Opinion: A new Speaker has to be elected before a new plenary or business is transacted in Parliament

The 1995 Constitution in article 82(4) states that no business shall happen in Parliament other than the election of a Speaker at any time the Office falls vacant. Now that it’s official that late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah died in Seattle. The stipulations in the Constitution is clear and sets the parameter of the next actions.

In other parts of the article 82(5) the Chief Justice, which happens to be Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, either himself has to preside of the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker. He can also designate a judge to do it for him in his stead.

What we do know by the other stipulations in the Constitution. The Speaker cannot be a Vice-President or Minister for that matter. Unless, Rebecca Kadaga now resigns from her position. She cannot be re-elected as Speaker. If she would be willing to risk that and again renegade for her own personal interests. Which she did with fielding her candidacy in defiance to the will of her party in 2021. Alas, things can become tense and interesting.

Because, we know things will run with a State Funeral and a transport of the body from the United States and back to Uganda. Where a Committee appointed by the President will preside over the proceedings and functions of the late Oulanyah.

Since he was sick, the Deputy Speaker Anita Among have run the business of the Parliament. While she was expecting a ceremony of forgiveness from Hon. Francis Zaake this up-coming week. That will clearly be abandoned and new things are bound to appear.

The Constitution is setting precedence and there is protocol to follow. The ones who calls this cold-hearted and out of order. Well, if they want an illegal plenary and stop parliamentary business. Then you skip these formalities and opens up a quagmire of problems, which can haunt the transacted business of the August House. The House should be order and it should follow the stipulated laws, as it’s the body, which enacts and proposes new legislation. Therefore, they should be the ones that honours it first and accordingly so.

Some might say… isn’t that mighty Noble and outside of purpose. However, if the 1995 Constitution hadn’t said this in the articles and the laws was reflecting this. I wouldn’t have questioned the legality either. Nevertheless, here we are and the justifications to ask for it is justified. The article 82 is clear in it’s wording and there is little wiggle-room.

The ones speaking of long mourning period and not hold an election for a new speaker. They are void of the fact of the function and the constitutional bound role of the speaker. This is why the importance of doing it and ensure the formalities for business transacting in the August House. That should for matter for anyone who wants things to be done legally and after constitutional order.

Deputy Speaker Among might feel justified to continue, as she has done so in the absence of Oulanyah. Since he fell ill, became bed-ridden and went to hospital, even before he was referred to get treatment in the United States. She has been the one in his stead. However, the law isn’t giving her the rights to automatically get in his stead. The laws are set to have new elections. Meaning new candidates and possible re-election. This can be a hurdle or she have to trade on the goodwill of envelopes of late.

Time will really tell. Nevertheless, we have to see how the 11th Parliament will operate, but if they will act accordingly to the Constitution. They have now one agenda and one objective, which the Chief Justice or the ones he appoints have to preside over. The new election of the new speaker and deputy speaker. Since the seat of the Speaker is now vacant. Peace.

Opinion: We can now await a Omoro County By-Election …

Today it was revealed that Speaker and Omoro Constituency Member of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah had died after months of sickness at the hospital in Seattle, United States of America. Now, the ramifications of it also needs to be addressed. Since, when an MP dies it automatically triggers a By-Election to get someone else to get his office. Alas, that will be the case here.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) first has to have a Primary Election and find a successor as a flag-bearer in Omoro County. Since, the NRM has had Oulanyah running steadily on their tickets since 2011. He has been the sole proprietor of it since then and only had one term in the past as a Uganda People’s Congress MP. Therefore, the NRM got to search for someone eligible there ahead of the polls. As Oulanyah went unopposed in the recent flag-bearer race in Omoro County.

Secondly, we can assess a return of the former loser and runners-up in the 2021 election race. This being Independent candidate Olal Andrew P’obong and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Terence Odonga. We should expect them returning to the polls and try to sway the voters yet again.

Obong has been reportedly saying this ahead of the 2021 polls:

You may have money, but power belongs to the people and they are the ones to decide. You have seen many strong politicians who have lost elections because they can’t account for their leadership. Leadership is not in a seat, it is how you mobilise your people for development” (New Vision – ‘2021 Polls: Two engineers threaten Speaker Oulanyah’s seat’ (18.06.2021).

We know that this seat has been contested before. In the 2016 General Elections, the then FDC candidate was said to have been kidnapped. The results pronounced even before the official counting. As well, as reports of boxes filled with pre-ticked ballots. Therefore, it is not like he was always a popular and an easy man to hit the polls.

What we can expect is that Olal Andrew P’obong might stage himself as the new NRM Flag-bearer, as he fought for that after moving from the FDC towards NRM in 2021. There is even further speculation that the failed Presidential Candidate and Democratic Party President Norbert Mao might seek re-election as MP and could vie for the Omoro County seat. However, that will be a different seat, as in the past he vied for the Gulu Municipality MP and was their MP between 1996-2006. By doing so, he still holds on to the resolution of only being the MP for Gulu Municipality for two terms. Nevertheless, that is just mere speculations and nothing is broadcasted yet on these matters.

Alas, we know things will move after Oulanyah is out of office and in the ground. There will be moves, the Electoral Commission will notify and prepare a road-map for By-Election on this seat. It will be heavily contested. As this is the first one in the 11th Parliament and a lot of prestige to keep it in the NRM. We can anticipate a much contested as the Arua By-Election in 2018. It would only make sense to think it could be like that. The whole state and whole machinery will do whatever it can to ensure victory. The Special Force Command and army arriving early. To think otherwise is naive and the opposition candidates will be silenced and struggle to have peace while holding rallies.

That is just my anticipations ahead of the polls in the Omoro County. Time will tell, but this inevitable to happen. The Omoro county cannot have a ghost representing it in the 11th Parliament. Peace.

Jacob Oulanyah was supposed to be the voice of the 11th Parliament, but the almighty decided otherwise

The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

The likes of former Speaker Jacob Oulanyah is the kind that aim for the top and titles. He is the sort of strategically goes for the best position and bet. That’s why he was first elected as a Member of Parliament as a Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) in 2001. While after losing re-election in 2006. In the middle of that term he crossed over to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and never looked back.

“Hon. Jacob Oulanyah’s efforts to develop Uganda’s copyright are commendable. However, it is the writer’s opinion that copyright legislation reform should continue to be relevant to domestic objectives by reflecting social values of domestic policies. Its evolution should be adapted by lawmakers to promote present day social values and priorities. A chasm has emerged between copyright law and the social values about culture and it ought to be addressed” (ACODE Policy Briefing Paper No. 10, 2005).

In 2011 he got re-elected to Parliament in 2011 and gotten back to Parliament ever since. He was then elected as Deputy Speaker, which he was for 10 years. Where he severed the interests of the state and served diligently the will of the President. That’s why when he was re-elected in 2021 he became the Speaker of the 11th Parliament. Which he got by the loyalty he had shown to the NRM and the President over the years.

There was a time in Uganda where people had no right of worship. Thanks to President Museveni and the NRM government that ushered in peace and security and promoting right of worship. Christians and all believers in this country should cling onto President Museveni because he protects their right to worship. Make President Museveni your spiritual hero for continued development in Uganda”Jacob Oulanyah (Daily Monitor – ‘Museveni is like Jesus, says Oulanyah’ 24.08.2015).

People will write rosy words about the deceased speaker. It will be all humbling and kind. While he was living he was thriving on the demise of the opposition and the personification of the state. That’s why he was able to go from the an opposition MP in 2001 to the Speaker of Parliament in 2021. Therefore, the NRM will celebrate him and give him a State Funeral.

Oulanyah did what the state and what the President wanted him to do. He served them and was willing to do it at any cost. In his time he and Kadaga allowed Special Force Coammand to attack MPs within the Parliament. He allowed and let the Constitution be revised in 2005 and again 2017.

So, he played the games, which His Excellency wanted him to do. There should be no denying in this. They might say he was a man of integrity and honour, but he still allowed strangers to enter into the chambers. That’s why he accepted violence and harm of other citizens in the service of the state. This should be acknowledged and even if his gone. History will not be kind to this… Just like the day former IGP Kayihura dies. People will remember how he used police brutality and extra judicial killings to silence dissidents and opposition parties in the Republic.

In the same manner, we are now remembering Oulanyah. As he allowed the SFC and the President to violate the Parliament. Those dark days will forever linger, as well, as letting the Magyezi motion and amendment of the Constitution to allow the President to be for Life. The President are now living longer and staying in power beyond the men who let him stay there. That says it all…

However, in his maiden speech as Speaker in 2021 he did say this: “We should agree that no view will be suppressed. All views will be received with tolerance and given fair treatment based on known facts and reason. We must pledge to overrule intolerance” (Oulanyah, May 2021).

Instead of becoming the big-man and being the Speaker of Parliament. He was supposed to be prominent and a loyal cadre of the President this term. That’s why the President and the NRM wanted him there. They wouldn’t want to have a renegade or disloyal person on the throne. He would serve their interests and with that in mind. The speaker would be compensated with all the things he needed. That’s why they spent billions of shillings on the treatment in the United States. The medical transfer and everything else.

This is just another elite and high ranking official that dies abroad. As the state can afford their treatment abroad, but cannot afford to build working hospitals in their own republics. It is only the elites and VIPs who can do this. Therefore, Oulanyah was lucky to have medical facilities and ability to get special transport from Uganda to the USA. There should be no denying this… it is just a part of what is wrong with the system and a system he thrived in.

If Oulanyah would have been alive. He would defend and work for the causes of the President. A man who would stand on the barricades of the silencing of the opposition and stop the exposure of the brutality of the state towards the dissidents. That is the sort of fella Oulanyah was. They will paint him as a saint, but there is more too it. That’s why he was a voice of which the President respected, because he served him diligently.

Oulanyah was a man of the President and not of the Republic. He was a reflection of the President for Life and his tyranny. That’s who the fallen speaker is and his mirrored by the tyranny, which Museveni has brought onto the citizens of the Republic. Some might differ on that, but he has been a cog in the machine and the machinery wouldn’t work, if Oulanyah did serve like he did over the years. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni calls recent “Coups” as “Chaos” [while we are supposed to forget how he got into power]

You should know the story of National Resistance Movement (NRM). The story of NRM is a simple and straightforward story, and it is anchored on three principles. Number one is how do you create prosperity for the people of Uganda and Africa? Secondly, how do you create strategic security? There is a lot of chaos in Africa now. In Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso. The whole of that area, people are dying and running away. There is a reason why those things are happening. Then the third fraternity, in order to be prosperous, you need to love Uganda, you need to love Africa. When you you hear anybody talking in terms of sectarianism, religion and tribe, that’s the enemy of Africa” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (18.03.2022 Kyankwanzi).

It is like President Museveni is trying to sound like an old wise man, but his failing in his attempts. Because, the way he portrays things can easily backfire. It is not like he would be in office or have any sort of legitimacy, if the army and the security organizations didn’t back him. That’s why he wears military fatigue and act like governing is by the gun.

The history of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) was born out of a rebellion against an elected government. It was a bloody civil war that lasted for years in 1980s and parts of the nation was ravished with insurgency and prolonged war in Northern Uganda. Therefore, it took long time to silence the guns and make it peaceful. The skulls of Luweero is only one side of the story and the second is how the NRM has ushered more violence and war in the neighbouring countries like Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Therefore, the strategic security can be questioned itself.

So, that his so condescending against the new military junta’s of Western Africa. We know that he spoken ill about this before and his trying to hammer this in. As we have seen how the military has taken power in Guinea, Burkina Faso and Mali, which was regions that already had insurgency and security issues before these army commanders took power. That’s why Museveni is simplifying things to fit his narrative.

We know he had a bloody war and bloodshed, which ravaged the Republic of years. Even years after he took power in 1986 and beyond it. People are still dying for the political conscience in the Republic and being arrested for it too. So, it is not like his a democratic and a man of principal in this sense. Only when it benefits his interests, but that shouldn’t shock anyone.

His a man of coups and coup d’etat’s, but his still talking like he won power legitimately. Alas, we know if it wasn’t for the guns and the ammunition … he wouldn’t be where he is if the army or the militia’s wasn’t behind his banner. That’s how he toppled several of leaders and heads of state in Uganda. As well, as doing the same in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This is why when he speaks of strategic security … it for his benefits and continue to linger in power. While his speaking like this to his Foreign Envoys like we are not supposed to know how he participated in toppling Idi Amin, Godfrey Binaisa, Yusuf Lule, Paolo Muwanga and Milton Obote. That’s without mentioning the demises of which he helped outside the Ugandan borders. These are important too, as he tried to get leaders and head of state’s, which would be in his interests there as well. Therefore, when Museveni speaks of chaos. He has brought the same to Uganda and neighbouring countries over the years.

So, this man shouldn’t lecture or talk condescending about the new leaders of West Africa. He was like them in 1980s and 1990s. The old man can act like he lessons or lectures on things, but certain things he is the most experienced in. Because, his whole past …. is filled with it. Peace.

The Gold Refinery in Entebbe get sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury [which is the African Gold Refinery]

gold is gold, and they simply need gold” – Gold Smugglers (UN, 2020, P: 19).

Today on the 17th March 2022 the U.S. Treasury has sanctioned the African Gold Refinery and Alain Goetz. This is hitting the Government of Uganda (GoU) which has been proud of this refinery. They are directly hitting the profitability and ability to trade. As the AGR will be blacklisted and possibly make it harder sell it’s gold.

In the U.S. Treasury statement today, it said this:

Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), sanctioned Alain Goetz, the African Gold Refinery in Uganda, and a network of companies involved in the illicit movement of gold valued at hundreds of millions of dollars per year from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The illicit movement of gold provides revenue to armed groups that threaten the peace, security, and stability of the DRC. Today’s action was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13413, as amended by E.O. 13671, which targets, among other things, individuals and entities involved in activities that threaten the peace, security, or stability of the DRC or that undermine democratic processes or institutions in the DRC. Our action demonstrates the U.S. commitment to disrupt the illicit mineral trade and encourage mining sector transparency” (U.S. Treasury – ‘ Treasury Sanctions Alain Goetz and a Network of Companies Involved in the Illicit Gold Trade’ 17.03.2022).

Where it further states:

Since 2016, AGR has sourced illicit gold from mines in regions of DRC that are controlled by armed groups, including the Mai-Mai Yakutumba and Raia Mutomboki that are involved in destabilizing activities in South Kivu, DRC. AGR has a refining capacity of 219 tons per year and is considered one of the largest gold refineries in Africa, after refineries in South Africa and Ghana. AGR and Goetz acknowledged that a share of the gold AGR refines comes directly from mines in the DRC and has taken over a significant portion of the market for gold trafficked from the DRC” (U.S. Treasury – ‘ Treasury Sanctions Alain Goetz and a Network of Companies Involved in the Illicit Gold Trade’ 17.03.2022).

The U.S. Treasury isn’t taking this information from nowhere. This has been recorded and proven through United Nations Experts reports over the years. The Entebbe Gold Refinery has been tracked and so has all the illicit minerals, which has gotten to it. It has been taken from conflicts and been a valuable commodity for the militias inside the Democratic Republic of Congo, which trough various of channels has traded it with the AGR. Who again has sold it to the world market.

Back in 2020, there was further proof of how it was operated as:

““The Group established that, on 9 February 2018, African Gold Refinery Ltd sold its shares to AGR International Ltd, a company registered in the Seychelles at Global Gateway, 8 rue de la Perle, Providence, Mahe, Seychelles (see screenshot below). The Group wrote to the authorities of the Seychelles, who confirmed that AGR International Ltd was registered in the Seychelles at the address listed in the Uganda Registration Services Bureau documents” (UN, 2020, P: 107).

So, this corporation will have international implications. It will not only go after Goetz or AGR. This will go even further with time. A Belgian report on the Refinery in 2019 said this:

Sources in government refer to a speech by the Ugandan president at the ceremonial opening of AGR in 2017. Museveni then said that government agencies opposing the refinery would be ‘tackled hard’. ‘Goetz feels unassailable. And not without reason. He clearly has the protection of President Museveni himself’, says investigative journalist Haggai Matsiko of the Ugandan monthly The Independent. ‘Goetz has put a lot of money into its project (AGR says it has already invested $40 million, ed.). The president seems convinced that the refinery adds economic value by turning Entebbe and Kampala into a gold hub.’” (Kasper Goethals – ‘‘Gold is a dirty business, even if I do say so myself’ 20.04.2019, De Standaard).

With this in mind, this is a major blow to the wishes of President Museveni. The U.S. is sanctioning it and setting a precedence of which makes transactions with it questionable. Yes, at this moment it is about trading and association with U.S. businesses and citizens. Alas, the AGR is a prestigious part of the gold adventure Museveni wanted to have.

Let us not forget the June 2017 Global Witness Report “Under-Mined” on the AGR, which stated this:

African Gold Refinery is run by a small group of Belgian and Ugandan businessmen, including former government minister Richard Kaijuka, who are managing to ship hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of gold out of Uganda without disclosing its origin and paying very little tax in the process. They are the owners and managers of a newly built gold refinery on the shores of Lake Edward near Entebbe airport. Remarkably, Barnabas Taremwa: brother-in-law to Salim Saleh, Museveni’s most famous brother and Uganda’s de facto number two, told Global Witness that he had helped negotiate the company’s huge tax breaks with the government (corroborated by documents seen by Global Witness) and set up supply routes for the refinery” (Global Witness, P: 27, 2017).

““Alain Goetz, who is also the CEO of the company, a Belgian national, is one of the most famous dealers of Congolese gold in recent history. During the 90s the Alain and his father Tony, who died in 2005, were reported as dominating gold exports from the Congo through their networks to Belgium and later Dubai” (…) “Mr Barnabas Taremwa, who previously worked for AGR is the brother in law of Salim Saleh, the President’s brother. AGR told Global Witness in a letter dated January 2017 that Taremwa’s sister and Salim Saleh had divorced three years ago, seemingly in an attempt to distance themselves from the General. However, Salim Saleh told Global Witness that “Barnabas Taremwa is still my brother in law and it is false and an insult to me for you to state that I divorced his sister.” (…) “Richard Henry Kaijuka is the Chairman of AGR.160 According to an article in Africa Energy in June 2011, Mr Kaijuka is “a childhood friend of President Yoweri Museveni, who fell out with the regime after he opposed a controversial constitutional amendment in 2005 that removed presidential term limits.” (Global Witness, P: 73, 2017).

So, if you know all of this. You know the AGR is hitting home. This will hit the State House and the Presidency. Not only the pride of selling illicit minerals from militias in the DRC. No, he will not earn profit on the tears and suffering of the DRC anymore. At least not at the same scale or have the possibility of trading it to the United States. This is a proof of the possible damage it can do. This is million of dollars of exports that can be hit by this sanction. Because, AGR is a tainted business…

That is the truth here and it is about time. Reports about it from it’s inception should have been the warning sign. Yes, the official date was back in 2017, but it was operating from 2014. So, there been lost years and the AGR haven’t really complied with proof of where the gold came from and therefore, this is well deserved. Finally, a place which is a hot-spot for conflict minerals get hit with sanctions. Peace.

Opinion: Babalanda don’t know her own party…

Many of us who are leaders have failed to read, let alone internalise the four chore principles of NRM and as a consequence, we have become lazy yet we could do things right. These principles and guidelines by President Museveni as the NRM chairperson is the gospel that leads us. These principles are patriotism, Pan Africanism, economic transformation and democracy” (… ) “We are dealing with unpatriotic leaders. It is a betrayal of the great revolution” (…) “However the President’s office has made headways in spreading the message of patriotism. In this period we have had so many trainings conducted in this direction. I urge you the committee members to embrace patriotism and renounce acts of theft, negligence and violence” – The Minister for Presidency Milly Babalanda (Franklin Draku – ‘Corrupt leaders betraying NRM revolution – minister’ 17.03.2022, Daily Monitor).

We know that these sort of words are often said by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. He has spoken of it and lectured about it. This is the sort of typical topics of the President. These sorts of themes are common. So, that the Minister of Presidency is spelling it out isn’t surprising. She said it herself, there been plenty of trainings, conferences and at other venues.

That honourable Babalanda is saying these things aren’t shocking or anything. It is more repeating what Museveni has been saying. While that is fine and dandy, the National Resistance Movement and the regime isn’t directly working for all of these principals. Neither is it working to stop people from thieving, negligence of office or stopping violence. All of these three things are done by the NRM on a regular basis.

The Minister should just look into the cabinet and appointees, which happens to be NRM members. This is all going from the State House to the Local Governments. It is like Bablanda should just look into Muhwezi or anyone else for that matter. There are several of candidates that has been spewing violence and thriving on it. That is going from the top and the fear is what keeping the NRM alive it seems.

This is why Babalanda is saying the right things. However, she is oblivious to this fact. That is very clear or she’s looking sideways. It is funny that she says these things are unpatriotic. While she could deem these things are about her close associates and allies. The ones in her midst who is eating of the plate of the government and who is using their role to enrich themselves. People came into power piss-poor, but leaving this life richer than King Salomon. So, I am just sneezing, as the scandals and the lost funds doesn’t disappear. Neither does the reports of paying ghosts and not following protocol in concern to public tenders. Therefore, the Minister should look into that as well.

We know these sorts of statements are the sort of way of boosting yourself and trying to be vibrant. It is the sort of saying all the rights things, but we know these won’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Not like she will push the President or anyone else with a high ranking position. There are plenty who has committed these sins, but never had to atone for them.

That’s why it’s really spicy to call it unpatriotic to do it. Because, that implies the members and high ranking official who does this isn’t in accordance with their patriotic duties. All of us know that those things are bad, but the NRM thrives on it and get loyal leaders to commit to it. Therefore, we know the words of the Minister isn’t really true.

It is a nice sentiment, but it is like throwing stones in a glass-house. Not a good look, but a look it is. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni – “China might be a problem in the future” – it will be if you default on your debt

Africa has been having problems for the last 600 years due to the slave trade, colonialism, neocolonialism — and none of it was from China” (…) not seen any serious problem, because their approach is different” (…) “They do not impose their offers if you do not want them, so we have not seen a problem for now. Maybe a problem in the future, but not now” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (Sinan Tavsan – ‘Uganda leader says China-style diplomacy ‘better than’ the West’s’ 17.03.2022, Asia Nikkei).

President Museveni had an exclusive interview with a journalist from Asia Nikkei and it was published today. These few quotes are from there and it is striking. The former donor darling of the West. The President who has pandered to the interests of the United States and their allies for ages. Who has eaten of the buffet of aid, grants and all sorts of prepositions, which has given him a larger than life persona.

That man is now blaming the West for if all. He is right in going after the colonial past of the West and the neocolonial structures, which are hampering development and continues the cycle of rich versus poor. This is justified, but he also shows a little nativity in concern to China.

It is just like he don’t think the monies, the funds and the China Exim Bank, which works like this:

The China Exim Bank is increasingly making use of a deal structure – known as the “Angola mode” or “resources for infrastructure” – whereby repayment of the loan for infrastructure development is made in terms of natural resources (for example, oil). While this approach is by no means novel or unique, and follows a long history of natural resource – based transactions in the oil industry – China has taken its implementation to a higher level. By providing preferred lines of credit to Chinese state-owned enterprises and foreign governments wishing to purchase Chinese made goods, the China Exim Bank supports the overseas expansion of Chinese firms in line with the country’s “Go Global” strategy, whose long-run goal is to increase the productivity and competitiveness of these enterprises vis-à-vis their global competitors. The arrangement is used for countries that cannot provide adequate financial guarantees to back their loan commitments and allows them to package natural resource exploitation and infrastructure development” (Institute of Developing Economies – Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) – ‘China in Africa’ October 2009).

What Museveni is not saying is what the costs of the debt and the structure of the Chinese support to Uganda or anywhere else. It is like Museveni haven’t seen what has happened when Republics or Nations defaults or fail to pay on the debts. Since, the Chinese Banks or Funds are coming with strings, which isn’t always public. That’s why we have seen what has happened to Sri Lanka and Tonga, which both has to give up key infrastructure to be licensed. The same has been told to happen Zambia and there are already fear of what could happen to Entebbe International Airport.

President Museveni should consider all of this, as it is next generation that will cover the debt he has been accumulated during his reign. There will be more than the Toll Road on the Entebbe Express-way to secure revenue for the added debt. It is like Museveni isn’t concerned about this and the threshold for repayments are coming closer. Therefore, at one point or another… if there is lacking domestic revenue… the Chinese companies or China can cease or capture collateral.

So, Museveni is right… China could become a problem. Especially, for all the nations who has eaten loans for the infrastructure projects in the Belt Road Initiative (BRI), which will pass the grace period and the debt of these has to be repaid. It wasn’t free money to build roads, buildings or rail-roads. No, it was an investment, which the Chinese plans to get profits out of. They didn’t give away this money. The first loaned the money, got a Chinese developer and Chinese Engineering company to build it and now later the debtor has to repay it with interests.

That is the brutal truth… I am not saying the loans are a problem, but they could easily become it. Especially, if the debtor doesn’t pay on time or in a fashion, which the creditor accepts. If they defaults or fails to repay. This gives the creditor leverage and possible freedoms or liberties to ensure collateral. Therefore, it could easily become a huge problem…

Museveni should also study how this happened to others. As sooner or later, this could happen in Uganda or anywhere else in Africa. The Chinese is right in doing this. The debtors signed the agreements and the stipulations on the loans are giving it legal binding rights to get it repaid. That is why … they might not use colonial techniques to get resources, ownership or have influence. They just borrowed money and with that has the upper-hand of their poorer states. It is a wise move, because the Chinese knows greed is an easy way of corrupting minds and get them into the fold. The same ways happens here. They don’t come with guns or war, but they are financially binding, which can easily be triggered.

In this instance, Museveni is partly outsmarted. Both are getting their interests nurtured, but at one point he could easily get into real trouble. It would be a huge problem and the state has to find currency or liquidity to actually cough up funds to pay on old loans. This is on the horizon and evidently, people are speaking to soft-heartedly about it. Peace.

Opinion: There more people than Norman who will disturb the Peace of His Excellency

It is the charges against Tumuhimbise Norman and Faridah Bikobere that are seditious. Both were tortured like the other journalists with whom they were arrested on Thursday 10th March, 2022 and released on police bond yesterday. Remanded to LUZIRA prison until Monday 21/3/2022” (Kiiza Eron, 16.03.2022).

Today the journalists Norman Tumuhimbise and Faridah Bikobere was charged and continues to be in custody until 21st March 2022. They have by that time already served equivalent time of 11 days in prison for the what they are charged with.

They are both charged on two counts, “Cyber Stalking” with wilfully, maliciously and repeatedly used electronic communication to wit Alternative DigiTalk Online Television which was directed against the President. The second charge was “Offensive Communication” which was directed to disturb the peace and quiet of the President.

When you read charges against these two. You have a hard time taking it seriously. Because, these sorts of things should only happen in fiction. However, this is non-fiction and reality. Where people are charged for these things.

It is sad when a supposed liberator and a freedom fighter does this to his citizens. The man who is supposed to have liberated them and given them fundamental change. Nevertheless, maybe that was all a lie and his just like the men he overthrew. Because, that is how things seems by the day. There is no difference between him or anyone he deposed back-in-the-day. His just like them…

That’s why the truth is piercing his skull. It damages his calm and he needs to address it. Since, he cannot use words or defend his actions. He rather order the authorities and silence the dissidents. Where he uses the authorities and the power of the security organizations to suppress the ones ho dissent.

Not that this is anything new. The same sorts of charges was put on Joseph Kabuleta and Dr. Stella Nyanzi. Therefore, we has this all happen before. Now it is just some new fellows who dares to question the President and his reign.

Let it be perfectly clear. Norman and Faridah is not alone in this. They are just the current ones who is vocal and in the firing line. However, there is more people out there that will disturb the peace of the President. There is more to come… since his reign will not last forever and the truth will set the Republic free.

You can only fake it for so long. The truth is getting exposed and the viciousness of his regime is just proven over and over again. The use of drones, torture and killing civilians for the political conscience cannot last forever. That is the mere reality of it. What Norman and others does is to shed a light on it.

That light the President prefers dim and not turned on. Sort of like his cadres who is blindly follow his every decree. Peace.

Opinion: The Legend of Sipapa [and 10 years of unknown wealth]

Police say they are hunting for city socialite Charles Olim commonly known as Sipapa. Sipapa has been trending on social media, with many accusing him and his entourage of flouting traffic rules and hitting other motorists’ cars while others claim he is untouchable” (NBS Television, 14.03.2022).

There are several people working in the NRM, why is it only me being given money? And there is no problem even if I am funded. My mother was a rich lady, Wherever she might have passed, you never know I might be the president’s son and you just don’t know. Why are people so concerned to know our private matters? – Sipapa” (Josh Ruby – ‘What if I’m the president’s son? – Sipapa’ 14.03.2022).

Nobody knows where his from or how he got here. Some calls the man a tycoon, other a music promoter and others a socialite. His birth name is Charles Olim alias Sipapa. Who has a dozens of fancy cars and motorcycles. Said to flash money and visible for the elites of Kampala.

When Canary Mugume, the NBS Television journalist calls him “untouchable” you know something is up. This is just the newly minted edition of Brian White. The money, the cars and the privilege.

““They say my money is for Tax Payers, but which tax payer can pay 800 Million, this car is 800 Mllion but i hear people shouting at me, I even never went to school…”– Sipapa brags” (Khina Murah – ‘Sipapa mocks People Power Supporters with Brand New Mercedes Benz Worth 800M’ 09.12.2020, CelebPatrol.com).

Sipapa is nothing special. His tales will not go down in history or become a folk tale. His just another of the typical men who burns the candle at both ends. That’s why his ending up in car crashes, driving vehicles without license plate and proving himself as a big man in front of the People Power supporters and on the premises of Fred Nyanzi in Kamwokya in Kampala in 2020. So, it is not like these days are the first of controversy.

His the sort of fella who has often gotten into trouble, because of how reckless he drives and his mountain of arrogance. That’s why he can call himself a “son” of the President and a son of a rich “blesser”. We don’t know if his just a boy-toy or a flamboyant business-man. He just suddenly had wealth and was in the public eye.

““If you want me to apologize for calling you a broke thug. I will do it. But you have to prove your wealth to me by gifting KAYZ with a brand new VITZ. Hand it over to him with all its logbooks and everything in his names.” pastor Mondo asked” (Joyce Mollan – ‘Pastor Mondo Dares Sipapa to Buy Lord Kayz a Vitz to Prove his Wealth’ 04.10.2020, TimesUg.com).

We don’t know if this man is a knock-off Balaam or is a fraudster. He can be whatever he claims to be or just another short-term expenditure for some hot-shot in the NRM party. Since he has violated people with his car in the past, but never been punished for it. Therefore, the investigations into it by the Kampala Metropolitan Police has gone nowhere and it’s not shocking at all.

He surely had drama like in 2018, when he was caught in between his own artist and lover Zani Brown. As Sipapa was also sharing relations Brown Shuga, as this was reported by entertainment media at the time. So, this man is a mess no matter where he goes.

Sipapa has flaunted his wealth online since at least 2018. This is four years of controversy, but he has made a name of himself since 2012, which Kampala Sun reports like this:

Upon arrival in Kampala, Sipapa established his base in Makindye and for a while worked as a music promoter. He at one time hired top musicians, including Bobi Wine. In 2012, Sipapa engaged some ‘noisy’ media personalities, who thrust him in the faces of the unsuspecting public. Whether money exchanged hands in this engagement will not be debated here, but the lithe-bodied man got the fame he craved for. Media personalities were often with him in hangouts, were part of his money throwing parties, and word was that he gave some cars and expensive gadgets. To the public, he still remained a mystery” (Paul Waiswa – ‘Sipapa: Young, rich and dangerous?’ 11.11.2021, The Kampala Sun).

So, yes, he is busy with music and opting in friendly relations with his female artists. That is recorded and published. The rest of the story of the socialite and his supposed wealth is a myth. Just like his story and whatever he did. Yes, he came to Kampala from Tororo and made a name for himself.

However, if this will last or not … that is something we cannot know. His useful for someone right now. If hadn’t or had a use… he would linger in jail and wouldn’t be that confident. We all saw how hard Brian White fell and Sipapa can easily be the next. Especially, when his that flamboyant and when his no longer useful …. he will dropped quickly.

Right now for some reason he might have some suction or sort of connection with high ranking officials. Since he feels untouchable. Nevertheless, Sipapa will follow Balaam, Brian White, Abdullah Kitatta or Ashburg Katto.

One minute, your a hot commodity and the next second a used condom. Peace.

Uganda Law Society (ULS): Uganda Law Society’s Position on the Directive Banning Land Evictions without the Consent of the Respective District Security Committees (11.03.2022)