HP partners with authorities in Uganda for double raid on counterfeit print supplies (13.11.2018)

Criminal organisation thwarted as HP’s Anti-Counterfeiting and Fraud (ACF) Programme collaborates with officials in Uganda to disrupt criminal dealings.

KAMPALA, Uganda, November 13, 2018 – HP (HP.com) and Ugandan authorities have conducted a highly successful operation to halt the trade of counterfeit HP branded print cartridges in in the Kampala area.

In August 2018, Ugandan officials carried out a massive double raid, successfully disrupting the criminal dealings of two large scale retailers of counterfeit HP print cartridges. Several premises were targeted as part of the raid, including extensive outlet stores and a hidden manufacturing site for fakes. As a result, the authorities seized over 18,000 ready-for-sale illicit print cartridges.

Counterfeiting is a crime. For users, such illegal imitations can cause a multitude of problems that can cause performance and reliability issues. Should your printer break as a result of using counterfeit printer ink or toner, you could also have issues with your manufacturer’s warranty becoming not applicable.

In contrast, original HP products are designed to meet HP’s strict quality and reliability standards, based on a long history of inventing and testing. Original HP LaserJet and HP InkJet cartridges, unlike counterfeits, benefit from superior performance and consistent results.

HP commends the cooperation and swift action of Ugandan officials and their determination to apprehend and prosecute counterfeiters who break the law. We are proud of our continued work to bring counterfeiters to justice, not only in Africa but throughout the world,” said Glenn Jones, Global Anti-Counterfeiting Program Investigations & Enforcement Operations Manager, HP. “Through our unwavering efforts and commitment to removing counterfeit products from the market, we continue to focus on the protection of our customers through our Anti Counterfeiting and Fraud Programme.”

Across EMEA over the last five years, approximately 12 million counterfeits and components have been seized by local authorities, supported by HP. HP has conducted over 4,500 audits and inspections (CPPAs and CDIs) of partners’ stocks or suspicious deliveries for customers.

Through HP’s Anti Counterfeiting and Fraud (ACF) Programme, the company actively educates its customers and partners to be vigilant against fake printing supplies. It also cooperates closely with local and global law enforcement authorities to detect and dismantle illegal operations that produce counterfeit HP printing components.

Opinion: The 2021 election, unless massive changes; Mzee will win it again!

Eh! I don’t like talking about the long destined future, but one is certain. As long Mzee is breathing, he is running as the Flag-Bearer and everyone else is to fall in line. The Grand Master, the Big Man, the Head Honcho, the Leader of Men and all other titles are his. This is President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. He will not step down. Not as long as he is breathing. That is not happening.

He would not have revised or edited the constitution. He would not have let the military and security forces be such a vital part of the state, as it is right now. The president wouldn’t have used to force against anyone coming his way. Sending a message to anyone who trying to trespass and rule the fiefdom. That is not acceptable. Not even succession from his own flesh and blood. They have to wait as well.

Not that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have any plans for succession, some cries out loud for it now and then. But later they cry again to their beloved leader and hope for redemption. As they insulted the grand leader. You should never question his powers and his army.

If you question him and his will, you are insects, you are mosquitoes, vermin and bean-weevils that he gets rid off. His army can he always trust, The Security Organizations, the high command and that the Police Force will do his bidding. As long as the state of affairs is like this. There will be no change.

As long as the state is militarized and the state are serving one man. There will be nothing significant different. The names on the ballots might be different. There might be a Farmers Party, Go-Forward or New Formation. However, the results will be in favor of the President.

The 2021 will not change, unless there are vital steps of change. Unless there are people early to see something else and not accepting status quo. Because, the will of doing peaceful transitions through the ballots, has been done again and again. That has been tested and tried countless times by Dr. Kizza Besigye and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Paul Ssemogerere/ Norbert Mao (Democratic Party) and Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Olara Otunnu. However, none of the attempts has succeeded, that is because the system is built for and implemented for Museveni.

Everyone should see that. The People Power Movement has to grow stronger, than the Defiance Campaign, bigger than Walk to Work and pay costs, which none of us want to bear. If you want to dismantle a military dictatorship. It doesn’t come without costs, without sacrifice and without determination. It isn’t about getting SUVs as MPs or not. It is about sustainable freedom for all citizens. Not just the all-praising elite in and around the President.

2021 will for now be another race. Which is more of the same. There will be drama, tear-gas, arrests, treason-charges, open bribes, voter-tourism, pre-ticked ballots and so on. That is just part the nightmare called elections. There will be deflections from the various parties, there will be people jumping around after the man of the day. However, in the long run, as it is per today. No one will contain of have access to the powers of the army and state resources like Museveni. From the State House, he will micro-manage and bustle everyone into his ways. Either you like it or not.

That is why, when I read people speculating about the elections in 2021. There will be the same Kiggundu Math and misuse of Public Order Management Act (POMA) until oblivion. Unless, the people are gathered around the cause. That they have belief that they have value and purpose. That they are not pawns of the Kingpin of Entebbe and the NRA. As long as they have faith that they can steer the conversation. That they can change the narrative, change the perspective and also ensure that the military, the Security Organization in and around the President are weaken by the pressure. If that pressure gets to level they cannot sustain. Than, the movement, the people are able to progress and show, who is the true value in the Republic.

That will not easy, that will cost. The road to redemption and freedom isn’t easy. It never has been. Because the men with power and wealth, usually don’t won’t to hand it out, but you have to fight to get it. That is the way it is.

At this present time, there are little hope, there are reflections of awaking. As it has been in the past. But the fire has to flair. The thunder has hit the ground. It has to spark,. The fire has to light and it has to be able to make a difference. Show true value. Not being one concert. Being one idol, one leader and one movement. But being the message, being the guiding star, the one that can pass through the evils of men. That is what is needed. Not just some mere slogan and a color of clothing. It needs to pierce the flesh and embody people.

There been sparks, there been flairs, but not fires that has overpowered. There haven’t been a people’s revolution. There been starts of riots and uprisings. But not to an extent, where the thousands of guards, the soldiers and the police force has felt threaten. Where they have felt that their arms and guns been made out of jelly. They haven’t feared going to the office or the station, they haven’t feared going to the barracks.

No, its the people who has feared mambas, the flying squad, the ISO, the Special Force Command and whatnot beating people on the streets. These has to fear something. Not that the public has arms, but their anger, their frustration, their fatigue, their lack of hope and desperation. As they haven’t seen the dream of the NRM or the President. They haven’t gotten the 10 Point Program or the Future their was promised for three decades.

Its time to make things real. Because if it is like now. The 2021 is just another slow train for the Big-Man to rule another term. Just like 2016 and 2011, just like 2006 and 2001… We can go further back in time, but its get old quick. Just like the old man with a hat.

We can speak up again and again about the unjust of the system, but seemingly more of it stays the same. While the crooks continuing taking, while the ones risking it all are paying the price. Without any big change or will to do so. Only, to scream and shout, but kill it off when the dust settles. Peace.

Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s Message after the successful Kyarenga Concert Yesterday (11.11.2018)

What a day, What a Night, What a Show! THANK YOU to the thousands of friends, supporters and fans who came down to One Love Beach Busabala last night for the #KyarengaConcert. Abaana ba Uganda mwena, I cannot thank you enough for the massive show of support and solidarity. What a night!!! Not only did you show up in record numbers, the vibe was so good. You lit the fire and kept it burning. Thank you for dancing to the songs of freedom. I enjoyed every bit of the night, and it was evident you guys had fun too. I was captivated by your sense of purpose, resilience and determination for a better Uganda. Your faces were all beaming with hope and aspiration even as we danced and sang. I want to send a special thank you to my fellow artistes who made the show even more colourful. Mwe musinga baana ba Taata. Lazima if we all do our part, and God being on our side, olutalo nga luwedde tuliyambala engule mu Uganda empya!

Kenyan MP Babu Owino banned from Uganda: Planning to attend Bobi Wine’s Concert is the reason!

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are getting more and more touchy with age. He has less and less flex too. That is why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a Memo has said that the Kenyan MP Babu Owino is Person Non Grata in the Republic of Uganda.

In the Law Dictionary that means: “Latin for a person not welcome; an undesirable, unwelcome or unwanted person”.

So we clearly see the intent of the Republic, as they want to ensure the concert of Bobi Wine tomorrow doesn’t have a high-profiled foreign guests. Expect more nonsense. As tomorrows concert will not go down without any drama. There has been plenty already and expect more, because Museveni is a whiny little cadre, who has to use force and bullets. He cannot establish a pattern of trust nor of betterment of the Republic.

That is why Owino isn’t allowed into Uganda for the purpose of attending the Concert and Album Launch. Because that would enforce and also show strength to the cause of Bobi Wine. That is something Museveni cannot see, Museveni can have over Deputy President William Ruto. But not let the minions grow stronger. That is not acceptable. They are supposed to shielded and follow his command. Not create their own stage and their livelihoods. That is not how the Republic works under Museveni. No, no and no.

Owino is a lost cause here, he could have been a beneficiary and a foreign supporter. Instead he will not be able to attend and surely will be left at the airport or at the border-crossing. Where he will be told and direct back to Kenya. Because, the patrols and the Security Forces will follow the command from above high.

So, if someone is afraid of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. It is clearly the state, as they are making all the ones in association with person non grata. Just like they didn’t allow his foreign attorney to represent him after the torturing and arrests post Arua By-Election. It all fits a pattern and it is not beautiful, but a masterpiece of oppression. Peace.

Opinion: OTT and Social Media Tax is failing as anticipated!

The Over The Top Services Tax and Social Media Tax can only be said as utter embarrassment by the National Resistance Movement (NRM). There are enough things to know this would happen, as the plan was for getting the revenue, but not thinking the consequences of the taxes. That is why, today’s revelations about the levied taxes isn’t that surprising.

Without due-diligence, it is hard to know the effects and the means for why it is put. It seems like the President and the NRM had a dream of cash-flowing into the Consolidation Fund without any consequences, but apparently it does. And when you add taxes on things, people either use less or plan more effortlessly to circumvent this added cost on their daily lives.

Daily Monitor Reports: “Government collected Shs20.5b from social media in the last quarter ended September, according to data obtained from Uganda Revenue Authority. The tax, which was implemented in July, was however, less than the Shs24.9b target that URA had hoped to collect in the period. URA has a monthly target of Shs8.3b. The tax was introduced in the Excise Duty amendments of financial year 2018/19 requiring all social media users to pay Shs200 per day, before accessing certain platforms such as Facebook, Whatsapp and Twitter, among others. Government intends to collect about Shs100b before the end of the 2018/19 financial year” (Christine Kasemiire – ‘OTT raises Shs20b in first quarter, URA fails on targets’ 07.11.2018).

While it is a few days ago, that the MTN Uganda promised the 24 hours since paying tax, that the tax would last from the time of payment of the tax until the time is spent. Instead of how it has been, until the new day coming. Meaning, that often you would only get half-a-day with the Social Media, as the taxation would start again, when the clock turns 00:01.

That is why this was news to: “Airtel Uganda and other telecom service providers have announced a fundamental change in the Over the Top excise duty imposed on social media following a directive from Uganda Communications Commission, the telecommunications regulatory body in Uganda. Since its introduction in July 2018, the tax commonly known as OTT or social media tax, was only valid up to midnight of the payment date for daily users. With the recent changes, daily subscribers can now enjoy internet services for a complete 24 hours – right up to the time that they subscribed 24 hours earlier. This also applies to the weekly and monthly users who can also enjoy services until the time that they subscribed” Brian Emorut – ‘Social Media tax validity to now last 24 hours’ 06.11.2018 – Guide 2 Uganda).

So now, Airtel and MTN has changed their pattern of getting the OTT tax. While URA is struggling to met the supposed the quota. This shows that the state had not considered all implications to the levied taxes. The NRM clearly didn’t envision, either the use of VPN and also that people cannot afford it. Because it is barrier to be even using the social media after the taxes.

Surely, the 24 hours usage and the lack of collection. That the Telecoms and the Mobile Money outlets has been pushed and lost revenue is certain. As the data-bundles and Air-Time had to be corrected from July on and also now the barrier for OTTs are changing again. This is surely showing that the Telecoms and the Republic wasn’t prepared for this, but doing it on orders from the President. Peace.

#SecurityUG: My take as nearly all Security Organizations are doing Police Work!

In this present state, we can start to question the safety of the public, not only that the Gen. David Muhoozi, the CDF of Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) thinks it is all cool; that the UPDF or the Army are investigating and arresting people. This is happening as the Internal Security Organization are doing the same. While the Flying Squad of the Police Force have sacked their Operatives and the Crime Preventers have become Reserve Army. While Boda Boda 2010 have been disbanded and Kiatta’s fate is all in limbo still.

We can certainly see the fluid situation, as the Flying Squad, the Chieftain of Military Intelligence (CMI), ISO, UPDF and Police Force are all directly trying to address the same problems in society. Even when needed, the President comes to scatter crime scenes and orders the Special Force Command (SFC) to tdo their thing.

Clearly, this is all should send the memo. That there are many cooks, many orders and units, but few who cooks perfectly. Because there are so many chefs, but so little output. Maybe that is the point to, as this is not the whole spectrum, but a big part of the Security Organizations involved.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the President have built this system. We know it is messed up and that is because he has arranged it like this. Made a dozens outfits, possible to combat various intrusions and whatnot’s, but goblins doesn’t just appear from the thin-air. So, they got to do something.

That is why suddenly the UPDF are implicated in Police work, the Crime Preventers was too, but now are in the shadows, the Flying Squad was around flexing muscle, the CMI attacking and detaining people without warrants, but the Police Force was preoccupied following and monitoring opposition politicians. That is just the way things are and is, apparently, not to forget SFC was both doing political ambushes, also following President direct order to assault and detain politicians without any other reason. That they are in the near facility of his highness.

It is sad that all questions revolves around the President, even with the personal changes of new IGP or new CDF. The situation isn’t strengthening or becoming better, it is more of the same. Political prisoners kept long without trial like Dr. Stella Nyanzi. There are other too, but she is the biggest catch of the month. There are nothing happening with Sam Mugumya in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Therefore, the security with murders, assassinations and arrests, without the violence stopping. The salvos of attacks on the streets from CMI, shows the brilliance of the police brutality to whole world. It was broadcast from the street of Kampala.

Therefore, as the Flying Squad is demoted, the Boda Boda 2010 is too, the CMI acting out, the SFC wilding out and the list goes on. We can wonder what will be up, but there is nothing that is promising for a better security situation, as it has deteriorating a bit. Also, the lack of action and promise that is profound. The NRM and the President knows this, but just patching the hurt. They are not healing wounds or even closing the unanswered cases. As with time there are opening new cases and they move on. Even as the victims and their families are left astray, by all the organizations that is supposed to protect them and defend them. Peace.

Another Institution to fight Corruption: Rev. Lokodo didn’t plan the cost for it though!

Just like so many other things with the National Resistance Movement (NRM), they have giant plans and even laws to abide. As the Leadership Code Act Amendment of 2016, which stated that a Tribunal would be created and elected by the President and Public Service Commission. That Tribunal was supposed to follow up on the possible breaches of the Leadership code, have inquiries and collect reports of these within the government.

However, that has not happened, because the NRM, haven’t had the same wish for that or even tried to allocate funds for this They have anticipated that someone else is paying their tab. The Minister for Ethics and Integrity Simon Lokodo wanted, as he was the sponsor of the amended code. However, he never considered the costs of making a Tribunal, meaning someone has to pay for the manpower and the elected people for this. That is bad leadership in itself. As the Ministry should have had the funds before the Parliament enacted the changes of the law. The Parliament should also know about these provisions and the possible outcome of amending the Leadership Code. However, they didn’t!

Government plans to spend a total of Shs117.7 billion to implement the new zero tolerance to corruption policy approved by Cabinet on Monday” (…) “Fr Lokodo said the European Union has so far given government Shs 3.1b to establish the Leadership Code tribunal. He said the tribunal should have been established shortly after the amendment of the Leadership Code Act last year, but did not take off because of lack of funds” (Draku & Wandera, 2018).

So, this isn’t only a story about the Government of Uganda has yet another body to fight corruption and doing it through the Ministry of Ethics and Integrity. As the Tribunal under Lokodo Ministry, will be a part of a collective of government institutions doing similar actions. This being Uganda Police Force, Public Procurement And Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), Office of Attorney General (OAG) and Inspectorate of Government (IGG). All of these should be more than enough, as even the Judiciary and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) are an investigatory body. Certainly, knowing the NRM, they could be involved in the manners of these. Especially, if the person was a big-man in their view.

Therefore, this is yet another expert facility and another institution to fight the same thing. As the mushrooming of the state continues. This is bound by law and until the law is repealed, the Tribunal is bound to appear. Because, it is in law and was enacted.

What I wonder, what will the Tribunal do, that the Police, PPDA, OAG, IGG, The Judiciary and UPDF isn’t doing already and what results will differ from what they are doing today?

I don’t think any of these possible institutions will really fight the corruption. As the finalization and the orders of confirmation comes from upon high. The President and State House is deciding what is happening in the end. The biggest deals are happening their without public insights in the State House. Therefore, if the NRM wanted it to be real.

They have to change the pattern of the President and his State House. The cronies and the elites around the President has to keep things transparent and open. However, they are not doing so. Therefore, any of these institutions will not make a significant difference. Peace.

Reference:

Fraklin Draku & Derrick Wandera – ‘Government to spend Shs117b on fighting corruption’ 01.11.2018 link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-spend-Shs117b-fighting-corruption/688334-4831334-jswwdm/index.html

Uganda: Clarification from the Office of the DPP on the Kanyamunya Case (01.11.2018)

MTN Uganda: Daily OTT tax now valid for 24 hours (01.11.2018)

Uganda Police Force letter to Kampala Metropolitan Police – “Re: Request for Security for Kyarenga Concert on 10th November, 2018 at One Love Beach Busabala (30.10.2018)