Greed 101: The 10th Parliament MPs are doubling their own salaries!

“They have plundered the world, stripping naked the land in their hunger… they are driven by greed, if their enemy be rich; by ambition, if poor… They ravage, they slaughter, they seize by false pretenses, and all of this they hail as the construction of empire. And when in their wake nothing remains but a desert, they call that peace.” – Tacitus

These Members of Parliament is are the definition of greed. They already have cars paid by the government, and then not some off-back neck-in-the-woods ones, but something with 4 Wheel Drive and usually a SUV. These same MPs got tax exempt in 2016, that gotten suits, foods and other benefits in their salaries, they are so caked up with funds for themselves, it isn’t funny. And comparing these fellow brothers and sisters to average salary rate in the Republic. Would be an insult to salary rate in the Republic.

They are now in 2018 trying to get their salary doubled from 11 million shillings to 24 shillings. When they are already paid hefty sums for the cars, the monthly gratuity, medical expenses covered through insurance, wardrobe grants, furnished offices, mileage facilitation, constituency facilitations, sitting fees, allowances for plenary sittings and airtime allowances as well. There is nothing that is already covered, expect for the side-dish allowance, so if they have a man or woman on the side, the state will cover that too!

Because this is an insult to the state, the whole republic. They are already the special class who has a salary, which is tax-exempt, that they fixed for themselves in 2016. They have added and added for every Parliament, added more perks and more covering of their expenses, while their own salary has sky-rocketed.

It is a reason why they are unaccountable and not trusted, its because they are eating, while so many and plenty are living hand to mouth. While the state is figuring out more loans and added debt, these people are topping off on the loads of cash borrowed or donated. They are taking the aid and donations, the squeezing of every buck from the Republic as God-given right. They continue to do so.

So these subject isn’t new, at every twist and turn, these MPs are trying to hash out more funds from the public. Because of any reason within here and the moon. Let’s just be clear, this isn’t fair salary, this is a theft of a nation and the MPs are the embodiment of it. If they weren’t thieving like this, they are still getting kickbacks, grabbing land and also getting paid to vote in favour of the Presidents bills. That is known as the handshakes and “suits” has been given in the past for favourable bills.

This is the National Resistance Movement paradigm, we eat and the rest of you starve, because we need everything and deserve everything. We liberated you so we could eat off your plate and everyone else too. Because we deserve that, while the rest of you fork-up the money, so we can represent you. That is what they are saying and continue saying, without showing any signs of accountability or responsibility to their constituents, because they don’t matter anyway.

As long as they are paid, and paid-in-full. Peace.

Hon. Otto Odonga: Notice of Motion to Censure Betty Amongin over abuse of Office (23.05.2018)

The NRM Way is Corruption, so please don’t be shocked when they do it!

You should never be shocked if a National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament (MP) or Historicals are caught eating of the public plate. No matter who it is, they are acting as they are entitled to this. They are entitled not pay rent, they are entitled to grab land and entitled to get kickbacks on government contracts. This is the system the NRM has built. To say otherwise is naive. This is the continuation of the “pay-to-play” system that Amama Mbabazi was known for. How do you think him and Gilbert Bukenya made their wealth?

They did not sell Nile Brew on the streets of Kampala, no these two used their positions to eat and therefore was synonymous with the word corruption, at one point they could have their face in the dictionary as they we’re always connected with some sham transaction. The same can be said the Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kuteesa, who always has some shady business deal or arrangement to make sure his pockets are fat. When the new generation of NRM MPs see how the old-guard did it. They want to be in on it. That is natural.

So when Betty Amongi does what she does, she has learned from her peers. Not that is right or by law, but by the activity of the party. The same can be said by Evelyn Anite, whose also has some shady deals now. Both of these are just the newest crop, in addition to the ones who has already played these games. I am just waiting for Frank Tumwebaze to have some sort deal with the Telecoms, so that he could earn something on the side with this Sim-Card Saga of his. That would have made sense and also within reason.

And we know the likes Jim Muhwezi and others has made enough fortunes, big enough homes, that is why the house of Gen. Elly Tumwine, whose trying to outshine the Gbadolite, the house of former Dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. Therefore, the NRM elite has money, while the government lacks it and borrows to keep the cash flow going. If not, they are begging for handouts to secure government projects. This is happening while the elite is finding all kinds of tricks to find new money.

These are MPs with a lavish pay, secured pay for cars and housing, these are MPs whose already getting well-fed on the government tab. So they shouldn’t need to do shady backroom deals, but still they do, because the ones with much, always wants a little bit more. The rich wants to get richer. That is also natural, but they are feeding themselves on a rotten root and hoping the tree will bear fruits next season. Which is impossible, as they are killing off the tree, instead of nurturing it and making sure it can last.

The NRM eating like there is no tomorrow, it isn’t only the President. The State House and the PM. They are the main beneficiaries, but the MPs want their part of the pot of gold. That is why we see Presidential Handshakes, bribes, kickbacks, graft, land-grabs and whatnot. They all want their slice, because they want to be like the previous NRM ministers who did the same. They are NRM and therefore entitled to eat. That is the system. Not a beautiful masterpiece, but when the predecessors did it, why can’t they?

I am not saying it is justified, but I understand why it happens, why they are acting like this. Because they want their loot and their fortunes. If not they wouldn’t run as MPs or part of the elites. This is the way to get it. Not by hard work or dedication, no by association and by office. That is how this system work. This is 32 years down the road, and nothing has changed…

So please don’t be shocked, its put into play long time ago. That is why even Mwenda was bitching about this a decade ago, before his “independent” magazine launch. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: Clarification on allegations made by Bweranaho Charles against the Flying Squad (09.05.2018)

Cholera Alert in Kampala and Mpigi: Could have been avoided with a state controlled sewage system!

The people of the Kalerwe, Kampala and people from Mpigi District should worry about their sanitary positions and their water quality, as the Cholera outbreak is because of simple mistakes by the Ministry of Water and Environment, also by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) that hasn’t done their job. Because when 7 people are caught with the disease and put in a hospital. The whole local government combined with the Ministry should be finding the sources for the mixing of feces and water in the pipes to people of a certain area.

A person can get cholera by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the cholera bacterium. In an epidemic, the source of the contamination is usually the feces of an infected person that contaminates water and/or food. The disease can spread rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water. The disease is not likely to spread directly from one person to another; therefore, casual contact with an infected person is not a risk for becoming ill” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – ‘Cholera’ 09.11.2016 link: https://www.cdc.gov/cholera/general/index.html).

Now one person might have been affect and transmitted this to his nearby kin or neighbors, however, this disease comes from practically bad sanitary areas and water quality. Where the lack of control over the water pipes and the sanitary efforts of the city in general. There are even speculations that the emptying of the sewage tanks costs 200,000 shillings at a time and people cannot afford it. So they let it all out in the midst of rain. Therefore, the mix and the conditions where Cholera could breakout and clearly it has succeeded.

This here is a lack of government control and reason of change of dynamics so that people can live in healthier conditions and not fear to get into bad cycles of more illness and capability of income. Due to sickness and shows the lack of good living conditions. If society and the state wanted, they would have a decent sewage system and securing that it didn’t mix in the streets. So that the sickness of cholera would be avoided, it isn’t that hectic. It do cost in urban areas to lay the pipes and set up a well-functioning sewage system, but when you do have that combined with a decent water-pipes, the waterborne sicknesses that can be fought and avoided. That should be a priority, especially for a republic striving to reach middle-income very soon.

The Republic has choices and should plan ahead to secure the citizens, so they can avoid getting ill, by waterborne diseases like Cholera. That should be a priority by any of the Ministries that are involved, if it is the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Kampala, Ministry of Water and Environment, Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and others should strive to succeed, that is if they care about the well-being and are serious in the part of society. If not they are their to pocket their salaries and live lavish, while others are catching diseases that can be combat by very simple means and also serious constructions of sewage systems. This would secure the health and well-being of the citizens. It wouldn’t be an issue at-large, if the state did offer this.

There are happening like this with that too, when pipes goes old or technical malfunctions, but its easier to become a major issue and spreading alerts, when the society doesn’t have the systems in place. It is more sufficient and healthy to actually install and build this. All of this isn’t revolutionary, even citizens around the world is paying levies on it to the state and counties to secure the water is clean and sewage system is functioning to satisfaction. Where the public can contact the directorate or county body to complain if it malfunctioning. That should be possible in the Republic too, unless the state and the leadership see this all as unreasonable. Please tell me, because then your blaming the public for your lack of oversight and control of basic functions in society. Peace.

Kampala: Cholera Alert (07.05.2018)

Fanon’s words fits Museveni’s current rule: Ironically, that Yoweri was studying Fanon back-in-the-day!

While reading through books in my “library”, looking through and reading again Franz Fanon for inspiration and for enlightenment. There was two paragraphs that was fitting Uganda in 2017. It was like explaining the state of the National Resistance Movement. It was like he painted the picture and shown the reality in the flesh. That his visions of 1960s, could still be the same today, with no changes, but with the same attitudes and the same state of affairs.

What is special about this is that while in University in Dar Es Salaam, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni wrote with Fanon in mind in his thesis there. Therefore, he would have read this in the past, but has forgotten the knowledge of the wise-man and intellectual. Fanon is perfectly saying what we all are seing today, nothing seems to be left out. Unless, you have the newly minted taxes and the rising debt made by the elite.

However, here is the part I felt was really like today:

In these poor, underdeveloped countries where, according to the rule, enormous wealth rubs shoulders with abject poverty, the army and the police force form the pillars of the regime; both of which, in accordance with another rule, are advised by foreign experts. The strength of this police force this army are proportional to marasmus the rest the nation. The national bourgeoisie sells creasingly openly to the major foreign companies. Foreigners grab concessions through kickbacks, scandals abound, ministers rich, their wives become floozies, members of the legislature line their pockets, and everybody, down to police officers and customs officials, joins hands in this huge caravan of corruption. The opposition becomes more aggressive and the people arc to latch on to its propaganda. Hostility toward the bourgeoisie is now manifest. The young bourgeoisie, which seems stricken by premature senility, ignores the advice proffered proves incapable of understanding that it is in its own interest to veil, even slightly, its exploitation of the people” (Frantz Fanon – ‘The Wretched of the Earth, P: 117, 1961).

The state, which by its strength and discretion ought to inspire confidence and disarm and lull everybody to sleep, on the contrary seeks to impose itself in spectacular fashion. It makes a display, it jostles people and bullies them, thus intimating to the citizen that he is in continual danger. The single party is the modern form of the dictatorship of the bourgeoisie, unmasked, unpainted, unscrupulous, and cynical” (Frantz Fanon – ‘The Wretched of the Earth, P: 164, 1961).

If this wasn’t like reading about the Ugandan experience in 2018, I don’t know, but I felt like it. All the reports, all the news and the state of the NRM. The army and Police force is the pillars of the NRM, not the popularity, neither is the fight against poverty in the midst of vast wealth for the elites. That are also involved with foreign money and exports, that is not interconnected with the whole economy, therefore, the riches are getting vast amount of money, while the trickling down isn’t appearing. Also, the knowledge of ministers, MPs and elites acting with corrupt behavior and misusing state funds is common, as long as the State House is on it too and get their cut. Therefore, Fanon is like mirroring the experience of 2018. This is something he wrote in the 1960s, maybe a bit earlier. But published the first time in 1961. Still relevant today and should he warning. That some things doesn’t change.

Fanon can paint a picture of the NRM of 2018. He does it 57 years ago. And its still viable and shows the reality of what the President delivers in Uganda. The Republic is a disgrace, all the empty pledges and promises from 1986. Just like the President wrote in his own thesis in 1971:

It is the work of the most conscious activists to arouse the masses, raise their political consciousness and give them a vision of a better future and the knowledge and will to oppose existing exploitation by all future means. It is incumbent on the activists to make the oppressed people realise the latent capacity in them to smash the centuries-old exploitation and become masters and beneficiaries of their labor. It is only through raising the consciousness of the masses that the subjective conditions for a revolution will be created” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – ‘Fanon’s Theory on Violence: Its verification in liberated Mozambique’ 1971).

So now he has become the man that oppress, the man that exploits the Republic and are the man behind the elites and corruption that Fanon says underdeveloped nations have. His description is straight out of the NRM of today and their actions towards the public. The use of the police and army to keep grips, while eating of the public plate. That is why the worlds of rebellion and activism from the President is also relevant as he was studying Fanon himself in 1971. A decade after Fanon published the book, which of both of us has taken pieces from.

Uganda needs a better vision for the future, but the guidance cannot be by Museveni. He has forgotten the knowledge and wisdom Fanon had. Museveni has forgotten the tales of rebellion and the tales of resistance, therefore, he has used the army and police to oppose defiance. That is because Museveni has forgotten the reasons why revolutions are created. No one knows when that could happen, when that could spark, but the lack of delivery, the lack of governance and institutions, will sooner or later explode in his face.

No matter how great his police and army is, because you can detain a dozens of activists, but you cannot keep the whole people hostage. You cannot do that, you cannot stop a revolution. You can try, but if it really appears. Then the shallow organizations in and around the NRM will fall. That is because oppressed understood their power that they had latent and could use to topple Museveni. Peace.

Museveni’s Presidential Donations are made for two reasons: Honouring himself and pay his cronies!

Parliament votes money for state house, they appropriate money for welfare, another president would have chosen to buy booze for those who go to visit him but President Museveni has decided to give it to out as donations.”Ofwono Opondo on NBS TV Frontline on the 3rd May 2018.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni isn’t a big giver or anyone who cares about the state, even as the State House budget every year is bloated on mismanagement and out of proportions. To say otherwise is to defend the stupidest and naive among us. If the President was generous, he would borrow as much money in the recent years to cover the deficit and then give scrap-metal in districts of by-elections. He would have figured out proper ways to finance the budget. Not come with specialized taxes later, as well as borrowing more from the World Bank to health care. That is all mismanagement.

The giant budgets for the State House, for the Office of the Prime Minister is for the betterment of the Republic. But for the ego’s and direct control of the President of the state funds. That is why the President has all the perks, all the expenses paid for and all the estates run with government funds. It is not privately run, that is lie. The donations are not from his pockets, but from the state pockets and from state coffers. It is directly taking a straw into the Bank of Uganda. Drinking until the toxic levels in the veins are too high.

The problem with the defence of the donations, is that the President has all the direct power over it and trust in that shouldn’t be, as the corruption scandals, Presidential Handshake, Santana’s, CHOGM Money and everything else always lead to the State House. To say otherwise, is to lie and forget the facts, even the NSSF issues and UNRA scandals has been ordered from above. Therefore, to believe that the donations will go nicely and to good causes is to have to grand thoughts about the man who never brought steady progress. The President has given to ghost projects and businesses not existing of late. Then you know someone close connected and cronies is getting those funds. Not some random citizens who is trying to sell shoes on the street. That would be a marketing plot from the United Nations, and not from the State House.

With this in mind, the Donations in the budget for the State House. Is made so he can look good every time he visit any district. So that the pockets are endless. These funds will not solve much, only be there for a short-term gain for a selected few. Instead of helping the schools, the police and the infrastructure. These are for the benefactor to look good. There is no difference between these funds and any foreign NGO. There are no real governance and real proof of the end-game. If it will be fruits and be sustainable. The donations either goes to bring water to a districts for decades or into the pockets of cronies. Who knows right? They might even pay off ghosts like they did in Rukungiri?

Ghost always eat, shits and sleeps like people too, they need castles, Bentley’s and a salary for the upkeep. That is why the donations comes suddenly as the Ghosts are ready to feast. The giant party and the giant wedding, where the bride and the Burro can get their day.

So my trust in these donations are slim, more slim than Slim Shady. The won’t be an aftermath, even as ruthless as the President is. This is rigged to make the President look like the shiny star when needed. To be the fountain of honour, God’s grace on planet earth and take away the dust of the shoulders of the common men. Even just for a hot minute and after that the people has to continue their Grand Hustle. Because the President won’t offer anything when he has left the stage. When the cameras is gone, when the speeches has been hold and the locals are back on duty.

The President won’t offer a thing, a minute, even a second as the twists and turns are happening. The donations was done, the pride and greatness was severed, even on borrowed time. Now that His Excellency is elsewhere, the dwindling funds and luck with have ordinary meagre budget to live upon. They have to wait for his next return to get extra help. Just like an NGO who comes and goes, unless they are stationed and have missions in the district. That is expected of any NGO, but the state is supposed to stable, the factor of life and making sure the citizens has services to enrich daily life.

Instead, the public are awaiting donations, not out of goodwill, but out the need for the President to be grand, to be big and to be Noble. Because he cannot build systems for this. He cannot make this within the other parts of the institutions and public service. Since that takes away the glory of him giving away these donations. He needs to rubber-stamp it directly and be the man. Be greatest, even if he just faking it until he is making it. If some of his cronies get a something extra by his visits and his rallies while doling away gifts. Its perfect because then he knows they will defend him and his causes. While he just gave away small tokens that he doesn’t have to show any transparency about. Just say, I gave away these things and it will bring development. Even if there is no proof or anyone following up on the donations. Why should they? It was gifts, people can use it as they see fit. Make scarecrows or make castles.

He hasn’t done his duty, if he had, then he wouldn’t need to give donations. The State House wouldn’t have that post on the budget, the State House wouldn’t have such big budgets and expenses. However, they do, because of the EGO of the President. He needs everything and control of everything. Even tiny gifts to locals when he pop-by, because he don’t trust anyone, but himself. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni’s misguided Labor Day Speech of 2018!

Its hard time taking the Labor Day Celebrations seriously, as the President for Life, the fountain of honor, never does wrong and always has the right way out of issues. He never needs checks and there is always somebody else at fault. Even as he has run the republic since 1986. Its the Presidents bad product and lack of governance, which is the reason for the defaulting state. This is his vision, his institutions and his results. Its not only his hands that builds, but its his programs, his provisions and his sort of ideals, that comes to bear fruit. The lack of harvest, is because of lack of shade, water or fertilizer. Which could have been procured, irrigated the water-ways or even ways to keep it, however that is costly. Something the President doesn’t want to spend. So here is the mesmerizing quotes from the President today.

I wanted to bring Cuban doctors because our own doctors behaved very badly and unprofessionally… The doctors who went on strike made me want to go back to the bush” (…) “The issue of Cuban doctors which I keep hearing about, I wanted to bring Cuban doctors because our own doctors behaved very badly and unprofessionally, they tried to incite their fellow doctors to leave patients to die but they failed” (…) “We the freedom fighters have been working for Uganda for either no pay or low pay, I’ve been fighting for this country for the past 53 years, I’m the president of Uganda, I get a low pay, 3.6M shs salary and I accepted it in 1996, the MPs tricked me” (…) “Underdevelopment means not being able to utilize all your potential, you have potential but it isn’t fully used. That’s why we were colonized, we were colonized for political reasons however, we had also lagged behind in our potential” (NBS Television, 01.05.2018).

This is small outtake of what he did say during the speech. This is a gist, but gives you sense of the headache he has to defend himself after all these years. He is quick to blame the doctors, but who hasn’t facilitated them and given them a livable wage? That is you Mr. President.

Who hasn’t developed Uganda? That is you Mr. President. You could have made Uganda better if only followed the 10 Point Program, that you have forgotten along the way or discarded like an old mango. Because surely, the ideals of UPM and 10 Point Program would have revolutionized today’s Uganda. Instead, “you pity a fool” like Mr. T. and it’s time for you to look at it from another angle. This is making you look foolish. You have been on the top of the Pyramid for 32 years running, you could have, but you haven’t. Its all your fault!

You can call yourself a freedom fighter, but the public doesn’t feel free. You freed them from Milton Obote, Idi Amin, Paulo Muwanga, Tito Okello and Yusuf Lule. However, you never freed them from the National Resistance Movement/Army (NRM/A) or yourself. You are free, but the people are bound by you. Because your not leaving, you are imposing yourself. Certainly, the meager paycheck cannot be the real deal, since you are the wealthiest in the Republic. You have more value than all Members of Parliament combined. The amounts of businesses your family owns, the vast estates and farms. You are far from poor, you are Richie Rich Rich. So you can try to lie to novice, but pardon me, I’m not.

So, this is a disgrace of a labor day speech. Where the workers are not appreciated, neither values of ethics or the safety of it. By the way, where was the message of solidarity? More like workers are lazy, not good enough and if you don’t follow my command. I will get someone else in your stead. Such a gentlemen, this President.

Therefore, Happy Labor Day, Mr. President for Life, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, in solidarity and for a better tomorrow, but before dawn. However, we are not seeing hope with you in charge of it. Peace.

Robert Kyagulanyi MP aka Bobi Wine – Labor Day Message 2018 (01.05.2018)

Today is the INTERNATIONAL LABOUR DAY.
We celebrate every Ugandan worker home and abroad whose labour sustains our mother land.

The men and women who dig the land from where we get food. The women who by 4:00am are in our markets selling commodities. The men who travel different routes transporting us in taxis and on boda bodas. Our citizens who put on uniform and stay up in the night to keep us safe. Our health workers who without proper facilities and equipments do everything in their power to treat us. The midwives who must use anything at their disposal to help our mothers bring new life. Our teachers who, despite little pay still make it to class every day to teach our children. And yes, all Ugandans whether in the formal or informal sectors, who work hard and earn their bread from their sweat- you guys are the champions: the heroes of our nation. HAPPY LABOUR DAY.

And Mama, those who simply exploit our people are also here. Those who impose taxes on anything and everything in the name of increasing the tax base when in actual sense they are just increasing their stealing base. Those who milk the tax payer dry. Those who have no compassion for the poor person, the common person. Those who undermine the sweat of our people. Mama, all of them are here. Give us a signal on what message to give to them on this Labour Day.