Age Limit: Catholic Diocese of Fort Portal renounce all statements by by Bishop Robert Muhiirwa on Social Media, they are false! (08.11.2017)

Age Limit: PM Rugunda uses senility, but it is okay that its the age of an average older care recipient!

When you become senile, you won’t know it.”Bill Cosby

Another day in the Parliamentary Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs in the Parliament, as the discussed Raphael Magyezi Constitutional Amendment Number 2 are under review. This while many stakeholders are coming by, this time, the NRM could actually give some arguments for themselves. Not that they are any good or proper, because we all know the reason for the proposed amendment. Which is to spring to life, a life presidency for the long serving President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. To say otherwise should be treasonous or criminal, because we all know that the ones who doesn’t have positive consultation or helpful meetings with the public are either detained, tear-gassed or having trouble with the law like in Soroti or Lira.

Dr. Ruhakana Ruganda defense of the Constitutional Amendment today:

My opinion is that many things changed both in the NRM and politics. Views change, thinking changes, people’s age changes, and, therefore, it is not a surprise that after 20 year of the constitution, there is consideration and reconsideration of some of these situation” the Prime Minister told the Committee” (…) “Rugunda went on to say that,: “So, I think in this particular issue of age limit, it would be unfair to country to say somebody should not stand for President because he or she is 35 years and below” (…) “Age is not the best determinant for performance. People are able to perform differently. One can make a general statement that one becomes senile at old age, but some start at a young age” (Gyagenda, 2017).

Because of his mention in the end of senile age. I have to bring common knowledge of aging and what it does to your body and need for special care, when coming to advanced age. There for instance numbers from the United States, from the Health in Aging Foundation that says: “The average age of older care recipients is 75 years” (Health in Aging Foundation). That means the Age Limit is set on fixed age paradigm, that is ordinary in the West and also proves the need of more care to average human beings. Even if President Museveni is the only man with a vision in the Republic, he still is just made out of flesh and blood. With his aging and his hectic scheduled for the last three decades must have taken lots of his strength, but also made his body fatigued, since he hasn’t had months upon months end at luxurious hotels in Switzerland like his fellow Cameroonian dictator-buddy President Paul Biya. Therefore, the articles on old-age should be more fitting to paradigm of changing the constitution for this man himself.

Here is some quick brief article on the average age of 75 years:

As people age, they tend to deal with multiple medical conditions. According to the Alliance for Aging Research, the average 75-year old person has three chronic medical conditions and uses five prescription drugs, as well as multiple over-the-counter remedies. For many older people, the incidence of depression, incontinence, and memory loss are a direct threat to their ability to live independently. “Careful management of these conditions by a multi-disciplinary team becomes paramount to maintaining long-term health, vigor, and the capacity for personal growth and independence,” the AAR said in a report critical of current medical staffing ratios” (O’Boyle, 2003).

Therefore, it is strange that the NRM and their government want to open for people with more depressions, incontinence and memory loss. That is clearly neglect of the state and also of a transparent government. Museveni could have been biggest genius the world has ever since, but alas that is not the case. This is self-serving mission for himself and his family, the party is just puppets on the ride of it all.

So what I am hearing, is that the NRM want the average older-care patient as their President, I don’t know if I should be sad or shock and awe. But the latter is to depressing and I am only in 30s. I need to get to 70 years old myself and become generally depressed about the political affairs of the day.

Let’s be clear and know the reality. That the NRM will not open up or let any contest when they are 16 years or 18 years, because Museveni isn’t that age now. But he is soon clocking in 75 years and therefore, they need the sudden change within time. To say something else is lie.

The power lies all in the Executive, in the President, but that doesn’t mean it is rightfully his. Museveni has no plan to go, or leave or even be a farmer in his elderly years. Even if it means he will be travel more abroad for treatment. Since he has not built good health-care system in the republic. Therefore, he will be at the average of an older care recipient. That is what is waiting, not that it is humbling or justified. But there should be someone more sound and with vigor in the Republic, than a person who possible are becoming an older care recipient. This is just to be frank, since the PM Rugunda spelled out the senility bravado earlier today.

What do you think? Peace.

Reference:

O’Boyle, Richard – ‘When Do You Need a Geriatrician?’ (2003) link: http://www.ec-online.net/Knowledge/Articles/geriatrician.html

Gyagenda, Mivule – ‘Rugunda Refutes His Party’s Claims That Article 102(B) Was Smuggled Into Constitution’ (07.11.2017) link:http://www.softpower.ug/rugunda-refutes-his-partys-claims-that-article-102b-was-smuggled-into-constitution/

#ParadisePapers: MoFA Sam Kuteesa has moved his profits to the Seychelles (ENHAS to Katonga Investment)

It is now revealed that Foreign Minister Sam Kahamba Kuteesa, the former United Nations President for the General Assembly of 69th Session are now involved in the midst of the newest Paradise Papers, which is a continuation of the Panama Papers. These are revelation that shows how the wealthy are spreading their wealth to tax-havens.

The newest revelations inside the National Resistance Movement and the MoFA Kuteesa, who has been a loyal minister and NRM crony to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. He through help of Appleby started a holding company, that being Katonga Investment Limited. The funds came ENHAS, which is the Entebbe Handling Services. The document revealed in the transaction was signed by fellow employees of Appleby, this being Malcolm Moller and Patrick Lee Mohin, they signed the company through 30th November 2012. Kuteesa was introduced by Justin Dibb. Dibb is a financial juggernaut who has taken part in deals on the African continent, as Chief Executive Officer of Allied Resources Limited and Managing Director of Dominion Petroleum Limited. So he has clearly made friends in and around the circles Kuteesa. Clearly the Petroleum based financier and director had some good advice for him.

This for a deal made in 2012 to make sure the funds for ENHAS are secured on a holding company or a shell company in Seychelles. Appleby Company even wrote a guide called ‘GUIDE TO INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES IN SEYCHELLES’ which states this: “An IBC (or a shareholder thereof) is not subject to any tax or duty on income or profits accruing to or deriving from such IBC or in connection with any transaction to which the IBC (or shareholder, as the case may be), is a party (§109(1)). Notwithstanding any provision of the Stamp Duty Act 1975, (a) all transfers of property to or by an IBC; (b) all transactions in respect of the shares, debt obligations or other securities of an IBC; and (c) all other transactions relating to the business of an IBC, are exempt from the payment of stamp duty (§109(2)). The Exchange Control Act does not apply to an IBC or to any transactions relating to the securities of or in the IBC between the holders of such securities (§109(3)). The exemptions above are expressed to remain in force for a period of twenty years from the date of incorporation of a company under the IBC Act (§109(4))” (Appleby, 2014).

That would mean that Appleby Company combined with the agreements and tax exemptions in the Seychelles must surely be lucrative for ENHAS and Kuteesa. The UN Global Compact introduction of the company through the May 2013 and the words of Chief Executive Officer Georges Tytens said: “Entebbe Handling Services Limited (ENHAS) is a Ground Handling Company, handling over 20 scheduled flights at Entebbe International Airport, Uganda. We have a workforce of 729 staff. ENHAS is a registered member of UN Global Compact and we support and comply with the principles of the Global Compact” (Georges Tytens, May 2013). So the Kuteesa company are working directly on the airport and it is profitable, since it can extend their monies to secure accounts in the Seychelles.

So whatever the Foreign Minister earns on the business and ENHAS could practically go abroad and not pay taxes in Uganda. Clearly, the Appleby guidance of 20 years without paying tax as a IBC through them must have been good business for him. That is why he has done so. Peace.

Opinion: Kadaga is trying to clean her hands from the ruthless days of eviction at the Parliament!

The Parliamentary Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has written letters in the end of the October to both Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura and to the State House, meaning a letter to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Both letters trying to clean her hands of the shady affair and clean of the dirt of her own actions. Even if everyone with a clear mind knows there are enough reports of her actions in the days ahead and after.

Because Kadaga was in-charge of suspending 25 Members of Parliament and they we’re cleared out of the Parliament by the Special Force Command on the 27th September 2017 after days of in-actions and noisy opposition members, stopping the proceedings. The IGP Kayihura was even at the Parliament at a meeting with Kadaga making sure the proceedings happen as it is. Therefore, the answer from President Museveni on the letter is revealing as the security officials combined with Members of Parliament, and Kadaga was a special security meeting at the State House on the 25th September 2017. This is just days ahead of the clearing the Parliament.

This was all done so the Raphael Magyezi, the Constitutional Amendment No. 2. of 2017, the amendment that will lift or remove the Age Limit for any President and in particular the President Museveni. Which Kayihura and Kadaga has been really loyal too, so the letters that are sent is just showing deflection of what really happen. That Kadaga doesn’t want to be in charge of letting strangers into the court and wants to deflect it on other people. While the President doesn’t take responsibility and neither does Kayihura. They feel safe in their positions, while Kadaga used their hands to stop the opposition MPs.

So I have a hard time believing that she knew nothing, since the reports of a meeting on the 27th September together with the IGP Kayihura, this was all to settle the score and clear the Parliament. Especially know that people knows about the planned meeting on the 25th September at the State House. All of the timeline proves that the Speaker Kadaga wanted to use her power and connections to silence the opposition. Also to make sure they were arrested by Special Forces Command and detained at random locations in and around Kampala.

We know now that President Museveni will not take direct responsibility, since he went away from the meeting, but clearly Kadaga knew what happen there and also at the meeting. Something that doesn’t comply with her letters and the time before the sanctity of the Parliament was destroyed by the one in charge. One of them was Kadage, this letters was her trying to forge her public display and not involved, while the two meetings one in State House day ahead and another one earlier in the day before the Plenary Session on the 27th September proves the involvement of Kadaga.

This is just the start of the revelation, if not Kayihura or others from the meeting at State House starts to speak as well. Then the revelations will spark more fire and might even damage Kadaga more, as she is the one in-charge of protocol and clearly knew that sending in strangers into the Plenary Session are a violation of the code of conduct within the Parliament. This is someone anybody knows and has respected, but clearly, that message or memo from above. Certainly, someone needs to teach her this, since she is the Parliamentary Speaker. Kadaga should have known this. Peace.

Age Limit: Rebecca Kadaga’s letter to President Museveni on the 23rd October 2017 and Museveni’s answer today by Parliament Telegram (03.11.2017)

Eritrea: Statement of ELS on the Protest of October 31 (02.11.2017)

The Eritrean Law Society (ELS) is closely observing developments that have led to, and that have followed after, the unprecedented civilian protest of 31 October 2017, which occurred in the heart of the capital city of Eritrea. The protest was prompted by the announcement of a drastic government decision that affected the status of educational establishments administered by Eritrean religious institutions. Another major motive for the protest is the arbitrary arrest of respected elders and spiritual leaders, notably Haji Mussa Mohammed Nur, who strongly opposed the government decision.

Although the details of causalities are not yet fully known, ELS is concerned by the fact that brute force, including live ammunition, was used to suppress the protest, which was nothing more than a peaceful demonstration against a drastic government measure affecting the lives of thousands of people. In our view, the protest signifies one fundamental reality. In today’s Eritrea, citizens have no choice of whatsoever nature in pursuing their individual and group aspirations, life plans, goals, and purposes. Eritreans do not also have access to independent and impartial institutions, including courts of law that can safeguard their fundamental rights and freedoms in the event these essential entitlements are wantonly violated by government authorities.

History dictates that no population can be ruled forever under the yoke of unbearable authoritarianism. There is an urgent need in Eritrea for a full return to a system of governance based on constitutional order, the requirements of democratic accountability, and respect for the rule of law, including the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of the Eritrean people. ELS would like to take this occasion to make a call on the international community and those who can play a role by pushing for a full return to a democratic system of governance in Eritrea.

Meanwhile, the following reminder is also important for all peace-loving and justice-seeking Eritreans. We shall stay the course and remain vigilant against all sorts of divisive and cheap political machinations orchestrated by the authoritarian regime in Eritrea, its brazen apologists and messengers. It is always important to remember that the regime will make continuous recourse to methods that promote its narrow political agenda as well as frustrate the momentum ushered by the protest of 31 October.

Eritrean Law Society
Executive Committee
November 2, 2017

Ethiopian troops enters Somalia to reinforce offensive against the Al-Shabaab!

The Ethiopian Armed Forces has returned and arrived again on Somali soil. This after a call between EPRDF and the Transitional Government in Mogadishu. Clearly, the Al-Shabaab insurgency is out of control with the two recent bombings in the Republic. That the Somali President Faramaajo has to call on Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to send troops into Somalia. This is after even the mandate of AMISOM is strong and Kenyan presence is there. Certainly, the Somali government has weaken their position and the strengthen of own troops must be hurt by this. As the Ethiopian government sends 1000 troops into Somali territory.

The AMISOM apparently needs the support of Ethiopia and Kenya to achieve their goals of stopping Al-Shabaab, they cannot do it without, as the government haven’t the trained soldiers or the bullets to do so themselves. That is evident as the Ethiopian soldiers are pouring into Somalia. You can wonder who are paying the salaries and fixing the equipment of the armed combatants there. They are usually not fighting wars for free. Especially not from a broke state and with massive demonstrations as Ethiopia. At this moment, this must be giving funding to a broke state and also help them with diplomatic support to facilitate and help the Federation of Somalia. Clearly, it cannot be keep the horn peaceful, as the soldiers themselves has been used in Amhara and Oromia to quell demonstrators over the recent years, killing civilians and tormenting them. We will see what they will achieve and when the conference call for the operations is launched.

ESAT News (November 2, 2017) Hundreds of Ethiopian troops have crossed into Somalia help new offensive by the Somali government against Al-Shabaab militants. The VOA report quoted residents in the border town of Dolow, in Somalia’s Gedo region, as saying that they saw at least 30 vehicles carrying Ethiopian troops crossing into Somalia late Tuesday. The locals estimate that about 1000 Ethiopian troops have entered Somalia on Tuesday” (ESAT, 02.11.2017).

Regional authorities contacted by VOA on Wednesday confirmed the new Ethiopian military movements.“The Ethiopian troops as a part of AMISOM have already been in the region, and their current movement is part of the response to the Somali president’s call for a massive attack on al-Shabab militants,” said Mohamed Husein al-Qadi, the deputy governor of Gedo region” (DireTube, 02.11.2017).

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Border residents say thousands of Ethiopian troops have crossed into Somalia to accompany a large-scale offensive against al-Shabab extremists. The offensive comes after a truck bombing in Somalia’s capital last month killed more than 350 people. Somalia’s president has visited countries in the expanse to seek more military sustain. Abdullahi Yusuf, an elder in Luq town, says Ethiopian troops in tanks and armored vehicles passed by Thursday morning toward southwestern Somalia” (Uxcnc.com, 02.11.2017).

We can wonder if the United States or any other sponsor of AMISOM asked the President of Somalia to this call, to again call upon the Ethiopian troops to clear the streets as they have done in the past. As they did for instance in 2006, 2011 and 2016, and so on. This to get rid of Somali problems, but leaving power-vacuum and opening up for more violence. As long as they have come in either as invading force, supported by Americans like in 2006 or other times. They have not left Somalia better, but more wounded ready to taken by other warlords or other leaders who has had their selfishness instead of building government.

We can wonder if this will bring any hope or be used for greater Ethiopian pride, if he EPRDF are using this or the TPLF are using this as a deflection from the problems in their state. The Ethiopian state is not a great stage right now. The demonstrations and the killings of civilians continue as well as activists are detained together with opposition leaders. The Ethiopian leadership needs this conflict with Al-Shabaab to look good and also possibly make people forget their own actions against their own citizens.

We can wonder what the Somali President are considering and his motives behind getting Ethiopian forces as well, as the AMISOM and Kenyan forces on his soil. There are lots of foreign forces protecting the Somali life, they are there paid by foreign donors, therefore their loyalty isn’t to the Transitional Government, but to the donors. When the donors stop, they will leave and fight conflicts elsewhere. While the Somali government are also trying to change the regional leadership in the federation to make sure they are more Mogadishu friendly and not as independent to make agreement with foreign nations without the permission of Mogadishu, as the DP World contract is evident off.

We can just wonder how long the Ethiopian forces will be on Somali soil and to what extent their mandate is, as the AMISOM and the Al-Shabaab vows is not over. Peace.

Age Limit: Rebecca Kadaga letter to President Museveni – “Re: Invasion of the Parliament Precints by Security Agencies on the 27th September 2017” (23.10.2017)

Visiting WFP chief warns of impending humanitarian disaster in Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kasai region (31.10.2017)

WFP is ramping up emergency assistance there, planning to reach 500,000 of the most vulnerable by end-December, and many more early next year.

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, October 31, 2017 – A humanitarian catastrophe is looming in the conflict-ravaged south-central Greater Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the head of the United Nations World Food Programme warned yesterday as he wrapped up a four-day mission to the central African country that included a visit to Kasai. Some 3.2 million people in the region are severely food insecure, struggling to feed themselves and in need of assistance.

“As many as 700,000 babies and children could starve in Kasai in the next few months unless enough nutritious food reaches them quickly”, David Beasley said. “We need access to those children, and we need money – urgently.”

Kasai’s traditionally high rates of malnutrition were pushed higher following the eruption last year of inter-ethnic violence characterised by large-scale killing, the wholesale destruction of villages and crops, and the targeting of hospitals, clinics and schools. The region now accounts for more than 40 percent of the DRC’s 7.7 million severely food insecure.

WFP is ramping up emergency assistance there, planning to reach 500,000 of the most vulnerable by end-December, and many more early next year. Dozens more staff are being deployed, an additional 80 off-road trucks are being brought in to deliver food to remote areas, and the WFP-run United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), presently flying aid supplies and aid workers to seven locations in the region, is being expanded.

But WFP’s emergency operation, launched in August, has so far been financed by internal borrowings, and only one percent of the US$135 million required through mid-2018 has been secured from the international community.

While the violence in Kasai has diminished in recent weeks, banditry and extortion are commonplace. Moreover, in a region the size of Germany with multiple active militias and a road network that is largely impassable during the September-December rainy season, humanitarian access is set to remain a challenge.

WFP’s work in eastern North Kivu province, also witnessed by Beasley, is likewise constrained by access challenges and limited funding. Just 250,000 of the province’s one million displaced people – victims of two decades of conflict – are receiving assistance, and only half rations.

Much of DRC’s population is dependent on subsistence farming, and competition for land is often at the heart of its violence. Many conflict-displaced families who had returned to their villages in North Kivu and Kasai told Beasley they could not resume working their fields, such was their fear still of being attacked.

“I have met too many women and children whose lives have been reduced to a desperate struggle for survival”, Beasley said. “In a land so rich in resources, that’s heart-breaking. And it’s unacceptable.”

Beasley acknowledged donor concerns about limited return on investments in a better future for the Congolese people, noting that some governments have threatened to redirect such funding to countries where they say it will have more impact.

“I hear those concerns”, Beasley said. “But let’s not hold innocent women and children responsible for the failings of others.”

“What the brave people I met over the last few days want most of all is peace – peace to be able to grow their own food, to rebuild their lives and to build a brighter tomorrow for their children. It’s a simple, powerful message, and I have conveyed it to President Kabila, urging that he do his part to bring about much-needed change.”

Milton Obote Foundation: Press Statement – “Termination of Membership of Hon. J.M. Akena” (26.10.2017)