Ugandans-At-Heart

NRM is not a real political party

November 9, 2009 at 5:11 pm (2009 -2011 elections, POLITICS)
Tags: Ahmed Katerega

NRM is a party that does not facilitate its own cadres and mobilisers but it gives a lot to its real and imaginary enemies and opponents. That will greatly contribute to its fall though not in a near future.

l know many NRM who have gone to FDC and other opposition parties so that they can be invited back to NRM. Do you know that even former rebels behave princely inside NRM than many those that have suffered from it right from inspection! There may be a few of the elites who have crossed to NRM without material gain. Those who crossed with their hearts and minds are rural peasants and urban workers but the elites, l doubt.

NRA and now UPDF is a people’s army as its name is. But NRM , the political organisation, has not transformed itself into a political party. It behaves as a guerillar force or an intelligence organisation. It can foot bills like that of my sister Betty Nambooze , it can bribe all real and imaginary enemies but its own cadres will die of starvation. Such is the NRM. Worse still, it has been infiltrated by the corrupt. To eat from NRM , you have to decapaign it. Then it will be scared and they will invite you for a tea party or send you an aide. If it does not graduate from that, it will fall from within.

Nevertheless, we cannot label former kadogos and all those that join NRM even before it captured state power as people that were financially expectants. Despite all the disappointments, they are still in NRM. Yet many of the looters, were on the other political and military side, during the war, and were motivated to cross at Constitutional Square after material promises. NRM should get rid of the corrupt. They are a liability. It should motivate its own pepole, “bribing” opponents and enemies did not prevent UPC from falling from within.

NRM is not a traditional political party but a Mass Movement Organisation.Yes, Sam Kuteesa was some how, some where, a FRONASA in external wing (Nairobi), and helped in the struggle (more in UFM with Balaki Kirya, Kafumbe Mukasa and Yoweri Kyesimira)again in the political wing at least through Sweden where Mrs. Janet Museveni was, and his contribution was more when it was battling the Okellos military junta, Kuteesa remained a DP until Constituent Assembly elections of 1994. As for Saleh, he has been a Movementists since secondary school days. But to be rich does not mean to be corrupt. But those who are corrupt, if convicted, let them be punished.

People should know that NRM was formed in 1981 as a guerrilla or rebel organisation. So, it is not strange if it remains the same in some form and substance. Just like some rebel organisations that were originally political parties. NRM behaves like an intelligence organisation when it does not allow the press to cover its caucus meeting and NEC conferences Yet those are big meetings. For example, Buganda Cacus right from C.A. days could allow us in. For NRM to always think real and imaginary opponents and enemies first before its own cadres, mobilizers and supporters, is very suicidal and l can repeat it in any forum. But as we turn into party politics, things will be changing gradually.

There was more corruption during Obote ll where the Army Chief of Staff who also doubled as Chairman Coffee Marketing Board, was pocketing hard money Uganda earned from coffee exports, with impunity. But this time there is freedom of the press and the corrupt are exposed. My only problem that the state allows us to expose, but it just ignores us, without taking actual action on the corrupt. Let those convicted , their property be confiscated and taken to court.

It is true there are looters in the country now but we have not yet reached that of Obote ll. Yes there were some drugs in government hospitals in Obote ll but that was the time medical personnel started having their own. What we should do is to guard those drugs before they are stolen from hospitals because they are sent from Uganda Medical Stores Entebbe.

Ahmed Katerega

UAH forumist/Journalist

Plain Political Prostitution from the likes of Butime and Kamya

November 4, 2009 at 4:59 pm (2009 -2011 elections, POLITICS)

Plain Political Prostitution
These are interesting times. These are disconcerting times. The political space we are in now is called the window of opportunity, but in reality, it is the window of opportunism. It is time for politicians to march for offers from the highest bidder.
party crossing is not appropriate for consolidating democracy in our country. What we are witnessing is the liquidation of democracy. It is actually enguzi -crossing because people are made all kinds of secret offers. Councilors and Members of Parliament who have no integrity sell themselves into a system of enguzi. They are in the bedroom with their enemy. The likes of Hon. Olanyah, Mr. Aggrey, Ms. Maria Mutagamba, Kamya, Omara Atubo, etc.

This are thieves. They steal and use property that is not theirs for their own selfish ends and personal aggrandizement. Voters in this country vote for Parties not enguzi crossers. Floor crossing encourages corruption and self-interest. It violates the electoral right of the voters. The voters mandate is treacherously betrayed with impunity in the name of democracy which means political prostitution pass as democracy.

Floor crossing is entrenching corrupt politics in Uganda and will eventually destabilize this country. People will lose confidence in the democratic process and resort to illegal means of struggle.

May. A. Uwe matovua@yahoo.com

UAH forumist

Ugandans should join either NRM or FDC and forget old parties

November 4, 2009 at 1:06 pm (1980 elections, 2009 -2011 elections, Obote and UPC, POLITICS)
Tags: Ahmed Katerega

Dear Ugandans at heart,

Amin was personally close to Maama Miria Obote and it was one of the reasons why she was not hurt during and after the coup until she escaped to Tanzania. Obote and Amin were close friends when one was Prime Minister and President and the other was Deputy Army Commander, Army Chief of Staff.

Since 1966, removal of Obote government was justified so by 1971 it was over due. But had Obote handled Amin well, probably nothing may have happened.

As for Besigye and Museveni, there is no doubt that they have their own personal grievances, which other people from South West exploited to ensure that the power base does not shift to Buganda or else where. l will not be party to those who want President Museveni to be succeeded by his clansman Kizza Besigye.

Surat Yasin in the Quran says that The Almighty God causes things to happen and they do so. So NRM , like any other, which had a beginning, will have an end. But the end of NRM will be the beginning of another Movement from inside NRM. You better join in or its extension FDC not PRA or PPP. The earlier the better

If one claims that Obote, Amin, Binaisa, Muwanga, Okello and Museveni were UPCs, and that only Ben Kiwanuka and Yusuf Lule were DPs, and that changes have been UPC infighting, and that many from other parties have not benefited from those changes, can you accept it?

The 1971 coup, brought in new UPC leaders including Idi Amin , Wannume Kibedi, Henrty Kyemba, Huseein Malera, Isac Maliyamungu, Paul Etiang, Edward Rugumayo, Abu Mayanja, Apollo Kironde, William Naburi, and many others. The 1979 change brought in Godfrey Binaisa, Edward Rugumayo, Paulo Muwanga, Yoweri Museveni, and many others. 1980 elections brought back Milton Obote, Paulo Muwanga ,Otema Almadi, Peter Otai and many others. 1985 coup brought in Tito Okello ,Wilson Toko, Paul Muawanga, Abraham Waliggo etc…1986 change brought in Yoweri Museveni, Samson Kisekka (he had crossed from KY to UPC and later UPM), Stanislas Okurut and others.

Other parties were on the periphery. Like the short lived term of Ben Kiwanuka as Chief Justice, the same was with Wako Wambuzi under UNLF. Yusuf Lule for only 68 days, Paulo Ssemogerere as Internal and later Foreign minister under Okellos and Museveni etc….

Hence, in case FDC had defeated NRM in 2001 and 2006, that would have been a change within NRM unlike in 1996 if Ssemogerere had won, or if JEEMA’s Mayanja Kibirige had won in 1996 and 2001.

Therefore either Ugandans join NRM directly as l see those in press reports, or you join its extension in FDC or PPP, you will be left out. Don’t be tempted to join rebel activities “tojja kumalako.”

Ahmed Katerega

UAH forumist/ Journalist

Butime was a spy in FDC

October 29, 2009 at 12:27 pm (2009 -2011 elections, POLITICS)
Tags: christopher Muwanga

Summary: Butime’s “return home” was not un-expected by close observers of our Political dynamics today. He has put to work his perennial threats of quitting, if not removed from “Katebe” – non-functional deployment as a “do nothing” and of not being privy to the inner workings of the party. That is intellectual honesty of sorts, on his part.

1/4. Butime said it all himself last year. For him, it was/is a matter of “intellectual honesty”. The colleagues suspected him to be a mole all along, especially after he said, in the press, that he was willing to server the NRM.

2/4. Alas, their fears have been vindicated. And he has “gone home, where he belongs”. It is the same man that caused the internal rebellion of Beti Kamya, who cannot be chased but who, on the other hand, cannot cross to NRM (not directly, at least). So, if Butime was a mole, as he was suspected to be all along, he has not gone without a “mission accomplished” tick.

3/4.On NRM cadres’s claims that people are flocking to the ruling Party, they should learn how to interpret peoples’ actions. In these days of inflation, it would be a ‘blind man’ that would not earn thousand in one hour, from his taxes, by appearing before the SG of the ruling party for a minute! That must be the highest paying occupation anywhere. BUT, how will the crosser vote??

4/4. Finally, on his current tour of Buganda and the earlier one of the East, the FDC chief is reported to be welcoming floods of NRM faithful to his party [read today 29th October reports]. How does NRM cadres interpret this??

Christopher Muwanga,

Nakasero,

Kampala.

Besigye,Museveni and Kagame are all the same

October 28, 2009 at 12:15 am (2009 -2011 elections, Federalism, KINGDOMS, Kayiira Death, POLITICS)
Tags: lusoke willy

Ugandans at heart,

Please go slow on FDC and Federalism together with Kabaka AND Buganda issues. With all due respect, I have never gotten any impression that Besigye and Kagame are different from M7,at least from an ideological perspective.

Why?

From my experience with the three men during “the struggle” – I call it so because it was indeed a struggle for survival of the fittest – none of these men ever advocated for ‘Kabaka’ and Buganda in general. They only used to make fun of Kabaka that “he enjoys Banyarwandakazi”!!!! And that Baganda are ‘just empty tins and eternally scared by nothing” None of these guys has respect for Kabaka. It is true that for political reasons Kagame and Besigye threw some weight to Mengo and Kabaka i.e Kagame helped to send the ‘Prince’ to the military academy, etc and Besigye has been ‘an advocate’ for Kabaka of recent. I believe this is just to look for temporary allies!!! Those of you who were in Luweero and other areas during the struggle, you know the stories we used to hear and run about the Kabaka. By the way, the long run intention for sending the Prince to the academy is not positive for Buganda and Kabaka. It was planned. I do not want to go into this!!!!!!!!!!!

Guys, if Besigye had been different from M7 and he indeed supports the Baganda, why doesn’t he tell Baganda what befell their men like ‘Afande’ Kayira etc… is it because he (Besigye or Kagame) does/do not know the real story? Why doesn’t Besiigye tell Baganda what they did to Baganda during the Luweero war? Why doesn’t he tell Baganda what they did to Baganda in Masaka and Mpigi who were ‘UPC’ – remember the ‘kabazi’ which they told you it was Nkwanga doing it. Pure lies. It was not Nkwanga men. It was M7!!! Didn’t Besigye join the ‘camp’ in Kikoma to foresee the ‘Kabazi’ project in Masaka!!!!! How many Baganda perished? Was there any Munyarwanda save for the other guy of Villa – Maria called Muwonge who was hit from his own sitting room with an ax he had fixed the very evening!!! Has Besigye ever told you his position over Kabaka in the Gulu meeting which he attended?Anyway, fool yourselves!!! You will again be disappointed!!!

Concerns about FRONASA are valid but Ugandans may not get a lot about it for the time being until somewhere in May 2010 or even after when all that stuff will be out in form of a book.Be sure, the world will have lots of information from this work.But again, we posted a lot of it on “radio Katwe”. You might have to consult this source for some pieces.

Banange, mundeke. Naye, do not take things for granted. We took things for granted with our Kagame and now some of us regret!!! ‘It is not gold’!!!OK.

LUSOKE WILLY

UAH forumist and former Luwero bush fighter residing in USA

Letter to President Barack Obama

October 26, 2009 at 5:10 pm (2009 -2011 elections, Diaspora, POLITICS)
Tags: lugwema FN

Modify the attached letter as appropriate and send to your Congressmen and other people. I just sent mine to Senators Robert P. Casey and Arlen Specter here in “rural” Pennsylvania. I will be sending the same letter every week until I get a response from one of the two senators.

Don’t ever give up, even as the US gives more aid to Uganda.

*13 Uganda Federal Union States*
AcholiAnkoleBugandaBugisu-Sebei
BukediBunyoroBusogaKaramoja
KigeziLangoTesoTooro
West Nile-Madi

Open letter to the Leader of the free World
Mr. Barack H. Obama, President of the United States
Dear Mr. President,
When you delivered that historical speech in Accra, Ghana, Africa „hang‟ on your everyword – in fact many of us still do! In that speech you acknowledged the tragic past that has haunted Africa, and reminded us that the West is not responsible for the destruction of the Zimbabwean economy over the last decade, or wars in which children are enlisted as combatants. Indeed, African leaders must take responsibility for the atrocities meted on the peoples of Africa.

Mr. President I am happy to inform you that efforts to take responsibilities for our own future have taken root in Uganda. However, the major concern is in respect to the United States‟ foreign policy towards Museveni which differs fundamentally from its foreign relations with other Sub-Saharan African countries. Indeed, despite Museveni‟s one-party style of governance,human rights abuses, the wanton killings of unarmed citizens, the United States continues to be supportive of his regime through aid which is said to be close to 50% of his budget. Moreover, the “soft-approach” to Museveni‟s regime taken by the United States in democratising Uganda is problematic and counter to the political democratization of the country and the responsibilities to the peoples of Uganda that Museveni should have assumed over the years. If this relationship continues, the United States would gravely be implicated in the gross human rights abuses that characterize Museveni‟s regime.

Over the last 23 years, Museveni has demonstrated that he cannot be trusted to open up the political space for a true multi-party system and for the rule law to emerge in Uganda. In addition, he amended the constitution to remove term-limits so that he can run indefinitely. Should Ugandans be concerned that the United States national interests would continue to impede Uganda‟s efforts to democratise? Such questions continue to boggle our minds but confident that you will ensure that they are dealt with appropriately.

The other most precarious human rights situation which exists in Uganda, and perhaps in the world, is the continual brutality being inflicted on the people in Northern Uganda. Therelentless war between Museveni and Kony has affected this part of the country for 19 years.

The issue of “ghost soldiers” made it very clear that Museveni had no intention of protecting people living in this region. What is not clear though, is why the United States continues to support Museveni irrespective of these irregularities. It would be comforting to learn from United States‟ actions that Uganda, the country, is important to the United States – not just Museveni; and hope that US foreign policy with Uganda will not act as an impedimental factor to enduring governance reforms that Ugandans seek.

May the Lord keep you safe for the good of humanity.

Christine Nabukeera

Let Njuba and others write books for future generation

October 26, 2009 at 2:33 pm (2009 -2011 elections, POLITICS)
Tags: WB Kyijomanyi

People;

Let all those Ugandans who played some role put their thoughts in writing. Let Hon. Sam Kalega Njuba write a book about his experience for future posterity. There are many others who should write their memoirs, people such as, Dr Ssemmogerere, Mzee Byanyima, Mzee Cuthbert Obwangor, Mzee Adoko Nekyon, Mzee Tiberio Okeny, Mr Bidandi Ssali, Dr Rugumayo, Mr Nabudere, Professor Ssentenza-Kajubi, Mzee Mayanja-Nkangi, Mr Samuel Wako Wambuzi, Dr Martin Aliker, Mr Chris rwakasisi, Mzee Badru Wegulo, former education Minister under Amin, Brigadier Barnabas Killi-how did he do such a better job than today’s lot-Justice Kanyeihamba, Justice Mulenga and many ways and others.

These and others know a lot about the troubled events in Uganda’s history. For the good of Uganda, they should share their views with the future generation. Time to write is now. Their books/memoirs do not have to be long. They could motivate their thoughts in 100 pages or less less the way the former Enganzi did. The media and political folks who have access to these lucky Ugandans should plead with them to write books about their experiences.

Uganda’s history will be poorer if these men and women too take their experiences to heaven. There are some women who know a lot about Ugandan politicians in many ways. They too should write about their experiences. For Uganda’s future, they should be urged to write books. If many feel their revelations could be earth shaking, they could opt to publish them posthumously. They also be encouraged to donate their papers to their alma mater’s for future research.

WBK

Dr. Henry Gombya lied about me in the story he published in the str8chronicle

October 23, 2009 at 4:55 am (Diaspora, POLITICS, torture in uganda)
Tags: john Rubin

Fellow Ugandans,
I convey this message to the UAH forum after many hours of restlessness and confusion, for the trust I feel was misplaced. I write this message knowing that many of you will read it with the purpose of understanding and of course, as in every society some may read it with indifference. However, I am not worried about that. This concerns Dr. Henry Gombya and the story he published in the str8chronicle, which I believe many of you have read. I here convey to you my reaction to the story he wrote and published without my prior consent for approval of the contents. He has since not replied to my e-mail I wrote to him expressing my disappointment. However, I convey to you the e-mail to Dr.
Henry Gombya in its entity, so that you may judge his journalistic work for your selves
and perhaps inform me and the forum what you think. This e-mail also puts right the statements which may have been deliberately or otherwise wrongly presented.
The purpose of his visit was to interview me about my case which also had been partly judged by the United Nations Human Rights Committee. The case had attracted many, including the Danish media who came to my residence in Denmark to interview me for the Danish Television. The UNHRC ruled that Denmark observed remedy and to make sure that the mistake never occurs again in the future. However Denmark ignored the ruling of the UNHRC and after waiting two and a half years for the implementaion of the ruling to no avail, I left the country with the purpose of requesting another country to inform Denmark to respect the ruling of the UNHRC.

I hope that this message will give you a better picture of what transpired, as opposed to Henry
Gombya’s ‘’sensational article”.
Byaruhanga Johny. Rubin.

UAH Forumist

Hello Henry,
I hope this e-mail finds you in the best of your health, as I appreciate mine. I tried to find the story on the internet this morning, but there was no network to my computer. I got the network a while ago and I have read through the story. Since you asked me to tell you what I think, I shall be honest with you. I think that you wrote the story hurriedly without even referring to the documents, the audio tapes and the notes which you took from here. Not only are there many mistakes in the story, it is also not written in a chronological manner. The story only raises more questions in the mind of the reader , as I mentioned above, chronology of the events
that led to my present situation was vital to the comprehension of the
story.
Without repeating what you wrote, let me give you some corrections. I am sure you will find the paragraphs that need correction.
1- I left Uganda in March, 1981. Within 24 Hours I was in Europe.

2- By 1983 I was undefeated in the German Bundesliga, so that I turned professional. By the end of 1984, the German Boxing Magazine, Boxsport ranked me no.10 in the World. The US Ring Magazine ranked me no.2 in the Commonwealth.

3- The National Resistance Army, NRA took power in January, 1986.
4- I requested the Danish police to communicate with the German Authorities to let me return to Germany which I considered home at the time. The police requested for the telephone number of where I was residing and I gave it to them. It was an unregistered number. The
next day I received a telephone call from the Danish Boxing Promoter, Mr. Mogens Palle. The police called me several days later and wanted me at their station. I went there and I was told that the Germans could not take me. At that moment the police advised me to apply for asylum in Denmark. They instructed me how to do it and they took my statements for asylum.

5- My sons Henry and Ronny, their mother comes from Gombe, Butambala. She disappeared during the war that overthrew President Idi Amin.
When Henry and Ronny’s mother disappeared, I met the Tanzanian girl who had come to visit her uncle in Kampala. Her uncle was a childhood friend of mine and so was the Tanzanian girl. I asked her if she could help me take care of my children because it was during the time of war and as a Platoon Commander, I was extremely busy. After several Weeks, she wanted to return to Tanzania. She told me
that if I wanted her to stay helping me with the children, I had to marry her. Thence we became intimate and she conceived. She is the mother of my daughter who lives in Denmark.
6- By 1989 when I learned that the National Resistance Army/Movement (NRA/M) had taken the children to their army, Ronny was 9 years old and Henry was 11 years old. They were not ”teen age”, as you put it in the news.

7- May 6, 1996 the culprit rang the doorbell. He could not have knocked the door. My appartment was on the 2nd floor.
8- When the man attacked me, I was trying to run away from him when he stabbed me on above my left wrist.I did not fight him. However, as I turned trying to run away from him, I tripped on the pavement and fell. That is when he stabbed me again twice, once close to my waist and once again on my buttock. Someone shouted from one of the apartments
above us and that is when the culprit fled. I saw him talking to a woman who spoke from the window above. He took the key from his pocket and opened the main door. I walked to the door and read the name on the apartment doorbell of which the woman spoke.I suspected that the culprit lived in the same apartment with the woman. As I tried to walk away from their main door, I was bleeding profusely. I felt dizzy and weak, so that I could not walk any more. I collapsed and was picked from there by the Ambulance staff and rushed to the Hospital. I spent about 4 hours in the Hospital.

9- The Doctors advised me to go to the police and make a statement about what had happened. I phoned a friend, Charles Muteguya (Not Mutebi) who came with a car and drove me to the Police where I identified myself. The Police Officer checked with the computer, after which he asked me, ”Bore De i Danmark?” Do you live in Denmark?. I told him that ”We
are speaking Danish. If I was not living in Denmark, where do you think I could have learned the language?”, I asked him. He then told me that according to the computer I did not exist in the Immigration files. He told me to sit in another room and wait, as he made telephone calls. He told me later that, ”We cannot find your immigration files and therefore we have to open a new file for you”. The new file was opened and I received a new Immigration Number. After that, my interview about how and what had happened to me commenced. I was assured by the police that the culprit would be apprehended. My friend, Charles Muteguya drove me home with his car.

10- Although my neighbours told me affirmatively that the culprit had been arrested, within less than two Weeks, after 10 days precisely I received a letter from the police stating that, ”the culprit could not be found, therefore the case is closed”.

11- On the way to dowtown Copenhagen, there was a bus stop, next to the Police Station. It is the Police Station that handled my case.
12- On the 31 July, 1997 I received a letter from the Danish Immigration Authority that my wife and daughter would soon be coming to Denmark. I was so happy, so that after preparing a meal, I decided to take a walk downtown Copenhagen. On my return that afternoon, my key could not open my apartment door. The lock had been changed. Whence I remained homeless for about a year. Later I received a letter from the Post Office, written by the police to inform me that all my belongings had been auctioned. Up to this day, there is no accountability of my belongings which the Danish police claimed to have auctioned without consulting me.

13- The last paragraph you wrote, ”The story took another turn when the Lawyer who defended him, Ms Tine Vuust, said she was shocked that a Court in
Denmark could find a person guilty of such a serious crime on flimsy evidence”. There was NO evidence atall. Even the boyfriend of the Prosecution’s witness to whose case I was allegedly linked, was not allowed to come to the Court and testify.

14- When I fled Denmark, I did not request for asylum in the Netherlands. This was the idea of my Dutch Lawyers who thought it necessary. My idea was to request the Netherlands to help me inform Denmark to respect the ruling by the United Nations Human Rights Committee.

15- Pastor Mient Dijkstra did not say that he would help me aquire asylum in the Netherlands. He is sympathetic and concerned about my situation and so is his family.
Although you interviewed me for several hours in which I told you almost the whole story about my troubles in Denmark and how my daughter managed to come,you wrote nothing about that. How I was instructed by the
Danish Immigration to go to Tanzania and bring my daughter and how she got stranded in Dar es Salaam for four years, was not mentioned. How I was eventually told by the Immigration Authority that my daughter could not be allowed to come to Denmark because I was ”not married” and how my fiance’e was deported from Copenhagen Kastrup Airport, was not mentioned. How my wife and daughter eventually got permision to come to Denmark, was not mentioned. Infact, how and why I was imprisoned is not clarified. How I was denied a Lawyer of my choice, is not mentioned. You have a copy of the statement made by the Court President, in which it is stated that, ”You cannot change the Lawyer….” You have not mentioned how I smuggled a letter from prison to another Lawyer, Mr.Tyge Trier. You have not mentioned that the Lawyer, Ms Tine Vuust wrote a letter to Mr. Tyge Trier to inform him that the Police ”has taken the Case File to be destroyed”, so that Mr. Trier
could not find out why I was in prison and why I was beeing deported to Uganda.
Henry, very frankly the story leaves many questions and infact gives a suspicion that I commited the crime for which I was imprisoned. Even the previous attempt by the Danish police to arrest me under, Anti Terror Statute was not mentioned. Do you remember, the Ugandan function in which the Ugandan Ambassador and other Diplomats were in attendance, after which the police squad came and ordered us out ‘’slowly”, that there could be a bomb? I was later informed by the Danish police that I was their prime suspect in the threat calls to the Ugandan Embassy and the bomb threat to the function I mentioned above. Well, all that did not qualify for a sentence in your story.

Anyway, atleast the correction of the errors I have pointed out will be a positive step, if you donot inted to re-write the story
correctly.
I wish you all the best, as I hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience.
Yours brotherly,
Byaruhanga, Jonny Rubin.

–

There is enough food in Uganda

October 22, 2009 at 3:44 pm (2009 -2011 elections, Food and health, POLITICS)
Tags: Joshua Kato

Dear Ugandans,

There is food in Uganda however the problem is with the food distribution system. This is why while there is food insecurity in Teso, bananas are rotting away on plantations in Bushenyi! This shows that the problem is with the distribution chain. If you want to know that Ugandans grow food, just visit Koboko and Nimule. You will be amazed by the tens of trucks carrying food into the Sudan. That is the same case with the borders of DRC and Kenya. It is because Uganda supplies food to all these countries that i refer to it as a food basket. And yet, while this food is being eaten by the Sudanese and Congolese, there are people sort of food in Teso. This means that the distribution chain has to be improved.

You will also realize that for the last two years, all the flour that the WFP has supplied in Uganda was bought from Ugandan farmers. WFP buys from those who have and districts it to those who do not have and that chain some how improves the food distribution system.

At the moment, we are selling food to all neighboring countries including the Sudan and Kenya, but we should expand and sell food even to Ethiopia and Eritrea, countries that have got the worst food insecurity.

On the subject of performance, note that the hunger and poverty is more prevalent in areas led by opposition MPs and Local leaders and not by NRM local leaders. Such areas include Teso, where NRM has got only 3 MPs, Acholi were NRM has got only 1 MP and West-Nile.

For the record, Rwanda is far below Uganda in all features of social development. For example, while poverty levels are 31% in Uganda, they are 40% in Rwanda, even with production of foods, Uganda according to all recent Global Indexs is the regional food basket with a better food security than even Kenya, Sudan and Tanzania, again, Rwanda is behind. Overall, it is only Kenya that beats Uganda on all averages.

2011 might offer some surprises as far as Kampala is concerned. There may not be so much change as far as MPs are concerned, but with Local Governance, it will be a very different matter. Residents accuse the DP leadership in the city for failing them. Mayor Nasser Ssebagala came riding on a very populist ticket that his failure to change the face of the city has deflated all those oppositionists who had faith in him. The election of Peter Ssematimba in Rubaga Division was partly as a result of this opposition disappointment. In fact, during those by-elections, almost all councilors elected, including Minsa Kabanda of the Central Division were NRM. Among the MPs, Lukwago (Central) Ssebagala (Kawempe) Ssebuliba (Kawempe south) Hussein Kyanjo (Makindye) Beti Kamya (Rubaga North) are unshakable and will return.

It is not only Ssebagala who is not performing, even other DP LC3 chairmen, for example Nasser Takuba in Kawempe and Moses ‘Bill Gates’ Kalungi are not doing well. Even Nakawa division under Protazio Kintu is these days full of conflicts rather than positive administration. of the 5 divisions in the city, only the Central division under NRM has had less internal wrangles compared to the rest. For Ssematimba, it is still early to judge him. I see a time when the population simply lets go of these DP leaders and replace them with either independents or NRM. I bet on that.

There are things that you can see and conclude that so and so has performed. For example in urban areas like Kampala, the presence of garbage heaps means that the authorities have failed in the garbage collection task. The development of more slums and unplanned structures means that the authorities have failed on that task too, the pot-holes in the roads around the city means that the authorities have failed etc-then you combine these with on the spot views of the population about their leader and i assure you that Kampala is failing on all those fronts.

As far as Nasasira is concerned, i can give him 60% performance accross the country. If he is judged on Kampala alone, then he gets below average, but accross the country he gets at least 60% and this is why. At the moment, all major highways have got or are getting new tarmac. Such include Bombo-Karuma, Busunju-Hoima, Masaka-Mbarara, Masaka-Kampala, Soroti-Dokolo-Lira, Northern by pass, Gulu-Atik-Nimule etc. Secondly, roads that did not formerly have tarmac are being tarmacked at the moment and these include Gayaza-Wobulenzi, Matuga-Semuto-Kapeeka, Ntungamo-Kabale-Kisoro etc.

Previously, he also over saw the tarmacking of Kafu-Masindi, Karuma-Arua, Mubende-Fortportal etc and all these are major links. In reality, Nasasira is not a failure if you take out politics.

Kagonyera failed to harmonise issues at NSSF so he is a failure and about Akankwasa, he is currently under the radar for issues related to his wife and money, but not his work at NFA. Those are DPs and everybody knows them.

Joshua Kato

Journalist

Fratricidal Political myopia in Uganda

October 6, 2009 at 6:33 pm (2009 -2011 elections, POLITICS)
Tags: christopher Muwanga

Summary: The plunder of common resources in today’s Uganda is so rampant and merciless that those in power sometimes dispose of something {through selling it to themselves through someone else to manage, most usually, an Asian}, only later to need the facility themselves. The public parks and other green-grounds to the east of Kololo hill are a good example. Nice reading.

1/4.When Muniini K. Mulera [The daily Monitor Opinion, 5^th October, 2009] talks of “public lands and forests and greenbelts given away to developers and other … “, I cannot but recall the “cannibalism” of the powers that be regarding the ‘rape’ of open space, the same space that they themselves have been benefitting from. A good example is the green parks between Shell Lugogo and the near-by Indoor Stadium and that directly to the east of Kololo National ceremonial grounds.

2/4.The earlier administrations, since 1954, had left these green-spaces for up-country buses/vehicles, army and school transport, to deposit the hordes of praise singers and school marchers during independence and other public celebrations at Kololo airstrip and during public music festivals and sports events at the nearby stadia [Kyadondo and Kampala rugby grounds, the cricket grounds, the 8-KCC football pitches, the indoor facilities, etc].

3/4. Now, these have been replaced by a forest of “Indian” concrete structures.

4/4. Paradox: When President elect Museveni was being sworn in last time, the upcountry supporters had no where park and all the roads ended up being blocked and traffic paralyzed. Many never had a chance of reaching the venue. Talk of eating the cake and then asking for it!!! The chaos caused by lack of parking space during the recent music contests between our musicians and when foreign artists perform here, is clear proof of the “shot-sightedness” of our planners, misused by our hungry politicians.

Christopher Muwanga,

Nakasero,

Kampala.

If Ugandans are fed up with Unitarism, let them have federo

October 6, 2009 at 3:20 pm (Federalism, KINGDOMS, POLITICS)
Tags: John Nsubuga

Fellow Ugandans,

Do not allow your self to be split into half between then and now, by some of these illusionists. Uganda’s problems did not start yesterday, and they were not going to be solved by president Museveni alone coming to power…NO! Therefore, when faced with a situation where people demand to opt out of the unitary model of governance, you should start with addressing the causes, and not the symptoms. At that stage, it is late. When some one forces you to expound on why you prefer model A to B, with out first asking you why you arrived to that decision in the first place, then that person is taking un necessary short cuts. Had model B not been disfunctional, there wouldn’t have been a need to demand for model A.

For instance, when people profoundly report to you that there is a gross public funds mismanagement, but you choose to respond with turn off statements like ” those thieves are historicals” then you’re the problem.

But if you must debate the merits and demerits of federalism therefore, you can not omit the causes that have brought about the thirst to quench the rampant marginalisation we’re seeing in Uganda today. If somebody has a better option to sort out these problems once and for all, then why don’t they table them for scrutiny, instead of the half backed regional tier offer? When the war of liberation was being waged, it was very popular, even with all the losses that were being inflicted on the people that supported the NRA. Like wise, had the unitary model of governance been popular, those agitating for federalism would have found it very difficult to put their message across. Their actions would have been resisted by the the majority of Ugandans, as opposed to a few handful generals and some other opportunists making sporadic noises.

The constitution of Uganda clearly states that, “Power belongs to the people“. There is only one way for those who can, to deal with that segment of the constitution of Uganda. To either flout it, or respect it, but you can not have it both ways. When Ugandans demand that they want a certain system of governess, because what is being imposed on them has not yielded much since 1962, then they are simply referring you to article number (1) as enshrined in that precious document of ours. Is there anything wrong with that? If you disagree with that part, then you can opt for the lesser strainful panya road. You give five million to some people in Parliament, and they will purge that line and change it to read “Power belongs to me alone“

John Nsubuga

UAH forumist

Listen members, good ideas are not adopted automatically, but driven into practice with courageous patience and determination. Now, get moving!!

Uganda issue by VP,Bukenya Gilbert

September 21, 2009 at 8:37 pm (Diaspora, KINGDOMS, POLITICS)
Tags: Gilbert Bukenya

The Uganda Issue

My brothers and sisters, Uganda must move forward.

We should not delay its development any longer.

I am a very strong supporter of King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi and the Kingdom but I am also a very strong supporter of the Democratic Republic of Uganda in which the Kingdom is.

This means that we have to leave political power to the elected leaders of Uganda and cultural power to the Kingdoms and other cultural leaders within Uganda. These leaders know details of everything and if we give them time and a suitable environment they will surely come to a consensus. Distorting this will mean violence because we will react before knowing the bottom line of the situation.

We, the Baganda must know that we live in Uganda with other people of the same rights. When we demand, they also have a right to demand. When we destroy their properties, they may also have a right to do so.

Why can’t we live in harmony, love each other, respect each other and stop abusive language and the feeling that you are the only one!!!

My friends in the Diaspora just imagine you being segregated and even forced to leave where you are now because the natives don’t want you in their countries anymore? Would you welcome that?

Let us stop inciting hatred and confrontation. When one draws the gun what happens?? The innocent suffer and even die.

The question of a regional government is the answer to devolution of power. If the central government surrenders power to regions to manage education, health, road networks, culture, agriculture etc. this is a good beginning and regions can ask for more in the future after proof of efficiency and effective management.

Whatever we aspire to achieve, must be supported by other Ugandans.

We cannot work in Isolation.

Friends, alone we can do so little but together we can do so much.

Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit and intent on one purpose of developing our motherland.

Gilbert Bukenya

Vice presdient, Uganda

UAH forumist

Available at http://www.gilbertbukenya.org/unity.htm

Wake up ugandans and unite

September 21, 2009 at 8:23 pm (2009 -2011 elections, POLITICS, PRESIDENCY)
Tags: Tendo Kaluma

Fellow Ugandans,

For so long we have come to observe our ability to listen to each other erode. You can almost see it on the various public fora that we all contribute to as a people from the various tribes of Uganda. We are a bit impatient with each other, and we cannot wait to unleash the harshest remarks to cause unnecessary pain upon each other. I’m not sure whether that comes directly from poverty of spirituality, or a resultant of an oppressed people with a haunting violent past. Given that we come from a society that takes little pride in psychological trends the onus is upon us to recognize and desist rather unhealthy and disturbing trends that have come to define our own individual fragility.

I have also observed a more disturbing trend, emerge from our perspectives, one that has taken the peace and loving interiority of Baganda for a weakness rather than a quality attribute worthy of note for nation building.

Looking at their other counterparts the Hutu, a big difference demarcates their gathered response, but lets not be fooled even a gentleman pushed too far can show signs of fatigue.

Now it is up to the rest of the country to take note, that the walking mat status is being lifted and like a magic carpet be prepared for a rocky ride and a “DO NOT TRAMPLE UPON US” signs that preserves Buganda’s sensibility in all areas where folks once walked freely to unload their insensitivity.

I pity those who have not seen the light of quite disturbing trends and signs to become the last Baganda, to befriend a regime that has violated every spirit and aspiration of the Baganda people and many others who are currently taking inventory of loss.

Waking the sensitivity nerves of a sleeping giant, might have not been a bad thing for the country after all. I think there has been an observed absence of active participation of unfettered Baganda in management of the affairs of the nation.

Which is premise to the many gaffs on all attempted projects in the recent years. To run a nation for 24years, and still have no private industry to speak off, which can employ the few graduates put out each year is indeed an index of bad governance.

The killing of markets of Vanilla and other products that once fueled the engines of Buganda ain’t such a hot thing either.

I wonder what men of Buganda, who hid the president like Lutamaguzi of luweero, or Captain John Muleke who paid the ultimate price while protecting a man who used to parade their King as a friend at every opportune moment simply to peak their interest and loyalty in his cause, would say today.

Those who fed and shielded him during his utmost hour of need, have to be turning in their graves at the turning of guns on their remaining tribesmen. Like in the Rwanda Kisingani incident,somethings a forgotten but not fully forgiven until a genuine apology is rendered by the perpetrator.

I’m told that DR. Kiseka, a man of integrity sold an entire building to help the president’s cause when dawns were young; but money to care for him and his wife was painfully slow in coming, once the president was asked to return the same favour in peace time.

Leaving such folks that saved his life hung to dry, ought to have been tell-tell signs to the Baganda, indicative of the insensitivity of the president, vices that have helped drive many who liked him away.

How could he hope to continue rallying men behind his causes, having shown all qualities of an iron claded heart with those who shielded, and supported him. We know that nations have no friends, but little did we know that even our president like a nation has no friends just his own interests period.

Tendo Kaluma

Uganda in Boston

Statement from the Kalundi Serumaga family

September 19, 2009 at 7:27 am (2009 -2011 elections, POLITICS, Police)
Tags: Kalundi Serumaga

From The Sserumaga Family:

RE: THE UNLAWFUL ARREST, TORTURE AND DETENTION OF KALUNDI ROBERT SERUMAGA ON FRIDAY 11^TH SEPTEMBER 2009 UNTIL TUESDAY 15^TH SEPTEMBER 2009

ABDUCTON

KALUNDI ROBERT SERUMAGA WAS ABDUCTED BY 5 armed men outside the studios of WBS television, Spear House at about 11pm on Friday 11^th September 2009. Robert had just left the studios where he had appeared on Kibazo on Friday, a discussion programme.
He was in the company of Kibazo, Bernard Tabaire, Charles Rwomushana and Mary Ikazi. The men approached him as their group broke up.
As they departed, Mr Sserumaga was approached by the men, two of whom took hold of him by the belt, and told him they were arresting him. He asked them who they were to which one responded police. He held up a piece of paper which may or may not have been an identity card, as he looked away. They then immediately began to assault him.
Mr Sserumaga put up a fight until they threw him to the ground. After that he threw his telephones towards his colleagues.
He then fell unconscious and was dragged from the scene to De Winton Road and was bundled in to the back seat of a waiting Toyota Mark II. He regained consciousness in the car as the men tried to undress him and remove things from his pockets. When he started demanding to taken to a police station, one of the men tried to cover his mouth, and another fight ensued. As he fought to resist them they punched him and gouged at his eyes with their fingers, and also bent his head backwards and choked him.

JATT/KIREKA 11^TH SEPTEMBER 2009

He was driven to Kireka and logged in to a book and put in a cell with 25 other men, mainly youth.
In the morning, a procession of guards came to the cell door and made all manner of threats to his life, and make sectarian insults to him, as well as the other prisoners. Finally the doors flew open and a tall well-built and well-dressed man in his mid-forties stood in the doorway and began to slap and punch him in the face while demanding answers.
This statement is supported by the medical examination carried out by Dr M. Galukande at International Medical Centre, KPC building on 13^th and International Hospital, Kisugu between 13^th and 15^th September 2009.
Kizito Sserumaga searched all Police Stations in Kampala from that time to 3 am to no avail.

CENTRAL POLICE STATION 12^TH SEPTEMBER 2009

Kizito contacted the Irish Embassy as Robert is a citizen of Ireland by birth. We went to Central Police Station (CPS) where we were told he was not there and his whereabouts were unknown. We made a public appeal via NTV outside CPS and we were surrounded by 5 armed soldiers in red berets and two plainclothes men. We immediately made another appeal at a Press Conference organized by UJA. During that conference, the Irish Embassy informed us Robert was being transported to CPS after which we went back to CPS. We found Kalundi Robert Sserumaga in the custody of Jonah Kule, O/C CID, at CPS. He was being held handcuffed with two other gentlemen, both Local Councillors from Makindye Division area. They had been tricked out of their houses at night on the pretext that there was a disturbance in the area, and then bundled in to a van at gunpoint and taken to Kireka.
We immediately asked that Robert be allowed medical attention. Kule insisted on waiting from instructions but that we would be able to do so. Later we were informed Robert was going to be released after i). WBS deposited a film of the Kibazo on Friday broadcast with CPS, ii) that Robert make 2 supplementary statements and iii). that he provide 3 sureties. These conditions were met. After the process of providing the sureties, Kule suddenly ordered us all out of the room, including Ernest Kalibbala the lawyer and then informed Robert that he had orders from above to return him to the cells.
We escorted Robert to the ground floor. After that the police physically pushed us out of the station entrance and down the stairs while brandishing sticks. Those of us already outside were threatened by the armed soldiers seated along the wall, numbering over ten and the man in plain clothes from earlier who was carrying a stick.
13^th SEPTEMBER 2009 We returned to CPS where Robert was now without shoes and had still not received medical attention. He had tried to inform a woman officer –one Commissioner Ayisu- in CID that he had been assaulted at which she laughed and said it was impossible. Mr Simon Kuteesa, Head of Media crimes informed us that he does not put people in car boots. He received a telephone call in our presence and said in our hearing that the prisoner ‘did not look too bad’. The entire time, there were two mambas, outside the station, countless men in plainclothes carrying sticks and whips, people in police uniform carrying sticks.
In the afternoon, we telephoned John Nagenda, Media Adviser to the President. We informed him that the story had broken in the international media and that we were going to continue to campaign for Robert’s release. Mr Nagenda was at that point was aware of the abduction but not of the torture. He arranged for us to meet Major General Kale Kayihura, Inspector General of Police. Mr Kayihura informed us the Irish ambassador had spoken to him and asked us what we wanted. We said our first priority was medical attention for Robert. Secondly we were formally complaining about being physically assaulted and ejected from CPS. Mr Kayihura telephoned Mr Ochom, Director CID, CPS and instructed him to have Robert examined at a hospital of our choice and admitted at a hospital of our choice if necessary. IGP Kayihura also telephoned Mr Sorowen the officer in charge of CPS and instructed him to ensure there was no humiliation of suspects and their relatives and the public generally. IGP summoned Mr Ochom and instructed him to implement everything agreed in that meeting and to ensure Robert was taken to a hospital of his choice immediately. He called in on Johnson Karugaba of the Professional Standards Unit to investigate our complaints. We then returned to CPS.

MEDICAL ATTENTION

After the Police Surgeon, Dr Moses Byaruhanga arrived, we traveled to International Medical Centre at KPC, under guard. There was an attempt to make Robert travel without shoes in order to humiliate him which we resisted. The armed and uniformed policemen sitting on the back of the pick-up truck and the plainclothes policemen became angry and said they would teach M. Serumaga a lesson (‘Tujja kukulaga enkola’.)
Dr Moses Galukande carried out the examination and the results are consistent with Robert’s description of the assault. He diagnosed concussion as Robert could not account for some time between the first onslaught and being bundled in to the car. He recommended observation, neurological tests and rest. Immediately Dr Byaruhanga stated that he had to be referred to Mulago Hospital. He said it was the law and that Mulago was ‘the national referral hospital’. When he insisted, Mary Serumaga tried but failed to telephone IGP, Kale Kayihura. She then telephoned Mr J. Nagenda who spoke to Dr Byaruhanga and told him there was no problem with admitting Robert at International Hospital Kampala as long as he was under guard. He said Government’s only reservation was that we should not expect them to pay the bills, which we accepted. Dr Byaruhanga still insisted that he needed to speak to Mr Ochom, Director CID. We refused to board the vehicles to be taken to Mulago Hospital, a government institution which we felt to be unsafe. Robert stated if they inssted on Mulago, he would prefer to retun to the CPS cells without any treatment. After nearly an hour Mr Ochom relented and allowed us to go to IHK.
13^th September 2009 Robert was admitted at IHK at approximately, nearly 48 hours after he had been very seriously assaulted.
Dr Galukande diagnosed concussion and recommended neurological tests. We returned to CPS to collect Robert’s bags. Again, Kule introduced another condition. He wanted, Robert to sign a charge sheet before going to hospital. He also wanted his passport. We ignored both instructions as 48 hours had elapsed and the police were merely trying to legitimize their abduction of Robert Sserumaga. Eventually Kule gave in and we proceeded to IHK.
Robert was admitted to IHK at about 8.30pm where he underwent tests and had some bed-rest. He was escorted by over 5 armed soldiers to Kampala Hospital for a CT scan.

FORMAL CHARGES

Tuesday 15^th 2009 we were informed that Robert would be collected from the hospital at 10am to go to the Police for finger-printing and formal charging. Robert refused at first to co-operate because he wanted it to be acknowledged that he was being charged after 48 hours of detention had elapsed, i.e. he had been being held illegally.
Robert was produced at Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court and charged with 6 counts of sedition resulting from his remarks on Kibazo. The State opposed bail and was overruled by the Magistrate on the grounds that even if Robert were a flight risk, that could be cured by his depositing his passport with the Court. Also that because the validity of the sedition laws was being challenged in the Constitutional Court and it was not possible to try Robert immediately, he would grant bail.
We reported to IGP’s office that we were surrounded by ‘security operatives’ outside the court building eavesdropping on our conversations and stated we were holding IGP responsible for our continued security, and left the Court.

LEGAL AND MEDICAL COSTS AND SOLIDARITY

We would like to express our gratitude to the members of our communities and the public for your overwhelming support. The journalism profession has been a pillar of strength and has boosted our morale with their presence and their coverage.
We are grateful to Open Society, Uganda Journalists’ Association, and East African Journalists’ Association all of whom have offered to pay Kalundi Robert Sserumaga’s legal costs. We are grateful for the fact that his medical costs were covered in advance and without our knowledge. P. E. N. International Clifford Derrick Committee to Protect Journalists (S. Africa) have also expressed solidarity.

INVESTIGATION IN TO THE ABDUCTION AND TORTURE

During the time we were waiting for Dr Galukande’s report at IM Centre, Mary Ikazi spotted a man in a lavender jacket, white cap and dark glasses. He was carrying a long thin stick or car, that were commonly used by kiboko squad members during the rioting. He was short in stature, about 5ft tall. He was peeping through the window of IMC where he had been sitting with O/C CID, J. Kule. M. Ikazi froze and told us that he was one of the men who had abducted and assaulted Robert. Mary Serumaga photographed him with a cell phone. The plainclothes policemen with whom he was standing warned him that he was being photographed at which he covered his face with his lapels, turned his back and then they all scattered. One policeman returned and took photographs of M. Serumaga and M. Ikazi. [The following Tuesday at Kibuli Police Station they filmed M. Serumaga and made close-up films of Robert’s children in our view. This was an act of intimidation.]
14 September 2009 at about 5.30pm we spoke to IGP Kayihura about the police brutality experienced by Robert Sserumaga. We thanked him for finally permitting the delayed medical treatment even though it required the intervention of the Ambassador of Ireland and other lovers of justice and peace before he acted. We showed him the photograph of the man who had inserted his thumbs and fingers in Robert’s eyes and attempted to gouge them out. We informed him the man had followed us to the International Medical Centre and only ran away after we had photographed him. IGP stated he did not know the man but he would investigate. At first he said he and all those in plain clothes carrying sticks were policemen, if so, he is able to produce this man.
We informed IGP that his instructions about the medical facility Robert should be allowed to access were countermanded by Dr M. Byaruhanga the Police Surgeon and Mr Ochom, Director CID at CPS. They preferred to discuss the matter with persons unknown to us. He seemed to express shock that such clear instructions could be changed.
We requested Interpol be asked to help locate the abductors, to which IGP responded he has no objection although he would prefer we work with Uganda Police in the matter. He assigned Assistant IGP, Mr J.M. Okoth Ochola, in charge of Special Duties to investigate the matter. We agreed with Mr Okoth Ochola that we would contact him after the court appearance.
15^th September 2009, the same woman officer at CID who had refused to record Robert’s complaint of torture, telephoned him as he left court inviting him to make a statement.

THE WAY FORWARD

In view of the fact that the orders of Major General Kale Kayihura IGP are so easily countermanded by officers junior to him, receiving ‘orders from above’; that one of the offending officers (see paragraph 13 ) is now assigned to the investigating team; two officers Kule and Ayisu, have already dismissed the reports of assault as “impossible”, we decline to participate in the investigation unless Interpol is involved.
In any case we are unwilling for Robert to return to CPS or any other police station while suspected criminal elements are still employed and deployed there.
We demand disciplinary action is taken against Mr Edward Ochom, Director of CID at CPS for trying to ensure Robert was sent to Mulago where his safety would have been compromised. We demand to know from where above Kale Kayihura’s head, Mr Ochom was receiving instructions. As Director of CID at CPS where the kiboko squad move about freely and interact with senior officers and have meals in the police canteen, we hold Ochom responsible for the deployment of the kiboko squad to abduct, detain and torture Kalundi Robert Sserumaga.
We demand the same in regard to Dr Moses Byaruhanga who kept us at IM Centre for over 30 minutes while liaising on the telephone about sending Robert to Mulago. Although he was supposed to carry out his own examination, he did not and it appears his role was to ensure Robert was admitted to Mulago Hospital. He failed in that.
We demand the investigation of the plainclothes policeman who filmed Robert’s children at Kibuli Police Station on 15^th September 2009 and those who threatened Robert’s family on 12^th and 13 September outside CPS.
We demand the investigation of Simon Kuteesa’s role in the abduction and torture of Kalundi Robert Sserumaga. Kuteesa was instrumental in convincing us on 13^th September that Robert was going to be released for medical treatment in a few hours as long as he had three sureties and a passport. He then vanished at about 10pm before Kule said he had ‘orders from above’ to detain him further. Kuteesa has consistently acted in an unprofessional manner treating our complaints about torture as a joke. He too receives anonymous ‘orders from above’ and made a ‘phonecall assuring someone that Robert was not too badly injured even though he had no medical evidence. Simon Kuteesa is a callous and dangerous man.
We demand the immediate suspension and investigation of O/C CID, Jonah Kule who was seen in deep conversation with the perpetrator we managed to photograph outside IM Centre during Robert’s medical examination, Kule is in direct command of the kiboko squad and is a danger to all Ugandans.

0782199589

The End.

On Sat, Sep 19, 2009 at 6:09 AM, Kalundi Serumaga <kalundi@yahoo.com> wrote:
Greetings Charles, and thanks for your concern.

This is a summary of the situation as it stands to date.

Regards,

Kalundi Serumaga

6 Comments

Byaruhanga is being unrealistic on the Kabaka

September 15, 2009 at 2:36 am (2009 -2011 elections, KINGDOMS, POLITICS)
Tags: oluni philip

Dear Mr. Byaruhanga .

As a Presidental Advisor I welcome your proposal for a “new law to regulate” cultural leaders. That law would be a Federal Constitution. Under a federal constitution, the Kabaka’s “powers of state” would be devolved to the Katikiro. At the moment because of lack of a fedeeral constitution the Kabaka is caught up deep in the politics of his Kingdom.

You are mistaken in your assertion that the Kabaka is “apolitical”. His Highness the Kabaka is the embodiment of the kingdom and people of Buagnda. The Kabaka is a deeply political animal by nature. But if you want to remove His Highness the Kabaka from the hazards of daily politics then you must grant a federal constitution. Simply writing the “do” and “don’t” for His Highness the Kabaka to follow will not work, BE WARNED.

THE CRUX OF THE PROBLEM

1. Mr. Byaruhanga I wish to draw your attention to an embarassing situation regarding the current “status” of His Highness the Kabaka. In the last few days I read in the press (The Monitor, 10, September, 2009) where President Museveni was quoted as saying that he tried calling His Highness the Kabaka for the last two years but the Kabaka would neither pick nor return his calls. The question is, did the President try to call His Highness the Kabaka to discuss cultural matters or was it about government Policy? It is more the latter rather than the former. So, His Excellency the President of Uganda is himself dragging the Kabaka squarely into politics through his action of calling the Kabaka to discuss Policy. The Kabaka should be permanently out of politics, not just when it suits the government.

2. In the same press report, President Museveni was quoted as saying or implying that His Highness the Kabaka wanted him (the President) to discuss these issues with the Katikiro, but that he “does not want to deal with unelected officials” (The Monitor, 10, September, 2009). So, in trying to aviod dealing with the Katikiro who is not an elected official, the President ends up dragging the Kabaka into politics whenever he discusses with him Policy. How? Because the Kabaka might have to give the President his opinion about policy which is political. The way out of the ampasse is again the grant of a federal constitution, which recognises the government of the kingdom/state of Buganda. In that way the Katikiro will become an elected official, and the President can then discuss policy with him.

3. In order to address the 1961 situation that you refer to below, the solution was found by way of granting Buganda a Federal Status in the Constitution during the Lancaster Conference. At the subsequest Lukiiko elections in 1962, the Baganda participated in the elections peacefully and no one had their banana plantation chopped down.

Regards

Pilipo Oruni Oloya

I apologise to those who warned us against M7

September 12, 2009 at 4:46 pm (2009 -2011 elections, POLITICS, PRESIDENCY)
Tags: Jessica Nakawombe

So what were we liberated from in 1986? What vision is that? I deeply regret all what I thought about this Govt. and President. Many people warned us that he was not the character he portrayed himself to be. I told off many well intentioned people. Many of us were hoodwinked by the so called uplifting of women, fighting poverty, restoring kingdoms. I make a public apology to all of them including Hon. Sebaana Kizito. The 10 point program was indeed a hoodwink as a bait to get us. For these last 23 years and so I have watched my people getting poorer and poorer, disenfranchised, disempowered, losing morality, getting arrested, their mouths being muzzled, etc. We have kept quiet for so long in fear of our lives and our loved ones. We can no longer be silent. We have to document our experiences so those after us should not be hoodwinked by those who come singing Buganda. For those who come singing liberation. Buganda and Uganda is NO LONGER AT EASE for THINGS HAVE FALLEN APART. Oppression is just continuing in every area.

Remember Oluyimba lwa Wankoko

Wole Soyinka

Waangari Maathai

Ngugi wa Thiongo

Chinua Achebe,

Harriet Tubman,

Steven Biko,

Aung San Suu Kyi, etc.

A more significant phase should mean serious political dialogue.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

I have been free for more than a month. Some people may think that that is long enough. Others may think that that is not quite long enough.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

I saw many aspects of the country which I needed to see in order that I might know what we need to do.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

I was surprised by the response of young people because there is a perception that those younger than the 1988 generation are not interested in politics.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

Once serious political dialogue has begun, the international community can assume that we have achieved genuine progress along the road to real democratisation.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

Sanctions and boycotts would be tied to serious political dialogue.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

There is so much that we need to do for our country. I don’t think that we can afford to wait.

Those of us who still have our voices we shall continue to speak and write.

We shall continue to demand our human rights and freedom to express ourselves.

We are the Sojourner Truths of today, the Rosa Parks of today, the Nelson Mandelas, the Martin Luther Kings of today, the William Wilberfoces of today.

And we shall no longer be silenced for the blood of our brothers and sisters is crying out to us from the earth to demand for justice. Even when others are killed, others will be born. “Awakula ennume tewakula emu.

We shall arise and we shall not be stopped.

15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’ “

18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with very loud voice.

( Chronicles 20)

Rev. Jessica Nakawombe

UAH forumist

“Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified…” ( Joshua 1:9)

M7’s “Bantustans” mis-named

August 18, 2009 at 12:19 pm (POLITICS, PRESIDENCY)
Tags: christopher Muwanga

1/4. When M7 wants to ‘manage‘ some people that have not supported him or to break the unity of a determined group or still, to bribe a certain sychophat from a village, he calls together his henchmen and they draw lines on the village map splitting the friends and enemies into 2 or more, so that they may develop ’separately’ or apart from one another, disunited- [typical apartheid]‘

2/4. In many cases, these are an exact replica of the South-African Bantustans under APARTHEID before 1994. Good examples are Kiruhura, Kisoro, Kanungu, Kabula, Kayunga, ……

3/4. In some cases, however, the bribing exercise results into something else, not just a “bantustan”. For example, the new Mujuku area is not really a “Bantustan” but in reality, a “Tesostan” [though it will encompass Tororo municipality where the 'japs' (Dhopadhola) are majority, who may need to be 'ring-fenced' in future, to survive]. May be, the new Kisoko creation is not a Bantustan either, after all, but a “Jopastan“, short for “Jopadolastan“. In that measure, I do not know what the right name for Bukwo, for Amulata etc will be called by future historians, who will study the rise and fall of the projects in an area once called “Uganda”. Then ofcourse, ‘ring-fencing’ a la Bunyoro will be the order of the day.

4/4. Paraphrasing iron lady Beti Kamya: “I cannot fathom what Uganda/Ugandans did to deseve this, such treatment” from Emperor M7.

Christopher Muwanga,

Nakasero,

Kampala.

18.08.2009

Are Bakiga being targeted in Bunyoro?

August 12, 2009 at 3:56 pm (Federalism, Genocides, POLITICS)
Tags: Billie Kadameri

Dear UAH,

I notice that other people who settled in Bunyoro have been elected to leadership positions there. Although The Monitor says Kibanda county MP Amooti Otada is Munyoro, he is actually a Paluo (derogatorily referred to at times as Chope).

His father Opio Owor is a big businessman in both Lira and Karuma areas. Some people there have Kinyoro names when they are Luo, such as former Obote II Prisons Commissioner Barnabas Byabazaire (Langi) or special forces chief Ahmed Ogeny (Paluo).

In Kibanda county there is a big settlement of Luos from Acholi (who fled Kony and other Langi, just having fun). That was why Amooti Otada went through unopposed.

My question is: why is the impression being created that only Bakiga are being targeted? Is it not right to discuss President Museveni’s proposals with open minds, bringing on board all those issues?

I think the Bakiga have a right to stand for office anywhere though I doubt any of the people talking about this will allow Bakiga settler citizens to stand in Acholi, Lango, or Teso if they moved there.

Bakiga leaders Adolf Mwesige and Dora Byamukama (East African Parliament have been elected before in Kabarole and it is causing no problem there. Let us discuss why it is that the Banyoro are complaining. Bunyoro is a kind of melting pot for Uganda, much like Kampala and Jinja (Dr Ojok Mulozi, Freddie Ruhindi and Odaka and Harry Kasigwa come to mind).

I recently gave a call to a Lugbara friend of mine and he told me ‘I am at home in the village’. I asked him ‘how is Arua?’ He said ’no, no, my village is in Isimba, Masindi dsitrict!’.

A real melting pot indeed!

Just as the Igbo elder would say, ‘ahem’ to you. I have a village in my home district and I have another urban in in the Wakiso urban area bordering Kampala. I do not think our villagers in Wakiso will take on each other. I have seen them rise up and take on night robbers and thugs. That is their and our common challenge.

Billie Kademeri

Ugandan journalist based in France

3 Comments

Federalism in Uganda is a Stone Age issue

August 5, 2009 at 3:28 pm (Federalism, Land matters, POLITICS)
Tags: Kayondo Edward

Fellow netters, it’s the DNA of ethnicity that makes federalism in Uganda a Stone Age issue. We are currently not able to survive in the caves of our forefathers or hem in our brains like coconuts, the world is way wide open, opportunities are every where and the level of interdependence needed to survive these days is more than palpable, and so constricting.

For starters, those who have there eyes to the future (all true leaders should be visionaries), the definition of an ethnic group on which federalism is centered should be clearly explained. For a generation like ours, one for example will ask who is a true Muganda? My kids can marry or get married to any one they choose and excuse me but tribe will not be on my wish list for a suitable partner. Pluralism is a norm for many Ugandans scattered in and outside our borders. Diversities within many individuals are conflicts many don’t even want to address. Many can identify with Tiger Woods answer on the question of him being Black or African American.

So the question then is who is deceiving who? Who is going to benefit from this federalism movement? In the central area, baganda will benefit you would say, but then who is a muganda. The litmus test is before our eyes, who is benefiting from the few assets that those who want more currently own. Don’t forget that it’s the same people who administrate Bulange and its controversies that are holding the steering wheel for federalism.

For federalism to work we should have some other galvanizing force in the stipulated regions other than ethnic groups. On record I don’t think the failures in Uganda can be fixed with federalism. We are better of installing a couple bulbs in the heads of our current leaders , drill holes in some coconut skulls or scavenge for a few brighter minds.

For God and My Country.

Dr. Kayondo Eddie, MD

Museveni is right on Bunyoro

August 5, 2009 at 3:16 pm (CULTURE, POLITICS)
Tags: kyjomanyi

Folks:

The reaction to President Museveni’s innovative proposal illustrates one thing : NRMO and perhaps even President Museveni himself take online forums very seriously. They are the ones distilling ideas and benefiting from them. Sections of the opposition may be represented in Ugandan online forums but they are asleep like maziwa laala.

Sections of the opposition (so far not DP and UPC) have responded out of ignorance to President Museveni idea. To hear FDC people react is revealing as how strategically inept and dumb they are.

For starters-those interested in Ethnic federalism should spend their time and read the proposal at www.federo.com and yes you FDC people you better read it too-there is nothing illegal or unconstitutional about Ethnic federalism were President Museveni choose to have it legalized. Let those speaking from a position of ignorance do some Google search if they are too lazy to visit www.federo.com whether there are countries with stronger protections against discrimination than Uganda that have embraced Ethnic Federalism.

Did sections of the opposition even digest YKM’s letter? In whose interest was the proposal being put forward? Well YKM is actually trying to make Bunyoro hospital to land seekers aka bafuruki/internal immigrants. But YKM also sent a clear message top land seekers: yes go seek land in Bunyoro but forget dominating Banyoro. Forget it kabisa and completely.

Now here is a question to UAH: which ethnic group in Uganda is willing to be dominated by abafuruki’ and seekers/newcomers? People should name me some example.

Secondary, why would land seekers/Abafuruki try to dominate ‘owners’? I challenge sections of the opposition who believe that YKM has committed political suicide to go to any part of Uganda and find out whether they disagree with YKM’s proposal. I may have lived out of that country for 20 plus years, but I am willing to bet that the majority, yes the majority of Ugandans agree 110 with President Museveni. They will cheer him in the hope that he will be consistent on the question of “Abafuruki”-what is the meaning of this word anyways?

Once again, I fully endorse President Museveni.

If some of the Abafuruki are full of themselves that are they are political geniuses, like I have said let them go back to their respective home/original/ethnic homelands and offer them leadership too. Charity begins at home.

Mark you every ethnic groups has its home base so go back there and contest for political office.
Guess what, either people embrace YKM’s proposal or no land. President Museveni could not put it that crudely but that is the matter folks.

Also remember that YKM needs to keep three regions-Buganda, Busoga and Bunyoro within NRMO territory to win. He just did with Bunyoro.

But on a serious note why are sections of the opposition not politically savvy? Why do not they not reflect a bit more? Put simply, why do they respond faaaa!

WBK

Museveni was never a member of DP!

July 15, 2009 at 4:27 pm (1980 elections, POLITICS)

Dear all ,

Ssebaana in no liar. Museveni states that he was a member of the Democratic Party. I repeat here Museveni was never a member! What my brother Abbey fails to do is to distinguish between the several categories that are found in a functioning political party. Parties have Members, Supporters, and Sympathizers. The research we have conducted indicates that he was a sympathizer for a very brief time; the question we could not answer, was as to whether he was sympathizing with DP because he was a benefactor of a strong DP family or it was ideological? As far as we know Museveni was even never a supporter of DP. Actually some of the confusion in Uganda’s political parties is for many to see parties as mass movements. Not every body who puts on blue, red, black during an electioneering period is a UPC or any one who clenches his/her fist and screams “Egumire” becomes a DP Member.

Members

:- Usually they hold membership cards, they can vote and be voted in party elections. Often they pay a membership/and/or a subscription fee and they are usually bound by a code and have specific obligations to the party.

Supporters:-

Usually they provide material and financial support to the party. (i.e. Mr. Sudhir R. Is a supporter of NRM, FDC, and DP.) These can influence party policies through there contribution. They do not vote and they are not bound by the party codes.

Sympathizers

:- Usually independents, who vote for a given party of their choosing. Some can continually have feelings for a single party over a long period of time. Usually there only contribution is the vote to the given party.

Re-read Bwengye’s “The Agony of Uganda” (Regency Press), it is a long time since I read it, but the facts are that Museveni came to DP leaders and asked them to give him the party leadership. At the end of the negotiation he wanted on of the three most senior positions in the party. When DP told him that all party position are not given, bur he will have to face an electorate he scrummed. His collegues like Buzabo (RIP) T. Kabwegyere, stayed and stood for offices.

Mzee Ssebaana is no liar, it is museveni who is a congenital and pathological liar. He know very well that he was never a member of DP. And who believes the “messed-up seed”, it is a pack of made up stories at best. The only truth about that book is that he wrote it!

Abbey, also check your argument that many Bahima were DP members. Real data may tell you a different story.

Addendum

:- DP was never opposed to the Federal status for Uganda. Our argument then and now was to not to page it to individuals, but look at it as a system of government. The Kind of Federal that was granted to some parts of the country in 1959/1960 was surely bound to fail. It is for the same reason that people should not be asking for Federalism from Museveni, we need to have a nation conversation as Ugandans and decide for ourselves. If Museveni “grants” anybody federal, minus the involvement of Ugandans it will be equally sham. DP fully participated and voted for the principal of federalism, the disagreement was in the details of how it would be structured and its leaderships.

The only battle worth fighting in the proposed Kampala takeover is the democratic right of Kampalans

July 14, 2009 at 9:51 pm (KINGDOMS, Kampala, Land matters, POLITICS)
Tags: Desmond Nzana

Ugandans At Heart,

While we await the official position of the FDC party on the Kampala Bill and the taking over Kampala by the central administration, let me volunteer the following personal perception:
1. FDC is unlikely to support the dilution of democracy as is proposed in this new Kampala bill. The people of Kampala deserve the right to be governed by their popular will just as other Ugandans in any other district. If other Districts are going to continue electing the LC5 chair persons by adult suffrage, why should city dwellers be denied this right
2.The question of territory is also not very clear, the expansion of the commercial attributes of Kampala into the areas surrounding it is inevitable. Urbanisation is on the up trend and that is good for our future, we can let the city expand into the neighboring Districts without first annexing them into Kampala. We could instead put in place the planning regulations in those areas that envisage such an eventuality.
3.These Districts should be prepared to host the growth of the city into their territory, it will be good for their revenues and I don’t see how it harms anybody least of all central GVT
4.Let Mukono, Entebbe Wakiso and Mpigi, be part of the same planning framework that envisages the commercial territory of Kampala growing into them but let them maintain their administrative identity. We can have a modern well governed metropolis that sits across several districts. It should not be impossible.

Having noted the above, it is also important that we remind ourselves that the district boundaries are not unchangeable. Article 179 (a&b) of the constitution empowers parliament by simple majority to alter boundaries of districts and to create new ones

Parliament has been creating new districts by splitting existing ones and what is proposed in this new bill is not new, only that in this case, chunks of existing Districts are being added to another existing District. There is nothing illegal in it

What is contentious is that the Districts losing territory are all deemed to belong to Buganda but Kampala which is to gain the territory does not.

Ugandans need to remember, that the only territory that the constitution considers immutable is the territory of Uganda as defined in the second schedule. Everything else within the territory of Uganda can be adjusted for administrative, cultural and political convenience as long as it is done in accordance with the constitution.

The regions, ie Acholi, Ankole, Busoga, Bunyoro, Buganda and Toro are not fixed territorial entities, they are instead groups of districts that consent or were deemed to have consented to co operate on cultural matters by article 178. This co operation is not irreversible. A District can democratically opt in or out acording 178(4).

The facts as per our constitution are as below:-
1.Districts can be created and adjusted by power of parliament. Their boundaries are determined by parliament
2.Regional groups (including Buganda) can be created and adjusted by the democratic consent of the districts involved. Their boundaries are determined by the vote of the district councils.
3.Theoretically Mbarara can vote itself out of Ankole to Buganda or choose to remain an attached like Kabale, Masindi could decide by vote to join the Acholi group. It may be difficult to imagine but it would all be legal and constitutional. Regional groupings by their constitutional status are more cultural than geographical.
4.If any Ugandans or Baganda for that mater are unhappy with the above constitutional disposition then the focus should be on constitutional reform, not political pressure when the other side is on solid legal ground. Eventually this matter may need a national referendum

The only battle worth fighting in the proposed Kampala takeover is the democratic right of Kampalans, and the maintenance of the entire council under universal Adult suffrage.

The issue of territory to me is secondary, because like I have elaborated above, within Uganda, there are no other unchangeable territories, no permanently fixed boundaries. Government can legally adjust district boundaries even if that may affect Buganda’s current deemed geography. But what is legally tenable may not necessarily be morally right or politically tenable.

Let me again reiterate that these are my personal views.

Desmond Nzana

FDC Activist and UAH forumist

The peasant mode of production must be stopped to avoid further famine

July 10, 2009 at 10:59 pm (Food and health, Land matters, POLITICS)
Tags: L/Cpl (rtd) Otto Patrick

Dear Ugandans,

I am recycling this message to once again emphasize that the uncertainty of national food supply (“food insecurity”) is a function of over-reliance on the peasant mode of production. The peasant mode of production has now reached its elastic limit and recurrent famine is clear testimony to that fact. The country must find the final solution to the peasant question. That population explosion bogey we keep resorting to whenever we come face-to-face with the limits of subsistence agriculture is sterile.

Uganda’s principle problem now is that it is experiencing an explosion of a population of elite that is mainly made up of part-time thinkers.

These were my words a few weeks ago:

1/6 An average person feeding on grains, legumes, vegetables and common meats requires about 300 Sq Metres of land to provide for his food requirements if the calorific consumption per day is the minimum requirement for a human being, i.e., about 2,600 calories per day; and assuming that there are 3 harvests per annum on that land.

2/6 An average human being requires at least 715 square metres of dwelling space at maximum dwelling density, this being the average amount of space per person in the great New York area.

3/6 Uganda has up to 5.2 million Hectares of arable land, that is, 13 million acres or 52 billion square meters. For the current population of 30 million, the optimum arable land one would expect to be used for food production, (assuming an average Ugandan consumes 2,500 calories of food per day – which he does not) is 18 billion square metres (30,000,000 x 300).

4/6 The amount of space that used for living is 2.15 billion sq M (30, 000,000 x 715) giving a total of 20.15 Billion Sq M that we would currently utilise if every Ugandan was taking up the maximum optimum living space (OLS) and consuming the recommended daily allowance of calories.

5/6 Therefore, out of our 52 Billion sq M, we are theoretically “using” only 38.75%. Basing on that computation, Uganda’s maximum carrying capacity is at least 77.42 million, which at the current rate of population increase shall be attained at 23:47 Hrs on 17 September 2036.

6/6 Note that, although we claim to be agricultural, our productivity is still abysmal. Kenya has only 4.6 million Hectares of land and they are able to add value agriculturally to the tune of $1,600 million per annum, compared to Uganda with 5.2 million hectares but adding value only to the tune of $574 million. Uganda’s value addition rate is about 36% that of Kenya. The difference can be attributed largely to Uganda’s peasant mode of production.

Lance Corporal (Rtd) Otto Patrick

DRIVERS OF DEMOGRAPHY: THE HOE, THE ASSEMBLY LINE AND THE MICROCHIP

July 10, 2009 at 10:54 pm (Food and health, Land matters, POLITICS)
Tags: L/Cpl (rtd) Otto Patrick

Dear UAH,

1/7 The Countries of the world can be divided into three clans according to the waves of major change that they have undergone. “First Wave” countries are the agrarian countries, whose Court of Arms is the hoe.. For such countries, man has only made one major transition: from being the hunter-gatherer to domesticating innocent beasts and cultivating crops. “Second Wave” countries are the industrial countries whose Court of Arms is the assembly line and “Third Wave” countries are the post-industrial or information age countries Court of Arms is the Microchip.

2/7 The way countries work, produce, consume, socialize, politic, celebrate the beginning or end of life, raise families, fight wars, etc ……the way we live is shaped by the wave of change that precedes our present mode of existence. Uganda today is a “First Wave” country, that is, one of those countries still living off the First wave of change unleashed ten thousand years ago by the invention of agriculture…about 90% of us are peasants just like England in 1381 during the peasant wars, and the 100 years war.

3/7 As you know, the precondition of any form human advancement is energy. First wave societies like Uganda get all their energy from “living batteries”: human/animal muscle power, or direct from nature…the sun, wind, water. If anything, Uganda is at the lowest end of the first wave: we have not even dared yet to make the transition from the use of human muscle power to harnessing animal muscle power. We are not yet where Europe was by the time of the French revolution when they drew their energy from an estimated 14 million horses and 24 million oxen which pulled ploughs and carts, with waterwheels and windmills turning millstones etc.

4/7 Look at Uganda : everything is dependent on human muscle power. Economic productivity of a low- grade first wave society like us is a function of the pairs of hands available to operate the hoe. It is not a question of “moral hazard” as any member of UAH would wish to think, or ‘dark nights’ as Professor Kamuntu believes, or lack of financial penalties on reproduction as Mr Obbo has mused. Making more and more pairs of hands available is a functional necessity. Unless we break out of agrarianism, our demographic profile will not change. The question here is: does high population growth cause poverty or it is poverty that causes a high population growth? If at all there is a causal relation between high population and poverty, then the latter is the cause and the former just a spinoff.

5/7 Civil War America graphically illustrates the contrast between First Wave and Second Wave demographics. That civil war was a clash between the industrialism of the North (Unionists) and agrarianism of the South (Confederates). The leader of the industrial cause, Abraham Lincoln had two siblings, while Jefferson Davis was the last born in a family of 10. You mentioned China ’s one child policy. China came up with the one child policy as soon as they started making the transition to the Second Wave. That policy has not been there all the time, as Mr Obargot has pointed out: it was conceived of in 1979, and implimented wef 2000. The policy applies only to 35.9% of the population: it is restricted only to the urban areas. It does not apply to rural couples, ethnic minorities, and parents without any siblings themselves, or special administrative regions like Hong Kong and Macao..

6/7 The argument on population explosion is not convincing on several grounds: I remember from the days I was a mortar man, whenever there was an explosion, there would be fragments all around.. With our population explosion, where are the fragments? We would expect to see a lot of old people around, yet globally, Uganda has the lowest number of people over the age of 65. Why? : Because of our high mortality rates. Just today, 2,794 children will be born in Uganda . By 13 March 2010, 184 of them will have died, not because today is Friday 13th. It is because in Uganda , 65.99 out of every 1,000 live births do not live to celebrate their first birth day. We rank No. 35 in the world. For the 1.02 million that will be born this year, those that will die will be the equivalent of 170 Boeing 747s packed with babies crashing at Entebbe at the rate of three per week. Here is the point: the rate at which organisms reproduce is always commensurate with the odds of survival. We reproduce a lot because we reduce a lot. It is not immorality, it is mortality stupid!

7/7 The high maternal mortality you have highlighted is incidental to those underlying factors. Uganda ranks at No. 23 in the world, with 510 mothers dying in child birth for every 100,000 live births. Sadly, as long as we remain a “First Wave” or peasant society that atrocity against the mothers shall only pass as an occupational hazard, the whims/political will (or lack thereof) of our lumpen-bourgeoisie notwithstanding. We are simply pushing the wrong buttons….Bottom line: we have to find the final solution to the peasant question.

Lance Corporal (Rtd) Otto Patrick

High Uganda population explained – A Shot in the Dark!…UGANDA….11.7 Bn

July 10, 2009 at 10:48 pm (Food and health, Land matters, POLITICS)
Tags: WB Kyijomanyi

L_Cpl Otto:

Professor Kamuntu should have reflected on his own admission that only 9% of Ugandans have electricity. If that is the case, how come the country is teaming with youth if only those with electricity are overdoing it?

Professor Kamuntu should be helping the government to come up with credible measures to curb the population explosion. Uganda will not come close to meeting its millennium goals if the population growth continues to grow at that rate. Similarly Uganda won’t be able to offer effective health care to the people with such numbers. It simply can’t even with plentiful oil money in the future.

Ugandans do not seem to appreciate the strong macroeconomic growth because the micro economic fundamentals are terrible. Very little attention has been paid to the household level which is both the victim and author of their own fate.

I understand the jist of Professor Kamuntu’s assertion: that lack of leisure and work activities forces Ugandans to engage in sexual activities. he should live that to undergraduate students of micro economics. As the the minister in charge of planning it was very timid. He should tell Ugandans the uncomfortable truth, which is that as long as they continue to produce many babies, their fate is doomed. Period. Done.

There is no magic bullet out of poverty at the household level. Needless to say, households with more children are likely to be poorer than households with fewer children. As the minister in charge of planning that is the message he should convey to Ugandans religiously. As they say he should stay on message over and over.

The big question is how to get there given the socially conservative environment in the country. Is the government of Uganda prepared to confront the elephant in the house and extend affordable, safe and accessible family planing services to those Ugandan women who want them? The minister can talk of natural methods if they want but the most effective method is well known.

Ugandans cannot have their cake and eat it too. No way. The best and yes more efficient method was the one suggested by Mr Onyango-Obbo in his Daily Nation column that to save Africa, time has come to levy a tax on babies. Incidentally land tax would also be the most efficient in the country but Ugandans are allergic to taxation (read the big men are the largest landholders). Yes, raise the cost of having babies without shifting the burden and cost on the poor Ugandan women. That could do the trick faster than this electricity angle.

The Minister as a respected economist should also help the state review the legacy of its policies. Are some govt policies contributing to the population explosion? For example could UPE and USE be having unintended consequences on population? How? Now that the barriers to education are no more even those Ugandans who may have sought of family planing/child spacing may not care anymore now that the burdens have been relieved.

You know Ugandans and their mentality “let us now produce the govt will educate” so they say. But wait a minute the govt won’t feed or dress those kids. Yes, it is proposing to treat them for free but not yet. Are the very policies aimed to hep Ugandans hurting them instead? That is for the govt to review and change course if necessary.

To be brunt, there is no political will to address the population explosion and its attendant poverty in Uganda. As a result the state is killing Ugandan women who have to produce until God relieves them of the burden.

WBK

Is there an inverse correlation between electricity consumption and size of population?

July 10, 2009 at 10:42 pm (Food and health, POLITICS, Parenting and sex)
Tags: L/Cpl (rtd) Otto Patrick

Dear UAH and Prof. Kamuntu,

Is there an inverse correlation between electricity consumption and size of population? Then Uganda would be popolluted!

Below are two global tables showing data on population density and energy consumption per capita .

Britain’s per capita consumption of power is 5773 KWh per person, Uganda is at 30 KWh. Uganda and Britain are about the same land area.. If we base population size on electricity consumption, Uganda’s population should be about 192 times that of Britain, i.e., 11.7 Billion. However, Uganda’s population is about half of that of Britain.. As you can see, Uganda’s population density is 120 persons per sqkm, that of Britain is 246.

How do you explain that discrepancy, ‘in light’ of your new hypothesis on ’shots in the dark’, Professor Kamuntu?

Also, another Professor told me that, Infant Mortality Rate is the number of infantry soldiers that die in any given battle. Did he tell me the truth?

Lance Corporal (Rtd) Otto Patrick
“THE SAME HEAT THAT MELTS THE BUTTER HARDENS THE EGG”

WORLD POPULATION DENSITY/PER CAPITA ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION: ANY CORRELATION

1	Monaco	32,671	1.95	16,754
2	Singapore	4,327,000	699	6,336
3	Gibraltar (UK)	27,921	6	4,654
4	Vatican City	821	0.44	1,866
5	Bahrain	1,046,814	720	1,454
6	Malta	401,880	316	1,272
7	Bermuda (UK)	64,174	53	1,211
8	Maldives	329,198	298	1,105
9	Bangladesh	150,448,339	143,998	1,045
10	Guernsey	65,726	78	842
11	Jersey	91,533	116	789
12	Palestinian territories	4,018,332	6,020	667
13	Nauru	13,635	21	649
14	Republic of China (commonly, “Taiwan”)	22,894,384	35,980	636
15	Barbados	269,556	430	627
16	Saint-Martin (France)	33,102	53.2	622
17	Mauritius	1,244,663	2,040	610
18	Aruba (Netherlands)	103,484	193	536
19	Mayotte (France)	186,452	374	499
20	South Korea	49,044,790	99,538	498
21	San Marino	28,117	61	461
22	Puerto Rico (US)	3,954,584	8,875	446
23	Tuvalu	10,441	26	402
24	Netherlands	16,423,431	41,528	395
25	Lebanon	4,011,000	10,452	386
26	Martinique (France)	395,932	1,102	359
27	Comoros	797,902	2,235	357
28	Rwanda	9,037,690	26,338	343
29	Marshall Islands	61,963	181	342
30	Belgium	10,419,050	30,528	341
31	Japan	128,084,700	377,873	339
32	India	1,103,371,000	3,287,263	336
33	El Salvador	6,880,951	21,041	327
34	Saint-Barthélemy (France)	6,852	21	326
35	American Samoa (US)	64,869	199	326
36	Israel	7,180,000	22,072	325
37	U.S. Virgin Islands (US)	111,818	347	322
38	Sri Lanka	20,742,910	65,610	316
39	Réunion (France)	785,139	2,510	313
40	Guam (US)	169,635	549	309
41	Haiti	8,527,777	27,750	307
42	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	119,051	388	307
43	Saint Lucia	160,765	539	298
44	Philippines	84,566,000	300,076	282
45	Burundi	7,547,515	27,834	271
46	Grenada	102,924	344	260
47	Trinidad and Tobago	1,305,236	5,130	254
48	Vietnam	84,238,230	331,689	254
49	Guadeloupe (France)	405,000	1,628	249
50	United Kingdom	60,776,238	242,900	246
51	Jamaica	2,650,713	10,991	241
52	Germany	82,689,210	357,022	232
53	Netherlands Antilles (Netherlands)	182,656	800	228
54	Liechtenstein	34,521	160	216
55	Pakistan	165,935,100	803,940	198
56	Italy	58,092,740	301,318	193
57

Way forward for Uganda is controversial

June 29, 2009 at 10:53 pm (POLITICS, PRESIDENCY)
Tags: Laman Masaba

Last week someone sent me an email reminding me that it was Heroes day in the Republic of Uganda. It came at a time when I was writing another article on the way forward for our great republic. With this in mind I have decided to write about both issues in this article.
I read the President’s address in Hoima on the subject of Heroes with kin interest and great concern as for over a month the Besigye and Museveni camps where throwing mad at each other on who contributed more or less in the bush war.

This gave me questions; who is a Hero? Does he/she have to be a member of the Ruling Government?

From the time the white man stepped onto the Ugandan soil, many people have contributed to the well being of Uganda. King Kabalaga, Kabaka Mwanga, Nuwa Mbogo, Sir Apollo Kagwa, Semei Kakungulu, Musazi, Kabaka Mutesa, Obote, Ben Kiwanuka, Idd Amini, Yusuf Lule, Binaisa, Prof Nabudele, Tito Okello, Lutwa and Museveni have all made a contribution to the country. Whether the individual was poor in his position as a leader, he has put a mark on the history of the country.

In Britain, whether it is a Conservative or Labour government, Churchill, Oliver Cornwell, even King Henry the 8th who has gone in the histroy of Britain as one of the worst leaders, is always celebrated. Actually this year new coins are being issued in remembrance of the rule of Henry the 8th. Its the contributions of these people that have made our Republic a melting pot which makes us a unique country.

The Government should not cherry pick who is a hero and who is not. We should not have this mad throwing by the Museveni camp and Besigye in defining who is a hero and who is not. Heroes of the country should not be only those who can fire a gun. We all contribute to the well being of the country in different ways.There are Nurses, Teachers, Police officer around the country who play a part in making the machine we call Uganda run.These are the everyday heroes of the Republic of Uganda, we should always appreciate what they do.

Now turning to the other issue I was planning to write about. What’s the way forward for the Republic? It will be 47 years in four mouths since we obtained independence from the British. Uganda like life, is a project and like any other project we must evaluate its success and failure. Of the 47 years, 23 years have been under one leadership; that of Museveni and the rest is divided between Obote, Mutesa, Amin, Lule, Binaisa, Paul Muwanga, Tito Okello and Lutwa.

After 47 years we should now stop blaming the west for our failures. On the 09th October 1962 we told the British we can govern ourselves. Have we managed to do so? The British left us with one dam, Rail network, Tarmacked Roads (1809km), an airport and airline, a national health service which was based on one introduced by the labour party in Britain over 60years ago,an education system which was the pride of Africa, Transport system (UTC), Housing finance system which brought countries like Singapore to Uganda to study it so they could copy it in their own countries plus other properly running Government systems. The par capita income in 1962 was about $3 a day, today it’s about $1.25 a day.

What is left after 47 years down the road? Let’s start with the dam, yes it is still functional but it’s capacity can not service the population as it was meant for about 10 million people of the day. Britain has no dams but it has enough energy to keep them going for the next 50 years. Our energy policy has failed. Just a month of infighting in kenya brought the country to a stand still. The rail network does not exist. I am so much attached to the rail system because my own father worked with the East African Railways. Tarmacked roads are Just 2076 kms which mean since 1962 we have only increases it by about 200km. The airport still exists but its capacity can not copy with the increased google generation who are tavelling the world everyday.

We have no regional airports which could reduce the burden on Entebbe. When the American president visited, all the airport was cut off to everyone else travelling. This is an economic problem. As for the Health service, Hospitals are in a sad state that a daughter of the president can not give bath in these hospitals..I was in mbale hospital, children with different disease share the same bed. No medicine, you have to buy it form private drug stores which are owned by doctors on Government pay. I will be told that there is an increase in private medical care and those who can afford to obtain medical care abroad can do so. This i just about 3% of the population of Uganda. My grand mam in Namalogo in mbale can not afford this.As for education, Makerere has dropped in the world rankings. Even with the introduction of UPE, the standards have dropped so low that competition on the world stage will always be a problem for our students. As for the housing finance, it is still in existance but it has not helped the local person to get on to the property ladder. The cooperative societies which were the backbone of the country’s economy were delt a final blow by the introduction of liberalisation by the then Minister of Cooperative the late James Wapakabulo.
Cooperatives also hold a special place in my life as my father after leaving the East African Railways, worked for Bugisu Cooperative Union for 27 years before he retired in 1997.We have failed so much that we did not know part of our country ( Migingo Island) until recently. Actually my advise to the people of Migingo is to proclaim independence from both Uganda and Kenya. If the two countries’ claim for this island comes after over 40 years since both countries got independence, it means this island has not received any help from both countries.
They have been living without the help of both countries, which means they can still live without it, and hence independence is the only way forward.

So why have we failed to improve on what was left behind by the British? It’s simple, for so long we have continued to recycle the leadership. We have used the same people to ran the country; “we have had Obote, Amin, Lule, Binaisa,Obote, Tito, Museveni and people like Bidandi, Mayanja Nkanji, Semogerere to mention but a few”. All these came from that band of people who were in the independence struggles. They feel it’s their right to rule us as they took part in the independence struggles. This has created a situation where no new ideas come in and the country is held hostage by these so called independence heroes.
Leaders keep on thinking inside the box rather than outside the box. In the end it has created high corruption and hence faillure to improve the situation in the Republic.
What’s the way forward? My way forward is controversial but it’s the only solution for the Republic. Sometime back someone wrote; for Uganda to move forward, Iddi Amini, Obote, and Museveni should leave the political scene of the country. I do agree, and I also add that those who have been on the country’s political system since the independence days should leave the stage to pave way for new ideas. The world has changed, we are now living in the google, youtube, twitter, facebook, generation. Competition is global, we have to compete with other countries and thinking outside the box will be the only solution.
Let us have fresh ideas. Political parties should be democratic. This idea of Maria Obote becoming the leader of UPC just because she was the wife of the late leader is not democracy. She even goes ahead to sack someone because he is opposed to her son taking over the party. This is the problem with the parties in Uganda, they are undemocratic and their roles is to purely oppose and provide no solutions.
Whatever side of the divide you are, Museveni has contributed to the country, this must be acknowledged by the opposition. After acknowledging that, then tell the people where he has failed and then give them solutions. The middle class has increased, it needs better service such as roads, rail, planes, security, housing and proper business environment.
The government has failed on that, so the opposition should be looking at how to help this class of people plus the rural poor who are looking for medication, education and good transport network to transport the produces to the market. This should be the battle ground for the 2011 presidentail polls not personalities.
My idea is controversial, but it’s the best way forward for the republic.
For God and my country.
Laman Napio Masaba
One World Consultants
London

Kampala Bill is not fair to Buganda and the rest of Ugandans

June 29, 2009 at 10:36 pm (Geography, KINGDOMS, Land matters, POLITICS, Uncategorized)
Tags: Tendo Kaluma

Fellow Ugandans,

I cannot imagine going to Mbarara or Gulu and taking over such perimeters without expected push back. President Museveni and his administration have become a very strange bed fellow when it comes to Buganda property, not only land but other revenue generating properties that seem to have been targeted to render defunct or non functional the cash cows for Buganda. In essence housing the capital of Uganda has been a nightmare for the tribe.
If the administration wanted to annex cities of regions from the previous 10 districts, then it ought to have done it across the board, take Jinja, Mbarara, Gulu and many other towns as a fair legislative move. Singling out Buganda things, simply because it is the capital has brought such unpopularity to the NRM/O both at home and abroad among seriously concerned Baganda.
My friend Kiyonga the political strategist has to be thinking beyond one presidency for his party! Having such unfair unilateral moves that target and impoverish Buganda cannot be a good thing for his party’s future. Incidentally the Baganda seem to have lost out disproportionately, in terms of economics, environment and lives wasted.
In the eyes of political forecasters this mounts to political party suicide given the projected future census of Buganda. Simply thinking that “generations would have changed and the ills will be long forgoten” is a myopic strategy. Had the folks in UPC been more foresighted during their reign, they would be enjoying incredible popularity today. Besides, why legislate on something that will definitely be reversed in the future?
Writing legislation to take so much out of Buganda alone is not only blatantly unfair it is discriminatory.
Look, Buganda/Baganda aided the Museveni administration to get in power, and it/they have paid the ultimate price. Buganda lost most of it’s ability to raise revenue take for instance, the Electricity project wich seems to have been designed without regard to Bugandan investors, who owned the old Owen falls dam. The adminstration did not have a plan or good will to replace Buganda’s investment with any other viable or similar revenue generating project. The Baganda like the Indians also had staked carefully their own revenue generating strategies and taking them away without adequate remuneration afforded to Indians is what’s put them at odds with the administration.
Even the Bristish who colonized us longer, did not take as much away from Buganda as has president Museveni and his administration. Here in Boston,echoes of disenchantment for the NRM/O party are heard from even those that are not following these debates closely.
I often say to my NRM/O friends in the USA that rescuing the NRM/O name in our towns is more difficult, because, people here see the party as the one that has taken on a very selfish posture to impoverish Baganda by overtly disenfranchising them at every turn. It will take a concerted effort to get back in the good graces of many Baganda, who have of late acquired this complex spline from irreparable suffrage. Laughing it away is unwise, un stately and indeed sadist to say the least. I hope the president will be able to look Bostonians in the eyes when he comes in September and empirically convince them that this ain’t so!

Tendo
Ugandan in Boston

9 Comments

The Way Forward for Uganda

June 28, 2009 at 4:08 pm (2009 -2011 elections, POLITICS, PRESIDENCY)
Tags: John Rubin Byaruhanga

Fellow Ugandns,

I believe that all Ugandans are focused towards the 2011 elections, with much anticipation for eventual everlasting peace in our country. While many think that the change of government from the governing NRM/O to another party will bring peace to Uganda, others think that a mere change of the governing party will not bring peace.

As I contemplate the possibility of peace and stability, I am one of those who donot believe that a mere change of the governing party alone will ensure peace and stability.The entire populace is confused. Many have turned to the Church, Mosque and other places of worship as a refuge to the seemingly never-ending troubles of our Mother Land. I am told that even President Yoweri K. Museveni has become a Born – Again Christian.

By turning to God’s Congregation as a place of confort, I remembered what I saw in my childhood that turned the peoples’ mentality to a positive one, for sometime.

About June, 1964 a less known organisation known as The Jehovah’ Witnesses had announced that on that particular day the World would end. In our township of Kilembe the Churches, the Mosque and other places of worship were full beyond capacity. The World was supposed to end at 14.00 Hrs. We were told that a strong wind would blow everything off the face of the earth, except the ‘’saved ones” and those who confessed their sins before the time of the end. Every slight wind passing by would bring tremendous fear. 14.00 Hrs came and passed. So were the subsequent hours. Shortly before midnight, my mother told us, the children to go to bed, saying that God must have changed His mind. The whole area was quiet, except the prayers that could be heard faintly from time to time. After that day, the entire community became so harmonious. Well, the harmony was short lived.Two years later, 1966 the news came that the Prime Minister of Uganda, Apollo Milton Obote had ordered the army to attack the Palace of the Kabaka of Buganda, who at the time was the President of Uganda. Since that time Uganda has experienced violence with short intervals, as the governments changed.

After many years of violence in our country, the Church, the Mosque and other places of worship have become the refuge to the millions of people, many of whom wish that the Creator would soon intervene. No wonder, the Pastors, Moalim, Sheiks and Gospel musicians are busy consoling the populace.

Let us refrain from acts of intimidation and thoughtless threats. Let us encourage dialogue among the politicians and political parties for the good of our country. The fact is that the entire country is suffering, despite the argument that some areas have suffered and continue to suffer more than others. Even those who seem happy are infact scared for their lives. Peace is lacking in the entire populace and the violence exhibited in the name of ”National Security”, is in reality an act of fear for change, in self defence.

I hear in some quarters that President Museveni has imposed himself on the people and that he wants to rule for life. In other quarters I hear that President Museveni is tired of the presidency and that he is forced into it to protect those who may face the Law for atrocities committed before and during the NRM/O administration, should he step down.

With all these arguments mentioned above, I ask the question; Will the mere change of government, from NRM/O to another party bring peace? Is there any party really capable of defeating the NRM/O in the forthcoming elections? The NRM/O continues to prove that they are invincible, come the 2011 elections. I note lack of unity in all opposition parties. It seems that the opposition is trying to form a ”Unity of Convenience”, simply to defeat the ruling party in the forthcoming elections. Have we all forgotten what happened when we united for convenience, simply to drive Idi amin and his regime out of power? The violence we have experienced since the fall of Amin, is a result of that ”Unity of Convenience”.

The best way out of our despondency I believe, is that the fund which should be used to administer the 2011 elections, be used instead to establish the Trurh and Reconciliation Commission. After the establishment of the T.R.Commission and its deliberations, Uganda will have a fresh beginning filled with hope for prosperity and harmony, for the good of our Nation. Unless we find a way to put the past behind us, Uganda will never be peaceful.

BJ. Rubin.