A look into Mzee’s 60th Independence Speech [a story about coffee and the pipeline]

For the 35th time or the 36th time that President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni has addressed the nation in the Independence Day. This year its the 60th year since Uganda got independent from the United Kingdom. That day should have been held with fanfare and celebration across the Republic. However, the most vital and important place to be was at Kololo in Kampala. Where Museveni together with foreign dignitaries was at a bash. Which lasted and lasted.

President Museveni knows how to hold lectures and long one too. So, I will only take a few paragraphs here and there. That’s the ones that stood out to me. Because there is a lot of flesh and bone in a two hour speech and nobody with a sane mind wants to fact-check that on a whim. Therefore, I am only looking at snippets and addressing them as I see fit.

Like this one: “These achievements, have been in spite of the stiff opposition we have been facing from the parasites and their foreign backers, such as the Monitor Newspaper. To take an example, this paper, on the 22nd of May, 2022,it said that: “Coffee deal stinks; but key culprit will not be punished”. In other words, Museveni is committing a crime by trying to add value to the Ugandan Coffee” (Museveni, 09.10.2022).

By saying this we know his the Hawk Limited, which wasn’t addressed in the Parliament report. As the Government of Uganda and Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited has made agreements, which is practically creating a coffee-bean monopoly to a company that isn’t really built yet. Neither is the coffee factory built or ready for the levels of production either. That’s why this whole deals stinks and could easily destroy the agricultural output with the marginalized agreements, which isn’t benefiting the free-market or the spirit of producing it either. This is not an incentive or an adjustment anyone asked for, but a problem and bottleneck, which the President himself has created.

While on the subject. This paragraph is just amazing:

After that, I engaged the Nestle group in Davos. They made it clear that they already had their factory for coffee processing in the UK and would not build a new one. Hence, we had to remain as Raw-Material producers, getting only 5% of the value of the coffee we grow. They, moreover, try to muddy the water by claiming that “blending” of the different coffees can only take place in Europe etc. We told them that Uganda had all the varieties and the blending would be done here. That has been the war, I have been involved in until I got the Vinci Company to help me. You heard how some of the MPs were talking in that war. Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, had built a coffee processing factory in Bukoba, in Tanzania, near the border of Uganda. When I heard of that, I linked our people with that effort. They were producing an end product known as “Star Coffee”. Unknown to me, the officials of Uganda, allowed that effort to die out or get stunted. What blindness and betrayal this is!!” (Museveni, 09.10.2022).

It is interesting that Museveni mentions Nestle, which is only this year opening up a Coffee Processing Plant in Mexico. So, this means that Museveni is lying about the fact or that’s so long ago that the Nestle company has changed their perspective. Nevertheless, I don’t believe Coffee can only be processed in Europe. That is deliberately false and a lie. Just to malign Europe and direct his displeasure with Europeans in general. In this regard, there are already coffee processing plants in Uganda. Just to mention one other, which has been operating since 2015 is in Bushenyi district and run by APCU Union. This plant alone is sufficiently supporting 6,000 small-coffee growers in the Bushenyi district. So, the UVCC agreement with the monopoly is dismantling and destroying for instance that processing plant, which is already in operation since 2015. It just shows how his not interested in other visions than his own. His actually betraying the ones that already has started and is operating, which was also described earlier this in a Parliamentary Report. A report that the President don’t mention or even cares to assess. It’s his way or the highway…

On another note, he speaks of the petroleum pipeline:

Recently, there was yet another manifestation of Imperialistic arrogance and hegemonism by elements in the European Union Parliament whereby they decreed from Brussels that the East African Crude Oil Pipeline should not be constructed, until those arrogant actors permit us to do so. Parasitic elements from that part of the World, have been causing problems for Africa and the World for the last 500 years” (Museveni, 09.10.2022).

It is really astonishing the ways that he puts this. That’s why you know this is “his oil” and he feels tampered with. He isn’t describing or explaining the grievances of the EU Parliament Motion. Only describing them the worst way possible and putting them in sinister political context. Instead, of trying to defend with proper arguments for the continuation of it. While again maligning his detractors with language that isn’t fitting for a grown man of his stature, but we know that is common practice from him.

Well, enough for this piece, will write one more about his speech. Since it was over 30 pages and there was one more tale that needs to be addressed. It’s coming on the page as soon as it is finished. Peace.

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC): FDC Independence Message (09.10.2022)

Today, Uganda makes 60 years since the transfer of power from white colonialists to black colonialists.

In these 60 years of flag “independence”, our country has not witnessed a peaceful transfer of power from one government to another.

Our country continues to be governed by the force of arms, and this history is evident in how the force of arms, and military took over the power of politics in Uganda where citizens are still living under terror.

Almost all former presidents have died in exile. Presidents; Sir Edward Muteesa, Dr Milton Obote, Amin Dada, Gen. Tito Okello, and Prof. Yusuf Lule have all died in exile.

In modern Uganda, Injustice, which our elders challenged, has not been terminated, injustice committed by the political leaders who control power, Institutions, resources and tools of arm-twisting has reached unacceptable levels!

Torture, the killing of citizens, violation of human rights, the capture of institutions, stage-managed democracy, land grabbing, the rot of social services, and apartheid in health and education sectors, that characterised the white colonial rule are still evident up to now.

As Forum For Democratic change, we shall continue to mobilise people for a political transition, and restructure state institutions for the true independence of Uganda where a GUN will be subordinate to the people.

One Uganda, One People

Muhoozi Kainerugaba Army (MKA): Press Statement on Uganda’s 60th Independence Anniversary (08.09.2022)

Opinion: 60 years of grievances and still no uhuru…

On the ninth day of October, nineteen hundred and sixty-two (in this Act referred to as “the appointed day”), the territories which at the passing of this Act are comprised in the Uganda Protectorate (that is to say, all those territories which, whether designated as kingdoms, districts or otherwise, are specified in section one of the Constitution set out in the Second Schedule to the existing Constitution Order, and whose boundaries are as mentioned in section two of that Constitution) shall together form part of Her Majesty’s dominions under the name of Uganda; and as from the appointed day Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom shall have no responsibility for the Government of Uganda or any part thereof. No Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed on or after the appointed day shall extend, or be deemed to extend, to Uganda, or any part of Uganda, as part of the law thereof; and as from that day the provisions of the First Schedule to this Act shall have effect with respect to legislative powers in Uganda. The agreements which, in the Second Schedule to this Act, are specified by their titles as mentioned in that Schedule, and any agreement (whether made before or after the passing of this Act) whereby any of those agreements is varied or superseded, shall cease to have effect as from the appointed day” (Uganda Independence Act, 1962).

The phrase Alutia Continua should be chanted today. Today is the day of celebrating 60 years since the United Kingdom left the protectorate or the “enclave” to give Uganda it’s own independence. Since then there never been a peaceful transition of power, neither has there been a silence of guns. The arms has controlled and the power has been with the ones who was the last victor.

That’s why since January 1986, one man has ruled supreme. He promised fundamental change, but he never delivered. He squandered the abilities and the promises, but has instead delivered the same plight, agony and suffering, which was also served by the government in the past. The use of force, abductions, kidnappings, torturing and extra judicial killings even. This was promised to end in 1986 but it has never left.

President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni have vilified everyone who ruled before him. Blamed it on them and sometimes his still blame the colonialist for the troubles of the present day. While he uses their laws, which was enacted before the independence. The President uses the terms and the statutes of the colonial British to silence, apprehend and stop the ones who opposes him. While he also uses the same sort of techniques to arrest and move opposition leaders to the great North. He also ironically uses the military courts and the court martial to go after civilians like the colonial ones did too. So, as for someone celebrating independence from the British. He surely abides by their means to control and incite fear in the population.

We know he has spoken ill of Yusuf Lule, Idi Amin and Milton Obote. While he has enforced the same ills and done it deliberately. The predecessors has their crimes, ills and wrongs, which did linger on into the reign of Museveni. However, Museveni has re-invented and used the same techniques as them to keep the population under his spell.

Museveni hasn’t stopped the land-grab, he haven’t stopped the tyranny or anything like that. He has instead infused that with his own personal vibes. That is Presidential Directives and letters to get his way. Pushing ministers and government entities to create “white elephants” and “empty promises” that goes to nowhere.

That’s why the same civilian peasants are begging for help and the state only doling out small amounts of shillings. While the new elite is enriching themselves. They are eating like there is no tomorrow. Eating and drinking good in well-lit mansions in the hills of Kampala. While there is black-outs with no ends, lack of rural energy or even basic necessities. That’s why during the last campaign, Museveni was proud of launching a water-tap in one district. This is the sort of development his delivering after over 30 years in office.

He has opened up businesses, factories and other such facilities, but they are shortly after defaulting, indebted and lack the proper due diligence to even run. Either the shop-keepers cannot afford the rent or the traders don’t get the consumers to go there. If it is a factory it’s either built for the wrong fruit or lacking incentive of the farmers to sell to the entity. This happens again and again.

Let’s be clear, Ugandans can be proud of their resilience and their willpower. They have stood tall in the amidst poverty, oppression and never ending sorrow. Their kindness, greatness and open heart you met is beyond anything else. Ugandans can be proud of who they are and what they been able to push through. It has never been easy and no leader has given them proper peace. They have used the office to enrich themselves and grab more power. That’s things haven’t moved forward and the current one is another proof of that.

This is why it’s hard to celebrate today. The independence from one ruler to another type of ruler. However, the ills continues and the lack of freedoms are still there. The lack of liberties and ability to regain a foothold. That’s all done deliberately by the President and his Party, because he knows that this could be his end. He wouldn’t have the openness and the freedoms, if so, he wouldn’t have the popularity or ability to rule himself.

That’s why he rather be a new colonial master, but a local one. He rather be a tyrant and a dictator, instead of trying to convene or be elected through universal suffrage. No, rather rig or get himself imposed on the public. That’s why Museveni cannot really celebrate the 60th Anniversary.

Today should have been a glorious day. Nevertheless, the 36 years of Museveni and the predecessors haven’t made it happen. The leaders have betrayed the mission, their office and their duty to their citizens. They have forgotten the reasons for the independence and instead enslaved the citizens themselves under their rule. Getting people to suffer under similar rules, restrictions and lack of service delivery. Which wasn’t even seen by the colonial powers. That’s why the current rulers are medical tourists and cannot get treatment at home. This is why people are in exile and endangered for speaking out the truth.

The current President and leadership don’t want honesty or facts, it wants propaganda and lies. It wants deception and incite fear. To ensure the public is intimidated and silenced, in such a manner, that it will not rise up against it. The public shouldn’t fight for their liberties, freedoms or their rights. They should just beg for breadcrumbs and be happy with cassava. Peace.

Opinion: Kusasira is having buyers remorse…

I feel a lot of pain that I can’t explain to you or to someone else inside me. But all the pain comes as a result of enemies who are fighting against me left and right that makes me just find myself in the center squeezed from there. My tears and pains are of a combination of many things that include my property that I have lost include that which I worked for as a musician because fans supported me overwhelmingly and I made some money but now all is gone. I am being fought by many individuals and I know the president’s word is a direct order. I support President Museveni as an individual but I request what he directs, let it be done because some of us who love him we face lots of challenges and difficult times. We are fought side by side and you find that those who don’t support him don’t fight us as much but those in the party play all sorts of dirty games against us” Catherine Kusasira (07.10.2022).

The running up to the 2021 elections was like nothing else. That’s because of the People Power Movement and the rise of the National Unity Platform (NUP). The National Resistance Movement finally met an organic rise of opposition and within the means of youths who opposed the reign of Museveni. Not the like the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) haven’t been the Leader of the Opposition and rightfully so. However, NUP and People Power came in like a wind and caused a stir.

That stir was met with changes, President Museveni suddenly showed up in the ghettos and acted like he cared for a hot minute. He tried to sway former People Power associates and some he got into his fold. One of them was Kusasira. She went from being on the side of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine into an appointment of being Presidential Advisor of Kampala Affairs. That happened in 2019 ahead of the 2021 elections.

She was one of the people Museveni purged and got into the NRM. Just to prove that the mass-mobilized party could be relevant for the people that Bobi Wine talked to and was relevant for. That’s why he went for Balaam, Ashburg Katto and others. He appointed them, gave them a role and made them “special”. They became part of the state and was suddenly honourable people.

Kusasira was suddenly one of them. She had a V8 Vehicle, an Office and could afford to buy a mansion. Her place within the NRM was established and she was part of the ruling elite. She could travel with racks-on-racks and even act arrogant towards the Ministry of Kampala and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). That’s because she could just call President and get vouched for.

Now she is falling short. The money is draining up and she’s not relevant. Kusasira is feeling lost and isn’t in the wind. Her place and role is sort of outplayed. It is nothing she has to offer or relevance for the President. Museveni only needed her for the elections and appointed her to hurt the campaign of Bobi Wine. There was no real love, just like all the other ones who was “captured” or swayed over from People Power. They only did so to damage and possible break the popular rise of the NUP. However, that wasn’t the case and these folks lost their way.

It is tragic that she lost her house and feels betrayed by her own. She chose to be a pawn and pawns never lives long. The king stays the king, but she haven’t done anything to fight or change her role. The only thing she offered was arrogance and betrayal. That’s not valuable for anyone in the long-run. Neither is she a master mobilizer or a people’s champ. No, she’s just another of them. A washed-up musician who got caught in the web of Museveni.

Kusasira made her bed and she now has to sleep in it. Peace.

Opinion: No one is safe – when the authorities can take you in for “guilt” by association

The “drones” or “Panda Gari’s” never left the Republic. It is clear that abductions, kidnappings, keeping people detained incommunicado, torturing and also extra judicial killing is far from over. The authorities does it in broad daylight, they do it in the middle of the day. They come unannounced and without warrants, take away people and their remaining family or friends are shocked.

This can happen because the family is in exile, associated with the “wrong” political party or has some sort “questionable” behaviour. There can be “intelligence” gathered against the person, but nothing has been in the courts. None of the charges or the reasons to apprehend, abduct or kidnapped has been proven or tested. It is only on a hunch and possibly by association with someone. That’s all it takes and there is no other justification for doing so.

This is being done by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), Special Forces Command (SFC), The Flying Squad (Uganda Police Force) or Internal Security Organization (ISO). All of them are doing at different times to various of people. It is just so commonly happening. The only reason why we know about it is because people leak videos and messages from “loved-ones” or family members who has been “taken-in”.

The amount of this practice is hard to figure. The numbers fluctuate and the accuracy is hard to know. However, with the lack of oversight and no one been able to look into the practices of “safe-houses”. You just know the state has more facilities where they are keeping “prisoners” or “people of interest”. As they are held without their legal rights or after the 48 hours window to be taken to court to be processed. Because, the entities and the security agencies doing it is operating on a flimsy basis. There is little to no “intelligence” or “proof of criminal activity”. If the security agencies had it. They could have produced warrants and justification for the action in the first place.

The ones that is amazed by this have clearly lost a step. This has been done so deliberately over the years. In such a manner, that the state is now and then forced to pay damages to people captured without a legal basis. That’s why the Courts are forced to so, because the laws are stipulated in that way and the state has to fork out funds. This is for a reason and it happens too. The ones that is fortunate enough to challenge the kidnapping, torture, pain and suffering, which was caused on them by brutal force.

This is the legacy that the National Resistance Movement will leave behind. The acts of the CMI, SFC, Flying Squad, ISO and others will be things that has tarnished its reputation. Everyone knows they are doing it and they cannot run away from it. They have their Argentina House and other facilities that does it. There is no way to run away from it now.

There is no clever spin or sort of reasoning that can suggest otherwise. These actions will remain as dubious and be seen as deliberate acts of vengeance. They are not only done on political leaders, activists and random bystanders. It is also done on people by association and connected by blood. They haven’t even done anything, but their kin did a decision either in absentia, in exile or are already captured themselves. That’s how the state operates and they are not even hiding it. Peace.

Opinion: The NRM will miss the DGF

Now that’s it apparent that the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF) is closing in December 2022. This after baseless accusations and demeaning insults from the His Excellency President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni ahead of the General Election in 2021. Certainly, he that to control the narratives and in general ensure to silence his critics. While the DGF only did what it always has done, which is to support over 30 CSOs/NGOs who works on governance and civil education, which could have strengthen the society at large.

That’s why the closure of DGF will not only hurt a 100 people who has worked directly in the DGF. No, it will hurt the over 30 CSOs/NGOs who was directly funded by the DGF. Also, government entities and structures, which was also funded by the DGF. The DGF over the last five years has ensured a circulation of Shs. 15 trillion shillings. That’s a substantial amount of currency and monies that are taken out of rotation, which would be there to get domestic revenue for the state and ensure livelihoods of plenty. This will hurt service providers and those who is bound by contracts to the DGF and the entities it provided funds for. It is really compelling the damage the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has done here and it will feel it in 2023.

We know things was bad when the President suspended the DGF in February 2021. While he has lifted the suspension in June 2022. The DGF will not continue now and the regime will feel the losses. Just like the DGF together with NIMD used to support IPOD. Now, there are several other entities that is losing out. That will hurt the government and it’s institutions at large, but we know the President isn’t concerned about it.

The donors who made the agreement with Government of Uganda (GoU) to create the DGF in 2011, which happens to be Austria, Denmark, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the European Union might seek other partners or places to fund. Since, they are not welcomed or has the mechanisms to ensure development goals are met. Because, the donors has again to report to their citizens and taxpayers for the usage of funds. Which means they cannot just waste money and not prove any sort of value for money. That is squandered here, because the DGF was an organization and an umbrella organization, which kept it all organized and good oversight over it.

We know the national budget still needs external funding sources, though the bloated budgets are projecting more domestic revenue by any given year. Though there are common practice of deficits of funds, which leads to more borrowing, either domestically or by other sources. Meaning, the spiral of debts are growing and the nature of financing is becoming more dire. Since, the state has to pay interests and pay old debts to keep up with the programs. Certainly, the state or the republic has no plans to configure or has a back-up for the loss of DGF funding. No, it has lived on these funds for years and thinks the donors are gullible to return the favour anyway.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has gambled a lot of people’s futures here. The current day-to-day operations of both government entities and CSOs/NGOs will be hurting for a long time. They will not have payroll or be able to keep up with contracts, which was signed a time back. We will see both local government and NGOs cry out. Especially, when the DGF finally close and leave.

It won’t be that easy for the donors of the DGF just to donate or use funds in Uganda after this. They have had mechanisms and organizations, which have followed statutes and means of oversight. That is needed and gives good basis for them to continue to donate in the Republic. However, when that is now gone and cease to operate. The NRM with it’s baseless attacks and wanting to interfere. Has ensured this loss. They will feel the pinch and the loss of domestic revenue through this. They might not consider it right now. Neither the ramifications of the CSOs/NGOs, but their activities and such has ensured livelihoods of lots of people. That’s why this is biting the hand that feeds you. Without having any sort of back-up or other revenue to ensure the longevity of the partners of DGF, which are getting hurt by this.

The IPOD is just one of them, but there are 30 CSOs/NGOs and a few government entities that is losing out too. That’s where there will be shortfall in 2023 and beyond. Unless, the Government of Uganda is able to talk and negotiate again with donors to create another body to have similar functions. Which I doubt, because, why do that? When you have seen how the NRM and the President has acted towards the DGF? Peace.

Opinion: The “drones” never left

The “Drones” or the Panda Gari’s never ceased their operations. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) have only reconfigured things and made it their own. The same resistance group and rebellion, that promised freedom and liberty. Alas, security for all and no fear of sudden arrests, which would happen according to law. However, with the time that has withered and its now obvious that this was a lie.

The NRM wants to rule on intimidation, fear and strike vicious vengeance towards the ones that is defying it. That’s why people are ending up missing. Cheiftancy of Military Intelligence (CMI) is known for suddenly abducting, keeping people incommunicado and some even end up dead.

It is various of authorities who does this activity, not only the CMI, even if that is the one who is most recognized for it. The army own branched Special Forces Command (SFC) has been doing and so has other agencies like Internal Security Organization (ISO). It is not like the Uganda Police Force (UPF) or Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) haven’t worked in tandem on this.

There is a reason why “safe-houses” exists and they are used for keeping people unknowingly. They are there, usually tortured and battered. The authorities using violent means, which are supposed to break the spirit and get them to tell stories. However, this is only showing the brutal side of the government. As these people are detained, tortured and in harms way without any due process. The civilian are taken there and kept without warrants or court order. They are not deemed felons or people who has breached any statute or law. These people just happens to be caught, captured and be maligned for a crime they didn’t do.

That’s the sort of activity the Parliament is condoning, but never acting upon. No, the government isn’t stopping it. The Parliament haven’t been allowed to investigate and the authorities will only give progress or cliff-notes on the few that is mentioned in Plenary Sessions. The vans are coming to a street near you and someone is going to be at the mercy of the law.

When someone is saying it’s hard to spot the difference between a bloody gang and the people running the “drones”. That is saying something about how they operate. There is the same sort of acts that goons or street thugs do. They come silently and strike powerfully. The victim can be taken brutally away from the location and be kept at unknown location indefinitely.

With the usage of these means, it is hard to separate who is criminal and who is law enforcement. It is the same sort of violent approach and it’s no difference then in Amin’s time, which Museveni has said to be different too. He is actually using the same means and intimidation. His security organizations are using similar means and they not even concealing it. That’s why the Penal Code haven’t been revised and the authorities have the same colonial laws to pin civilians in. Heck, the same government is using military court to detain and charge civilians. That is just showing how far the authorities has taken it. There is no boundaries and the state is willing to do everything to silence the ones in its way.

The drones never left. They were prevalent in the year and months in advance of the 2021 elections. They have been active since then too, but now they are targeting more people. It is happening so often and with such haste. You know the government is trying to do a point. Just like it did with the Flying Squad and the Black Mambas. Things are just coming back and we can rest assured that the LDUs will soon kick-it off too.

This sort of government don’t come in peace, but it comes in resounding viciousness and no one is left untouched. That’s the justice and liberty that the NRM serves the public. You have to be careful. One day it might be you. Just because you were associated with the wrong people at the wrong time or the CMI/SFC has grudges against people like you. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni’s deflection on the EACOP…

I spent 12 years studying English and one of the words I picked up in those years is insufferable. Some of these people(EU MPs) are insufferable. You(EU MPs) need to control yourself not to explode.(They are) so shallow, so egocentric and so wrong that they think they know everything broadcasting their ignorance all over the place but they should calm down. This is a wrong battleground for them” (…) “We don’t take kindly to arrogance and that’s why we spent so many years sorting out issues with arrogant people. The plan will be implemented according to schedule. I hope our partners join us firmly and advise them. When you go to the European Union parliament these are just young girls. A young girl is lecturing me what to do in Uganda! I think somebody should counsel those young people” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (27.09.2022)

No one should expect that President Museveni would held himself accountable or be concerned with the grievances in the European Union Parliament Motion “JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on violations of human rights in Uganda and Tanzania linked to investments in fossil fuels projects” which has caused issues since 14th September 2022.

We know that the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and the exploiting of petroleum in the Lake Albertine basin is key for the President. This industrial enterprise and agreements are a life-line for his reign. The currency coming from this has to be a slush-fund and direct funds to ensure longevity at this point. Since, he has no direct support or direct donors who will fund him in the same of which they did in 1990s or early 2000s. That’s why the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the government have a debt deficit cycle, which is destroying the economy. Only Petro-Dollar can save it and possibly get enough revenue to stop the downward spiral created over the years.

However, no one should believe that the Petro-Dollars or the EACOP will be beneficial for the Republic. If it has been sincere and honestly operating, the whole enterprise, the businesses and the agreements would have been transparent. Secondly, the grievances which was reflected in the motion haven’t been discussed or addressed by the President. That’s the arrogance of Museveni himself showing.

President Museveni isn’t talking about the environmental damages or problems the EACOP is creating. Neither is he talking about the forced evictions or the human rights violations either. That doesn’t concern him. We know this all about “his oil” and the oil development to make his bank-account pregnant. The final heist and the biggest slush-fund ever to President for Life.

The ones believing President Museveni is building and developing the petroleum industry out of the kindness of his heart. I hate to tell you, but this is all for selfish reasons. His doing it to earn money himself and is indifferent about the citizens itself. He will have a buck-load of cash and the costs will be burdened on the next generation. Museveni isn’t in this to do good and he never was. That’s why other industries are depleted, privatized and destroyed over the years in his reign.

It is interesting that his pinning the blame on the EU Parliament. When he doesn’t even see what they said and what the Motion is stating. It’s like that doesn’t matter and like Museveni isn’t reading the room. There are already banks backing off and the IMF/World Bank isn’t interesting in it either. The timing of building the EACOP is wrong. He should have initiated this a decade earlier or so. However, he was busy with other schemes at the time…

President Museveni isn’t saving face here. His just deflecting and not taking into account the Motion itself. That’s apparently beneath him, but he should be concerned by this. They are just proving what sort of man he is and is not willing to see it. He rather rule with his ruthless acts and hope no one every tests him. However, the EU Parliament isn’t beholden to him or have to live by his words. They are independent that way and therefore, he just have to act this way. He can rebuke them… but that doesn’t help his case either. Total is European and French, so that company is bound by the laws and regulations in Europe. Therefore, Museveni cannot just deny the EU Parliament, because they are the ones that are the biggest developers in it too.

That’s why the next moves of Total will be important and if they will defy the EU Parliament itself. This will be followed and we don’t know how that one will go. What we do know… is that its harder for them and banks are not willing to loan development funds to it. In this regard, the Ugandan President should be more humble and be more friendly. However, he prefer being on the warpath, than being a person who reflects on the reality and adjust to it. Peace.

Opinion: The PDM is set to destroy the parastatals supplying Coffee and Tea Seedlings…

Rt. Hon. Speaker, as you may be aware, up until FY 202l /2022, Government policy has been for Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) to procure seedlings from certified Coffee and Tea Nursery Operators. However, Government has since decided to transfer funding previously appropriated for procurement of seedlings from UCDA and NAADS to the Parish Development Model (PDM) starting this FY2022/2023” (Statement to Parliament on the Supply of Coffee and Tea Seedlings, 22.09.2022).

The latest revelation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) will by this Financial Year takeover the powers to buy Coffee and Tea Seedlings, which has been done through the UCDA and NAADs. We know that similar activities was also in the past done through the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC). Though through those schemes wasn’t delivering the quality or the promised needs of seedlings at any given time.

When we have seen how the OWC and NAADs has failed in this. They are now putting this in the hands of the PDM and the Secretariat, which isn’t even prepared to do the basics of the PDM. The PDM is supposed through SACCOs and through the Local Government ensure Parish SACCOs get’s microfinance loans and funds, which is supposed to help development. However, the authorities, the local leadership and republic wasn’t prepared for it. As it was launched ahead of the polls, just like Emyooga, OWC and now the PDM. This is new minted schemes to be a “trick” to be the “silver bullet” to end poverty, but it ends up in nowhere.

Now in the middle of nowhere is the coffee and tea seedlings. Which are now transferred to an entity that cannot even do it’s core. Money is wasted, money isn’t received and we are certainly hearing about “missing funds” soon.

So, an organization that has been rushed, lacked funding and procedures is taking over something so vital for the supply of seedlings for the cash-crops of coffee and tea. That’s significant and shouldn’t be showed under the rug. This is a move to stop accountability and control of it. As we know the Republic is already under scrutiny with the Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited (UVCCL).

It’s just iffy that this happens now. That seems fishy to me and it seems coordinated too. This is clearly taking away power and making the UCDA meaningless. Only a place to put some loyal cadres and giving them a pay-check, but having little power or oversight since the PDM and UVCCL will have monopoly. The farmers just have to produce and the Republic will take care of the rest. This is from seedling to the refined product.

They are even taking away the little powers and ability the UCDA has and doing this is shady. That’s why they are giving it to the PDM, which they know have to much on its hands. This isn’t strengthening the agricultural development, but making another scheme within the scheme. To fit another scheme they have already made. The PDM is now becoming a part of the UVCCL. That’s really interesting move and just shows what the National Resistance Movement (NRM) does at this point.

No one should be shocked, but they should be worried about this move. This isn’t done to make the cash-crop more profitable or better. We know how the OWC failed with the procurement and logistics of seedlings. Do you really think the PDM will be any better? Who are they trying to fool here? Who is the ones who are losing and are the party they are crushing?

Because, there are parties, companies and co-ops that are hurt by this. Since the PDM is taking over and there should be outrage over this. Like the NRM and the Government didn’t learn from the failure of OWC. That’s what is striking… and just shows that it doesn’t care. While it could be a scheme to fit the UVCCL and that makes it even more disgusting. Peace.