Uganda: Press Release by Uganda Nurses and Midwives’ Union – Medical Interns Allowances for Nurses and Midwives (21.12.2021)

His Excellency is advising his own advisors [and sadly this is not satire]

Earlier in the year of 2021 after the General Election I calculated that the President has about 130 Presidential Advisors. This means the National Resistance Movement Chairman and Commander-in-Chief Yoweri Tiburhwa Kaguta Museveni has close to 140 of them.

We know this office and position in government is to keep them on his payroll and be loyal to him. They are not there to enhance the government or policies in general. If that is said, it is a lie, because no Presidential Advisor have ever made a legislation or something to vote over at the Parliament. Unless, a Presidential Decree or Directive have been written by them and suddenly the President has signed off from.

President Yoweri Museveni last week lectured his advisors on their role in national development and transformation, tasking them to have patriotism for the country while executing their duties. The President was speaking during a workshop for his advisors at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi” (Chrispus Mugisha – ‘President Museveni advises his advisors on the need for patriotism’ 20.12.2021, Nile Post).

We should be worry about the state and the State House when they are wasting government funds on this. Having lectures or a work-shop for his Presidential Advisors. They are just there to listen to him to become patriotic. Their patriotic spirit is to be loyal to be President.

That is the lesson here. They were gathered to listen and follow his guidance. That’s all there is to it and it’s tragic. Just imagine these are on his payroll … gets allowances and vehicles. The state are even covering offices, which they are renting to them. Therefore, it is just a bit too much…

We haven’t seen any sort of help with these Presidential Advisors. They are just cronies and a large part of patronage, which is helpful for the President. However, it is not helpful for the costs or the expenditure of the state. Therefore, this is just wastage to keep people in line and loyal to him.

Just think about it… these folks are not doing anything, but still on the State House payroll. They are not delivering anything and their duties is just to prop-up the Presidency. We have seen this all before and it’s not changing today.

The President cannot act like this any different. It just another day for the NRM and the President. His trying to make seem like it is a game-changer. When everyone knows the deal and why they are there. Peace.

Opinion: Elections in the Republic under Museveni is run like an Casino

If the Kayunga District By-Election results proves what some of us has been saying. It proves that the state machinery and the electoral commission is working in tandem. The state and the State House has all the advantages in a race. The state agencies and authorities are all coinciding with the memos, decrees and the whims of the “high above”. That’s why elections aren’t open, independent or fair. Free and fair elections is a myth here and it’s all rigged to fit the Presidency.

Let’s be clear, here is unwritten rule that you don’t challenge Museveni and expect to win. He might act like it is a fair fight or an open race. The President allows a few challengers, but they will not have the same spotlight, the access to media or even ability to campaign like him. They will be violated, silenced and stopped from doing their ordinary politicking. While the President can canvass, campaign and be on every single media house any part of the day. Meanwhile, his authorities, regional leaders and whatnot blocks the main opponent from doing the same. They are blocking the venues and making the assembly illegal even during election road-map, which is just made to mask the proposed “election period” for everyone.

This has been occurring for so long. This didn’t only happen in 2016 or in the General Elections in 2021. There been so many By-Elections hit by this and we can surely go back to 1996 and forward to know. Anyone who has had a legit campaign and popularity have suffered by the hands of the state. These folks have been called any name of the book and been blocked for “safety” reasons. The state have blossomed into a war-machine, using the military and police to enforce the will of one man. That’s why they have no real chance of winning or ability to do so. The state has made it impossible, as the parties can only convene in the headquarters in Kampala and they are blocked from operating nationwide. Only the ruling regime can be able to do so and freely. That party will not have issues with primaries or anything. They are allowed and nothing will be illegal. While the opposition cannot even open a party office in up-country without meeting security agencies and have arrests as well.

That’s why the General Elections and Elections in general in Uganda is run like Casino. The state and the NRM is the HOUSE. In concern to a Casino, the house never loose. Yes, it allows some to win and make them hooked. They allow some big prices get taken, as it is a hook to get you tricked into the system. Alas, the House is rigged to win. It might give some the idea that they can win. Nevertheless, the whole race and the crab-table is rigged for the House to profit. You can play blackjack, poker or whatnot. Whatever game you play… the Casino will win and have profits from it all. If it didn’t it wouldn’t operate or roll out the games.

The Casino during Museveni have given away some prices and illusions of victories for the opposition. However, the whole elections are made in a manner of which he wins. Not only does he win, but the NRM will secure the majority across the board. The opposition will not able to field candidates or even hold primaries to have flag-bearers in newly minted districts. Neither does they have the cash to pay to stand as a candidate. While the state has endless funds and the state machinery behind it. This is why the opponents can have great cards on its hands, but it will not matter, because you might win one round… nevertheless the next race will be bloody. There will be no return and the Casino will ensure to get returns on every investment and game. Therefore, the opposition is only being another player, but a sucker who will inevitably loose.

Museveni and his Casino is opening the tables, but the dealer and everyone else knows the NRM will win in the end. The players might believe they have a shot and get some prices. However, they hope the opponent continues to play and will loose all the coins he had. Maybe even ruin their careers and have to borrow from loan-sharks to repay the Casino it’s debt. That’s where Museveni can come in and swoop the opposition candidate from the other parties. In manners of paying off their debts and make them loyal to him. This is what he has done and how he rigs it.

So, never expect Museveni or the Casino to let anyone really win. He only does to make it look like the illusion it is. That is the reality here and it’s tragic. Peace.

Kayunga By-Election: Some things never change…

It’s now official by the authorities and the state, that the winner is National Resistance Movement (NRM) own candidate for LCV Chairman in Kayunga District, Andrew Muwonge. We shouldn’t be surprised or shocked by this.

That the Electoral Commission and the state machinery has rigged it in their favour. Making magical numbers and ending up as “winners”. Hearing NRM sympathizers saying it was all fair game and righteously so. As the opposition have activists, polling agents and MPs barred behind bars as effect of this by-election. Heck, Zaake MP is still in the hospital because of it all.

The NRM can lie to themselves. They can do their pre-ticked ballot, stuff the ballot-boxes and come with all the security agencies they can muster. Still, they don’t have the popularity or the people behind them. If they did… then the Presidential convoy would have been met with masses on the streets and towns of the district. Which the pictures, the video-clips and everything else proves isn’t true. Even the paying 4k per attendance and ferrying crowds cannot shield the unpopularity of the tyrant and his men.

The Kayunga District By-Election only reflects everything, which is wrong with the political landscape and what the authorities is willing to do. This is not a reflection of the people or the district itself. It is the NRM that imposes itself and uses the state machinery to get their “win”. They are dubious and oblivious to the realities on the ground. Only to have a sort of show of force and “support” which are only made by ghosts and pre-fixed algorithms.   

If Mr. Muwonge believes he won, this fairly. His delusional and needs some counselling. There is a need for a reality check and the same with his party. Because everyone knows the drill and the deal here. It isn’t funny or a joke, but a brutal act of dishonesty masked as an “election”.

If it was sincere and true, the DR Forms wouldn’t be altered and neither the results to reflects the will of the high above. The High Above invested heavy in this election and used all tools at his disposal. He used the army and the police force to his benefit. This man didn’t stop at anything. That’s why we know he had to fix it and make it “believable”. However, you can put sprinkles on a piece of shit, but still, it won’t be chocolates.

So, the NRM can play this one out and claim victory. Though we all know it is hallowed and shallow. It is a fraud and a lie. Just like so many other elections held since 1995. This is just the mere reality and the system continues with the same charade.  

The NRM can celebrate the lie and live on it. However, that doesn’t make it true. In fact, it just makes them silly and look foolish. They are the false prophets who only contains power but doesn’t have the people behind them. Peace.

Kayunga District By-Election: Latest updates…

Electoral commission officials have admitted to being behind the pre-ticking of ballot papers which we found in the ballot box at 6:20am, they say it is an order from above” (NTV, 16.12.2021).

Today, it’s revealed that there are pre-ticked ballots and stuffed ballot boxes for this By-Election. The few polling agents able to cover and participate was able to reveal this online. That says it all about what the state planned for this race.

The state security agencies was busy last night arresting opposition activists, NUP polling agents, NUP supporters and journalists in the district. As unknown amount of people was ferried to the Naggalama Police Station. This just shows what extent the state does to win this by-election. They are not even trying to show some sort of modesty here.

The pre-election violence and the usage of state machinery isn’t new. The same with the house-arrest of Bobi Wine for “safety” reasons. As the same old trick and modus operandi. While arresting bodyguards and gardener. Shows, the state is exposing it’s tyranny to world to see.

This is done over a by-election and one districts need for LCV Chairman. That says it all and shows what the state is willing to do. The NRM cannot be popular or have the will of the people. When they are using these means to win. The Yellow isn’t strong, but mediocre and weak. Since, they have to pre-tick ballots, stuff ballot boxes and use the security agencies to stop eyes from watching the polls. That is just seriousness of it all.

We shouldn’t be shocked or surprised, this is what the state does and they have invested the army, police and the whole machinery behind it. Therefore, it would be a disgrace and be humiliating, if the public showed interest for someone else. Peace.

Kayunga District By-Election: Shows everything that is wrong with politics these days

The National Resistance Movement and the ruling regime continues to impose itself. Where it uses all of its might, state apparatus and means to silence it’s critics. House-Arresting Robert Kyagulanyi, arresting his bodyguards and even his gardener. While beating Francis Zaake MP to pulp.

The NRM showed up with buses and their black mambas. The whole Presidential convoy and team. Where all there to bash in glory and anticipate a easy victory. Harriet Nakwedde the NUP LCV Candidate for Kayunga District was beaten and hurt as well. This is really unheard of and shows the “multi-party” democracy that NRM preaches about.

The army and the police was all active during the day. It is clear that the NRM does intend to use every trick in their book. The state promised that anyone could enter and campaign in Kayunga district. However, that was big fat lie. As Bobi Wine was without any warrants or charges house-arrested. He wasn’t allowed to leave or participate in Kayunga district. While the Prime Minister Nabbanja and the President could easily pass through the district.

Nobody should care about Andre Nuwonge at this point. His just another pawn by the regime. Today was the final day of campaigns, which ended with tear-gas, state sponsored violence and impounding a sound-truck of the opposition.

While the NRM was busy with scheduled voter-tourism, using security agencies in their favours and trying to silence the opposition. That just shows what is wrong in the Republic. There is no fair playing field and the NRM just vicious attempt to bush-whack everyone else. Not that this is any new or anything. It is just so deliberate and the efforts are clear as day.

We know it’s bad when Zaake MP had to sent to Jinja hospital for treatment. That is just what the Special Forces Command does and what the security agencies are paid to do. There was several of others who was wounded too. Just so the NRM can prove a point in the district.

It is horrific, but this is how Museveni have made the political landscape and this is in his vision. He speaks of unity, but uses the violence against anyone in his path. There is no self-reflection or concern of civlians, but just the continued oppression of the ones who is in his way. Peace.

Bobi Wine house-arrested over a by-election of LCV chairman ….

More deployment by the Police and Military moves towards Bobi Wine’ s home in Magere. The NUP leader has been condoned off from his home ahead of his visit to Kayunga District and only Pedestrians allowed past the police barricades at Freedom Drive” (John Cliff Wamala, 13.12.2021).

Today, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine was scheduled to travel to Kayunga District to support his party and flagbearer for the Kayunga District for the LC5 Chairman by-election there.

The military has increased deployment around my home. No one is allowed to leave or enter. Our security guard and gardener have been violently arrested, beaten and bundled into ‘drones’ outside our gate. Their phones confiscated” (Bobi Wine, 13.12.2021).

This by-election is scheduled to be happening on the 16th December 2021. However, we are seeing very clear signs that the opposition and the ones who are dissidents silenced. Bobi Wine is blocked from supporting his own party.

That is the tragic here. Just as we know the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is sending the President Museveni to galvanize support. While we know the state has been busy to abduct journalists and the ones following the NUP candidate during the weekend too. Therefore, the government is putting a lot of stakes in this by-election.

They are violating people’s rights just to win a LC5 councillor. The state is really continuing to serve injustice and impunity. Peace.

The Medical Interns strike is a self-made crisis… and the state has the the tools to resolve it…

This is what empty promises and sending love letters between the bureaucratic institutions. The state and the government have promised a relief and added salary for the medical interns. This is going back to the first strike this year in June 2021 and the promises of the President and his letter to the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Economic Development (MoFPED) in July 2021.

Now, we are in mid-December 2021 and nothing has happened. The Federation for Uganda Medical Interns (FUMI) have rights to fight for their members and for the ones who is on the front-line. For a President who defends and wants to pay scientists. It is really weak that he cannot find the funds or allocate funds to fix this. Alas, this isn’t an priority.

That’s why on the 10th December 2021 the Ministry of Health has sent out an letter and said the medical interns can be evicted and vacate the Hospitals within a week to pave way for new ones in January 2022. This shows that the state was never interested in paying a fair salary and the covering their basic needs. As these are the future of the Ministry of Health and the ones who can become the Health Care professionals the MoH needs.

This government clearly doesn’t care about the Ministry of Health or the ones working there. They don’t prioritize it or have any concerns, because there is always an Non-Governmental Organization or United Nations Organizations covering the shortfalls. If not, the high ranking officials is taking trips abroad to get healing. The medical tourism of the big-men and the patronage is the reason for not valuing the hospitals and health centres.

When the President knows perfectly well the problems. He has even written a letter directing the MoFPED in July 2021. There is all the reasons to listen to the grievances and needs of the medical interns. This is if the government or the National Resistance Movement (NRM) even values the scientists or the ones who combat a pandemic. The NRM thinks they can assault and silence the ones who cannot even feed themselves.

On the 10th December 2021, the same day as the MoH went after the Medical Interns. “The Uganda Dental Association (UDA) hereby informs the general public that we will be joining the ongoing industrial action organized by the Uganda Medical Association. We sincerely apologize for any and all inconveniences caused” (UDA, 10.12.2021). They are joining the Uganda Medical Association, which is on their 5th week of industrial action and that’s all because the state cannot live up to their own promises. This is neglecting their mission and good governance, which is proving how bad the state is at governing at this current time.

Association of Graduate Nurses and Midwives of Uganda wrote yesterday a press release. Where the AGNMU states the importance of the medical interns. They are not only condemning, but stating that it’s a dangerous decision by the MoH, which will affect the 2022 cohort. Secondly, which was interesting was this line from the

AGNMU: “Ministry of health should pay medical interns as per the presidential directive. Why should a mother starve her children? Medical interns deserve to be paid for their great work they contribute to health care in Uganda” (AGNMU – ‘Press Release on Medical Interns Strike’ 11.12.2021).

It is clear, that the President, MoFPED and MoH have no plans of honouring their promises. This has been going on for too long and they have no plans of changing it. The state shows that with initially firing the interns and wanting to hire others. Which is not respecting or honouring the ideals of a strike. They are making the workers and the medical professionals into a commodity they can easily transfer or change. So, if these sorts of actions causes a brain-drain. The state created this by themselves and gave no incentives for the ones trying to be come a nurse, midwife or doctor to stay in the Republic. Since, the state doesn’t value your eduction or your profession anyway. That’s the message here and they been saying that with the inaction for months. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni believes in corruption [surprise, surprise]

Be careful on lifestyle audits. We are lucky the thieves are still keeping the money here. They build Five Star Hotels. They will begin to take the money out, and we fail to trace” Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (09.12.2021).

This here statement from His Excellency and the Fountain of Honour at the official launch of the National Lifestyle Audit Campaign on the Anti-Corruption Day. I wish it was made up, but it shows his intention and what he wants out of it. It is clearly a hallow mission and a launch. When the guy ordering and directing everyone around, says this to general public.

Yes, everyone with a working mind knows there is a need for funds and investment to start a business. It costs to trade before selling. Both in inventory, furbishing a location, taxes and registration to various government entities. As well, as the basic needs of salaries and other components to make the business legit. However, the President is setting a bad precedence here. He is initially saying that they are lucky having corrupt thieves to invest in building businesses….

It is a curse to get wealth through corruption. I don’t want to give examples. God is up there watching. I can tell you he doesn’t bless people who do evil. Even the people who took slaves got problems” (Museveni, 09.11.2021).

What is funny about this… he gave an example with the 5 Star Hotel. I am sure there are several of companies built with these sorts of funds in the Republic. The President and his cronies knows this and they don’t want the IGG to look into them. I wouldn’t be shocked, if the President have directed the IGG or Auditor General to look away from certain people. Because, the State House wouldn’t accept the closest associates or family members touched by this. The President will for certain not accept all investigations or audit. That will hurt the patronage and his whole regime. Therefore, his worried that some of the big-men might be implicated or having corporations touched by it. That is just inevitable.

You are fighting for money because I have generated money for you. The NRM has generated money for you. The UPDF has created peace. That is why you have the money to steal. There is no reason we should not do things correctly. The economy would grow faster” (Museveni, 09.12.2021).

This here is really typical. The President cannot come out without the army or the guns. The ammunition and the arms are the saving grace. It shows the lack of progress and status of governing. When you have to cling on the guns and the army to be the salvation from desperation. The UPDF shouldn’t be the safeguard of the economy, but keep the Republic’s territorial integrity. This is the misuse of it and how he operates the army to fix everything in the state. We know the UPDF is participating in the economy and using it as a means to his end. Plus, the directing of decrees from the State House also is compelling in this disregard.

When the President can utter words like this. It isn’t promising for the IGG. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t expect much either. The men who was done this grand corruption before has gotten of the hook, while the small-fish has been fried in public. That’s what we have seen. The big-men with connections gets away from the law, but the civil servant thieving a coin gets years to shave behind bars.

Nobody should be above the law and everyone should be equal before it, but expecting that in the Republic in 2021. Is asking a bit but too much sadly. Peace.

Opinion: Your master will not pay you for your sacrifices… [the story of Sam Omala]

A picture from a time when Besigye was house-arrested in 2015

I was a real fighter, but they did not remember any of my efforts. I used to work, but the credit would always go to my bosses. I slept at Besigye’s gate for seven days during ‘Walk to Work’ protests but none of that was remembered” – Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Sam Omala (Jonah Kirabo – ‘SAM OMALA: We saved this government but it has not appreciated us’ 06.12.2021, Nile Post).

The former Assistant Commissioner of Police Sam Omala forgets a vital part. It is tragic to say it, but it is still true. That he was just a cog in the machinery and someone who could be easily transferred or be replaced. There was nothing significant or special about him. He was just another pawn or a soldier, which could be exchanged with someone else. That is what the regime has done and his sacrifices haven’t born him any fruits.

No fruits for his labour or his work. Not like his boss IGP Kale Kayihura has gotten a splendid life after his career. Yes, he gotten off the hook and been able to live well. He got soldiers and people around him to defend his life. However, anyone else is easily disposable. Unless, they were part of the tribe or the NRA founding fathers, which can get plum-job to this day, because they are still breathing.

Omala has forgotten his place and role. He played his part and served what the President ordered. He did what the President and the NRM wanted him to do. They wanted him to stand in the rain or in the sun to suffer. That’s what he did and he served as the officer he was. Just following the chain-in-command and doing his duty.

No other police officer or soldier will get accolades, unless they would suddenly sniff out Kony in Central African Republic or be able to kill the clone of Idi Amin in 2021. However, neither will happen and nobody will get the praises from His Excellency. His the only man with a vision and nobody matters, unless, they are serving his interests.

Omala was useful, but he got old and wasn’t energetic to sleep in a chamber of government. This former officer doesn’t have the character or cruel mind to politicking his way into prominence. That’s why his getting nothing. He did his thing for the system and regime, but the same machine doesn’t care about the nuts or bolts within it. The mechanic only starts to bitch or repair when these parts doesn’t work.

The Uganda Police Force would have quickly either transferred him to an boring outpost in Acholi or be galvanized on the Mount Elgon. Instead, the man became an Assistant Commissioner and had some sort of title to make him matter. However, there will come other like him and they will not be cared about it.

If he slept for 7 days there… good for him. However, there been other officers who spent days and weeks on the gates outside of Besigye’s house. Surely, the guys who stood in the weather and pissing on the road-side feels like they matter too. In 2016, the opposition politician had a wrecking record of house arrest from the polls and it continued after he came back from Luzira and Moroto prisons. Therefore, Omala isn’t that special and could be changed for some other useful officer to serve injustice to the citizens in the service of the H.E and the Fountain of Honour.

Omala needs to chill. His neither a NRA hero or part of the inner-circles of the NRM. His not that special… that might hurt his pride. So, a family member should give him a cookie and a soda. Peace.