Omoro County By-Elections: Final update on the evening ahead of the polls…

The war-zone was to be expected and the nerve, the tension and the intimidation too. Because the yellow of the Republic cannot win without using these means and the authorities to get ahead. The reports from both National Unity Platform (NUP) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is familiar with previous by-elections of this era.

That there are prolonged arrests of mobilizers, activists and use of roads-blocks to “stop strangers” for interfering. While the National Resistance Movement (NRM) walk around like demi-gods who can break any law or electioneering as they deem fit. The reports of giving away money to voters, soap and other minor donations in the hot-minute before the polls. There been already reports of NRM Teams in coordination with the Residential District Commander (RDC) and canvass all parts of the county that way.

No one should be shocked, if the offices of the FDC was raided in the evening before the polls. As their first candidate for the polls was even bribed himself and they had to field another one before the nomination. So, the continuation of voter bribery and intimidation as well.

There is even reports of possible pre-ticking of ballots ahead of the polls tomorrow. So, there is nothing left to chance here. Just to take it even further the state has deployed government vehicles without number-plates and army vehicles without number-plates to the county. That is all to ensure the votes and the polls goes after plan. These things are not for the weak or the ones who don’t want to fight. Because, these sorts of affairs are just a proof of how the game is rigged.

The ones thinking that the President and his hand-picked candidate would be let to chance. Those are not familiar with protocol or how these things operate in the Republic. All that mention has been done before and what we are seeing is similar to what has occurred in the past. It is not an election under Museveni is peaceful or fair. They are battleground and a place where the state interferes with everything at their disposal.

What is striking is that all of this is done to retain a seat and further the nepotism of the NRM. Just so their guy and their flag-bearer Ojok Oulanyah can takeover the seat of his father in Parliament. The candidate who didn’t need a primary election, but be directly picked by His Excellency. Therefore, this is high stakes for the President and he don’t like to be humiliated. Even if it is all a charade and mockery of an election. As the war-zone, rigging and intimidation only further shows that the NRM doesn’t even believe in their own propaganda or agendas. Since, they need to use all tricks from their book to get a “result” that’s worthy of the Fountain of Honour. Peace.

Omoro County By-Election: The Son of Jacob will not help people out of poverty, but finish his father’s mega-mansion!

We want to express condolence for the death of our son Oulanyah. He had showed good leadership. I’m sorry that we lost him but I am very happy with the people of Omoro. You are civilized people and know how to behave well because you reasoned rationally and said this was Oulanyah’s term. He didn’t finish it, and so let us send his son to finish it. This is Oulanyah’s term” (…) “These people are not sending you but sending Oulanyah back. If you work well, next time they will send Ojok back” (…) “So, I hope Ojok will continue Oulanyah’s work and help people get out of poverty” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (24.05.2022).

The late speaker and former Member of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah wasn’t only the breadwinner of the family, but he also built up a massive estate. Where he had a plan of a vast and huge mansion in Omoro County. That is left behind and unfinished. The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) and President Museveni promised to fulfil the mission and deliver the mansion to its glory. While also support the kids and relatives of the late speaks intuition fees as well. Therefore, Andrew Ojok Oulanyah isn’t finishing the mission of his late father, but ensuring that his mansion getting built.

It is hard to say that the late speak did much or anything to combat poverty. Even if the statistics between 1999 (over 80% under the poverty line in Acholi sub-region) and in 2017 (68% under the poverty line in Acholi sub-region). That can just be mere luck or the long effects of the peace after the prolonged war since the liberation war in the 1980s.

What is striking is that the sub-region is one of the most impoverished and lacks government structures. However, the late speaker still saw it within reason to build a mega-mansion worthy of a hotel complex and beyond. A such huge estate, which only benefits the high and almighty of the nation. That’s the sort of thing that the Son of Jacob is inheriting and the state is finishing it for him.

That’s why I doubt he will continue anything. Not like his father did much ado about nothing. We cannot expect much either. His a novice and just a pawn for government majority. Just like the Deputy Speaker was to continue her term and finish it. Now the President wants Andrew to finish Jacob’s term in Parliament.

Again, Andrew just wants to finish where his father left off. In a lavish lifestyle of perks and envelopes. That’s why his father could start to build a mega-mansion. As it seemed plausible to finish and live in a large mansion eventually. Where he could recuperate and chill behind the battles of Kampala. As he could have shade and all sorts of luxuries in the North. Because, that mansion when it’s finishes oozes prestige and glory.

I don’t see Ojok making a difference… but instead just getting a better life for himself. That’s why his indebted to the voters. Because, the party had no choice but to accept his nomination and candidacy in this election. That’s because Museveni decided. Just like he wants the public to follow his choices and his vision. This would be the same…

Do you believe the Son of Jacob? Because I don’t… I expect him to finish the building and cashing in the Parliamentary Salaries. That’s what is expected of him. He will build the mansion and get a vehicle as an MP. Ajok will get perks and kick-backs… that’s just the nature of the game of the current affairs. He will surely enjoy these and ensure the family has funds to keep it’s upkeep. Nevertheless, ending poverty or working to stop poverty in the Omoro county?

No, that’s not happening. It is his turn to eat and continue to build on the fortunes of his father. Peace.

Opinion: The President spends around a billion shillings a day for the remaining days of the Financial Year…

The 2nd Supplementary Budget of 2021-22, which is scheduled now in May 2022, as the end of the Financial Year is soon ending. The FY 2021-22 is only ending on the 30th June, as the next Financial Year is starting on the 1st July 2022. On that date start the FY 2022-23. Therefore, it must be something significant for the state to suddenly spend lavishly in the end of a financial year.

The Supplementary Budget which was voted on recently gave the State House 77 billion shilling in additional funds for “Classified Expenditure”. This is happening days before President tells his citizens to buy “less” and “survive”. As the state isn’t able or it isn’t capable of subsidising or cut taxes on basic commodities, as the prices are rising in the Republic. However, the same state can spend a billion shilling a day on the “classified expenditure” for his august State House.

The President can spend a billion shilling a day just on the supplementary budget. That is not taking into the account the already allocated funds to the State House Budget in the FY 2021-22 or the first supplementary budget, which most likely also had additional funds towards the State House. If not there is plenty of funds allocated and directed to the Office of the President. He has enough options and means to spend vast fortunes on a regular basis.

The latest is just a simple fact of how his beyond redemption. A man who speaks of being a revolutionary, but acts like a kingpin. A man who speaks of surviving and living within our means, but he himself has all the monies of the world. The State House and the President can buy whatever it wants at any given time. The State House can imports, buy and trade whatever it deems fit. It has the budgets and the sudden additional funds to do so. It is a huge enterprise and a growing money tree.

The State House has only by the latest budget a 1 billion shillings a day to spend and that isn’t even covering every single day. The State House would still have funds to spare and use. This just shows how reckless and how how the President is using money like no tomorrow. He might claim it’s for development and other projects. However, what results does it have or what purpose? Why not let other agencies, state enterprises or even ministries directly steer these funds?

We all know why… the President wants to be implicated and directly part of all pieces of the state. That’s why his directives goes into all portfolios and all parts of government. He wants to have a say and order as well.

That’s why his spending like a drunk sailor on himself, but speaking of frugality to anyone else. His office and State House gets huge slush-funds, classified expenditure and whatever else he points at. He can claim it is to save someone in the up-country, but everyone knows it is being eaten mostly by himself. His getting a big convoy, having over 130 Presidential Advisors and whatever else he see fit.

If you believe a man who needs a billion shillings day to live. That his the guy to lecture you about living a simple life. You are being lectured by the wrong guy. The guy who is living hand-to-mouth and selling New Visions on the streets of Kampala can explain how that life works. However, a President who spends more than any other soul of the Republic.

Well, he isn’t the guy to speak of living frugal. No, his the guy to listen to when you want to buy Evian or import expensive relics to his State House. Peace.

The Rise of the Cassava Republic: A look into President Museveni’s “National Address “On the State of the Economy”

To use frugally these imported items (kukekereza, kwereembareemba) or kubyesonyiwa (get alternatives)” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (22.05.2022).

Cassava. Cassava. Cassava. Well, here we are and things are not changing. The Head of State came with his history lecture, but he says he fixed everything since 1986, but the problems are always returning. Things are never stable enough or ability to permanently find solutions. That’s why even the “revolutionary” man and His Excellency is living large. The same does all his cronies and it’s really unique that a man who has all the wealth and all the power. To say to the citizens to not by imported items and switch to cassava.

Just read these lines in 2022:

The struggle between the two lines, therefore, was as follows: the revolutionary side (our side) pointed out that what was primary was to avoid death (massive death – ekyorezo), all other problems notwithstanding. The reactionary line was to emphasize the loss of jobs, loss of businesses, loss of school time, pregnancies of young girls, etc. Our line was that ebizibu (problems) are not equal (comparable) to death (okufa). Death is irreversible, while problems are reversible at the appropriate time. “Ekitatta Muhima, tekimumalako ente”, we say in Luganda (if a Muhima does not die, even if he loses cows, he will, in time, recover them)” (Museveni, 22.05.2022).

He is speaking well of the lockdowns and the stopping of society as he did for months during the global pandemic of late. Where the state had no emergency or contingency plans to help their citizens. There was a lack of support and the price of survival must have been really hard on the citizens living hand-to-mouth. As there is only one elite who could work from home. The day-traders and the ones living of their hands couldn’t do that directly. That was why so many was hurting.

Now, he speaks of the revolutionary line, as the NRM is far from that now. They have become the elites and the bourgeois who is eating of the plights of the rest. The President will not say that, but his staleworths, associates and all in collective is living large while the rest is struggling. That’s why his speaking like this. Because, it is so easy on the throne and when you especially doesn’t come with solutions, but let the people fix it for themselves. That’s the “revolution” his bringing… and he is clearly not on point with the needs of the people anymore. As their plights and the trouble to afford basic commodities isn’t going away and he choses to nothing about it. Since it is only a problem, but he don’t won’t to solve it. As it is not about survival…

He continues:

Again, here, we confront the struggle between the two lines: the revolutionary, patriotic line of the truth and seriousness on the one hand and the reactionary line of populism, cheap popularity and lack of realism of: prices-control by Government, subsidies, tax cuts on the other hand. Although this is not as serious as covid-19, the choices here, are also with serious implications. It is a choice between okubandama (collapse) of the economy on the one hand or survival (kwetaasa, kuhonoka). The real medicine for high prices and shortages, is increased production. Produce more, if you can” (Museveni, 22.05.2022).

It is really clear that his trying a balancing act, but it’s far from revolutionary at this point. It is being relaxed about the trouble and issues of the people. Instead of supporting and finding means to an end for the mwannachi. He prefers to look silently by and hoping the resilience of the people will linger on. Neither is his fearing uprisings or major demonstrations. Because, the “bread and circus” is working. Secondly, there is enough to keep people content with bare minimum. While the people should afford a bar of soap or cooking oil. The loaf of bread is just a proof that the society is weakening and the middle-class is dying too. There is only the rich who is connected to the government and their inner-circles. The businesses are thriving because of connections and suction from associates of the state. The rest has to fight and struggle.

He speaks of producing more, but who is buying and how are you selling that? When people cannot afford things to begin with. That will only benefit the traders who are exporting and not the people who cannot earn enough to pay the increased prices. Especially, when the state isn’t planning to help to regulate or subsidies imports of certain products. Neither, can certain products be produced at a massive scale for a reasonable price over night either. So, the President here is really naive or if not. Ignorant on the facts and what this really do. Its more Cassave and less wheat all over again…

In conclusion, I repeat that the only, really, serious dangers to our future are: reliance on only rain-fed agriculture; damage to our environment; and a nuclear-war among the mistake-makers” (Museveni, 22.05.2022).

Well… there you have it. This is the vital parts of the speech, because the rest was more history lessons and not relevant for today. That’s why I have only these paragraphs. He just shows what his asking for the public. You have to figure it out and if not use less soap. If not someone has to start production in Namanve or Luzira for that matter.

Museveni promised a “Steady Progress” and “Securing Your Future” but in this speech. He never really meant these things. Because, he is leaving people to fight for themselves. Since he has no incentive or reasons to do things. That’s for a simple reason. He don’t fear retribution or a revolution against him. As the President for 36 years… he hopes he has dozed people off so much. That they will never care to turn against him in the streets, avenues or in the villages. Even if they can’t afford basic commodities. Peace.

Omoro County By-Election: NUP Mobilizers and Activists kidnapped and kept incommunicado…

Police Mount Checkpoints to Screen ‘Strangers’ In Omoro Ahead of By-election. According to the Aswa River Region Police spokesperson, David Ongom Mudong, the checkpoints will help Police to screen people.…especially those who are strangers and entering Omoro District at the time campaigns are ongoing. But NUP Candidate, Simon Toolit Akecha says the checkpoints being erected in the constituency are targeting their campaign teams and supporters” (Unity FM 97.7 Lira, 22.05.2022).

This here was reported about yesterday. Now it is verified from the radio station in Lira. The By-Election in the Acholi Sub-Region we knew would be contested. The authorities and the state is using all their means to succeed.

The checkpoints are clearly made for arresting people associated with the National Unity Platform (NUP). As there are reports of both well-known activists and mobilizers in the area that is kidnapped and kept incommunicado.

As reported underneath:

I’m told the army arrested NUP supporters and members on the campaign team last night in Omoro. Some were picked from their hotel rooms” (Kelvin Omukungu, 22.05.2022).

This brother uses the profile name Maush Mo on Facebook, alongside some others he is said to be held incommunicado in Omoro by the Police. The leadership NUP is making efforts to establish reason for the arrested” (Kato Festo, 22.05.2022).

There was also reports yesterday that the Special Forces Command (SFC) was using violence, beating and brutally arresting people who was associated with the NUP. Therefore, this is a continuation of that and just shows what the NRM is willing to do to “win”.

There is also reports that the NRM is giving away money to villages and their team is spending millions of shillings to buy voters in the Oromo County By-Election. So, the NRM is not “wasting” any resources on the prestige of getting the Son of Jacob elected. Peace.

Omoro By-Election: Bobi Wine and the Campaign Team released after hours of arrest under military supervision…

The latest report from Omoro By-Election is that Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and his Campaign Team has been released. They are now returning back to Kampala. As the Special Forces Command (SFC) has released them after keeping them under arrest.

This is directly stopping the National Unity Platform (NUP) from campaigning and using their national figures to gain voters in Omoro County By-Election. It is just a proof of how the state intimidate, incite fear and uses their means to “win” an election.

The arrests today and the military supervised arrests of civilians, activists and political leader Bobi Wine. Only shows what the state is wiling to do. Just so their candidate can “win” and nothing else.

It is only 5 days to the 26th May and it shows the dire distress the NUP causes to the National Resistance Movement (NRM). That is so clear as the NRM has all their people campaigning in the election, but the NUP is blocked from doing the same. Just another proof of the “free and fair” elections in the era of the NRM. Peace.

Omoro County By-Election: Bobi Wine and the NUP Campaign Team arrested

Tonight, as the violent and brutal arrests of National Unity Platform supporters have been occurring in Omoro County ahead of the By-Elections there on the 26th May 2022. There are several of other reports of which shows the fierce force of the authorities in the area.

As the road-blocks and checkpoints are put up to stifle any movement or any sort of possibly public outcry of the residents there. There is reports that the NUP Campaign Team has all been arrested. This includes Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, as well as Noah Mutwe, Maush and others too. That is happening as they were campaigning for the NUP flag-bearer Simon Toolit.

The Special Forces Command (SFC) of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) is said to be deployed and using force today. These are the ones that is behind the arrests and taking them to unknown locations. This is similar to what happened in the Arua By-Election of 2018.

Now it is repeating itself and the arrests are occurring before the polls. Even before the NUP is able to canvass and campaign whole-heartedly in the county. That shows what the state is willing to do and how it uses it’s resources to stay in power. As they are fighting for the Son of Jacob to “win” this election.

Bobi Wine is reported to be under military supervision after the arrest hours ago. We don’t know where and with what charges, but everything is up for grabs here. Over the weekend everything will become clear. As we will here the UPDF drop a statement and the UPF as well. That is just happening whether we like it or not.

Alas, this just shows that the NRM doesn’t believe in their own candidates and own political platform. When they have to arrest the opposition and use military force to stop them from campaigning. That’s because the NRM and the army fears to lose even more influence in the Parliament. Even if it just a means to regain a seat the NRM already had.

A By-Election shouldn’t be bloody, vicious and need the usage of brutal force like this. However, this is the only way the NRM knows how to win and it shows. The Son of Jacob should feel weak and be praying to the Gods that the almighty forgives them. Because, his campaign is the reason for other people’s plights. The authorities are doing this on his behalf and he should remember that. Peace.

Omoro County By-Election: The Son of Jacob will only win by force and not by “winning hearts”

It is only 5 days to the polls in the Omoro County By-Election, which is scheduled for the 26th May 2022. The campaigns will last to the 24th May 2022. However, things are already spiralling out and the price of the politics is clear.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) are acting like everything is going after normal programming, as they are campaigning to retain the seat in Parliament and get the son of the late speaker, Andrew Ojok Oulanyah elected. However, that couldn’t be harder from the truth.

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) had to change their candidate in the last minute before registration, because the NRM had bribed their candidate and instead nominated Justine Odong. Therefore, from the on-set the NRM is using all means to win.

Just like today it’s reports of beating up and direct arrests of National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters in the county. There is also reports of checkpoints and authorities putting up road-blocks in the area too. So, like before… the state is making an election into a war-zone to ensure total victory.

There is reports that the Special Forces Command (SFC), which is a part of the Uganda People’s Liberation Force (UPDF) that is behind the brutal arrests and detaining the opposition members in the county. So, if he NRM believed this was a certain win and a walk-over. They wouldn’t need to do this…

As NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong was earlier in the day proclaiming that they had turned about a 100 NUP Members in Omoro County into NRM. Nevertheless, that is just the ordinary propaganda and most like a photo-op to sincere. As this is a way of people getting free t-shirts and possibly a cash-donation to “vote” for the NRM. So, yet another grand scheme.. because the real supporters of the opposition is meeting a blunt force. Not smiles and greetings from the comrades of the likes of Todwong.

If Andrew Ajok Oulanyah thinks his campaign is solid and great. He should have asked the authorities to not use these means. Because, this is just showing that the barrel of the gun and the use of violence is what the NRM needs to get votes. The NRM needs the blunt force to beat people into submission. Not because of a manifesto or a political programme.

That is the message the NRM is sending here. As they are targeting the opposition. While sparing no concern or mind for their own campaigns. It is all smiles and joy for Oulanyah, but I can tell you. There are plenty others who suffers. This campaign isn’t friendly, free or fair.

There is one campaign for the NRM and another for the rest. That isn’t just and the world needs to know.

The Son of Jacob isn’t winning because of his charisma, character or political promises. No, if his winning… its because of how the government and the authorities targets everyone else who dares to challenge him. Peace.

A Trillion Shillings to the PDM is a waste of public expenditure from the get-go…

The Parish Development Model (PDM) which was launched recently is following the patterns of other micro-finance schemes that the Government of Uganda has started. The public shouldn’t expect to much from this, because the state doesn’t have a history of ensuring it and they are just throwing money at the wall… and hoping sooner or later that something sticks. Nevertheless, that has never been the case.

The PDM is a new breed of the Emyooga, NAADs, SACCOs and all the other methods that haven’t brought people out of poverty. It is a “get-rich-quick-scheme” which is bound to fail. That’s said for a simple reason, the state is never studying the failures of the previous schemes before launching another one. Therefore, I don’t believe the PDM will do anything.

If you remember “Operation Wealth Creation” and all the other ones are only made for the fellas and the cronies of the state. This will be no difference and now the state plans to spend a trillion shillings on it. They are willing to wage these funds on a gamble.

Just read these quotes from the recent Parliament report!

In FY2021/22, UGX 200 billion was appropriated towards preparatory activities for the phased implementation of the PDM. These funds were able to support key activities like the establishment of the PDM Secretariat, recruitment of 6,000 Parish Chiefs – the posts filled so far are 9,847 (93%);

popularization of the Parish Development Model; development of PDM guidelines and manuals for the seven pillars, among others. Furthermore, Parliament under Supplementary Schedule No. 1 for FY 2021/22, approved additional funding for PDM as follows: UGX 3 billion-Mindset Change and Community Development activities under MoGLSD; UGX 29.3 billion-operationalize the recently created sub-counties and town councils; UGX 20.98 billion-to increase Parish Revolving Funds to UGX 17 million per parish; UGX 6.6 billion for establishment of Parish SACCOs countrywide; and

UGX 3.96 billion to operationalize the PDM Secretariat” (REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET ON THE ANNUAL BUDGET ESTTMATES FOR FY 2O22/23, May 2022).

Rt. Hon. Speaker and Hon. Members, in the FY2022/23, UGX 100 million per Parish have been earmarked under the Parish Revolving Fund, translating to UGX 1.059 trillion. These funds are a capitalization grant to the PDM SACCOs, which will be used for the sole purpose of lending to viable income generating activities in the Production, Processing, Marketing and Storage of agricultural products” (REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET ON THE ANNUAL BUDGET ESTTMATES FOR FY 2O22/23, May 2022).

So, we are seeing that state wants to ramp up their investments into the PDM. As they only started in the last financial year with certain amount of expenditure. It would be very unique if the PDM actually did deliver something substantial or game-changing in all aspects.

The PDM is bound to fail and become a wasteland of government spending. There is nothing in the cards or in the report to say otherwise. No, it is just a continuation of other similar schemes, which is money for the boys and the close associates of the state. This here isn’t built to last and is a hack-work. That’s why the funding and the sort of operations is half-assed and without any proper mandate. Neither is it bound by protocol or a direct policy. It is just made for being a place of reckless spending and without proper accountability.

The previous reports on the OWC and PDM haven’t been favourable either. The ones from certain districts of the PDM shows that. Therefore, this will only end in tears and they are spending a trillion on it too. Peace.

What’s up doc? A brief look into Parliament Report on PRESIDE and the mismanagement of COVID-I9 funds in the Republic

I like the unfortunate phenomenon of western countries halting exportation of the COVID19 vaccine until all their citizens are fully vaccinated. This will enable Africans to wake up and manufacture their own medicines. I like the bad things because Africans sleep too much, I have never believed in dependency. This selfishness in the world is bad but it’s a shame that the whole of the African continent is asleep waiting to be saved by others… In the short run, we shall see who can sell COVID19 vaccines to us. As far as Uganda is concerned, I assure you, we will never again be in such a situation, we are making our own vaccine” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (27.06.2021).

Another day, another Parliament Report exposing the rot of the Government. A government that isn’t follow the laws, codes and protocols of the republic. Direct Presidential Directives which have no barring and to ambition to be achieved. Neither was there anywhere close to be legit research or able to fulfil it’s mission.

The State House and Ministries clearly miscalculated their abilities and the promise of the project. Neither did it have the scientists or the manpower to do it. There was not enough time or enough research spaces to make it happen. The budgets was to slim and there was also spending unaccounted for. A sort of troubling project, which is meant to fail. A spending spree without any accountability or transparency. A money pit without without any sort of proof of value for money. The PRESIDE and associated projects was bound to fail. The Parliamentary reports published today is called: “REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION ON COVID-19 RELATED RESEARCH FOR FY 2019/20 TO FY 202/22”.

This report is a story of how a President and the State House directs, implement and execute without proper planning or direction for that matter. It is just headache and shows what sort of enterprise the whole COVID-19 vaccine programme PRESIDE was and that’s why the quotes of this report is so explicit.

It is a total utter failure and the President is implicated it, as it is his directive and run directly from the State House. This wasn’t a Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MOFPED) or Ministry of Health. No, this was an affair out of the State House and shows how it goes. Done without being bound by law or done correctly. That’s why this was bound to fail, which it did.

Just read these quotes from the report to get the gist:

In his statement, he indicated that up to UGX. 20bn had been drawn from the consolidated fund for scientists under PRESIDE to manufacture a COVID-I9 vaccine and an additional UGX. 50bn was drawn on 2021 for PRESIDE, and yet supervising Ministry (Ministry of Science, Technolory and Innovation) had been disbanded. He further questioned the legality of the Presidential Scientific Initiative on Epidemics (PRESIDE), queried its staffing, operations and whether its premises in Ntinda that had no laboratories would be able to produce a vaccine” (May 2022 report).

Overall funding for COVID- 19 research was as follows:

– UGX. 5.3bn for PRESIDE FY 2019/20

– UGX. 31.03bn for projects under PRESIDE, UGX. 3.35bn for PRESIDE secretariat operations, and UGX. 2.74bn under NRIP in FY2020/2l

– UGX. 25bn for project operations, a supplementary request of UGX. 50.4bn for a manufacturing plant and UGX. 27bn for additional operational funds for PRESIDE projects in FY 2021/22” (May 2022 report).

A total of (seventeen) 17 projects (Project l-17) was presented before Parliament with a total budget of UGX. 25bn, for implementation in FY2021/22. When additional funds of UGX. 27bn became available through a supplementary budget, the total number of projects raised to 27, where 10 new projects (Projects 18-27) were introduced and two of the already approved projects i.e. (projects 6 (Immune Therapy – Convalescent plasma). and 14 (Herbal Products for Management of COVID-19) were dropped. The Committee found that the two projects should have been given funds for implementation whether there was a supplementary or not since their budgets had already been approved by Parliament in the Ministerial Policy Statement. No reasons were given for their exclusion” (May 2022 report).

The Committee while interacting with the petitioner was informed that PRESIDE was a company formed by Dr. Monica Musenero and some of her family members including her husband. These allegations were disputed by Hon. Musenero, who informed the Committee that PRESIDE is neither an organtzation nor a company but a project under State House” (…) However, the Committee noted that the establishment of PRESIDE violates governance rules, as it has no legal status. The initiative has not been incorporated in accordance with the laws of Uganda. Therefore it is not a legal entity. The Committee also observed from the concerned officials that no steps had been taken to have it legally established” (May 2022 report).

Although PRESIDE was established with a visionary mandate, to be a vehicle to spear the pathogen economy, it has been mired with mismanagement, poor accountability practices and overall poor planning. At its inception, Government failed to define its legality, failed to analyze and optimize the structures that were already in place and build on these as a way of driving the pathogen economy forward. This went against the current government policy on rationalization and improvement of efficiencies within MDAs. The role of UNHRO, MoSTI, UNCST as regulators was usurped and replaced with PRESIDE which had a temporary supervisory framework in form of a MoU. With the expiry of the MoU, PRESIDE as a project remained operational yet not supervised because its Chairperson is the Minister responsible for the docket of STI and also the Special Presidential Advisor on Epidemics” (May 2022 report).

Reading a report like this is shattering. It just shows how the state is mismanaging funds and how the State House isn’t preparing things ahead. The whole PRESIDE shows how a Presidential Directive is put into life, but never able to implement, because the state doesn’t have the funds, manpower or the facilities to do it. The PRESIDE is an utter failure…

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) was all talk, but no business. They can start-up organizations and projects, but they have no plans of the implementation or protocols to ensure it is successful. PRESIDE is a proof on how not to run a project… as it has had no plan or any sort of proof that it would actually manage the mission from the on-set.

The ones that believes the NRM would be able to produce a COVID-19 vaccine was day-dreaming, because the whole PRESIDE can be seen as a nightmare. The ones running it should be ashamed and it was a waste of government funding. Nothing to show for it and only a name-tag, which runs back to the State House and the Presidential Directive. A

All of it is a waste … the President should be held to account as he ushered it in and it did nothing. They will fault everyone, but if it wasn’t for him… this mess wouldn’t exist and the report wouldn’t have been published either.

The PRESIDE should be lectured at Makerere University or something in how not to run things and be a case-study in bad-governance. This is a proof of how not to govern and nothing was done correctly. That’s why it deserve to be acknowledged and used as a learning experience. Since, the next government could do another properly and actually achieve something worthwhile. Peace.