The last days of Bob Astles! His distinctive recollection

Robert “Bob” Astles (1924 – 29 December 2012). Bob Astles was born in Ashford, Kent. He joined the British Indian Army as a teenager and then the Royal Engineers, reaching the rank of Lieutenant. Of his war service, he recalls: “I enjoyed being with other nationalities and their fights for world recognition during World War II.” He was 21 when he left the United Kingdom for Africa. He was a British soldier and colonial officer who lived in Uganda and became an associate of presidents Milton Obote and Idi Amin.

In 1958, he married Monica, who had come to Uganda with him from Kent. A year later, after they had divorced, Astles married an aristocratic member of the Buganda kingdom, Mary E. SsenKaatuuka, and they later adopted two children.

Mary E. Ssenkaatuuka served as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Culture under Frances Nyangweso later on Idi Amin appointed Ssenkaatuuka Minister of Sports and Culture while Hajati Farida Kateregga the Wife of Hajji Kateregga from Kawempe took over the duties of permanent secretary in the same ministry.

Robert Bob Astles later lived in Wimbledon London, and continued to deny the allegations for which he was imprisoned. After returning to Britain, he dedicated his life to campaigning against superpower interference in African political and economic affairs. He also contributed political commentaries to a number of publications associated with Africa.

In the photos with Bob Astles at his residence in London is Ezzelddeen Haggaz and standing behind is Captain Muhammad Seruwagi. Bob Astles died in December 2012 at the age of 88

The last days of Bob Astles! His distinctive recollection

Question: As a person who knew Uganda very well since your early days what is your account about the country?

Astles: The most progressive and advanced of all African countries if we consider Buganda alone within the period 1900 to 1960 but fell somewhat by being involved by British Colonial power into the formation of a country involving mini-nations.

Question: What was your role, contribution to the development of Uganda?

Astles: Colonial officer within the Ministry of Works from 1952. I set up a progressive Tutorial’s farm and the formation of Uganda Aviation with the first African Directors from Kenya and Uganda. Semei Nyanzi was a Ugandan and a Kenyan director was Professor David Wassaw. Later I understand he become a prominent politician. I was also a Chairman and founder member of the Anti-Racial Uganda Club under the leadership of Governor Sir Andrew Cohen.

Question: What are the difficulties you found in the country where you had stayed for quite a reasonable number of years?

Astles: I was tortured detained on a number of occasions, but I trust Ugandans. If they were not friends, I would be the lingering skeletons on this planet. At one time Idi Amin ordered that I should be tortured and I was placed in a container full of the mixture human feces and urine and only my neck remained in air. I spent a good number of days in jails.

Question: You have mentioned Amin, what was your relationship with him and how did you meet Amin…?

Astles: When I was a pilot, I was told by Dr. Apollo Milton Obote to fly Amin to Congo for operations around Katanga regions. That was my first time and he liked me. We came to know each other but it was the president that had directed me to fly him to Congo. Then during around when Uganda was about to host the OAU, he invited me to help in the civil aviation, which he named Uganda Airlines.

Question: People are putting in to you that you terrorized them during Amin’s regime when they were smuggling some goods. Is that true? To whose order were you operating?

Astles: Smuggling is part of corruption and as an individual I hate corruption because it has ruined the entire whole of Africa. Second those are total open lies about me. In the first place Uganda is my nationality, I have a family in Uganda and any sober person wouldn’t wish them the abject poverty. Some greedy politicians who used to engage in such scum are peddling those lies. They are not mentioning about items that used to come in. I told you that all my plans were to help the common Ugandan irrespective of his or her background. For example, when I started Civil Aviation which was later named Uganda Airline was it for one man? Of course it helped every Uganda until it has been disbanded. I don’t think it still has a single plane.

Question: How many exact years did you spend in Uganda?

Astles: I first entered Buganda in 1949 on special duties during the Bataka Riots. And I was impressed with the Baganda and their way of fighting against Colonialism. Then I decided to become part of Buganda and resigned my Engineering work in Jordan. That was a very difficult decision and worse than elsewhere on this planet.
Question: Before coming to Uganda which other countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Middle-East had you stayed in?

Astles: I had served in Indian Army and Middle East. I enjoyed, being with other nationalities and their fights for world recognition, during the World War II. Most of the guys from Africa in particular were brilliant at the front line, but unfortunately, their contributions are not mentioned.

Question:-[Can you enumerate some of] the messes that Uganda has faced before and after independence?

Astles: Augustine Kamya’s Asian Boycott–that boycott did considerable damage before Independence; Protestant and Catholic political issues in Buganda and East Acholi; Stubborn attitude of Katikiro Kintu before and after, hatred that instilled between Baganda, Acholi and Langi, also had a very big damage; Going into Independence with a white-officiated army with no African cadre officers; Giving all training to foreign powers both West and East had a lot in destabilizing Buganda.

Question: What problem does the government likely face if it has a large number of untrained/uneducated people?

Astles: Disaster. We have seen this with the East and West of Africa, especially in the armies and consequently coups. Untrained people, young men in particular are easily persuaded to join the rebellions and the results of rebellion are loss of lives. These kinds of rebellions have considerably did a substantial damage to almost every African family.

question: How would you shed light on events of the globe that caused African, Latin America, Asia and Middle East countries to lag behind in comparison to their counter parts in Europe, America and Canada?

Astles: Catholic anti-Protestant against child birth. Illiteracy and [ethnic] disputes Corruption, mainly introduced by the Western subjects entered into independence, during the time of the concept certain faith. High technology the windup Gramophones to the marvels of the chip makes it Impossible for the Third World to catch up. Only Africa can supply the essential minerals to keep the West alive. But African leaders fail to see this and pocket the pitiable bribes for themselves. For instance Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, South

Africa, Nigeria to name a few. Just think of the 1984 Bhopal disaster or Uganda’s Saafi Saafi cotton scandal.

Question: What was your main role in Idi Amin’s government?

Astles: Get this right! In 1964, I was directed by Dr. Apollo Milton Obote’s government to be Amin’s pilot during the Congo crisis until my position was taken by Israeli pilots in 1966. Since 1966, I had never seen Amin, until May 1975. He had arrested me in 1971, along with Ex-minister Kalule Ssettaala and placed me into Rustication. In 1972 he announced on Radio that I was one of the rotten apples and slung me into Makindye Military barracks for 17 weeks, later to be introduced on UTV and Radio Uganda to deplore the old regime of Obote. Then in May 1975, he called me back from Rustication to return my Uganda Aviation for the O.A.U Summit. In the first week I found a massive corruption and reported such to his close friend and Minister Lule. Lule betrayed me. Then Amin nationalized my Aviation. I fled Uganda in May 1976 to UK, and then I was re-arrested in Kenya and brought back to Uganda where I spent about six years in Luzira prison.

Question: I understand that one day, you were going to be hanged but you later found that the machine was faulty. How do you recall that moment?

Astles: Luzira Political prison was to show me the real genuine quality of the Ugandan people. Myself being the only white man, out of the 2,000 prisoners, I never quarrel in six years. Both political detainees and Uganda prison staff looked after me. I was the evil for the Tanzanian troops that tortured me to the extent that I could not eat and I used to be fed like a baby. They killed Uganda detainees. I was tortured to the point of being fed like a young chimpanzee. By then political detainees used to smuggle in food for me. That is why I have lot of respect for Africans. They are so determined because they could at time risk their lives to at least ensure that I get something to eat.

Question: What allegations had been placed against you by the by then Regime to be detained again?

Astles: Some allegations were made but had no substance and were thrown out of court. I found out that one of Obote’s ministers was after revenge over his double standard and dealings whilst in exile with Obote and Amin’s Brigadier Maliyamungu, so I had to be kept quite.
Question: How would you advise the principal backers of those autocratic leaders that hold back their citizens?
Astles: These people are supported by America. No one can advise America. They need oil and minerals to serve and guide their interests. There is no compassion in this country. You just cannot talk to Uncle Sam. I have the hopeless situation to be rectified. There is no other solution other than looking on. They have already established in Africa and it would be disaster to remove Museveni. In my opinion it was good for Ugandans to give Museveni a third term to avoid any obliteration. Ugandans in fact were wise. One can’t blame them. They are focused. It seems that they had binoculars. To avoid chaos they had no alternative but to give the greedy person other than returning to the previous problems.

Question: In your analysis, what impact or change did Amin bring to Uganda?

Astles: He brought disaster. Certainly he helped the very poor and beggars but ruined the nation’s economy. The British, Asians who refused to take out Uganda’s citizenship, can thank him for being allowed into Britain. All this Amin affair was brought about the by then British Political thinking and distrust of African Socialism [which Obote advocated].

Question: What do you think to be the main cause that hindered the development of Africa?

Astles: Corruption is the major factor that has hindered African development more than education. Otherwise Africa would be one of the richest continents on this planet. They have natural resources, but corrupt leaders supported by the superpowers of this world have contributed to the Africa’s lagging behind. Most of African leaders’ bag in even small bribes, which is a real betrayal of their respective country and above all nationalism, is no longer at the hearts of these leaders. They could have united and started to dictate to the superpowers that ‘this should be like this, we want this,’ but the superpowers still dictate and decide for Africans.

Question: In brief, how did you find Africans and Uganda in particular?

Astles: Truly speaking, I did not find enemies and certainly lived in peace on my farm in Kyaggwe Luwafu. My troubles came with the corrupt individuals pretending to serve Amin for example Henry Kyemba former Minister of Health, Amin trusted him and gave him about Seven Million US Dollars to go and purches medicin for the Ministry the man disappeared with with the money to today. As for me I have traveled widely and I have seen Ugandans, the real jewel of Nationhood. They are truly the jewels of Africa. If they re-shape their opinions, you can see the real Pearl of Africa. I would be dead, if I had a big headed character. I always tell journalists that, if you want to survive in Africa just respect Africans. They will in turn respect you and will not hate you. But if you do otherwise, it will be very big problem for you. Africans are good intellectuals. They are not mentioned in their contribution during the World War II… I want to tell you, that many Baganda who served in the World War II, were recruited in medicine, Intelligence or anti-Aircraft.

Question: How do you rate the current Buganda and the time you came in the country?

Astles: Simple. Everything about the government of Buganda was a real eye-opener. From 1949 and exactly from January, 1952 when I worked closely within the Baganda Society, first with Mukasa Churchill whom I had met during the Burma fighting. On our second meeting in Buganda, he gave me the name of Lubowa from e’Ngo (Leopard) clan in 1953. And other Baganda like Leonard Basudde of Masaka, Kawalya, Kaggwa, Sempa, Kintu (Katikiro) and many other great names. Buganda had a lot in common to Britain. Buganda was an amazing Kingdom and perhaps the base of democracy in the entire Africa. And I believe that, the kind of democracy the world has seen in Africa. We have got to see Buganda great again before it’s too late and corrupted by the present Americanism and West seeking trade. It’s bad enough to see the once great Kingdom getting weaker and weaker. From imported endemic AIDS, which has now consumed human lives like maize-mill machine, it is real tragic by the Western sex trade.
Regards

Astles: Truly speaking, I did not find enemies and certainly lived in peace on my farm in Kyaggwe Luwafu. My troubles came with the corrupt individuals pretending to serve Amin for example: Henry Kyemba the former Minister of Health, Amin trusted him and gave him about Seven Million US Dollars, to go and purches medicin for the Ministry, the man disappeared with the money to today. As for me I have traveled widely and I have seen Ugandans, the real jewel of Nationhood. They are truly the jewels of Africa. If they re-shape their opinions, you can see the real Pearl of Africa. I would be dead, if I had a big headed character. I always tell journalists that, if you want to survive in Africa just respect Africans. They will in turn respect you and will not hate you. But if you do otherwise, it will be very big problem for you. Africans are good intellectuals. They are not mentioned in their contribution during the World War II… I want to tell you, that many Baganda who served in the World War II, were recruited in medicine, Intelligence or anti-Aircraft.

Question: How do you rate the currentBuganda and the time you came in the country?

Astles: Simple. Everything about the government of Buganda was a real eye-opener. From 1949 and exactly from January, 1952 when I worked closely within the Baganda Society, first with Mukasa Churchill whom I had met during the Burma fighting. On our second meeting in Buganda, he gave me the name of Lubowa from e’Ngo (Leopard) clan in 1953. And other Baganda like Leonard Basudde of Masaka, Kawalya, Kaggwa, Sempa, Kintu (Katikiro) and many other great names. Buganda had a lot in common to Britain. Buganda was an amazing Kingdom and perhaps the base of democracy in the entire Africa. And I believe that, the kind of democracy the world has seen in Africa. We have got to see Buganda great again before it’s too late and corrupted by the present Americanism and West seeking trade. It’s bad enough to see the once great Kingdom getting weaker and weaker. From imported endemic AIDS, which has now consumed human lives like maize-mill machine, it is real tragic by the Western sex trade.

Ezzelddeen Haggaaz
Cairo International Bank UK Representative.
Mob{1}:00447960040088 Mob{2}:00447960607461
Email :ehaggaaz@yahoo.co.uk UG:00256772904848
Website: http//www.cairiointernationalbank.co.ug

President meets Butaleja NRM leaders ahead of election

Rear of Nile Hotel, in Jinja

Wednesday, 23rd January 2013

President Yoweri Museveni has today met and held discussions with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party flag bearer for Butaleja district Andiru Florence Nebanda and other candidates who lost out in the party primaries.

The meeting aimed at creating harmony ahead of the February 11 polls followed the party primaries in which Nebanda polled 38, 978 votes against her close rival Ms Allen Wegulo, who got 4,950. Other candidates in the race were Ms Aidah Hadoto, who got 4,076 votes, Ms Betty Nesihwe who polled 4,068, Ms Mary Mboira, who got 987 votes and Ms Sarah Namusabi got 622 votes.
The meeting was held at the President’s country home in Rwakitura, Kiruhuura district and was attended by the Minister without portfolio, Hon. Richard Todwong, the Deputy Secretary General of NRM, Ms. Dorothy Hyuha, the NRM Elections Commissioner, Professor Elijah Mushemeza, and Butaleja RDC, Ms. Martha Asiimwe, among others.

The seat fell vacant last month following the death of Hon. Cerinah Nebanda.

ENDS

WITH MUKULA’S FOUR YEAR JAIL TERM, THE JUDICIARY HAS BEEN TESTED AND FOUND WANTING

VINCENT NUWAGABA

Flight Captain Mike Mukula was on Friday, January 18, 2013 convicted over the Gavi fund scandal and sentenced to four years of imprisonment. He is now in B1 Murchison Bay prison as a convict not a remand. He can only come out soon upon appeal but I am worried even if he appealed, his appeal will have slim chances of being upheld given the circumstances that led to his conviction. Mike Mukula was convicted majorly for three reasons; 1) he was the first NRM insider to broach the hot subject of sectarianism and tribalism by Dictator Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Museveni. 2) He has made it plainly clear that Museveni is past his sale date thereby vowing to unseat him in 2016. 3) His revelations in the Wikileaks cables that Museveni was grooming his son Muhoozi Keinerugaba to take over from him. You can steal as much as you want and Museveni will ignore you if you don’t threaten his continued stay in statehouse where he parasites on Ugandans as if he is a jigger. You remember the president once told some politicians from western Uganda that “Okwiba mwayenda mwibe kwonka mutabaganisamu abantu bangye” meaning you can steal if you want but don’t divide my people. The division he never wants is the one that could cost him votes. If you question Museveni’s leadership credentials and styles and vow to unseat him, he will crush you as though you are a snake.

Mukula revealed that he was a conduit through which the money would end up in the hands of Janet Museveni. If we are to be convinced that institutions such as the Inspectorate of Government (IG) and Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) are functional, we expect to see Janet Museveni arraigned before the courts of law where Capt Mukula will be the prosecution witness.

Clearly, Mwesigwa Rukutana, John Nasasiira and Sam Kutesa swindled chogm money. If they didn’t then they should tell us where the money is. But they are at large. Alice Kaboyo the Muhima thief was merely fined. And I have learnt from my reliable sources that the money used to pay Kaboyo’s fine was also taxpayers’ money. Poor Mike Mukula now is a convict who will never stand against Museveni. Sadly, he rode a tiger for so long and he ended up in its mouth!

Museveni is the most power-hungry politician. Anyone who talks about unseating him immediately becomes an enemy. While I am not saying Mike Mukula wasn’t corrupt, the truth of the matter is that he largely made his money with clean hands. He only became a junior health minister for one term and before that he was a businessman. As to whether he would get favours from the government as he ran his businesses, that one I don’t know and we cannot blame him.

We know very well that many businessmen have invariably gotten tax rebates, tax exemptions and sometimes cash bailouts from the government but we don’t necessarily say they are corrupt. When Salim Saleh was involved in a corruption scandal, his brother Museveni forgave him and the reason he gave is that Salim Saleh was a good NRM cadre. Museveni said in my presence that he has come a long way with Amama Mbabazi and Kahinda Otafiire and that’s why he will always defend them whenever they are involved in any scandal.

Clearly, my area MP General Kahinda Otafiire has been involved in countless corruption scandals but I have never seen him even being prosecuted. You remember what he did when he was in the DRC. He came with very many vehicles; he and his other colleagues were illegally involved in the timber business. But also they would go dig the soil that had minerals and bring it in vehicles for purposes of sorting out minerals from Uganda. We are yet to pay huge sums of money to the DRC for the plunder of her resources.

Mzee FDR Gureme is my role model. One day while at his home in Kitintale, he told me “like the fox, Janet Museveni has barked from every hill in Kampala”. When I asked him what he meant, he told me that Janet Museveni has a house virtually on every Kampala hill. Definitely, Mzee Gureme, an ethnic Muhima doesn’t have any personal vendetta against the first family. I am sure, Janet and her husband together with some other members of the first family have a lot of property which is not in their names. They do all this out of greed. Because they are greedy, they dispossess genuine Ugandans of the would be their property but also deprive many of us of the right to own property. Foolishly, Museveni and his other thieves most of whom are his close relatives and cronies don’t know that even if they chose to do only the eating, they will never in their lifetime finish what they have primitively accumulated from above.

The Bible says, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal… You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:19 and 24)”

A warning to fellow Ugandans from the west

For the years I have been in Kampala, I have seen how hated people from the west are. Not because we look ugly, not because we are disgusting but because there’s a general perception that we are favoured and we are untouchable. While that perception is not entirely true, the truth of the matter is that many people who get lucrative state jobs, tenders and contracts are westerners. Some inane people will reason that they are as qualified as others to get those opportunities. But are they the only qualified people? Definitely no. The other truism is that Bakiga-Banyankole who support the ruling president and approve of his brainless actions can hardly be prosecuted and even if they were they cannot be convicted. Somehow somewhere, the IGG or the DPP will withdraw the charges or the witnesses will be hostile and instead exonerate the suspects and ultimately the case will fall flat.

What is true, however, is that very few westerners benefit directly from Museveni or indirectly from his crude allies. Right now, the road from Kampala to Mbarara which was worked upon less than three years ago is another thing. The Banyankore/Bakiga would call it “ekindi kintu”. In other words, it is not a road at all. When there are no drugs in hospitals all of us are losers. When Museveni blocks sons and daughters of peasants by having fees in public universities hiked by 126 percent like it happened in 2009, the Banyankore, Bakiga, Batoro, Banyoro, Bahima, Banyarwanda and Basongora, among others are equally affected.
When thieves in the NRM like Amamba Mbabazi, Kahinda Otafiire, Mwesigwa Rukutana, Sam Kuteesa, John Nasasiira, Kabakumba Matsiko, Alice Kaboyo, Janet Museveni and so many are shielded from jail yet the likes of Mike Mukula are convicted and sentences to four years of imprisonment, the rest of the citizens from northern, eastern and central turn their rage against westerners. Ultimately, even those whose relatives die because of absence of drugs in hospitals, those who spend ages on streets without jobs and those who have been denied access to higher education end up being victims. That is double tragedy.
The Banyankore-Bakiga talk about “Okufa kabiri nk’amakara” meaning dying twice like charcoal. In the process of making charcoal, the trees are burnt but also to have charcoal cook food or boil water it is also subjected to fire.

Accordingly, Museveni is injuring us by depriving us of all the money that would provide health facilities, money that would provide education including students’ loans; he is killing us by stealing all the money that would make for us good roads. Yet because of his sectarianism, nepotism and tribalism, he is making all of us hated. I hope all of us remember how westerners were targeted during the 2009 “Kayunga riots”. Those who are naïve would blame the extremist Baganda youths for launching a war against the westerners. The most reasonable person, though, would go further to ask him/herself why they are doing that. Museveni, a westerner had blocked the Kabaka from visiting his subjects in Buganda. Since they couldn’t access Museveni, the only means through which they could get him annoyed was to target westerners for victimization.

Personally, I don’t support any westerner for presidency. I don’t support Kizza Besigye. I don’t Mugisha Muntu. I don’t support Museveni. Not because Kizza Besigye and Mugisha Muntu are incompetent but because there are other Ugandans who are more competent than them. Besides, I don’t think anybody who participated in bringing the military dictatorship into power is the best person to extricate us from militarism. Darkness cannot chase away darkness. It is light that chases away darkness. That explains the reason as to why I have never believed that we should use guns to chase away gunmen. I know fire can be used to chase fire but the environment has to be degraded if that option is adopted. Accordingly, in the process of chasing gunman Yoweri Museveni with guns, many people will sacrifice their lives which are unacceptable. Man is born to live.

Finally, I see no reason why all of us who want justice shouldn’t rise up against the conviction of Capt Mike Mukula. Not because we condone corruption but because we must condemn selective application of the law. Our laws must be blind. Unfortunately, they have eyes and cannot touch Janet Museveni; they can’t touch Sam Kuteesa, Mwesigwa Rukutana and John Nasasiira. You remember how Bukenya was sent to the coolers because he gave a critical interview to the New Vision soon after he was dropped as vice president. You know very well that all the stupid charges against Besigye including rape charges were as a result of the fact that he dared to challenge the senile dictator Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Museveni. No serious anticorruption crusader should welcome Mukula’s conviction for it only aimed at clipping his political wings. This actually puts our judiciary to test. In my view, with Mukula’s conviction and four year jail term the judiciary has been tested and found wanting.
Vincent Nuwagaba is a political scientist
+256702843552/+256772843552
mpvessynuwagaba@gmail.com

My views about Kyankwanzi and Hon Nebanda’s death-Vincent Nuwagaba

MPs Theodore Ssekikuubo and Tinkasimire having luch at the NRM retreat
in Kyankwanzi contray to media reports that the MPs vowed to boycot
the food and that they would survive on biscuits

Vincent Nuwagaba
IT IS SHEER MADNESS TO BELIEVE THAT NEBANDA DIED OF COCAINE AND HEROIN.

Ever since the year began I have not written anything about the state of affairs in Uganda. Not because things are alright. Definitely, it is clear that President Museveni is now out of his senses. Psychiatrists would describe President Museveni as a schizophrenic person. I heard the president addressing the NRM MPs currently in their retreat at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) Kyankwanzi and I was rather shocked. The president talked about so many things but what enraged very many Ugandans is his renewed vain efforts to give away Mabira forest ostensibly for sugar production.

Definitely, very many pundits have surmised that Museveni’s remarks that he will give away Mabira forest and that he is not going to beseech MPs were diversionary aimed at forestalling any debate about the atrocious murder of Hon Cerinah Nebanda. I will only make a few comments about Mabira forest and then proceed to the so-called government autopsy and toxicological report about Nebanda’s death.

About Mabira giveaway, Mr. Museveni must rest assured that Mabira forest doesn’t belong to him. If he thinks sugar is more important than biodiversity and sustainable development that a forest such as Mabira ensures for the country, it then goes without saying that Museveni is not even qualified to lead a discussion group of five people. And alas, here is the man who has divorced all his thinking faculties presiding over a country of more than 34 million people! If Museveni is obsessed with sugar production, let him give his farm in Kisozi or his private land in Rwakitura. Otherwise, Mabira is held in public trust and we cannot allow him to abuse trusteeship like he has invariably done with impunity in the past.

It is time for the impeachment of Museveni

Article 107(1) of our Constitution provides for the removal of the President. It states that the President may be removed from office in accordance with this article on any of the following grounds –
(a) abuse of office or willful violation of the oath of allegiance and the presidential oath or any of the provision of this Constitution;
(b) misconduct or misbehavior –
(i) that he or she has conducted himself or herself in a manner which brings or is likely to bring the office of President into hatred, ridicule, contempt or disrepute; or
(ii) that he or she has dishonestly done any act or omission which is prejudicial or inimical to the economy or security of Uganda; or
(c) physical or mental incapacity, namely that he or she is incapable of performing the functions of his or her office by reason of physical or mental incapacity.

I can state without any fear of contradiction that all the above grounds are ripe for the removal and/or impeachment of President Museveni. It is visible even to the visibly blind that Museveni has abused and misused office several times and willfully violated the oath of allegiance but also has abrogated the Constitution not once, not twice, not thrice but several times. If I am asked by anybody to substantiate I will happily and ably do that.

Misconduct and misbehavior

That ground b of misconduct and misbehavior is applicable to Mr. Museveni is very clear. Can you imagine a President who calls MPs idiots and fools yet many of the MPs are not only better educated than him but far surpass him when it comes to reasoning? By calling MPs idiots and fools, isn’t he by extension saying all Ugandans who voted them are idiots and fools? If then, all Ugandans are idiots and fools, doesn’t it follow that Museveni who is neither an idiot nor a fool has no right and has no moral authority to lead them? I don’t know whether many of the readers on this discussion form know of the resemblance/ microcosmic model of representation. Museveni has no right to lead idiots and fools. Idiots and fools instead have all the rights to be led by one of their own.

That Museveni has been inimical to the economy is also vivid to all and sundry. His “visionary leadership” can only be analogous to a vehicle whose engine is lubricated by corruption and fuelled by corruption. In fact, Charles Rwomushana, a former spy chief in Museveni’s government rightly argues that what we witness under Museveni’s nose is not corruption but fundraising. Accordingly, Museveni deploys principal accountants and permanent secretaries in various ministries to raise funds for him and his NRM outfit which he wrongly calls a party. A political party cannot be individualized.

I have reliable information showing that Hassan Bassajabalaba is a mere conduit for Museveni. Bassajabalaba either gets a monthly salary or a commission from Museveni. Otherwise, virtually all the property attributed to Bassajabalaba is Museveni’s property. Otherwise, how come of all the shrewd businessmen, it is only Bassajabalaba who has invariably gotten financial bailout from Bank of Uganda?

Physical or mental incapacity

I will not dwell on the physical incapacity for I believe for anybody be too physically incapacitated to head a state, that person must really be too old having reached a level of suffering from amnesia. While is surely old, I think physically he is still able to lead the state.

What I find galling is that President Museveni is mentally incapacitated and we are risking state collapse if he stays in office even for an extra one year. Truthfully, he should have been ejected yesterday. I say he is mentally incapacitated because any sane person cannot do and say what he does and says. He is incapable of making any rational decision and I think he has been like that for ages. I don’t believe the law of diminishing marginal utility has just set in. I was in Senior Four in 1996 and I supported Kawanga Semogerere not because I liked him but because I abhorred the manner in which Museveni was conducting his campaigns. It is in 1996 when Semogerere’s rallies were pelted with stones and rotten eggs in my neighbouring district Rukungiri.

It was at that time when political parties were demonized. I remember, I asked Kahinda Otafiire whether he had no party by 1980 since he was demonizing Francis Aloysius Wazarwahi Bwengye and Karuhanga Chapa as multipartists. By 2000, I was diametrically opposed to Museveni.

Of course, a person who could pick arms to fight a government that had been in power for less than two months on a single premise of rigging of votes (never mind that he had no votes to be rigged), must be fundamentally irrational in his mind. I don’t believe a single drop of any innocent person should be shed for another person to capture political power. I am at the forefront of fighting Museveni using my head. I have never at any point in time contemplated use of fire arms to oust the regime. My fight is purely an ideological fight using the pen and words. I am guided by two statements, namely “the pen is mightier than the sword” and “words are bullets” by Edward Bulwer Lyton and Richard Wright respectively. Thus, my guns are the pen and the tongue and my bullets are words. I urge all people who have Uganda at heart to adopt that strategy.

Museveni has thrived by capitalizing on citizens’ ignorance and that’s why he wants citizens to remain in ignorance. That explains the reason as to why the popular open air programmes commonly known as “Bimezza” were banned. That explains why MPs Betty Nambooze and Muhammed Nsereko have also been suspended from the “kkirizza oba ggana” (Take it or leave it) programme on CBS. These people are not using the guns and bullets that Museveni has used since the 1970s.

Nebanda’s death

Museveni made it clear that those who state that the NRM government killed Hon Nebanda will be arrested and arraigned before courts. Indeed, some MPs have been illegally detained and I guess are yet to be prosecuted. I put my views in black and white and I have not retracted them, I am ready to be prosecuted.

Museveni further called idiots and fools those who said the government had a hand in the death of Hon Nebanda. If following ones conscience makes one an idiot and a fool, then definitely I am for to date, I still maintain that the NRM killed Nebanda. If the so-called Hon Nebanda’s boyfriend Adam Suleiman Kalungi had a hand in the death of the MP, I will be convinced that he was planted on the MP to accomplish the mission of exterminating her. At the risk of repeating myself, I have stated before that Hon Nebanda was the most unpretentious opponent of Museveni for she was fighting him from within his NRM house. Accordingly, she was accelerating the implosion of the NRM. Like I stated earlier, she was seen as a snake which was inside the house and she had to have her head crushed or else she would end the political life of the NRM family head.

I have read extensively the process of getting autopsy and toxicological reports and what is clear is that it takes very long. Accordingly, the government autopsy and toxicological report which confirmed what IGP Edward Kale- Kayihura had said prior to the postmortem is surely a hoax and no sane person should believe in it. The Museveni-Kayihura report must have been written in their bedrooms. Hon Nebanda was killed and his killers contrived the cause of her death even prior to the postmortem. Who doesn’t know that hours after the death of the Hon Nebanda police revealed that she died of drug and alcohol overdose? Never mind that those who revealed it are not pathologists, are not toxicologists and are not even medical doctors. And even if they were, would they just conclude without carrying out scientific tests? I am just wondering why serious Ugandans cannot tell these murderers to exit public offices and take themselves to Luzira – where criminals belong.

Since 2008, the police in connivance with psychiatrists have used all means available to them to exterminate me but because of the mighty God that I serve they have not succeeded. All they have succeeded in doing is incapacitating me financially and denting my public image in the eyes of some gullible Ugandans that I am insane. I am happy to be insane when I am advocating social justice. I am happy to be branded insane when I am fighting for fairness. I am happy to be branded insane when I abhor incompetence and mediocrity. I am happy to be labeled insane when I am diametrically opposed to the spoils system of rule that Museveni embraces.

I will in my insanity fight the discriminatory fees structures in public universities which aim to block the sons and daughters of peasants from accessing higher education. I will vehemently fight statehouse scholarships which use Ugandan taxpayers’ money to build capacity for the NRM party which I have been calling the National Retrogressive Movement and National Resource Misallocation but I have learnt from other people that it stand for National Robbers Movement. I remember in 2009, former legal officer for the President Mr. Justus Karuhanga telling me to sue the government other than appealing to the president’s office. However, when I sued, my case was dismissed by the Kampala High court at a time I was in Luzira prison for opposing the 126 percent fees increment in public universities. Oh Uganda!

What should we do?

All Ugandans must demand that the pathologists or doctors who did the tests of the late Nebanda’s death be made public. We need to get their names and the hospitals where they work and then contact them to get first hand information. They must tell us, since toxicological tests take long to be finalised why did the late Nebanda’s report come within a blink of an eye? We would also want to know what explains the fact that what the IGP Kale Kayihura reported to have killed the late Nebanda was confirmed by the toxicological test. We would want to know whether it was not fabricated to vindicate the IGP who seemed to have had prior knowledge of what killed the MP and did nothing to forestall her death. I am sure all of us know the role of the police.
I have no personal vendetta against anybody. Gen Kayihura is a Mugiri from Kigezi and I am a Mugiri from Ankole with my parents and grandparents having migrated from Rubanda in Kigezi a stone throw away from Kisoro where Gen Kayihura hails from. Those of you who have read some sociology know that clans are natural and all members of your clan are related to you by blood. Therefore, Kayihura is either my uncle or my big brother and I therefore respect and love him for that. Besides, I respect and love every member of the human family.

I have also read somewhere Museveni calling himself a Mugahe. If it is true, he is also my maternal uncle for my mother is a Mugahe. Accordingly, I cannot have anything personal against these two citizens of Uganda who happen at the same time to be my relatives. Nevertheless, that they are my relatives doesn’t mean that I absolve them of any criminal responsibility in the death of Nebanda. Definitely, they have killed so many people directly and indirectly. Until they avail us with the truth, personally I hold them liable for the death of Vincent Lugonvu Byasi my brother. I hold them liable for the death of Mawa Gilbert. I hold them culpable for the death of Samuel Kibukuna. I hold them culpable for the death of Musekura Rwenduru a former journalist who authored the 50 year master plan for the Basiita rule in Uganda. I hold them blameworthy for the massacre of Kichwamba students. And so forth and so on. If they call me to defend myself I will ask them for the reports. Museveni and Kayihura and in the public offices purely to ensure our security, to protect our lives, to protect our property and to use our taxes for the benefit of all of us. I don’t know whether they know the concept the common good.

Clarion call to all Ugandans

Personally together with some friends are gathering the pictures of all gallant sons and daughters of Uganda who have died mysteriously to have them printed on T-shirts and brochures which we shall distribute as widely as we can. We want all Ugandans that constructive Ugandans are brutally murdered. This will raise the public sentiment against Museveni. I am a Catholic and when I went recently to a Catholic Parish – Kyamuhunga Catholic Parish, I told the Christians that Catholic political leaders are being persecuted for speaking the truth and embracing the call for justice. I saw old men and women burst into tears. Muslims, Anglicans, Pentecostals, Buddhists, Jehovah witness, and so forth should do likewise. If you are a Mukiga, talk about the Bakiga being oppressed. If you are a Muhima/Muhororo, talk about the case of Tumukunde who has since 2009 stood state-inspired violence owing to the statements he made on air while appealing to his conscience. If you are a Muganda talk about Col Fred Bogere who was kicked out of parliament simply because he refused to vote on a controversial matter of allowing Museveni rule ad infinitum. If you are an Acholi, there are so many issues to broach. If you are an Itesot, the Mukula massacres must still be fresh in your minds.

All of us without exception are losers and even those who think have gained are just delusional. Bad roads affect all of us who use them. Empty hospitals serve the interest of nobody. The decisions of a demented man such as Museveni affect all of us.
Of course my life is under threat

I know of the hit men who have been hired to finish me off. They first tried using money and they failed. At least, last year during the graduation week Dr Simba Sallie the head of Makerere University political science department revealed to me in the presence of Prof Kabumburi that he was approached by a high ranking military officer telling him he had Sh 1 billion aimed to dissuade me from critiquing this regime but the military officer was told “Nuwagaba doesn’t oppose because he wants money but justice”. Because Museveni cannot buy me since my conscience is priceless, the only option is to kill me. I am not worried though. I have tested all institutions especially those at the heart of criminal justice system and found them wanting. The High Court messed up my case civil suit 92/2009. Robert Kafuko Ntuyo, my lawyer who I naively trusted ate my money and participated in subverting justice in my case. The Uganda Law Society need to get interested in this matter. The police is just a killing machinery full of NRM cadres obsessed with regime continuity and survival. The Uganda Human Rights Commission is another thing. Away from the criminal justice system, the Electoral Commission is simply handipicked by Museveni to do his will. Parliament is a bicycle which Museveni rides whenever he wants and takes to whatever direction he wants. The public service is full of thieves who raise funds for Museveni and NRM like Charles Rwomushana testified. The list of wrongs is endless.

To sum it up, while Albert Einstein defined madness as doing the same thing, over and over again expecting different results, in Museveni’s Uganda, I define madness as doing the same wrong things, over and over again, applying wrong formulae over and over again expecting right answers. It is sheer madness to believe that Nebanda died of cocaine and heroin. I know Nebanda was killed by the NRM government, whoever believes otherwise including columnist Opiyo Oloya should engage me in debate. The truthful view shall triumph and the lie shall crumble. For God and my country Uganda!
Phone: +256702843552/+256772843552

JAMES SENKALI MULWANA HAS PASSED ON! MAY ‘ALLAH’ REST HIM IN PEACE

Sarah Mulwana has on Tuesday, 15 January 2013 announced the passing on of James Senkali Mulwana which occurred at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala.Mulwana will be buried, Wednesday, 17 January at Masiriba along Hoima road at 2pm.”MAY THE GOOD LORD WHO GAVE UGANDA THE GIFT OF JAMES SENKALI MULWANA GIVE HIM THE MUCH DESERVED ETERNAL PEACE”. AMEN.

James Senkali Mulwana had a big heart for St. Mary’s College Kisubi. At the time when the College was preparing the celebration of its centenary, Mr. Mulwana was approached by Dr. Simon Kagugube the then President of tho Old Boys’ Association (SMACKOBA). Mr. Mulwana allowed the fundraising committee for the centenary to use UMA Exhibition Hall free of charge at the time, the Hall was being hired at shs 3.5m and on top of that, he made a personal donation of shs 1 million in cash. The fundraising function at which the Centenary Magazine was launched was able to raise just under shs 70 million according to Dr. Simon M. S. Kagugube the then President.

We have indeed registered a big loss of a person with a big heart for the school and for the country at large.

1.0 PERSONAL INFORMATION

Nationality: Ugandan
Date of Birth: 24th July 1936
Sex: Male
Marital status: Married with three children

2.0 ACCOMPLISHMENTS/EXPERIENCE

2.1 Commerce

In 1961, I got started in the import and export business.

2.2 Uganda Batteries Limited

Uganda Batteries Limited, an automotive battery manufacturing entity, was established in 1967, as Associated Battery Manufacturers Limited in partnership with Chloride (UK) Limited and in 1990 I gained full ownership of the company.

2.3 Nice House of Plastics Limited

In 1970, I established Ship toothbrush factory Limited whose name was later changed to Nice House of Plastics Limited on January 5,1995. The Company manufactures toothbrushes, household products, writing instruments like ball pens, packaging products soda and beer crates, jerry cans) as well as agricultural equipment (knapsack sprayers)

2.4 Jesa Farm Dairy Limited

In 1988, I founded JESA Mixed Farm, with a herd of 550 Friesian cows. Later, Jesa Mixed Farm’s operations expanded; leading to the establishment of Jesa Farm Dairy Limited (1994), with a milk processing, pasteurising and packaging plant to produce packed milk, butter yoghurt and cream.

2.5 Nsimbe Estates Limited

In 1992, I started Nsimbe Estate Limited, mainly involved in horticultural farming for export of cut flowers, in a joint venture with a German partner.

2.6 Jesa Investments Limited

Jesa Investments Limited is a Commercial Property Development entity I started in 2002.

2.7 Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA)

In 1988, I spearheaded the revival of the Uganda Manufacturers Association and served as its Chairman till early November 2000. Currently I serve as Chairman, Advisory Committee. The Uganda Manufacturers Association has played an increasingly significant role as the leading representative of Uganda’s business community, addressing issues of importance not only to the manufacturing sector, but also to the overall private sector as a whole. The government of Uganda and the international Donors have provided the necessary moral support to the UMA and consulted the association on important matters of economic policy.

2.8 Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited

I was appointed a Director to the Board of Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited in 1992. In 1998, I was appointed Chairman (1998- to date)

2.9 Royal Kingdom of Thailand

In 1993, I was appointed Honorary Consul of the Royal Kingdom of Thailand to Uganda, a position I still hold to- date. In October 2008 I was promoted as Honorary Consul General , a position I still hold to date.

2.10 BATU LIMITED

In 1995, BAT Uganda (1984) appointed me to its Board of Directors. Later I was appointed non-executive Chairman of the Board (1994- to date).

2.11 Private Sector Foundation Uganda

I was elected Chairman PSFU in 1996 until April 2008. Currently, I serve as Chairman Advisory Committee. Private Sector Foundation Uganda represents private sector interests to Government and the community and is funded by the Bank.

2.12 International Finance Corporation (IFC)

I was elected as a member to the International Finance Corporation Business Advisory Council in 1996, which has its headquarters in Washington D.C. The IFC is a member of the World Bank group and is involved in the direct financing of private sector projects in developing countries.

2.13 East Africa Development Bank Limited

East Africa Development Bank Ltd appointed me to its Board of Directors in June of 1999 to date. The Bank is involved in the direct financing of private sector projects within the East African countries.

2.14 East African Business Council

On June 6th 2003, I was elected as Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the East African Business Council. This is an apex body for the three partner states of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, who are under the East African Community. The Council brings together all Private Sector Associate of East Africa under the East Africa Community. It has a rotating Chairmanship and I was once the Council’s Chairman In 1999-2000.

2.15 Eskom Uganda Limited

I was appointed, as a Director of Eskom Uganda Limited in 2003 to date. Eskom is the company responsible for the generation of Hydro Electric Power in Uganda.

2.16 Insurance Company of East Africa Limited

I was appointed as a Director to the Board of Directors of ICEA in 2002 to date.

2.17 Zain Uganda ( Formerly Celtel Uganda)

I was appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of Zain Uganda in 2001.

3.0 COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/ VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

3.1 Vice Chairperson, SOS Children’s Village

SOS Children’s Village is a charitable organisation, which takes care of the homeless children and orphans.

In June 2003, I was elected as the representative of the African Continent to the International Senate of the SOS Kinderdorf International General Assembly.

3.2 Patron, HOSPICE- Uganda

3.3 Trustee, Mengo Hospital

3.4 Board Member, Interplast Uganda

3.5 Board Member, St. John Ambulance Uganda

AWARDS RECEIVED

1988
Chevalier in the National Order of Merit by the French Government in honour of my continued contribution in promoting the private sector

1988
Appreciation Award for Distinguished Leadership of Uganda Manufacturers Association

1991
Vocational Service Award, service above self, by the Rotary Club of Kampala Uganda.

1991
The Investor of the Year Award for the best business promoter of the decade, by Uganda Investment Authority 1991-2001

1993
The Monitor Award “Man of the Year’’-1993 by Monitor Publications, Kampala

1998
Honorary Doctorate of the University of Nkumba in recognition of my leading role in the manufacturing and business sector

2000
East African Most Respected CEO ( 3rd Place ) by PriceWaterHouseCoopers

2001
East African Most respected CEO by PriceWaterHouseCoopers

2001
Certificate of Award by Habitat for Humanity International

2002
East African Most Respected CEO by PriceWaterHouseCoopers

2003
Certificate of Honorary Membership by Rotary Club of Muyenga D9200

2006
Presidential Transformers Appreciation Award presented by H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

2007
UIA Recognition Award by Uganda Investment Authority in recognition to personal contribution to the success of the Commonwealth Business Forum 2007

2008
PSFU Appreciation Award : In recognition of invaluable contribution to the Private sector Foundation as Chairman

MR. JAMES MULWANA
Began his career in Import and Export business.
• In 1967, he went into partnership with Chloride (UK) and established
Associated Battery Manufacturers Ltd, which subsequently became
Uganda Batteries Ltd. In 1990, when the local partners gained full
ownership.
• In 1970, he established Ship Tooth Brush Factory Ltd; currently Nice
House of plastics Ltd; which manufacture toothbrushes, household
products, writing instruments and packaging products.
• In 1988, he revived and served as Chairman, Uganda Manufactures
Association until 2000.
• In 1996, he was appointed Chairman Private Sector Foundation
Uganda Ltd.
• He is a member of the International Finance Corporation Business
Advisory Council.
• Member of the Board of Directors of Insurance Company of East
Africa.
• Chairman of East African Business Council an Apex body for the five
East African Committee partner states of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania,
Rwanda and Burundi.
• Chairman Board of Trustees of Eskom (U) Ltd a company responsible
for the generation of Hydro Electric Power in Uganda.
He has been Chairman UMA Advisory Committee.

William Kituuka Kiwanuka
(Editor SMACK Centenary Magazine & Old Boy)

M7’s speech at the opening of the NRM cacus retreat in Kyankwanzi

A FILTHY HOUSE IN PAKWACH

By 1986, when the NRM took power, Uganda’s economy was only US$ 0.246 billion in size, we were collecting only 5 billion shillings (1.4% of GDP) in taxes, the infrastructure had totally collapsed (roads, schools, health units electricity, etc.), infant mortality was 122 for every 1,000 children born alive and the average life expectancy was 43 years of age. What is the situation now? The size of the economy is now US$ 20 billion, we have done a total of 1,355 kms of new tarmac roads and repaired 1,621 kms of old tarmac roads since 1986, expanded electricity generation from 60 MW to 812 MW today, infant mortality is now 54 per 1,000 born alive children compared to 122 per 1,000 born alive in 1986, average life expectancy is now 50.4 years for both female and male compared to 43 years in 1986 and the percentage of people below the poverty line is now 24.5% compared to 56% in 1986. Therefore, the economy has expanded more than 81 times since 1986.

However, this expansion has not covered all the sectors uniformly. Apart from the Government constructed infrastructure elements of roads, power stations, schools, health units, etc., the economy, the portions driven by the private sector, has done well in the areas of: real estate (construction), services (transport such as boda bodas, buses, kamunyes, shopping malls, hair salons, petrol stations, hotels and restaurants, tour operators, etc), plantation agriculture as well as large scale farming and tourism (numbers of tourists have gone from 98,405 in 1986 to 1,151,356 today). These four sectors and services in general (real estates, services, modern agriculture and tourism) have created 872,260 jobs. You all can see that these jobs are not enough. The expansion of education and health services has also created an additional …………. Jobs. The problem with education and health, however, is that they do not create wealth (money-income) in the short run. Education and, to some extent, health create capacity which may create jobs in the medium and long term period if they are well focused and harnessed. Healthy people work better if they are motivated and properly oriented. Healthy people can, however, also waste their productive time in bars, playing pool or watching European football matches even during working hours. In that case, the people will be healthy but not productive. Similarly, you can get educated people, either in liberal studies or sciences, but who fail to get an entrepreneurial frame of mind. Nevertheless, generally speaking a healthy society which is also educated is better than an illiterate and sickly one. However, the whole society needs to be re-oriented away from laziness and parasitism to production and generating of profits in the respective enterprises.

As already pointed out above, the sectors of construction, services, tourism and plantation as well as large scale agriculture have been growing very fast. Construction at the rate of 8.9% per annum, services at the rate of 7.7% per anuum, tourism at the rate of 8.8% per annum as well as large scale agriculture and plantation agriculture at the rate of 1.8% per annum(not so fast).
Two crucial sectors have been growing also. These two sectors are: subsistence agriculture and manufacturing. Manufacturing has been growing at the rate of 7% per annum. Subsistence agriculture should not only grow but should be completely phased out, to be replaced by small scale or medium scale commercial farming. The growth of manufacturing will completely transform Uganda. I have repeatedly given you the example of milk in North Ankole (Kazo-Nyabushozi). There are now 200 milk coolers in this area, handling 2,500 litres of milk per cooler per day. These now employ 1,600 people working in the coolers and about 100 people working as Bagyemuzi ─ the people that carry milk on the bicycles from the farms to the cooling plants. These cooling plants are located at the sub-county level or at lower levels of trading centres. As I told you , there are 70 coolers in the Trading Centre of Rushere alone. Rushere trading centre is in Kenshunga sub-county. The following are the trading centres found in Kenshunga sub-county: Kiruhuura, Nyakasharara, Rushere, Nshweere, Rutoma, Kitagyi, Katongore, Mugore, Nyanga and Mirama. This is what I would like to see in the whole of Uganda. Each sub-county must be a mini-industrial centre with milk coolers, fruit processors, honey extractors, vegetable oil extractors, silk fabric processor, coffee hullers, coffee roasters, tea factories, etc. etc. All the administrative centres at the sub-county level, provided there is electricity, must be mini-industrial centres. All these will be agro-based industries.

There are, however, other industries that are based or will be based on minerals, fisheries, timber, ICT, engineering (heavy and light), scientific discoveries, etc. The scientific discoveries are based on the human brains ─ the educated and empowered brains of our scientists. They have already started. The inventions by Dr. Muranga for the bananas, Doctors Tikodri and Musasazi for the Kiira electric vehicle, Dr. Kyamuhangire, the anti-malaria-larvae discoveries, etc. are part of the limitless gold mine based on our human brains ─ far richer than the oil which some people are spending on so much time. Oil is a good catalyst, a short and medium term enabler that will help us to build our infrastructure faster. The consumption capacity of our population and the brain power of our scientists are however, in the end, a far greater wealth than the minerals or the oil and gas. Those intoxicating our society with the stories of great wealth through oil are doing us a disservice. Up to now, we have confirmed 4 billion barrels in the ground. Assuming, over the whole project time, we shall pump out of the ground 2.5 billion barrels (because you cannot pump out all the oil), at the present price of US$ 100 per barrel, Uganda will get 250 billion dollars over the whole project time. Is this the money Uganda is going to depend on for all this time? How much is South Korea (a country half the size of Uganda) or Japan earning in exports per annum? South Korea is earning US$……. billions per annum. Japan is earning US$…. billions per annum. Neither of them has oil, gas, minerals or even serious agriculture. They both, mainly, depend on the brains of their scientists.

Manufacturing has grown at the rate of 7% per annum. It will, however, grow at a much faster rate since we have solved the problem of electricity, provided we also solve the problem of the price of electricity. The problem of high electricity prices must be addressed. On account of using private companies to build electricity generation plants as we did with Bujagaali working with Aga Khan the price of electricity ends up being high. While the private companies help us to build the power houses, they use money borrowed from banks with high interest rates. When these private companies integrate these bank interest rates and their own profits into the price of electricity, the price ends up being too high to be afforded by the manufacturer, especially. The Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) are already complaining about these high electricity prices. One way to solve this problem is for the Government to pay off these private companies so that they stop over pricing electricity. This should be studied. The real solution is for the Government to take on the sole responsibility of building the electricity dams. That is where the money from oil would come in handy. Our manufacturers need cheap electricity to be competitive. The price of electricity to the manufacturers in China is now 7.98 American cents per unit, in the USA, it is 7.11 American cents per unit, in Germany it is 11.94 American cents per unit, in India it is 10.50 Cents per unit, in Tanzania 5 cents per unit and in Uganda it is now 11.60 Cents per unit.

The other obstacle to manufacturing has been political interference by elements of the political class. This has affected the Dairy Corporation, Lugazi Sugar Works, Amuru Sugar Works, etc. There was attempted political interference in the Palm Oil project in Kalangala but we resisted it. Kalangala is now thriving. The Caucus of NRM in Parliament must take a stand on this sabotage. Then there are delays caused by the timid political elements and the indifferent, if not compromised, civil servants. This is affecting Kilembe Mines. There are groups that appear to have the capacity to, finally, revamp and up-grade Kilembe Mines. Officials (political and administrative) have, however, been tossing them up and down for the last two years. They hide behind PPDA laws etc. First of all, PPDA laws were not for investment promotion ─ to attract investments. There were, indeed, for procurement ─ buying goods and services for Government use ─ furniture for Government offices, cars for Government ministries, etc. This is a simple process where the Government (the buyer) is comparing offers from the sellers. To confuse this with attracting people with technology, entrepreneurship and money to invest in our country is to make a very fundamental mistake. Yes, there may be different investors that may be interested in the same area of investment. Quickly compare the proposals and the capacities of the interested companies (technical, entrepreneurial and financial) and decide. All the investors would, surely, be very happy with a quick decision so that they do not have to waste money travelling to and from Uganda endlessly. If we solve the problem of political interference, high electricity prices and delays caused by disoriented political or administrative officials, the manufacturing sectors, based on agro-processing, minerals, forests, fisheries, engineering and the innovation of our scientists, the manufacturing sector will boom, at least for the internal market, the market of South Sudan, Eastern Congo, Western Kenya, North-Western Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

When it comes to exports beyond the above regional circle, then we must work with Kenya and Tanzania to modernize and repair the railway lines to the Sea as well as building new ones. The cost of transporting a container by road from Mombasa to Kampala is US$ 4,500 while by rail from Mombasa to Kampala it would be US$3,100. This is with our inefficient railway system as it is at the moment. How will it be with a properly functioning railway system? What is, for instance, the cost of transporting by rail for the same container over the same distance in China, India or Brazil? The comparable figures for China, India and Brazil are ………, ……… and ….… respectively. However, even the antiquated railway of East Africa is cheaper than road transport as shown above.

In spite of the bottlenecks of electricity, political interference as well as delays by the political elements and officials, Uganda now has 416,864 companies that are formally in the services sector comprised of the areas of hospitality (tourism), consultancy, education, health, transport, ICT, beatification (salons), etc. These are employing 872,260 persons. On the manufacturing side (the formal), we have 32,410 companies, employing 153,495 persons.

To conclude this aspect, I request this meeting to resolve to work with me on the issue of the price of electricity (knowing that we shall not lag behind again on the issue of generation), political interference as well as delays by political decision makers and officials.

The other gap in the economic transformation is in the area of continuing to preserve subsistence agriculture ─ 68% of the homesteads according to the census of 2001 were in subsistence farming. Subsistence farming means just growing food for the stomach but not earning meaningful cash. I have already talked to you before on this issue. I have given you written documents. We had 18 days in Entebbe of zonal meetings last year. Just to recapitulate what we discussed then, each homestead of 4 acres should organize commercial agricultural production as follows:
1. 1 acre for coffee (Robusta or Arabica as appropriate);
2. 1 acre of fruits (oranges, mangoes, grapes or apples according to the zones);
3. 1 acre of bananas or other food crops such as rice, cassava, irish potatoes (emondi) or millet (my preferred food);
4. 1 acre of elephant grass (ebisagazi, ebibingo) for the zero grazing cattle;
5. Chicken layers for eggs, improved goats and/or pigs in the backyards of the homes;
6. Mushroom growing even in the peri-urban areas; and
7. Fish farming – especially in the areas of Busoga, Teso and Lango. Recently, I commissioned a fish hatchery in Anyara, Kaberamaido. The farmer there told me that he could get 100 million shillings from the few ponds he has there.

I cannot conclude this speech without talking briefly about infrastructure (roads, electricity, the railway, etc). In the last budget packaging, I insisted on concentrating on the electricity and the roads. With the present rains, you can see what I was talking about. Some of the areas are impassable. The Minister of Works will address you. Nevertheless, it is clear that those priorities were correct. Where they were implemented, the situation is excellent. Where they were not, people are suffering. Let us learn from those mistakes. In recent discussions with some Members of Parliament (MPs), questions were raised as to what criteria is used to pick roads for tarmacking. The main method is relying on the Internal Rate of Return (IRR). This measures the profitability of projects, including roads. Here below are the different roads in Uganda with their IRR: Nyakahita-Kazo-Kamwenge-Fort Portal 22%, Fort Portal-Bundibugyo-Lamia 18%; Kabale-Kisoro 18%; Soroti-Dokolo-Lira 15%; Kampala-Gayaza-Zirobwe 18%, Kigumba-Masindi-Hoima-Kabwoya 18.80%; Rukungiri-Kanungu-Ishasha 5.60%; Muyembe-Nakapiripirit/Moroto-Kotido 5.80%; Masindi Port-Lira-Kitgum 18.80%; Gulu-Atiak-Nimule 18.10%; Vurra-Arua-Koboko-Oraba 16.90%; Olwiyo-Gulu-Kitgum 19.6%; Kapchorwa-Suam 12.10%; Mbale-Bubulo-Lwakhakha 16.00%; Soroti-Katakwi-Moroto-Loktanyala 13.90%; Mukono-Kyetume-Katosi 23.43%; Mpigi-Maddu-Ssembabule 15.20%; Villa Maria Ssembabule 20.33%; Musita-Lumino-Busia-Wanseko 19.50%; Kabwoya-Muzizi Bridge 15.40%; Kayunga-Bbaale-Galiraya 29.50%; Buwaya-Kasanje-Mpigi-Kibibi-Mityana 26.30%; etc. etc.

With funding from International Funding Agencies or Development Partners, they never depart from this principle. The road must have an Internal Rate of Return of above 12% to qualify for international funding. It is us who, when we are able financially, or can engineer a financing solution, that depart from this principle. That is how we tarmacked Mityana-Fort Portal road, Ntungamo-Rukungiri road, Muyembe-Kapchorwa road, Kapeeka-Matugga road, Moroto-Nakapiripiriti road (on-going or about to start), Isingiro road, Ishaka-Kagamba road, etc. Here we used the need to connect the different corners of our country or for some historical reasons (Luwereo war or the 1979 war) in spite the IRR being low. Even when the IRR is very high, such as in the case of Kampala-Masaka (53%) or Kampala-Mityana (18.3%), the external agencies do not come in because they also do not have enough money. That is why the Uganda Government had to do these roads itself (Masaka-Kampala and Mityana-Kampala).

Nevertheless, we have now found solutions for the 19 roads plus Masindi Port-Lira-Kitgum and Nabumali-Butaleja-Namutumba roads in addition to what is already going on in that sector. We have given road equipment to all the districts. The challenge now is to maintain the 11,000 Kms of UNRA roads (tarmac and murram). The Minister argues that the 280 billion shillings we give him for road maintenance and repair is not enough. The other portion of his budget goes on new roads funded wholly by the Uganda Government or in partnership with Development Partners. We are going to discuss this issue in this meeting.

I thank you, congratulate you on finishing 2012 and wish you a happy and prosperous new year.

`I saved Oyite Ojoks’ life says Museveni

`I saved Oyite Ojoks’ life says Museveni, counsels
leaders to have a direct relationship with God
January 13, 2013

President Yoweri Museveni has called on leaders to have a personal relationship with God, adding that you cannot live a Godless life and succeed.

The President was today speaking during interdenominational prayers for members of the NRM caucus currently on a retreat at Kyankwanzi. The members of parliament took the Sunday morning off for prayers before resuming with the retreat later in the afternoon. Mass was led by Rev. Father Joseph Ssesaazi and the homily by Rev. Fr Vincent Kajoba all from Kyankwanzi parish.

“Am glad to have attended the service and am glad that you all came. I have not been an active Christian in church in recent but am very active privately. But for you, you should be religious, here am telling you very seriously. You should have a relationship with God. And this relationship does not go through these priests. It should be direct between you and God because these priests are just mobilisers, they are not between you and God but they are sort of mobilisers to keep reminding you about your relationship with God. And for me I can tell you that there are many times when I pray and actually God performs more or less like a miracle,” he said.

The President said all the things members of parliament are engaged in, relate to the what the priests referred to as the eleventh commandment.

“When you think you can do things as long as you are not seen, you can do bad things as long as you are not seen, you should remember that there is the one who is seeing you. And over these fifty years I have seen people who think they are very clever. In this politics of ours, just making trouble…. they think they are very clever, they think if they do this, they do that …they will succeed. And they fail badly. I have seen it with my eyes if I had time I would write it for you. On the other hand if you work with God, he will protect you,” he said.

The President gave a background of the bush war when Mwalimu Nyerere called them to form UNLA and to surrender their armies. According to Museveni, his officers led by Otaffiire protested that they could not surrender their guns, wondering what they would use if the UPC turned against them.

“I said no, a leader cannot have too languages, we handed in all the guns, when you hear that the NRA started with only 27 guns which is true, it is because we handed in 9000 guns to UPC they thought they were so clever that they got all guns and could do anything they wanted. They failed. I saw this with my own eyes. We who hand handed in our guns when it was necessary to get the guns we got them. It was at a high cost but we were better off than if we had done the treachery of saying one thing and doing another,” he said.

According to President Museveni, in 1979 – 1980, UPC was doing many bad things including killing people.
“My officers said we should kill Oyite Ojok in Nile Mansions. The even made a plan. They called it operations kichwa meaning head. If we killed Oyite Ojok, UPC would have lost its head. I rejected that plan. I said we cannot attack anybody without warning. It is treachery,” he said.

The President said in some cultures it is wrong to attack a person without warning.
“If I want to beat you and I find you looking the other way, I first cough and you turn. So that he does not say I attacked him by surprise. When you see me keeping quite when I see all these things going on, I first of all want to come and sit with you here in Kyankwanzi and tell you when we are together. I can’t go and start talking before telling you my people. I vetoed the plan to kill Oyite Ojok. I cannot accept this. To kill someone without warning, I can’t accept it. So I saved Oyite Ojok. Later on Oyit Ojok died by some other things but not by treachery. You cannot live a Godless life and think that you will succeed. If Sekikuubo, you bring forged documents to parliament like they did the other time on oil, it is like the Sermon on the mount. If you are going with your accuser to the judge, on the way you can repent and reconcile,” he said.

The interdenominational prayers were led by Rev. Father Joseph Ssesaazi while the homily was delivered by Rev. Fr Vincent Kajoba.

They cautioned urged leaders to represent their people well because they are Gods people and that if they do, it is a qualification to heaven.

“Some people don’t understand prayer. It all begins with what you do. A member of parliament if you represent well, God will repay you and qualify you to heaven. Blessed are those pure in heart. They shall see God. Blessed are the peace makers. Don’t fear to be persecuted if you speak the truth, they said, adding that as Honourable members, they are the salt for Uganda and what they bind, the electorate will follow.

They however cautioned them to be careful with the laws they pass for the good of the people.
“If I was in parliament the bill on homosexuality will not wait. Don’t allow these people to use their wealth to impose their culture on our people, stand up to be counted,” Rev. Ssesaazi said.

END

“Cheap politics misleading our people”- President M7

Benedicto Kiwanuka and Abu Mayanja, address a rally following Kiwanuka’s release from prison in 1971. Kiwanuka was the leader of DP, one of the earliest political parties that has been part of Uganda’s past and present.

President warns against political interference,
says high power tariffs slowing down industrialization
January 12, 2013-01-12

President Yoweri Museveni has warned leaders against cheap politicking and political interference calling on them to reorient society from laziness and parasitism to production and generating of profits in the respective enterprises.

“Let’s learn from our past mistakes. When talking to people, we should not mislead them. Am tired of cheap politicking. Honourable members you have a contract with God. Out of the 33 million people, you have been chosen, don’t misuse this chance. This is a rare chance, don’t misuse it,” he said.
The President said while education and health have improved they do not create wealth (money-income) in the short run.

“Healthy people work better if they are motivated and properly oriented. Healthy people can, however, also waste their productive time in bars, playing pool or watching European football matches even during working hours. In that case the people will be healthy but not productive. Similarly, you can get educated people, either in liberal studies or sciences, but who fail to get an entrepreneurial frame of mind. Nevertheless, generally speaking a healthy society which is also educated is better than an illiterate and sickly one. However, the whole society needs to be re-oriented away from laziness and parasitism to production and generating of profits in the respective enterprises,” he said.

The President said he has been listening to the intoxication by leaders about oil, saying while he discovered oil using our scientists, he does not talk about it.

“Assume we will get out 2billion barrels out of the 3.5 because you can’t pump out all the oil. At US$100 a barrel that will be 200bn dollars over a period of 40 years extraction. This is not a lot of money. It is nothing for a country.. Go on the internet and research this. Me am computer illiterate am comfortable with my head. South Korea which has no oil earns over one trillion. But honourables, bishops, kings all talking about 200bn dollars for 40 years. Am sorry for this country. Am very, very, sorry for this country. I will counter those people, we shall counter you and educate our people, detoxicate them from what you are planting in their heads,” he said.

The President emphasized that oil is a windfall and should be used as a catalyst. The actual wealth of Ugandans is not in the oil, it’s not enough. Money from oil can’t be equal to that from industrialization.
The President emphasized the need to support scientists by increasing their salaries describing them as a gold mine for Uganda. He said the country now has enough electricity despite the high power tarrifs that are slowing down production, adding that the high power tarrifs are because it is the private sector that is investing in the sector using loans that they need to recover and also make profits.
“It is better for government to build the dams using oil money,” he said.

The President warned against political interference, urging leaders to make a decision about the Lugazi industrial hub.

“I can’t go on begging as if you are doing this for me. Amuru sugar factory is being opposed by parliament. Somebody who blocks development and yet comes to get money from the consolidated fund whose money is from factories. If you don’t want money, why take the parliamentary pay. You are making Uganda lose that advantage and behaving as if this is the only place where they can invest. Can you imagine sugar production being blocked by members of parliament?,” he said.

The President said there was attempted political interference with the palm oil project in Kalangala but government insisted.

“You can imagine the change that has taken place there, the MPs from there should tell us how they have transformed. Why should I beg to put factories for our people, why? Why? The caucus of the NRM in parliament must take a stand on this. The President said ministers were timid and could not explain such issues to the masses because they fear Ssekikuubo to attack them. Let him talk, we shall answer him,” he said.

The President also cited the Kilembe mines which have been dormant for 40 years has been delayed for investment by the Chinese allegedly because of PPDA rules.

“If you make a decision, stand by it. If it is wrong, someone will correct it. Now they are hiding behind PPDA, a law we put there to deal with buying. PPDA is not about investment, it is about promotion. This is disorientation. Kilembe mines needs investment, it is not a procurement issue. We are only lucky because our neighbours still have security problems. Serious investors will go away and you remain with quacks,” he said.

The President was speaking at the opening ceremony for a retreat of the NRM parliamentary caucus in Kyankwanzi which is aimed at enabling the members appreciate the need for industrialization and job creation as a spring board for economic development. It is also aimed at appreciating the budgeting process for better service delivery.

While responding to MP Banabas Tinkasiimire about the Presidents stay in power saying 30 years was a long time and wondering why such a person never gets tired, the President said 30 years was inaccurate and that he has been in the struggle for 50 years, 20 years in the bush and 30 years around town.
According to the records the NRM government under President Museveni’s leadership has seen the size of the economy grow to US$ 20 billion from 5billion in 1986. There is a total of 1,355 kms of new tarmac roads with another 1,621 kms of old tarmac roads repaired since 1986. Electricity generation expanded from 60 MW to 812 MW today, infant mortality is now 54 per 1,000 born alive children compared to 122 per 1,000 born alive in 1986, average life expectancy is now 50.4 years for both female and male compared to 43 years in 1986 and the percentage of people below the poverty line is now 24.5% compared to 56% in 1986.
END

COMEDY: UAH’S J.N INTERVIEWS PRESIDENT MUSEVENI

DEMOKULASIA- POLICE MUST DEAL WITH ARROGANCE MPs///UAH

This is a serialised interview.

JN- Mr President, thank you for accepting to avail your self for this interview. Let me also use this opportunity to congratulate you for having been re-elected president of Uganda, although I do not recognise your presidency.

Museveni– Thank you JN. By the way, I remember you as a boy during the 1980 campaigns and the liberation war. But what do you mean you do not recognise my presidency?

JN- There is compelling evidence that you rigged this election, Besigye received more votes than you.

Museveni– No, no, no…Besigye is misleading people and he will be arrested if he doesn’t stop. It is actually FDC that rigged in many polling stations around the country.

JN– Which polling stations?

Museveni- For example, in the north they rigged in Ginego, Jal, Macho Myamya, and Obale etc. In the east they rigged Ojame, Jadwong, Pee, Omuhongo, Siriginyi and Ejokuna. They almost rigged Ejakait polling station as well, but Kaihura prevented that in time. Here in central, they went ahead and rigged Mbaliga polling station, Banobasiru polling station, Ndimulimba, and Njochamasiro polling station. In fact we did not gather more than 20 votes at Serwajo’kwota polling station. In the West we were more vigilant so they only managed to rig Rwakitura polling station. As you can see, we’re the victims here, but alhamdulillah, we came out on top.

JN- Alhamudulillah!!!

Museveni- Yes! Seya taught me that.

JN- But the electoral commission is partisan and pro NRM, how did they manage to do that?

Museveni- They were assisted by the conservatives in the UK to print fake ballot papers. We know this.

JN- Lets talk about your rap or crap song as some people call it. Whose idea was it, and how come you claim originality for a song that has been around for more than a century?

Museveni- Oh! actually it was Janet’s idea although I took all the credit. The idea was to educate our youth about product value addition. You see, this song had been exported from Ankore to other parts of Uganda in its raw form for many years. So we added value to it and you saw the results.

JN- How was that supposed to educate the youth about product value addition?

Museveni- I think it was another way of telling them that it is possible to sell sand in the Sahara.

JN- But Otafire publicly called it a “Mavi ya kuku” crap song.

Museveni- No, no, no…what Kahinda proposed in the NRM caucus was that we add those lyrics in the song, to make it national anthem material, but we disagreed on the modality.

JN- What was the disagreement about exactly?

Museveni- I did not attend that meeting my self, but Tamale Mirundi can clarify.

Tamale Mirundi- Mr. pulezidenti, samu membazi insisitedi we insert those words into the song vertically…ie. “Mavi ya kuku” but athazi were saying we do it horizontally….”kuku ya mavi” for example.

JN- Only that?

Museveni- He also felt the song had the potential to become our national anthem, so we forwarded the matter to different party organs for scrutiny.

JN-Why didn’t you record a full album?

Museveni- But it was a full album of one song. I intend to release ten more albums this year to complement the first one.

JN- Ten!!…how are you going to do that in one year?

Museveni- In the second album for example, we shall record the same song backwards. In the third album, I’ll recycle only one line……”kati karara, karara, kati karara x 89 times emphasising the “Rrrrrrrrrr”……..” and crap like that. Eddy Kenzo will assist us with all that.

JN- Mr president, people say you’ve failed to create jobs 25yrs down the road, what do you say about that?

Museveni- Those are lies spread by FDC. How can any body say we’ve not created jobs when companies like MTN, Uchumi, Nakumat, Airtel, Kiboko squad and Kalangala action plan are all recruiting NRM youth? Under the NRM government, we’ve discovered oil and paper ore which we did by adding DDT to paper and some other herbs from Ntungamo.

JN- What is paper ore used for?

Museveni- It is the main ingredient in the production of heart monitoring equipment for hospitals. Last year I directed that we use them our selves at Mulago hospital and that explains why heart related deaths have declined drastically form 2000 a year to only 1997.

JN- But it is said that all these business are owned by your family, disguised as private business owned by foreign investors. They exploit the poor who have become poorer since 1986.

Museveni- JN, I agree, but the bible says…. “Thou who haveth will be giveneth more, but ye who haveneth not, even the little thou owneth shall be takeneth awayeth from themeth”. That is why Haji Kigongo and Seya Ssebaggala are with me because they believe in the same doctrine. I hope that answers your question.

JN- Seya was jailed some years back for money laundering in the USA and he is also on record for embezzling public funds here in Uganda. Is he your friend..

Museveni- Oh!!..no, no, no!…Seya is merely an NRM associate but not a friend of mine. But we have things in common, for example, we both don’t eat pork nor do we drink alcohol, I think that allows us to work well together.

JN- Do you trust him?

Museveni- Yes of course, because with him, maximum secrecy is ensured, unlike people like Mahogany.

JN- Mr president, what do you mean when you talk about “secrecy”?

Museveni- I conduct all my meetings with Seya in English, so there is no chance for leakage. You know the media here would be spreading rumours that I will never retire.

JN- Are you a life president?

Museveni- Ohhh! please!…Now that Besigye is no longer going to seek another mandate with in FDC, there is no threat to the country and the NRM. I’m going to retire ASAP.

JN- When Mr president?

Museveni- Not later than 2062, but if you people push me too hard, agakatonda muguru nyowe naza kubahereza ebifunguro bya state house such that I go to Rwakitura and look after my cows. (I swear to God I’m going to hand over the keys)

JN- Laugh….and laugh again….Mr president, do you expect to live that long?

Museveni- Please do not focus on one individual only “Museveni” when there is a long queue of other capable Ugandans waiting as well. For example, I’ve heard that this young man, Muhwezi is also interested. The other day I was at my daughter’s church, and there was a rumour going on that another Ugandan…I think it is Janet Kataha Museveni who might be considering sacrificing her self for the nation AGAIN. Although we’re opposed to the idea, we also acknowledge that we’re a family that sacrifices, and therefore, can not stop these Ugandans who want to serve their country. Retiring will not be a problem.

JN- In other words you’re going to stand again in 2016. Are you a life president?

Museveni- JN, let us cross the bridge when we get there. I think we should focus on industrialisation and the East African integration process.

JN- But Mr president, do you think Besigye is capable of leading this country?

Museveni- If he becomes president, this country will retrogress. We can not allow that to happen. For example, he has been telling people that he is going to drastically reduce corruption with in five years, how was he going to do that? It has taken us 25yrs to increase it to its current levels, so how does anybody decrease it with in five years??!!!

JN- You seem to imply that corruption is good for this country Mr president.

Museveni- If a cow that gives you milk doesn’t feed well, it will produce less milk. To get it to feed, you must entice it with salt. In Runyankore we call it “ekisura”. In other words, what you people call corruption, for us in the NRM we call ekisura that greases people’s hands such that they do a good job.

JN- Is Besigye wrong to say he wants to eradicate corruption then?

Museveni– Besigye always wants to accomplish things fast. I think you’re aware that he deserted the liberation struggle, but to our surprise, we found him in Kampala with the first group of liberators drinking tea near the old Slow boat restaurant. He actually commanded that battalion, so you can say that he wanted to become president way back in 1986.

JN- So you do not trust him?

Museveni– How can you trust a man who promises a Sunami but then you end up with a La-Nina phenomenon?. How can you trust him when he wanted to give the Banyoganda a district states?

JN- Are you saying Bunyoganda doesn’t qualify for a district status?

Museveni- You can’t do that now, because the minimum requirement in terms of population to qualify for a district status is 25 people, habiting at least an acre of kabaka’s land. The Banyoganda number only 20 according to the last population census. To give them that status now will lead to the Cholangis in the north to agitate for theirs as well. As you might be aware, that action will require us to chop off some parts of Acholiland and Langoland to create a district for the Cholangi people.

JN- Back to corruption, so you do not want corruption to end, is that what you’re saying?

Museveni– Oh! nooo…, the NRM governement has got the will to end corruption, but of courses at a very, very slow pace to enable people to adjust properly.

JN- What do you mean Mr president?

Museveni- What I mean is that, with corruption in place, that is how the NRM succeeds, and not how it fails. For example, how else would I have managed to remove these restrictive term limits?

JN- Are you admitting that you have failed on corruption?

Museveni- Of course not. It is not how you start but how you end that matters. In 2062 corruption will be a thing of the past.

==============================================================================

In my next series, I will interview the president on oil in Bunyoro and the economy in general. Stay tuned.

JN-CHANGE IS COMING!

A lot of holes in Adam Kalungi’s arrest

Well that story has a lot of holes. How far is Mombasa from Uganda? Are you telling us that these days someone can be arrested in Kenya and immediately handed over to Uganda or foreign authorities without a court hearing? If that is the case why has not Mr. Isabirye-of Mugoya construction-been returned to Ugandan to answer charges related to NSSF and Nsimbe. He is a free man walking the streets of Nairobi.

In other words the story is too good to be true. Yes Adam may have been arrested but most likely not from Mombasa. It seems he was in some safe house so the IGP chose to produce him in such dramatic fashion.

Show readers his pictures in Mombasa and his hand over by Kenyan police or Interpol. You take Ugandans for fools, do you? The burden of proof is on you to convince Ugandans that such a high profile suspect can be arrested in Mombasa in the middle of the night and somehow land in Uganda in a few hours.

QN: Do Uganda arrest suspects say from Kenya or Rwanda hand them over immediately? Are you telling us that the courts have no say in determining whether the said suspected should be repatriated?

Olimbye.

WBK