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    HIGHLIGHTS FROM BESIGYE’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE: Ugandans should brace themselves for tougher times…

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    Fellow Ugandans, we have concluded 2017; a year marked by a handful of successes but also monumental failure by the Museveni/NRM regime.

    It has been largely a year of belief and uncertainty; of depressing and frightening moments, but as a people of great optimism, we have prevailed all through moments of sadness and pain, and relished our moments of joy, jubilation and rare achievements. The  participation of Uganda Cranes at the Africa Cup of Nations after 39yrs was a joyous moment. Together, we celebrated their successes during qualification and cheered the boys in Gabon.

    The She Cranes  won the 2017 Africa Netball championship following their 2015 World Cup success in Australia.

    However, 2017, witnenessed low moments and huge embarrassments.

    The low moments came with the Doctors strike and the continued mismanagement of the health system by the Museveni regime. The doctors strike was a result of years of ignoring their pleas for better pay and good working conditions.

    The state of our healthcare system is appalling: underfunding to the sector, critical shortage of health workers, low pay, severe shortage of tools and equipment for effective diagnostic and treatment, shortage of drugs, lack of quality laboratory services and brain drain.

    The biggest casualty of the bad healthcare system is primary and maternal healthcare. This  has contributed to high infant and maternal mortality rates in Uganda.

    We have a duty to protect our expectant mothers and ensure the children they give birth to grow to become responsible citizens. Teachers, Lecturers, Prosecutors , Judges and Magistrates, Local Government leaders went on  strike or threatened to strike over poor pay.

    I also recognize that members of our security forces (Prisons, Police and UPDF)  are among the least paid public servants in Uganda. Our public servants deserve better.

    The road carnage reached its peak in 2017. Several accidents occurred on major roads- especially  Masaka road- claiming many lives.

    While Police blamed the accidents on reckless driving, they ignored mention of the standards of our roads. Although the Ministry of Works has a department for Construction Standards and Quality Assurance, the roads constructed under the Museveni regime do not match with increasing traffic and so cannot guarantee safety of travelers. They pose a great risk to effective road transport, yet,  by far, this is the most common and affordable form of transport in Uganda.

    Many of our children dropped out of school or failed to sit for their promotional end of year exams because their parents could not raise the required fees and many still  lack basic human necessities like food, clean water, clothing and shelter.

    The allegations of corruption against Sam Kuteesa, which was reportedly planned and executed on US soil while he served as President of the United Nations General Assembly brought shame onto our country.  Soliciting for, and accepting a 1.8bn bribe to help a Chinese  firm secure business privileges in Uganda contravenes official code of conduct for any nations top diplomat. Kuteesa and Mr. Museveni, who received gifts from the Chinese business dealers all brought shame to our country.

    2017  was also a year where many citizens were murdered in cold blood leaving behind many orphans, widows and a timid society. But the heartless murder of AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi had the greatest chilling effect: as the 2nd most powerful officer in the Police hierarchy, the target and manner of execution was terrifying.

    Interestingly,  most of the murders happened in Kampala Metropolitan where the greatest percentage of the regime’s security and intelligence apparatus is concentrated.

    The failure to protect citizens, at best exposes the inherent weaknesses of the national security system, and worst shows the system itself is infiltrated by rogues and criminals with capacity to cause havoc.

    Of course, the year 2017 started against   background of horrific, state-inspired violence and gruesome massacre of people of Rwenzururu Kingdom.

    The effects of the two day joint UPDF and Police assault against Rwenzururu Kingdom loyalists will remain another deep sore on our country.

    Besides crippling the Kingdom, exiling and placing Omusinga Charles Wesley Mumbere under house arrest in Kampala, over 100 men (and an unknown number of children), mostly his loyal subjects were murdered in cold blood.

    We are pursuing an Independent and impartial inquest conducted by persons and organizations with international expertise, so that in the end those responsible for the massacre are held accountable.

    The men who were charged with murder, terrorism and treason seen  with wounds inflicted onto them by the attackers are victims not perpetrators of the massacre.

    Justice for the victims of the Kasese tragedy, like  those of other violent conflicts in our country, will come through establishment of truth-telling, justice and reconciliation process.

    During the year 2017, more than 3 million Ugandans were directly hit by hunger and nearly 10million experienced food shortage. This huge national crisis was a result of decades of poor planning, relentless destruction of the environment and perpetual under-funding to the Agriculture sector.

    As People’s Government, with limited resources, we mobilized some food supplies for the affected people of Isingiro and Katakwi while people of Apaa in Amuru received both food supplies  and some household items because they were  starving and displaced.

    With December harvests in most parts of Uganda, there is likely to be some relief but the problem will persist.  Uganda does not have national storage facilities to act as food reserves. National reserves would  help to stabilize food prices during periods of shortage.

    My prediction is that we shall,  continue to experience food crises unless  we make deliberate plans at the earliest moment to establish the reserves.

    Besides high food prices, 2018 will see higher prices for virtually all commodities and utilities. Fuel prices will likely go up, electricity tariffs will go up, water bills have already been increased and generally the cost of living will be unbearably higher for ordinary citizens, yet  majority  have no jobs while the few with jobs will remain underpaid

    The business community will bear the brunt of the regime’s overtaxation policy to raise enough resources largely to rent and finance it’s expanded patronage network. Living standards and people’s incomes will continue to decline.

    The UBOS report that  indicated an increase in overall poverty levels from 19% to 27% should be a matter of greater concern in 2018.  The economy will continue to struggle as a result of slower growth- dismally slower than 2017.   The economic volatility arises  out of years of mismanagement  and weak  Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows.

    The collapse of Crane Bank in 2017, months before the regulator Bank of Uganda took over it’s management, acclaimed as one of the top four commercial banks in Uganda, should be a remainder that failure to  conduct thorough supervision on the industry can have catastrophic consequences.

    The Central Bank must reform and strengthen its supervisory mechanisms to ensure the banking sector is protected.  However It is not only the wellness of citizens that is a crisis but rather, the very existence and survival of the state.

    Days before Christmas and end of year, the supremacy of our fragile constitutional order and the integrity of the constitution were destroyed.  317 MPs, working against strict instructions of 85% of Ugandans, motivated and inspired by greed on one hand  and  ignorance of implications of their actions, voted against the constitution they swore an oath to protect and defend.

    We have a duty to carefully reflect on the actions of Members of Parliament, interrogate their political motivation, make appropriate plans to remedy their error and restore our constitution.

    Where necessary,  we shall have to put enduring safeguards that will make it impossible to alter it at the slightest call of a dictator.

    As we get into the new year, let us show empathy to those in pain; share the least we have with the needy; extend love and compassion to everyone; forgive those who have wronged us and commit to be selfless in pursuit of our individual and national interests.

    Let us seek a new life of purity and devotion, free from hatred, anger and selfishness.

    Happy New Year!

    Kizza Besigye

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    NEWS

    OPINION: One Million March: Don’t Be Misled By Bobi Wine…

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    Bobi Wine at one of his rallies. Inset is the writer George Mubiru

    After president Museveni and his government granting him a chance to traverse the country making political rallies (a chance he later misused by making reckless and irresponsible statements), National Unity platform’s  Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine immediately flew to Canada to meet his diaspora supporters and donors.

    Much as police later banned his rallies, being granted the right to do something doesn’t mean doing it wrongly. He misused his right because his hate speeches of tribalism could plunge this beautiful country into genocide.

    It should be remembered that he first went to the U.S with his family to premier a film on how Uganda is bleeding and on his return, he immediately announced his plan to make country wide tours.

    I believe all this was a calculated move to simulate the masses, go back to the imperialists and come back with the One million reception we are all hearing to distabilise the country with hopes of eventually overthrowing a legitimate government with the help of some western enemies of Uganda. Very unfortunate!!!!

    To a lay man who may not know the logic here, Bobi Wine has minted and bagged billions of money from his overseas donors. He is ridding on shoulders of innocent Ugandans hoodwinking them to make money and he has successfully achieved this.

    Bobi Wine’s mythology calls with ruthlessness symbolizes selfishness, opportunism, greed and calculating plunders through applying the most heartless measure of inciting the innocent people into danger for personal gains.

    If you’re one of those people being blind folded to be part of the illegal and unpopular One million march on October 5th 2023, ask yourself these questions below;

    1. Do you have an armoured vehicle like that of Bobi Wine?
    2. Does Bobi Wine share all that money he gets from his donors with you?
    3. If you don’t share the money with him, then who does and how do you benefit from the so called struggle?
    4. Which strength do you have to successfully fight one of the strongest military and police in Africa?
    5. Are you ready to die or be crippled forever?
    6. How well have you prepared and organized your family financially, socially, etc incase you die or get crippled?

    I appeal to Ugandans most especially the youths, to shun Bobi Wine, avoid danger and concentrate on their businesses. Most of these politicians are opportunists and money makers.

    We exist in an abundant world with enough for everyone but there are those hoarding the resources while telling you they are scarce and doing it knowingly to exploit you as their capital. Ugandans are meant to direct the anger and disgust at Kyagulanyi.

    Make use of the flourishing political stability and peace in the country to improve on your socio-economic status. Bobi Wine will not pay your bills, buy food, build a house etc. for you.

    We should not greedily take in any lie that flatters us and sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter.

    The writer, George Mubiru, is a Jinja based researcher and NRM mobiliser

    Tel: 0754877595

    Email: georgemubiru93@gmail.com

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    NATIONAL

    Inside Story Behind One Million Match To Entebbe Airport As Security Moots Arrest Of Bobi Wine And University Lecturer Dr. Spire…

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    NUP boss Bobi Wine (R) and Dr. Spire Ssentongo (L)

    National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters are organizing landmark grand celebrations to welcome their principal Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) who is expected back in the country on Thursday this week.

    Bobi Wine traveled abroad to hold high level talks with the international policy makers and Ugandans in the diaspora especially in the countries of Canada, United States of America and concluded with South Africa on Thursday.

    Bobi told Ugandans in the diaspora that they have a role to play in the fight to oust President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s government and advised them to wake up and fight for what he termed as a good Uganda.

    Bobi Wine who was accompanied by his wife Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi also held music concerts and collected huge sums of money.

    He boasted that he used his recent political tours to deliver a strong message to the extent that it woke Ugandan intelligence up and they got to know that the political struggle is still on.

    He for the first time confirmed that he was possessed by his grandfather’s spirits ‘Mitembo’  when delivering his moving speech which shocked many in Luwero district and the country at large.

    He explained that when he was dressed with backcloth, given a spear and gin, everything changed including the words that came out of his mouth.

    It should be remembered that in Luwero, Bobi accused President Museveni and his son who also doubles as his Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba of practicing tribalism, nepotism and supporting land grabbing.

    Highly placed sources in NUP revealed that Bobi Wine knows very well that the State has to react very seriously to the statements he made in Luwero and it is highly likely that he will be charged in the courts of law.

    Sources added that an order was issued that on Thursday, all NUP leadership especially members of parliament, local councillors, division mayors have to participate in organising a one million march to welcome their party boss.

    They are supposed to look for transport and other requirements to facilitate their journey from Entebbe airstrip.

    Sources allege that the celebrations are going to be colourful and their movement is expected to be peaceful under their slogan ‘One Million march’ unless it is disorganised by police.

    When asked what they are celebrating, a NUP insider noted that they want to show love to Bobi Wine for the strong decision he made to lead the deadly struggle against President Museveni.

    He added that they are not going to use cars or motorcycles when they reach Kampala city because they will disrupt the traffic movement. Intead, they plan to walk.

    When contacted, Julius Katongole one of the Personal Assistants to Bobi Wine who also doubles as the Lubaga Division NUP youth leader denied the allegation that the one million match is organised by the party Secretariat.

    He insisted that the celebrations are organized by Bobi Wine supporters who want to show him some love for his decision to lead the political struggle against Museveni’s government.

    He explained that as supporters of Bobi Wine, they don’t expect any clash with security agencies especially police because they are not the first people to do so.

    He gave an example of the NRM supporters who welcomed Museveni from America in big numbers after firing his former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi.

    He also confirmed that they have landed on classified information that there is an ongoing move to slap criminal charges on Bobi Wine once he lands on Ugandan soil.

    Other security sources told theGrapevine that Bobi Wine will be charged together with Dr. Spire Ssentongo, a university lecturer and social media influencer.

    Without revealing the details of the file, sources claim that Bobi Wine and Ssentongo will face charges related to participating in the subversive activities against President Museveni’s government.

    He added that last month, a General Inquiry File was opened up at Central Police Station Kampala the headquarters of Kampala Metropolitan police and at Kibuli based Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters against Bobi Wine and Spire.

    These sources claim that after making a moving speech in Luwero district, where Bobi Wine accused President Museveni and his son Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the NRA veterans of practising tribalism, nepotism and supporting land grabbing, Bobi Wine assigned Spire to fuel his message on social media.

    Katongole added that they suspect that Bobi Wine will be arrested immediately once he steps out of the plane.

    According to these sources, once arrested, Bobi Wine will be driven to Court or to his Magere home to avoid any processions.

    During his address to his supporters in America, Bobi Wine admitted that he used his recent countrywide political tours to provoke president Museveni into arresting him or doing something bad to him but he was advised by his advisers not to do so because it was going to give him bad publicity internationally.

     

    By Sengooba Alirabaki

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    NATIONAL

    Gloves Off As Prime Minister Nabbanja Declares War On Minister Lumumba Over UN Trip…

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    Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (R) and minister Kasule Lumumba (L)

    Furious Prime Minister who also doubles as the Kakumiro district woman Member of Parliament Robinah Nabbanja Musafiiri has declared a war on Justine Kasule Lumumba the minister of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister over the recent trip to United States of America to attend the United Nations Assembly.

    Nabbanja revealed that she was surprised to see Lumumba attending the Assembly meeting because she was not given permission from her as the leader of government business who is responsible for giving ministers and government officials permission to travel abroad.

    She explained that she kept quiet while in US. However, when they immediately landed at Entebbe, she issued a directive not to refund any money to Lumumba and the people she travelled with because they traveled on their own.

    “She will not bring here her fighting practices she has exhibited where she came from. We don’t even have that slot of the minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister. I directed that she should not receive a refund for the money she used in that trip,” a furious Nabanja told CBS radio.

    She added that she was told that Lumumba was part of the delegation that went with Jessica Alupo the vice president whom Nabbanja said does not have authority to ask because she is her boss.

    She however explained that president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni gave her the green light to travel to the UN Assembly.

    Nabbanja noted that for her to travel to the US to attend the UN Assembly, she first received a special invitation from the UN and report to the president who allowed her to travel.

    She said that while in the US, she meet a number of investors on the sideline of the UN Assembly who picked interest to invest their money in Uganda.

    She added that she also met some of the top leaders of the World Bank who promised her that very soon, they are going to lift the ban they slapped on Uganda because of the Anti-Homosexuality Act passed by the parliament and signed by President Museveni.

    Nabbanja denied allegations that she travelled with a huge delegation including his physical trainer.

    She divulged that she traveled with only five people and among them was his bodyguard, protocol officers and others.

    She threatened to take legal action against the Monitor Publication adding that some papers are used to fight her by publishing malicious stories which put her in bad light before right thinking members of socity.

    “They wrote that I stole Shs9bn which was allocated to teach youths how to drink coffee, yet the money was misused before I was even appointed a prime minister. Enough is enough, I’m going to act against them and you will hear the results,” a furious Nabbanja threatened.

    She explained that her predecessors used to travel abroad with huge delegations but they were never publicised as it was done to her.

    It is on this note that she alleged that her enemies are using the media to put her down but vowed to go down fighting.

    Hamson Obua the government Chief Whip in parliament revealed that during the NRM parliamentary caucus meeting at State House Entebbe, Nabbanja and Alupo were given the opportunity by the president to clear the air over the huge delegation they both traveled with to UN Assembly. They both denied the allegations.

    theGrapevine has established that there has been a silent war between Nabbanja and Lumumba with the Prime Minister accusing Lumumba of disrespecting her and backbiting her.

    Before being appointed a minister, Lumumba, who was the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party Secretary General had a bad working relationship with Dr. Tanga Odoi the party Electoral Commission chairperson.

    theGrapevine made efforts to get a comment from Lumumba over her boss’ allegations against her but her known phone numbers were not going through.

     

    By Sengooba Alirabaki

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