Opinion: Museveni launches an expose himself campaign

“Corruption is first and foremost ideological. This is because the corrupt don’t know how to be prosperous sustainably. They don’t look for prosperity sustainably. They want to be rich at the expense of society. They are parasites” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (05.08.2020)

When the State House and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni launches “Expose Corruption Campaign” the man is initially exposing himself. All tides and waters goes to the shores of the State House. The deals, kickbacks and envelopes have an origin of the “high above”. There is no major corruption scandal without some touches from the head of state.

Ministers can run big schemes, Gen. Salim Selah can do whatever, businessmen can launch their businesses as long as there some sort of arrangement. That is what is happening. Everyone knows it, but the President can act like its not a big deal.

While the biggest corruption scandals has gone down without any proper litigation and arrests. This being Ministers who has made fake tenders and waste public funds. That has made roads expensive, medicine vanish and made procurement of cars into national corruption scandals. While, the Prime Ministers, Ministers and associates are all involved in it.

That is why this “expose corruption” is a farce. The President is doing this as a publicity stunt ahead of the polls and the campaign season. However, he has started numerous of organizations and entities to beat corruption. Nevertheless, there is always some shillings who disappear and goes missing.

Just think about this, he calls himself a insect and a bloodsucker too. A leach and a parasite … that is not a way you should describe fellow human beings. However, Museveni have done this plenty of times. Because, he cannot help himself.

President Museveni have used all tricks of the trade. Made dozens of laws, government institutions, but they are all pointless as they are never aiming at the big-fish. The biggest fish being himself. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) will never target itself, but blame others for it.

That is just his common tactic. He has used this trick before and this campaign will not change anything. It is a publicity stunt… and will not change a thing. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni ask his new ministers to desist from himself…

“I call upon all ministers and public servants to desist from engaging in any form of corruption. Corruption by any government officials is a great betrayal to Ugandans who are desperately yearning for service delivery. I implore the general public to embrace this fight and report the crooked officials with evidence, as opposed to rumours and we will take action” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 13.01.2020).

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President since 1986, whose now richer than God, but came into power with little or nothing. Therefore, he knows what he did to get there. He knows the implicated scandals, the grand corruption and often noticed missing funds in the headlines in the Republic.

That is why these sorts of desisting from corruption Telling the Ministers and the Public from stopping it. Meaning it should stop and get all evidence on plenty of high ranking officials in this government. Get the evidence of state owned enterprises and authorities. There are plenty of officials who would easily be implicated and connected with government tenders and whatnot.

There is enough ghosts, over-inflated state contracts and some-what. Therefore, days like today. Feels futile. The state has created a lot of mechanisms, a lot of organizations fighting corruption. Still, the big-men, the men sanctioned by the State House and the secretive investment deals are overshadowing the supposed battle against corruption.

When there is lack of transparency from the top. There will be less from the bottom too. There is no reason for changes, when everyone is eating and the ones with influence of the State House. They got an ability to get kickbacks, suits, graft and so-on. This is not news, but a reality.

The NRA historicals can steal land, take property and easily, therefore have other perks too. The NRM knows this and let them go. If your big enough and has the blessing, you can eat UNRA funds, eat NSSF funds and GAVI Funds with no costs or damages. You get to build a mansion and own business, on stolen funds.

That is why statements like today is worthless. Not believable. He has the Public Procurement And Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA), State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Inspectorate of Government (IGG) and Auditor General (AG). Nevertheless, the big-fish is not getting caught. You have the Police Force and the Judiciary too. Still, all of these cooks cannot make a decent meal. Its a bland mix of watery soup, not even a good broth.

That is why President Museveni. We have to see you fight yourself. Not walk, not talk, but battle your own shadow and that’s not happening. Because, your not a cartoon character, but a self-styled President for Life. Peace.

Opinion: Parasites and lies, a walk against himself…

“I have never stolen anything from anybody. And I am also not a poor man” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the Walk Against Corruption on the 4^th December 2019

Today, was the official walk against Corruption in Kampala, as the President, the Anti-Corruption Unit at the State House and all other governing parties involved muster up a decent crowd of paid participants, staff and whatnot, security guards and whoever they could find. To walk a distance in the midst of Kampala.

At one point, the guards and security told pieces of the march to slow down, because it couldn’t walk faster than the President. Even as he went to Kololo, he still went at a rate, that was to slow too many. This walk will not change anything. It is a PR Stunt, which will not gain anything fruitful. It is more public wastage in order of looking sincere, which it is not and will never, be.

“It is a moral problem because you make yourself a parasite. Corrupt people are parasites because they get wealth which they did not earn, because they think that God does not see the bad things they do. In the last 60 years, I have been watching and I have not seen these corrupt people being successful sustainably” – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the Walk Against Corruption on the 4th December 2019

With this in mind, the President is truthfully telling the world that his rich. His vastly rich, Ritchie Rich, rich actually. However, the President doesn’t tell how he got there. It was not like he had wealth and assets going into the role of the Presidency. Not like he had estates, businesses and ranches going in. No, he was an impoverished former Minister, who had gotten grants by mercy of Nyerere and who was hired by Obote II. That is who he was until 1986. Therefore, his wealth has come with power and with incentives given to him over time, also boosting his accounts and also his cronies.

Secondly, if it is a moral problem, then its engraved into this administration. If corrupt people are insects and parasites, there is surely a lot of them in his cabinet, in his offices and around his closest associates. Himself is a parasite then. Because, he haven’t gained wealth on innovation, marketing or basic business models, but by being in-office and getting bargain by kickbacks and inside deals.

Last, but not last. We can say you Mr. President has been successful, gaining more and more power, more and more money and depleting the state, little by little. To a point, where nothing isn’t up for grabs, where secret deals inside the State House decides, if they are staying or going. The Presidential Handshakes and whatnot is the ones crediting to you. That is why walking today is obnoxious and outrageous. Only naïve and dumbfounded people believes this PR Stunt.

The man cannot fight himself. He will not tarnish his own creation and destroy what he keeps him there. Therefore, this is charade, packed as a rally and a march against something. But in the end, it will only further show the rot, the plight and the suffering the actions made by this cause. Peace.

Follow the Code: A secret walk against corruption

“On 4th December, 2019, H.E the President of the Republic of Uganda will lead the walk code named Anti- corruption walk. The walk is aimed at intensifying the fight against corruption. The walk will start from Constitutional Square to Kololo and a number of people are expected to participate in this walk” (Uganda Police Force – ‘TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR ANTI-CORRUPTION WALK ON 4/12/2019’ 03.12.2019).

Merriam Webster states that a code name means: “a designation having a coded and usually secret meaning” (“Code name.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/code%20name). With this in mind, I never believed that His Excellency or the President is serious about this.

This is the President whose have had issues with demonstrations, protests and rebellion. Therefore, his not the man whose walking against anything. He was a rebel at one point, but that was for his own cause. That is why his stayed in power since 1986 and never left.

With that in mind, the man whose known for having someone close to his office or cabinet connected in some corruption every single year. It is seemingly happening, there are like those proverbs in the papers saying: “Missing Funds”, “Unaccounted Donor Grants”, “Fake Corporations/Products”, “Ghost Employees” and so-on. Even knowledge of kickbacks, secret agreements between the President and Foreign Investors. That is just happens on the regular.

That’s why the President has created dozens of agencies supposed to have the ability to monitor the state organizations, businesses and tenders. This being the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Office of the Auditor General (OAG), Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority(PPDA), Anti-Corruption Unit – State House or even the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA). All of these are supposed to combat the ill called corruption. Still, these are not able to do so, neither are the Judiciary nor the Law Enforcement they are working in tandem with.

That is why the walk is even more ridiculous, as if it’s not the man whose the V.I.P or the Fountain of Honour, whose often involved or accepts the corruption. That being some road-scandal, illegal tender nor the Presidential Handshake. Neither some procurement for some government agency played around with to ensure someone got greased.

So, this walk against corruption. The man whose behind the grand-corruption and his party is usually connected directly in these operations. That is why tomorrows walk is walking against itself. This is like the man who makes everyone sick, suddenly will drop the cure. The man who drops bombs over a nation, suddenly calls and walks for peace. It doesn’t work. That isn’t real!

Unless, the old man with the hat starts to shadow boxing himself, knock himself out and suddenly understand that his the problem. Not that it will happen. This is a PR stunt and nothing else. The NRM MPs, the ones who wants to show loyalty will show up. But everyone knows the state who does this on the regular. Will not stop doing it. That is why Total had secret talks in the State House with the President just this week.

We cannot expect anyone than the small-fry gets charged and taken into custody. The ones who are the big-fish will not touched, unless they have fallen out with Jajja. Peace.

Opinion: Did the Anti-Corruption Unit at the State House overtake the IGG?

Irene Mulyagonja, the fourth Inspector General of General (IGG), who was appointed to this position in 2012. Are now six years later appointed to Courts of Appeals as a judge. A position she used to have since 2008, when she appointed as a High Court judge back-then. Therefore, she’s returning to her field of work after 7 years in “absence”.

What is clear is that the IGG has lost the mantle, haven’t been as focused or had the pivotal role as it could have had. However, that is not her fault. The state has established a new Anti-Corruption Unit in the State House. The IGG, had already competition with the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA), the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) and the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA). Combined with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), the Judiciary and the law-enforcement in general. Therefore, in the field of anti-corruption, there is a bit many chefs to compete with.

So, as an IGG she’s become more of a ghost. But that is because, well, the state has funded and created the State House initiative, which have put the others on the back-burner. Not like they have any prominence or reckoning of late. I cannot even remember a substantial report from either of the authorities in ages. That revealed something substantial or even investigated state owned enterprises nor the government tenders. Its been so little or nothing.

With this in mind, maybe it was a gift from the President to appoint her to the Courts of Appeals. So, she can use her skills, her experience and her knowledge to good use. Since it was wasted at the IGG.

We can hope this is greener pastures, maybe even a relief. Since, the hopelessness and the diverted fight against corruption must be boring. When the ones and cases are directed to the State House and not to the other authorities. Even if their mandate, their mission and their government position is more bearing in law and in print, than the one suddenly created last year.

Well, good luck at a new venture Irene Mulyagonja. We have to see who will be the fifth IGG and who will be the ghost in the machine. Because the role of the IGG has diminished with time. We can just wonder, why they bother even having it at this point and time? Peace.

Opinion: ANT’s fragile start ends up with a partnership with the DP Block

Well, the Alliance of National Transformation (ANT), the newly minted party from former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) rt. Gen. Mugisha Muntu has today shown sign of weakness. As his party is nearly launched and having consultation meetings across the Republic.

Still ANT is in the beginning face and now seeking alliance with Democratic Party Block or DP Block. Which is already filled one-man band parties of Social Democratic Party (SDP) of Michael Mabikke and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Abed Bwanika. These was the key patrons behind the DP Block. Now its revealed, that the party registered in January of 2019. Are now a part of the DP Block too.

That is sign of strength and broaden perspective for Norbert Mao, whose not has had many friends since he was a part of The Democratic Alliance (TDA). Surely, this makes him look important and that he got good opposition backers behind him. Even as the FDC and People Power Movement are moving on their own.

The DP Block doesn’t get more viable, even if it has Muntu. As his speaks of “country before self”, but his own agenda seems to be finding a space for him to shine. There isn’t anything that resembles strength or uniqueness in the ways Muntu has manoeuvred. Neither in anything Mao has been doing, except for his power-play some-days on NBS TV.

Let’s be clear, ANT is showing not their capabilities or their message by being part of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), the one that was supposed to reign in Robert Kyagulanyi and his brigades. Alas, that didn’t happen. It has only brought Mabbike, Bwanika and now Muntu. Is he awaiting someone else to so they can actually drive somewhere?

Because, at this point, this is still a TDA-Lite, even without the head honco of a Amama Mbabazi, a score and sore point to address the struggles and the big-man to have any appeal. With the cadres around the table, the measure of scope isn’t strong. Unless, they suddenly are able to show finesse and be political savvy to actually be relevant. This is not something you should anticipate from Mao, neither Bwanika nor Muntu. If so, why would they be there?

Unity isn’t bad, but this is like the losers club. Where the ones who couldn’t be a big-man, want to act like big-men, but is all dancing midgets. Well, its cruel, but a fact. They all want to be viable and express the concern of the public like Besigye, want the outreach and popularity like Bobi Wine. If not be unpopular, but still have the army like Anite. But, they have neither and acts like they can get it all by the half-baked measures they are doing.

As shown by the Democratic Party statement on the meeting today: “Next steps include the urgent declaration of our position on minimum reforms before the next elections. This doesn’t require the SPV as a precondition” (DP, 23.08.2019).

Because, if they wanted people to really join and follow the SPV, it should be able to function for the purposes of not only reforms, but basic governing. It is clearly lacking that, as it seems only to function as basis for the men to seem important. Which is by all means, a lot work to waste time. Peace.

PS: Bwanika hasn’t been so vocal lately, maybe he had a pay-off since last time we saw him.

Opinion: New strict campaign finance limits in the new Electoral Reforms…

I got to go at this law one more time, as there is one more consequential thing in it, that cannot be understated. This is real worry, because, this really limits the reach for the candidates, as they have to prepare in advance all the funds and everything before the elections. They have only two weeks to declare how they have raised funds, by whom and also the amount to able to campaign.

That is vital information, as this limits indirectly, the reach of the opposition and their campaigns. This should also stop the National Resistance Movement (NRM) from finding new funds, new money to suddenly have gifts, voter tourism and whatnot, which they didn’t announce two weeks after the nomination.

Take a look!

Section 22:

“(1b) candidate shall declare to the commission, within fourteen days after nomination day, the source of funds for financing his or her election.

“(4) (a) A candidate or candidate’s agent shall not- obtain, solicit or receive any financial or other assistance from any foreign Government, institution, body or person which or who has demonstrated an intention to overthrow the lawfully established Government of Uganda, or to endanger the security of Uganda;

(b) obtain, solicit or receive any financial or other assistance from an organisation which has been declared a terrorist organisation under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2002” (Presidential Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2019).

The law is also scary vague on key components like the issue of financial or other assistance from foreign government, institution, body or person, whose intention is to overthrow a legal established Government of Uganda. This means, any sort of organization, whose funding is foreign and who works with governance could get into trouble to finance NGOs and others, which implies in a Multi-Party Democracy, that someone else than the incumbents should actually have the possibility to win. Alas, we know, in an Ugandan election that is impossible. Because, the House always WINS, sort of like the rigged Casinos.

This amendment is clearly stifling the ideas like we saw in the previous election, where the citizens gave gifts and donations all along, as Kizza Besigye travelled across the Republic to give small donations here and there. Clearly, because, the NRM and their allies want to underscore and know how much they have on the books and verify their sources. Since, we know, they will not tell how much of the State House budget, the OPM or others goes directly to the President and his team of associates. No, they will make a way to be the smooth operator, but this law is get more strings attached to the opposition.

By all means, no political party or candidate should be used a foreign party to intervene or to overthrow an government, neither should money or funding play into it. That is fine, but that the Electoral Commission needs to know 14 days after the nomination, are really limiting the scope for fundraising, especially with all the conditions put into play.

The rest of the law is straight forward and understandable by all accounts, it is a measure to secure where the funding is from and not laundering money from unsolicited sources, which can be connected to terrorism and other illegal activity, which is fine. That shouldn’t be the case anyway.

But it’s the rest that put real strains on a campaign and ensures, that the candidates have to have a vault of funds to able to campaign and be running in 2021. That is if this goes through parliament and becomes actual law. Peace.

Opinion: Are the electoral amendments a way of outlawing NRM’s own “Independent” MPs?

Well, the first initial reports of the Presidential Elections (Amendment) Bill of 2019 wasn’t accurate, the rumours and speculations wasn’t all truthful. Who knows who leaked it like that and for what reason. That is up to TVO to conspire and show the paperwork off. That is his dish to serve and he does it with such skills.

Alas, this piece will be about independents candidates and their eligibility as candidates. Because, that was also important in the leaks and also the associations between organizations/pressure groups and party members. There are still legal boundaries to this, but now more restrictions, than in the past. Just take a look.

“9A. Eligibility to stand as independent candidate.

(1) A person is eligible to stand for election as an independent if that person is not a member of a registered political party or organisation having ceased to be a member of a political party or organisation twelve months before nomination day; or having never been registered as a member of a political party or organisation.

(2) An independent candidate shall be taken to have ceased to be a member of a political party or organisation under subsection (1) (a), if that person has complied with the constitution, rules and regulations of the political party or organisation to which he or she belonged, that relate to cessation of membership of that political party or organisation and was discharged by the political party or organisation.” (Presidential Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2019).

Well, this is straight forward, but this outlawing a practice, which has been done in most parties of late. Most notably in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) where the incumbent loser in any given district or county, have re-run as independent candidates, even while being members of the party. There was even meetings with about 20 Incumbent MPs who lost their Primaries in 2015 at the State House mid-December 2015 ahead of the 2016. Surely, there was also some more who ran on their own accord after losing their primaries earlier in the year. There was also a rise in the amount of Independent MPs in the 10^th Parliament. This means, that this method will not be allowed from neither the UPC, DP, FDC or the NRM for that matter. Especially,as the NRM as they have had the most these type of candidates in the previous election.

What this also does, limits and restricts the Independents, meaning if they are Independent. They are not even running under an organization. This means, that possibly, running as independent while being part of People Power. Would be impossible, that is if I understand it correctly. That means, someone running for People Power or for Go-Forward in the previous election. Would have to be registered as member and therefore, not really independent. But aligned to the organization or the party. That would limit the ability for certain individuals.

The original law from 2005 stated only this for any candidate:

“9. Sponsorship of candidates by political organisation or political party

Under the multiparty political system, nomination of candidates may be made by a registered political organisation or political party sponsoring a candidate or by a candidate standing for election as an independent candidate without being sponsored by a political organisation or political party” (Presidential Election Act 2005).

Clearly, that law was more liberal, more free and gave way to more various of ways into parliament or into public office. However, this is now showing that the NRM wants stop their own practice and also make the road to the 11^th Parliament harder. Even for the guy himself inflicting this law. Who did use this method, the Minister of Justice Gen. Kahinda Otafiire ran as an Independent Candidate after losing the NRM Primaries. He lost twice, but got the Ministry still, because his one of the loyal subjects of the President.

Nevertheless, expect this to have ramifications. As this law is limiting the people running for Parliament. Unless, the NRM Primaries and others are held 13 months ahead of the up-coming elections. Also, that is if the Electoral Commission allows the parties to hold the Primaries early. Because something got to give. Peace.

Uganda: Press Statement- Government Position on the Electoral Law Reforms (30.07.2019)

Opinion: Bwanika want to be a Kingmaker, but his just a jester!

“Bobi Wine you made a major mistake to self-proclaim that you will lead people without peoples participation and endorsement” – Abed Bwanika

It seems that Abed Bwanika wants to be important. He want to be the central part of the opposition. Bwanika wants to be the kingmaker, the one that is behind the ones coming up. Abed wants to be the one whose the man behind the scene and get seen as the chief.

There is signs that People’s Development Party (PDP) and Democratic Party Block leader Bwanika thinks highly of himself. That Bwanika and others in the DP Block think they invented and ushered in People Power. Like the phenomenon was his and his allies to control and muffle with. That they should be able to run it. Because, his been meeting and greeting Bobi Wine on several of occasions.

This is how it seems, that Bwanika wants to be a kingpin, he wants to be the steers and offers positions. He feels he deserves credit and should be honoured for his work. Instead, he was left behind and feels like a sore looser. That is why Bwanika now says Bobi Wine is wrong, picking the wrong people and is the worst. Since, he was left out of the picture, a picture and a organization he should have some sort of central position in.

Instead, the DP Block leader is lost, his not a kingmaker and not as big as he thinks he is. Bobi Wine is so much more than Bwanika. That is visible by the structure and by the reach he has. That is why the NRM is worried about the popular rise of People Power. This is something Bwanika knows, but he wants to act like he was a vital part in it. Which I have hard time to believe.

Bwanika wants to be around kings, but the only way he can get there right now. Is if he dances, making jokes and make his court laugh. Right now, that is all he does. Abed has forgotten his role and thinks too highly of himself.

It is maybe time for Bwanika to reflect on his self-importance, before his totally undressed by the public. Which is happening in rapid speed, no to be accurate near amp-speed. That is how impressively self-inflected damage and self-destruction.

That is why he isn’t an kingmaker, but an jester. That must be sad, but Bwanika at this moment, it is what it is. He wants to vital, important and looking like he makes a difference, except for losing face. That’s not a good look, but put up a skit for all of us! That is what a jester is supposed to do. Peace.