Opinion: Minister Tumwebaze flawed defense of lifting the Age Limit!

 

Well, Mr. Minister Frank Tumwebaze, my view is seen your eyes as propaganda, but coming from you. That is props in my ears, because that means I have understood the world differently from you. In this aspect the lifting of the Article 102(b) from the 1995 Constitution. I know it hard for you to understand, because your eating of the plate served by the President. That is the reason for you suddenly long written article of sorts. Which I only quote on part of, because I don’t have the time to waste commenting on the rest. Need to live life, not only discuss already basic facts. Facts that you dismiss and blatantly undress, when the king is already without clothes. The change in the constitution isn’t to create a better republic or create progress. It is to secure President Museveni’s long rule and give him more time to become as old as Mugabe. That is the reason. Not to build a better and richer country, no, it is secure the stay of Museveni last as long as possible. That is why I don’t care for exposing the rest of your wasted energy on writing about my type of propaganda. Thanks for honoring my words and others, who address the madness of Life Presidency and entitlement to one-man over all in the Republic. Let’s you have the word for a little moment. Before I address the matter at hand!

The claim that removing the age-limit will institutionalize life Presidency of Mr Museveni is also hogwash. The power to vote in and out any leader is not being taken away by the amendment bill. Instead it’s being reinforced by the same Magyezi bill. Removing limits makes the power of the people to vote in and out any leader the ultimate limit. So how can life Presidency be so in this case? It’s true that If a leader is good, he/she will be voted for many more times. That can only lead to longevity but not life Presidency. Longevity perse isn’t bad. It has its known advantages. Famous Amin didn’t need 30 years to cause the havoc he did and neither was he a creation of having no age-limit. With or without term/age-limits, dictators can wreck havoc. The sustainable way therefore, to fight dictators is not by putting term or age-limits in the constitution, but by civically empowering citizens to choose leaders of their choice and be able to resist bad in favor of good at all times. That is how NRM with the support of the Citizenry was able to defeat the dictatorships of the past. Full involvement of the citizenry in determining the affairs of their governance and not symbolic term or age limits; is the permanent therapy to the emergence of dictators. This is what the NRM government invested in. Even before full take over of government in 1985, the NRA then, immediately mobilized people in liberated zones to form their own elected village councils called Resistance Councils(RCs) so as to manage their own affairs. All interest groups of the citizenry(Youth, women, disabled, elderly, workers and army that hitherto was used as anti-people tool) were catered for in the governance structures by the NRM. This is what civic empowerment means” (Tumwebaze, 2017).

That you call it hogwash is endearing of you, but you know that this is cater made and right before Mr. President turns 75 years old. This is not done a decade ago, when he needed to change the term-limits to fit his official “elected” terms. That you talk about elections filled with armed aggression, pre-ticket ballots, bribed officials and rampant rigging, that you talk about people choosing the sole-candidate is just a disgrace of the whole proceedings. That is why the President has less legitimacy and has little authority as he frighten of Besigye and other oppositions. Who can easily show their popularity, while Museveni pays with food and equipment to the voter tourism. Alas, your fake and fraudulent elections are the barring for his existence and now soon also change the Constitution to his aging body.

That you speak of “choice” of leaders and “favors”, the way NRM beat dictatorship of the old times, it is one right now! The NRM uses arbitrary arrests of opposition leaders and charge them for everything possible. The real opposition to the NRM are usually inciting violence and doing something illegal, since they are not following the NRM party line. So Tumwebaze are in effect living in the standard of a dictatorship. The NRM got rid of Amin and Obote, but has created their own dictatorship, where Museveni is the key and the master, instead of the ones of old. So, the NRM hasn’t created something better, they have just changed the laws and using similar tactics to silence opposition.

That you then talk about citizenry of the NRM, while opposition rallies are banned, political parties are stopped from campaigning, while the NRM are holding rallies. It is just selected part of the people who can campaign and can consult. There aren’t a democratic values or real acts of the state, it is handpicked for the NRM. The NRM can pay 1000s of shillings to citizens for just getting them to vote in favor of the Constitutional Amendment. Even the Prime Minister Ruhakana, just like during the General Election of 2016, been seen giving money directly to constituents. So Tumwebaze your words are not really valued, if he was just looking briefly at the conduct of his government.

Let’s be clear and settle this ones and for all. The AGE LIMIT is about Museveni, has always been about MUSEVENI and will die with MUSEVENI. The whole problem and reason for the change is because of Museveni. The reason for the consultation meetings and the party actions, are because of Museveni. No matter what part of the age limit you talk about, it is because of Museveni. Museveni, Museveni or Museveni that is the answer. Nothing else. Tumwebaze you can misuse words, rhetoric and try to disgrace history, still it is all about your master. You are his loyal subject and servant. Hope your pay and your loyalty is rewarded, because we see through you. Peace.

Reference:

Tumwebaze, Frank K. – ‘How Propaganda against Hon Magyezi bill is Losing Ground’ (15.11.2017)

My letter to President Museveni: “Uganda is not your property to own!”

Dear Sir, His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni!

I am writing to you today, not because I have to, but because there is need for it. Not because I am the best gentleman living on planet earth, neither am I the most brilliant man ever to live. I am just a man who is apparently in the loop.

This campaign and Constitutional Amendment No. 2. the Raphael Magyezi bill to make yourself the Life President of the Republic of Uganda. It should be enough that you have been running the republic from the magical year of 1986 until today. With the last “election” you “won”, will give you time run the republic until 2021. That means your presidency has lasted for 35 years. That is 7 terms as each term is 5 years. You know this, but I just have to tell you this.

I know you are acting as a Kingpin, as the Master and Colonial Governor of the country. You might be a Ugandan Citizen instead of being sent from Britain. Still, you act like you own it and is bound to rule it until you stop breathing. That is insane and also very self-centered reign of yours. As the state and you are practically the same. Since the deals and arrangements that matters is the ones sanctioned from the State House. That means you last word before something happens.

This is worrying, that you are controlling anything and anyone. That the cabinet is just loyal minions with no real power or ability to perform in their departments or ministries. All of this is something you already knows. The republic has become yours and for your taking, this since you used the guns in Luweero Triangle and now wont leave.

That you think people will accept this, just like people wouldn’t accept dictators in past is insane. That you think you are outsmarting Obote, Amin, Lule and Okello. Certainly, you did them all and silenced them all. You even brought down Mobutu at some point. Still, there is not difference between Obote, Mobutu or you. You are as evil and insincere as them. There is no difference in the scale of theft, rape and destruction of state functions, as they did; you have done as well.

When you leave planet earth, your legacy is tarnished in self-destruction and becoming a vampire state. You suck all the blood of the state, because that what gives your life presidency energy and stamina. Not that you build anything, unless you are taking profits and stealing from the state. You are crippling the economy and state, because of your limping feet stomping on all of it.

We know about your history, you liberated the republic from dictators and promised change, you promised hope and a better future. You have promised everything possible to generations of Ugandans. Not that they see anything really delivered, since the police is a partisan police, the activists and civil society organizations is under fire, media can be targeted and opposition Members of Parliament becomes criminals for political stances. That is your republic, you have sent kings into exile and destroyed the state infrastructure because you can.

The police are in trouble, the military are in trouble too and the Special Forces Command are closer to power. These problems will not cease, as the guns and tear-gas deployed to silence the people. The one that put the trust in your liberation and your revolution. That one has ceased to exist and only your vision matters. There are nothing left to see, the old you is deceased and left behind somewhere unknown. The man people looked up-to and was the future is long gone.

Mr. President, Mzee, Yoseri or Yoweri. I writing this, not because you will read, if so it would be miracle that you cares. That you opens your mind and read this. Since you act as owner and that the people is your tenants who should be happy with a little pillau, lukumi shillings and a pat on their backs. So that you can stay in power for life. You give them donations, while you ride in a Presidential Jet and has an army behind you.

You are living life of royalty without any blue blood. You are living lavish, while the tenants are impoverished. While schools are falling apart, hospitals doesn’t have equipment or medicine, road-work companies are doing shoddy work if any, local government administrations haven’t pay for salaries, teachers are going unpaid for months and the list of problems are running. The lack of governance, the lack of system and lack of transparency is all because of you.

Your years in power has eaten your soul and your capacity to deliver anything that bear fruits. The mustard seed has either drowned or the mustard three has a rotten root. Since isn’t bearing any mustard seeds to make oil off. Nothing left behind, nothing untouched and nothing really growing. This is what you are leaving behind to the next generation, to the next man in-charge. You are leaving a shell and expect to be remembered as hero. You have turned into a villain!

You entered in 1986 as hero and was so for over a decade, you brought hope and possible changes for the better. Than the greed and cronyism started to feaster. There is now nothing you are not touching and destroying for your benefit. The same is happening with the Constitution, it was yours and made with your will in 1995. You have since changed it to fit your paradigm and needs. That is what you are up-to again.

You are into destroying the values and rule of law for the simple reason, that you can stay in power by any means. There isn’t anything you will not change when it fits you. You will make thieving legal and making it criminal to meet-up, if it isn’t in your favor. You will block and silence the loudest voices against your reign, but yourself can go on a radio-campaign. The double standard is always fitting you, while others has to obey you.

This is what you have ended up as, the governor of Uganda, the self-appointed commander-in-chief, the president and the giant self-serving son of a bitch who has no scruples in taking power and ending others. That is what you now are and continuing to do.

You acts as an owner, as someone who owns the republic. You act like the people are tenants on your land and is living there on your accord and after your will. It depends on if you let them or not. That is how appear and how your orders are. You could have been a medieval king and run your dominion with force. That is how it appear for the naked eye, maybe not yours since you are sitting on the top of the hill. You are the king of the hill and the rest has to walk up the hill and beg for mercy. If they don’t, then they will suffer. Peace.

Best Regards

Writer of Minbane

Age Limit: Statement Generated out of the Regional Consultative Meeting of Religious Leaders of West Nile held at Catholic Social Centre this 10th Day of November 2017

Uganda Police Force Directs the FDC: “Adjustments in the Party Presidential Campaign Program” (05.11.2017)

Age Limit: Do not celebrate MPs donating Consultation monies to any public institution, ask for good governance instead!

Hon. Francis Mwijukye said: “Today I visited Karungu government secondary in Karungu subcounty- Buhweju district where I found students studying under very disturbing circumstances” (Mwijukye, 25.06.2016)

Let’s be clear and settle this straight, in the nations and a republic that cannot pay their civil servants, neither on time or within need of the inflation. Where strikes are shut down and oppressed. Where the civil servants are living in shacks, while the Members of Parliaments (MPs) are flashy individuals who has cars, houses, salaries and all the other benefits.

Therefore, I am not applauding that they are using the 29 million shillings on hospital bed and other needed upgrades of government facilities. This should be in the budgets and be in the trillions of shillings spent every year upon end to secure the schools, hospitals and institutions as a whole. Just the same with the procured donations from the MPs. The MPs should instead try to fix the governance and service delivery of the state, so that the MPs don’t have to buy goodwill, but instead be good representatives of their sub-counties and districts. This seems like far-fetched dreams at this point.

The National Resistance Movement who are giving pillau and foods to people to vote for the removing the Age Limit of the Constitution. They are trying with cheap tricks and spending, while using funds that the budget clearly not have, since they are struggling to even pay proper salaries to the doctors. Doctors who are vital parts of medical services. Still, they have to forced to work on salaries they are struggling to live, we can just imagine how much the clerks and nurses are getting.

We already knows that the Police Officers and Teachers are living on horrible salaries and are tricking for money. They are having gardens and all sort of play besides their work, someone can wait for salaries depending on which part of the country for months upon end. That is if the state actually pays out or having back-lash trouble on the payments, as the civil servants in the central district are stifling the money away from them on ghost teachers. This isn’t news, but a sad reality. Because the salaries of the central administration of a district isn’t good either. The Resident District Commander and Chief Account Officer might be well off, considering. But the rest might be living hand to mouth.

All of this is why it’s nice that the MPs are giving their extra funding to hospitals and schools. But they rather change governance, make sure the state protocol provides this as that is their duties as the people’s representatives. The Age Limit Consultation money should have went there, but has been spoiled instead. That is why it was so easy to give the monies to the MPs and they could use it as they please, on their cars, side-dishes or be nice to their communities. What would be grander and better, that would actually make sure the Ministry of Health actually delivered good working hospitals in their districts and schools that the public needs.

Enough of the buffoonery… Please… Peace!

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)