I have had opportunity to move around Kajjansi Trading Centre and the immediate environments only to see a number of children who do not go to school. It is sad. For those who may not know,singing about the UPE where Government spends shs 450 per child per month which money arrives late makes no good sense as of now when parents have to pay some fees from shs 15,000 upwards,lunch or porridge fee of shs 5,000 and above, the buying of scholastic items (books,pens,geometry sets,etc),the school uniform to name a few. Now, it is only commonsense that UPE is mere talk but less than a drop in the ocean given what parents need to see their children in school. Given the prevailing circumstances, it is important for Government to get education as a priority it has to be. Let money be identified to see education a real priority. Statistics that don't tally with what is on ground make no use probably they make sense to donors who take them as gospel truth.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
Saturday, September 10, 2011
FOR FDC TO PLACE A CANDIDATE AGAINST KAWUMA IS UNFORTUNATE
Many times I wonder what the opposition is up to. given the turbulent times we are going through in Uganda,it is sad that the likes of Salamu Musumba can fail to see what a child could see. It is clear that Kawuma's victory is being messed up given the facts that led to the by-election,however, it is sad that the likes of Salamu Musumba cannot see sense in supporting Kawuma and instead as a party decide to have a candidate against him. Surely, by having two opposition candidates, given the way NRM has acted in the past by-elections and their special interest to take this seat, any person who God gave good judgment would put other considerations a part and see the opposition retain this seat. it will be a big shame on FDC if this seat goes to the NRM. We are all aware of the monies the NRM is likely to use in this election.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
Entebbe Municipality nominations on
Thursday, 8th September, 2011
By Ronald Sebutiko
The Electoral Commission on Thursday conducted nominations for candidates contesting in the by-elections for a Member of Parliament for Entebbe Municipality in Wakiso district.
The two-day exercise is taking place at the returning officer’s office at Changsha Model Primary School in Entebbe Municipality starting at 9 am.
Entebbe Municipality seat last month fell vacant after court nullified the election of Democratic Party’s Muhammad Kawuma and ordered for fresh polls.
EC deputy spokesperson Paul Bukenya said voters’ register will be displayed starting next week and that guidelines to be followed by interested candidates have been issued.
He said the Mpigi district returning officer Sarah Bukirwa has been transferred to Wakiso district as the new returning officer ahead of the Entebbe Municipality by-election.
She replaces Margaret Kugonza who has been transferred to Mpigi district as the new returning officer.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
ENG. SEBANAKIITA AND COMPANY, PEOPLE NEED CLARIFICATION ABOUT THE ENTEBBE HIGHWAY
As a non elected people's representative in Wakiso District, I wish to appeal to my O.B Engineer Peter Ssebanakitta, the Executive Director of Uganda National Roads Authority and my Hall-mate Makerere University - Engineer Kimeze among others to organize a forum to educate the people who are to be affected by the proposed new Entebbe Highway. It is true many people now know that this road is to affect them in one way or the other. There is need for example to show these people the routes which will connect the new highway to the existing Entebbe Highway. They need to know the procedure more so those with land titles part of whose land is to be eaten away by the road. Some people have got information that this road is to affect them but are not sure of how (how big the piece of their land is to be eaten into), this is important to start early identification of what next. There may be those holding titles yet the titles are in the name of the dead; they need to be advised early so that corrupt people don't use the opportunity to cheat them.
I have all the hope that UNRA and other organize will move fast enough in addressing this matter.
I thank you.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
GOVERNMENT PLANS NEW ENTEBBE ROUTE
John Kasozi
9 June 2010
Kampala — Government is planning to construct an alternative highway from Entebbe to Kampala as a way of streamlining traffic flow. The studies for the alternative highway are expected to be complete by September.
"The works on the new Entebbe road start in the second half of next year, 2011. This road will connect to Kampala Northern Bypass at Busega," said Dan Kitakule Alinange of the Uganda National Roads Authority.
He said they were concentrating on the designs of the new road before widening the existing Entebbe Highway.
"The New Entebbe road will have four lanes and will have two interchanges at Abaitababiri before finding its way to Nakawuka, Kabojja and Busega-Kyengera. It will connect to the Kibuye - Busega - Mpigi dual carriageway," he explained.
"The new road will connect with the current Entebbe- Kampala road at Abaitababiri. Then, the second interchange will be around Kajjansi which will have a road connecting to Munyonyo. We shall also have a third interchange at Ssisa town," Alinange explained.
"It is high time we have another route accessing Kampala and Entebbe," he said observing the existing highway to Entebbe was last reconstructed between 1996 and 1997.
Alinange said the estimated construction cost of the new Entebbe road is $90m which will include compensation.
"Currently, we are evaluating tenders for the companies that will carryout compensation. We expect compensation to start in July at the beginning of the new financial year 2010-2011."
"Entebbe and Kampala need to have a modern highway to ease traffic congestion. It will also divert motorists who want to connect to southern and western regions without going through Kampala," said Alinange.
He noted that new Entebbe road is the first priority before the expansion of other roads like the Kampala to Jinja, Kampala to Masaka and Kampala to Entebbe, to dual carriageways.
He declined to give details about the exact route the new road will follow, saying "We cannot disclose where the new Entebbe road is going to pass. It helps us avoid speculators who are in a habit of buying land so as to be compensated a lot of money." Work on the expansion of Kampala to Jinja, Kampala to Entebbe and Kampala to Masaka is expected to start end of next year or early 2012.
"Dual carriageways are built basing on the studies of traffic flow. Any single carriageway at anytime of the day that has an average of 8,000 vehicles traveling on it qualifies for a dual carriageway," explained Alinange.
He said Kampala-Mukono road handles from 18,000 to 25,000 vehicles per day.
"The design of Kampala to Mpigi dual carriageway will start at Kibuye. After the expansion of the three busiest highways, we shall take on Kampala-Hoima and Kampala- Bombo roads."
OUTGOING PARLIAMENT APPROVES FUNDING FOR NEW ENTEBBE HIGHWAY
May 3, 2011
The parliamentary session in Kampala yesterday of the soon to be retired outgoing house – when it makes way for the newly elected members – made a landmark decision to approve the proposed funding for the Entebbe highway. Government is now able to conclude a loan agreement with China over 350 million US Dollars, which will help to design the new highway, acquire land where necessary and then build it, connecting the ‘Northern Bypass’ to a new routing around the present major emerging population centres at the ‘old route’. The two highways will join just outside the municipality but will have several access points, notably near Lweza / Kajjansi from where a lakeside road will then lead to the Munyonyo side of the city, and from near Abaita Ababire, home of Nkumba University and the last centre outside Entebbe itself.
From where the ‘two’, the old and new highway meet, a dual carriage section will be added to allow swifter traffic to the international airport, but widening that section will require some major land and building acquisitions which are thought to be a challenge, in terms of both cost and the speed required to complete the project within the planned time frame.
There was expressed unease though by several parliamentarians over certain terms of the loan agreement, which also included the use of a Chinese consulting firm and a Chinese construction company, preventing any competitive bidding for the project and thereby setting aside the Ugandan procurement laws altogether. The loan, with a grace period of five years, is repayable over a twenty year period and the income from the toll road will be used towards repayment and maintenance. Subject to land acquisition construction is set to start in 2012 and could be completed by 2015, staying with the grace period during which no payments to the Chinese state bank are due.
Once ready visitors to the ‘Pearl of Africa’ will have a totally new arrival experience when driving to the city while being able to enjoy some very scenic sights as they ‘cruise’ through the evergreen landscapes. For more information on the country go to www.visituganda.com
Sh800b for new Kampala-Entebbe Road
Friday, 8th April, 2011
The expressway will join the existing Kampala-Entebbe Road at Abayita Ababiri and will also include a 14.1km spur to Munyonyo.
By JOYCE NAMUTEBI
and CYPRIAN MUSOKE
THE Government wants to borrow US$350m (over sh800b) from the Export-Import Bank of China to fund the proposed Kampala-Entebbe Expressway in a bid to decongest Kampala city.
The request was tabled in Parliament earlier this week by state minister for investment, Aston Kajara, and will be scrutinised by the relevant committee, which will make a report to the House.
The Kampala-Entebbe Expressway is part of the measures to decongest the Central Business District and enhance trade movement through, within and out of the greater Kampala Metropolitan Area,” a brief in Parliament stated.
The statement noted that urban congestion is increasing in Kampala at an estimated rate of 4.5% annually with increased motorisation, Kampala is facing heavy traffic jams, especially during the peak hours.
The project involves construction of a new highway starting from Busega-Mityana junction and would end at Entebbe airport.
The expressway will join the existing Kampala-Entebbe Road at Abayita Ababiri and will also include a 14.1km spur to Munyonyo.
Responding to concerns of members, Works and transport minister, John Nasasira explained that the Kampala-Entebbe Road can no longer accommodate current traffic.
He added that both the old and new roads would be used concurrently. He added there would be a toll for the new road.
Meanwhile, Kajara also tabled a request to borrow $102.8m from Japan International Cooperation Agency to construct a second bridge across the River Nile at Jinja. He said the bridge had developed structural defects.
The Government is also seeking to borrow €75m (about sh255b) from agency Francaise de Development and another €75m (about sh255b) from the European Investment Bank to support the Kampala water-Lake Victoria Watsan project.
Uganda: Where New Entebbe Road is Coming From, and Going
Nicholas Sengoba
25 January 2011
OPINION
In case you haven't heard, starting July this year, Uganda will build a new modern 54-kilometre road connecting Kampala and Entebbe, with parts having four and others six lanes.
At a cost of $6 million per kilometre and a total cost of over $300 million, it will be one of the most expensive roads in the world, and motorists shall need to pay a toll to enjoy its comfort. So determined are the powers that be to keep it exclusive that they intend to use microchip technology to monitor and ensure payment from those that dare use the road.
The tax payer is being asked to pay a road toll yet he pays a percentage to the road fund for every litre of fuel a motorist buys. So why the added burden to build this expensive road for the use of a small privileged group of people? The answer lies in the important people and the place where the road is originated.
Entebbe has had expensive stories all related to the presidency. First, the State House was renovated at a cost of about $50 million, making it one of the most expensive buildings of its magnitude in the world. Because what is visible to the naked eye does not suggest that all that money went into the building, the rumour mill often ridiculously had it that there were all sorts of security gadgets including bunkers and lengthy tunnels meant to aid the safety and escape of that principle occupant in case he or she was besieged.
Then came the one about the presidential jet -an exclusive custom-made piece of aeronautical engineering that flew in with several security features among other comforts and conveniences. Its wings spread out about $40 million.
Significantly, the new road comes in the wake of revelations by controversial whistle blower website, WikiLeaks. It claimed that President Museveni had at a June 13, 2008, meeting with former US Assistant Secretary for Africa, Ms Jendayi Frazer, expressed fear that the Libyan Leader Col. Muammar Gadaffi was planning to shoot down his plane as he travelled in international airspace. It alleged that he asked for additional air radar information to ensure his safety.
That came after several security sources had intimated that Entebbe State House, though modern and secure on top of a hill, was not exactly safe. It is said in case of an attack that requires the occupant to beat a hasty retreat, he may encounter difficulties especially if the airport next door is suspected of having belligerent snipers who may bring down a fleeing aircraft. The lake would also be too risky. Because is too vast, a runaway speed boat would be severely exposed.
The only alternative would be fleeing by road, dissolving among the ordinary folk to provide cover or act as a shield as one prepares his defence or eventual flight into exile. Trouble is that the current Entebbe Road is a narrow alley, ever busy and jammed with traffic. This would slow down any one fleeing from Entebbe and jeopardise his security.
That is why a new wide road with various alternatives, intersections and turns with traffic limited by the payment of a road toll makes security sense as it offers a wide range of opportunities in case of flight. It further points out clearly that President Museveni is not about to leave power. You can bet your shirt that as the President perpetuates himself in power after a quarter of a century, he will naturally feel resentment and insecurity.
Personal security will be his major concern as he continues with this quest to stay at the helm. This new road is a sequel to that effect and you may argue that this is not the last. Do not be surprised if next you hear of an ultra modern multi million dollar heath facility springing up. There are people whose lives now, more than ever, need to be taken care of in a special way.
Mr Sengoba is a commentator on political and social issues
100 Billion for new Entebbe road compensation
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wymUpceJLk
I have all the hope that UNRA and other organize will move fast enough in addressing this matter.
I thank you.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
GOVERNMENT PLANS NEW ENTEBBE ROUTE
John Kasozi
9 June 2010
Kampala — Government is planning to construct an alternative highway from Entebbe to Kampala as a way of streamlining traffic flow. The studies for the alternative highway are expected to be complete by September.
"The works on the new Entebbe road start in the second half of next year, 2011. This road will connect to Kampala Northern Bypass at Busega," said Dan Kitakule Alinange of the Uganda National Roads Authority.
He said they were concentrating on the designs of the new road before widening the existing Entebbe Highway.
"The New Entebbe road will have four lanes and will have two interchanges at Abaitababiri before finding its way to Nakawuka, Kabojja and Busega-Kyengera. It will connect to the Kibuye - Busega - Mpigi dual carriageway," he explained.
"The new road will connect with the current Entebbe- Kampala road at Abaitababiri. Then, the second interchange will be around Kajjansi which will have a road connecting to Munyonyo. We shall also have a third interchange at Ssisa town," Alinange explained.
"It is high time we have another route accessing Kampala and Entebbe," he said observing the existing highway to Entebbe was last reconstructed between 1996 and 1997.
Alinange said the estimated construction cost of the new Entebbe road is $90m which will include compensation.
"Currently, we are evaluating tenders for the companies that will carryout compensation. We expect compensation to start in July at the beginning of the new financial year 2010-2011."
"Entebbe and Kampala need to have a modern highway to ease traffic congestion. It will also divert motorists who want to connect to southern and western regions without going through Kampala," said Alinange.
He noted that new Entebbe road is the first priority before the expansion of other roads like the Kampala to Jinja, Kampala to Masaka and Kampala to Entebbe, to dual carriageways.
He declined to give details about the exact route the new road will follow, saying "We cannot disclose where the new Entebbe road is going to pass. It helps us avoid speculators who are in a habit of buying land so as to be compensated a lot of money." Work on the expansion of Kampala to Jinja, Kampala to Entebbe and Kampala to Masaka is expected to start end of next year or early 2012.
"Dual carriageways are built basing on the studies of traffic flow. Any single carriageway at anytime of the day that has an average of 8,000 vehicles traveling on it qualifies for a dual carriageway," explained Alinange.
He said Kampala-Mukono road handles from 18,000 to 25,000 vehicles per day.
"The design of Kampala to Mpigi dual carriageway will start at Kibuye. After the expansion of the three busiest highways, we shall take on Kampala-Hoima and Kampala- Bombo roads."
OUTGOING PARLIAMENT APPROVES FUNDING FOR NEW ENTEBBE HIGHWAY
May 3, 2011
The parliamentary session in Kampala yesterday of the soon to be retired outgoing house – when it makes way for the newly elected members – made a landmark decision to approve the proposed funding for the Entebbe highway. Government is now able to conclude a loan agreement with China over 350 million US Dollars, which will help to design the new highway, acquire land where necessary and then build it, connecting the ‘Northern Bypass’ to a new routing around the present major emerging population centres at the ‘old route’. The two highways will join just outside the municipality but will have several access points, notably near Lweza / Kajjansi from where a lakeside road will then lead to the Munyonyo side of the city, and from near Abaita Ababire, home of Nkumba University and the last centre outside Entebbe itself.
From where the ‘two’, the old and new highway meet, a dual carriage section will be added to allow swifter traffic to the international airport, but widening that section will require some major land and building acquisitions which are thought to be a challenge, in terms of both cost and the speed required to complete the project within the planned time frame.
There was expressed unease though by several parliamentarians over certain terms of the loan agreement, which also included the use of a Chinese consulting firm and a Chinese construction company, preventing any competitive bidding for the project and thereby setting aside the Ugandan procurement laws altogether. The loan, with a grace period of five years, is repayable over a twenty year period and the income from the toll road will be used towards repayment and maintenance. Subject to land acquisition construction is set to start in 2012 and could be completed by 2015, staying with the grace period during which no payments to the Chinese state bank are due.
Once ready visitors to the ‘Pearl of Africa’ will have a totally new arrival experience when driving to the city while being able to enjoy some very scenic sights as they ‘cruise’ through the evergreen landscapes. For more information on the country go to www.visituganda.com
Sh800b for new Kampala-Entebbe Road
Friday, 8th April, 2011
The expressway will join the existing Kampala-Entebbe Road at Abayita Ababiri and will also include a 14.1km spur to Munyonyo.
By JOYCE NAMUTEBI
and CYPRIAN MUSOKE
THE Government wants to borrow US$350m (over sh800b) from the Export-Import Bank of China to fund the proposed Kampala-Entebbe Expressway in a bid to decongest Kampala city.
The request was tabled in Parliament earlier this week by state minister for investment, Aston Kajara, and will be scrutinised by the relevant committee, which will make a report to the House.
The Kampala-Entebbe Expressway is part of the measures to decongest the Central Business District and enhance trade movement through, within and out of the greater Kampala Metropolitan Area,” a brief in Parliament stated.
The statement noted that urban congestion is increasing in Kampala at an estimated rate of 4.5% annually with increased motorisation, Kampala is facing heavy traffic jams, especially during the peak hours.
The project involves construction of a new highway starting from Busega-Mityana junction and would end at Entebbe airport.
The expressway will join the existing Kampala-Entebbe Road at Abayita Ababiri and will also include a 14.1km spur to Munyonyo.
Responding to concerns of members, Works and transport minister, John Nasasira explained that the Kampala-Entebbe Road can no longer accommodate current traffic.
He added that both the old and new roads would be used concurrently. He added there would be a toll for the new road.
Meanwhile, Kajara also tabled a request to borrow $102.8m from Japan International Cooperation Agency to construct a second bridge across the River Nile at Jinja. He said the bridge had developed structural defects.
The Government is also seeking to borrow €75m (about sh255b) from agency Francaise de Development and another €75m (about sh255b) from the European Investment Bank to support the Kampala water-Lake Victoria Watsan project.
Uganda: Where New Entebbe Road is Coming From, and Going
Nicholas Sengoba
25 January 2011
OPINION
In case you haven't heard, starting July this year, Uganda will build a new modern 54-kilometre road connecting Kampala and Entebbe, with parts having four and others six lanes.
At a cost of $6 million per kilometre and a total cost of over $300 million, it will be one of the most expensive roads in the world, and motorists shall need to pay a toll to enjoy its comfort. So determined are the powers that be to keep it exclusive that they intend to use microchip technology to monitor and ensure payment from those that dare use the road.
The tax payer is being asked to pay a road toll yet he pays a percentage to the road fund for every litre of fuel a motorist buys. So why the added burden to build this expensive road for the use of a small privileged group of people? The answer lies in the important people and the place where the road is originated.
Entebbe has had expensive stories all related to the presidency. First, the State House was renovated at a cost of about $50 million, making it one of the most expensive buildings of its magnitude in the world. Because what is visible to the naked eye does not suggest that all that money went into the building, the rumour mill often ridiculously had it that there were all sorts of security gadgets including bunkers and lengthy tunnels meant to aid the safety and escape of that principle occupant in case he or she was besieged.
Then came the one about the presidential jet -an exclusive custom-made piece of aeronautical engineering that flew in with several security features among other comforts and conveniences. Its wings spread out about $40 million.
Significantly, the new road comes in the wake of revelations by controversial whistle blower website, WikiLeaks. It claimed that President Museveni had at a June 13, 2008, meeting with former US Assistant Secretary for Africa, Ms Jendayi Frazer, expressed fear that the Libyan Leader Col. Muammar Gadaffi was planning to shoot down his plane as he travelled in international airspace. It alleged that he asked for additional air radar information to ensure his safety.
That came after several security sources had intimated that Entebbe State House, though modern and secure on top of a hill, was not exactly safe. It is said in case of an attack that requires the occupant to beat a hasty retreat, he may encounter difficulties especially if the airport next door is suspected of having belligerent snipers who may bring down a fleeing aircraft. The lake would also be too risky. Because is too vast, a runaway speed boat would be severely exposed.
The only alternative would be fleeing by road, dissolving among the ordinary folk to provide cover or act as a shield as one prepares his defence or eventual flight into exile. Trouble is that the current Entebbe Road is a narrow alley, ever busy and jammed with traffic. This would slow down any one fleeing from Entebbe and jeopardise his security.
That is why a new wide road with various alternatives, intersections and turns with traffic limited by the payment of a road toll makes security sense as it offers a wide range of opportunities in case of flight. It further points out clearly that President Museveni is not about to leave power. You can bet your shirt that as the President perpetuates himself in power after a quarter of a century, he will naturally feel resentment and insecurity.
Personal security will be his major concern as he continues with this quest to stay at the helm. This new road is a sequel to that effect and you may argue that this is not the last. Do not be surprised if next you hear of an ultra modern multi million dollar heath facility springing up. There are people whose lives now, more than ever, need to be taken care of in a special way.
Mr Sengoba is a commentator on political and social issues
100 Billion for new Entebbe road compensation
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wymUpceJLk
MUHOOZI SHOULD NOT PREPARE TO SUCCEED MUSEVENI AS PRESIDENT
It is not good for President Museveni to front his son (my O. B at St Mary's College Kisubi) for a successor at Presidential level. Much as Muhoozi has the military achievements, it is wrong for President Museveni to even imagine that his family will play things as a King, it will simply be disaster for not only his family but could go beyond to a number who have benefited from his administration. My simple advice to President Museveni is that, he should think about retiring from Uganda Presidency and leave other people to contest for the office hence get his family safe guarded by his leaving power without being forced. May be the President may not be aware, the truth is that many people have had enough with his leadership, what can save them now is for him to clear out of office come 2016. Ugandans, given that many are out of the country are capable of making a campaign for him like that of Gaddafi and surely, when such a time is ripe he will have no choice but to go at whatever cost to the people of Uganda. It will be very wrong for the President to down play this and imagine that to his mistakes for nearly 30 years now, people can stand another family rule headed by Muhoozi. The family must have made a good fortune now, and the best is simply to quit peacefully to stay secure.
As regards Muhoozi's potential to lead Uganda, may be he could try, but at least those who hope to lead Uganda should be self made. Museveni made his strategies to rule Uganda while still in school and 'God has helped him to achieve his ambition', but things may not just work out for Muhoozi. What I know about Muhoozi is that one day while Brother Joseph Tinkasimire was Headmaster of St. Mary's College Kisubi, he had a call to State House and when Tinka went there, the issue was to fix Muhoozi at SMACK. Unlike many of us who had to sweat and struggle to join SMACK, Muhoozi had his opportunity that way, and he had all the guards, etc. People who go through in such away may not make the type of leaders who can cope with the scheming the leaders we have are. My advice to Museveni remains that it is best not to go through an experience like that of Gaddafi given that many Ugandans want a change and bringing in a son may worsen the situation.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
Kainerugaba was born on 24 April 1974 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to Yoweri Museveni, the current President of Uganda and Janet Museveni, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs since May 2011.
As a child, Kainerugaba attended schools in Tanzania, Kenya and Sweden. After his father became President of Uganda, he attended schools like Kampala Parents School and St. Mary's College Kisubi, a residential middle and high school, located approximately halfway between Kampala and Entebbe. He graduated in 1994.[5]
According to Kainerugaba, he started military training in 1994 after he left high school. But he did not formally join the UPDF until 1999. That year, he was married and soon after, was admitted to the Royal Military College Sandhurst, graduating in 2000. He was later admitted to Egyptian Military Academy where he took both the company and battalion commanders courses. He also has attended the Kalama Warfare Training School in Kabamba, Mubende District, Central Uganda.[6] In 2007 he was admitted to a one-year course at the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, graduating in June 2008.
Upon his return to Uganda from Sandhurst in 2000, Kainerugaba was assigned to the Presidential Protection Unit as a Second Lieutenant. In 2001, he was promoted to the rank of Major in the UPDF.[8] As a Major, he became a brigade commander in the Presidential Guard Brigade. Following his graduation from Fort Leavenworth in 2008, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and appointed Commander of the Special Forces Group in the Uganda People's Defence Force.
WIKILEAKS ABOUT UGANDA: MUHOOZI FOR PRESIDENCY
Posted by Andy on Sep 8th, 2011 // No Comment
Wikileaks has released remarks allegedly made by Captain Mike Mukula, the NRM Vice Chairperson in Eastern Uganda to a US diplomat stating, among other things that President Yoweri Museveni is grooming his son Lt. Col. Muhoozi Kainerugaba to succeed him at the helm.
The revelation has caused a lot of stir in Uganda with different political groups coming out to oppose the move. The UPC strong man, Moses Byarugaba yesterday warned President Yoweri Museveni against grooming his son Muhoozi Kaineruga as the next president saying that the move will cause unrest in Uganda. Byarugaba citied the examples of former leaders Mubutu Seseko of the former Zaire and Conel Gaddafi, the former president of Libya who also wanted to have their sons as successors and advised Museveni not to follow their path.
Captain Mike Mukula also talked about what he called the complete dominance of Museveni’s Banyankole ethnic group throughout the government, military, and business community. It looked like Captain Mukula was not happy with the way the Ankole people are dominating the economic, political and social spheres of life in Uganda
He also said that the NRM now serves as nothing more than platform for the President, springing to life only during election campaigns. The Wikileaks cables also quote Mukula as describing the Uganda People’s Defence Forces as Museveni’s personal army.
The government came out and described the Statements made by Mukula as unfortunate and unfounded. Security Minister Samson Muruli Mukasa emphasized that Muhoozi is a soldier in the Ugandan army like any other and his promotions have been based on merit not nepotism as implied. Muruli also stressed that the president’s son Muhoozi Kainerugaba does not enjoy special status in the army.
IF NAGENDA CAN ALSO FALL OUT WITH MUSEVENI, THOSE WITH BRAINS OUT TO THINK DEEPER AS THEY SING MUSEVENI PRAISES
How Nagenda fell out with Museveni Making sense of Nagenda’s latest outburst
Written by James Tumusiime
Wednesday, 07 September 2011 19:36
Fallen out: John Naggenda
A cat may not look at a king after all!
On May 28, 2005, after Prof Gilbert Bukenya, who was Vice President at the time, lamented in an interview in The Monitor that the ‘mafia’ in government were seeking to destroy him, John Nagenda, senior presidential advisor on media and public relations, wrote in his New Vision column:
“The easier option would be to pretend that Thursday found the majority of us, Ugandans, on a day trip to Mars, and thus not in a position to have read The Monitor newspaper. But we were nowhere else but here and mus,t therefore, however gingerly, sift through the still smoking bombs encountered on that heady day.”
Similarly, many of us cannot pretend that we were on Mars last Sunday when Nagenda used the same newspaper to describe his master, President Yoweri Museveni, as a man who can be “mischievous”; is “more autocratic”, and no longer listens.
Indeed, we have to sift through “the still smoking bombs” that Nagenda unleashed in that Sunday Monitor interview. But before we get there, another quote from what Nagenda said of the Bukenya outburst in May 2005:
“Bukenya is normally a cautious mover, one foot at a time. What happened here? Was it religious, tribal, political in the succession stakes, or none of those; merely a human being driven beyond all endurance? And if so, could there be a return to the status quo, or was this quits, don’t call me, goodbye? And if goodbye, what impact would it have on our nation? And what about tomorrow and tomorrow?”
Again, we can’t help but pose these very questions, but this time in respect to Nagenda’s own outburst, six years after Bukenya’s. Is this the end, don’t call me, good bye? What about tomorrow?
But first things first. On August 27, 2011, Nagenda was his usual self, using colourful language in his New Vision column discouraging his boss from giving away part of Mabira forest for sugarcane growing. The column, like many others before and most certainly after it, was curiously titled: ‘A cat may look at a king’.
“In other words, …if a [mere] cat may look at a king, we have as much right to take an interest in what is going on, at any level. Are you so important that I can’t even look at you?” is how he explained the use of his proverb.
Having substituted ‘king’ with ‘president’, Nagenda went on to make his point much more clearly thus:
“According to my Boss, the President of Uganda, to whom I am Advisor of Media and Public Relations, he is undergoing warfare in what has become known as the Mabira Forest saga. It flared up some years ago, but ended, to him, inconclusively, which President Museveni now views as his fault, for He Should Have Won!
Well, a Cat may look at a King. Your Columnist hopes, praying to God, that victory will go instead to those who oppose their Leader’s plan to destroy the ancient forest, replacing it, sacrilegiously in our view, with Sugar.”
After ranting on about his ‘friend’ Mehta and the Asian industrialist’s thirst for a piece of Mabira forest, Nagenda returned to his boss:
“Sir, you and your colleagues of all categories fought a great Bush War. It was based on courage and fortitude, but also because, uniquely, of the Movement principle of free discussion. Sure, there were kings and cats, but each looked deep into the other. To give thus and then take away is a game of kookoonyo (offering but snatching back!)”
Later that Saturday, August 27, addressing teachers at State House, Entebbe, President Museveni appeared to be reacting to Nagenda’s position.
“Unlike some of those who engage in arrogance over Mabira, I do not drink alcohol or go to bars. I always think about developing Uganda for the well being of Ugandans.”
Now, Nagenda is proudly arrogant and he loves his bottle. He has no apologies for either. Could the President have been hitting at his senior advisor? If we needed evidence to that effect, it was delivered by Nagenda himself when in his next column on September 3, he wrote:
“Your columnist certainly and unashamedly enjoys a drink – come to that, many kinds of the stuff, each having its own place in the hierarchy of a meal. Rather than a Bar, I repair to my seat at our table at the Club.
A drink with others brings camaraderie where many things can be discussed, where for that moment they feel equals. I recommend it. I doubt, however, that I can convince some persons. Let’s admit: Equal-ness can form dangerous expectations!”
Falling out
We have been told that an NTV interview with Museveni, when the President was in Nairobi, Kenya, at the same time as Kizza Besigye who was in hospital following a brutal arrest in Kampala, was the last straw.
The interview, which embarrassed Museveni, had apparently been arranged by President’s Office staff led by Nagenda. During a meeting in Kampala that followed the debacle, the President told his man off. The disagreement over Mabira must have reinforced rather than triggered this fallout. Nagenda says in the interview that he put himself on katebe (unemployment), but it would appear that he was told, rather crudely, that he was too busy drinking to be useful to the President anymore.
That must have hurt the man who once described himself as the President’s dog.
Nagenda is not afraid to disagree with his boss and has done so several times in the past, including on the issue of the third term, which he vehemently opposed before conceding defeat. As Dr Peter Mwesige of the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) noted, Nagenda has always been his own man when compared to other presidential advisors.
However, even by his own standards of being his own man, Nagenda’s latest diatribe went a notch higher than his usual muted protests here and there. The fact that he chose to do it in Daily Monitor, a newspaper he has vilified all his time in office, underlines the level of frustration and the point he wanted to make.
Soon after he was appointed to his job in the late 1990s, some cheeky journalists were so taken up by Nagenda’s guts that they engaged him in a bet that he was very likely to be fired within one year. They lost the money.
“Those who bet I would not last a year paid heavily more than three years ago,” Nagenda boasted on his website.
But now it would appear that his time has come, however long it has taken. Indeed, as Mwesige noted, Nagenda has quite often held principled positions on contentious issues, notwithstanding his admiration for Museveni and support for the Movement. Yet never before has he sounded so disgruntled, publically, as he did in that interview.
Nagenda appears to be grappling with what other ‘historical’ NRM leaders have faced in the past: a harsh realisation that “we” no longer matter as much as “we” used to. Their influence on the big man has waned as the bus picks on new conductors and passengers along the way, leaving them sulking.
“As far as the man I advise is concerned, I believe he is amongst the top five African leaders of the modern era. Naturally he is not perfect nor does he know everything,” Nagenda said of Museveni on his website.
“If I have on occasion convinced him to take a different path from his original one, then I did not work for him in vain. But such occasions have never merely fallen in my lap; they had to be hard won. It is the way it should be.”
That captures Nagenda’s understanding of his job; to be able to reason with his boss and possibly change his mind.
If he got him to change his mind, then his work would not be in vain. He now seems to have realised that his work is actually in vain. A cat may not look at a king after all!
jtumusiime@observer.ug
Written by James Tumusiime
Wednesday, 07 September 2011 19:36
Fallen out: John Naggenda
A cat may not look at a king after all!
On May 28, 2005, after Prof Gilbert Bukenya, who was Vice President at the time, lamented in an interview in The Monitor that the ‘mafia’ in government were seeking to destroy him, John Nagenda, senior presidential advisor on media and public relations, wrote in his New Vision column:
“The easier option would be to pretend that Thursday found the majority of us, Ugandans, on a day trip to Mars, and thus not in a position to have read The Monitor newspaper. But we were nowhere else but here and mus,t therefore, however gingerly, sift through the still smoking bombs encountered on that heady day.”
Similarly, many of us cannot pretend that we were on Mars last Sunday when Nagenda used the same newspaper to describe his master, President Yoweri Museveni, as a man who can be “mischievous”; is “more autocratic”, and no longer listens.
Indeed, we have to sift through “the still smoking bombs” that Nagenda unleashed in that Sunday Monitor interview. But before we get there, another quote from what Nagenda said of the Bukenya outburst in May 2005:
“Bukenya is normally a cautious mover, one foot at a time. What happened here? Was it religious, tribal, political in the succession stakes, or none of those; merely a human being driven beyond all endurance? And if so, could there be a return to the status quo, or was this quits, don’t call me, goodbye? And if goodbye, what impact would it have on our nation? And what about tomorrow and tomorrow?”
Again, we can’t help but pose these very questions, but this time in respect to Nagenda’s own outburst, six years after Bukenya’s. Is this the end, don’t call me, good bye? What about tomorrow?
But first things first. On August 27, 2011, Nagenda was his usual self, using colourful language in his New Vision column discouraging his boss from giving away part of Mabira forest for sugarcane growing. The column, like many others before and most certainly after it, was curiously titled: ‘A cat may look at a king’.
“In other words, …if a [mere] cat may look at a king, we have as much right to take an interest in what is going on, at any level. Are you so important that I can’t even look at you?” is how he explained the use of his proverb.
Having substituted ‘king’ with ‘president’, Nagenda went on to make his point much more clearly thus:
“According to my Boss, the President of Uganda, to whom I am Advisor of Media and Public Relations, he is undergoing warfare in what has become known as the Mabira Forest saga. It flared up some years ago, but ended, to him, inconclusively, which President Museveni now views as his fault, for He Should Have Won!
Well, a Cat may look at a King. Your Columnist hopes, praying to God, that victory will go instead to those who oppose their Leader’s plan to destroy the ancient forest, replacing it, sacrilegiously in our view, with Sugar.”
After ranting on about his ‘friend’ Mehta and the Asian industrialist’s thirst for a piece of Mabira forest, Nagenda returned to his boss:
“Sir, you and your colleagues of all categories fought a great Bush War. It was based on courage and fortitude, but also because, uniquely, of the Movement principle of free discussion. Sure, there were kings and cats, but each looked deep into the other. To give thus and then take away is a game of kookoonyo (offering but snatching back!)”
Later that Saturday, August 27, addressing teachers at State House, Entebbe, President Museveni appeared to be reacting to Nagenda’s position.
“Unlike some of those who engage in arrogance over Mabira, I do not drink alcohol or go to bars. I always think about developing Uganda for the well being of Ugandans.”
Now, Nagenda is proudly arrogant and he loves his bottle. He has no apologies for either. Could the President have been hitting at his senior advisor? If we needed evidence to that effect, it was delivered by Nagenda himself when in his next column on September 3, he wrote:
“Your columnist certainly and unashamedly enjoys a drink – come to that, many kinds of the stuff, each having its own place in the hierarchy of a meal. Rather than a Bar, I repair to my seat at our table at the Club.
A drink with others brings camaraderie where many things can be discussed, where for that moment they feel equals. I recommend it. I doubt, however, that I can convince some persons. Let’s admit: Equal-ness can form dangerous expectations!”
Falling out
We have been told that an NTV interview with Museveni, when the President was in Nairobi, Kenya, at the same time as Kizza Besigye who was in hospital following a brutal arrest in Kampala, was the last straw.
The interview, which embarrassed Museveni, had apparently been arranged by President’s Office staff led by Nagenda. During a meeting in Kampala that followed the debacle, the President told his man off. The disagreement over Mabira must have reinforced rather than triggered this fallout. Nagenda says in the interview that he put himself on katebe (unemployment), but it would appear that he was told, rather crudely, that he was too busy drinking to be useful to the President anymore.
That must have hurt the man who once described himself as the President’s dog.
Nagenda is not afraid to disagree with his boss and has done so several times in the past, including on the issue of the third term, which he vehemently opposed before conceding defeat. As Dr Peter Mwesige of the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) noted, Nagenda has always been his own man when compared to other presidential advisors.
However, even by his own standards of being his own man, Nagenda’s latest diatribe went a notch higher than his usual muted protests here and there. The fact that he chose to do it in Daily Monitor, a newspaper he has vilified all his time in office, underlines the level of frustration and the point he wanted to make.
Soon after he was appointed to his job in the late 1990s, some cheeky journalists were so taken up by Nagenda’s guts that they engaged him in a bet that he was very likely to be fired within one year. They lost the money.
“Those who bet I would not last a year paid heavily more than three years ago,” Nagenda boasted on his website.
But now it would appear that his time has come, however long it has taken. Indeed, as Mwesige noted, Nagenda has quite often held principled positions on contentious issues, notwithstanding his admiration for Museveni and support for the Movement. Yet never before has he sounded so disgruntled, publically, as he did in that interview.
Nagenda appears to be grappling with what other ‘historical’ NRM leaders have faced in the past: a harsh realisation that “we” no longer matter as much as “we” used to. Their influence on the big man has waned as the bus picks on new conductors and passengers along the way, leaving them sulking.
“As far as the man I advise is concerned, I believe he is amongst the top five African leaders of the modern era. Naturally he is not perfect nor does he know everything,” Nagenda said of Museveni on his website.
“If I have on occasion convinced him to take a different path from his original one, then I did not work for him in vain. But such occasions have never merely fallen in my lap; they had to be hard won. It is the way it should be.”
That captures Nagenda’s understanding of his job; to be able to reason with his boss and possibly change his mind.
If he got him to change his mind, then his work would not be in vain. He now seems to have realised that his work is actually in vain. A cat may not look at a king after all!
jtumusiime@observer.ug
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
I THANK THOSE WHO HAVE IMPLEMENTED MY ROAD IDEA TO EASE TRAFFIC AT KAJJANSI T. CENTRE
On Saturday, January 15, 2011 I wrote: 'THE PICTURE WHICH KAJJANSI WEEKLY MARKET DEPICTS IS A SYMPTOM OF THE DECAY IN NRM ADMINISTRATION,'and in the article I brought out the issue of a road that can help ease the flow of traffic. Just out of anxiety today, Thursday 8th September 2011 morning, I decided to move around to see a new site proposed for Kajjansi Police Station given that I wanted to be sure that my road proposal still made sense. I was able to see the site which is in the neighbourhood of the Kajjansi Power Sub-station. I then continued and to my surprise found that a road through had been made as I proposed. I must say thank you to Uganda Clays because without their cooperation the initiative would not take off. I wish to appeal to Uganda National Roads Authority to improve this road as it has a high potential in easing traffic flow more so when there are functions at St. Mary's Kitende as well as Kiwamirembe Shrine.
If we can use our offices well and cooperate to see proposed ideas implemented, Uganda will definitely be a better place for us all.
Meanwhile, I wish to appeal to Uganda Clays Ltd about the Water hyacinth which is taking advantage of the water bodies around to multiply. This weed needs to be cleared as it has potential of multiplying and infecting many other water bodies.
Thank you all.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
A WORD OF THANKS TO ALL WHO COOPERATED TO REPLACE THE POWER CABLE AT KAJJANSI
On Sunday, July 24, 2011 I wrote: "THE HIGH TENSION CABLE AT KAJJANSI IS A REAL TIME BOMB," and shortly after, I got a response from Najjanankumbi Manager that they were to handle the matter. I am happy to note that a few days ago, the dangerous power cable was replaced.
I wish to thank all who cooperated to see the replacement a big success.
Thank you so much. I wish to request UMEME to set up a small office at Kajjansi which residents can approach over power problems. This will greatly rule out the use of 'kamyufu'who some members of the public resort to for fixing power problems.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
Business goes on as usual at Kajjansi Trading centre, but the place is on a time bomb in the form of high tension cable that is exposed and all the time workers on drainage are in the area, one is not sure that an explosion will not go off.
I don't know how many times i will address this matter before the concerned authorities do something about it. I feel I am tired.
As a measure to reduce on accidents as people cross the road at Kajjansi trading centre, a bridge was constructed. When the work was complete, the high tension wires were put in a cable and now they are passing underground. However, it is like Umeme may not be doing regular checks on this installation which could soon or later prove a time bomb moreso that it is going through a waterlogged place. The most deadly area is where this cable is crossing a drainage channel and the debris which is moved in this channel has eaten away the plastic cover on top of this cable! Unfortunately, fellows working nearby don’t know how deadly this area can be.
Can Umeme or other concerned do something urgently, and may be it would be best to demarcate the whole area through which this cable passes so that petty business people keep away.
2ndly, it is not unusual for power to get off at Kajjansi trading centre either due to technical problems or over load and one time a truck popularly known as ‘magulu kumi’crashed into an electric pole and explosions were experienced. In such instances, the popular ‘kamyuffu’ are the relief. It is overdue for Umeme to have a resident office in Kajjansi trading centre instead of waiting to get calls from Kajjansi when there are power related problems. Can management look into this.
William Kituuka Kiwanuka
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