Opinion: Karamoja is bleeding and nothing is being done…

The Karamoja Sub-Region has been burning and bleeding of late. This has been as a result of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force and Uganda Police Force, which are doing a joint-operation to stop cattle-rustlers, but clearly acting out of their means. As the 7 Karamoja districts are hurt as a result.

These districts are Kaabong, Kotido, Abim, Moroto, Napak, Nakapiripirit, and Amudat. All of them are touched by the state sponsored violence and savage killings. People are becoming internally displaced. Houses are being burnt and people are forced to flee. The amount of fatalities are unknown, as the UPDF have only dropped one update and the numbers from there is certainly an understatement.

The Joint Mission Update was what the authorities had done between 19th and 29th March and we are now on the 3rd April and the violence is still occurring at an uncertain rate. The verified 309 people must have add-ons as people are seeking shelters in mosques and elsewhere. Karimojong are really under fire here.

There are even a viral video clip of some soldiers in Abim district who killed an alleged cattle-rustler and burned the remains. While showing the skull in one of the hands of the soldiers as the burning fire of the remains was continuing in the back. That sort of video clip is haunting and show what sort of sinister acts that is going on.

We know that Commander of Land Forces Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga has promised them “hell” and his serving that on a plate. They don’t need to wait for the after-life to be in danger or meet the devil. The forces of Muhoozi is the agents of the Hell is already there and to get away from them would be like heaven.

As before in the month. There been speculations of mineral resources, findings of petrol and wider implications of foreign investors possible getting viable land. If not there is also reports of possible heists of livestock and thieving cows from the sub-region. As well, there is also reports of poisoning of goats there.

Whatever the reasons why it’s happening now. The citizens and the ones that dies… it happens without due process and without the courts of justice. The civilians are guilty before proven innocent in Karamoja right now. This is injustice and extra judicial killings. With the murder of over 300 people. Some might easily say massacres is going on and we don’t know to what extent. Since there is little to none reporting on the actual actions going on. The fatalities is therefore totally hidden and the bloodshed is happening in darkness.

The justification for the amount of death and it’s scale should be really crucial. As these amounts of deaths would be close to war or skirmishes between enemies of a civil-war. Alas, the state is behind a huge operation, which is causing harm that will linger on in the sub-region for decades. The fatalities and the insecurity isn’t becoming better, but worse. The devastating results will linger on and the damage cannot be mended. The souls taken and the land scorned will not be viable quickly. The needs for dialogue and peace. There isn’t a need for war or more guns. It is only causing more fatalities and more death.

That seems to be the devil in Muhoozi. He comes with death and thrives on the burning region of Karamoja. That’s the devil in the details… and how it can be perceived. Peace.

The Parliament of Uganda: Press Statement on the deteriorating security situation in Karamoja (31.03.2022)

Karamoja: The Karamoja sub-region is burning and bleeding in silence…

The 1966 District Annual Report concluded on a note of surrender to circumstances; “All of us would like to see Karamoja developed as fast as possible so as to catch up with the rest of Uganda but the major problem is how to do it” (Wozei 1977; 218)

The Police Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) command in Karamoja has urged its officers to express discipline and observe human rights in the course of carrying out their duties” (97.8 Kazo FM Omushomesa, 31.03.2022).

There are unverified reports that over 309 Karimojong have been killed and we are still counting. That is only the first estimates after the reported Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) operation in the region.

The Karamjoa sub-region is now hit with state-sanctioned violence. The sub-region has 17 MPs and one State Minster for Region Agnes Nandutu who are clearly not stopping the massacre and killings of the state. Which is killing people without trial or due process. They are just turning up and killing them. Just like it is reports of poisoning of goats and such too. We have also seen pictures of burning houses too. So, everything is done to target and hurt the Karimojong.

We know that Commander of Land Forces Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga has been proud of the operation and what has been happening. He has been the voice of the government that has delivered this terror to the Sub-Region. It is not like this is his first doing this or such. He participated with the Special Forces Command (SFC) in Kasese in 2016. So, this man knows blood and bloodshed.

Some are claiming this operation is happening because of either gold or petroleum, which is found in the region. The government wants to disarm the cattle-keepers and take their lands. In a manner of which they are disarmed and cannot defend their land. Therefore, this could be a ploy to take valuable land with mineral resources, which is to be given to foreign investors. This is why the authorities and army is attacking the region with such brazen means.

So, if things are so, it shouldn’t shock anyone that the state and the leaders are willing to do this. They have used vicious means in Amuru and with Apaa land to other investors there. Therefore, the UPDF could serve a favour to some oil companies or other sort of mineral extraction company, which has gotten a go from the State House. However, that is yet to be proven.

Nevertheless, this wouldn’t shock anyone and we have seen the state act out before to prove a point and get their way. This is killings without justifications and done without legal precedence. It is only done to silence and extra judicial kill the ones who defy the state. Therefore, this is showing a dangerous means to an end. We don’t even know the possible amount of fatalities, as we have only the UPDF numbers from 29th March 2022.

This is showing what the GoU is willing to do to it’s own citizens and there is no way they can defend this. This is extra judicial killings on a massive scale. People should be warned and the plights of Karamjo can easily come closer to home. The November 2020 killings in Kampala by the UPDF says it all. Everyone can be touched and lose their lives. If the state isn’t getting their way. Peace.

Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC): Tribute to the Rt. Hon. Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah (30.03.2022)

DR Congo: UN envoy calls for strategy to address root causes of conflict (30.03.2022)

Civilian losses and displacement of populations have increased because of bloody reprisals by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants.

GENEVA, Switzerland, March 30, 2022 – Amid deteriorating security in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the top UN envoy in the country has called for a comprehensive political strategy that includes measures to address the structural causes of the conflicts.

Bintou Keita, who heads the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), was briefing the Security Council on Tuesday, on recent developments there.

She said that only three months into this year, nearly 2,300 civilian deaths had been recorded in the country’s eastern provinces. “This is proof of the inherent limits of only having security operations to resolve conflicts,” she said.

Armed groups

Ms. Keita said the security situation in the country’s east has deteriorated despite the joint military operations against armed groups by the national security forces, known as the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), which was joined by the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

She said civilian losses and displacement of populations have increased because of bloody reprisals by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militants.

In the past three months, there has been an alarming increase in activities by the M23 rebel movement in North Kivu. On Monday, M23 elements carried out horrific attacks, targeting civilians in communities near Rutshuru.

In North Kivu, the situation has worsened because of the use of improvised explosive devices by the ADF. On 11 March, its leadership renewed its allegiance to Da’esh. MONUSCO has also documented a 10 per cent increase in human rights violations and attacks, since last December.

Helicopter crash: Investigation launched

Earlier on Tuesday, the mission reported that a search and rescue operation was underway, after a Puma helicopter lost contact with MONUSCO and crashed in the restive North Kivu region.

Speaking at the regular noon briefing, UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said there had been eight people on board, including six crew members – all from the Pakistani military – and two military personnel – one from Russia, and another from Serbia.

They had been on a reconnaissance mission in the area of Tshanzu, south-east of Rutshuru – the scene of recent clashes between Congolese forces and M23.

“An investigation is underway. We will update you as soon as more information becomes available”, Mr. Dujarric said.

“Our thoughts are obviously with the families and friends of those onboard the helicopter, and all of our colleagues of the UN Mission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

Civilians increasingly vulnerable

Ms. Keita sounded the alarm in the Security Council over the considerable erosion of the protection of sites for displaced persons as well as frequent attacks against medical services and other civilian infrastructure.

In the face of these security changes, MONUSCO has redoubled its efforts to better protect civilians in Ituri, working jointly with FARDC/UPDF, deploying support units for FARDC to increase the deterrent effect against M23 in North Kivu.

The Mission is also pursuing mobile deployments to protect displaced persons in South Kivu, she said.

However, without a combined approach addressing both the causes and the symptoms, the efforts of both the United Nations and Congolese forces will remain insufficient, she emphasized, adding that in Tanganyika province, the Mission is closely monitoring the evolution of the security dynamics ahead of its scheduled withdrawal in June.

Uganda: Ministry of Defence & Veterans Affairs – Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) – The Situation in Karamoja is Under Control (29.03.2022)

Opinion: 10m shillings is the price of an average Acholi MP apparently…

“𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢 𝐌𝐏𝐬 – UGX 312.9m” (NTV Uganda, 29.03.2022).

The Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) has consisted of 29 MPs and if that is still the case. Then each of them is 10 million shillings in a “special operation” surrounding the burial of late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah.

This is now reported and it’s obviously why, because the APG said it would boycott and not stand behind anyone else than an Acholi for the Speakership in the 11th Parliament. However, they voted like the rest of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in regards to the recent election of former Deputy Anita Annet Among, which is not Acholi. Therefore, their treats was pointless and fruitless. Also, their ideals of ring-fencing a position based on tribe. That totally failed.

Alas… they still got additional perks and a benefits drive, which is 10 million shillings into the bank. The APG MPs has clearly gotten paid off for their utter silence and continuing the cause of the State House and the President in the 11th Parliament.

As it is perfectly clear that the Acholi Parliamentary Group and the Acholi MPs pleas and rhetoric ahead of the poll on Kololo fell on deaf ears. The NRM High Command and NRM CEC had already decided. Well, even the NRM Caucus was falling in line and the vote was just a practicality and a necessary thing to do by law. Everything else was already settle a day in advance or so.

The Acholi hadn’t enough leverage and neither did have a man inside the NRM CEC. Since the late Oulanyah happened to be their representative. They had nothing to offer or show for it. This is why it was easily to see that it was more business as usual. Ensure the cause and the will of the President. Not assuring and re-assuring a sub-region of the Republic. No, that is just a cause, which you amplify when in need of votes. The rest of the time… they can fall in line and it is just as easy as dropping an envelope of few million shillings to silence them all.

The President and his merry men only needed 10 million shillings each to get them to back-off. He only needed a small kickback to get them of the hook. That’s all that he needed and that was their price. So cheap, so simple and it’s not even funny.

The Acholi MPs came at a bargain and they took it. Instead of standing their ground and trying to show some sense of solidarity. Nevertheless, they can easily be bought and it’s proven now. Peace.

Uganda: Szlavik continues to represent Museveni in the U.S. [with little too no results]

Frank Sobotka: You know what the trouble is, Brucey? We used to make shit in this country, build shit. Now we just put our hand in the next guy’s pocket” (The Wire – ‘Bad Dreams’ S2E11, 2003).

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has used lobbyist and paid representation in Washington D.C. since 1992. They have hired K-Street lawyers and lobbyist to fight for their causes. To get favourable coverage and also spread “information” to Congress members in both the House and Senate.

On that has represented Museveni and the Government of Uganda (GoU) for years is Joseph Szlavik of the Scribe Strategies & Advisors, Inc. The registration in FARA registry shows that his still representing and working for the interests of Uganda in the United States of America.

In 2021 he got two payments in June for his work as “compensation”. He earned USD$ 141,000. If you convert that Ugandan Shillings he was paid about UGX 507 million shillings.

In 2021 he sent dozens of emails to Representatives with the sole purpose of a “Meeting request for the Ambassador of Uganda”. He had two in-person meetings with Congressmen Earl Leroy Carter and John Kato. While holding a dinner event with the members of congress on the 24th June 2021 with Steve Chabot, Maria Elvira Salazar, Andy Barr and Claudia Tenny. He was also able to have a lunch meeting with Congressmen Chris Smith on the 26th July. While one man was willing to meet the Ugandan Ambassador in person, that was Senator Ted Cruz on the 29th July. The others who got emails didn’t do that and the list was endless in the filing. So, Szlavik is sending 100s of emails without any results, which is billed to the Government of Uganda.

So, the state is willing to pay over 100,000 USD for sending emails and such. With very little results. He is a professional lobbyist, but the results seems weak. It is like his emails are getting into the spam-folder and not touched. Since, his filling of 2021 emails to get Congressmen and Senators to meet the Ambassador was pages after pages, but only one registered meeting in person with ambassador and a few lunch meetings. That is barely anything substantial.

This is just like when the Baltimore Dock Union leader Frank Sobotka in the fictional tale of The Wire paid lobbyist Bruce DiBiago to get another pier and dry-dock by bribing politicians. The Union was paying this money to the lobbyist, but there was no results. Only that the lobbyist was paid and no results to show for it. Even in the end of the Wire season. Instead of getting the results and upgrade the port needed. It instead got turned into a condominium, meaning private housing and not furthering the attraction of the port. Which means the whole payments of the lobbyist was wasted and not bare any fruits what so ever.

Just like that fictional tale… Szlavik is the same in regard to Uganda. His getting paid, but clearly working and achieving very little. I cannot remember any of the Congressmen or that the prominent Senator Ted Cruz doing anything for the betterment of Uganda. To the contrary the United States government and their authorities are starting to sanction and make things harder for the regime in Kampala. Therefore, Szlavik has a lot of purpose, but very little to show for it. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee has the final word from the NRM High Command to the ballots of the August House

Today, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, I attended the special sitting of parliament to elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. I congratulate the NRM and the ally groups. I also congratulate the other group. Thank you for sitting and behaving properly. To those who have won (my own NRM candidates), I urge you not to go around celebrating, we are mourning and actually, this election should not have happened but the law required so. It is madness to have this election when Oulanyah is not buried, people can think we are witches. Now to the Honourable Members of Parliament, whether you are in the Opposition, NRM or in the Army, in order for us to succeed as a country, you must work for the people. You all know how we can get our people out of poverty but you keep meandering in other things” (Museveni, 25.03.2022).

The Parliament has become the National Resistance Council by definition. They are the House and the Parliament in name, but in action… it is just a big council of National Resistance Movement Members of Parliament (MP). These are following the guidance of the party and the will of His Excellency. Therefore, the only thing they will do is to follow his orders and decrees.

Because, we know the Office of the President or the National Resistance Army/Movement High Command writes their decree or order. The decree or orders is later designated to the National Resistance Movement – Central Executive Committee (NRM CEC), which is the first place to sanitize it and make it legit. After that, it’s implemented in the NRM Caucus before it is taken to the Parliament. So, all the steps and the journey of a decisions is all handled and controlled. There is no free will or direction where the NRM MPs can go without a direction and everyone knows it.

The NRM MPs are in majority and what they decide will happen. The President has ensured this with election rigging, gerrymandering and all the tricks of the book to secure total control. He does it with the use of the authorities, blocking parties from operating and all the other means of which has made it impossible for the opposition to gain any sort of power. That is why his ending up with the final say.

It is his system by making it out to be a multi-party system. However, it isn’t far from the no-party system. As the other parties only have minor votes and part of the Parliament. They are participating in the name, but got no say and their motions is easily dismissed. Their candidacies and opportunities is close to none.

When the President has decided, gotten acknowledged in the NRM CEC and later directed the NRM Caucus. The plenary session can happen in the August House and his “Council” will vote in his favour and after his bidding. The ones who rebels or acts out of line will be addressed. They will be questioned and possible get into trouble. These are the NRM Rebels, which tends to be manhandled and losing their perks. This is what he does… because nobody should question the only man with a vision.

We knew the results when the NRM CEC wrote their position earlier in the week. We knew that the NRM would just follow where the President pointed and nothing else would happen. It was written and executed according to plan.

The NRM High Command has it all in order and everyone else just obeys. There is no chance. Nothing is missed and the journey of the votes is only formalities. This is how things are and not expect MPs or dissidents inside to be left of the hook. They will be taken care of and they will regret it. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni has earned a living on cheap politics….

I want to warn people who use the death of someone to do cheap politics. I have heard some people saying Oulanyah was killed. We’re coming for you. The police will come for you to help them because you seem to know what we don’t know. We cannot go on with this indiscipline. Oulanyah died in a reputable hospital. For somebody who is educated to claim. You must come to police and explain. We cannot continue with this indiscipline. I had somebody saying there is a camera. Where is the camera you are talking about? Which camera were they talking about? If you are talking about that vehicle, it is not a camera. It is for our security here” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (25.03.2022).

That the President is coming with a warning on the day the late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah is substituted with the former Deputy Speaker. Just show that his mind never rests and he always has to retaliate. There is never peace and never a moment of acting humble.

His coming with warnings and telling that the authorities will investigate the ones who is questioning the death of Oulanyah. It is not like National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the NRM used death as a means to their end. The NRM was forged in death and murder… the killing fields and the bush-war. That was cheap politics, which the NRA even used tricks to wear to UNLA fatigue and killed villagers to blame them for massacres. This was in the 1980s and how he rose to prominence and never looked back.

The President should consider his words. As he is the one that warns of destroying, rhetoric of demeaning opponents and saying his army will destroy anyone. When he does that on the regular. Why wouldn’t people question a sudden death like this? Just like they have questioned other deaths and sudden fatalities of high ranking officials over the years!

The NRM and the authorities haven’t really the trust or the ability of transparency, which would make the public believe in the messages of the state. However, the known secrecy and devious ways, always make people speculate and wonder what went down. And it doesn’t help in this regard, that there was a probe into poisoning of Oulanyah during 2021. We where supposed to forget these headlines in The Observer?

His Excellency should consider how his state failed Oulanyah and all the citizens. When the high ranking officials has to go abroad to get treatment. That shows the Ministry of Health and the Hospitals isn’t up too it. This is why they have to get treatment and medical care elsewhere. The Government of Uganda should consider this and that’s why people are speaking out about his travels to Seattle. However, the President seems to be delusional about this.

It isn’t cheap politics…. It is the sort of politics and questioning that actually helped himself at one point. Just like his speaking ill of coup d’etat these days. The same manner of which he took power in 1986. So, consistency is apparently too much too ask… Peace.