Opinion: Hon. Nabakooba should warn her boss…

What more can I say to you? You heard it all”Jay Z – ‘What More Can I Say’ (2003)

Sometimes it is the wrong people that is warned. Especially ahead of elections. It is like the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and their Ministers are forgetting who their boss is and how he handles things. The guy that call people parasites, bean-weevils and insects. That is not a proper language of a statesmen and neither a Head of State. However, that is the wordings that the President uses about people.

That is why I find it interesting ahead of the campaigns starting in November 2020. That the Minister Nabakooba says this in a statement without referencing to whom or what. Except, that everyone should do it in a proper manner.

Political Campaigns should not be a time for candidates to use a language against each other. Candidates are warned against defaming each others, telling falsehoods against each other, inciting public disorder, inciting hatred or violence. I therefore call upon candidates to conduct their campaigns in manner that respects our diversity in culture and political difference” (Judith Nabakooba – Press Statement on the 25th October 2020).

As times goes by, it is very funny that the Minister dropped that Statement today. When the President was very vocal and using vile means to address the opposition mere 48 hours before. That she can do this without mentioning or addressing him. Says, that everyone else shall uphold to a higher standard, but the President. The President can do and act however he feels. While the rest should be careful what they say.

I have never seen them opposing money collected from these projects. They oppose other things but not money. They get their salaries. Government has a plan to bring some money to people here and they are fighting it. That they are fighting NRM! Their reasoning is that if there is no progress after some years NRM will be blamed. Whatever plan for the people that the NRM brings, they must fight it. They are like witches who don’t want to see a healthy baby grow” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Thursday 22nd October 2020).

When he says the Opposition are witches, because they are fighting the NRM. There are reason for why they are opposition. Because, they don’t want investment or development projects, if there is a lack of transparency. Where the might lack public transparency and proof of ownership. How much is going back to the state? Who owns what? Where does the state funds go to ensure the supposed “development”?

That is the sort of thing the President doesn’t want to have questioned. This is why he vilify them… calls them witches. For the one simple reason: He doesn’t want to be open and transparent about the deals done within his State House. Neither, really explain or give any ideas to the contracts being made in these development project. That is why its easier to make the opposition the evil enterprise. Than, actually governing properly, which isn’t his sort of game.

So with this all in mind. When the President can name-call like this ahead of the campaigns. As the candidates supposed to show maturity and humbleness. They are supposed to show respect and not incite to violence or public disorder. Why are the Minister not addressing the President?

Why? Why not do that? As the Minister should keep him accountable, as he called the opposition witches and was directly ghastly with the rhetoric towards them. Just mere 48 hours before the statement was released. Peace.

Amuru Land Grab: The Legacy of Atiak Sugar Factory

Today on the 23rd October 2020 President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni commissioned Atiak Sugar Factory. This is not without consequences. The industrial enterprise has cost two thousands citizens their lands.

It has been years since the 11th December 2014. There been reports that the Madhvani Group have used land for big sugar-cane plantations, which are the producers for the Atiak Factory. This has been the reason for the land grabbing and forced evictions of the Acholi. The Madhvani Group established their Amuru Sugar Works who was getting 40,000 hectares of land.

The state will proclaim the amount of people working there and families, which is supposed to participating in the enterprise. They are only proclaiming the great things. However, not telling the costs in Amuru district or amount of forced evictions. Neither, addressing the bailouts of the investor. Who is behind the Sugar Factory either.

Today, that should not be forgotten. People have died in protests over the years. There been naked protests and MPs arrested over this. Therefore, the Atiak Sugar Factory has created issues. These should not be forgotten in the starting of production at the factory.

The factory is partly owned by the state and Horyal Investment Holdings Company Limited. Atiak Sugar factory located in Gem Farm, Atiak sub-county, Kilak County, in Amuru District. In Okidi North there are residents who said their was kicked out by the building of the factory and the land. The total of people in articles mentioned is about 80 people. As the Atiak Factory and its estate covers about 16,000 hectares of land. There been speculation of about 80 people thrown out of their lands needing redress for losing their land.

Therefore, there are plenty of scandals in the building of this factory. That they didn’t clear the legalities before the Madhvani Group or Horyal Investment Holdings got their land. This should have been fixed before the citizens was thrown away from their land without any compensation becoming Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in camps. That has happen in this regard, but the President only wants to praise for the industrial enterprise itself.

This factory needs to be remembered for all the folks who lost their land by the state and foreign investors who got it. Because, this wasn’t just a small token and building a factory somewhere. No, this was forcing an industry into an area. Bailing out an investor (Horyal) at least once, maybe twice in the years since 2016. Also, giving land cheaply to Madhvani Group to produce sugar-cane. Therefore, this isn’t a success, but a depressing move into modernity and producing of sugar.

It isn’t sweet, but it is instead bitter. Peace.

Opinion: Museveni should use the “No Change” slogan

Don’t think elections are a mere joke” Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (2011)

We know that National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Kaguta Museveni is preparing and starting his official campaigns. That is why the NRM and the President released their slogan for the 2021 campaign. The President will now sing the songs of “Securing Your Future”. Whatever that means …

Since last time around in 2016 he promised “Steady Progress” which haven’t been delivered. That is why the state is borrowing more and more funds. Is more and more in need of donor funds. The President and the ruling regime knows this, but downplays it. As they are needing funds to just to build and tarmac roads within towns across the Republic.

In 2011 he offered the “Pakalast” or “Until the End”, which was supposed to be a sign that he wanted to reign forever. Which have been proven ever since. There is no end to this rule. It doesn’t matter what happens. He will just reign forever. That is the true.

We could continue to go through the past and slogans. However, the proof is that the man has promised the same before. In 2006, the President came with the slogan of “Prosperity for All”. That is really what is happening in 2021. What he promised as he had his first Multi-Party Election in 2006. The same is being dropped now in 2020.

It is really unique that 15 years after he will promise a similar thing. Hoping people forgetting quick. The President should just go back to the first one he had. That would be sincere and honest. At some point, that should be tagged on his forehead.

The President should just use “No Change” which he used in 1996. When he had the 1996 Election and sort of had NRM Primaries to the National Level. The President and the NRM used scare tactics and blocking Dr. Paul Ssemogerere. Also, did everything he could to associate Ssemogerere with Obote to black-ball him.

However, we are in 2020 and not back-in-the-day. The President have been in power since 1986. It is 34 years in power. When the next term is over it would be 40 years as ruler. That says a lot. This is why we have so much information about what he has done and what he haven’t delivered. He has not delivered the 10 Point Programme. The President haven’t delivered what he has promised, again and again. Always needing more time and more “peace”. There is never enough peace and always a obstacle, which is the reason for non delivery.

That is why he again re-issue the 2006 slogan in 20201. This is promising the same thing as you did 15 years ago. You would think that you had actually made some “steady progress”, but that cannot be true. If it was so. He wouldn’t need to “secure your future”. However, the President needs to talk about the future, since part of him knows he is the past.

The President wants to be relevant. Nevertheless, if he wanted to be honest. He would run with 1996 slogan “No Change”. As that would be sincere campaigning. Since the NRM is delivering no change and no real development. As the government … have been in charge and haven’t done what it’s supposed to do.

Except that it has been a Limited Liability Company for the President and his closest associates for years. That they have succeeded in. However, they haven’t delivered on their promises, which is the reason for their reign. The 27 guns salute cannot save his legacy now. The lingering in power only proves that there will be “No Change” as long as he is in power. Peace.

Opinion: The 3 main challengers to Museveni

Today, the Electoral Commission came with a list of 19 candidates to the Presidency in 2021. The vital information there. Is not only all the parties, which doesn’t challenge the Presidency, but also the main opponents.

I will easily dismiss independent candidate Henry Tumukunde, as the NRMer he is and what he has worked on all his life. The only way he can be viable and make sense. Is if he starts to offer internal secrets and undermine the NRM with a force, which nobody has seen in the past. Alas, he wants to appointed somewhere post-election. Therefore, don’t expect him to renegade and show the truth of the ruling regime.

I also doesn’t see the independent candidates like Pastor Fred Mwesigye and Pastor Joseph Kabuleta. Kabuleta knows how to go viral online and trigger the authorities. However, he doesn’t have the political standing or ability to gain enough traction for his cause. Mwesigye will be a punchline and only use this as PR for his church.

Former Presidential Candidate Joseph Elton John Mabirizi can this time possibly take himself more serious and not be joker. He can maybe even sound more serious, but his candidacy is still a stage-dive landing bad. Former Reality Star Nancy Linda Kalembe will also not make a difference. She might get someone new interested in politics, but she will not do much in her favour.

The three candidates that makes sense in this. That has some traction of the 18 who is not Museveni. Are Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Mugisha Muntu Gregg of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and Patrick Oboi Amuriat of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). These three are the ones who are viable and have a candidacy worth a damn.

Bobi Wine is the one the state is fearing. The one the state is blocking and creating hardships for. He is the one to look at and know that he will trigger the state. No matter what he does, the NRM copies and use means to be relevant there. The Candidacy of Bobi Wine is the biggest one right now. That is why, even Justice Forum (JEEMA) have endorsed him as well.

The second after him is Mugisha Muntu (ANT) a man who has created his own party after leaving FDC. The New Formation and the party, which will reflect his moderate and meagre moves for change. Where he will negotiate and softly create a difference. This man is gaining popularity, but not as stratospheric as Bobi Wine. Muntu wanted to Besigye and now he has his first chance. However, he didn’t equate a Bobi Wine in his way.

The third one is POA of the FDC. The man of the school of Besigye. The man who doesn’t want to be rated in the same regard as Besigye. Well, when your the first one after him. Everything going to be rated after him. You are going after the big-shot and the 4 time candidate. No matter what you do. You will be questioned and people will discuss you in comparison to Besigye. POA has a mountain to walk, he is a slow-burner, but he needs a PR Team making him edible. Since, he doesn’t have the standing that Muntu nor Bobi Wine has.

Bobi Wine have everything to win here. He is aiming at the top and has a good team behind him. The NUP has shown this and the People Power Movement are growing. That is viable by just seeing the mere popularity. This is why the NUP is attacked like it is.

The FDC and POA has to get there. The FDC is still targeted and create a fuzz, but not at the levels of Bobi Wine right now. Bobi Wine is getting the Besigye treatment this time around. That is why POA needs to make himself more viable and show his face. He has internally been able to navigate and get the candidacy. However, it will be totally different in the outside world. This man has to fight with all parts to achieve something.

Muntu is so peaceful and careful. He doesn’t ruffle feathers. That is why the Muntu campaign isn’t feared by the NRM. No reason to be afraid of ANT. ANT isn’t big, neither massive or popular. They have been able to table candidates and getting traction. However, nobody with sense fears Muntu. Muntu will compromise himself and his candidacy, if he gets the option to do so. This is why he left defiance… and created his own team.

There three candidates of the opposition that will matter. These are Bobi Wine, POA and Muntu. The rest will only be hot a minute in the headlines, but forgotten quickly. If they will even get there or if not only a byline in the Daily Monitor or in the New Vision. That is the reality of it all.

There is three to watch out for and ONE who is above the two others. Bobi Wine has the grasp of things, but it depends if he plays this out perfectly. Because, he will be targeted and aimed at from everywhere. That is the truth. The two others… might want to say its differently, but deep in their hearts. They know they play second fiddle to Bobi Wine too. Peace.

Opinion: DP and UPC doesn’t aspire for the highest office anymore

You know something is up… when the oldest parties are not aiming at the highest office. Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and the Democratic Party isn’t trying to aspire to the highest office. Because, on the list of 19 candidates for the Presidency in 2021. There is no one entering the race from these two parties.

That shows a sign of weakness. Yes, the UPC have been working in direct alliance with the National Resistance Movement (NRM). It has had MPs becoming Ministers in the Cabinet and they are running for the NRM as aspirants in 2021. The DP is clearly doing the same, as there been MPs and candidacy.

That some parties has gone behind others isn’t new. However, that UPC and the DP have no gone twice without a Presidential Candidate. If these parties wants to aim for relevance and trying to make a difference. Why are they so subtle and safeguarding so much?

Is Party President James Akena afraid to ruffle the feathers with his deal with the NRM? Since they are not fielding an aspirant and not even himself. Since the last UPC candidate for the Presidency is now Olara Otunnu. That begins to a long while ago.

The DP haven’t fielded anyone since the first time with Party President Norbert Mao in 2011? Because, last time it went behind The Democratic Alliance (TDA) Amama Mbabazi. Now, in 2021, who are you backing?

The UPC is backing the NRM and because of the agreement between them. While the DP haven’t said or that. We cannot anticipate who they favour or who they support. As it could be whoever really this time around.

What is still striking is that there more independent candidates running for the Presidency. Than from the old parties. This is really shocker. It is victory for Museveni to see his old enemies are losing at this rate. They are not even competing with him. That is the mere reality of that.

The UPC and DP is losing relevance. They are losing their edge and uniqueness. When they are not even trying to challenge on the top, but only from the bottom. You would think these people who are so proud of their parties. Should go to their Party President and be baffled that they are not even trying. Because, that is how it seems. They are settling with becoming MPs and not even trying to go against Museveni.

That is weak tea. The ones who is fighting for these parties must be dismayed and feel belittled. As they are even conquered by newcomers and independents. They are not even able to be in the same regard as them. Peace.

Opinion: The NUP have overcome one hurdle

The National Unity Platform (NUP) and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine have overcome one hurdle or obstacle along his road to Presidency. Not that the General Election in 2021 will be his to win. The stones are already carved and the signs of the stars is aligned with the incumbent. Who owns and runs the system.

The Court case against the takeover of NUP with former President of the Party Moses Nkonge Kibalama own admission destroying the case itself against Bobi Wine. Therefore, the prolonged time to get the verdict. Only got the ones in fear of the future and of their nominations to candidacy across the Republic. Have lost their way or become independent out of fear of losing the option to run in 2021 elections.

The NUP have not only the raid of the headquarters. There are MP candidates arrested, posters torn down across the republic and all their political work blocked. Radios not allowed and warned by Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) from letting NUP Candidates appearing. While the Police Force (UPF) and Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) will do their bidding to make it hard for NUP to operate.

Therefore, the celebration of victory today is short-sighted. Yes, in legality the party is overcoming a hurdle. It has cemented its foundation and cannot be questioned by mere technicalities. That has now been settled in Court. However, everything else is up for grabs. The NUP activists and leaders cannot rest. They will still go through earth, wind and fire to get to the finish line.

There is a monopoly of power. There is only one subject who has it all in his grasp and his not willing to back down. The President and his men will not give away that. No matter how popular or wise Bobi Wine is. Just like Besigye never gotten the taste or sit on the throne. Don’t expect Bobi Wine to enter it without havoc and hardships.

Bobi Wine will get all sorts of technical problems. There will be suddenly deficiencies. All of a sudden a long forgotten tale will resurface. Someone he ditched and didn’t do right while being a musician will come back to hurt him. A former lover or a business-partner, which will be part of a scorched earth policy made by the regime against him.

The NUP now had their first major hit job against them and was able to come victorious out of it. Even when the likes of Tom TVO Okwalinga said days before that they would make the party “null and void” and also “block the party”. Which didn’t happen, so something is up with his intelligence gathering. Not as spot on as in the past.

The NUP is now overcomer’s. Still, it is far from over. The campaigns are only beginning and nothing will be given to them. Everything will be taken and met with hostility from the authorities. The NUP and Bobi Wine needs not only resilience, but also courage and be level headed in the midst of adversity. There will be no easy walk, but only hardships ahead. To think otherwise is naive.

The NRM and the President have already proven this, as they are unforgiving to its enemies. They are reluctant to make it easy, but will show no remorse to hurt them. Peace.

Opinion: The State House got a campaign budget

In the same supplementary budget Shs 451 billion has been allocated to State House of which Shs 400 billion is for classified expenditure” (Sam Ibanda Mugabi – ‘Parliament passes Shs 3.7 trillion supplementary budget amidst opposition’ 21.10.2020).

This is campaign year and into the General Election. Don’t expect this money to be used for the common good. The State House has gotten a “Classified Budget” again. In a Campaign Year. It is naive to think this will be used on public projects or on development projects elsewhere. The President and the National Resistance Movement have gotten a wind-fall. They are suddenly swimming in money as the nominated MPs has to pay fees and use campaign funds.

The NRM and President Museveni have secured the bag ahead of the election. They have gotten more funds, which they can spend as they see fit. If we see the NRM and the President giving away trucks, bicycles or anything to RDCs, DPCs or Chiefs. It will come from this fund. Pastors and Clerical Leadership as well. They will get “donations” from this “goodwill fund”.

The Shs. 451 billions will not be used to make the State House in Nakasero into a safe haven. Neither will this be disposed to make Okello House in Entebbe into a state of the art mansion. No, this money will go to all sort of cronies, campaign staff and temporary structures to spread the message of the President. He will pay-off everyone, media-houses and whatnot. Just to be on top. That is why he needed an additional budget this early in the budget year of 2020-21.

This is because the campaign is starting and in the months ahead of the General Elections in 2021. That is the usage of the funds. We would easily see that they suddenly have money for T-Shirts, Yellow Berets and what else of merchandise the NRM needs.

If the President and the State House had nothing to hide. They wouldn’t have such a slush fund suddenly for “Classified Expenditure”. Especially, as the NRM isn’t that transparent and neither is government. Who already have enormous usage of classified expenditure for both the State House and the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). That is very common and shows that they want to spend as they pleases without any public scrutiny of it.

They will spend these funds without receipts, bank statements or even accounted use of it. This means it could be used for whatever and therefore, the simple speculation from my part. I don’t know if the President has to bail out his family members or businesses. I don’t know, if his farms needs upgrades and his family members needs their allowances. That is something I don’t know, but what I do know.

Is that the NRM and President Museveni spends huge sums in campaigns and in election years. They spend money like drunk sailors at port. They are spending funds like there is no tomorrow. That is the reality and this is why in 2021 the same State House will be broke and would need additional funds to run operation. Either they are missing funds to pay for staff, electricity or even the water bill. Suddenly, they cannot pay for new furniture or even briefcases for the Permanent Secretaries. That is what happens in post-Election time. Therefore, expect all of this and that’s why I believe these funds are going into Campaign Funding. Direct funding the Presidential Campaign and his party as well. Peace.

The UTL Saga: The state salvages the debt to resurrect the Walking Dead

This Mango has gone through a lot. A former state company sold to Libyan investors and after the Libyan credit started to fail. The Ugandan Telecom Company (UTL) or Mango started to suffer too. The Telecom have been so hard hit that three years ago the state had to take it over.

There been so many twists and turns, where the company have been rumoured and speculations. Even the Minister and owners was speculated to moved to a shell company in Mauritius. Therefore, today’s sudden windfall and paying off debts. Is only bailing out a sinking ship and hoping it still doesn’t sink.

The UGX 45.6 Billions to the TDB (Eastern & Southern Trade & Development Bank). With this payment of this debt. The state is initially taking over UTL. This as they plans to make the UTL attractive to investors again. Mango haven’t been viable for years…

The Libyan Post ditched in March 2017 and since then it has struggled. The Libyans said the Government of Uganda needed to figure out a transformation plan for the UTL. It has clearly taken three years to figure this out. That nobody wanted to takeover the loans of a company, which haven’t invested in Telecommunications in years. Where the changes of mobile data, 3G and 4G networks for smartphones. The UTL haven’t had the funds or the ability to change with the times.

UTL is struggling because the state haven’t been able to save it before now. The regime needed over three years to figure this out. This with the steady leadership of Evelyn Anite, Frank Tumwebaze and Gen. Kahinda Otafiire interfering all at different times. While they have all done their part … it still took the Committee until now to secure payment for the debts. This should have been resolved earlier, if they intended to make it viable business.

In 2017, Anite even wanted all Ugandans for Patriotic reasons should have one UTL line. Maybe, she thinks everyone has a Airtel, MTN and could have UTL sim-cards in their phones. As the usual person should have at least double or dual sim-cards.

This all been a long lasting saga, which shouldn’t take this long. It is a fledging company. A former state corporation privatized and sold for scraps to Libya investors. Who earned on it in the good times, but ditched it when it got hot. Because, it been years since the UTL been viable and been a commodity.

This Mango is rotten. The Mango tree isn’t yielding any fruits anymore. This is a Walking Dead Enterprise. A Telecom who has no traction and is only throwing good money for bad investments. The money could have been burned in a street or thrown down a storm-drain, and it would still have more sense then investing it here.

UTL is being saved, but was it worth saving? Does it have any assets or financial liabilities worth mentioning? The competitors are miles ahead and the UTL needs huge investments to be in the same arena. Do they think another investor will spend money like a drunk uncle in a market, which is already filled with big companies. Who has small margins and higher taxes.

Therefore, the ones doing it … has to be regime “friendly” and willing to throw away good money for a bad investment. Peace.

Opinion: The “Scientific Elections” will unmask the brutal truth

As we are beginning the campaigns and the run-up to the elections of 2021. The reality will hit the public. We will see the truth about how the authorities and law enforcement act upon the dissidents and opposition. The regime will show it true colour and cannot act surprised. The way they do and what happens will clearly show a significant pattern. That cannot be judged on sudden reaction to an rally or a consultative meetings.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) have before the campaigns already shown unfair the society is. As they have had the capacity to hold rallies and be in the general public. While the opposition have been blocked from radio stations and holding consultative meetings. This being the pre-equal to the General Election next year.

As well, as the same rules are allowing rallies, processions and so fourth for the aspirants of the NRM. While opposition cannot even be nominated or have a press conference without being directly arrested a hot minute after. That has happen to so many, that its total obstruction of their justice and rights to campaign.

These “Scientific elections” are supposed to be like this because of the danger of COVID-19 or Coronavirus. The pandemic that are upholding social distancing and PPE. The reality is that, we will see a double standard, which will be common. The opposition not allowed to rural radio houses and up-country. While NRM can campaign both within media houses and on the streets, The posters of opposition will be taken down. The NRM can even spread posters through Bukedde, Daily Monitor and so fourth.

The Uganda Communication Committee (UCC), Uganda Police Force (UPF) and Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) will all work directly for the NRM. These will order media houses to not have opposition leaders on-air. Neither, will the UPF and the UPDF allow the opposition to greet the public. While the UCC will not block the NRM from appearing on-air and neither will law-enforcement block the NRM for greeting the public. The UPDF and UPF will walk side-by-side with the NRM aspirants.

That is why we know the game is rigged. The NRM will have all favours and always have a helping hand. The authorities and all part of the state apparatus will work for them. They are serving the NRM and not the general public. It doesn’t matter if it is DP, UPC, FDC, NUP, JEEMA or anyone else. They are troublemakers and will be hit by the state.

These elections and campaigns will not be fair. The state and all of its actors will use their mandates to put hurdles in the way of the opposition. The NRM will have a soft landing, while the others has to go on a crash-course and hope for as little damage as possible. Because, no matter what the opposition does. It will be countered and there will be resistance. The NRM will not offer any goodwill and will only cause havoc.

The NRM will use the state as their partner in crime. Every possible way to act will be punished and there will be no remorse. The state will have no sympathy and show no heart. They will not condone and not beg for forgiveness. That is because, the NRM and the state believes you where stupid to challenge it and to stand up against it. You were supposed to be blind and submissive.

The NRM will have all the perks, all the opportunities, while they will undermine and mock the opposition for their troubles. The NRM wouldn’t be able to run, if they had the same hectic mess the opposition has. The NRM would malfunction and be on self-destruction, if they met the same obstacles, which it serves all opposition. They are used to have no way, while the NRM has the big high-way and a free way of opportunities. That is a luxury, which nobody else have. This is why the “Scientific Elections” only will amplify this and expose this rotten game. Which is rotten from the head to the grassroots. A system blessed from “high above” to the lowest civil servant. Peace.