Uganda Law Society notice ‘ Re: Update on Issues Relating to the Notice from the Ministry of Lands, Housing & Urban Development’ (17.07.2018)

Opinion: Bwanika is hungry and I don’t blame him!

Abed is hungry, very hungry, his plate is empty; therefore he seeks relevance in the misty world of cronies and opportunists. Abed Bwanika, the People’s Development Party (PDP) leader and long-time running President Candidate is seeking to become relevant again. He has been missing the spotlight and being in the window of opportunity since the Campaigns and General Election of 2016. He is now defending the Kiggundu math-class and the cooking of the numbers of the Electoral Commission. He is accepting the assault on the freedoms of the people, the blockade of internet and social-media, even transfer of mobile money, the police detaining and charging opposition politicians like they we’re the mob. That is what Bwanika this week is accepting.

Therefore, you know he does it seek relevance, because he knows he will fall into oblivion, into a misty fog of grey goose and sluts. He will not be anyone of concern anymore, he is now a nobody, who at some point ran for Presidency, but is now just a common citizen, which is the reality that Bwanika cannot stomach. Beecause Bwanika want to be someone and cannot figure out how to be that. That is why he is defending the General Election of 2016. Even if he knows he is losing. That is what Bwanika is doing, he defending his loss and trying to capture the losses. So he can get a win out of nothing.

It is ironic speaking about the love of the Republic, rule of law and democracy, when he is defending voter rigging, police brutality, arbitrary arrests and illegal detentions of opposition politicians. Maybe if he spent as much time under house-arrest as Besigye or behind bars like FDC Activists, he would have seen the world a bit differently. However, the ignorance of Bwanika is clear. It is open and he is putting salt in the wounds.

That is because he wants to eat, he wants to have plenty, and he has seen how Beti Kamya and the likes are eating, and enjoying life under the wings of the President. He want to be covered like them. Not walking in the wilderness without any cover. Bwanika needs his guiding star and wants his envelopes too.

So with in mind, I don’t blame him, he wants to eat and there is not so many ways to do it. Unless, he wants put in work or give the president a handshake to run a market in Kampala. Bwanika wants to be head honcho, but knows that has to be in accordance with the President. That is why he has suddenly moved in this way. He knows that and we who follows the politics of the lands knows that.

It is not like I want to jinx it, but if he would get appointed to some random outpost or mere lack of importance within the administration. He would take it and kiss the ring. Because he want to get paid without any accountability. Bwanika wants relevance; he wants to be in the spotlight and properly paid!

That is why he is suddenly defending the General Election of 2016, even when he deep in his heart. He knows he is wrong. Because he is hungry and wants eat, he is tired of beans; he wants meat and a decent salary. Peace.

Opinion: In the mind of Museveni, there is no need for a succession plan, just because…[Insert excuse]!

Again, again and again, he retort and blaze fire to show that he is the only one with a vision, the only one who can run Uganda, because no one else has the capacity he has. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the one who has run the Republic since 1986. Has to understand, even if it is hard, that his isn’t the only leader capable of running the Republic. Even if his deluded mind is destroying that vision, because everyone else makes mistakes and doesn’t do things correctly, so Mr. Sunday can come in and save the day. That is just how it is, and how it has been. Here is a report of what happen at a National Resistance Movement meeting on 20th December 2017, when the heist of the century occur, as the state and NRM was launching his Life Presidency, though the abolishing the Article 102(b) of the Constitution. Those was the days, and at that day, Mr. President aka Sunday had to defend himself.

According to an NRM MP who was part of the meeting, Baryayanga waited for Museveni to conclude his speech before he dropped a question that made the president lose his cool. “You have talked about so many things, and we would really want to support you on this [amendment] but in all your statements, you are not talking about the transition; when you intend to leave power yet some of us would want to be President of Uganda. When are you planning to retire?” Baryayanga reportedly asked Museveni” (…) “Museveni shot back; “You Baryayanga? You think you can be president? I don’t want to be president, I am only sacrificing myself for you.” (…) “Soon, he was back to the issue of the presidency. “Baryayanga, you think you can be president? You think you can manage my Generals? You? You?You think you can manage my Generals?! You think you can manage Tumukunde, Muhwezi… you? You?” Museveni asked Baryayanga” (…) “The MP remained silent for a while before he responded, “Your Excellence, with your help, I think I can manage. I am still a young and vibrant man, I really think I can manage.” In response, Museveni said, “Unless those Generals are dead, you can’t manage.” (…) ““I used to see [Godfrey Lukongwa] Binaisa posing around that he is a former president. What impact did he create? Then you see [Kizza] Besigye with walk to work…Besigye can’t be president for even three months,” Museveni said” (Kabuubi, 2018)

We can see that Baryayanga is just asking a fair question, that the President is losing his cool over. Like the paternal leader and eternal God of all, the only one that can manage it all is President Museveni. Mr. Sunday, Mr. The Only Man with a Vision. Couldn’t keep his cool and his temper. Surely, it is tiring to defend himself and always runs to the guns if people oppose him. It is like he thinks he is the only one who understand the NRM 27 Guns and the NRM Historicals and Stalwarts! It is insane, but that is how deluded he is at the moment. That he is the only one with the keys and no one else has the capacity or the strength to turn the door-knob.

Therefore, the President had again to back in history, to revisit the dead, because the ones who used to rule is all gone. He defeated them all and never gave anyone else a chance. Succession is poison to the blood-vessels of Museveni. It is like he thinks he himself will become an issue for a successor, he said it with comparing Godfrey Binaisa with fellow man Paulo Muwanga and Dr. Milton Obote, who all shared the throne during the year of 1980. The year and rigged General Election that brought Mr. Sunday to the Bush. Oooh those where the days. Well, he has to go there, to get legitimacy to still sit on the Throne.

Well, if Besigye cannot rule, who can expect you? What sort of rigged paradigm shifting focus of militarism are you implying Mr. Sunday? Why are you so special? There are nation of leaders and upcoming men, whose not Besigye, who can rule and can delegate people. I am sure they have more than enough skills to push the UPE to the next level and actually get proper use of UNRA and UMEME. Something you are not capable of Mr. President.

The issue is that you have created these Generals, but they will not stop following orders if someone else pays and comforts them. Unless, you give them reason to use the Crime Preventers as a militia and start war-lording against someone else who gets grip of power. Because that is the only thing you know, that is why Gen. Muhoozi, has been in the military and ran the Special Forces Command. To learn the tricks you needed in the 1980s. Oooh, you think we didn’t see this coming, did you?

We are not deluded Mr. President, you are and someone has to say it. I am sitting miles away with no fear. You cannot raid my living-room or touch my mind. But I can tell you, its long gone the time of your retirement. Besigye could run Uganda, Mbabazi could have run Uganda, even Otunnu or Ssemogerere could have been a possible men to become successors. But you have destroyed all of them and rigged yourself in.

I think there would be a learning curve and the need to find their way, they wouldn’t run it like Mr. Sunday, but they would be able to administer and to delegate the priorities needed to be Statesmen. Neither, of them got the ability to even try, so it is all just mere say, because we have no evidence. But we have the long history of mismanagement, patronage and rigging from Museveni. Therefore, it is foolish of him now to not try to sway people, that he has a plan for succession, but his EGO and his deluded mind is in his way. Peace.

Reference:

Kabuubi, Gyagenda – ‘When Museveni told MPs; Besigye can never be president’ 22.04.2018, link: http://intelpostug.com/2018/04/22/museveni-told-mps-besigye-can-never-president/

Opinion: Mr. Sunday should remember that he spoke ill of the Clergy, not blame the media for reporting it!

President Yoweri Museveni has warned religious leaders against meddling in national politics. He said everybody had a specific role to play in the development of the nation and asked the clergy to stick to the saving of people’s souls. I thought that the role of the clergy was to preach and deliver the souls of people to heaven but not politicking, Museveni said” (Allan Turyaguma – ‘Leave Politics, Museveni Advises Church Leaders’ 26.08.2002, New Vision).

It’s isn’t new that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issues with people speaking up against him. That is because in his narrow mind, he is the only one with a vision. The visionary has never tolerated that people has spoken up against him or challenge him. That is treason and that is the reason why Besigye is court-side now and then. Museveni cannot stomach critics, especially not Clergy or Christian leaders, they should all bow down to him. So again, he is addressing the Clergy, but now blaming the media. Because he hasn’t himself blamed them before for addressing political matter.

Kampala. President Yoweri Museveni has warned newspapers against publishing false information aimed at causing confusion. “I want really to warn some of these newspapers that we are here to build our country. As Christians, we work for peace not for discord. They should not make it a business to spread discord,” said the President. President Museveni made the remarks this afternoon at Hotel Africana in Kampala, where he was a guest of honour at a conference organised by the Wekembe Group” (PPU – ‘PRESIDENT MUSEVENI WARNS MEDIA AGAINST FOMENTING CONFUSION’ 17.04.2018).

That is why he is separating them, the Newspapers are now the issues. During campaigns before 2016 elections, he said the Newspapers was trash then too. So this follows a pattern. If someone writes something intelligent or inside information from the NRM. You can expect to be in Court, detained in Nalufenya and closed papers for days, even months. The same as happen to Red Pepper recently and with the Sejusa Letters to Daily Monitor. What is weird is that the Observer hasn’t been touched in that regard.

The President would like anyone to be as submissive as the Seventh Day Adventist President Ted Wilson, who said while being with His Excellency: “work is to preach to the people and show them the right way to heaven and not involve ourselves in politics” (Samuel Kamugisha – ‘SDA President Ted Wilson: Church Should Stay Away From Politics’ 18.02.2018, The Pearl Times). It is a reason why the SDA Church Leader got to bask in the glory of Museveni. He spoke his message and his words. It was going back to 2002 Museveni. That must have made the holy ghost flee the building. Because, this was praising the works of the oppressive dictator who controls everything.

Part of me still believes that Museveni are still in the bush and believes what people said about him then: “Privately Ugandans will only refer to ”Sunday” or ”two-plus-five,” code for Mu-seven-i. Some peasants believe he cannot be hurt by bullets” (William Pike – ‘Uganda can’t seem to crush guerrilla leader Museveni’ 20.09.1984, CS Monitor). Since he still thinks he cannot be hurt by bullets or wisdom for that matter.

He continues to blame everyone else. He is saying the media is spreading false news about him. The thing is, that he has steadily attacked the clergy when they have addressed his shortcomings. Something he cannot stomach. Just like he cannot manage to have opposition that cannot be bought. Those are the worst in his opinion. They should go back to village and work, not speak up and ask for things. That is not patriotic. That is how simple minded the President is.

He thinks he is wise, he think he can be untouchable, maybe because of the 1980s mythical figure he created around himself. If not how he built an army and built a fraud of an affair where he pay off his cronies. Later get rid of them, when he has no use of them. That why he is bothered by the media and the clergy. You cannot pay them all off, many you can, but not everyone.

The problem with Museveni. Is that for someone who has been in charge since 1986, he clearly doesn’t remember what he has said in the past. How he has reacted and how easy it is to find countering statements from his own lacking-visionary mouth.

The first thing the President could do, was to look into himself. Ask himself, what have I said in the past, what could be found in the archives and what would not fit my own words. Before opening up with a grand speech, acting holier than God and thinking you have the answer to life, the universe and everything. Certainly, that is 42, even though in the in the mind of Museveni it is 86. Everything returns to 86.

He can secondly blame the media or thirdly the clergy, but the problem is always him. Because he is the one saying these words and others are reporting it. If he don’t want these reports. Maybe he should be inside the State House or on one of his farms. Not speaking to people or handle meetings, not having speeches and not being interviewed. Maybe then, the reporting would be different. However, he cannot keep himself away from the spotlight.

Maybe Mr. Sunday could wake-up on Monday, smell the coffee and know that he created the issue himself yesterday. I doubt he will, but it would have been healthy. Peace.

An anecdote on how Uganda isn’t a Democracy: An answer to the Liberation Day Speech of President Museveni!

For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”Nelson Mandela

Today is the 32nd Liberation Day or National Resistance Army/Movement Day, the day that ended the Bush-War of the 1980s in Uganda. Where President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni made his career from being a Minister and a Rebel to become the President. A position and an executive, head of state who has shown no signs of stepping down. He was supposed to be the next generation of leadership. He was the positive force in 1990s and was golden-kid for Bill Clinton on the Continent. While that has disappeared and with time his legacy has withered. Museveni has closely become all the things he fought against, he still tries to use the language and the charisma that he had in his younger days. But its all facade, it isn’t the real deal. That I why I don’t care to drastically demolish the whole speech.

I will just take one principal and one point of it. Because it waste of time to do more at this point of time!

The fourth principle of the NRM is the democracy. Democracy is clear enough. Ugandan’s democracy, the democracy pushed by the NRM, is much richer than anything, anybody, has attempted to do in the world, other than the ancient Greeks who produced direct democracy, in the City States. We have empowered women, the youth, the workers, the disabled, the soldiers, etc. The NRM democracy must be kukyenuura-based through production of wealth and jobs creation. Kukyenuura means to solve a solvable need” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 26.01.2018).

Well, I don’t know how to start. Let’s talk the steady usage of arbitrary arrests of activists, opposition party members, civilians and direct arrest of opposition leadership. Most of the opposition MPs and leaders has at some point been detained, in court and had cases going against them. The biggest opposition leaders has been charged with treason. Some has been house-arrested without warrants or court-orders for months upon end. So just by looking how the Police and Politics is intervening, you know that the democratic values of the NRM is not going skin-deep. It is more, just to have it, but not making it real.

Another point on Democratic values is to let opposition parties hold consultation meetings, even rallies during election periods and meetings in general to gain interest for their causes and pledges. Clearly, that should be natural, but the most violent and where the most police brutality appear is every time an opposition party leader has a campaign rally. There will be tear-gas, live-bullets and even civilians killed, people patching their hurt in hospitals. All this for showing up to rallies. There been brutal beatings of civilians walking around the area of an opposition rally, they could get hurt or arrested. Even if they even wasn’t involved. This is just the gist of the madness of the Police Enforcement, not even putting in the measures of interrogations, confiscating of party materials, suspensions of campaigns, court orders and even closing of Party Headquarters. All of this is done, to prove that the NRM can do what they want and opposition has to fall in line. This would never happen to the NRM or his party.

Now I just pointed out the arbitrary arrests and crashing of rallies. Haven’t even started on actually balloting and such. I could have continued on the assaults on Democracy with just quotes from the President in 2015 or 2016, even in 2017. He has enough and promised enough venom on the opposition to fill whole books of vomit for our ears and our minds. So, I don’t care for repeating that. I don’t deserve that and neither do you.

Because, the flaws of the Democracy in the Republic is to gigantic in a simple post. Museveni has made sure of that, so that he owns the Members of Parliament, he orders everything as he wants from the State House and secured Life Presidency through yet another change of the 1995 Constitution in December 2017.

So that President Museveni speaks of Democracy and having the best. He better get his mind corrected, get his vision checked and his initial understanding of democracy put under a stethoscope. Museveni has left nothing behind, but cronyism and corruption. Where he is the sole-benefactor and his family. The rest has to beg from him and they are just useful tools for his agenda.

He is the Sole-Candidate, the Sole Party and the Commander-In-Chief, he is the General and the President who doesn’t let anyone succeed him. He didn’t accept losing a rigged election 1980 to Dr. Milton Obote, he has since then fought himself into power in 1986. Since then rigged himself and used all means to stay in power. Therefore, he is not the fella to educate people in Democracy or Democratic values. He should be the last person. Peace.

Opinion: The UPM’s Aims and Objectives are grand, but did Museveni deliver them?

During the last few days, don’t remember when, but Moses Byamugisha on Social Media showed two pictures, which is a part of the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) Membership Card from 1980. This is the first party of now President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. It might seem as forgotten past, a past that we should just forgot, but I can’t, it is certain proof of important words and ideas, that still should be worked for. UPM and the agenda that Museveni worked for back-then. Is still worth doing today, even if President Museveni is just working for himself and his cronies. Not working for the betterment of society, that part of him is already gone.

I will first list of the ‘Aims and Objectives’ of the UPM Membership Card. Its 16 points, which seems like points, the Republic still needs and should work for.

16 Points:

1. Unity

2. Democracy

3. National Independence

4. Social Progress

5. Clean Leadership

6. Peace, Security and tranquility

7. Rehabilitation and reconstruction of the nation

8. National Common Language

9. Workers and Peasants participation in the decisions making process of the Party and State machinery

10. Building of a proper defence and security systems

11. Encourage and sustain collective leadership

12. Create condition that will make every citizens have a right to education and medical care

13. Follow and adhere to a policy of a viable mixed autonomy for Uganda

14. Follow a policy of non alignment on a basis of mutual benefits and subscribe to OAU and UN Charters

15. Subscribe to the Basic Human Rights as enshrined in the UN Charter

16. Give moral and material support to the orphans and widows and other victims of the Fascist rule and liberation war

All of this was subtle and good ideas, needed ones that hasn’t lost their power or need. The Republic needs first aim Unity, not only hire and develop the Western parts of Uganda. Just like the troubles of just hiring people from the northern of Uganda under Obote and Amin. Therefore, this is still needed, as the Ankoli and areas around has gotten more and become more important, than the rest of the republic. Bunyoro is getting vital because of coming oil industry. Not because Museveni cares about it deeply.

Second aim, Democracy still needs to be worked upon. By all means because of the Life Presidency, enacted by the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The Second Party of the President, all follows his whip and is non-democratic from the choices of Members of Parliament and their votes. If they don’t follow orders, like voting for life presidency, then they will not only be labeled rebels, but also punished through the party organization. The NRM isn’t democratic, neither is the state. There are lacking democratic decision making and the elections are rigged. Its not the will of the people, but the will of Museveni.

The third aim, don’t need comments, but fourth and fifth needs it. The ‘Social Progress’ and ‘Clean Leadership’. Needs to be address, it is better then back in the day, but having three decades to advance. The NRM should have come much longer, than it has. The Social progress has not evolved, its only for a minority group. Biggest part of society is stagnated and falling behind with unemployment and lack of development. Clean leadership is long gone with Presidential Handshake, pay-off of Members of Parliament, misusing opposition parties and trading position because of loyalty and not merit. Therefore, the NRM have failed with perfection here.

Aim six and seven are questionable at best. ‘Peace, Security and Tranquility’. Peace they do have, but the security and tranquility, not so much. The Security Organizations are more criminal than thieves, they are killers and hired goons themselves. Police are investigated by CMI and UPDF. There are lacking lines and trust to the Courts. The Northern Uganda is done with civil war, but the army has still created uncertainty in Kasese and Rwenzori as they are battling their own. Killings are happening and unsolved by the authorities. Even assassinations of big men within the Security Organization themselves.

The aim eight, ‘National Common Language’ have been effective and worked, as English and Luganda is well-known and most can understand either one or both. The NRM has worked smoothly with this. One of the few things, the NRM actually has achieved. The Uglish is fantastic.

Aim nine, peasants and workers are not really a part of making decisions and taking part of the party. The decisions are made in the State House. It is made by the President and not by Party. The Party is a front and its only there so the President can pay-off his loyal allies. Its seemingly so, when the NRM-O and NRM CEC are made for his best interest. Not to create a better republic.

The tenth aim which is ‘build a proper defence and security systems’. The Military is at its strongest and used as hired mercenaries in Equatorial Guinea and doing United Nations missions in both Somalia and Central African Republic. Its also the main reason for still the current president. He uses the military, because he doesn’t have the popularity. The Security Systems are fragmented and used against each other. Using military intelligence against the police. There is nothing that is certain and you are boggled at how and when something strike. When a crime will be solved and by who.

The eleventh aim to ‘encourage and sustain collective leadership’ is at best questionable at this day and age. The NRM have clearly forgotten this one. They have maybe never worked for this after 1986. That he has talked against sectarian and tribal leadership is well-known, but his achievement is questionable. Since he hasn’t promoted collective leadership, he has promoted his own leadership and the ones loyalty to him without ambition. It is reason why Vice-President Ssekandi are still there and Prime Minister Rugunda are there. They don’t want to get at the king, but if they get ambition to succeed him. Then they get demoted. Check history and you’ll see this.

The twelfth aim for ‘universal education and public health care’. There many more schools under the NRM. Though they are not well-kept or the up-keep is worth mentioning. The literacy rate has been rising in the three decades of rule, but the school system is far from perfect. Since teachers in the districts has side jobs because of lacking salaries, girls skip schools over lacking pads. That was even promised in the General Election of 2016. Still, the NRM haven’t delivered. They promised UPE, but never totally delivered on that promise.

Health care is a place where people are left to die. That is why MPs are getting treatment abroad, the daughters of the President giving birth in Europe. The Health Care is abysmal, lacking medicine, copy medics, X-Rays not working and awaiting between 2013 to 2018 before buying and putting up a new Cancer-Treatment machine. Only one for the millions of citizens of the Republic. There been a blood-drive, because of lacking blood for treatments in the hospitals. The air-machines has gone empty like in Jinja. The NMS hasn’t been able to buy in needed equipment. The Health Care is something the NRM really haven’t delivered anything to be proud of. They have build some buildings called hospitals, but they cannot treat people’s illness there.

The thirteen aim is about autonomy, but that is delivered from the State House. There has been growing amount of districts 118 if my calculation is right. So there has been changes, but it hasn’t given service delivery. Neither or anything visible changes. It is more district centre and more cronies paid-off making the civil service bloated, but not delivering services to the public. So the NRM has delivered dozens of new district and local government entities, but not that they matter. They only matters to the ones who get a paycheck and who is “running” them. But not for the public.

The fourteenth aim is about taking part of African Union and United Nations, the fifteenth aim was also about following their international standards and laws. In the beginning of the NRM rule, as long as he was a part of the new breed of leadership. It was seemingly important to respect international laws and enact those standards. With time this has withered, as he wants to rule on own accord and not let anyone question his reasoning. Therefore, he has become hostile to foreign interference, the ICC and all other who can question his acts and his use of military in foreign countries. Because of the fear of the repression from foreign entities, the former love-affair has become hatred and that has been shown over time.

The sixteenth aim has been done in some instances, that someone has gotten land and gotten measly awards. The State haven’t made functional programs, but more public givings and sudden awards as part of public display together with honors at liberation celebrations. Not really trying to give funds and such. NRM Historicals of all kinds, NRA soldiers and familes, haven’t been compensated, neither has the losers. They have gotten retaliation. So there are many families in disarray and lost of promises.

The whole republic has seen all the empty promises and the prospects of the Museveni era. He has had 32 years to create a state in his vision. The UPM isn’t that far from the 10 Point Program, that I have also dismantled, actually twice.

This here is another proof of how he promise big, but doesn’t deliver. Don’t be surprised, he is all talking big game, but never showing it on the touchline. He might be in the box, but never score. Peace.

Uganda: PM Ruhakana Rugunda letter to Ministers – “Restriction on Clearance of Public Officers to Travel Abroad and Authoriy to Purchase Foreign Exchange (16.01.2018)

Age Limit: A day of Chaos in the Chambers and a Non-Procedural Affair of Kadaga!

Has this article been tested in this region? Can a court in Arusha say, ‘parliament close?’. That is why i want to find out the jurisdiction of the Court & will give my ruling. Let us proceed with the report” – Speaker Rt. Rebecca Kadaga

Today, the 18th December 2017, the Parliament was prepared for a rally and race against time to deliver a second and a third reading of the Constitutional Amendment Number 2, the Raphael Magyezi Private bill. The bill which just done in the Legal and Constitutional Committee. The Second Reading was starting and also the questions about the majority Report. While, there was no sight or follow up of a minority report from the opposition to the bill.

There was strangers in plain clothes. The rumored Special Forces Command was there again. The sanctity of the chambers is lost after the previous battle for the first reading of the same bill. This time it had no violence or expulsion of that kind. Still, not long into the debate, the opposition sung the National Anthem, as they we’re afraid of the plain-clothed security guards. That within reasons, last time they we’re there, they took the opposition out like trash and hurt them too!

Fist that was proven, was the bill had never been tested if it could fit the laws of the East African Court. The Legal and Constitutional Committee has not delivered anything on it, either has any other state actor or Member of Parliament. Therefore, the Opposition MPs tried to stop the debate until that happen. The Speaker just took it to consideration and moved on.

The Speaker then continued insulting Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju for not delivering a minority report. Since he is sitting in the committee and is opposition. While he questioned the authenticity of the bill, since it was not produced.

After that the Majority report is read, when it is questioned by the MP Hon. Karuhanga, who wants to follow rules and the rules are that reports are supposed to be read for three days and then debated. Here it is just delivered on the first day. The Speaker rules that the report was uploaded last week, therefore, the rule Karuhanga raised does not apply. So he was silenced while using another stalling tactic.

After some chaos and different noise inside the chamber. The speaker suspended the debate and would open again later at 2 PM. Soon after, she suspended Ssemujju, Karuhanga, Akol, Odur and Sewanyana. These we’re six MPs suspended from appearing on the later debate and plenary session.

Since the Speaker was not after re-starting the plenary sessions was not listening to grievances from the Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza and other MPs. Kadaga was just brushing them-off and saying we have to move-on. We need the second reading, this procedures can await. If people we’re wrongly designated or even added on wrongly to committee. That can wait. The reading of the report and the bill cannot. Since that occurred, the LoP and Opposition stormed out of the Parliament, while the other MPs took their places, since many was standing already. So after being out for about an hour, they came back and then the debate had to stop, so the NRM MPs was moved back in their own seats and standing places. Since the Opposition has their seats in the chambers.

After that the discussion the 201b ensured during the later part of the session. As MPs was discussing it, Kahinda Otafiire was heckling and trying to stop MPs for addressing it. He was working hard and several MPs was saying he was impatience and stressed about it.

In the end after a horrible day in Parliament. The Plenary Session was suspended the second time for problems with the microphone and it will continue tomorrow. Certainly, the plans of dipping through with little issues was stopped. Still, the Parliament and the rules are put into safeguard from a hostile takeover. Even as the National Resistance Movement are trying their best to deliver to their master and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu MP said this about today events:

It has been such a long day and tommorow is probably going to be even longer. If there is any time that our Country needs our prayers and efforts, it’s now. Some shameless people are bent on raping our constitution and we must stop them.The house is adjourned till tommorow at 10:00am. All I can say now is;Jah give I strength and wisdom to handle this situation. #Togikwatako” (Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, 18.12.2017).

Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has really lost her mind and showed disgraceful attitude and also disrespect of the chambers, as she let again strangers appear and not following procedure. She has no troubling violating the guidelines and the codes of conduct. As long as she delivers what is needed. No pride and no glory, only creating a law at gun-point. Since there was Military Police at the National Theater down the road. To ensure that the chaos didn’t erupt and no-one wanting to demonstrate near-by. Peace.

Age Limit: Seemingly the Parliament is ready for the Second and Third reading of the bill tomorrow!

The Plenary Sessions paper for Monday the 18th December 2017 is out. The Constitutional Amendment No. 2. or the Private Bill of Raphael Magyezi, the Age Lifting bill of Presidential Candidates is up. But not only up for a Second Reading, which is natural after the first reading and been scrutinized by the Legal and Constitutional Committee in Parliament during the recent weeks. Clearly, the National Resistance Movement have short time.

Since the Plenary Session on Monday is all in the name of the bill, secondly, it is not just the second reading that is up. If it was so, it would have been an ordinary bill. However, this is the life-line of the political life of Museveni. Therefore, it has to be speeded up. They are racing to the underground and hoping to find a gold mine. So they can live happily ever after.

Because the reading is filled with “Bills Committee Stage”, then the “Motion for the House to Resume” , after that the “Report from the Committee of the Whole House” and the “Motion for Adaption of the Report from the Committee of the Whole House”. This means by this stage, the Parliament is expected to follow the guidelines of the Committee and their majority report. Secondly, so they can move forward vote on the bill and do the third reading.

Which is apparently happening right after they have gone through the reports in quick minutes and made sure the legality is in check. The Members of Parliament and the NRM has then ensured the protocol and provisions. Even if rushed and in sensational speed. They are trying to take a Formula One instead of dipping through the jams of Kampala.

They are on the same day, after all those minutes already facilitated in haste. Its like the wig of Parliamentary Speaker Rebecca Kadaga is falling off. Like Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah has fire up his ass. That they are pushing it further. They are actually as they just voted for the acceptance of the second reading. Just as they finished discussing the report and everything else. The Parliament is actually having the third reading. Its like they should just get 2/3 of majority vote and get it all over with.

So Museveni can sign himself into life presidency, instead of keeping this charade up for another day. They are extending their legality and their methods in the Parliament. I am sure the Police and Special Forces Command will guard the city squares and the streets around Parliament. There will be a siege of the Parliament. Since this is the life work of Museveni and his will. His will is law in the end. Nothing else matter. To say so is a lie. The NRM and their syncopates has too lie. They cannot help themselves, they want to eat and needs mercy from their master.

Tomorrow will be a hectic day, a day of arrests and detained opposition. There will be violence and trouble. Still, the movement of the law will happen. Even if it is foolish and the world knows it. They are pushing it and doing it on the knives edge. Because Museveni needs it. So his blood still pumps in his veins. As long as it does, he anticipate to be the king and stay the king. No stone left unturned to stay there.

Tomorrow will not be different. It is just a mere signal and flash from darkness. That the steps to life presidency is there. If Mwenda, Mirundi or Ofwono says otherwise, you know it is false. They lie, just like their boss. Peace.

Age Limit: A Brief look into the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Report on the Age Limit!

Today, was the day that the 10th Parliament, the Committee of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs majority report was leaked. As Speaker Rebecca Kadaga yesterday gave the public knowledge that the Constitutional Amendment will be up for second reading after the Committee is done on the 18th December 2017. The bill of Igara West Raphael Magyezi private bill got passed through the first voting and ended under scrutiny by the Committee. Even though this report make it just look benign and dumb. The questions for the reason for this isn’t because of discrimination or any other sort. That is just political ploy by the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Who has a record of changing laws when he needs them too. If it is the constitution or another bill. It will be amended and changed when he needs it. The same reason for why the Article 102 (b) suddenly has to lifted and changed with an artificial provision.

The Committee is trying their best to legitimize it, but it doesn’t take away the purpose and their reasons for their recommendations. I am not surprised, this was expected by the Committee, it is fitting the paradigm of National Resistance Movement (NRM) under the rule of Museveni. They are trying to find special ways of fitting his narrative to his life. Without implicating himself to much. So it seems like it fits something else, while in the end its him who benefits. If it would go wrong, someone else has to fall on their sword. If someone get more ambition than Museveni, they are sacked or called rebels within the NRM. Therefore, expect the quotes I have taken to be in this regard. I have not taken from the ones questioning the lifting, because we all know the reason why to keep it. The Republic was made to serve and be there for Museveni, but he has taken it hostage. The NRM are just accepting it, because they are eating of his plate, the little breadcrumbs he is serving now and then. Therefore, this report is reflecting this. Take a look!

Article 102 (b) threatens democracy since Article 1 of the Constitution grants people of Uganda the right to determine who leads them and how they are ruled. Therefore restricting their choice on account of age would deny them the opportunity to fully exercise their freedom to decide who leads them” (…) “that Article 102 (b) is discriminatory against the youth and aged and is contrary to article 2l which guarantees equality of all people before the law” (…) “The youth and aged also want to participate in decision making process in the country. Having a lower and upper age limit would limit the participation of the youth and the aged in the country’s leadership” (…) “That age doesn’t translate into capacity since the youth and aged persons were able to serve efficiently in the office of President” (…) “that since life expectancy has increased from the time this Article was proposed and considering that more Ugandans are living longer, the population of the youth and aged persons, which are increasing every year, are productive and must be utilised” (…) “There is no empirical evidence to prove the assertion that persons below 35 years and above 75 years are not biologically endowed for leadership” (Parliament of Uganda, P: 60, 2017).

I wonder how it suddenly became a threat in 2017, when it took 22 years before it became an issue and a problem that the whole republic had to consider. If it had been a threat, wouldn’t the Committees and the working groups in the years before 1995 edited it out or at least changed the text to make it without reason? Or was the group members so drunk on the personality cult, that they was worshiping the words of Museveni back-then?

I wonder, if the Members of Parliament, meant it with sincerity that age doesn’t translate into leadership. So an infant and boy-scout is ready to become an MP too? Is a 100 year old struggling to walk and talk, good enough with a sound mind to run a republic? Age is complex in the sense, that no individual is the same. That people age differently and become mature differently, as also people aging in various aspects and get defects with time. Their all natural causes to live and to breathe. We all get deceases and has issues during our lives, that creates fatigue. Which effects our minds and our body ability to reflect on our surroundings. That is why we wants leaders with all senses and a clear mind. To be able to govern and steer a hectic ship as a Republic is. It shouldn’t be someone with an advanced age, as they can be taken advantage off and used by spouse or by doctors. This has been in the past also not to long ago with a certain Grace and her husband Robert Mugabe. If Janet tries to pull off the same, maybe then the army might attack Museveni too and put him under house arrest. Well, that is just speculation. Still, the thought of an advanced aged President is a frightened perspective, as it will weaken the persons ability to govern with full force and vigor.

The Committee further believes that whereas Article 102 (b) is not discriminatory, it marginalizes against the aged and the youth. The Committee notes that Article 102 (b) marginalizes against the youth and the elderly by limiting their opportunities especially as far as offering their candidature for the highest office is concerned. The Committee observed that Article 32 of the Constitution obligates the state to take affirmative action in favour of the marginalized groups to which the youth and elderly belong. The Committee believes that removing the age restrictions in Article 102 (b) is one way of streamline the provision for purpose of redressing the imbalance therein against persons below the age of 35 and those above the age of 75” (Parliament of Uganda, P: 62, 2017).

It is hard to believe that this will help the ones that under 35 years, when it is amended just because of the age of Museveni. It will not change anything and any imbalance, unless suddenly the laws change so much that more people can afford to run campaigns and there is actually a democratic playing field for all candidates. Which it is not at the moment. This is a mute argument to use the youth, because they are marginalized and blocked by this law. No one said some experience isn’t helpful when running for office and actually know something about politics before you run.

RECOMMENDATION

The committee recommends that-

(1) The age prescribed in Article 102 be reduced from 35 years to 18 years and for the upper age restriction to be removed” (…) “(2) Article 102 is redrafted to specifically prescribe the qualifications for a person to stand for president. These should including him or her being-” (…) “(a) a citizen of Uganda ; (b) a registered voter; (c) a resident in Uganda at the time of submission of his or her

and / (c) having completed a minimum formal education of Advanced standard or its equivalent” (Parliament of Uganda, P: 63-64, 2017).

They are really using the Youth for all its worth, even though it is to give Museveni a life presidency. They are not putting that in print. But that is the initial results of the change of the law. That is why the text are not saying any age, neither way, but they are using the youth because it is easier to fit. Than using advanced age. Since we all know it ridiculous!

The Committee observed that whereas many reasons were advanced for limits, one of the most prominent reasons was the existence of Article 102 (b), which persons above the age of 75 from being eligible for election as president. The reasoning at the time was that Article 102 was a deterrent measure against an incumbent seeking unlimited term as president and was sufficient to deter such a person. The Committee therefore notes that removing the age restrictions in Article 102 will remove the last remaining measure against the indefinite seeking of the office of President” (Parliament of Uganda, P: 91, 2017).

So they are blaming Dr. Milton Obote his predecessor for the reason, but ironically when he is gone. The provision isn’t needed. Obote is the problem, but not Museveni who apparently is still there. Just to bring some short words of Wisdom from Professor Oloka in 2006, it said this:

Your attitude to the kisanja saga relates to a larger problem, which goes to the essence of the problem of democracy in this country. Constitutionalism is about accepting the rules of the game as written and agreed upon, whether those rules favour you, or not. If the goalposts are changed whenever the tide goes against those in power then we have simply returned to the stage when Apollo Milton Obote abrogated the 1966 Constitution, rather than face the possibility of losing his job as Prime Minister. The 2005 amendments to the 1995 Constitution were the non-violent equivalent of Obote’s 1966 abrogation. My short point is that in the final analysis, constitutionalism is based on trust, not on the document in which the Constitution is embodied, because as you and your supporters have said time and again; nothing in that document is sacred. Just as it is not the quoting of biblical verses that shows whether you are a true Christian; it is your actions. Mr. President, how can you expect to be trusted for example on the issue of an East African Federation which today you are so much in favour of, and tomorrow may have turned completely against, if you discover that the Federation constitution does not favour your political interests?” (Oloka, 2006).

He couldn’t say it much better than this. Museveni is changing the Constitution, when he needs the fix. He is drug-addicted for power, he needs the next fix. This will be his re-up. The stash will be ready and he can continue with his addiction. That is what this is about. Nothing else. So it is special that the Legal Committee is blaming the provision of the law on Obote, when it was there all along because Museveni wanted it first. Just like accepted the term limits. Until, he had spent the hours and the years on office. Therefore, he needed that fix before the age limit is breaking his bones and his heart.

If it doesn’t happen, he will do like addicts do: lie, manipulate, impulsive behavior, criminal behavior, blame shifting and sensation seeking. He is already lying, manipulating the MPs, using criminal behavior with corrupt payments of the MPs and putting blame on others. He is just missing sensation seeking. If not, he will start another radio campaign or try to get it forced through with Special Forces Command and Police Officers like through the first reading. We can just imagine what will happen next week!

But do I believe the reasoning in this report. No and No! Peace.

Reference:

Parliament of Uganda – ‘Report of the Sectoral Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on the Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2017’, December 2017

Oloka, Joe Onyange – ‘Oloka responds to the President on term limits’ (31.07.2006) link: https://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1143715/oloka-responds-president-term-limits