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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Opinion: Aye yo! The Movement wasn’t built for the up-coming generations…

If there is a youth (in Uganda) who is not NRM, they must have a problem in their head. Without the NRM, those youths would be what the Banyankore call Kaributi (the late). Many of them would have died in infancy” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (08.03.2022).

On the Woman’s Day of 2022 and in the speech on the National Celebration of the day. President since 1986 had to address everyone else. While also showing his disregard for many citizens in the Republic. Since, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) isn’t as popular as it ones was and certainly the youths aren’t seeing any of the promised progress, which is forever been pledged at any campaign since the 1990s.

The youths of the Republic has every reason to be dissatisfied, disgruntled and disembark from the Movement. A movement that left them behind and haven’t given them any reason to be loyal to the cause. Since, they are not the category or the ones who are eating of the plate. They are neither in the calculations or in the bargain of investments. Their equity and ownership is deluded, devalued and sold easily to third parties. Who can get access and live in comfort, while the average youth cannot come out of poverty, hardships or excel to any sort of place of middle-income life-style. Therefore, there is no reason to trust the Movement or the NRM as a youth.

The Youth are being tricked, sold and taken for granted. Their future is traded, loaned and the youth have to pay with interests. Since, the current state is taken up loans that it cannot cash. There isn’t domestic revenue and neither a promised pay-off, which will cover the spiralling debts. Debts and loans, which the old man and his cronies are eating off from. The debt that the next generation has to pay off and with additional fees as well. Heck, if they don’t, then they will loose collateral or the little leverage they have.

The President haven’t delivered a promising future for the youth. So, why should they stick to his programs and pledges? Why should they belong to a party, which have abandoned them? If it hasn’t left them behind. One of their siblings, relatives or friends has been touched by drones, abducted, kidnapped and charged for their political activism. Why should they sell their soul and their minds to a party that does this to their own?

That’s what the President and his like doesn’t get. It can torture, detain and silence critics, activists and political leaders. However, youth aspires to these people and feeds of their energy. Because, the ideals of these people lives among them. The NRM is living among the elites and the NRA veterans. They are not in the trenches, ghettos or lost suburbs. No, they are only their for a minute during campaigns and giving away T-shirts. Before returning back to a State Lodge. Therefore, the President has little to nothing to offer…

It isn’t the youths problem that the Movement isn’t selling. It is the Movement’s problem that it is viable for the youths. It is the President fault and the correct line, which is entail the suffering and the plights of people, which the party and the government has forgotten. That’s why the youth isn’t aspiring to it or feeling a connection with the Movement. Why should they? What is there to gain? Other than blind loyalty and hopes for a plumb-job in far distant future?

Well… that isn’t much and the sacrifice is so big too. You have to give up your ideals to serve a party and it’s leader. While not subscribing to the honest truths of the organization. That is the gist of it. While friends, family and neighbours are in pain, because of the regime. This is why the problem isn’t the youth, but the party, which doesn’t serve them nor their communities. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee says it colonialists fault for him torturing civilians today…

Asked to comment on Kakwenza’s, and other critics’ torture allegations, Museveni said that he has confirmed some incidents of torture although he had not yet followed up on the former’s case. “It is true that some people were tortured. I have not confirmed on that one (Kakwenza), but I have confirmed some other cases, and I took it up,” Museveni said. Adding, “You see, part of the problems of Africa is capacity building, we are building armies and security forces. These sometimes come with traditional ideas from the village or they get imported ideas from the former colonialists. For instance, the Police Force which was here during the colonial times; they were using those methods.”” (Jonah Kirabo – ‘Museveni blames Kakwenza’s torture on traditional ideas, colonialism’ 07.03.2022, Nile Post).

We are living in 2022 and the Republic was liberated in 1962. It has been 50 years since the United Kingdom held the Republic of Uganda as it’s protectorate. The “British enclave” which President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni usually refers it too. That’s why it’s astonishing that a man who has held power since 1986. Is blaming the relics of old, as if he couldn’t have changed it or the traditions of the security agencies in the Republic. If that was true… then his really powerless in office.

I have already proven in previous articles through human rights reports, that the National Resistance Army and National Resistance Movement has used torture as a method all through its’ reign. Yes, the NRM has enacted laws that makes it illegal. While the same government keeps institutions, safe-houses and organizations unaccountable for torturing civilians without due process or legal justification.

There is clear indication that the Security Agencies are using torture, keeping citizens incommunicado and kidnapping them. Just like the “Panda Gari’s” did and we in this day and age call them “drones”. While the citizens are kept in dungeons, safe-houses and whatnot where they are tortured with methods that is “Kandooya”, which is still prevalent to this day. Therefore, the President can claim “colonialists” inspired this, but he instead has kept the operation and the means of Amin. That’s the tragedy here… which he claims to have ushered in a new era post Amin and Obote II governments.

Museveni promised a “fundamental change” but only difference was a bus and a “heroic” tale of 27 guns of the NRA. The rest is just hogwash and sold out ideals on the alter of massive wealth for the inner-circle of the President. The rest is hanging and getting breadcrumbs of the initial promises of old. The pledges and promises haven’t been kept and the governing is more of the same. While dissidents, activists and political opponents are meeting the grave reality of harassment, torture and legal jeopardy, as they try to stand tall in a battle of the political space. Therefore, NRM and Museveni haven’t achieved or made it possible to be better.

The Museveni era and reign will be remembered for the amount of pain, suffering and hurt it has caused. The damaged lives, the loss of limbs and the suffering that certain parts of the Republic has. While others been living lavish in Kololo or elsewhere. Because, they was part of the elite and the clientele that served the President wisely.

The rest is getting the blunt and unforgiving force. They can all be taken away, swiftly and eruptly without any forewarning or warrants on their heads. No, the state can just take them and punish them for their political stance or their opinion online. It is enough justification to go after someone and take them down. Since they offended the Don or his avenging Son.

That’s why it’s hard to believe that this is the fault of others. When the system is built by the means of His Excellency and he has never disbanded these efforts. Peace.

Teso Affairs: The failure of Soroti Fruit Factory

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).

This is not a shocker, as the Auditor General of December 2021 already have proven that the investment under Uganda Development Corruption (UDC) proved that the Government of Uganda huge investments into these State Owned Enterprises isn’t only unsuccessful, but blatant cash-grabs and “white-elephants”.

The “Report on the Alleged Mismanagement of Soroti Fruits Limited” only furthers this, as the produced report of February 2022 is no difference from the AG Report from December 2021. Therefore, it is only showing it more direct and one case, which happens to be the Soroti Fruit Factory.

Just read here:

The Committee made the following observations,’The only mango varieties not taken by the factory are the traditional mangoes which are said to have a lot of fiber which requires several systems to clean. Mangoes are mainly sourced from outside Teso sub-region because the available mango varieties in Teso contain fiber that cannot easily be processed by the current mango line. Whereas oranges are predominantly grown fruits in Teso sub-region, the factory found it economically viable to invest in a mango line as opposed to an orange line because the mango juice is a fast moving product that can sustain the market thus this could be one of the reasons orange growing farmers are frustrated” (February 2022).

The committee was concerned that Government has so far invested in Teso Fruits Limited a total of UGX 44.1 billion, in addition to the KOICA grant of USD.8million, however, this has not yet yielded any profits and this projects towards the fact that the factory may take a longer period to sustain itself” (February 2022).

What is really striking is that a Fruit Factory for the Teso region, has to “import” or get outside sourced Mangoes, which can work for the production line. As the type, which is mainly produced in the Teso region doesn’t work there. That shouldn’t be the case and shows that the Fruit Processing Plant isn’t scaled or made for the local fruit producers. This is just infuriating and insulting. Because, that is the purpose to value-add on the cash-crops, but in this case. It is instead for outside farmers who has a longer way to the factory, which isn’t the reason for the company to begin with.

On a second note, the Teso region is also producing more oranges, which isn’t even in the works. So, you can wonder what sort of planning that went into it and what sort of analysis of the region was to begin with. This is the Teso Region’s Fruit Factory, but it doesn’t serve the majority of the mango producers or the orange producers in the region. Meaning, they are outsourcing the fruit supply, because it isn’t produced in Teso. That is really impressive and foolish too. Who is this dumb?

Not only the spending, building and wastage of funds only, as it has been a money-pit and total loss from the on-set. This report isn’t painting a perfect picture. Yes, it was a report made because of an expensive road, but uncovers another bitter truth, which I find more interesting. As it is built a fruit factory, which isn’t made for the surrounding farmers of the region. That’s it. Peace.

Opinion: The Apex Platform is the epitome of what is wrong with the NRM

NOTE: The Apex Platform is an Executive Decision-Making body whose decision shall be communicated accordingly by the Secretariat as directed by H.E. the President. The Apex Platform shall address the issues referred to it by Cabinet and report back by way of a Cabinet Information Paper” (APEX Manual).

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhurwa Museveni has been in-charge and in-power since 1986. The Cabinet is huge, the Presidential Advisors are countless and Parliament is to big for its chambers. Therefore, the President has many hands, ministries, parastatals or state owned enterprises (SOEs). Heck he has created so many government bodies, oversight commissions and whatnot. However, with every withering year they are not creating anything.

Now, the officiating the APEX Platform, which he is set to be at the inaugural meeting, which will be convened soon, I suppose. As all the stakeholders and participants will ensure they are part of the new body.

That shall be chaired by the President, the Vice President, Office of the President, Office of Prime Minister, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and National Planning Authority.

In addition other permanent members of APEX is:

– Ministry of Public Service (MoPS)

– Ministry of Local Government (MoLG)

– Office of Auditor General (OAG)

– The Attorney Generals Office (AG)

– Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS)

– A Representative of the Private Sector and Think Tank Organization coordinated by the OWC (Operation Wealth Creation)

When you a see a list like this… and all the government entities in it and the OP & OPM. The clear indication is that the APEX will be a decree or a presidential directive organization. As the chair and head is him. This isn’t governing better, but making the government more hectic. As the President isn’t trusting the entities and needs another oversight body to look into the government entities.

This is made to ensure the implementation of Vision 2040, but we know the APEX Platform won’t make much different. It is just a fancy meeting place, which sounds good, but isn’t it. Apex will not make a difference in the long run. Since it is the same government bodies and following the direction of the President. This is just using the Ministries and Government Bodies to have a semi-annual gathering and meetings. It is just a glorified caucus and a new Executive Body.

What is striking is that it’s created because of the struggle of lack of implementation of goals, visions and planned programs of the state. However, this is only creating more hurdles and mechanisms, which is adding bureaucracy that will not add any value. Except for having another secretariat and possible busy-bodies working for Apex. Even if the already mandated government bodies has follow up, which is mentioned in the manual. It is still proving … that the lack of good structure or personalized issues of the state is going all back to the President.

This is following up the Presidential Decrees and Orders. They are following the Executive and his will. This is just making it a magnificent body to do it. Peace.

Opinion: Muhwezi thanksgiving party of command loyalty

“I will reward all the MPs [who] refused to sign the censure motion by attending public functions in their constituencies in a big way whenever I am invited.” Minister for Security, Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi said during a thanksgiving ceremony in Kisoro District on Saturday” (NTV Uganda, 01.03.2022).

If the National Resistance Movement (NRM) or the NRM MPs of the 11th Parliament see it as a victory that Minister for Security, Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi didn’t get a majority vote or enough signatures to be censured. However, at this point of time it was a fools errand. Because, there was no way possible to achieve it. Unless, the NRM Caucus suddenly wanted to sack a cabinet member.

The only way the NRM would get rid of a Minister or a high-ranking official is if Museveni says so. If he deems someone unfit or doesn’t fit his plans he will axe them. The other way is to find another outpost, lead a government parastatal or make them a Presidential Advisor. Therefore, we know it has to be decided in the State House.

The censure of Muhwezi is a righteous one, as it is an reaction to the growing number of torture cases and prominent ones of those. While the state takes no accountability or acts transparent of the modus operandi of the state agencies, which happens to be under Muhwezi. He knows this and the NRM knows that as well. They are just “condoning” it and sending their “prayers” while hoping the people forget about it quickly.

In a place of accountability and transparency, a minister of Muhwezi would see an another day in office. He wouldn’t get accepted to the office either. The Maj. Gen. would be unfit and deemed as a corrupt zealot not fit for office. However, as a crony and loyal cadre of the President he is perfect. Jimmy Jim would never offend or act unrighteous towards the President. He would carry the water and take the blunt scrutiny, but in the end… that would all blow over and call it a day.

Muhwezi would have been fired for hiring a “ghost” company for a security deal with the ministry, which was done early in his term. A usual minister elsewhere … would have been sacked and destroyed over such a wasteful enterprise. However, in the Republic his walking around like his Teflon. He can get away with murder and sell the misfortunes of others like it’s a sweet treat.

That his giving away money as it is his thanksgiving … a party of envelopes and yellow cadres lining up to get their shillings. The silver coins of oppression and salvage of the suffering of others. The blood money of which is payment to overlook and forget about the plights of the citizens. That money will wither and should be seen as a condemnation of their souls. As they are selling their hearts over a few shillings. They are trading their integrity … and it’s evident that these MPs can be bought.

It is a den filled of thieves who accept the merciless prosecution and brutal treatment without due process of fellow civilians. That’s who these people are and they should be remembered for that. The acceptance of the coins is proof that they are willingly accepting the cause and the use of torture. Since they are eating of the hands of the people who are ordering it on the daily. Peace.

Transformer Cadres Association Uganda: Notice of Intention to Collect Signatures for a Referendum under Article 255, 259 and 260 of the Uganda Constitution (21.02.2022)

Opinion: The Movement’s endless Money-Making Schemes

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) have endlessly created money-making schemes over the years. The Parish Development Model (PDM) is nothing new, but a configuration of previous efforts. This being the Emyooga, SACCOs, NAADs, Youth Livelihood Programme, Micro-Loan Programmes, Rural Micro Finance Project, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) or anything else you can spell out. Heck, we should not forget the Entandikwa either.

There been so many of these and ways of which the citizen should become prosperous, but that never happens and the results are there after. It is like recycling of a bad trickle-down economics and weak mechanisms, which isn’t the benefiting the citizens or participants. They are buying into a dream, but doesn’t have the resources or market to get the execution. It is always in the reports lack of implementation and education on the matter. However, that is the system, which was never prepared or had the framework to actually work. It is like it was more important of the government to spend the funds, but not actually see any real progress or development. Since, the donors and the providers of funds just needed them to spent on any given Sunday.

The NRM has promised a middle-income country, but never seems to get there. These sorts of monetary deals is a reflection of that. Since they are going back to basics and using the same means to lift people out of poverty. There is no game-changer or progression. It is easy transactional bids to small-investors to either borrow or get short-term relief, which will not be substantial or subpar. Which in the end has to be repaid and restructured, either as a group or a profession to cash-generating income to start.

That’s why these things doesn’t sufficiently work. As there are no steady income or ability to get revenue. It is a short-term patching up the damage and the possible costs of early operation of any sort of business, but nothing to actually run these businesses and cover the expenses of actually operating. The same lack of investment is in the projects and the ones who is supposed to have oversight. It is patchwork with ministries, office of the Prime Minister or Gen. Salim Selah. Who knows really, but it isn’t with proper protocol or direction. Neither a long-term game-plan.

That’s why the Operation Wealth Creation went to Emooyga and now the PDM is the new kid on the block. While NAADs and SACCOs are still vital enterprises and means of money lending practices to the public at large. As they have to comply with the regulations of these, but vehicles in addition is the OWC, Emyooga and the PDM. However, these are all launched without any sort of proper check of accountability or even results, which could give insights to what worked and what failed. That is only in small sentences in the Auditor General reports and partly investigations into a few districts. The whole operation and spending spree has never been assessed. Therefore, God knows how things went or if it was a wasteland of government expenses on a shallow project.

This is why I don’t have faith in the PDM. There has been no real proof that OWC was working and none has really looked into Emyooga. The SACCOs and NAADs haven’t improved the Republic substantially either. It is like the state is going in-circles and hopes that nobody notices. While the high ranking officials has means to an end. Where they can trick the accounts and transfers for own gains or for campaigns of any sorts. Since there will be no oversight or accountability on the matter. It will only be partial and not a whole picture. As the realities would be to dire to describe.

It must be a reason why the state doesn’t look into or even tries to study the previous programmes. As it is busy launching new programmes to succeed the next. The only difference is the name and who is in-charge. The rest is repeating the sins of the past and hoping someone will forgive them. Peace.

National Unity Platform (NUP): Statement on Propaganda about IPOD Funding (18.02.2022)

2022 Luwum Day Remarks by Museveni could have easily been directed against his very own regime…

Well… here we are and things are moving just along the same lines as our ancestors and little to nothing has changed. We have soda bottles, cellphones and fancy cars. There is ability to import and export from far and wide. Information is moving swiftly and the tyrants cannot control the formation of all intelligence anymore. However, they are still working on overtime to control the narratives and history telling.

On a day like today, in memory of the martyr Reverend Luwum. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is working on overtime to discredit and make the predecessors look as evil as possible. To shed a positive light on his own reign and reason to self-styled Presidency for Life. Because, it is not like he ills of the past ceased with their end. No, he has re-issued them and made them a part of his imprint of government.

I will only take few passages from the speech, as it reflects his jaded mind in 2022.

As we begins with this passage:

Government gazetted 16th February as a public holiday, to commemorate Archbishop Janani Luwum’s legacy and martyrdom. The day is also an opportunity to reflect on the valor and courage displayed by Ugandans in the fight against bad leadership and dictatorship. We honour the memory of the dead and celebrate them for their sacrifice and contribution to Uganda’s liberation from the shackles of oppression. For instance, two Cabinet Ministers, Charles Oboth-Ofumbi and Erinayo Oryema, were murdered alongside the Archbishop by Idi Amin’s soldiers” (Museveni, 16.02.2022).

It is amazing to read these words from a man who has run a nation with blunt force since January 1986. Someone who has put the shackles, assassinated and silenced the dissidents over all these years. The only difference is that his the Head of State and Amin is deceased at this point. Museveni have done everything Amin did and continues to do so. There is no stop of the oppression and use of military force to control the masses. If it is abductions, kidnappings, torturing or keep civilians incommunicado. Also, in addition extra judicial killings of both high ranking officials and opposition activists. Therefore, the bad leadership and dictatorship hasn’t ceased to exists, but only has a new head on top…

Another passage he says this:

Therefore, as you reflect on our tragic past, you should also thank the Almighty God for enabling us to correct the mistakes which stalled Uganda’s progress. Some Countries have failed to emerge from the mistakes of bad leadership. They got severely torn apart and have remained in an ungovernable condition as a result of the bad decisions of their leaders. There are many examples that one can quote. However, in the case of Uganda, we were able to rescue the Country from total collapse and redirect it on the path of stability and prosperity” (Museveni, 16.02.2022).

What is striking that Museveni cannot see what he himself is doing and what sort of state his running at the very moment. It is like his distorted mind has jaded it all. He says Uganda has emerged from bad leadership, but that isn’t true. There been plenty of bad decisions made by him over the years. The President in 2022 is still promising stability and prosperity like it is 1990s. However, this man hasn’t changed things to much and the militarizations of politics haven’t made things better, but has ensured the UPDF involvement in all parts of the civilian government. That isn’t solving problems, but making army commanders working in civilian fields, which they are not fit for. That is bad leadership, but the President would never say so… we know that and it’s really bad or getting worse over the years.

Final passage:

The fruits of liberation are now ripe in every sector of our society. Uganda enjoys unprecedented peace and stability. There are some few evil doers, like the ADF, who are puzzled by this great achievement. Their attempts to distract us from the work of building Uganda into a modern middle income Country have been decisively defeated. The UPDF is determined to uproot any disruptive and negative forces inside or outside Uganda. Uganda’s rapid march towards the goal of socio-economic transformation cannot be stopped by anyone” (Museveni, 16.02.2022).

Here we just see it and he sets up the stage as well. It is really so revealing how his banking on the middle-income country status, which he has been promising for over a decade or so now. It is the promise of rainbows and unicorns, which never get to encounter or even see in the flesh. The dream that turns into a nightmare, because the President cannot govern or have the ability to make things properly. He has had decades to ensure this and has had all the support a leader could from donors and aid organizations. Still, his mannerisms and choices is self-deprecating and therefore, the results are there after. We are also seeing how he has to use fear both internally and externally too, which is such a nice thing to do on a day of a martyr. It is just a sensible thing to do for the old man. As it is fitting to put the pressure on, I suppose.

Well… this wasn’t jolly reading, but that’s because Museveni’s reign isn’t all that. It is grim and it isn’t getting better. It is tragic as a man who had all the hope and the promise in the early years, even as he was burning the North. Still, everyone had hope that he would be different than Amin. However, he has taken all of his traits and evolved them into the imprint of the state. Which is tragic and for him to celebrate this day is disgusting. As he resembles everything Rev. Luwum fought against. Peace.