Opinion: The General believes the army can solve everything

It is now a new directive of the 1st July 2021 that the Army Brigade will start to construct buildings for the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health. Who cares about the random engineers or the National Planning Authority (NPA). No, the President, His Excellency and the General of all ages have directed the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) to be involved in building buildings too.

This is not new… the UPDF have looked over fishers in Lake Victoria. The army have been involved in delivering out mosquito-nets and they are participating in the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC). There is nowhere where the army is not implicated or not an active role. Just like they have 5 MPs in the 11th Parliament too.

The army just needs to be involved in civilian matters. Soon these folks will have marriage counselling and such. Since the Court Martial, the Military Courts are already a useful pawn to address and silence political operatives of the opposition. Therefore, the UPDF and the army can be used for everything.

For the heavens sake, the same army was in-charge of beauty pageants as well. Where they we’re deciding and nominating who became “Miss Uganda”. There is nothing this army will not.

The General can order these soldiers and his army to do whatever it takes. They can not only, but use their boots. These armed personnel are used to fix anything, because these are the only one he trusts. Even if he has hundreds of government entities to trust and work with. He will always turn to the UPDF. Where he has the loyal subjects willing to do whatever work they are ordered to do. Even if it means looking at skirts, shirts or now load trucks full of bricks.

The President really shows his intent and that he only have one safe haven. These fellows can be directed and ordered around without any issues. They will just show-up and follow up orders. It wouldn’t be shocking, if the UPDF will dab into the future vaccination programme or soon start to build roads in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) together with Dott Services. Nothing would shock me anymore, but just be a proof of how useful the UPDF is at this point.

The General needs his army and this is visible everywhere. Soon, if you go to the dentist. A soldier is there. If you go to the doctor. A soldier is there and if God forbid. You go to Church(!). A soldier will be there too. Peace.

Opinion: When they don’t want to pin the assassins on the cross they point at the ADF

This a very common case and especially with the authorities in the Republic. After a high ranking or a public murders/assassinations. The Uganda Police Force (UPF) is showing up people charged and implicated in the cases. However, they are never sentenced or closing the cases. The murders or assassinations gets cold and the killers are on the loose.

That’s because the boda-boda assassinations are in on it and ordered to do it. They are well-trained and equipped to handle their mission. These have tracked and followed their victims. Therefore, they know their routes and routines. That’s why it’s easy to find a spot and time to make them stop.

This is how everything seems. The ones who becomes vocal or a worry of the state. Is just suddenly meeting their maker. The people who are doing it often or most likely are former Allied Defence Force (ADF) affiliates or combatants. That is what the UPF is saying after the fact and in the beginning of the spin.

It just happens to be a combatant with a funny nick-name and who has trespassed the Republic. Who happened to be engaged in local politics and had the knowledge of the high ranking officials. That was a big target and would a positive measure to create a public outcry. However, ADF is busy causing massacres and keeping their territory intact in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are known for their vicious attacks and also massacres in Beni. Therefore, it takes a special character to always have enough combatants to kill unique targets inside Uganda.

That’s why you know the UPF is full of horse-shit. They are pulling a trick and thinking they can lie like this. Because, if they did investigate the assassins and find them. Than they could quickly find out who hired them and who ordered the murders. That would implicate some other people, which doesn’t want to be named or even be close to the blood. The bloodshed and the murders are supposed to happen in such a manner. That the general public are frightened and in fury. The ones fallen have a following and people know them. That’s why there is a need for answer, but the acts will quickly forgotten.

That’s what the state is playing along with. There is new cases and new assassinations. That happens before the old ones are solved. There been murders of woman in Entebbe. Muslim Clerics, high ranking officials and other extra judicial killings, which has never been answered. They are just fallen civilians without justice. Their lives haven’t been answered for and their demise is just in the unknown.

Still, time and time again the UPF is implicating some ADF combatants for these assassinations. It just happens that they are never captured or officially sentenced. That’s why it seems like a lot of smoke and very little action. The Police just telling stories, but not proving the cases… or showing any legit evidence.

That’s why we are not whiffed and neither should Gen. Wamala Katumba. He knows this perfectly well and his in the middle of this regime. The man who was so close to get killed, but lost his daughter and personal driver. Still, he knows this is nonsense. Because, these stories have been recycled so many times and its not funny anymore.

It is time for police to do actually policing. However, in these cases we know they are not willing to do so. Because, if they started on the leads and looked at the evidence. They could easily get to places they are not supposed too. That would tarnish their roles and possibility to even be appointed and be in the good graces of the system. This is why nothing ever really happens with this cases and it’s a continuation of these tragic affairs.

Murders and Assassinations gone cold and forgotten. Cases never solved and justice never served. That is the reality of this all. However, the same police has all resources in the world to collect, charge and detain political opponents of the state. Heck, they can pre-emptive arrest them at will. That shows their mismanaged priorities. While always claiming former ADF combatants are involved. Peace.

Opinion: The Prime Minister shows the “dope on the table” in a den of thieves

Lt. Cedric Daniels: [leaving Burrell’s office] “Dope on the damn table” (The Wire, Season 1 – Episode 11, 2003).

Last year, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the President was asking for donations to fight COVID-19. This is year is no difference. Yesterday, there was a press conference with the Prime Minster Robinah Nabbanja after business tycoon Hamis Kiggundu gave 530m shillings. Which was shown to do the world as cash on the table. Like the Uganda Police Force (UPF) had done a raid and shown the evidence of the crime committed by someone.

This is the” dope on the damn table”. It is a show of money and a promise. This isn’t the first time… and not the last. It is a show for the general public during the lockdown. Last year the state wanted new cars from companies to fight COVID-19. That was the main objective of the President and not making better hospitals.

Now, the state again is asking businesses and companies to donate to the government. A government who has raised more loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Twice they have borrowed to fight and recover from pandemic. Still, those funds are not utilized and isn’t helping to procure either vaccines, PPE or upgrading the hospitals. Neither adding hazard pay for nurses, doctors and whatnot who is on the frontline during the pandemic either.

The NRM is insane and think they can sell this like a raid of a mafia. Like they found a mob and where they hidden the stash. They have found the bricks of drugs and showing their evidence of the criminal conspiracy. The state is proud that Kiggundu has donated funds, at the same time taking up more loans to supposedly fight this.

So, why borrow billions of shillings from the IMF and still ask for donations from struggling businesses? They are closed off again and not allowed to operate in the 42 days lockdown. Not like the money is growing on trees. Neither is there a fountain of youth helping people to natural immunity. Therefore, the state should use the IMF money and not beg from companies to bail them out.

The state have already been bailed out and taking out more loans without proper revenue to cover it up later. This means someone else have to find the revenue and the tax base to cover this deficit later. While the state is begging and showing finesse by having “dope on the table”. I’m sure the President was proud of that moment. Because, it looks like he was doing something…

Though the show off on national TV isn’t creating more ICU beds. Neither is it making more nurses ready for a new outbreak. It isn’t helping the families who cannot afford the costs of having their family members in the hospitals. It isn’t helping the ones struggling to get to the hospital and cannot get medicines or oxygen.

This “dope on the table” scene from the Wire and the Commissioners orders to have that. Is what we are seeing now in real life. A proof of work and of good deeds. The Prime Minister had her moment of shine and promise. Now, we are supposed to trust the government and donate. To a government who already borrowed to it’s knees and has nothing to show for it.

The IMF should question itself and wonder why it accepts these lies or tricks. Unless, they want to have leverage for a new Structural Adjustment Plan for the next generation. Not like the privatization has made things better, but then again. It is so the ones funding IMF can get their international companies to trade on the market and dissolve the local ones. They won’t state that, but that is the initial action in the end.

So, the quagmire is here. The dope is on the table and the deceit is happening directly in-front of you. Peace.

Opinion: Ministry of Health – Deliver the goods and not just talk…

The Ministry of Health and Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine have promised greatness and huge results during the pandemic. This being the usage of donations in 2020 and International Monetary Fund (IMF) loans to cover the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministry of Health should instead of talking…. ACT. The state, the National Resistance Movement and everyone who ensures the hospitals and health centres are working. The Government of Uganda (GoU) needs get checked and questioned. Especially, when the hospitals lacks the basics. Neither prepared for a second wave of the pandemic.

It isn’t like the GoU and MoH should have made things possible. They should have covered the allowances and hazard pay for the health care workers. The same should be with educating nurses for the ICU and procure more ICU beds. Secondly, get ventilators, bigger production of oxygen and buy vaccines by the truck-loads. Instead of waiting for gifts and donations from the International Community. While the state is borrowing huge loans to cover for this.

That’s why the Ministry of Health, the government and all the bureaucrats needs to get help from the “high above”. They need to get the hold of the funds and capacity to actually do what is needed. Instead of seeing people dying because they are not getting in time to the hospital. Some even get to the hospital, but the lack of oxygen kills the loved ones. Instead of giving them a little more time to heal and catch the needed breath.

The MoH and GoU needs to man-up and take responsibility. They have failed their citizens. The Hospitals and the health care system was crashing before the pandemic. The pandemic is only exposing it and showing the dire distress. It is the innocent and the tax-payers who is not getting what they are deserving. These deserve to get treatment and healing from the virus. They shouldn’t die in the hospital, because the state didn’t prepare or spend needed funds to make it operational. They instead spend it on SUVs and Elections….

That’s how it seems. Dr. Atwine and the likes needs to fix the problems and not whine over this in a press release. They should instead of jumping behind the barricades and go into self-defence. The Permanent Secretary should go over to the State House and beg for more money. Should ask for funds from the Confidential Funds or whatnot. So, that she can procure, ensure training and equipment that can save lives.

That they should do, if that matters and if they want to stop the medical tourism, which is always a saving grace for VIPs and the elites. Therefore, the MoH and GoU better get a grip. They have borrowed twice from the IMF to save themselves during the COVID-19. Instead of spending directly on the necessary on Health Care. It goes to everywhere else and for whatever causes the state see fit.

That’s why the MoH sucks and the GoU is corrupted. They are not willing to invest or using loans to save lives. That is the proof and the Permanent Secretary have to responsibility together with all of the Ministers running the Ministry. They are all chefs and this is the dish they are serving. It is not tasty or a fine dining meal. It is fast-food and sometimes the plate isn’t even delivered. However, the Ministry is still billing the citizen who arrives at the hospital. That is the sad reality and this got to change. Peace.

Opinion: Bambi… Tumwine is late … Part II

What did you mean when you said let the president retire peacefully?

Who doesn’t know it? Those who want to understand it, understand it, those who don’t want to understand, it’s up to them. Who doesn’t know that anybody who is working at one point must retire? Who doesn’t wish the president well? Who doesn’t want our president to retire peacefully?

When do you want him to retire?

When the right time has come; when God says this is the time to retire so that others take over from him. That time must come and it should be peaceful. That is my prayer.

It becomes your prayer after you have been sacked as minister?

No, I have not started now but the handover was the best occasion for me to put out that message.” (Muhammed Kakembo – ‘Gen Tuwine: I love Museveni but he must retire’ 30.06.2021, The Observer).

The General of all ages Elly Tumwiine was at it again. This time in a interview at CBS Radio. Where he discussed the outburst and speech, as someone else took over his role in the cabinet. He went from being a Minister and MP to become a Presidential Advisor. He has been demoted and since then wished retirement on President Museveni.

This is not shocking, but a tendency of people who has a fallout of grace. That they suddenly wish the end of the Museveni era. It was all cool and dandy when they had an office and was in good graces. However, when they are not useful anymore.

That’s when they strike out and speak their true opinion. Now, Tumwine is all out and speaking of retirement. When there has no signal of that and no plans of an official transition. Though, there have been secret plans to usher in the son, Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga under the code of “Project Muhoozi”.

So, don’t be shocked if that is on the table and people are sudden on guard for that one. Nevertheless, the General doesn’t speak of this. It is a generalization, which everyone can agree. The advanced aged President and Self-Styled President for Life. Has run its course and should have ended a long time ago. His Presidency isn’t turning better, but for the worse as the time goes by.

Tumwine isn’t saying that and neither is his peers. It is more mumbo jumbo and static friction. There is a lack of general concern and a reality check. It is like we are supposed to it this meal and let bygones be bygones. Like the likes of the General didn’t help this to happen and him being a loyal servant for the cause for years.

That’s why this is hard to believe and BAMBII his late to the appointment. Man, the jam must have been hard to cross from Kawempe to Makindye. It has taken ages and the jam must have been crazy. Because of the VIPs and the H.E. who has passed through the Central Business District and held a speech at Hotel Serena or something. Since, it has taken this long for him to get here.

That’s why we can question him. It is only happening now and not ages ago. He has let this happen and happily abided. He has entertained this, and he cannot suddenly twist his tongue and make it believable. Peace.

Opinion: 100k shillings and stumbling…

The Government of Uganda (GoU) and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have no approved an programme where they give “vulnerable” a voucher of 100,000 shillings. This is based out of a “Basket Calculation Formula”. This voucher is supposed to cover maize/posho, beans, bars of soap, cooking oil and other expenditure.

What is striking is how half-baked this voucher is. As the NRM and the Government seems to only doing it on a weird merit. They are not considering the costs of UMEME, Rent or anything else. Not like 20k is covering that. Because, the voucher is based on covering food for a month for 80k. That means the 20k is covering for everything else. I wonder, if that pays the boda-boda for dropping off the food during the lockdown? No additions for transport fees or even other costs. Which is still liable for… as the lockdown prolongs and the citizens cannot go to the market and make the funds to pay these bills.

This basket calculation formula is really a basket case. It isn’t functioning for a real family. This is just based on a fixed sum of funds to give the vulnerable. The vulnerable, which is based on 13 categories and you can wonder if the state an find these people. The citizens who they have put on that list. Isn’t the ones that is paying vat or being registered to authorities. The state can find out who is hired and works in a bar, but finding street-vendors and hawkers. That is a mission in its own. Doubt they are registered somewhere…

The government will really struggle to find these workers and the ones within the gig-economy who is struggling. Unless, they are planning to send the RDCs and RPC to the ghettos and streets to see if anyone is there. Secondly, if they are going to send out forms and applications to the people now to figure out, who is working where and whatnot.

This is when you know things are dire and distress. The state knew the gig-economy been the driver. The system is exposed and the needs are vast. This 100k shillings drive will not resolve things, but only patch the hurt for a minute. It is not like this solve the bills or the running expenses while awaiting release out of lockdown. This is a shot at the moon and aiming for the stars.

If the state had made a significant plan and shown character on this. It would have made sense. If they had a plan of serious amount of money and actually game-changing. Also, ensured all other expenses was covered. That there was a suspension of costs and the burdens on electricity, water and other utilities. That could have helped. Not to mention gas and possible petrol. As the black-outs is not stopping during the lockdowns.

Therefore, this is a hack-job and no matter where you twist or turn. It is a questionable act. As it cannot be measured or even processed. There is so much you can doubt and the state is never prepared. Just like it was never prepared or had the systems in order for the food deliveries in the first lockdown last year.

The idea itself of a voucher and a cash-check to the citizens during a lockdown isn’t dumb. However, the set-up and the premise, which the state delivers is foolish. It is so bureaucratic. That parts of me wonders if they will find all the bouncers, the street-vendors and hawkers in time to drop the shillings to them. Before its to late and the bureaucrat is buying the New Vision from them again on the way to work.

For God and For Country. Well, for God and have mercy upon us. They don’t know what they do. Show us your grace and shelter us in need. Amen. Peace.

Opinion: Bambi… Tumwine is late …

You know it should be our duty to save him from being ‘ngamba nyenka’ . The Banyankole have proverb ‘ngamba nyenka anyunka amarwa mabi’; That the one who does not take advice brews some bad beer. But we should save the president that problem or we should save him from the disease diagnosed by political scientists and political psychologists that is called hubris syndrome” – Gen Elly Tumwine (24.06.2021).

The one with the highest honours, the one who has shielded and been entitled for rewards. A man who is of the golden generation and one of the trusted allies of the President. He suddenly has a moment of clarity. Though, do I think it is profound and real?

Nah… his just toying around with it, because it will do him no harm. He knows that he will sooner or later get a role. Become a special envoy or appointed to a government role. His not worried about the future. Just like Gen. Moses Ali never have too worry. They always have a place and will get a plum-job somewhere.

That’s why I don’t really believe the words of General Elly Tumwine. The loyal and trusting fellow. Who has been by the side of the President since forever. He been one of the cadres of Museveni and he has enjoyed the spoils.

Why would he turn now… well.. I think it is just causing some headlines and it will die out. His to old to renegade and act a fool. Not like he will become a dissident and be on the streets jamming for support. Neither will this man join party with Robert Kyagulanyi or Mugisha Muntu. No, this man will sooner or later ask of relevancy again.

I can say that while most of my senior colleagues in the struggle have been ministers for very many years, me in the 35 years in our regime, I have been minister for less than five years but throughout the rest of the time, I have supported, I have worked, I have guided, I have helped those who are in those official positions and I have served Parliament representing UPDF for all those years since 1986. As a matter of fact, to date, as we speak I am the longest continuous serving Member of Parliament in the history of Uganda and in the British system they call him the father of the house; the one we follow but here they refused it for whatever reasons” – Gen. Elly Tumwine (24.06.2021).

We can clearly see that he has no regard to do that. He see himself as a great person and wants to be respected, as he has been a UPDF MP until this term. That says a lot and his proud of it too. He wants to be the father of the house and be seen as a honourable still. Even if he never needed to go to the districts, the sub-counties or even campaign for his role as an MP. He won special elections with delegates of the UPDF. Which has 10 slots for the UPDF regardless of the popularity. A questionable army interference in the Parliament from the get-go. So, it is not like the General have been elected for his charisma or his political capacities. No, he was a token soldier for the cause of the President and supposed to follow his direction blindly. Therefore, his own ego is bigger than the mountains of the Himalayas.

Showing his loyalty still, even after the transitional talk. He still has a soft cushion to land on: “Let me assure you of my commitment to support you as I will be Senior Presidential Advisor of Security and as a fellow freedom fighter, which duty goes much beyond being a minister. You know some of you are dying to be ministers and you see people anchoring to be ministers” (Tumwine, 24.06.2021).

You know his unhappy with being demoted and becoming a Presidential Advisor. That role is close to pointless and has now power. A man who has been in Parliament, been a Minister and held various of roles in the Security Organizations. He doesn’t want to be aligned with Jennifer Full Figure and Butchaman. No, he wants to be seen as useful. He fought… so he should be rewarded to the death of him.

That’s the spirit that always come and shows the heart of the occasion. The General don’t want to be a Presidential Advisor. We all can see that… he don’t want to go out of Parliament either. He feels that he has to retire, but the President doesn’t have too.

That’s what he feels is unfair. As a loyal soldier… and he should see the Head of State retire too. However, they have all worked to give him the Presidency for Life. Gen. Tumwine just find it unfair and that’s why his warning now.

Nevertheless, the General and all of his buddies have helped to feed this monster. They have made it all possible and they have all followed his directions. The General and his fellow peers has ensured and sounded the horns, whenever the President have called. Therefore, it is to late to cry now. These people are accomplices to it and they have to carry their burden for it. Not only for the coup d’etat in 1986, but for participation in his reign.

Tumwine have been a individual linked and been part of the NRM. They are not separated at any point of time. The General has to answer for his time and what he contributed. Not like the President have changed overnight and now is a danger of being a dictator. That’s something his been for years. It is late to sing psalms about it now. Now that your not as important and doesn’t have a title to your name. You are as important as the influencers from the ghetto.

General, please be dismissed. Peace.

Uganda: Ministry of Health – Movement of health workers and patients during the countrywide lockdown period (19.06.2021)

Uganda: Ministry of Health – Unregulated Use of Oxygen in Homes and Other Ungazetted places (18.06.2021)

Getafix of Mbarara: COVIDEX is selling hope in the middle of despair…

Now, it is official and its sold in pharmacies across Kampala, as the pandemic is surging and people are hanging on to whatever they can get to get some remedy and treatment for the coronavirus or COVID-19. This is not shocking, but a sad reality.

There is now a new hack in town. A Mbarara Professor Patrick Ogwang Engeu was has created his own mixture called “COVIDEX”. He is selling this blend and herbal mixture with the belief that it helps and treats the virus.

This isn’t the first of its kind. Only in January 2021 the President and his Presidential Scientific Initiative on Epidemics (PRESIDE) launched the mysterious UBV-01N. However, that one has later never been heard off.

What is striking is the Professor Ogwang Engeu have created other medicine already, but that doesn’t mean he has found the solution now as well. We don’t know the mixture, neither does we know what the dosage entails. It could be a placebo affect and a lie. Water with some colour or whatnot. It is a profitable business selling medicine and the Professor knows that.

By all means, I hope COVIDEX works. However, there been other things before. That has used herbal extractions from plants like Artemesia, Artemesia Annua and Stevia. We don’t know what he is using or have blended together.

We should all be reminded about the miracle drink from Madagascar, CVO – Tambvy who was sold internationally without being properly tested. The same is now happening locally with COVIDEX.

What the Professor is doing?

His selling hope. His selling these medical treatment on the whim and the hope that it works. It might do so, but without proper procedures and without proper testing of the herbal medicine. It is all baseless claims and without proof. We don’t know what it does or doesn’t do.

When there is no proof, no evidence or even what is the main components of the medicine. It is hard to believe that it does anything. There is no proof and nothing that says so. The medicine might work, but the Professor should have ensured it was tested and accepted by the National Drug Authority (NDA). Not just sell it on the open market without any certification or license to sell it.

For now, this is selling a dream, which could end up in a nightmare. This is making yourself a fortune on the gullible and the ones who needs hope in despair. That is tragic. Peace.