Opinion: Muhoozi’s prominence is no good

The Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga and Commander of Land Forces (CLF) of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has again thrown his opinion to the public domain. As the third ranking official of the army, presidential advisor and the first son of the President. His the epitome of what is both wrong and proving how erratic things are in Entebbe/Kampala these days.

Muhoozi’s tweet is causing a stir and it’s not the first time. It is even published articles in foreign press like BBC and elsewhere. As he takes a stand on foreign affairs. Just like he stand behind Tigray in Ethiopia or now defends Russia in the invasion of Ukraine. That is the sort of fella and brother he is…

Lt. Gen. who is an avenger and a war-lord. That’s why his proud of the warfare in the Democratic Republic of Congo. That’s the sort of man he is. Just like he was trying to have a beauty contest between Ugandan and Rwandan woman after the short talks in Kigali with President Paul Kagame. That’s the sort of man he is…

We surely know the rumours of him chewing woman and not being loyal to his wife. Even as he praises her looks and person on social media. We know about that and he is the male Sheila Gashumba, who has her dirty laundry leaked by her ex recently. Clearly, the same sort of affair is associated with Muhoozi too.

So, maybe he should continue living the life of a socialite in Kampala. Instead of behaving like a mad man on Twitter. As his a prominent guy and his father made him that too. Next up is trying to learn some tricks from “Bad Black” since just defending Muhwezi and calls torture a small thing. Surely, if he gets a painful experience in the future, we can just downplay it. Like he downplays the harm, the damage and the pain, which his government applies to it’s dissidents.

Muhoozi is no good. Muhoozi is everything that is wrong with the current regime in Kampala. He is the image and resembles what is totally despicable about it. Muhoozi doesn’t value the unjust behaviour of the state, neither does he care about the prospects of more human rights violations. Yes, he bashes in it and wants glory for amplifying destruction with his forces. He don’t mind the deaths, the pain or the suffering on others. That’s why he defends and stand behind Moscow in the battle to annex the whole of Ukraine.

If the Republic is supposed to be great or move forward. You will not move forward the likes of Muhoozi. He will only go backwards and use ill willed means to defend his prestige. He wants to manifest and be the grandeur of Kampala. That’s who Muhoozi is and he has lived the elite life. Not like Muhoozi would ever understand the plights of the random civilian on the street. No, he has eaten with the rich and been a spoiled brat in the corridors of power, all of his life. Not like he has any worries of the world. Since, his father has bailed him out and given him a life-line. He wouldn’t be a Lt. Gen. or have run Special Forces Command (SFC) if it wasn’t for his father.

That’s why he doesn’t understand the ramifications or the possibilities of outcry after tweeting like a mad man. Defending the imperial troops of Russia. That’s just who he is and he has no issues about it. He thinks people will stand behind him and be proud of President Putin. That’s because Putin is a dictator like his father.

He just proves what wrong with both him and his father. His tweets are just undressing the bashing glory of oppression in the Republic.

Muhoozi is just a symbol of everything that is wrong in Kampala. That is the reality here and he cannot run away from 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.

26 Years and Counting: Gen. David Sejusa still isn’t allowed retire from the army

This General has caused a lot stir over the years. He has clearly been a resound opposition during the years of 2013, as he revealed the “Project Muhoozi” and the plan of ushering the first son as the successor of the President. He went a year away in Exile and formed a political party Freedom and Unity Front (FUF), which he used as a vehicle in exile.

Gen. David Sejusa aka Tinyefuza aka Tinye have a huge standing in the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) as he served as army commander and also a member of High Command UPDF, the UPDF defense council and a member of parliament representing the Uganda People’s Defence Force.

Reported about his first retirement request:

On December 3, 1996, Sejusa who was then a presidential aisor on Defence and Internal Affairs, wrote to President Museveni as commander in chief, resigning from the UPDF. “With great difficulty, I have decided to resign as a member of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces…There are several reasons but most important among those is that I feel I am unjustly being harassed over my testimony before that Parliamentary Committee…To require me to appear before the High Command so that action is taken against me is rather too high handed,” Sejusa wrote” (The Observer – ‘Retirement – Will Sejusa Have His Way This Time?’ 03.01.2015).

Reported about his second retirement request:

Once again, it all depends on the wish of President Museveni as commander in chief. Dr Busingye Kabumba, a constitutional law lecturer at Makerere University, said in a Monday interview that legally speaking Sejusa can succeed in his quest to retire. “Gen Sejusa enjoys the right to retire or resign for as long as he follows the established procedure. But the grant of his wish is a matter that is dependent on the political reality of the time,” Kabumba said” (The Observer – ‘Retirement – Will Sejusa Have His Way This Time?’ 03.01.2015).

He has blocked his request again in 2022:

The judges explained that the approval of the application to resign can be withheld on reasonable grounds and that the effect of not communicating the approval or disapproval of the application meant that Gen Sejusa continued to be a serving army officer. “ln practical terms, he remained the serving officer of the UPDF after the statutory 90 days and this amounted in practicaI effect, for the intervening period before he receives his or her approval or refusal of the approval, a refusal.” The Court of Appeal consequently overturned the judgment by Justice Margaret Oumo Oguli that had indicated the Gen Sejusa had been retired from the army” (Kenneth Kazibwe – ‘Government wins case to have Gen Sejusa back in army’ 14.02.2022).

The NRA Commander and insider within the National Resistance Movement who fell out with the President. Is clearly not allowed or blocked from civilian life. As he has lost his privileges in Parliament and within the UPDF. However, his still a soldier in their eyes. While Gen. Sejusa haven’t been involved or worked within the national army for years.

We know the fallout was already in 2013 and that’s 9 years ago. The General is close to 10 years in defiance of the President. The President did promise his retirement in 2019 but the Courts have clearly not allowed it. Therefore, the General is still part of UPDF to this day.

Just imagine when the Party and the Government can do this to its own. A man who was a commander and a resolute soldier in their liberation war. When they can retaliate and act this way towards him. Yes, his been an insider and has vast knowledge of how the NRA, UPDF and NRM operated. As he was a trusted army commander and he did excel in his role. However, his still a person who has his rights and is justified to retire.

The reason for not doing is, as simple as if he speaks or utter words of defiance he can be challenged in Court Martial and be seen as treasonous. It would like his mutineer and going against the army, which he happens to represent. Even if he hasn’t been in command or held an office within it for years. That’s the only reason for this quagmire and lack of results.

It’s tragic, but it’s like the saying:

Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer”. That’s evident here and it’s all in the open for the whole word to digest. Peace.

Opinion: The Acholi MPs should worry about the hospital(s) in their region

That the Acholi Parliamentary Group should worry about the state of affairs locally and the lack thereof. Yes, they can be offended and cry havoc over some demonstrations held by National Unity Platform (NUP) activists in Seattle, United States, where Speaker of the Parliament Jacob Oulanyah is currently getting his treatment for his illness.

However, the Acholi MPs should worry that they have 5 district without hospitals and the ones they do have isn’t up to scratch. One the Lacor or St. Mary’s Hospital in Gulu is run on donations and not on government subsidies. As well, as one of the other hospitals in the region is Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, which lacks housing for staff, which was it has failed to complete after commissioning it 8 years ago in 2021. While the same hospitals also have trouble with it’s power supply, which is also insufficiently run oxygen plant at the hospital. That was reported also in 2021.

Therefore, the Acholi MPs should worry about the state of the hospitals it has in the region and the lack of thereof, which is striking. These MPs are more about image and displeased that Oulanyah is getting into trouble for his medical tourism. That is done, because the Ministry of Health and the Hospitals of the nation cannot help his sickness. This is why the state and the taxpayers are paying for his services, travel and costs of treatment. That’s why the Acholi MPs should worry about that tab and how these funds could have been utilized in the Republic.

Instead, the Acholi MPs are not showing a power move. The Acholi MPs should be concerned about how their citizens and constituents have to go far to get to the nearest hospital. Secondly, they might not able to get the treatment they need or deserve. Third, I doubt the state will foot the bill for any commoner from the sub-region to do the same. Because, we know these sorts of services only get footed and covered for the high ranking officials. A person in Kitgum or in Pader can forget to get this sort of medical help or ability to book a flight to the United States.

This is the failure of the MPs and the representative of the region to understand. They are fine that their own asses and possible offices is safeguarded, as they are regarded as honourables. Nevertheless, the citizens and the ones living in their region doesn’t have the same opportunities. The citizens has to walk long or get transport across the sub-region to get to a medical facility or even a working hospital.

This shows how mismanaged their adventure of going after the NUP. The Acholi MPs should ensure more voting of funds to the hospital and Ministry of Health. They should ensure the region and the districts have working hospitals with staff, medicine and equipment to help the ones getting sick. In such a fashion that Oulanyah doesn’t have to get fit-to-fly across the world for a hospital bed. That shows the world how these parliamentarians has failed their role and the ones who voted them in.

Since they rather wants to a pissing contest with NUP MPs and the Opposition party. To defend the honour of the speaker, instead of honouring the constituents who they represent on the daily. These are the ones they should care about and not that anyone demonstrate against the speaker. He is just one man and the state clearly couldn’t take care of him at home. That’s why the state had to foot the bill and pay for an expensive flight to the U.S. for him, which we know wouldn’t happen to any ordinary citizen of the state.

That’s why only the high ranking officials and the ones who is part of the anointed elite is allowed to be medical tourists on the bill of the state. This is what causing the outrage and the demonstration against Oulanyah. The same concerns could be put on the late Rev. Simon Lokodo who died while under treatment in Switzerland. Therefore, we know something is wrong in the Ministry of Health and the state of the hospitals in the Republic. If everything was working and they were proper places to be at. The High Ranking Officials would have stayed home and not travelled abroad to get treatment. That is just the reality here and its evident of what is lacking. Because if everything was working. Oulanyah would have been treated at Mulago or Aga Khan for that matter in Kampala. The same could have been said about Lokodo.

It is time the Acholi MPs reflects about that and not feels insulted by a few demonstrators. The Acholi MPs should worry about their districts and the lack of proper medical care or facilities there. Since that what’s really wrong here and the reason for Oulanyah’s fate in the first place. Peace.

Opinion: The UPDF spokesperson wants to silence the torture debate

I call on Ugandans to go slow on the torture debate. I am personally going slow about it. I’m studying the circumstances to make an informed opinion on the torture. But personally I do not condone torture, we have some elements in the opposition who simply want to score political mileage by discrediting our president Museveni. They want to show him as a bad leader to the outside world” – Uganda People’s Defence Forces Spokesperson Lt. Felix Kulayigye

This shows how insincere the army and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is as the state doesn’t want to be transparent and be held accountable for their actions. The UPDF spokesperson wants to silence and not talk about the torture cases. They want it gone away and in the dark like the ungazetted safe-houses.

The UPDF and NRM just wants to dismiss and downplay the severity of the torturing which is happening in the Republic. We know the Human Rights Reports on Torture has shown an extent of it and what the government don’t want out in public. As the UPDF Spokesperson feels this is destroying the image of Museveni.

Well, Museveni don’t need the help of the opposition to destroy his image. That his doing perfectly well… on his own and doesn’t need any help. The President and his Modus Operandi is destroying it on the regular. If people have to flee into exile, activists lingering in jail without charges or due process, safe-houses and various of security agencies delivering injustice towards the citizens. This is the destructive manner of which Museveni name is tarnished.

He cannot help himself and the UPDF spokesperson is in the wrong. Yes, the opposition will use this for political mileage. That is true, but they are doing it for the reasons of injustice and impunity of the authorities. The Security Agencies shouldn’t torture in the first place … and it has been done from the on-set of the NRA takeover in 1986. Therefore, the spokesperson should know better and we know the state haven’t changed it’s stripes.

Museveni is a bad leader and uses torture as a means to strike fear and intimidate. The President uses all the security agencies to kidnap, keeping people incommunicado and torture civilians without any due process by the courts of law. There is no equal before the law, because the civilians and dissidents are without charges or sentenced treated as criminals in these instances. Therefore, the Museveni will be remembered for this.

UPDF spokesperson cannot deny it and the reality is that the NRM haven’t fundamentally changed things, as it using the same means as its predecessors. That’s why they don’t want people to talk about it. The acts of vile force on innocent civilians should never be accepted and the outcries are righteous.

The security agencies shouldn’t do these things and the laws blocking it mute or silent ones, which isn’t in effect or used. Since, there is no real consequences to the ones ordering it and the ones actually doing it is a secret as well. The victim cannot know who they are and often these are plain clothed men who beats and uses torture techniques, which secures their faces from not being shown to the victim. Therefore, the state and the ones doing it’s bidding can get away with it.

These sorts of stories shall not be forgotten. There is unknown amount of people who has been tortured, kept in the dungeons or safe-houses, as the agencies are able to get away with these practice and it has no real consequence for the ones on top. That is the brutal truth and President Museveni name will forever be associated with this. Just like the NRA has tarnished the name of Obote and Amin for their crimes in their time. It is his turn now. Peace.

Oyo Mini-Summit Communique (12.02.2022)