Opinion: Mzee now thinks civic education equates to destabilizing the country…

Part of this money is to support and facilitate various groups and entities in Uganda to conduct what they called deepening democracy in Uganda. The President and government think that this money was brought to distabilise the country. So that is the gist of the concern of the President and the investigation will tell us the money trail and what it has done” – Ofwono Opono in an interview (Ali Twaha – ‘Government links DGF suspension to politics’ 05.02.2021, New Vision).

The suspension of the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF), which is directly funding over 70 Civil Society Organization/Non-Governmental Organization and also their various of programs was suspended by the President in January 2021. As the President and the government was preparing to go to the polls and it had already hold grudges towards civil society for so long. This is the latest attempt to crucify and assault the ones working for a better governance in the Republic.

We know that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni doesn’t want to listen to others. Neither does he want the input from anyone else either. However, he don’t mind free-money and slush-funds to spend as he see fit. That is why he goes after the DGF as it is a fitting “enemy” which he cannot directly control or have his hands in the cookie-jar.

Government Spokesperson Ofwono Opondo is saying it deliberately. They are calling it destructive. Because, they are undermining the “personification” of the state, which happens to be the President. The DGF’s civic education and programs are working indirectly to build sufficient institutions, policies and reforms, which in the end will weaken the power of one man. It would in the end be for good governance and accountable state organizations. Not just be ordered from “high above”. That is why OO and President is speaking ill of this. This will in the end weaken their drive and total control of the state, in the manner, which things are done today.

The “destabilizing” effort is indirectly weakening his reign and rule. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) have no troubles getting direct aid and grants for their government to run. However, they have trouble having the same donors paying for salaries, programs and civic education across the Republic. That shows a double standard and that the President have no trouble eating of the plate directly, but doesn’t want to be told how to be accountable for his eating. He wants to spend money, but don’t want to show recites. That is the memo I am getting from this.

It shows that his a weak man. The President and the government have had no issues taking money from Western donors like the ones who funds the DGF. If they are so afraid of the independence and the questions of usage of funds. The government shouldn’t accept any funds with possible sting attached. The state shouldn’t take loans or grants from the outside. If the donors cannot sustain organizations (CSOs/NGOs) who works with other ideals than the President at this current day.

That is the reality of this all. There is no free lunch. It has never been so. There is always something attached and expectations of an outcome. If you borrow money to build a road, the lender hope you build the road, but also repays the loan with interests. If you take a donation or a grant, then its expected to go to a certain organization or work, which is beneficial for the ones receiving it. That is just a mere reality we all know.

Now, the ones receiving it wants to directly control the funds and how it is spent. When it was funds, which wasn’t his in the first place. They are worried of the efforts and effects these organizations have in the Republic. However, we all know that the President just want to eat and don’t bother with questions. This is why he has retaliated, because he can and he want to show strength. Nevertheless, these acts are an act of a coward. A coward who has taken money all his life, but now cries foul. It is a bit late when you been eating for over three decades and never caused a fuzz. Peace.

Opinion: Besigye was on fire today!

How did Mr. Museveni get here? does he think he is the only one with a monopoly over war? But we have been very clear that our plan B is non-violent. And this is not because we fear war. I don’t think there is a gun I can’t manage. But war can’t create democracy” – Dr. Kizza Besigye (04.02.2021)

The 14th January 2021 General Elections happened and today was the first big presser by the Forum for Democratic Change leader and renegade Dr. Kizza Besigye. Besigye is an inspiring fellow and a man who is resilient.

The leader is still as focused as ever. The FDC leader deserves credit for his words. His speeches and relevance is as huge as ever. There is nobody who is so incorporated and decisive. Besigye knows what is needed and told what is needed to topple the regime. However, the regime have been able to control him and stop his work.

Besigye is a big-man and a man on the frontline for freedom fighters and the ones for a peaceful transition of power. Today is no difference. Just these three quotes says it all.

Here is two key one:

We must not sit back and watch when our young people are being kidnapped and tortured. All of us must be united in saying this must stop. And to stop it means that we must all act” (Besigye, 04.02.2021).

The money they are using to hunt and torture us has been borrowed on our behalf. We are sending a strong message to the lenders of the regime that what they are doing is giving Uganda an odious debt” (Besigye, 04.02.2021).

Besigye was dropping facts during the Presser. The speech was powerful and is needed. There is a need to inspire for change. Besigye is a man that never let that goes. Bobi Wine has his message and his ways. He is the young generation who inspires as well. They both can use each other and galvanize the public.

Today Besigye proved his statute and his role again. Not that he never let that go. Besigye shows why he matters. Not that he went away, but his words are important. He has the ability to step aside and let others be the person. Because, the cause are bigger then the person. That is the proof of Besigye’s leadership.

Besigye is a man who continues to show his finesse and what he stands for.

Just like he also said: “An Election through the ballot cannot remove the Junta” (Besigye, 04.02.2021). This is something many of us has said and its true. The election that has happened now is evident of that. That is why his message is important.

Nevertheless, people are tired and not caring as much. They maybe got tired after the last failed attempt in 2016. Who knows, but he still is in the game and shows his character, which haven’t missed a beat. That is why his a wiser elder with wisdom and knowledge that people should tap into. Especially, the ones who wants to liberate the Republic and who wants to challenge the President. Peace.

Uganda: Deficit financing is creating an evil circle financially [72% of revenue spent on debt repayment!]

By implication, if sh15.7 trillion for debt service-related expenditures is subtracted from the sh21.9 trillion the Government will have generated in revenue collection, it means that 72% of the country’s revenue collection would be spent on debt repayment. The committee raised concern that the high rate at which government is borrowing is not commensurate with the low level of increasing government revenue collection and, therefore, violates the country’s charter of fiscal responsibility. The report indicates that as of June 2020, Uganda’s public debt had reached $15.27b, which is equivalent to sh56.9 trillion. Out of this sh38.9 trillion is external debt and sh17.9 trillion domestic debt” (Moses Mulondo – ‘Govt earmarks sh15.7 trillion for debt repayment ‘ 03.02.2021, New Vision)

The news on how the state got to repay old loans is coming out. As the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) have put forward the budget for the Financial Year of 2021/22. This is initially telling stories on the revenue or tax base, which will be preoccupied or used for paying debt repayment.

Just to put things in perspective. This is the definition of ‘Deficit Financing’:

Deficit financing, however, may also result from government inefficiency, reflecting widespread tax evasion or wasteful spending rather than the operation of a planned countercyclical policy. Where capital markets are undeveloped, deficit financing may place the government in debt to foreign creditors. In addition, in many less-developed countries, budget surpluses may be desirable in themselves as a way of encouraging private saving” (Encyclopaedia Britannica – ‘Deficit financing’ (25.08.2015).

This here is telling the story, which the state media and others isn’t telling. Because, they are borrowing funds to cover up for the deficit. The deficit is created as a result of the rising cronyism and misuse of funds. These funds have to cover the bloated government and its staff. That is why deficit is created to fix the shortfall between the needed revenue and the expenditures of the state. They are using loans to cover and fix the lacking revenue of the state. If the state had enough funds through its tax-base, the state wouldn’t need these loans in the fist place.

However, the state have prolonged with this game over years. The state has used loans to cover its baseline and usage of funds. They have went out for foreign creditors to get enough funding. That shows that the state haven’t been fiscal responsible. They have misused the authority of the state and taken up loans, which now accumulate to over 70% of yearly revenue. While this is happening. The state and the Parliament is still issuing new loans and creating a bigger debt burden. That is what they are doing… and that cycle must stop.

Soon, all revenue will go directly to debt repayment. We know the state wants to have debt relief, but this is self-created by the regime, as they are borrowing for basic commodities and necessities. They are always loaning funds to build development projects and infrastructure, which will be costly. As funds are lost and misused in the building of these. That is why the price of road is so expensive and also projects in general. Therefore, the state is crewed over more than it can swallow.

That is why the state is deficit financing and its become a burden, which it cannot carry. The debt is not sustainable. When 72% revenue is spent on debt repayments. That shouldn’t be a thing, but that is fiscal policy of this regime and apologist cannot hide the fact. They have run down the state and taken up loans they cannot carry. Peace.

Dr. Stella Nyanzi fled into exile in Nairobi

Ugandan academic cum political activist, Dr Stella Nyanzi, has fled to Nairobi, Kenya. This was confirmed by her lawyer, Prof George Luchiri Wajackoyah, who cited political persecution by President Yoweri Museveni’s government for the move” (Washington Gikunju – ‘Ugandan activist Stella Nyanzi flees to Kenya’ 03.02.2021).

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Member of Parliament (MP) Aspirant Dr. Stella Nyanzi who came third on that MP Kampala Woman race. She has now fled the Republic in fear. Dr. Nyanzi already knows the cost of her activism and been behind bars for her outspokenness.

She has paid a huge price being bold and active. After this election she has been vocal about defending Bobi Wine and wanting to protest his arrest. However, she haven’t had the same reach and finesse as earlier. She is famous and known. That because she has dared to insult and mock the President.

Stella Nyanzi is a critic and a person fighting the junta. Nevertheless, that costs. Anyone who has followed has seen that. Hopefully, Stella Nyanzi have her kids with her and is safe. There are enough activists, supporters and mobilizers of the opposition figures who is abducted, incommunicado and detained at un-gazzetted safe-houses. Therefore, her fleeing the regime makes sense.

Nyanzi deserves safety and so does everyone else fighting the cause of the dictatorship. You know it is bad when someone see the need to go into exile. This is seeking political refugee. That says it all about the current regime in Kampala. How far and how bad the state of affairs is. When its better to cross the borders from Kampala and flee to Nairobi.

This is really tragic. As Dr. Nyanzi have a role at Makerere University and as a political operative. She has a place and voice, which matters. Her ways is maybe unconventional, but she gets her point across. Where she has cared for the health of woman and their rights to be heard. That is always important and hope that she never looses her steam. But that she soldiers on and continue to fight the good fight.

Yes it has cost and will continue to cost. However, she is not forgotten and we know that she has fought though tribulations. She has suffered and paid a price. Been in prison and been charged. She has lost her job and been re-constituted it. If someone knows what it cost to go against the dictatorship. She is one who knows.

We don’t know for how long this will last. Nevertheless, it is tragic, that someone has flee a nation for this reason. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni suspending the DGF is biting the hand that feeds him

Now that the letter from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija is out. The infamous letter where he suspends the accounts of the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF). This is important, because the DGF supports programs and organizations across the Republic. The DGF is sole funder of several of civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations. There are atleast 70 of them that is hit by this and would cease operations, as the funding and lack of funds to pay staff. That is all happening, because Museveni wrote a letter in early January 2021.

President Museveni have targeted CSOs and NGOs around election time. That is common. That he claims they are up to “no good” and supporting “terrorism” or any other objectively bad enterprise they can. That has been common for decades. However, ceasing their funding totally and blocking a multi-national funding scheme like the DGF. Only undercuts the ideals of the givers, the donors and the ones who monetary support the government and people in the Republic in general. This isn’t government funded money from the tax-base. No, these funds are given from outsiders to support governance and other organizations to strengthen democratic institutions and educate the masses.

The DGF is a collective fund donated by the European Union, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden to support programs and CSOs/NGOs in Uganda. They are partnered with at least 72 organizations across the republic to different capacities. All working in various of fields and for causes to better the Republic. They are all civil society voices for good governance and creating a freer society. However, that is clearly not the beacon that the President believes in anymore.

The donors that see this action by Museveni should shun him and cease all direct donor-funds and also block all loans through multi-national organizations, which the donors are funding as well. That would make it harder for the President to operate and he would seek funds elsewhere. If he wants to be free of stipulations and not have any oversight. This cutting funds to International Monetary Funds (IMF) and World Bank (WB). Also others where the Government of Uganda is seeking loans for development projects and government programs.

The National Resistance Movement was able in the late 1980s and 1990s to have progress and financial backing to pursuit the government programs, which is it so proud of. The state also saw debt relief and cuts from donors. Now, the NRM is gaining more debt, but also putting in obstacles with the donors in regards to the DGF. The ones funding DGF should suspend all other funds and funding that goes towards Museveni. As a retaliation to this, as these projects, programs and NGOs/CSOs are working for ideals that Museveni once stood for, but with lingering in office despises.

We are clearly seeing the punitive action made by Museveni. He wants to prove supremacy, but does it in a mockery of a way. This is only showing the donors what sort of little man he is. That he has to go to this step. Take away the securities of the CSOs and NGOs. Instead of actually serving the general public. If the President really did that. He would haven’t have the need for all these CSOs/NGOs to cover where the government is lacking. The state is fluid and lacking institutions. That’s why the state needs them to cover the basics and civic education. This is still needed after over 30 years in power. That shows the weakness of the Presidency and his reign.

President Museveni isn’t showing strength here. His showing weakness and lack of control. That he got to act like this. This is acting a villain and hurting own citizens, because he can. So, the donors should act upon this and not just take it on the chin. They should show force too. Just to prove him what he has done. It is about time and not just “condemn” and move-on. That is not making any changes or challenging the old man. You need to meet him head-on. He plays games and these are with the lives of all these organizations. It is not the money of Museveni and neither funding from the state either. That is why his sour, as he got to loan to pay his cronies salaries. This is why he attacks and confronts, instead of talking and negotiating with the donors.

What he does with this is putting himself in corner and making less friends. If he wanted more support and legitimacy. He should have acted differently. However, he rather picks the trick of the pariah, instead of the friendly grand-pa, which is what he tries to act in the media. That is clearly not working and that is why this letter is undressing his motives. Peace.

Fear and loathing in Kampala

The Uganda Police Force (UPF) have come out with a statement today. Deputy Inspector General of Police Maj. Gen. Paul Lokech came with stern warning now. Just at the opposition and other election petitions are in town. It is like the authorities are prepared for a war-zone and havoc.

The Police Force and army should warn themselves, as they are the trigger-happy and the ones issuing tear-gas on the public. It is the same authorities that comes with weapons, tear-gas and units to disperse and get people going. The same security organizations that bundles people together and brings violence to the streets to quell peaceful protests. It is the state that has killed civilians in the campaign season and before the polls.

Today’s Statement:

This development by some opposition members of marshaling fear to rally support for street violence and civil uprising, for their selfish political advantage is not new to us. Therefore, for politicians to spread this kind of negative propaganda across the country is trying to provoke people to incite violence. We want to inform the public that we are taking these threats seriously and would like to assure them, that they should not be intimidated from going about their lawful businesses, because their security and safety is guaranteed. We have shown Ugandans over and over again that we would have a very peaceful election and indeed it was very peaceful. We are now doing everything within our means to keep the general public safe and secure, from all forms of violence including politics that is divisive and manipulative during this aftermath of the Elections” (Uganda Police Force – ‘THE JOINT SECURITY AGENCIES WARN POLITICIANS AND INDIVIDUALS AGAINST FEAR MONGERING’ 01.02.2021).

This statement is sending a stern warning to the public for the days ahead. Just like the President have done countless times. We know who they are directing this against. They are not going after the President or any of his allies. No, they are going after the opposition, this being Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine of National Unity Platform (NUP) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).

That is why they are claiming there is threats, but they are not naming it. They are saying they will incite to violence, but doesn’t specify. That is easily stated, so in the aftermath of any. They could point to the “intelligence” and pin the politicians. They are anyway violently arresting, detaining, abducting and torturing the ones associated with the opposition already. So, the state sponsored violence is already there. Its not like it has left or stopped to cease to exist. The election is maybe over, but their devious acts is continuing. Countless of political prisoners are lingering behind bars and the state wants to move on.

The state is manipulative and disingenuous here. They are coming with baseless claims. We can anticipate by actions made in the past. That the state will sponsor more violence against civilians and blame the victims. Just like it is always the opposition fault and never the authorities who comes in guns blazing. They are never to blame, but everyone else should have conducted themselves differently. Therefore, these sorts of mind-games isn’t working.

We know the drill. If these folks cared about keeping folks safe. Then they would let people riot and demonstrate, as they cannot do that without meeting a fatal police force. That is something they never mention, but is the naked truth. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: The Joint Security Agencies warn Politicians and Individuals against Fear Mongering (01.02.2021)

Opinion: Bobi Wine’s gamble with the Supreme Court Petition

Tomorrow is the final day of delivering election petition on the matter of the Presidential Election of the 14th January 2021. Alas, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine tried to deliver a petition already on Friday 29th January 2021, but he was dismissed by the Supreme Court. The National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential Candidate and Opposition leader plans to do this tomorrow on the 1st February 2021.

However, what his doing here is a gamble. Since all the judiciary appointments is working for the President. All these people are getting fed by the President. He always appoints loyal token judges ahead of the campaign season. Just so his safe and secure for whatever coming their way. Because, the President knows that these folks will do him favours. They will find the legal justification for his reign and dismiss anyone who is in his path.

Bobi Wine can have a team of astute attorneys, the People Power juggernaut can come with fierce force and evidence of the rigging. However, that might not be enough. Because the pendulum is controlled by the “high above”. His orders and his tricks matters more. The President is the personification of the state and therefore his words is law. That is why no matter what legal remedy or proof, the judges will in the end legitimize these affairs for Museveni. Just like they did with the Age Limit petitions too. They all vouched for the President and his excessive needs.

Bobi Wine is now following the footsteps of Dr. Kizza Besigye and Amama Mbabazi. Who both took it to Court. They have both tried to prove and make the election “null and void”. Nevertheless, that haven’t happened, as the state and the President wouldn’t have it. Besigye tried in 2001 and 2006. Mbabazi tried it in 2016. None of these was successful.

What is more striking is this assessment of the Presidential Election Petitions of the past:

However, the Supreme Court’s decisions (PEPs No.1 2001, No.1 2006 and No.1 2016), indicate that the petitioner must prove, ‘to the satisfaction of the Court’, the allegations made against the respondent on a higher threshold, that is ‘beyond reasonable doubt’, which is the standard of proof required to validate a criminal conviction (Grechieng, Niclisch & Thoeni 2010, pp. 847-862). This imposes an almost impossible task for the challenger of the election’s outcome. For these reasons, s.59(6)(c) is deficient in preserving the will of the people and in facilitating fair competition for the presidency” (Dr. Fred Sekindi – ‘PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DISPUTESIN UGANDA – A Critical Analysis of the Supreme Court Decisions, 2017).

So, now that NUP and Bobi Wine is preparing a case. They should know that this challenge is near impossible. The legal principals and international laws for annulments of elections does exists. However, the way the Ugandan laws are made. It is weak and tends to express the needs to prove it too such an extent, which is near impossible. This is where the Presidential Candidate Bobi Wine comes in. As his team and lawyers are planning to petition the court. The act is noble and an approach former opposition candidates has done too. They have all gone there, but with no luck.

That is why its like a game of snakes and ladders. Where no matter where you go. At one point or another, you fall behind and have try to trick yourself up again. You are also lucky if you can ever succeed to pass all the hurdles. That what worries me. It might even give the supports a false figment of hope. Just like this is the magic trick to conquer Museveni. When I don’t think this is the gist of it or the way out.

This is just buying Museveni time and keeping other preoccupied with a case, which he will do a few phone calls and settle. The judges will get their envelopes and faulty reason will dismiss this one too. As we just know, they need to prove it to such an extent that the Presidential Election get annulled. That has been tried before and this isn’t the first the opposition leader is petition the court. No, his the third in line and the fourth major case. Though the UVote collection of DR Forms in comparison to the Final Results will prove rigging. Don’t expect it to be enough. Even if it cannot be proof that the President was directly involved. Still, deep inside the chambers and the halls of the Courts. They do know he has his fingerprints all key aspects of the state.

That is why a petition is a “non-winner”. It is a way to exhaust all ways legally, but it is not a way change the outcome. No, they are only playing the game the President wants. It would be more powerful to drop a report. Show piece by piece, issuing statements of the proofs and hold talks with international media. Get the report exposed and get all local media to discuss it. As it proves every way the election was rigged. In that fashion, the publican be the court and not just a few hand-picked jesters of the President. Which is the ones who will deem it fit or not fit. Peace.

National Unity Platfrom (NUP): Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu letter to Chief Executive Officer of Next Media Services Ltd. – Protest Letter against NBS Television for Conspiring with other actors to Defeat the Will of the People of Uganda (27.01.2021)

11th Parliament UPDF MPs elected: This is why they are still there…

UPDATE: The army has elected 10 new MPs for the 11th parliament: they include Gen. David Muhoozi, Gen Katumba Wamala, Lt. Gen Wilson Mbadhi, Lt. Gen James Mugyira, Lt. Gen Peter Elweru, Maj. Gen. Henry Masiko and Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma” (NTV Uganda, 29.01.2021).

I find it weird that the 11th Parliament, this is the term between 2021 to 2026. Maybe after the bush-war it was reasonable to have army representatives. Now it is 35 years since the bush-war. The National Resistance Army (NRA) surely issued this idea of army in the Parliament to give the President automatic votes there.

Now, they seems like a special interest group intended to have loyalists of the President. This is because the commander-in-chief have a partisan army and General Museveni intends to keep it that way. While the Parliament haven’t amended this, but if they did. We surely know that the President will not approve of this. Since the 10 MPs from the UPDF will serve the “High Above” and do his bidding.

The UPDF representatives acknowledge that theirs is indeed a fine line to walk as far as loyalty to the State and the exercise of their role swithing the Parliament. The then Coordinator of Intelligence and Army Representative, General Tinyefuza (now Sejusa) while contributing to Parliamentary debate in 2010 on this issue stated: “Our representation is a special kind of constituency; our representation in Parliament is not intended to cause disharmony and conflict within the armed forces. It is supposed to serve the strategic value of safeguarding the state and at the same time safeguarding the healthy situation within the armed forces. Therefore, while a Member of Parliament can come here and talk contrary to what your constituents sent you to say and nothing happens, for us that would constitute a service offence. We are a special category; we cannot defend this Parliament, defend the territorial integrity of the state, defend your property and person while we do not keep the rules of the institution intact. Therefore, there is a very thin line which we must walk” (BoreL,(2016).Army Representation in Uganda’s Multiparty Parliament–a critical review. CEPA Policy Series Papers Number 7 of 2016. Kampala).

We have seen how Gen. Elly Tumwiine have been serving in the Parliament and also others too. The UPDF MPs have tended to be partisan for the NRM. It would be shocking if they went against the President or his party. That would have been a shocking move. This is why it’s only how Gen. Tinyefuza went into exile and get released from being an MP.

The NRM and Gen. Museveni have the UPDF MPs to have an advantage and secure a bigger majority. The NRM have secured the bag with this one. Now, they have 10 loyal cadres in Parliament. People who listens and follows all direct orders of the Commander-in-Chief. These ones won’t dare to question the President and his orders.

What should cause an outcry is the Lt. Gen. Elwelu is elected in Parliament. A man who got promoted for the massacre in Kasese. Now, he got another promotion. This here is outrageous. However, in the end he will get all the blessings from the President and that’s why his there in the first place.

Don’t expect the UPDF MPs to do any good. They are their to serve the President and nothing else. Peace.