Opinion: The entitlement of 1986 Brigade continues with Col. Barija

Yesterday Colonel Charles Barija who sent a letter to the authorities after he was retired this week. The commander and solider has been loyal to the President Museveni since participating in FRONASA. This is why Col. Barija feels entitled for more.

The colonel wants to be upgraded to a Brigadier General so that he doesn’t have to use boda-boda to get home. He feels he deserves the perks of a retirement with a bigger title. Since he has participated in vital parts of the struggle of the National Resistance Army (NRA). Where he has been stationed and been in battles of significance. This is why he should drive an SUV and have more lavish lifestyle now.

He also feels entitled for being a D Coy under Bazilio Olara-Okello and being the escort of Museveni when he was the Vice Chairman in the Military Commission before the 1980 election. The colonel also claims that he rescued the first family at one point.

While he also was hurt and damaged by the bush-war. After that he still was conscripted and part of the army. That’s why he fought in South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and other conflicts too.

All because of this… he deserves better and should get a better life in retirement. Col. Barija clearly feels this way and that’s nothing new. The 86 Generation of the NRA feels this way. They are above the law and can do whatever they feel. These are the “we fought” people and that’s why they should be praised and get the monies.

Nobody should be shocked that he don’t want to be another civilian taking a boda-boda home. He feels he should have a nice car and have a better lifestyle. This because of all the things he did while being loyal to the cause and the President. Since he has been there all along and been associated with them.

This is why he wrote the letter. It shows that some people are “above” and he feels like that. The colonel can act like this and it’s not revolutionary, but shows the heart of this men. They fought for themselves and their pockets. Peace.

Opinion: Sudi wants the UDA to become a despotic party

We’re interested in how Museveni runs NRM, because we want to follow his example when it comes to political parties” Oscar Sudi, Kapseret MP

It is now revealed that the Deputy President William Ruto team to Uganda who was blocked and humiliated from leaving Wilson Airport was on a mission and getting ‘intel’ to run a dictatorial party. That’s how this seems and Sudi MP should have known this.

They want to learn how to make Ruto the personification of the state and run the National Resistance Movement (NRM) with an iron-fist. Where there is no succession plan and a family affair. If they want to learn about how to take the small-fish and let the ones who is closely associated of the hook. Surely, the Tanga Tanga will do the same and has all the practice within the two terms within the Jubilee government.

President Museveni is surrounded by wise people who will be vital in this journey. He also has a lot of ‘intel’, which is important in any political game” – Oscar Sudi

Museveni knows how to use his position to his advantage and take account of everyone around him. He either corrupts or incites fear. That’s why it’s never far from the army to the policy board. That’s why he has militarized politics and uses the army for any sort of government program.

It is really striking that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) wants to learn from Museveni and the NRM. Yes, the NRM has lasted long, but Museveni also has botched party like the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM). So, he needed a bush-war and use military force to win. Since, then he has used the same army to incite fear and violence to control the public. The NRM has used the monopoly of violence to its advantage and targeted the opposition. That’s why main opposition has been charged, detained and killed for their activism. There been charges of treason and detained without trial and with misuse of military courts. Therefore, it is hard to see if they will learn anything useful, except for tactics to undermine and trick the opposition.

Ruto is clearly envision himself as a future tyrant, if he wants to learn from Museveni. It is not the sort of character or leader you should look up too. When he wants to aspire to be President. However, he is the hustler and one of the most corrupt leaders in our life time. He has done while he was in favours of the President and his allies. That’s why they have accepted his ways and they have all lived lavish on the public’s dime all these years.

If UDA wants to copy the NRM. Than Ruto will become the Kenyan Museveni. A modern version of the Moi era and unleashing a new long dictatorship. That doesn’t sound like a bargain and Sudi should have thought of this. It isn’t like people lingers for the times of oppression and challenges to be outside the favours of Moi. Now, Ruto wants to learn from the NRM says it all. Peace.

Opinion: Another Kaveera ban….

We have been here before and its a déjà vu. The polythene bag or kaveera ban have been a thing in the past. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Government of Uganda have proposed this before. They have enacted and said the ban was happening. It is nothing new …. and the 11th Parliament aren’t doing anything different than others.

The 9th Parliament did it too. It is most likely that the 10th Parliament did something too. The cabinet who did this recently is following up where the previous people left-off. The NRM and the Cabinet isn’t revolutionizing things. They are just re-issuing old policies, which the state and the authorities haven’t been able to implement.

That is the tragic here and not the final of these. During the next few months. Don’t be shocked if the Cabinet or the NRM is re-issuing other old pet-pees as well. We can soon see something we have heard before, because the government haven’t had the ability or the priority to the implement it.

It would be a possible step, but the government, the traders, importers and everyone needs a another alternative. There is a need for something else… and that’s not happening. The NRM and the ones who says it’s happening will not do anything about it.

It’s so easy to print a statement and come in bold letters. Have a cool title and be vibrant. The fresh words and be within the dogma of the climate change era. However, all of that has no value, when the logistics, the traders and everyone in the food-chain isn’t changing patterns. Nothing will ever happen and the consumer will need to pick up another kaveera at their local shop.

This is why this new edition of kaveera ban is without substance, unless they plan another alternative, which doesn’t seem plausible. Peace.

Opinion: Obote described Museveni perfectly in 1990

The late President Dr. Milton Obote wrote a pamphlet in April 1990 called ‘NOTES ON CONCEALMENT OF GENOCIDE IN UGANDA’ and it’s viable on the website of Uganda Peoples Congress to this day. It is real gem and people should read the whole thing. What is striking there is how the former President is describing the current day President and we can all still relate to it.

We are in 2021 and a text from 1990 is very relevant. Obote was able to write an explanation and description of a person, which was timeless. Obote and Museveni was enemies, Obote was overthrown and grudges. Still, with that being said. His insights are valuable and he dared to write to his peace in exile in 1990.

Just as his first description of him is so fitting:

Museveni has a thirst for power in its most naked form. He believes intensely in violence as a means of governance and for holding power. He is an accomplished liar and a total stranger to truth. His method of conducting public affairs or his political Party, the UPM, and now his NRM/NRA is a combination of violence and lies. Museveni is an extremely poor, indeed inept, civil administrator. He seeks nor accepts advice from anybody on any matter and detests the conduct of public affairs through discussion, debate or competing ideas; his own ideas must be accepted as the only valid ones and all others are “bankrupt ideas”. Yet he is not averse to steal ideas from others and claim to have been the originator, but often without clear understanding of how to implement the stolen ideas” (Obote, 1990).

What is said here isn’t a lie. Museveni had a thirst for power and used all means to get it. He has always used violence to have power. While his lying about everything and everyone. Obote is also right about his governance and governing in general. Because, we cannot see any of his schemes, 10 point programme or anything succeeding. So, Obote is vindicated and shows that he saw the true Museveni even 31 years ago.

He continues: Museveni prefers militarist (violent) approach in the resolution of problems and issues but would also, at times, put forward a dissembling scheme,while preparing a military solution” (Obote, 1990). We know that the President is using the UPDF to solve everything. He is issuing orders where the army is now doing construction work, targeting illegal fishing, micro-finance and whatnot in the Republic. Museveni is also toying with the army to settle civilian issues as the elections and stopping the opposition from assembling. Therefore, Museveni continues is old school ways of violence and using military to resolve civilian issues.

Not shocking, but very relevant is this: “Museveni is very corrupt and presides over a regime which is equally very corrupt. In fact the nature of Museveni’s corruption is some kind of mania. As already stated, he is acutely uncomfortable with his lowly background, a matter which to a normal person would be of pride. But the mania which he exemplified in 1979 by living at the Palaces of former rulers, has now led him to build with public funds, his own Palace in Mbarara District. The Palace was built and completed within three years. Some of the materials for building it were imported as were the furniture, fittings, carpets, etc. The Palace stands on a huge farm with hundreds of exotic cattle imported from abroad. The cattle, farm implements and tractors and vehicles were all bought with public funds. Workers at the farm are paid by the Office of the President and Museveni is, of course, the President” (Obote, 1990).

He just shows his heart here. The violent and militarism in combination of the corruption. That is what we are seeing and that is eroding the state. As the President is the personification of the state at this point. That’s just shows what his willing to do and how he can live lavish on the public’s dime. We all know this, but Obote exposed that even in 1990 when he was a donor darling and a friend of the West. When the West allowed the prolonged conflict in Northern Uganda and didn’t take issues with the additional extra judicial killings, which his government did to consolidate power. That has been allowed and therefore, he has continued all of it. Since he has gotten of the hook for all of these years, but Obote knew already back then.

This is just small pieces of the pamphlet in question and there is more information, but this is just a about the personality of Museveni. Not all of his mischief way of getting into power, which he wants to be kept a secret and not blasted in public. As he wants a legendary tale of prominence and greatness in January 1986 and beyond. Peace.

Opinion: Muhwezi just needed a hot minute to create a scandal

UPDATE; Minister of Security Jim Muhwezi says, all vehicles and motorcycles will be fitted with a digital monitoring system to curb crime” (91.2 Crooze FM, 22.07.2021).

Government has signed a 10 year deal with Joint Stock Company Global Security, a Russian firm that will see the latter install tracking devices in all public and private vehicles and motorcycles in the country” (Nile Post, 23.07.2021).

The returning Member of Parliament and Minister Jim Muhwezi have just entered the offices and started his new term. As the 11th Parliament swearing-in days are over and the term has started. Just as he does his first deals and programmes as a Minister. He has already entangled himself in a scandal of epic proportions.

The Minister who has a history of wasting public funds in various of schemes. Has started where he has left of in the past. He has bought junk helicopters, robbed resources from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the well-known GAVI Funds as well. All of this while he was in office in the past.

I wrote a piece on his in 2020 named “If you want Jim Muhwezi back as an MP [then don’t cry if his involved in a grand corruption scandal]” published on the 17th August 2020, which was on this subject.

Therefore, the additional information today that he has signed a ten year deal with a defunct Russian company. That says it all and it was a new supposed wind-fall. Where he also had the blessing of the President. The Minister even stated that on one of his tweets while signing the deal. That says it all and he has the blessing of the State House to do this.

He has gotten away with theatrics before and he will most likely get away with it now too. Because, he is in good favours with the President. The in-law and minister surely will walk this one off and continue like nothing happens. The IGG, PPDA, FIA and nobody was in this to vet it the agreement either. That’s why you knows this institutions are idle, as things as foolish like this shouldn’t exist in the first place.

Who is as bold and brazen to write and sign a ten year deal with a one-year old defunct or bankrupted company from Russia? As a minister … do you have no scruples or morals? I am asking Jim and shouldn’t have asked in the first place. He let people rot in prison to die as the Director General of the Intelligence Services in 1980s. So it is not like he has a heart, but has an appetite for money and power.

Muhwezi was a scandal in the making. However, would have never thought it would have happened this fast. This was Formula One speed and Lewis Hamilton couldn’t even sprinted past Muhwezi on the racing track. That how fast and furious the minister was to seal this deal and ensure a quick pay-off in office.

Because, who would get the money and what sort of arrangements really matters with a company that ceased operations one year ago? That seems like a windfall and the biggest pay-off of the year. That’s how Muhwezi operates, I suppose. He doesn’t fear no man or any accountability. Well, he has done this before and gotten away with it. Why should it have any consequences now?

Peace.

Opinion: MPs 200 million pay-off [and who cares about the pandemic?]

This week it has been revealed that the 529 Members of Parliament is receiving Shs. 200 million shillings as a one time “envelope” to purchase a new vehicle. Because, it is such an important prospect and bargain to pay the elected officials with cars. They have already hefty salaries, allowances and perks in office. This is just one of these one-time offers that they can eat quickly off.

Every single MP gets 200 million shillings in July 2021, months after the elections in January 2021. That’s become a custom in the Republic. After an election and swearing-in, the new MPs and the old ones gets a huge pay-off in the millions of shillings to purchase a vehicle. This isn’t new, but its still insane.

Especially, considering the state have taken up huge loans to cover deficits and loans to cover the recovery from after the pandemic. The state isn’t using these vast funds buying vaccines, PPE or investing in the Ministry of Health. No, they are using more money on a car-fleet. A fleet given and paid for by the state.

This is 105.8 billion shillings spent on cars or vehicles by the state. That is how to misuse government and wasted spending. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the President does this to buy loyalty. Because, for some strange reason… no MP is complaining or returning these funds.

It is not like the MPs are having an outcry or asking to refund the pay-out. The MPs should ask why they are getting this and why now?

We know the MPs are scheduled to get funds for the vehicles, which it does … in the beginning of the term. The 11th Parliament isn’t doing anything new… and nobody is shocked by this. The MPs are just following tradition at this point.

However, now as the state cannot afford to buy vaccines or has the ability to invest in the Ministry of Health. Nevertheless, the MPs are the priority and their wealth needs to be taken care off. That’s why this is happening. Just to ensure the MPs will be loyal to the President and his causes. They have already accepted the 200 millions shilling envelope.

If the MPs had a trouble with this. They would do like with the Age-Limit Consultation Money. The MPs would cry havoc and made a fuzz. That’s something that’s not happening at this point. This is just ordinary programming and no-one want stop it, apparently.

The MPs are just to accept this and clap along. They are dancing to the tune and hoping to have a party. Because, the feast is already covered by the state and they have huge payouts in the making. This is just the beginning. Peace.

Opinion: The choice between Odrek or Muhoozi [is a monarchy ticket either way]

This week Odrek Rwabwogo have been appointed by the President to a Senior Presidential Advisor of Special Duties. Odrek is the son-in-law, as he married President’s daughter, Patience Museveni. So, he is as connected as can be by marriage.

While the first son Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga, the Commander of Land Forces, the third rank in command of the Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF). While his also a Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations.

I have now seen online that for some strange reasons… there is discussion who of these is taking over after the Self-Styled President for Life. They are discussing if one of the family members are taking over after the ruler for life and his tyranny. That people are willing to be controlled and only have one family to rule the nation.

However, to public knowledge… the Republic of Uganda isn’t a kingdom or a monarchy. Even if Museveni wants to be the King of Kings. He wants to be the absolute ruler by definition of law and constitution that’s not happening. Part of his rule is by decree or directives. Still, his not a King and a Monarch.

For all sense and purposes, until this is legally changed or by a referendum. Museveni is still a Head of State and a Commander-in-Chief. He is His Excellency (H.E) and the Fountain of Honour. He is the President and been so since January 26th 1986. Doesn’t give him the rights or ability to decide who is his successor.

Yes, a President can point at somebody and say: “I want him or her to be my successor”. However, that is not legal binding argument and it is not statute that make the a legit transfer of power. So, the ones who is preparing for Muhoozi or Odrek. Isn’t doing that on their merits or their capacity to be Presidents. Since, it is not a family affair. They have ot be standing for respective parties and be challenged at elections. That’s how these sort of things goes.

The general public who is tired of the old man. Why do they want to have his son-in-law or his first son? Who thinks that is a viable option? Unless, your paid promoter and part of the “Project Muhoozi”. It is not his a articulate or a genuine leader. Neither is proven… he has been promoted and gotten a bigger role because of who he happens to be. Not because merit or what he has achieved in the field.

This is a family matter or a dynasty ticket. There should be nothing automatic about either of these gentlemen. They are not even part of the central leadership of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Neither have they a history or been leaders in the political sphere even. These haven’t been tested in elections for other roles either. So, it is not like they have a huge following or a rising to power this way.

Unless, they want to rise to power like the old man and use arms to get there. That would follow family history and use private armies in combination of a popular uprising to a coup d’etat. Nevertheless, I don’t think they will do that to topple their head of the family. Who just happens to be the President at this current time.

This is the choice for the ones who still wants one family to rule the Republic. It is for the ones that is accepting the personification of the state and only his family can govern. That isn’t written anywhere or have become law. Even if it is in the mind of the President or his close associates. Who will do what they can to salvage the loot, the companies and all other projects it has entangled with the state. They are afraid of losing this in combination of answering to the sins of their father and his years in power. That’s why they need a second generation President to ensure nobody gets to account for it and also shield the father as well. It is that simple…

They want to secure the tyrant legacy and his spoils. To ensure that he be remembered better than he should. So, that the family can keep it all and not have to pay a price for how it got it all. That’s the worry and that’s why there is people even fielding these gentlemen.

Why would the people be duped for a second generation Museveni? Why do you want more of the same and have a crippling state, which haven’t gotten better. Museveni have had 35 years and still has plenty of the same issues as when he entered into office. He could have changed things, but he hasn’t because that haven’t been the priority.

So, the dynasty ticket will only deliver more of this and undoubtedly not make things better. Unless, your naive or believe that a fellow family member will suddenly radically change things. That person will most likely prolong the agony and secure the fortunes of the same elites as before. Don’t shocked if that would happen.

The ones that support either of these two. Doesn’t value a democratic choice or a proper succession even. They just want one junta to control and not lose the grip. Peace.

A very brief look into the recent appointments of Permanent Secretaries

Yesterday, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has had his little reshuffle of Permanent Secretaries to the Ministries and Offices of the State. There wasn’t much juice to see. It wasn’t like he offered yet another Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader or stalwart to a position. No, Museveni just did more of the same.

Plenty of the secretaries retained their roles and continues to be “permanent”. This being Lucky Nakoybe and Dr. Kenneth Omona who is kept in the same office. Someone who is lucky and in good favours of the state is Keith Muhakanizi who went from the Minister of Finance to the Office of the Prime Minister.

The appointment of Dr. Ramathan Ngobi, the aide of Salim Selah, the brother of the President has been appointed to be the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). A clear indication of how family affairs mattes and this is why Muhakanizi was moved to another office.

The one that sent a begging letter recently to the President after losing in the election and not being appointed to a Ministry. The forever in the public eye, Adolf Mwesige was appointed as a Permanent Secretary as a Clerk in Parliament. So, the President has him still in his good favours, as he knows he will be loyal for yet another appointment.

All of the President’s appointments are more of the same. These are just the few I see worth mentioning. Museveni is recycling most of the same people. Just a few new faces, but these are known for the general public.

The NRM doesn’t change and neither does the President. This is just more of the same. It is just some changing chairs, but not appointing more qualified or better equipped people. No, these are hired after loyalty and not after merit. That’s why these folks continues to get retained and work like they do. Peace.

Opinion: The General believes the army can solve everything

It is now a new directive of the 1st July 2021 that the Army Brigade will start to construct buildings for the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health. Who cares about the random engineers or the National Planning Authority (NPA). No, the President, His Excellency and the General of all ages have directed the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) to be involved in building buildings too.

This is not new… the UPDF have looked over fishers in Lake Victoria. The army have been involved in delivering out mosquito-nets and they are participating in the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC). There is nowhere where the army is not implicated or not an active role. Just like they have 5 MPs in the 11th Parliament too.

The army just needs to be involved in civilian matters. Soon these folks will have marriage counselling and such. Since the Court Martial, the Military Courts are already a useful pawn to address and silence political operatives of the opposition. Therefore, the UPDF and the army can be used for everything.

For the heavens sake, the same army was in-charge of beauty pageants as well. Where they we’re deciding and nominating who became “Miss Uganda”. There is nothing this army will not.

The General can order these soldiers and his army to do whatever it takes. They can not only, but use their boots. These armed personnel are used to fix anything, because these are the only one he trusts. Even if he has hundreds of government entities to trust and work with. He will always turn to the UPDF. Where he has the loyal subjects willing to do whatever work they are ordered to do. Even if it means looking at skirts, shirts or now load trucks full of bricks.

The President really shows his intent and that he only have one safe haven. These fellows can be directed and ordered around without any issues. They will just show-up and follow up orders. It wouldn’t be shocking, if the UPDF will dab into the future vaccination programme or soon start to build roads in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) together with Dott Services. Nothing would shock me anymore, but just be a proof of how useful the UPDF is at this point.

The General needs his army and this is visible everywhere. Soon, if you go to the dentist. A soldier is there. If you go to the doctor. A soldier is there and if God forbid. You go to Church(!). A soldier will be there too. Peace.