations General Assembly in 1987. This is the start of his reign and early days of his rule. It is significant, because, the ideals of speech and what he was lecturing the world has fallen on deaf ears. His own ears and mind has totally forgotten about this too.

Just read this as a small part of the speech:

A hungry man cannot be said to enjoy a full life~ a sick man is an incomplete human being. The fundamental human rights popularly championed by worthy organizations, such as Amnesty International, important though they are, may well be meaningless or irrelevant to the millions who are tortured from birth by hunger and disease. What we want to point out here is that it is impossible to guarantee the human dignity of the people in a state of poverty, disease, ignorance and economic backwardness. In these circumstances, such efforts will be rendered peripheral to the real human rights problems which, as I have said, are based on the consequences of underdevelopment. It is not enough to speak of human rights in the formal sense of freedom of speech, freedom from arrest and that sort of thing. We must also speak of freedom from hunger, freedom from disease, freedom from living under a leaking roof. There is no way that one can speak of just one quarter of the human rights of man and forget about three quarters” (United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) – Address by Mr. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, 21.10.1987).

I am sure the people of Karamoja is agreeing in 2022 that it’s more important to eat than having the rights to speak. However, after 36 years in power he haven’t even settled this. We are not seeing someone who has developed or helped the basics. While he has achieved a total control and stifling civil society, political participation and whatnot. The President has diagnosed the political sphere but not secured the hungry man in the streets. No, the President has failed in his own mission.

President Museveni haven’t helped people out of poverty. Neither has the nation gone forward or been developed in nature, which he should have after all these years. The mediocrity of the Musevenism is so clear. That this old man hasn’t listened to himself in his youth. He has betrayed all the ideals and pseudo-intellectualism, which he professed to early in his reign.

The recent legislation that has been made in the 2010s and 2020s are just proving how his fallen from what he regarded as important early on. It just proves that the freedom of speech matters. It proves that the freedom of assembly matters. It proves that the freedom to congregate and to demonstrate matters. All the things that the President has taken away. He said these things mattered in the past, but now? He couldn’t care less and isn’t bothered by it.

The President can call people parasites and promise to crush people. Though if you retaliate, you will be punished and he will have another national address the next week. Museveni will not face these laws, but you the civilian? Your in the firing line and this regime doesn’t care. They are only in it to eat and take away everything from you. In the end you have the air your breathe and the taxes you pay them. If you go out of the “correct line” you will be captured and you will be lost forever. Peace.

Uganda: Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) – Arrest of State Attorney in Kabale (13.10.2022)

Opinion: The PDM seems like a failure from the on-set

Only 3,200 out of the targeted 10,594 Saccos have been cleared to receive Parish Development Model (PDM) cash after meeting requirements as outlined under the implementation guidelines, the government has said” (…) “Ms Nabbanja said all the ready Saccos are to receive the funds directly to their bank accounts. The government has so far released Shs80.92b to cater for the first quarter, while Shs1.05 trillion was earmarked as revolving funds to the PDM Saccos in this Financial Year 2022/2023. During yesterday’s meeting, the premier approved disbursement of funds to three Saccos from Otuke, Butaleja and Lira districts as model Saccos” (Peter Sserugo – ‘Over 7,000 Saccos miss PDM money’ 12.10.2022, Daily Monitor).

The latest news that only one third of the SACCO’s are able to receive partly the Parish Development Model (PDM). The Government of Uganda has made the PDM the biggest development investment and is the biggest programme after the 2021 General Elections. This follows several of other micro-financing schemes, which haven’t delivered.

Now, after Parliamentary Reports and investigations into the PDM. There has been revelations already that the SACCOs, the local governments and everyone who was about to be involved in the PDM wasn’t prepared. So, it’s not shocking that only a third of the SACCOs are able to reach on time.

This is a rushed enterprise, where the state and the high ranking officials has pushed it through without having it all coordinated from the top to the ones down in the hierarchy. That’s why when Prime Minister Nabbanja is today disbursing funds. There is a lack of totality. This because of the warnings, which previously mentioned hasn’t been regarded.

The government haven’t prepared or didn’t consider the implications of it. That’s why later the Ministries and the high ranking officials had to make procedures for due diligence and for some sort of oversight. Though with this sort of disbursement, there will most likely be mischief and be misgivings. It is bound to happen. The mere scale of it and the possibilities are endless.

While the PDM is promised to be a game-changer, it will only end up in the dust-bin of time. The writing has already been on the wall and this sort of operation isn’t making it better. Today just shows again how it’s failing. I cannot wait to read new Parliamentary Reports about these disbursed funds and how it didn’t go where it was anticipated. This is bound to end in tears and tragedy. Not because I want to see it, but for one simple reason.

The PDM wasn’t prepared or regulated properly before the government launched. When you do that and with such vast funds. It is bound to be painful. The proverb of “missing funds” is an upcoming theme. The funds will not cause a massive change or be significant to be substantial in any manner either. It might change some lives and ensure their livelihoods. However, in the grand scheme of things… it will not revolutionize the economy or the financial markets. That needs another breed and more robust financial mechanism, which does various of things and not move money from one account to another.

There will be more about the PDM in the future. Just like there been revealed the fallouts and the failures of Emyooga, Operation Wealth Creation and all the similar micro-financing schemes from the government. It is just a creature that is bound to die. We just don’t know when to have the funeral or when the sing the psalms of David. Peace.

Opinion: Is Kooki “returning” to weaken Buganda?

The Kingdom of Kooki, also known as the Kooki Kingdom, was a pre-colonial African kingdom located within present-day Rakai District of Uganda that existed from approximately 1740 until 1896. The kingdom ceased to exist as an independent state in 1896 when it merged into the British Protectorate of Buganda. Its royal line still continues to this day as a Subnational Chiefdom, and is currently led by Kamuswaga Apollo Sansa Kabumbuli II. In 27 July, 2015, the Kooki Kingdom declared independence from Buganda but it wasn’t recognized by Buganda” (Dbpedia/Wikipedia – ‘Kooki Kingdom’).

What is happening these days and the movements from Rakai district. It is obvious that National Resistance Movement (NRM) is involved in the rise of Kooki Kingdom. That is done to revive the old chiefdom and recognize it to dampen the power-base of the Kababa Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II. As well, as Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga, which is to give less prominence to the whole Lukiiko.

That’s why the establishment and the possible recognition of Kooki would seem to happen. This is to damage and take away the cultural prominence of the Buganda kingdom. If this happens and as it seems to be moving towards that. This is done to humble and show Mengo who is the real boss. That’s the move of the President just to prove a point and that his the man in-charge.

We know that President Museveni has re-launched the cultural kingdoms of the Republic. Though he has never acknowledged or even tried to re-instate the Ankole Kingdom. That’s most likely for personal grievances. Though he did also re-instate Bunyoro and Rwenzururu, though the latter is in exile and haven’t been allowed to be in his own kingdom for years.

Online there is suddenly pictures on the roads with a welcoming sign of entering into “Kooki Kingdom”. A kingdom not yet recognized and breaking away from the Buganda kingdom. That is an act, which isn’t recognizing the old agreements between the chiefdom and the kingdom itself. Has the agreement been revoked or been dissolved?

Yes, in the 1896 agreement it’s a few vital stipulations, which could still be key to this day: “And I recognise that henceforth the sovereign of Kooki is Mwanga king of Uganda [Buganda] and after him, his heirs and successors. And I recognise further that all treaties, international agreements, laws and regulations of every kind, as well as tribute and other obligations of every kind at the time and the future in force or leviable in Uganda are henceforth similarly applicable stand leviable in Kooki which now becomes an integral part of the kingdom of Uganda [Buganda]. And I Mwanga, king of Uganda [Buganda], hereby pledge myself and my government and my heirs and successors to recognise Kamuswaga, hitherto independent king of Kooki, as a Muganda saza of the first class whose province shall be Kooki, which henceforth becomes part and province of the kingdom of Uganda [Buganda]” (The Spear News – ‘The 1896 Buganda Kooki agreement (Verbatim)’, 14.06.2017).

These words are detrimental and very clear. It is written at a different time and for a reasons of such, which was the reason for the agreement in the first place. The times we are living in now is totally different, but the current Kooki is by the agreement an “integral part” of the Buganda kingdom.

This is how the Kooki addressed the old agreements and in a letter in 2015: “In a July 27 letter to Charles Peter Mayiga, the Buganda katikkiro (prime minister), Kooki prime minister Hajji Idi Ahmed Kiwanuka publicly announced its independence from Buganda, complicating an already damaged relationship. Kiwanuka’s letter was also a protest note against Mayiga’s planned visit to Kooki County for a fundraiser for the beautification of the Kabaka’s lake in Ndeeba near Kampala. “Irrespective of individual and/or institutional perspective, Kooki by all laws governing the Republic of Uganda, is a lawful cultural institution with a hereditary leader, governance structures, with due protocol and indeed independence,” the letter partly reads. Historically, Kooki is one of the recognized counties of the wider Buganda kingdom. In the letter, however, the county leaders say the cultural institution will maintain a “deliberate co-existence” with sister cultural institutions. Copies of the letter were sent to State House, ministers of gender, labour and social development; internal affairs and defence” (Uganda News Releases – ‘Kooki Leadership Declares Independence From Buganda (allAfrica.com)’ 05.08.2015).

We have to await and see, but this is a game played from the State House to tussle with Mengo. That is a deliberate act, as we know the fear and the recent openness of love between the President and the Kabaka. There is a reason for it and it could been done in spite. Because, the President wants to end “Mailo Land” for instance. So, this could be done now in an act of revenge and prove to the Lukiiko and Katikkiro that they got nothing to say.

The President can just decree and order. That’s why you shouldn’t be shocked or surprised. This a game of divide and conquer. It is nothing new in the eyes of Museveni. That’s a game his been playing out his whole career. The latest could be this and Mengo should listen. If they act to much out. They might easily be further targeted and loose other “provinces” too. Because, Museveni might favour Bunyoro over Buganda now. Who knows?

But… Museveni is a man of this sort of play and the Kabaka is getting tested. Peace.

Opinion: A man for his cows…

It is now revealed that the President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni appointed Dr. Nassan Tandekwiire to Senior Presidential Advisor on Indigenous Cattle on the 31st July 2022. Since then the individual has been banking 15 million shillings a month.

What is striking is that the Ministry of Agricultural, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has technically 4 ministers. With one Minister in Frank Tumwebaze and 3 other Minister of State, which one happens to be designated to Animal Industry, this being Bright Rwamirama. So, partly there is two high ranking officials on the matter, which would easily deem the need for Presidential Advisor on the matter.

No one can be shocked by this, because Museveni has been busy appointing cronies and associates for decades. His created so many positions, parastatals and whatnot to get people on the payroll. Therefore creating a new role or an office, which happens to be designated for indigenous cattle was bound to happen eventually.

Surely, Dr. Tandekwiire is the most well-versed individual on cattle. He must have a PHD. and have documents to prove his knowledge. Since you should be unique and brilliant about it. The good doctor should be able talk about it and enlighten the public at large on a NBS/NTV/UBC program in the near future. That man should explain the vast differences between the cattle in the Republic. And be more hard-hitting information that you can find on Wikipedia or any other platform like that. It should be levels of a scholar and not a random bloke from Entebbe.

I’m looking forward to Tumwebaze defending this, just like he defended Muhoozi lately. The President must be “pulling a leg” here. This cannot be serious. Isn’t there enough professionals and people who are technocrats knowing their field in the Ministry itself? Do they need a unique and special dude to be focused on one animal? Seriously?

The good doctor must have something about Ankole cattle. Why him and not Gen. David Sejusa? What is so special or significant by the Dr. Tandekwiire?

He must really be a living encyclopedia and have the knowledge we all never would ever know about the cattle. President Museveni has always been proud of his cows and his farm. This is just an extension of it. However, is it worth 15 million shillings a month?

I don’t know about that, because it’s hard to defend it. Especially, when the Republic already has so many ministers and possible technocrats in the Ministry itself to handle it. Therefore, the President really needs to explain himself. If not, I anticipate a funny explanation from Hon. Tumwebaze on the matter in the near future. Peace.

A look into Mzee’s 60th Independence Speech Part II [a story about the East African Federation]

It has, therefore, been long, ever since the NRM and its pre-cursors, started supporting the struggle for the realization of the dream of the East African Federation. If we had achieved that by 1963 as the elders had intended, this part of the World would be very far. Some of the political elite, let down Africa in 1963 by frustrating the effort. If the Federation had been launched in 1963, you can be sure that Idi Amin would never have taken power in Uganda, there would have been no genocide in Rwanda or the killings in Burundi, Congo would have stabilized long ago, the problems of South Sudan, would have been solved much earlier and the problem of Somalia may not have turned out the way it did. Even today, the sort of problems we are facing, would be easily solved” – President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni (09.10.2022).

Today on the 9th October 2022, yet again President Museveni held his Independence Day Speech, which he has year after year. These speeches are long and this year was no different. He held a two hour long speech at Kololo Grounds and certainly there was plenty of points or things to look into. However, in this here piece. I am only looking into the stories of the East African Federation.

President Museveni comes with strong claims and reasoning. He blames the ones in 1963 for not pushing through with the East African Federation. Nevertheless, the nations haven’t since then been able to agree or find the stipulations fitting for a federation. Neither has the nations been able to agree on an East African constitution. It has been plenty of stumbling blocks and this is why we are seeing an East African Community (EAC) in 2022.

Just read these insights here!

It was mainly Uganda’s objection to the surrender of sovereignty, the desire to preserve its fragile internal unity, and the fear of Kenyan control over regional institutions which led to the failure of East African federation. In fact, President Obote had made a statement that the Nairobi declaration did not commit Uganda to federation and that the questions of relationships and powers were still in the ‘exploratory stage’. For the Tanganyikans and Kenyans, regional unity involved ‘the concept of a tightly constructed federation’” (…) “By the end of 1963 the failure of the federation was clear. The last session of the Working Party was held in Kampala in May 1964, but the three Presidents found that the political union they had advocated so wholeheartedly was no longer feasible. It can be argued that national interests developed guickly in East Africa during 1963, as President Nyerere had prophesied:

We shall be increasing the number of human beings who have a personal interest in disunity – and because they are human beings most of them will be more conscious of the advantages of the present situation and the difficulties of change than of the long-term benefits which could come” (John A. Mgaya – ‘REGIONAL INTEGRATION: THE CASE OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY’ P: 14-15, August 1986).

Though the official start of the East African Community’s project lay at the beginning of the new millennium, the roots of the drive for East African unity actually extend much farther back. It began at the signing of the treaty of East African Cooperation in 1967, following the end of the British colonial period. While the treaty was abandoned a mere decade later due to faltering political will and disparate levels of development between the three nations, the idea would remain a powerful one. In fact, it was powerful enough for regional governments to revisit the possibility after the end of the Cold War” (Borgen Magazine – ‘The East African Community’s First Constitution’ 28.03.2020).

The East African Heads of State signed the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community in Arusha, on 30 November 1999. Prior to re-launching the East African Community in 1999, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda had enjoyed a long history of cooperation under successive regional integration arrangements. These included the Customs Union between Kenya and Uganda in 1917, which the Tanganyika later joined in 1927; the East African High Commission (1948- 1961); the East African Common Services Organisation (1961-1967); the East African Community (1967-1977), and the East African Co-operation (1993-1999)” (UNESCO – ‘RELATIONS WITH THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY (EAC) AND DRAFT COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN UNESCO AND THAT ORGANIZATION’ 2006).

After reading these it is easy to see why it didn’t happen and Nyerere was prophetic about it. His words has been proven and righteous. Museveni who has had the time and could have pushed further. His never done so or tried that much. Since, he knows he would give way on the sovereignty and the rights of Uganda. We know that Museveni wouldn’t allow or accept being controlled by Nairobi or Dodoma for that matter. This is why Obote was reluctant and wasn’t willing in 1963.

It is interesting that later in the speech today that Museveni further said this about the subject:

In the 1962 Independence elections, no Party could win by absolute majority because they had fragmented the electorate into sectarian groups that could never attract broad support. Guided by our principle of Pan-Africanism, when we won power, we worked with Mzee Hassan Mwinyi, Mzee Benjamin Mkapa, Mzee Daniel Arap Moi, supported by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere who was still alive, to revive the EAC, which was re-inaugurated on the 30th of November, 1999.Guided by the same principles, we stood with the African brothers in South Africa, Namibia, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, etc. It is this principle, that educates us not to aim at building a Latin America in Africa but build a United States of Africa in Africa –to ensure the prosperity of our people and the strategic security of Africa” (Museveni, 09.10.2022).

Here Mgaya reasons differently than Museveni on the matter, especially the reasons around 1962, which he says this: “While people like Tom Mboya supported Nyerere, in Uganda the Kabaka’s government and Obote’s Democratic Party stated that Uganda was not ready for federation. Therefore, soon after Tanganyika’s independence in December 1961 Nyerere stated that federation would now have to wait until all three countries were sovereign” (John A. Mgaya – ‘REGIONAL INTEGRATION: THE CASE OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY’ P: 13, August 1986).

Here we see there is nothing about sectarianism or such. It was about the independence and becoming sovereign republic’s themselves. That is all natural that you wouldn’t the same minute your getting independence, become a part of another entity. The new nations would need time to assess and consider their foreign diplomatic ties and trading partners. That is just natural and this is the reason for the downfall of the East African Federation in 1963. As there was internal fears and speculations into the balances of power and losses of sovereignty to others. Parts, which Museveni doesn’t dwell upon. He only speculates of the salvation from the worst damages and suffering, which has happen since. However, he hasn’t spoken about his involvement in these and how he sponsored the violence and military operations in several of the neighbouring countries over the years. That’s why it’s epic that he doesn’t look into his interference there for personal gains.

Last part about 1999 has also been stated in the little documentation I found. That Museveni mentions in the second paragraph of EAC or East African Federation part of his speech. He takes pride in the moment of the 1999. Nevertheless, since then and the ills he mentioned. The EAC should have ensured that his nation didn’t interfere in the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) or in South Sudan for that matter. Museveni has done this and been vital in it. Therefore, his own military activity across the borders has caused the pain and sufferings, which the EAC couldn’t deal with or had any say in. That’s why it’s really hypocritical of him. He wouldn’t have accepted their interference and totally blocking of it. We just know he wouldn’t have followed it anyway.

That’s why it’s interesting that he says this. We know the war to topple Mobutu and Laurent Kabila in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We know how Uganda supported the Rwandan Patriotic Front in the 1990s. There has been speculations for year in the Museveni involvement in the late death of Dr. Joseph Garang. We can also mention the involvement and support of Nkurunziza in Burundi. Therefore, he has interfered and ensured allies in the neighbour nation and done so deliberately. So, when he speaks of the ills of the people and the never ending troubles that needs to be solved. He has partook in the action and should take some blame in it. Since he has invested, used his armies and gained personal power by doing so. I doubt the East African Community or Federation could have stopped him. Within the time frame and the context, the nations involved wasn’t even signed up and would have been out of EAC/EAF. Peace.

A look into Mzee’s 60th Independence Speech [a story about coffee and the pipeline]

For the 35th time or the 36th time that President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni has addressed the nation in the Independence Day. This year its the 60th year since Uganda got independent from the United Kingdom. That day should have been held with fanfare and celebration across the Republic. However, the most vital and important place to be was at Kololo in Kampala. Where Museveni together with foreign dignitaries was at a bash. Which lasted and lasted.

President Museveni knows how to hold lectures and long one too. So, I will only take a few paragraphs here and there. That’s the ones that stood out to me. Because there is a lot of flesh and bone in a two hour speech and nobody with a sane mind wants to fact-check that on a whim. Therefore, I am only looking at snippets and addressing them as I see fit.

Like this one: “These achievements, have been in spite of the stiff opposition we have been facing from the parasites and their foreign backers, such as the Monitor Newspaper. To take an example, this paper, on the 22nd of May, 2022,it said that: “Coffee deal stinks; but key culprit will not be punished”. In other words, Museveni is committing a crime by trying to add value to the Ugandan Coffee” (Museveni, 09.10.2022).

By saying this we know his the Hawk Limited, which wasn’t addressed in the Parliament report. As the Government of Uganda and Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited has made agreements, which is practically creating a coffee-bean monopoly to a company that isn’t really built yet. Neither is the coffee factory built or ready for the levels of production either. That’s why this whole deals stinks and could easily destroy the agricultural output with the marginalized agreements, which isn’t benefiting the free-market or the spirit of producing it either. This is not an incentive or an adjustment anyone asked for, but a problem and bottleneck, which the President himself has created.

While on the subject. This paragraph is just amazing:

After that, I engaged the Nestle group in Davos. They made it clear that they already had their factory for coffee processing in the UK and would not build a new one. Hence, we had to remain as Raw-Material producers, getting only 5% of the value of the coffee we grow. They, moreover, try to muddy the water by claiming that “blending” of the different coffees can only take place in Europe etc. We told them that Uganda had all the varieties and the blending would be done here. That has been the war, I have been involved in until I got the Vinci Company to help me. You heard how some of the MPs were talking in that war. Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, had built a coffee processing factory in Bukoba, in Tanzania, near the border of Uganda. When I heard of that, I linked our people with that effort. They were producing an end product known as “Star Coffee”. Unknown to me, the officials of Uganda, allowed that effort to die out or get stunted. What blindness and betrayal this is!!” (Museveni, 09.10.2022).

It is interesting that Museveni mentions Nestle, which is only this year opening up a Coffee Processing Plant in Mexico. So, this means that Museveni is lying about the fact or that’s so long ago that the Nestle company has changed their perspective. Nevertheless, I don’t believe Coffee can only be processed in Europe. That is deliberately false and a lie. Just to malign Europe and direct his displeasure with Europeans in general. In this regard, there are already coffee processing plants in Uganda. Just to mention one other, which has been operating since 2015 is in Bushenyi district and run by APCU Union. This plant alone is sufficiently supporting 6,000 small-coffee growers in the Bushenyi district. So, the UVCC agreement with the monopoly is dismantling and destroying for instance that processing plant, which is already in operation since 2015. It just shows how his not interested in other visions than his own. His actually betraying the ones that already has started and is operating, which was also described earlier this in a Parliamentary Report. A report that the President don’t mention or even cares to assess. It’s his way or the highway…

On another note, he speaks of the petroleum pipeline:

Recently, there was yet another manifestation of Imperialistic arrogance and hegemonism by elements in the European Union Parliament whereby they decreed from Brussels that the East African Crude Oil Pipeline should not be constructed, until those arrogant actors permit us to do so. Parasitic elements from that part of the World, have been causing problems for Africa and the World for the last 500 years” (Museveni, 09.10.2022).

It is really astonishing the ways that he puts this. That’s why you know this is “his oil” and he feels tampered with. He isn’t describing or explaining the grievances of the EU Parliament Motion. Only describing them the worst way possible and putting them in sinister political context. Instead, of trying to defend with proper arguments for the continuation of it. While again maligning his detractors with language that isn’t fitting for a grown man of his stature, but we know that is common practice from him.

Well, enough for this piece, will write one more about his speech. Since it was over 30 pages and there was one more tale that needs to be addressed. It’s coming on the page as soon as it is finished. Peace.