IT WAS ILLOGICAL TO SUPPORT THE OCTOBER 2011 WALK TO WORK

IT WAS ILLOGICAL TO SUPPORT THE OCTOBER 2011 WALK TO WORK

For those who are parents at heart, it was illogical to support the October 2011 Walk to Work. The timing was wrong given that the students were starting their final examinations. In such circumstances, common sense dictates that in such events, it is not possible to be sure who the victims would be and the magnitude. There is evidence of many people not party to such ending up victims. Many of the students who are doing examinations have been victims of the stupid school fires, it does not make sense to get students and parents suffer simply to implement Walk of work where the people are impoverished on the more and they end up losing property. It is also a fact that the walk to work has been overtaken by events, more so the developments in Oil corruption. It makes a lot of sense to get politicians in getting facts regarding the outright robbery under the Oil deals, assuming what we have heard and read so far is factual, as is expected in a corruption ridden country of the Uganda type.

William Kituuka Kiwanuka

NABAKOBA, HOW CAN THE POLICE NOT BE THE MOST CORRUPT WHEN …

Nabakoba the Police spokes person in Uganda has laboured to discredit the extent of corruption in Uganda Police Force, but unfortunately, the defense does not credit her. I wish Nabakoba could put camp at Naguru where drivers are examined, and she will get to know the truth that the saying that the Police Force is corrupt is not a lie. I have a friend who vowed not to pay a bribe and thank God, after telling whoever was in-charge, he was passed, but when the truth is that for nearly everybody who goes through these people, something small has to be paid. That is not an isolated case, people will keep telling you that you cannot report a case to the Police station and expect them to act or to go and arrest the offender if you have not paid at least shs 5,000. It is also a fact that these Police Posts lack money for operations and have to find away to raise the money. So, Nabakoba if a good believer should stop generalizing that the Police are not corrupt, as this may be her passport to hello!

William Kituuka Kiwanuka

POLICE DEFENDS SELF AGAINST ACCUSATIONS
First published: 20081214 7:48:28 PM EST
The Police Spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba has fervently defended the police against allegations of corruption and abusing human rights of Ugandans.
The 2008 National Corruption perception index report from the office of the Inspector General of Government named the police as the most corrupt institution in the eyes of the public. This came on the heels of other reports that accused the police of abusing human rights of suspects and other people who report cases to the police.
Nabakooba told a public debate in Kampala today that the current bad image of the police is a result of the police's policy to move nearer to the public. She says because the police have opened up more to interaction with the public, some people have taken advantage of this closeness to label accusations of corruption and abuse of rights against the police.
Nabakoba says many people appreciate the police for the good work done but a few people who appear on radio talk shows say negative things about the police without substantiating. She says people talk on radio but decline to make formal complaints to police so that concerns are put on proper record and followed up by police authorities.
Nabakooba promised that the police will deal with any of its officers who ask for bribes or abuses office if they are reported by members of the public.
She also called upon human rights organizations to teach Ugandans about their rights and responsibilities in order to reduce lawlessness and criminal acts by the public. Nabakooba says human rights organizations have focused so much on teaching people about their rights without teaching members of the public about their responsibilities.
She says all rights are followed by responsibilities which have to be fulfilled for all people to enjoy their rights and freedoms in an orderly way.
Nabakkoba also warned Ugandans against mob justice saying it is wrong and illegal for members of the public to punish people who they think have committed crimes. She says many people who are attacked by mobs have been found to be innocent.

WALK TO WORK BY MUSEVENI WAS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE

It was news to learn that the President walked 4 miles to get to the site where he was to officiate. The good thing about it, the President did not give in but walked on. The walking was a win - win situation by the people that end as the President had a hands on experience with the problems of the people. It is true, in many parts of the country, the people suffer the problems they experience simply because of corruption and outright theft of the people who are responsible to see the service delivery. In many parts of the country, you find the politicians having good houses and a number of investments at the expense of the development they are supposed to deliver to the people.

William Kituuka Kiwanuka

HILARY ONEK ON THE ALLEGATION THAT MUSEVENI WAS TOLD A LIE ABOUT BUJAGALI POWER GENERATION CAPACITY

It is sad how Uganda has degenerated, how do you tell the tax payer that Museveni was told a lie on Bujagali dam! Is Museveni a technical person regarding power generation? This is a clear death of Institutions in Uganda Governance. Technical people are supposed to do their work and under normal circumstances there is no way the president would be liable to the work supposed to have been done by technical people.
Cry the Beloved Uganda!

MUSEVENI DUPED ON BUJAGALI POWER PROJECT - MINISTER

By NELSON WESONGA

Posted Thursday, November 3 2011 at 00:00

President Museveni, who has made hydro power generation for industrialisation one of his pet subjects, was duped into believing Bujagali would generate 250MW of electricity, former Energy Minister Hilary Onek said yesterday.
The minister, now handling the internal affairs docket, said Ugandans connected to the national grid will also reach deeper into their pockets to pay for Bujagali power.
Mr Onek, a structural engineer, told the parliamentary ad hoc committee investigating misconduct in the energy sector, that Bujagali would produce averagely 170MW of electricity. “Bujagali dam will never produce 250MW, never. 250MW is the capacity of the turbines to produce, but there is no water for that. It is the same water that leaves Kiira and Nalubaale dams that will go to drive the turbines of Bujagali,” he said.
Mr Onek said the most Bujagali could generate would be 220MW and only for about three hours, after which the water levels would dictate that generation be scaled down. However, Mr Matovu Bukenya, the head of communications in the ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, said Bujagali when fully be completed next year, would generate 250MW. “For this month, it will start with 50MW,” Mr Bukenya said.
Mr Onek told MPs that Energy ministry Permanent Secretary Kabagambe Kaliisa lied that the tariff for Bujagali power will be $9 cents”. “He knows it will be 12 cents,” added Mr Onek.
Mr Kaliisa could not readily comment about the accusation, saying he was attending a meeting. Electricity Regulatory Authority’s Public Relations Officer John Julius Wandera said it is not possible to ascertain Bujagali tariff now. “Let nobody lie to you; you will only be able to know the power tariff when Bujagali starts generation later this month,” said Mr Wandera.
Mr Onek, whose tenure at the energy ministry was known to have been dogged with fights with technocrats, also told MPs yesterday that it was wrong to build another dam parallel to the Owen Falls Dam. “When you construct a dam, you create reservoir that supports you when there is a dry season to maintain a statistical flow of water.” “When I opposed it, the bureaucrats at the ministry labelled me an agent of LRA chief Joseph Kony,” said Mr Onek.
Mr Museveni has always said the Bujagali power project will go a long way in increasing power generation and industrialise Uganda, which would create more job opportunities and, therefore, put more Ugandans in the middle-level social bracket.

nwesonga@ug.nationmedia.com

IT WAS EXPECTED TO WITHDRAW CHARGES AGAINST BUKENYA FOLLOWING HIS LAWYERS CALL FOR CHOGM MINUTES

IGG WITHDRAWS CHARGES AGAINST PROF BUKENYA

Charges of abuse of office against Former Vice President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya have been dropped by the IGG. Photo by Isaac Kasamani
By Ephraim Kasozi

Posted Friday, November 4 2011 at 12:20
The Inspector General of Government has withdrawn charges of abuse of office against Former Vice President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya in connection with the award of Shs9.4 billion contract to supply the 204 executive vehicles for the Commonwealth summit held in Kampala four years ago.

IGG Spokesperson Ms Ali Munira confirmed the development.
The IGG decision comes hardly two days to the commencement of the trial before High Court, Anti-Corruption Division. Justice Catherine Bamugemereirwe had set November 7 to 11 this year for the trial of the Ex-VP.
Prosecution led by the Head of Legal Affairs, Mr Sydney Asubo at the Inspectorate of Government had earlier revealed that 17 witnesses would testify against the Ex-Vice president.
Prof. Bukenya represented by attorneys; MacDusman Kabega and Enos Tumusiime appeared before the court for the pretrial.
Prof. Bukenya has also been endorsed by the NRM party as its flagbearer for the Busiro North by-elections.

ekasozi@ug.nationmedia.com

BUKENYA DEMANDS 2006/2007 CABINET MINUTES

Anne Mugisa and Hillary Nsambu

5 July 2011
LAWYERS representing former Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, have demanded for minutes of eight Cabinet sub-committee meetings on CHOGM from 2006 to 2007 before his constitutional petition can proceed.
They also demanded for a letter written by Hilda Musubira, the Public Service Permanent Secretary, to President Yoweri Museveni on the committee meetings on CHOGM.
Musubira was the executive director of the CHOGM secretariat.
Bukenya is facing charges of alleged abuse of office and fraudulent practice during the CHOGM vehicle and motorcycle procurement.
He was represented by Ben Wacha and MacDosman Kabega.
The minutes that the lawyers are demanding for include those of the 15th Cabinet sub-committee for CHOGM meeting held on December 4, 2006, another in May 2007, another of February 12, 2007 and the 28th Cabinet sub-committee meeting held in 2007.
Others are minutes of the same committee meetings held on November 20, 2007, July 11, 2007 and October 28, 2006.
His lawyers also amended Bukenya's constitutional petition in a bid to block the acting Inspector General of Government (IGG), Raphael Baku, from prosecuting Bukenya.
They argued that Baku had no legal stand to investigate and prosecute Bukenya since he occupies a non-existent office.
The lawyers insist that the Constitution only provides for the office of the IGG and deputy IGG, but not the acting IGG.
"He, therefore, cannot purport to investigate and sign a report as acting IGG and then charge someone in that capacity," the lawyers said.
Their second amendment is that Baku is practicing selective prosecution, which is contrary to the constitutional provisions which outlaw discrimination.
According to the lawyers there were other ministers with whom Bukenya held meetings regarding CHOGM procurements and so each one of them must be held responsible for those decisions.
Bukenya attended court together with several of his supporters.
Principal State Attorney Henry Oluka, who led the Attorney General's team, asked for an adjournment to allow the Attorney General study the amended petition and respond to it.
The court granted him the adjournment until Tuesday when the petition is expected to start.
Oluka also argued that the minutes are confidential and are, therefore, subject to the rule of confidentiality.
He said he could not commit himself to produce the documents as there are procedures through which they should be produced in court.
The court, led by Deputy Chief Justice Alice Mpagi-Bahigeine, however, did not rule on that.

UGANDANS NEED TO PRAY THAT THE NRM PARTY WILL NOT BE THAT BANKRUPT TO ENDORSE MUSEVENI FOR 2016 PRESIDENCY

Facts are bitter, but the NRM members should get to understand that had they given Obote chance, Uganda would be very far as regards development and the Human welfare indicators. The NRM managed to confuse those who could be confused and has simply messed up the country to the extent that the future is not clear. You cannot deceive anybody that one can be in power for over 25 years without scheming for opponents. The regime has all the time been involved in military adventures which have cost the country substantial amounts of resources both locally generated and donor resources. The country is based on corruption. As long as we have leaders who are there to accumulate, there is no way that you can expect the welfare of the masses catered for. We have a new breed of thieves, they have learnt that the best way they can disguise their loot is to hide under some other people assuming ownership of property and businesses. You all of a sudden find a fellow from no where get the title ‘omugagga omuto’, literally meaning a young millionaire. The level of patronage has cost the country so much and it is best to change the party leadership to save the country continued loss of resources to this unproductive channel.
Time is ripe for the NRM Party members to have sense in their heads. We need a Uganda that is progressing and the truth is that President Museveni influenced the extension or removal of term limits, we know he has got a lot of power around him, and the sense there is should be for the party to have the country at heart and say, Big man, thank you for sacrificing for the country, but you have to quit, you are a liability to the country and no longer an asset.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka

BEHIND MUSEVENI, KYAMBADDE QUARREL
Written by Emma Mutaizibwa
Thursday, 03 November 2011 00:13
Details emerging from last week’s NRM top organ meeting at State House indicate that Trade, Industry and Cooperatives minister Amelia Kyambadde launched an audacious attack on President Museveni and the First Lady, and the President returned the favour with a warning to his former principal private secretary.
Kyambadde had poured cold water on the NRM chairman’s threat to discipline errant ruling party young MPs, saying it would be superfluous without first “disciplining ourselves”.
According to sources privy to last Thursday’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting at State House Entebbe, which came on the heels of growing dissent within the ruling party, Kyambadde accused Museveni and First Lady, Janet Kataha, of indiscipline.
The latest sparring between Kyambadde and President Museveni underlines the quandary over how to repair the fault-lines and purge dissent that is threatening the NRM party’s cohesion.
“Mr President, you have distinguished yourself for using bad language. How do you call Andy DeMetriou, an executive of Tullow Oil, an idiot? Honourable Kataha called us [MPs] useless. How, then, do we discipline these others?” said Kyambadde to the amusement and amazement of other CEC members at the meeting.
Parliament resolved last month, after a heated debate, to constitute an ad hoc committee to investigate the oil sector, particularly allegations that three ministers: Amama Mbabazi (Prime Minister), Hillary Onek (Internal Affairs) and Sam Kutesa (Foreign Affairs), had received bribes from oil companies in return for favourable contracts.
Parliament also resolved that the ministers should step aside to enable the ad hoc committee perform its work independently. However, Museveni dismissed the allegations as “absolute rubbish”. He said the documents on which the allegations are based were a forgery.
According to leaked US diplomatic cables released by whistleblower website, WikiLeaks, in August, Demetriou, who is Tullow’s head of external relations, reportedly told an official of the US Mission in Kampala on November 24, 2009: “Tullow believes ENI made personal payments to President Museveni and ministry of Energy officials in return for Tullow’s offshore exploration rights.”
Incensed, the President described Demetriou, the Tullow Oil official that reportedly made the claims, as an “idiot”.
“It’s despicable,“ Museveni said in response to the WikiLeaks allegations.
“[For] General Yoweri Museveni Kaguta, Ssabalwanyi (chief fighter), to get money from a mzungu or anybody for my personal use? It is contempt of the highest order for somebody to say that.”
During last week’s CEC meeting, Museveni was visibly exasperated by the accusations from Kyambadde, a close confidante.
“He asked Amelia [Kyambadde], with whom he has worked since 1979, whether he has ever taken a bribe. Amelia responded: “You have never taken a bribe.”’
“If someone alleges that I was given a bribe, which is false, if I don’t call him an idiot, what should I call him?” Museveni retorted.
The President also reportedly went on the offensive to defend his wife.
“I carefully watched the proceedings, including Janet’s submission on the floor of Parliament. She only said that the way MPs were debating without listening to their colleagues rendered the debate useless; she did not refer to the MPs as useless,” Museveni told the CEC members.
In what could be interpreted as a thinly veiled attack on Kyambadde, Museveni added: “By the way, Janet is hardworking and you can see what she has done in Karamoja, unlike some of you who are specialists in making noise.”
The First Lady is the minister in charge of Karamoja. Museveni, still seething with rage, said he had gathered information suggesting that Kyambadde was part of the problem in Parliament.
“She has been mentioned amongst other people who are mobilising the young MPs to rebel against the executive,” he charged.
However, Kyambadde denied the accusations and instead accused Emmy Katabazi, a burly security operative close to Prime Minister Mbabazi, of peddling the false claims.
“Katabazi sent a message to MPs claiming that the source of the documents [implicating Mbabazi, Kutesa and Onek of taking bribes from Tullow] was Kyambadde,” she said.
The debate had now degenerated into a personal exchange, and, having denied mobilising the young Turks, Kyambadde boldly told Museveni that it is high time he started treating them with some respect.
“Your Excellency, the young MPs are [as old as you were when you] went to the bush. You should learn to treat them with respect. They are behaving like that because there is something they want,” Kyambadde said.
But Museveni warned her: “Amelia, stop encouraging and facilitating these young rebel groups. It’s destructive and it’s derailing us from implementing our manifesto. Watch out.”
Museveni had earlier given CEC members a long lecture on indiscipline. He spoke of how indiscipline cropped up in the National Resistance Army (NRA) during the bush days, including cliques, sectarianism and cheap popularity, and how it was handled.
“This threatened the existence and struggle of the NRA and we had to devise very harsh methods of enforcing discipline, including the firing squads. It’s that level of discipline that made NRA capture power in five years,” Museveni reportedly told his audience. He added that the UPDF inherited those disciplinary measures.
“This is why the UPDF is a shining example in its conduct here and in foreign missions,” Museveni added.
The NRM first vice chairperson, Al Hajji Moses Kigongo, also said he has been watching indiscipline cropping up in Parliament and wondered “whether this is the NRM he knew”.
Before closing the CEC meeting, Museveni promised to convene another one to resolve the issue of party discipline.
“Even if we meet for three days, we shall have to find solutions to indiscipline, like we did in Luwero [in the bush days],” he vowed.

mutaizibwa@observer.ug

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS SYLVIA NAGGINDA THE QUEEN OF BUGANDA

With a master’s degree in corporate communications and professional experience as a
management consultant, in 1999, Her Royal Highness Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda
married the Kabaka (King) of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the traditional and
cultural leader of the almost 7 million Baganda people living in the Republic of Uganda (East Africa). She established the Nnabagereka Development Trust to address public health and development concerns with an emphasis on the needs of children and women.

Since becoming Queen in 1999, The Nnabagereka has been active in public health and development activities in the Buganda Kingdom and across Uganda. She runs the Nnabagereka Development Trust Foundation and is the patron of various organizations.
Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda is the daughter of John Mulumba Luswata of Nkumba, Busiro; and Rebecca Nakintu Musoke who currently lives in New York. She is the granddaughter of Mr. George William Musoke and Mrs. Nora Musoke of Nazzigo, Kyaggwe; and Omutaka Nelson Nkalubo Sebugwawo and Mrs. Catherine Sebugwawo of Nkumba. She has three brothers and three sisters. Born in the United Kingdom and raised in Uganda, she lived in the United States for several years before getting married to Kabaka Mutebi II in a historical ceremony on August 27, 1999; at St. Paul's Cathedral, Namirembe.

Sylvia attended Lake Victoria Primary School, Gayaza Junior School and Wanyange Girls School before proceeding to the United States where she earned her Associates Degree with Honours from City University of New York, a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University and a Master of Arts degree, with Distinction, from New York Institute of Technology. Her major field of study was Public Relations, including economics, journalism and corporate communications.

Sylvia gained most of her professional experience in the United States. She worked as a Research Consultant at the United Nations headquarters, as a Proposal Writer with MAXIMUS, Inc. and GKA Inc., and worked as an independent consultant in public relations and business development. She has applied her skills in fields such as public information, economic research, health care and human services, and international non-profit activities.

Sylvia and the Kabaka had known each other for a number of years, but their romance blossomed in 1998, leading to the announcement of their engagement on Valentines’ Day February 14, 1999. On that day, Kabaka Mutebi formally introduced Sylvia to members of his family and the Katikkiro. On March 14th, the Katikkiro led a 20-person delegation to Sylvia's family to pay their respects on behalf of the Kabaka. On March 15, 1999; the Katikkiro, during a historic sitting of the Lukiiko at Mmengo, formally informed the whole of Buganda about the forthcoming marriage.

The announcement was greeted with joy and goodwill from Baganda and other well wishers, at home and abroad. Ugandans in North America are particularly happy that one of their own has won the heart of the Kabaka of Buganda.