It is sad Andrew Kasaga (Zzimwe) is dead

Andrew Kasaga, popularly known as Zzimwe has died at a time when his company was awarded a tender to repair the dilapidated Old taxi park at Kampala city. The unfortunate bit is that shortly after the works were started on, Zzimwe's company claimed that the works to be done needed more money; in billions! It is not clear whether the company had been given any down payment of the shs 500m as offered by KCC for the works.
Contracts of this nature are becoming very controversial in Uganda,it is like they are a way to siphon off taxpayer hard earned money. many times the contracts are awarded and thereafter we are told that the contract amount is far less than what is required to see the works complete. This makes us have a number of questions. In the case of Kampala city council, I thought the consultants of council should have 1st done the soil tests given what was to be done. Is council saying that they left this to the contractor to determine more over the amount to be paid had already been agreed to? So many questions remain unanswered.

William Kituuka
Is it Zzimwe or KCC fooling us?
Monday, 3rd May, 2010
EDITOR —I don’t know who is fooling Ugandans. Is it Kampala City Council (KCC) or Zzimwe Construction? According to KCC, pothole fixing in the city was awarded to Zzimwe and the dates for completion of the work published. But we do not know who is supervising Zzimwe.
Is it Kakooza Mutale or the resident district commissioner of Kampala? Zzimwe digs up roads, making the holes deeper and worse than they were before. Zzimwe does not care about the dangers this causes to cars. The most annoying thing is that they take forever to fill the holes. Take the case of Bombo Road from Watoto Church Central to Wandegeya and Mukwano Road, among others.
These roads were dug about a month ago and Zzimwe has never cared to fill them up! Then there are those roads that were dug up last year on Kyaggwe Road at Misseka market and at the Kayunga Road — Tufnell Drive junction. The most puzzling was the Old Taxi Park deal where kcc and Zzimwe agreed on a sh500m contract.
But as construction was going on, Zzimwe asked for more money. What happened to the road equipment China gave KCC?
Jeff Kibirige Kampala

KCC to repair old taxi park
Monday, 28th September, 2009
By Jude Kafuuma
KAMPALA City Council (KCC) has contracted Zzimwe Construction Company to repair the old taxi park. The total cost for the pothole repairs in the taxi park is estimated at sh1.8b but only sh500m is available for the entire project.
The city town clerk, Ruth Kijjambu, said repairs for the old park were supposed to start after signing the contract but the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association (UTODA) has to first sensitise the business community using the park.
According to the KCC publist, Simon Muhumuza, the sh500m will be in the first phase to be undertaken by Zzimwe. “The first phase will be completed this financial year and more repairs will be carried out in the next financial year when more funding if provided.”
The repairs were expected to start early this year but were delayed when bids took long to open. UTODA manages the park on behalf of KCC.
UTODA which manages about 7,000 commuter taxis in the city has accused KCC of failing to maintain the taxi park. UTODA, who are the main stakeholders in the park, have requested KCC for two weeks to sensitise users and also work out ways of relocating the various activities as repairs go on.
UTODA chairperson and national treasurer, Hajji Musa Katongole, said the association would sit with KCC and the contractors to answer queries about the project.
Katongole said KCC over looked the sewage system leading to floods during rainy seasons. “When the contractors came to us after signing the contract with KCC, we agreed that they would work on the sewage system that passes through the old taxi park.
This means revising the costs to include the sewerage repairs,” Katongole added. At the beginning of the year, relocation of taxis from the taxi park became contentious when UTODA demanded space at Nakivubo Blue and Nakivubo Settlement primary schools.
Kampala mayor Hajji Nasser Sebaggala had agreed to relocate the park to Nakivubo Blue Primary, saying it was impractical to carry out repairs while taxis still used the park.
The Kampala Resident District Commissioner, Alice Muwanguzi, protested Sebaggala’s move. Recently, Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago and the spokesperson of the Democratic Party, Betty Nambooze, vowed to seek legal redress to halt the plans of shifting the park to a school to pave way for developments.
“Under the new contract with Zzimwe, taxis will not be relocated. Repairs will be done while taxis occupy parts that are not being worked on,” Kijjambu said.

Zzimwe Not Solely to Blame
4 November 2009 (The New vision Editorial)
Kampala — THE Uganda National Roads Authority has threatened to cancel Zzimwe Construction Company's sh1.9b contract for the rehabilitation of the Arua-Koboko-Oraba road over poor performance.
One month before completion date, the company has only executed 10% of the works on the 70-kilometre stretch. The consultants have attributed the delay to the absence of key personnel and equipment. They have also blamed poor cash flow on the side of the contractor.
While it is the authority's right to complain, it bears part of the responsibility. Zzimwe is not a new company in Uganda. There are standard criteria, such as the financial and human resource capacity of a company and its track record.
How could the authority have failed to detect that Zzimwe did not have the right equipment and personnel during the bid evaluation stage?
If Zzimwe had indicated that it would hire appropriate equipment and personnel on a contract basis, why did it take the road agency so long to realise the problem?
The road in question is a key link to Southern Sudan. The roads authority should have had a keen interest in its timely completion, not only for trade but also for strategic reasons.
Ugandan tax payers have lost colossal sums of money to construction companies as a result of questionable procurement processes or poorly negotiated contracts.
The rot unearthed by the Auditor General as to the CHOGM road works is a case in point. The Attorney General, the Inspectorate of Government and the Criminal Investigations Department of the Police should take a keen interest in the award of public contracts.
The officers responsible for flouting procurement rules should be brought to book. Poorly performing construction companies should be exposed and blacklisted on the Internet.
But that might not be enough. The whole bidding process might need to be reviewed, and additional safeguards might need to be introduced to make the process foolproof.

Zzimwe Faces New Sh3b Scam
From New Vision (Uganda) - AAGM)
Byline: Felix Osike
THE Inspector General of Government (IGG) has queried payment of sh3b to Zzimwe Construction Company for repairing potholes in the city, saying the work was shoddy.
The IGG said some of the roads had developed new potholes shortly after the repair.
The contract, investigators said, was irregularly awarded by the District Executive Committee without the Tender Board input.
Zzimwe is already under investigation after his Barclays Bank account in Kampala was recently credited with over US$1m fraudulently transferred from the Chartered Bank headquarters in Nairobi.

Kampala’s exclusive billionaires club
By Arthur Baguma
and Moses Mugalu
IN 2006, Kikuubo Kwagalana Group met President Yoweri Museveni to negotiate for better investing conditions. According to records, the President assured them of the Government’s commitment to “giving them fair taxation because they qualify for incentives given to investors whose projects are worth $500,000 (about sh1b) and above”.
Over a decade later, what started as a lobby group is now an exclusive club of Kampala’s richest tycoons. The average net worth of each member is about $15m (sh30b). Now called Kwagalana Members Club, they own businesses and real estate. They own prime buildings and land in downtown Kampala and the central business district. A source conversant with land matters in the city said that a plot of land in the city centre goes for between $2m and $2.5m. And a building goes for about $4m-$4.5m (between sh8b and sh9b). They live like one family. They gather in both good and bad times.
When Sudhir Ruparelia, a member of the group, lost his mother, they boarded the next plane to go and mourn with him in London. They also ran a full-page condolence message in the newspapers. The advert included a list of all their names.
If a member of the club has a social function like a wedding of a son or daughter, the club will take charge of the budget and organisation.
A few of the members went through the formal education system or are employed by the State. Their 40-member club is exclusive and no one can become a member regardless of their status.
Out of Kwagalana emerged another club, Twagalane, which comprises young ‘tycoons’, mainly sons and daughters of the Kwagalana members. The young professionals sought the blessing of their seniors and started their own club last year.
At a highly billed launch of the club, a group of 50 young professionals, launched Twagalane Club to break away from their mentors’ wings.
The launch started off on a high notch with sh55m on the club’s account within hours of its inception in July last year.
Impressed by the young professionals’ vision, Kwagalana members forked out sh2m as a token to the young professionals.
Top on the young club’s agenda is charity work and investing in real estate. All the 50 members who are mainly into business are worth $3m (about sh6b).
Who are the members of Kwagalana Club and what do they own?
Godfrey Kirumira
(club chairman)
Total worth: About $60m (sh120b).
He is an importer, dealer in general merchandise and owns several buildings in the city centre. He is the proprietor of Kirumira Towers on William Street, Royale Complex on Market Street, BTC Building in Ndeeba, Hotel Havana and Muyenga Hotel (former International Hotel). He is a former chairman of Express Football Club, where he was dubbed ‘Perez’ after the former Real Madrid president. He is also the proprietor of a chain of fuel stations and private schools — Bright Future in Bwebajja and St. Mary’s Junior Nabbingo.
Kirumira is also proprietor of Royal Cash Forex, Money Point Forex, a bus company, BTC Transporters; KPI Security Company, KPI Petroleum Ltd, Premium Commodities, which deals in produce — maize and beans; and Baggery Trading Company. He’s the leading importer of bales of second-hand clothes and shoes.
Eriya Sebunya Bugembe (treasurer)
Total worth: About $25m (sh50b).
He is popularly known as ‘Kasiwukira’ after his famed Kasiwukira Studios, one of Uganda’s pioneer music production studios. Bugembe’s fortune includes Najjanankumbi-based SEB Industries, which produces tiles and pavers. He owns buildings like Nalubwama Arcade on Ben Kiwanuka Street and Temuseo Mpoza on Luwum Street. He also owns several other properties in the city suburbs.
Sudhir Ruparelia
Total worth: About $100m (sh200b).
He owns a quarter of the buildings strategically located in Kampala’s central business district. Sudhir is the founder and chairman of the Ruparelia Group of Companies, which include banks, hotels, insurance, forex bureaus, schools and other investments. He owns Crane Chambers on Kampala Road, City House on Luwum/William streets; Raja Chambers, Baumann House, the building housing the Police headquarters and Development House — all located on Parliamentary Avenue.
He also owns Platinum House on Market Street and Club Sway on Kampala Road. He has built a few, but most of his buildings have been acquired from people who default on loans from his moneylending services.
Sudhir’s business empire includes hotels: Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kabira Country Club, Speke Hotel on Nile Avenue and Tourist Hotel on Dastur Street. He owns Crane Bank, Crane Forex Bureau, Meera Investments and Gold Trust Insurance Company. He is also into agri-businesses like flower growing (Rosebud) and the education sector, running schools like Kabira International School and Kampala Parents School.
Joseph Bbosa
Total worth: About $15m (sh30b).
Based in Kikuubo, Bbosa is the main agent for Orbit, a chewing gum brand. He owns three commercial buildings in Kikuubo and owns the biggest private hostel at Nkozi University.
Joseph Yiga
(assistant treasurer)
Total worth: About $9m (sh18b).
He is a property dealer. He owns Hardware Deals House in Nakawa Industrial area. He owns several other business premises, land and real estate in the city.
Andrew Kasagga
Total worth: About $20m (sh40b).
He is a construction magnate who has bagged some of the country’s major road building and housing contracts through his Zzimwe Construction Company.
His works include the much criticised reconstruction of several Kampala roads and the refurbishment of State House, Entebbe.Kasagga owns residential houses in affluent city suburbs, but his country home in Seeta, valued at over $1m, is said to be the most expensive in the country. The sprawling home on a 68-acre hill has a 4km tarmac road and driveways where two trailers can park.
Epimac Kagoro
Total worth: About $15m (sh30b).
He is believed to be the leading private transporter of goods in the country. He has about 50 trailers. He also owns buildings in downtown Kampala.
Haj Yusuf Matovu
Total worth: About $15m (sh30b).
He is an importer and trader in tiles and sanitary hardware. He owns Youma Building on Kampala Road and about six mansions in the affluent Muyenga suburb.
Gaster Lule ‘Ntake’
(secretary)
Total worth: About $10m (sh20b).
He is the proprietor of Ntake Bakery and wheat suppliers in Nalukolongo, Masaka Road. Lule owns Gadith Building on William Street and recently bought another prime plot in Nakasero near Centenary Bank. He has a lot of land in and outside Kampala.
Godfrey Kyeswa
Total worth: About $10m (sh20b).
He imports general merchandise and owns a number of commercial buildings in downtown Kampala. He owns Gazaland Shopping Arcade on Luwum/William streets.
Other members of Kwagalana
James Bwogi
Total worth: About $10m (sh20b).
Kikuubo-based general merchandise trader/importer and fuel dealer. He owns residential houses in Kololo.
Dick Kizito
Total worth: About $8m (sh16b).
Owns Kizito Towers on Luwum Street, several business premises and residential houses in affluent Ntinda, Naguru and Kansanga suburbs
Francis Kakumba
Total worth: About $7m (sh14b).
Proprietor of HAKS car bond, which he purchased from Hassan Basajjabalaba. He also owns Embassy Hotel in Kabalagala.
Viva Bukenya
Total worth: About $7m (sh14b).
Agent for Hima and Bamburi cement, owns a number of hardware shops in Kampala and has a building in Ndeeba.
Medi Sebaggala
Total worth: About $6m (sh12b).
He’s the proprietor of Kiyembe Lane-based Sebaggala and Sons Electronics and World of Lights on Kayunga Road in Kamwokya. He also owns a luxurious residential house in Kololo rented by the US embassy.
Mutaasa Kafeero
Total worth: About $15m (sh30b).
Owns hotels Triangle on Buganda Road and another in Jinja, Mutaasa Kafeero Mall on Luwum Street and Zainabu Aziza Emporium on Wilson Road.
Robert Mulinde
Total worth: About $5m (sh10b).
Imports motorcycles in Ndeeba, owns Kings View Hotel, has a building on Luwum Street and a farm in Mpigi.
Charles Kakumba
Total worth: About $4.5m (sh9b).
Imports used Japanese car spare parts. He owns a commercial building in Katwe.
Tom Mugenga
Total worth: About $4m (sh8b).
Proprietor of Speedy Flight.
James Bakaluba
Total worth: About $4m (sh8b).
Has huge chunks of land in Kisozi and buildings in Old Kampala and Nabugabo.
Jolly Lutaaya
One of the Kabaka’s strongmen, he owns Marvel Road Contractors, has several plots of prime land in Kampala and huge chunks in Butambala.
Tom Kitandwe
Total worth: About $10m (sh20b).
He started as a wheat agent in Kikuubo. His buildings include Giant Shopping Arcade in Kikuubo, Nakasero Complex on Nakivubo Road, Mid City Arcade on Nakivubo Road and Mackay Building on Old Rashid Khamis Road near New Taxi Park.
Mansur Matovu
Total worth: About $15m (sh30b).
Imports motorcycles (bodabodas) and owns several buildings: Zayi Plaza on Kiyembe Lane, Ivory Plaza and Sunset Arcade on Wilson Street.
Babirye Mugerwa
Total worth: About $10m (sh20b).
Cosmetics importer from Dubai and owns buildings in city centre: Park View, Yamaha Centre, H & B Plaza.
Muwanga Kibirige (BMK)
Total worth: About $20m (sh40b).
Imports automobiles and spare parts. Also a hotelier, industrialist and construction tycoon. He set out as a small- scale trader in used Japanese car spare parts and has made it to the big scale to expand his wings into other businesses. He owns Hotel Africana on Wampewo Avenue and has several buildings in city suburbs like Katwe and Ndeeba. He produces polythene bags and runs a forex bureau.
Kizito Kabonge
He is into plumbing and hardware and owns a hardware shop in Nakasero.
Deo Kiweewa ‘Kirowoza’
He is a trader in ladies’ clothes (busuuti), based on Luwum Street, from which he has amassed wealth over the last two decades.
He’s constructing a seven-storey building below Capital Shoppers in Nakasero near the Indian temple in Kampala.
George Batte
He is a car spare parts and tyres dealer based on Ben Kiwanuka Street. He also owns a commercial building in Ndeeba, a city suburb.
The other club members are: Christopher Ssaazi, Haj Swaibu Kiyemba, Haj Badru Muwanga, Frank Ssonko, John Bagambe, Jimmy Kiwanuka, Nasur Musosi and Fenekansi Mwesigwa. They are mainly traders dealing in hardware, electronics, spare parts, real estate and general merchandise based in Kikuubo, Nakasero, Katwe and Ndeeba.
Published on: Saturday, 7th March, 2009

Kenya has germinated on this Zimwe thing.
Zzimwe has case to answer'
By Simon Kasyate
Jan 30, 2005
KAMPALA — Embattled businessman Andrew Kasagga Zzimwe cannot yet
afford to sit pretty.
Kenyan authorities insist there is overwhelming evidence linking
Zzimwe to alleged theft and attempted theft of money from a Kenyan
commercial bank.
Zzimwe is accused of stealing $1 million (Shs1.8 billion) from the
Standard Chartered Bank of Kenya in September 2003.
"The Attorney General [of Kenya] clearly stated in his letter that
there is sufficient evidence for the culprits to be extradited here
for trial," said an officer with the Banking Fraud Investigations
Office of the Central Bank of Kenya in reference to a letter from
Kenya to Uganda over the Zzimwe affair.
The officer, who has been involved in investigating this case for
the last one year and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Kenya is
still waiting for a positive reply from the Ugandan attorney
general.
"We are still in anticipation of the extradition of that man here to
face trial," he said of Zzimwe.
The Monitor reported on Friday that Director of Public Prosecutions
Richard Buteera had said there was no evidence at the moment to
support criminal charges against Zzimwe.
"Your DPP's argument is misplaced," the Kenyan officer said. "There
is overwhelming evidence that the transaction was a direct theft.
You cannot withdraw all that amount of money in one day or take it
from someone without proper agreement.
"If it were a genuine transaction, how come the witnesses to the
agreement have denied knowledge of the agreement?" the officer said
referring to Congolese businessman Roger Gwe, who is said to have
deposited the money on Zzimwe's Barclays Bank account in Kampala for
purchase of road construction equipment. "It is our belief that your
DPP is shielding this man."
Zzimwe operates a civil engineering business under his company,
Zzimwe Enterprises, Hardwares and Construction Limited.
Kenyan Attorney General Amos Wako requested Uganda to extradite
Zzimwe, lawyer Paul Kalemera, and Mr Fredrick Nzamba, an employee of
Stanhope Company, to Kenya for trial for allegedly stealing
$1,0500,000 in 2003.
Kenyan police say that Zzimwe and company connived with some bankers
to swindle another two batches of $2 million through Crane Bank and
Stanhope Forex Bureau in Kampala but failed.
"We already have three of their Kenyan accomplices in our custody
awaiting trial," the banking fraud officer said.
He declined to mention their names saying it would be prejudicial.
The Kenyan courts insist that the Ugandan suspects - Zzimwe,
Kalemera and Nzamba - must appear before a magistrate's court in
Nairobi on February 12.
If convicted, Zzimwe could serve up to three years in a Kenyan jail.
© 2005 The Monitor Publications

No evidence against Kassaga Zzimwe, says DPP
By Grace Matsiko
Jan 28, 2005
KAMPALA — The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr Richard
Butera, has said there is no evidence at the moment to support
criminal charges against city tycoon, Mr Andrew Kasagga (Zzimwe).

Butera's legal opinion is contained in a letter to the Criminal
Investigations Directorate (CID) of the police in June 2004.
Zzimwe is accused of stealing $1m (about shs1.8bn) from the
Standard
Chartered Bank of Kenya.


SURVIVED: Kassaga Zzimwe

DPP: Butera
ISO: Cheeye
AG: Makubuya
This was allegedly part of the $5 million (about Shs9 billion)
the bank says Zzimwe and two others tried to obtain by fraud in
September 2003, but was detected and blocked before the money
was wired to the accused's accounts in Kampala in September 2003.
Zzimwe is jointly accused with Mr Paul Kalemera, a city lawyer
and Mr Cedrick Nzamba, a Congolese national.
Butera's statement means that Zzimwe is safe from the charges
over which the Kenyan government wanted the tycoon extradited to face
trial in Nairobi.
The Monitor on Wednesday ran a story quoting the Kenyan Attorney
General, Mr Amos Wako, writing to his Ugandan counterpart, Mr
Kiddu Makubuya, seeking the arrest and extradition of Zzimwe, Kalemera
and Nzamba for prosecution on fraud charges.
"This is to inform you that your client Andrew Kasagga and
Zimmwe Enterprises Hardwares and Construction Limited were a subject of
our investigation in connection to a fraudulent transfer of
US$1,050,000 from Standard Chartered Bank Kenya to Barclays Bank Uganda," CID Officer Mr Edison Mbiringi, wrote to Zzimwe's lawyers.
Mbiringi is the CID Officer in Charge of Serious Crime in the
Uganda Police Force.
Kalenge, Bwanika, Kimuli & Co. Advocates are Zzimwe's lawyers.
Mbiringi said in the letter dated July 14, 2004, "The
investigations were jointly carried out by both the Uganda Police (CID) and Kenya Police (CID) and our case papers were submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for perusal and legal advice."
"In June, 2004 our case papers were received from the DPP in
which he stated, "the investigations have so far not established that
the suspect (Zzimwe) received the funds in question with a criminal
intent. In effect there is no basis for preferring of criminal
charges at this juncture," Mbiringi wrote to Zzimwe's lawyers.
Zzimwe's lawyer, Moses Kimuli had previously written to CID
asking the fate of his client.
"In the meantime, therefore, there are no criminal charges being
contemplated on your client. I believe this adequately addresses
your concern over the matter," Mbiringi's letter reads.
Mbiringi yesterday declined to comment on the case.
Butera yesterday put off the interview he had made with The
Monitor about the case. Through his secretary, he promised to talk to
the reporter next week.
But a CID source said Butera's opinion on the case may not have
been communicated to his Kenyan counterpart, which resulted in Wako's
extradition request in November last year.
Zzimwe yesterday declined to make any direct reference to
Butera's letter, but said the fraud story was being invented by his
enemies."Nze banna bange nfudde," Zzimwe screamed in Luganda meaning, "I
am doomed".
"Leave me alone, I have suffered enough. I can't use the media
to fight my enemies or to cleanse my image because the damage has
been done to me, my family and business. I know it is God who will
calm down these people that are witch-hunting me," he added.
He claimed two officers from the Internal Security Organisation
ISO) demanded a bribe of $200,000 (about Shs170 million) from
him reportedly to kill the alleged fraud case.
He declined to name them but said he would do it later.
"How can I give a bribe of $200,000 to someone to water down a
non-existing case. Since then these people have waged a campaign
against me. Let the law take its course but I will not bow to
blackmail," Zzimwe said.
Zzimwe and his son, Paul Kasagga described Roger Gwe, the
Congolese businessman whom the ISO's Director for Economic Monitoring, Mr Teddy Sseezi Cheeye, said was a witness to the alleged fraud, as
an impostor created by his enemies.
Lawyer Kimuli said since the investigations had failed to
implicate Zzimwe, his client was free from extradition to Kenya for trial.
"Now the concern of my client is his image and business. He
can't get jobs and working capital as potential clients and financiers
continue reading negative reports about him in the media,"
Kimuli said.
A Magistrate's Court in Nairobi had issued a warrant of arrest
against Zzimwe, Karemera and Nzamba for trial on the fraud
charges.

By Reuben Olita
in Nairobi
THE arrest warrant issued for Kampala businessman Andrew Kassaga
Zzimwe still stands, Kenya's director of public prosecutions,
Philip Murgor, has said.
Murgor said Uganda Police was not expected to investigate whether
Kassaga committed the offences, but to arrest him as directed by
the Uganda Attorney General and process his extradition to Kenya for
trial.
Murgor was responding to remarks by Kassaga's lawyer, Moses
Kimuli, that the Uganda Criminal Investigations Department had found no
evidence to warrant prosecution.
Murgor was speaking at his office at Sheria House on Harambee
Avenue in Nairobi, Kenya on Wednesday.
Zzimwe, Paul Karemera and Cedric Nzamba are wanted in Kenya over a
US$3m bank fraud. Murgor said Kenya was still waiting for Zzimwe's
extradition.
"It will be the duty of the court to order their extradition,
depending on whether the subjects are identified as people
required in Kenya and whether there was a connecting factor between the
subjects and the offences alleged to have been committed," Murgor
said.
Murgor said Moses Kimuli was "misinformed" about the extradition
treaties. "It's up to Uganda to act on our request in accordance
with the extradition treaty between Kenya and Uganda as contained
in chapter 76 of the laws of Kenya. We shall wait as long as Zzimwe
is still at large," he said.
Published on: Friday, 28th January, 2005

How can Bukedde FM entertain ‘Pastors’ who claim that HIV/AIDS is curable?

On Sunday, May 1 2010 while listening to Bukedde FM at around 7.40 am I was shocked to hear a Pastor preacher on radio deceive the listeners that HIV/AIDS is curable and that they have examples! This is unfortunate, more so when it is ONLY Uganda AIDS Commission with the mandate to tell the public such.

While we all believe in the power of God the Almighty creator, it is wrong to base on his ability to deal with our problems to make a claim on how he has cured people of HIV without the backing of scientific facts. To me these pastors are selling air as a means to get people to their churches and then be able to cheat them.

William Kituuka

The Journey for Buganda has been long and is still on

Kabaka Mutebi on function
Parliament should incorporate the Buganda Government unpaid rent arrears; which according to the budget passed by Buganda Lukiiko is accumulative figure not less than shs 8 billion! The New vision of June 18, 2005, ‘The Government has paid sh450m to Buganda Kingdom as accumulated rent arrears for occupying Butikkiro, which is the former official residence for the Katikkiro.’ A source at Mengo June 17, 2005 said the cheque which was handed over to I. Kabanda, the then chairman of the Buganda Land Lease committee, covered the period from August 1, 1993! The former Butikkiro now houses the Uganda Joint Clinical Research Centre (UJCRC) that carries out research on HIV. A source said Mengo had demanded over sh2.4b for rent since 1993, including leasing out of the premises! Hon. Speaker; the above scenario is not justice. It is not justice to keep sitting on rent due for Buganda Government in other words directly crippling the operations of the region. Government has been behind the delay to grant federo status which many Ugandans cherish; it is not allowing regions to tax the people who live in them. Imagine! Is that the justice the NRM claims to make it different from past regimes? Mengo should in the mean time think of a proposal to Government of a swap; where those willing to pay dues to Mengo may be given leeway to pay money to Mengo and present General receipts to Government. We simply cannot look on as Government does the abnormal. The Katikiiro is supposed to reside where JCRC is housed; but trust the injustice of the Movement Government; it has failed to fulfill the pledge to construct an alternative accommodation for Katikiiro. As Kabaka says, we want JUSTICE.
William Kituuka

How Mutebi reclaimed his stolen kingdom
News Written by Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda Tuesday, 14 April 2009 06:10
In 1996, a Buganda minister commissioned SSEMUJJU IBRAHIM NGANDA, then a student of Mass Communication to carry out research about the road to Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II’s coronation as Kabaka of Buganda.
Prof. Apolo Robin Nsibambi, at that time Minister of Public Service was one of those interviewed. Nsibambi had been the head of Buagnda’s team that negotiated the return of kingdom’s property appropriated in 1966 by Milton Obote’s. The Observer brings the findings of this work on the occasion of the Kabaka’s 54th birthday.
The National Resistance Army (NRA) met on April 3, 1992 in Gulu town and agreed to return to the owners all properties that were confiscated by the government in 1966.
The Army however said that the return of these properties should not jeopardise the security of the country.
On April 30, 1993, the National Resistance Council sitting under the chairmanship of President Museveni resolved that certain assets and properties be returned to the traditional authorities of Buganda.
Earlier on November 21, 1992, Museveni had officially launched negotiations between the NRM/NRA government and the Buganda Kingdom to agree on what to return, when and how.
On Friday, December 4, 1992, Baganda marched through Kampala streets to thank the President for agreeing to return Baganda’s cultural sites and other property, commonly referred to as “ebyaffe”.
The procession of excited Baganda led by clan leaders marched to Parliament building where the crowd was addressed by several people, including Prof. Apolo Nsibambi who had been appointed by “Ssabataka” Ronald Muwenda Mutebi to head a Buganda team that would negotiate with the NRA.
To make the return legal, the NRC, Museveni’s post-war Parliament, passed the Traditional Rulers Restitution of Asserts and properties Statute on July 23, 1993.
It was after this law was in place that Ronald Mutebi named Nsibambi to lead Buganda’s negotiation team.
Nsibambi was approached by Prof. Senteza Kajubi on behalf of Ronald Mutebi. Other members included:
l Nadduli Kibale (deputy Chief Negotiator)
l Grace Semakula Musoke Ndugwa
l Haji Kateregga Namuguzi
l Yoasi Bulega
l E. Musoke Kayita
l J.S Mayanja Nkangi
l Godfrey S. Lule
l George Kabugo (Secretary)
l Joyce Mpanga
l John C. Ssempebwa
l Joyce Sebugwaawo
l J.B Walusimbi
l John W. Katende
l Damiano Lubega
l Prof. William Senteza Kajubi
l Bwogi Kanyerezi
l Joyce Kaddu.
Before negotiations began, the team made announcements in the press, requesting whoever had information about Buganda properties to submit it to the committee.
The Museveni team was headed by Maj. Gen. Elly Tumwine and its members included Lt. Col. Sserwanga Lwanga and Maj. Gen. Gregory Mugisha Muntu.
Ebyaffe
The Buganda team laid claim on the following properties:
l Bulange (seat of Buganda Lukiiko at Mengo)
l The Lubiri (palace at Mengo)
l The Bitikkiro (residence of Katikkiro)
l The Buganda Court Buildings.
l Kabaka’s official 350square miles of land.
l Namasole’s 10square miles of land.
l Banalinya’s land.
l Kabaka’s Lake.
l Former Omulamuzi and Omuwanika’s official residences.
l Bassekabaka’s tombs (where former Kabakas are buried)
l Land adjacent to Lubiri on which 3 Buganda ministries used to stand.
l Buganda works building at Kakeeka.
l Basiima House.
l Nalinya’s house at Lubaga.
l Muteesa house in London.
l Counties, sub-counties land and offices.
Negotiations begin
The first major setback came up when Sabataka’s team demanded that some of the properties be returned with immediate effect. Yet most of these were being occupied by the Army or other government institutions.
For example, Nsibambi’s team demanded that since Bulange was the administrative centre for Buganda, it should be returned forthwith.
This was unacceptable to the NRA team. Bulange, which Obote had renamed “Republic House”, was up to that time - 1993 - still occupied by the Army. It was actually the NRA’s main offices.

Prof. Nsibambi told this writer that since Bulange was the seat of the Buganda Parliament (Lukiiko) and housed Sabasajja’s offices, his team had to demand its immediate return.
Some of the Army officers on the government’s negotiating team; for example Mugisha Muntu, were Nsibambi’s former students. This helped the two committees to forge ahead. Nsibambi exploited this opportunity to interact with them freely and personally.
But still, certain issues remained too hard to resolve, prompting President Museveni and Kabaka Mutebi to intervene.
The two leaders held almost three meetings together, with some members of their negotiating teams. As a result of these meetings, Museveni agreed to hand over Bulange immediately.
Lubiri struggle
Then came the Lubiri (Mengo palace) question. Being the official home of the Kabaka, some Buganda officials had wanted it returned even ahead of Bulange. In fact, after the Ssabataka returned from exile in the United Kingdom, he spent some days at the late Express FC’s Chairman Patrick Kiwanuka’s residence in Komamboga. He later shifted to Kololo where he had been given a house, awaiting renovation of the Banda and Kireka palaces.

The lack of official residence for the Sabataka prompted the Abataka to demand the immediate return of the Lubiri, the Kabaka’s official residence. But the NRA was still using it as a barracks! The General Tumwine-led team also cited “security reasons” in holding onto it.
Later, the two teams agreed that the Lubiri would be returned after four years. Indeed the Lubiri was eventually returned on December 19, 1997.
Meanwhile as the talks progressed, Museveni appointed his Prime Minister, Kintu Musoke, to act as a bridge each time the two teams developed sharp disagreements.
Federo agitation
The year 1995 will be remembered as the defining moment of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s reign. It is the year when Buganda came very close and yet missed the opportunity to restore the pre-1966 federal status it enjoyed before Obote abolished kingdoms in 1966.
Obote had then overthrown Kabaka Mutesa who was then ceremonial president.
When Museveni launched a guerilla war in 1981, Buganda’s support was guaranteed. Among other things, Baganda thought that Museveni in power would restore Buganda’s pre-1966 status. That is why when Museveni captured power on January 26, 1986, many in Buganda saw this as their victory too.

However, in 1995, things took a different turn. Justice Benjamin Odoki, now Chief Justice, had been appointed Chairman of the Constitutional Commission in 1991. His assignment was to establish the views of Ugandans on many issues, including federalism. Odoki’s findings would be used as a guideline during the constitutional making process.
A Constituent Assembly to debate and pass a new constitution was elected on March 28, 1994. The Assembly comprised 284 delegates, including 74 from Buganda.
CA on federo
Federalism dominated debate in 1994 and early 1995. However, the first meeting between Buganda and the government on this matter had taken place in August 1986, seven months into Museveni’s presidency. It was between the President and Buganda clan leaders. Mutebi had just arrived by road via Kenya. That meeting failed to resolve the issue, but the demand for federalism didn’t die.
On May 3, 1994, the Lukiiko (Buganda’s Parliament) sat at Pope Paul Memorial Centre near Mengo and asked CA delegates from Buganda to demand for a federal type of government.
Former Vice President, the late Dr. Samson Kisekka, Apolo Nsibambi, Abu Mayanja and Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, among other government ministers attended.
However, some NRM historicals were uncomfortable with such positions. Captain Abbey Mukwaya, for instance, warned against such meetings. He said they could be construed as if Buganda CA delegates are getting instructions from Mengo.
Nevertheless there was another meeting at Masaka State Lodge between Buganda and the NRM government. The meeting took place on January 9, 1995. Here, the NRM was represented by:
l President Yoweri Museveni
l VP Dr. Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe
l PM Kintu Musoke
l First deputy PM Eriya Kategaya
l Local Government Minister Bidandi Ssali
l NRM Vice Chairman Moses Kigongo
l Minister of State for Constitutional Affairs Steven Kavuma
l Sam Kutesa
l Kezimbira Miyingo.
Buganda was represented by:
l Kabaka Ronald Mutebi II
l Katikkiro Joseph Mulwanyammuli Ssemwogerere
l Sheik Ali Kulumba
l John Katende
l Prof. Apolo Nsibambi
l Bbaale Mugera
l Wasswa Birigwa
l Kabaka’s Private Secretary Misusera
The Kabaka attended this meeting briefly, departing immediately after his speech. Though the meeting was not open to the press, records show that the two sides failed to resolve the federal issue. It continued the following day until members agreed to meet again in two weeks’ time.
Museveni’s stand
Meanwhile, a Buganda group calling itself “opinion leaders” wrote a strongly worded letter to President Museveni titled ‘A case for the restoration of Buganda as a single unit’ in which they demanded a federal status for Buganda.
The group argued that it was opposed to an imposed unitary system.
President Museveni personally wrote back. In a letter to the group titled ‘A case for the restoration of Buganda as a single unit,’ the President rejected federalism.
In what he described as devolution of power to the people, Museveni opposed the idea of a homogenous Buganda with settled boundaries. This, he said, was or is in conflict with reality. He noted, for instance, that in 1900 Buganda chiefs were awarded by the British, large non-Buganda swathes of land.
The President instead called for symbolic recognition of cultural leaders without allowing them to mingle in administration or politics. This, he argued, would make “Ssabataka” the cultural leader of the Baganda wherever they may be.
The President further noted that of the 4.8million people who lived in Buganda, only 3 million were Baganda. He added that there were 32,777 Baganda in Mbarara district of Ankole.
“It’s conceivable therefore, that in future we could have a Buganda province without Baganda and non-Buganda areas of Uganda with Baganda,” Museveni concluded.
Charles Peter Mayiga, a prominent lawyer and Member of the Lukiiko at the time (now Information Minister), wrote several articles in the press reacting to the President’s letter. He remained adamant that federalism was the most appropriate system of governance for Uganda.
Other regions
At the beginning, the quest for federo was interpreted as a Buganda affair. However, sooner other kingdoms joined the struggle. Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom’s Supreme Council issued a statement on January 17, 1995 supporting federalism.
The Chairman of the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Council, Christopher B. Sabiiti, said in his January 17 press release that Bunyoro’s demand for federalism throughout Uganda remains unequivocal and resolute as expounded in the Council’s memorandum to the Constitutional Review Commission in 1991.
CA debates federo
Select Committee 4 was charged with discussing chapters on; the Republic, Citizenship, Local Government and General and miscellaneous provisions.
The committee had 45 members who included:
l Prof. Apolo Nsibambi (Presidential nominee)
l Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere (Igara West)
l Damiano Lubega (Rubaga South)
l Wasswa Lule (Rubaga North)
l Besweri Mulondo (Mityana South)
l Bwembale Walembwa (Bukonzo West)
l Darlington Sakwa (Bungokho South)
l Kahinda Otafiire (Ruhinda)
l Victoria Sekitoleko.
l Dr. Ekullo Epak (Oyam South)
l Higiro Samajege (Lwemiyaga)
l Israel Kayonde (Gomba)
l Noble Mayombo (Army)
l Robinson Katumba (Kiboga West)
l Abu Mayanja (Busunju)
l Mulindwa Birimumaaso (Bukoto West)
l Bwanika Bbaale (Katikamu North)
l Dick Bateganya (Bukholi Central)
l Janet Mukwaya (Mukono South)
l Victoria Sebagereka (Women, Mukono)
l Lt. Col. Serwanga Lwanga (Army)
l Eriya Kategaya (Rwampara)
l Elly Karuhanga (Nyabushozi)
l Anthony Kanyike (Buikwe West)
l Dr. Ponsiano Mugyenyi (Isingiro North)
l Ignatius Malinga (Usuk)
The committee started its business on October 10, 1994. Nsibambi started by moving for an amendment on article 4(1)
“Uganda is one sovereign unitary state and a republic”. He sought to change it to; “Uganda is one federal state”. Nsibambi spoke about the notion of “optional federalism” or “optional unitarisation”. On Tuesday, October 11, 1994 the debate continued.
Prof. Nsibambi, Besweri Mulondo, Wasswa Lule, Abu Mayanja and Damiano Lubega spoke in favour of federalism while Kahinda Otafiire,
Tarsis Kabwegyere and Serwanga Lwanga spoke against.
When the issue was put to vote, 32 members opposed federalism, 11 supported it, while two members abstained.
Prof. Nsibambi, who at one time stormed out of the CA in protest, told the press that he would go ahead to table the federal demand in the CA plenary. At the end of the debate, Select Committee 4 recommended decentralisation as an alternative to federalism.
Mulondo SWITCHES
The last nail in the federo coffin was inserted on Tuesday, March 28, 1995. The long running push for federalism was now to be decided by the plenary session chaired by of James Wapakhabulo [RIP].
John Eresu, a delegate from Kaberamaido, moved a lengthy amendment saying that “there shall be a federal system in Uganda based on regions…”
Eresu’s motion was debated for seven hours with 38 delegates contributing to it. One such delegate was Prof. Nsibambi who said that the issue of federo was not for Buganda alone, but rather a national and global issue as well.
Tiberio Okeny Atwoma, a delegate from Chua County said that federalism was actually in the blood of his Acholi people.
Steven Ssemaala from Kyamuswa County argued that the central government had failed to give the people services, such as schools, which had prompted his support for federalism.
Then came Patrick Mwondha’s thrilling contribution. After congratulating his fellow delegates upon their anniversary, he said:
“Let us resolve this issue here. Let us not wait for the Rwakituras of this world and Akokoros of this world (Museveni and Obote country homes respectively).”
On his part, Amanya Mushega (Igara East) opposed federalism. He said that it was a duty of those supporting it to articulate a programme that suits the whole country. He added that if they had failed to do this, they were just intellectually lazy.
Atamvako Zubairi (Arua Municipality), a firebrand UPC supporter, challenged Mushega amidst heckling. He charged that under NRM the state had become a den of looters who were busy mortgaging the country to international finance capitals.
He charged at Mushega who had called supporters of federalism “intellectually lazy”, describing him and other opponents of federalism as “intellectual cowards”.
Atamvako, believed to have died fighting the Museveni government with a West Nile rebel group later one, further argued that in federalism, power rotates from the grassroots to the centre, adding that in Uganda power flows from the barrel of the gun in Luwero and is now centred at Rwakitura.
Dream buried
With support for federalism coming from even unlikely quarters, for instance UPC leaders, the stage was set for a grand finale. This finale ended up being a final blow delivered by a celebrated federalist, Besweri Mulondo, who was then a Sabalangira in Buganda.
Apparently not happy that the amendment had been moved and supported by UPC leaders, whose party was responsible for the abolition of federalism in 1966 in the first place, Mulondo challenged the mover to withdraw his amendment.“Do we want federalism or power?” Mulondo began. “The issue of federalism should not derail us from what we want to achieve. Baganda have talked to everybody and anybody about federo and should be forgiven if they have been seen to have aligned with multi-partyists,” he said, exciting NRM delegates opposed to the motion.
Mulondo urged Baganda to accept a position which might not be as good as the federo they wanted since they hadn’t managed to get it in that form.After an unprecedented 38 contributions, the chairman put the issue to vote and the whole assembly reverberated with a resounding “No!” When the supporters of federalism stood up, they failed to meet the 51 delegates needed to force the issue into a division lobby. With the federo debate dead and buried, the CA adopted decentralisation.
Under pressure, two days later Mulondo resigned all his positions in the Mengo government.
The Katikkiro, Joseph Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere, told the Lukiiko that one day federo would be achieved.
Apolo Nsibambi described the defeat as a temporary setback. 14 years later, Baganda and other supporters of federalism continue hoping.
ssemujju@observer.ug

Winnie Byanyima is so silent

Dr Kizza Besigye
By Anna Borzello in Kampala
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1191395.stm
Kizza Besigye is the first credible challenger to President Yoweri Museveni's 15 year hold on power.
In the 1996 presidential elections, Mr Museveni campaigned as a Movementist - the political system he says is an alternate form of democracy - and his opponents say is a one party state.
His main challenger then, Dr Paul Ssemogere, stood for the return of political parties.
To belittle his opponent at that time. Mr Museveni did little more than repeat his mantra that parties in the past brought chaos to Uganda.
The 44-year-old Dr Besigye, however, cannot be so easily dismissed.
Tough challenge
He is standing as a reforming Movementist. Saying no to cronyism, no to corruption, no to personal rule - and yes to democratisation.
Dr Besigye has support among dissatisfied Movementists.
He has also forged an alliance, based on little more than an anti-Museveni stand, with Dr Ssemogere.
Furthermore he has signed up former convict and ex-mayor of Kampala, Haji Nasser Ssebegala, who has a huge following among the politically crucial Baganda ethnic group.
Right experience
Dr Besigye's political credentials are impeccable.
Soon after qualifiying as a doctor he helped found Museveni's Uganda Patriotic Movement, which did poorly in the 1980 elections.
After a stint in Nairobi, Dr Besigye returned to Uganda to take part in the guerrilla war started by Yoweri Museveni and his National Resistance Army.
Mr Museveni said that the 1980 election was rigged.
Dr Besigye, who was Mr Museveni's personal physician in the bush, eventually rose to the rank of colonel.

In 1986 Museveni's rebel group, the National Resistance Army, came to power.
Dr Besigye, a quiet and serious man from western Uganda, went on to become a state minister twice, as well as the Movement's principle political ideologue.
From the early 1990s, however, Dr Besigye began to fall from grace.
His supporters believe his light had begun to shine too bright, and he was given less demanding work.
Dr Besigye's return to the limelight began in 1999, when, in a lengthy document, he accused the Movement of being undemocratic, dishonest and corrupt.
His comments caused uproar and he was threatened with court martial.
The situation dragged on until the end of last year, when he was finally allowed to retire from the army.
Candidate
A few weeks later, Dr Besigye announced his presidential aspirations.
By his side was his wife, the highly intelligent and ambitious MP, Winnie Byanyima who was once a close personal friend of President Museveni. Together they present an imposing team.
Dr Besigye says he will win with 70% of the vote, although opinion polls have consistently put him behind President Museveni.
One thing, however, is certain: whatever the outcome of the 12 March poll, Dr Besigye's candidature has electrified an election that was otherwise sure to have been a shoo-in for the incumbent.

By saying that he had paid shs 500m to Nambooze, Bakaluba has shown the world how he is unfit to remain a Reverend

I found it hard what I heard on 'Kaboozi ku biri' the sister radio to Radio one on Friday, April 30, 2010 at the 8.00 to 9.00pm programme where Betty Nambooze Bakireeke was hosted and unfortunately bakaluba Mukasa was not present as he said he had lost a relative. The Presenter of the Programme wanted to know whether Bakaluba Mukasa had paid shs 500m as he alleged when he appeared on the same show earlier. It was unfortunate when Nambooze replied that she had not taken any bill to be paid by Bakaluba Mukasa as her Lawyers were still computing the costs! It was sad to learn that the alleged man of God; Bakaluba is simply not worth holding the title of Reverend.

If IPC has a problem in electing a Presidential Flag bearer, Kibirige Mayanja can be the solution

The strength of the Inter Party Cooperation (IPC) Government (like is the case of the chain) willlie in the flexibility ofthe Presidential flag - bearer candidate. Much as Mr. Kibirige Mayanja is an intellectual; the type who not only worked well with the Planning and Development Department of Ministry of Education, he performed beyond average at Makerere's Planning Department, when he was its director. His character which was very clearwhile at Makerere University can greatly help the coherence of the Inter - Party Cooperation and smooth management of Government ifthe IPC makes it to power. My candidate is Dr. Olara Otuunu,but given the jig saw in choosing the Presidentialcandidate for IPC; i see in Mr Mayanja the ability to see us through as he portrays well the spirit and ability tocooperate well with others hence his weakness is the strength of IPC.
William Kituuka


JUSTICE FORUM
JEEMA
Introduction
Justice Forum (JEEMA) is a registered political party in the Republic of Uganda, with representation in parliament. Jeema’s only Member of Parliament, Hon. Hussein Kyanjo is also the party’s Secretary General. Jeema can rightly be described as a small party. Its strength lies not in its size but in high level of organization, emphasis on quality, efficiency and an aggressive youth training program for future leaders. Jeema has produced total of 8 (University) Guild Presidents since 1998, two being at Makerere, one at Gulu University and at the Islamic University in Uganda. Jeema youth have held guild cabinet posts in the all major universities since 1998.
History
Justice Forum (JEEMA) was established in 1996 when the party president, Mr. Muhammad Kibirige Mayanja, then the Director of Planning at Makerere University, stood for President as an independent candidate. At that time, political party activity was banned under the single party dictatorship of the NRM. It could not be registered until 2005 when multi party democracy was restored.
Justice Forum / JEEMA- a party with two names?
Yes. Justice Forum is the official name. However, JEEMA is the acronym for he party’s five point political platform namely, Justice Education Economic progress Morals and African unity. JEEMA is the only party in Uganda whose political platform forms part of its name.
Contacts
JEEMA has built its own party headquarters at Mengo, behind Sir Apollo Kaggwa Primary School, on the lane opposite Mengo shell service station.
You can contact JEEMA on:
Landline: 0414 665 759; Secretary General 0772 500461; Secretary for information
and Public Affairs: 0752 656 352 / 0703 851 851; Vice Chairman (Operations) 0772 562 539; Youth Affairs: 0773 216 866
JEEMA’s Ideology
An ideology is a coherent collection of ideas that proposes the way society should be structured and how its citizens should live and work together.
JEEMA was established to establish a truly just order in Uganda where all forms of injustice are eliminated. There should be justice in our families, to our neighbors, to all people irrespective of race, colour, tribe, sex or religious belief. Justice means, among other things, equitable distribution of national resources, positions of power and authority, equitable employment opportunities in all sectors of society, balanced and distributed development in all parts of the country. JEEMA believes that once Justice becomes the nation’s foremost rallying call, most of the conflicts in society will diminish and the nation will enjoy harmony.
JEEMA believes that welfare of the citizens should be guaranteed by the state. Disadvantaged citizens should be assisted to survive. The sick should be treated, those without access to justice because of poverty or lack of education should be assisted by the state. JEEMA believes that quality education and health should be free are a right. They should be provided to all citizens by the state without discrimination.
JEEMA also believes that man is created by God. Man is a trustee of God on earth, so in the execution of social, political and economic duties on earth, man is accountable to God. Inspired by Uganda’s motto “For God and My country “ and the America’s call “In God we Trust” JEEMA believes that man’s actions in this world will be rewarded or punished in the hereafter. It is for his reason that JEEMA refuses to believe that politics is about telling lies, trickery, unjustly treating opponents, or amassing wealth the expense of the nation. JEEMA firmly believes that it is immoral to seek power through plunder, killing and destruction. As a free being, a human being should be free to make his/her political, social and economic choices without hindrance without harming fellow persons and the environment.
JEEMA believes that there are universally good values that should be established in society, through education by the state. They are honesty, patience, hard work, accountability, transparency and tolerance. These must be made the pillars on which a moral and ethical society is built. Morality is the fourth pillar of JEEMA’s platform.
JEEMA believes that the “winner takes all” system of elections prevalent in Uganda today is unjust and creates a lot of conflicts and tension in society. For this reason JEEMA advocates for the adoption of “proportional representation” system of elections where all participants in an election who achieve an agreed vote count can be represented in parliament.
On the economy, JEEMA believes in a state regulated free market economy that is not guided by capitalist whims of maximization of profit at any cost, and the “man eat man”, “big fish eat small fish” scenario that has brought misery to the capitalist world. JEEMA, on the other hand, rejects the atheistic Communist thinking and the blind collectivization of Socialism. JEEMA is for a Just economic order, that should abolish interest based banking. JEEMA seeks to establish an interest free banking system.
JEEMA believes that the defence of the country is the responsibility of the population. This is the reason why we advocate for compulsory one year military training for all youths who achieve 18 years of age. This will ensure that Uganda can have a small but efficient and well equipped army with a standby reserve army/force comprised of all able bodied men and women who can be called upon to do military duty in extraordinary circumstances of say, a foreign invasion or a national disaster. JEEMA believes in a well educated military and has advocated for the establishment of a Military University since 1996.
On Women, JEEMA believes that women at half of all humanity. For a nation to progress, the Women ought to be given full opportunities of education and participation in decision making. Participation of Women in public life should be regulated so that they are not exposed to exploitative devices of unjust societies, which have made women an objects of sex, and entertainment. JEEMA considers Women the pillar of society without which no sound family can be built. A nation without a sound family structure is a lost nation, however advanced in technology, ecomony or military might it might be. A nation with a weak family structure is a house of cards that will crumble eventually.
On African Unity, JEEMA believes in the establishment of a United African Federation. JEEMA support all efforts to make Africa stronger, better, united.
(A full manual on JEEMA’s ideology is available on request. In the coming issues of the JEEMA Bulletin the twice monthly publication of the Justice Forum, there will be a section on JEEMA’s ideology commencing January 2009).
Cooperation with other parties
The Justice Forum believes in “Unity of Purpose” and strongly believes that in the pursuit of national goals, it can join forces with other political parties and civil society groups, institutions and other organizations. Fundamentally, Jeema believes that National Interests ought to come before political party interests. It is for this reasons that JEEMA is involved in the Inter-Party cooperation a formal grouping of four political parties represented in parliament namely CP, FDC, JEEMA and UPC.
The inter party cooperation, IPC is exploring the possibility of agreeing a common / joint electoral platform in 2011 and to filed a single / joint presidential candidate
The JEEMA youth League is actively involved in working with youths in the three other parties to build the momentum for joint political action in 2011.
Youth Membership
To become a youth member, you must be 16- 30 years old. There is a simple registration process that ends with the issuance of a membership card on payment of a fee of USh 500/-.
(Adult members pay USh. 1500/-).
JEEMA’s Youth policy
JEEMA considers youths and students a very important section society, as it is the youth that can ensure the continuity of any nation. For this reason JEEMA encourages its youth to focus more on studies, training, physical activities and seeking tutorship from senior members. JEEMA youths and students are asked to participate in political activities in their spare time. In JEEMA we do not believe a youth or a student should fail an exam or be fired from their job because they are “active in politics”. We believe that the youths should learn to work, deal with society, and establish a family they can sustain through their sweat before jumping into the fray of “active politics”. To encourage financial stability JEEMA emphases the need for hard work, and “saving culture” among its youths.
The role of knowledge
Justice Forum, JEEMA, places a lot of emphasis on learning, knowledge and commitment. We believe that ignorance is the worst form of human state and often breeds opportunism. A JEEMA youth is expected to constantly develop their knowledge in all spheres of life and accept to undergo skills and knowledge building programs that are organized from time to time. The party will deploy a youth to carry out JEEMA activities only after undergoing the prescribed in-house training curriculum.
END

Minister Nakiwala Kiyingi is wrong on not giving Naggalabi the priority regarding securing

Before Buganda gets over the shock of the burning of Muzibu azaala Mpanga (Kasubi Tombs), it is very possible that Buganda’s enemies may strike another site anytime. On Friday, April 30 2010, Minister Kiyingi got a visitor who is in charge of the security at Kabaka’s coronation site found at Buddo – Naggalabi. The visitor appealed to the Minister that the site be worked on as a matter of urgency as is the case of Kasubi tombs. To the proposal, the Minister said that the on – going efforts were to rehabilitate the tombs; and that the coronation site had a budget of its own which had been submitted to prospect donors by the time the Kasubi tomb was burnt. The Naggalabi man says that he has no means of repulsing armed attackers if they made an attempt on to the site, and that such wrong elements could do anything they may want.
I am of the opinion that Buganda Government should take the Naggalabi Coronation site as an urgent area which has to be worked on as soon as possible before enemies strike. The site has just a tree which if burnt, you can not think of a natural replacement.
What does it cost Mengo to appeal to the people of good will to provide building materials so that within a week or so a perimeter wall is built around the place and serious security is put in place.
We need to wake up to the challenges we are faced with, we simply cannot wait for things to happen and we take them as accidents or sabotage. I am sure there are youth out there who are ready to go to Naggalabi and work if they can be given transport and food for their stay.
Owek. Nakiwala Kiyingi, that is how I see these things.