Opinion: Hon. Kyambadde revealed what was important at the State House!

“I resigned from State House Uganda, because there were so many powerful people and power centers, and for example the sons and sons-in-law of first family would bring in some foreign businessmen and despite being my duty to clear them, i could not say anything.” – Amalie Kyambadde (On Face Off on NBS TV Uganda, 12.03.2017).

Hon. Kyambadde who is now her second term as Member of Parliament for Mawokota North County in Mpigi District after she left or resigned her position Private Presidential Secretary at the State House, she had the PPS position from 2001 to 2010. Therefore, you see that she went to be elected as MP, instead of working in the State House.

This is very interesting as she knows the perks and working ethics of State House, as she spent nearly a decade in the State House and worked closely with the President. So the knowledge of how it works, she knows perfectly well. As the speculated issues inside the State House came out to the public in 2015:

“The wars in State House, an insider told us, “were always there but they came out in the open when Amelia (Kyambadde, the Trade minister), left State House.” (…) “The source said Ms Kyambadde exerted considerable authority over the presidential palace, hardly allowing internal wrangles to burst open into the public domain” (Mukiibi Sserungjogi & Okuda, 2015).

So there have been revealed things before, but today what she said on NBS have been sort of common knowledge, as the pictures of Hamis Kiggundu, Ruparelia Sundir and others who certainly has conducted their business transactions from the State House with deals between them. The development and acceptance of big-business happens directly inside the state. As well as the decrees and licence to do business, so the words of Hon. Kyambadde extend this idea and verifies what has been commonly known, but not yet said by former internal workers at this capacity.

That she also shows the turn-over of family business inside the State House, their own ideas bringing their connections to the State House, shows the allegiance of state is within the family and not with the procedures of the state. That can be said by the negotiations that even happened a few years ago:

“Byabagambi, who attended the meeting at State House, as did officials from CHEC and the Ugandan attorney general, has accused the MPs of receiving bribes from CCECC to frustrate the project; two of the MPs held a press conference on Monday to deny the accusations and to accuse the government of overpaying CHEC” (Rogers, 2014). So the Chinese investors and entrepreneurs had direct meetings at the State House, so the Attorney General and the MP who oversaw the Standard Gauge Railway project at the time. So the ties all connect to the State House.

In 2011 the State House had made another deal as report back in 2013:

“The Auditor General’s report for the year ending June 2012 notes that there was unfair treatment of bidders ahead of the Presidential swearing in Ceremony in May 2011 where one bidder was dropped for no particular reason” (…) “This was despite the fact that other bidders such as Country Safaris were considered to have the same problem as Africa One Tours and Travel because they could not meet the specifications of the required manufacturers” (…) “In their response, State House officials stated that they had been given a short period within which to prepare for the swearing-in ceremony yet they did not have a set date and there was no money for the function” (Athumani, 2013). So back in 2011, it wasn’t the ministries task to hire and secure the cars for the President, but State House officials. This shows the controlling aspects of the State House, not only the business being decided inside the State House.

This is just some proof of some of the business activity that happens at the State House, surely more than meet the eye and that has been reported about. Certainly, the Museveni family and kin has done more business there than we can ever know. However, there will only be indications until more is revealed or if the leaks from the State House, as it haven’t been controlled as much as it was under Hon. Kyambadde. Peace.

Reference:

Rogers, David – ‘Ugandan president tells Chinese construction boss: ‘If you are not willing to co-operate, leave’ (15.10.2014) link: http://www.globalconstructionreview.com/news/ugandan-pre3side8nt-tel0ls-chine6se-constr5uct2ion/

Mukiibi Sserunjogi, Eriasa & Okuda, Ivan – ‘Making sense of the fight in State House’ (08.02.2015) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/PeoplePower/sense-Museveni-Mbabazi–State-House/689844-2615958-8eg2uaz/index.html

URN/ Halima Athumani – ‘State House Officials Quizzed Over Museveni Swearing-in Vehicles’ (27.09.2013) link: https://ugandaradionetwork.com/story/state-house-officials-quizzed-over-museveni-swearing-in-vehicles

The Curious Case of Tamale Mirundi

The former mouthpiece of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the former Presidential Press Secretary Tamale Mirundi who has ever since been sacked by the State House he has been all around media blasting and commenting on politics. This has now been seen by the Uganda Communication Committee (UCC) as a volatile and meager expression of language and profanity that the media doesn’t need. This happens only two days after he appeared on AmamaRadio. He has been on NBS TV and WBS, also certain radio station talking ever since his sacking. Let’s look a bit on the fellow mouth-piece!

Some older news on the man:

In 2009 these reports came:

“FM radio campaigns by John Tamale Mirundi, encouraging squatters to attack land owners. Mirundi uses Star FM, TOP Radio and other FM stations to tell his targeted listeners: “When those land owners bring court brokers or surveyors and try to evict you, defend your selves. Be ready to use pangas (machetes), sticks and fire to get rid them.” In the last two months, mobs of bibanja holders have murdered two landlords in Bugerere county alone” (…)”As Mr. Museveni’s Presidential Press Secretary, Tamale Mirundi is widely believed by rural land squatters to be speaking on behalf of the Ugandan strong man. The emerging consensus among Buganda analysts is that president Museveni may be creating the terror because Mmengo seems to have successfully blocked his Land Act Amendment of 2009 the way they did with the his Regional Tier” (Kabaka Concern, 2009).

Here are some wonderful quotes in defense of the former chief and head of state Musveni:

“The President doesn’t have a key to State coffers. If there is extravagance, the MPs should be the ones to blame” (…)”They should tell us why they keep approving this money. And before they accuse the President of being insensitive to the needs of the people, let them come to Parliament on bicycles and cut their salaries” (…)”He must see what is going on, that is why under the Constitution he is obliged to take over the administration of a district if things are not going well” (Kiwanuka, 2011).

Also in 2011:

“Mashate’s case involves the government, so I’m not the right person to comment” (…)”“I’m not Museveni’s lawyer to know why the amount of money involved accumulate” (…)“I have to look for Museveni first before I can comment” (…)”The President’s office is not like a headmaster’s office. I am a highly trained journalist, I know you journalist what you want” (BlackStarNews, 2014).

In May 2013 Mirundi said this and did that:

“Sources have told us Mirundi was linked to Sejusa through the general’s phone call logs, which security operatives retrieved. Mirundi was reportedly asked to explain why the general was calling him regularly”. About that Mirundi said this: “They checked his (Sejusa) phone [numbers he has been dialing] and found out that I am one of the people who have been calling Tinyefuza.“I told them that ‘Yes Tinye is my friend and that I have been calling him.’ They later left” (UGO, 2013).

He said this in 2014: “spends hours… abusing members of parliament, abusing everybody and he says he is the president’s dog… the only person he spares is the president!”

“When Tamale was managing The Voice newspaper over ten years ago he failed to pay his workers numbering 17. Three of them, including his cousin Felix Kyeyune, sued him and the money (Ush 5m each plus legal fees) was paid just as the bus to take Tamale to Luzira prison waited outside courtroom in Mengo, a Kampala suburb” (Odinga, 2014).

In July 2014 he said this:

“My contract ended. It is now up to the president to either renew it or not” (…)”I entered State House when I had one suit. But look at what I have achieved. The President educated me and my children in some of the best universities in Scotland” (…)”Even if my contract is not renewed, I will not complain. I can assure you that I will never attack Museveni when I am outside State House” (Lumu & Anyango, 2014).

Salary he had in the FY 2014/2015:

What did he earn during the last budget FY 2014/2015 while being a statehouse employee that was the net sum off US$ 9.846.672, and monthly salary we’re US$ 8.20.566. If I calculate this salary with exchange rate in November 2014 the UGX that would make that year’s salary: 27.078.348.000 Uganda Shillings that is if the exchange rate is on the level of 24. November 2014; when it was 2750 to one US dollar; so he we’re surely more paid then the average Ugandan in that financial year.

In April 2015:

“Mirundi reportedly singled out Kabiito for his handling of a case in which Cairo International Bank was challenging its prosecution in the Anti-Corruption court in regard to the theft of an estimated Shs 169bn meant for pensioners” (…)”Musota said Mirundi took issue with the judge’s handling of a case involving 1,000 former spies who wanted their retirement benefits worth about Shs 39bn paid. According to Musota, what angered Tamale was the judge’s rejection of an application by the Inspectorate of Government (IG) that sought to block the payments” (Kiyonga, 2015). Tamale Mirundi said this about it: “Those judges are suffering from colonialism. They think they are important but they are not important, they are just servants of the people and as long as they are corrupt, we shall talk about them” (…)”By the mere fact that they have reacted to my statements, that is an indication that I have defeated them. If they think that I’m guilty of anything, let them sentence me to death” (…)”I want Kabiito to tell me how I got his judgment [of Cairo bank] before he could read it out. I’m sure it wasn’t written by him and I have evidence to that effect. I just don’t talk without any proof”. He also laughed off the judges’ call for his firing’” (Kiyonga, 2015).

 

In May 28^th 2015:

“President’s Press Secretary, Joseph Tamale Mirundi, has been appointed as an advisor to the cabinet of Isaabaruuli Mwogezi Butamanya, the Baruuli cultural leader” (…)”Buruli chiefdom based in Nakasongola District, like Banyala chiefdom in Kayunga District, isn’t recognised by Buganda Kingdom and they have been on collusion course which has sometimes led to deadly riots” (Kaweesi, 2015).

And then he has since gone like every day said something vile on NBS as a commentator on the Campaigns and Politics. Trying to sound wise, but instead becoming a side-show and that is attacks on everybody from Bebe Cool, Dr. Tanga Odoi, Amama Mbabazi, Gilbert Bukenya and so on. The list is longer then the so called Membership register of the NRM that they said at one point they didn’t have before the NRM Primaries. Well, see why I took pieces of his history. Continue to look!

Today:

Uganda Communication Committee chairman Godfrey Mutabazi has said today after Tamale Mirundi in the recent weeks actually was on a show for AmamaRadio. Mr. Mutabazi said to the press: “The language used doesn’t deserve to be on the airwaves. The commission therefore directs you to stop broadcasting such programs with immediate effect” (…)”Some stations have written to us acknowledging the concern and promising to restrain their guest from such conduct” (NewVision, 2015).

Later today because Tamale Mirundi has a show on Radio Star 87,5 FM have been switched off or taken cutting their sender after the report and statement from UCC. The transmitter from the station has to be muted as a reaction to the UCC threat earlier.  

He must have said something profane and vile that makes UCC react like this. We all know that he have after being fired… spoken wildly on every political topic on every format possible in country. They must be listening to you “mute” since July and since he dropped his wit on certain newly founded opposition campaign radio-station AmamaRadio. AmamaRadio the lamest name for a radio; where he must has said something hurtful spiteful crap that is more hunting then calling a political person a walking coffin or Museveni all-of-sudden is not the revolutionary mind that Tamale Mirundi always have claimed. Right?

An UCC has made Uganda and its ruling party and its leadership proud! Yep. The all-time and lifelong legacy of the President Museveni; I am sure the UCC is as afraid of somebody as the Electoral Commission is at the point. We have seen Kiggundu recently act upon Amama Mbabazi and Dr. Kizza Besigye and now Mutabazi acting as an arm of the NRM. Not surprising, it’s expected, right?

Peace.   

Reference:

Committee on Presidential Affairs Meets the Office of the Precidency – (19.03.2014)

BlackStarNews – ‘U.K. Court Says Publisher’s Multi-million Dollar Case Against Gen. Museveni Still Active’ (27.11.2011) link: http://www.blackstarnews.com/others/extras/uk-court-says-publishers-multi-million-dollar-case-against-gen-museveni-still-active

‘Kabaka Concerned, Museveni and Mirundi Promoting Landlord Murders’ (27.08.2009)

Kaweesi, Samuel – ‘Tamale Mirundi appointed advisor to Buruuli Kingæ (28.05.2015) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Tamale-Mirundi-appointed-advisor-to-Buruuli-King/-/688334/2732166/-/gjeoad/-/index.html

Kiwanuka, William Kituuka – ‘TAMALE MIRUNDI REASONS CHILDISHLY’ (22.07.2011) link: http://williamkituuka.blogspot.no/2011/07/tamale-mirundi-reasons-childishly.html

Kiyonga, Derrick – ‘Judges want Museveni to fire Tamale Mirundi’ (24.04.2015) link: http://www.observer.ug/news-headlines/37533-judges-want-museveni-to-fire-tamale-mirundi

Lumu, David & Anyango, Aida – ‘My contract has expired, says Tamale Mirundi’ (24.07.2014) link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/657962-my-contract-has-expired-says-tamale-mirundi.html

NewVision – ‘UCC moves to stop Tamale Mirundi’s ‘abusive remarks’ (01.11.2015) link:

http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/676351-ucc-moves-to-stop-tamale-mirundi-s-abusive-remarks.html

Odinga, William – ‘Tamale Mirundi punches former employee below the belt’ (18.03.2014) link: http://williamodinga.blogspot.no/2014/03/tamale-mirundi-punches-former-employee.html

UGO – ‘Tamale Mirundi grilled over Sejusa calls’ (15.05.2013) link: http://news.ugo.co.ug/tamale-mirundi-grilled-over-sejusa-calls/

Uganda – Tamale Mirundi has finally been sacked from the Statehouse

Now it has happen the arrogant rich-man with many cars got booted from the State House and now will have a position where he doesn’t have to talk that much in public. This will be a good thing for the President and his campaign, also because of the so called knowledge of the inner beings of the State House that Tamale Mirundi knows now about after working there. The new Presidential Press Secretary will now be Lindah Nabusayi.

Hon. Mirundi had recently a big outburst against Brig Nalweyiso and Maj. Edith Nakalema! That might be the one thing that lead to the fall of Mirundi. Because of Janet Museveni is said to be “annoyed” by this actions from the former Presidential Press Secretary. Therefore he had to be sacked and get another position. Somewhere else then in the Statehouse; even after this! He has promised that he will still be loyal to Museveni and the “first family”.

Listen to the Ugandan Presidential Press Secretary Tamale Mirundi talking about the President, Oil and Riches (Youtube-Clip)

My opinions after listening to Tamale Mirundi rants:

If your ever think that this guy actually has been living as a spokesperson for living and being a called serious man! Than at this moment you will struggle with that, right? He doesn’t seem like that after this tale and speeches. Neither if you respect anybody he talk about. It’s hard to take him serious when he speaks about changing borders to get more Oil to Uganda from Democratic Republic of Congo. An the tale about London and Cameroon, poisioning wells, seriously?  Then the struggles and cons of Maj Edith Nakalema and Brigadier Proscovia Nalweyiso in the Statehouse. As a Press Secretary of the President of Uganda. Is talking cracy here..! And whatever: he says isn’t showing character as he wishes. He sounds more like a litte afraid man! That he forsees that somebody will steal the goatmeat from his plate. After that he is trying to convince the public of staying the course for the Team Museveni 2016. Hope he got enough cars to sell on the used market in Kampala. Because as a serious spokesman and Presidential Press Secretary Tamale Mirundi is sounding just like a Lone Ranger on steroids. Enjoy! Peace.