Opinion: The 1962 & 1995 Constitution has practically equal rights… against sectarianism…

In 1962, the politics of Uganda was based on the sectarianism of tribes, religion and looking down on women. That is how Uganda had become a failed state. The politics of Uganda was based on sectarianism. That’s how Uganda has become a failed state. All that was from sowing a bad seed. We are for socio-economic transformation and democracy. That’s how we started in 1995, challenging the other line (Sectarianism)” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (06.04.2022).

The Head of State, President for Life and His Excellency Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni during yesterday farewell speech at the state funeral of late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah. He uttered these words and said it. Like he invented the wheel and nobody did it before. When his coming with such claims, which is outrageous …. because he has appointed more high ranking officals from Ankole and the Western Uganda than anyone else. Therefore, the President should be careful about his own legacy….

With that in mind, the way his government and party has assaulted the NUP and their roots in Baganda Kingdom or in the Central Region. They should be wise and not do that… as they have record themselves and it was an result of the previous governments, which also appointed and ensured certain tribes of the North got a powerbase. If that being the Langi, Acholi or even Kakwa for that matter. We know that Obote and Amin did certain services in this manner and Museveni has been no different there. Only that he has had longer time and he has gotten away with it.

Alas, because of his claim of 1962 versus 1995. He claims he made a difference, but the laws of each time shows the people had practically equal rights after their respective constitutions. The implications of how the government operated and how things panned out is different. That was what Obote did in his first term and what happened after that. However, the sectarianism …. claim seems to be out of bound with the initial texts of the laws, which the Constitution at the time said.

So read this here…

1962 Constitution:

17. Whereas every person in Uganda is entitled t o the fundamental and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, what- ever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the individual public interest, t o each and all of the following, namely—

(a) life, liberty, security of the person and the protection of the law;

(b) freedom of conscience, of expression and of assembly and association; and

(c) protection for the privacy of his home and other property and from deprivation of property without compensation, the provisions of this Chapter shall have effect for the purpose of affording protection to those rights and freedoms subject to such limitations of that protection as are contained in those provisions, being limitations designed t o ensure that the enjoyment of the said

rights and freedoms by any individual does not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others or the public interest” (1962 Constitution).

1995 Constitution:

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. (4) Nothing in this article shall prevent Parliament from enacting laws that are necessary for- (a) implementing policies and programmes aimed at redressing social, economic or educational or other imbalance in society; or (b) making such provision as is required or authorised to be made under this Constitution; or (c) providing for any matter acceptable and demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. (5) Nothing shall be taken to be inconsistent with this article which is allowed to be done under any provision of this Constitution” (1995 Constitution).

When you read these articles from two constitutions… you can easily assess and see that they are saying the same things. There is no real difference or changes of language even. The 1995 Constitution is only in this manner speaking of direct discrimination, but the 1962 states of it in the view of public interest.

The citizens have equal rights under both constitutions and they shouldn’t be subjected to limitations or prosecutions, because of their sex, race, colour, ethnic tribe, birth, creed or religion. That is similar under both articles from the two constitutions. Therefore, we can see that this didn’t start in 1995, but was already a thing in 1962. It could easily wonder if the ones writing the 1995 Constitution was inspired by the 1962 Constitution in this article. Nevertheless, that is only speculation.

What we do know… is that they are giving the same rights people and not being sectarian. Which was the claim of the current day President. He should think more straight and not speak of malice without considering his words. That’s what he does and trying to re-write history. Not that the previous governments didn’t’ do badly and didn’t appoint on tribal lines. The history speaks of this and the historians after Post-Musveni will show that he did the same. A legacy he don’t want, but that is his history too. Peace.

Opinion: Karamoja is bleeding and nothing is being done…

The Karamoja Sub-Region has been burning and bleeding of late. This has been as a result of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force and Uganda Police Force, which are doing a joint-operation to stop cattle-rustlers, but clearly acting out of their means. As the 7 Karamoja districts are hurt as a result.

These districts are Kaabong, Kotido, Abim, Moroto, Napak, Nakapiripirit, and Amudat. All of them are touched by the state sponsored violence and savage killings. People are becoming internally displaced. Houses are being burnt and people are forced to flee. The amount of fatalities are unknown, as the UPDF have only dropped one update and the numbers from there is certainly an understatement.

The Joint Mission Update was what the authorities had done between 19th and 29th March and we are now on the 3rd April and the violence is still occurring at an uncertain rate. The verified 309 people must have add-ons as people are seeking shelters in mosques and elsewhere. Karimojong are really under fire here.

There are even a viral video clip of some soldiers in Abim district who killed an alleged cattle-rustler and burned the remains. While showing the skull in one of the hands of the soldiers as the burning fire of the remains was continuing in the back. That sort of video clip is haunting and show what sort of sinister acts that is going on.

We know that Commander of Land Forces Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga has promised them “hell” and his serving that on a plate. They don’t need to wait for the after-life to be in danger or meet the devil. The forces of Muhoozi is the agents of the Hell is already there and to get away from them would be like heaven.

As before in the month. There been speculations of mineral resources, findings of petrol and wider implications of foreign investors possible getting viable land. If not there is also reports of possible heists of livestock and thieving cows from the sub-region. As well, there is also reports of poisoning of goats there.

Whatever the reasons why it’s happening now. The citizens and the ones that dies… it happens without due process and without the courts of justice. The civilians are guilty before proven innocent in Karamoja right now. This is injustice and extra judicial killings. With the murder of over 300 people. Some might easily say massacres is going on and we don’t know to what extent. Since there is little to none reporting on the actual actions going on. The fatalities is therefore totally hidden and the bloodshed is happening in darkness.

The justification for the amount of death and it’s scale should be really crucial. As these amounts of deaths would be close to war or skirmishes between enemies of a civil-war. Alas, the state is behind a huge operation, which is causing harm that will linger on in the sub-region for decades. The fatalities and the insecurity isn’t becoming better, but worse. The devastating results will linger on and the damage cannot be mended. The souls taken and the land scorned will not be viable quickly. The needs for dialogue and peace. There isn’t a need for war or more guns. It is only causing more fatalities and more death.

That seems to be the devil in Muhoozi. He comes with death and thrives on the burning region of Karamoja. That’s the devil in the details… and how it can be perceived. Peace.

Uganda: Ministry of Defence & Veterans Affairs – Uganda Peoples’ Defence Force (UPDF) – The Situation in Karamoja is Under Control (29.03.2022)

Uganda: Szlavik continues to represent Museveni in the U.S. [with little too no results]

Frank Sobotka: You know what the trouble is, Brucey? We used to make shit in this country, build shit. Now we just put our hand in the next guy’s pocket” (The Wire – ‘Bad Dreams’ S2E11, 2003).

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has used lobbyist and paid representation in Washington D.C. since 1992. They have hired K-Street lawyers and lobbyist to fight for their causes. To get favourable coverage and also spread “information” to Congress members in both the House and Senate.

On that has represented Museveni and the Government of Uganda (GoU) for years is Joseph Szlavik of the Scribe Strategies & Advisors, Inc. The registration in FARA registry shows that his still representing and working for the interests of Uganda in the United States of America.

In 2021 he got two payments in June for his work as “compensation”. He earned USD$ 141,000. If you convert that Ugandan Shillings he was paid about UGX 507 million shillings.

In 2021 he sent dozens of emails to Representatives with the sole purpose of a “Meeting request for the Ambassador of Uganda”. He had two in-person meetings with Congressmen Earl Leroy Carter and John Kato. While holding a dinner event with the members of congress on the 24th June 2021 with Steve Chabot, Maria Elvira Salazar, Andy Barr and Claudia Tenny. He was also able to have a lunch meeting with Congressmen Chris Smith on the 26th July. While one man was willing to meet the Ugandan Ambassador in person, that was Senator Ted Cruz on the 29th July. The others who got emails didn’t do that and the list was endless in the filing. So, Szlavik is sending 100s of emails without any results, which is billed to the Government of Uganda.

So, the state is willing to pay over 100,000 USD for sending emails and such. With very little results. He is a professional lobbyist, but the results seems weak. It is like his emails are getting into the spam-folder and not touched. Since, his filling of 2021 emails to get Congressmen and Senators to meet the Ambassador was pages after pages, but only one registered meeting in person with ambassador and a few lunch meetings. That is barely anything substantial.

This is just like when the Baltimore Dock Union leader Frank Sobotka in the fictional tale of The Wire paid lobbyist Bruce DiBiago to get another pier and dry-dock by bribing politicians. The Union was paying this money to the lobbyist, but there was no results. Only that the lobbyist was paid and no results to show for it. Even in the end of the Wire season. Instead of getting the results and upgrade the port needed. It instead got turned into a condominium, meaning private housing and not furthering the attraction of the port. Which means the whole payments of the lobbyist was wasted and not bare any fruits what so ever.

Just like that fictional tale… Szlavik is the same in regard to Uganda. His getting paid, but clearly working and achieving very little. I cannot remember any of the Congressmen or that the prominent Senator Ted Cruz doing anything for the betterment of Uganda. To the contrary the United States government and their authorities are starting to sanction and make things harder for the regime in Kampala. Therefore, Szlavik has a lot of purpose, but very little to show for it. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee has the final word from the NRM High Command to the ballots of the August House

Today, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, I attended the special sitting of parliament to elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. I congratulate the NRM and the ally groups. I also congratulate the other group. Thank you for sitting and behaving properly. To those who have won (my own NRM candidates), I urge you not to go around celebrating, we are mourning and actually, this election should not have happened but the law required so. It is madness to have this election when Oulanyah is not buried, people can think we are witches. Now to the Honourable Members of Parliament, whether you are in the Opposition, NRM or in the Army, in order for us to succeed as a country, you must work for the people. You all know how we can get our people out of poverty but you keep meandering in other things” (Museveni, 25.03.2022).

The Parliament has become the National Resistance Council by definition. They are the House and the Parliament in name, but in action… it is just a big council of National Resistance Movement Members of Parliament (MP). These are following the guidance of the party and the will of His Excellency. Therefore, the only thing they will do is to follow his orders and decrees.

Because, we know the Office of the President or the National Resistance Army/Movement High Command writes their decree or order. The decree or orders is later designated to the National Resistance Movement – Central Executive Committee (NRM CEC), which is the first place to sanitize it and make it legit. After that, it’s implemented in the NRM Caucus before it is taken to the Parliament. So, all the steps and the journey of a decisions is all handled and controlled. There is no free will or direction where the NRM MPs can go without a direction and everyone knows it.

The NRM MPs are in majority and what they decide will happen. The President has ensured this with election rigging, gerrymandering and all the tricks of the book to secure total control. He does it with the use of the authorities, blocking parties from operating and all the other means of which has made it impossible for the opposition to gain any sort of power. That is why his ending up with the final say.

It is his system by making it out to be a multi-party system. However, it isn’t far from the no-party system. As the other parties only have minor votes and part of the Parliament. They are participating in the name, but got no say and their motions is easily dismissed. Their candidacies and opportunities is close to none.

When the President has decided, gotten acknowledged in the NRM CEC and later directed the NRM Caucus. The plenary session can happen in the August House and his “Council” will vote in his favour and after his bidding. The ones who rebels or acts out of line will be addressed. They will be questioned and possible get into trouble. These are the NRM Rebels, which tends to be manhandled and losing their perks. This is what he does… because nobody should question the only man with a vision.

We knew the results when the NRM CEC wrote their position earlier in the week. We knew that the NRM would just follow where the President pointed and nothing else would happen. It was written and executed according to plan.

The NRM High Command has it all in order and everyone else just obeys. There is no chance. Nothing is missed and the journey of the votes is only formalities. This is how things are and not expect MPs or dissidents inside to be left of the hook. They will be taken care of and they will regret it. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni has earned a living on cheap politics….

I want to warn people who use the death of someone to do cheap politics. I have heard some people saying Oulanyah was killed. We’re coming for you. The police will come for you to help them because you seem to know what we don’t know. We cannot go on with this indiscipline. Oulanyah died in a reputable hospital. For somebody who is educated to claim. You must come to police and explain. We cannot continue with this indiscipline. I had somebody saying there is a camera. Where is the camera you are talking about? Which camera were they talking about? If you are talking about that vehicle, it is not a camera. It is for our security here” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (25.03.2022).

That the President is coming with a warning on the day the late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah is substituted with the former Deputy Speaker. Just show that his mind never rests and he always has to retaliate. There is never peace and never a moment of acting humble.

His coming with warnings and telling that the authorities will investigate the ones who is questioning the death of Oulanyah. It is not like National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the NRM used death as a means to their end. The NRM was forged in death and murder… the killing fields and the bush-war. That was cheap politics, which the NRA even used tricks to wear to UNLA fatigue and killed villagers to blame them for massacres. This was in the 1980s and how he rose to prominence and never looked back.

The President should consider his words. As he is the one that warns of destroying, rhetoric of demeaning opponents and saying his army will destroy anyone. When he does that on the regular. Why wouldn’t people question a sudden death like this? Just like they have questioned other deaths and sudden fatalities of high ranking officials over the years!

The NRM and the authorities haven’t really the trust or the ability of transparency, which would make the public believe in the messages of the state. However, the known secrecy and devious ways, always make people speculate and wonder what went down. And it doesn’t help in this regard, that there was a probe into poisoning of Oulanyah during 2021. We where supposed to forget these headlines in The Observer?

His Excellency should consider how his state failed Oulanyah and all the citizens. When the high ranking officials has to go abroad to get treatment. That shows the Ministry of Health and the Hospitals isn’t up too it. This is why they have to get treatment and medical care elsewhere. The Government of Uganda should consider this and that’s why people are speaking out about his travels to Seattle. However, the President seems to be delusional about this.

It isn’t cheap politics…. It is the sort of politics and questioning that actually helped himself at one point. Just like his speaking ill of coup d’etat these days. The same manner of which he took power in 1986. So, consistency is apparently too much too ask… Peace.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where it further states:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Opinion: Babalanda don’t know her own party…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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