Amuru Land Grab: The Legacy of Atiak Sugar Factory – Part II

Over the past five years, more than UGX 400 billion of taxpayer money has been spent on Atiak Sugar Project. The factory has remained closed for two years, and sugarcane meant to provide raw materials are now being sold to factories outside the region. If billions of shillings sunk into the project cannot be traced, who will revive this sugarcane factory?” (NBS Television, 13.03.2023).

This story has been going on since 11th December 2014. We are now in March 2023 and two years of closure. Meaning one year after the President Museveni commissioned the Atiak Sugar Factory on the 23rd October 2020, the factory itself got closed during 2021 and has ceased it’s operation. If this continues onto 2024. Than it is a decade lost in the trade, lack of due diligence and governmental oversight.

This is just another development project, another government investment into a cash-crop and adding value enterprise, which has fallen in dire straits. It is just horrific that people have internally displaced, lost their plots, their livelihoods and foreign investors has grabbed their lands. It is reported up to 8,000 people has lost lands in the region to facilitate the Atiak Sugar Factory. A Sugar Factory that only exists on paper, because it isn’t producing anything.

The state has already bailed out the Horyal Investment Holdings twice before 2016 and you can wonder if it will happen again. We can wonder if the state plans to it three or four times by 2024. While we know the state is working on overtime to facilitate lands in Amuru district for the Madhvani Group. It is clear that it’s an epic failure and the locals has been hurt the most. A giant massive cash-cow for someone, but not for the general public. Neither is it helping Kilak County or Amuru district.

No, this is just a painful enterprise and a lack of planning before investing, building and even considering to operate a sugar factory. It is just a wasteland of wasted potential and lack of concern of the people who was forced to move from their homeland. It is really tragic that their losses, grievances and livelihoods got eaten up by “hot-air” and nothingness.

This just what the National Resistance Movement (NRM) does… promises to save the people and securing their future. However, they cannot even get the state owned enterprises running. This is one of them and they have “lost the plot”. I am feeling sad for everyone who lost their land and was evicted. They lost the most. The investors and the foreign dignitaries thieving the land will escape any trouble. It is the poor that takes the hardest hit and the state will offer them scraps in return. Peace.

Opinion: Muhoozi can’t even save himself…

There is a supposed momentum, a rise of power and prestige surrounding the son of the President. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga. Whatever it is… it is artificial, fake and a fraud. It isn’t real. Just like his speeches, bought T-Shirts and MK Army/Movement.

It is a house built on sand and the ocean-waves will take it all away. Muhoozi hasn’t built a strong foundation or anything. No, it is faked and manufactured, but he doesn’t know better. He might think this is wise and brilliant. His yes men are proclaiming his brilliance and leadership, but we all know its isn’t genuine.

Muhoozi is only mentioned because of his relations. He wouldn’t be in the spotlight or mattered, if he was a son of a rollex-maker or a boda-boda driver. Heck, he wouldn’t have the ability to rise through the ranks, if his father was a professor at Makerere University or NRA historical. No, it wouldn’t matter and the ambition would have fallen flat.

However, the gig stays the gig. The ones playing the violins will play the music and the dancers will shake their bodies. Nevertheless, the General might think it is legit. He might buy into the charade and be a useful idiot. Though everyone else can see the lie and it’s happening right in front of their eyes.

Muhoozi can act like his playing the game, but its a house of cards. Just waiting for the moment of weakness, a shortness of breathe or hesitation… which in the ends takes the house down. That’s how this will end.

Project Muhoozi” isn’t built on the truth. Muhoozi isn’t popular through grassroot organizations or by popular demand. No, his not a tidal-wave or a the new rising sun. He is the relic of the past before he even speaks. His a memory of the old and a stain of the current regime. They can sell him has “youthful” and “next generation” but his really just a lesser relatable or charismatic than his father.

The General lacks finesse, charisma or even an ideology to sell. His just posturing and being braggadocios. Muhoozi has no story to sell or pledges to make a difference. The General is only there out of entitlement and expectation. However, his not there out of need or because he got a say.

Muhoozi is an empty vessel and a publicity stunt. That’s why he needs a strong team to sell him. Since he got nothing that resembles a beloved character or a political framework worth damn. The General is an empty bottle and there is no juice. There is no soda or brew to taste. Just a bottle with a label and a title. Nothing substantial or worth to pick up. Who picks up an empty bottle? When you can have a soda or a beer….

The General is a waste of time. The son of the father and a loser he is. Kabobi has shown how this is done. Besigye have shown how this is done. Muhoozi got nothing on them. The avenger and soldier of old will not regain or collect tokens that matters. He will only be in the conservation, because of the father. It is sad… but nobody will cry for the man. Except for the sorry individuals who are working tirelessly to make the man feasible. They have an unforgiving job and have to create propaganda to make him likeable. That’s the tragedy here and some naive fellows will buy into it, but they will regret ever doing so. Since, they will see the brute and the nonchalant man he really is… but by then it will be too late.

Muhoozi won’t win hearts, but he will crush the opposition. The General will not send a message, but he will mute the ones who does. That’s the only way he can succeed. He don’t have the character or the personality to do it any other way. Peace.

Opinion: Don’t mock “Biya” my friend…

“Gen Kahinda Otafiire’s son Ernest Otafiire appears to have survived what appears to have been assassination attempt on his life on Entebbe-Kampala expressway this morning” (Centenary Radio 88.1 FM Masaka, 03.03.2023).

“The son of Minister of Internal Affairs Gen Kahinda Otafiire, Ernest Otafiire dispels rumors that he survived assassination. The car whose pictures are shared on social media was involved in an accident at Kalerwe two weeks ago. Ernest was not in the car at that time” (Trumpet News Uganda, 03.03.2023).

I know, I know… I am the wrong brother to write this, because I have mocked his father and laughed that he lost to a jailbird in previous elections. The son is now a target and a man under fire. That’s because he has a free mind and isn’t afraid to use it.

The son of Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, Ernest Otafiire is allegedly a target and escaped assassination today. That’s not shocking, considering how he wrote about Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga. We all know the Son of the President who aims at the throne with his “Project Muhoozi” and his almight MK Army. Therefore, anyone who oppose that should be worried. Since, Muhoozi has no issue to torture, kidnap or silence his critics. That everything Muhoozi knows and he thinks his brilliant doing so…

Here is what Ernest wrote not too long ago…

“Our fathers are in the evening of their regime, it’s high time you became humble. These Generals and people you taunt will owe us nothing when our fathers are no more. When chasing us into exile, make sure you can run as fast as some of us. I am sure you know what exile means. This country doesn’t belong to any of (us), it was here before we came, it has been here and it will be here long after we are gone . Be humble and calm down“– Ernest Otafiire (05.12.2022).

With the knowledge of these words. You can imagine how that sent chills down the spines of the First Son, the one and only. The next generation and the standby generator. He had to be pushed, kicking, and screaming. Because, what else could he do… another son of the legendary NRA bush-warriors is dismissing his cause and rightfully so.

It seems like Otafiire junior has wisdom and can read the room. He got enough spirit and understanding of his surroundings, to set the record straight and speak the truth. Not just be a violent and benevolent leader who strikes fear, impose himself and act like a supreme deity amongst men. That’s what Muhoozi does, and he thinks it’s inspiring, which is false, but his allies and paid mercenaries will proclaim his greatness.

We know that most sources and media outlet has called todays affair an assassination attempt. While one is saying it otherwise. We have seen this before and not long ago one minister just barely survived one and a family member died in the same incident. Therefore, it isn’t far-fetched, because even MPs has been targeted like this too. So, it isn’t a fever dream or anything.

We just have awaited more details and more information on the matter. If it will be released or kept hidden. However, the usage of extra judicial killings isn’t new or a forgotten practice in the Republic. Peace.

Opinion: 11th Parliament is now the House of the Lord…

“We gathered earlier today to dedicate Parliament to the Lord, and I pledged to the country that a bill will be introduced as soon as possible to deal with homosexuality and lesbianism. We shall Jealously protect our cherished values and culture” (…) “Tomorrow, we are going to introduce the bill on homosexuality and I want to request the religious leaders that this time around, be there to see who is who” (…) “We are going to vote by show of hands. You’re either for homosexuality or against it. we want to see the kind of leaders we have in this country” – Speaker Anita Among (28.02.2023).

I don’t know if the Member of Parliament and now Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has read the 1995 Constitution. Neither does it matter, because it is a forgotten text. The one that was the “fundamental change” and game changer when launched. It gave life to the National Resistance Movement and legitimacy. However, with time it has withered and obviously lost value.

Still because of her words… I just have to add two parts of the 1995 Constitution. Just to remind ourselves of the goals, the aims and what is the supposed law of the land. It is fine that the Speaker is a woman of faith and wants to live her life to honour a deity. That is fine and dandy as an individual, but as a legislator and such. She is out of bound with the ideals of the State, the government and her own role as Speaker.

“Article 7 Non-adoption of State religion Uganda shall not adopt a State religion” (1995 Constitution – Chapter 2)

“Article 21 Equality and freedom from discrimination (1) All persons are equal before and under the law in all spheres of political, economic, social and cultural life and in every other respect and shall enjoy equal protection of the law. (2) Without prejudice to clause (1) of this article, a person shall not be discriminated against on the ground of sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, tribe, birth, creed or religion, or social or economic standing, political opinion or disability. (3) For the purposes of this article, “discriminate” means to give different treatment to different persons attributable only or mainly to their respective descriptions by sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, tribe, birth, creed or religion, or social or economic standing, political opinion or disability” (1995 Constitution – Chapter 4).

Speaker Among can be Christian all she wants and that’s all good. Nevertheless, the 11th Parliament and the Members of the Parliament doesn’t have to be connected to any faith or such. So, to say that she gives the House to God is out of the sphere and function of the Parliament.

I wonder if the fellow legislators have seen these articles or even considered them. The activist lawyers’ better tool up. Because this should be food for the Courts and be tested by law-abiding citizens. This law should be tested, especially when the Article 7 and Article 21 specify certain rights. These rights has to be respected, even if are against or see it as sinful to live with the same sex. In your faith and what you deem as right is maybe morally incorrect in your view, but as society and by law it shouldn’t be criminalized. Especially, when the 1995 Constitution specifically says a individual should be discriminated against “on the ground of sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, tribe, birth, creed or religion, or social or economic standing, political opinion or disability”. Those words are giving the homosexuals rights to live as they deem fit and they shouldn’t be discriminated against. I am maybe against it by faith myself, but by law they should be allowed to live the way they please. Just like I am allowed and have the rights to live after my religion. That’s why the laws shouldn’t target a minority and one group, which the anti-homosexual bill is doing. They are target today and tomorrow it could be another group of faith. Therefore, it is a slippery slope and when you start… they must demonize more people and make them illegal. That’s just how these things are played out historically.

If the Speaker wants to be Christian that is fine, and I applaud her. However, in this case… it’s the wrong context, the wrong forum and the plenary sessions isn’t made for that. That’s for church or the holy communion. The 11th Parliament is created for legislative agendas and not a prayer house. Secondly, the law itself is a violation of the Constitution, which is what the Parliament is supposed to protect. So, the Speaker and her merry men are violating their own purpose and function by doing so. That’s the interesting part here… and that’s why this got to be tested in the Courts. Peace.

Opinion: Mpuuga have to prove his worth

As the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Parliament, you are having an unforgiving job. Your office is to excel and pushback the government. The spearhead of the opposition and the ones that whip the Opposition MPs against the wrongful and injustice of the current regime. However, that cost and is brutal. That’s why the LoP isn’t an office for everyone.

Mathias Mpuuga is feeling the pressure after the negotiations and the release of the two incarcerated MPs. His name has been put in the mud and tarnished for anyone to see. Mpuuga has been the point of subject and chastised from all sides. He haven’t only been questioned from the ruling regime, but also from within his own inner-circle.

That’s why you know Mpuuga and his prominence is costing. Not like the LoP has a majority or any hold of Parliament. A minority leader swimming in the whims of the Speakers and the National Resistance Movement (NRM). They are the ones steering the ship and his words means practically nothing.

The predecessors of this role has also paid a price for their acknowledgement of this. The way and manner which they pragmatically took part of the proceedings and let go of their defiant ways. Mafabi, Oguttu or Kiiza has all been there and tasted the mud. They have all taken their stride and lost out.

Mpuuga is in a position where he cannot win. No one can win in this office. There is nothing to gain. The only thing you can do is to renegade and inspire the masses. That’s the only thing an LoP can achieve. There is no legislative or possible political framework that can be implemented. The NRM is running the show and the State House has the Parliament by the balls. Not like the Parliament is acting without consensus of the “high above”. No, they are just carrying his water and doing his bidding.

So, in the grand scheme of things, Mpuuga got nothing and it’s deliberate. Just like the predecessors had nothing either. The LoP is a figurehead of a office, which could have a meaning and purpose. However, in the state of affairs it’s only a money-grab and a salute of a honorary title.

Mpuuga can only use this office to leverage public support and be vocal MP against the oppression. He can only stand on the barricades and be in the trenches with fellow allies. Because, he cannot sustain or have any sort of capacity to deliver anything substantial in Parliament. That is rigged against him and the whole opposition. They have no voice and no opportunity to sufficiently win. He and his fellow comrades are bound to lose and that is done by default.

That’s why Mpuuga needs to humble himself and possible atone for the lost time. The arrogance and entitlement is doing him no good. The only favour he has is with the masses, the ones who voted in the National Unity Platform (NUP) and gave him a role in Parliament. They are the ones that given him a chance and he can shine for them. However, will he ever or is he interested in doing so?

We know Mpuuga has fought and been beaten. We know Mpuuga has been active and been a vocal opposition since the Action for Change (A4C) days. So, we know he got it in him. He has been in Parliament now for years and he has to show some finesse. We know he won’t win, but that isn’t the goal anyway. The goal is to undress the king and show his new clothes. It isn’t to implement or directly reform, because that’s impossible. That’s why he got to undermine and make a mockery out of the rulers. That is his job and currently we are not seeing that from him. Peace.

Chapter Four: A Day to Honor the Life and Legacy of St. Janani Luwum (16.02.2023)

Uganda: Ministry of Foreign Affairs letter to OHCHR (03.02.2023)

Opinion: The “We Fought Tribe” is losing relevancy

This years “Tarehe Sita” seems to be downplayed and disregarded. Not that… it’s shocking or sincerely surprising. Since the reality on the ground is changing. The ones who fought and was part of the bush-war is dying, if not already dead. The few who is left behind is either defiant or betrayed. Except the few who is in the elite and the families who are benefiting from the 1980s war.

The National Resistance Army (NRA) and Museveni came with a promise. It came with pledges and words of fundamental change. We know by now that this has been thwarted and the goalpost have been changed as well. The reasons to go to war and the reason for resisting the ruling government are now gone.

The same ills, impunity and totalitarian government is served by the current regime. There is no fundamental change, when “drones” are taking civilians, civilians are charged in military courts and extra judicial killings are explained away. That’s what is happening, and the liberation of the NRA is long gone.

You know Museveni wants it to be his legendary tale, when he describes it like this:

“Congratulations all Ugandans on the occasion of the 42ndAnniversary   of   Tarehe   Sita.   To   inform   the Bazukulu, the 6thof February, 1981, at 0800 hours (Saa mbiri z’asubuhi), is when the 43 of us, but with 27 rifles, attacked the huge garrison of the Kabaamba Military Training  School  with  the  aim  of  regaining some of the 9,000 rifles, Fronasa had handed to the joint  force  created  after  the  defeat  of  the  Idi  Amin regime.   This   united   force   had   been   given   the designation of the UNLA” (Museveni, 06.02.2023).

We know that he wants it to sound prestigious and legendary. The mighty fell to a chosen few. Even when he boosted of a big personal army in FRONASA and as a part of the overthrow of Amin. Hard to imagine that these troops disappeared and went away that quickly after 1979. However, tales must be exaggerated and boasted with time. Just so it sounds supreme and glorious.

Just to put this into perspective:

“On December 23, 1978, rebel Museveni and his merry band of rebels (under the conductorship of Julius Nyerere) embarked on massive recruitment. Soon, Museveni had 200 fighters culled from Ugandan workers in Karagwe District, Tanzania. As he swept into Uganda, Museveni recruited more than 8,000 troops and that’s when Museveni’s Front for National Salvation (Fronasa) teamed up with Tanzanian forces to “liberate” Mbarara on January 28, 1979” (Phillip Matogo – ‘NRA’s 27 guns and tall poppy syndrome’ 02.05.2021, Daily Monitor).

The numbers speak for themselves, and the myth is created to make Museveni seem above it all. Because, if the numbers are better and larger army. The “Tarehe Sita” story makes it seems like an underdog beat the big dog. Instead, the reality might be more boring or more of the ordinary, which isn’t what Museveni wants people to believe. It is also easier to lie, when most of the “we fought tribe” is deceased and no one can counter his origin story. Alas, the records and the past tales will haunt him. Since, we all know that Yoweri cannot be silent or stop talking…

The ironies of the complaints of previous government from Museveni:

“Why such growth in such a short time?  It was on account of the following reasons:

(1) People being desperately   fed   up   with   the brutality and non-accountability of the old armies ─ UA, UNLA;

(2) UPC blocking the democratic process of genuine and constructive debate that we warned them about many times but never paid heed to our warnings:

(3) The collapse of the economy ─no consumer goods, no wealth creation, magendo, kibaanda, kusamula” (Museveni, 06.02.2023).

Again, Museveni don’t have enough insight or understanding of his own making. The words that his expressing here about the past leadership, the ones he toppled. They can be used against him. The same reasons that he gave to take down Amin or Obote. Can now be used against him and rightfully so. The same traits, the impunity and lack of good governance is all what he does. The same security threats, the same societal issues and bottle-necks haven’t been resolved. Instead, he has amplified it for his own personal gain. That’s why the security organizations are taking away people’s liberties, rights to assemble and be active citizens. Because, if they are… they are easily targets and get’s into legal trouble. That’s just the acts of his government.

That’s why the tales of the Bush-War and the “We Fought Tribe” is becoming irrelevant. The reasons for the war and the toppling of Obote has been forgotten. The leaders, the elites and the President have himself become the same dictator he claimed his predecessors was. Museveni have become everything he fought against. He is blocking the democratic process, the possible peaceful transition and isn’t creating a feasible economy. If the President did… he wouldn’t be where he is today. Peace.

Opinion: Nabbanja’s Faultline

 

Well, after reading the depressing statement “on alleged abductions” from Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja. We can clearly estimate and assess that the government is cleaning their hands or taking a blind eye to the fact. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and their allies are not clever enough or wise to bring forth a proper statement. Neither able to articulate or make their statement believable. However, then again, the President appointed fishermen and not brilliant technocrats.

Like the PM stated in her statement:

“To say that Government abducts people, Rt. Hon. Speaker, is to impute that the Government leads someone away by force or fraudulent persuasion. Rt Hon Speaker, Government cannot rule out the fact that the word “abduction” is being maliciously used by the opposition for purposes of blackmailing us, and we highly condemn this act. The opposition are deliberately referring to arrests as abductions. An arrest done by a Police officer cannot in any way turn into an abduction. Rt. Hon. Speaker, I want to categorically state that Government arrests suspected criminals and has not abducted or does not abduct anybody” (Nabbanja, 02.02.2023).

With these sorts of words in early February 2023 makes it unbelievable. The person who says and print it cannot believe it herself. These words are just obnoxious and sincerely troublesome. It is saying that the opposition is “crying wolf” and stating it doesn’t happen. However, there are enough reports and enough people pleading for their loved ones. Who has been taken away, arbitrary arrested, abducted, kept incommunicado and later arraigned in courts after the fact. Therefore, the PM hope people are naïve or stupid. I don’t know which, but one of them is what she’s aiming for.

Without a doubt, the PM explained the nature of the “drones” by default too:

“Indeed, due to the evolving nature of crime to sophisticated levels owing to technological advancement, sometimes the Government may be compelled to effect arrests using plain clothed oflicers and vehicles with civilian registration number plates and other unconventional methods of arrest to keep pace with the ever changing criminal tactics” (Nabbanja, 02.02.2023).

While she claims this is ways to capture and arrest sophisticated criminals. We know these tactics and means to an end is to take in opposition, activists and other people who defies the government. That is an deliberate act by the security organizations and the “drones” are used frequently. The news of abductions and arbitrary arrests are common placed. That’s because of how these state security organizations are operating without fear or consequences. They are doing it and with the blessings of the “high above”. Which is why some civilians are arraigned in military courts to answer for their “alleged crimes” too. It’s a scheme to deter and silence critics. The PM is clear about the activity but claims the victims’ fault for being “criminals” without any facts or evidence of any criminal acts. That just proves the fault-lines of the PM.

The PM ends with some utter baffling response:

“Sharing information on the particulars of an arrest, that is to say who has been arrested, from where, by who and how, will go a long way to not only assist the Government to explain the whereabouts of the arrested persons but also determine whether the arrest was conducted by authorised persons or whether indeed it is a kidnap by criminal elements. Like I stated earlier, the leader of Opposition has not positively responded to the Rt. Hon Deputy Speaker’s request to furnish Government with adequate details/particulars of persons allegedly abducted such as Village of residence, place of work, next of kin, telephone contact, police reference of reports of missing persons, among others yet they are very important for investigation purposes. This has made it difficult for our security teams to trace for these persons” Nabbanja, 02.02.2023).

This is like the right thing to say, but the PM knows better. That’s if she wanted to be sincere. However, we know that she is a part of the problem and a figure head of the state. Which is why she’s undermining and acting “holier than thou”. The PM is just showing how the state neglects the victims of abduction and acts like it got the laws on its side. That the mere gist of the whole statement. She is denying and acting surprised that the Opposition is coming with lists of missing people. Like it never appeared and didn’t really happen. If it did happen, then they were sophisticated “criminals” to begin with. Therefore, we know the malice and the malicious attempts of cleaning the slate for own personal benefits.

We can with certainty say that the Government and the NRM will not take responsibility. It will act like it never happened. They will state the Constitution and the laws, but not say that it acts beyond that. Which is something we already knows, because we heard the stories and read the pleas of the families who has abducted family members. Therefore, the impunity and saga is far from over.

This is the liberty and freedom, the fundamental change Museveni promised in the 1980s. No, I was wrong. He said the opposite, but he stays in power by taking away liberty from the ones who stands in his way. Peace.

Teso Affairs: The failure of Soroti Fruit Factory Part II – (2-year-old orange concentrate stored without a plan)

“Soroti Fruits Limited was incorporated to add value to fruits that were abundantly underutilised; to address the high post-harvest losses, provide market for the farmers produce, and create employment opportunities along the value chain, thus increased and diversified household incomes within the greater Teso Sub-region” (February, 2022).

The Auditor General Report of December 2022 isn’t spelling out a better story either. The Soroti Fruits Limited is a proof of mismanagement, lack of survey and planning. It is picking the wrong fruit, the wrong type of production and even not considering the markets itself. Nothing has been checked for feasibility or value for money.

That’s why the December 2022 report says this:

“I inspected the inventory stores at the facility and established huge volumes of orange concentrate in the cold room stores. The factory did not have a recognizable packaging line for ready-to-drink juices in PET bottles leading to choking in the Cooling Rooms. The inability to transform Concentrate into marketable juice because of lack of a commercial packaging line for Ready to Drink Juice, has meant that the company keeps huge volumes of Concentrate which are kept in cold rooms, thus increasing costs of production and inadequate products in the market” (OAG, 2022).

He further explains:

“I noted that the factory still had, in store, concentrate and pulp that had been produced close to two years ago and indication of limited market for the juice produced” (OAG, 2022).

If you ever needed a proof of how little viable the production, the factory and the lines made in Soroti. These sorts of statements say it. You don’t need the financial understanding or the liquidity of the company to understand it. It’s expensive to keep such inventory and to use electricity to keep it well. Secondly, the orange concentrate won’t last forever either. Therefore, there are risks involved.

The Soroti Fruit Factory, which was built for the wrong fruit and now also lacks the ability to tap or utilize the concentrate. Because, it doesn’t have the production facilities to bottle or can the goods. That means the State or Government must spend even more on the failure of a project.

This story is a tale of losses, lack of proper consultation and using local knowledge to benefit the famers in Teso. Instead, it has become a money-pit and a loss-loss project. You can certainly wonder who has benefited from this and why it happened in the first place. Because the famers and the ones who was supposed to be the beneficiary ones aren’t. They are the losing end, and neither is the consumer getting viable products to consume. This isn’t value addition, but expenses upon expenses without any sort of revenue. Peace.