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It Is Treason If Kayihura Has Investments In US: President Museveni Happy Over Kale Sanctions, Says It’s Good For NRM…

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11 months ago

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President Museveni has warned that it will be treasonous if former Police Chief Gen. Kale Kayihura has investments in USA.

In a letter on his Facebook page today, Museveni said that, “What would be disappointing is to hear that Kale had investments in the USA that his children go to see. That would be treason. Investments in the USA when Uganda needs investments?”

Below is his letter verbatim:

Fellow Ugandans and, especially, the Bazzukulu

It says, in the Church of Uganda Prayer Book, on page 5, as follows: “They left undone what they ought to have done and they did that they ought not to have done and there is no truth in them”. In Runyakore, it says: “Bakareka ebibashemereire kukora, bakora ebibatashemereire kukora, n’amazima tigari muribo”. It is most interesting to see how some of the elements of the Opposition are jubilating about some authorities in the USA who have recently declared that General Kale and some members of his family will not be allowed to enter the USA in case they want to travel there.

Before I comment on the action of the USA Govt in the matter of Kale, I should, first of all, say that, that excitement among some elements of the Opposition shows the poor quality of their spectacles when it comes to issues of Africa and Uganda. Why do they think that going to the USA or, indeed, any non-African country is so important that if you are not allowed there, it will amount to a painful punishment? I know of no Country that is more beautiful than Uganda on Earth Planet. It is actually a sacrifice for me to visit any non-African country on account of bad weather, strange foods etc.

I, however, visit those foreign countries as my duty prescribes to create friendships for Uganda, especially for business, security co-operation etc. Even with the issue of business and security co-operation, our primary area of interest is Africa.

The other parts of the World are additional. Africa needs those parts of the World and they need Africa. Otherwise, at a personal level, I go to foreign, non-African destinations for friendship, not for my primary obligation to family or Country.

Why do I say this? The first time I visited the USA in October 1987, on the invitation of President Reagan, I was 43 years old and my personal journey had already reached the climax as President of Uganda. In the previous 43 years, I had grown up in Africa, studied in Africa, fought in Africa, failed in Africa and succeeded in Africa. Where in Africa? In: Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia and Kenya.

On two occasions, I also passed through Rwanda and Burundi and visited Mobutu once in Gbadolite. Why did President Reagan invite me? He must have heard that this totally African- made product, known as General of the Resistance, Yoweri Museveni, is of some value. Indeed, we have helped one another with the Western Countries in economy, health (e.g. Aids and Ebola), security etc. In some of the situations, Uganda stood alone or nearly alone. Some examples: the Sudan under Hassan Tourabi when they backed ADF and LRA; Somalia when everybody, including the Americans, feared to go there; the Rwanda crisis; etc. etc. Actually, for most of the 43 years before I visited President Reagan, the Western Countries suspected us as “Marxists”, “Communists” etc. That, however, did not stop us from succeeding in Liberating our Country. Some of the Western and some of the Eastern Countries, not to mention the Arab countries, supported Idi Amin and those Govts. Actually, Idi Amin came to power with the support of the Western Countries. We opposed Idi Amin and their support for him and succeeded with the support of African Countries.

By 1950, China was number 45 in the hierarchy of development in terms of the size of GDP. In the 70 years since that time, China is now the second biggest economy in the World and they are continuing to grow. However, in those 70 years, China has fought with the Western Countries in Korea (1950- 53); they have been on opposite sides in the War in Vietnam (1954- 1975); China backed us in our anti- colonial wars in Africa, while many of the Western Countries were supporting our enemies (in Mozambique, Angola, South Africa, Namibia, Rhodesia, Guinea-Bissau, Mau Mau); etc etc.

Mao Tse Tung never visited any Western Country even once in all his life. I think he visited Moscow two times. Yet, the China he led is now one of the most successful stories of the modern World.

Therefore, to hear leaders of national Political Parties jubilating that a Ugandan is barred from entering the USA is very good news for the NRM because, as always, it will be very easy for us to show the Ugandans and Africans that “they have left undone what they ought to have done and have done what they ought not to have done and there is no truth in them”.

Regarding the Foreign Govts which are fond of using these types of approach, that is their choice. It is really none of our business. It is their country and they are right to run it the way they want.

However, for Kale or other Ugandans who are suspected to have made mistakes, they will always be handled in Uganda. That is why we shall never hand any Ugandan to, for instance, the Court in The Hague- the ICC. Kale is already facing whatever mistakes he is suspected to have committed in our Courts. What value addition is, then, there from external actors? In co-operation in, for instance, Defense matters, some of the Western Countries tried to tell us which soldiers should not be selected for courses in their countries and we rejected that position by stopping all training in those countries. We built the UPDF by our own means from scratch, based on the genuine sentiments of our People as you can see whenever there is a recruitment exercise. Outsiders can contribute in a manner acceptable to us. Otherwise, we are self- sufficient in capacity building as we have always been.

What would be disappointing is to hear that Kale had investments in the USA that his children go to see. That would be treason. Investments in the USA when Uganda needs investments? I do not have and will never have a single investment outside Uganda; possibly, for some sentimental reasons, I could consider investing in Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda etc. – African countries. However, for non- African Countries: “No”, “Never”. Why? It is the African slave labour during 300 years of slavery, the African resources during the colonial times and the African resources during neo- colonial times that contributed greatly to the prosperity of those countries to the detriment of Africa (How Europe under- developed Africa- Walter Rodney).

It is therefore, inexcusable that at a time when Africa is still struggling to stand up, still with deficits in many areas, that the African elite would transfer money, again, to the West. Culturally, now, the populations in the Western Countries are something akin to relatives: we all speak English or French or whatever; many of us are Christians; we share books written by different Authors; etc etc.

When Africa is strong, she will come to the aid of Europe and the USA. However, that time is not now. On my part, the only time I opened a bank account outside Uganda, was in a Bank in Gothenburg, Sweden, where I deposited the US $ 120,000 that was donated to the NRM by the Late Max Rohrer of Roko. Elizabeth Bagaya also brought US $ 100,000 from Abiola. I do not remember whether I deposited it there also. This was in 1985.

Also Mzee Rusiita from London may have brought some contribution. Otherwise, it is sacrilege for Africans to continue to contribute to the welfare of others to Africa’s detriment.

I am sorry for this diversion. I have not responded to the messages of the Bazzukulu and other Ugandans that they sent in response to my earlier ones, and those wishing me well on my birthday. I will do so soon. Thank you all for wishing me good luck

Signed:

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

By Doreen Menezer

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I Swear Upon God It Wasn’t Me: Saleh Distances Himself From Ndeeba Church Demolition Before Kazimba…

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56 mins ago

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August 12, 2020

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Gen. Salim Saleh, the coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) has distanced himself from the demolition of St Peters Church Ndeeba in Kampala.

There were media reports that had started linking Saleh as the invisible hand funding Dodoviko Mwanje, the man who facilitated the demolition of the church.

While addressing the House of Bishops led by Archbishop Stephen Kazimba at Kawanda Research Institute, Saleh said that he was saddened by allegations that he was behind the extinction of the church.

“I’m (always) here in Kapeeka, I haven’t got time to respond, I’m hearing Saleh you are grabbing land, am I a mad person to grab a church? So for that matter, I want to swear before you the Bishops and Archbishop that in the name of God I’m not involved in that church demolition issues,” Saleh assured the House of Bishops from the Anglican faith on Wednesday.

 

By Grapevine Reporters





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I Want To Look At Bobi’s Academic Papers, Someone Born In  1982 Cannot Join Primary One At Two Years Of Age! – Mabirizi Questions EC Over Kyagulanyi Nomination…

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9 hours ago

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August 12, 2020

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Contentious city lawyer, Male Mabirizi has petitioned the Electoral Commission to avail him with the academic documents of Kyadondo East Member of Parliament (MP) and National Unity Platform (NUP) leader, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine.

On Tuesday, The EC announced that Kyagulanyi was among 8 other candidates picked nomination forms to stand for presidency, taking the total number of applicants to 19, after 10 others collected theirs on Monday.

In a petition dated 10th/August/2020, Mabirizi wrote to the Electoral Commission secretary requesting for certified copies of Kyagulanyi’s nomination academic papers for the Kyadondo East by-election, in which the latter eventually emerged victorious.

The introductory part of the petition read; “I address you in my capacity as a civically active Uganda well aware of your constitutional duty as elaborated under Article 61(1)(d) of the Constitution to organize, conduct and supervise elections and referenda in Uganda and you indeed held a bye-election in Kyadondo East bye-election where Robert Kyagulanyi participated as a candidate and declared winner and now a sitting Member of Parliament.”

The lawyer noted that section 4(3)( C) of the Parliamentary Elections Act ,2005 provides that a person is only qualified to be an MP if that person has completed a minimum formal education of at least Advanced level standard or its equivalent of the Ugandan Education system, a fact he says he wants to prove.

Mabirizi persisted that the EC must have therefore have been availed with his academic documents to prove Kyagulanyi completed the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education or its equivalent before nominating him. Mabirizi now demands to have a look at the NUP leader’s papers.

“The required documents are required to satisfy my doubts that the said Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu possesses the said qualifications given that as per his details via the parliamentary website, he was born in 1982 and sat A- level in 1998. Implying that if the birth year is true, he sat A-level at 16 years, O-level at 13 years PLE at nine years and joined primary one at two years,” Mabirizi insinuated.

The lawyer insisted that his doubts can only be satisfied by looking at the academic documents tendered to the Electoral Commission in 2017 at nomination prior to the Kyadondo East by-election.

Robert Kyagulanyi is currently legally battling allegations of illegally obtaining, taking over and changing the National Unity, Reconciliation and Development Party (NURP) into the National Unity Platform and later assuming it’s presidency.

The provocative lawyer has in the past been notably known to contentiously dare the head of state, the state itself and various state officials to legal battles in the courts of law. And for a traditional Muganda man who has petitioned his cultural leader before, Mabirizi’s latest move is significantly so typical of him. For many however, mostly Kyagulanyi’s fanatics have deemed his action as an attempt to seek relevance to shelter his ambitious political career, on a hint that he could vie for the upcoming 2021 general election.

 

By Baron Kironde





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You Cannot Pay Katureebe For Doing Nothing – Mabirizi Challenges Former CJ’s Retirement Package, Stands In Matembe’s Way Back To Parliament….

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23 hours ago

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August 11, 2020

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L-R: Matembe, lawyer Mabirizi and former CJ Bart Katureebe

Controversial city lawyer Male Mabirizi Kiwanuka has asked the East African court of Justice to stop the election of the five representatives of the elderly and the elections in the new 46 constituencies until his main suit is determined.

Mabirizi petitioned the regional court challenging the bills passed by parliament and accented to by the president during the COVID19 lockdown.

He insisted that all the bills which include the parliamentary elections Amendment bill which turned into an Act, the passing of the Uganda Administration of the Judiciary Bill which turned into Act, the passing of shs1.8trn supplementary budget on the 25th of June 2020, the Uganda Minister of Justice and Constitutional affairs making and Uganda parliament approval of the Republic of Uganda’s political parties and Organization Conducts of meetings and Elections Regulations 2020 and President Yoweri Museveni’s appointing of Dorothy Kisaka as the new Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) all contravene the constitution of Uganda and the East African Treaty.

Former ethics and integrity Minister Miria Matembe has declared interest to contest for one of the five seats to represent the elderly in the eleventh parliament.

She revealed that God told her to put all other assignments aside and go back to parliament to represent her fellow old people something that lawyer Mabirizi says is illegal.

In his petition to the regional court, Mabirizi claims that the decision of the parliament of Uganda and president Yoweri Museveni through assent, to commit colourable legislation by amending article 78(1) of the constitution, altering the composition of parliament as stated there under by creating the five seats for elderly persons through the parliamentary elections amendment bill 2020, are lawful and infringements on the fundamental and operational principles of the East African Community  which include good governance including adherence to the principles of democracy , the rule of law, accountability, transparency and the maintenance of universally accepted standards of human rights.

Mabirizi insisted that the bill was passed without quorum, public participation or debate and the bill for amendment of the constitution.

The controversial lawyer also challenges the passing of the Judiciary Administration bill 2020 because there was no quorum in the house.

“Section 29 grants retirement benefits to surviving spouses and dependent children of the deceased judicial officer for 15 years which defeats the principles of good governance, equity before the law and common sense,” Mabirizi stated.

He wondered in his petition why the retiring judicial officers are given salaries and other benefits equivalent to those of the serving judicial officers when the retired one is no longer working.

He also challenged section 20 which allows judicial officers to work in other institutions contrary to Article 128(1-2) of the Constitution since this creates a window for the president to compromise judges through such appointments.

Mabirizi insists that section 5(d) and 18-12 give the judiciary council a function to maintain ethics and integrity within the judiciary and set up an inspectorate of courts within the judiciary, contrary to Article 147(1)(b) of the constitution which prescribes one of the functions of the Judicial Service Commission as to receive and process people’s recommendations and complaints concerning the judiciary and the administration of justice and generally to act as a link between the people and judiciary.

He noted that the establishment of the judicial service in the new law contravenes Article 148 of the Constitution which provides that the Judicial Service Commission may appoint persons to hold or act in any judicial office other than the offices specified in article 147(3) of the constitution and confirm appointments in and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices and remove such persons from offices.

He further revealed that the new law creates the secretary to the judiciary to be appointed by the president under article 174 of the constitution contrary to Constitutional court decision which held that being an independent arm of government , the judiciary cannot have its secretary appointed by the president.

He further explained that it’s very clear in the constitution that parliament shall not pass any law to alter the decision or judgment of any court as between the parties to the decision or judgment.

In the same suit, Mabirizi also challenged the creation of the 46 new constituencies saying they were passed without quorum, without debate and without suspension of parliamentary Rules of procedures requiring debate which is contrary to article 63(2) of the constitution which requires the demarcation to be made by the electoral commission, article 63(3).

He added that the Constitution requires the electoral commission to review the division of Uganda into constituencies within twelve months after the publication of results of the census of the population of Uganda and may as a result redemarcate the constituencies.

 

By Sengooba Alirabaki





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