Opinion: Financial distress and defaulting on loans causes the state to loose Entebbe International Airport

China is most likely to take over Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport for default on debt repayment. More of Uganda’s national assets are at stake of seizure because of the unrealistic and endless borrowing which has mountained public debt to UGX65 trillion” (Kingdom Media Uganda, 25.11.2021).

The Deficit Financing can only take you so far. The bloated and crony capitalism can only keep you going so far. There been years upon years with loans for all sort of development projects and infrastructure upgrades in general. The loans have gone to buildings, roads and the only international airport in the Republic.

The National Resistance Movement and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni have over the years promised they have a threshold and control of the amount of debt. However, in 2021 after a downturn and lack of generating revenue. The state is defaulting on it’s loans. The state has taken out loans it cannot carry. Loans are not only the loan, but the services for it too. The loans are with interests and with additional fees, which was accepted on taking the loans. These loans are now maturing and the grace period of not paying interests etc.

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) have promised they can service it and has it under control. They have said it would be used properly and well-spent funds. Nevertheless, the loans are clearly piling up and the state doesn’t have the revenue to pay them. They have recycled to many bad-loans and now they comes to haunt the Republic.

The state is paying for ghosts, huge patronage and a local government structure that is dilapidated from the get-go. Since, the state has such excess of expenditure, but they have to keep that to breathe life into the regime. This is why the state has to spend and use funds like a drunk sailors in port. Just awaiting to be robbed by a bystander or waste a salary at a gentleman’s club. However, this is a serious government and not a drunk lonely man who has been at sea for months on end.

It is tragic, but there been warnings. The Sri Lankan debt to China and what happened there should have been a “red flag”. What happened in Zambia as well should be another story of which the Ugandan government should have reacted too. However, that is clearly asking to much, as kickbacks, graft and grand corruption is part of the diet at the Entebbe/Nakasero State House. They are just eating and doesn’t care about the ramifications of it. Since, the cattle in Rwakitura farm is better taken care off, than how the budgets are financed. This is the sad reality of the Republic in 2021.

The amount of loans and debt will cause more distress. Why? Well, there is no future or ability to clear the debt without any proper revenue. The state needs to find new measures to get fiscal responsible. However, the state cannot just tax things and start to tax people for their every transaction. Because, with doing that… they are taking away money, which will generate more revenue and even more possibility to create new businesses. Yes, the state gets more taxes, but they are also creating a wormhole where there is no option to generate any real income. Since, if you have any transactions, the percentages of money is siphoned by the state and instead of getting invested to make new markets.

Therefore, the state is forced to change the way it operates. However, by doing so… the NRM and Museveni will have to drop cronies. That is something it cannot afford, because they are to eat and not to make the Republic better. This state cannot sustain itself …. and it’s own fault that it defaults on loans. Nevertheless, the citizens and the taxpayers are the first to be hit by this. Not the ones who has issued or taken out the loans over the years. They are the ones that has to fix it or for generations pay the Chinese for ordinary services. Because, the current regime wants SUVs and envelopes to cover for funerals or pay for medical tourism. Peace.

Pastor “Mama” Janet Returns: Speaks about being humble…

If you are humble and excellent at your work, you are a perfect future choice for God to use, for His glory! You just wait and see!” (Janet Museveni, 22.11.2021).

The First Lady and Minister of Education Janet Museveni returns yet again with a sermon. She has a long series. As she is occupied with the end-game of the regime and trying to get a job at a Pentecostal Church when the Life Presidency of the husband is over. Since, she needs a fall-back plan and she cannot afford to live in exile in Sweden again. Therefore, she is mentally preparing herself to be a pastor and a preacher full-time, as her role as minister is abysmal and the only reason she is still there – is her husbands fault.

She starts out straight out of a Christmas evening sermon:

The topic for this week’s dialogue is humility. This is a quality that originates from the knowledge of God, and can be learned especially from the examples of His son Jesus Christ who was born on a farm in a calf-pen. This is the Son of God, the Creator of the Universe. He could have been born in a palace and taken care of by the best medical practitioners. But no, instead God, in His ways, decided to have His own son born in the humblest of places and we are told that even His parents could not access any room for accommodation in the nearby guesthouse” (Janet Museveni, 22.11.2021).

She speaks about this in a way, which is very common and not deep. This sort of extraction and speaking of Jesus Christ isn’t new. The usage of the place of birth and where he spent his first days have been used by many. It is a reflection how the most powerful man on earth was living in a place of poverty and not in riches. Which is very nice message, but nothing significant.

We know Janet and her clan is bashing wealth. They are closing of the Entebbe Expressway for Mzee to drive. Kololo can be closed of for days just so the meetings and gatherings can happen. This making jams and troubles for the rest of commuters in the greater Kampala area. Therefore, it is very rich that a wealthy person like Janet speaks of this. Because, her family and relatives isn’t humble like Jesus, but contrary they are living like Gods amongst men.

She continues later on: His teaching always showed His humble attitude e.g. He taught that when one goes to a function, one should not be quick to sit in the first row seats. Instead, sit in the back seats until those who invited you recognise where you are sitting and call you forward if that’s where you are supposed to be” (Janet Museveni, 22.11.2021).

This is not how the family of Museveni operates. Even Janet herself operates above the rest of Cabinet and the Members of Parliament. As she have the power to summon everyone and call them in for a meeting. That is not usually done by Minister, but the Minister is usually called for by the Parliament to submit a statement or report in a plenary session. If not the Minister is summoned for insubordination by His Excellency and possible sacked. Therefore, she isn’t a humble soul awaiting to called upon from the back. No, Janet calls everyone from the front and doesn’t beg for it either. She is not the right teacher for this message… just saying.

She ends the sermon today with this: “Go on your knees and ask God what His purpose for your life is. Don’t give up asking that question until God answers and shows you the way to go in order to fulfil His purpose for your life. He might have already even led you to do what He created you to do. If that’s the case, then you should dedicate yourself to doing the best possible job that He may lift you up, because God is always on the search for the people to use as an example for others – especially in young countries like Uganda” (Janet Museveni, 22.11.2021).

Here she’s in full preacher mode and not lecturing mode. Though she wants everyone to pray and ask God to help them out. Clearly, she knows deep in heart that her government and husband will not help them. So, they got to pray and hope that God will manifest himself in some sort of fashion. It is not like the NRM or Museveni will bring stability, financial institutions or the backing of a government, which could help businesses to thrive and secure good enough jobs. No, the public have to pray for that. Since the husband of Janet cannot suffice and cannot be bothered to serve the general public. This is why the general public only has one option and that is to pray. Which is really tragic and not at all humbling.

Let us all just be rest assured, that Janet wants to have the cake and eat it too. That is just who she is and clearly she’s not fit for office, but that isn’t shocking or a special reveal. She is just proving to the world with her messages that she should go to Bible School and become a Pastor. That is her life dream and not be a minister in any cabinet. Mbonye should be called and other ones too. Just so she can get her aspirations out in the open, instead of a closet-preacher. It is not funny anymore and her calling is very evident. Peace.

Opinion: General Museveni thrives on death

I cannot claim that the President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni is vampire who gets longer life by sucking on others people’s blood. However, the General and Commander-in-Chief has all his career gotten strength by murder, deaths and killings. He wouldn’t be in office, if it wasn’t for people dying and sacrificing themselves for the cause.

General Museveni didn’t get directly elected in 1986. He used guerrilla tactics and never forgotten them. He continued to tarnish, assassinated leaders, killed civilians and prolonged the war in the Northern Uganda. The General continued warfare in Rwanda for his allies and did similar efforts at least twice in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He also supported efforts in South Sudan and has sent brigades to help other friends out as well, like in Equatorial Guinea. This man thrives on war and counts his blessing for participating in peacekeeping operations. Because, that makes a useful man to the West.

General Museveni has no trouble killing, assaulting or silencing his opposition. He can use the whole authority and get rid of the ones in his way. That’ how he got into office. November 2020 massacres in the streets of Kampala is no difference. They were “hoodlums” and “thugs” who deserved to die. That’s how he states it. Just like the terrorists who killed recently are “pigs”. He can always justify death. This is why he had justifications for Luweero Triangle and all the other massacres ever since. He could also pin the enemy and make his men look “disciplined”.

Without people dying and merciless fall from life. He wouldn’t have a office or have power in general. That is how he has succeeded to have a life presidency. The General have used all means from his inception and even before to get ahead. That’s why he used all means to be part of united front to bring Idi Amin done. Later he brought several more down to make it possible for his reign. It was all through the use of guns and not through dialogue or negotiations.

General Museveni have ensured his legacy to be the death of others. Stray-bullets, massacres and warfare on the regular. Using military means for his personal gains and he never stopped. That’s why the army is involved in everything and is vital for his reign. That’s why his willing to kill civilians and get rid of citizens who are in his way.

He has ruled with fear and warmongering. It not like he has silenced the guns. They have always come in handy, when he needed to get his way. That’s why sends the Police Force, the Army or any other security organizations he can. There is no peace and only brutal force, which ends up innocent lives taken. If it is Kasese, Arua or Kampala. If it is Muslim clerics, boxers or activists, heck even royal security guards. The state can always find a reason and cases are never solved. Drivers of politicians, high ranking officials or anyone else can become a target of his regime. Assassinations and murders are clear path of this man…

General Museveni will promote and ensure the ones who keeps him power. He doesn’t care if the Generals or army commanders kills people. As long as they do this on his orders and they follow his commands. At some point, the General will promote them and give them greater office.

The General is no good and his been so his whole career. The only difference is that at one point he was able to trick people, but we can see all through it now. It isn’t only the civilians killed in November 2020. It is the rest of them that has been silenced over the years. Peace.

Opinion: Bobi Wine is getting the whole Besigye-Treatment [in Lira and Mbale]

These days we are seeing the former Presidential Candidate and Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader is getting similar treatment to what Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader Dr. Kizza Besigye gotten over the years.

What happened at the radio station at Mbale and Lira is common practice. That the regional appointed bureaucratic goons are doing to the opposition. The Residential District Commanders (RDCs) and District Police Commanders (DPCs) are following direct orders to block people like Bobi Wine and Besigye. That is just part of their protocol and what they do.

It is not fair or justified, but it is the mere reality. What is happening in these towns and places. We have all seen before… it is just a new generational leader, which the old man is blocking from moving and speaking. While the same party and President will say his nothing to fear. Which is really ironic, if you didn’t fear the man. Why don’t let him speak and operate like anyone else?

No, we know the Police Force is more busy scheming and finding ways of pinning crimes on opposition leaders and activists, instead of catching thieves, murders and blue-collar criminals. That’s just the mere reality and the Uganda Police Force (UPF) is embedded in partisan politics. They are so beholden to the throne and his decrees. These folks aren’t there to serve the general public or the needs of the people. No, they are there to uphold the reign of their king and that’s it.

This is why Bobi Wine will be in trouble. It doesn’t matter if his up-north, in the east or west. He can be in central (Buganda) but that doesn’t matter either. If he wants to be on a radio in Mukono or Busoga. Just forget about it. Bobi Wine won’t get access and the state will find all sorts of excuses. However, the President and his men can go on radio-tour anytime they want. This is because this is his kingdom and everyone is his servants. That’s why he prefers to sit in a high chair and dole away money to begging citizens. This is what he has become and his proud of it too.

It is not shocking that there is arrests, tear-gas and blocked radio-stations. This is what the National Resistance Movement (NRM) does to it’s enemies. Because, the NRM got nothing to prove or nothing to give. They have only monopoly on violence … and that’s what gives it additional life. The NRM surges on violence and secures the levels of fear is living within the population. That is what the NRM saying by doing over the years. It is not because the NRM values the 10 point programme or any promises made over the years. Nah, these are just empty pleas and to make some headlines. Since, the NRM and the President cannot keep up with them or even have the funding for any of it.

That’s why any serious challenger has to be silenced and stopped in their tracks. This is why Bobi Wine is getting the Besigye treatment. Bobi Wine haven’t been detained or arrested in such a way yet. However, Bobi Wine doesn’t have the years that Besigye have in the trenches. Bobi Wine needs years to be able to hit the numbers of charges, days behind bars and pending treason charges too. Therefore, Bobi Wine is only at the beginning of it. Even with the heartache of aftermath of Arua By-Election.

Bobi Wine now tasting the bitter fruits of popularity and being the voice of reason. Which is in the Republic, a voice of Treason. That’s the just the way things are… and it’s tragic. Freedom is limited and justice is only for the chosen few. The rest is prey waiting to taken by the predator. Peace.

Opinion: M23 – when the origins come home to roost

The origin of the “Mouvement du 23 Mars – The M23 Movement” or M23 for short isn’t a long one and neither is it a tale of bravery. No, it was joint venture from two parties who was willing to fight a war and cause insurgency in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The M23 was an able body and a well-funded militia from both Kigali and Kampala. They both supported, trained and gave weapons to the fighters battling inside the DRC.

So, that the M23 returns and causes havoc. Then the eyes return to those capitals. Especially, Kampala, as the Ugandan counterpart has had several of soldiers, leaders and contained them for years now. While the M23 claims they never left. However, leaders have been in “exile” in both Uganda and Rwanda since the Nairobi Accords was signed.

Now, that there is meeting between the FARDC and RDF you know they are monitoring and looking over the situation. While the Ugandan counterparts dismisses everything and claims its propaganda. However, both Kampala and Kigali have created M23, and they must take responsibility for it. No matter what happens and when there are reports of helping hands to support the resurgence. There will be even more speculation into who did what and where.

The talks between Kigali and Kinshasa are a smart move of the Rwandese government. Though they can never downplay the origin or the grand support it gave before. The M23 wouldn’t be what it was without them and neither the support from the Ugandan government either. Them both have helped both the leaders and the militia fighters in time of need. They have given military and strategic support, which cannot be questioned now.

The M23 militia and armed insurgency will forever linger back to Kigali and Kampala. Even if the UPDF/CMI has sponsored the for the moment and given way to transport combatants this time around. Therefore, the bloodstains and the general support will forever be part of history of this group.

The M23 can say they were always there and never ceased to exist. That might be true, but they weren’t strong and suddenly an issue before someone gave them more power and ammunition. That is just a mere reality, as well, as suddenly seeing commanders and combatants coming in groups across the borders. The ones who were contained and in a camp within another state’s territory. Therefore, it had to be planned, organized, and funded to do so now. Years after the previous attempts and insurgencies.

M23 will be a wrecking-ball and be an issue for a long time. As long as it has backers and has sponsors for their machine. They cannot just linger on and not have someone supporting it. That is just a mere fact… for the FARDC and government of North-Kivu it is the same who supports and funds the operations. If they cause pain and suffering, uses military might and force. It will be the same results and damage done. That will not change and only the calendar year is changing. Peace.

A Supplementary Budget in 2021 is paying the State House salaries of 2018/19!

In the Budget Supplementary Appropriation Bill Number 3, which is dated 27th September 2021. This is now up for the Budget Committee to discuss, as this Supplementary Budget will be covered by added debt, as the state is adding another 2 trillion shillings in spending.

Part of that spending is going to the State House, which is 285 billion shillings, which is covering recurrent expenditure on salaries, wages and other expenses of the State House. If this was for this budget year or for last year. That would make some sense, but the Supplementary Budget is stating the billions of shillings is paying for Budget Year of 2018/2019.

Why haven’t this been covered in the salaries or recurrent expenses of 2018/19 or 2019/2020? The state had Supplementary Budget these years as well. This is usually scheduled moves and sometimes they have even more of them.

That this wasn’t covered before or even in the budgets before seems strange. This isn’t just some random excuse or such. The Financial Ministry should show the needs and reports of the lacking funds. Since this is three year old expenditure. There is a need for proof and lack of salary slips. I doubt the State House didn’t pay it’s staff or the Presidential Advisors. As the State House is close to the President and these are his high ranking official.

285 billions not paid out in 2018/2019 seems fishy to me. Not like these people didn’t get paid or had their benefits paid out. These are the men who would cry out in the press and be angry if so. These people are influential and important to the President. So, he wants their loyalty and they are his cronies. That’s why I have doubt that these got left behind and without pay. No, this is something else and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) should prove the validity of this, because I have a hard time believing the real need for this.

These billions will go to the wind and to cover some pet-pee of the President today. Not cover old expenditure or salaries. No, these are already covered or paid. Since, the State House always gets bountiful budgets and even confidential posts, which can used whatever the President see fit. Therefore, there is a lie here and I just don’t know what. Peace.

The UPF probes Besigye & Zaake again

“You have heard Besigye saying they are going to use all means to remove, ‘illegitimate’ government. Hon. Zaake also made the same remarks. We have opened case files in that respect to the inappropriate statements that can cause violence”Fred Enanga (NBS Television, 08.11.2021).

Uganda Police Force (UPF) is again targeting the opposition leaders. The Police Force is always scheming and finding reasons to charging Dr. Kizza Besigye and Francis Zaake MP. That is more important than finding real crooks and thieves.

We know that the Police Force would never probe any National Resistance Movement (NRM) leader for their utterings or wording in general. This is political prosecution and criminalizing their free speech. Taking away the liberty and their speeches isn’t anything new.

The state has targeted these gentlemen before, as the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and National Unity Platform (NUP) leaders have been through this before. The probe into them is just taking away their liberties and freedom. That the initial reaction to this, as they are just speaking of disobedience and defiance. This is not new and still striking that the government party middle-name is “resistance”.

It is really striking that it happens to these two. They have been under fire before…and this is nothing new. Both have been charged, detained and on trial… so this is repetition from the state in the concern to these two. Besigye and Zaake is not new to the criminal system for the political activism.

The UPF is a weapon of the state and used as a tool to oppress the opposition. This is the message I am getting here, and the words of civil disobedience is getting connected with “treason” yet again. However, there will be no proof of this and vilification of the leaders of the opposition. That is the mere reality of this. Peace.

Rwanda Defence Force (RDF): RDF not involved in M23 attack in DRC (09.11.2021)

RDC: Mouvement du 23 Mars – The M23 Movement – Mise au point du M23 (08.11.2021)

Opinion: Is Kampala behind the M23 resurgency?

 

If you ever wonder, there has always been a close connection with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and other security organizations like the Chieftain of Military Intelligence (CMI) in concern with the armed militia called “Mouvement du 23 Mars – The M23 Movement” or M23.

This militia have now attacked several of villages within the Democratic Republic of Congo and in the North Kivu province. They are supposed to move towards Goma and challenge the government, as the M23 claims it has disobeyed the “Peace Agreement of Nairobi”. Alas, who knows about that or has any clue. It seems like a fixed solution and a way to resolve the matter quickly.

We know from the past that Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) and armed allies in Uganda border region have facilitated and ensured weapons for the M23. Heck, the Government of Uganda let the M23 return to Uganda after the cease-fire and previous deal. Also, back in the day, the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) was also supporting the outfit. So, it’s not like wasn’t a sole mission of Kampala, but Kigali had their stakes in it too.

Now, today as the villages are attacked in Kivu again by the M23 and they resurged from the border region of Uganda. Which is where the government allowed them to be and the let the rebels stay. The government let them in and housed them. Just like the Rwandese has done with rebels as well in the past. So, it is not like this is a one-sided arrangement in concern to insurgency in the DRC.

However, the main stay and the leaders of M23 went in peace to Uganda. Back in 2015 there was reports of a total of 1500 combatants who had fled the DRC to Rwanda and Uganda, while only a small fraction returned to the DRC. Therefore, the return today is really a spectacle, but also a tactical manoeuvre.

When we know that the Ugandan government has in the past supported with weaponry, training and a safe haven. It doesn’t take much brainpower to suspect them is behind it again. That the Ugandan government have an excuse and a reason to return to the DRC. Just so they can get rid of insurgency and insurgents. While the MONUSCO and FARDC struggles to contain it.

The Ugandan Press is claiming the Rwandese is behind it and the Rwandan Press is claiming the Ugandans are behind it. What we do know is that in the past both has had their hands in the cookie jar and eaten out of it. However, the implications now and speculations are easier to target Kampala, as the leadership and the ones fighting comes from Uganda. It is not like they could just run loose and not have some sort of military backing. They need weapons, training and ammo. That doesn’t come cheap and someone sponsored this.

M23 doesn’t just show up out of nowhere and sudden ambush inside the DRC. Someone facilitated this and made this happen. If the CMI and UPDF did this. Then they are cunning and vicious. As they plan for more bloodshed to have the ability to further extradite and export valuable resources from the region. That wouldn’t be shocking but would a decent business strategy. While using insurgency as a “mask” for the operatives taking mineral resources and other valuable commodities from the region.

The Government of Uganda (GoU) needs new revenue and bring some profits home to Kampala. So, this here seems plausible. As the state is struggling to finance itself and it needs war to gain substantial amounts of funds. The warfare in the DRC could be a valuable enterprise and the costs would be significant less, compared to the amounts invested in the militia. That’s’ why the M23 could be arranged at this time. Just to ensure supplementary budgets and other needed fixtures of the state.

It is just a way of securing more shillings and running of business. While earning money on the blood other people sacrifice elsewhere. Since, the President and his handlers in Entebbe knows what sort of profits they can gain by doing this. It is an asset and a viable operation to begin with. That’s why they hope it succeed and gives them a decent pay-off. Peace.