A source close to the NRM’s most brutal security organization, the Rapid Response Unit, has sent a secured message to this writer, to confirm reports by Baganda run online newspaper that the RRU publically executed several suspects after they surrendered.  On January 3, 2009, the Democratic Party leaning www.crestedjournal.com reported that and eyewitness told them that NRM government operatives had executed 7 unidentified individuals. Part of the Crested Journal story reads:

Seven Ugandans whose Identities have not been know yet were yesterday executed by “security agents” in open view of the general public in Kyengera about [14] Kilometers south west of Kampala. According to [an] eyewitness, travelling to Kampala from Bushenyi a civilian car was intercepted by another car and all seven occupants were taken out and executed.

“We got into a traffic snarl all the way at Buddo. We stopped for fuel at a Total Petrol station in Kyengera. As we were filling our car, we heard gunshots. We all turned to look and about fifty (50) metres from where we were, in the middle of the road, a car had blocked another car and someone was lying on the ground,” the eyewitness narrates.

He continued to tell our reporter that “as they watched gunmen -all in civilian clothes-continued to shoot inside the other car, more occupants spilled out with their hands in the air but they were all executed!”

Our source has been a member of president Museveni’s security organizations for more than 10 years. He/she has worked with David Magara, the man who issued the orders for the Kyengera execution, and other ruthless CMU, RRU and Operation Wembley veterans, including  the late Nobert Mayombo, Elly Kayanja and Leo Kyanda. Communicating with the confidence that we would never reveal his/her name, the source confirmed the essence of the Crested Journal story. He/she also rubbished the New Vision and Monitor stories, which claimed that  4 robbers died in a fire exchange. He/she said: “The New Vision story, including pictures of the policemen in the hospital are all fiction and comedy. The monitor, wants to stay open so they also took what the government stated and changed a few words.”

The source shed more light to the situation when he/she added: “Although I was not near the incident, the word in Kireka, Naguru and Kololo is that, yes, it was an execution and David Magara (see photo) ordered based on instructions from above and in consultation with David Tinyefuza. These were not robbers but anti NRM people who were trying to armed resistance. The official policy from above is to infiltrate such groups, trap them and then execute them as robbers.  And that is what happened at Kyengera. You see, the RRU was created with support from the American government. In fact, David Magara, the RRU’s commander and chief executioner got USA sponsorship, education wise and salary wise since way back in 2002. Tinyefuza, Magara and even Mzee fear that if we arrest and take these thugs to court, the USA will insist on fair trials and the anti NRM people who sponsor them from the diaspora will gain confidence.

“All I can tell you for now is that these chaps were 6 or 7. They were well known to the RRU and had been tracked for sometime because the driver, who was allowed to escape, was government informer. Yes, they had surrendered but the ‘do not take prisoners’ order had to be implemented. They had to be executed as per policy. By the way, I think most likely all of them were Baganda, probably sponsored from outside. I cannot tell you if they are after regime change or Federo or what… But police may take time to announce the names only because they need time to create new names for the dead men and properly finish the ‘official’ story.”

In his 2010 New Year’s address to Uganda and occupied Buganda, East African warlord Museveni has claimed that in 1962 God created “what is now Uganda”. This year’s speech stays on the same old Museveni themes: Kony and war, oil discovery, UPE and USE, increased revenue collection, the super fast economic growth, the coming elimination of corruption, national drug authority, agriculture value addition and incompetent and corrupt government officials. Mr. Museveni’s 21-page long speech conspicuously omits mention of Buganda, land, regional tier, Kabaka, the Kayunga unrest or the subsequent massacre of 30 Baganda

On Uganda and God, the NRM chief said: “If you want anything, do it according to the laws.  In 1994/95, we elected people to represent us; they came and sat here in the CA for two years debating the Constitution of Uganda.   This constitution is the only democratically agreed constitution in the history of Uganda since God created what is now Uganda.  The one of 1962 was by some chiefs and some groups, political parties which had not even gone through elections that time. The 1995 Constitution was agreed by the people of Uganda.  So I expect, I demand; and we shall have strict adherence to the constitution of Uganda.  There should be no mistake about this.  If you want to do anything, follow the constitution. You don’t follow the constitution; I will take action against you, as the elected President of Uganda.”

A Makerere based researcher has read Museveni’s speech and sent us his analysis for publication. We will not reveal the researcher’s identity to protect his job and personal safety.

In his opening statement, the reseracher says that: “Museveni is recycling the same old NRM ideas in his New Year speech. This means that he has run out of new lies to tell on the areas where he has failed most miserably, economic development, corruption, and rule of law and human rights.” Due to the length of the researcher’s paper, we have extracted his main points below for easier reading.

Economic Development

The researcher explains: “Museveni uses the term economic growth all over but never economic development because he knows, even as a poorly educated economist, that  Buganda and Uganda have seen negative economic development since the NRM took power.

“Economic growth happens when the country owns more money or things, even if a small group has all the billions while the majority is dying of poverty, as in Uganda. When Museveni and his wife work through Allan Shonubi to build the Garden City Mall, using money that was intended for agriculture, there is economic growth even if only the richest 1% of the population can shop there. The same is true when Mrs. Museveni steals billions out of European Loan programs, with the assistance of Naomi Nasaasira and Tumusiime Mutebire, to buy Kampala International University.

“On the other hand, economic development happens when ordinary people can afford more good things and live better.  In 1970, a Muganda policeman could pay school fees for 3 children, own a motorcycle and buy Christmas or Iddi presents without taking bribes. That policeman could even have a savings account. Today, the same policeman cannot even feed his wife and children two healthy meals a day on his salary alone. Baganda as a people are facing the highest levels of economic underdevelopment since modern money became common, around 1920.  Economic development has been negative since Museveni took power. Even if the URA collects trillions and Janet Museveni owns the Garden City Mall, the average Muganda villager is now a destitute who is not ashamed to beg publicly.”

Corruption

The researcher says that: “Museveni used the word corruption only once in his 7,250 word speech, and only in a section heading. The word prosecute is totally omitted. He used the word arrest only once. And he used the word law only in connection with security, oil payments and UPE. When he used the word court, it was to blame courts for releasing suspects on bail, which happens to be a basic right under Museveni’s own constitution.  It is evident that Museveni is not interested in fighting corruption at all.

“Expecting Museveni to fight corruption is the same as expecting the pope to fight Catholicism. Just like the pope is the most dedicated practicing catholic, Yoweri Museveni and his wife are the most corrupt Ugandan alive. He started robbing Uganda was back in the mid 1980’s, working with Jim Muhweezi, Frank Katana, Nyakayiru and the late Grace Ibingira and investing in the UK, Sweden, Iceland and other places. He later shifted to skimming off arms purchases and investor money. He brought in his Sam Kuteesa, Salim Saleh, Jovia Saleh, Tom Katto, Emma Katto, Mutebire and Basajjabalaba to help this phase.  In the next phase, he included Museveni children, Edwin Karugire, Allan Shonubi, Mike Mukula, Karim Hirji, Sudhir Ruparelia, and the like. Museveni would have arrest, prosecute and imprison himself if he wanted to start fighting corruption.”

Rule of Law and Human Rights

The researcher accuses Museveni of being a pathological liar, based on his claim that his 1995 constitution is the only democratically agreed constitution in the history of Uganda since God created what is now Uganda.

The research explains: “Only a liar would claim that the  constituent assembly members were democratically elected. Who organized that fair election and who appointed that organizer? And only a pathological liar would claim that when the British handed over state power to the natives of what is now known as Uganda on October 9, 1962, God was creating Uganda. If God created Uganda 40 years ago, then who created Buganda more than 800 ago?

“Secondly, the people of Uganda never agreed to the alien concept called ‘regional tear’ which Bidandi Ssali and Museveni forcibly inserted into the constitution, for the sole purpose of frustrating Buganda’s aspirations. That is why Baganda protested against the 1995 constitution from the day it was promulgated up to now. Over 95% of Buganda and over 65% of others wanted a federal system of government. And, even though many Baganda are losing interest in Federo, in favor of secession, many non-Baganda are now demanding it.

“In 2009 the NRM occupation government publicly massacred 30 Baganda civilians and secretly murdered more in connection with Kayunga crisis. Museveni and his NRM also denied Kabaka Mutebi freedom to tour Buluri and Bugerere. During 2009 Museveni’s NRM government committed internationally prosecutable crimes against Ssabasajja and his subjects only because they demand their internationally recognized human rights to their property, freedom of expression, freedom of movement and self-determination.

“Museveni does not respect any law. If he did, why would he steal elections. He talks about the constitution only to manipulate his audience. For example, he confidently breaks the law when abusing Baganda human rights, with assistance from certain leaders he bribes in Mmengo. Being a pathological liar, however, he readily insists that he is doing it all to help Baganda. Fortunately, Baganda are now ready to take the fight to his doorstep. So, expect to see more fire from Baganda under Museveni’s feet in 2010.”

The New Year message that Ugandan strongman, Yoweri Musevni sent to the people he rules with an iron fist was a solid 21 pages long, taking more than one hour to read.  Most analysts are not surprised that the speech says little about the seismic civil upheavals and near collapse of the NRM government in September 2009. As our New York based analyst put it: “2009 will go down as the year when Museveni did not know what to do about Buganda. By the same token, it is the year when Kabaka Mutebi sent a clear signal to his subjects that Buganda’s rights are not negotiable. Based on the way Baganda nationalists all over the world are responding to Kabaka Mutebi’s signals, 2010 may very well be the year when the Buganda Independence Movement finally kicks off, thanks to Katikkiro Walusimbi’s incompetence and treasonous conduct. ”

Below we reproduce Museveni’s  voluminous 21-page speech:

New Year 2010

Address to the Nation

By

H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

President of the Republic of Uganda

31^st December 2009

Countrymen,

I congratulate you all upon the completion of the year 2009.  There have been a lot of developments and achievements at individual and corporate levels; and there have been losses. I wish to commiserate with all those who have had problems of one kind or another in the course of the year.

May I please take this moment to, in particular, express most heartfelt condolences to all the people who lost their loved ones during the past year.  May God rest the souls of the deceased in eternal peace.

Government continues to be guided by the national vision, towards achieving a Modern, Industrialized and Knowledge- based Society with strategies for transforming this country from an underdeveloped to a developed nation status.  The year 2009 may be designated as transitional period during which we have examined what we have attained under the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) for the last ten years.

As we refocus and re-engineer the economy to attain faster socio-economic growth, we have formulated a five-year National Development Plan that intertwines strategies that will ensure both accelerated economic growth and sustained poverty reduction.  The thrust is to consolidate the achievements we have made and move forward in a planned quasi-market economy approach. This will entail strengthening public-private partnerships in all development aspects of the economy. The government expenditure will also increase from Shs 7.9 trillion in 2010/11 to Shs 13.9 trillion in 2014/15, targeting investments in key areas of infrastructure (roads, railway, hydropower dams and oil refinery), education, health, Agriculture and Tourism.

At an appropriate time, I will brief the Nation on the detailed strategies to be undertaken to unlock the identified national binding constraints to enable us to attain faster socio-economic transformation, accelerated private sector growth and meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

However to highlight, a few, we have identified key flagship projects to provide impulse to unlocking the binding constraints within the economy. These include:

(i)           National Skills Programme;

(ii)          Constructing the standard rail gauge;

(iii)        Rehabilitating the existing railway lines;

(iv)        Development of Greater Metropolitan Kampala and implementing the rapid transport system;

(v)          Improve water transport on Lake Victoria;

(vi)        Construction of three Hydro-electric power stations (HEPs) namely Karuma, Ayago and Isimba;

(vii)       Development of oil and gas refinery;

(viii)     Construction of Oil and gas pipeline;

(ix)        Development of ICT business parks;

(x)          Construction and development of 4 regional incubation centres;

(xi)        Construction and development of five large scale irrigation schemes;

(xii)      Construction and development of phosphate industry in Tororo;

(xiii)     Development and Production of Iron Ore ingots for steel industry; and

(xiv)     Supporting science innovation in the Universities and Research Institutions.

We shall continue our firm stance of reducing poverty to 24.5%, a target that is better than the Millennium Development Goal of 28.1%.  The nominal per capita income will increase from US$506 to US$900 by 2014/2015 while our wealth creation thrust will ensure a generation of more than 2,700,000 jobs.

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY

Economic Growth

The Ugandan economy has continued to grow at a relatively high rate despite fears that the economic chaos in the advanced economies of the world would negatively affect the economy. Preliminary data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics indicate that the economy grew by 6.6% during calendar year 2009, increasing from 28.2 Trillion Uganda Shillings in 2008 to 33.0 Trillion Shillings in 2009. This is equivalent to US$ 16.2 billion.  Although this estimated growth rate in 2009 is lower than the growth in 2008 of 9.2%, it was among the fastest in the world during the period of global economic downturn. Uganda’s economic growth would have been even much higher if it had not been for the global economic recession that affected the demand for our exports to Europe and America; and if it was not for the shortage of electricity and bottlenecks in the transport sector, which we are working on.

An economy of US$16.2 billion is, of course, still very small by World standards.  However, it is important to note that only some years back, in our time in Government, only the economy of Kenya had a GDP of US$ 12 billion.  About the same time, the economy of Nigeria was about US$ 20 billion.  Therefore, those of us who had the duty to lift Uganda from the pit into which it had fallen have nothing but happiness to see this growth.  With increased electricity supply and better transport network, the economy is going to gallop.  Value-addition to most of our raw materials will cause this economy to increase by a factor of ten in the next few years.  Here, I am not including the factor of oil.  When one does that, you can be sure that this economy will gallop.

Recently, the IMF noted the following regarding our economy: “Prudent economic management and strong fundamentals have enabled Uganda to weather the global crisis relatively well. Despite a slowdown in economic activity, growth remains strong by regional and international standards. Core inflation has declined in spite of an increase in headline inflation driven by higher food prices. The external current account has performed better than expected, buoyed by strong cross-border exports, and international reserves remain adequate. Uganda’s flexible exchange rate regime has facilitated adjustment to external shocks. The financial sector has been largely spared by the crisis and remains sound.”[1]

Although the decline in the construction sub-sector undermined the overall growth of industry as a whole, manufacturing is estimated to have registered a growth of 10.6% during 2009, compared to 6.9% in 2008 and 7.6% in 2007. Construction was affected by the high increases in the cost of building materials earlier in the year. The increased cost of building materials was partly the result of a decline in cement production early in the calendar year. However, cement production increased in the months of August and September 2009.

This was complemented with a substantial increase in the importation of cement in the 3^rd quarter of 2009, from 110,000 tonnes in the quarter ending June 2009 to 197,000 tonnes in September 2009.  The prices of building materials including cement and steel have now stabilized and we should see a resumption of growth in the sub-sector.

Preliminary data also shows that other sub-sectors in industry, apart from the Mining and Quarrying sub-sectors, performed reasonably well with food processing recording an annual growth of 17% in the quarter ending September 2009; in addition to strong growth of 36% and 23% in the first and second quarters of 2009 respectively. The textiles, clothing and footwear category of industrial production also recovered with a growth of about 100% in the quarter ending September 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, on top of a 25% annual growth in the quarter ending June 2009.

Growth in the agricultural sector has also rebounded steadily and is estimated to have grown by 3.4% during 2009 compared to annual growth rates of 2.3% in 2008 and only 1.7% in 2007. This recovery in the agricultural sector is attributed to high performance in the cash crops sub-sector, which is estimated at 12.1% in 2009, in addition to an equally high growth of 11.6% in the previous calendar year. The increased cash crop production is partly due to the Government efforts to make available improved high-yielding agricultural inputs through NARO and NAADS. Farmers are now able to purchase high-quality seeds that have been produced in partnership with commercial farmers; and have in fact now outstripped the available improved seed supply capacity.

Fish production continued to decline in 2009, mainly, as a result of action Government had to undertake to replenish fish stocks which had been depleted by poor fishing practices and inadequate regulation. This has also affected fish exports particularly to the regional markets.

The service sector continued to sustain high growth rates and is estimated to have grown by 8.2% during calendar year 2009. Transport and communications grew by 11.1%, while financial services and real estate are estimated to have grown by 34.7% and 5.7% respectively, in the same period. As a consequence of the high growth in services, the Service sector now contributes about 50.4% to total GDP. The sustained high growth of the Service sector and manufacturing is an indication that economic transformation for employment creation and, therefore, poverty reduction, is progressively taking place.

Since the economy suffered the worst power crisis about five years ago, Government interventions in the energy sector, including provision of subsidized power from thermal sources and the commissioning of power in the small renewable energy plants have yielded significant benefits for the economy.

Currently, power outages are much less frequent than they used to be five years ago. Consequently, the electricity supply is estimated to have grown by 10.9% during 2009 compared to only 1.7% in 2008 and a contraction of -13.8% in calendar year 2006.

Developments in the External Sector

The clearest indication of the resilience of our economy to the global economic recession that devastated large economies of the world is reflected in the developments in the Uganda external sector. Total exports for the 12 months ending October 2009 were equivalent to US$ 3.413 billion compared to US$ 2.80 billion in the same period a year before. This represents an increase of 21.9% in total export receipts during the period. Informal cross-border exports increased by 73%, largely driven by the export of industrial products to Southern Sudan and DRC, which increased by 80.4% compared to the year before.

In nominal terms, Informal Cross-Border Trade was equivalent to US$ 1.696 billion compared to US$ 940 million in the year before. Formal exports mainly to Europe and America recovered slightly in 2009, reflecting a recovery in the global economy. As a result of the increased exports, driven largely by Informal Cross-Border Trade (ICBT), the overall trade deficit was narrower than what was recorded in the same period in 2007 and 2008.

In addition, workers’ remittances have rebounded strongly in the months July to September 2009, averaging about US$ 72 million per month on average compared to about US$39 million per month on average between January and June 2009. Similarly, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has also fully recovered to an average of US$84 million per month in the quarter ending September 2009 compared to a low average of US$ 53million per month in the period October to December 2008.

The total foreign exchange inflows for 2009, excluding FDI, are US$ 4,818.18 million (export of goods US$ 3413 million, export of services US$ 693.65 million; and Remittances US$ 711.44 million).

At the peak of the global financial crisis that also temporarily affected our capital markets, there was short-term capital flight of US$190 million in October 2008. However, due to the strength of the economy, the trend has reversed with the quarter ending September 2009 registering a steady positive growth. A combination of the improvement in exports, remittances, Foreign Direct Investments and short term capital inflows resulted in a substantial increase in foreign reserves. By October 2009, total foreign reserves amounted to US$ 2.8 billion, equivalent to 5.6 months of imports of goods and services, compared to United States Dollars 2.35 billion recorded in October 2008. These trends are a manifestation that the Uganda economy has passed the worst effects of the global economic down turn and it is poised to sustain its high growth trend in the medium term.

As a result of the increased foreign exchange inflows through increased exports, remittances, Foreign Direct Investment and a return of short term foreign capital, the Uganda shilling has regained its strength it had lost towards the end of 2008 and first half of 2009. From an exchange rate of about Uganda Shillings 2,200 to the United States Dollar at its weakest in the early months of 2009, the exchange rate in November averaged Uganda Shillings 1,874 in November 2009. The resilience of the Uganda shilling is a manifestation of the strength of our economy, good economic management as well as the positive economic outlook that investors have of the economy.

Inflation and Interest Rates

Inflation, which is a measure of the changes in the general price level of goods and services, dropped to 12.0% in November 2009, compared to the annual inflation rate of 14.7% in November 2008.

The underlying or “core” inflation, which excludes food crops, fuel, electricity and water – because these are prone to volatile price fluctuations – also dropped to 8.8% by end November 2009.  Inflation rates fell further in December 2009, to 10.9% and underlying inflation to 7.4%.

Food prices which were the main factor keeping overall inflation at double-digit levels increased by 35.5% on an annual basis by November 2009. However, this was lower than an increase of nearly 50% in the September 2009. While food inflation is still too high, it underlies the urgency in ensuring that the measures to increase agricultural production are implemented quickly and effectively. The food items which recorded significant reductions in prices during November include: fresh vegetables, beans, chicken, fish and milk, due to their increased supply to the market.

Domestic Revenue Collection

Domestic revenue collections by the URA were 97%, relative to the target for the five months from July to November 2009. This amounted to a shortfall of about Ushs 51 billion over the same period. The tax revenue shortfall was primarily on account of slightly lower imports than was estimated for the period. In the long term, and in the context of the East African Customs Union, emphasis on domestic revenue collection will be given to strengthening domestic production especially industry and services so that the economy’s reliance on international trade taxes is reduced. This strategy will also reduce the vulnerability of our revenues to external shocks. Hence, the long-term solution to ensuring predictability of domestic revenue is to improve the productivity of our economy to increase the tax base. In this regard, efforts to further improve the business climate in order to attract more investors through the delivery of quality public services will remain a key priority of Government.

DEVELOPMENTS IN SELECTED PRIORITY AREAS

As I have said previously, the National Resistance Movement Government has made tremendous achievements in restoring peace and improving the delivery of public services towards the development of Uganda. This has created a firm foundation on which we can now develop Uganda into a modern state as compared to the dismal basket case it was for the years during misrule and poor management imposed by bad governments.

The following are the achievements that the NRM Government has made in the delivery of public services, as well as the programmes for the near future:-

A: Infrastructure Development:-

Transportation Infrastructure

With respect to road infrastructure, the NRM Government will continue to upgrade and maintain the national road network to ensure that the entire road network is permanently motorable.

Roads where upgrading to tarmac will start by June in 2010 include:

• Vurra-Arua-Oraba;
• Nyakahita-Ibanda-Kamwengye;
• Atiak-Moyo-Atoji; and
• Gulu – Atiak–Bibia-Nimule routes.

Work will also commence in the later part of the 2010 on upgrading to tarmac the following roads among others:-

• Mukono-Katosi-Nyenga;
• Mpigi-Maddu-Sembabule;
• Kapchorwa –Suam; and
• Fort-Portal Bundibugyo-Lamia.

The rehabilitation of the following roads will begin by June 2010:

• Tororo-Mbale-Soroti;
• Jinja-Kamuli; and
• Kafu-Karuma-Kamudini.

Progress with tarmacking the following roads will also continue:-

• Soroti-Dokolo-Lira;
• Kampala-Gayaza-Zirobwe;
• Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara; and
• Kabale-Kisoro-Bunagana.

The other roads not mentioned here are as per my previous addresses to the Nation.

Concerning the maintenance of the road network, Government has over the years been allocating substantial resources towards both nationally and local government management roads. A total of U Shs. 268 billion has been allocated this year alone, of which U Shs. 110 billion is for local government road maintenance. This is a Shs. 39 billion  increase from U Shs. 61 billion that was allocated for this purpose in the Financial Year 2008/09.

Local governments, therefore, have no excuse for not carrying out maintenance works on roads in their localities. District Chairmen and Chief Administrative Officers must, therefore, be held accountable to the people for the use of these funds. All stakeholders including Members of Parliament and Councilors must demand for better roads within their localities.  I discourage the use of contractors on these roads except where prices are fixed.  You should use your machines to work on the roads.

In addition to the Road Fund that will become operational in January 2010, the NRM Government will commence the re-equipment of all district city and municipal road units to provide the necessary minimal capacity to repair roads without suffering delays caused by the need to contract the private sector. I recognize that while private road contractors have been important in the construction of roads, in-house capacity at districts, cities and municipalities to carry out basic road maintenance must be enhanced.

This is the reason why Government has recently provided the Kampala City Council with road maintenance and construction equipment to ensure that the City roads are well-maintained and upgraded. Larger contracts for re-construction and upgrading can then be contracted out to the private sector.

Energy Infrastructure

In order to support industrialization and prevent environmental damage through encouraging use of electricity, Government has restored  dilapidated hydro-electricity generation plants as well as increased the electricity generation capacity in the country. Ugandans need to remember that the NRM Government decisively dealt with the electricity crisis that befell the entire East African region in 2006 following severe drought. While there was an increase in the tariff paid by consumers, electricity was available and still cheaper than having electricity that is privately own-generated.

The provision of a Government subsidy ensured that the full cost of the increase was not borne by the consumer and that the increase in production costs was not as high as would have been the case had Government left manufacturers to continue generating their own power. Consequently, production costs have remained manageable while Government has taken deliberate actions to ensure cheaper power is available starting with July 2011 with the commissioning of the 250 Megawatt Bujagali Hydropower Plant. In addition, mini-hydropower plants constructed by private developers at Mpanga, Buseruka and Ishasha will contribute an additional 35 Megawatts to the national grid next Financial Year. Government will also be commissioning the construction of at least an additional 1,650 Megawatts of energy generation capacity at Karuma, Isimba and Ayago and other hydropower sites.  The lack of sufficient and affordable power supply that enables competitive processing and rural electrification is, therefore, being dealt with.

Oil Resource Development and Management

Uganda’s oil reserves are now estimated at about 2 billion barrels, largely in Albertine Graben in the Western part of the country; and plans are underway for the commencement of commercial production. The Government put in place an Oil and Gas Policy to guide the development and prudent utilization of oil resources.  To ensure that all Ugandans benefit from this important and strategic resource, the Government is putting in place the necessary legal and institutional frameworks. In this regard, two separate laws are envisaged: one on administration of oil and gas activities, including the development and production of the oil and gas value chain; and the second law will focus on regulating payments, use and management of oil revenues in a manner that creates sustainable national wealth. The key element in these legislations will be to ensure transparency and accountability in the production and utilization of oil resources.

In order to attract the huge investment resources required as well as the expertise, it is a Government policy that the actual development of oil resources, including oil production, will be through the private sector, including international companies. Where necessary, Government will partner with some of these companies in a Public-Private Partnership arrangement. Plans to build a medium size oil refinery aimed at meeting domestic and regional petroleum demand are also underway. This will help to add value and create jobs. The refining of oil domestically will help to develop the value addition chain as well as improve the energy mix of the country.

The development of oil resources will go hand in hand with the continued efforts to develop other sectors of the economy – that is, the diversification of the economy will continue to be among the top priorities of Government in spite of the oil wealth. The Government recognizes the critical importance of managing oil resources well, to avoid the mistakes many others countries have faced.

Hence, Government will ensure that these resources are managed in a manner that facilitates sustainable development and avoids distortions, such as a sharply appreciated exchange rate, which would destroy other sectors of the economy by making them uncompetitive in terms of export. In other words, oil and gas resources will be managed in a manner that is consistent with the macroeconomic framework of the country.

Since oil is a finite resource, oil revenues will be used to develop durable and competitive competencies that will increase productivity in key sectors of the economy. Thus, oil revenues will be invested in key non-oil sectors for productivity enhancement. The key priority sectors for development using oil revenues are as follows:-

1. energy infrastructure including enhancing electricity generation, and transmission capacity and rural electrification;
2. rail transport and major road infrastructure;
3. small, medium and large irrigation schemes to ensure availability of water for agricultural production;
4. Science and Technology including enhancing technical and vocational education to avail requisite skills for a modern economy.

This means that oil revenues will be ring-fenced to ensure value for money and used mainly for the above-mentioned key priorities countrywide. Oil revenues, therefore, shall not be used for consumption but for durable investments that will benefit future generations. Oil and gas activities will provide opportunities for both forward and backward linkages in the country’s quest for industrialization. Having achieved significant progress in the areas of oil exploration, Government is now going to concertedly focus on Oil Management issues.  I am, therefore, directing the Minister of Finance to lead the coordination of oil management issues forthwith in consultation with the Minister of Energy and the Governor of the Bank of Uganda.

B: Agriculture and Value Addition

In Agriculture, the NRM Government will continue to ensure that there is increased production and enhance the capacity to add value to agricultural produce. To achieve these objectives, Government will undertake the following:

First, in order to increase production, the NAADS programme will continue to be implemented to ensure that all farmers receive the necessary extension advice on what to produce using tested practices, together with improved planting materials and breeding stock. As a result of households realizing the income potential in the Agriculture Sector, there has been an increase in the demand for improved planting materials and breeding stock materials that far outstrips its supply. I am, therefore, directing the Ministers in charge of Agriculture and Finance to address this matter urgently to ensure that there is increased supply of improved planting materials and breeding stock available to farmers.

Furthermore, in the next Financial Year 2010/11, Government will also prioritize the provision of reliable availability of water for production throughout the country by commencing the implementation of small, medium and large scale irrigation schemes. There is no doubt that Uganda abounds with agricultural potential that can be enhanced once the vagaries of the weather are controlled. Therefore, water dam storage and irrigation schemes will be implemented to ensure that there is increased production, without relying solely on the increasingly unpredictable weather. Given that farm holdings by households in Uganda are on average only two acres, Government will also place emphasis on development of small irrigation technology that can be used on individual small farm holdings, while also constructing dams for larger storage and irrigation schemes. I am, accordingly, directing the Right Honourable Prime Minister and the Ministers in charge of Agriculture and Water Development and Finance to coordinate implementation of this intervention beginning next Financial Year.

The second action pertains to adding of value to agricultural produce. Owing to the almost non-existent addition of value to produce, there is a lot of wastage and, consequently, lower levels of incomes are earned by farmers. With the increasing availability of electricity, there is greater potential for increased value addition to be carried out even at the farm level. As a start, in this Financial Year 2009/10, Government will provide support to food science and technology graduates from Makerere University who have acquired both the technical know-how and entrepreneurial skills at adding value to agricultural produce. My interaction with our own Ugandan innovative scientists has shown that it is possible to add value to a whole range of products including fruit, milk and meat products.

In order to further develop and realize the technical potential of graduates from the Makerere University Food Science and Technology Department, the Minister of Finance will shortly operationalize an Industrial Venture Capital Fund for these graduates to access start-up capital for agro-processing ventures, at interest rates of no more than 5 percent for a maximum repayment period of eight years. Other existing small-scale entrepreneurs who have proved that they are capable of adding value will also be provided with technical skills by the Uganda Industrial Research Institute beginning this Financial Year 2009/10. In addition, a Small and Medium Enterprise Fund with similar terms to the Industrial Venture Capital Fund will be operationalized by the Minister of Finance. These Funds will be managed by willing financial institutions through the Bank of Uganda, as has already been done with the Agriculture Credit Facility that is already in place for commercial farmers and agro-processors.

These measures will propel the agriculture sector to allow increased reliable production through the availability of resources within the control of farmers; and also enable them to receive reasonable incomes from increased agro-processing ventures from both existing and established ventures that will be supported through the actions I have mentioned.

C: Employment Generation

The above actions by Government mark an important milestone towards the generation of jobs in areas that have not traditionally contributed to employment. Creating technical capacity for entrepreneurs to go into business or enhancing their business productivity, allows them to generate employment for those other Ugandans who do not have access to the technical know-how required to run processing industries. Many of the youth who have left primary and secondary school and have not had the chance to proceed with further education will eventually have an opportunity to be employed. Those that have the potential to become entrepreneurs in their own right will also be encouraged and provided the opportunity to seek the technical know-how at institutions such as the Department of Food Science and Technology and vocational training institutions.  They will be appropriately certified to engage in agro-processing ventures and also access the Industrial Venture Capital Fund once they qualify.

These new entrepreneurs with the requisite skills will then join those who have been encouraged and facilitated through the formal education system to provide increased employment opportunities through small and medium scale enterprises across the country.

Government is also going to provide capital for the youth with an entrepreneurial potential, to enable them to start viable commercial ventures after they have received the necessary training and certification from Enterprise Uganda. Enterprise Uganda deals will improve the entrepreneurial attitudes and skills of the youth they train and prepare them to manage the enterprises they establish sustainably.

I am, therefore, directing the ministers of Finance and Gender Labour and Social Development to establish a Youth Employment Scheme, to effect this measure.

The Scheme must also provide access to capital managed by commercial banks at reasonable rates and over a sufficient period to address the problem of unemployed youth who would otherwise want to work for themselves if they were provided with the means and skills to do so.

Government will also support, in a similar manner, youth who wish to operate joint facilities such as community-owned timber and welding workshops using this intervention.  All the parents and youth should be informed that there is a total of 88 Government Institutes in Uganda (25 Technical Schools, 34 Technical Institutes, 4 Technical Colleges, 16 Community Polytechnics, 3 Vocational Schools, 1 Vocational Training Centre, 1 Community Polytechnic Instruction college and 4 farm Schools).  We are going to expand and equip all these schools that teach technical skills.  You should use them to get skills that are marketable.

D: Human Development

The presence of innovative scientists that I have placed a concerted effort in supporting over the years underscores the importance of developing our human resources to meet any of our national aspirations. As you all know, the NRM Government has placed Human Development central to the achievement of the social and economic well-being of Ugandans with the universalization of primary and secondary education. The Government also recognizes the need to have a healthy population that can engage in all aspects of development and, therefore, stresses the importance of having a sound health system, adequate provision of safe water and proper sanitation facilities across the country.

Education
Following the universalization of primary and secondary education, the NRM Government will progress the education agenda towards developing the necessary technical and vocational skills required to run a modern efficient economy. The NRM Government has ensured that the opportunity to learn is availed for every school going age child at primary and secondary levels. Consequently, up to 12 million Uganda school going age children are in school and every effort will be made to ensure that the other 3 million who are out of school because of social constraints and other impediments actually go to school.

As I have pointed out before, the achievements recorded by the NRM Government at the primary education level since 1997 have been significant. For instance, over 12,000 thousand new classrooms have been built, bringing the total number of primary school classrooms in the country  to over 82,000. The classrooms in 1986 were only 28,000.  An additional 20,000 teachers houses have also been constructed at schools to ensure teachers are not constrained in doing their jobs. The number of children passing PLE rose four-fold from about 80,000 in 1997 to 356,000 in 2007.

The secondary school segment has registered similar achievements. Since Universal Secondary Education (USE), commenced in 2007, the percentage of pupils who are enrolled from Primary Seven to Senior Secondary School has increased from 44 percent to 73 percent. A further 39 seed secondary schools in sub-counties that did not have any secondary school have been built and the Government is planning the construction of another 25.

At the tertiary level, the number of public and privates universities and university-affiliated institutions registered totaled 29 with an enrolment of almost 108,000 in the 2008/09 academic year. You can see the tremendous progress, from the enrollment of 5,000 students in 1986! A further 117 public and private institutions offer tertiary courses with an enrolment of 47,000 in 2008. Government, together with the private sector has, therefore, made great effort towards ensuring that there are opportunities for learning at the highest levels of the education system for those who wish to pursue education.

While at the highest level in universities and colleges Government will emphasize the teaching of science and technology among other disciplines, the vocational and technical skills required to support industry will be the emphasis, over and above basic primary and secondary education. Government will, therefore, turn to other important facets of the education system to ensure that the nation has the necessary human resources required to build and sustain a modern nation. Government will embark on the vocationalization of education that will depend on the discerned needs of the market for employment skills in the economy. In this manner, learning opportunities for technicians in all the necessary fields will be developed. I am, accordingly, directing the Minister of Education to deal with this matter expeditiously.

The above achievements notwithstanding, the education sector suffers from problems of teacher absenteeism, poor teacher supervision and continued unscrupulous charging of compulsory fees by Head teachers, which is against the law. This constrains the achievements of higher education outcomes for our young people. I would, therefore, like to urge parents and community leaders to report Head teachers who carry out such malpractices and teachers who also absent themselves from duty to their area Councilors, Members of Parliament and Resident District Commissioners. I have also, recently, constituted a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Primary and Secondary Education to study problems of these sub-sectors and provide recommendations that Government will work to implement.

Health

In the Health sector, The NRM Government has sought to deliver a minimum health care package that deals with the most common causes of ill-health. Consequently, new health centers have been built across the country and a programme to ensure they are fully equipped will be undertaken in all Health Centers, District and Regional Hospitals in the country. The Mulago National Referral Hospital will also be rehabilitated beginning the Financial Year 2010/11. Government will also continue to train and recruit more health workers to fill the current shortage of health workers at all levels of the health system.

In the health sector, Government has over many years been transferring funds to districts to purchase drugs with minimal amounts being allocated to the National Medical Stores for centralized purchasing. Local Governments have, largely, not made the intended purchases; and even the few drugs that reach health centers from the National Medical Stores have invariably been stolen, leading to drug shortages. With the recent centralization of funding for purchasing drugs at the National Medical Stores, the drugs will, now, be centrally purchased and physically delivered to Health Centers. The labeling of drugs and increased vigilance of both public and private health centers, by the population and community leaders must ensure that these drugs are not stolen.

The recent arrest, by officials from my office, of errant public health workers who steal drugs must serve as a wake-up call for the entire population to safeguard public drugs that are meant to be given to patients free of charge.

E: Public Service Management, Anti-Corruption and Governance

In addition to investing in the physical and other supportive infrastructure required to deliver public services, Government will now insist on the adherence to rules and procedures to ensure greater efficiency, effectiveness and realization of value for money. Otherwise, the positive actions the NRM Government has undertaken in the areas I have enumerated would have been more significant on the ground had we not been constrained by mismanagement and outright theft and abuse of office by many public servants at both central and local government levels.

Expenditure

One of the main objectives of the 2009/10 national budget was to provide a fiscal stimulus to the economy. However, the implementation of Government programmes in the first half of this fiscal year fell short of what had been programmed, due to the lack of utilisation of Government Expenditure.  The underutilisation of budgeted funds is due to unpreparedness of public servants in implementing Government programs and projects. Although some people are blaming the low absorption capacity of Government funds on the Government insistence on having value for money, it is only sensible that taxpayers’ money is spent wisely to benefit all Ugandans through improved services.  The question of the courts releasing thieves on bail or giving them light sentences is not acceptable.  We have fought many wars; the least I expect of the Judiciary is seriousness.

Therefore, Ministries and Local Governments and other agencies must provide credible work plans where outputs are verified, to ensure that whoever is responsible is held accountable.  The reforms being implemented on improving the efficiency of public spending have helped to identify problems that have previously undermined service delivery. We now know these problems, including those individuals who have been stealing public funds; and I am taking action on these individuals. In the very near future, these actions will result in increased quantity and quality of public service delivery for all Ugandans.

To take an example, the public procurement and accounting officers have demonstrated bad practices leading to loss of public money and wasteful expenditure. Some technical officers of Local Governments and even Chief Administrative Officers and Permanent Secretaries are either involved in mal-practices or do not supervise their staff adequately to ensure the delivery of intended Government programmes. This lack of seriousness must stop forthwith. I am going to hold accountable every single accounting officer, including Permanent Secretaries, for the actions or inactions of their officers.

If procurement is not done on schedule in accordance with work plans submitted to Parliament in Ministerial Policy Statements, for example, I expect the Permanent Secretary to accordingly take action against the officer concerned; or they themselves will be held responsible. In the same vein, the Chief Administrative Officers and District Directors of Health Services will be held responsible for the absence of staff from health centers, the theft of drugs and the abuse of NAADS resources if they do not show that they have taken all the necessary actions to reprimand or discipline their juniors.

With respect to the on-going CHOGM investigations, Ugandans need to know that the effort of Government has led to tremendous improvement in the image of Uganda as a leisure and conference destination, the abuse of procedures and resources by some officials notwithstanding. To take an example, non-resident arrivals at Entebbe International Airport increased by 32 percent from about 642,000 arrivals in 2007 to 844,000 in 2008. This follows an increase by only 19 percent and 15 percent in 2006 and 2007 respectively. These visitors to Uganda bring in much needed business for Ugandan hotels, where the number of rooms has increased tremendously as a result of both private entrepreneurship and Government support during CHOGM.

Government policy and the success of CHOGM notwithstanding, I do not condone the action of those public officials who abused procedures and mismanaged any resources allocated to them for the event. Indeed, I commissioned a special audit of CHOGM expenditure by the Auditor General, which is now the subject of the deliberations of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.

Therefore, Government fully supports all organs that are charged with improving Governance and Accountability of public resources, including the Office of the Auditor General, the Inspectorate of Government and Parliamentary Committees on Public Account and Local Government Public Accounts; and the relevant Courts of Law.  This is hoping that the courts will really have ‘teeth’ to deal with these people who steal money and government resources.  Government will ensure that the necessary punitive action is taken against officials abusing rules and regulations and I am directing the Ministry of Finance to also institute efficient checks to stop this abuse forthwith, including undertaking surprise inspections to unearth embezzlement and mismanagement of public resources.

The time for a laissez faire attitude among public servants is over. I will not hesitate to take action against Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Institutions who do not achieve reasonable progress with their work plans. I am, therefore, directing the Right Honourable Prime Minister to ensure the quarterly assessment of ministerial, departmental and local government work plans and to take action or recommend to me any action that must be meted out against errant officials.

The NRM in 1986 embarked on repairing the economy.  The economy was in shambles; the owners of companies had fled and the companies and factories had closed.  We attracted all these back and they created employment and they started paying taxes.  Tax collection improved.  I have told you before that tax collection in 1986 was only U shs 5 billion, which is about US 2.5million.  Our tax collection is now 4,300 billion, which is about US$ 2.5 billion dollars. This is our own money which we are collecting in Uganda; and we are sending this money to the districts and to the different departments to the ministries.  And what happens to this money?  The drugs are stolen.  Recently, I had to create units to fight them. Earlier on, we had created the office of the IGG.  And what happens in courts?  People are accused of stealing people’s drugs, money and they are released on bail. As I said earlier, this is not acceptable.

Security

Government shall continue to secure the lives and property of all citizens as well as protect their rights.  It is imperative, therefore, that we all continue to adhere to the rule of law and constitutionalism in order to jealously guard the peace prevailing.  Uganda is now peaceful, from North, to South, from East to West.  We defeated Kony, whom some of these people were going to worship in Garamba.  I refused to send an NRM delegation to Garamba to see Kony.  Rugunda went there as a Government Minister; the Minister of Internal Affairs deals with all sorts of people, criminals, people who are going to hang tomorrow.  So when that foolery went on for a long time, we went and dealt with Kony the way he should be dealt with.  Those who were killing our people have now paid.  The other day in Gulu I gave the figures at a ceremony of installing a Bishop there.  The rustlers in Karamoja have been disciplined and disarmed.  The North-East is peaceful.  The ADF cannot dare to come from Congo, although there are still some remnants, who are now the problem of the Congo government; they cannot come here to disturb us.  If they come, they will not go back, but will stay here ‘horizontally’.  Uganda is now peaceful.  I will not tolerate any other trouble makers.

If you want anything, do it according to the laws.  In 1994/95, we elected people to represent us; they came and sat here in the CA for two years debating the Constitution of Uganda.   This constitution is the only democratically agreed constitution in the history of Uganda since God created what is now Uganda.  The one of 1962 was by some chiefs and some groups, political parties which had not even gone through elections that time. The 1995 Constitution was agreed by the people of Uganda.  So I expect, I demand; and we shall have strict adherence to the constitution of Uganda.  There should be no mistake about this.  If you want to do anything, follow the constitution. You don’t follow the constitution; I will take action against you, as the elected President of Uganda.

On the side of international relations, Uganda continues to enjoy amicable relations with her neighbours on all sides.  With the celebration of 10 years of the revival of the East African community, Uganda continues to advocate for the boosting of productivity through promotion of infrastructure, investments, industries and trade as well as a common defence, among others.    Uganda handed over the Chair of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November 2009, after a successful two years of leadership.  Uganda continues to join the rest of the world in efforts to mitigate the extreme climatic conditions and put in place measures to protect our environment.

As we come to the close of the year 2009 and start a new year, I am calling upon all Ugandans to participate in the crusade of eliminating poverty and supporting faster socio-economic growth. While government will continue to provide a conducive environment with targeted socio-economic programmes, each citizen must be responsible, patriotic and plan for their households and personal aspirations for the year 2010.

I wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

I thank you.

---

[1] Mr.Takatoshi Kato, Deputy Managing Director, IMF

UK based Michael Senyonjo, is a  frustrated but quite articulate Muganda man. He sent us an email today expressing total disgust at the performance of Engineer JB Walusimbi as the Katikkiro of Buganda. Mr. Senyonjo’s one-line email specifically says, “I simply cannot stomach this Katikiiro any more. He should go by March this year and have enclosed reasons why. Please publish.”  Mr. Senyonjo attached an articulate paper to his email, presenting the case for his call that Owek. JB Walusimbi should become a former Katikkiro by March 2010.

Below, we reproduce Mr. Senyonjo’s unedited 10 reasons, plus 5 bonus ones,  why Katikkiro Walusimbi must resign by March 2010:

Ten Reasons Why Katikiiro Walusimbi Must Resign
By Michael Senyonjo, UK

(1) Unacceptable behaviour

The [Katikkiro] has demonstrated the kind of personality unbecoming of a Buganda [Katikkiro].  He has snarled and swirled while addressing the Lukiiko.  Branded Baganda living abroad as “needing psychiatric treatment.  His mannerism and lack of respect for the Kabaka’s subjects is against the norms and culture of the people of Buganda and therefore unacceptable.  This is how one respectable Muganda describes [Katikkiro] Walusimbi’s style after his recent tour of London: “The way he addresses his audience, personal perception of his surroundings, approach to those that wish to debate his line decisions and above all the way he has concluded to employ the tactic of individual naming. He might be an Engineer but when it comes to management, interpersonal skills, and crisis management the man is a miss. There is just a gap between what a Buganda’s Kabaka mouthpiece should be and what Mr Walusimbi is. You sort of tend to believe that he thinks that Baganda are some kind of concrete mixed with cement and stones and that once placed in the sun they will dry and stay there for ever! The longer he stays in this office the more embarrassment the kingdom will suffer”.

(2) Betrayed Buganda Warriors

[Katikkiro] Walusimbi betrayed Betty Nambooze, Medard Lubega, Peter Mayega and the rest of Buganda at the time when his leadership was needed most.  When the 3 Buganda officials were kidnapped and held hostage by state agents against their constitutional rights in 2008, the [Katikkiro] signed a document with then Uganda’s internal Affairs Minister Ruhakana Rugunda in which he falsely agreed that the 3 Buganda officials were criminals engaged in unlawful acts.  He signed an agreement with the central government which partly read: “to ensure that these particular individuals henceforth do not engage in unlawful activities.” He also pledged to stop “the negative campaigns which have and continue to be carried on CBS.”  However, the 3 Buganda officials are law abiding citizens and CBS as a radio has a right to air views of any citizens of Uganda.

(3) Betrayed the Kabaka on Buruli visit.

[Katikkiro] Walusimbi betrayed the Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi when he failed to accompany His Majesty to Nakasongola in Buruli County.  At the time of the visit, Security Agents had warned the [Katikkiro] of false insecurity.  While the Kabaka braved the fears and headed to Buruli, the [Katikkiro] stayed away.  Security forces eventually managed to block the Kabaka from visiting Buruli County.  These were times when the [Katikkiro] should have been with the Kabaka and he wasn’t.  He should go.

(4) Is the [Katikkiro] the Wolf among us?

The continued betrayal of Buganda by the [Katikkiro] is demonstrated by his close relationship with people Baganda view as their enemies or occupiers.  The [Katikkiro] is believed to hold night meetings with the government behind the backs of other senior authorities at Mengo.  His entire ideology is now similar to that of the NRM occupiers.  Baganda Royalists are being hounded out of Mengo and replaced by NRMO’s poisonous politicians of the Ssematimba caliber.  He wants [Buganda] in NRMO bondage and this is unacceptable because the NRM and its President Yoweri Museveni are an occupying force in Buganda.  President Museven is now a confirmed, irreconcilable, permanent and fearsome enemy of Buganda.  Any attempt to treat him otherwise, the way Walusimbi has done or is trying to do, turns him (Walusimbi) an enemy of Buganda and therefore not fit to be the [Katikkiro].  This is how one Buganda royalist describe Walusimbi in front of the Kabaka:

“Your Majesty Kabaka, hero of heroes, don’t you see what’s going on?  I inform you that the wolves are finishing us.  The wolves are with us, are we going to do tourism from the air?  We need land to do that.  Where there is no land, there is no Buganda. The empty land is for our future generations.  We oppose the Land and Kampala bills because they are against our traditions.  We want no negotiations without what was taken away from us.  Your Majesty, the enemy is now with us just besides you … (People shouted ‘Walusimbi, Ssematimba)’.  But as Baganda we have to stand up and say NO”

(5) Soliciting for and receiving Sh. 2/= bn bribe

[Katikkiro] Walusimbi has, without consulting Baganda, solicited for and received sh. 2 bn in grants from the central government.  So far, sh 350 million of the amount has been paid.  It may seem normal to the [Katikkiro], but in the eyes of the Baganda, this money looks like a bribe that should never have been solicited for.  His argument that peasants in Buganda want even more money shows that the [Katikkiro] is misleading instead of leading.  What does he expect peasants who sell their ballots for sh. 500 to do or say once they see money in their hands.  Now that we know the money was part of a sh. 110 billion heist by the central government from Bank of Uganda its should be returned. The Central government owes Buganda Sh. 900 billion, that is what the [Katikkiro] should be pursuing and NOT handouts.  He is pursuing the wrong policies and therefore should resign.

(6) Dividing Buganda.

When he was given the Ddamula, [Katikkiro] Walusimbi was given a task by the Kabaka to unite Baganda and seeks return of Ebyaffe.  However, his actions have openly caused divisions among Baganda of all generations all around the globe. This is because he seems to be of the view that pursuit of cheap and corrupt economic gain supersedes need for self determination and dignity.  As a result, he has been heckled in London and Kampala.  Openly referred to as a traitor in front of the Kabaka and calls for his resignation are multiplying by the day.  He hasn’t got a single policy that can be relied upon as a symbol of Unity.

(7) Continued stay could significantly damage the institution of Kabakaship

Dividing Buganda, bribery, abandoning the Kabaka and betraying Buganda among others indicate that the continued [Katikkiro]ship of JB Walusimbi is likely to place the Kabakaship and the Kabaka into disrepute.  Baganda royalists have openly referred to him as ‘wolves among us’ right in front of the Kabaka. These are quite worrying and unprecedented scenarios.  Since the Kabaka is the appointing authority, it is easy for people’s perceptions to change and start looking at the Kabaka negatively.  Quick action has to be done to prevent this from happening.  Therefore, the best way [Katikkiro] Walusimbi can best serve Buganda and the Kabaka is by resigning his position.

(8) Abandoned pursuit of Ebyaffe

From the [Katikkiro’s] speeches and strategy, few Baganda think that the [Katikkiro] is still in pursuit of ‘Ebyaffe’.  Instead, the [Katikkiro] seems to be taking on a line that helps the enemy achieve ‘Ebyabwe’, an approach many Baganda find problematic.  He seems to blame ordinary Baganda for the poverty they’re engulfed in, forgetting that for the last 24 years, the occupying NRM government of the day has pursued a silent policy of frustrating Baganda economically.

(9) Too close to the enemy

[Katikkiro] Walusimbi has brought the enemies of Buganda too close to the Kabaka and the people of Buganda.  At a recent Expo Buganda’09 in Bulange, the Kabaka is seen in the company of a man in Military Uniform.  The Army is forcefully occupying Buganda and has prevented the Kabaka from visiting Buruli country.  Newly elected Lubaga Division LC3 Chairman Ssematimba is seen next to the [Katikkiro].  Sematimba is a preacher of poisonous politics and boasts of not being a Mengo Royalist.  The NRM government he wants us to ally with is dividing Buganda by creating Ssabaruli, Ssabanyalya, and Ssabakooki and is encouraging Banyoro to reclaim several counties of Buganda.  The Kampala and Land Bills are a sinister plan to grab huge chunks of Buganda land.  The NRMO regime has over the last 20 years destroyed everything about Buganda that sustained the 5 year [guerrilla] war that brought them to power.  It is hard to see how people who have spent the last 23 years destroying Buganda’s economic pillars can now be trusted as the ones to bring prosperity to the region. There must be a reason why people who mix guitars and drums to compose the music you listen to on your radio cannot plant a tree of Banana, coffee or cassava.  [Katikkiro] Walusimbi does not see that there is a sinister plan within the NRM to destroy Buganda and should therefore resign.

(10) The 12 Resolutions of the Lukiiko

On Monday 20^th July ’09, the Buganda Lukiiko passed 12 resolutions detailing Buganda’s continued relationship with the central government.  The resolutions committed Buganda to end any negotiations with the central government unless all Buganda’s concerns are addressed.   These include Return of Akenda, County headquarters and Federal status among others.  We know that [Katikkiro] Walusimbi had ignored these issues and taken on NRMO’s cheap fictitious development talk.

Even if the [Katikkiro] was the one reading out the resolutions, it is clear that he was forced to do so because they were not what he believes.  Therefore, instead of leading, the [Katikkiro] was misleading and should resign his position.

Most recently,

(11) Forced Kabaka-Museveni meeting and negotiation

The [Katikkiro] hurled the Kabaka into talks with President Museveni despite protests from all reasonable minded Baganda that such talks will yield nothing.  Indeed, Buganda has got nothing out of the Kabaka-Museveni meeting.  While the President and his occupiers of Buganda are talking about ‘Tutesa, kasita tatesa’, the land bill has passed, the regional tier bill is in parliament and the Kampala bill is on the way.  All this mean one thing: END OF BUGANDA AS WE KNOW IT.

(12) Bukedde Radio at Buganda Ttabamiruka ’09 Conference!

The [Katikkiro] then chose to use the radio of the occupiers to broadcast events at the recently concluded Buganda Conference in Kampala.  A slap in the face for the 31 dead during Buganda riots and a kick in the teeth to the redundant employees of CBS radio.  Government radios should never have come anywhere near this function because now peasants will start listening to them as substitute for CBSfm radio.  Slowly but surely, [Katikkiro] Walusimbi is invalidating the status of CBS radio among the peasants.  He is not working for us but the enemy.

(13) Demobilizing Buganda Nationalism!!

[Katikkiro] Walusimbi then went ahead and is quoted to have told Baganda workers at an end of year party not to sacrifice for their motherland.  “Temulina kubera Bajulizzi” (You don’t have to be martyrs) the [Katikkiro] is quoted to have said.  Which country is freed without sacrifice of Human Life?  What about the people of Luwero.  IS the [Katikkiro] saying that the people of Luwero and rest of Uganda who lost their lives to drive Obote out of power were fools?  Is the [Katikkiro] saying that those who died for Buganda during the September riots last year were fools?

(14) Failed Buganda worrier Sam Lubega

The [Katikkiro] is failed to offer Sam Lubega, the other DP Presidential contender a slot to speak at the recently concluded Ttabamiruka.  We can understand his love for Norbert Mao but cannot forgive him for snubbing a gallant son of Buganda and Uganda patriot Sam Lubega.

(15) [Strong Katikkiro] is what we want.

Today Buganda needs a [strong-minded] [Katikkiro], someone who can manipulate around politics without looking political.  Walusimbi is NOT this person.  If Walusimbi does not resign his position, Baganda royalists must oust him with mass demonstrations.  His continued [Katikkiroship] is undermining the authority of Mengo in the eyes of ordinary Baganda.  We want someone who is seen to fight our corner.

Given the above points, it is wise to conclude that [Katikkiro] Walusimbi is the wrong [Katikkiro], serving at the wrong time, doing the wrong things, saying the wrong words and with the wrong perception of what Buganda wants.  He should resign his position and return Namulondo.  Buganda cannot afford to go towards the general elections in 2011 with a [Katikkiro] who is clearly working against her interests.

SSAABASAJJA KABAKA’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

We thank God for having led us successfully through the year 2009 which has not been an easy one for almost very one of us.

We extend our sincere sympathies to all those people who witnessed various challenges during the course of the year.

We however congratulate all Christians around the world for having reached this day of Christmas.

At the same time, we wish all our people a peaceful ending of the year 2009 and entering the New Year with great courage and strength.

The experiences in the past year should act as a symbol to our people that we still have a long way in building a strong Buganda and Uganda as a whole.

Our leaders, right from the village levels still have a very huge task in fighting evil acts that are slowly infiltrating through our people at a very high speed which include among others corruption, murder, hatred towards working, to much interest for outings, isolating one another and being selfish.

At the moment, almost 95% of the youths in this country are unemployed. We should stop blaming them and instead task our leaders to draw a lasting solution to this level of unemployment. There should be ways of how these youths can be assisted to either obtain jobs or helped to use their brains to become beneficial to this country.

We have closed this year with Buganda Conference which was held last week under the theme “Federalism for Uganda”. We hope that the resolutions of this conference will form a strong basis for the negotiations and consultations to come later as we look forward to a democratic leadership for our country

Good bless

Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II
Kabaka of Buganda.

A Muganda lady lawyer who attended the December 17, 2009 Buganda Conference in Kampala sent me an email expressing her family’s disappointment with how far the organizers went to please Museveni and foreigners (banamawanga), with little regard to what ordinary Baganda want. The learned sister says that it hurt her and her husband that, although the conference was supposed to be a Buganda Conference it appeared that fewer than 100 of the about 800 attendees were ordinary Baganda.  However, she also acknowledges that the speeches by Kabaka Mutebi and Hussein Kyanjo ultimately made the conference worth the registration fee that she and her husband paid and more.

Below are excerpts from the lawyers four and one half  page long email.

Buganda Conference Was A Wrong Name

 “It was easy to tell that a significant percentage of the attendees  were foreigners (banamawanga). There were some Banyoro, North people and others. But not so many Banyankore cattle keepers (the balaalo)  as you would think. It was remarkable that the people who appeared to be real Baganda were overwhelmingly well to do businesspersons, lawyers, politicians and fully employed city types. Clearly, fewer than 100 were ordinary Baganda from Ngogwe or Nyendo or Ndejje. To that end, Apollo Makubuya and the Katikkiro should have been truthful and called it the Kampala Uganda Conference.”

Mao, Kanyeihamba and Katikkiro Walusimbi

  “It made me boil to hear this Acholi man with a Chinese name (Mao) set us conditions for getting Federo, as if he is some type of political god. He said, ‘If you Baganda want Federo, you must package it so that other Ugandans don’t think that you are claiming to be special’ and, as you would expect, he got thunderous applause from the foreigners present. I think every self-respecting Muganda must have felt like me; belittled. How dare that Mulugwaala tell me that, Baganda must never achieve their fundamental human right to self-determination until they convince him that they are ‘not special’? I think this Acholiman was in a team with Kanyeihamba, the Munyankore cattle keeper, who similarly talked down to Baganda like small children. Essentially, Kanyeihamba, who should know better because he is an experienced lawyer, also told us to do a better job convincing other Ugandans that we deserve our self-determination rights.  As if that was not enough,  Katikkiro Walusimbi used the same exacts words in his highly apologetic speech, ‘Buganda does not seek a special status’. Our Katikkiro, who sounded like he is ashamed to be a Muganda, seemed to be reading from the same exact script as Kanyeihamba and Mao.”

Mental Asylum Escapee Mutale

 “Then there was the insane looking man called Mutale, who came as Museveni’s main representative. You could tell Museveni intentionally sent this unkempt man, simply to unnerve those easy to scare attendees of the conference. It was not easy to understand his English all the time but he threateningly told us that our discussions were meaningless because we did not have power. His people, presumably Museveni and Banyankore, are the ones with the guns and the power. This man looks like he escaped from an asylum, but the Apollo Makubuya and the Katikkiro, who must know him, chose to give him a platform to desecrate an event attended by our Kabaka and Nnabagereka?”

Handsome Hussein Kyanjo

“The truth is that there were some good and clearly pro-Buganda speakers, including retired Katikkiro Dan Muliika and other Baganda elders. However, you could feel an air of conspiracy among the Baganda speakers to be ‘polite and not upset the foreigners’ regardless of  their provocations and patronizing towards Buganda.  At the same time, you could also sense that the foreigners, both speakers and in the audience, had a sense of heightened confidence that the Baganda were at their mercy.

“The man who gave us real hope was the handsome young Moslem and proud Muganda, Hussein Kyanjo, who made some of the ‘bakungu ba Kabaka’ look like champion cowards.  First, he directly rubbished Museveni’s crazy man Mutale by telling him that, because power comes from the people, the unpopular NRM government has lost power and resorted to using force to remain in control. Then, to the apparent discomfort of some of the well fed ‘bakungu ba Kabaka’, Mr. Kyanjo said it loud and clear that dictatorships force citizens to resort to violence and that is what may have to happen in Uganda. However, he added that Buganda must seriously look at secession as a way to avoid war.  It is Kyanjo’s words that helped us keep our dignity as Baganda in the face endless apologies by our ‘bakungu’  to those Bakaramajo, Banyoro, Balaalo, Bakiga, Banyarwanda and Bakonjo for being Baganda and special.”

Traitor Bidandi Ssali

“At an intellectual level, probably most offending speaker was Bidandi Ssali, the man who engineered the still birth death of Federo in 1995 with his Decentralization fraud. I believe that Museveni would not have been able to deny Buganda Federo in 1995 were it not for Bidandi Ssali’s rabid hatred for monarchies.  And I agree with my husband that Bidandi Ssali’s current pretention are not because he loves Federo or Buganda but only because, with the current Katikkiro and Mengo cabinet, any Federo Buganda might get would be cosmetic and might drastically weaken the Kabaka.  We think that this man is one of the most treacherous Baganda alive today.”

Empologoma ya Buganda

 “Kabaka Mutebi made all the wait and pain worthwhile. He gave a brief but sweet speech. Ignoring Museveni’s incessant warnings about so called ‘cultural leaders’ getting involved politics, the Lion of Buganda declared that Buganda was nation even before the British colonialists came. That the colonialists could not kill Buganda. And that, even when Obote abolished the kingdoms in 1967, Buganda remained alive.

“Further ignoring Museveni’s Regional Tier nonsense, the stern toned Kabaka reminded everyone that according to the Odoki constitutional committee, over 90% in Buganda and a healthy majority of other parts of Uganda demanded a federal form of government. He challenged those opposed to Federo to explain why they are denying people that basic right. Oh, this man, our Kabaka, is a real leader. Without him, Buganda would have been sold to Museveni a long time ago. Awangaale Ssabasajja! I left the conference feeling OK because, clearly, Ssabasajja and his man Hussein Kyanjo has salvaged our dignity and made the conference worthy much more than the $10 registration we paid each. ”

A reliable Uganda intelligence source in Kampala has told us that Olara Otunnu, a Ugandan politician from Acholi escaped death when his van collided with president Museveni’s presidential guard brigade (PGB) vehicles. According to the source, who requested that her identity be kept secret, the accident which occurred around Masindi in Bunyoro is too much of a coincidence to be believable. She explained that: “Based on the way the NRM government works, this accident was clearly staged to shake up the former United Nations undersecretary a little. I can assure you that, from now one he will think much more about what he says, where he goes and who he trusts in Uganda. Mr. Museveni calls the trick  ‘personal destabilization’.”

Our source is confident that Otunnu suffered no serious injuries although he was clearly shaken. She could not confirm to us if the PGB men who seem to have staged the accident were actually injured themselves. However, she said that, to make things appear genuine, it was likely that the Uganda government might announce that the PGB men were seriously injured or even that one of them died.

Apparently, Otunnu was travelling from northern Uganda where, for the first time in more 20 years, he attended the same public  function as Ugandan dictator, Yoweri Museveni. The police, ISO and PGB are all actively monitoring Otunnu’s movements since he returned to Uganda and expressed his intention to stand the position president in the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party. They both attended the consecration of a new Church of Uganda bishop for the Acholis in Gulu on December 20, 2009.

The UPC was responsible for the abolition of Uganda’s federal government, the exile and murder of  Ssekabaka (deceased Kabaka) Edward Muteesa II, stealing 9,000 square miles of Baganda native lands and carrying out genocide against Baganda in Bulemeezi, Buluri, Ssingo, Butambala and other counties (Luweero Triangle). As  a student and young man, Yoweri Museveni was a very active member of UPC’s notorious State Research Bureau, which was central to many of atrocities against Baganda. Later he turned against Obote and seized power after a 4 year a guerrilla war centered in the Luweero Triangle. Over 500,000 Baganda were murdered in the war.  It is estimated that Museveni’s Banyankore led NRM/NRA murdered up to 30-40% of these and put the blame on Obote, to gain support and recruits.

Buganda Post has received a few letters from Baganda, reacting to the December 17, 2009 Buganda Conference. All of them, without exception, express different levels of anger about the patronizing speeches made by non-Baganda (Bannamawanga) Kanyeihamba, Mao and Pulkhol, as well as Museveni’s abusive speech, which was delivered for him by Kakooza Mutale. Most of the letters praise the defiant and determined positions taken on Buganda’s demands by Kabaka Mutebi and his men Hussein Kyanjo and Nsubuga Nsambu.

Below, we publish the letter that best represents how upset the Baganda have written to us about the Buganda conference are. This letter was written by one Hannia Musemba and it is directed to Katikkiro JB Walusimbi and those who support his policy of begging non-Baganda to support Federo. The letter says that the only way forward for Buganda is independence.

Baganda we are missing the point the 100th time!

Since CBS station was knocked off from air, we are missing the point and this time around I find it very serious!  I read only about CBS as the fundamental human right deprived of us by this so-called Uganda Govt.

People lost their jobs (livelihood) that is brutality!  I wholeheartedly admit, so as you do, however this was not more brutal than our fellow innocent Baganda murdered in cold blood in the recent riots.  Please fellow Baganda we have missed a point the 100th time since the independence of that thing called Uganda.   We need CBS station, it is our right to have it, but it is not much important than all our dear ones who have been slaughtered like animals by these people:   Ben Kiwanuka, Andrew Kayira, the Muslims of Mbarara, massive innocent Baganda in Luwero, should I continue mentioning which month will I stop.  The point for Buganda now is Buganda’s Independence.   That is the point.

The question that has to break our minds now is not CBS or CBS only, but how can we throw these fellows away from our Land.  One day when Buganda Nation is independent we shall open 200 CBSes at once and no one will utter a word.  90,000 sq. kilometres [Editor: should be 9,000 sq. Miles] and more of our undisputable ancestral land are in hands of these same fellows.   If we remain so naive and indifferent, we are slaves now, our children and grand children are going be slaves as we are today.

From the bottom of my heart, I congratulate those two Buganda heroes Owekitiibwa. Nsambu and MP Kyanjo and those others who have bravely stated the fact of Buganda’s Independence. 

All the so-called negotiations going on with [Museveni], please I wonder why our Beloved Kabaka goes in such a mess!  Ssabassajja is a voice of more that 5 million Baganda and by fooling our King around and the Buganda delegation repeatedly, I have an impression that they consider us non-existent.

The man [Museveni] is using you and he will continue using you up till you break your last shoes.  Please don’t involve our King in such nonsensical talks with M7.  He  has proved all along that negotiations and agreement don’t exist in his vocabulary.

If you are realistic enough you would have noted already that these other tribes in the thing called Uganda will never wish Buganda to win, unless you are a day dreamer who thinks that Buganda has to go to these tribes and if need be dans on their rhythm asking them to accept Federo of better independence.

They will never accept. [Don’t have] illusions over that, live with me here on the Earth. Look at the Northern tribes, the people there after more that ten years war they have been left with nothing, still according Mr. Mao and DR Kanyeihamba we Buganda we have to go and beg these people to accept Federo system whereby they avail their own parliament and budget to develop their own region benefitting directly their own people.  If they are satisfied with their situation now,  I don’t find any reason why we should convince them to go federo. Let them wait for [Museveni] however they will have to wait much longer.

I know very well our ancestors signed treaties presided by then British civil servants which  under normal circumstances should be respected,  however [Museveni]  has never asked permission from the steak holders of that thing called Uganda as Rwandese to wage war in a foreign land called Uganda.  Therefore there are more that 101 ways to break away from this [dysfunctional] thing.

If you‘re near them ask them, how many jobs have been created by the thing called Uganda Govt in the Northern Uganda in the last 20 years?  How many people have been resettled back in their homes after the war.  Don’t they have eyes to see that? That all the money that would create such jobs or create resettlement programs for the northerners find their way out of the system through corruption and all is spent in Buganda region, then the question here!, “is Buganda the greatest loser with this corrupt system”?

Mr Mao asks Buganda to repackage the federo to win support from other tribes. Next time you come across him tell him, let the northerners draft their own version of federo system if really they need it, we shall sit down on a round table and talk. Otherwise let them keep and warm the camps in which their people are living now, in conditions much worse than animals in zoos. By the time they will wake up, the thing called Uganda Govt will have already sold their homelands to Chinese for their rice fields.

At one time I am not talking about 50 years ago even, Busoga was the economic heart of that thing called Uganda.  All Factories [burned]out or shifted to Buganda.  What did the so-called Uganda Govt do to [re-channel] or compensate these employment losses for Busoga?   [What you expect] if half of the so called Cabinet ministers spend indefinite hours on the CBS commission to defend their great divine master’s NO to the reopening of CBS Radio station, as if that is why they were made ministers.

Should Buganda go to the knee of King Kyabazinga of Busoga to convince him that the Basoga are one of the poorest tribe in Uganda now,  while one time the richest?  Has King Kyabazinga forgotten the lost glories of Busoga and Jinja town? Please don’t make us ridiculous if other tribes refuse deliberately to see it or they see it but they prefer to stay in the thing called Uganda that has milked their people to the last coin.  Let them do so.  The decisions you make save you or damn you!

One time Eritrea was Ethiopia and Ethiopia was Eritrea.  Now no more!  And in real terms Eritrea is one of the first growing economies of Africa. One time Monaco was France and France was Monaco.  Now no more!.  Now Monaco is one of the economic powers of Europe.

This thing called Uganda has systematically and consistently blocked Buganda’s development.  Our People are living in conditions much worse than in the medieval times. Go to Ki Mombasa, go to Makerere Kivulu, go to Mulago ghettos and so on and so forth.  Do you need a drawing to make you convinced?  Buganda shouldn’t miss the point once again!  Wake up!   Freedom is calling tomorrow! And [it is] our time!   Buganda Independence!

 Hannia Musemba

His Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda,  Muwenda Mutebi II, formally closed this year’s Buganda Conference on December 17, 2009. Although the conference was dubbed a Buganda conference, it seemed to focus on appeasing non-Baganda and the NRM, in the hope that they will look kindly at Buganda’s quest for Federo. Indeed, the prime speaking spots were given to Supreme Court Judge George William Kanyeihamba (Munyankore), Gulu district chairman Norbert Mao (Achooli),  Colonel Kiiza Besigye of FDC (Mukiga) and Maj. Ronald Kakooza Mutale, a Museveni adviser on military affairs and notorious human rights abuser.

In a move that shocked many ordinary Baganda, Katikkiro JB Walusimbi brought in government owned Bukedde Radio to broadcast the conference proceedings on radio. This is despite the common knowledge that one of the many reasons why the NRM occupation government keeps Buganda’s CBS Radio closed is to give competitive advantage to Luganda radios owned by the government and NRM diehards like Peter Sematimba. This writer spoke to 10 Baganda in Nakulabye after the conference ended and a surprising 9 of them said that they were not interested in what Mmengo is doing anymore because they cannot trust the Katikkiro and close allies. All the 9 also said that they had not listened to or read about the Buganda conference because they were boycotting government radios and newspapers. It appears that the gap between what Mmengo is doing about the governance of Buganda and what ordinary Baganda expect seem to be getting wider and fast.

Below is the full text of Kabaka Mutebi’s remarks.

REMARKS MADE BY SSAABASAJJA KABAKA RONALD MUWENDA MUTEBI II WHILE CLOSING BUGANDA CONFERENCE 09 AT HOTEL AFRICANA, KAMPALA, 17TH DECEMBER 2009

Distinguished Participants

I thank you all who have presented papers at this conference and contributed in any way to the holding of this important meeting. I wish to particularly single out for special thanks to the organizers and sponsors of this conference who have sacrificed their time and other resources to bring us here today.

Buganda is a microcosm of Uganda due to our treasured tradition of openness. Everyone is welcome here and that is how our Kingdom came to prominence in this region two centuries ago. We value our past, but we also live in the present and think about the future. We are sometimes, dismissed as conservative, but at least all recognize that we have something of value to conserve.

Our colonial masters did not write on a clean slate in Uganda. They found well-established nations which they brought together to form the Uganda Protectorate which became the sovereign state of Uganda in 1962.

Buganda was around before colonialism; colonialism emasculated but did not kill her. Even when monarchial institutions were abolished in 1967 and Buganda was erased from the map of Uganda, she remained alive in our people’s hearts. That is why the restoration of the Buganda Monarch in 1993 was very popular, the symbol of Buganda’s identity is their Kabaka, that identity was restored and we are all very grateful.

I have always believed that Uganda can accommodate all of us and that we can live in peace and harmony. I also believe that peace and harmony requires that we should be able to talk to each other honestly and dialogue in an atmosphere of mutual respect. All this costs us nothing but priceless. We should never tire to talk to one another as members of one family Uganda. However, it is important to recognize that members of our family have their peculiar needs and concerns which should be seriously attended to. That is how our family can be kept happy and prosperous.

Take the theme of today’s conference: The Question of Federalism for Uganda. It is a very old issue which was partially resolved in the 1962 constitution. I say partially resolved because this system of governance did not embrace the whole of Uganda. This was a major weakness which independent Uganda should have resolved a long time ago by creating a uniform system of federal governance throughout Uganda. It is clear from the findings of the Odoki constitutional review commission that the overwhelming majority wanted to have that system of governance in Buganda and sixty percent outside Buganda. That was the authentic voice of the people. Why deny them that right?

I am happy that you deemed it worthy to discuss a very old question in Uganda. We should not tire of debate because debates are liberating and good for the soul. It took a long time to build democracies in the west; I have no illusions about this. It will take us time to build genuine democratic institutions here, but I hope at the end of the day, people will see their aspirations to fruition. Thank you for your erudite deliberations.

I now declare Buganda Conference 2009 closed.