Opinion: Time to smell the coffee… [Veni, vidi, vici]

The last few days the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) has defended it’s agreements with Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited. This stems from the agreements, addenda’s and whatnot.

This is the same investor that is building the Lubowa Specialized Hospital. When seeing the results of that and lack of progress. The sort of deals and agreements with UVCC is only beneficial for the owners and the ones arranging it in the state.

The coffee-farmers had no say in this and the monopoly of trading beans will possibly destroy the exports of coffee. Especially, when the company has been working on the factory since the investor with a delegation held a meeting at the State House in January 2014. This means it has gone 8 years and little to nothing has been moving. Just like there Hospital that been in the works since 2015. It is not like any of these has seen the lights of day and it isn’t getting any better.

The UVCC is getting tax-holidays and monopoly on coffee beans. Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) should have a say in this and you can wonder why the Minister of Agriculture doesn’t want to have any play in it. That just shows the shoddiness, since one of their own and loyal cadres in Frank Tumwebaze is downplaying his role.

Finance Minister Matia Kasaija and Permanent Secretary Ramathan Ggoobi is both busy defending and selling the agreement in concern to UVCC. The company is given 10 years with monopoly and a tax-holiday, which is respectfully a terrible agreement. Especially, when there is no proof of the profitability or even if it is able to trade in this market. Secondly, the company has used years on end without any movements. The last proven change of the plot has been a field investigation in March 2020. Therefore, giving them a ten year monopoly two years later. Make you wonder why? What is so special and unique about UVCC? What leverage does this company has on the paper and makes it reasonable for the state to give away everything to it?

It is like the state owns the UVCC and the Italian investor for something. Even if there is no proof of profits or even able to carry it out. The reason why this can be said, because neither projects is anywhere close lights of day. At least the Soroti Fruit Factory actually exists, even if it is producing for the wrong fruit and isn’t profitable. Neither the hospital or the coffee factory is existing.

The Vinci Company is selling dreams… and the state is catching nightmares. The MoFPED is busy selling stories and fairytales. Since, the coffee processing plant is far from being built. There is no movement and proof of such. Neither is the Hospital getting into a stage of being operational. It is all on paper and agreements made by trading ghosts. The government is giving away a lot to a business, which is not even operational or has the proven ability of trading the commodities on the world market.

That’s why this whole deal is a mess. The naive will believe the numbers and the charts that Ggoobi was shelling out today and yesterday. The coffee market worldwide is huge, but how will a paper-tiger compete with the international companies and the ones that has been up and running for generations? Aha… that he will not answer too. Because, the trade and the business is already in motion. The state has already signed off it’s rights to a non-existent coffee factory and a company, which isn’t operational. That’s why the state has to patch the hurt, but the ones in-charge should smell the coffee, because this will get bitter very soon. Peace.

Dr. Kizza Besigye – “Loud & Clear”

 

”I told you that I have never and I will never ask Ugandans to fight for me. What I do, I do voluntarily as part of the process of freeing our country and myself inclusive.

Therefore to that extent, all Ugandans have as much responsibility as I do in ensuring that we live in a free and fair country

That we have full citizen rights, full economic rights, all Ugandans have equal responsibilities

I have only been dispensing my own part of that responsibility all over the last 40 years

When I left my job I could have been working abroad also, I was a medical doctor in a modern hospital, I could have continued my profession as a doctor, earned well and lived comfortably and continued to enjoy family life like all other citizens should do. I have not abandoned that because I want to become anything, not at all. It’s because I want to live somewhere I call my country, where I have full rights. I don’t want to live in Europe, America and others countries that have been freed by their own citizens.

I want to free my own country where I was born and where my ancestors are so that I can live here in freedom”

Opinion: Ggoobi is selling a bitter cup of coffee…

The ones that is believing the greatness and the proper means of the Vinci coffee deal signed by the Government of Uganda. They are naive and not seeing what has happened before. This agreement and deals between the investor and the GoU is bad at best. There is no denying in that. This is agreeing with the same investor and company, which was supposed to build the sophisticated Lubowa Specialized Hospital. That is yet to happen and is hard to believe that the same government would trade with the same person in another deal.

That’s why it’s interesting that Frank Tumwebaze was back-tracking. When he was in the room with one of the agreements was signed. While we know that the different ministries and government entities has participated in this.

This follows Parliament’s move to investigate the deal that the government through the Ministry of Finance signed with the company. The agreement in question was signed in February 10, 2022, amending an earlier agreement signed on April 29, 2015, and the accompanying addenda signed on December 21, 2015 and 17 October 2017. The amendment gives Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited a monopoly over the purchase and export of coffee from Ugandan farmers” (Mary Karubaga – ‘Agriculture minister says not a party to Vinci coffee deal’ 13.04.2022, New Vision).

Commenting about the matter on Thursday, Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary, Ramathan Ggoobi defended the deal as one of the best the country can ever get. “The agreement was signed with Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited to assist in the development of an 80million dollar plant, add value to coffee and export it globally. The agreement was therefore signed following a protracted process of due diligence and feasibility studies,”Ggoobi said. To further defend the agreement, the Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary said the deal was cleared by the Attorney General and was subsequently signed within laws governing the country and that none was broken. Explaining about the agreement, Ggoobi explained that the agreement will support government in the realization of its coffee production target from the current 7 million bags per year to 20 million bags by 2030” (Kenneth Kazibwe – ‘Uganda: “It Is the Best Deal Ever” – Finance Ministry Defends Controversial Coffee Agreement’ 14.04.2022, Nilepost/AllAfrica).

After reading this. You would think everything was clear and things was moving. The last piece of information about the movement on the matter. Was that there was a field investigation in March 2020 on the site of the Coffee factory. Alas, there has been little to no movement, except for huge promises and big dreams of achievements.

The Vinci Company have worked with this since they we’re visiting the State House back in January 2014. That is over 8 years of little to no progress. Only more agreements and furthering a paper-trail of it. It is so slow… that it’s hard to believe it’s the best deal a government could have. Neither can the company be so great… when the movements are so slow. The promises of vast production and jobs seems far-fetched. When there is no proof on site and neither in general.

The Vinci Company and it’s Coffee Processing Factory seems to be a dream that won’t come into reality. The Government or the Company doesn’t have the ability to pull it off. This would make sense and be adding value to the coffee beans, which is growing in Uganda. The idea is positive and the amount of bags would make good profits. However, if it is sustainable or have the funds to do so.

You can wonder, if there was any feasibility study or anything else. As there are little to nothing to show for it. Only huge hubris from the government and now from the Ministry of Finance. Which has to 8 years later say it is a grand deal. While nothing can be proven. If it was the best deal ever. Why haven’t Vince Company set up shop long time ago and even built anything? This is going glacier slow and isn’t promising. Neither is the possible stipulations or articles of the hidden agreement. Which should be public. Because, a monopoly of all coffee beans is a bad deal and would possibly stifle the farmers who is selling their coffee-beans. Peace.

Opinion: The State House is the most vital ministry in the Republic

Again and again, the budgets and the supplementary budgets are revealing what priorities that matters. In the recent release of the 900 billion shillings supplementary budget. The Office of the President is destined to get 168 billion and the Office of the Prime Minister gets an additional 40 billion shilling. While the Ministry of Defence and the National Army is getting 79,2 billion shillings.

That just shows the priority, we know the UPDF is stretched in the Democratic Republic of Congo and suddenly deployed in Karamoja. That got to be paid and the soldiers equipment has to be reimbursed. Therefore, the necessity of added funds there makes sense.

However, the extended and added funds on the Office of the Presidency shows how the State House can mismanage and spend like there is no tomorrow. The President has already a massive budget in the first place and this addition only shows that they cannot manage these vast funds.

They are now claiming these funds will go to scholarships for students, Kiira Motors and whatnot. It is better than other eyars to water-bills and utilities. Still, shouldn’t the Ministry of Transport and Works fund the Kiira Motors? Why is that under the Office of the Presidency? Why is the Office of the Presidency paying scholarship? Shouldn’t scholarship be under the Ministry of Education and Sports? Isn’t that wifey material … and paperwork for her to handle?

That’s why you know these Supplementary Budgets are questionable at best. This is just a measure to ensure the President has more funds for his inner-circle. The lack of oversight is clear. When the Office of the President is paying for such projects and participating in other Ministries work. The Office of the President shouldn’t be entangled into so much of the Ministries of the Government. However, it is and it shows what sort of governing the President does.

This budget is questionable and shows what is priorities. The State House and the Office of the President is getting a huge slice of the cut. That isn’t shocking, but proves what is important and what the state see as important. They rather spend money on the President than on Health Care or any other Ministry, which is lacking or not having proper budgets. That could even be said about Ministry of Education for that matter…

Therefore, President Museveni is the one who gets the funds and get to spend the way he likes. That is the message of this Supplementary Budget. Peace.

Uganda Wildlife Authority: Statement on Lion killed in Kagadi District (09.04.2022)

Opinion: The venom never left [because it was always concealed…]

Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous” – Chanakya

At the burial of late speaker Jacob Oulanyah, the father stated again that his son was poisoned and it was to late to save him when he was sent for treatment in Seattle, United States of America. That has been stated before and clearly the story haven’t ceased to stop. The speculations and the questions are remaining, as the coffin has been a day or two in the ground.

The reality is that the late speaker isn’t the only cadre, loyal subject or former ally of the President who has had mysterious fall from grace. No, during the 36 years in power… Generals has died of blood-clot and other weird diseases, even when their family members and loved ones has said until the last minute that they was healthy and fit. Therefore, their sudden demise can be called weird and without justification. Neither are the paperwork or the official reasons fitting the narratives of family members. That’s why you know something is up.

Just like Oulanyah is buried without an official reason and when the father says he was poisoned. The questions will remain and the lack of proof from the state doesn’t make it better. That’s why people will claim this until proven otherwise.

This is not the first time. Just like the questionable death of: “From the time Brig. Noble Mayombo’s illness became publicly known to his burial last Saturday, little else has made the front page of the national newspapers. Away from the newspapers, there has been a rumour briskly circulating around Kampala and elsewhere in the country. The rumour, quite simply, casts doubt over any explanation that somehow Mayombo simply contracted an infection of his pancreas and died” (Timothy Kalyegira – ‘Uganda: The Political Implications of Brig. Mayombo’s Death’ 09.05.2007, Daily Monitor).

Another one is this one: “The first official statement from Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda the following day noted that the cause of death was not yet known and that a team of doctors and pathologists had been dispatched to the United Arab Emirates to help with the post-mortem and repatriation of the body. Yet, this communication from the government did not stop the whispering campaign about what — but mostly who — killed Gen Nyakairima, and about his enemies, real and imagined. At least one post mortem report managed to attain velocity in the forward-first, think-later world of social media, claiming he was poisoned by a South Korean passport holder” (The East African – ‘Nyakairima death: Radio Katwe, social media explode with conspiracy theories’ 19.09.2016).

When you have these sorts of cases in the past and now the sudden death of Oulanyah… you know things will be put into question and it doesn’t help that the government was supposed to probe the incident in 2021. While he died in 2022.

A failed attempt at Gen. David Sejusa aka Tinyefuza aka Tinye: “According to Lukwago, the General made stunning revelations at the party on how he survived being murdered since he parted ways with government in 2013. He reportedly told guests that the NRM government functionaries plotted to eliminate him when he was in exile in UK. Most recently while on remand in Luzira, Sejusa said he narrowly survived beingI poisoned” (Sam Wasawa – ‘I survived poison in Luzira – Sejusa’ 22.04.20216, ChimpReports).

These are just four cases and Oulanyah is the newest. It just shows what the state does and is willing to do. They will claim it all is conspiracy theories and whatnot. We know about other claims too and other cases, which is not mentioned here. Which could have been the same. Where the state has possibly targeted opposition or rising stars within own ranks with poison. Therefore, it is likely that it could have happened. This government doesn’t value life much and the attempts of poisons, assassinations and other extra judicial killings proves just that.

Nevertheless, at this very moment we will not know. The lack of verified proof stifles it. However, the knowledge that it could be real and could be possible is dangerously enough. To know that the government are willing and justifies these activities says it all. That they plot someone’s downfall and does it with deceptive means of venom. Peace.

East African Community (EAC): EAC Secretariat – The Democratic Republic of the Congo formally joins EAC after Signing the Treaty of Accession to the Community (08.04.2022)

Uganda Wildlife Authority: UWA signs Three Consession Agreements for High-End Accommodation Facilities in Murchison Falls National Park andn Kyambura Wildlife Reserve (07.04.2022)

Opinion: The 1962 & 1995 Constitution has practically equal rights… against sectarianism…

In 1962, the politics of Uganda was based on the sectarianism of tribes, religion and looking down on women. That is how Uganda had become a failed state. The politics of Uganda was based on sectarianism. That’s how Uganda has become a failed state. All that was from sowing a bad seed. We are for socio-economic transformation and democracy. That’s how we started in 1995, challenging the other line (Sectarianism)” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (06.04.2022).

The Head of State, President for Life and His Excellency Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni during yesterday farewell speech at the state funeral of late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah. He uttered these words and said it. Like he invented the wheel and nobody did it before. When his coming with such claims, which is outrageous …. because he has appointed more high ranking officals from Ankole and the Western Uganda than anyone else. Therefore, the President should be careful about his own legacy….

With that in mind, the way his government and party has assaulted the NUP and their roots in Baganda Kingdom or in the Central Region. They should be wise and not do that… as they have record themselves and it was an result of the previous governments, which also appointed and ensured certain tribes of the North got a powerbase. If that being the Langi, Acholi or even Kakwa for that matter. We know that Obote and Amin did certain services in this manner and Museveni has been no different there. Only that he has had longer time and he has gotten away with it.

Alas, because of his claim of 1962 versus 1995. He claims he made a difference, but the laws of each time shows the people had practically equal rights after their respective constitutions. The implications of how the government operated and how things panned out is different. That was what Obote did in his first term and what happened after that. However, the sectarianism …. claim seems to be out of bound with the initial texts of the laws, which the Constitution at the time said.

So read this here…

1962 Constitution:

17. Whereas every person in Uganda is entitled t o the fundamental and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, what- ever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the individual public interest, t o each and all of the following, namely—

(a) life, liberty, security of the person and the protection of the law;

(b) freedom of conscience, of expression and of assembly and association; and

(c) protection for the privacy of his home and other property and from deprivation of property without compensation, the provisions of this Chapter shall have effect for the purpose of affording protection to those rights and freedoms subject to such limitations of that protection as are contained in those provisions, being limitations designed t o ensure that the enjoyment of the said

rights and freedoms by any individual does not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others or the public interest” (1962 Constitution).

1995 Constitution:

Article 21 Equality and freedom from discrimination (1) All persons are equal before and under the law in all spheres of political, economic, social and cultural life and in every other respect and shall enjoy equal protection of the law. (2) Without prejudice to clause (1) of this article, a person shall not be discriminated against on the ground of sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, tribe, birth, creed or religion, or social or economic standing, political opinion or disability. (3) For the purposes of this article, “discriminate” means to give different treatment to different persons attributable only or mainly to their respective descriptions by sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, tribe, birth, creed or religion, or social or economic standing, political opinion or disability. (4) Nothing in this article shall prevent Parliament from enacting laws that are necessary for- (a) implementing policies and programmes aimed at redressing social, economic or educational or other imbalance in society; or (b) making such provision as is required or authorised to be made under this Constitution; or (c) providing for any matter acceptable and demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. (5) Nothing shall be taken to be inconsistent with this article which is allowed to be done under any provision of this Constitution” (1995 Constitution).

When you read these articles from two constitutions… you can easily assess and see that they are saying the same things. There is no real difference or changes of language even. The 1995 Constitution is only in this manner speaking of direct discrimination, but the 1962 states of it in the view of public interest.

The citizens have equal rights under both constitutions and they shouldn’t be subjected to limitations or prosecutions, because of their sex, race, colour, ethnic tribe, birth, creed or religion. That is similar under both articles from the two constitutions. Therefore, we can see that this didn’t start in 1995, but was already a thing in 1962. It could easily wonder if the ones writing the 1995 Constitution was inspired by the 1962 Constitution in this article. Nevertheless, that is only speculation.

What we do know… is that they are giving the same rights people and not being sectarian. Which was the claim of the current day President. He should think more straight and not speak of malice without considering his words. That’s what he does and trying to re-write history. Not that the previous governments didn’t’ do badly and didn’t appoint on tribal lines. The history speaks of this and the historians after Post-Musveni will show that he did the same. A legacy he don’t want, but that is his history too. Peace.

Pastor “Mama” Janet Returns: It’s easy to be content when you live lavish…

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni returns with one of her sermons, which in the past was issued mid-week. However, this one came out of nowhere on a Monday. Maybe she had a spiritual awakening during the weekend or felt the need to create headlines. Nevertheless, here we go again.

Like always, I will not publish the whole thing. We don’t have the time or the need. I will take the paragraphs, which I see most fit and discuss them. As they are well deserved. Because, she is the First lady and wannabe Pastor. It cannot just be published and not be addressed in a proper manner. Therefore, we will discuss her latest piece: “The Power of Contentment”.

She starts with:

My dear friends, I would like to share with you my ruminations on the topic of contentment. The scriptures declare in 1 Timothy 6:6, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” Does this mean that we should be resigned to our fate in life and not work actively to better our condition? No, far from it! The Bible is clear that God desires for us to prosper and to grow from one level of glory to another. So what does godliness and contentment really mean? I will seek to answer that by looking at the opposite of contentment which is discontentment, or as the Bible puts it: covetousness” (Janet Museveni, 04.04.2022).

Here she is writing like a reverend and not like a state offical. This could be taken out of a lecture of priest and from Sunday School even. The Cambridge dictionary even states the definition of contentment like this: “happiness and satisfaction, often because you have everything you need”. So, that’s where she is going with this and will elaborate.

She will further re-instate the belief with Uganda:

The example that comes to mind is a conversation I had recently with somebody who asked me if I liked travelling and what my favourite destinations are. My response was very clear that I didn’t particularly enjoy travelling outside Uganda and only did so when it was absolutely necessary and in relation to my work. I added that my favourite place on earth is Uganda, and no matter how far I have travelled in the world, there is no place that compares to our homeland, Uganda. Whenever I visit other countries, it reinforces my belief that God gave us the most beautiful place on the earth to call our home. Our climate is ideal, akin to paradise and we do not experience the extremes of heat or cold that other countries experience. Our food is fresh, easily available throughout the year and almost anything can grow in our fertile soils. Our people are some of the friendliest and most welcoming people in the world and foreigners who visit Uganda can attest to this. Uganda is a gift from God, and to whom much is given much is expected (Luke 12:48)” (Janet Museveni, 04.04.2022).

The First Lady is within her right to boost about her county and the natural beauty of it. Uganda is bountiful of natural treasure and a friendly climate as well. Denying that would be foolish. Everyone is usually happy and caring about their homeland. When it comes to nature and climate it is close to tropical paradise. However, the ones running it and being in-charge isn’t making it a paradise. The ruling regime of her husband is the one that makes the nation less friendly and neither the best place in the world. Yes, the nation and the culture of accepting visitors is amazing, but the way of governing is far from good. That’s why calling it paradise… is far from it. Uganda is a great place, by the standard of nature and climate, but not by it’s government.

That’s why the next paragraph in her text is very interesting:

Sadly, I know that my position is not shared by all Ugandans or Africans. I know that Africans are often the ones seeking all means possible to leave their homelands in order to go to other countries where they are often mistreated and face countless challenges and racism. It always breaks my heart when I see the African migrants who are lured with promises of “greener pastures” risking their lives on the high seas only to be put in refugee camps when they arrive at their destinations or meet an even worse fate on the open seas! This is a calamity and shouldn’t be so. Is it possible that our covetousness for what belongs to others is blinding us from seeing the wealth we already possess and working with dedication and diligence to develop what is already ours?” (Janet Museveni, 04.04.2022).

What is striking about this text is that the First Lady went to exile herself when the husband went into the bush in the 1980s. Janet and the kids went first to Nairobi in Kenya in 1981. With the help of the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees, she was able to seek asylum in Sweden in November 1983. Where she stayed herself onto May 1986. So, she stayed there until it was safe for her and the kids to return to Kampala.

That’s why, if someone should understand why people seek greener pastures. She should be the first one to do so. Janet herself first lived in Kenya and for a few years in Sweden as the civil-war/bush-war was on-going. The reasons for why people are fleeing now. Is either brain-drain, lack of opportunities or better lives abroad. Which I cannot deny them. As there are chances of a more stable and better lives. The state is only good for the elites and the anointed of the Regime. The rest is struggling and not advancing. It is not like Uganda has a good and stable economy. No, it has not and that’s the fault of the husband and his cronies.

Janet speaks that people should develop their own and not seek greener pastures. However, it is the faults of the regime and the circumstances that it offers it’s citizens. That’s the reason why the VIPs needs medical treatment abroad and the daughters of the president even gives birth in Europe. These sorts of reasons why people seek elsewhere. Because, the state and the government isn’t giving any hope or real chances of development. That’s because so much of the state is just scheming and scamming for the next big pay-off and quick envelope for the ones connected.

If the sort of regime that her husband was running was in favour of the citizens and the inhabitants of the republic. The priorities would be different and what it does would also reflect it. As well, as the people are running away, because their lives are in danger or they could easily become prisoners of conscience. Since, the state can easily extra judicially kill, kidnap, torture or arrest the ones who dissent. That’s why people are fleeing and it was for the same reasons she fled in the 1980s… ironically, right?

She ends her text with this paragraph:

Covetousness brings no contentment to one’s heart; it is a trap that once gotten into may be difficult to get out of. Therefore, my encouragement to you all my friends and children, fellow Ugandans: let us not be blinded by coveting what doesn’t belong to us. Let us instead focus on the countless blessings that God has already freely given to us and work hard to make our nation a praise in the earth. My prayer is that in the months and years to come, we Ugandans will work even harder to develop our homeland so that the light coming from Uganda will not be surpassed by any other nation” (Janet Museveni, 04.04.2022).

The thing that is striking by this sort of lecture is how far-fetched from reality it is. The sort of elitist ideals without any real justification for it. It really shows why she is not fitted to be a minister or be state official. Since, she speaks of hard-work and dedication, but herself cannot show up in Parliament and deliver statements on the works of her Ministry. While she intends for the people to develop and create a great nation. Be content and happy with what they have. As people are struggling, lacking basic goods and having piss-poor salaries in a gig economy. Where the state isn’t creating social-security or programmes to help the poorest. No, it is just making micro-finance schemes with not proper study or if it will have the possible positive results. Therefore, it is really striking it is easy to be content when she is living a lavish life and have everything she wants. Janet Museveni never needs to worry or be concerned about tomorrow. The bills will be paid, the possibilities of health-care or imported goods will come to her door. While the average citizens has to worry about inflation, empty bank-accounts and possible black-outs. Therefore, we know the lecture is to boost her ego and not really help the Republic.

This is the sort of sermon that is lacking self reflection and how it can be judged. Since it is simplistic. It is easy for her to be happy and content. However for larger part of the population and for the ones that doesn’t see things changing. Why should they strive and be content with the status quo? Why should they strive for developing the nation?

It is her partner for life, the President and his cronies who should make it possible to develop the nation. The President and his decrees should be there to safe-guard the citizens. Secondly, the state should make programs and laws that reflects these ideals. However, that is not what it has done or tried to do. This is why after all these years in office. The problems of the past is haunting this one and the lack of development is only a result of the selfishness and lack of concern of the people from the ruling elite. They rather eat and hope that the donors can feed the poor. That’s how things look and it doesn’t get better by the day.

The First Lady can write her sermons, but she should put work in herself. Especially, in the Ministry and address the public in the August House. However, I will not count on it. That isn’t her style and her gizmo. No, she is to highly regarded and therefore, cannot be bothered to be questioned by Members of Parliament. Peace.